January 2020 Vol. 75 No. 1
New Products
Next-Generation Ditch Witch RT80: Designed for Versatility
Underground construction in urban areas can be a constricting and uniquely challenging experience – especially without a versatile and maneuverable machine. Enabling contractors and operators to overcome these challenges inspired improvements to an already proven Ditch Witch ride-on trencher, the RT80.
The new, modern RT80 trencher brings a narrower, more modular design and added versatility to the Ditch Witch family of trenchers. The slimmer model is ideal for heavy-duty trenching, vibratory plowing and microtrenching in confined urban and residential areas where larger machines cannot maneuver as freely.
With the typical residential street lane having a width of 11 feet, the RT80’s footprint of just over 61⁄2 feet gives operators plenty of room to work, without disrupting the surrounding area.
“The RT80 trencher was built to adapt,” said Chris Thompson, Ditch Witch product manager, heavy-duty trenchers. “Faced with tighter deadlines, smaller budgets and more congested underground networks, contractors need a utility trencher that can fit and function in any environment.
Moving between job sites is also simplified by a modular track-frame that allows tires and tracks to be easily interchanged in the field. And when it’s equipped with tracks, the trencher fits on a standard drop-deck trailer for easy transport.
The updated design improves the RT80 trencher’s versatility, but it still delivers the productivity and ease of use that the machine’s users expect. Built for heavy-duty work, RT80 is powered by a 74.5-horsepower Deutz, Tier 4 diesel engine. It delivers a best-in-class static load rating of 35,407 pounds and a wide-axle rating of 39,000 pounds.
Its three-speed, shift-on-the-fly ground drive system increases productivity by allowing operators to select the correct range without needing to stop work. And it can work in any terrain or weather condition. An advanced cruise-control system senses engine load and automatically adjusts ground drive speed to changing soil conditions for superior traction and maneuverability.•
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Ditch Witch, (580) 336-4402, ditchwitch.com
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