RIDGID K-45 User manual

K-45
Drain
Cleaner
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K-45 Drain Cleaning Machine
Drain Cleaner
K-45 Drain Cleaning Machine
Record Ser al Number below and reta n product ser al number wh ch s located on nameplate.
Ser al
No.
WARNING
Read this Operator’s Manual
carefully before using this tool
Failure to understand and fol-
low the contents of this man-
ual may result in electrical
shock, fire and/or serious per-
sonal injury

Table of Contents
Recording Form For Machine Serial Number .............................................................................................................1
Safety Symbols ..............................................................................................................................................................3
General Power Tool Safety Warnings
Work Area Safety ........................................................................................................................................................3
Electrical Safety...........................................................................................................................................................3
Personal Safety ...........................................................................................................................................................4
Power Tool Use and Care ...........................................................................................................................................4
Service ........................................................................................................................................................................4
Drain Cleaner Safety Warnings ....................................................................................................................................4
Description, Specifications and Standard Equipment
Description ..................................................................................................................................................................5
Specifications ..............................................................................................................................................................6
Standard Equipment....................................................................................................................................................6
Pre-Operation Inspection..............................................................................................................................................7
Machine and Work Area Set Up ...................................................................................................................................8
Operating Instructions ................................................................................................................................................10
Operation...................................................................................................................................................................10
Feeding The Cable Into The Drain ............................................................................................................................10
Maintenance Instructions ...........................................................................................................................................13
Cleaning ....................................................................................................................................................................13
Cables .......................................................................................................................................................................13
AUTOFEED®..............................................................................................................................................................13
Changing Cables
Changing Inner Drum ................................................................................................................................................13
Loading Cable Into Inner Drum .................................................................................................................................14
Loading Cable Without Changing The Inner Drum ...................................................................................................14
Accessories .................................................................................................................................................................15
Machine Storage..........................................................................................................................................................15
Service and Repair ......................................................................................................................................................15
Disposal........................................................................................................................................................................16
Troubleshooting ..........................................................................................................................................................17
ifetime Warranty..........................................................................................................................................Back Cover
* Original Instructions - English
Ridge Tool Company2
K-45 Drain Cleaning Machine

Ridge Tool Company 3
K-45 Drain Cleaning Machine
General Power Tool Safety
Warnings*
WARNING
Read all safety warnings and instructions. Failure to follow
the warnings and instructions may result in electric shock,
fire, and/or serious injury.
SAVE A WARNINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR
FUTURE REFERENCE!
The term "power tool" in the warnings refers to your
mains-operated (corded) power tool or battery-operated
(cordless) power tool.
The CE declaration of comformity (890-011-320) will
accompany this manual as a separate booklet when
required.
Work Area Safety
•Keep work area clean and well lit. Cluttered or dark
areas invite accidents.
•Do not operate power tools in explosive atmo-
spheres, such as in the presence of flammable
liquids, gases, or dust. Power tools create sparks
which may ignite the dust or fumes.
•Keep children and by-standers away while oper-
ating a power tool. Distractions can cause you to
lose control.
Electrical Safety
•Power tool plugs must match the outlet. Never
modify the plug in any way. Do not use any adapter
plugs with earthed (grounded) power tools. Un-
modified plugs and matching outlets will reduce risk of
electric shock.
•Avoid body contact with earthed or grounded sur-
faces such as pipes, radiators, ranges and re-
frigerators. There is an increased risk of electrical
shock if your body is earthed or grounded.
•Do not expose power tools to rain or wet condi-
tions. Water entering a power tool will increase the risk
of electric shock.
•Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord for car-
rying, pulling or unplugging the power tool. Keep
cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges or moving
parts. Damaged or entangled cords increase the risk of
electric shock.
•When operating a power tool outdoors, use an ex-
tension cord suitable for outdoor use. Use of a
cord suitable for outdoor use reduces the risk of elec-
tric shock.
•If operating a power tool in a damp location is un-
avoidable, use a ground fault circuit interrupter
(GFCI) protected supply. Use of a FCI reduces
the risk of electric shock.
Safety Symbols
In this operator’s manual and on the product, safety symbols and signal words are used to communicate important safety
information. This section is provided to improve understanding of these signal words and symbols.
This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you to potential personal injury hazards. Obey all safety messages that follow this
symbol to avoid possible injury or death.
DAN ER indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.
WARNIN indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
CAUTION indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury.
NOTICE indicates information that relates to the protection of property.
This symbol means read the operator’s manual carefully before using the equipment to reduce the risk of injury. The operator’s
manual contains important information on the safe and proper operation of the equipment.
This symbol means always wear safety glasses with side shields or goggles when handling or using this equipment to reduce
the risk of eye injury.
NOTICE
This symbol indicates the risk of hands, fingers or other body parts being caught, wrapped or crushed in the drain cleaning
cable.
This symbol indicates a risk of electrical shock.
* The text used in the eneral Power Tool Safety Warnings section of this manual is verbatim, as required, from the applicable UL/CSA 60745 4th edition stan-
dard and EN/IEC 60745. This section contains general safety practices for many different types of power tools. Not every precaution applies to every tool, and
some do not apply to this tool.
DANGER
WARNING
CA TION

