The Ditch Witch RT125 is a robust riding trencher designed for installing buried service lines of various sizes. It is a 4-wheel drive, rigid frame, hydrostatic ground drive unit with rubber tires and 4-wheel steering, operated from a riding station. The machine is designed for operation in ambient temperatures ranging from -20° to 117° F (-29° to 47°C).
Function Description
The RT125 serves as a versatile platform for various underground utility installation tasks, primarily trenching, plowing, drilling, sawing, and backhoe operations, depending on the attached implements. Its hydrostatic ground drive and 4-wheel steering provide precise control and maneuverability on diverse jobsites. The operator station is equipped with a comprehensive graphic display for monitoring machine parameters and controls for various functions, including ground drive, attachment speed/direction, and specialized attachment operations.
Important Technical Specifications
Dimensions (Tractor):
- Angle of approach (A2): 25°
- Height (H1): 115 in (2.92 m)
- Transport height (H2): 105 in (2.67 m)
- Nose to rear mount length (L1): 125 in (3.18 m)
- Length - transport (L2): 154 in (3.91 m)
- Wheelbase (L4): 79 in (2.01 m)
- Width (W2): 82 in (2.09 m)
- Tread (W4): 64 in (1.63 m)
- Ground clearance: 14 in (356 mm)
- Basic unit weight: 9700 lb (4400 kg)
- Maximum allowable tractor weight: 22,000 lb (9,979 kg)
Power Plant:
- Engine: Deutz® Tier 4 Final TCD3.6L4 diesel, direct injection, 4 cyl. turbocharged with charge air cooling and exhaust aftertreatment system (EAT).
- Displacement: 221 in³ (3.6 L)
- Bore: 3.86 in (98 mm)
- Stroke: 4.72 in (120 mm)
- Engine manufacturer’s gross power rating per SAE J1349: 121 hp (90 kW)
- Estimated net power per SAE J1349: 113 hp (84 kW)
- Rated speed: 2300 rpm
- Maximum engine tilt angles: Longitudinal 30°, Lateral 30° (exceeding these angles will cause engine damage).
Hydraulic System:
- Ground drive pump capacity at 2300 rpm: 27.5 gpm (104 L/min)
- Ground drive pump relief pressure at 2300 rpm: 5300 psi (365 bar)
- Attachment pump capacity at 2300 rpm: 45 gpm (180 L/min)
- Attachment pump relief pressure at 2300 rpm: 6500 psi (448 bar)
- Auxiliary pump capacity at 2300 rpm: 5.1 gpm (19.3 L/min)
- Auxiliary pump relief pressure at 2300 rpm: 3000 psi (206 bar)
- Steering pump capacity at 2300 rpm: 8.6 gpm (32.5 L/min)
- Steering pump relief pressure at 2300 rpm: 3000 psi (206 bar)
Fluid Capacities:
- Fuel tank: 38 gal (144 L)
- Engine oil: 8.5 qt (8 L)
- Hydraulic reservoir: 25 gal (95 L)
- Hydraulic system: 30 gal (114 L)
- Cooling system: 4.25 gal (16.1 L)
- DEF tank: 2.6 gal (10 L)
Operation:
- Forward speeds: Low 1.3 mph (2.1 km/h), High 8.0 mph (12.87 km/h)
- Reverse speeds: Low 1.3 mph (2.1 km/h), High 5.5 mph (8.8 km/h)
- Vehicle clearance circle (SAE) wall to wall with optional backfill blade: Front steer only 35 ft (10.7 m), Coordinated steer 21 ft (6.4 m)
- Tires: 38 x 18.00-20 NHS(TL)
- Operator ear sound pressure level: 91 dBA per ISO 6394 (77 dBA with cab per ISO 6396)
- Exterior sound power level: 107 dBA per ISO 6393
Backfill Blade (optional):
- Blade width: 80 in (2.03 m)
- Blade height: 17 in (430 mm)
- Lift height above ground: 21 in (533 mm)
- Blade drop below ground: 10 in (254 mm)
- Maximum swing angle (left/right): 30°
- Tilt angle (up/down): 12°
BH120 Backhoe:
- Transport height (A): 118 in (2.98 m)
- Digging depth, max. (F): 112 in (2.84 m)
- Bucket rotation (P): 170°
