Root Ranger Review

[PLUMBER RICK]

the roundup was not strictly fun and games:confused: we actually had a chance to demo products and get a sneak peek at products under review:ignore:

all of us were very interested in the jetter powered root ranger.

matt arranged for a mock stoppage consisting of 1/2'' wooden dowel inserted into a clear 4'' pvc pipe at the 3 and 9 clock position.

the ridgid 3000psi, 4gpm gas jetter was used to power the root ranger.

3000# 4 gpm is your pretty typical 13 horse power portable jetter.

the nozzle was able to slide under the horizontal 1/2'' dowel. once past the dowel, it was pulled back to within a few inches and allowed to cut.

the oscillating blast of hight pressure water easily cut through the dowel when properly positioned.

remember we had clear pipe and view of the dowel.

but also keep in mind these were hard dried pieces of 1/2'' wooden dowels.

typical roots stoppages in waste lines are soft fibrous living plant tissue. much easier to cut than 1/2'' dowels.

so overall, my review is:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: 4 thumbs up out of 5:D.

it has tremendous power for a jetter of this size. more than even the warthog.

only drawback is the nozzle can't cut forward, but should be able to mussel it's way into a stoppage and allow the rear jet to blast.

also the physical size doesn't allow for use in 3'' lines with turns. 4'' is fine in medium sweep waste fittings.

sorry i don't have a photo of the root ranger in action as i was like a kid in a candy store and didn't stop to take one.

i know there were plenty of photos taken both by members and the pro video staff.

please post some here so we can share our experience with the non attendees:D

i will be buying 1 or 2:D for my machines.

rick.

[Cuda]

I wonder did Rigid mention anything about the changes and updates that Root Ranger mentioned in a prior thread that the Aussie guys are getting?

[Gene Bickford]

I finally got to use my root ranger in the real world.

6" clay main.
Very heavy roots from 70' -91'.
Camera could not pass 91' mark.
Main scheduled for dig up when school closes
Sent RR in with 8" extension and 1/4" hose (callls for 3/8").
Passed 91' mark without much problem but didn't get many roots out.
Took off 8" extension and out came the roots.
Filled up a Wal-Mart bag with em.
Turns out the extension limited my ability to twist/flop head in order to direct jet. It also had a leak.
I'll be ordering 3/8" hose and I think this will improve performance and ability to twist/flop. (NOTE TO SELF: Don't leave 3/8 jetter hose full of water and store in unheated shed in winter:speechless:)

Not much info but these guys sell a front jet conversion. Click "larger image" once on their page. Wonder if this is Ridgid conversion?
http://www.thejettersedge.com.au/component/page,shop.product_details/category_id,6/flypage,shop.flypage/product_id,72/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,45/

[Cuda]

The Bandit nozzle below that add looked pretty mean also. Anybody from Ozzy land try one?

[mrs. westcoast]

the nozzle was able to slide under the horizontal 1/2'' dowel. once past the dowel, it was pulled back to within a few inches and allowed to cut.




Remember, we were trying, it would not slide under the dowel, we had to remove the dowel, slid it by, and then blast it to bit's:p

[ToUtahNow]

Remember, we were trying, it would not slide under the dowel, we had to remove the dowel, slid it by, and then blast it to bit's:p

Come on Zeljka we all know you stayed home to babysit the puppies and missed the demo.

Mark

[HVAC HAWK]

Come on Zeljka we all know you stayed home to babysit the puppies and missed the demo.

Mark

i think it is Robert posting just like she does on his computer

[gear junkie]

I finally got to use my root ranger in the real world.

6" clay main.
Very heavy roots from 70' -91'.
Camera could not pass 91' mark.
Main scheduled for dig up when school closes
Sent RR in with 8" extension and 1/4" hose (callls for 3/8").
Passed 91' mark without much problem but didn't get many roots out.
Took off 8" extension and out came the roots.
Filled up a Wal-Mart bag with em.
Turns out the extension limited my ability to twist/flop head in order to direct jet. It also had a leak.
I'll be ordering 3/8" hose and I think this will improve performance and ability to twist/flop. (NOTE TO SELF: Don't leave 3/8 jetter hose full of water and store in unheated shed in winter:speechless:)

Not much info but these guys sell a front jet conversion. Click "larger image" once on their page. Wonder if this is Ridgid conversion?
http://www.thejettersedge.com.au/component/page,shop.product_details/category_id,6/flypage,shop.flypage/product_id,72/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,45/
need pictures, lots of pictures

[ToUtahNow]

i think it is Robert posting just like she does on his computer

I know.

