NHTSA campaign 18V727000 · Charles Machine campaign ID0502488
Charles Machine Recall 18V-727: Jib Boom may Become Loose While Moving
NHTSA recall 18V727000 (Charles Machine campaign ID0502488) was reported by Charles Machine Works Inc on October 18, 2018, with 96 vehicles potentially affected (per NHTSA). NHTSA's record lists the Charles Machine Ditch Witch for the 2018 model year. Owners were notified on October 22, 2018, per NHTSA.
Updated daily from NHTSA's recall files
Is my vehicle included?
This page lists, by model year, the vehicles NHTSA's recall record names for campaign 18V727000 in the model years try.vin imports (1995 and later); NHTSA's own record can list more. A model year on the list doesn't mean every vehicle of that year is included, and some may already have been repaired.
To see whether a specific vehicle is included and still needs the repair, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Free VIN check: decode a VIN to see its year, make and model.
Key facts
- NHTSA campaign
- 18V727000 (also written 18V-727 or 18V727)
- Filed by
- Charles Machine Works Inc
- Charles Machine campaign number
- ID0502488
- Report received
- Potentially affected
- 96 vehicles (per NHTSA)
- Component
- Structure
- Owners notified
Repair completion: 37.5% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated October 21, 2026)
NHTSA cautions against comparing completion rates across recalls or manufacturers. How try.vin reads them.
Vehicles listed for this recall
NHTSA's recall record lists these vehicles for recall 18V727000. try.vin imports model years 1995 and later, so NHTSA's own list can be longer. Model years with a try.vin recall page link to it. Build dates are NHTSA's range for a model year (per NHTSA); a vehicle built in that range is not necessarily included.
Charles Machine
Charles Machine Ditch Witch
- 2018 · Vehicles built November 24, 2017 – October 4, 2018 (per NHTSA)
NHTSA's recall notice
As NHTSA's recall record states it for campaign 18V727000.
Defect description
Charles Machine Works Inc (Charles Machine) is recalling certain 2018 Ditch Witch VT14, VT20 and VT24 trailers with HX30, HX50 or HX75 vacuum excavators equipped with an optional jib boom. The jib boom on these vehicles can become loose from the latching pin mechanism, allowing the boom to swing outside the trailer while being towed.
Safety consequence
If the jib boom swings outside the trailer while it is being towed, it can increase the risk of injury or a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
Charles Machine will notify owners, and dealers will replace the latching pin with a hook mechanism that goes over the top of the arm, securing it to the trailer structure, free of charge. The recall began October 22, 2018. Owners may contact Charles Machine customer service at 1-800-654-6481. Charles Machine's number for this recall is ID0502488.
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.
Sources
Official NHTSA notice for recall 18V727000
Campaign details come from NHTSA's recall files, which try.vin imports once a day. The plain-language subject and the completion rate come from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Recalls Data dataset. How try.vin reads recall data.