- Lift capacity, boom over end and swing arc, SAE: @ 48” (1.2 m) 1170 lb (530 kg), @ ground level 1250 lb (567 kg), @ 72” (1.8 m) 1184 lb (537 kg)
- Digging force using bucket cylinder: 6600 lb (2994 kg)
CT120H Trencher:
- Trench depth, maximum (A): 97 in (2.46 m)
- Trench width, maximum (B): 24 in (610 mm)
- Attachment weight: 1750 lb (794 kg)
- Digging chain speeds with RT125 (Ratio standard): 767 ft/min (233.7 m/min)
ST120H Trencher:
- Trench depth, maximum (A): 94 in (2.39 m)
- Trench width, maximum (B): 24 in (610 mm)
- Attachment weight: 2350 lb (1066 kg)
- Digging chain speeds with RT125 (Ratio standard): 767 ft/min (233 m/min)
PT120H Combo (Trencher):
- Trench depth, maximum (A): 70 in (1.78 m)
- Trench width (B): 6-12 in (150-300 mm)
- Attachment weight without boom, chain, or plow blade: 3065 lb (1390 kg)
PT120H Combo (Plow):
- Cover depth (A): 36 in (915 mm)
- Penetration (A’): 40 in (1.02 m)
- Plow vibrator force @ 1800 rpm: 35,215 lb (157 kN)
- Maximum material diameter (Pulled): 3 in (76 mm)
RC30 Reel Carrier:
- Maximum reel diameter (N): 96 in (2.44 m)
- Capacity: 2500 lb (1134 kg)
RS40 Saw:
- Trench depth (A): 40 in (1.02 m)
- Trench width: 4.5, 6, 8 in (115, 150, 203 mm)
- Attachment weight: 5900 lb (2675 kg)
Usage Features
The RT125 is designed for single-operator use, emphasizing safety and efficiency.
- Operator Orientation: Right and left sides are determined by facing the front of the unit from the operator's seat.
- Controls: Features a Center Console with auxiliary outlet, ground drive foot control, brake pedal, steering column tilt control, and ground drive direction/speed control. The Right Console includes horn, ignition, plow/saw/trencher lift and swing controls, start override, rear steer mode/adjustment, ground drive speed hand control, frame tilt, reel winder/backfill blade control, and a graphic display. The Left Console has reel winder selector, reel carrier lift, gearbox shift, axle lock, throttle, cruise control speed dial/selector, attachment speed/direction, and parking brake. An optional Upper Console provides running, hazard, and work light switches, and cab controls for air conditioning and wipers.
- Graphic Display: Provides real-time information on engine speed, cruise control set speed, ground drive speed, gearbox status, attachment drive percentage, rear steer status, ground drive direction, backfill blade float, cold start wait, operator presence, parking brake, and axle lock. It also displays critical indicators for hydraulic fluid temperature, hydraulic fluid filter, engine caution/stop, fuel, DEF level, exhaust cleaning, aftertreatment service, high exhaust temperature, voltmeter, hourmeter, engine coolant temperature, and engine oil pressure. Pop-up messages alert the operator to start interlock conditions, exhaust cleaning needs, and air filter changes.
- Start-Up: Requires clearing bystanders, fastening the seat belt, checking start interlock conditions (operator in seat, ground drive in neutral), returning all controls to neutral, adjusting throttle to low, setting the parking brake, and waiting for the cold start indicator to turn off before turning the ignition.
- Driving: General operation involves turning on lights, raising attachments, releasing the parking brake, adjusting throttle, and using ground drive controls. The unit can operate in High or Low gear, with ground drive stopping if controls are moved out of neutral in High gear.
