Plumber Rick

[Crappy days]

Rick, being that you are the Ridgid Drain machine expert here. If you were going to outfit your truck with Ridgid drain cleaning machines. To lets say clean lines from a 3/4 inch condensate up to a 6 inch sewer main. What machines would you choose? Currently I have all Gorlitz, and after hearing you and others speak about ridgid I’m thinking of switching.

[gear junkie]

I'll let Rick answer for the big stuff but for the 3/4" condensate lines I blow out the line with a nitrogen bottle. Just stick the hose in the end and turn it on. Compressed air works just as well. They also make one shot deals that use co2 cartridges. Pricey but don't take up any room.

If I was a betting man I think Rick would at least mention a K-60. I bought one because of Mark and his recomendations and have not been dissapointed.

[Crappy days]

I also use co2 on condensate lines although occasionally there will be a line that has to be snaked. Such soda dispenser drains that have multiple tye ins.

[PLUMBER RICK]

Rick, being that you are the Ridgid Drain machine expert here. If you were going to outfit your truck with Ridgid drain cleaning machines. To lets say clean lines from a 3/4 inch condensate up to a 6 inch sewer main. What machines would you choose? Currently I have all Gorlitz, and after hearing you and others speak about ridgid I’m thinking of switching.


i know the guys (2 brothers and dad) at gorlitz from all the trade shows and visits. very nice and knowledgeable. personally i don't own their equipment.

as far as ridgid, drain cleaning equipment goes, i own almost all of them. both good and bad:mad:

personally i like the features and upright design of the k-7500 with 3/4'' cable. the enclosed plastic drum allows me to take the machine indoors and stay clean. also as ben mentioned a k-60 with 7/8'' sectional cable has been a real surprise. this machine now gets more use than my 7500. the k-50 is also a work horse. it's 5/8'' sectional has cleared many drains that others have failed at. makes me look like i know what i'm doing:D

and as far as a hand gun goes, you can get the drum adapter to fit the k-50 for 5/16'' and 3/8'' cable. personally i have these adapters, but i tend to use the hand guns like the new k-39 pf with dual direction feed. but you also need a k-39 with a chuck too if you have to run the cable the entire length or the last 5' in the drum.

as far as a 1.25'' sectional, i don't own a k-1500 but i do own the general 88 1.25'' machine. the 7500 will perform almost as good as the 1.25'' sectional. but unless you're into real nasty drain work, you probably don't need to worry about 1.25'' cable for the trucks.

you can possibly eliminate the k-50 if cost or space is an issue. the k-60 does also run k-50, 5/8'' cable. i find that the 5/8'' sectional cable is more flexible than standard 3/8'' cable and will do a great job.

the sectional is much lighter to transport, especially to a roof or up stairs. it also does a great job cleaning as the coils are open and act like an auger. especially on roots with the 7/8'' k-60. also at 7.5' (5/8'')or 15' (7/8'')sections it is real easy to add length to your machine.

since room is not an issue in my truck, i keep 3- k-39's with multiple cables. a k-50 with 90' of cable. a k-60 with 150' of cable and a k7500 with 125' of cable. along with an electric and gas jetter. 3 seesnakes, not to mention all the normal plumbing supplies and 2 propress machines:D and even a generator.

i might as well since i get 6mpg:eek: with or without all the toys.

do all your trucks do serious drain cleaning? you might set 1 up for the serious stuff and others up with the basics.

rick.

p.s there is no real snake to use on 3/4'' pvc with 90's on it. air or a shop vac. work for me.

[westcoastplumber]

Rick, I have a question, I am very curious, why would you carry three of the same machine on the same truck?? Is this because if one breaks, you have the same other machine?

