2
The Reed Rotary™ Cutter is a very efficient tool for cutting many dif-
ferent sizes of cast iron, ductile iron, and steel pipe from 20” to 42”.
In most cases, the Rotary™ Cutter is a one person tool. RC36 and
RC42 work better with two operators.
Fig. 1
For best results and efficient operation, these instructions
should be followed carefully. This pertains to ALL sizes of
Rotary™ Cutters.
Determine the best type of cutter wheel to use for the pipe to be
cut by referencing Fig. 1.
“S” and “I” cutter models interchange to one another by chang-
ing the cutter wheels installed in any given cutter. For instance,
changing the cutter wheels to RCI8-30 wheels, the RC36S cutters
for steel becomes an RC36I and is able to cut 30” nominal cast
iron/ductile iron pipe.
To change the cutter wheels, lay the Rotary™ Cutter on its side,
with the head of the wheel pin head pointing down. Next, lightly tap
the end of all wheel pins facing up, allowing them to drop out far
enough to enable the removal of the cutter wheel. Line up the cutter
wheel and outboard roller and push the wheel pins back up into the
hole. Next, seat the wheel pin into place with a light tap. Repeat this
procedure for all of the cutter wheels.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
for RC20 and RC24 Rotary™ Cutters
1. To set-up for making a cut, loosen the nuts on the main
screws just enough to permit the cutter frame to slide over the
end of the pipe. (The main screws can also be slipped out
of the frame slot to permit the cutter to open and be placed
around the pipe. Re-engage the main screw with the frame
slot to close the cutter frame.)
2. Position the cutter so the cutter wheels are in-line with the
cut-off mark. Rotate the cutter until the weight of the cutter is
resting on the spring-loaded guide fingers and the two guides
are centered on the top of the pipe. All cutter wheels should
at this time be away from the pipe. The arrow on the frame
points in the direction of the desired rotation.
3. Slightly rock and wiggle the cutter until all four of the guide
fingers touch the pipe. This process insures that the cutter sits
square on the pipe.
4. Next, without disturbing the cutter position, tighten up the
main screw nuts EQUALLY by hand. Usually the two
bottom wheels will contact the pipe first. Continue
tightening as the spring-loaded guide fingers retract and
permit the top wheels to contact the pipe. Using the lug
wrench on the operating handle, tighten the one accessible
nut as tight as possible while still being able to rotate the cutter.
Operating Instructions
5. Slip the lug wrench over the most conveniently accessible lug.
Rotate the cutter, one lug at a time in the direction of the
arrow, until the other nut is in position to be tightened.
After one complete rotation check to see if the cutter is
tracking properly.
6. To complete the cut, continue rotating the cutter. At every half
revolution, tighten nearest main screw nut one quarter to one half turn.
It is important to complete the cut without pausing and to
maintain consistent pressure.
HELPFUL HINTS
·
Steel pipe must be cut all the way through the
wall. Cast iron pipe, depending on age and hard-
ness, will snap off clean and true after about one-
fourth of the wall has been penetrated. Ductile iron,
being very tough, usually snaps off after one-third to
one-half the wall has been penetrated.
·
When cutting cast iron pipe, after hearing the first snap or
crack in the pipe, continue tightening the nuts to
maintain maximum pressure on the pipe until complete cutoff
occurs. If a support can be maintained on the pipe while
cutting, such as with a crane, hydraulic jack, etc., it will often
cut the operation time in half by inducing the fracture to occur
sooner and to run clear around the pipe instead of part way.
·
When cutting into a section of cast iron pipe that has been
buried in the ground for a long time, the line may be under
compression from various causes and the slightly jagged
fracture of the cuts may resist lifting the cut piece out. One
way around this difficulty is to make three cuts instead of
two. Make a third cut about 2
1
/
2
” inside one of the end cuts.
A sledge hammer will break out the two and a half inch
section and then the bigger piece will lift out easily. When
cutting cast pipe under compres-sion, the cutter must be fed
and rotated until all outboard rollers are in contact with the
pipe, to be sure of complete fracture.
·
The cutter is designed not to break under cutting loads. The
handle will bend first.
·
Certain brands of ductile iron pipe are softer than others and
end themselves to faster and easier cutting with RCS8-30
cutter wheels for steel pipe. If cutter wheel breakage is not
excessive, the substantial time and labor savings may very
well justify this.
BADLY CRUSTED AND RUST SCALED PIPE:
Remove the rust
and scale from the area to be cut with a Reed Descaler (Fig. 3). A
Handle Lugs
Fig. 2
45° or 60°
between
handle lugs
RC20 and RC24
diagram
Main Screw
Nut
