Operator Manual Owner manual

T23_AA_Operator Manual_2014 Revised 08/2014

Maintenance & Adjustments

Installing Polyethylene Tube Fings

Danger! Installing ngs or repairing polyethylene tube used on your Water-Reel is haz-

ardous! The tube has a shape memory from being coiled on a reel and will coil back with

great force as the tube is released from one end or severed. This condion poses a seri-

ous hazard to personnel and/or property. The tube must be properly restrained anyme

the tube or the tube ngs are being repaired or replaced.

The ngs used on the ends of the polyethylene tube are made to screw into the tube much the same way as

a eld repair of a hydraulic hose. A threaded insert screws into the inside of the tube while an outer sleeve

keeps the tube from enlarging as the insert is installed. This provides a waterght seal and a secure grip on

the tube for dragging.

The following steps should be followed when installing ngs:

1. Secure the end of the tube by fastening it to a tractor or other heavy object. Cut the tube. Make sure the

cut on the end of the tube is square.

2. Chamfer the inside of the tube by using a sharp knife, wood rasp or a reamer. The tube should be cham-

fered evenly unl approximately ¼ of the threaded poron of the ng can be freely pushed into the

tube by hand without turning.

3. Before pung the sleeve on the outside of the tube, screw the threaded poron of the ng into the

tube. Take care to keep the ng and the tube aligned while threading. This process cuts a paral

thread in the tube which makes it easier to keep the ng straight during the nal installaon. Remove

the ng.

4. Now place the sleeve on the tube and push it on unl it is ush with the cut end of the tube.

5. Apply lubricant to the ng and to the inside of the tube. The best lubricant is liquid dishwasher soap.

Now screw the ng in unl all the threads are in the tube. Again, take care to keep the ng straight.

6. Reach inside the coupling and remove any shreds of polyethylene created as a result of cung the thread

in the tube. These may foul the sprinkler.

Tools used during installaon depend on which ng is being installed. To install a ange-style ng, use bar

5 or 6 feet long placed between two bolts inserted through the holes in the ange. For the spool elbow, use a

pipe and/or a large pipe wrench. For ngs with drive lugs inside the ng, a special installaon tool is re-

quired. This tool is not provided with the ngs.

The following diagram shows a typical driver for these ngs.

The blade of the driver is made from 3/8” x 4” plate. The

width of the blade is the same or slightly less than the

diameter of the ng. Weld the blade to a heavy steel bar or

1” schedule 80 water pipe approximate-

ly 48” long.