Notice:
Notice:
15
Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Proper care and maintenance of the power head
improves overall function of TrencherPro parts.
The power head includes a clutch, drive belt, and
belt tensioning system. Review the power head
manual and understand how these systems work
before operating the machine.
See power head manual for detailed information
about servicing and maintaining the drive belt,
carburetor, starter, fuel system, air filter, clutch,
and general troubleshooting.
Never run the engine in a confined or poorly
ventilated space.
Always stop engine and allow parts to cool
down before servicing.
Periodically check chain for damage and lodged
debris.
After each use, take a stiff brush and clean debris off of
the digging chain. Lightly spray with oil. For long-term
storage, remove chain and place in oil bath.
Maintaining the digging chain
The heavy-duty digging chain and drive belt are parts
designed to wear over time. Check, tension, and re-
place these parts regularly for best results.
• To extend chain life, adjust the chain ten-
sion to fit the soil type.
• The working life of a digging chain is great-
ly impacted by soil type.
Parts designed to wear
Never attempt to operate device with a
damaged, heavily rusted, or otherwise faulty
chain.
For detailed instructions on how and when to ten-
sion or replace the drive belt, see power head manual:
Drive belt tension and replacement
Solution: Correctly tension drive belt.
1. Turn off engine. Allow to cool.
2. Remove cover guard. Inspect drive belt and
tensioner visually and check belt tension.
3. See power head manual for instruction on
tensioning drive belt.
Common problems and solutions
Problem: Engine is revving but chain isn’t
rotating
Solution: Adjust tension of digging chain.
1. Turn off engine. Allow engine and chain to
cool.
Problem: Chain is binding, possibly
causing engine to stall
The chain tends to tighten itself with use
and needs periodic adjustment. Rocks stuck
between the digging chain and bar also tighten
chain tension. The mini-trencher performs best
with a certain amount of slack in the chain.
Stop and check the chain tension.
Problem: Pivot arm not engaged
Solution: Make sure that the clevis pin [15C] is en-
gaged in the pivot plate [14C]. See ‘Adjusting the cart
arm’ above.
The pivot arm should be used to adjust the downward
pressure on the nose of the trencher, not to push or
pull the cart forward or backward. Use the strap to pull
the cart in the direction of your trench.
Problem: Throttle lever not working.
Solution: Trigger-extension cable is disengaged.
Check the throttle extension accessory [5C] and throt-
tle lever [2] to make sure the cable is engaged properly
tensioned.
Problem: Rock stuck in digging chain/
bar.
Solution: Remove rock and re-tension digging chain.
1. Turn off engine. Allow engine and chain to
cool.
2. Once cool, rotate chain reverse of operating
direction to dislodge rock.
Problem: Rocks continually stuck in
digging chain/bar.
Solution: Change the nose sprocket.
1. Turn off engine. Allow engine and chain to
cool.
2. 2. See ‘Changing the nose sprocket’ below.
