Vermeer RT200 User manual

Vermeer RT200 Trencher
Rental Center Guide
Operating Steps and Safety Practices
Visit Vermeer at www.vermeer.com to locate your local Vermeer dealer.
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 RT200 is a pedestrian-operated self-propelled machine equipped with a front-mounted trencher or
root cutter and optional boring attachment to perform various functions such as trenching, root cutting and horizontal boring.
OPERATING STEPS
1.Trencher Start:
a. Check all machine fluid levels and condition of air cleaner before starting machine.
b. Place “Propel” and “Attachment Drive” levers in NEUTRAL/OFF position.
c. Move “Throttle” to mid-range. Fully close “Choke” (cold engine only).
d. Turn “Key Switch” clockwise to start engine. As engine warms up, gradually open “Choke” and reduce “Throttle” to idle.
2.Trencher 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 of RT200 trencher is
1500 lb. (680 kg).
b. Clean machine to keep any debris off highway. If equipped with optional “Porta Bore” attachment, raise and lock it in transport position.
c. Lower trencher boom half way to increase weight on nose wheel, release “Park Brake,” position machine inline with trailer ramps and set
“Throttle”to half speed. From level ground, drive machine squarely onto trailer and stop at tie-down position.
d. Fully lower trencher boom to trailer bed and set “Park Brake.”Shut off engine and remove key.
e. Secure machine to trailer using standard tie-down procedures with front and rear tie-down points.
f. Reverse procedure for unloading machine from trailer. Ensure trailer is on level ground. Avoid unloading if ramps are slick.
3. Trencher 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.
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.
e. Disengage “Attachment Drive” when driving between trenches. Never ride on machine.
4. Opening a Trench:
a. With red “Operator Presence Button” pushed, use steering and propel controls to line up machine at beginning of trench.
b. If equipped with trench cleaner, shut off machine and raise and secure trench cleaner.
c. Follow Starting Procedure and push down on red “Operator Presence Button” located on the “Propel Lever.” Move “Throttle”to full
speed. The hydraulic power clutch is engaged by depressing the “Operator Presence Button.” If the button is released during operation,
the clutch will disengage, and hydraulic power will be discontinued. If the button is not depressed within 1.5 seconds after being
released, the “Propel and Attachment Drive Levers” must be returned to NEUTRAL before the clutch will re-engage.
d. With “Attachment Drive” engaged in FORWARD, lower trencher boom slowly to the desired digging depth. 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 Button”is released.
e. If using trench cleaner, stop “Attachment Drive” after plunge cut, raise trencher boom until chain is out of ground and shut off machine.
Release trench cleaner, restart machine, engage “Attachment Drive” 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 “Steering Lever” to maintain trenching direction.
5. Restarting Stalled Machine:
a. If digging chain snags material and stalls engine, place “Propel” and “Attachment Drive” levers in NEUTRAL and restart engine. Slightly
raise trencher boom and REVERSE digging chain to free obstruction.
b. Engage “Attachment Drive” in FORWARD, lower trencher boom to desired digging depth and resume trenching.
6. Shutdown Procedure:
a. Place “Propel” and “Attachment Drive” levers in NEUTRAL/OFF position and raise trencher boom.
b. Reduce engine speed to idle, turn off engine and remove key. Set "Park Brake” to prevent machine from rolling.
Operator’s manual and rental center guide are available in other languages. Contact [e-mail]. Se dispone del manual del
operador y de la guía de centros de alquiler en otros idiomas. Póngase en contacto con [e-mail].
See other side for Safety Practices
04/2014Your machine may have product improvements and features not yet contained in this guide. Part Number 105400CP9 Edition 1_00
Vermeer Corporation reserves the right to make changes at any time without notice or obligation.
© 2014 Vermeer Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
1210 Vermeer Rd. East, Pella, IA 50219 USA

