Flushing tough clogs

Problem

Shon Westart, water superintendent for Vienna, Mo., needed new equipment for cleaning sewers, clearing blockages and cutting roots. His main concern was that the machine would have to be powerful enough to propel a Warthog nozzle from StoneAge.

 

Solution

Westart bought a 7065 culvert cleaner trailer jetter from O’Brien Mfg., a product of Hi-Vac Corp. The tandem-axle, trailer-mounted unit has a Cummins 110 hp water-cooled diesel engine, triplex pump rated at 65 gpm/2,000 psi, 700-gallon polyethylene water tank with sump and side baffles, catwalk fenders, and a 190-degree pivot/swivel hose reel with 400 feet of 1-inch thermoplastic sewer hose and 20 feet of contrasting leader hose. The 6-inch channel frame trailer and dual 6,000-pound DOT-rated axles can carry a full tank of water at highway speeds.

 

Result

“The unit has been spectacular maintenance-wise and is very easy to use,” says Westart. “It pushes the Warthog and penetrator and flusher nozzles with no problem.” 800/752-2400; www.hi-vac.com.

 

Ready to clean

Problem

Snow- and ice-clogged culverts caused snowmelt and spring rains to back up in Mower County (Minn.) drainage ditches. The County Highway Department used a boiler steamer to melt the clogs and release the trapped water to prevent flooding of the roads. When the unit became unsafe and unreliable due to age, Dick Miller, county maintenance supervisor, searched for a replacement.

 

Solution

In 2008, the county purchased a PLHW853600 trailer-mounted heavy-duty pressure washer from Power Line Industries. A 38 hp Kohler engine and General triple belt-driven TSF pump deliver 8.5 gpm/3,600 psi for deep penetration. The onboard diesel heater maintains water at 200 degrees F. The unit also has a soap injection system.

 

Result

“The washer is super reliable and versatile,” says Miller. “We even clean our fleet of trucks and the engines with it.” 800/624-8186; www.powerlineindustries.com.