Insights: Maintenance Advice for DiggaAugerDrive Attachments | Dr. Digger’s Prescriptions

Auger Drives are among the most common and productive attachments used in the construction industry. As with most types of construction equipment, proper maintenance is essential to ensure peak performance and safety. Various auger tools are available for drilling in soft to harder ground conditions, such as rock, clay, concrete, asphalt and more.

When repairing or servicing the auger, remember to use only parts that meet the OEM standards and requirements.

Daily checks:

• Make sure that all nuts and bolts are in place and properly tightened and are performing their specified function.
• Make sure that all hydraulic fittings are tightened and that there are no leaks in any fittings or hoses.
• Check for any oil leaks.
• Wear and tear on pins, linkages, clips, bushes and hood.
• Ensure any damaged or excessively worn parts are replaced.
• Inspect the auger for cracked welding.
• Check all hydraulic components for leaks or wear, repair or replace as necessary.
• In the event of excessive leakage, inspect planetary gear oil level to ensure proper lubrication is maintained. The gearbox is filled to the correct level at the factory /during scheduled maintenance. Unless there are clear signs of gearbox oil leakage it should not require topping up between scheduled oil changes or services.
• Check the machine hydraulic oil. The life of the Auger drive hydraulic motor is entirely dependent upon the cleanliness of the hydraulic oil. Keep dirt and other contaminants from entering the hydraulic system when connecting and disconnecting the hydraulic system. Even small amounts of dirt in the hydraulic oil can cause premature motor failure that is not covered under warranty.

THE GEARBOX OIL CAPACITY IS ENGRAVED ONTO THE SERIAL TAG LOCATED ON THE TOP OF THE HOOD.

Recommended oil change schedule

1. The first oil change must be carried out within the first 50 hours of use under MODERATE OPERATING CONDITIONS. Thereafter, every 500 hours.
2. Change the gear oil after the first 30 hours of SEVERE OPERATING CONDITIONS i.e. severe ambient temperatures of +40°C or below 0°C, when augering, screw piling or core barrelling in hard ground. Thereafter, every 300 hours.

PROCEDURE FOR CHANGING OR RE-FILLING GEARBOX OIL -

• Change the gear oil after the first 30 hours of SEVERE OPERATING CONDITIONS i.e. severe ambient temperature conditions of +40°C or below 0°C, when augering, screw piling or core barrelling in hard ground. Thereafter, every 300 hours.
• Use heavy-duty extreme pressure genuine lubricant Spirol Transol GL-5 85W-140 for filling the planetary gear reduction.
• Each time an auger or extension is added, coat the inside diameter of the auger or extension collar with grease.

Changing the teeth:

The teeth need to rotate while drilling t should be evenly pointed. Poorly maint time and money. Flat spots indicate tha tungsten tiphas lost its point and no lon tooth immediately.

TIP: periodically use a soft copper to tap all teeth ensuring thy are rotating freely in their pockets. This will encourage even-wearing around the tooth, better performance and increase in life of wearparts.

TIP: the outside teeth will wear the fastest as they are traveling the greatest distance so will need replacing more often. Try swapping the outer tooth for an inner tooth to keep the wear even. Always use your best teeth on the outside pockets. Failure to change worn teeth will cause damage to the auger body and pilot, requiring a new pilot or a costly repair. Always ensure pilot teeth are rotating and in perfect condition.

• Care should be taken to see that no thread sealer or metal chips are forced to the inside of the joints when connections are being tightened.
• Worn teeth or a slightly rounded point can seriously affect auger penetration. Check for wear before each use and replace as necessary.
• Personal protection equipment, including hard hats, safety glasses, safety shoes and gloves, are recommended during assembly, installation, operation, maintenance, service, removal or movement of the attachment. Do not allow long hair, loose fitting clothing to be around moving parts.
• When the use of hand tools is required to perform any part of assembly, installation, maintenance, service, removal or movement of the earth auger, be sure the tools used are designed and recommended by the tool manufacturer for that specific task.
• Never check a pressurized system for leaks with your bare hands. Wear proper hand and eye protection and use wood or cardboard when searching for suspected leaks. Oil escaping from pinhole leaks under pressure can penetrate skin and create a serious medical emergency. If any fluid is injected into the skin, gangrene, blood poisoning or even death may result. Seek medical attention immediately.
• Always use two people to handle heavy, unwieldy components during assembly, installation, maintenance, service, removal or movement of the attachment. Never place any part of your body where it would be in danger if movement should occur.
• Never work under equipment supported by hydraulics. Even with the vehicle shut off, equipment can suddenly drop if controls are actuated or if hydraulic lines burst.
• Before connecting or disconnecting hydraulic lines or fittings, be sure to relieve all pressure by cycling all hydraulic controls after shutdown. Remember, hydraulic systems are under pressure whenever the engine is running and may hold pressure after shutdown.
• Finally, never replace the auger retaining bolt with anything other than the manufacturer’s specified bolt length. A longer, or protruding, fastener is more likely to grab clothing or gloves, which can result in serious injury or death.

Regular maintenance and safety can go a long way in extending the life of your auger and ensuring reliable as well as safe performance. Always read and follow the recommendations in your manufacturer’s operator’s manual.

Dr.Digger is ur trusted friend when it comes to advise on use of Excavator and Loader attachments. Call #DrDigger #AttachmentSpecialist since 1990 on 1800 120 7873 sales@suretech.co.in www.suretechinfra.com ​

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Originally published at https://doctordigger.chapter24.blog.