In this operator’s manual and on the product, safety symbols and signal words are used to
communicate important safety information. This section is provided to improve understanding of these signal words and symbols.
DANGER
WARNING
CAUTION
NOTICE
portant information on the safe and proper operation of the equipment.
This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you to potential personal injury hazards. Obey
all safety messages that follow this symbol to avoid possible injury or death.
DANGER indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death
or serious injury.
WARNING indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death
or serious injury.
CAUTION indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in minor
or moderate injury.
NOTICE indicates information that relates to the protection of property.
This symbol means read the operator’s
manual carefully before using the equipment. The operator’s manual contains im-
This symbol means always wear safety
glasses with side shields or goggles while
using this equipment to reduce the risk of
eye injury.
This symbol indicates the risk of hands,
fingers or other body parts being caught,
wrapped or crushed in the drain cleaning
FlexShaft.
This symbol indicates the risk of the electrical shock.
This symbol indicates the risk of fingers or
other body parts being caught, wrapped,
crushed or struck by the chain knocker.
Do not operate tool with the cable end outside
of the drain.
This symbol means always wear gloves
when handling or using this equipment to
reduce the risk of infections, burns or other
serious personal injury from the drain contents.
This symbol indicates that the marked
equipment exceeds 55 lbs (25kg). Exercise caution when lifting or moving to
reduce the risk of injury.
General Power Tool
Safety Warnings*
WARNING
Read all safety warnings, instructions,
illustrations and specifications provided
with this power tool. Failure to follow all
instructions listed below may result in
electric shock, fire and/or serious injury.
SAVE ALL WARNINGS
AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR
FUTURE REFERENCE!
The term “power tool” in the warnings refers
to your mains-operated (corded) power tool or
battery-operated (cordless) power tool.
Work Area Safety
• Keep work area clean and well lit. Clut-
tered or dark areas invite accidents.
• Do not operate power tools in explo-
*The text used in the general power tool safety warnings section of this manual is verbatim, as required, from the applicable UL/CSA/EN 62841-1 standard. This section contains general safety practices for many different types of power
tools. Not every precaution applies to every tool, and some do not apply to this tool.
2
sive atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases or
dust. Power tools create sparks which
may ignite the dust or fumes.
• Keep children and by-standers away while a power tool. Distractions can
cause you to lose control.
Electrical Safety
• Power tool plugs must match the outlet.
Never modify the plug in any way. Do
not use any adapter plugs with earthed
(grounded) power tools. Unmodified
plugs and matching outlets will reduce
risk of electric shock.
• Avoid body contact with earthed or
grounded surfaces such as pipes, radiators, ranges and refrigerators. There is
an increased risk of electrical shock if your
body is earthed or grounded.
wet conditions. Water entering a power
tool will increase the risk of electrical
shock.
• Do not abuse the cord. Never use the
cord for carrying, pulling or unplugging
the power tool. Keep cord away from
heat, oil, sharp edges or moving parts.
Damaged or entangled cords increase the
risk of electric shock.
• If operating a power tool in a damp
location is unavoidable, use a ground
fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protected
supply. Use of a GFCI reduces the risk of
electric shock.
Personal Safety
• Stay alert, watch what you are doing
and use common sense when operating a power tool. Do not use a power
tool while you are tired or under the
influence of drugs, alcohol, or medication. A mo
ating tools ma
injury.
• Use personal protective equipment. Always wear eye protection. Protective
equipment such as dust mask, non-skid
safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing protection used for appropriate conditions will
reduce personal injuries.
• Prevent unintentional starting. Ensure
the switch is in the off-position before
connecting to power source and/or
battery pack, picking up or carrying
the tool. Carrying power tools with your
finger on the switch or energizing power
tools that have the switch on invites accidents.
• Remove any adjusting key or wrench before turning the power tool ON. A
wrench or a key left attached to a rotating
part of the power tool may result in personal injury.
• Do nand balance at all times. This enables
better control of the tool in unexpected
situations.
• Dress properl
clothing or jewelry. Keep your hair,
clothing and gloves away from moving
parts. Loose clothes, jewelry or long hair
can be caught in moving parts.
• If devices are provided for the connec-
tion of dust extraction and collection
ment of inattention while oper-
y result in serious personal
ot overreach. Keep proper footing
y. Do not wear loose
facilities, ensure these are connected
and properly used. Use of dust collec-
tion can reduce dust-related hazards.
• Do not let familiarity gained from fre
quent use of tools allow you to become
complacent and ignore tool safety principles. A careless action can cause se-
vere injury within a fraction of a second.
Power Tool Use and Care
• Do not force the power tool. Use the
correct tool for your application. The
correct power tool will do the job better
and safer at the rate for which it is designed.
• Do not use the power tool if the sdoes not turn it ON and OFF. Any power
tool that cannot be controlled with the
switch is dangerous and must be repaired.
• Disconnect the plug from the power
source and/or remove the battery pack,
if detachable, from the power tool before making any adjustments, changing accessories, or storing power
tools. Such preventive safety measures
reduce the risk of starting the power tool
accidentally.
