Trencher question.

[J_J]

I have the chain driven trencher for my 1445. I have never used it, but it has been used before. Does anyone know how much slack should be in the chain. I did a test trench, but the chain seemed kind of loose. When I tighten it up some, it would jam. Thanks

 

[BobRip]

On the 425/422 you put the chain bar horizontal and you should just be able to put a hand width (four fingers) between the bar and the chain. Yours may be different of course. It does seem like a lot of slack, but the links are big.

 

[J_J]

I have the chain driven trencher for my 1445. I have never used it, but it has been used before. Does anyone know how much slack should be in the chain. I did a test trench, but the chain seemed kind of loose. When I tighten it up some, it would jam. Thanks

Thanks Bob. I know others have the chain trencher, so take a look at this picture and is it set like yours. The slack is 4 3/4 in the middle. Has anyone ever replaced a trencher chain. The links are welded, not bolted.

 

[BobRip]

Thanks Bob. I know others have the chain trencher, so take a look at this picture and is it set like yours. The slack is 4 3/4 in the middle. Has anyone ever replaced a trencher chain. The links are welded, not bolted.

J_J, that looks a little loose. The orientation is correct for checking. I measure my hand as about 3 inches wide. I would drop it to a little less that 4 inches since my hand is slightly small. If what you have runs smoothly and does not jump off the drive sprocket or gets one of the drive sprocket teeth hung up on the chain (this has happened to me) while trenching/loaded then you are probabably OK. Of course yours is for the 1445, maybe the clearance requirement is different. I think you should call Power Trac to make sure.

I have removed the chain to replace the drive motor and drive sprocket. I did not break any links, just removed the bolts that hold the front/idle sprocket support brackets in place. This is a two man job as the chain weights about 75 to 100 pounds. I can pick up the chain, but not hold it in place while installing bolts. I would guess that you replace the chain as a unit, although the teeth are bolted on to the chain and can be individually replaced.

 

[J_J]

J_J, that looks a little loose. The orientation is correct for checking. I measure my hand as about 3 inches wide. I would drop it to a little less that 4 inches since my hand is slightly small. If what you have runs smoothly and does not jump off the drive sprocket or gets one of the drive sprocket teeth hung up on the chain (this has happened to me) while trenching/loaded then you are probabably OK. Of course yours is for the 1445, maybe the clearance requirement is different. I think you should call Power Trac to make sure.

I have removed the chain to replace the drive motor and drive sprocket. I did not break any links, just removed the bolts that hold the front/idle sprocket support brackets in place. This is a two man job as the chain weights about 75 to 100 pounds. I can pick up the chain, but not hold it in place while installing bolts. I would guess that you replace the chain as a unit, although the teeth are bolted on to the chain and can be individually replaced.

Bob, I called PT today, and they said about 4 fingers. Well, I then ask what if you have a little hand. They laughed and said that would make a difference. They then said about 4 in. slack. I inquired about replacing the chain, well it's a large chunk of change. $585,00, and the large driving sprocket is $85. I just might have to practice up on hard surfacing. Both the sprocket and chain need some grafting. It's to bad that the links were not bolted in, you could have just reversed the link, and welded in the offset for the teeth. It only wears on the forward side. The sprocket also wears on the forward side. I am impressed with the way it works now. It is the 4 ft unit. I tilted the chain to the max, and dug a short trench. I have mostly sand here in Jacksonville Fl. I believe they have a kit to dig a 6 in trench. I don't know if all the teeth have to be replaced, or just replace every other teeth. Does any one have the 6 in wide kit ?

 

[BobRip]

I have the 6 inch kit. You replace every other tooth. I have never used it.

 

[pajoube]

I have the 6 inch kit. You replace every other tooth. I have never used it.

I replaced with the six inch and very happy with it. I have done many trenches for underground sprinkler systems (friends) and the six inch works very well.
If one is going to plant a long hedge then trench the length, back fill, and start planting. You will be done in very short order.
PJ

 

[J_J]

I replaced with the six inch and very happy with it. I have done many trenches for underground sprinkler systems (friends) and the six inch works very well.
If one is going to plant a long hedge then trench the length, back fill, and start planting. You will be done in very short order.
PJ

Bob, and PJ, Do you remember the cost of the 6 in kit, and was it for the 3 ft, or the 4 ft trencher?

That hedge planting scheme sounds like a good way to save time and effort.

 

[BobRip]

The six inch kit was $89 for the three foot trencher. This was back in 2000, so it has probably gone up.

 

[pajoube]

The six inch kit was $89 for the three foot trencher. This was back in 2000, so it has probably gone up.

Yes, that was about what I paid.
PJ