Page 1
Auto-Clean
™
Drain Cleaning Machine
Model No. K-30
WARNING!
Read this Operator’s Manual
carefully before using this
tool. Failure to understand
and follow the contents of
this manual may result in
electrical shock, fire and/or
serious personal injury.
Drain Cleaner Manual
99 Washington Street
Melrose, MA 02176
Phone 781-665-1400
Toll Free 1-800-517-8431
Visit us at www.TestEquipmentDepot.com
Page 2
Table of Contents
Recording Form for Machine Serial Number ..............................................................................................................1
Safety Symbols..............................................................................................................................................................2
General Safety Rules
Work Area Safety ........................................................................................................................................................2
Electrical Safety...........................................................................................................................................................2
Personal Safety ...........................................................................................................................................................2
Tool Use and Care ......................................................................................................................................................3
Service ........................................................................................................................................................................3
Specific Safety Information
Drain Cleaner Safety ...................................................................................................................................................3
Description and Specifications
Description ..................................................................................................................................................................4
Specifications ..............................................................................................................................................................4
Machine Assembly ........................................................................................................................................................5
Instructions For Attaching AUTOFEED Assembly ......................................................................................................5
Pre-Operation Inspection..............................................................................................................................................5
Machine and Work Area Set Up ...................................................................................................................................6
Operating Instructions ..................................................................................................................................................8
Maintenance Instructions ...........................................................................................................................................10
Cables .......................................................................................................................................................................10
AUTOFEED...............................................................................................................................................................10
Cleaning ....................................................................................................................................................................10
Replacing the Cable ..................................................................................................................................................10
Clutch Adjustment .....................................................................................................................................................12
Accessories .................................................................................................................................................................12
Machine Storage..........................................................................................................................................................12
Service and Repair ......................................................................................................................................................12
Disposal........................................................................................................................................................................12
Troubleshooting ..........................................................................................................................................................13
Lifetime Warranty..........................................................................................................................................Back Cover
ii
Auto-Clean™ Drain Cleaning Machine
Test Equipment Depot - 800.517.8431 - 99 Washington Street Melrose, MA 02176
TestEquipmentDepot.com
Page 3
Auto-Clean
™
Drain Cleaning Machine
Model No. K-30
Drain Cleaner
Auto-Clean™ Drain Cleaner
Record Serial Number below and retain product serial number which is located on nameplate.
Serial
No.
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2
Auto-Clean™ Drain Cleaning Machine
General Power Tool Safety
Warnings
*
WARNING
Read all safety warnings and instructions. Failure to follow
the warnings and instructions 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. Cluttered benches
and dark areas invite accidents.
• Do not operate power tools in explosive atmo-
spheres, 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 oper-
ating 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. Un-
modified plugs and matching outlets will reduce risk of
electric shock.
• Avoid body contact with earthed or grounded sur-
faces such as pipes, radiators, ranges and refrigerators. There is an increased risk of electrical
shock if your body is earthed or grounded.
• Do not expose power tools to rain or wet condi-
tions. Water entering a power tool will increase the risk
of electric shock.
• Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord for car-
rying, 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.
• When operating a power tool outdoors, use an ex-
tension cord suitable for outdoor use. Use of a
cord suitable for outdoor use reduces the risk of electric shock.
• If operating a power tool in a damp location is un-
avoidable, use a ground fault circuit interrupter
(GFCI) protected supply. Use of a GFCI reduces
the risk of electric shock.
Safety Symbols
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.
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 important
information on the safe and proper operation of the equipment.
This symbol means always wear safety glasses with side shields or goggles when handling or using this equipment to reduce
the risk of eye injury.
NOTICE
This symbol indicates the risk of hands, fingers or other body parts being caught, wrapped or crushed in the drain cleaning
cable.
This symbol indicates a risk of electrical shock.
* The text used in the General Safety Rule section of this manual is verbatim, as required, from the applicable UL/CSA 60745 4th edition 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.
