RIDGID K9-12 FlexShaft Drain Cleaning Machine User Manual

: June 3, 2024
: RIDGID

RIDGID K9-12 FlexShaft Drain Cleaning Machine

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.

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 understand-ing 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 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

General Safety Rules

WARNING
Read and understand all warnings and instructions. Failure to follow all warnings and instructions may result in electric shock, fire, and/or serious injury. SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!

Work Area Safety

Keep work area clean and well lit. Cluttered or dark areas invite accidents.
Do not operate tools in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases, or dust. Tools create sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes.
Keep children and by-standers away while operating tools. Distractions can cause you to lose control.
Keep floors dry and free of slippery materials such as oil. Slippery floors invite accidents.

Personal Safety

Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating tools. Do not use tools while you are tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or medication. A moment of inattention while operating 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.
Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. Proper footing and balance enables better control of the tool in unexpected situations

Tool Use and Care

Do not force tool. Use the correct tool for your application. The correct tool will do the job better and safer at the rate for which it is designed. Store idle tools out of the reach of children and do not allow persons unfamiliar with the tool or these instructions to operate the tool. Tools can be dangerous in the hands of untrained users.
Maintain tools. Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts, breakage of parts and any other condition that may affect the tool’s operation. If damaged, have the tool repaired before use. Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained tools.
Keep handles dry, clean and free from oil and grease. Allows for better control of the tool.
Do not force tool. Use the correct tool for your application. The correct tool will do the job better and safer at the rate for which it is designed.
Store idle tools out of the reach of children and do not allow persons unfamiliar with the tool or these instructions to operate the tool. Tools can be dangerous in the hands of untrained users.
Maintain tools. Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts, breakage of parts and any other condition that may affect the tool’s operation. If damaged, have the tool repaired before use. Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained tools.
Keep handles dry, clean and free from oil and grease. Allows for better control of the tool.

Service
Have your tool serviced by a qualified repair person using only identical replacement parts. This will ensure that the safety of the 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 FlexShaft® Drain Cleaning Machine to reduce the risk of electrical shock or other serious injury. SAVE ALL WARNINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE! Keep this manual with machine for use by the operator.

FlexShaft Drain Cleaning Machine Safety

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 use with a corded drill. Opera-ting with a corded drill increases the risk of electrical shock and other injuries.
Do not allow the chain knocker/end of cable to stop turning while drill switch is depressed. This can over-stress the cable and may cause twisting, kinking or breaking of the cable assembly and may result in 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 ma-terial.
Only use the FlexShaft Drain Clean- ing Machine for 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 hand on the cable assembly whenever the FlexShaft Machine is run-ning. 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 3′ (1 m) of the drain inlet or properly support exposed cable assembly when the distance exceeds 3′ (1 m). Greater distances can cause control problems lead-ing 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 cordless drill. Do not lock drill switch in the ON position during operation. If the cable stops rotat-ing, the operator must be able to release the drill switch to prevent twisting, kinking and breaking of the cable and reduce the risk of injury.
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 in-creases 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 cutter 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, the battery drill instructions and the instructions for any other equip-ment used with this tool before oper-ating. Failure to follow all instructions may result in property damage and/or serious injury.

RIDGID Contact Information
If you have any question concerning this RIDGID® product:

Contact your local RIDGID distributor.
Visit RIDGID.com to find your local RIDGID contact point.
Contact Ridge Tool Technical Service De part ment at rtctechservices@emerson.com, or in the U.S. and Canada call 800-519-3456.

blockage and clean the walls of the pipe. The K9-12 Drain Cleaning Machine contains an integral clutch that serves as a cable protection system. This system reduces the likelihood of cable damage if the chain knockers become locked or lodged in a blockage. FlexShaft Drain Cleaner is well suited to use with inspection cameras during the drain cleaning process. The FlexShaft Machine is lightweight and compact for ease of trans-port.

