STK OPERATOR’S MANUAL 9/4/18 Page 10 of 14
DIG CHAIN CONTROLS
Dig chain controls:
The dig chain control lever is to the right side of the hand rest.
Trench direction:
To run the dig chain to trench, place the palm of your hand on the lever and rotate the lever down so
that your hand rests on the hand rest while holding the dig chain control lever. When the chain is
running in the trench direction, the chain on top of the boom will move away from the operator.
Reverse direction:
To reverse the dig chain, rotate the dig chain control lever to the right, away from the hand rest.
When the chain is running in the reverse direction, the chain on top of the boom will move towards
the operator.
Stop the dig chain:
To stop the dig chain, release the dig chain control lever. It will return to the stop position and the dig
chain will stop.
START A TRENCH
To start a trench:
“The plunge cut”
Run the engine with the throttle in the full / fast position. Run the dig chain in the trench direction
and slowly lower the boom. If the boom bounces, stop lowering the boom and let the dig chain clear
the dirt before continuing to slowly lower the boom. A little ground travel in reverse, toward the
operator, can help smooth the plunge cut.
Do not overload the engine. If the engine lugs down or the digging chain slows down, raise the boom
until the chain speed increases, then continue slowly lowering the boom.
NOTICE:
Do not force the boom down faster than the digging chain can remove material.
TRENCHING
Digging a trench: THE STK TRENCHES IN REVERSE
Run the engine with the throttle in the full / fast position. With the plunge cut already made and the
boom in the plunge cut slowly pull the control levers back, towards yourself. The STK will crawl in
reverse and begin trenching. While trenching if the engine lugs or the chain slows, stop the STK to
allow the chain and engine to get back up to speed. The speed at which you can trench is dependent
on soil conditions, harder soil requires slower trenching. Use the adjustable trenching controls to
make trenching easier. It is especially useful for trenching in a straight line.