Vermeer RT200 Trencher
Rental Center Guide
Operating Steps and Safety Practices
Visit Vermeer at www.vermeer.com to locate your local Vermeer dealer.
Your rental associate or technician will explain to you 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: Fuel and fumes can explode and burn.
Shut of engine before refueling. No flame. No smoking.
WARNING:Before you start any digging project, do not forget to 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 can climb upward quickly and turn machine over
rearward. Serious injury or death can result if struck by machine.
WARNING: Runover/Rollover can crush.
•Avoid situations where rollover can occur. Keep feet away from wheels.
•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 serious injury or death. 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
04/2014Your machine may have product improvements and features not yet contained in this guide. Part Number 105400CP9 Edition 1_00
Vermeer Corporation reserves the right to make changes at any time without notice or obligation.
© 2014 Vermeer Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
1210 Vermeer Rd. East, Pella, IA 50219 USA

Vermeer RT200 Trencher
Rental Center Guide
Operating Steps and Safety Practices
Visit Vermeer at www.vermeer.com to locate your local Vermeer dealer.
HORIZONTAL BORING (Porta Bore) OPERATING STEPS
(When used with RT200 Trencher)
NOTICE: Refer to RT200 Trencher Operating Steps and Safety Practices before operating horizontal boring attachment.
1. Horizontal Boring Setup: (Porta Bore)
a. Boring requires a trained operator and a trained helper. Operator must be present at the machine and operating the controls. The
helper aligns the bore, changes drilling rods, attaches cutters and watches drilling operation.
b. Refer to the RT200 trencher operator’s manual for instructions on how to prepare work site before making a bore.
c. Do not engage boring motor rotation with pipe wrench attached onto drill rod. Never have more than 20’ (6.1 m) of drill rod
exposed between bore entrance and machine.
d. Control FORWARD travel speed to avoid bending rod, causing drill string to whip.
e. Always use FORWARD rotation when boring. Reversing motor direction when using threaded-pipe type drill rod may uncouple
rod in the bored hole.
2. Horizontal Boring Operation: (Porta Bore)
a. Fully raise trencher attachment. Lower and lock boring attachment motor into operating position.
b. Use “Steering” and “Propel” levers to line up machine at beginning of bore path. Move “Trencher/Porta Bore” selector switch to
“Porta Bore” and shut off machine.
c. Follow instructions in operator’s manual to install universal joint onto boring motor shaft. Assemble one or two drill rods and the
desired cutting head and attach to motor universal joint.
d. While standing beside and outside of the entrance pit, the helper must use the supplied “Rod Guide Tool” behind the cutter
head to start the head into the ground. Stop the machine and remove the “Rod Guide Tool”after head has entered the ground.
Use a level to check bore alignment and resume boring. Follow instructions in the operator’s manual for adding additional
sections of drill rod and placement of additional drill rod guide stakes as needed.
e. Follow Starting Procedure and keep “Throttle” at low rpm. Engage red “Operator Presence Button” and start “Boring Attachment”
rotation in FORWARD direction and LOW SPEED. Use “Propel Control” to slightly creep tractor FORWARD. Ensure steering
tires are aligned with direction of bore.
f. When bore is complete, back machine away from bore entrance until one or two rods are withdrawn. Stop machine, uncouple
and remove exposed rod connected to boring motor. Move machine toward entrance trench and recouple to drill string. With
helper, clear area, start machine, and continue removing one or two rods at a time until all tooling is withdrawn from bore.
g. When finished boring, remove universal joint from the boring motor and raise and lock motor in transport position.
3. Shutdown Procedure:
a. Place “Propel” and “Attachment Drive” levers in NEUTRAL/OFF position.
b. Reduce engine speed to idle, turn off engine and remove key. Set "Park Brake” to prevent machine from rolling.
HORIZONTAL BORING (Porta Bore) SAFETY PRACTICES
DANGER: Serious injury is possible if struck by pipe wrench on rotating drill rod.
Remove wrench before starting engine and boring attachment.
WARNING: Rotating rod can kill. Clothing can snag.
Stay away. Do not wear loose clothing that can catch on rotating equipment.
WARNING: Serious injury or death is possible if struck by guide tool. Never use hands,
feet, shovel, rakes, or other tools to manually assist the boring attachment.
04/2014Your machine may have product improvements and features not yet contained in this guide. Part Number 105400CP9 Edition 1_00
Vermeer Corporation reserves the right to make changes at any time without notice or obligation.
© 2014 Vermeer Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
1210 Vermeer Rd. East, Pella, IA 50219 USA