Choosing the Best Cable Machine for Your Drain Cleaning Business

Choosing the Best Cable Machine for Your Drain Cleaning Business
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Cable machines are essential for anyone in the drain cleaning business. They help tackle difficult obstructions you encounter in small- and large-diameter lines. Whether your main jobs are residential or mostly commercial, a cable machine will help you clear a range of blocked lines. 

For minor blockages, usually inside a home with 1 1/4- to 3-inch pipes found in sinks, bathtubs and showers, a small drain cleaning machine with 1/4- to 3/8-inch cable will fit the bill. 

For larger lines of 2 to 6 inches, such as floor drains and roof vents, a larger machine with up to 1/2-inch cable is necessary. The largest lines, 4 to 10 inches, found in mainlines, call for a large machine with a 5/8-, 11/16- or 3/4-inch cable.           

“Selecting a cable machine can be challenging if you haven’t been trained in the sewer and drain business,” says Ray Lewis, director of manufacturing at Duracable Manufacturing. “The two major types are upright and sled style. Technicians tend to use whatever style machine they are trained on.” 

Mix it up 

The upright style is a more compact design, which will navigate stairs and bathrooms easier. The sled style is a more powerful and stable design, which has a larger footprint and can usually generate more torque, according to Lewis. 

One such upright option is the M888 Upright Workhorse from MyTana Mfg. Company. The upright machine is available with 11/16- or 3/4-inch mainline sewer cable, up to 125 feet long. The unit is designed for 3- to 10-inch lines, and reels can be added or changed in seconds. 

“The sled is normally powered by an induction motor and separate gearbox, while the upright is powered by a DC gearbox/motor combination,” Lewis says. “The sled will run much quieter than most upright designs.” 

The DM162 upright drain machine from Duracable Manufacturing is designed for running 5/8-inch cable up to 80 feet in length and can be configured for any job. The reel includes a built-in toolbox and a heavy-duty casted, self-aligning head bearing to maintain proper alignment while in operation. 

Technicians know best 

Sectional drain machines use shorter lengths of cable joined together and fed through one at a time. A drum machine stores continuous cables onboard in a drum. Each type of cable machine has advantages based on the type of job. 

The Model C sectional drain and sewer cleaning machine from Electric Eel runs up to 200 feet of 1 1/4-inch self-feeding dual cable in 8- or 10-foot sections that require no handling when rotating. A fold-down handle allows for easy transportation, storage and use in crawl spaces. 

“Each technician looks for features they believe best fits their geographical area,” Lewis says. “Choosing a machine is as much about choosing the proper cable for the job at hand as it is about the actual machine.” 

Lewis notes that when maneuvering tighter P traps, the technicians may want a looser wound cable, but when running a long, straighter line, they will want a stiffer cable to create less friction in the line.

“For roof vents you will want a machine that is stable on the roof and will tilt zero to 90 degrees for safer operation,” Lewis says. “Sinks and tubs can be run with a lighter, smaller easy-to-maneuver machine.” 

Lewis says it’s also important for technicians or customers to look at the construction of the machine — is it welded together or bolted. 

“Welded frames tend to be more stable, while bolt together frames can loosen and get shaky,” Lewis adds.

Buying tips 

Other things to consider when purchasing a cable machine, according to Lewis are:

  • The warranty. Always read the fine print; limited lifetime does not mean the machine is warranted forever.
  • Handling of the machine. Upright machines have stair climbers or stair glides to help roll the machine up and down the stairs, however, many brands of stair climbers do not actually work. Most sled-style machines do not have stair climbers, but some have stair glides.
  • Manual or power. Do you want to wrestle a line or blockage, then manually pull your cable back to the machine? You should look at a machine with a power cable feed and return.
  • Service. Check to make sure the machine is serviceable and that someone is available to answer questions. 

As always, Lewis says it’s best to speak to someone who knows cable machines before you make the big purchase. 

“Speak with knowledgeable and reputable experts before you make your investment,” Lewis says. “Understand how you want to run your business to get most jobs done, the safest way for you. One machine that claims to do everything is not going to be your best purchase in the long run. Buy the right machine for the job.” 

(All equipment listings from Cleaner Product Focus, November 2012.)



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