Condux Mini-Blower/Pusher User Manual

USER'S GUIDE & SAFETY MANUAL

Mini-Blower/Pusher

CONDUX

Important Safety Notice

Read and understand all procedures and safety instructions before using the Mini-Blower/Pusher.
Observe all safety information on this page and note specific safety requirements as explained by
procedures in this manual. Failure to follow these instructions could result in serious personal injury
or death.

ADVERTENCIA:

Favor de leer y comprender todas las instucciones de operación y seguridad antes de usar la máquina. Si
Ud. no comprende las instrucciones favor de consultarle a su jefe.

READ MANUAL

FIRST

Save this user’s guide for future reference.

COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE MANUFACTURER

For any information related to the machine (use, maintenance, spare parts) always state Model, Serial
Number, Manufacturing Year and Order. This data can be found in the machine identification table.

Manufacturer:
Condux International Inc.
145 Kingswood Drive
Mankato, MN 56002-0247
1-507-387-6576
Fax [phone]
Internet: http://www.condux.com
E-mail: [e-mail]

If you have questions on:

2

SAFETY - OPERATIONS - APPLICATIONS

CALL 1-800-533-2077

CONDUX

Table of Contents

General Information .................................................4

1

Technical Specifications .............................................5

2

A. Air Compressor Requirements .................................. 5

B. Operational Capacities ........................................ 5

C. Physical Specifications ........................................ 5

Safe Operating Procedures ........................................... 6

3

A. Work Area Safety ............................................6

B. Pneumatic Devices ........................................... 6

Unpacking the Blower ...............................................6

4

A. Blower Components .......................................... 6

Set Up the Blower/Pusher ............................................ 7

5

A. Mounting the Blower/Pusher to Tripod ............................7

B. Configure the Blower/Pusher ...................................7

Blower/Pusher Operating Instructions ................................... 9

6

A. Final Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

B. Operations ................................................10

Appendixes ...................................................... 12

7

A. Charts .................................................... 12

B. Duct Rod Pusher ...........................................14

C. Blower/Pusher Assembly ..................................... 16

D. Mini-Blower Assembly ....................................... 17

E. Clamp Adjustment Screw ..................................... 18

F. Mount Clamp Assembly ...................................... 19

G. Clamp Roller Assembly ......................................19

3

1.

General Information

The operating instructions contain a full description of the Condux Mini-Blower/
Pusher, which has been designed for the purpose of feeding fiber optic cable through
round conduits of uniform cross section. The conduit must previously have been
installed underground or overhead to receive the fiber optic cable and must be of
sufficient length on exit to be received by the machine. The conduit must be made of
material with sufficient compression strength for it to be adequately sealed in the exit
of a machine.

The fiber optic cable is continuously pushed into the conduit by a roller drive powered
by a cordless, corded or pneumatic drill. The exit of the machine consists of an air
box that is made in two halves that clamp together. The air box contains special
removable seals on entry and exit, which clamp around either the end of the conduit
or the fiber optic cable to be fed into the conduit. The seals can be changed to
accommodate different conduit and fiber optic cable sizes. The conduit is clamped
between a pair of seals at the entrance to the air block.

A clamp located in front of the entrance to the air block holds the conduit
mechanically to prevent it from moving axially. The fiber optic cable enters through
two seals located in an aluminum nozzle that splits in half. The aluminum nozzle is
located in the entrance to the air box and is shaped to ensure an airtight seal around
the fiber optic cable. When the two halves of the air box are closed, air pressure is
admitted into the space between the seals on entry and exit.

The use of the Mini-Blower/Pusher for operations different from those discussed in
this manual are considered extremely dangerous and thus forbidden. The non-respect
for the prescribed restraints of the machine causes a situation of improper use and
relieves the manufacturer from any responsibility, civil or penal. The manufacturer’s
responsibility declines even when one of the following happens:

a. The consequences caused by tampering and/or modifications carried out without

the manufacturer’s written acceptance.
b. The use of imitative spare parts.
c. Bad maintenance.
d. Use with disconnected safety devices.
e. The connection to machine and/or parts not produced and not directly authorized

by the manufacturer in a written acceptance.

