HP hose (protector)

[JustClean]

Hi all,
my touchless machine has an E-chain (like PDQ's 360 or WW Razor).
I noticed that over time the HP hose gets worn. There is already a plastic spiral wrap hose protector around it but it seems the E-chain is eating into it. So every 3 months or so I rotate the protector a bit until I eventually have to renew it. Do you have any ideas how to improve this?

 

[Reds]

I have a WW with an energy chain. The high pressure hose has a braided sleeve over it that looks to be made of nylon or some similiar material. It did not have that cover when it was new. The sleeve helped extend the life of the hose, but I still don't consider it a good fix. I am also looking for a better type of hose protection. My other WW has an articulated boom and in 8 years I have only replaced 2 short pieces of hose where it comes from the wall to the boom. I would take the boom over the EC any day. EC also eats up low pressure hoses that are also in it.

 

[ken-pro]

I am a Washworld distributor in Ontario, Canada. Washworld has an upgrade kit available for their E-Chain setup. Basically the HP hose comes with a nylon spiral wrap, and the triple foam lines are special 3/8" poly tubing instead of rubber hose. This upgrade has made a huge difference in the life expectancy of the hoses and for the E-Chain itself. The machine has been sold this way for about 18 months now.

It is possible that the E-Chain itself is damaged - this could be the reason for premature hose failure.

Given the choice between the two, the E-Chain for us has been a huge improvement. On the old overhead boom (LW4000 or Washworld HV) other pieces like swivels, pipes, etc... need regular replacing. With a properly installed E-Chain, we are finding 3-4 year swivel life, and 18 month HP hose life.

 

[JustClean]

Hi Ken-Pro,
thank you for your suggestions. Unfortunately nothing wrong with the E-chain and yes, I also have that nylon wrap. What makes me wonder is why on my other machine, that is 6 years old and has an e-chain, I never had to replace a single hose and even after 6 years the abrasion is very minimal even without a plastic wrap. But I must say that this is a brush machine it doesn't have such a HP either. On this machine a bigger e-chain with a larger "bending" diameter is being used. Could this be the reason?

I am very curious if there is something out (better than this wrap) to improve the longevity.

 

[MEP001]

Is there enough room to slide the HP hose into another larger hose to protect it?

 

[JustClean]

Yes, there is room but I think that is what's being already done with the wrap. So every 3 months I have to turn the wrap around to get to a new spot. That's all feasible but I don't understand why there is so much abrasion while the other machine has got almost nothing at all

The machine with less abrasion has:
1. a bigger size and diameter of e-chain
2. plastic instead of aluminum bars where the hose is sitting on
3. less water pressure in the hose
4. upside down (most of the e-chain is lying down in the parked position)

Do you think all this together can have something to do with it?

 

[Waxman]

I use old inner tubes and wire ties as hose protectors.

The idea of a bigger rubber hose slit down its length then slid over and wire-tied is a decent option.

You gotta go all 'Yankee Ingenuity' on it.

I spend time frequently protecting against rub thru situations. Part of the magic.

 

[soapy]

I have a background in tires so I always look to that industry for reference. What I started doing years ago for a hose and rub protector is to use old tube type tire truck flaps that were used to protect the tube from the metal steel rim. They are kind of hard to find now but they provide a good long lasting rub guard for anything. I use it on the edge of my booms and anywhere there is a rub area. I wrap it around and secure it with nylon tie wraps. If you can find Michelin truck flaps they are best since they are thicker and already have a U shape formed into them.

 

[JeremeWellborn]

I would insure the hose is the correct length (within a 1/4 inch). Makes all the difference in the world.