Root Control

Root Control
Skid-mount jetters

Interested in Plumbing?

Get Plumbing articles, news and videos right in your inbox! Sign up now.

Plumbing + Get Alerts

Skid-mount jetters

RCJ series skid-mount jetters from Cam Spray are available in flows and pressures of 12 gpm at 2,700 psi, 8 gpm at 3,500 psi and 7 gpm at 4,000 psi. Jetters include a three-plunger industrial pump with pulse feature powered by a 688 cc Honda engine. Units feature 200 feet of jetter hose that can also be used to supply an optional portable reel cart available with 200 or 300 feet of jet hose. They include a 35-gallon buffer water tank with float control, powder-coated heavy-tube frame, washdown gun and four-nozzle set. Jetters easily mount in the side door of a cargo van or on a truck bed. 800/648-5011; www.camspray.com.

Low-maintenance nozzles

Root Rat cutting nozzles from Chempure are used with jetters from 11 hp to large truck-mounted models. 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.

Drain cleaning equipment

The TorqueMaster line of drain cleaning equipment from Coast Manufacturing clears lines from 1 to 10 inches and over 300 feet long. The TM750 Main Line machines have double-welded tubular steel frames that are powder-coated to eliminate corrosion. They include a 3/4 hp dual capacitor motor to ensure the motor starts easily, every time. The main shaft drive is made from stress-proof steel to ensure years of trouble-free service. Sealed ball bearings on the shaft and drive arm never need lubrication. A straightforward pulley drive system offers dependability and maintainability. The machines feature 10-inch-diameter solid polyurethane tires that won't go flat, an extra-wide rear handle for stability in the upright position, and quick and easy one-man reel changeover. 800/541-7015; www.coastmanufacturing.com.

Grease liquefier

Jet Power II grease liquefier from Duke's Root Control, Inc. dissolves grease on contact and homogenizes it so it cannot recoagulate. The product is non-petroleum 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 are needed to produce 1,000 gallons of solution, which will treat about 1,000 feet of sewer pipe. 800/447-6687; www.dukes.com.

Pivoting drain cleaner

The DM150 drain cleaning machine from Duracable Manufacturing cleans residential lines, sink drains, bathtubs, shower drains, roof vents and floor drains. It is equipped with a 1/6 hp motor that operates at 230 rpm. The machine can operate in five positions (from zero to 90 degrees) that can be secured in notched positions to keep the reel from slipping during operation.

It includes a heavy-duty casted self-aligning head bearing to maintain proper reel alignment while in operation. The head bearing also holds the reel in place and allows a quick reel change. The pivot machine can be run with three reel sizes, including an 8-inch reel for 1/4-inch cable, a 14-inch reel for 3/8-inch cable, and a 14-inch oversized reel for 1/2-inch cable. A mini power cable feed and return is available to help run cable at a steady pace. The unit can also be transported easily with an additional machine cart. 877/244-0556; www.duracable.com.

Hydrostatic cleaner

The Model 800 hydrostatic sewer cleaner from Electric Eel cleans 4- to 24-inch-diameter pipes for distances up to 650 feet. It features variable-drive speeds and an automatic transmission. A convenient hand lever controls the cleaning speeds at full torque from 50 to 1,000 rpm. The unit runs 8-foot sectional, heavy-duty, self-feeding municipal cables that require no handling by the operator and allow for fast cleaning.

Right-hand wound outer coils and 11/16-inch-diameter left-hand wound inner coils, both anchored to the coupling, reduce helixing and loss of cable in pipelines. The open space outer coil design helps loosen deposits and auger them back. Snap-Lock couplings provide easy joining of the 5-foot sections with no set screws, nuts or loose pins. An 8 hp gasoline engine or optional 9 hp diesel engine are available. A removable handle for compact storage and transport is also available. 800/833-1212; www.electriceel.com.

