The Kinghitter Active Safety System makes post drivers safer without sacrificing efficiency or Kinghitter’s legendary usability. This safety system focuses on protecting the operator and allows them to work safely in a constantly changing environment.
Here is what one Australian fencing contractor had to say about it:
A safety system you have to remove isn’t much of a safety system at all. So how about a safety system that actually works, proven by people who use it every day.
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 work zone. It's a key feature of Kinghitter's commitment to safety-first design in every machine.
2 Handed Fast Drop Override: In fencing scenarios where existing posts or terrain make it impossible to swing the safety gate into place, Kinghitter has included a fast-drop override system. This allows the hammer to be dropped quickly — but only when the operator is using both hands. The two-handed design ensures the operator cannot be in the strike zone during activation, adding a critical layer of protection while maintaining operational efficiency. It's a smart workaround for real-world conditions that still puts safety first.
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 a key built-in safety feature, integrated directly into the postdriver’s linkage system. In the unlikely event of a toplink failure, these bolts prevent the machine from collapsing down to ground level. This design safeguards the operator from potential crush hazards, offering peace of mind when working in demanding conditions. It's another example of how Kinghitter puts operator safety first in every Australian-built unit.
The Pulleys and any associated pinch points are safely positioned well above the operator's head and are fully enclosed by a heavy-duty shroud. This overhead, shrouded design eliminates exposure to moving parts and ensures you stay protected from pinch hazards while operating the post driver.
The Interchangeable Hydraulics System is designed to improve both usability and operator safety in the field. A key part of this system is a specially calibrated check valve located on the hammer lift/drop ram. This valve acts as a hydraulic brake, bringing the ram to an immediate stop as soon as the hammer completes its stroke. By doing this, it effectively eliminates rope whip — preventing the rope from snapping back into the mast or operational zone. This reduces wear on the rope and, more importantly, keeps the operator out of harm’s way.
Still not too sure? How about this customer who said he wouldn’t use a machine without it...
In this video, Joe Herbert — a New Zealand fencing contractor — walks us through his Kinghitter Expander 2i fitted with the Dominator Base and Active Safety System. Hear how this setup delivers serious safety gains on site, without compromising the speed, power, and efficiency that Kinghitter is known for.