Ridge Tool Company
4
K-45 Drain Cleaning Machine
Personal Safety
•Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use com-
mon sense when operating a power tool. Do not
use a tool while you are tired or under the influence
of drugs, alcohol or medication. A moment of inat-
tention while operating power tools may result in seri-
ous personal injury.
•se personal protective equipment. Always wear
eye protection. Protective equipment such as dust
mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing pro-
tection used for appropriate conditions will reduce per-
sonal injuries.
•Prevent unintentional starting. Ensure the switch is
in the off-position before connecting to power
source and/or battery pack, picking up or carrying
the tool. Carrying power tools with your finger on the
switch or energizing power tools that have the switch on
invites accidents.
•Remove any adjusting key or wrench before turning
the tool ON..A wrench or a key left attached to a ro -
tating part of the power tool may result in personal injury.
•Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance
at all times. Proper footing and balance enables bet-
ter control of the tool in unexpected situations.
•Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jew-
el ry. Keep your hair, clothing, and gloves away
from moving parts. Loose clothes, jewelry, or long hair
can be caught in moving parts.
•If devices are provided for the connection of dust
extraction and collection facilities, ensure these are
connected and properly used. Use of dust collection
can reduce dust-related hazards.
Power Tool Use and Care
•Do not force the power tool. se the correct power
tool for your application. The correct power tool will
do the job better and safer at the rate for which it was
designed.
•Do not use the power tool if the switch does not turn
it ON and OFF. Any power tool that cannot be controlled
with the switch is dangerous and must be repaired.
•Disconnect the plug from the power source and/or
the battery pack from the power tool before making
any adjustments, changing accessories, or storing
power tools. Such preventive safety measures re-
duce the risk of starting the power tool accidentally.
•Store idle power tools out of the reach of children
and do not allow persons unfamiliar with the pow -
er tool or these instructions to operate the power
tool. Power tools are dangerous in the hands of un-
trained users.
•Maintain power tools. Check for misalignment or
binding of moving parts, breakage of parts and
any other condition that may affect the power
tool’s op er ation. If damaged, have the power tool
repaired before use. Many accidents are caused by
poorly maintained power tools.
•Keep cutting tools sharp and clean. Properly main-
tained cutting tools with sharp cutting edges are less
likely to bind and are easier to control.
•se the power tool, accessories and tool bits etc. in
accordance with these instructions, taking into ac -
count the working conditions and the work to be
performed. Use of the power tool for operations dif-
ferent from those intended could result in a hazardous
situation.
Service
•Have your power tool serviced by a qualified repair
person using only identical replacement parts.
This will ensure that the safety of the power tool is
maintained.
Drain Cleaner Safety Warnings
WARNING
This section contains important safety information that is
specific to this tool.
Read these precautions carefully before using this Drain
Cleaning Machine to reduce the risk of electrical shock or
other serious personal injury.
SAVE A WARNINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR
FUTURE REFERENCE!
Keep this manual with the machine for use by the operator.
•Before using, test the Ground Fault Circuit Inter -
rupter (GFCI) provided with the power cord to in -
sure it is operating correctly. FCI reduces the risk
of electrical shock.
• Extension cords are not recommended unless they
are plugged into a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
(GFCI) found in circuit boxes or outlet recepta-
cles. The FCI on the machine power cord will not pre-
vent electrical shock from the extension cords.
•Keep all electric connections dry and off the
ground. Do not touch plugs or tool with wet hands.
Reduces the risk of electrical shock.

Ridge Tool Company 5
K-45 Drain Cleaning Machine
The EC Declaration of Conformity (890-011-320.10) will
accompany this manual as a separate booklet when re-
quired.
If you have any question concerning this RID ID®product:
– Contact your local RID ID distributor
– Visit www.RID ID.com or www.RID ID.eu to find
your local Ridge Tool contact point
– Contact Ridge Tool Technical Services Department
at [e-mail], or in the U.S. and
Canada call [phone].
Description, Specifications and
Standard Equipment
Description
K-45 is a hand held drain cleaning machine used to clean
secondary drain lines (such as found in kitchens, bath-
rooms and utility rooms) from 20 mm (3/4") to 75 mm
(21/2") in diameter with the correct cable. Depending on the
cable choice, the drum will hold up to 15,2 m (50 feet) of
cable.
The K-45 is available with two feed styles, manual feed
and AUTOFEED® (AF). Both have a slide action chuck for
quick locking/releasing of the cable. The AUTOFEED al-
lows the cable to be advanced and retrieved with the
push of a lever. Helps keep hands and work area clean.
The manual version requires that the cable be fed in and
out of the drum by hand.
The K-45 is a double insulated design equipped with a po-
larized plug. A FOR/REV switch controls drum and cable
rotation and the variable speed ON/OFF switch provides
control of the motor.
The two piece twist-lock drum will not dent or corrode, and
allows easy access to the inner drum. The inner drum al-
lows quick cable change out, helps prevent cable flip
over in the drum, and reduces the likelihood of drum leak-
age.
Cables are available in three sizes – 1/4" (6 mm), 5/16"
(8 mm), and 3/8" (10 mm) diameters. The 1/4" (6 mm) and
5/16" (8 mm) cables are supplied with integral bulb augers.
Some versions of these cables are supplied with the
“Speed Bump” feature to indicate to the operator that
they are near the end of the cable. 3/8" (10 mm) cables are
available with an integral bulb auger or with a quick
change coupling for attaching tools.
•Only wear RIDGID Drain Cleaning gloves. Never
grasp the rotating cable with anything else, in-
cluding cloth gloves or a rag. They can become
wrapped around the cable, causing hand injuries. Only
wear latex or rubber gloves u der leather work gloves.
Do not use damaged gloves.
•Do not allow the end of cable to stop turning while
the machine is running. This can overstress the
cable and may cause twisting, kinking or breaking of
the cable.
•Position machine so that the cable outlet is within
12" (30 cm) of the drain inlet or properly support
exposed cable when the distance exceeds 12"
(30 cm). reater distances can cause control problems
leading to twisting, kinking or breaking of the cable.
•One person must control both the cable and the
switch. If the cutter stops rotating, the operator must be
able to turn the machine motor off to prevent twisting,
kinking and breaking of the cable.
•Do not operate the machine in REV (reverse) rota-
tion except as described in this manual. Operating
in reverse can result in cable damage and is used to
back the tool out of blockages.
•Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. Keep your
hair and clothing away from moving parts. Loose
clothing, jewelry or hair can be caught in moving parts.
•Always use appropriate personal protective equip-
ment while handling and using drain cleaning
equipment. Drains may contain chemicals, bacteria and
other substances that may be toxic, infectious, cause
burns or other issues. Appropriate personal protective
equipment always includes safety glasses and
leather work gloves in good condition, and may in-
clude equipment such as latex or rubber gloves, face
shields, goggles, protective clothing, respirators and
steel toed footwear.
•Practice good hygiene. Use hot, soapy water to
wash hands and other body parts exposed to drain
contents after handling or using drain cleaning equip-
ment. Do not eat or smoke while operating or handling
drain cleaning equipment. This will help prevent con-
tamination with toxic or infectious material.
•Do not operate this machine if operator or ma-
chine is standing in water. Operating machine while
in water increases the risk of electrical shock.
•Only use drain cleaner to clean drains of recom-
mended sizes according to these instructions.
Other uses or modifying the drain cleaning machine for
other applications may increase the risk of injury.

