Ditch Witch SK5TR User manual

SK5TR
Attachment Operator’s Manual
Publication number: 054-096; page 1 of 9
Foreword
Read and understand this manual and the power unit operator’s
manual before using your attachment. Keep it with the
equipment at all times for future reference. If you sell your
equipment, be sure to give this manual to the new owner.
If you need a replacement copy, contact your Ditch Witch®
dealer. Visit our website at www.ditchwitch.com or write to the
following address:
The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
Attn: Marketing Department
PO Box 66
Perry, OK 73077-0066
USA
The descriptions and specifications in this manual are subject
to change without notice. The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
reserves the right to improve equipment. Some product
improvements may have taken place after this manual was
published. For the latest information on Ditch Witch equipment,
see your Ditch Witch dealer.
SK5TR Trencher Attachment
Operator’s Manual
Issue number 4.0/OM-2/19
Part number 054-096
Copyright 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2019
by The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
Ditch Witch is a registered trademark of The
Charles Machine Works, Inc.
Equipment Modification
This equipment was designed and built in accordance with
applicable standards and regulations. Modification of
equipment could mean that it will no longer meet regulations
and may not function properly or in accordance with the
operating instructions. Modification of equipment should only be
made by competent personnel possessing knowledge of
applicable standards, regulations, equipment design
functionality/requirements and any required specialized testing.
Intended Use
The SK5TR trencher attachment is designed for digging
trenches up to 6” (152 mm) wide and 38” (965 mm) deep.
Safety
• Complete proper training and read operator’s manual before using
equipment.
• Contact your local One-Call (811 in USA) or the One-Call referral
number (888-258-0808 in USA and Canada) to have underground
utilities located before digging. Also contact any utilities that do not
participate in the One-Call service. Mark proposed path with white
paint prior to contacting One-Call or utilities.
• Classify jobsite based on its hazards and use correct tools and
machinery, safety equipment, and work methods for jobsite.
• Mark jobsite clearly and keep spectators away.
• Wear personal protective equipment.
• Review jobsite hazards, safety and emergency procedures, and
individual responsibilities with all personnel before work begins.
Safety videos are available from your Ditch Witch®dealer.
• Replace missing or damaged safety shields and safety signs.
• Use equipment carefully. Stop operation and investigate anything
that does not look or feel right.
• Do not operate unit where flammable gas may be present.
• Contact your Ditch Witch dealer if you have any question about
operation, maintenance, or equipment use.
Safety Alert Classifications
These classifications and the icons work together to alert you to
situations which could be harmful to you, jobsite bystanders or your
equipment. When you see these words and icons in the book or on the
machine, carefully read and follow all instructions. YOUR SAFETY IS
AT STAKE.
indicates a hazardous situation that, if not avoided, will
result in death or serious injury. This signal word is to be limited to the
most extreme situations.
indicates a hazardous situation that, if not avoided, could
result in death or serious injury.
indicates a hazardous situation that, if not avoided, could
result in minor or moderate injury.
NOTICE indicates information considered important, but not hazard-
related (e.g., messages relating to property damage). IMPORTANT can
help you do a better job or make your job easier in some way.

SK5TR
Attachment Operator’s Manual
Publication number: 054-096; page 2 of 9
Safety Alerts Connect Attachment
1. Position attachment
on level surface with
enough space
behind it to
accommodate unit.
2. Start engine.
3. Tilt mount plate (2)
forward.
4. Position mount plate
in the upper lip of the
receiver plate (1) on
attachment.
5. Raise lift arms while
tilting back mount
plate.
6. Pins will
automatically
engage.
7. Ensure lock pins are
engaged by rotating
attachment down.
Verifythatbottomsof
lock pins are visible
under attachment
plate.
1
DANGER decal. See
Parts Manual for
replacement part
numbers.
2
DANGER stripe decal.
See Parts Manual for
replacement part
numbers.
3
Lift point.
4
Tiedown location. See
Transport chapter for
more information.
274-318
5
Moving
digging teeth. Contact will
cause death or serious
injury. Stay at least 6’ (2m)
away.
6ft/2m
IMPORTANT: Before connecting attachment to unit,
ensure that mount and receiver plates are free of dirt
and debris and that latch handles are down.
IMPORTANT: Attachment should be raised enough to
clear the ground. Mount plate should be tilted back fully.
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SK5TR
Attachment Operator’s Manual
Publication number: 054-096; page 3 of 9
Hydraulic Hoses
Connect hydraulic hoses.
1. Remove dirt and
debris from
hydrauliccouplers.
2. Connect male
coupler on
attachment to
female coupler (3)
on unit.
