Hose Reels |
Size, length, and type of hose or cable are important factors to consider when choosing a air hose reel, garden hose reel, utility or water powered hose reels.
Hoses and cables are prone to tangling and present a potential danger to employees when laying on the floor of a plant. Hose reels are a simple, safe, and effective method of storing, delivering, and retrieving hose and cable.
Reels expand work spaces by creating efficient storage of hose and cable, keeping them out of the way until needed. Time is not wasted in trying to find the right length of hose or cable for a job. Reels keep hose or cable untangled in a designated place. Color coding can be used to identify specific applications.
Accident prevention is another benefit of using reels in the workplace. Many accidents are caused by hoses or cables lying on the floor or draped around equipment. Reels keep hose and cable stored, preventing accidents caused by tripping or cable breakage.
Reels protect hose and cable from fraying and excessive wear, adding to their life and delaying the need for costly replacements.
Hose Reels | Selection
Some reels are designed strictly for storage. But continuous-flow reels are used for frequent delivery and retrieval of hose or cable while it is still connected to the source. Most reels are the continuous-flow type -- electricity or the product being handled flows uninterrupted through the center of the reel to the hose or cable. Hose reels accommodate single or dual hoses. Cable reels provide live cable delivery and storage.
Rotary joints and collector rings provide uninterrupted product flow through the hose. Reel manufacturers supply appropriate rotary joints based on the type of product, temperature, and pressure.
Size, length, and type of hose or cable handled are primary factors in selecting a reel. Select good-quality hose rated for the service and operating conditions required. Poor-quality hose tends to expand and contract under pressure surges. When this happens, hose remaining on the reel may bind and become difficult to handle. In extreme cases, poor quality hose may expand under pressure, distort the reel, and prevent it from operating.
In most cases, more than one hose reel model handles a particular size and length of hose or cable. Once the size and length of hose is determined, a reel is specified with dimensions suited for the available space.
When space permits, select a hose reel with greater hose capacity than required. This choice allows the hose to be rewound with less care and keeps the hose well protected within disk dimensions when not wound in uniform coils.
Hose Reels | Rewinds
Retrieval of hose or cable is accomplished by several types of rewind: manual, spring, and powered.
Manual rewinds are popular where there is no convenient power source. Four methods of manual rewind are available: disk, direct drive, gear-driven crank, and chain-driven crank.
Spring-rewind reels are ideal when a power rewind is required, but there is no available power source. Reels are installed in virtually any position. Spring-rewind reels have less torque than other types of rewinds and are best suited for hose lengths from 50 to 90 ft.
For convenience or heavy-duty work, reels can be equipped with a powered rewind. The motorized drives are air, hydraulic, or electric. Air is a popular choice because it is readily available in most plants. Hydraulic power is suited for heavy-duty jobs. Electric power is also readily available, but is associated with high operating costs.
Minor maintenance procedures should include:
* Periodic check of mounting bolts
* Lubricate chains and gears
* Grease bearings as required
* Check chain tension
* Check sprocket and gear alignment
* Check swivel joints for leakage
* Grease swivel joints only when leakage occurs
* Check for leaks at air or hydraulic fittings
* Check electrical connections.
Enamel paint is the most common reel finish. However, for reels used in corrosive, sanitary, or other environments, special finishes and materials are available. Typical custom finishes and constructions are chrome plating, cadmium plating, galvanizing, baked powder, aluminum, and stainless steel. |
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