Although not entirely new, the Turbo III chain cutter cleaning nozzle from USB-Sewer Equipment Corp. is unique, and created its share of show floor buzz at the Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo in Indianapolis. Designed to clean oval or egg-shaped pipelines, the Turbo chain nozzle features a teardrop-shaped skid made of tempered stainless steel for use in pipes up to 48 inches in diameter.

“What you do first is you use a nozzle to clean the bottom of the pipe, which is usually a hydro nozzle or bottom cleaner,” says Reinhart Laimer, president of USB-Sewer Equipment Corp. “How do you get the roots, grease and calcium buildup removed from an oval-shaped pipe? By extending one of the skids according to the diameter of the pipe,” he explains. “You center the chain cutter and scour with the chain the roots and the grease, which is primarily on the top of the line.”

Operating at approximately 6,000 to 10,000 rpm, the cutter spins 360 degrees at 2 o’clock down to 4 or 5 o’clock and up the other side of the pipe. “Normally, we can use this for 12-inch [diameter pipe] and up,” Laimer says of the 43-pound Turbo III that can clean 10- to 20-inch diameter pipes (up to 32 inches with additional stainless steel extension skid). The smaller Turbo II weighs 16.5 pounds and is made to clean 6- to 12-inch-diameter pipes. The larger, 80-pound Turbo IV is designed for cleaning pipes 15 to 36 inches in diameter.

The Turbo chain cutter cleaning nozzle has been especially popular in Canada where they have a lot of old, egg-shaped pipes, Laimer says.

“The Turbo III chain cutter comes with registered utility patented advanced, optimized 3-D hydro mechanics,” he says. “The continuously adjustable guide skid can easily be adjusted in 1 1/16-inch increments.”

The flexible, open-link chains won’t damage pipes. The Turbo III chain cleaning nozzle is 28 1/2 inches long, weighs 43 pounds and has a teardrop-shaped skid made of tempered stainless steel. The turbine is operated by water from a pressurized hose (minimum 50 gpm at 3/4 inches, maximum 120 gpm at 1 1/4 inches) and needs no lubrication. Other features include low maintenance, easily changeable chain retainers, low operating cost, inexpensive replacement chains and threaded ceramic nozzle inserts — no flow straighteners needed for use in difficult pipes (offsets, drop joints). Since water is channeled separately and has no contact with the cutter’s internal bearings, the nozzle can be used with recycled water. The chain cutter also comes with a complete set of tools.

Laimer says Expo visitors can look for him at next year’s Expo, scheduled for Feb. 24-27 at the Indiana Convention Center. This year’s show attracted approximately 4,000 septic, sewer and drain companies and more than 500 exhibitors. “We will have some new products next year again and see what happens,” Laimer says. 866/408-2814; www.usbsec.com.