MODEL RF
Drain Cleaning Machine
Operator’s Manual
!! DANGER !!
FOR YOUR SAFETY
Before you operate or maintenance
this equ ipment , R EA D th is manu al
carefu lly an d co mp l et e ly !
Purchase Date: _____________
Serial Number: _____________
ELECTRIC EEL MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
501 West Leffel Lane, Springfield, Ohio 45501-9885
Call Toll Free (800) 833-1212 (937) 323-4644 FAX: (937) 323-3767
www.electriceel.com Proudly Made in The USA Since 1939
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Description,
Specifications, and
Equipment
DESCRIPTION
The Electric Eel Model RF Drain
Cleaning machine is a professional
quality sewer and drain cleanin g piece
of equipment. This machine is
specifically designed for cleaning 3” to
6” drain lines up to 100 feet in length
and features a two-way auto cable
feed for ease of operation. A cable
guide spring also keeps hands off
rotating cable near the machine.
STANDARD FEAT URES
1. Cable available in 5/8” or 3/4”
diameter.
2. Snap-Lock t ool c onne c t ors
hold tools firmly in place.
3. Automatic cable feeder that
advances and retrieves cable
with the push of a lever.
4. Cable guide spring attached to
feeder to ensure operator does
not handle rotating cable.
5. Power cord is wrapped around
conveniently placed brackets
for safe, problem-free
operation.
6. Easy-to-use fo o t -o p er a ted
switch allows the use of both
hands when working with
cable guide spring and feeder.
7. Ground Fault Circuit
Interrupter (GFCI) safety
feature comes standard with
20 foot powe r cord.
8. Heavy duty 1 ” durable
tubular frame provid es
stability and balance while in
operation.
9. Impact-resistant plastic beltguard for additional operator
safety.
10. Rugged 1/3 H.P. reversi bl e
motor delivers plenty of speed
cleaning power.
SPECIFICATIONS
Cage Capacity: 100 ft. of 5/8” or
3/4" diameter cable
Line Capacity: 3” – 6” diameter
lines up to 100 ft.
Weight: Machine only – 115 lbs.
Machine with cable – 210 lbs.
Frame: 1 1/4” open spaced
welded steel tubing
Motor: 1/3 H.P. capacitor start
motor
Auto Cable Feed: Advances and
retrieves cable
Controls: Air foot switch and 20 ft.
cord assembly with built-in Ground
Fault Circu it Int e rru pt e r (GFCI)
Tires: 10” semi-pneumatic
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STANDARD EQUIPMENT
Electric Eel Model RF comes complete
with:
• RF unit with auto cable feeder
• Cable guide spring
• 100 ft. of 5/8” or 3/4” Tri-Max
Cable
• Set of 4 cleaning tools including:
A-1DC starting drill
U-3H grease tool
HDD-3S root s a w
HDD-7 ret ri ever tool
• 1-FLSC1SC2 flexible leader
• SC-18 spanner wrench
• Pair of HEAVY leather gloves
• Tool bag to hold cleaning tools
SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS
The following safety rules for operating
Electric Eel’s Sewer and Drain Cleaning
equipment MUST be read carefully
before operating this machine .
To prevent serious injuries including:
• Shock, electrocution or burns due
•
•
DANGER
to improper grounding.
Serious injuries to body, limbs or
hands and feet due to cables that
twist, kink and break.
Eye injuries caused by loose cable,
thrown debris or splashed water.
READ SAFTEY INFORMATION
THOROUGHLY!
GENERAL SAFETY
DANGER
TO PREVENT SERIOUS BODILY
INJURY:
1. ALWAYS wear HEAVY leather
gloves and safety glasses when
operating equipment.
2. Place machine cable guide spring
at pipe opening. NEVER have
exposed cable.
3. DO NOT wear loose clothin g or
jewelry while operating this
machine.
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4. Use foot switch to operate
machine while keeping good
footing and balance at all times.
DO NOT
OVERREACH.
5. Machine, foot switch and cable
should be opera t e d by on e
person only . Additi on a l
personnel in th e working area
should observe all safety
instructions.
6. ALWAYS keep all guards in
place during operation.
7. ALWAYS wear rubber-soled
non-slip shoes.