DANGER
WARNING
CAUTION
Page 5
3
Personal Safety
• Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating a power tool. Do not
use a tool while you are tired or under the influence
of drugs, alcohol or medication. A moment of inat-
tention while operating power tools may result in
serious personal 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 turn-
ing the tool ON. A wrench or a key left attached to a
rotating part of the power tool may result in personal injury.
• Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance
at all times. Proper footing and balance enables better control of the tool in unexpected situations.
• Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewel-
ry. 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 connection of dust
extraction and collection facilities, ensure these are
connected and properly used. Use of dust collection
can reduce dust-related hazards.
Power Tool Use and Care
• Do not force the power tool. Use the correct power
tool for your application. The correct power tool will
do the job better and safer at the rate for which it was
designed.
• Do not use the power tool if the switch does 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
the battery pack from the power tool before making
any adjustments, changing accessories, or storing
power tools. Such preventive safety measures re-
duce the risk of starting the power tool accidentally.
• Store idle power tools out of the reach of children
and do not allow persons unfamiliar with the pow-
Auto-Clean™ Drain Cleaning Machine
er tool or these instructions to operate the power
tool. Power tools are dangerous in the hands of un-
trained users.
• Maintain power tools. Check for misalignment or
binding of moving parts, breakage of parts and
any other condition that may affect the power
tool’s operation. 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 main-
tained 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 dif-
ferent from those intended could result in a hazardous
situation.
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
WARNING
This section contains important safety information that is
specific to this tool.
Read these precautions carefully before using the AutoClean™ Drain Cleaning Machine Model No. K-30 to reduce
the risk of electrical shock or other serious personal injury.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!
Keep this manual with the machine for use by the operator.
Drain Cleaner Safety
• Before using, test the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) provided with the power cord to
insure it is operating correctly. GFCI reduces the risk
of electrical shock.
• Extension cords are not recommended unless they
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Page 6
4
Auto-Clean™ Drain Cleaning Machine
chine is standing in water. Operating machine while
in water increases the risk of electrical shock.
• Only use drain cleaner to clean drains of recom-
mended sizes according to these instructions.
Other uses or modifying the drain cleaning machine for
other applications may increase the risk of injury.
Description and Specifications
Description
The RIDGID®Auto-Clean Drain Cleaning machine is designed to clean 3/4" to 11/2" drain lines in sinks, tubs and
showers. The Auto-Clean drain cleaner is supplied with an
air foot pedal for ON/OFF control of the motor and features
a 2-way AUTOFEED®unit, which automatically advances
and retrieves the cable. The AUTOFEED allows the cable
to be directly fed into the drain which minimizes mess
and helps to protect fixtures.
The Auto-Clean drain cleaner is not recommended for
use with toilets.
Specifications
Motor Type...................Universal
Machine Rating............ Double Insulated
120VAC single phase
1.1 amp, 60Hz
120V
˜
1,1 A, 60Hz
Power Switch...............ON/OFF/Momentary Reverse
Operating Speed..........450 RPM
Drain Line Capacity.....3/4" – 11/2"
Weight .............................11 lbs.
Cable................................1/4" x 30' MAXCORE™ 50
Catalogue No. 34893
The Auto-Clean drain cleaner is protected under various
U.S. and International patents and applications, including
6,412,136, 7,478,451, D509,929 and D570,558.
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 cleaner can damage the drain
cleaner and the drain. This machine may not clear all
blockages.
are plugged into a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
(GFCI) found in circuit boxes or outlet receptacles. The GFCI on the machine power cord will not
prevent electrical shock from the extension cords.
• Keep all electric connections dry and off the
ground. Do not touch plugs or tool with wet hands.
Reduces the risk of electrical shock.
• Wear leather work gloves. Never grasp the rotating
cable with anything else, including cloth gloves or
a rag. They can become wrapped around the cable,
causing hand injuries. Only wear latex or rubber gloves
under
leather work gloves. Do not use damaged gloves.
