Introduction

The trencher head attachment is intended to be used on a Toro tool carrier with a variety of booms and chains. It is designed primarily to dig trenches in soil to facilitate the burying of cabling and piping. It not intended for use in cutting hard materials such as wood or concrete. Using this product for purposes other than its intended use could prove dangerous to you and bystanders.

Read this information carefully to learn how to operate and maintain your product properly and to avoid injury and product damage. You are responsible for operating the product properly and safely.

Visit www.Toro.com for product safety and operation training materials, accessory information, help finding a dealer, or to register your product

Whenever you need service, genuine Toro parts, or additional information, contact an Authorized Service Dealer or Toro Customer Service and have the model and serial numbers of your product ready. Figure 1 identifies the location of the model and serial numbers on the product. Write the numbers in the space provided.

Important: With your mobile device, you can scan the QR code on the serial number decal (if equipped) to access warranty, parts, and other product information.

g270158

This manual identifies potential hazards and has safety messages identified by the safety-alert symbol (Figure 2), which signals a hazard that may cause serious injury or death if you do not follow the recommended precautions.

g000502

This manual uses 2 words to highlight information. Important calls attention to special mechanical information and Note emphasizes general information worthy of special attention.

Warning

CALIFORNIA

Proposition 65 Warning

Use of this product may cause exposure to chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.

Safety

Danger

There may be buried utility lines in the work area. Digging into them may cause a shock or an explosion.

Have the property or work area marked for buried lines and do not dig in marked areas. Contact your local marking service or utility company to have the property marked (for example, in the US, call 811 or in Australia, call 1100 for the nationwide marking service).

General Safety

Always follow all safety instructions to avoid serious injury or death.

  • Do not transport an attachment with the arms raised or extended; always transport the attachment close to the ground, with the loader arms retracted; refer to Transport Position.

  • Have the property or work area marked for buried lines and other objects, and do not dig in marked areas.

  • Read and understand the content of this Operator’s Manual before starting the engine.

  • Use your full attention while operating the machine. Do not engage in any activity that causes distractions; otherwise, injury or property damage may occur.

  • Never allow children or untrained people to operate the machine.

  • Keep your hands and feet away from the moving components and attachments.

  • Do not operate the machine without the guards and other safety protective devices in place and working on the machine.

  • Keep bystanders and pets a safe distance away from the machine.

  • Stop the machine, shut off the engine, and remove the key before servicing, fueling, or unclogging the machine.

Improperly using or maintaining this machine can result in injury. To reduce the potential for injury, comply with these safety instructions and always pay attention to the safety-alert symbol Graphic, which means Caution, Warning, or Danger—personal safety instruction. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal injury or death.

You can find additional safety information where needed throughout this Operator’s Manual.

Slope Safety

  • Operate the machine up and down slopes with the heavy end of the machine uphill. Weight distribution changes with attachments. This attachment makes the front of machine the heavy end.

  • Keep the attachment in the lowered position with the loader arms retracted when on slopes. Raising the attachment or extending the loader arms on a slope affects the stability of the machine.

  • Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control and tip-over accidents, which can result in severe injury or death. Operating the machine on any slope or uneven terrain requires extra caution.

  • Establish your own procedures and rules for operating on slopes. These procedures must include surveying the site to determine which slopes are safe for machine operation. Always use common sense and good judgment when performing this survey.

  • Slow down and use extra care on hillsides. Ground conditions can affect the stability of the machine.

  • Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If the machine loses traction, proceed slowly, straight down the slope.

  • Avoid turning on slopes. If you must turn, turn slowly and keep the heavy end of the machine uphill.

  • Keep all movements on slopes slow and gradual. Do not make sudden changes in speed or direction.

  • If you feel uneasy operating the machine on a slope, do not do it.

  • Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps, as uneven terrain could overturn the machine. Tall grass can hide obstacles.

  • Use caution when operating on wet surfaces. Reduced traction could cause sliding.

  • Do not operate the machine near drop-offs, embankments, or bodies of water. The machine could suddenly roll over if a wheel or track goes over the edge or the edge caves in. Maintain a safe distance between the machine and any hazard.

  • Do not remove or add attachments on a slope.

  • Do not park the machine on a hillside or slope.

