Comparing Push Cameras vs. Crawler Cameras for Sewer Work

Push cameras and crawler cameras are two of the most common types of inspection cameras that are used for conducting surveillance for underground pipes and sewers. However, both of them function differently and provide different diagnostic quality. In this blog, we are going to look at the comparison between pushrod cameras and crawler space cameras and highlight the extent of accurate inspection they offer.

In plumbing inspection, accuracy plays a crucial role, which affects costs, job time, and efficiency. Plumbers heavily resort to using crawler cameras and push cameras to tackle difficult plumbing situations. But to use them right, one must know about their differences.

While dealing with the differences between push cameras and crawler cameras, factors like the pipe’s diameter, inspection length, and essential control are considered. Push cameras are best for smaller and shorter pipes. On the other hand, crawler cameras for pipe inspection are designed for main sewers, where the inspection needs to be conducted at deeper levels.

Now, let’s try to understand what push cameras and crawler cameras are. 

What Is a Push Camera?

A push camera or push-type plumbing camera is designed for narrow spaces, which typically operates in smaller pipe diameters. A push camera system includes a semi-rigid cable, a camera head, and a portable control unit. Since these cameras are effective in small-diameter pipelines, they have a lower maximum inspection length. 

How Push Cameras Work

The push cameras are manually inserted inside the pipe or the sewer line using a flexible cable or a lengthy pushrod. Using these cameras, plumbers are able to inspect inside narrow pipes, especially pipes with straightforward depths. Upon feeding the camera through the pipe, the operator can receive real-time video feedback. 

Some key features of a sewer push camera:

• Compact, and they are ideal for quick deployment in residential or commercial buildings
• Suitable for pipes ranging from 38mm to 152mm (1.5 to 6 inches)
• Plumbers also prefer push cameras for their budget-friendliness and easier controls. 

Common Sewer Work Applications

Push cameras are mainly used for small pipelines and hard-to-reach areas. Here are the common applications of the push cameras. 

• Diagnosing blockages: Pushrod cameras help identify the reason behind these blockages, such as grease buildup, tree root intrusion, and foreign objects.
• Residential service lines: The residential pipe lines are evaluated by plumbers using push cameras. 
• Small commercial pipes: Small commercial pipes with low diameters can be checked through these cameras.
• Preventive maintenance: Push cameras are also good for routine pipeline inspections, which can help extend the life of the pipes.

What Is a Crawler Camera?

A robotic crawler camera is a remote-operated pipe inspection system. The crawler camera system includes a wheeled cart equipped with a high-resolution camera, strong LED lights, and a tether cable. 

How Crawler Cameras Work

The crawler cameras are generally used in pipes with larger diameters. The remote-controlled robotic crawlers go inside the pipe and relay the live video footage to the operator via a tether. Many robotic crawler cameras have a pan and tilt feature, which helps the operators get a better viewing angle. 

A high-resolution camera head is attached in front of the crawler to capture the footage inside the pipeline. The video feed also allows the operator to adjust the camera’s positions and the crawler’s movement.

Features of Robotic Crawlers

The features of robotic crawlers include:

• Extended range: The robotic camera length can reach up to 60 meters, for sewer inspection.
• Larger Pipe Compatibility: Suited for pipes that are wider than 30 cm. 
• High-definition imaging: High-definition cameras with pan-tilt-zoom functionality. 
• Durability: The robotic cameras come with waterproof housing

Common Application of Crawler Cameras

A crawler camera system is most widely used for routine inspection and maintenance of municipal and urban sewer systems. Here are some crucial applications of crawler cameras:

• Sewer or stormwater systems: A crawler pipe camera is crucial for routine inspection in both urban and rural sewer networks. These sewer crawler cameras identify blockages, corrosion, and structural damage.
• Industrial pipelines and facilities: In industrial pipelines, crawler cameras are used to inspect pipelines that transport materials and wastewater.
• New pipe inspections: Before the installation of new pipes, crawler cameras are used to ensure proper installation. These cameras help to check whether the new pipes have damaged joints, cracks, or sags.
• Non-invasive diagnosis: The crawler cameras reduce the time-consuming and expensive excavations to find problems inside the pipelines.

Push Cameras vs. Crawler Cameras: Feature Comparison

Although they serve similar purposes, the push-type vs crawler pipe inspection cameras differences are evident. Here are the clear functional differences between these two types of pipe inspection cameras.

Table: Key Differences between Push Cameras vs Crawler Cameras at a Glance

Differences Between Push Cameras and Crawler Cameras

Considering the application of inspection cameras, the features are different. This is how push cameras and crawlers can differ in terms of functionality. 

1. Maneuverability and Navigation

Push cameras have a flexible rod, which can be used to examine tight bends in small-diameter pipes. It is effective in residential sewers or residential pipelines. On the other hand, crawler camera systems have motorized travel is perfect for long runs, offsets, debris, and difficult terrains. It has adjustable wheels and runs on tracks.

2. Imaging and Diagnostic Precision

Push cameras provide a high-definition forward-facing view, which can identify blockages and pipe conditions. Conversely, crawler cameras are often equipped with a pan and tilt head and often have a huge magnifying capacity, which helps to analyze cracks. 

3. Ideal Length for Inspection

Pushrod cameras are ideal for inspecting pipes under 200 feet. However, it can be affected by friction and bends. On the other hand, the crawler cameras can handle 500 to 1000 feet or more distance inside pipelines with powered feed. These pipe inspection tools are great for inspecting municipalities and commercial jobs.

4. Efficiency and Setup Time

Sewer push cameras can be deployed rapidly and require a very minimal level of calibration. Therefore, these cameras are good for quick calls or sudden identified emergency blocks. Contrarily, crawler cameras take a longer time to set up but offer faster inspection and runtime through long-distance pipes. The images and footage retrieved from a crawler inspection camera are clearer.

5. Durability and Maintenance

Push camera systems have fewer moving parts. Therefore, it requires less maintenance. However, the rod integrity should be considered important. On the other hand, crawler cameras require periodic maintenance on motors, wheels, seals, and camera gimbals. Sewer crawler cameras are ideal for effective heavy-duty daily use. 

6. Accessibility in Tight Spaces

Push cameras are great for narrow spaces, including indoor drainage systems. However, crawler cameras are not very suitable for extremely tight turns. But these are effective for larger lines where the turning radius is not a concern.

Final Words

Camera choice is crucial for pipe inspection, which determines pipe length, distance, job complexity, and accuracy. Before choosing the inspection camera for pipe inspection, it is important to choose the typical job types, pipe sizes, and the level of precision the task needs. For full service coverage, many plumbers combine both push cameras and sewer crawler cameras. This way, better performance is ensured with increased accuracy.

Choose Between Push Cameras or Crawler Cameras Effectively

Want to inspect Pipes more professionally? Explore the range of push and crawler cameras for more accurate identification.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are the Pipe Crawlers Submersible?

Ans. The crawlers can go to a depth of 150+ feet underwater. So, yes, you may use the pipe crawlers for tackling sewage problems.

2. How Are the Pipe Crawler Cameras Powered?

Ans. The portable crawler camera system is powered by lithium-ion batteries inside the pipe crawlers and the controller.

3. How is Recorded Footage Stored in a Push Camera?

Ans. In modern push cameras, the inspection footage can be recorded in a built-in recording feature, which can store the footage in SD cards or USB storage.