Abstract: A retractable sootblower is provided with means for preheating the sootblower lance prior to introduction of blowing medium into the lance to prevent condensation of the blowing medium which would be subsequently discharged from the lance against internal boiler surfaces accelerating surface erosion. The sootblower of the present invention preheats the lance by only providing blowing medium to the lance after at least a portion of the lance has been extended into the boiler and heated by hot boiler gases to thereby prevent condensation of the blowing medium within a cooled lance.

Abstract: A one hand clamping device which is flexible and reversible in operation, comprises a hand held main unit having mounted thereon a C-shaped clamping structure which is also changeable in relative position with the main unit, an actuating grip together with quandrant segment gear actuated thereby, rack bar driven from the gear action driven from the quandrant segment gear and integral with a slidable receptacle for supporting one-way drive structure for an actuating drive gear for in turn an elongated clamping screw which is mounted so as to be movable in and out of the hand held unit. The elongated clamping screw is provided with a slot therein for reception of a guide plate also mounted in the main unit to prevent rotation of the screw but to permit longitudinal movement thereof in and out of the main unit.