• Store idle tools out of the reach of chil-
dren and do not allow persons unfamiliar with the power tool or these instructions to operate the power tool. Power
tools can be dangerous in the hands of
untrained users.
• Maintain power tools and accessories.
Check for misalignment or binding of
moving parts, breakage of parts and
any other condition that may affect the
power tool’s op er ation. If damaged,
have the power tool repaired before
use. Many accidents are caused by poorly
maintained power tools.
• Keep cutting tools sharp and clean.
Properly maintained cutting tools with
sharp cutting edges are less likely to bind
and are easier to control.
• Use the power tool, accessories and
tool bits etc. in accordance with these
instructions, taking into account the
working conditions and the work to
be performed. Use of the power tool for
operations different from those intended
could result in a hazardous situation.
• Keep handles and grasping surfaces
dry, clean and free from oil and grease.
Slippery handles and grasping surfaces
do not allow for safe handling and control
of the tool in unexpected situations.
Service
• Have your power tool serviced by a
qualified repair person using only identical replacement parts. This will ensure
that the safety of the power tool is maintained.
Specific Safety
Information
This section contains important safety
information that is specific to this tool.
Read these precautions carefully before using the FlexShaft™ Drain Cleaning
Machine to reduce the risk of electrical
shock or other serious injury.
Keep this manual with machine for use by
the operator.
FlexShaft Drain Cleaning
Machine Safety
• Before using the tool, test the ground
fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) provided
with the power supply cord to insure it
is operating correctly. A properly oper-
ating GFCI reduces the risk of electrical
shock.
• Only use extension cords that are pro-tected by a GFCI. The GFCI on the machine power cord will not prevent electrical
shock from extension cords.
• Only grasp the rotating cable with
gloves recommended by the manufacturer. Latex or loose fitting gloves or
rags can become wrapped around the
cable and may result in serious personal
injury.
• Do not allow the cutter to stop turn-ing while the cable is turning. This can
overstress the cable and may cause twisting, kinking or breaking of the cable and
may result in serious personal injury.
WARNING
SAVE ALL WARNINGS
AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR
FUTURE REFERENCE!
• One person must control both the
cable and the switch. If the cutter stops
rotating, the operator must be able to turn
the tool OFF to prevent the cable from
twisting, kinking and breaking.
• Use latex or rubber glo
gloves recommended by the manufacturer, goggles, face shields, protective
clothing, and respirator when chemicals, bacteria or other toxic or infectious substances are suspected to be
in a drain line. Drains may contain chem-
icals, bacteria and other substances that
may cause burns, be toxic or infectious
or may result in other serious personal
injury.
• Practice good hygiene. Do not eat or
smoke while handling or operating the
tool. After handling or operating drain
cleaning equipment, use hot, soapy
water to wash hands and other body
parts exposed to drain contents. This
will help reduce the risk of health hazards
due to exposure to toxic or infectious
material.
• Only use the Drain Cleaning Machinefor the recommended drain sizes. Using the wrong size drain cleaner can lead
to twisting, kinking or breaking of the cable
and may result in personal injury.
• Keep glove covered hand on the cable
assembly whenever the FlexShaft Machine is running. This provides better
control of the cable and helps prevent
twisting, kinking and breaking of the cable
and reduces the risk of injury.
• Position machine cable outlet within
4' (1.2 m) of the drain inlet or properly
support exposed cable assembly when
the distance exceeds 4' (1.2 m). Greater
distances can cause control problems leading to twisting, kinking or breaking of the
cable. Twisting, kinking or breaking cable
may cause striking or crushing injuries.
• Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry.
Keep your hair and clothing away from
moving parts. Loose clothing, jewelry or
hair can be caught in moving parts.
• Do not operate this machine if oper-ator or machine is standing in water.
Operating machine while in water increases the risk of electrical shock.
• Do not use if there is the risk of con-
tact with other utilities (such as natural
gas or electric) during operation. Visual
inspection of the drain with a camera is
a good practice. Crossbores, improperly
placed utilities and damaged drains could
allow the chain knocker to contact and
damage the utility. This could cause electrical shock, gas leaks, fire, explosion or
other serious damage or injury.
• Read and understand these instruc-
tions and the instr
uctions and warnings for all equipment and materials
being used before operating this tool
to reduce the risk of serious personal
injury.
Description
The RIDGID® Model K9-306 FlexShaft™
Drain Cleaning Machine is designed to clean
and descale 3" to 6" (75-150 mm) pipes and
drain lines, up to 125' (38 m) in length.
A REV/O-OFF/FOR switch controls cable rotation and a pneumatic foot switch provides ON/
OFF control of the motor. An integral Ground
Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) is built into the
line cord.
The cable assembly is manually fed in and
out of the drain and rotates at 2000 RPM. A
chain knocker that expands to the pipe inside
diameter is used to break up the blockage and
clean the walls of the pipe. Chain knockers
with carbide cutting tips are available for use
on roots and cleaning the scale from the pipe
wall. Plain chain knockers are for general use,
including grease.
FlexShaft Drain Cleaners are well suited to
use with inspection cameras during the drain
cleaning process.
It is not recommended to clean glass, ceramic,
porcelain or similar fixtures with the FlexShaft
Drain Cleaners as it may damage the fixture.
