Vermeer RTX100 User manual

Rental Center Guide
Operating Steps and Safety Practices
Vermeer RTX100 & RTX150 Trenchers
Visit Vermeer at www.vermeer.com to locate your local Vermeer dealer.
11/2015 Your machine may have product improvements and features not yet contained in this guide. Part Number 105400CK7 Edition 1_01
Vermeer Corporation reserves the right to make changes at any time without notice or obligation.
© 2015 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 RTX100 and RTX150 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.Trencher 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.
d. Move “Throttle”to ¼ speed.
e. Push “Off/On Switch”to ON position (rope start) or turn “Key Switch”to ON position (electric start).
f. Start engine and let it warm up. After engine starts, 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
RTX100 is 1500 lb (680 kg). Approximate weight of RTX150 is 1600 lb (726 kg).
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. Shut off engine and turn off fuel valve to prevent engine flooding at restart.
c. Secure machine to trailer using standard tie-down procedures with one front and two rear tie-down points.
d. 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 digging chain when driving between trenches. Never ride on machine.
4. Opening a Trench:
a. 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, 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. NOTE: 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.
5. 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.
6. Shutdown Procedure:
a. Place “Propel” and “Digging Chain Drive” levers in NEUTRAL and raise trencher boom. Reduce engine speed to IDLE, turn off
engine and remove key.
Copies of the operator’s manual and this operation and safety guide are available in Spanish from your Vermeer dealer. Su distribuidor
Vermeer dispone de ejemplares en español del manual del operador y de esta guía de operación y seguridad.
See other side for Safety Practices

Rental Center Guide
Operating Steps and Safety Practices
Vermeer RTX100 & RTX150 Trenchers
Visit Vermeer at www.vermeer.com to locate your local Vermeer dealer.
11/2015 Your machine may have product improvements and features not yet contained in this guide. Part Number 105400CK7 Edition 1_01
Vermeer Corporation reserves the right to make changes at any time without notice or obligation.
© 2015 Vermeer Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
1210 Vermeer Rd. East, Pella, IA 50219 USA
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: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: 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 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