Trencher Safety

  • Keep your hands, feet, and any other part of your body or clothing away from moving teeth, auger, or other parts.

  • Look behind and down before backing up to ensure that the path is clear.

  • Stop the digging chain when you are not digging.

  • Always lower the attachment and shut off the machine each time you leave the operating position.

  • Clean soil from the trencher before transporting it.

Maintenance and Storage Safety

  • Check fasteners at frequent intervals for proper tightness to ensure that the equipment is in safe operating condition.

  • Refer to the Operator’s Manual for important details if you store the attachment for an extended period of time

  • Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as necessary.

Safety and Instructional Decals

Graphic

Safety decals and instructions are easily visible to the operator and are located near any area of potential danger. Replace any decal that is damaged or missing.

decal125-6128
decal131-0711
decal131-2539
decal133-8061
decal139-2804

Setup

Installing the Boom

Parts needed for this procedure:

Boom assembly (sold separately)1
  1. Install the trencher to the traction unit; refer to the Operator’s Manual for the traction unit.

  2. Raise the trencher about 15 cm (6 inches) off the ground.

  3. Shut off the engine and remove the key.

  4. Remove the jam nuts and tensioning bolt on each side of the boom (Figure 3).

  5. Thread 2 jam nuts onto each bolt to the head of the bolt.

  6. Insert the bolts into the tubes, with the head of the bolt and nuts facing the end to be installed on the drive head (Figure 3).

  7. Slide the boom over the arm on the drive head (Figure 3).

g280085

Installing the Digging Chain

Parts needed for this procedure:

Digging chain (sold separately)1
  1. Remove the bolt and locknut securing the spoils auger and remove the auger (Figure 4).

    Note: Retain the hardware for installation later.

    g270627
  2. Refer to Installing the Digging Chain to install the chain.

Installing the Crumber

Parts needed for this procedure:

Crumber (provided with boom)1

Install the crumber using the 4 bolts (1/2 x 1-3/4 inches), 4 flat washers, 4 spring washers, and 4 nuts (1/2 inch) as shown in Figure 5.

Note: Ensure that there is at least 5 cm (2 inches) between the chain and crumber plate.

g270626

Installing the Spoils Auger

Before operating the trencher, install and position the spoils auger to work correctly with the digging chain configuration you are using. If you do not position the spoils auger correctly, you could damage the trencher.

  1. Use the bolt and nut removed from the auger previously to secure it in the correct holes, as shown in Figure 6.

    g270649
  2. Torque the bolt to 183 to 223 N∙m (135 to 165 ft-lb).

Product Overview

Note: Specifications and design are subject to change without notice.

 With 91 cm (36 inch) boomWith 122 cm (48 inch) boomWith 152 cm (60 inch) boom
Dig depth at 60 degree boom angle91 cm122 cm152 cm
(36 inches)(48 inches)(60 inches)
Width150 cm150 cm150 cm
(59 inches)(59 inches)(59 inches)
Height66 cm66 cm66 cm
(26 inches)(26 inches)(26 inches)
Length178 cm216 cm244 cm
(70 inches)(85 inches)(96 inches)
Approximate weight with chain515 kg554 kg583 kg
(1,135 lb)(1,220 lb)(1,285 lb)

Note: Wider chains will increase the weight of the trencher.

To ensure optimum performance and continued safety certification of the machine, use only genuine Toro replacement parts and accessories. Replacement parts and accessories made by other manufacturers could be dangerous, and such use could void the product warranty.

Operation

Installing and Removing the Attachment

Refer to the Operator’s Manual for the traction unit for the installation and removal procedure.

Important: Before installing the attachment, position the machine on a level surface, ensure that the mount plates are free of any dirt or debris, and ensure that the pins rotate freely. If the pins do not rotate freely, grease them.

Note: Always use the traction unit to lift and move the attachment.

Warning

If you do not fully seat the quick-attach pins through the attachment mount plate, the attachment could fall off the machine, crushing you or bystanders.

Ensure that the quick-attach pins are fully seated in the attachment mount plate.

Warning

Hydraulic fluid escaping under pressure can penetrate skin and cause injury. Fluid injected into the skin must be surgically removed within a few hours by a doctor familiar with this form of injury; otherwise, gangrene may result.

