Flexible shafts for wet tube cleaning

Flexible shafts for wet tube cleaning

Goodway® blue flexible shafts are engineered for efficient heat exchanger cleaning when used with Goodway® tube cleaning systems and brushes. Designed to operate with a low-pressure water flush, they effectively remove and flush out loosened deposits from tubes.

• These shafts are commonly used for cleaning the tubes of water-cooled chillers, shell and tube heat exchangers, tubular evaporators, heat pumps, and more. They can be used to clean tubes with inner diameters starting from 7 millimeters and larger.

Flexible shafts are available in a range of lengths and diameters. The Goodway Benelux team is available to provide guidance to ensure you select the optimal shaft for your tube cleaning application.

How to use

Every Goodway® tube cleaning system requires a flexible shaft to connect the machine to the cleaning brush. Without the shaft, the machine-to-brush connection cannot be established, making it an essential component of any tube cleaning setup.

When selecting a shaft, consider length, diameter, and coupling type. The shaft must always be longer than the tube being cleaned to allow proper connection to the machine. As a general guideline, an additional 2–2,5 meters of shaft length is typically required.

Unique features

Goodway® flexible shafts are known for their durability, reliability, and widespread use across industries. Key features include:

• Abrasion-resistant casing – for extended service life
• Unique strain relief system – reduces breakage and improves longevity
• Galvanized steel core – ensures unmatched performance and strength
• Available couplings – threaded and quick connect options
• Optimized compatibility – designed for use with Goodway® tube cleaning systems and brushes

Threaded vs. Quick Connect

Goodway® blue flexible shafts are available with either threaded or quick connect brush fittings. The right choice depends on your application:

• Quick Connect – Recommended for most chiller and heat exchanger cleaning applications. Enables bi-directional brush rotation for superior cleaning results. Best paired with machines such as: RAM-PRO, RAM-PRO-XL, and RAM-4.
• Threaded – Recommended for heavy-duty, industrial cleaning applications. Best paired with machines such as: AWT-100, AWT-100X, and RAM-4X.

Most systems are supplied with quick connect fittings, as Goodway® machines often feature dual footswitches for forward and reverse operation.

Flexible shaft maintenance

After a wet tube cleaning, residual water remains inside the shaft casing. Storing the shaft with moisture inside can lead to corrosion and oxidation, reducing performance and significantly shortening its service life. To prevent this, Goodway Benelux recommends using the GSL-705 maintenance tool after each use.

The combined flow of air and lubricant removes trapped water and coats the shaft core, protecting it against rust and corrosion. The lubricant flushes out easily with water when the shaft is used again.

Shaft strength and usage

As a rule of thumb: the shorter and thicker the shaft, the stronger and more durable it will be.

• Small-diameter shafts (e.g., GTC-701, 6.4 mm O.D.) are more delicate and should be handled with care.
• Larger-diameter shafts (e.g., GTC-703, 12.7 mm O.D.) provide greater strength and reduced risk of failure.

By choosing the appropriate shaft type and size, you ensure optimal performance and longer service life for your tube cleaning system.