- Safe Slope Operation: Emphasizes operating with the heavy end uphill, driving cautiously, using steady control motions, and lowering digging attachments to the ground when parking on slopes.
- Plowing: Supports normal, offset, coordinated, and crab plowing. Coordinated and crab plowing utilize rear steer for enhanced maneuverability.
- Drilling: Involves digging approach and target trenches, assembling the drill string, and operating drilling attachment controls for clockwise rotation. Counterclockwise rotation is used only to dislodge blocked bits or reamers.
- Trenching: Requires setting the trench/plow switch to trench position (if applicable), setting desired offset, aligning the saw with the trench, and ensuring wheels are straight.
- Cruise Control: Automatically adjusts ground drive speed based on digging conditions, increasing speed in easier soil and decreasing in difficult conditions.
- Battery Disconnect: Located on the right side of the unit, it is used to connect/disconnect the battery. Important to wait two minutes after engine shutdown before disconnecting to prevent equipment damage.
Maintenance Features
The manual outlines a comprehensive maintenance schedule to ensure optimal performance and longevity of the RT125.
- Service Precautions: Includes warnings for welding (disconnect battery, ECU ground, harness connections), washing (do not spray electrical components), and changing attachments (update electronic programming).
- Recommended Lubricants/Service Key: Specifies Deutz® DQC III-LA diesel engine oil (or API CJ-4/ACEA E6/E9 in emergency), polyurea/lithium-based NLGI GC-LB Grade 1.5 or 2 multipurpose grease (MPG), extreme pressure grease (EPG), MPL multipurpose gear oil (GL-5 SAE 80W90), and Deutz® DQC CB-14 low silicate, nitrite-free diesel engine antifreeze/coolant (DEAC).
- 10-Hour Service: Daily checks include engine oil, hydraulic fluid level and reservoir cap, hydraulic hoses, coolant level, radiator, dust ejector valve, tire pressure and lugnuts. Trencher-specific checks include lubricating tail roller, pivot stub, auger bearings, and auger sleeve, and checking auger bolts, boom mounting bolts, attachment mounting bolts, restraint bar position, trench cleaner position, personnel restraint bar/trench cleaner bolts, digging chain, and digging chain tension. Plow-specific checks include lubricating plow pivots, checking plow vibrator oil level, plow arm pins and bushings, plow connector pivots, and attachment mounting bolts. Saw-specific checks include attachment mounting bolts and bits.
- 50-Hour Service: Includes changing cab air filters, lubricating cross and bearings (initial service), universal joints (initial service), and axle spindle pins (initial service). Trencher-specific service includes checking trencher gearbox oil level. Plow-specific service includes changing plow vibrator oil (initial service).
- 100-Hour Service: Includes lubricating axle mounts, checking plow shear mounts, and testing plow connector pivots.
- 250-Hour Service: Includes changing engine oil and filter, lubricating cross and bearings, universal joints, and axle spindle pins. Also involves checking ground drive gearbox oil level, differential oil level, and planetary wheel ends.
- 500-Hour Service: Includes changing primary and secondary fuel filters, hydraulic fluid and filter, testing coolant freeze protection level, and changing DEF filter. Plow-specific service includes changing plow vibrator oil.
- 1000-Hour Service: Includes changing differential oil, ground drive gearbox oil, planetary wheel end oil, and checking engine drive belt. Trencher-specific service includes changing trencher gearbox oil.
- 2000-Hour Service: Includes changing engine coolant and inspecting the seatbelt.
- As Needed Service: Includes cleaning radiator, changing air filter, draining water separator on primary fuel filter, checking engine compartment, checking and charging battery, replacing digging chain, cleaning feed tube, replacing sod cutter and blade, checking plow blade bolts, replacing backhoe pins and bushings, and replacing saw bits.
The RT125 is designed for robust operation and requires diligent adherence to the specified maintenance schedule to ensure safety and performance.
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