Vermeer RTX130 User manual

Rental Center Guide
Operating Steps and Safety Practices
Vermeer RTX130 & RTX200 Trenchers
For Safety Videos
and other resources,
go to Support/Safety
on www.vermeer.com
Visit Vermeer at www.vermeer.com to locate your local Vermeer dealer.
05/2017 Your machine may have product improvements and features not yet contained in this guide. Part Number 105400EP7 Edition 1.00
Vermeer Corporation reserves the right to make changes at any time without notice or obligation.
© 2017 Vermeer Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
1210 Vermeer Rd. East, Pella, IA 50219 USA
Your rental associate or technician will explain each of the following operating steps and safety practices before you use this trencher.
WARNING: Do not use or attempt to operate the machine until you understand proper operation and safety of the
machine. Read the Operator’s Manual. Read safety signs attached to the machine. If you are unsure of content
or meaning of the safety messages or information regarding machine operation, ask your rental associate or
technician for more details.
INTENDED USE: Vermeer RTX130 and RTX200 Trenchers are designed solely to produce an open trench in a continuous operation with
rearward motion of the machine. Backfill blades (if equipped) are designed to be used solely to push earthen material, typically to return excavated
material back into the trench. OPERATING STEPS
1. Engine Start:
a. Check all machine fluid levels and condition of air cleaner before starting machine.
b. Place “Propel” and “Digging Chain Drive” levers in NEUTRAL.
c. Fully close “Choke” (cold engine only). NOTE: Open “Fuel Shutoff Valve” if necessary. Move “Throttle” to 1/4 speed.
d. Push “Off/On Switch” to ON position (recoil start) or turn “Key Switch” to ON position (electric start).
e. Pull “Rope” (recoil start) or turn “Key Switch” to START position (electric start) to start engine and let it warm up.
f. After engine starts, gradually open “Choke” and reduce “Throttle” to idle.
2. Highway Transport:
a. Before transporting machine on a trailer, read trailer manual for safety precautions and loading information. Ensure gross weight of machine with
attachments is within the gross weight limits of the trailer and the towing vehicle. Approximate weight without boom or chain:
RTX130: 880 lb (400 kg) with tires, 1140 lb (517 kg) with tracks;RTX200: 910 lb (413 kg) with tires, 1170 lb (531 kg) with tracks.
b. Clean machine to keep any debris off highway. Fully raise trencher boom, position machine in-line with trailer ramps, set “Throttle”to half speed.
From level ground, drive machine squarely onto trailer and stop machine when tie-down position is reached. Avoid loading if ramps are slippery.
c. Place “Propel” lever in NEUTRAL, shut off engine, remove key (electric start) and turn off fuel valve (if equipped) to prevent engine flooding.
d. Secure machine to trailer using standard tie-down procedures with one front and two rear tie-down points.
e. Reverse procedure for unloading machine from trailer. Ensure trailer is on level ground. Avoid unloading if ramps are slippery.
3. Setup:
a. Contact the local One-Call system in your area to request location of all underground utilities near work area.
b. Operating the machine will require you to wear protective equipment. Always wear a hard hat, safety shoes, hearing protectors, and eye
protection. If working near traffic, wear reflective clothing.
c. Examine work area for any obstructions, conditions, or situations which may impair machine operation or create a safety hazard for the operator
or other persons. Look for evidence or notices of underground placements, manhole covers, drop boxes, and recent trenching activity. All
utilities in these areas should be marked and avoided. Check for and stay away from steep slopes, banks, overhangs, drop-offs, and trenches
which can cave in. Use the information on safety signs on the machine and in the Operator’s Manual combined with your own good judgment
when identifying operating hazards and avoidance measures.
d. Either the trench cleaner assembly or restraint bar must be in place on the trencher boom while digging. These are intended to help protect
against accidental personal contact with the digging chain.
4. Driving the Machine:
a. Disengage digging chain and fully raise boom when driving while not digging a trench. Never ride on machine.
b. Pull up red “Operator Presence Lever” on left handlebar.
c. Use “Propel Lever” to begin moving machine slowly. Use a speed suitable for the terrain.
d. Pivot handlebars to steer, rotating rear of machine in direction of push. Machine will counter-rotate if “Propel Lever” is in NEUTRAL.