Root cutters

Root cutters from Enz USA can clean pipes from 3 to 48 inches in diameter. Chain scrapers remove all debris and roots. Turbine model 10.060A/B/CTR cleans 3- to 8-inch pipes, model 10.125TR cleans 6- to 12-inch pipes, model 10.150R cleans 6- to 10-inch pipes, model 10.200R cleans 8- to 16-inch pipes, and model 10.400R cleans 16- to 48-inch pipes. All turbine units are complete with sealed bearings, while the others operate with sealed swivel joints. This allows each one to be operated with clean and recycled water, while being relatively maintenance-free. The units can remove roots, grease, solids, mineral deposits, concrete and grout. Diamond Tap Cutters are available to remove protruding laterals from 6- to 24-inch lines. 877/369-8721; www.enzusainc.com.

Mini root cleaner

The Mini-Rooter Pro from General Pipe Cleaners includes wheels and a folding handle for easy transport, maneuverability and storage. The compact unit clears drains from rooftop to basement, including kitchen, bath and laundry lines. The detachable drum boosts portability, and cables can be swapped with minimal mess and downtime. The drum holds up to 75 feet of 3/8- or 1/2-inch Flexicore cable for 2-, 3- and most 4-inch lines. For small drain work, the optional J-Drum handles thinner, more flexible cables. And the optional Power Cable Feed drives and retracts cable at up to 16 feet per minute. Flexicore cable is heavy-gauge wire coiled tightly around 49-strand aircraft-type wire rope. 800/245-6200; www.drainbrain.com/mrp.

Heavy-duty drain cleaner

The Model GO 68HD heavy-duty electric drain cleaning machine from Gorlitz Sewer & Drain cleans pipes from 3 to 8 inches in diameter. It is available in two versions with an open steel reel or enclosed polyethylene drum and can be outfitted with an optional power feeder. Units come standard with 150 feet of 11/16-inch hollow core cable, which can reach most blockages with a single reel. The unit weighs 185 pounds. Adding a loading ramp and electric winch to any vehicle makes transporting the unit quick and simple. 562/944-3060; www.gorlitz.com.

Lateral launcher

The Logiball Lateral Launcher guides 1/2- or 3/8-inch hose and nozzle into the lateral connection from the mainline sewer. Winched in tandem with the CCTV camera, the 0-90 VDC motor rotates the guiding arm and nozzle into the lateral connection. Rotation controls commonly use existing multi-conductor tractor controls. With the pump turned on, the back jets propel the hose into the lateral for cleaning and cutting roots. 800/246-5988; www.logiball.com.

Foaming system

The mini-foamer system from Municipal Sales, Inc. is used for applying foaming root, grease and odor control products. The foam itself is not the catalyst, but rather the carrier that allows the active ingredient to make better contact with the target, whether it be roots or grease. Root control products are contact herbicides and need to make contact with the roots to be effective. A root control agent is also available that acts as a contact herbicide and a regrowth inhibiter.

The units are user friendly with factory-set proportioning so no adjustments are needed. The system can be used to apply foaming root control products to sanitary sewer laterals through clean-outs via a flow-through plug assembly that keeps foam isolated and directed towards a downstream objective. They can also be used to apply grease and odor control products such as Bio-Septic FOG, a biological stimulant, directly to the surface of structures such as grease traps and wet wells. 518/747-2044; www.municipalsales.net.

Sled-style machine

The M81 Big Workhorse from MyTana Mfg. Company is a mainline, sled-style machine with the option of easily adding additional reels of cable when runs of more than 125 feet are encountered. The unit is equipped with a capacitor smart motor, which is quieter than universal motors commonly found on shop vacs or hand drills. The quiet operation allows users to listen to the cable as it works its way down the pipe, and helps the operator react quickly when cable torque starts to build.

The machine is suitable for 3- to 10-inch sewer mainlines. It is available with 11/16- or 3/4-inch sewer cable, up to 125 feet long. The gearbox drive mechanism can drive up to 400 feet of cable. Reels can be added or changed in seconds. The optional Automatic Feed Retriever saves wear and tear on the operator's body. It comes complete with a full set of 2- to 6-inch blades, and a set of replacement blades. The open spoke reel with cover is standard, and a molded hard plastic reel is available. 800/328-8170; www.mytana.com.