Ridge ool Company
6
K-45 Drain Cleaning Machine
Specific tions
K-45 Line C p city
Motor ype ....................Universal
Motor Rating
120V Motor................. Double Insulated
120 VAC single phase
3,2 amp, 50/60 Hz
120 V˜
3,2 A, 50/60 Hz
230V Motor................. Double Insulated
230 V˜, 50/60 Hz
2,2 A, 280 W
ON/OFF Switch ............Variable Speed Reversing
No Lo d Speed ............0-600 r/min (RPM)
Dr in Line C p city.....3/4" (20 mm) thru 21/2" (75 mm)
Weight w/C1-IC C ble
M nu l Feed ..............12.6 lbs. (5.7 kg)
AUTOFEED Feed.......13.8 lbs. (6.3 kg)
he machine serial number is located on the underside
of the power unit. he last 4 digits indicates the month and
year of the manufacture. (04 = month, 10 = year).
St nd rd Equipment
All K-45 Drain Cleaning Machines come with one pair of
RIDGID Drain Cleaning gloves.
he K-45 drain cleaner is protected under various U.S.
and International patents, including 7,685,669.
his machine is made to clean drains. If
properly used it will not damage a drain that is in good
condition and properly designed, constructed and main-
tained. If the drain is in poor condition, or has not been
properly designed, constructed and maintained, the drain
cleaning process may not be effective or could cause
damage to the drain. he best way to determine the con-
dition of a drain before cleaning is through visual inspec-
tion with a camera. Improper use of this drain cleaner can
damage the drain cleaner and the drain. his machine
may not clear all blockages.
NOTICE
H nd Grip
Slide Action Chuck
FORWARD/
REVERSE
Switch
V ri ble Speed
ON/OFF Switch
H nd Grip
Slide Action Chuck
FORWARD/
REVERSE
Switch
V ri ble Speed
ON/OFF Switch
Drum
C ble
Drum
C ble
AUTOFEED
Adv nce
Feed
Lever
Retrieve
Feed
Lever
GFCI
(If Equipped, 120V Units)
GFCI
(If Equipped, 120V Units)
W rning
L bel
D te Code
See Accessories section for a listing of available cables and lengths
C ble Size Recommended Line Size
1/4" (6 mm) 3/4" to 11/2" (20 mm to 38 mm)
5/16" (8 mm) 3/4" to 11/2" (20 mm to 38 mm)
5/16" (8 mm) IC (Inner Core)
11/4" to 2" (30 mm to 50 mm)
3/8" (10 mm)
11/4" to 21/2" (30 mm to 75 mm)
Figure 1 – K-45 Dr in Cle ning M chine With Slide
Action Chuck
Figure 2 – K-45 AF Dr in Cle ning M chine With AUTO-
FEED
Figure 3 – M chine Seri l Number

idge Tool Company 7
K-45 Drain Cleaning Machine
Pre-Operati n Inspecti n
WARNING
Bef re each use, inspect y ur drain cleaning machine and
c rrect any pr blems t reduce the risk f seri us injury
fr m electric sh ck, twisted r br ken cables, chemical
burns, infecti ns and ther causes and prevent drain cleaner
damage.
Always wear safety glasses, RIDGID drain cleaning gl ves,
and ther appr priate pr tective equipment when inspect-
ing y ur drain cleaner. F r extra pr tecti n fr m chemicals
and bacteria n the equipment, wear latex, rubber r ther
liquid barrier gl ves under the RIDGID drain cleaning
gl ves.
1. Inspect the IDGID drain cleaning gloves. Make
sure they are in good condition with no holes, tears or
loose sections that could be caught in the rotating
cable. It is important not to wear improper or damaged
gloves. The gloves protect your hands from the ro-
tating cable. If the gloves are not IDGID drain clean-
ing gloves or are damaged, worn out or do not fit
snugly, do not use machine until IDGID drain clean-
ing gloves are available. (See Figure 4.)
2. Make sure that the drain cleaning machine is un-
plugged. Inspect the power cord, Ground Fault Circuit
Interrupter (GFCI) (if equipped, 120V units) and plug
for damage. If the plug has been modified, or if the
cord is damaged, to avoid electrical shock, do not
use the machine until the cord has been replaced by
a qualified repair person.
3. Clean any oil, grease or dirt from all equipment han-
dles and controls. This aids inspection and helps
prevent the machine or control from slipping from
your grip. Clean any debris from the cable and drum.
4. Inspect the drain cleaner for the following items:
• Proper assembly and completeness
• Broken, worn, missing, mis-aligned or binding parts
• Smooth and free movement of the ADVANCE and
ET IEVE feed levers, the slide chuck, and the
drum
• Presence and readability of the warning label (See
Figure 2)
• Any other condition which may prevent safe and
normal operation.
If any problems are found, do not use the drain
cleaner until the problems have been repaired.
5. Inspect cable for wear and damage – Look for:
• Obvious flats worn into the outside of the cable (cable
is made from round wire and profile should be round)
• Multiple or excessively large kinks (slight kinks up to
15 degrees can be straightened)
• Space between the coils indicating the cable has
been deformed by stretching, kinking or running in
EVE SE
• Excessive corrosion from storing wet or exposure to
drain chemicals.
All of these forms of wear and damage weaken the
cable and make cable twisting, kinking or breaking
more likely during use. eplace worn and damaged
cable before using drain cleaner.
Make sure cable is fully retracted with no more than 2"
(50 mm) of cable outside of the drain cleaner. This will
prevent whipping at start up.
6. Inspect the tools for wear and damage. If necessary,
replace prior to using the drain cleaning machine.
Dull or damaged cutting tools can lead to binding,
cable breakage, and slow the drain cleaning process.
7. With dry hands, plug cord into outlet. Test the GFCI (if
equipped) in the electrical cord to insure that it is
operating correctly. When the test button is pushed in,
the reset button should pop out. eactivate by push-
ing the reset button in. If GFCI is not functioning
properly, unplug the cord and do not use the drain
cleaning machine until the GFCI has been repaired.
8. Do not push feed levers (AUTOFEED units Only).
Press the ON/OFF switch and note the direction of ro-
tation of the drum as compared to the FO / EV ar-
rows on the decals. If the ON/OFF switch does not
control the machine operation, do not use the ma-
chine until the switch has been repaired. elease
the switch and let the drum come to a complete stop.
Move the FO / EV switch to the opposite position,
and repeat above testing to confirm that the drain
cleaner operates properly in the other direction.
Figure 4 – RIDGID Drain Cleaning Gl ves – Leather, PVC

