FlexShaft™ Drain Cleaning Machines
999-995-158.08_REV. A
8
eter, and is generally set using a spacer
made from sheath (“Collar Spacer”). If
additional flexibility is required to navigate
a bend, the collar spacer can be removed
and the collar distance can be set with a
tape measure. Operating without a collar
spacer makes it more likely for the cable
to flip over in use and be damaged.
Do
not operate carbide cutters without a
collar spacer to reduce risk of cable
damage.
Exposed Cable: Minimize the amount
of exposed cable (cable not covered by
sheath). The more exposed cable there
is, the more likely the cable will flip over
in use and be damaged. Exposed cable
should be limited to no more than ¼” (6
mm), and is set with a bushing made from
sheath (“Knocker Bushing”).
Sheath is supplied with the drain cleaner
and is available as a service part to allow
configuration as needed for your specific
application. Only use RIDGID FlexShaft
Drain Cleaner sheath of the correct size
for the cable. Any time sheath is cut, it
should be cut cleanly and squarely. Do
not damage the cable when cutting the
sheath.
3. Chain knockers are retained to the cable
with set screws that use a supplied 3
mm hex key. Loosen set screws and re-
move chain knocker, spacer and bushing
from cable.
4. Inspect the sheath end for damage or
wear. The sheath end should be square
and clean. If needed, the sheath end can
be trimmed slightly.
5. If needed, cut a section of sheath to use
as the collar spacer to the appropriate
size
(See Collar Distance Chart).
Collar distance can be modified to your
preference for the specific pipe/applica-
tion. As collar distance increases, the di-
ameter of the chains decreases, and vice
versa. Improperly set collar distance can
reduce the efficiency of pipe cleaning.
6. Test fit the chain knocker, knocker bushing
and collar spacer on the cable as shown
in
Figure 7
. Chains should be straight – do
not assemble with chains twisted. To pre-
vent excessive cable end wear, cable end
should be flush with the end of the collar.
Chain knockers are sized based on col-
lar inside diameter and are designed for
specific cable sizes. ¼” chain knockers
are used on ¼” cable, etc. Do not use a
larger size chain knocker on a smaller
cable (for instance
5
/
16
” on ¼”)
. See Figure
6 and Collar Distance Chart.
Figure 6 – Chain Knockers
Chain knockers without carbide cutting
tips can be used in common pipe types.
These chain knockers work well in grease
and similar blockages.
Chain knockers with carbide cutting tips
are used for removing scale from the
inside of the pipe and can be used for
roots. Carbide cutting tips are used for
aggressive cleaning and could damage
pipe, especially softer materials (such
as plastics and Orangeburg), thin walled
pipe, or if the chain knocker is kept in
one position for an extended time.
Do not use chain knockers for cleaning in
glass, ceramic, porcelain or similar ma-
terial fixtures or pipes. They could be
damaged.
2.
Figure 7
shows a schematic of proper
chain knocker installation and adjustment.
There are two key points when installing/
adjusting chain knockers.
Collar
Distance: Set the chain knocker
collars the correct distance apart (“Collar
Distance”) to allow the chains to spread
an appropriate amount when rotated to
clean the pipe walls. Collar Distance var-
ies based on cable size and pipe diam-
1 Chain
2 Chain
3 Chain
Carbide
Cutting Tips
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.com
1.800.561.8187
