RIDGID K-40 Manual page 9

2. Make sure that the drain cleaning machine is un-
plugged or the battery is removed. If a corded tool,
inspect the power cord, Ground Fault Circuit Inter-
rupter (GFCI) and plug for damage or modification,
such as a missing grounding prong. If a battery tool, in-
spect the batteries for any damage. If any damage or
modifications are found, do not use the tool or bat-
teries until the cord or batteries have been properly
repaired or replaced.
If a battery tool, inspect the battery charger as di-
rected in the battery charger's instructions.
3. Clean any oil, grease or dirt from all equipment handles
and controls. This helps prevent the machine or con-
trol from slipping from your grip.
4. Make sure the foot switch is attached to the drain
cleaning machine. Do not operate the machine with-
out the foot switch.
5. Inspect the drain cleaning machine for any broken,
worn, missing, mis-aligned or binding parts or any
other condition which may prevent safe and normal
operation. Rotate the drum and make sure that it
turns freely without binding. If any problems are found,
do not use machine until problems have been re-
paired.
6. Check that the warning label is present and firmly
attached. Do not operate the drain cleaning machine
without the warning label. See Figure 7. If using a bat-
tery tool check to see if battery warning label is
present and firmly attached. See Figure 8 .
Figure 7 – K-40 Warning Label
Warning
Label
Motor
Shroud
Ridge Tool Company
K-40 Drain Cleaning Machine
Warning
Label
Figure 8 – Battery Warning Label
7. Check the motor shroud to insure that it is securely
fastened to the drain cleaner. Do not operate without
motor shroud in place. (See Figure 7.)
8. Clean any debris from the cable and tools. Inspect ca-
bles for wear and damage. Inspect for
• Wear – wear can be identified by looking for flats on
the outside of the cable. Cables are made from
round wire, and the outside of the cable should be
rounded like the wire profile. If you can see an ob-
vious flat on the outside of the cable, it is worn and
should be replaced.
• Cable kinks – If the cable is not perfectly straight but
is slightly "wavy", that is acceptable. Kinked cables
have a well-defined bend, and may have gaps be-
tween the coils of the cable. Slight kinks (up to 15°)
can be straightened, but all kinks weaken the cable
and can cause cable failure during use. Cables with
multiple or excessively large kinks should be re-
placed.
• Space between cable coils – space between the
cable coils indicates that the cable has been de-
formed. This can be caused by kinking, stretching
(mechanically pulling the cable) or running the cable
in REVERSE (REV). Cables with space between
the coils should be replaced.
• Excessive corrosion – this can be caused by storing
the cable wet or using the cable in corrosive chem-
icals used in chemical clog removers. Corrosion
weakens the cable and can make it brittle. Ex-
cessively corroded cable should be replaced.
All of these forms of wear and damage weaken the
cable and make cable twisting, kinking or breaking
more likely during use. Make sure cable is fully re-
tracted, with no more than 2" of cable out. This will
prevent whipping of the cable at start up.
9. Inspect the tools for wear and damage. If necessary,
replace prior to using the drain cleaning machine. Dull
or damaged cutting tools can lead to binding, cable
breakage, and slow the drain cleaning process.
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