WAZER Pro Used Abrasive Pick Up Hose Purge

Used Abrasive pick up hose, or “pick up hose” for short, is the hose transporting used abrasive from the venturi to the used abrasive bucket. It originates from the bottom of the tank and reaches the top of the tank, it contains abrasive particles. Thus used abrasive particles may settle and compacts when the system is not running. The purge function is to push the compacted abrasive particles out from the hose.

Required Tools

None

Procedure

What is the pick up hose purge system?

Pick up hoses are the ½ size rubber hose that originate from the tank bottom venturi to the used abrasive grommet on top of the tank.

They transport the used abrasive particles from the tank bottom to the collection bucket.

Sometimes the abrasives left in the hose settle and become compact, overpowering the low pressure pumps and renders the used abrasive collection system useless.

The pick up hose purge line is tapped into the pick up hose near the venturi. Its job is to divert some of the water input pressure to help the low pressure pump to push through the compacted used abrasive in the hose.

There are two venturis, thus two pick up hoses, and two purge lines. The valves controlling the water flow for the purge lines are located in the hydraulic cavity on the left side of the WAZER Pro.

Remove the middle left panel to gain access to the valves. The upper valve is controlling the right purge line, while the lower valve is controlling the left purge line.

There are several methods to engage the purge system, and each has its own procedure and unique benefits.

How to activate the Pick up Hose Purge system?

Activate the pick up hose purge during “used abrasive collection”. It is important to keep the low pressure system running (the low pressure pumps turned on) before doing a pickup line purge.

This is the recommended method of hose purging.

Go to “set up and maintenance” > “maintenance” > “used abr. Collect”. Low pressure pumps will be engaged under this mode

If the hose line is clear, you will see strong water coming out of the grommet. If you see the water flow is weak, you may choose to engage the purge.

By pressing the valve, you will notice two things happening with the output water stream: it becomes stronger and murkier.

More water is injected into the pick up hose and more abrasive particles are carried out by the increased flow.

Keep pressing until the water level rises to the grommet.

When to use the Used Abrasive Pick Up Hose Purge system?

Activate the pick up hose purge after long times of idlenes

If the WAZER Pro is left idle for a long time, the used abrasive in the pick up hose may settle and become compacted, resulting in a clog.

Before conducting a cut on a previously idle WAZER Pro, go to “set up and maintenance” > “maintenance” > “tank cleaning”

As WAZER Pro starts the tank cleaning cycle, look at the water coming out from the front tank grommet.

If you see no or little water coming out, press the pick up hose purge button. The added pressure in the hose will help to break free the clog in the hose.

Use the pick up hose purge before lowering the water level

WAZER Pro comes with a quick drain button, and allows you to drain the tank below the cut bed.

Also, you may need to empty the tank for a full tank cleaning.

However, if the pick up hose is filled with abrasive-rich water before the water level is lowered below , the water level differential will exacerbate the abrasive settlement and compaction.

Thus, before you decide to lower the water level below the cut bed, Go to “set up and maintenance” > “maintenance” > “used abr. Collect”. run the purge line till the grommet stream becomes clear.

After that, you may lower the water level.

Tips and tricks for using pick up hose purge to its maximum utility.

Sometimes the clog is stubborn and a short run of the pick up line purge is not sufficient to purge the clog. Turn the valve on for several seconds, then turn off wait for a few seconds, and turn on again. Cycle through the purge sometimes can help to purge the hose line more effectively than a single long press.

Also keep an eye on the water level. Make sure the water level does not rise too much beyond the cut bed. Press the “drain button” to lower the water level as needed.

It is vital to purge the pick up hose with the low pressure pumps running. Purging without the low pressure pumps may cause the abrasive to backflow into the pump, and cause serious damages.

Next Time

Before shutting off WAZER, run “used abr collect” till the pick up hose becomes clear. This indicates that no abrasive is left in the hose, and no compaction or clog may happen.
Before starting a cut, check the low pressure system status by running a “used abr. Collect”. Engage the purge when needed.