Post driver

Press, 16 November 1981, Page 26

Post driver

Development of agricultural machinery is an area in which New Zealand manufacturers have competed successfully for many years. One such development is the hydraulic post driver designed by Hydes Manufacturing. Ltd. of Ashburton. This company has designed a heavy-duty model which uses a ’ three-point linkage, mounted and powered by utilising hydraulic oil drawn from the' tractor. When a three-point linkage is not available, it may be trailermounted and powered by a hydraulic power pack. Two sizes of driving monkey (the ‘ driving • weight .which drives lthe post ’into the ground) are' available. The lighter model uses a 180 kg monkey, which is suited to driving small to medium sized posts in favourable soil conditions. The heavier model uses a 255 kg monkey and is ideal for installing deer fencing or large strainer posts. “Safety and ease of opera-, tion are features of the Hydradrive,” the sales manager for Hydes, Mr Rod Begbie, said.

The power-take-off' shaft, belts, pulleys and cable drum of the conventional driver have been eliminated and the machine is controlled by a

specially-designed hydraulic valve. The hydraulic circuit is protected by a relief valve which makes it possible for the operator to stop the large monkey, even on the down stroke, without risk of overload to the ram, valve or hores. “An" additional . safety feature is that the control level always returns to the ‘hold’ position when released, guarding against accidental dropping of the driving weight,” Mr Begbie said.

Maintenance requirements have been reduced to a minimum as all rotating shafts have been eliminated. The standard post driver incorporates a mechanical angle-correction adjustment, which, along with the adjustable tractor top link; enables posts to be driven vertically or at almost any angle required. As well as the centremounted model the unit can be mounted to the side of the tractor.