TECHNICAL 41
Size according to the job Choosing the proper size of cutter or knocker depends on the diameter of pipe to be cleaned . If you ’ re unsure , ask the manufacturer . They will be able to help when purchasing and have documents to help contractors choose a model according to pipeline inside diameter .
The end goal is obviously to clean wall to wall , but Broccolo says that sometimes it ’ s smart to start with a chain that is smaller than the diameter of the pipe . “ A smaller cutter can help you to navigate through and give yourself an opening for the right size chain afterwards ,” he says . “ You don ’ t want to go too small because it could flip on you , but with some experience you get the feel for when to use that technique .”
Tricks of the trade All three experts agree that with any chain cutter or knocker , it ’ s best to proceed with caution . Knowing the details of the environment and materials you ’ ll be working with is the first step , but even after that , they all mentioned other strategies to make sure their equipment lasts , and the jobs get done .
“ I always tell people to use a nozzle first to actually clean out the line from debris such as sand , silt and rocks before running the cutter through ,” Laimer says . “ Our cutters spin at 4000 rpm ; if they hit rocks in the line , it can severely damage the cutter and the pipe . It is a root cutter , not a rock or concrete cutter .”
Broccolo adds that he uses a camera for visual inspection to help him decide which cutter or knocker he should use or at least which one to start with . Camera visuals can also inform contractors if there are multiple types of blockages in the line such as wipes and roots . In that situation , Broccolo opts for a different style head on his cutter . “ Penetrating heads are nice for when you ’ re going into wipes or a soft blockage ,” he says . “ They provide a little grab to the front so they can grab and twist , allowing the chains to get in there and start spinning wall to wall .”
Lessons learned Experience is always helpful when operating any tool , for any job . Taking a few extra minutes to get things done right the first time will always be more efficient than the time it takes to clean up mistakes . “ I ’ ve heard of people that either break the cable or flip the chains over inside the line and get it stuck ,” Broccolo says . “ Let ’ s say they ’ re using a tool and not using the clutch properly . A lot of times if you have too much exposed cable , it gets a chance to flip over on itself and next thing you know it jams and you end up snapping your cable .”
Breaking a cable and leaving a knocker stuck in a line is usually not a quick , easy fix . “ If you ’ re lucky , you ’ re able to get it out . But if you are in a deep line and you didn ’ t take the time to set it up properly and use it properly and you happen to make that mistake , the next thing you know , you ’ re fixing your machine on site wasting time and money and it ’ s embarrassing in front of your customers ,” Broccolo says . PA
“ Breaking a cable and leaving a knocker stuck in a line is usually not a quick , easy fix .”
August 2022 Volume 28 I Number 6