Ridge Tool Company
8
K-45 Drain Cleaning Machine
• Clear, level, stable dry place for machine and oper-
ator. Do not use the machine while standing in wa -
ter. If needed, remove the water from the work area
• Clear path to electrical outlet that does not contain
any potential sources of damage for the power cord.
2. Inspect the drain to be cleaned. If possible, deter-
mine the access point(s) to the drain, the size(s) and
length(s) of the drain, distance to mainlines, the nature
of the blockage, presence of drain cleaning chemicals
or other chemicals, etc. If chemicals are present in the
drain, it is important to understand the specific safety
measures required to work around those chemicals.
Contact the chemical manufacturer for required infor-
mation.
If needed, remove fixture (urinals, etc.) to allow access
to the drain. Feeding cable through a fixture could
damage the drain cleaner and the fixture.
3. Determine the correct drain cleaning equipment for the
application. The K-45 drain cleaner is made for:
•3/4" to 11/2" (20 mm to 38 mm) lines up to 30'
(9,1 m) long with 1/4" (6 mm) cable
•3/4" to 11/2" (20 mm to 38 mm) lines up to 45'
(13,7 m) long with 5/16" (8 mm) cable
•1
1/4" to 2" (30 mm to 50 mm) lines up to 45
(13,7 m) long with 5/16" (8 mm) IC (Inner Core)
cable
•1
1/4" to 21/2" (30 mm to 75 mm) lines up to 30'
(9,1 m) long with 3/8" (10 mm) cable.
Drain cleaners for other applications can be
found by consulting the RID ID Catalog, on line at
www.RID ID.com or www.RID ID.eu.
4. Confirm that the equipment to be used has been
properly inspected.
5. If needed, place protective covers in the work area.
The drain cleaning process can be messy.
6. Determine if the K-45 cable outlet can be placed
within 6" (15 cm) of the drain opening. If not, the
drain opening will need to be extended using similar
size pipe and fittings so that the K-45 cable outlet can
be placed within 6" (15 cm) of the drain opening (See
Figure 6). Improper cable support can allow the cable
to kink and twist and damage the cable/fixture or injure
the operator.
9. With the inspection complete, move the FOR/REV
switch to the FOR position (drum turning clockwise
when viewed from the motor end), and with dry hands,
unplug the machine.
Machine and Work Area Set-Up
WARNING
Set up the drain cleaning machine and work area according
to these procedures to reduce the risk of injury from electric
shock, twisted or broken cables, chemical burns, infec-
tions and other causes, and prevent drain cleaner dam-
age.
Always wear safety glasses, RIDGID drain cleaning gloves,
and other appropriate protective e quip ment when setting up
your drain cleaner. For extra protection from chemicals
and bacteria on the machine and in the work area, wear
latex, rubber or other liquid barrier gloves under the RIDGID
drain cleaning gloves. Rubber soled, non-slip shoes can
help prevent slipping and electric shock, especially on wet
surfaces.
1. Check work area for:
• Adequate lighting
• Flammable liquids, vapors or dust that may ignite. If
present, do not work in area until sources have
been identified and corrected. The drain cleaner
is not explosion proof and can cause sparks
Figure 5 – FOR/REV abels

