Ditch Witch SK650 general discussion

more to add. I theorize, after using both a fair bit, that with enough weight on the back of the 650 it will pick up as much as the 1050.

the 1050 is a bit longer. the track system is better on the 1050 than 650 and 1050 doesn't seem to rip up lawns any more than 650. 1050 electric over hydraulic so not the same response as the 650 on the controls, which is a little annoying. It's definitely a simpler machine. either way you'd love them. experience with ditchwitch has been good in MA
 
My sk650 spits out bolts fairly frequently... like @Sfoppema notes, it has to do with the shaking of the unit, particularly on hard surfaces. I think the best way to mitigate that for the operator would be to buy a platform pad. For the unit, I think it's partly to do with my old drive cogs that are coming due for replacement. They stick through farther with age and hit hard surfaces. If my tracks are worn, the cogs will press in to asphault slightly, leaving a small mark. I'm not sure if that is all the reason for the shaking.
 
colb said:
My sk650 spits out bolts fairly frequently... like @Sfoppema notes, it has to do with the shaking of the unit, particularly on hard surfaces. I think the best way to mitigate that for the operator would be to buy a platform pad. For the unit, I think it's partly to do with my old drive cogs that are coming due for replacement. They stick through farther with age and hit hard surfaces. If my tracks are worn, the cogs will press in to asphault slightly, leaving a small mark. I'm not sure if that is all the reason for the shaking.
Click to expand...
I've been running the prowler x pattern turf tracks. They are easier on grass but the biggest difference we noticed was the ride on pavement is less bumpy.
 
Huh, I wonder how difficult it would be to rig up a track system from a 750 or 1050 to a 650... Having the drive sprocket up off the ground, I think, is a big part of the smoother ride. One day. Or if you could get a 1050 shell and put 650 guts inside of it.... big project. just dreaming here....
 
https://rubbertrack.com/rubber-trac...wler-rubber-track-size-230x72x42-diamondback/

They also have the narrow track if that's what you want. I like wides so they dig in less on soft ground with a load.

I've had them on our SK650 for about a year. They are wearing good and still get good traction in the dirt. The only place we can tell a real difference is in our wood lot if it's muddy. I'll be buying another set when it's time.
 
Wow guys, that's an generous amount of valuable information! Awesome!!!
Damn how could you find someone on earth, who can compare these specialized units right next to each other without being bored from a youtube review after an 1 hour side by side machine demo. My dictionary tells me, that if sth is built like a brick shit house, it means it is good, lol, what a phrase. And 5400hrs tell me those units are worth it. Thank you so much for those informations. A smooth ride is definetely an aim, as you will wear your leg's joints faster than you can retire , so diamondbacks seem to be a must have, less lawn damage is a welcome side effect. Now let's see if my zahn get's a bigger brother:birra:
 
marne said:
Wow guys, that's an generous amount of valuable information! Awesome!!!
Damn how could you find someone on earth, who can compare these specialized units right next to each other without being bored from a youtube review after an 1 hour side by side machine demo. My dictionary tells me, that if sth is built like a brick shit house, it means it is good, lol, what a phrase. And 5400hrs tell me those units are worth it. Thank you so much for those informations. A smooth ride is definetely an aim, as you will wear your leg's joints faster than you can retire , so diamondbacks seem to be a must have, less lawn damage is a welcome side effect. Now let's see if my zahn get's a bigger brother:birra:
Click to expand...

marne said:
Wow guys, that's an generous amount of valuable information! Awesome!!!
Damn how could you find someone on earth, who can compare these specialized units right next to each other without being bored from a youtube review after an 1 hour side by side machine demo. My dictionary tells me, that if sth is built like a brick shit house, it means it is good, lol, what a phrase. And 5400hrs tell me those units are worth it. Thank you so much for those informations. A smooth ride is definetely an aim, as you will wear your leg's joints faster than you can retire , so diamondbacks seem to be a must have, less lawn damage is a welcome side effect. Now let's see if my zahn get's a bigger brother:birra:
Click to expand...
You have to actually maintain them but they will go a long time. Ours has 3000 hours on it. Another local company has one with almost 11,000 hours on it. Plan on spending $2k per year on maintenance. Filters, oil, misc stuff that breaks, tracks wear out, etc.
 
Here's what I did to fix my radiator/hydraulic cooler. This one was less than two years old and had already broken the upper and one of the lower mounts off of it. These are solidly mounted and don't handle vibration and bouncing very well. They cost about $1200 so I really didn't want to have to replace it every couple of years.

I started off by cutting the old mounts off the radiator. The originals are 3/8" thick. I replaced them with some 5/8" bar stock. I wanted to make more mounting points to share the load. I really wanted it to bolt on both side of the mounts to keep the flexing down. The 3/8" thick tabs are what keeps breaking on me. They have a slot cut in them for the bolts that goes most of the way across them making them pretty weak.

2020-03-27_07-35-40 by Griffin93, on Flickr

I managed to find some heavy duty rubber stud mounts for the upper. They fit but barely. The stud is really longer than needed.

2020-03-27_07-35-13 by Griffin93, on Flickr

I designed a new upper mount and cut it out on our cnc plasma table.

2020-03-27_07-34-53 by Griffin93, on Flickr

2020-03-27_07-34-35 by Griffin93, on Flickr

I used the factory mount holes on the bottom in the front and added the two holes you can see in the picture. The holes are already there in the engine cradle. I didn't have much room to move the radiator up. The thicker mount already had moved it up by 1/4"(3/8" vs 5/8" bar). I put a piece of 1/4" thick adhesive backed rubber on the bottom of the mounts. I used mechanical lock nuts on all 4 of the lower bolts to keep them in place. So far so good. I had to trim the fan shroud a tiny bit but other than that, no fit issues. I did not leave the hose that the wrench is on in that position. I was just getting it out of my way for fitting the mount. It's in a much more relaxed position once I got finished.
 
Fivepoints said:
I've been running the prowler x pattern turf tracks. They are easier on grass but the biggest difference we noticed was the ride on pavement is less bumpy.
Click to expand...

I've noticed in most of the videos about the 650, that the tracks/undercarriage always seem to create a rattling noise like an ancient battle tank. With the prowler tracks, does this noise disappear?
Many thanks
Marne
 
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