Sprayed-on form oil won’t hurt, but you want to avoid it as much as possible. We suggest brushing it on the mandrel to keep it away from the connector.

For the life of the concrete structure. The first A-LOK installations were done in 1971 and are still intact and working fine.

For the life of the concrete structure.

As long as it is not out of round by more than ¼”.

Yes, as long as it is properly cleaned, by removing all concrete from the connector.

No.

15 PSI or 34.5 feet.

18.5%.

46.50%.

Yes, it is called Nitrile (NBR, Buna-N) – Acrylonitrile-butadiene. Trade names: Breon, Butaprene, Chemigum, Chemivic, Elaprim, FR-N, Hycar, Krynac, NYsyn, NYsynblak, Paracril, Paracril OZO, Perbunan N, Tylac, Nipol. It has very good resistance to oil and gasoline; superior resistance to petroleum-based hydraulic fluids; a wide range of service temperatures (-65 to 300°F); and a very good resistance to alkalis and acids. It has inferior resistance to ozone, sunlight and natural aging; and a poor resistance to oxygenated solvents. Nitrile and neoprene are the highest-volume oil-resistant elastomers. Nitrile is superior to neoprene in resistance to oil, gasoline and aromatic solvents. However, it does not perform as well as neoprene in applications requiring exposure to weather, ozone and sunlight. Furthermore, it has no inherent flame resistance. As the acrylonitrile content of the elastomer increases, oil and solvent resistance and abrasion resistance improve. When the acrylonitrile content decreases, these properties deteriorate, and low-temperature flexibility and resilience improve.

Yes, A-LOK connectors can be used with all types of round smooth-wall pipe.

The rubber compounds we use have an anti-ozant mixed in that helps it resist light. They also have a anti-oxidant that helps it resist air. When you see a rubber connector that has been out in the light and air for awhile it will have a dullness to the finish as well as slight brownish cast. This is nothing more that the two above mention compounds coming to the surface to protect the rubber. So, a couple of months outside is alright but much longer than that and you may see some cracking. ASTM specs say store rubber inside, at 70 degrees. One additional way to add protection is to use Armor–All since it has very good UV and ozone protection.

The A-LOK compression connector fitting properly is based initially on pipe OD, so whether the same size pipe goes in a 48” manhole or a 60” manhole, the only thing that changes is the curve of the connector created by the mandrels to fit close to the center of the wall to achieve proper embedment of the “T”/waterstop of each connector. The opening for the pipe OD, also know as the “A-LOK connector /mandrel ID”, remains the same regardless of the curve.

Click here for detailed instructions.

No, there are different cut lengths for round and flat wall connectors. All of our flatwall connectors are labeled “FW” with a yellow stripe.

Our EPDM rubber molded connectors can handle a reasonable constant temp of 250-270° F. Our extruded polyisoprene connectors can handle a reasonable constant temp of 150-160° F. Nitrile rubber connectors can handle a reasonable constant temperature of 230-250° F.

Most importantly, be sure the manhole is safe to enter.

1. Check for debris trapped in between connector and OD of the pipe. If debris are found remove them by running a thin trowel in between the connector and the pipe.
2. Inflate the connector if it is not tight to the pipe.

Use urethane grout material, AV-202, to stop the leak.

The connector should be replaced.

Call A-LOK at 1-800-822-2565, it may be able to be repaired

Yes, unless the difference between the pipes OD’s is plus or minus ¼”.

Depending on how much it is used, if it’s cleaned and oiled after use and removed from the structure with a dead blow hammer. There is no telling how long it can last.

-If it is a stock or non stocking item.
-The quantity ordered 1 or 100.
-Is it a size we have made in the past or is it a brand new size?
-The travel time from our plant(s) to yours.
-How many orders are already in house at the time your order is placed.

The flat spot helps center pipe, over 18 inches in diameter, and a compression connector for installation. The flat spot should always be on the outside and towards the bottom of a manhole.

Mandrels should be matched in pairs organized by size using our Mandrel Storage Hooks.

You will need to drill a 13/16 of an inch hole.

No.

Yes you can, but the important thing is the nuts and bolts should be snug together. If they are too tight it could push connector out of the cavity and change the wall thickness.

For example: AM-0610-048-05W-FM translates to AM= A-LOK Mandrel, 0610= A-LOK mandrel size, 048= inside 48”dimension of the ROUND structure the mandrel is made to fit, 05W= 5”wall thickness, FM= the mandrel is outfitted with openings for magnets to hold it in place during the pour (these mandrels could also be wired in place).  Another example on part AM-1430-F12, the F12= 12” flat wall structure. 

Half the distance of  the smallest pipe OD measured from the outside edge of one mandrel to outside edge of the other mandrel when placed on the core area.

There must be a minimum of 6” of concrete cover between the top of the A-Lok mandrel and the bottom of the joint on the manhole spigot.

There must be a minimum of 2” of concrete cover between the top of the manhole base floor and the bottom of the A-Lok mandrel if no invert forming equipment is being used. If invert forming equipment is being used, the mandrel must be placed high enough from the floor to allow room for the invert forming equipment.

Yes, if the pipe is beveled and lubed and properly centered in the pipe, but it’s not recommended.