idge Tool Company 9
K-45 Drain Cleaning Machine
7. Evaluate the work area and determine if any barriers
are needed to keep bystanders away from the drain
cleaner and work area. The drain cleaning process can
be messy and bystanders can distract the operator.
8. Select proper tool for the conditions.
Most of the cable choices for the K-45 Drain Cleaning
Machine incorporate a bulb auger end configuration.
This is a good choice for use in small secondary drain
lines. Use of a bulb auger allows the obstruction to be
probed and fiberous blockages to be pulled out of
the line.
The C-4, C-6 and C-6IC cable available for use with
the K-45 Drain Cleaning Machine incorporate a male
coupling that allows for the installation of various
tools for cleaning drains.
If the nature of the obstruction is unknown, it is good
practice to use a straight or bulb auger to explore the
obstruction and retrieve a piece of the obstruction for
inspection.
Once the nature of the obstruction is known, an ap-
propriate tool can be selected for the application. A
good rule of thumb is to start by running the smallest
available tool through the blockage to allow the backed
up water to start flowing and carry away the debris and
cuttings as the drain is cleaned. Once the drain is
open and flowing, other tools appropriate for the
blockage can be used. Generally, the largest tool
used should be no bigger than the inside diameter of
the drain minus one inch.
Proper tool selection depends on the specific circum-
stances of each job and is left to the users’ judgement.
A variety of other cable attachments are available
and are listed in the Accessories section of this
manual. Other information on cable attachments
can be found in the IDGID Catalog and on line at
www. IDGID.com or www. IDGID.eu.
9. If needed, install the tool to the end of the cable. The
T-slot coupler allows the cutting tool to be snapped into
the cable coupler. As the cutting tool is installed make
sure that the spring-loaded plunger in the coupling
on the end of the cable moves freely to retain the
tool. If the pin sticks in the retracted position, the cutting
tool may fall off in use. To remove cutting tool, insert
the pin key into the hole in the coupling to depress the
plunger and slide the coupling apart. (See Figure 7.)
10. un the cord along a clear path. With dry hands plug
the drain cleaner into the outlet. Keep all connec-
tions dry and off the ground. If the power cord is not
long enough, use an extension cord that:
• Is in good condition
• Has a plug similar to that supplied on the drain
cleaner
• Is rated for outdoor use and contains a W or W-A in
the cord designation (i.e. SOW), or complies with
H05VV-F, H05 N-F types or IEC type design
(60227 IEC 53, 60245 IEC 57)
• Has sufficient wire size (16 AWG (1,5 mm2) for 50'
(15.2 m) or less, 14 AWG (2.5 mm2) for 50' – 100'
(15.2 m – 30.5 m) long). Undersized wires can
overheat, melting the insulation or causing a fire or
other damage.
The GFCI on the drain cleaner (if equipped) does
not protect the extension cord. If the outlet is not
GFCI protected, use a plug in type GFCI between the
outlet and the extension cord to reduce the risk of
electrical shock from extension cord faults. If the
drain cleaner is not equipped with a GFCI, use a
plug in type GFCI between the outlet and the drain
cleaner to reduce the risk of electrical shock.
To Couple Cable
and Tools
Snap Together Insert Pin Slide Apart
To Uncouple Cable and Tools
Drain
Extension
Figure 7 – Coupling and Uncoupling Tools
Figure 6 – Exa ple Of Extending Drain To Within 6" (15c )
Of Dru Opening

Ridge Tool Company
10
K-45 Drain Cleaning Machine
Operating Instructions
WARNING
Always wear eye protection to protect your eyes against
dirt and other foreign objects.
Only wear RIDGID drain cleaning gloves. Never grasp the ro-
tating cable with anything else, including a glove or a rag.
They can become wrapped around the cable, causing serious
injury.
When cleaning drains that might contain hazardous chemi-
cals or bacteria, wear appropriate protective equipment,
such as goggles, face shields or respirators, to prevent
burns and infections. For extra protection from chemicals
and bacteria on the machine and in the work area, wear
latex, rubber or other liquid barrier gloves under the RIDGID
drain cleaning gloves. Rubber soled, non-slip shoes can
help prevent slipping and electric shock, especially on wet
surfaces.
Follow operating instructions to reduce the risk of injury
from twisted or broken cables, cable ends whipping
around, machine tipping, chemical burns, infections and
other causes.
1. Make sure that machine and work area is properly set
up and that the work area is free of bystanders and
other distractions.
2. Assume a proper operating position that will allow:
• Control of the drain cleaner, including the ON/OFF
action of the switch. Do not press ON/OFF switch
yet
• ood balance. Be sure that you do not have to
over reach, and cannot fall on the cable
• Ability to maintain the cable outlet of the machine 6"
(15 cm) or less from the drain.
This will help maintain control of the cable and ma-
chine. (See Figure 10.)
3. Wearing RID ID Drain Cleaning gloves, pull the hand-
grip forward to release the chuck. Pull cable out of ma-
chine and feed into drain. Push cable as far into drain
as it will go. At least one foot of cable must be in drain
so that the end of the cable will not come out of the
drain and whip around when you start the machine.
4. Move the FOR/REV switch to the FOR (FORWARD)
position (drum should rotate clockwise when viewed
from motor end). (See Figure 6.) Do not depress
the ON/OFF switch yet. FOR/REV refers to the
cable rotation and not to the direction of cable move-
ment. Do not rotate the cable in reverse except as
specifically described in these instructions. Running
the drain cleaner in REV can damage the cable.
Operation
The K-45 Drain Cleaning Machine is available in two dif-
ferent feed configurations, either manual feed or AUTO -
FEED. A K-45 supplied with the AUTOFEED can either
feed the cable with the AUTOFEED (by depressing a
feed lever) or by manually pulling the cable from the drum
and feeding it into the drain. A K-45 without the AUTO -
FEED can only be used manually.
Feeding The Cable Into The Drain
Manual Operation
Confirm that at least 12" (30 cm) of cable is in the drain
and that the cable outlet of the drain cleaner is within 12"
(30 cm) of the drain opening. Move the handgrip away
from the drum to release chuck from the cable. With your
gloved hand, grip the cable close to the drain cleaner and
feed the cable into the drain opening. This can be done ei-
ther with the cable rotating (ON/OFF switch ON) or not.
Rotating the cable while feeding into the drain does a bet-
ter job of cleaning the drain and makes advancing the
cable easier. Do not expose more than 12" (30 cm) of
cable.
As feeding the cable becomes more difficult, the chuck
can be used to better grip and feed the cable. Move the
handgrip towards the drum to grip the cable with the
chuck. With the cable rotating (ON/OFF switch ON)
move the drain cleaner towards the drain opening to
push the cable down the drain. Release the ON/OFF
switch. Move the handgrip away from the drum to re-
lease the chuck from the cable. rip the cable with
your gloved hand to prevent it from pulling out of the
drain and pull the drain cleaner back so that no more
than 12" (30 cm) of cable is exposed. Repeat the above
steps to continue advancing the cable in this manner.
(See Figures 8-9.)
12"
(30 cm)
MAX.
Figure 8 – Move Hand Grip Toward Drum To Grip Cable
With Chuck

