Ground Hog 1M5C User manual

IMPORTANT MANUALDO NOT THROW AWAY
MODEL 1M5C
MECHANICAL ONE-MAN EARTH DRILL
Operator’s Manual
P.O.BOX 290 • San Bernardino, CA. 92402
Phone [phone] • Fax [phone] •[phone]
E-mail: [email protected] • www.groundhoginc.com

WARNINGS AND SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
This tool can cause serious injury to the operator and bystanders. The warning and safety
instructions in this manual must be followed to provide reasonable safety and efficiency in
using and storing this earth drill. The operator is responsible for following the warnings and
instructions in this manual and the earth drill. Read the entire Operator’s Manual before
using this earth drill! Restrict the use of this earth drill to persons who read, under-
stand, and follow the warnings and instructions in this manual and on the earth drill.
If you have not read and understand the warnings and instructions in this manual
and on the earth drill, you are not qualified to operate this earth drill!
This product contains and/or emits chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. This statement is made in
compliance to California Proposition 65.
This symbol means DANGER, WARNING or CAUTION. Personal injury and/or property
damage may occur unless instructions are followed carefully.
DANGER
• Keep body parts, foreign objects and clothing clear of rotating auger.
• Always use part # 1300 auger attachment pin for attaching auger bit to
earth drill.
• Coming into contact with buried utilities while digging can cause severe
injuries or DEATH.
• Contact appropriate utility representatives to determine if/where electrical
cables, gas lines, water lines, etc. are buried BEFORE operation.
WARNING ~ THIS POWER TOOL CAN BE DANGEROUS!
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WARNINGS AND SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS cont’d...
1. Always wear the proper clothing and protec-
tive gear for the job. Eye and ear protection,
hard hat, boots, gloves and dust masks are
some of the items that may be required.
2. Keep hair, fingers, and all other body parts
away from openings and moving parts. Always
wear, long pants, boots, and gloves. Do not
wear loose clothing, jewelry, short pants, san-
dals or go barefoot. Secure hair so it is above
shoulder length.
3. Do not operate this earth drill indoors. For out-
door use only.
4. Do not operate this tool when you are tired, ill,
or under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or
medication.
5. Always assume the digging location contains
underground utilities or obstructions. Contact
appropriate utility company to determine if/
where electrical cables, gas lines, water lines,
etc. are buried BEFORE operation.
6. Always use extreme caution while operating
this tool. Be sure of your footing and physical
capabilities.
1. Always assume the digging location contains
buried underground utilities or obstructions.
Call 811 to determine if/where electrical ca-
bles, gas lines, water lines, etc. are buried BE-
FORE operation.
2. Always be sure that the area you are going to
drill in is clear of potential hazards, such as
pipes, rocks, wire, boards or any other
materials that could possibly entangle itself
around the auger bit or cause unstable footing
before using the earth drill.
3. Keep others including children, animals, by-
standers and helpers outside a 15 foot hazard
zone from the earth drill.
4. Hold the earth drill handle bar firmly with both
hands.
5. Keep firm footing and balance. Do not over-
reach.
6. Keep all parts of your body and clothing away
from the auger bit and other moving parts.
7. Inspect the digging site. Soil conditions, job
specifications and operator experience may
dictate that a different earth drill or method be
used to do the job.
8. Do not leave holes open or unmarked.
1. Maintain this earth drill according to recom-
mended procedures included in this manual.
2. Disconnect the spark plug wire before per-
forming maintenance. See engine manual.
3. Stop engine before removing fuel cap.
4. Use only genuine replacement parts as rec-
ommended by Ground Hog or the engine
manufacturer.
1. Inspect the entire earth drill before each use.
Replace damaged or worn parts.
2. Check for fuel leaks and make sure all fasten-
ers are in place and securely fastened. Repair
or replace as needed.
3. Replace auger blades that are severely worn,
missing or damaged in any way before using
this tool.
