• Contact Us|
  • Terms & Conditions|
  • Team Members
  • Products
    • Product Catalog
    • Ductile Iron Pipe
    • Request Product Information
    MJ Mechanical Joint

    View the different joints and sizes we offer for ductile iron pipe.

  • Learning Center
    • Specifications
    • Submittal Sheets
    • Installation Guides
    • Downloadable Tip Sheets
    • Iron Strong Blog
    • Training Opportunities
    • Archived Catalogs
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Videos
    • Pocket Engineer
    DIP Production

    We provide all the necessary product-related information to our customers.

  • Sales & Support
    • Sales Team
    • Distributors
    • Treatment Plant Sales
    • Customer Service
    • Sales Operations
    DIP MJ Joint

    Our sales team strives to exceed customer expectations every day.

  • Corporate Responsibility
    • Code of Conduct
    • Environment
    • Health & Safety
    • Community
    • Awards

    A clear vision from our leaders, places environment, health and safety at the core of our business.

  • About Us
    • Company History
    • Executive Team
    • Locations
    • Associations
    • Contact Us
    McWane Ductile Iron Pipe

    We are a proud and experienced manufacturer of ductile iron pipe products.

  • Communications
    • Publications
    • McWane News Articles
    • Press Releases
    • Media Contacts
    Ductile Iron Pipe

    We strive to keep our team members, customers, and vendors informed of all happenings at the company.

  • Careers
  • Home
  • Learning Center
  • Iron Strong Blog
  • Hey Ditch Doctor! Can I Install a TR Flex® Plain End in a Tyton Joint Bell?
Back to Blog

Hey Ditch Doctor! Can I Install a TR Flex® Plain End in a Tyton Joint Bell?

By Jerry Regula, ENV SP, NACE CT   02/21/2020  In Installation Technical

Welcome to the first edition of The Ditch Doctor, where we provide answers to your most-often-asked questions about Ductile Iron pipe. These are real-world questions coming from real-world, hard-working professionals in the water industry… just like you.

Steve from Steubenville Asks… Can I install a TR Flex Plain End in a Tyton Joint Bell?

We understand you have many concerns on your daily plate. Removing risk from your projects allows you more time and less stress to focus on more pressing duties. Occasionally, you get that question where you just cannot find an answer in the product literature.

The short answer is Yes, this is possible, but we do not advise this. Now we will go into a more detailed explanation as to why we do not recommend this installation technique. 

Watch detailed videos by clicking the play button in the images below.

TR Flex Joint versus Tyton Joint

The gasket socket is indeed the same in a TR Flex Joint as well as a Tyton Joint. The spigot's Outside Diameter (O.D.) dimensions are the same as well. So essentially, a TR Flex spigot will fit into a Tyton bell. The reason McWane Ductile does not recommend this installation is due to deflection. 

What happens with deflection?

A Tyton spigot should be fully homed prior to deflecting the joint.  As the joint is deflected, the spigot stripes on the one side rotate away from the bell face.  The spigot stripe in the location directly opposite rotates back inside the bell.  The pivot point of the joint is at the gasket location. 

If a TR Flex spigot is inserted into a Tyton bell and deflected in the same manner, the weld-on ring will be against the Tyton bell face.  This positioning will not allow the spigot to rotate inside the bell.

For more information and instructional videos, check out these blogs by my colleagues:

  • Why Does Ductile Iron Pipe Have Spigot Stripes? by Carolyn Lopez
  • How is TR Flex® Ductile Iron Pipe Assembled? by Dan Flaig
A TR Flex plain end will go into a Tyton pipe straight, but it will not deflect.
When deflecting a TR Flex plain end into a Tyton pipe, the weld hits one side of the pipe, causing the opposite side of the bell to pull out of the Tyton pipe.

Why then is the degree of deflection the same on 12" and down at 5 degrees?

Why then is the degree of deflection the same on 12" and down at 5 degrees?

Slack in the restraint joint must be removed prior to deflection to provide adequate space for the joint to deflect. The restraint portion of the joint prevents the joint from over-deflecting. The Tyton joint is not restrained, so the joint with the weld ring tends to pull apart versus pivoting at the gasket.

Tyton pipe assembled straight
Tyton pipe deflected at 5 degrees

So, Steve, the bottom line is do it right the first time.

The best option to resolve this issue is to order a TR Flex plain-end (no weld bead) as a transition piece from the unrestrained to the restrained section of the project. 

In the event there is no such piece available, you can go to a field option. Remove the TR Flex spigot by exercising standard field cutting procedures and cut the pipe just behind the weld location. 

Remember a few steps for a good cut:

  • Measure twice / cut once.
  • Make a good square cut.
  • Bevel the pipe for a push-on joint.
  • Ensure the pipe is straight when homed.
  • Fully home the pipe.
  • Deflect the joint AFTER the joint has been properly and safely made.

