The Active Safety System
The Safety Gate is the main guard between the operator and the work zone. Being mounted on a hinge allows the guard to move in and out of the work position, allowing the operator to access the work zone when required.
The Hammer & Auger interlock is activated when the safety gate is out of the work position (when the operator has access to the work zone) This interlock restricts the hammer drop speed to the required ‘1m of travel per 10 seconds’ and disables the Auger rotation -allowing the operator to safely access the workzone
2 Handed Fast Drop Override: In fencing, obstructions like existing fencelines can prevent the safety gate from rotating into position. To address this, a fast-drop override lever is included, allowing the hammer to drop quickly. This system requires both hands to operate, ensuring the operator stays clear of the work area.
The Safety Postcap is a plate that mounts between the hammer and the post being driven into the ground. It has a small spike on the underside, which pierces the top of the post, holding it in an upright position and allowing the post to be steered using the postdriver controls. This means that the operator can stand well clear of the post and strike zone while the postdriver is in operation.
As a post is hammered into the ground, the location of the impact zone changes. To guard this impact zone over the entire travel distance, Kinghitter uses a guard that mounts to the safety postcap. The key feature of this design is that the guard moves with the strike zone, protecting the operator from the impact zone at all times
The Fall Arrest Bolts are incorporated into the linkage design. This means that in the unlikley event of a toplink failure, the postdriver cannot fall down to ground level - protecting the operator from the crush hazard.
The Pulleys and any associated pinch points are located well above the operator and are surrounded by a shroud
The Interchangeable Hydraulics System to increase usability and safety. One aspect of this is the addition of a check valve on the hammer lift/drop hydraulic ram. This valve acts as a ram "brake" and is calibrated so that as soon as the hammer completes its stroke, the ram stops instantaneously, minimising rope whip. This means that the rope does not whip into the operational zone or against the mast, increasing operator safety and rope life.