RHINO PL-3 User manual

Your Rhino Model PL-3 Hydraulic Post Puller has been designed to make pulling posts as easy as possible.
It is VERY IMPORTANT to understand your post puller operating instructions before using your unit. It is also ery
important that you make sure all operators are trained to operate your post puller safely. If you or any operator
doesn’t understand any of the instructions, call Rhino collect at [phone] and we will be happy to answer any
questions.
WARNING – AVOID SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH,
READ BEFORE USING YOUR POST PULLER!
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS _________________________________________________________________________
The PL-3 Hydraulic Post Puller is meant to pull posts up to 4" x 4" wood posts or 4" x 6" H column beams. Do not
o erload the post puller. It is designed as a 3 ton puller.
WARNING – DO NOT USE THE PL-3 HYDRAULIC POST PULLER FOR ANY
APPLICATION OTHER THAN THOSE SPECIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER
SAFETY Do not operate the post puller unless the operator and any others near the post puller are wearing
EQUIPMENT: hard hats, safety glasses, safety shoes, back supports, and any other safety equipment ad ised by
ANSI, NIOSH, OSHA, or any other safety regulatory agency, or the employer or the owner of this
post puller.
CARRYING The Model PL-3 Hydraulic Post Puller is shipped to you in the carrying/storage configuration.
STORAGE The PL-3 should be carried by the half round bar located on the back of the unit for balance. After
CONFIGURATION: use, the unit should be reassembled to the carrying/storage configuration, so all components will
be rigid and easily transportable. Secure the handle so it will not be lost.
SETTING UP Straddle the post to be pulled with the puller feet. The post should be centered between the feet
FOR USE: and as close to the hydraulic cylinder as possible. Remo e the pump handle from its storage
socket. Use the two notches on the lower end of the handle to turn the hydraulic al e on the lower
part of the hydraulic pump/cylinder counter clockwise. This opens the cable/hook assembly from
its carrying position on the puller support leg. Place a Rhino Post Grabber around the post or dou-
ble wrap a chain around the post to be pulled. Additional chain must be at least 3/8" grade 80 chain
with a minimum working load capacity of 3 tons. Cross the chain o er itself so it will tighten up as
you start to pull. Connect the post grabber or chain to the puller hook. Using the pump handle,
tighten the hydraulic al e clockwise.
CAUTION SAFETY CHECKS: ALWAYS PUT SAFETY FIRST! Check your PL-3 each time you use it for loose
bolts, broken or missing E clips or cotter pins, frayed or broken wires in the cable, cracks, bulges
or abnormalities in welds, castings, pulley mount, base, pulley, pins, hook, anchor shackle,
hydraulic ram or any other part on or used with the puller. Do not repair any parts. Immediately
replace worn or defecti e parts with new ones. Do not use the post puller with worn or defecti e
parts. Doing so could result in serious injury or death.
CAUTION SAFETY PRECAUTIONS DURING USE: Stay clear of the chain assembly, chains, etc. and always
use the safety restraint while pulling. If it is necessary to use a chain, always use a chain that is at
least 3/8" grade 80, in excellent condition and has a working load rating of at least 3 tons like the
Model PL-3 Hydraulic Post Puller
OPERATING & SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS
Jamieson Equipment Company | 5314 Palmero Court | Buford, GA 30518 | 800.875.0280 | [email protected]

