Tracking Tips; Inspect/Measure The Groove; Preparing Machine For Transport - RIDGID 918 Manual

Tracking Tips

A typical issue while roll grooving is the pipe "spiraling" or
"walking off" the drive shaft or not "tracking" properly.
For good tracking, it is important that all instructions be
followed. If, even after following all instructions, the pipe
will not properly track; there are other options to im-
prove tracking.
• Slightly increase the offset of the pipe (increase from
degree to 1 degree) See Figure 14.
• Tighten the stabilizer crank handle an additional
• The operator may need to apply slight force on the pipe
while grooving to maintain tracking. This is usually only
needed on shorter pieces of pipe when the stabilizer is
not used. To do this, the operator should wear a leather
glove in good condition and cup their hand around the
pipe as shown in Figure 19 to pull the pipe slightly to-
wards them. This may require that the power drive/thread-
ing machine stand be fixed to the floor to prevent move-
ment during grooving. To reduce the risk of crushing
and cutting injuries, keep hand away from the groove roll
and the ends of the pipe, do not groove pipe shorter than
recommended and do not reach inside pipe or touch
groove.
Figure 19 – Applying Pressure on Pipe with Power Drive
in REV direction
If the machine is run in the FOR direction, the stabilizer
cannot be used. Move the stabilizer wheel away from the
pipe. If the stabilizer is used in FOR, the pipe will spiral
out of the groove rolls. If needed, the operator should
wear a leather glove in good condition and use their right
999-998-946.10_REV. C
hand to push pipe slightly away from them as shown in
Figure 20.
1 /
2
1 / turn.
2
Figure 20 – Applying Pressure on Pipe with Power Drive

Inspect/Measure the Groove

1. Inspect the groove.
• Make sure that all features are present and fully
formed. See Table II and Figure 30.
• Measure the groove diameter and make sure it is
within specification.
• Check any other items required by the fitting man-
ufacturer.
• Test the system in accordance with local codes
and normal practice.
If any problems are found, the groove cannot be
used. Proper groove diameter is important to ensure
connection performance. Out of specification grooves
could cause joint failure.
2. Measure the groove diameter with diameter tape (see
Optional Equipment Section). Snugly wrap the diam-
eter tape around the pipe in the groove. Make sure that
the tape sits flat in the bottom of the groove, and read
the groove diameter (see Figure 21). Compare the
measured groove diameter to the required groove di-
ameter as shown in Table II or III or as specified by the
groove fitting manufacturer.
918 Roll Groover
in FOR direction
15