8. ALWAYS avoid direct contact of
skin, facial area and especially
eyes with drain water. Chemical
compounds used in drains can
result in s e ri ou s burn s and ot her
injuries.
9. Replace fittings, cables and any
rotating parts as soon as they
become visibly worn. Replace
any cables which become
fractured, bent , kink e d, or any
other damage occu rs.
10. NEVER attempt to service
equipment beyond the
recommendations of the operat ing instructions. All other
servicing should be referred to
qualified service personnel.
11. To maintain safe operation, use
only identical replacement parts
and cables from Electric Eel.
12. ALWAYS keep clear of rotating
cages/drums, shafts, pulleys,
belts, or other rotating parts.
GENERAL SAFETY -
ELECTRICAL
DANGER
TO PREVENT SERIOUS BODILY
INJURY AND TO AVOID DANGER
FROM ELECTRICAL SHOCK:
1. ALWAYS use a Ground Fault
Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) with a
properly grounded outlet for all
electrical cords, connections, and
parts as installed by factory and
DO NOT make any alterations.
2. NEVER use machine in damp or
wet conditions.
3. NEVER expose machine to rain.
4. THE USER SHOULD NEVER
ATTEMPT TO SERVICE THE
ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS.
For safety reasons, all electrical
replacement components should
be installed by a qualified
electrician.
5. ALWAYS disconnect the
power cord from the electrical
source before making any
adjustments or changes to
power units.
6. If an extension cord is used, the
power source MUST be equipped
with a Ground Fault Circuit
Interrupter (GFC I) and properly
grounded.
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7. Only use 14/3 or larger threewire exte n s i o n cords w ith threeprong grounding pl u gs and
three-pole receptacles.
8. When using an extension cord
outdoors, onl y use those
intende d for outdoor us e .
(Indicated on cord by suffix
“W-A” after cord type.)
THE GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT
INTERRUPTER
(GFCI)
This machine is equipped with a
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)
which is designed to prevent a serious
electrical shock. This device should be
tested on the jobsite before putting
the machine into operation as follows:
1. To ensure protection against
electric shock, test the device
before each use. When test
button is pushed in, the indicator
light should go off. Reactivate
the device by pushing the reset
button in. If the indicator light
goes on, the device is ready for
use. DO NOT use the device if
the indicator light does not go on
when reset or if the indicator
light remains on, when the test
button is pushed in.
2. This device does not guard
against electric shock resulting
from defects or faults in any
wiring supplying power to this
device, or from contact with both
circuit conductors.
GENERAL SAFETY –
ROTATING CABLES AND
EQUIPMENT
DANGER
TO PREVENT SERIOUS BODILY
INJURY AND TO AVOID DANGER
FROM ROTATING CABLES AND
EQUIPMENT:
1. USE CAUTION AT ALL TIMES.
Cable can twist or kink and
cause serious injury. Fingers or
other body parts can be caught
in rotating parts.
2. NEVER handle the rotati ng
cable.
3. NEVER handle any cable
under tension. Relieve all
tension build up before
attempting to handle cable.
4. NEVER operate machine without
cable guide spring in place.
5. Use feeder to advance or retract
cable with motor switch in
FORWARD position for ALL
cleaning operations. Use
REVERSE motor position ONLY
to dislodge tool lodge d in
pipeline and/or t o relie ve
unnecessary build-up of torque
on a cable.
6. DO NOT continue to operate
machine when cleaning tool
becomes stuck in obstruction.
Excess torque on a cable
could cause it to fracture.
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(Refer to operating instructions
to free cleaning tool.)
7. NEVER
into a pipeline blockage. This
may ove rl oa d th e cabl e or tool
and cause it to fracture.
8. ALWAYS wear HEAVY leather
gloves and safety glasses when
operating machine.
9. Use correct tool for the job or
application. Check the tool
listin g for the c orre ct tool and
line size.
10. To maintain safe and efficient
operation, thoroughly clean all
cables with water after use.
Acids in the drain and sewer
lines attack and deteriorate the
metal of the cables and tools.
Deterioration will cause
weakness in cable and tools and
result in fracture or breakage. A
light coating of oil applied to the
cable before storing will help
prevent rusting and prematu re
failure.
