How to Run a 1220 Ditch Witch Underground Drill
The Ditch Witch JT12-20 directional drill is a high-performance machine with low running and maintenance costs, designed to install buried cable and pipe. It is suitable for work in urban residential and commercial areas and is compact and quiet with features that include cruise control and high drilling fluid pressure capacity. It has an efficient pipe-loading system and a one-step anchoring system for easy setup. It has a 60-horsepower Cummins engine and 2,000 pounds of pullback force, which enables you to drill and backream with great precision. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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1
Read the JT1220 Operator’s manual. If you do not have one then go to the Ditch Witch website (see References) and download the pdf file from there.
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2
Check all jobsite planning has been undertaken, including locating underground utilities and planning the bore path. Select the start position for the drilling unit and fluid unit, and move them into place.
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3
Assemble the drill string using information in the manual to select the appropriate nozzles and bits. Anchor the drilling unit with the drive anchors, closely following the safety information in the manual. Connect the fluid system and use a strainer at the outlet of the mixing unit, which should be cleaned regularly.
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4
Start the drilling unit and fluid unit, and allow both engines around five minutes to warm up. Enable tracker control if desired. Press the top of the throttle switch on the drilling unit until it is at full throttle. Press and hold the quick-fill fluid pump switch to fill the pipe and allow the fluid pressure to rise. Prime the drilling fluid pump according to the instructions
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5
Load the pipe and connect it according to the operator’s manual. Turn on drilling fluid and check visually that it is flowing. Turn the drill bit to the starting position, slowly move the carriage forward and drill the first pipe. After the first pipe, you can enable the automated pipe loader system
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Record the bore path as you go. Guide the drill head up through the surface at the exit point, and turn the fluid flow controls to off as soon as it emerges.
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Tips & Warnings
Corrections to direction should be made gradually and steering ability depends on soil conditions as well as the type of bit, drill head and nozzle used.
Refer to the manual for any problems, as it covers troubleshooting and explains all the controls and dials in detail and is easy to understand.
Wear work boots, hard hat, safety goggles and gloves when operating the equipment.
Keep your bore line as straight as possible as pipe has low bending tolerance.
