Chemical and Mechanical Root Control

Chemical and Mechanical Root Control
Trailer-mounted jetters

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Deluxe root cutter

The deluxe, heavy-duty, high-speed rotating Pro Root Cutter from Amazing Machinery is designed to cut roots and remove scale and debris. Available in both 3/8-inch and 1/2-inch NPT, the nozzle operates with wire extensions inside PVC and clay tile lines, and with chain extensions inside iron pipes. It is recommended that the 3/8-inch cutter be used on an 18 hp or larger jetter, while the 1/2-inch cutter can be used with a 24 hp or larger jetter. Chains for 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-inch lines and wires for 3-, 4-, 5- and 6-inch lines are included. The nozzle can be custom drilled to any orifice size. 800/504-7435; www.amazingmachinery.com.

 

Jet-driven cutters

The Cnt-r-KUT Elite cutter from Arthur Products Co. is a rotating mechanical tool with interchangeable chain and cable on the same rotor. The unit operates at 2,000 to 10,000 psi. The lightweight, flexible centering device, engineered from an aerospace elastomer, allows the cutter to navigate the contour of the pipe. Advance jet porting uses both rotor sidekick jets optimizing rotational force and rear thruster jets for maximum propulsion. The tool is available in 3/8-, 1/2- and 1-inch NPT. 800/322-0510; www.arthurproducts.com.

 

Low-maintenance nozzles

Root Rat cutting nozzles from Chempure are used with jetters from 11 hp units and are available in 3/8-, 1/2-, 3/4- and 1-inch sizes. Manufactured of hardened stainless steel, the cutters come with a toolbox with two interchangeable rotors: one with cables and the other with chains. The combination kit includes extra chain, cable and bearings. They need no repair or rebuilding other than bearing replacement, which can be completed in less than two minutes for less than $10 in parts. 800/288-7873; www.chempure.com.

 

Grease liquefier

Jet Power II grease liquefier from Duke’s Root Control dissolves grease on contact and homogenizes it so it cannot recoagulate. The product is nonpetroleum based, biodegradable, noncaustic, nonacidic and noncorrosive. It can be applied quickly and easily with a municipality’s own jetting equipment. The solution is sprayed upstream from the affected pipe and treatment requires only 10 to 15 minutes. Ten gallons is needed to produce 1,000 gallons of solution and will treat about 1,000 feet of sewer pipe. 800/447-6687; www.dukes.com.

 

Sled machine

The DM55 sled drain machine from Duracable Manufacturing offers a maintenance-free gearbox, an industrial 3/4 hp motor at 175 rpm and an indestructible frame. The high-performance gearbox has a 10:1 gear ratio with a cantilever weight capacity of 900 pounds. The drain machine offers fully enclosed polyethylene reels in a variety of sizes, and a standard power cable feed and return. The unit works on main lines, commercial, flood drains, grease and roots. 877/247-4081; www.duracable.com.

 

Sectional drain cleaner

The dual-cable sectional drain cleaner from Electric Eel runs up to 200 feet of 1 1/4-inch self-feeding cable in 8- or 10-foot sections that require no handling when rotating. The machine spins cable at twice the rpm of a continuous cable machine for cleaning 3- to 10-inch-diameter lines. A heavy-duty 1/2 hp Baldor motor comes standard, while 3/4 hp and 1 hp motors are available. A custom-designed gearbox and fully adjustable safety clutch prevent cable and tool breakage and provide overload protection. The drain cleaner comes with a unique fold-down, carry handle. 800/833-1212; www.electriceel.com.

 

Chain scrapers

Enz USA chain scrapers clean pipes from 3 to 48 inches in diameter. The scrapers come with sealed bearings, which allow each one to operate with clean and recycled water. In addition to removing roots, the units also remove grease, solids, mineral deposits, concrete and grout. Available with 6- to 24-inch diameters, the Diamond Tap Cutters can also remove protruding laterals. 877/369-8721; www.enzusainc.com.

 

Rotary cleaner

The VIII rotary impingement cleaner from Gamajet Cleaning Systems combines pressure and flow to create two high-impact jets that scour interiors in a global indexing pattern so all surfaces are cleaned. Made of 316 stainless steel, the unit operates between 20 and 1,000 psi and 20 to 130 gpm, and comes standard with a 2-inch camlock. Capable of creating 40 pounds of impact at a 25-foot distance, the cleaner will build up into a fine slurry. Depending on the level of residue, cleaning time takes between eight and 20 minutes, without any additional scraping or chemicals. 877/426-2538; www.gamajet.com.