• Do not allow the end of cable to stop turning while
the machine is running. This can overstress the
cable and may cause twisting, kinking or breaking of
the cable.
• Position machine so that the AUTOFEED is within
6" (15 cm) of the drain inlet or properly support exposed cable when the distance exceeds 6" (15
cm). Greater distances can cause control problems
leading to twisting, kinking or breaking of the cable.
• One person must control both the cable and the
foot switch. If the cutter stops rotating, the operator
must be able to turn the machine motor off to prevent
twisting, kinking and breaking of the cable.
• Do not operate the machine in REV (reverse) rota-
tion except as described in this manual. Operating
in reverse can result in cable damage and is used to
back the tool out of blockages.
• 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.
• Always use appropriate personal protective equip-
ment while handling and using drain cleaning
equipment. Drains may contain chemicals, bacteria and
other substances that may be toxic, infectious, cause
burns or other issues. Appropriate personal protective
equipment always includes safety glasses and
leather work gloves in good condition, and may in-
clude equipment such as latex or rubber gloves, face
shields, goggles, protective clothing, respirators and
steel toed footwear.
• Practice good hygiene. Use hot, soapy water to
wash hands and other body parts exposed to drain
contents after handling or using drain cleaning equipment. Do not eat or smoke while operating or handling
drain cleaning equipment. This will help prevent contamination with toxic or infectious material.
• Do not operate this machine if operator or ma-
NOTICE
Page 7
Figure 1 – Auto-Clean Drain Cleaner
Machine Assembly
WARNING
To reduce the risk of serious injury during use, follow these procedures for proper assembly.
Instructions For Attaching AUTOFEED
Assembly
1. Put the tip of the cable into the guide hose
(Figure 2)
and feed it through the hose to the AUTOFEED
®
assembly.
2. The bulb head auger will not fit through the AUTOFEED®assembly. Pull up on both the ADVANCE
and RETRIEVE levers and then feed the cable
through the AUTOFEED®.
(Figure 3)
Figure 2 – Feeding Cable into Guide Hose
Figure 3 – Feeding Cable Through AUTOFEED
®
Assembly
3. Release the ADVANCE and RETRIEVE levers.
4. Attach the guide hose to the machine by pushing
the hose over the nose of the drum cover.
(Figure 4)
Figure 4 – Attaching Guide Hose to Machine
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 cleaner damage.
Always wear safety glasses, leather work gloves,
and other appropriate protective equipment when
inspecting your drain cleaner. For extra protection
from chemicals and bacteria on the equipment,
wear latex, rubber or other liquid barrier gloves
under the leather work gloves.
1. Inspect the leather work gloves. Make sure they are
in good condition with no holes, tears or loose sections that could be caught in the rotating cable. It is
important not to wear improper or damaged gloves.
The gloves protect hands from the rotating cable
and drain contents. If the gloves are not leather work
gloves or are damaged or worn out, do not use machine until proper gloves are available.
2. Make sure that the drain cleaning machine is unplugged and the ON/OFF/REV switch set to OFF.
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
5
Auto-Clean™ Drain Cleaning Machine
ON/OFF/REV
Switch
GFCI
Foot Switch
AUTOFEED
®
Guide Hose
Cable
Page 8
6
shock, do not use the machine until the cord has
been replaced by a qualified repair person.
3. Clean any oil, grease or dirt from all equipment handles and controls. This aids inspection and helps
prevent the machine or control from slipping from
your grip. Clean any debris from the cable and drum.
4. Make sure the foot switch is attached to the drain
cleaning machine. Do not operate the machine without the foot switch.
5. Inspect the drain cleaner for the following items:
• Proper assembly and completeness
• Broken, worn, missing, mis-aligned or binding parts
• Smooth and free movement of the ADVANCE and
RETRIEVE levers.
• Presence and readability of the warning label
(see
Figure 5).
If any problems are found, do not use the drain
cleaner until the problems have been repaired.