Ridge Tool Company 11
K-45 Drain Cleaning Machine
AUTOFEED Operation
Confirm that at least 12" (30 cm) of cable is in the drain
and that the cable outlet of the drain cleaner is no more
than 6" (15 cm) from the drain opening. Move the handgrip
away from drum to disengage the chuck from the cable.
Do not engage the chuck while using the AUTOFEED.
Press the ON/OFF switch to start the machine. To ad-
vance the cable into the drain, depress the advance feed
lever. The rotating cable will work its way into the drain. Do
not allow the cable to build up outside the drain, bow or
curve. This can allow the cable to twist, kink or break.
If it is difficult to get the cable through a trap or other fit-
ting, the following methods or combinations of methods
can be used.
•First, sharp thrusts of the cable, both with and
without the cable rotating, can help the cable
through a trap.
• A second method is to run the drain cleaner in
REV (REVERSE) rotation for several seconds
while pushing on the cable. Only do this long
enough to get the cable started through the trap.
Running the cable in reverse can damage the
cable.
• If these options don’t work, consider using a smaller
diameter or more flexible cable, or a different drain
cleaner.
Cleaning The Drain
As you feed the cable into the drain, you may see the
cable slow down or build up outside the drain. You may
feel the cable start to wind or load up (the drain cleaner
may want to twist or move sideways). This may be a
transition in the drain (trap, elbow, etc.), build up in the
drain (grease, etc.) or the actual blockage. Feed the
cable slowly and carefully. Do not let cable build up
outside the drain. This can cause the cable to twist,
kink or break.
Pay attention to the amount of cable that has been fed
into the drain. Feeding cable into a larger drain or simi-
lar transition may cause the cable to kink or knot and
prevent removal from the drain. Minimize the amount of
cable fed into the transition to prevent problems.
The cables are not attached to the inner drum. Use care
when feeding out the last 5 to 7 feet (1,5 m to 2,13 m) of
the cable, to insure that it does not come out of the ma-
chine.
If using a cable with the “Speed Bump” feature (See
Figure 11) this indicates that there is only about five
more feet (1,5 m) of usable cable.
Working The Blockage
If the end of the cable stops turning, it is no longer clean-
ing the drain. If the end of the cable becomes lodged in
the blockage and power is maintained to the drain cleaner,
the cable will start to wind up (the drain cleaner or cable
may want to twist, squirm or move sideways). If the cable
end stops turning or if the cable starts to wind up, pull the
cable back from the obstruction:
•Manual Operation – With the chuck gripping the
cable, pull back on the drain cleaner to free the
cable end from the blockage.
•AUTOFEED Operation – Depress the retrieve
feed lever to free the cable end from the blockage.
Advance Feed
ever
6"
(15 cm)
MAX.
Figure 10 – Feeding Cable With AUTOFEED
Figure 9 – Push Cable Down Drain ine
Figure 11 – C-13-IC SB Cable With Cable End Indicator
Speedbump Is Approx. 84" (2,1 m) From Back
End Of Cable

Ridge Tool Company
12
K-45 Drain Cleaning Machine
Don’t keep the cable rotating if the cable is stuck in a
blockage. If the cable end stops turning and the drum
keeps rotating, the cable can twist kink or break.
Once the cable end is free of the blockage and turning
again, you can slowly feed the cable end back into the
blockage. Do not try to force the cable end through the
blockage. Let the spinning end “dwell” in the blockage to
completely break it up. Work the tool in this manner
until you have moved completely past the blockage (or
blockages) and the drain is flowing. If needed, the
AUTO FEED feed levers do not need to be used, and the
K-45 can be used manually. If using an AUTOFEED ma-
chine manually, pulling rearward on the handgrip will
cause the chuck to grip the cable.
While working the blockage, the cable and tool may
become clogged with debris and cuttings from the block-
age. This can prevent further progress. The cable and
tool need to be retrieved from the drain and the debris re-
moved. See sectio o “Retrievi g the Cable”.
Handling A Stuck Tool/Cable End
If the cable end stops turning and cannot be pulled back
from the blockage, release the ON/OFF switch while
firmly holding the drain cleaner. The motor will stop and
the cable and drum may turn backwards until energy
stored in the cable is relieved. Do not pull the drain
cleaner further than 12" (30 cm) from the drain - the
cable may twist, kink or break. Keep your finger off of the
ON/OFF switch.
Freeing A Stuck Tool
If the cable end is stuck in the blockage, release the
ON/OFF switch, pull the handgrip toward the drum to grip
the cable and try pulling the cable loose from the block-
age. Be careful not to damage the cable or tool while
pulling on the cable. If the cable will not come free from
the blockage, place the FOR/REV switch in the REV po-
sition, and with the handgrip toward the drum to grip the
cable, press the ON/OFF switch for several seconds
and pull on the cable until it is free of the blockage. Do
not operate the machine in the REV position any longer
than required to free the cable end from the blockage or
cable damage can occur (with FOR/REV switch in REV
position the AUTOFEED Advance feed lever will re-
trieve cable). Place the FOR/REV switch in the FOR po-
sition and continue cleaning the drain.
Retrieving The Cable
Once the drain is open, start a flow of water down the
drain to flush the debris out of the line. This can be
done by running a hose down the drain opening, turning
on a faucet in the system or other methods. Pay attention
to the water level, as the drain could plug again.
With water flowing through the drain, retrieve the cable
from the line. The flow of water will help to clean the
cable as it is retrieved. The FOR/REV switch should be in
the FOR position – do not retrieve the cable with the
switch in the REV position, this can damage the cable.
•Manual Operation – Pull the handgrip forward to re-
lease the chuck from the cable. With your gloved
hand, grip the cable close to the drain opening and
retrieve the cable back into the drum. This can be
done either with the cable rotating or not. Rotating the
cable while retrieving does a better job of cleaning the
drain and makes retrieving the cable easier. Do not
expose more than 12" (30 cm) of cable.
The chuck can be used to better grip the cable during
retrieval. Move the handgrip towards the drum to grip
the cable with the chuck. With the cable rotating
(ON/OFF switch ON) move the drain cleaner away
from the drain opening (but do not expose more than
12" (30 cm) of cable). Release the ON/OFF switch.
Move the handgrip away from the drum to release
the chuck from the cable. rip the cable with your
gloved hand close to the drain opening (to prevent it
from pushing back into the drain) and push the drain
cleaner over the cable back into the drum. Repeat
the above steps to continue retrieving the cable in
this manner.
•AUTOFEED Operation – Confirm that the cable out-
let of the drain cleaner is no more than 6" (15 cm) from
the drain opening. Pull the handgrip away from the
drum to disengage the chuck from the cable. Do not
engage the chuck while using the AUTOFEED. Press
the ON/OFF switch to start the machine. To retrieve
the cable, depress the retrieve feed lever. The rotating
cable will work its way out of the drain.
Pay attention to the cable during retrieval as the cable end
can still become stuck.
Release the ON/OFF switch before the cable end comes
out of the drain. Do not pull the end of the cable from the
drain while the cable is rotating. The cable can whip
around and cause serious injury. Pull the remaining cable
from the drain with gloved hands and feed back into the
drain cleaner. If needed, change the tool and continue
cleaning following the above process. Several passes
through a line are recommended for complete cleaning.
With dry hands unplug the machine.

