K7500, stairs, and other question

[HouseOfAtlas]

I'm curious as to how you guys carry in the K7500 from your work vehicle to the basement in your customer's houses.

I know one guy who has some 2x4 box tubing welding together and made some sort of lift with a winch on it that helps get the machine in and out of the van.

Also, for those of you that have lifted weights before, I would assume the motion of bringing the machine back up the stairs represents a variation of the deadlift. If that's the case, eating enough calories and hauling that machine up could help put on some muscle, yes?? :)

Any tips on what you do to get the big machine up and down the stairs would be appreciated :)

[stxrus]

i've got a K-75 that is sometimes too much. i'm looking into the K-60. i also use a K-50 (only 5/8 cable though) if i can.

i know that doesn't answer your question but that is what i have and what i do

steve

[westcoastplumber]

Sadly I don't use the k7500, my duracable has a slide, so it slides down stairs and into the van with ease, now, I will be getting the k-60 because of the roof jobs, and also I hear from what the other guy's say, they are perfect for jobs where you have to go down stairs or on the roof.

I would look into the k-60:D

[stxrus]

forgot to complete the question you asked.

i just pick up the K-75 and put it into the van or lift it down. mine is the vertical dolly and it will "roll" up and down stairs. yes you can improve upperbdy strength this way.

steve

[HouseOfAtlas]

Thanks guys!

I am for sure getting a K60 and a K50 to start out. I will be getting a K7500 or a Spartan 2001 in the future just to have in the van.

Thanks again!

[HouseOfAtlas]

forgot to complete the question you asked.

i just pick up the K-75 and put it into the van or lift it down. mine is the vertical dolly and it will "roll" up and down stairs. yes you can improve upperbdy strength this way.

steve

LOL! Gotcha!

I know this is kind of hard to ask and describe, but when you lift the machine back up, do you go up one or two stairs and then just lean back and pull with straight arms? I'll probably spend all day going up and down the stairs to practice once I get a big drum machine, but words from the vets are priceless :D

[PLUMBER RICK]

Sadly I don't use the k7500, my duracable has a slide, so it slides down stairs and into the van with ease, now, I will be getting the k-60 because of the roof jobs, and also I hear from what the other guy's say, they are perfect for jobs where you have to go down stairs or on the roof.

I would look into the k-60:D

grasshopper, soon to move up to master with answers like that;)

houseofatlas, i know that you're new here, but there is tons of post on the benefits of the k-60;)

i too have a k-7500 in my large w4500 tilt cab. being that it weighs 250# and is 3'+ at loading into the body of the truck. i use a winch mounted on my crane arm. this is also great for my large jetter and 75 gallon heaters. when i had a regular 1 ton van, i would just lay the unit back and roll it on.

as far as stairs go, the 7500 has great stair rollers that don't chip bricks,
but you still need to get it up:eek: to get it back in:D:confused: the truck;)

now that's where the k-60 comes in. roof, basement, crawlspace, bathrooms.
bring it on;)

yesterday i received my general "rt66" machine that is comparable to the k60.
i had a chance to test drive it yesterday:confused: the one feature i like was the ability to run both 7/8'' and 5/8'' with no adjustments. not sure how the clutch will hold out, but we will see. also the rear guide tube is of a much better design with a swivel connector to allow the stiff hose to rotate into the best position:) although i rarely use the guide hose, i do like this feature.

don't worry ridgid, it's just a little curiosity that caused me to buy the general. still have my show special nicely packed in the shop keeping my other snakes company.

i would have to say that my k-60 is now my go to machine. my 7500 is starting to get very jealous of his little brother.

did i answer your question hoa:confused:

do a k-60 search for the rest of the story;)

robert, when do you want to sample my goods:eek:;) i'm running out of room and joey found me using my new toy yesterday at my friends shop. glad she got the car a day before i got the snake in the mail:D

rick.

[Josh]

This forum is just turning into a K-60 fan club.

[PLUMBER RICK]

This forum is just turning into a K-60 fan club.

has there been an increase of k-60 sales or production on your side?

lets see at a 10% sales referral, i should be able to pay for joeys new car;)

rick.

[HouseOfAtlas]

Rick,

I'll be getting a K-60 thanks to all of the influence from the guys on this board. ;)

I personally don't mind spending the extra time getting set up, asembling/disassembling everything with the K-60. I'll probably spend a day assmebling/disassmbling over and over and practicing what works best, etc.. I'll soon be a master of the K-60 LOL! It will be good to be able to run the K-60 while half asleep especially if I get one of those 1am drain calls :D

Plus, I guess I can save my strength for the gym!

