Order Entry: 800-247-4081 • Answer Line: 877-257-1781
4
Duracable
®
Machine Manual
Model DM30
Information and Specifications
Safe Machine Operation
Read this machine manual thoroughly before assembling or
operating the machine. Become familiar with its controls and
proper use before operating. Keep this manual in a handy place
for reference and parts replacement referral.This machine is
designed specifically for the purpose of opening and cleaning
drains. Use it for this purpose - do not use it for other purposes.
Use gloves to protect your hands. Wear them to feed and
retrieve cable. Use a material that cannot be easily grabbed by
the cable. Most leather gloves and certain rubber gloves work
well. Duracable Manufacturing has each type available through
the Duracable Product Catalog. Also, avoid the use of loose-
fitting clothes or jewelry when operating this machine. Keep
guards in place to protect the operator from the electric motor
and electrical wiring. These guards are for safety protection and
must be in place when running the machine.
Each machine is equipped with an air foot pedal. Use of the air
foot pedal to operate the machine is required for safe operation.
This allows the machine operator to turn the machine on or off
with the foot while keeping both hands on the cable. Select a
work area free from obstruction with room to work. Keep the
machine within three feet of the pipe opening, allowing only
enough room to work. This is required to shorten the length
of exposed cable, thus providing maximum control in high-
torque situations. Take a position that is comfortable to the left
or right side of the machine for feeding or retrieving cable. For
high work openings, the machine can be placed on its back as
conditions require.
When performing a job, use the smallest blade first. Rinse the
pipe after each blade is run through the line in order to clean out
loosened debris. Then follow with the increasing sizes of blades
until the size used is one that actually scrapes the side of the
pipe or sewer. The blades are flexible and can be compressed
to enter most cleanout openings. Centrifugal force created by
the spinning cable forces the blades to expand to their natural
diameter or to the walls of the pipe. It is advisable to maintain
a very keen cutting edge on the blades at all times. Place two
hands on the cable between the outlet of your machine and the
cleanout and keep them there at all times during operation. Your
hands placed in the proper position will provide a guide for the
cable.
As the blade makes contact with an obstruction in the line, it
stops the blade from turning and builds torque in the cable. Do
not permit the blade to get hung up in an obstruction for more
than three seconds. Torque buildup can be both helpful and
dangerous. It is helpful when pulled from the obstruction in a
timely manner. When the cable is pulled away, the tension is
released and the blade turns at a high speed. When the blade is
free, feed it back into the obstruction to make use of the built-up
power to clean the line. It is dangerous because excess torque
can cause looping over of the cable. Serious injury to fingers
and hands is possible unless precautions are observed.
When retrieving cable from the line, feed the cable into the
machine until the blade is close to the cleanout opening. Shut
off the machine and hand-feed the remaining cable into the
machine.
Use of a Power Cable Feed and Return (PCFR) will reduce stress
and strain on both the drain cleaning machine and the service
technician. Duracable Manufacturing recommends a PCFR unit
be used on every Model DM30 machine. This unit mounts in
front of the head casting assembly and with movement of a
handle will feed or retrieve cable from a sewer line. Mounting
time for the unit is minimal.
Unpacking Your Machine
The Model DM30 is shipped to you with the following parts:
the base machine, a reel, a revolving arm, a floating ring, and
a floating ring attachment. When it arrives, remove the parts
immediately and inspect for damage. If any of the contents are
damaged, contact your motor freight carrier immediately.
Assembling Your Machine
• Set the base machine in a down position on its rails.
• Pick up the reel with the cone shape to the front of the machine
(toward the switches), and slide it onto the reel shaft. Be sure
the orange drive lugs slide into the openings in the back of the
reel and engage fully.
• Place the floating ring inside the reel and mount it to the tail
piece or cable using the floating ring attachment. Attach a tail
piece (10’ of cable) to the floating ring attachment.
• Feed the tail piece through the revolving arm until about 1” of
the cable shows.
• Position the revolving arm inside the reel.
• Place the revolving arm with cable extended into the rear side
of the head bearing.
• Position the extension shaft on the revolving arm into the
center of the reel bearing.
• Slide the tail piece through the head bearing. Attach the full
length of cable to the tail piece and feed cable back into the
machine.
Moving Your Machine
Break the machine down into lighter-weight components to
move it to and from the job site. To do this, wrap the GFCI cord
and the air foot pedal cord in a convenient spot on the machine,
remove the revolving arm from its assembled position (leave
the cable inside it and keep it with the reel), and remove the
reel assembly. Various accessories are available from Duracable
Manufacturing to assist and protect the operator during the
moving process.
Lubrication Maintenance
Caution: Do not over oil these points.
• Head Bearing Assembly - The roller bearing, located in the
front assembly, requires monthly lubrication. Use a grease gun
to lubricate the zerk fitting with multipurpose grease. A lithium-
base grease is recommended.
• Reel Shaft and Reel Bearings - The reel shaft requires monthly
lubrication. Use a multipurpose grease or heavy oil. Keeping
the shaft lubricated means the reel will slide freely and will not
‘freeze’ to the shaft and need to be repaired. The reel bearings
require some light oil monthly.
• Wheels - A light oil on the axle every month keeps the wheels
rolling freely instead of ‘freezing’ to the axle.
