DART SYSTEMS Cobra Rod User manual

Equipment Care
Never push the equipment beyond its design
limits. If it will not do what you want it to do with
reasonable ease and speed, assume you have the
incorrect equipment for the job. All units are
subjected to 30-50kg strength testing.
Keep the equipment clean. You will find this less of
a chore if you clean the equipment regularly, rather
than wait until it is completely dirty and have to
clean it before use.
When not in use store the equipment somewhere
clean dry and safe from damage or theft.
Dart Systems Ltd are also the UK Distributor for IT
Concepts Camera Systems, RIDGID Drain
Camera/Drain Cleaning /Inspection Camera
Systems. RF Systems Articulated Videoscopes and
many more products which can be viewed at our
Web Shop at www.dartsystems.co.uk
Various Accessories
Environment House, First Avenue
Westfield Industrial Estate
Radstock
Somerset
BA3 4BS
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Sales: [e-mail]
www.dartsystems.co.uk
Operating Manual for
Cobra/Duct
Rod
A fibre glass rod for pushing or pulling cables
through pipes and ducting channels.
Wheeled Guide Tip
Spring End Guide
Tips
Guide Tips
Rod Guide Eye Bolt
End Fittings
Ball Guide Tip
Repair/Accessory Kits
Accessories dependant on rod
diameter (see web shop)

General Safety
There is a serious risk of personal injury if you
do not follow all instructions laid down in this
guide.
This equipment should be used by an able
bodied, competent adult who has read and
understood these instructions. Anyone with
either a temporary or permanent disability
should seek expert advice before using it.
Keep children, animals and bystanders away
from the work area. Cordon off a NO GO area
using cones and either barriers or tape.
Never use this equipment if you are ill, feeling
tired, or under the influence of alcohol or
drugs.
Safety goggles MUST be worn by everyone in
the work area.
Wear practical, protective clothing, gloves and
footwear. Avoid loose clothing and jewellery
that could catch in moving parts, tie long hair
back.
This equipment is heavy never attempt to lift it
on your own, always get help. Never carry, lift
or pull the equipment by its fibre glass rod, use
the handle.
Ensure the work area is well lit and ventilated,
if in doubt, contact Dart Systems Ltd.
Always check the condition of the equipment
before use.
Getting Started
Take the unit to a suitable access point such as
a manhole cover or inspection plate.
Cordon off the area with barriers to prevent
unauthorised persons gaining access.
If entering a service pipe that contains power
or telecommunication cables, check with the
necessary authority as to their safety.
Ensure the Guide Tip/attachment is securely
screwed onto the rod End Fitting and the rod is
fed through the Rod Guide Eye Bolt.
Basic Technique
You have the option of either attaching the
cable to the Guide Tip first then feeding the rod
to the destination or, feeding the rod to the
destination, attaching the cable to be fed or
the rope then pulling it back through.
Whichever way you decide always ensure that
the cable is securely attached to the Guide Tip.
Where possible, feed the cable through the
Guide Tip and double it back onto itself. Secure
with strong tape or a clamp.
Avoid making too large an attachment and
make sure that there are no awkward ends that
could become trapped within the service.
Loosen off the friction brake lever to allow the
wheel to rotate, without freewheeling. Use the
brake to control rod release.
Ensure the brake is on FULLY before leaving the
unit. If not the cage will spin under its own
steam and release the rod at great speed.
Slowly feed the rod into the service, until the
Guide Tip has reached its destination.
If you encounter an obstruction, do not force
the rod or use a stabbing action as this may
cause damage to the service or other cables
within.
Pull the rod back about 0.5 to 1m then try
again until the rod clears the obstacle. If that
fails try attaching one of the accessories
available from Dart Systems Ltd such as the
Wheeled Guide Tip, Ball Guide Tip or Spring
End Guide Tip (9mm, 11mm & 14mm only).
In some instances it may be advantageous to
feed an additional length of rope into the
service to allow you to feed cables through at a
later date.
Guide Tip
Rod Guide
Eye Bolt
Friction Brake Lever