[PLUMBER RICK]

Rick, I have a question, I am very curious, why would you carry three of the same machine on the same truck?? Is this because if one breaks, you have the same other machine?

the k-39 has a few different options. the newer one is the dual feed. it power feeds in and out while still spinning the cable in the same direction.

the k-39 with a locking chuck that will you can grab a stuck cable or feed the cable to very end.

the k-39 with older power feed. it runs forward to go in nad reverse to retrive. this is now a back up machine. along with the 6 others at my shop.

as far as 3 seesnakes. i have the mini in color and black and white. the full size seesnake in color and now the micro and a fiber optic on the truck. the rest of the cameras are at the shop. joey is keeping tabs on her life insurance toys:eek:

you don't need all the toys to get the job done, but you need to have all the toys to get it done when no one else can "getter dun":D

time to ride shotgun one day. we'll have fun, ask adam;)

rick.

[westcoastplumber]

I carry both my see snakes,pipe transmitter, and locator, top snake-1/4", main line-3/4" and k/s-3/8", never ever had a problem completing any job. Thats only drain attention equipment, I of course have so many more "toys" for every other problem. customer service, you show up to the door, you better be able to solve the problem. Of Course, atleast if I run into something I can't handle in the future, if I do, I know who to call;)

[Crappy days]

So far I have every truck set up to clean drains up to 4" . I think I am going to try rigid for at least the mainline machines. The Gorlitz works great and has plenty of torque although they are heavy and difficult to get onto the roof. Not to mention going up and down stairs is a pain, I always have to be very careful not to damage cement steps. Right now I have three machines on each truck the go 15 , go 50 and go 62 plus a couple of hand snakes.

[DuckButter]

I'll let Rick answer for the big stuff but for the 3/4" condensate lines I blow out the line with a nitrogen bottle. Just stick the hose in the end and turn it on. Compressed air works just as well. They also make one shot deals that use co2 cartridges. Pricey but don't take up any room.

If I was a betting man I think Rick would at least mention a K-60. I bought one because of Mark and his recomendations and have not been dissapointed.

Whatever ya do....be VERY careful using those on older drains...seen it blow a trip waste apart when a homeowner got the idea to use one.

[freddy]

I think you could do well with the ridgid k-60 machine with 7/8 " cable for 2" up to 4" and 5/8" for 1-1/2" up to 2" Any thing above that the ridgid 1500 machine works well from 3" to 8" Small jobs like tubs or lav's hand held units with the bells you like. I only carry the 1500 machine when I know I will be useing it. So the k-60 will get your stoppage open most of the time. and you may have to sell some camera time to really see if they need sections repaired . I don't think you would be disapointed with the k-60 machine.:)

[Crappy days]

I think I will start with the k 60 and see how I like it. I Like the idea of easily being able to carry the machine up and down a ladder. Thanks to all, for the input.

[westcoastplumber]

Let me know your opinion once you start using it, I too might purchase the k-60.

[PLUMBER RICK]

Let me know your opinion once you start using it, I too might purchase the k-60.

what, you don't believe mark, ben or myself:rolleyes:

tell you what, if you buy it and don't like it, i'll buy it from you;)

that offer only goes to you robert, not everyone;)

rick.

now when you do like it, you owe me one:D

Robert, I will just rent you one of Rick's. He won't even know one is missing:eek:
Joey

i will know now:D

rick.

[westcoastplumber]

what, you don't believe mark, ben or myself:rolleyes:

tell you what, if you buy it and don't like it, i'll buy it from you;)

that offer only goes to you robert, not everyone;)

rick.

now when you do like it, you owe me one:D

Robert, I will just rent you one of Rick's. He won't even know one is missing:eek:
Joey

i will know now:D

rick.

carefull, I might take you up on that offer. You know how it is, it's hard to teach a dog new tricks. :D:D:D

[Josh]

Rick, Doesnt the new K-39 AF have a chuck and a reverse switch? I can't find one here in the product managers office but I believe that it should be the do-all of the k-39 line.

Josh

the k-39 has a few different options. the newer one is the dual feed. it power feeds in and out while still spinning the cable in the same direction.

the k-39 with a locking chuck that will you can grab a stuck cable or feed the cable to very end.

the k-39 with older power feed. it runs forward to go in nad reverse to retrive. this is now a back up machine. along with the 6 others at my shop.

as far as 3 seesnakes. i have the mini in color and black and white. the full size seesnake in color and now the micro and a fiber optic on the truck. the rest of the cameras are at the shop. joey is keeping tabs on her life insurance toys:eek:

you don't need all the toys to get the job done, but you need to have all the toys to get it done when no one else can "getter dun":D

time to ride shotgun one day. we'll have fun, ask adam;)

rick.