The Condux Mini-Blower/Pusher is a unique device for inserting fiber optic cable
directly into conduit. The unit is comprised of an air block and a roller drive that,
when combined with an air compressor and a drill drive force, will propel fiber optic
cable measuring from .23" to .50" (5.8 mm to 12.7 mm) into an unobstructed,
unoccupied, airtight conduit.

GENERAL MACHINE USE

a. Only qualified operators should use the machine. The operator should only be the

person who received qualified training from the product owning company or trained

by the manufacturer.
b. Machine must only be used for the work it was designed for.
c. Machine is not to be used with unauthorized personnel on the job site.
d. Should there be any doubt concerning use, functioning, maintenance or

anything else, please contact the factory or factory representative.

4

OPERATOR QUALIFICATIONS

a. Operator must know the required safety directives to run the machine that are

pertinent to the country where it is being used.

b. Operator in charge of the machine and installation project must be appropriately

dressed, avoiding large clothes, hanging jewelry or whatever might become
entangled in the moving parts.

c. Operator must also wear the necessary protective equipment such as gloves,

boots, helmet, etc.

d. Operator must carefully follow all advisements contained in the instruction

manual or on the machine.

e. Operator must have work area kept clean of obstacles that might inhibit a safe

working area.

MAINTENANCE QUALIFICATION

a. All of the machine maintenance must be carried out with the machine on a level

surface and not attached to any form of power source: electrical, or pneumatic.

b. Authorized and trained personnel must do all maintenance operations. Trained

personnel are defined as people who have received qualified training from the
using company or from the manufacturer.

Technical Information

A. AIR COMPRESSOR REQUIREMENTS

Pneumatic Pressure: 40 PSI (12 BAR) MAXIMUM IN MICRODUCT

100 PSI in Traditional Duct
Required Flow Capacity: 185 SCFM (11 M3/MIN) MAXIMUM
Conduit Size: 10 MM – 1.50" OD
Air hose fittings need to be compatible with Dixon “Air King” universal couplings

B. OPERATIONAL CAPACITIES

• Cable sizes: .23" TO .50" (5.8 MM TO 12.7 MM)

• Conduit sizes:10-18MM, ½", ¾",1", 1-1/4" TRUE, 1-1/4", 1-½" SDR 11 & 13.5 AND

METRIC O.D. CONDUIT; 25 MM, 32 MM, 36 MM, 37 MM,

C. PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS (DOES NOT INCLUDE TRIPOD OR JOB BOX)

• Height 12"

• Length 14"

• Width 8"

• Weight 17 lbs

2.

5

3.

Safe Operating Practices

Read and understand all procedures and safety instructions before using the Condux
Mini-Blower/Pusher. Observe all safety information on this page and note specific
safety requirements as explained by procedures called out in this manual. Failure to
follow these instructions could result in serious personal injury, property damage
or death.

A. WORK AREA SAFETY

1. Wear personal protective equipment: hard hat, safety glasses, safety shoes, and
leather work gloves.

2. The safe operation of this equipment requires that the operators be on stable
footing.

3. Stay clear of cables or lines under tension.

4. Stay clear of pressurized line and conduit.

5. Stay out of manhole while blower is in use.

6. Use the blower only for its intended purpose. Do not use the tractor drive
without the air block to push or pull cable.

7. Do not place cable reel too close to unit. Place the reel far enough away from the
unit to ensure proper control.

8. Do not tamper with relief valves or pressure reducing valves.

9. Place cable grip on end of conduit to catch cable carrier and cable.

10. Keep hands away from tractor drive while blower is in operation.

4.

B. PNEUMATIC DEVICES

The Condux Mini-Blower/Pusher is a pneumatic device, using pressurized air to
project cable at high velocities. Please observe the following precautions when
operating the blower:

1. Forced air creates flying debris. Always wear personal protective equipment.

Severe personal injury could result.

2. Ensure no personnel are in the destination access vault during the blowing

operation. Severe personal injury could result.

Unpacking the Blower

A. BLOWER COMPONENTS

Each Mini-Blower/Pusher Package contains the following items.

COMMON PARTS PACKAGE:

Part No Description

02290168 Hex key set metric and standard

08780126 Seal replacement kit
08780223 Venturi Plug
08780424 Capscrew set (m04-0.7 x 16)

6