 

Wet-only vac truck

The GapVax MC Series wet-only vacuum truck is made of 3/16-inch ASTM A572 Grade 50 Exten steel and works for hydroexcavation, jetting and waterblasting. Debris bodies range from 5 to 12 cubic yards. The truck has a unitized stainless steel 2,000-gallon water and debris tank with a double subframe. A heavy-duty, double-acting, single-lift cylinder provides a 50-degree dump angle. Vacuum pump options range from 3,500 to 5,000 cfm and up to 27 inches Hg.

The truck comes equipped with an 8-foot front-mounted, telescopic boom with dual lift cylinders, reaching 26 feet with a 270-degree rotation. The front-mounted hose reel has an 800-foot by 1-inch hose capacity. The standard water pump is rated at 80 gpm/2,000 psi. Options include a wash-down system; hydroexcavation package; extra storage space; heated boxes; liquid-level load indicators; remote pendants and wireless remotes for boom, vacuum break, and water controls; additional work lights and tube racks. 888/442-7829; www.gapvax.com.

 

Waterjetting guns

Tuf Guns from Gardner Denver Waterjetting Systems are 50 percent lighter and more ergonomic than aluminum components. No additional tools are necessary for adjusting shoulder stock, front handgrip assembly or for performing cartridge changeouts. A safety trigger latch prevents accidental discharge. 800/231-3628; www.waterjetting.com.

 

Cutting blades

ClogChopper cutting blades from General Pipe Cleaners are multifunction tools with six self-sharpening blades that break through encrusted debris, root masses, scale, crystallized urine and other stoppages without damaging the pipe. The spherical design maneuvers around tight ends and traps to clean metal, plastic and clay pipes. The tools clean stacks, downspouts, mainlines and drainpipes. They come in 1-, 1 1/2-, 2-, 2 1/2-, 3- and 4-inch sizes and a variety of connector options for General and other major brands of cable machines. 800/245-6200; www.drainbrain.com.

 

Electric cleaner

The GO 68HD heavy-duty electric drain cleaning machine from Gorlitz Sewer & Drain is available with an open steel reel or enclosed polyethylene drum and it can be outfitted with an optional power feeder. Standard configuration is 150 feet of 11/16-inch hollow core cable, which should reach most blockages with a single reel. The unit is designed to clean pipes from 3 to 18 inches in diameter and weighs 185 pounds. 562/944-3060; www.gorlitz.com.

 

Hydraulic reels

6200 Series industrial jetting hose reels from Hannay Reels are engineered with a direct-drive hydraulic motor that allows precise payout of hose without maintenance. With a capacity of 500 feet of 1-inch hose, the series features a swinging hose guide arm with roller and operator handle; an external hose connection that allows access without removing all the hose from the spool; and a heavy-duty ball-bearing swivel base. 877/467-3357; www.hannay.com.

 

Trailer jetter

The 7040-SC trailer jetter from O’Brien Mfg. (a division of Hi-Vac Corporation) has a 700-gallon water tank and 400-foot by 3/4-inch high-impact thermoplastic sewer hose. The unit offers a 40 gpm/2,000 psi engine/pump combination with a 190-degree swivel reel. Tethered hand-operated reel control, variable-speed control, catwalk fenders, and optional rotary cutter nozzles for various sizes of high-torque root cutters are available. 800/752-2400; www.hi-vac.com.

 

Cleaning launchers

The Logiball lateral cleaning launchers are used from the mainline sewer to launch a cleaning hose and nozzle into the laterals. The launchers clean as far as 70 feet from the main, removing root hairs and other debris. The CCTV camera (on a set of skids) and launching unit are pulled in tandem through the mainline and positioned at the service connection while the clockwise/counter clockwise rotation of the unit is controlled from the tractor controls’ forward/reverse of the multiconductor CCTV reel. 800/246-5988; www.logiball.com.

 

Powerful cutters

NozzTeq Lumberjack cutters are low-torque, variable-speed, multipurpose cutting nozzles, powered by common sewer jetting or combination trucks. The cutting chains rotate at speeds of 10,000 to 50,000 rpm. Designed to cut roots, the cutters also clear out concrete, tuberculation, grease and protruding laterals. Low torque means the cutters won’t get stuck, harm host pipe or spin off the hose end. The units are sealed, grease-lubricated and water-cooled, so they don’t need daily maintenance. The cutter drive shaft and turbine are made of hardened steel and the supply tube is made of stainless steel, allowing the nozzle to last for seven to 15 years of heavy use.

Six models clear pipes from 3 to 48 inches. The entire kit includes turbine, water supply tube, chain plate/pull plate, tow ring, cutting blade, sleds, five sets of chain per sled size, propelling nozzle with jets and adapter, spanner wrench, hand tools and toolbox. 866/620-5915; www.nozzteq.com.