RIDGID-K9-12-FlexShaft-Drain-Cleaning-Machine-fig-1

Specifications

Drain Capacity

(Nominal) ……………. 1-1/4″ to 2″ (32 – 50 mm)
Cable Diameter (without Sheath)… .. 1/4″ (6 mm)
Cable Assembly Diameter (with Sheath) ………. 3/8″ (9.5 mm)
Cable Assembly
Length………………… 30′ (9 m)
Rotational Speed …. Maximum 2500 RPM
Drill Attachment …… 5/16″ Hex (8 mm)
Integral Clutch …….. Non-Adjustable
Weight (without drill or knocker) ………….. 7.9 lbs. (3.6 kg)
Dimensions (without drill) ……….. 12″ × 15″ × 4.5″ (305 mm × 381 mm × 114 mm)
Operating Temperature ……….. 20°F to 140°F (-6°C to 60°C)

It is not recommended to clean glass, ce-ramic, porcelain or similar pipe or fixtures with the FlexShaft Drain Cleaners as it may damage the pipe or fixture.

Specifications – Acceptable Battery Powered Drills

Rotational Speed …. 1800 to 2500 RPM
Chuck Size …………. 3/8” (10 mm) or greater
Drill Clutch ………….. Adjustable
Switch Type …………. Momentary Contact
Switch Lock ………… Not equipped

Drill must carry appropriate certification mark for the market (CE mark, c()us mark, etc.) Do not use corded drills, hammer drills or impact drivers. Use of an inappropriate drill increases the risk of equipment damage and personal injury. See Battery Powered Drill Set-up and Operation section.

Standard Equipment
Refer to the RIDGID catalog for details on equipment supplied with specific drain clean-ing machine catalog numbers.

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 main-tained, 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 in-spection 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 prob- lems 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.

Clean the machine, including handles and controls. This aids inspection and helps prevent the machine or control from slipping from your grip. Clean and main-tain the machine per the maintenance instructions.
Inspect the machine for:
Proper assembly and completeness.
Any broken, worn, missing, misaligned or binding parts.
Presence and readability of the warning label (see Figure 2).
Smooth and free movement of the ca-ble assembly in and out of the machine.
Any condition which may prevent safe and normal operation.
If any problems are found, do not use the drain cleaning machine until the problems have been repaired.
Clean any debris from the cable assembly 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 damage 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. Confirm that the chain knocker is properly set up and is secure on the cable.
Inspect the battery powered drill per its instructions. Make sure that the drill is in good operating condition and the switch controls the drill operation. Confirm that the drill meets the requirements in the Specifications section and is properly set for use with the machine.
Inspect and maintain any other equip-ment being used per its instructions to make sure it is functioning properly.

Machine and Work Area Set-up

WARNING
Set up the Drain Cleaning Machine and work area according to these proce- dures 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.

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.
Inspect the drain to be cleaned. If possi- ble, determine the access point(s) to the drain, the size(s), length(s), and materi-al(s) of the drain, distance to mainlines, the nature of the blockage, presence of drain cleaning chemicals or other chemi-cals, 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 area to reduce the risk of 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. Best drain cleaning results will occur if water is flowing during the drain cleaning process to wash away debris. For 11/4″ and 11/2″ sink drains, cut away wall pipes are available to allow this. See Figure 3 for installation. Place a container to catch any drain contents that may spill.
Determine the correct equipment for the application. See Specifications. Drain Cleaning Machines for other applications can be found by consulting the Ridge Tool Catalog, online at RIDGID.com.
Make sure all equipment has been prop-erly inspected.
If needed, place protective covers in the work area. The drain cleaning process can be messy.
Place the Drain Cleaning Machine on the ground in the horizontal use position, see Figure 4. Machine should sit squarely and firmly on the ground. Do not operate with the machine in the vertical position. This will reduce the risk of tipping.
Remove the battery from the drill. Properly set-up the drill. (See Battery Powered Drill Set-up and Operation section.) Se- curely attach the drill chuck to the hex of the input shaft (Figure 4).
Position the Drain Cleaning Machine so that the cable outlet is within 3′ (1 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 3′ (1 m) of the drain access, extend the drain access with sim-ilar 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.
Rotate the cable cap to move the arrow to unlock position and remove the cap (Figure 6). Retrieve chain knocker and cable assembly from the drum. Feed the chain knocker through the cable cap hole and lock the cable cap in original position. (Figure 7).
Pull approximately 4′ (1.2 m) of cable as-sembly out of the machine.
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 4′ (1.2 m) from the chain knocker.
Ensure chain knocker is properly installed (see Installing/Adjusting Chain Knocker).
Insert chain knocker end at least 1′ (0.3 m) into drain.
Evaluate the work area and determine if any barriers are needed to keep bystand-ers away from the drain cleaning machine and work area. The drain cleaning pro-cess can be messy, and bystanders can distract the operator.
Position the machine for easy accessibil-ity. You must be able to hold and control the cable assembly and the drill switch.
With dry hands, insert the battery into the drill.