Serial number plate is located on cart side
of housing. (See Figure 1A) The last 4 digits
indicate the month (MM) and year (YY) of
manufacture.
Specifications
Drain Capacity
(Nom.) ...................3" to 6" (75 – 150 mm)
Cable Diameter
(without Sheath)
Cable Assy
(with Sheath) ......... 5/8" (15.9 mm)
Cable Assembly
Length
Motor
Power ....... 1.1 kW (1.5 HP) 1.1 kW (1.5 HP)
V
oltage
Current ..... 11A 8A
Refer to on product serial plate for information specific to unit.
Rotational Speed ...2000 RPM
Weight
Dimension .............. 36.1" × 32.5" × 20.5"
Operating
Temperature ........... 20°F to 140°F
Sound Pressure
PA
(L
)* ......................96.1 dB(A), K=3
Sound Power
PW
(L
)* .....................91.8 dB(A), K=3
* Sound measurements are measured in accordance
with a standardized test per Standard EN 62481-1.
. - Sound emissions may vary due t
specific use of these tools.
. - Daily exposure levels for sound need to be evaluated
for each application and appropriate safety measures
taken when needed. Evaluation of exposure levels
should consider the time a tool is switched off and not
in use. This may significantly reduce the exposure level
over the total working period.
Standard Equipment
Refer to the RIDGID catalog for details on equipment supplied with specific drain cleaning
machine catalog numbers.
XXXXXXXXMMYY
.....3/8" (9.5 mm)
. Diameter
................... 125' (38.1 m)
..... 110-1
....................166 lbs.
220-240V
20V
(75 kg)
(918 mm × 826 mm ×
521 mm) Handle down
(-6°C to 60°C)
o your location and
NOTICE
This machine is made to clean
drains. If properly used it will not damage a
drain that is in good condition and properly
designed, constructed and maintained. If the
drain is in poor condition, or has not been
properly designed, constructed and maintained, the drain cleaning process may not be
effective or could cause damage to the drain.
The best way to determine the condition of
a drain before cleaning is through visual inspection with a camera. Improper use of this
drain cleaning machine can damage the drain
cleaning machine and the drain. This machine
may not clear all blockages.
Pre-Operation Inspection
WARNING
Before each use, inspect your Drain
Cleaning Machine and correct any problems to reduce the risk of serious injury
from electric shock, twisted or broken
cables, chemical burns, infections and
other causes and prevent Drain Cleaning
Machine damage.
Always wear safety glasses, and other
appropriate protective equipment when
inspecting your Drain Cleaning Machine.
1. Make sure that the drain cleaning machine is unplugged and inspect the
power cord, Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) and plug for damage. If
the plug has been modified, or if the cord
is damaged, to avoid electrical shock,
do not use the machine until the cord
has been replaced by a qualified repair
person.
2. Clean the machine, including handles
and controls.
helps prevent the machine or control
from slipping from your grip. Clean and
maintain the machine per the maintenance instructions.
• Smooth and free movement of the cable assembly in and out of the machine.
• Any condition which may prevent safe
and normal operation.
drain cleaning machine until the problems have been repaired.
bly and chain knockers. Inspect sheath
for wear and damage. There should not
be any cuts, kinks, breaks or excessive
wear. Inspect the cable near the chain
knocker. Cable assemblies should not be
bent or deformed. Cable strands should
be tight to one another without separation. Inspect chain knocker for damaged
or lost carbide cutting tips (if equipped)
and wear of the chain itself. If chain links
are worn more than ¼ through or damaged, replace the chain knocker. Replace
worn and damaged equipment before
using drain cleaning machine.
erly set up and is secure on the cable.
ment being used per its instructions to
make sure it is functioning properly.
switch is set to the O-OFF position.
grounded outlet. Test the GFCI provided
in the electrical cord to ensure that it is
operating correctly. Depress the GFCI
TEST button -the machine should not
operate. Depress the RESET button –
the machine should operate. If GFCI is
not functioning properly, unplug the cord
and do not use the drain cleaning machine until the GFCI has been repaired.
, unplug the machine.
hands
o properly
Set up the Drain Cleaning Machine and
work area according to these procedures to reduce the risk of injury from
electric shock, fire, machine tipping,
twisted or broken cables, chemical
burns, infections and other causes, and
prevent machine damage.
Always wear safety glasses and other
-
appropriate protective equipment when
setting up your Drain Cleaning Machine.
1. Check for an appropriate work area.
Operate in a clear level, stable, dry location. Do not use the Drain Cleaning
Machine while standing in water.
2. Inspect the drain to be cleaned. If possible, determine the access point(s) to the
drain, the size(s), length(s), and material(s) of the drain, distance to mainlines,
the nature of the blockage, presence of
drain cleaning chemicals or other chemicals, etc.
If chemicals are present in the drain, it
is important to understand the specific
safety measures required to work around
those chemicals. Contact the chemical
manufacturer for required information.
Confirm no other utilities are present in
the drain or a
damage. Visual inspection of the drain
with a camera is a good practice.