3. Connect female
coupler on attachment to male coupler (1) on unit.
4. Ensure that connections are secure by pulling on
hoses.
Function Overview
Pressurized fluid or air
could pierce skin and cause injury
or death. Stay away.
To help avoid injury:
• Use a piece of cardboard or wood, rather than
hands, to search for leaks.
• Wear protective clothing, including gloves and eye
protection.
• Before disconnecting a hydraulic line, turn engine
off and operate all controls to relieve pressure.
• Lower, block, or support any raised component
with a hoist.
• Cover connection with heavy cloth and loosen
connector nut slightly to relieve residual pressure.
Catch all fluid in a container.
• Before using system, check that all connections
are tight and all lines are undamaged.
• If you are injured, seek immediate medical
attention from a doctor familiar with this type of
injury.
Hot parts may cause
burns. Do not touch until cool or
wear gloves.
To help avoid injury: Wear gloves when connecting
and disconnecting hydraulic hoses and wait until unit
has cooled before touching hydraulic components.
Attachment Function
To raise trencher, raise lift (loader)
arms.
To lower trencher, lower lift (loader)
arms.
To curl trencher up/tilt trencher up, tilt
mount plate up.
To curl trencher down/tilt trencher down,
tilt mount plate down.
To start digging chain, engage
attachment drive (auxiliary) control in
forward.
To reverse digging chain, engage
attachment drive (auxiliary) control in
reverse.
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SK5TR
Attachment Operator’s Manual
Publication number: 054-096; page 4 of 9
Operate Attachment
1. Move unit to starting point of trench.
2. Move track drive controls to neutral.
3. Move throttle to half open.
4. Use lift (loader) arm control to lower trencher to 1" (25 mm)
above ground surface.
5. Use attachment drive (auxiliary) control to start forward
digging chain rotation. DIGGING CHAIN WILL MOVE.
6. Increase engine speed to full throttle.
7. Use lift (loader) arm control to slowly curl digging boom
down to digging depth.
8. Move track drive controls to begin trenching. UNIT WILL
MOVE.
9. When trench is complete, move track drive controls to
neutral.
10. Move throttle to half open.
11. Use lift (loader) arm control to curl boom up to top of
trench.
12. Use attachment drive (auxiliary) control to stop digging
chain rotation.
13. Use lift (loader) arm control to raise trencher.
14. Use track drive controls to drive unit away from trench.
15. Lower attachment to ground surface.
16. Idle engine a few moments to stabilize engine temperature.
17. Stop engine.
For Proper Operation
• Avoid using badly worn teeth. When replacing teeth,
maintain original pattern. Use Ditch Witch®
replacement teeth.
• Use correct length boom. See your Ditch Witch
dealer for more information.
• Do not make sharp turns. For easier turning, lower
boom to full depth.
• If an object becomes lodged in chain, move digging
chain control to neutral and raise boom slightly.
Reverse chain direction. If object must be removed
manually, turn engine off.
• When beginning trench near a wall or fence, allow
enough distance between boom and footings, drains,
and cables.
• When cutting across asphalt roads, start trench in
soil at edge of road and dig with shortest possible
boom at full digging depth.
• When straight trenching across a slope, it can be
helpful to stake a wooden beam parallel to intended
course and just far enough from trench to guide
downslope track.
• Keep bystanders clear of work area.
• Do not walk or work under raised attachments unless
lift (loader) arms are securely supported.
• Avoid sudden starts and stops.
Storage
Store attachment upright in a clean, dry place. Cover
attachment to keep it clean.
Moving digging teeth.
Contact will cause death or serious
injury. Stay at least 6’ (2m) away.
To help avoid injury: Machine might jerk when digging
starts. Allow 3’ (1 m) between digging teeth and obstacle.
EMERGENCY SHUTDOWN: Turn ignition switch to STOP.
IMPORTANT: Trenching movement is toward you.
6ft/2m

SK5TR
Attachment Operator’s Manual
Publication number: 054-096; page 5 of 9
Service
Each Use
Check Bit Rotation
Bits must rotate freely in bit holders. Clean chain and
check bits for free rotation after each use. If any bit does
not rotate, it will quickly wear unevenly. If using rock
chain bits, replace bit when tungsten cap or insert is worn
or adapter can be damaged.
10-Hour
Check Hydraulic Hoses and Fittings
Check hydraulic hoses for leaks every 10 hours.
Check and Adjust Digging Chain
Check digging chain
tension every 10
hours. Clearance
between chain and
boom (4) should be
approximately 1" (25
mm).
To adjust chain with
roller boom:
1. Lower boom to
ground and stop engine.
