RIDGID FlexShaft K9-306 Manual page 15

9. Advancing/Retrieving the Cable
Assembly – FlexShaft Lubricant
In some cases it may be beneficial to
apply RIDGID FlexShaft lubricant to the
outside of the sheath when feeding the
cable down the drain. This can make it
easier to advance the cable assembly
down the drain and allow greater clean-
ing distance. If doing so, place a clean
towel with lubricant on it in the palm of the
gloved hand used for advancing the cable
assembly, and apply lubricant as feed-
ing the cable assembly (Figure 9). Add
lubricant to the towel as needed during
the process. RIDGID FlexShaft markings
are printed on the sheath every 5' (1.5
m) to aid in determining how much cable
assembly has been fed from the machine.
Only use RIDGID FlexShaft lubricant.
Other lubricants may not be appropriate
for use in a drain and could contaminate
the water.
When retrieving the cable assembly, it is
good practice to use a towel to wipe dirt
and debris from the cable sheath as it is
pulled from the drain and fed back into
the drum.
10. Rotating the Chain Knocker
Generally the chain knocker is rotated for
cleaning while withdrawing the cable.
Only rotate the cable/chain knocker when
the chain knocker is at least 1' in the
drain. To rotate the cable, firmly grip the
cable and depress the foot switch. The
person controlling the cable assembly
must also control the foot switch. Do not
operate the machine with one person
controlling the cable assembly and an-
other person controlling the foot switch.
Do not allow cable assembly to build up
outside the drain, bow or curve. This can
lead to twisting, kinking and breaking of
the cable. At any time, release the foot
switch to stop cable rotation. When clear-
ing blockages, operate the cable at full
speed for best cleaning. Do not force the
chain knocker into blockages. Rotating
the chain knocker in FORWARD or RE-
VERSE for a short time while advancing
the cable assembly can help it negotiate
the drain and blockages.
999-995-214.10_REV. A
FlexShaft™ Drain Cleaning Machine
Figure 9 – Applying Lubricant to the Cable
Sheath
11. Advance the cable assembly into the
drain, generally not rotating. Grasp the
sheath near where it exits the machine
housing. Pull 6" to 12" (150 to 300 mm)
of cable assembly out of the FlexShaft
Machine so that there is a slight bow in
the cable. Gloved hand must be on cable
assembly to control and support. Improper
cable support can allow the cable as-
sembly to kink or twist and can damage
the cable or injure the operator. Feed the
cable assembly into the drain (Figure 10,
Step 1).
12. Continue to advance the cable assem-
bly until the resistance is encountered.
Carefully work the chain knocker through
the blockage. Do not force the cable
assembly – if the chain knocker can-
not turn, it cannot clean the drain. Pay
attention to how far the cable has gone.
Do not overrun the cable into a larger
drain. This can cause the cable to knot up
or cause other damage (Figure 10, Step
2).
13. Once the drain is open, if possible, start
a flow of water down the drain to flush
the debris out of the line and help clean
the cable assembly as it is retrieved. This
can be done by turning on a faucet in the
system or other methods. Pay attention
to the water level, as the drain could plug
again (Figure 10, Step 3).
14. With the chain knocker past the block-
age/area to be cleaned and REV/O-OFF/
13