4. Use only the # 1300 auger attachment pin and
make sure that it is properly attached.
5. Be sure the auger bit stops turning when you
release the throttle.
6. Use only accessories or parts as recom-
mended by Ground Hog, Inc.
1. Refuel outdoors only and where there are no
sparks and flames.
2. Store fuel in a container approved for gaso-
line.
3. Do not smoke or allow smoking near fuel or
the earth drill or while using the earth drill.
4. Clean up all fuel spills before starting engine.
5. Move at least 10 feet away from fueling site
before starting engine.
6. Stop engine before removing fuel cap.
7. Store the earth drill and fuel in an area where
fuel vapors cannot reach sources of combus-
tion like water heaters, electric motors,
switches, furnaces, etc.
1. Always shut off the fuel valve and engine be-
fore transporting or storing.
2. Always allow the engine to cool before trans-
porting or storing.
3. Store earth drill and fuel in an area where fuel
vapors cannot reach sources of combustion
like, water heaters, electric motors, switches,
furnaces, etc.
4. Always secure this earth drill with tie downs or
similar restraints when transporting.
5. The earth drill shall be stored in a manner that
prevents it from falling, rolling or tipping over.
OPERATOR SAFETY DIGGING SAFETY
TOOL SAFETY
FUEL SAFETY
MAINTENANCE SAFETY
TRANSPORTATION AND STORING SAFETY
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INTRODUCTION
It is your responsibility as the operator of this piece of equipment to know what
specific requirements, precautions and work hazards exist. You must read, understand
and follow all of the information contained in this operator’s manual and inform any
person who might be assisting you.
The 1M5C one-man earth drill is a unique tool. By separating the engine from the
auger with the use of a drive shaft, the digging torque or “kick back” normally
associated with hand operated earth drills is greatly reduced, making for a more
comfortable tool to use. However, it is a tool that can cause injury to the operator or
bystanders if it is not properly maintained or if it is misused. You must be sure that you,
as the operator, understand the use of the tool and the risks involved.
NOTE: This machine is designed to drill holes in soil. It is not intended for any other
purpose.
The rotation of the auger or drill bit on any type of earth drill will cause a counter
rotation of the handle bars while drilling a hole. The force exerted on the operator will
vary according to the type of soil, the diameter of the auger and the condition of the
machine.
In the event that the auger should encounter an object that stops the rotation
suddenly, the digging force could be transmitted directly to the operator. Even though
the force is absorbed by the wheel assembly, there is the possibility that the handle
bars could be jerked from the operator’s hands. For this reason, the operator must al-
ways have secure footing and control of the machine. The operator must also be both
mentally and physically prepared to react to this force.
Because the 1M5C is a hand operated, portable type machine, it is limited in what it
is capable of doing. The job site, soil conditions, job specifications and operator
experience may dictate that a different tool or method be used to do the job.
NOTE: It is not recommended that engines of higher horsepower be installed on this
machine. Consult the factory before making any modifications.
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HANDLE BAR POSITIONS
There are three different handle bar positions that the operator of the 1M5C earth drill
can use. Each position has a specific purpose and each one plays a part in promoting
convenience and versatility to the operator while at the job site.
POSITION 1: This is the starting position. The
1M5C should not be started unless the handle bars
are in this position. This position locks the boring
head and auger which helps stabilize the earth drill
for starting.
This position is also used for maneuvering the ma-
chine with the auger attached.
POSITION 3: This position is to be used for up
close digging where a hole is required next to an
object like a fence or a building.
This position is also used for storing when the
auger is detached and transporting to and from a
job site.
POSITION 2: This is the digging position. Most dig-
ging operations will be done in this position, allow-
ing the operator to take advantage of the 1M5C’s
design.
WARNING
Do not start the engine with handle bar in
this position.
WARNING
Do not start the engine with handle bar in
this position.
Be aware that walls may have underground
footings or foundations.
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