Help deciding which jetter to buy

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Hi,

Im looking to buy a jetter to do full time jetting so I want a capable machine, the machines im looking at are

1) 3500 psi 8 gpm

2) 3000 psi 10 gpm

3) 3000 psi 12 gpm

I have considered smaller ones but as it looks like I will have one jetter, I want one thats really capable.

Mainly cleaning 4-6" residential lines, laterals

Also I wanted the electric hose reel but I hear the remote hose reel and a foot pedal is good so wondering what you guys think,

Really appreciate your help

Thanks
 
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We have couple of electric jets, one does up to 3" another electric jet that does 3 and above, and a gas powered one with a 150'reel so the motor can be out side they all work pretty good I'd say the gas one is the most powerful pressures are alot lower than 3500-3000, your looking at a trailer jet I assume, tou not sure were you are but they can be tough in the winter,they can freeze up when you say residential laterals do you mean from the street to the house, we only use our jets in a very controlled situation inside,you can make a huge mess quickly if your not careful most of our work is done with snakes 3/4" diameter+100' down to 1/4"+25'
 
We have couple of electric jets, one does up to 3" another electric jet that does 3 and above, and a gas powered one with a 150'reel so the motor can be out side they all work pretty good I'd say the gas one is the most powerful pressures are alot lower than 3500-3000, your looking at a trailer jet I assume, tou not sure were you are but they can be tough in the winter,they can freeze up when you say residential laterals do you mean from the street to the house, we only use our jets in a very controlled situation inside,you can make a huge mess quickly if your not careful most of our work is done with snakes 3/4" diameter+100' down to 1/4"+25'
Hi Geof, its going to be mounted in my van, im in Florida. I guess your right, I just see like the Northwest Brute Jetter has like 4000 psi so I thought its good but maybe I dont really need that much pressure. From my understanding, psi is what dislodges and breaks up build up on the pipe walls, or is that done mainly by GPM? I still have some research to do to find the right machine for me, where do you plug your electic jetters into? just a regular outlet? Yes preferably from the street to the house

Thanks so much for the info
Regards
 
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Hi Geof, its going to be mounted in my van, im in Florida. I guess your right, I just see like the Northwest Brute Jetter has like 4000 psi so I thought its good but maybe I dont really need that much pressure. From my understanding, psi is what dislodges and breaks up build up on the pipe walls, or is that done mainly by GPM? I still have some research to do to find the right machine for me, where do you plug your electic jetters into? just a regular outlet? Yes preferably from the street to the house

Thanks so much for the info
Regards
Yes regular outlets
General is a brand name for snake cables an jettets, and drain machines there is also something on that site called drain brains were you ask questions, I work with drain cleaning co when we can't clear a drain,they only use a jet from the outside in , most drain cleaning co use open reel drain
Machines, because the inclosed drum adds a lot of weight, they also have winches in their trucks to put the big machines back in
Do you do drain cleaning already, and are looking to expand??????
 
I think I might want to get into pipe lining a little bit down the road, so jetting and using a camera is right up that alley, Thanks so much for all the info, really appreciate your insight, very thought provoking

Im looking to focus on jetting and probably chain knockers. Ive been in plumbing and drain cleaning for a number of years

Thanks
 
Well good luck hope it all works out I personally love drain cleaning

If you dont mind me asking some more,

So ive narrowed it down to 2 jetters

1) 5.5 gpm 4000 psi 20 hp costs $3500 without hoses and nozzles

2) 8 gpm 3500 psi 22 hp costs $6500 comes complete with 275 gallon water tank installed, without hoses and nozzles

I also already own a 4 gpm 4200 psi 13 Hp unit but I figured this is too small to be my main machine if only do jetting

Also am considering, like you said, in having a cable machine in my van to first make a hole and break the stoppage. would a 1/2" cable 75' on the ridgid k400 work or I imagine this is too weak?


Again thanks, really apreciate you
 
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I have a k400 they are only meant for 3/8"×75' I think if you try 1/2"×75' it will spin to slow it does clear most 4" drains and roots but I prefer 1/2" or bigger ×100' just because the cable is that much stronger
The only true jetters I have worked with are pro drain cleaners and they used trailer jets, I think more pressure less water is what you want, if you know any drain cleaners you could talk to them to see what cable machines and jetters they like best
 
I have a k400 they are only meant for 3/8"×75' I think if you try 1/2"×75' it will spin to slow it does clear most 4" drains and roots but I prefer 1/2" or bigger ×100' just because the cable is that much stronger
The only true jetters I have worked with are pro drain cleaners and they used trailer jets, I think more pressure less water is what you want, if you know any drain cleaners you could talk to them to see what cable machines and jetters they like best

Interesting, Ridgid actually sells the k400 with a 1/2" cable and I worked with a plumber who used a k400 with 1/2" although I will say it wasn't his main machine and it wasn't that strong if I recall correctly
 
Interesting, Ridgid actually sells the k400 with a 1/2" cable and I worked with a plumber who used a k400 with 1/2" although I will say it wasn't his main machine and it wasn't that strong if I recall correctly
Yeh, the bigger the diameter, the shorter in length it has to be, it says the 400 will take a 100' 3/8" cable a guy I know tried it, the further out he got the slower the drum spins, I do like mine as long as you know what your doing that cable, and that length work well but if you only did drains you would need something bigger
 
I have a k400 they are only meant for 3/8"×75' I think if you try 1/2"×75' it will spin to slow it does clear most 4" drains and roots but I prefer 1/2" or bigger ×100' just because the cable is that much stronger
The only true jetters I have worked with are pro drain cleaners and they used trailer jets, I think more pressure less water is what you want, if you know any drain cleaners you could talk to them to see what cable machines and jetters they like best

I just feel like maybe theres a lot of bussiness in cleaning grease traps and light commercial and then I would want something closer to your trailer jetter 8 gpm 3500 psi

But then on the other hand, i imagine most of my business woud be uncloging residentiial single family home and maybe small apartment building and most of that would probably be best at the 5.5 gpm and 4000 psi,
Thanks
 
I just feel like maybe theres a lot of bussiness in cleaning grease traps and light commercial and then I would want something closer to your trailer jetter 8 gpm 3500 psi

But then on the other hand, i imagine most of my business woud be uncloging residentiial single family home and maybe small apartment building and most of that would probably be best at the 5.5 gpm and 4000 psi,
Thanks
[/QUOTcleaning grease traps is a good business we have a co come to the university I work for once a month they are there all day it's very dirty work but it's repeat work for the life of the properties, you gotta have small pump trucks and a big tank truck to transfer into them a place to dump it
 
Have you checked into insurance. My dad told me years ago that he wanted to get into the drain cleaning
business but the insurance was very high. He didn't do it. I'm glad because I hated drain cleaning. LOL
 
Geof if your still around, can you talk a little bit about electric jetters/jetting indoors, when do you do it? what are the risks?

Thanks
 

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