Plumbers know the routine of using a drain machine. You're carrying a heavy corded machine into a crawl space or mechanical room, then stretching extension cords before you can even start clearing the line. It works, but it's not the fastest way to get through a service call.
Milwaukee's cordless lineup cuts out that extra step. From small fixture drains to commercial sewer work, there's a battery-powered option for just about every type of drain cleaning. The lineup spans M12, M18 FUEL, and MX FUEL, so many plumbers can use batteries they already have on the truck.
Shop Milwaukee Drain Cleaning ToolsUnderstanding the Battery Platforms
Milwaukee's drain cleaning lineup runs on three battery systems: M12, M18, and MX FUEL. Each one targets a different tier of work.
M12 is the lightest platform. It's meant for compact tools that handle smaller residential jobs, like clearing a kitchen trap or a urinal line. The two M12 drain tools in this lineup don't use auger cables or drums. They work differently than traditional cable machines.
M18 is where the bulk of the lineup lives. It covers drum machines, sectional machines, and chain snakes for both residential and commercial drain work. If you're already running M18 batteries on other tools, you can pull those same packs right onto your drain equipment.
MX FUEL is Milwaukee's heavy equipment platform. It delivers more power than M18 and is built for the toughest mainline jobs. MX FUEL batteries don't cross over with M18, so this is a separate investment. But for contractors doing serious sewer cleaning daily, it's built to handle that load.
M12 Compact Drain Tools: AirSnake and TrapSnake
These two M12 tools handle light-duty drain work without cables or drums. They're fast, compact, and easy to carry into tight spaces. The AirSnake uses air pressure to push through soft clogs. The TrapSnake uses a flexible auger sized specifically for urinal drains.
Neither one replaces a full cable machine. But for the kind of quick service calls that make up a big part of residential plumbing work, they let you handle the job without dragging out heavier equipment.
| Model | Type | Best For | Battery | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2572B-21 | Air Gun Kit | Kitchen sinks, bathroom drains, tubs | M12 | $499.00 |
| 3574-21 | Urinal Auger Kit | Urinal traps, floor drains | M12 | $219.00 |
2572B-21 M12 AirSnake
The 2572B-21 AirSnake is a drain cleaning air gun that runs on an M12 battery. Instead of feeding a cable through the drain, you connect one of the included flushing tips and let the air pressure do the work. It's built for clearing soft clogs in sinks, tubs, and other fixture drains where grease, soap buildup, and hair are the usual culprits.
It's a different experience than a traditional snake. There's no cable to feed and no mess from pulling it back out. For plumbers who handle a lot of quick residential calls, it can save time on the straightforward stuff.
3574-21 M12 TrapSnake Urinal Auger
The 3574-21 TrapSnake is designed specifically for urinal work. Urinal drains have tight bends that don't work well with standard cable machines. The TrapSnake uses a flexible cable auger that navigates those bends without getting stuck. The kit includes multiple tip options to cover different urinal and floor drain configurations.
If you're doing service work in commercial buildings with a lot of urinal drain calls, this one saves a lot of aggravation compared to fighting a cable machine through the same trap geometry.
M18 FUEL Switch-Pack Sectional Drum Systems
The Switch-Pack Drum System is Milwaukee's entry into professional-grade cable drain cleaning. These machines let you switch between a drum configuration and a sectional configuration, which means one machine can handle a wider range of drain jobs. Both run on M18 FUEL batteries.
The two kit options differ in what's included out of the box. The Kit-B is the starting point for a professional setup. The Kit-C adds more cable sections for techs who need a more complete package from day one.
| Model | Kit | Battery | Platform | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2775B-211 | Kit-B (Starter) | 2x M18 FUEL | M18 FUEL | $999.00 |
| 2775C-222 | Kit-C (Full) | 2x M18 FUEL | M18 FUEL | $1,599.00 |
The Switch-Pack system works for residential and light commercial drain lines. If you're doing a mix of drum and sectional work, having both configurations in one machine is a real advantage over carrying multiple pieces of equipment. The M18 FUEL motor on these machines is brushless, which gives you a longer motor life and more consistent power under load.
M18 FUEL Sectional Machine 7/8" Kit
The 2818A-21 is a full-size sectional machine built for mainline sewer work. It uses 7/8 inch cable, which is the industry standard for handling the resistance you'll hit in residential and commercial sewer lines. Sectional machines let you add cable sections as you go, so you can push as far as the job requires.
Running on M18 FUEL means you're not tied to a power outlet. On jobs in buildings where circuits are shared or hard to find, that matters a lot. The brushless motor holds up through heavy use and doesn't lose power as the battery discharges the way older technology did.
| Model | Cable Size | Application | Battery | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2818A-21 | 7/8" | Mainline residential and commercial sewer | M18 FUEL | $3,200.00 |
M18 FUEL High Speed Chain Snake
The 2819-22 is a different kind of tool. Instead of using a standard auger cable, it uses a chain-style cutting action to clear stoppages in 1-1/2 inch to 4 inch drain lines. Chain snakes work faster than traditional cables in certain conditions, particularly when you're dealing with heavy root intrusion or stubborn grease buildups.