  • Ensure that all hydraulic-fluid hoses and lines are in good condition and all hydraulic connections and fittings are tight before applying pressure to the hydraulic system.

  • Keep your body and hands away from pinhole leaks or nozzles that eject high-pressure hydraulic fluid.

  • Use cardboard or paper to find hydraulic leaks; never use your hands.

Caution

Hydraulic couplers, hydraulic lines/valves, and hydraulic fluid may be hot. If you contact hot components, you may be burned.

  • Wear gloves when operating the hydraulic couplers.

  • Allow the machine to cool before touching hydraulic components.

  • Do not touch hydraulic fluid spills.

Digging a Trench

  1. Start the engine, set the throttle to HIGH IDLE, and move the machine over the area to be trenched.

  2. Raise the loader arms to the horizontal position, and tilt the trencher so that the boom is at a 15° angle.

  3. Engage the auxiliary hydraulics and slowly lower the trencher until the chain touches the ground.

  4. Begin inserting the nose of the boom and chain into the ground by slowly raising the trencher a few centimeters (inches) off the ground while tilting the nose down into the ground gradually.

    Note: You may need to move the traction unit rearward as you rotate the trencher to help the crumber engage the ground.

  5. Once the trencher boom is in the ground at a 65° angle, slowly lower the trencher until the spoils auger is just above the ground.

  6. Ensure that all parts of the trencher are functioning correctly.

  7. Slowly move the traction unit rearward to extend the trench.

    Note: If you move too fast, the trencher will stall. If it stalls, raise it slightly, slowly drive forward, or reverse the chain direction momentarily.

  8. When finished, raise the trencher and boom out of the trench by tilting the attachment rearward. Then, clear soil from the chain by changing the direction of the chain several times.

Operating Tips

  • Clean the area of trash, branches, and rocks before trenching to prevent equipment damage.

  • Always begin trenching with the slowest ground speed possible. Increase speed if conditions permit.

  • Always use full throttle (maximum engine speed) when trenching.

  • Always trench backward (i.e., in reverse).

  • Never transport the trencher with the loader arms raised. Keep the arms lowered and the trencher tilted up.

  • When trenching, the spoils auger should just clear the original ground surface to obtain maximum soil removal.

  • Trench at a 65 degree angle for best results.

  • To dig a trench faster, control the depth with periodic adjustments of the loader arms.

  • If the trencher binds in the soil, reverse the chain direction. Once the chain is loose, continue trenching.

  • If you need the finished trench to be cleaner than what is possible with the trencher, you can purchase a crumber from your dealer. The crumber mounts onto the trencher and scrapes the trench clean as you run the trencher.

Offsetting the Trencher

You can move the trencher to the left side of the trencher frame to allow you to trench close to buildings and other obstacles.

  1. Remove the trencher from the traction unit; refer to the Operator’s Manual for the traction unit.

  2. Remove the pin from the top of the trencher (Figure 7).

    g270671
  3. Move the attachment mount plate to the desired location and secure it with the pin.

Transport Position

When transporting the attachment, keep it as close to the ground as possible, no more than 15 cm (6 inches) above the lowest position. Tilt it rearward.

g270672

Transporting the Trencher on a Trailer

Place the trencher on a trailer or truck capable of carrying it. Securely tie the trencher to the trailer or truck using tie straps appropriate for the weight of the trencher and for highway use.

Maintenance

Determine the left and right sides of the machine from the normal operating position.

Caution

If you leave the key in the switch, someone could accidently start the engine and seriously injure you or other bystanders.

Remove the key from the switch before you perform any maintenance.

Recommended Maintenance Schedule(s)

Maintenance Service IntervalMaintenance Procedure
Before each use or daily
  • Grease the trencher(and immediately after every washing).
  • Check the hydraulic lines for leaks, loose fittings, kinked lines, loose mounting supports, wear, weather, and chemical deterioration.(Make necessary repairs before operating.)
  • Check the planetary oil level.
  • Inspect the boom for wear.
  • Check the chain tension.
  • Every 25 hours
  • Inspect the boom for wear.
  • Every 50 hours
  • Replace the planetary oil.
  • Greasing the Trencher

    Maintenance Service IntervalMaintenance Procedure
    Before each use or daily
  • Grease the trencher(and immediately after every washing).
  • Grease Type: General-purpose grease

    1. Park the machine on a level surface, disengage the auxiliary hydraulics, engage the parking brake, and lower the loader arms.