Mark ;)

[PLUMBER RICK]

Remember, we were trying, it would not slide under the dowel, we had to remove the dowel, slid it by, and then blast it to bit's:p

the dowel was perfectly centered and easily slid under the fixed dowel. i know i did it and the video or stills should show it.

the original set up was past it. i started in front of the dowel and easily passed it and cut it.

the nozzle is flatter on the 2 opposing sides.

remember 1/2'' dowels were used to demo the cutting power, not an actual stoppage we encounter.

just like the k-1500 board buster contest. 3/4'' thick pine boards are not stopping up our sewers. and neither is 1/2'' sound board.

rick.

[ToUtahNow]

the dowel was perfectly centered and easily slid under the fixed dowel. i know i did it and the video or stills should show it.

the original set up was past it. i started in front of the dowel and easily passed it and cut it.

the nozzle is flatter on the 2 opposing sides.

remember 1/2'' dowels were used to demo the cutting power, not an actual stoppage we encounter.

just like the k-1500 board buster contest. 3/4'' thick pine boards are not stopping up our sewers. and neither is 1/2'' sound board.

rick.

I may be wrong but I thought the dowel was moved for you to get past it.

Mark

[plumberscrack]

just like the k-1500 board buster contest. 3/4'' thick pine boards are not stopping up our sewers. and neither is 1/2'' sound board.

rick.

but when I start crapping out wood and fiber board I know which machine I'm using :D

[ToUtahNow]

but when I start crapping out wood and fiber board I know which machine I'm using :D

:rotflmao1::rotflmao1::thisthreadisworthle

[Root Ranger]

A good example of the rootranger`s power to clean & polish sewer drains infested by tree roots .


http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g308/Bentzook/Water%20Jetting/Blockeddrain1.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g308/Bentzook/Water%20Jetting/Blockeddrain2.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g308/Bentzook/Water%20Jetting/Blockeddrain3.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g308/Bentzook/Water%20Jetting/Blockeddrain4.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g308/Bentzook/Water%20Jetting/Blockeddrain5.jpg

[Root Ranger]

Before

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g308/Bentzook/Water%20Jetting/Pic_0329_293.jpg


After

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g308/Bentzook/Water%20Jetting/Pic_0329_294.jpg

[Root Ranger]

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g308/Bentzook/Water%20Jetting/Pic_0320_245-1.jpg

[Drain Medic]

Great pics. I was really impressed at the demo. Im seriously considering buying one

[PLUMBER RICK]

I may be wrong but I thought the dowel was moved for you to get past it.

Mark

no. the first demo by matt was pre staged ahead of the dowel.

i purposely pulled mine back to the start of the dowel. then easily passed under it.

doesn't really matter as i can't picture this being a real life scenario stoppage.

all they were showing was the cutting power of the rear jet.

if the rear jet can get to the roots, they will be cut. if the stoppage is a solid board like the k-1500 board buster challenge, then they will need a front cutting jet.

the nozzle cuts like crazy.

sanitary sewers should not be an issue as the sweeps are legal.

it's the cheap outdoor styrene area drains that will not make the tight turns. for this i use my 1/4'' stainless hose and normal nozzle.

straight runs will work, especially from the curb back to the building. it's the first 90 that will not make it.

rick.

[Josh]

Great Pics Root!

[Cuda]

Not much info but these guys sell a front jet conversion. Click "larger image" once on their page. Wonder if this is Ridgid conversion?
http://www.thejettersedge.com.au/component/page,shop.product_details/category_id,6/flypage,shop.flypage/product_id,72/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,45/


The picture is small I wonder if you have to drill the nose out yourself or if a ready to go nose comes with it?

[Root Ranger]

The new models coming out these days have a front port with either a plug or front jet. The front jet is just a 0 degrees 1/8" insert you could get from Ridgid or from Stoneage. Personally , Ive never used it or felt needed to have one. The loss in real jetting power delivered to the rear the less effective the ceramic turbo jet nozzle is going to be. Once you use it, you`ll never need more than 2 or 3 other nozzles. But I do have a couple of spare turbo nozzles on the truck. Really , I only use 3 nozzles these days, 6R1F & 3R1F penetrator nozzles and the reverse turbo root ranger.
For cart jetting up to 8gpm they are the best thing since sliced bread.