It's not a replacement for a full sectional machine. But for the specific types of stoppages where chain cutting outperforms cable, having one available on the truck makes you faster on those jobs. The M18 FUEL platform gives it the power to run the chain effectively under load.
| Model | Pipe Size | Cleaning Method | Battery | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2819-22 | 1-1/2" to 4" | High-speed chain | M18 FUEL | $2,999.00 |
M18 FUEL Sewer Sectional Machine with Cable Drive
The 2871-22 is Milwaukee's heavy-duty sectional machine for larger sewer lines. The cable drive system feeds and retrieves cable mechanically, which reduces operator fatigue on long runs. This is the kind of machine that sees daily commercial use in the hands of drain contractors.
If your work regularly takes you into commercial mainline jobs or large residential lines, the 2871-22 is built for that scale. It still runs on M18 FUEL batteries, which means you're not dealing with engine maintenance or looking for an outlet.
| Model | Drive System | Application | Battery | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2871-22 | Cable Drive | Heavy commercial sewer lines | M18 FUEL | $3,499.00 |
MX FUEL POWERTREDZ Sewer Drum Machine
The MXF501-1CP is the top of the Milwaukee drain cleaning lineup. It runs on the MX FUEL platform, which operates at a higher voltage than M18 and is built for the most demanding commercial applications. The POWERTREDZ system feeds cable continuously, which means less stopping and starting on long sewer runs.
This machine is for contractors doing heavy-volume commercial sewer cleaning. The cordless format means you can work in parking garages, commercial buildings, and remote job sites without a generator or extension cord. MX FUEL batteries are separate from M18, so this is its own platform investment.
| Model | System | Application | Battery | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MXF501-1CP | POWERTREDZ | Heavy commercial sewer drum cleaning | MX FUEL | $4,999.00 |
Full Milwaukee Drain Cleaning Lineup Comparison
Here's how all eight tools in the Milwaukee cordless drain cleaning lineup stack up side by side.
| Model | Type | Best For | Battery | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2572B-21 | Air Gun | Fixture drains, sinks, tubs | M12 | $499.00 |
| 3574-21 | Urinal Auger | Urinal traps, floor drains | M12 | $219.00 |
| 2775B-211 | Drum/Sectional | Residential drain lines | M18 FUEL | $999.00 |
| 2775C-222 | Drum/Sectional | Residential drain lines (full kit) | M18 FUEL | $1,599.00 |
| 2818A-21 | Sectional 7/8" | Mainline sewer, res. and light commercial | M18 FUEL | $3,200.00 |
| 2819-22 | Chain Snake | 1-1/2" to 4" lines, root/grease clearing | M18 FUEL | $2,999.00 |
| 2871-22 | Sewer Sectional | Heavy commercial sewer | M18 FUEL | $3,499.00 |
| MXF501-1CP | Drum (POWERTREDZ) | Commercial sewer drum cleaning | MX FUEL | $4,999.00 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What battery platform does Milwaukee use for drain cleaning tools?
Milwaukee drain cleaning tools run on three platforms: M12 for compact light-duty tools, M18 for the full professional range, and MX FUEL for the most powerful commercial equipment. M18 covers the widest range of machines and shares batteries with the rest of the M18 lineup.
What's the difference between the 2775B-211 and the 2775C-222?
Both are M18 FUEL Switch-Pack Sectional Drum Systems. The Kit-B (2775B-211) is the entry-level kit. The Kit-C (2775C-222) includes more cable sections and accessories for techs who want a more complete setup right out of the box. Both use the same core machine and are compatible with the same M18 batteries.
What size pipes does the 2819-22 chain snake work on?
The 2819-22 M18 FUEL High Speed Chain Snake is designed for 1-1/2 inch to 4 inch pipe. It works well on drain lines in residential and light commercial settings where root intrusion and grease buildup are common.
Can I use my existing M18 batteries with Milwaukee drain cleaning tools?
Yes. All Milwaukee M18 drain cleaning tools work with any M18 REDLITHIUM battery pack, including HO, XC, and CP packs. The MX FUEL tools require MX FUEL batteries and aren't compatible with M18 packs.
What's the 2572B-21 AirSnake actually good for?
The 2572B-21 M12 AirSnake uses bursts of compressed air to clear fixture drains. It's built for kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks, and bathtub drains where soft clogs from grease, soap, and hair are the usual problem. It's not intended for mainline sewer cleaning.
Is the 2818A-21 good for mainline sewer work?
Yes. The 2818A-21 uses 7/8 inch cable and is designed for mainline sewer cleaning in residential and commercial settings. It runs on M18 FUEL, so you don't need to find a power outlet or deal with engine maintenance.
What makes the MXF501-1CP different from the M18 FUEL drain tools?
The MXF501-1CP runs on the MX FUEL platform, which operates at higher voltage than M18. It's the most powerful cordless drain machine in the Milwaukee lineup and is designed for heavy commercial sewer work. It's not compatible with M18 batteries.
Where can I buy Milwaukee drain cleaning tools?
RedToolStore.com carries the full Milwaukee cordless drain cleaning lineup, from the compact M12 AirSnake and TrapSnake up through the MX FUEL POWERTREDZ sewer drum machine.