Ditch Witch C99

AZdigger · Apr 4, 2022

BeaconWoods said:
Nice work. Mine had some strange white stuff growing on the points. Cleaned them up with some emery cloth and it was good. I'll take a look at the oil level inspection system on mine later today and will get back to you. Also had issues with the safety interlock switch.

Thank you! My interlock wasn't functioning either by I was able to easily understand it and bypass it to get it running.

Engine runs fine, the digging chain is operational and it crawls backwards, but I can't get it to engage into mobile. Im hoping that it's just a little stuck, like my joints in the morning.

Powerwashing it now so I can more easily dig into it. Im enough of a mechanic to know that I REALY don't want to start taking gear boxes apart

Off to the manual.....again

mhughes250 · Apr 4, 2022

Thank for all the helpful posts on this thread. I have c99 that had a broken head. I replaced the entire block and used all the old internals. It fires right up and runs great. Moves forward and backwards and the chain spins. But as soon as I apply a load the engine starts to slow. If I start to bury the chain the engine dies. Compression is at 110 and advice? The rpm’s seem a little low compared to some Other videos I’ve seen any help is greatly appreciated. I’ll try and post a video as well.

AZdigger · Apr 4, 2022

And.....another one gets sucked in to the C99 vortex

mhughes250 · Apr 4, 2022

AZdigger said:
And.....another one gets sucked in to the C99 vortex

It’s been a fun rebuild so far.

mhughes250 · Apr 6, 2022

Anyone with an idea where I should start?

BeaconWoods · Apr 6, 2022

mhughes250 said:
Thank for all the helpful posts on this thread. I have c99 that had a broken head. I replaced the entire block and used all the old internals. It fires right up and runs great. Moves forward and backwards and the chain spins. But as soon as I apply a load the engine starts to slow. If I start to bury the chain the engine dies. Compression is at 110 and advice? The rpm’s seem a little low compared to some Other videos I’ve seen any help is greatly appreciated. I’ll try and post a video as well.

I would take a look at the governor mechanism. Sounds like it might be stuck.

mhughes250 · Apr 6, 2022

Any good way to check if it’s working correctly without opening up the bottom end?

BeaconWoods · Apr 12, 2022

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. Watch the throttle butterfly pivot shaft and / or the governor linkage to the carburetor when you apply load. It should move more toward the open position. Another test is to push to linkage one way or the other to speed up or slow down the engine. The governor should apply pressure to move the speed back to that set by the throttle. This is most effective when engine speed is faster.

Let us know what you find out.

BeaconWoods · Apr 12, 2022

Pu

AZdigger said:
If anyone is still in this thread.......Success. It runs!!

New plug, plug wire, cleaned up points, cleaned up fuel supply and it started right up. Started smoothly and sounded good.

I didn't run it too long because, in all the manuals, I can't find out how to check the engine oil level. There is a tube coming up from the crankcase but no dipstick attached????? I tipped the machine back and saw oil but Im not going to run it until I know it's full.

Pull the angled plug on the front of the engine. Full is when the oil level is up to the opening, just not quite spilling out.

dcyoung9 · Sep 10, 2022

daveshoot said:
I get a few requests for the owner's and parts manuals for this valuable old critter and I am happy to share. However, I can't send attachments with a TBN response, so if anyone needs these files in the future, just drop me a pm with an actual email address and I will send them right along. I can't just attach them to a forum post, it seems. Not surprising.

I also found you can't post PDFs to Photobucket, or I'd leave a link to them. The OM is about 2.7 Mb and the parts breakdown is 3.5, just give me a valid addy and they are on the way.

GW, thanks for sharing. There is also a zerk on the planetary reducer housing and I hope pumping that sucker full of grease eases the shifting process. Gonna try it in the morning. Shifting has been my biggest headache.

PS: I have always loved the word "zerk" so in the course of this reply I looked it up... worth a post in itself, if you like this sort of thing: Oscar Ulysses Zerk (1878 - 1968) - Find A Grave Memorial. Thank you, Oscar U. Zerk!

Hi Dave,
This is Don Young. Did you get my PM request for a copy of your manuals for the C99? I couldn't tell if it got sent or not. I'll try sending it again just to be sure. Thanks, Don

BeaconWoods · Oct 29, 2022

dcyoung9 said:
Hi Dave,
This is Don Young. Did you get my PM request for a copy of your manuals for the C99? I couldn't tell if it got sent or not. I'll try sending it again just to be sure. Thanks, Don

Hi Don,

Just noticed the activity. Still looking for the manuals? I can send them if you like. I have them all, including the engine parts and service manuals.

Gary N.

skaterboi3436 · Mar 17, 2023

BeaconWoods said:
Still need them? I have all the manuals including the engine.

I need the Manuals for the C99 ditch witch if you Still have them.. Brandon.13_2007@yahoo.com

BeaconWoods · Mar 28, 2023

On their way.

GIBSON GUY · Aug 18, 2023

daveshoot said:
In the mail!

Hello daveshhoot. It's been awhile since you last did it, but would it be possible to send me a copy of the Ditch Witch C99 operator's manual. Thank you . - gibsonguy1954@gmail.com

GIBSON GUY · Aug 18, 2023

BeaconWoods said:
On their way.

Hi BeaconWoods. Would it be possible to send me a copy of the manual please? I replied to Daveshoot and didn't think it was sent, but I see now that it was. Thanks to either of you fellas! - gibsonguy1954@gmail.com

BeaconWoods · Aug 28, 2023

skaterboi3436 said:
I need the Manuals for the C99 ditch witch if you Still have them.. Brandon.13_2007@yahoo.com

On their way.

AZdigger · Nov 24, 2023

mhughes250 said:
It’s been a fun rebuild so far.

We have different ideas of fun

. I have zero patience for this kind of work but I'm persistent

. A year and a half later I am back at it.

I fixed it enough to do a couple hundred feet of trenching at my house and then parked it. I think I'm going to attempt to take the planetary gear apart and see if I can get it into drive. It's too heavy to push/pull around. It started right up after sitting for 18 months through two AZ summers. I stopped in here for a refresher course.

BeaconWoods · Feb 6, 2024

AZdigger said:
We have different ideas of fun . I have zero patience for this kind of work but I'm persistent . A year and a half later I am back at it.

I fixed it enough to do a couple hundred feet of trenching at my house and then parked it. I think I'm going to attempt to take the planetary gear apart and see if I can get it into drive. It's too heavy to push/pull around. It started right up after sitting for 18 months through two AZ summers. I stopped in here for a refresher course.

What kind of drive issues are you having? On mine, the planetary gearbox is welded together. The problem was that the part that was supposed to engage it would pop out. The box would spin a turn, then re engage for a short bit, then pop out again. A bit of grinding to change the angle to keep it engaged did the trick.

Ernsay · Jun 1, 2024

Hey I swear I have been looking all over for the maintenance manual for this thing! I have a C99 down right now because one of the drive axle bearings broke off the bracket that held it to the body and bent all up on me. Can't figure out how to get those retainer rings off the axle rod. If you see this can you send a copy of the maintenance manual to Ernie.godin0453@kirtland.edu ? Thanks!