Post Driver

[ahlkey]

I recently purchased a Shaver HD-8 manual unit and this week drove in 200 poles with another 200 to go over the next few weeks. I have certainly learned a lot of what it takes to make this equipment work well. Some were simple others not so but in the end I am getting pretty good at driving poles correctly. So far the unit is holding up but I have my doubts.

On the negative side on my second pound the safety guard broke (weld breaking apart). Likewise, the support legs that attach to the three point hitch are nearly useless in my mind. If you have to adjust for every pole and even if you do it right and watch how they support they really do not support much. Whoever designed these support legs needs help. The 3 pt hitch takes the hit nearly completely. Likewise, I have to say in my over 30 years of buying equipment the installation instructions were the worst. A lot of the instrucitons were just wrong and the pictures were mostly shadows. Overrall, this installation was so bad you would probably not be able to make it this bad even if you did it on intentionally. It it hard to imagine that Shaver doesn't invest a few hundred dollars in a DVD instruction guide. I would caution anyone from trying to install on your own. I wish I had let the dealer do it but they said they never had put one together either so I gave it a try. Even the Shaver factory personnel were less than helpful and even provided wrong information. Has anyone else experienced similar problems with their Shaver HD-8 Model? Thanks.

 

[Luremaker]

I purchased an old used shaver HD-8 post driver last summer. I had to replace the springs to get it to work. I did not get a manual with it and almost killed myself trying to install it to my 3pth the first time I used it. I did call shaver and they were kind enough to mail me a free copy of the manual. I agree the manual needs a make over with clearer photos. I do not have he support legs so my 3pth takes the hit with every stroke of the ram. It sure makes easy work of driving fence posts. So far I have driven almost 50 posts. I will begin fencing off some creek areas as soon as it dries out a little. Overall I am happy with my purchase.

 

[ahlkey]

Thanks for your feedback. It is good to hear you are having good results.

I put another 50 poles in the ground today. Only problem today is the the slant adjustment crank lost a washer and is now stripped near the arm crank. Still works but rough so it will need a sleeve or something. I also find that the bolts which we were very tight have come loose twice. I can't imagine they didn't use more lock nuts on such a high impact piece of equipment. Overall, I still have 150 poles to get in and I hope the Shaver post driver is up to the task.

 

[stimpee]

How big of a tractor are you guys using for these post drivers?

 

[ahlkey]

My tractor is a Same Solaris 45 (43 HP).

 

[Luremaker]

I am using my Kubota L3130 - 32HP.

 

[Luremaker]

BTW, here is a picture of my old post driver.

 

[SPYDERLK]

BTW, here is a picture of my old post driver.

Thanks for posting the pic. Keep an eye on the area where the tilt frame connects to the guide for the hammer beam. The metal on the guide deformed on mine before I got it [used]. Large high strength washers under the bolt heads are in order as a preventive measure.
larry

 

[bake321]

I went to buy a Shaver PHD 10 this week. When I got there I saw the Shaver "laying there" and "standing" next to it was a Worksaver HPD20. The difference in the three point adapter was unbelievible. The Worksaver has three points of ground contact and the metel work on the adater is 4 inch square and round stock. This is a brand new design and the one I got was actually on display at the Louisville farm show. I havn't driven any post yet, but have hooked it up twice to move it. Takes all of five minutes to do this. I have hundreds of posts to put in and the auger method just was not getting it. Between the labor and the cost of ready mix, the driver seems the way to go.

Bake

 

[stimpee]

I just got a Kubota B3030. Has 30hp, but is relatively light, so I am not sure whether one of these would work for me or not.

 

[ahlkey]

Stimpee, the key if this will work for you depends on the GPM and PSI of your tractor and not the HP. Shaver claims 3-4 GPM and 1500 PSI for the HD-8.

I put in another 60 poles in yesterday and have about another 70 to go to complete my fencing of 300 poles in total. I expect to complete this weekend and if the Shaver completes the job I will be satisfied. However, I wish I had looked around at other models before selecting Shaver given the design. If it would of come assembled that would of helped.

 

[Luremaker]

I just got a Kubota B3030. Has 30hp, but is relatively light, so I am not sure whether one of these would work for me or not.

stimpee, Call the guys at Kencove Fence Supplies. I purchased replacement springs from these guys and was very happy with the service. They answered all of my questions and, as a complete nubee to post driving, I had many. I am sure they could tell you the best post driver for your tractor.

Post Driver.com - Post Driver Information Center

 

[Luremaker]

Thanks for posting the pic. Keep an eye on the area where the tilt frame connects to the guide for the hammer beam. The metal on the guide deformed on mine before I got it [used]. Large high strength washers under the bolt heads are in order as a preventive measure.
larry

Thank for the tip Spyderlk, I'll keep an eye out for that.

 

[Nuru]

Can someone post a picture of these units in action?

 

[ahlkey]

Here is my post driver. All 300 posts are in the ground!

 

[Luremaker]

Here is my post driver. All 300 posts are in the ground!

Were all of your posts square? Did you have any problems with them turning or twisting? I have only put in round posts.

 

[randy41]

how much do these things cost?

 

[SPYDERLK]

how much do these things cost?

I priced them several years back and I believe it came to a bit over $2k with driver and manual leveling frame combined. I bought used for $700 and had to replace the rod seal and beef up the bolted ram/guide connection as described earlier. No problems since.
larry

 

[Luremaker]

Thanks for posting the pic. Keep an eye on the area where the tilt frame connects to the guide for the hammer beam. The metal on the guide deformed on mine before I got it [used]. Large high strength washers under the bolt heads are in order as a preventive measure.
larry

On the weekend I changed a leaking cup seal on the cylinder and while removing the cylinder I noticed a stress fracture on the mounting bracket near the top bolt head. The guide is not deformed in any way. I think I'll replace the washer with a much larger one. I have no idea how old this post driver is or how much use it has actually had. Attached is a photo of the fracture. I also noticed on the new drivers they no longer have the large round chunk of steel like mine has at the top of the driver for extra weight.

 

[Luremaker]

how much do these things cost?

At postdriver.com the list price for the Shaver HD-8 is $1832.00 plus $308 for the 3ph mount. The HD-10 is $2940.00 plus $388 for the 3ph mount. I am not sure how these prices compare with other dealers. Steve

PostDriver.com - Fence Post Driver Information Center - Shaver Drivers