Author Archives: General Equipment Company

What is the Correct Auger Pin? | Issue No. 11

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Questions: What is the Correct Auger Pin for use with General 240 and 330H Hole Diggers?

Answer: Part Number 2121 Auger Pin.

 
Using the 2121 auger pin with the 240 and 330H Hole Diggers is very important to:


• Minimize damage to the transmission driveshaft.
• Minimize auger hub elongation and wear.
• Maximize operator safety…improper pins or bolts can break or snag operator clothing.

Need help?
Call us at 800.533.0524, or
email: support@generalequip.com.

Notes regarding the 2121 Auger Pin:

• Fits both the 240 and 330H Hole Diggers.
• Fits 2135 and 4400 Series Augers and 5500 Series Extensions.
• Fabricated from 3/8 inch diameter, special alloy steel.
• Heat treated to eliminate bending.
• Use of a smaller, 5/16 inch diameter pin damages transmission driveshafts and
elongates auger hubs.
• Do not substitute common bolts! Bolts do not have proper strength.
• Do not substitute alternative safety pins or retaining clips to secure the pin.

 

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us.
Telephone: 800.533.0524 | Email: support@generalequip.com

Why Doesn’t my Auger Dig Better? | Issue No. 10

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Questions: Why Doesn’t my Auger Dig Better?

Answer: Because You Auger is Worn Out!

Anything that digs in the ground requires constant maintenance with wearable parts replaced when necessary. All General earth augers are manufactured with replaceable wear parts. These parts include:

  1. Blades or teeth.
  2. Screw Bits.

If both the teeth/blades and screw bits are worn past their useful limits, at least one of three things will happen:

  1. The auger is now incapable of properly penetrating the soil to dig a hole.
  2. The auger becomes a safety issue because it will not track straight.
  3. Worn augers produce unhappy rental customers that demand their money refunded!

Need help?
Call us at 800.533.0524, or
email: support@generalequip.com.

Any auger worn past its useful limits should be removed from service, scrapped and replaced!

This edition of eHelp! will illustrate several examples of worn augers that were scrapped because of diggin performance and safety concerns.

How many of your augers should be scrapped?
Bad Auger 1

 

The outside tooth of this 4400-8E3 Earth Auger is severely worn from extended use. There is insufficient material remaining to secure a replacement outside tooth. The auger will now “bind” itself in the hole while digging and is no longer capable of digging an 8 inch diameter hole. The auger was removed from service and scrapped.

  Bad Auger 2

 This 4400-6E3 Earth Auger is missing the 35HFC Tooth. Digging performance will be minimal even in soft soil conditions. Want to minimize complaints? Before each use, always check to see the proper blade or teeth and the correct screw bit are installed.

 

 

 Bad Auger 3

The blade for this 2135-6E Earth Auger was allowed to wear where it became impossible to install the correct replacement blade. For some, unknown reason, a replacement blade for an 8 inch auger was incorrectly welded upside down on the steel plate. The blade angle is also incorrect. The auger was scrapped for performance and safety considerations.

 

 Bad Auger 4

The SB25 Screw Bit from this 4400-8E3 Earth Auger (auger tip) became missing. It was not noticed and never replaced. The drive lug is significantly worn (what remains of it) and will not allow the auger to properly track. This auger was scrapped for performance and safety concerns

 

 

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us.
Telephone: 800.533.0524 | Email: support@generalequip.com

Replacement Bluffton Motor Parts? | Issue No. 09

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How do You Purchase Replacement Electric Motor parts for the General FCS16 RIP-R-STRIPPER?

1) Replacement parts, service and warranty support for the Bluffton electric motor are provided by members of the Electrical Apparatus Service Association, Inc. (EASA). Consult your local Yellow Pages under ELECTRIC MOTORS, or call 314.993.2220 for assistance. General Equipment Company DOES NOT supply replacement parts, service or warranty support for the electric motor with the exception of:

  • Thermal relief switch (red button)
    Part Number: FCS16-0025
     
  • Start and run capacitors
    Part Number: FCS16-0470

Need help?
Call us at 800.533.0524, or
email: support@generalequip.com.

2) To order replacement parts or obtain service for the Bluffton electric motor contact Electrical Apparatus Service Association, Inc. (EASA). Consult your local Yellow Pages under ELECTRIC MOTORS, or call 314.993.2220 for assistance. or www.easa.com.  It’s fast and easy to use!

3) Need help for anything not related to the motor? Call us at 800.533.0524, or email: support@generalequip.com.

 4) If you need a replacement parts diagram for the FCS16 RIP-R-STRIPPER, it’s fast and easy to download and print a copy from the LIBRARY section of our website: www.generalequip.com.