Battery Powered Drill Set-Up and Operation

See the Specifications section along with this section for information on acceptable battery powered drills for use with the FlexShaft Drain Cleaning Machines. There are many types of battery powered drills available, and not all are appropriate for use with the FlexShaft Drain Cleaning Machines. If there is any question about appropriateness of a drill for this appli-cation, do not use it. Remove the battery from the drill before making any adjustments or attaching to/removing from the drain cleaning machine.

Drill Switch
The drill must be equipped with a momen-tary contact switch without a switch lock. This means that the drill will only turn when the operator is depressing the drill switch. If the drill switch is released, the drill will turn OFF. Set drill rotation to match the arrow on the machine (see Figure 4).

Drill Speed
When using your FlexShaft Drain Cleaning Machine, the required rotational speed range is 1800 – 2500 rpm. Cleaning will be optimized by rotating the chain knockers closer to the 2500 rpm maximum. To do this, know your bat-tery powered drill specifications and settings to optimize operation. Many battery powered drills have multiple speed settings, and typically the highest speed is in the range for operation of the FlexShaft equipment. Do not operate the FlexShaft drain cleaning machine at over 2500 rpm.

Drill Adjustable Clutch Setting
Always use a battery powered drill equipped with a properly set adjustable clutch. The drill should be used only in the “screw driving mode” ( ) for the drill adjustable clutch to work. When the drill adjustable clutch releases, the motor continues to turn but the drill chuck does not. Many times this is accompanied by vibration/noise from the drill. When using the K9-12 FlexShaft Drain Cleaning Machine, always start with the drill adjustable clutch set to approximately 25% of the total clutch adjustment range (example – if the torque adjustment collar on the drill is marked from 1 to 20, the initial setting should be 5).

Battery powered drills are often also equipped with “Drill” ( ) and “Hammer” ( ) modes of operation (Figure 8). In these modes, the adjustable clutch does not work, and these modes should never be used for FlexShaft Drain Cleaning Machine operation.

Operate the drain cleaner per these instruc-tions with the chain knocker in a drain. The K9-12 FlexShaft machine integral clutch should release first before the drill clutch releases. If during operation the drill clutch continuously releases (“clutches out”), before the integral K9-12 FlexShaft Drain Cleaning Machine clutch, then the drill clutch must be adjusted. Release the drill switch and remove the drill from machine. The drill adjustable clutch setting should be increased. The drill clutch can be increased in steps until the drill runs smoothly and no longer releases before the K9-12 FlexShaft machine integral clutch. If the integral FlexShaft machine clutch contin-uously releases, withdraw the cable from the drain. Review the drain cleaner set up and op-eration and confirm everything is correct – an important part of the set up for proper opera-tion is chain knocker selection and adjustment (See Figures 10 & 11). Make any needed changes and continue cleaning drain. If the integral K9-12 Machine Clutch continues to disengage during use, consider using another RIDGID drain cleaning machine.

