Hurricane 3-PT-Swinger User manual

December 2010
Model Number: 3-PT -Swinger Serial Number: __________
HURRICANE DITCHER CO., INC.
2425 Cathlinette Rd.
Vincennes, IN 47591
812-886-9663 Fax [phone]
www.hurricane-ditcher.com
e-mail: [email protected]

HURRICANE DITCHER CO., INC. THE “SWINGER” BY: HURRICANE
PAGE 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................................3
SPECIFICATIONS OF THE “SWINGER” .....................................................................................................3
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS..........................................................................................................................3-4
WARNING LABELS & ILLUSTRATION........................................................................................................5
TRANSPORTATION.....................................................................................................................................6
UNHITCHING FROM TRACTOR..................................................................................................................6
USING THE “SWINGER” ...........................................................................................................................6-7
CHECKLIST BEFORE OPERATION............................................................................................................7
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS..................................................................................................................7-8
MAINTENANCE............................................................................................................................................8
LUBRICATION...........................................................................................................................................8-9
FREE MOVEMENT OF DRIVELINE........................................................................................................9-10
IDLER ADJUSTMENT ................................................................................................................................10
LIMITED WARRANTY ................................................................................................................................11
PARTS LIST................................................................................................................................................12
PARTS ILLUSTRATION .............................................................................................................................13
OPTIONS PARTS LIST & ILLUSTRATION................................................................................................14
MAINTENANCE LOG ............................................................................................................................15-16
NOTES........................................................................................................................................................17
CAUTION!!!!
Read the Operator’s Manual.
Learn to operate this machine SAFELY.
Be alert. Observe ALL Safety Practices.
Machines can be hazardous in the hands of
an UNFAMILIAR, UNTRAINED or
COMPLACENT operator.
Do not risk INJURY or DEATH!

HURRICANE DITCHER CO., INC. THE “SWINGER” BY: HURRICANE
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INTRODUCTION
Thank you and congratulations on your purchase of The “Swinger”. We certainly hope that it will
be helpful and useful to you. As with all of our ditchers, it has been tested and built with knowledge,
precision, and quality for years of dependable service. As a leader in the ditching industry since 1984, we
continually build on our experience and use customer feedback to maintain and improve the quality and
dependability of our machines.
In order to fulfill a need in agriculture, The “Swinger” was developed in 2001 as an efficient and
affordable machine used to make surface drainage ditches using a standard farm tractor. With its unique
offset design, it allows the versatility to ditch areas normally unreachable by straight behind ditchers. It is
also being utilized by county highway departments for cleaning roadside ditches. Whatever your
application, we hope it works well for you.
Please read and follow all safety precautions, operating procedures and maintenance
requirements. Following these recommendations will prevent injury and operation down time. Proper
maintenance and lubrication will prevent machine breakdown and increase its life expectancy, which will
lead to better performance for you.
Please let us know of any comments, suggestions, or problems that may arise.
HURRICANE DITCHER CO., INC. YOUR AUTHORIZED HURRICANE DITCHER DEALER:
2425 Cathlinette Road
Vincennes, IN 47591
812-886-9663
www.hurricane-ditcher.com
[e-mail]
SPECIFICATIONS OF THE “SWINGER”
HP required: 80 to 140 HP on 540 or 1000 RPM PTO
Width of cut: 20 inches with standard 6 paddle impeller wheel; 15 inches with optional 5 paddle
impeller wheel
Depth of cut: up to 10 inches in a single pass; up to 20 inches in multiple passes with standard 6
paddle impeller wheel; up to 16 inches in multiple passes with optional 5 paddle impeller wheel
Volume of soil moved: with 80 HP tractor, up to 397 cubic yards per hour (6.5 cubic yards per
minute); with 140 HP tractor, up to 611 cubic yards per hour (10.2 cubic yards per minute)
Weight of machine: approximately 1,300 pounds
Drive train: 55 series PTO with shear bolts which overload at the tractor end; 1-3/4” diameter drive
shaft from PTO to gearbox; double 80 roller chain with idler adjustment
Certain brands of tractors could require different length PTO and/or hydraulic hoses. Contact your
dealer for detailed specifications.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
OBSERVE THIS SYMBOL THROUGHOUT THIS MANUAL. It calls out potential hazards and
dangers. This symbol will be associated with a key SIGNAL WORD that will designate a degree
or level of hazard seriousness. These signal words are as follows:

HURRICANE DITCHER CO., INC. THE “SWINGER” BY: HURRICANE
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DANGER! Indicates an imminently hazardous situation that, if not avoided, WILL result in death
or serious injury; a danger that safety guards cannot protect against.
WARNING! Indicates a potentially hazardous situation that, if not avoided, COULD result in
death or serious injury, and includes hazards that are exposed when guards are removed; also
an alert to unsafe practices.
CAUTION! Indicates a potentially hazardous situation that, if not avoided, MAY result in minor or
moderate injury; also an alert to unsafe practices.
BEFORE OPERATION:
Carefully study and understand this manual. Be sure the operator has read and understands all
operations before using this machine.
Do not wear loose-fitting clothing which may catch in moving parts.
Learn to operate this machine safely. Be alert and observe all safety practices. Machines can be
hazardous in the hands of an unfamiliar, untrained or complacent operator. Never risk injury or
death!
After servicing, be sure all tools and servicing equipment have been removed from the machine.
Be certain there is no one near the machine before starting.
Do not use the ditcher until you are certain that the area in which you are preparing to work is clear.
Be especially watchful for people, animals and moving vehicles that may enter the discharge path.
Remember, soil may be thrown over 50 feet, rocks and other debris may go farther, so use extreme
caution in any area with buildings or objects that could be damaged from flying debris.
WARNING! Do not operate this machine above 540 RPM if ditcher is rated for 540 RPM; above
1000 RPM if ditcher is rated for 1000 RPM. Excessive speed of PTO can be dangerous and
could cause personal injury or damage to your tractor or ditcher.
WARNING! Do not exceed recommended horsepower (140 HP or less) for this machine.
Excessive horsepower can be dangerous.
CAUTION! Make sure drawbar is moved to one side. Do not leave drawbar in middle of your
tractor as PTO damage may occur!
Before each use, inspect the lower shaft behind the impeller wheel for material wrapped around shaft.
Failure to keep shaft clear could result in bearing failure and is not covered under warranty.
DURING OPERATION:
Keep all shields in place.
Allow no one to stand on the left side (discharge side) of the machine while it is in operation, whether
it is moving or standing still.
NO PASSENGERS ALLOWED! Do not allow anyone to ride on ditcher at any time.
Keep clear of all moving parts.
Disengage the PTO and shut off tractor engine before servicing, cleaning or clearing a clogged
machine.

HURRICANE DITCHER CO., INC. THE “SWINGER” BY: HURRICANE
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WARNING LABELS & ILLUSTRATION
Note: Manufacturer will replace decals upon request when worn, damaged or missing.
ITEM
PART #
DESCRIPTION
A1
009040
WARNING –KEEP ALL SHIELDS IN PLACE
B1
009030
WARNING –DO NOT EXCEED 1000 RPM ON PTO
C1
009010
DANGER –STAY CLEAR OF MACHINE WHEN IN OPERATION
D1
009020
DANGER –ROTATING DRIVE LINE
A1
B1
C1
D1