Landoll D4P Power Ditcher - Manual (Page 18)

4-4 F-348-0411 Edition
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
Power Ditcher Operation and
Adjustments
Figure 4-2: Adjusting Bar
Figure 4-3: Blade Rotation
Figure 4-4: D4P Windrow

WARNING
1. The adjusting bar should be initially set with the
bottom of the skid about 1/2" to 1" above the bottom
of the blades (See Figure 4-2.) This will allow the
ditcher to reach normal cutting depth after a few feet
of forward travel. The adjusting bar should then be
adjusted as required to hold a uniform cutting depth.
2. The ditcher should be lowered slightly before
engaging the tractor PTO shaft. The PTO should not
be engaged with the ditcher blades resting on the
ground (See Figure 4-3.) The sudden shock of
starting with the blades on the ground will cause
drive shaft, shear bolt, and chain failures. After the
blades start rotating the tractor engine RPM should
be set for a 540 RPM PTO speed. The ditcher should
be lowered onto the ground and the tractor driven
forward. The speed and depth should be matched to
the soil conditions. In wet or loose soil the ditcher will
cut a fairly deep ditch at 2 to 2-1/2 MPH. In dry soil or
hard soil the travel speed must be greatly reduced.
Cutting depth must also be reduced. It may be
necessary to make two or more passes to obtain
deeper water furrows. In general, keeping engine
RPM set for proper PTO speed and avoiding sudden
shock loads will greatly reduce down time and field
failures. The ditcher should never be raised to
maximum height with the PTO engaged. Always
reduce engine RPM and raise the Power Ditcher to
about 50 percent of the maximum height while
turning.
3. The deflector wing on the left side of your ditcher was
mounted for maximum spreading of dirt in a neat
windrow, close to the ditch, ready for easy back filling
over irrigation pipe and similar uses (See
Figure 4-4.)
Stop the tractor and disengage the pto before
making any adjustments. Keep all shields in
place.