5) Replacement stripper blades are provided by General Equipment Company.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us.
Telephone: 800.533.0524 | Email: support@generalequip.com

Replacement Honda Engine parts? | Issue No. 08

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How do You Purchase Replacement Honda Engine parts for the General 330H two Man Hole Digger?

1) Replacement parts, service and warranty support for the Honda GXV160  engine used with our 330H Hole Digger are provided by MTA. General Equipment Company DOES NOT supply replacement engine parts, with the exception of:

  • Muffler and exhaust deflector.
  • Throttle cable attach swivel fiting.
  • Throttle cable.

2) Need a copy of the official parts manual for the engine? Call MTA at 1.800.264.0225 or www.mtadistributors.com

 

Need help?
Call us at 800.533.0524, or
email: support@generalequip.com.

3) For ordering parts form Robin America go to their website: www.robinamerica.com.

4) Need help for anything not related to the engine? Call us at 800.533.0524, or email: support@generalequip.com.

5) If you need a replacement Operator Manual for the 330H Hole Digger, it’s fast and easy to download and print a copy from the LIBRARY section of our website: www.generalequip.com

 If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us.
Telephone: 800.533.0524 | Email: support@generalequip.com

Replacement Subaru Engine parts? | Issue No. 07

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How do You Purchase Replacement Subaru Engine parts for the General 240 One Man Hole Digger?

1) Replacement parts, service and warranty support for the Subaru EH035V engine used with our 240 Hole Digger are provided by Robin America. General Equipment Company DOES NOT supply replacement engine parts.

2) Need a copy of the official parts diagrams for the engine? Just download and print a copy from the LIBRARY section of our website: http://www.generalequip.com/library.php.

Need help?
Call us at 800.533.0524, or
email: support@generalequip.com.

3) For ordering parts from Robin America go to their website: www.robinamerica.com.

 4) Need help for anything not related to the engine? Call us at 800.533.0524, or email: support@generalequip.com.

5) If you need a replacement parts diagram for the 240 Hole Digger, it’s fast and easy to download and print a copy from the LIBRARY section of our website: www.generalequip.com.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us.
Telephone: 800.533.0524 | Email: support@generalequip.com

How Should a Tile Stripper Blade be Used? | Issue No. 06

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How Should a Flat, Beveled Edge-Type Tile Stripper Blade be Used?

Using the proper blade when operating a General FCS Series RIP-R-STRIPPER (or similar product) for any specific job application will make all the difference between success and failure for your project.

What’s the correct use of a beveled edge blade? Typical blades are available in a variety of widths and are very popular for removing VCT type materials (usually 12 inch square) from both concrete and wood surfaces:

  • Can feature both single and dual, beveled edges depending upon configuration.
  • Beveled edge faces UP and TOWARD operator when used on a concrete surface.
  • Beveled edge faces DOWN and AWAY from operator when used on a wood or some underlayment materials.
  • Use of a blade with beveled edge facing UP and TOWARD operator on a wood floor will produce severe damage and significantly reduce machine control.

 FCS16-1300

Need help?
Call us at 800.533.0524, or
email: support@generalequip.com.

FCS10 

 

 

 

 

FCS16-1300 Single Beveled Edge Blade being used to remove VCT from a concrete floor with a General FCS10 RIP-R-STRIPPER.

 

 

 If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us.
Telephone: 800.533.0524 | Email: support@generalequip.com

Remove Glues or Mastics | Issue No. 05

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What Type of Tile Stripper Blade do I use to Remove Glued or Mastic?

Using the proper blade when operating a General FCS Series RIP-R-STRIPPER (or similar machine) to remove glue or mastic residue will make all the difference between success and failure for your product.

People usually attempt to remove these and similar materials utilizing the more readily available, flat-type blades. Many times, with very disappointing results.

The proper blade for removing mastics or adhesive residue is the mastic removal type:

  • Incorporates an additional bend that positions the cutting edge in a more vertical angle relative to the surface.
  • Angle is critical for producing the proper scraping action remove residue.
  • Use is limited to concrete floors.
  • Use on wood or many underlayments will produce an uneven scraping action, including severe gouging and damage.
  • Use on wood will significantly reduce machine control.
  • The extra blade thickness better resists flexing to also help maximize the amount of residue removed.

FCS16-1200

Need help?
Call us at 800.533.0524, or
email: support@generalequip.com.

  FCS16 Tar

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Part Number FCS16-1200 Mastic Removal Blade being used to remove mastic from a concrete floor.

Scoring blades are available in a variety of cutting widths.

