Vermeer RT60 User manual

Vermeer RT60 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 RT60 is a manually propelled walk-behind trencher used to produce a continuous open trench.
OPERATING STEPS
1.Trencher Start:
a. Check fuel and engine oil levels and condition of air cleaner before starting machine.
b. Open “Fuel Valve Lever” and turn “Engine ON/Off” switch to ON.
c. Engage “Choke Lever”(cold engine only) and move “Throttle Lever”to 1/3 speed.
d. Pull “Cord Grip Handle” to start engine. After engine starts, gradually open “Choke,” reduce speed to idle and let engine warm up.
2.Trencher Transport:
a. Before transporting machine on a trailer, read trailer manual for safety precautions and loading information. Ensure gross weight
of machine is within the gross weight limits of the trailer and the towing vehicle. Approximate weight of RT60 is 270 lb. (122 kg).
b. Clean machine to keep any debris off highway. Fully raise and lock “Trencher Boom” and “Ground Drive Pedal” (to disengage
cleats from ground). From level ground, push down on handlebars to raise trencher boom and push or pull the machine squarely
up ramps and onto trailer.
c. ALTERNATE LOADING: Four lift handles are provided for two people to manually lift trencher onto truck or trailer. Each person
must be capable of safely lifting 135 lb. (61kg). Use proper lifting techniques.
d. Secure machine to truck or trailer using standard tie-down procedures with one front and one rear tie-down point. Make sure
fuel valve is OFF to prevent engine flooding.
e. Reverse procedure for unloading machine. 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. The restraint bar and trench cleaner shoe 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 digging chain when moving the machine between trenches.
4. Opening a Trench:
a. Line up machine at beginning of trench and start engine.
b. Pull up “Ground Drive Transport Latch”to release “Ground Drive Pedal”from transport position.
c. Move “Throttle Lever” to full rpm and while pushing down on handlebars, squeeze “Trencher Lift Lever”and lower digging chain
boom to one of three digging depths. Refer to decal on handlebar for corresponding lever position and digging depth.
d. While applying pressure on “Ground Drive Pedal” with your foot, lift stop lever and pull “Digging Chain Drive Lever” to start
digging chain. The chain will STOP anytime the “Digging Chain Drive Lever” is released. Slowly raise handlebars and lower
trencher boom allowing digging chain to contact the ground and start the trench.
NOTICE: Lowering boom with handlebars too quickly will result in excessive boom and machine bounce. Using your foot on ground
pedal, apply a small amount of rearward ground travel during the plunge cut to help reduce boom and machine bounce.
e. When desired depth is reached, push down on “Ground Drive Pedal” with your foot to engage ground drive cleat into ground to
move machine slowly towards operator. When pedal is fully extended down, release pedal to reset ground drive cleat.Continue
to alternately push and reset Ground Drive Pedal to advance machine rearward until trench is complete.
5. Restarting Stalled Machine:
a. If digging chain snags material and stalls engine, release the “Digging Chain Drive Lever” and restart engine.Slightly raise
trencher boom and re-engage “Digging Chain Drive Lever” to start digging chain and free obstruction.
b. Slowly lower trencher boom back to desired digging depth and resume trenching using “Ground Drive Pedal” to move machine.
6. Shutdown Procedure:
a. Release “Digging Chain Drive Lever”to stop chain. Fully raise and lock trencher boom with “Trencher Lift Lever.”
b. Reduce engine speed to idle and turn “Engine Switch” to OFF. Turn off fuel valve lever to prevent engine flooding.
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
04/2014 Your machine may have product improvements and features not yet contained in this guide. Part Number 105400CP8 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 RT60 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 contact with fences, trees, or walls can cause chain to
climb upward quickly and turn machine over rearward. Serious injury or death can result if
struck by 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
04/2014 Your machine may have product improvements and features not yet contained in this guide. Part Number 105400CP8 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