Blowing/Sucking String in Conduit

[EdPorts]

Hey Guys...

Most of my work is OSP related for local CATV company.

Right now, we're in a rebuild stage -- so we're doing quite a bit of drop changeouts to underground. If there's one thing I hate, it's fishing a conduit. Especially a long one, it takes forver.

I've only sucked string into conduits using a shop vac. I've always used a piece of rubber and held it around the conduit and the vaccum hose. Are there any products made just for that purpose?

Secondly, a lot of the guys I've been seeing lately are using compressed gas and simply shooting the string through rather than sucking it.

When I did major OSP construction for fiber backhauls... we blew it through as well, but that was using major major vaccum and compression trailers.

So what do you guys do...

I'm talking 2" PVC conduit maybe 200-500 feet long.

 

[Servamatic]

Well, I always preferred the vacuum as opposed to blowing, at least indoors...safety is a concern.
When you blow a line you can end up with a mess at the other end, who knows who's done what in a conduit....using a vacuum prevents that.

Yes...I know Greenlee makes conduit adapters for vacuuming..I am sure others do as well, but I have used theirs.

Richard S. Anderson, RCDD

http://www.servamatic.net

 

[daronwilson]

Unless you have old conduit or a large amount of water and mud, you should be able to suck the string in what you are dealing with. Greenlee makes a nice setup, but basically it is a heavy duty shop vac. There are a couple things that can make it easier: I use the string (greenlee i think) that is on a cone, something like 90# test, small nylon kite like string. It is very light, and spools off the cone very easily. Rarely do I find the foam rubber mouse made for each size of conduit to be that easy, I usually take a sandwhich baggie or anything similar, tie the string around the middle, cut it down until it comfortably fits in the pipe and you are on the way.

If you are still struggling, greenlee also makes a one piece job that is a small tube of string about the weight of dental floss. On the end of the tube is a foam rubber disc the size of the pipe. You tie the string off and suck the whole tube and foam disc thru to the other end.

I've blown string and mule tape in with a big compressor, but that's usually what we would do with 3 or 4" duct that runs a long distance.

Good Luck!

It is only my opinion, based on my experience and education...I am always willing to learn, educate me!
Daron J. Wilson, RCDD
daron.wilson@lhmorris.com

 

[EdPorts]

Yeah... I've been blowing a lot of it lately for 4" backhaul stuff, but that's no where near as small as this drop changeout business.

I guess I'll have to give that Greenlee stuff a try.

 

[bobsou]

i use the same method as Daron but i use the plastic carrie out bags from the shopping store , they can then be use from 1/2 to 4 inch pipes & fly thur

 

[unclekia]

The Greenlee 690 unit can be purchased from Granger or for short time use can be rented for daily or weekly use from A-1 Rentals. Use it either to blow or suck the string through the 2" PVC easily with such short distances.