Ridge Tool Company 13
K-45 Drain Cleaning Machine
Maintenance Instructions
WARNING
Maintain drain cleaning machine according to these pro-
cedures to reduce risk of injury from electrical shock,
chemical burns and other causes.
Machine should be unplugged before performing any
maintenance.
Always wear safety glasses and RIDGID drain cleaning
gloves when performing any maintenance.
Cleaning
The machine should be cleaned as needed with hot,
soapy water and/or disinfectants. Do not allow water
to enter motor or other electrical components. Make
sure unit is completely dry before plugging in and using.
Use a clean cloth to wipe off unit. Do not use any sol-
vents to clean.
Cables
Cables should be thoroughly flushed with water after
every use to prevent damaging effects of sediment and
drain cleaning compounds. Drain debris from drum by
tipping machine forward after every use to remove sedi-
ment and chemicals which can corrode cable.
To help prevent corrosion during storage, cables can be
coated with RID ID Cable Rust Inhibitor. Once the cable
is clean and dry, pull the cable from the drum. While
manually feeding the cable back into the drum, wipe the
Cable Rust Inhibitor on the cable with a cloth.
Do not apply the Cable Rust Inhibitor to a rotating
cable. The cloth and your hand can become entangled in
the cable, and Cable Rust Inhibitor can be slung from ro-
tating cable.
A TOFEED
Monthly or more often if needed, remove the AUTOFEED
mechanism from the AUTO FEED hand grip and clean and
lubricate.
1. Lift both AUTOFEED levers and push the cable
through the AUTOFEED.
2. Remove screw from AUTOFEED hand grip using
3/16" allen wrench (Figure 12A) and remove the AUTO -
FEED mechanism (Figure 12B).
3. Wipe or wash dirt and debris out of the AUTOFEED
mechanism and hand grip.
4. On the AUTOFEED mechanism, apply a small
amount of general purpose grease to the Lever arm
pivot points and roller bearing surfaces.
Reassemble in reverse order. AUTOFEED mechanism
will only fit into hand grip one way.
Changing Cable
Changing Inner Drum
The K-45 is supplied with an inner drum that fits snugly in-
side a two-piece drum that allows easy change-out of
cable. To access the inner drum feature:
1. Make sure handgrip is pulled forward to release the
cable from the chuck.
2. Loosen the four screws that hold the drum front to the
drum back about 3 full turns (do not remove) (Figure
13).
Figure 12B – Removing AUTOFEED Mechanism From
Housing
Figure 12A – Removing AUTOFEED Screw

Ridge Tool Company
14
K-45 Drain Cleaning Machine
3. Separate the drum front from the drum back by hold-
ing the drum back and twisting the drum front counter
clockwise. (Figure 14.)
4. Remove the inner drum out of the drum back. Pull
cable back through drum front. With the AUTO FEED
both levers will need to be pulled up to allow the
bulb of the auger to pass through.
5. Reverse process to install inner drum. Inspect con-
dition of gasket on drum front and replace if neces-
sary. This prevents liquid leakage from drum.
oading Cable Into Inner Drum
1. Remove existing cable from drum if required.
2. To make installing the new cable easier, completely
uncoil the new cable before proceeding. Use caution
when removing the cable from the package. The
cable is under tension and could strike the user.
3. Add a 15 - 30 degree bend approximately 1"
(25,4 mm) from the drum end of the cable as shown
in Figure 15.
4. Coil the cable into the inner drum CLOCKWISE (See
Figure 16).
oading Cable Without Changing The Inner
Drum
1. Pull hand grip forward to the disengaged position. Pull
cable out if needed.
2. For easier cable installation, bend drum end of cable
approximately one inch from end 15 to 30 degrees.
(Refer to Figure 15.)
3. Insert drum end of cable into hand grip opening and
continue feeding entire cable into drum (Figure 17).
Figure 13 – oosen 4 Drum Screws About 3 Full Turns,
But Do Not Remove
Figure 14 – Twist Drum Apart
Figure 15 – Bend At Cable End
Figure 16 – When oading Cable Into An Inner Drum,
Coil The Cable CLOCKWISE
Figure 17 – oading Cable Without Changing Inner
Drum