2. Loosen four trencher boom clamp bolts (3), if
equipped.
3. Loosen jam nut (2) and turn adjusting screw (1)
clockwise to increase and counterclockwise to
decrease chain tension.
4. Tighten jam nut.
5. Tighten trencher boom clamp bolts to 78 ft•lb
(106 N•m).
To adjust chain with
sprocket boom:
1. Lower boom to
ground and stop
engine.
2. Adjust chain
tension by
tightening or loosening adjustment screw (2) and jam
nut (1). Digging chain tension is correct when 1-1.5"
(25-40 mm) of slide and stop is exposed (3).
3. Tighten jam nut.
To help avoid injury: Unless otherwise noted, all
service should be performed with the engine off.
Pressurized fluid or air
could pierce skin and cause severe
injury. Stay away.
To help avoid injury:
• Use a piece of cardboard or wood, rather than
hands, to search for leaks.
• Wear protective clothing, including gloves and eye
protection.
• Before using system, check that all connections
are tight and all lines are undamaged.
• If you are injured, seek immediate medical
attention from a doctor familiar with this type of
injury.
Hot parts may cause
burns. Do not touch until cool or
wear gloves.
To help avoid injury: Wear gloves when connecting
and disconnecting hydraulic hoses and wait until unit
has cooled before touching hydraulic components.
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SK5TR
Attachment Operator’s Manual
Publication number: 054-096; page 6 of 9
To adjust chain with
grease cylinder:
With boom horizontal,
measure distance
from bottom of boom
to chain. When
properly tensioned,
distance should be
0.5" (13 mm).
To tighten digging
chain, pump MPG into
cylinder at check valve zerk.
To loosen digging chain, stand on opposite side of boom
and unscrew check valve zerk to release grease.
Lube Outboard Bearing
Lube outboard auger
bearing every 10
hourswith MPG. Clean
zerk before servicing
to prevent
contamination.
As Needed
Check Digging
Chain Rollers,
Sidebars, Pins, and
Bushings
Perform periodic
visual inspections of
digging chain. Check
for wear on rollers (1)
and sidebars (2).
Check pins and
bushing wear by
measuring distance
(3) between chain pins and comparing it to new chain.
Check Digging Chain Teeth and Bits
Inspect digging chain teeth for wear as needed. Replace
worn teeth with new Ditch Witch®teeth. Each unit is
equipped with a standard tooth configuration. When
replacing teeth, maintain original tooth pattern.
Depending on soil conditions and type of chain, a
different configuration might produce better results.
Contact your authorized Ditch Witch dealer for more
information about digging teeth patterns.
Alligator chain bits, like teeth, wear out. When tungsten
cap or insert is gone, bit will wear quickly. Replace it
before bit adapter is damaged.
NOTICE: Do not overtighten chain. Overtightening
will cause chain stretch, loss of machine
performance, and possible premature chain failure.
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NOTICE:
• If sidebars are bending or getting loose on chain
pins, use chain spacers to join sidebars.
• Replace worn or broken chains.
• Replace sprockets when new chain is installed.
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SK5TR
Attachment Operator’s Manual
Publication number: 054-096; page 7 of 9
Check Trencher Headshaft Sprocket Bolts
Check tightness of
headshaft sprocket
bolts as needed.
Tighten lubricated
bolts to 85 ft•lb (115
N•m)
Replace Digging Chain
To remove digging chain:
1. Start engine.
2. Position digging chain with connector pin at top of
boom.
3. Lower boom to ground.
4. Stop engine.
5. Secure chain.
• With sprocket booms,
lock rear idler
sprocket.
• With roller booms,
clamp links on either
side of connector pin
with chain jaws
(shown). Squeeze
jaws to reduce
pressure on connector
pin.
6. Loop cable through links
nearest connector pin
(shown).
7. Turn tension bolts
counterclockwise to
release tension on digging
chain.
8. Stand clear of chain. Do
not stand behind boom.
Keep feet from under boom.
9. Remove pin from connector pin and drive pin out of
link.
10. Unclamp links (roller boom). Slowly release cable
and lower chain to ground.
To install digging chain:
1. Position digging chain on ground with teeth down
and pointed toward unit.
2. Loop cable through end links.
3. Start engine.
4. Back unit up until digging chain extends past
headshaft about 12” (30 cm).
5. Lower boom to horizontal position.
6. Stop engine.
7. Secure chain on sprocket booms by locking rear idler
sprocket.
8. Pull rear end of chain over tail sprocket or roller. Pull
cable until chain is in place on boom.
9. Attach chain jaws to end links and bring links into
place.
