Press-Seal’s Cast-A-Seal 603 is a very popular cast-in boot connector for manholes and straight-wall structures requiring PVC pipe. Its flexible composition and intuitive design make it a crowd favorite—but it’s the connector’s easy installation method that sends it flying head and shoulders above the competition.
What Kind of Mandrel Do You Need?
As with our other Cast-A-Seals, a mandrel is required to install the 603 in place. Press-Seal provides a resilient polyethylene mandrel with your purchase of Cast-A-Seal 603, but precast producers can create their own mandrels, too. It’s also not uncommon to see customers make mandrels out of Styrofoam, the host pipe, or even a metal ring.
Press-Seal Cast-A-Seal 603 polyethylene mandrel.
What makes the Press-Seal polyethylene mandrel so popular is its durability and prolonged life expectancy. If cared for and maintained properly, the polyethylene mandrel can be reused for additional 603 installations, making it much more cost-efficient in the long run.
Why Is the Connector Unfolded Upon Delivery?
Cast-A-Seal 603 comes in different sizes. The smaller 8-inch and 10-inch (203.2 mm and 254 mm) connectors are pre-folded at our factory here in Fort Wayne, Indiana, while the larger 12-inch and 18-inch (304.8 mm and 457.2 mm) sizes are not.
The reason behind this is quite simple and practical: larger sizes won’t hold in the folding position during shipment. And while sizes vary, installation of all 603s is accomplished with the same easy approach every time.
How Do You Fold the Connector & Install It on the Mandrel?
First (and most importantly), ensure the mandrel surface is clean and clear of debris before installation. Once that is complete, follow these simple steps:
- Ensure the keylock of the connector is face down and the red stripe faces outward.
- Flip one-third of the connector inward. Fold inward again.
- Rotate the connector 180 degrees, ensuring the keylock is face up.
- Pushing with one hand at the 9-o’clock position, simply roll the connector inward and work your way 360 degrees around the mandrel.
- Push down the connector until it’s seated against the ledge of the mandrel.
- Locate the casting ring and align the parting lines with the parting lines of the mandrel.
- Finally, before installing the forms, look over the mandrel and perform quality checks. Ensure the:
- Red line faces outward.
- Keylock is face up.
- Cast-A-Seal 603 firmly sets against the ledge of the mandrel.
Certified Precast Proficiency
If you’re looking for a boot connector that meets a variety of ASTMs, including C923 (Standard Specification for Resilient Connectors Between Reinforced Concrete Manhole Structures, Pipes, and Laterals) and C1478 (Standard Specification for Storm Drain Resilient Connectors Between Reinforced Concrete Storm Sewer Structures, Pipes, and Laterals), then ask about our Cast-A-Seal 603 connector. Reach out to us toll free at (800) 348-7325 or locally at (260) 436-0521.