The Speedrooter 92 root-cutting machine from General Pipe Cleaners is designed for one-person operation. Weighing 115 pounds without cable, the machine has a swept-back handle and loading wheel that enables it to roll onto the back of a truck. Equipped with 10-inch, heavy-duty wheels and V-belt stair climbers, it can easily be moved up or down steps.

The machine is made to be both flexible and durable, says Marty Silverman, vice president of marketing. “When I talk about durability, the first thing is our Flexicore cable,” he says. The cable consists of heavy gauge wire coiled around 49-strand wire rope and heat treated for strength and flexibility.

The machine measures 26 inches deep, 22 inches wide and 41 inches high. “The steel frame is reinforced everywhere,” Silverman adds. “We also use a steel drum rather than plastic, which is significant for handling the weight of the cable.”

The drum holds 100 feet of 3/4- or 5/8-inch cable, and an optional small drum holds 100 feet of 1/2-inch cable. The 3/4-inch cable is for cleaning 4- to 10-inch lines and 3-inch lines without sharp bends. The 5/8-inch cable can clean 3- to 6-inch lines, and the 1/2-inch cable cleans 2- to 3-inch lines.

The unit uses a spring rather than cast aluminum Flexitube distributor tube, an upgrade from earlier models. “It’s much more durable and is not affected by the abuse of the machine,” Silverman says. “If you knock the machine out of alignment with the new distributor tube, it’s not affected by that. It will allow the cable to move smoothly in and out of the drum and will not let it tangle up. It’s not affected by alignment issues.”

The root cutter is powered by a 1/2 hp motor with capacitor. It has a forward-off-reverse switch, 20-foot power cord and ground fault interrupter. The pneumatic foot switch has no electrical contact between the pedal and motor. The power cable feed drives and retracts at variable speeds up to 20 feet per minute.

Other features include a wheel brake that helps keep the machine in place and a rear toolbox for holding various cutters. Also included are leather gloves with double-reinforced palms for hand protection when guiding the cable. 800/245-6200; www.drainbrain.com.