10. Install connector pin and lock key.
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SK5TR
Attachment Operator’s Manual
Publication number: 054-096; page 8 of 9
Specifications Serial Number Plate
1. Serial number
2. Attachment weight
3. Date of manufacture
Support
Procedure
Notify your dealer immediately of any malfunction or failure of
Ditch Witch®equipment.
Always give model, serial number, and approximate date of
your equipment purchase. This information should be recorded
and placed on file by the owner at the time of purchase.
Return damaged parts to dealer for inspection and warranty
consideration if in warranty time frame.
Order genuine Ditch Witch replacement or repair parts from
your authorized Ditch Witch dealer. Use of another
manufacturer's parts may void warranty consideration.
Resources
Publications
Contact your Ditch Witch dealer for publications and videos
covering safety, operation, service, and repair of your
equipment.
Ditch Witch Training
For information about on-site, individualized training, contact
your Ditch Witch dealer.
SK5TR U.S. Metric
A Trench depth, max 38 in 965 mm
B Trench width, max 6 in 152 mm
C Boom travel down vertical vertical
C
1Boom travel up 5° 5°
E Centerline of trench to outside edge,
left 20.5 in 521 mm
E1 Centerline of trench to outside edge,
right 20.5 in 521 mm
F1 Headshaft height, digging chain down 6.5 in 165 mm
Headshaft speed, high speed/low
torque 230 rpm 230 rpm
Digging chain speed, high speed/low
torque 317 fpm 96 m/min
Headshaft speed, low speed/high
torque 145 rpm 145 rpm
Digging chain speed, low speed/high
torque 200 fpm 61 m/min
Weight with 2-ft (610-mm) boom 375 lb 170 kg

SK5TR
Attachment Operator’s Manual
Publication number: 054-096; page 9 of 9
Warranty
Ditch Witch®Equipment and Replacement Parts
Limited Warranty Policy
Subject to the limitation and exclusions herein, free replacement parts
will be provided at any authorized Ditch Witch dealership for any Ditch
Witch equipment or parts manufactured by the Ditch Witch factory that
fail due to a defect in material or workmanship within one (1) year of first
commercial use. Free labor will be provided at any authorized Ditch
Witch dealership for installation of parts under this warranty during the
first year following “initial commercial” use of the serial-numbered Ditch
Witch equipment on which it is installed. The customer is responsible
for transporting their equipment to an authorized Ditch Witch dealership
for all warranty work.
Exclusions from Product Warranty
• All incidental or consequential damages.
• All defects, damages, or injuries caused by misuse, abuse,
improper installation, alteration, neglect, or uses other than those
for which products were intended.
• All defects, damages, or injuries caused by improper training,
operation, or servicing of products in a manner inconsistent with
manufacturer’s recommendations.
• All engines and engine accessories (these are covered by original
manufacturer’s warranty).
• Tires, belts, and other parts which may be subject to another
manufacturer’s warranty (such warranty will be available to
purchaser).
• ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES NOT EXPRESSLY STATED
HEREIN, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND MERCHANTABILITY.
IF THE PRODUCTS ARE PURCHASED FOR COMMERCIAL
PURPOSES, AS DEFINED BY THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE,
THEN THERE ARE NO WARRANTIES WHICH EXTEND BEYOND
THE FACE HEREOF AND THERE ARE NO IMPLIED WARRANTIES
OF ANY KIND WHICH EXTEND TO A COMMERCIAL BUYER. ALL
OTHER PROVISIONS OF THIS LIMITED WARRANTY APPLY
INCLUDING THE DUTIES IMPOSED.
Ditch Witch products have been tested to deliver acceptable
performance in most conditions. This does not imply they will deliver
acceptable performance in all conditions. Therefore, to assure
suitability, products should be operated under anticipated working
conditions prior to purchase.
Defects will be determined by an inspection within thirty (30) days of the
date of failure of the product or part by Ditch Witch Product Support
(DWPS) or its authorized dealer. DWPS will provide the location of its
inspection facilities or its nearest authorized dealer upon inquiry. DWPS
reserves the right to supply remanufactured replacements parts under
this warranty as it deems appropriate.
Extended warranties are available upon request from your local Ditch
Witch dealer or the Ditch Witch factory.
Some states do not allow exclusion or limitation of incidental or
consequential damages, so above limitation of exclusion may not apply.
Further, some states do not allow exclusion of or limitation of how long
an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitation may not apply. This
limited warranty gives product owner specific legal rights and the
product owner may also have other rights which vary from state to
state.
For information regarding this limited warranty, contact the DWPS
department, P.O. Box 66, Perry, OK 73077-0066, or contact your local
dealer.
First version: 1/91; Latest version: 8/16