Vermeer RT60 Trencher
Rental Center Guide
Operating Steps and Safety Practices
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 [email protected]. Se dispone del
manual del operador y de la guía de centros de alquiler en otros idiomas. Póngase en contacto con [email protected].
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
