A different kind of Ditch Witch: New line of mini-excavators allow company to offer "one-stop shop" approach to contractors - industry news - Charles Machine Works

Diesel Progress North American Edition, Sept, 2003 by Mike Mercer

The Charles Machine Works (CMW) has been renowned for decades as the manufacturer of the Ditch Witch line of trenchers. In the 1980s, the company made a significant addition to its product line with the introduction of a range of directional drills, subsite electronics and other related subsurface products. Now the Perry, Okla., manufacturer has taken another big step and is using one of the smallest machines around to make it.

CMW has expanded its product offering with the introduction of a new family of five Komatsu-built mini-excavators ranging in size from 1960 to 10,300 lb. with digging depth capabilities ranging from 4 ft. 11 in. to 13 ft.

"We looked at the market, talked to several dealers and contractors and came to the conclusion that adding a mini-excavator to the Ditch Witch product line was a logical step," said Dave Campbell, design team manager at Ditch Witch. "The mini-excavators allow the systems approach to be used on jobsites by our customers. We have also seen that our customers are using mini-excavators in some applications. The addition of these products allows us to offer a one stop-shopping option for contractors."

The addition of mini-excavators to its product line appears to be a shrewd move for CMW, for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that the machines are one of the few segments that has shown steady and consistent growth over the last few years. Indeed, according to figures from Yengst Associates, the Wilton, Conn.-based market research company, mini-excavator sales in North America grew 8.2 percent flora 2001 to 2002 and are expected to grow an additional 7.8 percent from 2002 to 2003.

"The mini excavator has really become part of the work package that contractors are using in underground construction," said Mike Lumbers, product manager for compact utility, equipment at Ditch Witch. "The different lines of compact equipment have really become useful. Equipment such as mini skid-steer loaders, vacuum excavators and other compact utility, equipment have become more commonplace on jobsites. The mini equipment markets have shown stable growth in the U.S. in recent years and mini excavators are part of that equipment package."

The new excavator family includes the MX9, MX15, MX27, MX35 and MX45 with operating weights 1960, 3980, 6605, 8300 and 10,300 lb. respectively. The .9 metric ton, MX9 can dig to depths of 4 ft. 11 in. to 5 ft. 7 in. with the long arm installed. Digging reach is 9 ft. 11 in. and lifting capacity, is normally 493 lb. to dumping heights of 6 ft. 6 in. The excavators operating weight is 1960 lb.

The MX15 is a 1.5 metric ton machine with digging depths to 7 ft. 1 in. and to 7 ft. 9 in. with the long arm installed. The MX15's digging reach is 12 ft. 9 in. or 13 ft. 7 in. with the long arm and lifting capacity is 701 lb. Dumping heights are 8 ft. 4 in. and 9 ft. 2 in. with the long arm installed.

The MX27 is a 2.7 metric ton excavator with a digging depth of 8 ft. 8 in. or 9 ft. 5 in. with the long arm installed. Digging reach is 15 ft. 1 in. or 16 ft. 2 in. with the long arm installed. Lifting capacity for the MX27 is 1389 pounds to dumping heights of 8 ft. 7 in. and 9 ft. 2 in. with the long arm.

The MX35 is Ditch Witch's 3.5 metric ton unit. This excavator can dig to depths of 10 ft. 4 in. in the standard configuration and 11 ft. 5 in. with the long arm option. Its digging reach is 17 ft. 5 in. or 18 ft. 8 in. with the long arm installed. Lifting capacity is 1510 lb. to a dumping height of 10 ft. 6 in. or 11 ft. 1 in. with the long arm.

The largest unit in the Ditch Witch line-up is the 4.5 metric ton MX45. This unit can dig to depths of 11 ft. 10 in. or 13 ft. with the long arm. Its digging reach is 19 ft. 3 in. in the standard configuration and 20 ft. 5 in. with the long arm installed. The lifting capacity is 2340 lb. up to a dumping height of 11 ft. 10 in. or 12 ft. 5 in. with the long arm installed.

All of the MX mini excavators are powered by normally aspirated Yanmar designed and built diesel engines. These engines are badged as Komatsu for this equipment.

The MX9 is powered by a Komatsu 2DE68-N3CB two-cylinder indirect injected diesel. The 0.52 L engine is rated 8.4 hp at 2200 rpm. The MX 15 is powered by the 0.78 L Komatsu 3D68EK-3KJ three cylinder indirect injected diesel engine rated 15 hp at 2600 rpm. Power for the MX27 is supplied by the 1.33 L three-cylinder Komatsu 3D82AE-3HC diesel engine. This direct injected diesel is rated 25.6 hp at 2600 rpm. The MX35 is powered by the 1.50 L, three cylinder, Komatsu 3D84E-3LN diesel engine rated 27.6 hp at 2500 rpm. The MX 45 is powered by a 2.19 L four-cylinder Komatsu 4D88E3HB diesel engine rated 39 hp at 2450 rpm. All output ratings are taken at the flywheel.

A proprietary load-sensing hydraulic system allows operation of multiple functions simultaneously at full power. The pilot-operated control valve is designed to provide smooth-operating hydraulics for increased productivity and reduced operator fatigue. The operator controls are arranged for easy natural operation and control patterns may be switched between SAE and ISO patterns to accommodate operator preferences.