Figure 5 – Warning Label
6. Inspect cable for wear and damage – Look for
• Obvious flats worn into the outside of the cable
(cable is made from round wire and profile should be
round).
• Multiple or excessively large kinks (slight kinks up to
15 degrees can be straightened).
• Space between the coils indicating the cable has
been deformed by stretching, kinking or running in
REVERSE.
• Excessive corrosion from storing wet or exposure to
drain chemicals.
All of these forms of wear and damage weaken the
cable and make cable twisting, kinking or breaking
more likely during use. Replace worn and damaged
cable before using drain cleaner.
Make sure cable is fully retracted with no more than 2"
of cable outside of AUTOFEED. This will prevent
whipping at start up.
Auto-Clean™ Drain Cleaning Machine
7. Make sure that the FOR/OFF/REV switch is set to the
OFF position.
8. With dry hands, plug cord into properly grounded
outlet. Test the GFCI provided in the electrical cord to
insure that it is operating correctly. When the test
button is pushed in, the reset button should pop out.
Reactivate by pushing the reset button in. If GFCI is
not functioning properly, unplug the cord and do not
use the drain cleaning machine until the GFCI has
been repaired.
9. Move the ON/OFF/REV switch into the ON position.
Do not push feed levers. Press the foot switch and
note the direction of rotation of the cable. If the foot
switch does not control the machine operation, do not
use the machine until the foot switch has been repaired. The cable should rotate counter-clockwise
when viewed from the front. Release the foot switch
and let the cable come to a complete stop. Hold the
ON/OFF/REV switch in the REV position, and repeat above testing to confirm that the drain cleaner
operates properly in reverse. If the rotation is not
correct, do not use the machine until it has been repaired.
10. With the inspection complete, move the ON/OFF/REV
switch to the OFF position, and with dry hands, unplug
the machine.
Machine and Work Area Set-Up
WARNING
Set up the drain cleaning machine and work area
according to these procedures to reduce the risk of
injury from electric shock, twisted or broken cables,
chemical burns, infections and other causes, and
prevent drain cleaner damage.
Always wear safety glasses, leather work gloves,
and other appropriate protective equipment when
setting up your drain cleaner. For extra protection
from chemicals and bacteria on the machine and in
the work area, wear latex, rubber or other liquid barrier gloves
under
the leather gloves.
Rubber soled, non-slip shoes can help prevent slipping and electric shock, especially on wet surfaces.
1. Check work area for:
• Adequate lighting.
Warning Label
Page 9
7. Position the drain cleaning machine so it sits squarely
and firmly on the rubber feet provided. The end of the
AUTOFEED must be within 6" (15 cm) of the drain
opening. The guide hose should not be pulled tight or
kinked to reach this position. Greater distances from the
drain access increase the risk of the cable twisting or
kinking.
8. If the machine cannot be placed close enough to the
drain opening, extend the drain access back to within
6" from the AUTOFEED with similar sized pipe and fittings. Improper cable support can allow the cable to
twist and kink and can damage the cable or injure the
operator.
See Figure 10.
Figure 10 – Example of Extending Drain to Within 6" (15 cm)
of AUTOFEED.
7
• Flammable liquids, vapors or dust that may ignite. If
present, do not work in area until sources have
been identified and corrected. The drain cleaner
is not explosion proof and can cause sparks.
• Clear, level, stable dry place for machine and operator. Do not use the machine while standing in water. If needed, remove the water from the work area.
• Properly grounded electrical outlet. A three-prong or
GFCI outlet may not be properly grounded. If in
doubt, have outlet inspected by a licensed electrician.
• Clear path to electrical outlet that does not contain any potential sources of damage for the power
cord.
2. Inspect the drain to be cleaned. If possible, determine the access point(s) to the drain, the size(s) and
length(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.
3. Determine the correct drain cleaning equipment for the
application. The Auto-Clean drain cleaner is made for:
• Up to 1
1
/2" lines up to 25' long with 1/4" cable.