Installing/Adjusting Chain Knocker

Select proper chain knocker for the conditions. Chain knockers are sized based on collar inside diameter and are designed for spe-cific cable sizes. ¼” chain knockers are used on ¼” cable, etc. Do not use a larger size chain knocker on a smaller cable (for instance 5/16″ on ¼”). See Figure 9 and Collar Distance Chart. Chain knockers without carbide cutting tips can be used in common pipe types. These chain knockers work well in grease and similar blockages. Chain knockers with carbide cutting tips are used for removing scale from the in- side of the pipe and can be used for scale and roots. Carbide cutting tips are used for aggressive cleaning and could dam-age 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. See Figure 10, Attachment Selection Charts.

K9-12 FlexShaft® Drain Cleaning Machine

RIDGID-K9-12-FlexShaft-Drain-Cleaning-Machine-fig-11

| | |
---|---|---|---
Chain Knockers| | | Carbide Tipped| | | Penetrating Head|
| | | Chain Knockers| | Chain Knockers|
| ****

DESCRIPTION

| ****

K9-102 1.5″

| ****

K9-102 2″

| ****

K9-102 1.5″ CARBIDE

| ****

K9-102 2″ CARBIDE

| K9-102 1.5″

PENETRATING HEAD

| K9-102 2”

PENETRATING HEAD

CATALOG NO.

| ****

64293

| ****

64298

| ****

64283

| ****

64288

| ****

66568

| ****

66573

PIPE SIZE

| 1.25″-1.5″

(32 – 40 mm)

| 2″

(50 mm)

| 1.25″-1.5″

(32 – 40 mm)

| 2″

(50 mm)

| 1.25″-1.5″

(32 – 40 mm)

| 2″

(50 mm)

BLOCKAGE PIPE TYPE| ****

COPPER

| | | | | |

GALVANIZED

| | | | | |

CAST IRON

PVC

| | | | | |
| | | | |

ABS

| | | | | |

ORANGEBURG

| | | | | |

CORRUGATED

CLAY

| | | | | |
| | | | |

GREASE

| | | | | |

SOFT BLOCKAGE

| | | | | |

SCALING

| | | | | |

LIGHT ROOTS

WIPES

| | | | | |
| | | | |
| ****

INCLUDED WITH KIT

| | | | | |

All ¼” cable FlexShaft accessories (K9-102) are compatible with the K9-12 FlexShaft Drain Cleaning Machine

Figure 11 shows a schematic of proper chain knocker installation and adjustment. There are two key points when installing/adjusting chain knockers.
Collar 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 var-ies based on cable size and pipe diam-eter, 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.

| Nylon Brush| Ball/Drop Head
---|---|---
| __

DESCRIPTION

| K9-102 NYLON 1.5″| K9-102 NYLON 2″| K9-102 BALL HEAD| K9-102 DROP HEAD
__

CATALOG NO.

| __

68933

| __

68938

| __

71838

| __

71843

__

PIPE SIZE

| 1.5″

(40 mm)

| 2″

(50 mm)

| 1.5″

(40 mm)

| 2″

(50 mm)

APPLICATIONS PIPE TYPE| __

COPPER

| | | |
__

GALVANIZED

| | | |
__

CAST IRON

| | | |
__

PVC

| | | |
__

ABS

| | | |
__

ORANGEBURG

| | | |
__

CORRUGATED

| | | |
__

CLAY

68923

| __

68923

| |

Chain knockers 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.
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.
If needed, cut a section of sheath to use as the collar spacer to the appropriate size (See Collar Distance Chart).
Collar distance can be modified to your preference for the specific pipe /applica-tion. As collar distance increases, the di-ameter of the chains decreases, and vice versa. Improperly set collar distance can reduce the efficiency of pipe cleaning.
Test fit the chain knocker, knocker bushing and collar spacer on the cable as shown in Figure 11. Chains should be straight – do not assemble with chains twisted. To pre-vent 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.
With the chain knocker correctly installed on the cable as shown in Figure 11, use the supplied hex wrench to securely tighten the collar set screws. Place set screw tip against cable, then tighten an additional 1/8 to 1/4 turn (45° to 90° de-grees). If the set screws are not secure, the chain knocker could slip and damage the cable or be lost down the drain.