    2. Shut off the engine and remove the key.

    3. Remove the plug from the idler shaft.

    4. Clean the grease fitting with a rag (Figure 9).

      g270678
    5. Connect a grease gun to the fitting.

    6. Pump grease into the fittings until grease begins to ooze out of the bearings (approximately 3 pumps).

    7. Wipe up any excess grease.

    8. Install the plug.

    Checking the Hydraulic Lines

    Maintenance Service IntervalMaintenance Procedure
    Before each use or daily
  • Check the hydraulic lines for leaks, loose fittings, kinked lines, loose mounting supports, wear, weather, and chemical deterioration.(Make necessary repairs before operating.)
  • Warning

    Hydraulic fluid escaping under pressure can penetrate skin and cause injury. Fluid injected into the skin must be surgically removed within a few hours by a doctor familiar with this form of injury; otherwise, gangrene may result.

    • Keep your body and hands away from pinhole leaks or nozzles that eject high-pressure hydraulic fluid.

    • Use cardboard or paper to find hydraulic leaks; never use your hands.

    Servicing the Planetary Oil

    Oil Specifications

    Oil type: SAE 80W-90, API service GL-5

    Capacity: 0.70 L (24 fl oz)

    Checking the Planetary Oil Level

    Maintenance Service IntervalMaintenance Procedure
    Before each use or daily
  • Check the planetary oil level.
    1. Park the machine on a level surface, disengage the auxiliary hydraulics, engage the parking brake, and lower the loader arms.

    2. Shut off the engine and remove the key.

    3. Remove the upper drain plug, at the 3 o’clock position on the planetary, near the quick-attach plate (Figure 10).

    4. If oil comes out of the hole, the oil level is correct. If no oil comes out, add oil until it comes out of the hole.

      Important: Do not overfill.

    5. Install the plug.

    g272152

    Replacing the Planetary Oil

    Maintenance Service IntervalMaintenance Procedure
    Every 50 hours
  • Replace the planetary oil.
    1. Park the machine on a level surface, disengage the auxiliary hydraulics, engage the parking brake, and lower the loader arms.

    2. Shut off the engine and remove the key.

    3. Remove the lower drain plug, at the 6 o’clock position on the planetary, and drain the oil (Figure 10).

    4. Install the drain plug.

    5. Remove the upper drain plug and add oil until it comes out of the hole.

    6. Install the drain plug.

    7. Dispose of the used oil at a recycling center.

    Flipping a Worn Boom

    Maintenance Service IntervalMaintenance Procedure
    Every 25 hours
  • Inspect the boom for wear.
  • Inspect the bottom of the boom for wear. If it is worn, complete the following:

    Note: A boom is worn when grooves from the chain are deep enough that the link rollers contact the boom.

    Note: If you have already flipped the boom once, replace the boom when both sides are worn.

    1. Park the machine on a level surface, disengage the auxiliary hydraulics, engage the parking brake, and lower the loader arms.

    2. Shut off the engine and remove the key.

    3. Loosen the jam nuts and move them to as close to the head of the tensioning bolts as possible (Figure 11).

    4. Remove the chain from the drive sprocket and boom.

      Note: Use a hoist to lift the chain.

    5. Remove the boom, flip it over so the bottom becomes the top (or if you have already flipped it once, replace it), and install the boom again (Figure 11).

      g270625
    6. Install the chain over the drive sprocket and idler wheel.

      Note: Use a hoist to lift the chain.

    7. Adjust the tensioning bolts until there is approximately 2.5 cm (1 inch) of slack between the bottom of the boom and the chain. Tighten the jam nuts.

      Note: Ensure to adjust the jam nuts on both bolts evenly.

    Replacing the Digging Teeth

    Maintenance Service IntervalMaintenance Procedure
    Before each use or daily
  • Inspect the boom for wear.
  • Due to the high amount of wear placed on the digging teeth, you need to replace them periodically.

