Why a RIDGID FlexShaft Machine Is Worth Having in Your Van
For a drainage engineer, having the right equipment on your van means being ready to
tackle a wide range of jobs.
High-pressure water jetting remains one of the most effective and versatile methods of clearing and cleaning drains, but a Flexible Shaft machine can take cleaning a step further by mechanically working around the internal pipe wall to remove stubborn build-up and deposits.
That’s where the RIDGID FlexShaft comes in.
Designed to clean the inside of drainage pipework using high-speed chain knockers, Flexible Shaft machines can tackle grease, build-up, soft blockages and light root ingress while providing wall-to-wall cleaning.
If you are looking to expand the range of work you can tackle, Ridgid FlexShaft becomes an essential piece of kit.
What is a RIDGID FlexShaft Machine?
Rather than using high-pressure water, the RIDGID FlexShaft machine uses a flexible cable driven by a cordless drill.
At the end of the cable is a chain knocker. As the cable rotates at high speed, the chains expand against the inside of the pipe, helping to break up deposits and clean around the pipe wall.
The rotating cable itself remains inside a protective nylon sheath and is stored within an enclosed drum, helping to keep the system contained and making it relatively quick to set up and pack away.
Different chain knockers, brushes and accessories can also be fitted depending on the type of pipework and material being removed.
They are for more than simply opening up a blockage
One of the biggest reasons to consider a Ridgid FlexShaft machine is the way it cleans.
Sometimes getting a drain flowing again is only part of the job. Grease, deposits and other material can remain attached to the internal wall of the pipe even after a route through the blockage has been established.
The expanding chain knockers used by the FlexShaft machine are designed to work around the internal circumference of the pipe, providing wall-to-wall cleaning.
This makes the system particularly useful when the objective isn't simply to restore flow, but to clean accumulated material from the pipe itself.
Clean and inspect at the same time
Another major advantage is the ability to use a CCTV drain camera alongside the FlexShaft machine, meaning you can see what is happening inside the pipe while you're cleaning it.
Rather than working blind and inspecting afterwards, you can monitor the condition of the pipe, see where deposits remain and assess the results as you work.
For engineers already carrying CCTV equipment, this can make a FlexShaft machine particularly useful.
Which RIDGID FlexShaft Machine do you need?
RIDGID K9-102+ FlexShaft Drain Cleaning Machine
Designed for 32–50mm (1¼–2") pipework, this machine is particularly suited to smaller drainage lines including sinks, baths, showers and urinals.
It comes with 15.2 metres (50ft) of 6mm FlexShaft cable and is a good choice for engineers who regularly encounter grease, build-up, soft blockages and light root ingress in smaller-diameter pipework.
Its relatively compact size also makes it an easy addition to an already busy van.
The K9-102+ is best suited to:
32–50mm pipework
Sinks, baths, showers and urinals
Smaller internal drainage lines
Grease and general build-up
Soft blockages
Light root ingress
Engineers wanting a compact FlexShaft machine to keep on the van
RIDGID K9-204+ FlexShaft Drain Cleaning Machine
Designed for 50–100mm (2–4") pipework, it has a longer 21.3 metre (70ft) 8mm cable and is suited to larger household drains, laterals and commercial drainage systems.
If most of your work involves traditional drainage runs rather than smaller waste pipes, the K9-204+ is likely to be the more useful machine.
The K9-204+ is best suited to:
50–100mm pipework
Household drainage systems
Laterals
Commercial drainage work
Grease and accumulated deposits
Soft blockages
Light root ingress
Engineers regularly working on larger drainage lines
K9-102+ or K9-204+?
The easiest way to choose between them is to look at the pipe sizes you encounter most often.
If you're regularly working on smaller 32–50mm pipework, the K9-102+ gives you a compact machine specifically designed for those applications.
If your work is predominantly on 50–100mm household and commercial drainage, the larger capacity and additional cable length of the K9-204+ will probably make it the better fit.
For businesses covering a particularly wide range of drainage work, there may even be an argument for carrying both.
Not sure whether the K9-102+ or K9-204+ is right for the work you do? Why not get in touch with us on 01923 270273 or via info@jetterconversions.co.uk and we'll help you choose the right machine.