• The Auto-Clean drain cleaner is not recommended
for use with toilets.
• Drain cleaners for other applications can be found
by consulting the RIDGID Catalog
4. Make sure machine has been properly inspected.
5. If needed, place protective covers in the work area.
6. If needed, take appropriate steps to access the drain
to be cleaned.
• For many drains, the cable can be threaded through
the cross hairs in the drain
(See Figure 6).
• For a sink with a pop up drain plug: Remove lift rod
and drain plug
(See Figure 7)
. Be sure to place a
container under the clean out or trap to catch any
water that may come out.
• For other sinks a clean out plug or trap may need to
be removed
(See Figure 8.)
Be sure to place a
container under the clean out or trap to catch any
water that may come out.
• For bathtubs, never try to go through the drain, this
will damage the cable. Remove the overflow plate
and any mechanism to access the drain
(See Fi-
gure 9)
.
Auto-Clean™ Drain Cleaning Machine
Drain plug
Pivot Nut
Lift Rod
Set
Screw
Figure 6
Figure 8
Figure 7
Cross
Hairs
Clean-out
Plug
Figure 9
Extension
Page 10
8
9. Evaluate the work area and determine if any barriers
are needed to keep bystanders away from the drain
cleaner and work area. Bystanders can distract the operator.
10. Position the foot switch for easy accessibility. You
must be able to hold and control the AUTOFEED
and guide hose, control the foot switch, and reach the
ON/OFF/REV switch.
11. Confirm that the ON/OFF/REV switch is in the OFF
position.
12. Run the cord along a clear path. With dry hands plug
the drain cleaner into a properly grounded outlet.
Keep all connections dry and off the ground. If the
power cord is not long enough, use an extension
cord that:
• Is in good condition.
• 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
).
• Has sufficient wire size (16 AWG for 100' or less).
Undersized wires can overheat, melting the insulation or causing a fire or other damage.
When using an extension 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.
Operating Instructions
WARNING
Always wear eye protection to protect your eyes
against dirt and other foreign objects.
Always wear leather work gloves in good condition. Never grasp the rotating cable with anything
else, including a rag. They can become wrapped
around the cable, causing serious injury.
When cleaning drains that might contain hazardous
chemicals or bacteria, wear appropriate protective
equipment, such as goggles, face shields or respirators, to prevent burns and infections. For extra
protection from chemicals and bacteria on the machine and in the work area, wear latex, rubber or
other liquid barrier gloves
under
the leather work
gloves. Rubber soled, non-slip shoes can help prevent slipping and electric shock, especially on wet
surfaces.
Follow operating instructions to reduce the risk of
injury from twisted or broken cables, 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. Wearing leather work gloves in good condition, pull
cable out of machine and feed into drain. Push cable
as far into drain as it will go. At least one foot of
cable must be in drain so that the end of the cable will
not come out of the drain and whip around when
you start the machine.
3. Assume a proper operating position.
• Be sure you can control the ON/OFF action of the
foot switch and can quickly release the foot switch
if needed. Do not step on foot switch yet.
• Be sure that you have good balance, do not have to
over reach, and cannot fall.
• You must be able to control and support the guide
hose and AUTOFEED as the cable feeds into the
drain and blockage.
• You must be able to reach the ON/OFF/REV switch.
This operating position will help to maintain control of
the cable and machine.
See Figure 11.
Figure 11 – Using Machine With AUTOFEED
4. Move the ON/OFF/REV switch to the ON position. Do
not depress the foot switch yet. Do not rotate the
cable in reverse except as specifically described in
these instructions. Running the drain cleaner in REV
can damage the cable.
Auto-Clean™ Drain Cleaning Machine
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Page 11
9
Grasp the AUTOFEED with one hand and hold it so
that the end of the AUTOFEED is within 6" (15 cm) of
the drain opening.
See Figure 11.
The guide hose
helps to protect the fixture from damage and contain the liquid thrown off the cable as it is retrieved
from the drain. If the AUTOFEED is not kept within 6"
(15 cm) of the drain opening, the cable will not be
properly supported and may allow the cable to twist,
kink or break.
