By Scottie Dayton


The Business End

Filed Under: Special Feature

August 2007 Issue

You invested substantial money in waterjetters. Now, you can’t afford to scrimp on the tools that convey the power to the pipe. That means hoses and nozzles.

You want hoses that will remain effective and safe for the long haul, free of cuts and abrasions that require repair or replacement. And you’ll want to select nozzles with the number, size and configuration of jets that best suit the application at hand. Here is a sampling of the latest hose and nozzle offerings.

Family cleaners

The high-performance family of sewer nozzles from KEG Technologies Inc. includes ball or standard nozzles for cleaning residential sewer lines, a forward-jet nozzle for forcing blockages away from the home toward the sewer main, and a tier-two sewer flush nozzle with steel or titanium ceramic inserts. The traction nozzle delivers a tight water pattern to remove sand or mud. The company also offers a range of nozzles for larger sewer jobs requiring high-efficiency cleaning. Two examples are the Torpedo and Royal. For more information: 866/595-0515; www.keg-pipe.com.

Concentrated power

Warthog nozzles from StoneAge Inc. rotate at 300- to 500-rpm. Controlled rotation gives the jets more time to cut and remove obstacles. The five models handle flows from 5- to 120-gpm at up to 8,000-psi. They accommodate all common pumps from cart jetters to combination trucks. For more information: 970/259-2869; www.sewernozzles.com.

New OEM nozzles

A new line of OEM nozzles from Vactor Manufacturing features interchangeable, wear-resistant, tungsten-carbide inserts and corrosion-resistant coatings for long service life. Applications include flushing and cleaning pipes and removing root growth, total blockages, and grease, lime, rust, and scale obstructions. The lineup includes nozzles that easily change from penetrating to flushing, nozzles that traverse even the most irregular paths, special nozzles that chew through roots, and nozzles that cut through concrete and minerals. For more information: 800/627-3171; www.vactor.com.

For small jetters

The stainless-steel family of sewer cleaning hoses from Spartan Tool LLC works in small pipes over long distances with pressures up to 4,000-psi. These 5/16-inch hoses are designed for superior slickness, bend radius, and durability. Their low coefficient of friction enables them to travel farther down lines and shoot through tight traps. Stainless-steel hose covers protect the reinforcement against nicks from offset joints or scratches from cast iron. They are available in lengths up to 100 feet. For more information: 800/435-3866; www.spartantool.com.

Precise machining

Precision-machined brass and stainless-steel standard nozzles from Gorlitz Sewer & Drain Inc. have a short overall length to accomplish tight turns. Precise jets and smooth orifices offer rapid forward movement and high cleaning power. Drop-head nozzles negotiate back-to-back drains or sharp turns in 1- to 3-inch lines. Oversized, 1-inch diameter ball nozzles have additional weight to clean the bottoms of pipes while negotiating bends, turns, and back-to-back drains. For more information: 877/446-7548; www.gorlitz.com.

Harsh duty

Armor Belt hoses from Piranha Hose Products are designed for the harsh work of sewer cleaning. They have a yellow olefin inner tube and high-tensile-strength synthetic reinforcement followed by the Armor Belt process — a belting of high-tensile polymer with polyether-urethane cover. Armor Belt extends hose life and improves cut and abrasion resistance. Rated for 2,500- to 4,000-psi, the hose suits applications that call for extreme durability and flexibility. For more information: 800/250-5132; www.piranhahose.com.

Increased productivity in the field

The Sewer Squad Premium Kit from Aqua Mole Technologies Inc. contains five nozzles that enable technicians to handle various cleaning situations. The Thruster (one forward, three rear, 25 degrees) and Flusher patterns (six rear, 45 degrees) anchor the kit. The Monster (25- and 45-degree rear jets) breaks sand and gravel blockages, while the Degreaser (three forward at 10 degrees) pushes debris forward. The Rotor Jet Spinner (two side jets at 90 degrees, two rear jets at 35 or 45 degrees) provides pulling power and side-wall cleaning action for the finishing pass. An orifice cleaning tool is included. The kit comes in 1/8-, 1/4-, 3/8-, 1/2-, and 3/4-inch NPT thread sizes, and can be custom drilled to match the flow specifications of any jetting equipment. For more information: 877/457-2782; www.aquamole.com.

Multiple purposes

Heavy duty, multipurpose sewer nozzles from Shamrock Pipe Tools Inc. use shaped-carbide inserts with flow straighteners to form coherent water streams. The 10,000-psi tolerant carbide is long lasting at pressures from 2,000- to 3,000-psi. Nozzles are force-tested against a load cell for optimum performance. The Ultimate Penetrator creates a path through severe buildups, minimizing water consumption and cleaning time. The Cobia flushes sludge, mud, and debris from pipe bottoms. For additional information: 800/633-7696; www.shamrocktools.com.

Starter kit

The U-Pick-It kit from Sewer Equipment Company of America enables contractors to choose all the necessary nozzles to start cleaning sewers. The package comes with one finned, tubular, or football-style nozzle extension, Tiger Tail BB hose guide, toolbox, and 12 nozzles from the parts and accessory catalog. Some nozzle choices include radial vortex, lance, and penetration. For more information: 800/323-1604; www.sewerequipment.com.

Fuel injection technology

Advanced Infrastructure Technologies distributes Lindhorst high-efficiency sewer/storm drain maintenance nozzles and attachments. Nozzles incorporate a conical insert. Based on fuel injection technology, the device maintains the dimension of the nozzle longer, and accelerates water through the insert to create a solid jetting action directly to the pipe wall, allowing for full restoration of the surface. Nozzles are crafted from German tool steel and have a high-quality finish. For more information: 800/992-0222; www.advancedworld.com.

Turbo chain cutters

Turbine-driven, Turbo Chain Cutters from USB-Sewer Equipment Corporation remove roots, hardened grease, and mineral deposits from 4- to 36-inch sewer lines. The drive shaft and double-sealed bearings require no lubrication. Continuously adjustable, fine-pitch threads position stainless-steel guide skids to within 1/16 inch to maneuver safely around offsets, drop joints, and other challenges. Ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) plastic wheels enable the cutter to glide long distances or climb sewer lines in steep terrain. All cutters are usable with recycled water. Besides the single or double stainless-steel chain retainer, a diamond-barrel cutter is available to cut protruding taps. Other options include milling heads with diamond bits. For more information: 770/984-8880; www.usb-sewerequipmentcorporation.com.

Revolving nozzles

The Mini Tornado revolving nozzle series from Break-thru Manufacturing & Sales works in 2- to 6-inch pipes, but provides the same power and performance as the larger Hydro Tornado. The nozzles handle flows of 3- to 23-gpm/500- to 2,800-psi, and fit 1/4- and 3/8-inch hoses. For more information: 866/415-4655; www.breakthrumfg.com.

Effective bottom cleaner

The C-Ray Nozzle series from NozzTeq Inc. increases water speed by looping the water around a system of individual conduits. Giving each orifice its own tube results in a disciplined, well-defined, and powerful water stream that stays together longer and travels farther. The angle of the water stream, the jet, and jet sizes are designed for optimum pull and cleaning power. Water streams are directed toward the bottom of the pipe to thrust debris forward. Variable jet sizes accommodate flows from 40- to 400-gpm. The C-Ray 200 and 400 are used together with one swivel and six or eight jets to clean 8- to 16-inch pipes. The C-Ray Twin uses two jetting machines that two trucks can operate for cleaning lines 15 inches and larger. For more information: 866/620-5915; www.nozzteq.com.