If needed, remove fixture (water closet,
etc.) to allow access to drain. Do not run
the chain knocker in a fixture. This could
damage the FlexShaft Machine or the
fixture.
3. Determine the correct equipment for the
application. See Specifications.
4. Make sure all equipment has been properly inspected.
5. If needed, place protective covers in the
work area. The drain cleaning process
can be messy.
6. Transport the drain cleaning machine to
the work area along a clear path. Adjust
handle if necessary (Figure 4). Move han-
dle latches together and move telescoping handle to desired position. Confirm
that the handle latches engage and the
handle is securely held in position. If handle is moved past latch holes, the handle
buttons will prevent the handle from pulling out. If this occurs, depress buttons to
move handle.
Telescoping Handle
Handle Button
Handle Latches
Figure 4 – Adjusting Telescoping Handle
7. Place the Drain Cleaning Machine as
shown in Figure 5. Machine should sit
squarely and firmly on the ground.
8. Position the Drain Cleaning Machine so
that the cab
le outlet is within 4' (1.2 m) of
the drain access. Greater distances from
the drain access increases the risk of the
cable assembly twisting or kinking. If the
FlexShaft Machine cannot be placed with
the cable outlet within 4' (1.2 m) of the
drain access, extend the drain access
with similar sized pipe and fittings (see Figure 5). Improper cable assembly support can allow the cable to kink and twist
and can damage the cable or injure the
operator. Extending the drain back to the
Drain Cleaning Machine also makes it
easier to feed cable assembly into drain.
Figure 5 – Example of Extending Drain Access to
within 4' (1.2 m) of Machine Cable Outlet
9. Unclamp the chain knocker and pull approximately 5' (1.5 m) of cable assembly
out of the machine.
10. Mark the sheath to indicate when the
chain knocker is approaching the drain
opening when withdrawn. This can be
done with tape. This reduces the risk of
the chain knockers coming out of the
drain and whipping around. The distance
depends on the configuration of the drain,
but should be at least 5' (1.5 m) from the
chain knocker.
11. Ensure chain knocker is properly installed
(see Installing/Adjusting Chain Knocker).
12. Insert chain knocker end at least 1' (0.3 m)
into drain.
13. Evaluate the work area and determine if
any barriers are needed to keep bystanders away from the drain cleaning machine and work area. The drain cleaning
process can be messy, and bystanders
can distract the operator.
14. Position the foot switch for easy accessibility. You must be able to hold and
control the cable, control the foot switch,
and reach the REV/O-OFF/FOR switch.
15. Confirm that the REV/O-OFF/FOR switch
is in the O-OFF position.
16. Run the cord along a clear path. With
dry hands, plug the drain cleaner into a
properly grounded outlet. Some GFCIs
may need to be reset every time they are
plugged in. Reset GFCI if needed. Keep
all connections dry and off the ground. If
the power cord is not long enough, use
an extension cord that:
• Has a plug similar to that supplied on
the drain cleaner
• Is rated
.
for outdoor use and contains
a W or W-A in the cord designation
(i.e. SOW), or complies with H05VV-F,
H05RN-F types or IEC type design
(60227 IEC 53, 60245 IEC 57).
• Has sufficient wire size. For extension
When using an e
cords up to 50' (15,2 m) long use 16
AWG (1,5 mm
sion cords 50'-100' (15,2 m – 30,5 m)
long use 14 AWG (2,5 mm
2
) or heavier. For exten-
2
) or heavier.
xtension cord, the GFCI
on the drain cleaner does not protect the
extension cord. If the outlet is not GFCI
protected, it is advisable to use a plug
in type GFCI between the outlet and
the extension cord to reduce the risk of
shock if there is a fault in the extension
cord.
17. Move the REV/O-OFF/FOR Switch t
the O-OFF position, and with dry hands
unplug the machine.
Installing/Adjusting Chain
Knocker
1. Select proper chain knocker for the conditions.
Chain knockers are sized based on col-
lar inside diameter and are designed for
specific cable sizes. 3/8" chain knockers
are used on 3/8" cable, etc. Do not use
a larger size chain knocker on a smaller
cable (for instance 1/2" on 3/8"). See Fi-
gure 6 and Collar Distance Chart.
Chain knockers without carbide cut
tips can be used in common pipe types.
These chain knockers work well in grease
and similar blockages.
Chain knockers with carbide cut
are used for removing scale from the
inside of the pipe and can be used for
roots. Carbide cutting tips are used for
aggressive cleaning and could damage
pipe, especially softer materials (such
as plastics and Orangeburg), thin walled
pipe, or if the chain knocker is kept in one
position for an extended time.
Do not use chain knockers for cleaning in
glass, ceramic, porcelain or similar material fixtures or pipes. They could be
damaged.
2. Figure 7 shows a schematic of proper
chain knocker installation and adjustment.
ting
ting tips
There are two key points when installing/
adjusting chain knockers.
Coll
ar Distance: Set the chain knocker
collars the correct distance apart (“Collar
Distance”) to allow the chains to spread
an appropriate amount when rotated to
clean the pipe walls. Collar Distance varies based on cable size and pipe diameter, and is generally set using a spacer
made from sheath (“Collar Spacer”). If
additional flexibility is required to navigate
a bend, the collar spacer can be removed
and the collar distance can be set with a
tape measure. Operating without a collar
spacer makes it more likely for the cable
to flip over in use and be damaged. Do
not operate carbide cutters without a
collar spacer to reduce risk of cable
damage.
