Using Manual Feed Machine - RIDGID K-400 Manual Del Usuario

4. Move the FOR/OFF/REV switch to the FOR (FOR-
WARD) position. Do not depress the foot switch
yet. FOR/OFF/REV refers to the cable rotation and not
to the direction of cable movement. Do not rotate the
cable in reverse except as specifically described in
these instructions. Running the drain cleaner in REV
can damage the cable.

Using Manual Feed Machine

Grasp the cable with both gloved hands and pull a short
section (6" - 12") of cable from the drum so that there is a
slight bow in the cable. Gloved hands must be on the
cable to control and support the cable. Improper cable
support can allow the cable to kink or twist and can damage
the cable or injure the operator. ( See Figure 12.)
Starting the cable in the drain
Confirm at least one foot of cable is in the drain. Press the
foot switch to start the machine. Feed the rotating cable
into the drain. The rotating cable will slowly work its way
into the drain as you push on the cable with gloved hands.
The person controlling the cable must also control the
foot switch. Do not operate the drain cleaner with
one person controlling the cable and another per-
son controlling the foot switch. This can lead to
kinking, twisting and breaking of the cable. Twisting,
kinking or breaking cables can cause striking or
crushing injuries.
If it is hard to get the cable through a trap, the following
methods or combination of methods can be used.
• First, sharp downward thrusts on the cable, both with
and without the cable turning, can help to get the tool to
pass through the trap.
• A second method is to run the drain cleaner in REV
(REVERSE) for several seconds while pushing on the
cable. Only do this long enough to get the cable started
through the trap. Running the drain cleaner in reverse
can damage the cable.
• A third method is to attach a single section (only one
section) of C-9 cable between the end of the cable and
the tool.
• Finally, if none of these options work, consider using a
smaller diameter or more flexible cable, or a different
drain cleaner.
Cleaning the drain
With the cable rotating in FORWARD (FOR) direction pull
short sections (6" - 12") of cable out of the drum and feed
it into the drain. Always keep both hands on the cable. As
you feed the cable into the drain, you may feel and see
the cable slow down and feel the cable start to wind or
load up (this will feel like the cable is starting to twist or
squirm). This may be a transition in the drain line (trap,
K-400 Drain Cleaning Machine
elbow, etc.) or build up in the drain (mud, grease, etc.) or
the actual blockage. Feed the cable slowly and carefully.
Do not let cable build up outside the drain. This can
cause the cable to twist, kink or break.
Pay attention to the amount of cable that has been fed into
the drain. Feeding cable into a larger sewer main, septic
tank, or similar transition may cause the cable to kink or
knot and prevent removal from the drain. Minimize the
amount of cable fed into the transition to prevent problems.
Working the blockage
If the tool at the end of the cable stops turning, it is no
longer cleaning the drain. If the tool becomes lodged in the
blockage and power is maintained to the drain cleaner, the
cable will start to wind up (this will feel like the cable is
starting to twist or squirm). Having both hands on the
cable allows you to feel this wind up and control the
cable. As you feel the cable wind up, or if the tool stops
turning, pull back on the cable to free the tool from the
blockage. Don't keep the cable rotating if the tool is stuck
in a blockage. If the tool stops turning and the drum keeps
rotating, the cable can twist, kink or break.
Once the tool is free of the blockage and is turning again,
you can slowly feed the rotating cutting tool back into the
blockage. Do not try to force the tool through the blockage.
Let the spinning tool "dwell" in the blockage to help com-
pletely break it up. Work the tool in this manner until it has
moved completely past the blockage (or blockages), and
the drain is flowing.
While working the blockage, the tool and cable may be-
come clogged with debris and cuttings from the blockage.
This can prevent further progress. The cable and tool
need to be retrieved from the drain and the debris re-
moved. See section on "Retrieving the Cable".
Handling a stuck tool
If the tool stops turning and the cable cannot be pulled
back from the blockage, release the foot switch while
firmly holding the cable with both hands. Do not re-
move hands from cable or cable may kink, twist and
break. The motor will stop and the cable and drum will
turn backwards until the energy stored in the cable is re-
lieved. Do not remove hands from cable until the tension
is released. Place FOR/OFF/REV switch in OFF position.
The torque limiter helps to prevent cable damage from
cable flip over in the drum by stopping drum and cable ro-
tation when the torque exceeds a certain value. The
motor will continue to rotate as long as the foot switch is
pressed, but the drum and cable will stop rotating when
the torque limiter setting is exceeded. The torque limiter
cannot prevent all cable damage in the drum, and cannot
prevent cable flip over outside the drum. If the drum
stops turning, the cable and tool also are not turning.
11