Using Machines With Autofeed - RIDGID K-400 Manual Del Usuario

K-400 Drain Cleaning Machine
Freeing a stuck tool
If the tool is stuck in the blockage, with the FOR/OFF/ -
REV switch in the OFF position and the foot switch
released, try pulling the cable loose from the blockage. If
the tool will not come free from the blockage, place the
FOR/OFF/REV switch in the REV position. Grasp the
cable with both gloved hands, press the foot switch for
several seconds and pull on the cable until it is free of the
blockage. Do not operate the machine in the REV posi-
tion any longer than required to free the cutting tool
from the blockage or cable damage can occur. Place the
FOR/OFF/REV switch in the FOR position and continue
cleaning the drain.
Retrieving the cable
Once the drain is open, start a flow of water down the
drain to flush the debris out of the line. This can be
done by running a hose down the drain opening, turning
on a faucet in the system or other methods. Pay attention
to the water level, as the drain could plug again.
With water flowing through the drain, retrieve the cable
from the line. The FOR/OFF/REV switch should be in
the FOR position – do not retrieve the cable with the
FOR/OFF/REV in the REV position, this can damage the
cable. As with feeding the cable into the drain, keep both
hands on the cable for control. The tool can become
caught while being retrieved. Pull 6" - 12" of cable from the
drain at a time and feed back into the drum. The flow of
water down the line will help to clean the cable as it is re-
trieved. Continue retrieving the cable this way until the tool
is just inside the drain opening. Release your foot from the
foot switch, allowing the drum to come to a complete
stop. Do not pull the end of the cable from the drain
while the cable is rotating. The cable can whip around
and could cause serious injury.
Place the FOR/OFF/REV in the OFF position and with
dry hands unplug the machine. Pull the remaining cable
from the drain by hand and feed into the drain cleaner. If
needed, change the tool and continue cleaning following
the above process. Several passes through a line are
recommended for complete cleaning.

Using Machines with AUTOFEED

Grasp the cable with a gloved hand. Gloved hand must
be on the cable to control and support the cable.
Improper cable support can allow the cable to kink and
twist and can damage the cable or injure the operator.
Place your other hand on the feed lever. Feed lever
should be in the neutral position (vertical or straight up).
( See Figure 13.)
12
Neutral
Advance
Figure 13 – AUTOFEED Directions (Viewed From Front
of Machine)
Starting the cable in the drain
Confirm at least one foot of cable is in drain. Press on the
foot switch to start the machine. To advance the cable
into the drain, move the feed lever in the same direction
as the drum and cable rotation. Move the feed lever
away from the neutral (vertical) position until it engages
and advances the cable. Advance (or retrieve) can be al-
most 90 degrees from the neutral position. The rotating
cable will work its way into the drain. The person con-
trolling the cable and the power feed must also
control the foot switch. Do not operate the drain
cleaner with one person controlling the cable and
power feed and another person controlling the foot
switch. This can lead to kinking, twisting and break-
ing 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 down
on the cable. Only do this long enough to get the cable
started through the trap. Running the drain cleaner in re-
verse 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.
Feed Lever
Retrieve