Exposed Cable: Minimize the amount
of exposed cable (cable not covered by
o
sheath). The more exposed cable there
is, the more likely the cable will flip over
in use and be damaged. Exposed cable
should be limited to no more than ¼" (6
mm), and is set with a bushing made from
sheath (“Knocker Bushing”).
Sheath is supplied with the drain cleaner
and is available as a service part to allow
configuration as needed for your specific
application. Only use RIDGID FlexShaft
Drain Cleaner sheath of the correct size
for the cable. Any time sheath is cut, it
should be cut cleanly and squarely. Do
not damage the cable when cutting the
sheath.
3. Chain knocker
s are retained to the cable
with set screws that use a supplied 3 mm
hex key. Loosen set screws and remove
chain knocker, spacer and bushing from
cable.
4. With no knocker installed, hold cable end
away from your body or others. Run machine in REVERSE for 5 seconds to maximize exposed cable. Place switch in
O-OFF position and unplug machine.
Hold sheath and pull on cable to remo
slack and expose maximum amount of
cable.
5. Inspect the sheath end for damage or
wear. The sheath end should be square
and clean. If needed, the sheath end can
be trimmed slightly.
6. If needed, cut a section of sheath to use
as the collar spacer to the appropriate
size (See Collar Distance Chart).
preference for the specific pipe/application. As collar distance increases, the diameter of the chains decreases, and vice
versa. Improperly set collar distance can
reduce the efficiency of pipe cleaning.
7. Test fit the chain knocker, knocker bushing
and collar spacer on the cable as shown
in Figure 7. Chains should be straight – do
not assemble with chains twisted. To prevent excessive cable end wear, cable end
should be flush with the end of the collar.
Check length of exposed cable. To reduce
the risk of cable flip over and damage,
exposed cable cannot exceed ¼" (6 mm).
If needed, cut a knocker bushing from
sheath to limit exposed cable. Always
use a knocker bushing to reduce wear
on the sheath end.
8. With the chain knocker corr
ectly installed
on the cable as shown in Figure 7, use
the supplied hex wrench to securely
tighten the collar set screws. If the set
screws are not secure, the chain knocker
could slip and damage the cable or be
lost down the drain.
Operation Instructions
WARNING
Always use safety glasses and gloves in good
condition while handling or using. Use latex or
rubber gloves, face shields, protective clothing,
respirators or other appropriate protective equipment when chemicals, bacteria or other toxic or
infectious substances are suspected to be present
to reduce the risk of infections, burns or other
serious personal injury.
Do not allow the chain knocker/end of cable to
stop turning while cable assembly is turning.
This can overstress the cable and may cause
twisting, kinking or breaking of the cable assembly
and may result in serious personal injury.
Keep a hand on the cable assembly whenever
the FlexShaft Machine is running. This provides
better control of the cable and helps prevent twisting, kinking and breaking of the cable and reduces
the risk of injury.
Position the FlexShaft Machine cable outlet
within 4' (1.2 m) of the drain inlet or properly
support exposed cable assembly when the distance exceeds 4' (1.2 m). Greater distances can
cause control problems leading to twisting, kinking
or breaking of the cable. Twisting, kinking or breaking cable may cause striking or crushing injuries.
One person must control both the cable assembly and foot switch. If the cable stops rotat-
ing, the operator must be able to turn the tool OFF
to prevent twisting, kinking and breaking of the
cable and reduce the risk of injury.
Follow operating instructions to reduce the
risk of injury from twisted or broken cable,
cable ends whipping around, machine tipping,
chemical burns, infections and other causes.
1. Make sure that machine and work area is
properly set-up and that the work area is
free of bystanders and other distractions.
2. Pull cable assembl
and feed into drain. At least 1' (0.3 m) of
cable must be in drain so that the chain
knocker will not come out of the drain and
whip around when the machine is started.
Directly route the cable assembly from
the machine cable outlet to the drain
opening, minimizing exposed cable and
changes in direction. Do not tightly bend
the cable assembly – this can increase
the risk of twisting or breaking.
If using a camera to view the drain clean-
ing process, the camera can be fed in
at the same time. Typically the cable assembly and the camera push rod can be
gripped and advanced/retrieved at the
same time. Keep the camera at least 1.5’
( 0.5 m) behind the chain knocker.
NOTICE
knocker to hit the camera head/push rod.
It can damage it.
3. Assume a proper operating position to
help maintain control of the cable assembly and machine (see Figure 8):
• Be sure yo
• Your g
• Be sure that you hav
• You must be able to reach the REV/O-
This operating position will help to main-
tain control of the cable assembly and
FlexShaft Machine.
y from the machine
Do not allow the spinning chain
u can quickly release the
foot switch.
loved hands must be on the cable assembly to control and support as
the cable assembly is fed into the drain
and blockage.
e good balance, do
not have to overreach, and cannot fall
on machine, drain, etc.