For an instructional article with video, check out this Iron Strong Blog by McWane Ductile Sales Rep, Jason Barnes. It even comes with a handy downloadable tip sheet for you and your crews.

Bonus Info – TR Flex in a Mechanical Joint:

You may also ask the same question regarding the installation of a TR Flex spigot into an MJ (Mechanical Joint) bell. Can this work? The same bottom-line answer below will address that question as well.

Remove the risk and sleep well!

You ask, we answer!

Thanks for reading this edition of the Ditch Doctor. I hope you were able to pick up on some real-world knowledge and learned more about TR Flex and Tyton pipe today.

Do you have a question about an issue you encountered on a job site? Do you have a question about waterworks products in general? Please send them to us by clicking the submit question button below.

We'd be glad to address your question in another edition of the Ditch Doctor. And as always, your local McWane Ductile Representative is available to assist with your inquiries too. Until next time, that’s all we have for this episode of The Ditch Doctor, where You Ask, and We Answer!

Be sure to check out all our digital offerings:

  • More articles and videos from our Iron Strong Blog
  • The McWane Pocket Engineer
  • Engage with us on LinkedIn
  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel

New call-to-action

Share on social media

  • Print this Article

Jerry Regula, ENV SP, NACE CT

Jerry Regula, "JR" is a product engineer with McWane Ductile. Jerry’s responsibility is to provide technical support for water professionals at all levels including engineers, private water companies, contractors, municipalities, and water districts.

Jerry has been with McWane Ductile for more than 30 years, starting on the ground floor. Jerry has been involved in nearly all facets of the foundry, providing him with extensive experience in manufacturing, installation, and design of ductile iron water products.

Jerry is a NACE Certified Corrosion Technician, Envision Specialist, and member of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Jerry enjoys spending time with his church where he is a speaker and treasurer, as well as spending time with his wife Susan and their two daughters, Katelyn and Shannon on their farm in Ohio.

“Many people do not realize how their water gets to them or how blessed we are to have clean drinking water,” says Regula. “I am honored as a water professional to do my part in ‘Building Iron Strong Utilities for Generations.’”

Jerry’s favorite quote: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

jerry.regula@mcwaneductile.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-regula-6a87b8138/

  • Learning Center
  • Specifications
  • Submittal Sheets
  • Installation Guides
  • Downloadable Tip Sheets
  • Iron Strong Blog
  • Training Opportunities
  • Archived Catalogs
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Videos
  • Pocket Engineer
  • Blog
  • Categories
  • Environmental & Safety
  • Installation
  • Our Company
  • Products
  • Services
  • Technical

Careers

Apply or view job opportunities

Search Careers

McWane Pocket Engineer

McWane Pocket Engineer

The one tool you never want to be without

Learn More

Buy American

Your trusted provider of guaranteed American-made waterworks products.

Learn More

Recognized as a proud member

  • ISI Member
  • DIPRA Logo
  • American Water Works Association
  • Water and Sewer Distributors of American WASDA
  • National Association of Water Companies
  • Water Environment Federation WEF
  • Products|
  • Learning Center|
  • Sales & Support|
  • Corporate Responsibility|
  • About Us|
  • Communications|
  • Careers

McWane Corporate

  • About|
  • Our Businesses|
  • Responsibility|
  • Environment|
  • Safe Operations|
  • Communications|
  • Careers|
  • Multimedia Library
Learn about McWane’s Environmental Focus

© 2021 McWane Ductile. All rights reserved

Privacy Policy | California Privacy Notice | Terms & Conditions | California Transparency in Supply Chain Disclosure | Sitemap | Contact Us

  • Products
  • Product Catalog
  • Ductile Iron Pipe
  • Request Product Information
  • Learning Center
  • Specifications
  • Submittal Sheets
  • Installation Guides
  • Downloadable Tip Sheets
  • Iron Strong Blog
  • Training Opportunities
  • Archived Catalogs
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Videos
  • Pocket Engineer
  • Sales & Support
  • Sales Team
  • Distributors
  • Treatment Plant Sales
  • Customer Service
  • Sales Operations
  • Corporate Responsibility
  • Code of Conduct
  • Environment
    • Protecting the Environment
      • Our Environmental Legacy
      • Investments
      • Environmental Management System
      • ISO & State Certifications
      • Environmental Excellence
      • Pollution Prevention Challenge
    • Sustainability for Generations
      • Sustainable Products
      • Sustainable Operations
  • Health & Safety
    • Culture of Safety
    • EHS Policy
    • McWane EHS Program
    • Ergo Cup
    • ISN & Contractor Safety
    • EHS Awards
  • Community
    • McWane Commitment
    • Partnerships
    • Community Advisory Panel
    • Charitable Giving Guidelines
  • Awards
  • About Us
  • Company History
  • Executive Team
  • Locations
  • Associations
  • Publications
  • Contact Us
  • Communications
  • McWane News Articles
  • Press Releases
  • Media Contacts
  • Careers
  • Team Members