    To replace a single tooth, remove the bolts and nuts securing the tooth to remove it, then install a new tooth in the same position. Torque the bolts securing the teeth to 37 to 45 N∙m (27 to 33 ft-lb).

    g245068

    Replacing the Digging Chain

    Removing the Digging Chain

    Preparing to Remove the Digging Chain

    1. Park the machine on a level surface, lower the loader arms, and tilt the boom to the horizontal position.

    2. Rotate the digging chain until the master pin is positioned at the top of the idler wheel (Figure 15).

    3. Shut off the engine and remove the key.

    4. Remove the bolt and locknut securing the spoils auger and remove the auger (Figure 13).

      Note: Retain the hardware for installation later.

      g270627
    5. Loosen the jam nuts and move them to as close to the head of the tensioning bolts as possible (see Figure 11).

    Removing the Master Pin in the Digging Chain

    1. Counting from the master pin, loop a 3.65 m (12 foot) lifting strap with a lifting capacity of 181.4 kg (400 lb) around the chain at the digging tooth of the fifth or sixth link below and forward of the boom (Figure 14).

    2. With the strap attached to the lifting equipment, raise the lifting strap enough to support the digging chain.

    3. Clamp the ends of the chain with a with a chain clamp at the link rollers at either side of the inner and outer plates at the master pin (Figure 14).

      g272492
    4. Straighten or cut off the tail of the safety pin and remove the pin (Figure 15).

      g272491

      Note: Discard the safety pin.

    5. Remove the master pin and the roller for the master pin (Figure 15).

      Note: Retain the master pin and the roller for installing the replacement chain.

    Removing the Digging Chain from the Machine

    1. Lower the lifting equipment until the end of the digging chain is laying on the ground (Figure 16).

    2. Remove the lifting strap.

    3. Start the machine and lower the boom until the idler wheel is positioned 31 to 36 cm (12 to 14 inches) above the ground (Figure 16).

      g272495
    4. Start the machine and slowly engage the forward-flow auxiliary hydraulics.

    5. When the digging chain has cleared the drive sprocket, shut off the auxiliary hydraulics, shut off the machine, and remove the key.

    6. Wrap the lifting strap around the digging chain at the idler wheel, and attach the strap to the lifting equipment (Figure 16).

    7. Raise the lifting equipment and remove the digging chain from the boom (Figure 16).

    Installing the Digging Chain

    Preparing to Install the Digging Chain

    1. Park the machine on a level surface, lower the loader arms, and tilt the boom to the horizontal position.

    2. Shut off the engine and remove the key.

    3. Lay the digging chain on the ground in a straight line, below the lifting equipment such as a hoist, and with the cutting face of the teeth pointing toward the path where you will move the machine (forward) to position it over the digging chain (Figure 17).

      g272494
    4. At the forward end of the chain, loop a 3.65 m (12 foot) lifting strap with a lifting capacity of 181.4 kg (400 lb) around the chain at the digging tooth of the third or fourth link of the chain (Figure 17).

    5. Start the machine and position the trencher boomover the digging chain and with the lifting strap forward of the drive sprocket of the trencher (Figure 17).

      Note: When positioned correctly, the boom of the trencher is aligned with the digging chain.

    6. Turn the machine off and remove the key.

    Aligning the Digging Chain

    This procedure requires 2 people to align the digging chain to the machine.

    1. Route the ends of the lifting strap forward of the sprocket hub, on either side of the drive sprocket.

      g272496
    2. Connect the ends of the lifting strap to the lifting equipment, and raise the end of the chain until the drive pins engage the drive sprocket (Figure 18).

    3. Start the machine and slowly engage the forward-flow auxiliary hydraulics to drive the chain onto the upper wear strip of the boom.

      Important: If the chain is not aligned or engaged with the drive sprocket, shut off the machine, remove the key, and align the chain to the drive sprocket.

      Note: Maintain tension on the strap until the end of the chain is on the upper wear strip.

    4. Lower the lifting strap as the chain moves around the sprocket and into position on the upper wear strip.

    5. Shut off the auxiliary hydraulics when the end of the chain is positioned on top of the idler wheel (Figure 19).

      g272493
    6. Shut off the machine and remove the key.