PL-3. A broken chain can whip upward and/or around causing injury. It is always best to ha e at
least two people when pulling a post, one operating the post puller and one to control the post so
it will not fall and injure someone as it comes out of the ground.
WARNING ALWAYS USE THE SAFETY RESTRAINT AT THE START OF A PULL. The pur-
pose of the safety restraint is to restrain the hook, post grabber, chain, etc.
from striking the operator in the e ent the chain or other pulling de ice
breaks when the post is being pulled.
CONNECT SAFETY Detach the hook of the safety restraint from its storage position and
RESTRAINT: hook it into the cable thimble where the cable hook is
attached to the cable.
USING THE Insert the pump handle into the hydraulic pump socket. With an up and down motion, pump up the
POST PULLER: PL-3 hydraulic cylinder. As soon as the post starts mo ing out of the ground, remo e the safety
restraint from the cable thimble and reattach it to the base of the puller. If the safety restraint starts
to become taut and the post hasn’t started to mo e yet, lower the grabber or chain and start to pull
again.
WARNING DON’T KEEP PULLING AFTER THE SAFETY RESTRAINT BECOMES TAUT OR YOU WILL BREAK IT.
After the post starts to mo e, the pressure to keep the post mo ing will be less and the safety
restraint can be remo ed. If the post stops coming up, reposition the post grabber or chain to the
base of the ground again and reconnect the safety restraint.
WARNING DO NOT OVERLOAD THE POST PULLER. IF YOUR PUMP HANDLE STARTS TO FLEX OR BEND,
STOP PUMPING. YOU ARE AT THE POINT OF OVERLOADING YOUR POST PULLER.
If the post to be pulled is deeper than three feet, you may ha e to collapse the hydraulic cylinder to
lower the post grabber or chain on the post to pull it further.
WARNING DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PULL POSTS THAT HAVE BEEN SET IN CONCRETE. THE POST PULLER
FEET WILL SET ON TOP OF THE CONCRETE AND YOU WILL BE USING THE PULLER’S
HYDRAULICS TO PULL AGAINST ITSELF, WHICH MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE UNIT.
In some cases, posts may be ery hard to pull. The larger the post, the more force it takes to pull
it. Sometimes the posts rust and seem to bond with certain types of soil. When some soils dry out,
they become concrete-like and make it ery difficult, if not impossible, to pull. If you ha e a post
that is difficult to pull, start to pull the post and, while there is hydraulic pressure pulling on the
post, ha e someone hit the post with a sledge hammer to shock it and perhaps cause it to release
from the soil. Some posts may be so firmly embedded in the soil that they will ha e to be dug out.
STORING THE After the post is pulled, release the hydraulic al e, turning it counter clockwise. Collapse the
POST PULLER: hydraulic cylinder and reconnect the hook to its carrying position on the support leg. Using the
pump handle, close the hydraulic al e by turning it clockwise and pump the hydraulic cylinder up
until the cable is taut. Do not apply ery much pressure. You simply want to tension the cable so
that the unit is easily carried. Place the pump handle in its storage socket. The unit is now ready to
be stored until you need it again.
Cable Thimble
Safety Restraint in
Pulling Position
Piston Link
Safety Restraint in
Storage Position
Chain or Other
Pulling De ice to
Pull Post
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Jamieson Equipment Company | 5314 Palmero Court | Buford, GA 30518 | 800.875.0280 | [email protected]

and are registered trademarks of Rhino Tool Company. © Copyright 2002 Rhino Tool Company Printed in U.S.A. Form 269 - 1/02
WARNING If your PL-3 warning label is marred or destroyed, replace it immediately. Simply call Rhino Tool
Company and we will send you a new warning label at no charge.
CAUTION Do not repair any PL-3 parts. Order new ones. If the cable assembly becomes worn, replace it
immediately with a new cable assembly.
If your Model PL-3 Hydraulic Post Puller, or any other Rhino product or part is not performing properly, let Rhino or
your Rhino dealer, distributor or representati e know. If you don’t know what is wrong with your Rhino unit, you can
send it, freight prepaid, to Rhino Tool Company and we will examine it free of charge and let you know what is wrong,
if it can be fixed and what it will cost for repair. Remember, freight must be prepaid so please call first so we are
expecting your unit. If there is nothing wrong with your unit or if your unit is repaired, Rhino always replaces all bolts,
lock washers and gaskets with a charge for those parts along with reassembly.
You ha e purchased a quality, rugged post puller and if you gi e your Rhino Post Puller reasonable care, it will gi e
you efficient, trouble-free ser ice.
If you ha e any questions regarding the operation of your Model PL-3 Post Puller, please let us know - we will be
happy to help.
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Jamieson Equipment Company | 5314 Palmero Court | Buford, GA 30518 | 800.875.0280 | [email protected]