OFF/FOR switch.
4' (1.2 m) MAX.
4' (1.2 m) MAX.
Figure 8 – In Operating Position
4. Confirm that at least 1' (0.3 m) of cable
assembly is in the drain.
5. Grasp the exposed cable assembly with
both gloved hands equally spaced and
pull 6"-12" (150mm - 300mm) of cable out
of 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. Make sure that the
cable outlet of the drain cleaner is within 4'
(1.2 m) of the drain opening (Figure 8).
6. Move the REV/O-OFF/FOR switch t
o FOR
(Forward) position.
7. Depress the foot switch t
o start the machine. 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 person
controlling the foot switch. This can lead to
twisting, kinking and breaking of the cable.
8. The FlexShaft Drain Cleaning Machine utilizes high rotational speed and low torque
to clean drains. FlexShaft cable assemblies are more flexible than other types
of drain cleaning cables. The FlexShaft
machine is best used by applying light
pressure and slowly working the chain
knocker into the blockage. It’s important
to let the speed of the chain knocker
clean the drain – do not force chain
knockers into blockages.
9. Advancing/Retrieving the Cable
Assembly – FlexShaft Lubricant
In some cases it may be beneficial to
apply RIDGID FlexShaft lubricant to the
outside of the sheath when feeding the
cable down the drain. This can make it
easier to advance the cable assembly
down the drain and allow greater cleaning distance. If doing so, place a clean
towel with lubricant on it in the palm of the
gloved hand used for advancing the cable
assembly, and apply lubricant as feeding the cable assembly (Figure 9). Add
lubricant to the towel as needed during
the process. RIDGID FlexShaft markings
are printed on the sheath every 5' (1.5
m) to aid in determining how much cable
assembly has been fed from the machine.
Only use RIDGID FlexShaft lubricant.
Other lubricants may not be appropriate
for use in a drain and could contaminate
the water.
When retrieving the cable assembly, it is
good practice to use a towel to wipe dirt
and debris from the cable sheath as it is
pulled from the drain and fed back into
the drum.
10. Rotating the Chain Knock
Generally the chain knocker is rotated for
cleaning while withdrawing the cable.
Only rotate the cable/chain knocker when
the chain knocker is at least 1' in the
drain. To rotate the cable, firmly grip the
cable and depress the foot switch. The
person controlling the cable assembly
must also control the foot switch. Do not
operate the machine with one person
controlling the cable assembly and another person controlling the foot switch.
Do not allow cable assembly to build up
outside the drain, bow or curve. This can
lead to twisting, kinking and breaking of
the cable. At any time, release the foot
switch to stop cable rotation. When clearing blockages, operate the cable at full
speed for best cleaning. Do not force the chain knocker into blockages. Rotating
the chain knocker in FORWARD or REVERSE for a short time while advancing
the cable assembly can help it negotiate
the drain and blockages.
er
Figure 9 – Applying Lubricant to the Cable
11. Advance the cable assembly into the
12. Continue to adv
13. Once the drain is open, if possible, start
14. With the chain knocker past the block-
Sheath
drain, generally not rotating. Grasp the
sheath near where it exits the machine
housing. Pull 6" to 12" (150 to 300 mm)
of cable assembly out of the FlexShaft
Machine so that there is a slight bow in
the cable. Gloved hand must be on cable
assembly to control and support. Improper
cable support can allow the cable assembly to kink or twist and can damage
the cable or injure the operator. Feed the
cable assembly into the drain (Figure 10, Step 1).
ance the cable assembly until the resistance is encountered.
Carefully work the chain knocker through
the blockage. Do not force the cable
assembly – if the chain knocker cannot turn, it cannot clean the drain. Pay
attention to how far the cable has gone.
Do not overrun the cable into a larger
drain. This can cause the cable to knot up
or cause other damage (Figure 10, Step
2).
a flow of water down the drain to flush
the debris out of the line and help clean
the cable assembly as it is retrieved. This
can be done by turning on a faucet in the
system or other methods. Pay attention
to the water level, as the drain could plug
again (Figure 10, Step 3).
FOR switch in FOR position, depress the
foot switch to rotate the chain knocker.
Slowly pull the cable assembly from the
drain, allowing the rotating chain knocker
to clean the drain walls and break up the
blockage (Figure 10, Steps 4 & 5). If the
cable stops turning, do not continue
operating the machine. This may cause
the cable to twist and kink. At any time, release the foot switch to stop cable rotation.
Rotating the cable in REVERSE can help
clean the opposite side of the pipe.
Monitor the feedback from the feel of the
cable assembly in your hand and the
sound of the motor/knocker in the drain.
It may be necessary to move the chain
knocker out of the blockage to allow it to
come back up to speed.
If the chain knocker becomes stuck, place
the REV/O-OFF/FOR switch to allow opposite rotation. 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. Repeat if necessary. In some cases, it may be possible to
pull the cable assembly and the blockage
out of the drain by hand. If this is done, be
careful to not damage the cable assembly.
The general operating steps for the FlexShaft Drain Cleaning Machines (see below):
Place the REV/O-OFF/FOR switch in the
FOR position and continue cleaning the
drain.