Installing Brushes
Brushes are available for various uses, such as cleaning the inside of the pipe, centering the chain knocker in the pipe and spreading lining compound. See the specific brush infor-mation for the types of uses it is appropriate Brushes can be assembled in a variety of configurations, with some options shown in Figure 12.

Installation of brushes is similar to the in-stallation of chain knockers. The collar of the brush is placed over the cable and retained by securely tightening the set screws. When at the end of the cable, the cable end is flush with the brush collar. Brush securing rings are available to improve brush retention if set screws loosen in use.
As with chain knockers, minimize the amount of exposed cable (cable not covered by sheath). The more exposed cable there is, the more likely the cable will flip over in use and be damaged. Limit exposed cable to no more than ¼” (6 mm), set with a bushing made from sheath (“Knocker Bushing”).

Installing Penetrating Head
Penetrating heads are available to help create a hole in a blockage to get the drain flowing and allow the chain knocker into an area. See Figure 13 for installation information.

Operating 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 equip-ment 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 use with a corded drill. Operating with a corded drill increases the risk of electrical shock. Do not allow the chain knocker/end of cable to stop turning while drill switch is depressed. This can overstress the cable and may cause twisting, kinking or breaking of the cable assembly and may result in 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.

Keep hand on the cable assembly whenever the FlexShaft Machine is running. This provides better control of the cable and helps prevent twist-ing, kinking and breaking of the cable and reduces the risk of injury. Position the FlexShaft Machine cable outlet within 3′ (1 m) of the drain inlet or properly sup- port exposed cable assembly when the dis-tance exceeds 3′ (1 m). Greater distances can cause control problems leading to twisting, kinking or breaking of the cable. Twisting, kinking or break-ing cable may cause striking or crushing injuries. One person must control both the cable as-sembly and cordless drill. Do not lock drill switch in the ON position during operation. If the cable stops rotating, the operator must be able to re-lease the drill switch 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.

Make sure that machine and work area is properly set-up and that the work area is free of bystanders and other distractions.
Pull cable assembly from the machine 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 as-sembly 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 Do not allow the spinning chain knocker to hit the camera head/push rod. It can damage it.
Assume a proper operating position to help maintain control of the cable assem-bly and drill (see Figure 14):
Be sure you can quickly release the drill switch.
Your gloved hand must be on the cable assembly to control and support as the cable assembly is fed into the drain and blockage.
Be sure that you have good balance, do not have to overreach, and cannot fall on machine, drain, etc..
This operating position will help to main-tain control of the cable assembly and FlexShaft Machine.
Confirm that at least 1′ (0.3 m) of cable assembly is in the drain.
Confirm that the drill directional switch is in the forward direction, and depress and release the drill switch, noting the direction of the drill chuck. Drill rotation should match the arrow on the drum (See Figure 4). Do not rotate the cable in re-verse except as specifically described in these instructions. Running in reverse can damage the FlexShaft cable.
Place one hand on the cable assembly and other hand on the drill grip.
The FlexShaft Drain Cleaning Machine uti-lizes high rotational speed and low torque to clean drains. FlexShaft cable assem-blies 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 when withdraw-ing the cable. It’s important to let the speed of the chain knocker clean the drain – do not force chain knockers into blockages.
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 clean-ing 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 15). Add lu-bricant to the towel as needed during the process. 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.
Rotating the Chain Knocker Generally the chain knocker is rotated for cleaning while withdrawing the cable.

The general operating steps for the FlexShaft Drain Cleaning Machines (see below):

Advance the chain knocker (generally not rotating) to the area of the drain that needs cleaned.
If there is a blockage, pass the chain knocker through the blockage.
If possible, start a flow of water through the drain to carry cuttings and debris away as the drain is cleaned.
Rotate the cable/chain knocker at full speed.
Continue to rotate knocker. Gradually with-draw the cable assembly so that the chain knocker can break up the blockage.
Continue to gradually withdraw the cable assembly while rotating so that the chain knocker can clean the walls of the drain.