11. Replace all cables and tools that
become deteriorated, worn,
kinked, bent, or any other
damage that occurs.
force a tool and cable
MACHINE SET-UP
DANGER
TO PREVENT SERIOUS BODILY
INJURY:
NEVER USE ANY CABLE IN THIS
MACHINE OTHER THAN ELECTRIC
EEL 3/4” OR 5/8” DIAMETER
CABLE.
DISCONNECT POWER CORD
BEFORE ANY SET UP OR
MAINTENANCE IS ATTEMPTED.
This machine comes completely
assembled except for the cable guide
spring. Simply connect cable guide
spring to feeder with snap pin. (See
Figure #1)
Figure 1
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TOOL SELECTION
12345
6
It is important to choose the proper
cleaning tool for each cleaning
application. See the tools outlined
below.
Standard Tools Included with the
Model RF Kit:
1. SC-18 Spanner Wrench
2. HDD-7 Retriever Tool
3. U3H Grease Tool
4. HDD-3S Root Saw
5. A-1DC Starting Drill Tool
6. 1-FLSC1SC2 Flexible Leader for
Negotiating P- Traps
OPERATING
INSTRUCTIONS
DANGER
OPERATOR MUST BE
THOROUGHLY FAMILIAR
WITH ALL SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE
OPERATING EQUIPMENT.
FOR AUTOMATIC CABLE
FEEDER
1. WITH POWER OFF, attach a
small spear-type cleaning tool to
the end of the cable. This tool
will enable you to bore a starter
hole in the obstruction, allowing
backed-up water to drain.
NOTE: The flexible leader should
be used with the A-1DC Starting
Tool when n egotiating P-T ra p s or
severe bends in the line.
2. Place machine cable guide spring
at pipe opening. NEVER have
exposed cable.
3. Position foot actuator for easy
operator accessibility.
4. Make sure FOR/REV
(Forward/Reverse) switch is
in FORWARD position. Run
machine in FORWARD at all
times during cleaning operation,
use REVERSE ONLY
tool lodged in pipe line and/or t o
relieve unnecessary build-up of
torque on a cable.
5. Place one HEAVY leather gloved
hand on the cable guide spring
to control cable as it rotates
inside; and use other hand to
work the fe e de r cont rol lever.
DANGER: Operator must keep one
HEAVY leather gloved hand on
cable guide spring at all times
during operation.
to dislodge
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6. WITH POWER ON, in order to
feed cable, the operator must
move the feeder control lever
from NEUTRAL (the position
midway between FORWARD and
REVERSE) to the FORWARD
position, while depre ssing the
foot actu a t or. (See Fi gu re #2
for FORWARD feeder position)
Figure 2
NOTE: The speed at which the
cable is fed initially can be
controlled by moving the control
lever toward FORWARD to
increase speed and moving back
toward NEUTRAL to slow speed.
NOTE: If the feeder control lever is
initially put in FORWARD but the
cable is not advancing, then turn
the cable tension knob in a
clockwise direc tio n until the cable
begins to advance. (See Figure #3)
DO NOT over-tighten cable tension
knob as it may damage feeder
bearings.
7. Continue to automatically feed
cable until obstruction is met.
When cable begins to drag or
rotation becomes difficult, move
the lever to the NEUTRAL
position a n d all ow t ool to cu t
away at the obstruction. (See
Figure #4 for NEUTRAL feeder
Figure 3
position)
Figure 4
DANGER:
NEVER force the cable
or tool int o th e obs t ruction. Choose
the proper feedin g speed i n order t o
give a smooth cut tin g a ction.
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8. If tool becomes hung up in the
obstruction, move control lever
to the REVERSE position to back
out too. (See Figure #5)
NOTE: It is not necessary to use
the FOR/REV toggle switch on the
motor at this time.
Figure 5
9. After tool has been removed
from obstruction, move control
lever back to the FORWARD
position and continue to work
through obstruction.
10. To retrieve cable from line,
move control lever to the
REVERSE position (while
continuing to operate cage in
forward rotation) an d cable will
back out of l ine and fe ed into
cage.
NOTE: It is recommended to use a
continuous flush of water to clean
tool, cable and sewer line as cable is
retrieved.