[freddy]

The problem that I have found with the rt 66 is when working on a roof with a slight pitch the unit wants to roll off if guide hose is not in place and cables into machine. But it is quick to change cable sizes. this is my back up machine right now. ridgid k-60 holding it own right now.:)

[All Clear Sewer]

To move the K-7500 up and down basement stairs is a two man job. It`s easy but you really need to guy`s doing it. I charge for 2 men when working in a basement ;) If they dont have an outside clean-out, they pay for it one way or the other. :D

[HouseOfAtlas]

Good call! The K7500 is probably just as heavy as the Spartan one that I "test drove" up the stairs. I wasn't expecting it to be so darn heavy! I was able to get it up the stairs, but not sure if I could do it 5+ times a day LOL! Unless one just needs to get used to it.

It would be easier for two guys (hold doors open, ease the load on the way down and help on the way up) but if someone is working by themselves, they'll probaby just need to eat their Wheaties in the morning, huh? ;)

[PLUMBER RICK]

The problem that I have found with the rt 66 is when working on a roof with a slight pitch the unit wants to roll off if guide hose is not in place and cables into machine. But it is quick to change cable sizes. this is my back up machine right now. ridgid k-60 holding it own right now.:)

freddy, i vary rarely use the rear guide hose. i am almost as fast with the 60 as the 7500. on roof jobs, i have to tie the machine onto the roof vent to keep it from falling. me too sometimes.

the guide hose is used indoors or around plants and ivy.
just don't need it for regular jobs.

although the route 66 guide hose is a better design than the 60 hose.

ridgid has to go back to the metal hose/ electrical water proof flex, design on the 50. the rubber hose is terrible. listening guys:rolleyes:

rick.

[stxrus]

ridgid has to go back to the metal hose/ electrical water proof flex, design on the 50. the rubber hose is terrible. listening guys:rolleyes:

rick.

amen. that's my major complaint.

steve

[gear junkie]

My guide hose is metal on the inside rubber on the outside. Is that the good one?

[PLUMBER RICK]

My guide hose is metal on the inside rubber on the outside. Is that the good one?

yes ben. is that on the 60? metal is the good one

i've got 2 soon to be 3 new 50 that have the rubber hose and it's too flexiable and sticky. the natural curve doesn't allow the cable to push in or slide. fortunatly i've got 2 older machines with metal and i rarely use the hoses.

the 60 has the metal.

steve, you can easily change the hose to the metal style. it's nothing more than water proof electrical flex. if i remeber correct it's 1'' flex and it's used all the time on air conditioning electrical hook ups. we have the grey color.

do you guys use the hose more often or less often?

rick.

[stxrus]

Rick,

i almost always use the hose. it keeps the cab;e from walking around andpossibly causing a problem. if i don't have to divide my attention between the front of the cable AND the back there is less chance of an accident happening.

some of the high end homes i've worked in require multiple towels and the hose and a mop :). i posted about one bathroom floor that was teak plus all of the walls, shower stall, and cabinetry was marble. not a place to have a 7/8 metal cable bouncing around :eek:

outside it keeps grass, rocks, tree limbs, etc out of the cable.

now with the 50 i just have to be extra aware of what's going on. i have had it grab a shoe lace and inot give it back. lucky for me i keep a pair of boots in the van and the day was saved.

i'm thinking about making a 15 foot hose for the 50. just wind off 2 lengths instead of one. save some time and hassel.

gotta get my butt to the hardware store and "get 'er done"

steve

[PLUMBER RICK]

most of my k60 is outside work and the hose is seldom used. on the 50 i use indoors, try a 5 gallon bucket. the cable just spins in the bucket and it stays nice and dry. with the hose you have to keep pulling the cable out to connect more or pull the hose.

the bucket works great on 5/8'' cable since it's flexiable.

on the 7/8'' good luck.

rick.

[stxrus]

Rick, could you post a pic of your 50 setup with the bucket? or e-mail me? i see the coils getting hung up as it spins in the bucket. how many feet do you keep in the bucket? 45? 90?

as far as the 7/8s, i'll keep using the hose, it works for me. *thumbs up*

steve

[PLUMBER RICK]

steve, i was talking to ben/ gear junkie today and he also asked for pictures. i don't have a camera phone, so i will have to start taking my water proof olympus digital with me.

i guess i can figure out how to post now. thanks josh and joey. low resolution not high:D

rick.

the bucket with 5/8'' cable works good. i start off with the regular carrier. theen as i use the cables i send them into the bucket to stay clean and dry, as i snake. the cables have a tight enough wind not to bind.