Hose Reels

Chapter One – What is a Hose Reel?

A hose reel is a mechanism for storing and use of a hose on a barrel for easy access. It is a system designed to make hoses, cords, flexible tubing, and wire conveniently available for immediate use.

The types of hose reels vary depending on their use with specially designed hose reels capable of storing a wide variety of cord like materials.

Hose reel cylinders are made of metal, fiberglass, or plastic. The most common types are spring driven that self retract. Other varieties include hand crank and motor driven. The diameter of the cylinder and the length of hose that a hose reel holds determines how it is categorized, as well as its pressure rating and method of rewinding. Hose reels can be permanently fixed in place by being attached to a wall or part of a building or be mobile on a truck, wagon, or cart.

Chapter Two – Types of Hose Reels

Designs of hose reels vary depending on how the hose reel is going to be used. Hoses reels for the home are lightweight to handle the less strenuous nature of home maintenance. Ones that are part of industrial operations are sturdier, durable, and heavy duty with different designs and features.

There are several methods for retracting hoses that differentiate the types of hose reels. Though the most common method is manual, there are electric, hydraulic, spring, and pneumatic ways of rewinding. The type of retraction depends on the weight of the hose, its pressure, the fluid it is dispensing, and how rapidly it has to be rewound.

Types of Hose Reels

Cable Hose Reel

Cable hose reels are a method for keeping work areas clear of clutter and provide appropriate storage of cables. They are designed for high durability but allow for easy access to cables, ropes, or wires. Cable hose reels can be spring, motor, or hand crank driven for retraction of cords or cables.

Power Cord Hose Reel

Power cord hose reels are a means for storage of power cords for safety and convenient access. They come in a variety of length and thickness capabilities with cord lengths varying from 30 to 250 feet and have hand crank, electric, and spring retraction methods.

Static Discharge Hose Reel

Static discharge reels are for grounding or fueling conditions that can be hazardous and dangerous. They are used in the aircraft industry for refueling, chemical plants, grain elevators, rescue operations, and hazmat situations. Static discharge hose reels prevent static build up and must have smooth operation without cable pull. The main feature of a static discharge hose reel is the prevention of random electrical charges that could ignite fuel or other combustible chemicals.

High Pressure Hose Reel

High pressure hose reels are a safety device for safely storing high pressure hoses. They are designed to withstand the pressure in the hose and must meet specific application standards. High pressure hose reels prevent pressurized hoses from kinking, tangling, or being damaged, which could lower the pressure in the hose line.

Air Hose Reel

The hose on an air hose reel is connected to an air compressor with the hose wound around the reel. They prevent extra wear on the hose and are normally hung from the ceiling in auto and tire repair shops. The two types of air hose reels are storage and continuous flow. Storage reels store the house while it isn’t in use, while continuous flow reels allow the usage of the hose when it is wound.

Audio Cable Reel

Audio cable reels can hold long lengths of audio cable of over 1800 ft. and make it easy to transport cable to several locations. They are made from a variety of materials ranging from heavy duty steel to plastic with steel being the best for its ability to take the abuse of constant movement. Audio cable hose reels are designed to hold video and fiber optic cable as well as audio and can handle 10, 12, and 14 gauge wire.

Chemical Hose Reel

A chemical hose reel is designed for safe transfer of chemicals. They are built to withstand the effects of corrosive and harmful materials with a non-corrosive stainless steel path.

Beverage Hose Reel

Beverage hose reels are used for food processing, transfer, production, washing, and steam cleaning. They are designed to meet the standards of a food processing plant especially in the beverage industry and are vibration resistant to guarantee continuous performance.

Fuel Hose Reel

The main concern with the transfer of fuel is safety. Fuel hose reels, as seen in the image below, keep the hose out of the way and protected. They are made of rugged materials designed to withstand hazardous conditions and come with manual or motor driven rewinds.

Hydraulic Tool Hose Reel

Hydraulic hose reels are used in applications where the distance from the hydraulic feed varies. The reels keep tension on the line as the hydraulic hose unwinds and is coated with a protective material. They can handle any type of hose including thermoplastic and rubber. Once the desired location is reached, the hose locks in place to avoid unexpected rewinding.

Emergency Hose Reel

There is a wide variety of hose reels for fire and rescue operations since they need hose reels for rescue tools, electric cords, breathing hoses, and water hoses. They are designed to withstand a Class A fire, which involves any form of combustible material. Fire and rescue hose reels are larger and more rigid to support hose length and load. They have a mounting bracket with a ball valve for immediate water or chemical supply.

Chapter Three – Hose Reel Retraction Methods

The most common ways for hose reel retraction are hand crank, spring driven, and motor driven. The method for hose retraction is one of the biggest differences between hose reel types, which are further divided into storage and live connection. Storage hose reels store a hose on a reel when it is not in use. Live connection hose reels allow for use of the hose when it is wound on the reel.