Pay attention to how the guide hose feels in your
hand. Because the guide hose is over the cable,
there is less sensitivity to the loading of the cable, and
it can be hard to tell if the cable end is rotating or not.
If the cable end is not rotating, the drain is not being
cleaned.
Figure 12 – Advance/Retract Feed Lever
Starting The Cable In The Drain
Confirm at least one foot of cable is in drain and end of
AUTOFEED is less than 6" (15 cm) from Drain opening.
Press on the foot switch to start the machine. To advance
the cable into the drain, depress the ADVANCE feed
lever
(Figure 12 and 13)
. The rotating cable will work its
way into the drain. The person controlling the cable
and the AUTOFEED must also control the foot
switch. Do not operate the drain cleaner with one
person controlling the cable and AUTOFEED and
another person controlling the foot switch. This can
lead to kinking, twisting and breaking of the cable.
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/guide
hose, 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/guide hose. Only do this long enough to
get the cable started through the trap. Running the
drain cleaner in reverse can damage the cable. With
the cable rotating in REV, the ADVANCE feed lever retrieves the cable and the RETRIEVE feed lever
advances the cable.
Auto-Clean™ Drain Cleaning Machine
• Finally, if none of these options work, consider using a
smaller diameter or more flexible cable, or a different
drain cleaner.
Figure 13A – AUTOFEED in Advance Position
Figure 13B – AUTOFEED in Retrieve Position
Cleaning The Drain
Always keep one hand on the guide hose. As you feed the
cable into the drain, you may feel and see the cable slow
down and feel the guide hose start to load or wind up (this
will feel like the guide hose is starting to twist or squirm).
This may be a transition in the drain line (trap, elbow, etc.)
build up in the drain (grease, etc.), or the actual blockage.
Feed the cable slowly and carefully. Do not let cable
build up outside drain. This can cause the cable to twist,
kink or break. Keep end of AUTOFEED within 6" (15
cm) of drain opening.
Pay attention to the amount of cable that has been fed into
the drain. Feeding cable into a larger drain line or similar
transition may cause the cable to kink or knot and prevent
removal from the drain. Minimize the amount of cable fed
into the transition to prevent problems.
Working The Blockage
If the end of the cable stops turning, it is no longer cleaning the drain. If the cable end becomes lodged in the
blockage and power is maintained to the drain cleaner, the
cable will start to wind up (this may feel like the guide hose
is starting to twist or squirm) or buildup outside the drain.
Having a hand on the guide hose can allow you to feel this
Advance Feed
Lever
Cable
Retrieve Feed
Lever
Guide
Hose
Retrieve
Advance
Page 12
10
Auto-Clean™ Drain Cleaning Machine
wind up and control the cable. As you feel the cable
wind up or if the cable end stops turning, immediately release the advance feed and depress the retrieve feed
lever to free the cable end from the blockage. Don’t keep
the cable rotating if the cable end is stuck in a blockage.
If the cable end stops turning and the drum keeps rotating,
the cable can twist, kink or break.
Once the cable end is free of the blockage and the cable
end is turning again, you can slowly feed the rotating
cable end back into the blockage. Let the spinning cable
end “dwell” in the blockage to help completely break it up.
Do not try to force the cable end through the blockage.
Work the cable end in this manner until it has moved completely past the blockage (or blockages), and the drain is
flowing.
While working the blockage, the cable end may become
clogged with debris and cuttings from the blockage. This
can prevent further progress. The cable needs to be retrieved from the drain and the debris removed.
See
section on “Retrieving the Cable”.
If the cable end continues to get hung up in the blockage,
a different drain cleaner may need to be used.
Handling A Stuck Tool
If the cable end stops turning and the cable cannot be
pulled back from the blockage, release the foot switch,
maintain a firm grip on the AUTOFEED and guide hose
and release the feed lever. Do not remove your hand
from guide hose or the cable may kink, twist and
break. The motor will stop and the cable and drum will turn
backwards until the energy stored in the cable is relieved.
