A mobile machine for cleaning sewer and like pipes has a water reservoir connected through an engine driven pump and plumbing to one end of a hose coiled on a rotatable reel, the other end of the hose having a discharge nozzle for entering the pipe to be cleaned. A hydraulic ciricuit is provided for actuating a water shut off valve in the plumbing and for control of speed and direction of rotation of the reel, and a remote control device is provided for operating solenoid valves in the hydraulic circuit. The water shut off valve may be operated by electric motor independently of the hydraulic circuit.

A head is disclosed for use in cleaning pipes using a technique in which the head projects water backwardly so as to be driven along the pipe pulling a water supply hose with the head following which the supply hose is pulled from the pipe to withdraw the head thus forcing collected debris from the pipe. The head comprises a cylindrical body having a nose and a rear wall in which the jets are positioned. The body is wrapped around by longitudinal skid bars spaced angularly of the cylindrical body and welded to the nose and welded to a coaxial pipe supplying water to the cylindrical body. The jets are inclined outwardly at a shallow angle of the order of 1.degree. to 6.degree..

An apparatus for applying dry herbicides to sewer lines which includes a container for storing a herbicide, a length of tubing, and nozzle means connected to the tubing. Also included are means for propelling herbicide stored in the container through the tubing such that herbicide may be dispersed from the nozzle. Locomotion means are also provided for transporting the nozzle within the interior of a sewer line such that the interior surfaces of a sewer line may be sprayed with a herbicide. In this fashion herbicide may be directed at any flora growing within the sewer line.

A method and apparatus for dissipating surcharge waste material clogging manholes includes a sewage surcharge dissipation head. The sewage surcharge dissipation head is connected through a high pressure hose to a source of high pressure water. The sewage surcharge dissipation head is lowered into a clogged manhole, and high pressure water is pumped through the high pressure hose to the sewage surcharge dissipation head. The high pressure water exits the sewage surcharge dissipation head through multiple water jet nozzles positioned around the circumference of the head and set at 35 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the head. The resultant water jet streams cut through, stir and dilute the surcharge clogging the manhole. The sewage surcharge dissipation head includes a means for connecting a pole to control the position and motion of the sewage surcharge dissipation head. An alternative embodiment of the invention also includes a length of pipe connecting the sewage surcharge dissipation head to the high pressure hose to provide additional stability and control of the sewage surcharge dissipation head.