By Doug Riseden

I’m frequently asked why there is a center bolt on the large HYMAX and large HYMAX reducers.

This bolt is there to prevent the coupling from slowly moving or “creeping” down the pipe as the coupling is tightened, and maintains the coupling in the intended position. Without the bolt, it’s difficult to know if the pipes are centered evenly.

For the large HYMAX, simply cut the new section of the pipe two inches shorter than the pipe that is being removed. The one-inch center bolt will fit in the area between the new and old pipes. There are two sets of these centering bolts on the large HYMAX reducers since the pipes on either side of the coupling are different sizes.

I’ve also been asked by those using the HYMAX in waste water applications if the bolt can be cut given their concern of waste water solids catching on the center bolts. It’s fine to do this, but keep in mind that you will lose the bolt’s anti-creep capabilities in the process.