June 21, 2019 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V487000
Improperly Crimped Brake Wire Terminals
If the trailer brakes do not apply as expected, the distance required to stop the trailer may be lengthened, increasing the risk of crash.
NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V487
Manufacturer Charles Machine Works Inc
Components SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
Potential Number of Units Affected 796
Summary
Charles Machine Works Inc. (Charles Machine) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Ditch Witch VT9, VT12, VT14, VT17, VT20 and VT24 trailers. The brake wire terminals may have been improperly crimped, which can result in the trailer brakes failing to apply when commanded.
Remedy
Charles Machine has notified owners, and dealers will replace the brake terminals with a machine terminal, free of charge. The recall began June 25, 2019. Owners may contact Charles Machine customer service at 1-800-654-6481.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
ID0568815 – 1
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
| VT Trailer Terminal Kit HX30, HX50, HX75 on VT trailers | |
| Kit Number: 190-2482 | Estimated Installation Time: 2 hours |
Before You Start
Read instructions thoroughly. Check to see if all parts in bill of materials are in kit. If parts are missing or do not match bill of materials, contact your Ditch Witch® dealer.
Purpose
This document provides the instructions for replacing the terminals on VT trailers carrying HX machines. This instruction requires using a universal hand crimp tool (p/n 259-511, shown).
To set the tool, adjust the dial (on other side of tool) to match wire size. Place terminal in tool and adjust crimp location at knob (turn adjuster above green part of tool).
ID0568815 – 2
Bill of Materials
| Description | Qty. | P/N |
| Term Deutsch 12S 0462-203-12141 | 10 | 215-3197 |
| IMPORTANT: Verify that no insulation will be inside new terminals (2153197). |
Instructions
- Lift all four wheels off ground and secure trailer with stands or other means.
- Remove wheel and rim.
- Disconnect harness (shown).
- Pull plug and remove connector.
- Cut off both terminals.
- Strip wire ends (one is shown).
- Put long end of terminal in tool.
- Push wire in until it bottoms out and crimp.
- Repeat for other terminal.
- Reassemble connector.
- Plug connector into harness.
- Install wheel and rim.
- Repeat process on other three wheels.
| Description | P/N |
| Term Deutsch 12S 0462-203-12141 | 215-3197 |
Publication Number: ID0568814
Publication Date: June 2019
Safety Notice
| Affected Models | VT9, VT12, VT14, VT17, VT20 & VT24 trailers (carrying HX30, HX50, HX75 machines) |
| Attention | Dealership Owners, Managers, Parts and Service Managers |
| What Dealer Should Do |
|
| Parts Required | VT trailer terminal kit (190-2482) installation also requires universal hand crimp tool (p/n 259-511) |
| Estimated Repair Time | 2 hours |
| Compensation | parts, labor and mileage |
| Dealership Notes | URGENT: Please perform this update as soon as possible in the interest of safety. Ditch Witch requests that you update all machines in your area by 12/31/2020.
A notification has been mailed to owners of affected models. Please note “What You Should Do” section of the attached customer notice. If you have any questions, contact the Trenchless Product Support Group. |
2 Affected Products
Vehicle
| CHARLES MACHINE | DITCH WITCH | 2018-2019 |
9 Associated Documents
Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2019-2
RCLQRT-19V487-8737.PDF 211.133KB
Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2019-4
RCLQRT-19V487-2714.PDF 211.318KB
Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2019-3
RCLQRT-19V487-3485.PDF 211.231KB
Remedy Instructions and TSB
RCRIT-19V487-5666.pdf 139.025KB
Defect Notice 573 Report
RCLRPT-19V487-2872.PDF 214.752KB
Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)
Recall Acknowledgement
RCAK-19V487-8216.pdf 245.292KB
Recall Quarterly Report #5, 2020-2
RCLQRT-19V487-3703.PDF 211.533KB
Recall Quarterly Report #4, 2020-1
RCLQRT-19V487-2928.PDF 211.533KB
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