Ventrac KY400 User manual

Revised 06/22/12
09.10030
TRENCHER
Model KY400
OWNER/OPERATOR’S
MANUAL & PARTS LIST

ii
TO THE OWNER
Orrville, OH
www.ventrac.com
Venture Products Inc. reserves the right to make changes
in design or specifications without obligation to make like
changes on previously manufactured products.
Model # (A): _______________________
Serial # (B): ________________________
Affix Part/Serial Number label here
Product Identification
If you need to contact an Authorized Ventrac Dealer for information on servicing your product,
always provide the Product Model and Serial numbers.
Please fill in the following information for future reference. See picture below to find the loca-
tion of the identification number. Record them in the spaces provided below.
Date of Purchase: Month _________________ Day ___________ Year ___________________
Dealer: _______________________________________________________________________
Dealer Address: ________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Dealer Phone Number: __________________________________________________________
Dealer FAX Number: ____________________________________________________________

INTRODUCTION SECTION A
Description & Specifications .................................A-1
SAFETY SECTION B
Safety Symbols ........................................B-1
Decals ............................................B-2
General Safety Procedures..................................B-3
Safety Operation & Techniques................................B-4
OPERATION SECTION C
Attaching ...........................................C-1
Detaching...........................................C-1
Operating Techniques & Tips...............................C-1&2
MAINTENANCE/ADJUSTMENTS SECTION D
Roller Chain & Boom Pivot Lubrication............................D-1
Gearbox Oil Level ......................................D-1
Trencher Chain Adjustment .................................D-1
PARTS & ILLUSTRATED DRAWINGS SECTION E
Main Frame, Boom Anchor, & Shields ..........................E-1&2
Drive Train ........................................E-3&4
Trencher Boom (Serial # 1001-1224) ..........................E-5&6
Trencher Boom (Serial # 1225 -) .............................E-7&8
Trencher Chain .....................................E-9&10
Hydraulic Boom Lift ..................................E-11&12
WARRANTY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
iii

Product Description
KY400
The KY400 trencher is an excellent attachment designed to trench in hard-to-reach places and close
corners. Mounted on the articulated four-wheel drive Ventrac tractor, it is a great machine for
trenching over existing lawns with minimal damage to the turf.
The terminator/cup combo chain offers carbide cutting tips for excellent cutting performance in a
variety soil conditions. Digging teeth bolt onto the chain for easy replacement.
Dual hydraulic cylinders provide excellent boom control when trenching, and for raising the boom out
of the trench.
A depth indicator allows the operator to select and control the depth of the trench.
The standard boom and chain will trench to a maximum of 40 inches deep and 5-1/2 inches wide.
A-1
INTRODUCTION
Ventrac KY400 Specifications
Overall Height .....................................30inches
Overall Length .....................................67inches
Overall Width......................................40inches
Trenching Width ...................................5-1/2 inches
Trenching Depth (standard) ..............................40inches
Weight ........................................470pounds
Venture Products, Inc. reserves the right to change these specifications without notice.

SAFETY
B-1
ATTENTION:
This symbol identifies potential health and
safety hazards. It marks safety precau-
tions. Your safety and the safety of others
is involved.
SIGNAL WORD DEFINITIONS
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation
which, if not avoided, may result in minor
or moderate injury and/or property dam-
age. It may also be used to alert against
unsafe practices.
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation
which, if not avoided, could result in death
or serious injury.
Indicates an imminently hazardous situa-
tion which, if not avoided, will result in
death or serious injury. This signal word is
limited to the most extreme cases.

The following decals must be maintained on your Ventrac Attachment. If any decals
are faded or missing, contact your dealer promptly for replacements.
B-2
SAFETY
A
D
Decal Page &
Location Description Part Number
AE-1, #29
E-5, #23 Warning - Moving Part Hazard 00.0101
BE-1, #5 Danger - Pinching Hazard 00.0102
CE-1, #37 Warning - High Pressure Fluid Hazard 00.0103
DE-1, #13 Warning - Read Owner's Manual 00.0217
B
C