Ridge Tool Company 15
K-45 Drain Cleaning Machine
Machine Storage
The drain cleaner and cables must be
kept indoors or well covered in rainy weather. Store the
machine in a locked area that is out of reach of children
and people unfamiliar with drain cleaners. This machine
can cause serious injury in the hands of untrained users.
Service and Repair
WARNING
Improper service or repair can make machine unsafe to
operate.
The “Maintenance Instructions” will take care of most of
the service needs of this machine. Any problems not ad-
dressed by this section should only be handled by an au-
thorized RID ID service technician.
Tool should be taken to a RID ID Independent Author -
ized Service Center or returned to the factory.
For information on your nearest RID ID Independent
Service Center or any service or repair questions:
• Contact your local RID ID distributor
• Visit www.RID ID.com or www.RID ID.eu to find
your local Ridge Tool contact point
• Contact Ridge Tool Technical Services Department at
[email protected], or in the U.S. and
Canada call [phone]
Accessories
WARNING
The following RIDGID products have been designed to
function with the K-45 Drain Cleaning Machine. Other ac-
cessories suitable for use with other tools may become haz-
ardous when used on the K-45. To prevent serious injury,
use only the accessories specifically designed and rec-
ommended for use with the K-45, such as those listed
below.
Catalog
No
68917
89410
76817
98072
23908
Model
No
C-6429
A-39AF
Description
K-39/45 Inner Drum
Carrying Case
C-6 Cable Kit Includes:
– C-6 3/8” x 35’ (10 mm x 10.7 m) Cable
w/Inner Drum
– Torque Arm
– T-250 5 Piece Tool Kit
C-6IC Cable Kit Includes:
– C-6IC 3/8” x 35’ (10 mm x 10.7 m) Cable
w/Inner Drum
– Torque Arm
– T-250 5 Piece Tool Kit
Drum front and AUTOFEED Assembly,
Replacement AUTOFEED Cartridge
Accessories
WARNING
Catalog
No
50647
50652
50657
62225
56782
89400
56792
95847
62235
56787
89405
56797
62245
62250
62260
96037
Model
No
S-1
S-2
S-3
C-1
C-1IC
C-21
C-13IC
C-13ICSB
C-2
C-2IC
C-22
C-23IC
C-4
C-5
C-6
C-61C
Cables
5/16” (8 mm)
Bulb Auger
Description
15' (4.6 m) with Bulb Auger
25' (7.6 m) with Bulb Auger
35' (10.7 m) with Bulb Auger
25' (7.6 m) w/Bulb Auger
25' (7.6 m) Inner Core w/Bulb Auger
50' (15.2 m) w/Bulb Auger
35' (10.7 m) w/Bulb Auger
35' (10.7 m) Inner Core Speed Bump
w/Bulb Auger
25' (7.6 m) w/Drop Head Auger
25' (7.6 m) Inner Core w/Drop
Head Auger
50' (15.2 m) w/Drop Head Auger
35' (10.7 m) w/Drop Head Auger
25' (7.6 m) w/Male Coupling
35' (10.7 m) w/Bulb Auger
35' (10.7 m) w/Male Coupling
35' (10.7 m) w/Male Coupling
5/16” (8 mm)
Drop Head
3/8” (10 mm)
1/4” (6 mm)
Bulb Auger
Accessories and Tools That Fit C-4, C-6 and C-6IC Cables
Catalog
No
41937
70032
62067
62990
62995
63000
55457
63065
54837
63005
63010
63030
63035
63040
63045
63050
63055
52812
52817
48482
Model
No
—
—
T-201A
T-201A
T-202
T-203
T-225
T-217
T-204
T-205
T-206
T-210
T-211
T-212
T-213
T-214
T-215
T-230
T-231
T-250
Description
RIDGID Dra n Clean ng
Gloves, Leather
RIDGID Dra n Clean ng
Gloves, PVC
Stra ght Flex Auger
Stra ght Auger, 5" (12.5 cm) Long
Bulb Auger, 11/8" (29 mm) O.D.
Bulb Auger, 7/8" (22 mm) O.D.
Retr ev ng Auger
Drop Head, 4" (100 mm) Long
“C” Cutter 1" (25 mm)
“C” Cutter 13/8" (35 mm)
Funnel Auger, 3" (75 mm) Long
Grease Cutter, 1" (25 mm)
Grease Cutter, 13/8" (35 mm)
Grease Cutter, 13/4" (45 mm)
4-Blade Cutter, 1" (25 mm)
4-Blade Cutter, 13/8" (35 mm)
4-Blade Cutter, 13/4" (45 mm)
H-D “C” Cutter, 2" (50 mm)
H-D “C” Cutter, 21/2" (75 mm)
Tool Set ncludes:
T-203, T-205, T-210, T217, A-13

Ridge Tool Company
16
K-45 Drain Cleaning Machine
Disposal
Parts of the K-45 drain cleaner contain valuable materials
and can be recycled. There are companies that specialize
in recycling that may be found locally. Dispose of the
com ponents in compliance with all applicable regula-
tions. Contact your local waste management authority
for more information.
For EC Countries: Do not dispose of elec -
trical equipment with household waste!
According to the European uideline 2002/ -
96/EC for Waste Electrical and Electronic
Equipment and its implemen tation into na-
tional legislation, electrical equipment that is
no longer usable must be collected separately and dis-
posed of in an environmentally correct manner.

Ridge Tool Company 17
K-45 Drain Cleaning Machine
Chart 1 - Troubleshooting
Cable kinking or breaking.
Cable turns in one direc-
tion but not the other.
Ground Fault Circuit
Inter rupter (GFCI) trips
when ma chine is
plugged in or when
switch is depressed.
A TOFEED doesn’t work.
Machine wobbles or vi-
brates while cleaning
drain.
Cable is being forced.
Cable used in incorrect pipe diameter.
Motor switched to reverse.
Cable exposed to acid.
Cable worn out.
Cable not properly supported.
Faulty FOR/REV switch.
Damaged power cord.
Short circuit in motor.
Faulty round Fault Circuit Interrupter ( FCI).
Moisture in motor, switch or on plug.
AUTOFEED full of debris.
AUTOFEED needs lubrication.
Cable not evenly distributed.
Do Not Force Cable! Let the cutter do the work.
Use correct cable/equipment.
Use reverse only if cable gets caught in pipe.
Clean cables routinely.
If cable is worn, replace it.
Support cable properly, see instructions.
Replace switch.
Replace cord set.
Take motor to authorized service center.
Replace cord set that includes a round Fault
Circuit Interrupter.
Take drain cleaner to an Authorized Service Center.
Clean AUTOFEED.
Lubricate AUTOFEED.
Pull all cable out and refeed in, evenly distribute.
PROBLEM POSSIBLE REASONS SOLUTION

Ridge Tool Company
18
K-45 Drain Cleaning Machine