Hose Reel Retraction Methods

Hand Crank

Hand cranking is the simplest form of hose retraction. Hoses are unwound from the reel by being pulled as the crank turns. Once its use is completed, the hose is retracted by turning the crank in reverse, recoiling the hose.

Benefits of Hand Cranked Hose Reels:
• Simple design
• Low maintenance
• Hold longer hoses
• Can be placed in any location
• No need for a power source

Spring Driven

Spring driven hose reels have a spring mechanism that retracts the hose automatically.

As the hose is unwound, tension on the spring builds and is stored. When the job is done and tension is released, the hose retracts to the reel.

Benefits of Spring Driven Retraction:
• No manual labor
• Simple mechanism
• Low maintenance
• Does not require a power source
• Can be placed at any location

Motor Driven

Motor driven hose reel retraction involves a motor that is attached to the reel. There are a variety of motors used for motor driven hose reel retraction. The motors do not require much energy and effortlessly rewind a hose.

Motor driven hose reels utilize mechanical energy generated from a motor to retract the hose. The type of motor varies and may be electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic.

Benefits of Motor Driven Retraction:
• No physical effort required
• Useful with any length of hose to extreme lengths
• A variety of motors are available
• Safe in any environment

Types of Motors

AC or DC Electric:

The hose on an electric motor retraction system can be dispensed by pulling out the hose. Once it is no longer in use, it can be easily retracted by engaging the motor on the hose reel. The hose is quickly and smoothly retracted.

Pneumatic:

Pneumatic motors, or air motors, use compressed air to operate and are used on hose reels when there may be hazards from electrical shock or sparking.

Hydraulic:

Hydraulic driven hose retraction is designed for harsh hazardous conditions. They are commonly used as a safety measure for mining operations. Hydraulic driven hose retraction is considered to have excellent strength and endurance.

Hose Reel Mounting

There are five different methods for positioning a hose reel, which include ceiling mounted, wall mounted, post mounted, free standing, and mobile mounted.

Ceiling Mounted:

Ceiling mounting of hose reels allows for more space on the floor and walls. This type of mounting is common in auto and welding shops and allows for easy access to the hose.

Wall Mounted:

Wall mounting is like ceiling mounting since it opens floor space and takes up less room. In many cases, wall mounted hose reels are hinged with a locking pin so that the hose can be angled to the application.

Post Mounted:

Post mounted hose reels are similar to wall mounted. They are mounted on posts to be closer to the application. Depending on their design, they can be hinged or immovable.

Free Standing:

Free standing hose reels are permanently located close to their application. As with all industrial equipment, they are made of sturdy steel, aluminum, or stainless steel and may be coated for corrosion and rust protection. They have an A frame design with the option to be wall, truck, or trailer mounted.

Mobile Mounted:

There are a wide variety of mobile hose reels that can be trailer, cart, truck, or ship mounted. Mobile hose reels can be seen at the airport when planes are being refueled or on firefighting equipment. Having a hose reel mobile makes it available for use in several locations but be easily retractable.

Chapter Four – How are Hose Reels Used?

Every industry that requires cords, wires, cables, or hoses has hose reels. They are an excellent method for organizing, accessing, and storing hose-like materials. Though they are most commonly found in the dispensing of liquids, they are also used in cleaning systems, fire prevention, and various industrial applications.

Uses for Hose Reels

Military

Military hose reels have a wide variety of uses and include several different types. They are used for fuel delivery, cable storage, water delivery for firefighting, and many other purposes. Military hose reels have to be rugged and durable enough to withstand the stress and harsh usage they have to endure. Ones that have attained the approval of the United States government receive a National Stock Number (NSN), which indicates they have met the high standards required for military use.

Drain Cleaning

Sewer jetters are a high pressure means of cleaning drain systems. They are designed to shoot a stream of water down a drain to remove clogs and blockage. As shown in the image below, jetters are mounted on a house reel that swings out for easy access to the jetter hose.

Firefighting

Firefighting hose reels are specially designed to handle water pressures of several thousand psi. In many ways, firefighting hose reels have to be built to be indestructible, which includes corrosion and rust resistance, strong coated steel frame, and the ability to hold hoses of hundreds of feet.

Robotic

Pendant cables are designed to control robotic devices that operate in the most stressful conditions where flames, chemicals, moisture, and a wide range of temperature variations are present. In many industrial operations, there are several varieties of pendant cables controlling robotic functions. Robotic cable reels assist in organizing cables to avoid accidents and hazards.

Offshore Oil Rigs

Offshore oil rig hose reels are specially coated against corrosion and are made of highly durable stainless steel or steel. They are designed for multiple functions, which include high and low pressure fluid transfer. Fuel transfer can vary between 20 bar, 100 kilopascals, to 1000 bar depending on the application. Offshore oil rig hose reels can have very large diameters as seen in the image below.

Aviation

Aviation depends on the use of cord, hose, and cable reels for ground support of aircraft. Aviation hose reels are designed to withstand highly adverse conditions and must be made of material designed for any set of conditions. Equipment used in aviation receives repetitive use and constant stress. Hose reels, used under those conditions, are built to last for hanger service, aerospace research, and high or low pressure transfer of oil, air, or water.