11. When t ool is close to cleanout
opening, return Control L ev e r t o
NEUTRAL position, place switch
in OFF position, release foot
actuator and allow machine to
come to a complete stop.
DISCONNECT POWER CORD.
12. Pull remaining cable and tool
from drain line and hand-feed
cable back into machine.
MAIN SEWER OR SEP TI C
TANK OVERUN
Operator shoul d de t e rm in e the
approximate distance from cleanout
opening to the main sewer or septic
tank. Overrunning cable into these
areas can cause cables to twist or
knot-up preventing their retrieval.
MAINTENANCE
Maintenance on the RF machine should
be minimal for the life expectancy of
the machine. The cable cage is
equipped with bearings which do not
need to be lubricated, but an
occasional lubrication with oil to the
machine shaft will help in removal of
cable cage and will not harm the
bearings.
A light coating of oil applied to the
cable before storin g will help prevent
rusting and premature f ailu re .
Greasing all three (3) grease Zerks
(fittings) on feeder before each use is
recommended. Disassemble and clean
complete feeder twice yearl y.
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CABLE INSTALLATION
DANGER: Exercise caution when
removing cables from the package.
Wound cables are under tension and
may spring apart in a dangerous
manner and cause injury.
1. Disconnect power cord before
any set up or maintenance is
attempted.
2. Unpack cable and uncoil by
laying it out flat in an open area.
3. Turn cable tension knob
counterclockwise to allow cable
to be inserted throu g h th e
feeder and into the cage. (See
Figure #6)
Figure 6
4. Bring cable end out the side of
the cage and attach cable
anchor. (See Figures #7 and #8)
Figure 7
Figure 8
Female
Fitting
Cable
Tension
Knob
Cable
Anchor
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5. Bring cable back into cage,
laying cable counterclockwise,
and attach cable anchor to back
of cage through mounting hole.
(See Figure #9)
Figure 9
6. Attach nut to cable anchor on
back side of cage. (See Figure
#10)
Figure 10
CABLE CAGE REM OVAL
1. Disconnect power cord before
any set up or maintenance is
attempted.
2. Remove cable guide spring by
pulling retaining pin upward and
releasing the spring from the
feeder.
3. Remove SP-30 tool adapter with
1/4" punch to driv e roll pin ou t.
4. Remove auto cable feeder by
unscrewing both feeder
anchorin g knobs in a
counterclockwise direction on
either side of the feeder,
allowing the feeder to slide
forward. (See Figure #11)
Figure 11
Feeder
Anchoring
Knobs
7. Plug machine in. Motor should be
in FOR position.
8. To allow cable to feed into cage,
place auto cable feeder in REV
position and depre ss foot pe dal .
Model RF Manual (082610)_2-ColorREV.doc Page 11 of 16
5. Remove belt guard by
unscrewing the thumb screw
knob on top of belt guard in a
counterclockwise direction. (See
Figure #12)
Figure 12
7. Remove retaining clip from front
of shaft. (See Figure #14)
Figure 14
8. Remove retaining clip on back
side of frame. (See Figure #15)
Figure 15
6. Push down on top of motor to
relieve tension and remove drive
belt from pulley . (See Figu re
#13)
Figure 13
Model RF Manual (082610)_2-ColorREV.doc Page 12 of 16
9. Remove sh a ft ou t of th e back of
the machine to allow cage to be
removed. (See Figure #16)
Figure 16
10. Reverse the above
procedure to reinstall the
cable cage.
CABLE REPAIR FITTINGS
The following fittings are used for
cable repair.
1. SP-30 Tool Adapter
2. SP-32 Female Fitti ng 3/4” Ca ble
SJ-32 Female Fittin g 5/8” Cabl e
3. SP-31 Male Fitting 3/4” Cable
SJ-31 Male Fitting 5/8” Cable
4. RP 1434 Roll Pin 3/4” Cable
RP 1458 Roll Pin 5/8” Cable
4
1
2 3
REMOVING THE HANDLE
The handle can be removed from the
machine for compact storage of unit or
for work in crawl spaces by backing off
the two thumb screws. When
replacing the handle , be sure the
thumb screw tips engage in the
corresponding holes in the handle.
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