NOTICE
knocker to hit the camera head/push rod.
It can damage it.
15. Continue to clean the r
16. Watch for your sheath marking as the
17. If needed for complete cleaning, r
18. Pull any remaining cab
Do not allow the spinning chain
est of the drain
while retrieving the cable. Once the drain
has been cleaned, retrieve the cable and
feed back onto the drain cleaning machine. Pay close attention, as the cable
may lodge in a blockage while being retracted (Figure 10, Step 6).
cable assembly is retrieved. Release
the foot switch when the chain knocker
nears drain opening. Do not pull the chain
knocker from drain while it is rotating. The
chain knocker can whip around and could
cause serious injury.
epeat
the above procedure.
le assembly from
the line by hand and push back into the
drum. Prepare the machine for transport.
1
2
3
1. Advance the chain knocker (generally not
rotating) to the area of the drain that needs
cleaned.
If there is a bloc
2.
knocker through the blockage.
If possible, star
3.
drain to carry cuttings and debris away as
the drain is cleaned.
Figure 10 – General Operating Steps
14
kage, pass the chain
t a flow of water through the
4
5
6
4. Rotate the cable/chain knocker at full speed.
Continue to r
5.
draw the cable assembly so that the chain
knocker can break up the blockage.
6. Continue to gradually withdraw the cable
assembly while rotating so that the chain
knocker can clean the walls of the drain.
Open drain plug (Figure 11). Lean the machine back into the wheels and allow to drain.
Close plug when finished.
Loading
Handles
Figure 11 – Drain Plug
Transportation
Feed all of cable assembly into the drum and
secure the chain knocker with the clamp.
Wrap cord and foot switch hose around the
cord wrap. See Figure 12. Before moving the
machine, make sure that the telescoping handle is secured into the extended position for
transport. If the machine needs to be lifted,
use proper lifting techniques. Use care moving
equipment on stairs, and be aware of possible
slip hazards.
Figure 13 –
One Transpor
t Method
Loading
With the telescoping handle locked into the
extended position, place machine with wheels
toward the vehicle. Lean the machine back
and rest the loading wheels on the vehicle
bed. Use loading handles (Figure 13) to lift
the machine and slide it onto the vehicle
(Figure 14). Be aware of the machine weight.
Use proper lifting techniques – more than one
person may be required.
Figure 14 – Lifting Unit Onto Vehicle
Figure 12 – Preparing for Transport
Storage
WARNING
The Drain Cleaning Machine
must be kept dry and indoors or well covered if kept outdoors. Store the machine in
a locked area that is out of reach of children
and people unfamiliar with drain cleaning machines. This machine can cause serious injury
in the hands of untrained users.
REV/O-OFF/FOR switch should be O-OFF
and machine unplugged before performing any maintenance.
Always wear safety glasses and other
appropriate protective equipment when
performing any maintenance.
Cleaning
It is good practice to use a towel to wipe dirt
and debris from the sheath as the cable assembly is pulled from the drain and fed back
into the drum. This will help to keep the drum
clean and reduce the likelihood of the cable
assembly sticking in the drum. If needed,
cable assembly can be pulled from the machine and the housing opened for flushing/
cleaning.
Clean the machine as needed with hot soapy
water and/or mild disinfectants.
Do not submerge or flush the machine with
water. Do not allow water to enter motor or
other electrical components. Make sure unit is
completely dry before plugging in and using.
Lubrication
The FlexShaft Drain Cleaning Machines are
lubricated for life from the factory.
Cable Re-termination
The Flexshaft cable cannot be shortened or
re-terminated. If the cable is damaged, it must
be replaced. Do not use a damaged cable.
Cable Assembly Replacement
1. Remove chain knocker from cable assembly.
2. Use a 4 mm hex wrench to loosen the
front cover fasteners (they are retained to
the cover and frame). Lift the cover and
unplug the motor wire connector (Figure
15). Feed cable through bushing into machine. Remove the front cover.
WARNING
Motor Wire
Connector
Front Cover
Figure 15 – Drain Cleaner Housing Opened
3. Remove the cable retention clamp fasteners and retention clamp (Figure 16).
4. Remove the retaining ring and pin from
the cable coupling.
5. Remove the entire cable assembly, then
disconnect coupling from the gearbox
shaft.
6. Rever
se process to assemble. Ensure
cable sheath covers cable. No more than
1/4" (6.4 mm) of cable should be exposed. (see Figure 16). Securely tighten
all fasteners.
7. With no knocker installed, hold cable
end away from your body or others. Run
machine in REVERSE for 5 seconds to
maximize exposed cable. Place switch in
O-OFF position and unplug machine.
If there is no cable exposed, cut bac
k
sheath to expose 1"- 2" (25 - 50 mm) of
cable. Hold sheath and pull on cable to
remove slack and expose the maximum
amount of cable. Cut the sheath back to
expose 7 3/4" (197 mm) of cable measured from the end of the cable.
Go to Installing/Adjusting the Chain
Knocker section, step 5 to complete
chain knocker installation.
Brushes should be inspected every 6 months
and changed when shorter than ½" (13 mm).
