I hope it's not too bad...

GrumpyJoe · Jan 27, 2016

Using the post hole digger on my Mahindra 1533 the other day and broke a shear pin when the auger was deep in the ground. Had to use a 4x4x10 on a cement block to get it out. The problem is my dad (73) was working the hydraulics while I was using the 4x4. Didn't realize it but he was leaning on the hydraulics pretty good trying to help. Now, it doesn't lift as high and there seems to have some play in the lever. Play meaning I have to move the lever about 4 inches before it will lift. Fluid level is good. Hope this is an easy fix. I'm not tell my dad he will want to pay to fix it. Just can't do that to my dad when all he was doing was trying to help. What do you guys think?

ovrszd · Jan 27, 2016

I think he might have been pulling on the lever hard enough to knock it out of adjustment or bend something. No way him pulling on the lever had an adverse affect on the hydraulic system such as you describe.

Best way to get an auger out is with a pipe wrench, reversing direction and "screwing" it out of the ground. Small bites with an auger, small bites.