It’s difficult to tote around a heavy drain-cleaning machine every day. Moreover, space restrictions on a jobsite can make accessing sink or bathtub drains a challenge.
Speedway Drain Cleaning Products confronts those issues with the ST 265 lightweight, portable drain-cleaning machine for sinks, tubs and showers.
An addition to the company’s 200 Series, the ST 265 weighs 29 pounds and is designed to clean lines from 1 1/2 to 3 inches. A new feature is the machine’s ability to operate while standing vertically, as well as operate horizontally, notes Brad Wildauer, manager of new product development and marketing.
“When used vertically, the ST 265 puts the cable in a position to easily go up and loop over the side of, say, a bathtub,” he says. “In certain situations, it’s just more convenient for a technician to stand the drain cleaner upright and position it as close as possible to the drain. The farther the machine stands from the drain, the more cable you need to use, which makes it harder to control the cable.”
Another improvement is a guide hose through which the cable passes. The guide hose remains stationary while the cable spins inside it, providing easier usage and better control for the operator. “It’s also safer than having the cable spinning around in a technician’s hand,” Wildauer observes.
A grease fitting directly on the drive shaft enables technicians to grease the shaft without removing the drum, saving time and increasing productivity. The 9-inch drum is made of rotational-molded plastic and includes a quick drum release. The plastic drum makes the machine quiet and durable. “There’s no paint that can chip off, and it won’t corrode or dent like metal does,” Wildauer says.
The ST 265 is available with a 1/4-inch by 50-foot cable. Other features include a double-insulated, 3.2-amp variable-speed drill motor and a powder-coated, contour-welded tubular frame that provides strength and is corrosion resistant. The unit also has an air-activated foot switch and press box, both of which provide hands-free usage. For information: 800/835-2200; www.speedway-tools.com.