Using Machine With Brushes
Using the machine with a brush is similar to use with a chain knocker. Brushes are used for finer cleaning of the pipe; they are not used for blockage removal. Remove block-ages and heavy debris with a chain knocker or other methods first. While chain knockers are most typically rotated while withdrawing the cable from the drain, brushes are typi-cally used while advancing the cable. This is because the brushes typically fill the drain diameter and push debris in front of them. See Figure 17 for general steps.
Step 1

RIDGID-K9-12-FlexShaft-Drain-Cleaning-Machine-fig-19

Advance the brush (generally not rotating) into the drain.
When close to the area of the drain to be cleaned, if possible, start a flow of water through the drain to carry debris away during cleaning.
Rotate the cable/brush at full speed and gradually advance the cable into the drain to clean the walls as desired.

Brushes can also be used in conjunction with chain knockers such as centering devices or for combined cleaning. Usage depends on the exact circumstances and is left to the judgement of the user. Penetrating tip heads can also be used with brushes or chain knockers for additional ac-cessory customization.

Draining the Drum
If the cable is wiped clean as it is pulled from the drain, there should be minimal need to drain the drum. If needed, remove the cable cap and turn the machine over to drain.

Transportation and Storage

WARNING Feed all of cable assembly and chain knocker into the drum and se-cure the cap. Remove the drill from the input shaft. Do not leave the drill attached during transport and storage to prevent tipping and damage to the drain cleaner. The Drain Cleaning Machine must be kept dry and indoors or well covered if kept out-doors. 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.

Maintenance Instructions

WARNING
Drill should be removed from drain cleaner before any maintenance is per- formed. Always wear safety glasses and other appropriate protective equipment when performing any maintenance.

Cleaning
It is good practice to wipe dirt and debris from the cable assembly as it is pulled from the drain to help keep the equipment clean. 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. Drain the ma-chine as needed.

Lubrication
The FlexShaft Drain Cleaning Machines are lubricated for life from the factory

Cable Assembly Replacement

Place the Drain Cleaning Machine in Horizontal use position.
Pull entire cable assembly from housing.
Using a Philips-head screwdriver, remove the fasteners holding the housing together. Remove the top housing (Figure 18)
Remove retention plate fasteners and retention plate (Figure 18).
Remove the detent pin from the cable coupling.
Remove the cable coupling from the in-tegral cable clutch shaft and remove the cable assembly.
Reverse process to assemble. Fully insert the cable into the cable channel. There should be no more than 0.25″ (6 mm) between the end of the sheath and the coupler (See Figure 19).
Securely attach all fasteners. Do not over-tighten.

Troubleshooting

SYMPTOM	POSSIBLE REASON	SOLUTION
Cable kinking or breaking.	Cable assembly is being forced.

Incorrect FlexShaft Machine or chain knocker used for pipe diameter.

Drill being run in reverse.

Cable assembly exposed to acid/ corroded.

Cable/sheath worn out.

Cable assembly not properly supported.

Chain knocker not properly set up/ adjusted.

Improper drill.

| Do no force cable assembly. Follow op- erating instructions.

Use correct FlexShaft Machine or chain knocker for pipe size.

Use reverse only if flex shaft gets caught in pipe.

Clean cable assembly routinely.

Replace worn cable assembly.

Support cable assembly properly, see instructions.

Properly set up/adjust chain knocker,

see instructions.

Choose proper drill, see instructions.

FlexShaft Machine wobbles or moves while cleaning drain.| Ground not le| SYMPTOM| POSSIBLE REASON| SOLUTION
---|---|---
Cable kinking or breaking.| Cable assembly is being forced.

Incorrect FlexShaft Machine or chain knocker used for pipe diameter.

Drill being run in reverse.

Cable assembly exposed to acid/ corroded.

Cable/sheath worn out.

Cable assembly not properly supported.

Chain knocker not properly set up/ adjusted.

Improper drill.

| Do no force cable assembly. Follow op- erating instructions.

Use correct FlexShaft Machine or chain knocker for pipe size.

Use reverse only if flex shaft gets caught in pipe.

Clean cable assembly routinely.

Replace worn cable assembly.