Do not remove hand from the AUTOFEED and guide
hose until the tension is released. Place ON/OFF/REV
switch in the OFF position.
Freeing A Stuck Tool
If the tool is stuck in the blockage, hold the ON/OFF/REV
switch in the REV position. With both AUTOFEED levers
released press the foot switch for several seconds until it
is free of the blockage. Do not operate the machine in the
REV position any longer than required to free the cable
end from the blockage or cable damage can occur. Place
the ON/OFF/REV switch in the ON position and continue cleaning the drain.
Retrieving The Cable
Once the drain is open, if possible start a flow of water
down the drain to flush the debris out of the line. 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.
With water flowing through the drain, retrieve the cable
from the line by depressing the retrieve feed lever. The
ON/OFF/REV switch should be in the ON position – do
not retrieve the cable with the ON/OFF/REV in the REV
position, this can damage the cable. As with feeding the
cable into the drain, keep hands firmly on the AUTOFEED and guide hose for control. The cable end can
become caught while being retrieved. The flow of water
down the line will help to clean the cable as it is retrieved. Continue retrieving the cable until the tool is just
inside the drain opening. Release the feed lever and release the foot switch, allowing the cable to come to a
complete stop. Do not pull the end of the cable from the
drain while the cable is rotating. The tool can whip
around and could cause serious injury.
Place the ON/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, continue cleaning following the above process.
Several passes through a line are recommended for
complete cleaning.
Maintenance Instructions
WARNING
ON/OFF/REV switch should be OFF and machine unplugged before performing any maintenance.
Always wear safety glasses and leather work gloves
when performing any maintenance.
Cables
Cables should be thoroughly flushed with water after
every use to prevent damaging effects of sediment and
drain cleaning compounds. Flush cable with water and
drain debris from drum by tipping machine forward after
every use to remove sediment, etc. which can corrode
cable.
AUTOFEED
After each use, hose out AUTOFEED assembly with
water and lubricate with lightweight machine oil.
Cleaning
The machine should be cleaned as needed with hot,
soapy water and/or disinfectants. Do not allow water to
enter motor or other electrical components. Make sure
unit is completely dry before plugging in and using.
Replacing the Cable
1. Remove the guide hose by pulling it off of the nose of
the machine. Pull up on the AUTOFEED levers so that
the end of the cable can fit through the AUTOFEED
and pull the cable through the guide hose. Push remaining cable back into the drum until just the tip of the
cable is left outside of the nose of the machine.
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11
Auto-Clean™ Drain Cleaning Machine
2. Loosen the three screws surrounding the outer drum
housing. (The screws do not need to be completely
removed). Remove the drum cover.
3. Pull the entire drum out of the machine.
4. Flip the drum over and remove the three outer-most
screws from the drum.
(Figure 14)
5. Pull out the inner drum and disconnect the cable.
Push the end back into the drum.
6. Face the drum towards the floor. Starting with the
auger end of the cable, pull the cable out completely
through the front of the drum.
Figure 14 – Removing Screws From Drum
7. Feed the end of the new cable back through the
nose of the outer drum and then attach it to the inner
drum
(Figure 15)
. Use the illustration on the inner
drum as a guide for which direction to start the cable.
Figure 15 – Attaching Cable To Inner Drum
8. Replace inner drum back in outer drum. Put the section of the inner drum with the cable attached into the
outer drum first. Push the rest of the inner drum into
place. Line up the three screw holes and replace
the screws.
9. Flip the drum over and manually feed the cable back
into the drum.
(Figure 16)
Figure 16 – Feeding Cable Into Drum
10. Place the machine on its end and place the drum
back on the machine
(Figure 17)
. Spin the drum until
it falls into place.