 If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us.
Telephone: 800.533.0524 | Email: support@generalequip.com

Remove Glued Carpet or Linoleum? | Issue No. 04

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What Type of Tile Stripper Blade do I use to Remove Glued Carpet or Linoleum?

Using the proper blade when operating a General FCS Series RIP-R-STRIPPER (or similar machine) to remove glued-down carpet or sheet linoleum will make all the difference between success and failure for your project.

People attempt to remove these and similar materials utilizing the more readily available, flat-type blades. Many times, with very disappointing results.

The proper blade for removing these types of continuous or sheet type materials is a scoring type:

  • This design incorporates vertical “scoring wings” that slice through materials, leaving it in strips for easy removal.
  • Scoring blades are specific for use on either concrete or wood surfaces.
  • The beveled edge faces up for use on a concrete floor.
  • On a wood floor, the beveled edge faces down.

FCS16-1600 Ill

Need help?
Call us at 800.533.0524, or
email: support@generalequip.com.

FCS16

 

Part Number FCS16-1500 Scoring Blade being used to remove glued carpeting from a concrete floor. Note how the carpet is cut into strips. The remaining glue can be removed with the use of a mastic removal blade

Without the scoring wings, a flat blade will penetrate under and loosen the material from the floor. But, then there is nothing to actually separate it into small, disposable pieces. That traps the blade under the material. The role of the scoring wings is to prevent that.

Scoring blades are available in a variety of cutting widths for use on concrete and wood floors. They can also be used for any job application for a conventional, flat-type blade.

 If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us.
Telephone: 800.533.0524 | Email: support@generalequip.com

Properly Dig with a Two Man Hole Digger. | Issue No. 03

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What do I need to Properly Dig with a General 300 Series Two Man Hole Digger?

Digging holes is a physically demanding job. Before starting, ask yourself: 

  1. Am I physically and mentally up to this task? 
  2. Do I have the physical attributes and skill sets necessary to dig in a safe and productive manner? 
  3. Have I read the Operator Manual and viewed the Safety and Operational Information Video? Do I understand the material? 
  4. Is the machine, including the auger, in good working condition?

Need help?
Call us at 800.533.0524, or
email: support@generalequip.com.

Personal Considerations Include:

Strength Icon

 

 Strength

Digging holes is a strenuous activity, and can affect all body parts, including arms, wrists, hands and back. Each operator needs to have sufficient body strength to properly withstand kickback and other forces while digging. When both operators have similar strengths, digging forces are more equally balanced.

 Height Icon

Height

Each operator leverages himself to balance against kickback and other forces encountered while digging. Increased operator height provides additional mechanical advantage to react against these forces. When both operators are of similar height, forces are more equally balanced.

  Intelligence Icon   

  Common Sense

 You need to balance:

  • Past experience
  • Jobsite terrain
  • Soil conditions
  • Potential for buried obstructions
  • Auger diameter and digging depth

…to dig in a safe and productive manner.

 

Strength + Height + Common Sense = Success.

While this formula will not guarantee success, it illustrates that a practical combination of strength, height and common sense are important considerations that work together to help maximize efficiency and safety when digging with the General 300 Series Two Man Hole Digger.

 If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us.
Telephone: 800.533.0524 | Email: support@generalequip.com

Properly Dig with a One Man Hole Digger. | Issue No. 02

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What do I need to Properly Dig with a General 240 One Man Hole Digger.

Digging holes is a physically demanding job. Before starting, ask yourself: 

  1. Am I physically and mentally up to this task? 
  2. Do I have the physical attributes and skill sets necessary to dig in a safe and productive manner? 
  3. Have I read the Operator Manual and viewed the Safety and Operational Information Video? Do I understand the material? 
  4. Is the machine, including the auger, in good working condition?

Need help?
Call us at 800.533.0524, or
email: support@generalequip.com.

Personal Considerations Include:

Strength Icon

 

 Strength

Digging holes is a strenuous activity, and can affect all body parts, including arms, wrists, hands and back. You need to have sufficient body strength to properly withstand kickback and other forces while digging.

 Height Icon

Height

An operator leverages himself to balance against kickback and other forces encountered while digging. Increased operator height provides additional mechanical advantage to react against the forces.

  Intelligence Icon   

  Common Sense

 You need to balance:

  • Past experience
  • Jobsite terrain
  • Soil conditions
  • Potential for buried obstructions
  • Auger diameter and digging depth

…to dig in a safe and productive manner.

 

Strength + Height + Common Sense = Success.

While this formula will not guarantee success, it illustrates that a practical combination of strength, height and common sense are important considerations that work together to help maximize efficiency and safety when digging with the General 240 One Man Hole Digger.

 If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us.
Telephone: 800.533.0524 | Email: support@generalequip.com