Manufacturers produce hose reels to provide a way for hose and cable users to store loads without causing damage, helping users to organize and move hoses off the ground in a knot-free manner when not in use.
Hose reels are suitable for a variety of industries, from construction to pharmaceutical and hospital operations, industrial lighting and manufacturing, to aviation, welding, horticulture, and more.
1. Origin of Hose Reel Design.
The first hose reel design appeared in 17th century Holland. They were developed to meet the needs of firefighting hoses at the time. Users found that although firefighting hoses were effective, they were too heavy and difficult to transport. To solve this problem, the inventor designed a drum to transport them. Over time, the hose reel was incorporated into the design of the fire truck itself. Others saw the effect and began using it as well.
The Industrial Revolution brought a wave of new technology and materials, with manufacturers being able to use these new technologies and materials to manufacture hose reels. As a result, they became lighter and easier to carry, and manufacturers adjusted their hose reel designs accordingly. The drum evolved into the line spool storage mechanism we know today. Over the next few centuries, more manufacturing processes and materials appeared. With them, the hose reel industry continued to develop, and today’s reels come in a variety of sizes, materials, and designs, suitable for all kinds of applications.
2. Elements of Hose Reel Design.
When manufacturing hose reels, manufacturers ensure that they have a sturdy and slender core with barriers at both ends to ensure the hose's safety while winding. Additionally, they are generally sealed to prevent dust and external moisture from entering. In addition to these constants, manufacturers determine the structure and design details of hose reels based on application requirements. Depending on consumer demand, they make decisions about power/flexibility, building material, diameter, and sitting position.
Power/Flexibility
Hose reels come in two forms – manual or mechanical. Manual hose reels do not have the option to retract. Instead, the user must simply use their hands to reel the hose back in place. All mechanical hose reels, except spring reels, are equipped with built-in electric motor-driven automatic recoil devices. In other words, mechanical reels have an electric motor that pulls the hose back.
Note: Regardless of the type of recoil, all hose reel designs typically have a locking mechanism that can fix the recoiled hose in place at any recoiled point.
Manufacturing Material
As mentioned earlier, the choice of manufacturing material for hose reel design is based on application requirements. Hose reel manufacturers hope to match material qualities such as corrosion resistance, durability, tensile strength, temperature resistance, impact resistance, non-wear resistance, and so on. For example, medical spoolers must be made of sanitary-grade materials, such as 304L stainless steel. On the other hand, the only requirement for industrial hose reels is that they are made of corrosion-resistant heavy metals, which may be some grade of steel, stainless steel, or aluminum. However, in general, spools may be made of plastic, wood, fiberglass or metal, such as heavy steel, stainless steel, and aluminum.
Diameter and Installation Position
Hose reels can be very large, very small, or in between. Garden hose reels are typically smaller than reels for industrial applications, such as those used by fire departments, because garden hoses are thinner and lighter than fire hoses. On the other hand, suction hose reels are usually wide. As far as their installation position is concerned, hose reels can be placed on the ground or above the faucet, on hand carts or trucks, or fixed to the wall.
Customizable Hose Reel Design
Manufacturers can customize your hose reel components in multiple ways. For example, custom colors, they can coat them with liquid or powder paints. Or, to enhance qualities such as corrosion resistance, your manufacturer can add a tough powder coating to the surface of the hose reel body. Additionally, they can carve the spool surface, or replace handles and crank handles.
Intradin is a distinguished and professional hose reels manufacturer renowned for its commitment to excellence and innovation. Specializing in the production of a diverse range of high-quality hose reels, including air hose reels, oil hose reels, fuel delivery hose reels, and etc., Intradin caters to various applications across industries. With a focus on precision engineering and utilizing top-quality materials, the company offers robust and reliable solutions for hose management. From water and air hoses to oil, grease, hydraulic, and fuel hoses, Intradin produces a comprehensive array of hose reels designed to meet the unique needs of industrial, commercial, and residential settings. With a customer-centric approach, rigorous quality standards, and a commitment to innovation, Intradin stands as a trusted leader in providing efficient and versatile hose management solutions for a multitude of applications.
