ASTEC TF300B - Cutting a Trench

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
AU103168 C7B 24
BEFORE YOU OPERATE
Cutting a Trench
NOTE: Know the location of all underground utilities
before starting.
1. Make sure all persons are away from the machine
before you start the engine and while you are
trenching.
2. See Starting the Engine in this manual. Start the
engine. Run the engine at 1/4 throttle until the engine
is at operating temperature.
3. After the engine has reached operating temperature,
move the machine to the work area and put the
machine in the correct position to cut the trench.
Make sure that the end of the trencher boom is
several feet beyond the starting point of the trench.
4. Align the machine to the center line of the new
trench.
5. Put the crumber (if equipped) in the TRANSPORT
position.
RH97H014
6. Move the Range Control into the LOW position.
7. Turn the Creep Speed Control counterclockwise until
the control is completely OPEN.
8. Lower the Trencher Boom to within several inches of
the ground.
9. Move the Trencher Clutch Lever to the left to actuate
the digging chain and spoil auger.
10. Increase engine speed to 3/4 throttle. Slowly lower
the boom and cut the trench until the boom is at the
correct depth
11. Increase the engine speed to full throttle.
12. Put the Forward/Reverse Lever in REVERSE. Rotate
the Speed Creep Control to adjust the ground speed.
Slowly CLOSE the Creep Speed Control until machine
begins to move rearward.
NOTE:
This will counteract the digging chain contact with
the ground which is pulling the unit FORWARD
NOTE: The trencher operates best at full throttle. Adjust
ground speed to keep from lugging the engine
.
13. After the trench is approximately 610 mm (2 feet)
long, stop the machine. Raise the boom and pull the
Trencher Clutch Lever to the right to stop the digging
chain.
14. Move the crumber bar into the operating position.
15. Move the Trencher Clutch Lever to the left to actuate
the digging chain and spoil auger.
16. Increase engine speed to 3/4 throttle. Slowly lower
the boom into the open trench until the boom is at
the correct depth.
17. Increase the engine speed to full throttle.
18. Put the Forward/Reverse Lever in REVERSE. Rotate
the Speed Creep Control to adjust the ground speed.
NOTE:
The trencher operates best at full throttle. Adjust
ground speed to keep from lugging the engine.
WARNING: Be careful when working near the
side of a trench. Serious injury or death can result
if the walls of the trench fall.
WARNING: Make sure all people are clear of the
digging chain while the digging chain is rotating.
Serious injury or death can result from contact
with the digging chain.
WARNING: Sharp moving parts - do not remove
restraint bar. Keep clear of hazardous area. KEEP
CLEAR. Serious injury or death can result from
bodily contact.
WARNING: Never allow anyone in the trench
while digging.
TRANSPORT
POSITION
OPERATING
POSITION