Exhaust Removal

Exhaust removal hose reels are used to hold hoses designed to remove dangerous fumes from auto repair locations and auto testing sites. The hose reel provides a convenient solution for the storage of exhaust removal hoses. Exhaust removal hose reels allow workers to simply pull the hose and clamp it safely in place.

Hydroseeding

Hydroseeding hose reels are truck mounted to fit the needs of the seeding application. Hoses are designed to dispense fertilizer, seed, polymers for water retention, and additives under pressure. Due to the heavy use of hydroseed equipment, hydroseed hose reels are made of durable materials able to hold several sizes of OD hoses.

Welding Gas

Welding hose reels, of varying lengths, hold twin line welding hoses. The purpose of a welding hose reel is for safety to keep welding shops hazard free and to avoid tripping over hoses containing the gases. Hoses are discharged to the work location and are spring loaded for easy rewinding.

Storage

Storage hose reels wind up hoses but do not allow use when the hose is wound. They are designed to keep hoses, cables, and wires out of place when not in use. For the hose or wiring to be used, it has to be removed from the hose reel and connected. The sturdiness of a storage hose reel depends on the type of hose to be stored. Cables or hoses with a high OD may require a stronger hose reel than hoses with a small OD such as thin wires for electrical systems.

Chapter Five – How to Choose the Right Industrial Hose Reel

The selection of the right hose reel for a specific application requires an understanding of the types of hose reels available. The process of choosing a hose reel begins with the determination of the final function of the hose since there is a hose reel designed to fit any application.

How to Choose the Right Hose Reel

Length

Spring loaded hose reels are ideal for short hoses since they are light and don’t put pressure on the hose reel system. For longer hoses, especially hoses of hundreds of feet, a motorized hose reel is more practical and labor-saving. Manual hose reels are also more practical for short hoses though they can be used with longer hoses with a small OD. Hose reels can hold hoses of 50 to 500 feet.

Pressure

The hose reel must be able to endure the amount of pressure that will be applied to the hose especially with hose reels that allow usage of a hose while it is still on the reel. High pressure hose reels hold pressurized water and air hoses. They prevent dragging and entanglement with hoses or cords, which can kink or damage the hose. A tangled or kinked hose can lose pressure and compromise the performance of an operation.

Temperature

The temperature where the hose reel will be stored is normally not a consideration since hose reels are made from durable materials. The main factor to consider, regarding a hose reel, is the temperature at which the hose will operate, which can range between -40o F or 4o C to 212 o F or 100 o C. High temperature applications have rubber hoses that are durable enough for extreme conditions.

Material of Hose

The makeup of the hose determines the type of hose reel. Hoses are chosen by chemical compatibility, erosion, flexibility, wear, corrosion resistance, and cost. The more toxic and hazardous the material to be moved, the higher the cost of the hose. There are a wide variety of materials that are used to manufacture hoses, which include metal, rubber, PTFE, PVC, and various composites.

Material of Reel

Hose reels are made to match the work of the hose but must be corrosion resistant, durable, have high tensile strength, temperature, and impact resistant, and be non-abrasive. Common construction materials are steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. For light usage, fiberglass, light metals, wood, and plastic can be used. The material used for sanitary conditions and food production are different from hose reels made for industrial use in toxic environments.

Retraction Method

The method of retraction is dependent on the size and length of the hose. Though manual retraction is less expensive, it can become tedious over time and is inefficient. Auto rewind or spring rewind is better than manual and operates automatically as needed. For very long hoses, unless they are lightweight, the only choice for a hose reel is motor operating, which can be pneumatic, hydraulic, or electrical.

Maintenance

In an industrial setting, a hose reel is the same as any other type of heavy duty equipment and must be maintained. For mobile hose reels, a critical factor is how they are stored, which should be considered carefully when making the purchasing decision. Though industrial hose reels are designed for heavy duty use, if they are not maintained, they can fail in a critical situation. Having a plan for proper maintenance and storage can ensure a hose reel will last and be continuously available.

Application

The applications for hose reels vary widely from being truck mounted for refueling of aircraft to organizing wiring on a soundstage. The use of a hose and its hose reel, and its importance to an operation, are essential considerations when selecting a hose reel. The personnel involved in the decision varies and depends on how the hose and hose reel fit the overall operation.

Conclusion

• A hose reel is a mechanism for storing and use of a hose on a barrel for easy access.
• Every industry that requires cords, wires, cables, or hoses has hose reels.
• When choosing a hose reel, one of the important factors is the method of retraction, which can be manual, motorized, or spring loaded.
• The diameter of the cylinder and length of hose a hose reel holds determines how it is categorized as well as its pressure rating and method of rewinding.
• There are five different methods for positioning a hose reel, which include ceiling mounted, wall mounted, post mounted, free standing, and mobile mounted.