Figure 9-65.—Wheel ditcher.your machine performs. Figure 9-64 shows two examplesof teeth patterns normally used. When the teeth weardown about one-half inch and before the face of thebucket shows wear, ensure the teeth are reversed orreplaced.NOTE: Always install a complete set of teeth on abucket when reversing or replacing teeth.If only a few new teeth are installed here and therealong the bucket line, the new teeth will cut the most andwear down much faster than would a whole new set.However, if only one or two teeth show too much wearor are broken or chipped, they may be reversed or newones installed in their place if the rest of them are in goodshape.Three types of ditchers used in the NCF are thewheel ditcher, the ladder ditcher, and the chain ditcher.The most common ditcher is the ladder ditcher. Read theoperator’s manual to obtain detailed information on thecare, maintenance, and operation of a given ditcher.WHEEL DITCHEROn the wheel ditcher (fig. 9-65), the digging bucketsare mounted on a large wheel. The wheel is attached toa frame type of horizontal boom that can be raised andlowered, and the ditcher has a spoil conveyor forcarrying the excavated material out to either side of themachine.To start a cut, lower the turning wheel into theground, and then watch the bucket teeth start to dig. Asthe ditcher itself is stationary, apply enough pressure tothe buckets so they fill “heaping” without gouging deepenough to slow the wheel.The ditch will have a rounded beginning, as shownin figure 9-66, views A and B. Be sure the position ofthe center of the wheel is over the starting point for thefull depth of the ditch, so the ditcher has enough roomto dig down to the desired depth at the beginning of thecut (fig. 9-66, view B).NOTE: Before starting any excavation, you mustensure a valid digging permit is attained that covers thearea you are tasked to ditch.DiggingWhen the wheel is at the correct depth, you shouldmove the machine forward just fast enough to keep thebuckets reasonably full. Crowding too hard overworksthe engine and strains the digging parts without addingto the output.Soft rock usually responds best to a high-wheelspeed with very slow walking speed. If dirt is soft, youmay crowd it so the dirt in excess of the bucket capacitypiles on each side of the ditch without damage.Experience will help when selecting the rightcombination of digging and travel speeds for varioustypes of soil; however, consult the operator’s manual forFigure 9-66.-Starting a cut with a wheel ditcher.9-30
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