    7. Remove the lifting strap from the machine.

    Linking the Digging Chain

    1. At the end of the chain laying on the ground, loop the lifting strap around the chain at the digging tooth of the fifth or sixth link of the chain (Figure 19).

    2. Raise the chain and position it around the idler wheel (Figure 19 and Figure 14).

      Note: Rotate the auger as necessary to engage the teeth of auger drive sprocket with the digging chain.

    3. Clamp the ends of the chain with a with a chain clamp at the link rollers at either side of the inner and outer plates at the master pin (Figure 14).

    4. Align the hole of a link roller with the holes in the inner plates at the end of the chain (Figure 15).

    5. Align the holes in the inner plates and the roller of the chain with the holes in the outer plates of the other end of the chain (Figure 15).

    6. Align the master pin with the hole in the pin parallel with the chain plates forward of the idler wheel (Figure 15).

    7. Insert the master pin through the digging chain plates.

    8. Insert the safety pin through the master pin with the head of the pin toward the idler wheel (Figure 15).

      Important: Do not install a used safety pin. Only use a new safety pin.

    9. Remove the lifting strap and the chain clamp.

    10. Bend the tail of the safety pin down 30° to 45° (Figure 15).

    11. Install the spoils auger; refer to Installing the Spoils Auger.

    12. Adjust the tension of the digging chain; refer to Adjusting the Chain Tension.

    Adjusting the Chain Tension

    Maintenance Service IntervalMaintenance Procedure
    Before each use or daily
  • Check the chain tension.
  • With the trencher parallel to the ground, ensure that there is approximately 2.5 cm (1 inch) between the bottom of the boom and the top of the bottom chain span. If not, adjust the chain using the following procedure:

    1. Park the machine on a level surface, disengage the auxiliary hydraulics, engage the parking brake, and lower the loader arms.

    2. Shut off the engine and remove the key.

    3. Rotate the jam nut closest to the tube to adjust the tensioning bolt until there is approximately 2.5 cm (1 inch) of slack between the bottom of the boom and the chain (Figure 3). Tighten the other jam nut against the first jam nut.

      Note: Ensure to adjust the jam nuts on both bolts evenly.

    4. Loosen the 4 nuts securing the crumber to the trencher and slide it outward so that there is at least 5 cm (2 inches) between the chain and the crumber plate (Figure 5).

    5. Tighten the 4 nuts.

    Replacing the Drive Sprocket

    Over time, the drive sprocket will wear, especially when used in sandy or clay soils. When this happens, the digging chain will begin to slip. If the chain slips, replace the drive sprocket as follows:

    1. Park the machine on a level surface, disengage the auxiliary hydraulics, engage the parking brake, and lower the loader arms.

    2. Raise the trencher a few centimeters (inches) above the ground.

    3. Shut off the engine and remove the key.

    4. Remove the spoils auger (Figure 20).

      g270871
    5. Loosen the jam nuts and move them to as close to the head of the tensioning bolts as possible (Figure 20).

    6. Remove the chain from the drive sprocket and boom.

    7. Remove the 6 bolts (5/8 x 2-1/2 inches) and nuts (5/8 inch) securing the drive sprocket (Figure 20).

    8. Remove and discard the drive sprocket (Figure 20).

    9. Clean the sprocket mounting surface on the trencher.

    10. Apply thread-locking compound to the 6 bolts (5/8 x 2-1/2 inches), and install the sprocket halves, bolts, and nuts (5/8 inch) finger tight (Figure 20).

    11. Slowly begin tightening the bolts progressing around the sprocket until all bolts are torqued to 129 to 155 N∙m (95 to 115 ft-lb).

      Important: Tighten each bolt only half way first, working your way around the 6 bolts, then return to each bolt in turn and torque them.

    12. Install the digging chain; refer to Installing the Digging Chain.

    13. Install the spoils auger; refer to Installing the Spoils Auger.

    Storage

    1. Before long-term storage, wash the attachment with mild detergent and water to remove dirt and grime.

    2. Paint all scratched or bare metal surfaces.

      Note: Paint is available from your Authorized Service Dealer.

    3. Store the attachment in a clean, dry garage or storage area. Cover it to protect it and keep it clean.