Figure 17 – Inserting Drum Into Machine
Clutch Retention Screw
Clutch Adjustment
Screw
Inner Drum
Page 14
12
Auto-Clean™ Drain Cleaning Machine
11. Replace the drum cover by lining up the holes over
the screws. Then fasten screws.
12. Reattach the guide hose as shown in
Assembly
Section
.
Clutch Adjustment
Machine is equipped with a slip clutch to limit machine
movement during starting. The slip clutch may need adjusting after extended use. If the machine lacks power or
does not reach full speed quickly the clutch will need adjustment.
1. Remove drum from machine.
(See “Replacing The
Cable”).
2. Flip the drum over and remove the three clutch retention screws holding the clutch assembly in place.
3. Hold the nuts on the back of the clutch assembly
while tightening the two clutch adjustment screws to
5 to 6 in.-lbs. Do not over tighten.
(See Figure 14).
4. Replace the clutch retention screws holding the clutch
to the drum.
5. Install the drum in the machine.
Accessories
WARNING
The following RIDGID products have been designed
to function with the Auto-Clean Drain Cleaning
Machine. Other accessories suitable for use with
other tools may become hazardous when used on
the Auto-Clean drain cleaner. To prevent serious injury, use only the accessories specifically designed
and recommended for use with the Auto-Clean drain
cleaner, such as those listed below.
Machine Storage
The drain cleaner and cables must be
kept indoors or well covered in rainy weather. Store the
machine in a locked area that is out of reach of children
and people unfamiliar with drain cleaners. This machine
can cause serious injury in the hands of untrained users.
Service and Repair
WARNING
Improper service or repair can make machine unsafe to operate.
Disposal
Parts of the Auto-Clean drain cleaner 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
2002/96/EC for Waste Electrical and
Electronic Equipment and its implementation into national legislation, electrical equipment that is
no longer usable must be collected separately and disposed of in an environmentally correct manner.
Catalog Model
No. No. Description
41937 — RIDGID Drain Cleaning
Gloves, Leather
70032 — RIDGID Drain Cleaning
Gloves, PVC
34893 — 1/4" x 30' MAXCORE™ 50 Cable
WARNING
The “Maintenance Instructions” will take care of most of
the service needs of this machine.
Page 15
13
Auto-Clean™ Drain Cleaning Machine
Cable kinking or breaking.
Cable stops rotating while
foot switch is depressed.
Restarts when foot switch
is re-depressed.
Cable turns in one direction but not the other.
Ground Fault Circuit
Interrupter (GFCI) trips
when machine is plugged
in or when foot pedal is
depressed.
AUTOFEED doesn’t work.
Machine wobbles or
moves while cleaning
drain.
Cable is being forced.
Cable used in incorrect pipe diameter.
Motor switched to reverse.
Cable exposed to acid.
Cable worn out.
Cable not properly supported.
Hole in foot switch or hose.
Hole in diaphragm switch.
Faulty reverse switch.
Damaged power cord.
Short circuit in motor.
Faulty GFCI.
Moisture in motor, switch box or on plug.
AUTOFEED full of debris.
AUTOFEED needs lubrication.
Cable not evenly distributed.
Bumpers are not on ground.
Ground not level.
Do Not Force Cable! Let the cutter do the work.
Use correct cable/equipment.
Use reverse only if cable gets caught in pipe.
Clean cables routinely.
If cable is worn, replace it.
Support cable properly, see instructions.
Replace damaged component.
If no problem found with pedal or hose, replace
diaphragm switch.
Replace switch.
Replace cord set.
Take motor to authorized service center.
Replace cord set that includes a GFCI.
Take drain cleaner to an Authorized Service Center.
Clean AUTOFEED.
Lubricate AUTOFEED.
Pull all cable out and refeed in, evenly distribute.
Place on level, stable surface.
Place on level, stable surface.
PROBLEM POSSIBLE REASONS SOLUTION
Chart 1 Troubleshooting
Test Equipment Depot - 800.517.8431 - 99 Washington Street Melrose, MA 02176
TestEquipmentDepot.com
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