Ditch Witch Releases Four New Walk-Behind Trenchers, Notes Its Trenchers Have Excellent Resale Value (Video)

I guess today is all about utility construction. The originator of the pedestrian trencher, The Charles Machine Works, more commonly known as Ditch Witch underground construction equipment, has introduced a new line of compact and powerful walk-behind trenchers. The company says these units are designed and manufactured to provide an exceptional return on investment for small business owners, particularly equipment rental companies.

An illustration of the outstanding value of these trenchers — the RT12, RT16, RT20 and RT24 — can be found in results recently published by the auction organizations Machinery Trader and Top Bid. Surveys conducted by these organizations found that among trenchers of 50 or less horsepower, winning bids for Ditch Witch trenchers averaged more than 30 percent higher than any other equipment brand. Numerous design features give reason for Ditch Witch trenchers’ durability and reputation for maximum performance with minimal downtime. Among them:

1. Hydraulic system, as opposed to belt-driven. Decades ago, the Ditch Witch organization made the decision to transition to longer-lasting, easier-to-use hydraulic systems on its trenchers. The entire line of Ditch Witch walk-behind trenchers incorporates a stacked, in-line hydraulic pump configuration that effectively eliminates vertical shafts and the use of belts and/or flywheel reduction systems, and ultimately reduces downtime. 

2. Ease of operation. All Ditch Witch walk-behind trenchers have fully hydrostatic ground drives, with simple-to-use, hydraulic, skid-steer-style steering. Even novice operators can quickly understand the hand controls — one hand to mobile, two hands to trench — so there’s less operator training necessary, and less operator fatigue. Ditch Witch walk-behinds feature a solid, adjustable trail wheel that helps keep the unit stable and reduces breakover when loading, unloading, and traveling over curbs and other uneven terrain. Also, to keep the trencher boom in the ground during operation and/or maintain down pressure when placing the boom in the ground, the trail wheel gives the machine another point of leverage besides the track undercarriage. The trail wheel is one of several unique features that distinguish the performance of Ditch Witch walk-behind trenchers. 

3. High-quality OEM products. From the digging teeth to the heavy-duty steel frame, the Ditch Witch organization designs and manufactures virtually every component of its trenchers and other equipment lines at its 30,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Perry, Okla. What components the company must outsource are selected for their reputation for long-lasting performance, such as the 12-, 20-, and 24-hp Honda engines that power the Ditch Witch  RT12, RT20, and RT24, respectively. The RT16 is equipped with a Vanguard Briggs & Stratton engine that performs as well as, or better than, other engines in the 16-hp class. 

To read the rest, surf over to the Ditch Witch website. To see these trenchers in action, watch the video below.