[ToUtahNow]

Okay here is my take on the different machines. Most of the guys who worked for me had never touched a sectional machine prior to working for me. On each truck I would try to keep a drum machine with the following, 1-100' of 3/4", 1- 80' of 3/4" and 1-100' of 1/2". Then in the Ridgid stuff I would keep a K-50 with both canisters and 200' of 5/8" and a K-60 with 200' of 7/8. In the shop I kept a KM-1500 and a K-500 plus all of the 1 1/4" stuff.

Most of the guys would slowly switch over to the sectional stuff when the found how often it saved their butt but they still liked the drum stuff when time was a factor. If I only could have one machine on the truck it would be the K-50 and I would have to pass on mains with roots.

Mark

[PLUMBER RICK]

Rick, Doesnt the new K-39 AF have a chuck and a reverse switch? I can't find one here in the product managers office but I believe that it should be the do-all of the k-39 line.

Josh


josh, the k-39 af has a reverse switch, but unlike the older power feed unit, reverse doesn't have to be used unless you get stuck:eek: with it dual feed levers, it retrieves the cable while still rotating in a forward direction. sort of like how the big drum units work.

as far as a chuck goes. the chuck i'm referring to is an actual chuck similar to a keyless drill chuck. the slide chuck that the standard k-39 and k-39pf is junk:eek: it doesn't really grip the cable and it doesn't allow you to run the cable to the end. that's why i carry both machines and a spare.

rick.

[Josh]

Ahhh.. I see said the blind man. Ok... Just wondering. I dont have the practical use background. I have only cleaned 2 drains with it ;)

Makes perfect sense to me.

Later,

Josh

[westcoastplumber]

I think my biggest thing is that the k60 is sectional, I am not used to that, I have always used a drum machine, is it hard to get used to?, or will I get it right away?? I would clear up alot of room in my van if I used the k60 rather then my drum type m/l. Like I said, teaching a old dog new tricks, once we are in habit of using something, I especially, find it hard to change, but, I am always up for a space saver.

[gear junkie]

I think my biggest thing is that the k60 is sectional, I am not used to that, I have always used a drum machine, is it hard to get used to?, or will I get it right away?? I would clear up alot of room in my van if I used the k60 rather then my drum type m/l. Like I said, teaching a old dog new tricks, once we are in habit of using something, I especially, find it hard to change, but, I am always up for a space saver.

There is a learning curve so don't get fustrated. I noticed that my setup time is longer but my overall time is shorter. I havent needed to run my snake longer than 15 min. Keep in mind that my longest run was 95 ft. I also have a k-3800 w/ 2 drums. The k60 takes up less space than that. 2 pieces of cardboard are very useful in case of overspray. Because it is modular, you can stash the pieces where ever you have room. Never used the k-7500 but have used the spartan 1065. K-60 won't replace it but will do 95% of what a big machine will do. As a sole proprieter something to think about; damage a drum cable, you buy a new cable(300-500), damage a sectional cable; you spend around 30-$50 to fix a section.

[westcoastplumber]

Thanks Ben for the info. I get a very long life out of my cables, I clean them often with cable oil and wipe my machine down regularly. I will invest in the k60, I belive that overall it will save me time, money and space.

[PLUMBER RICK]

There is a learning curve so don't get fustrated. I noticed that my setup time is longer but my overall time is shorter. I havent needed to run my snake longer than 15 min. Keep in mind that my longest run was 95 ft. I also have a k-3800 w/ 2 drums. The k60 takes up less space than that. 2 pieces of cardboard are very useful in case of overspray. Because it is modular, you can stash the pieces where ever you have room. Never used the k-7500 but have used the spartan 1065. K-60 won't replace it but will do 95% of what a big machine will do. As a sole proprieter something to think about; damage a drum cable, you buy a new cable(300-500), damage a sectional cable; you spend around 30-$50 to fix a section.

ben 100% correct. but the k-60 will do stuff that the -k7500 or spartan 1065 can't. i find that the k60 does a great job on root infested junk styrene pipe that other cables are too stiff to negotiate the tight non directional fittings.

the 60 will do all but the real nasty 6'' mains from the lateral to the saddle. still need a 7500 in the truck, but it is not used anywhere as much as it use to.

rick.

