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DM125 & DM138 MACHINE MANUAL
Safe Machine Operation
Read this machine manual thoroughly before assembling or
operating the machine. Become familiar with its controls and
proper use before operating. Keep this manual in a handy place
for reference and parts replacement referral. This machine is
designed specifically for the purpose of opening and cleaning
drains. Use it for this purpose - do not use it for other purposes.
Use gloves to protect your hands. Wear them to feed and
retrieve cable. Use a material that can not be easily grabbed by
the cable. Most leather gloves and certain rubber gloves work
well.Duracable Manufacturing Company has each type available
through the Duracable Product Catalog. Also, avoid the use of
loose-fitting clothes or jewelry when operating this machine.
Keep guards in place to protect the operator from the electric
motor and electrical wiring. These guards are for safety
protection and must be in place when running the machine.
Each machine is equipped with an air foot pedal or toggle on/
o switch. The pedal allows the machine operator to turn the
machine on or o with the foot while keeping both hands on the
cable.
Select a work area free from obstruction with room to work.
Keep the machine within three feet of the pipe opening, allowing
only enough room to work. This is required to shorten the length
of exposed cable, thus providing maximum control in high-
torque situations. Take a position that is comfortable to the left
or right side of the machine for feeding or retrieving cable. For
high work openings, the machine can be placed on its back as
conditions require.
When performing a job, use the smallest blade first. Rinse the
pipe after each blade is run through the line in order to clean out
loosened debris. Then follow with the increasing sizes of blades
until the size used is one that actually scrapes the side of the pipe
or sewer. The cutting blades are flexible and can be compressed
to enter most cleanout openings. Centrifugal force created by
the spinning cable forces the blades to expand to their natural
diameter or to the walls of the pipe. It is advisable to maintain a
very keen cutting edge on the blades at all times.
Place two hands on the cable between the outlet of your
machine and the cleanout, and keep them there at all times
during operation. Your hands placed in the proper position will
provide a guide for the cable.
As the blade makes contact with an obstruction in the line, it
stops the blade from turning and builds torque in the cable.
Do not permit the blade to get hung up in an obstruction for
more than three seconds. Torque buildup can be both helpful
and dangerous. It is helpful when pulled from the obstruction
in a timely manner. When the cable is pulled away, the tension is
released and the blade turns at a high speed. When the blade is
free, feed it back into the obstruction to make use of the built-up
power to clean the line. It is dangerous because excess torque
can cause looping over of the cable. Serious injury to fingers
and hands is possible unless precautions are observed. When
retrieving cable from the line, feed the cable into the machine
until the blade is close to the cleanout opening. Shut o the
machine and hand-feed the remaining cable into the machine.
Unpacking Your Machine
The DM125 / DM138 is shipped to you fully assembled and ready
to use. The base machine, reel, cable, and the revolving arm are
all included. When the machine arrives, remove it immediately
and inspect for damage. If any of the contents are damaged,
contact your motor freight carrier immediately.
Lubrication Maintenance
Caution: Do not over oil these points.
• Reel Shaft and Reel Bearings - Check and re-tighten set screws
during the first 24 to 48 hours of operation. The reel shaft
requires monthly lubrication. Use a multipurpose grease or
heavy oil. Keeping the shaft lubricated means the reel will
slide freely and will not “freeze” to the shaft and need to be
repaired. The reel bearings require some light oil monthly.
• Belt-Check tension during the first 24 to 48 hours of operation.
• Belt Tension - Ideal deflection is 1/4”. Over tensioning shortens
belt and bearing life.
• Air Foot Pedal - Check for wear or stress cracks.
Cable Care Instructions
Take care of your cable for optimum performance. The
recommended care procedure is as follows:
• Break in a new cable. To relieve the stress on new cable that
has been coiled since its manufacture, put it in a clean line and
run it for 10 minutes.
• Oil the cable once a week.
• Rinse the cable immediately after each use with the hottest
water available. This is especially important if the cable was in
acid or alkali during use.
• When one end of the cable begins to show wear, rewind and
use the opposite end. (Tip: order the same kind of end fittings
on both ends of the cable.)
• If the cable kinks, cut out the kink and splice the cable ends
together.
Installing New Cable
• Remove cable from the carton and lay it in a straight line on
the floor.
• Make sure the reel is secured on the machine and the revolving
arm rotates freely.
• Feed the cable through the revolving arm.
• The revolving arm must be turning counterclockwise while
loading the cable.
• Install the guide tube, cable end, and cutting blade. The cable
end may be bent to desired form (as shown on the next page).
Machine Operation