Sewer and storm cutter

The Paikert sewer and storm cutter nozzle from NozzTeq is a low-speed, hydro-torque impact cutter designed for severe root blockages, concrete, grease, protruding laterals and any other substance. The cutter uses double root saw blades along with single hardened bits to remove thick, heavy root growth. It operates up to 5,000 psi and is available in sizes from 4 to 24 inches with the proper jetting machine. 866/620-5915; www.nozzteq.com.

Pneumatic cutter

The Micro-Cutter from Nu Flow Technologies is a pneumatic cutter used to clean and remove calcite and roots from the inside of a variety of pipes including steel, cast iron and Orangeburg. The system rotates at 1,500 rpm in 1 1/2- to 6-inch pipes in lengths up to 100 feet, and will negotiate turns of 90 degrees in pipes down to 2 inches in diameter.

The cutter runs at 40 cfm and allows for multiple cutting heads. The heads can cut through dense corrosion and root intrusion. The drill tip has an adjustable spline available in various sizes to match different pipe diameters. 800/834-9597; www.nuflowtech.com.

Turbojet nozzle

The RR3000 Root Ranger nozzle from RIDGID offers a single rear-facing turbojet. It blasts a concentrated stream of water that shears root obstructions from the drain wall. The nozzle can clear lines up to 8 inches, and can clear lines larger than the one it originally entered. For example, if the easiest access point for a 6-inch line is dropping into a clean-out upstream into a 2 1/2-inch line, a traditional drain cleaner is limited by the cutter size that will fit. A jetter can clear up to its rated capacity regardless of how it got into the line. RIDGID's KJ-3100 jetter comes standard with 200 feet of hose, so users can reach blockages regardless of where they started. 800/769-7743; www.ridgid.com.

Root cutter kit

The Puma Hi-Torque Hydraulic Root Cutter Kit from Southland Tool includes a heavy-duty cutter that produces 235 ft-lbs torque at low speed. The kit includes four EZ skids that bolt on the front plate. Skids are marked with the size for easy identification. It includes four saw blades, flat or concave in 6-, 8-, 10- and 12-inch sizes. The kit includes the saw hub, motor turning tool, Allen wrench, instructions and toolbox. The EZ skids are available up to 24 inches with high stability to keep the cutter centered. 714/632-8198; www.southlandtool.com.

Root machine

The Model 1065 root machine from Spartan Tool cleans roots in drain lines from 3 to 10 inches. The smart motor automatically senses the need for additional power and gears down to cut through stubborn roots. The Dial-A-Cable power feeder allows users to quickly feed cable down the line, saving time on the job and wear and tear on the body. The enclosed drum keeps sewer juice contained and makes post-job cleanup easy. With additional drums and cable, users can clean lines at distances out to 250 feet. Permanent magnet motors provide all the power with a small amount of noise. Coupled with Spartan's SparShine lightweight 0.66 Magnum cable, the machine delivers high-quality root cutting power. 800/435-3866; www.spartantool.com.

Rotary nozzles

The Super Spin water-lubricated rotary nozzles from US Jetting are available in 3/4- and 1/2-inch sizes and can be jetted for flows from 10 to 40 gpm and up to 10,000 psi. The flush-mounted, high-intensity jets offer enhanced cutting power. 800/538-8464; www.usjetting.com.

Flexible chain cutter

The Turbo IV flexible chain cutter from USB-Sewer Equipment Corporation is made of tempered stainless steel and offers a unique, continuously adjustable guide skid. The reliable and efficient cutter offers high-quality drive and thrust. The chain retainer is driven by a high-performance turbine to remove roots, grease and mineral deposits from 15- to 36-inch sewer lines. Various bits for the chain make the cutter versatile when removing heavy mineral deposits. An optimized 3D hydromechanics design in conjunction with ceramic nozzle inserts allows the cutter to be used with recycled or clean water. The unit requires no lubrication. 866/408-2814; www.usbsec.com.



Discussion

Comments on this site are submitted by users and are not endorsed by nor do they reflect the views or opinions of COLE Publishing, Inc. Comments are moderated before being posted.