1. See Cable Assembly Replacement, step 2 to remove cover.
2. Use a screwdriver to remove the brush
cover, Figure 17. Remove brush and in-
spect. If there are any signs of damage
or shorter than ½" (13 mm), replace
brushes.
3. Rever
se process to reassemble.
4. Place chain knocker in drain and allow
to run 15 minutes in FORWARD and
REVERSE, to break in brushes.
Figure 17 – Inspecting/Changing Motor Brushes
Motor Thermal Overload
The motor is equipped with a thermal overload
that turns OFF the motor if it gets too hot or
draws excessive current. To reset the thermal
overload, unplug machine, turn REV/O-OFF/
FOR switch to the O-OFF position and allow
the motor to cool for 15 minutes. Press the
reset button located on the front cover near
the REV/O-OFF/FOR switch (see Figure 1C).
If motor does not start or the thermal overload continually trips during normal operation,
the machine should be taken to a RIDGID
Authorized Independent Service Center.
Troubleshooting
SYMPTOM POSSIBLE REASON SOLUTION
Cable kinking or
breaking.
Cable turns in one
direction but not the
other.
Ground Fault Circuit
Interrupter (GFCI)
trips when machine
is plugged in.
FlexShaft Machine
wobbles or moves
while cleaning drain.
Motor does not turn
on with switch.
Cable assembly is being forced.
Incorrect FlexShaft Machine or chain
knocker used for pipe diameter.
Cable assembly exposed to acid/
corroded.
Cable/sheath worn out.
Cable assembly not properly
supported.
Chain knocker not properly set up/
adjusted.
Faulty REV/O-OFF/FOR switch.
Damaged power cord.
Short circuit in motor.
Faulty Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
(GFCI).
Moisture in motor, switch box or on
plug.
Ground not level.
GFCI needs to be reset.
Thermal Overload has been tripped.
Do not force cable assembly. Follow
operating instructions.
Use correct FlexShaft Machine or chain
knocker for pipe size.
Clean cable assembly routinely.
Replace worn cable assembly.
Support cable assembly properly, see
instructions.
Properly set up/adjust chain knocker,
see instructions.
Have switch replaced. Take for service.
Have cord replaced. Take for service.
Take for service.
Have cord replaced. Take for service.
Improper service or repair can make
the machine unsafe to operate.
“Maintenance Instructions” will take
The
care of most of the service needs of this machine. Any problems not addressed by this
section should only be handled by a RIDGID
Authorized Independent Service Center. Use
only RIDGID service parts.
Optional Equipment
To reduce the risk of serious injury,
only use accessories specifically designed and recommended for use with
the RIDGID FlexShaft Drain Cleaning
Machine, such as those listed.
Parts of these tools contain valuable materials and can be recycled. There are companies that specialize in recycling that may be
found locally. Dispose of the components in
compliance with all applicable regulations.
Contact your local waste management authority for more information.
For EC Countries: Do not dispose
of electrical equipment with household waste!
According to the European Guideline
2012/19/EU for Waste Electrical and
Electronic Equipment and its imple-
mentation into national legislation,
electrical equipment that is no longer usable must
be collected separately and disposed of in an
environmentally correct manner.
We declare that the machines listed
above, when used in ac-cordance with
the operator’s manual, meet the
relevant require-ments of the Directives
and Standards listed below.
2006/42/EC, 2014/35/EU, CISPR 14-1:2016, EU 2015/863
IEC 62841-1, IEC 62841-3-14
50111050
Conforms to UL 62841-1 & UL Std. 62841-3-14
Certified to CSA C22.2#62841-1 & CSA Std. C22 #62841-3-14
RIDGID® tools are warranted to be free of defects in workmanship and material.
How long coverage lasts
This warranty lasts for the lifetime of the RIDGID® tool. Warranty coverage ends when the
product becomes unusable for reasons other than defects in workmanship or material.
How you can get service
To obtain the benefit of this warranty, deliver via prepaid transportation the complete product to RIDGE TOOL COMPANY, Elyria, Ohio, or any RIDGID® AUTHORIZED INDEPENDENT
SERVICE CENTER. Pipe wrenches and other hand tools should be returned to the place
of purchase.
What we will do to correct problems
Warranted products will be repaired or replaced, at RIDGE TOOL’S option, and returned
at no charge; or, if after three attempts to repair or replace during the warranty period
the product is still defective, you can elect to receive a full refund of your purchase price.
What is not covered
Failures due to misuse, abuse or normal wear and tear are not covered by this warranty.
RIDGE TOOL shall not be responsible for any incidental or consequential damages.
How local law relates to the warranty
Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages,
so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific
rights, and you may also have other rights, which vary, from state to state, province to
province, or country to country.
No other express warranty applies
This FULL LIFETIME WARRANTY is the sole and exclusive warranty for RIDGID
No employee, agent, dealer, or other person is authorized to alter this warranty or make any
other warranty on behalf of the RIDGE TOOL COMPANY.
FULL LIFETIME
WARRANTY
Against Material Defects
& Workmanship
Full lifetime warranty (garantie légale étendue à la durée de vie du produit,
voir conditions de garantie / legal warranty extended to the product lifecyle,