Support cable assembly properly, see instructions.

Properly set up/adjust chain knocker,

see instructions.

Choose proper drill, see instructions.

FlexShaft Machine wobbles or moves while cleaning drain.| Ground not level.| Place on level stable surface.

vel.

Place on level stable surface.

Service and Repair

WARNING
Improper service or repair can make the machine unsafe to operate. The “Maintenance Instructions” will take care of most of the service needs of this machine. Any problems not addressed by this section should only be handled by a RIDGID Autho-rized Independent Service Center. Use only RIDGID service parts. For information on your nearest RIDGID Au- thorized In depen dent Service Center or any service or repair questions see Contact Information section in this manual.

Optional Equipment

WARNING
To reduce the risk of serious injury, only use accessories specifically designed and recommended for use with the RIDGID K9-12 FlexShaft Drain Cleaning Machine, such as those listed.

Catalog No.| ****

Description

---|---
64283| Knocker, 1/4″ cable, 11/2″-2″ pipe, single chain, carbide tip
64293| Knocker, 1/4″ cable, 11/2″-2″ pipe, single chain
64288| Knocker, 1/4″ cable, 2″ pipe, 2 chain, carbide tip
64298| Knocker, 1/4″ cable, 2″ pipe, 2 chain
64338| FlexShaft Lubricant, 8 oz, 12 per case
64343| 1/4″ Assembly, cable, sheath, couplings, 50′
64363| 11/4″ RIDGID Wallpipe Accessory
64368| 11/2″ RIDGID Wallpipe Accessory
71838| Penetrating Ball Head 11/2″
71843| Penetrating Drop Head 2″
68923| Brush Securing Ring for 1/4″ (6mm) cable
68933| 1.5″ (40mm) Nylon Brush for 1/4″ (6mm) cable
68938| 2″ (50mm) Nylon Brush for 1/4″ (6mm) cable
Catalog No.| ****

Description

---|---
64283| Knocker, 1/4″ cable, 11/2″-2″ pipe, single chain, carbide tip
64293| Knocker, 1/4″ cable, 11/2″-2″ pipe, single chain
64288| Knocker, 1/4″ cable, 2″ pipe, 2 chain, carbide tip
64298| Knocker, 1/4″ cable, 2″ pipe, 2 chain
64338| FlexShaft Lubricant, 8 oz, 12 per case
64343| 1/4″ Assembly, cable, sheath, couplings, 50′
64363| 11/4″ RIDGID Wallpipe Accessory
64368| 11/2″ RIDGID Wallpipe Accessory
71838| Penetrating Ball Head 11/2″
71843| Penetrating Drop Head 2″
68923| Brush Securing Ring for 1/4″ (6mm) cable
68933| 1.5″ (40mm) Nylon Brush for 1/4″ (6mm) cable
68938| 2″ (50mm) Nylon Brush for 1/4″ (6mm) cable

For a complete listing of RIDGID equipment avail able for these tools, see the Ridge Tool Cata log online at RIDGID.com or see Contact Information.

Disposal
Parts of these tools contain valuable materi-als and can be recycled. There are compa-nies that specialize in recycling that may be found locally. Dispose of the components in compliance with all applicable regulations. Contact your local waste management au-thority for more information.

MANUFACTURER
RIDGE TOOL COMPANY 400 Clark Street Elyria, Ohio 44035-6001 U.S.A. RTCRegulatory.Compliance@Emerson.com

EC DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

We declare that the machines listed above, when used in accordance with the operator’s manual, meet the relevant requirements of the Directives and Standards listed below.

WARRANTY

What is covered
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 prod-uct 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® products. 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

Full lifetime warranty legal warranty extended to the product lifecyle, see warranty conditions) Parts are available online at Store.RIDGID.com

Ridge Tool Company 400 Clark Street Elyria, Ohio 44035-6001 U.S.A. ©2022 Ridge Tool Company. RIDGID and the Emerson logo are registered trademarks of Emerson Electric Co. or its subsidiaries in the US and other countries. Any other trademarks belong to their respective holders.