Post Driver for SA324/424

[Lunchbag]

Before I installed the post driver, I had a dual rear remote valve installed by the Yanmar dealer. The mechanic and I discussed that a power beyond was really the ideal way to power a post driver, but I decided to get the dual remote valve instead, in case I want it for other stuff in the future. The downside is, I have to rig the lever up or down while operating the post driver, and accept a slightly lower flow rate. But it worked fine during my trial run, so I think I'm happy with the decision.

Shaver provided all three hoses needed for the HD-8, and the fittings to connect them to the control valve on the driver. I had to purchase a quick disconnect fitting to connect the supply hose to the remote valve, and also an adapter to connect the discharge hose to the hydraulic tank (in place of the cap).

Shaver offers adapters for various tractor models, but when I talked to them their list only had the old Yanmar model numbers, so I didn't buy one. The Yanmar mechanic knew exactly what I needed and called around locally to find an adapter. One end has male threads which match the hydraulic reservoir fill port, and the other end has female threads for a 3/4" hydraulic fitting. I also used a 3/4" 90 deg bend with swivel to attach to the discharge hose.

There wasn't quite enough clearance above the fill port to install these, so I trimmed a little metal to make them fit. See the pictures below. In the next post, I'll cover operating it.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

You could get a "detent" put in one of the remotes. That way it 'locks' in place, holding the valve open.

 

[Lunchbag]

You could get a "detent" put in one of the remotes. That way it 'locks' in place, holding the valve open.

Cool, I didn't know that.

 

[Torvy]

I'm curious if this is specifically a Yanmar problem or just the same problem with any SCUT or small CUT? Does Yanmar have some unique 3pt hitch feature?

 

[Lunchbag]

Well, I'm sorry for taking so long to report back on what I've learned about operating the Shaver HD-8 on the SA-324. It has been a long learning process, and it has included some frustration along the way. I'll try to make a few useful posts (pun intended) over the next few days to share what I've learned. But I can summarize the main points up front:

First, I no longer have any qualms about using the SA-324 to operate the HD-8. I feel like it is a pretty good match. The issues I've encountered have more to do with the post driver than the tractor.

I'll summarize the main learning points here:
- Wait for good soil conditions. You may have to set it aside for months (i.e. - during summer) before the soil is soft enough to make good progress.
- Use the "storage jacks" to stabilize it when pounding. Just like the manual says not to.
- Keep replacement springs on hand.
- Accept "good enough." Don't expect to get the posts perfectly aligned, like when you set them the old-fashioned way. But you will move faster.
- Single person operation works fine.

More details to follow.

 

[MAX-24-Dean]

Well, I'm sorry for taking so long to report back on what I've learned about operating the Shaver HD-8 on the SA-324. It has been a long learning process, and it has included some frustration along the way. I'll try to make a few useful posts (pun intended) over the next few days to share what I've learned. But I can summarize the main points up front:

First, I no longer have any qualms about using the SA-324 to operate the HD-8. I feel like it is a pretty good match. The issues I've encountered have more to do with the post driver than the tractor.

I'll summarize the main learning points here:
- Wait for good soil conditions. You may have to set it aside for months (i.e. - during summer) before the soil is soft enough to make good progress.
- Use the "storage jacks" to stabilize it when pounding. Just like the manual says not to.
- Keep replacement springs on hand.
- Accept "good enough." Don't expect to get the posts perfectly aligned, like when you set them the old-fashioned way. But you will move faster.
- Single person operation works fine.

More details to follow.

Thanks for posting your update.
Just went throught the waiting for good soil conditions here. Probably could have got a hundred in with a pounder, but my tractor doesn't have the ground clearance to have one.
I like your setup.

 

[Lunchbag]

The most frustrating part about using the HD-8 has been getting the posts to go in straight.

First, it takes a little time to get the tractor in exactly the right spot with the post driver vertical in both axes, and because I'm working alone that means getting on and off the tractor a couple of times. No big deal.

But when pounding the posts, I found the driver tended to lean either left or right after being aligned vertically. It did not move at all in the fore-aft direction. It seems there is some freeplay in the left-right direction. The freeplay isn't in the driver itself, but in the three point hitch. Tightening the turnbuckles on the lower arms did not fix it.

The manual says you should only have the foot of the driver (calls it the "stabilizer") on the ground when driving the posts, and not the storage jacks. However all the videos online show the storage jacks in the down position when driving (even the Shaver videos show this). So I tried it with the storage jacks down and it improved things a lot. It essentially took out the left-right sway tendency.

However, there can still be some left-right error in the posts, even if the driver stays upright. For unknown reasons, the posts just like to wander a bit. I think by using the storage jacks I took out about half of the total error in post alignment. I can't get them perfect like I used to when setting them by hand. Disappointing, but I can go much faster without beating myself up, which is very helpful.

I have the manual tilting model, which seems fine to me. The model with hydraulic tilt cost 50% more, and that would not be worth it to me. The 15% tilt capacity has been just enough for me. I've been able to handle some pretty good slopes. I've maxed it out once. I use a regular carpenter level against the frame to get it level in both directions.