[westcoastplumber]

I was reading back on prior post and am curious about the mess that the k-60 will make. rick, I take it that this machine is just an outside machine since there is no sealed drum? I use drop cloths and wear booties when I enter my customers house, so cleanliness is next to godlyness:D just like my quality, it is number one on my list

[PLUMBER RICK]

I was reading back on prior post and am curious about the mess that the k-60 will make. rick, I take it that this machine is just an outside machine since there is no sealed drum? I use drop cloths and wear booties when I enter my customers house, so cleanliness is next to godlyness:D just like my quality, it is number one on my list

the k-60 has a rear guide hose and that will keep most everything clean. is it as clean as a closed drum machine:confused: no, can it be used indoors without a mess? yes.

1 trick is to only run it into the drain and not run it out under power/ spinning only to get loose if stuck. i havn't had any messes. will i do a bathroom floor with white carpet? no, will you:confused:

outside i don't even run the rear tube. unless there is lots of plants or ivy that the cable can get wound in.

there is a small learning curve and hopefully you practice outside prior to going into a clean space. i always hose off the spool of cable when i'm done and oil the push pin connectors. this way the cables are clean and the connectors are free.

rick

[westcoastplumber]

thank you for the info rick;)

[gear junkie]

Robert if you already do the dropcloths then you're already there. I carry 2 pieces of cardboard that I use. My cable reel sits on one and the other gets folded in half so it stands up and place it so it covers the cable. Hardly have any problems.

You'll have your biggest problem keeping clean when retriving your cable. I connect all my cable and feed it female end first into the reel. When I get done snaking the line, I'll move the 60 out the way and attach the cable in the pipe to the cable in the reel and just place it in the reel. I found this to be much better and easier than the training video shows.

Feeding your cable in the reel like this also helps when you feed into the pipe. Attach your bit to the cable and hand feed it straight from the reel. when it stops just disconnect the section in the reel and move the 60 in place and run it like normal.

No one at work here runs sectionals so I had to figure this out for myself. I'm sure Rick and Mark can bring some pointers to improve the technique. I'm slowly changing my boss's mind on the 60. He always says "If you're not running spartan than you're not running s***". I haven't heard him say that in a while.:D

[westcoastplumber]

Thanks Ben for the info;) appreciate it;)

[gear junkie]

Did this today. Had roots in at 7' and 21'. Took 30 min to clear. I placed a straight auger in there (top leftish) to get a reference of scale. K60 went through it very easily.

[stxrus]

Rick sold me on the K-60. hopefully i can get it in the 4th quarter budget. but i have a K-75 that has more torque than the 60 and it is my #1 go to machinefor massive blockages. the 60 would be great for theose "hard to get to spots" or bathrooms where the 75 is just too much sizewise.

steve

[ToUtahNow]

For you non-believers it was not too long ago I talked Rick into trying his first Ridgid sectional machine. As opinionated (I mean that in a nice way:D) as Rick can be he was quickly converted after he bought his first K-50.

Mark

[stxrus]

For you non-believers it was not too long ago I talked Rick into trying his first Ridgid sectional machine. As opinionated (I mean that in a nice way:D) as Rick can be he was quickly converted after he bought his first K-50.

Mark

well then, you are my 2nd hero as far as poop scooters go :)

steve

[PLUMBER RICK]

i had 2 different jobs today that withot the k-60 on a 30 steps up to the main. i would still be sweating the 250# machine up and down those 30 steps up from the sidewalk. pulled back nice roots.

second job was a miserable kitchen sink with 2'' concealed dirty arm. the snake kept going up and then i pulled the expose section of 2'' waste and ran my k-50 with a drop head to clear a real nasty kitchen sink stoppage.

i guess since i have all the toys, i get all the nasty jobs now:D

thanks mark:p

rick.