A prevalent problem in industries lately is the lack of awareness about air hose reels and their beneficial functionality. There are more factors that allow the hose to work to its full potential than just its mobility. Sometimes you need more supply of hose than the standard, and what makes loose hoses problematic is that they end up meandering around the area which makes them a trip hazard. With the help of an air hose reel, not only can you can fix your existing hose onto one, you can even get one that has its own hose. It’s tidy and it’s fast to work with.
We’ve prepared a buyer’s guide for you so that you know what kind of air hose reel will suit your need depending upon the industry you’re in.
Types of Mounting Brackets
There are two types of mounting brackets for air hose reels which are mostly steel consisting of either four holes or two holes.
- Four Holes: These open roles are better suited for industrial needs, and they are made for such a purpose as well. They are mounted on the ceiling, wall, and floor. The hose’s potential capacity can reach 200 feet so they have to be secured and managed properly if fixed on the wall or any overhead position.
- Two Holes: These are relatively lightweight and are suited for homeowners. Their mounting plates are discrete because of a slender build. They don’t require heavy management.
Hose Material to Look Out For
This is a very crucial step when determining what hose will suit your requirements. The ending sides of the hose around its fixings are susceptible to kinking, so manufacturers fixate bend restrictors as a preventive measure.
The temperatures in the following list of hose reels are just a guide. Some manufacturers have unique hose chemistry.
- PVC: Polyvinyl chloride is lightweight and affordable, but its con is that it is not as flexible as the others. It can get damaged easily. PVC’s general temperature range is 20°F to 145°F.
- Hybrid Polymer: It is good quality material for an affordable hose for general use. It’s much less prone to kinking and the temperature it can withstand is 10°F to 150°F.
- Rubber: Rubber is super flexible and it won’t kink. It’s in the same price range as a hybrid polymer which naturally makes it better, but the disadvantage is that it’s reasonably heavy. The temperature it can withstand is -20°F to 165°F.
- Polyurethane: It’s the best of them all because it’s lightweight, flexible, sturdy, and doesn’t kink without extreme wear and tear. Its temperature bandwidth is -40°F to 160°F. The downside is that it is expensive.
What Features Can I Expect On My Air Hose Reel?
While there are many features which you can expect to have on the air hose reel you’re going for, these two are often of primary importance:
- Retractable Hose – You will find that air hose reels often have a hose that retracts, meaning it can rewind automatically. Some higher quality reels have a ratcheting mechanism that allows you to halt the rewind at the point you find suitable.
- Auto Level – This feature not only rewinds the hose but fills the reel uniformly so there will be little chance for the hose to jam. Auto Level Systems and a Retractable Hose are the core features you will definitely require regardless of whatever industry you’re in. The features that you also need to look out for apart from this one is a stopper (clamps to make sure the hose is easily accessible), a guide arm, rollers, and a leader hose.
You just need to keep in mind a couple of other things in order to make sure you get the most suitable air hose reel and make it long-lasting.
- Maintain Your Air Hose Reel: Keep an eye on the connectors and fittings periodically. It’s recommended to use a silicone lubricant in order to oil moving parts.
- Don’t Rewind A Dirty Hose: You have to make sure that no contaminant gets lodged in the hose because it could damage the mechanism. When your air hose is retracting, just hold a clean cloth around it so that the grit is scraped off.
- Avoid Cross-Threading The Connections: You should know that the hose fittings are made of brass, which is softer than steel alloys. If you mess up connections, it could result in leakages and damages.
- Empty Hose Before Winter: Use your compressor to blow through the hose to clear out any remaining water. If the water freezes in the fittings, it could split the hose.
Air hose reels are an integral part of any factory, irrespective of which industry you’re in. You need them for putting out fires, for powerful removal of spillage whether it be oil or waste, and to ensure cleanliness over a mass area.