 

Mini cutter

The Scorpion Mini Cutter from Nu Flow Technologies runs at 28,000 rpm and removes roots, calcite, mortar and cement from pipes up to 6 inches in diameter. The center-focused cutting power eliminates danger of damaging the pipe. A built-in camera harness allows for remote viewing. Using a special attachment, the unit can reinstate laterals that have been previously lined over. Several attachments are available. 800/834-9597; www.nuflowtech.com.

 

Jetter reels

Reelcraft’s large-frame jetter reels are designed for various high-pressure applications that require the added strength and stability of a heavy-duty frame and spool assembly. They can accommodate up to 1,000 feet of 1-inch I.D. hose. Pressures range from 3,000 to 10,000 psi with a temperature range of 22 to 225 degrees F. Motor mounting options include right/left, front/back or direct drive. Options include hydraulic, pneumatic, 12V DC or 24V DC electric motor.

A direct-drive option elimi­nates a chain or sprocket and the related maintenance. The frame is constructed of industrial-grade tubular steel, and the spool has a welded wrapper and 3/16-inch spun heads. Hose pinch points have been reduced by incorporating an external hose mounting point so the hose makes a smooth transition onto the spool. A heavy-duty cast guide assembly aides in guiding the hose back onto the spool evenly. The assembly arm can be positioned out of the way and locked when the reel is not in use. Components are individually powder coated for maximum corrosion resistance. 800/444-3134; www.reelcraft.com.

 

Jetter nozzle

With a working pressure of 3,000 psi, the RR3000 Root Ranger jetter nozzle from RIDGID can remove root obstructions, grease, sludge and mud. The rear-facing jet produces a stream that shears roots from the drain walls. The jet also blasts away buildup and debris, while the pointed penetrating head helps the nozzle push through obstructions. Designed for a 3/8-inch hose with a 1/4-inch NPT threaded connection, the nozzle works on drains from 4 to 8 inches. 800/769-7743; www.ridgid.com.

 

Diamond root cutters

The DTC diamond tap root cutters from Southland Tool Mfg. are made of thick steel, balanced and calibrated with industrial diamond segments. The heavy-duty 3/4-inch back plate is milled out to reduce weight and allow good water flow. The cutters are available in 6 to 18 inches. 714/632-8198; www.southlandtool.com.

 

Original root machine

The 1065 Sewer Raider from Spartan Tool uses the SparShine cable to clear roots from 3- to 10-inch sewers. The original root machine has a quiet motor and stays in place even when the cable is fully torqued into a root ball. The toolbox available with the unit contains blades, cutters and accessories. 800/435-3866; www.spartantool.com.

 

Strong forward thrust

The Warthog WGP-1 nozzle from StoneAge is designed for 8- to 36-inch lines and produces a strong forward thrust. The rear-facing jets are sharply angled and the centralizer fins are trimmed back. This creates more pulling power to handle longer lines, extra distance and moderate inclines. The nozzle features five jet ports, including a boring jet offset at 15 degrees and four jets at 155 degrees. The inlet port is available in 1 NPT or BSPP. The unit is well designed for contractors with operating pressures of 2,500 psi or less. 866/795-1586; www.stoneagetools.com.

 

UEMSI

The portable mainline reel from UEMSI features a built-in, 120-volt AC power rewind motor operated by the variable-speed controller and automatic levelwind that evenly winds the video cable. The reel incorporates a direct-drive clutch for releasing the power rewind so a tractor can pull out the video cable. The unit has a heavy-duty steel frame and aluminum, diamond-plate top. The reel can be used as a workbench or to house a power control unit. 800/666-0766; www.uemsi.com.

 

Eight drive jets

The reversible nozzle from US Jetting has eight drive jets that propel it down the pipe and eight reverse jets to send it back to the entry point. The nozzle will send the pressurized water out of the reverse jets every time the supply is stopped and then restarted. Each time the supply is stopped it will reverse direction. The nozzle is designed for working downstream without bringing back the debris, such as from a cleanout to the main sewer. 800/538-8464; www.usjetting.com.

 

Turbo cutters

Turbo chain cutters from USB – Sewer Equipment Corporation are made of tempered stainless steel and offer unique, continuously adjustable guide skids. The chain retainer is driven by a high-performance turbine to remove roots, grease and mineral deposits from 4- to 48-inch sewer lines. With an optimized 3-D hydromechanics design in conjunction with ceramic nozzle inserts, the cutters use recycled or clean water. They can also be used as barrel cutters with diamond bits for smooth removal of protruding laterals. Heavy mineral deposits can also be removed with carbide bits attached to the specialized chains. 866/408-2814; www.usbsec.com.



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