5. Opening a Trench:
a. Line up machine at beginning of trench.
b. If equipped with trench cleaner, follow Shutdown Procedure to shut off engine. Then raise and secure trench cleaner.
c. Follow Starting Procedure, pull up on red “Operator Presence Lever”and move “Throttle”to FULL RPM.
d. With “Digging Chain Drive” engaged in FORWARD, lower trencher boom slowly to the desired digging depth. NOTICE: Lowering boom too
quickly will result in excessive boom and machine bounce. A small amount of rearward ground travel during the plunge cut may help in reducing
boom and machine bounce. Trencher will STOP anytime the “Operator Presence Lever” is released.
e. If using trench cleaner, stop digging chain after plunge cut, raise trencher boom until chain is out of ground and shut off machine. Release
trench cleaner, restart machine, engage digging chain in FORWARD, and lower trencher boom to desired digging depth.
f. Adjust rearward ground travel speed for the best productivity when the required trench depth has been reached.
g. Use handlebar steering controls to maintain trenching direction.
6. Restarting Stalled Machine:
a. If digging chain snags material and stalls engine, place “Propel” and “Digging Chain Drive” levers in NEUTRAL and restart engine. Slightly raise
trencher boom and reverse digging chain to free obstruction.
b. Engage “Digging Chain Drive” in FORWARD, lower trencher boom to desired digging depth and resume trenching.
7. Shutdown Procedure:
a. Place “Propel” and “Digging Chain Drive” levers in NEUTRAL. Reduce engine speed to IDLE, push “Off/On Switch” to OFF position (recoil start)
or turn “Key Switch” to OFF position and remove key (electric start). Close “Fuel Shutoff Valve” if equipped.
Operator’s Manual and Rental Center Guide are available in other languages. Contact [email protected]om. Se dispone del Manual del
Operador y de la guía de centros de alquiler en otros idiomas. Póngase en contacto con productsaf[email protected].
See other side for Safety Practices

Rental Center Guide
Operating Steps and Safety Practices
Vermeer RTX130 & RTX200 Trenchers
For Safety Videos
and other resources,
go to Support/Safety
on www.vermeer.com
Visit Vermeer at www.vermeer.com to locate your local Vermeer dealer.
05/2017 Your machine may have product improvements and features not yet contained in this guide. Part Number 105400EP7 Edition 1.00
Vermeer Corporation reserves the right to make changes at any time without notice or obligation.
© 2017 Vermeer Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
1210 Vermeer Rd. East, Pella, IA 50219 USA
Your rental associate or technician will explain each of the following safety practices and operating steps before you use this trencher.
SAFETY PRACTICES
Below are selected safety messages. Additional safety information is contained in safety signs on the machine and in the
Operator’s Manual attached to the machine.
WARNING: Keep all spectators and unprotected workers away from the machine and work
area while in operation.
WARNING:Before you start any digging project, call the local One-Call system in your area
and any utility that does not subscribe to the One-Call system.
DANGER: Contact with moving digging chain will result in death or serious injury. Trench
cave-in may cause you to fall onto moving chain.
Stay away from moving digging chain.
Never adjust trench cleaner assembly with the digging chain or engine running.
WARNING: The digging chain can suddenly drag the machine forward if the trencher is
forced too quickly into the ground or catches on an object. Stay away from
houses, fences, trees, and other objects. Digging chain contact with fences,
trees, or walls can cause chain to climb upward quickly and turn machine over
rearward. Death or serious injury can result if struck by machine.
WARNING: Runover/Rollover can crush.
Keep feet away from wheels or tracks.
Do not allow anyone to ride on machine.
WARNING: Use Shutdown Procedure explained in the Operator’s Manual before servicing,
cleaning, repairing, or transporting the machine.
WARNING: Failure to follow any of the preceding safety instructions or those shown on the machine or in the Operator’s
Manual could result in death or serious injury. This machine is to be used for only those purposes for which it was intended
as explained in the Operator’s Manual.
See other side for Operating Steps