General Safety Procedures
for Ventrac Tractors, Attachments, & Accessories
Read and understand the operator’s manual before operating this equipment.
Observe and follow all safety decals.
DO NOT let children or any untrained person operate the tractor or attachment. Make sure that all
operators of this equipment are thoroughly trained in using it safely.
Never allow additional riders on the tractor or attachments.
DO NOT operate tractor or attachments if you are under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication
that may impair judgment or cause drowsiness, or if you are not feeling well.
Operate all controls from the operator’s seat only.
Before operating equipment, make sure all shields are in place and fastened.
Ensure the attachment or accessory is locked or fastened securely to the tractor before
operating. See tractor manual for locking procedure.
Ensure that all bystanders are clear of the tractor and attachment before operating. Be especially
careful and observant if other people are present. Never assume that bystanders will remain where
you last saw them.
Always look in the direction the tractor is moving.
Never direct the discharge of any attachment in the direction of people, animals, buildings, vehicles,
or objects of value.
Stop operation immediately at any sign of equipment failure and correct the problem before
continuing to operate. An unusual noise can be a warning of equipment failure or a sign that
maintenance is required.
Before adjusting, cleaning, lubricating, or changing parts on the tractor or attachment, engage the
parking brake, lower the attachment to the ground, stop the engine, and remove the ignition key.
To prevent the risk of uncontrolled equipment movement on tractors equipped with 2 speed axles,
always shift the transaxle range with the tractor stationary on level ground and with the parking brake
engaged.
If equipment is to be left unattended, engage the parking brake, lower the attachment to the ground,
stop the engine, and remove the ignition key.
B-3
SAFETY

KY400 Safety Procedures
Disengage the PTO when you are not trenching.
Call before you dig. If there is any possibility of buried cables or gas lines in the area you are
working, call your local utilities before digging. There should be an 800 number to call listed in the
front of your telephone directory.
SAFETY
B-4
Before making any repairs or adjustments, engage
the parking brake, lower attachment to the ground,
shut the engine off, and remove the key.
Read and understand the operator’s manual before
operating this equipment.
Venture Products Inc. recommends ALWAYS
wearing eye and ear protection when operating the
trencher.

Attaching
1. Drive the tractor slowly forward into the hitch arms on the trencher. Align the lift arms of the tractor
with the trencher hitch arms by raising or lowering the front hitch and complete the engagement.
2. Once completely engaged, close the front hitch locking lever.*
3. Engage the parking brake* and shut off engine.
4. Place the attachment belt over the outside groove of the PTO drive pulley on the tractor. Ensure
the belt is properly seated in each pulley.
5. Engage the PTO spring tension lever.*
6. Wipe the quick couplers clean, and connect to the tractor. If equipped, connect the hoses and
quick couplers so the red indicators are paired together and the yellow indicators are paired
together.
Detaching
1. Park the tractor on a level surface and set the parking brake.*
2. Lower the trencher to the ground.
3. Lower the trencher boom until it contacts the ground.
4. Shut off tractor engine.
5. Disengage the PTO spring tension lever.*
6. Remove the attachment belt from the PTO drive pulley of the tractor.
7. Disconnect the hydraulic quick couplers from the tractor.
8. Disengage the hitch locking lever.*
9. Restart tractor and slowly back away from the trencher.
* Refer to tractor manual for operation of controls.
Operating Techniques & Tips:
Always shift the tractor into low range when operating the trencher.
All new trencher units have a break-in period in which the trencher chain will need to be adjusted
several times during operation until the chain is properly broken in. If the chain becomes to loose, it
may try to jump off the idler pulley at the end of the trencher boom. Chain adjustment instructions are
located in the maintenance section. (Page D-1)
Operator must be sitting on the tractor seat (4100 & 4200) or seat belt must be fastened (4000)
before the PTO can be engaged. Adequate engine rpm (approximately 2000-3000) may be necessary
before engaging the PTO. Trenching should be done at 2500-3200 rpm.
The design of the trencher attachment requires the tractor to be operated in reverse while trenching.
When at the desired location for starting a trench, lower the trencher attachment to the ground. Start
the PTO and slowly lower the boom into the ground until the desired depth is reached.
If the dribble arm assembly is attached, slowly back up while lowering the boom into the ground.
For starting a trench with a straight cut down or against a building, the dribble arm assembly must be
removed. The dribble arm may be stored in the two inch receiver tube on the left side of the trencher.
OPERATION
C-1

Grease the boom anchor pivot tube (E-1, Ref. 21 & 22) every 25 hours.
Lubricate #80 roller chain (E-3 Ref. 15) with chain oil or grease every 25 hours.
Check gearbox oil every 100 hours or seasonally, whichever comes first. If necessary, add 80-90
weight gear oil. Oil level should be halfway up in gearbox.
Check the slack in the trencher chain before each use. There should be 1-1/4 to 1-3/4 inches at the
widest opening between the chain and the bottom of the boom.
If the chain needs to be adjusted:
1. Loosen the four bolts that secure the boom to the square shaft of the boom anchor.
2. Loosen the 1” jam nut on the tension adjustment bolt. (E-5 Ref. 13)
3. Turn the tension adjustment bolt clockwise to tighten the chain or counterclockwise to loosen the
chain.
4. After adjustment is complete, lock the jam nut against the boom and tighten the four boom anchor
bolts.
MAINTENANCE/ADJUSTMENTS
D-1