Innovative Features to Look for When Buying a Modern Garden Hose Reel

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Manager SEO | June 26,

A garden hose reel is an invaluable tool when you are dealing with water and garden hoses. This is because garden hoses can tend to get messy during use due to their lengths, and storing such hoses also becomes a problem.

This is where a garden hose reel can come in useful as they not only help us wind and unwind our hose, but also provide us with a proper storage option which keeps our hose protected and expands its lifespan.

However, garden hose reels of today come with a variety of features. And knowing what to look for in a garden hose reel can help you make a more informed purchase.

With this being said, we have discussed the top innovative features to look for when buying a garden hose reel. So, read on to find out more.

Top 10 features to look for when buying a garden hose reel

1. Material of the reel

When you are choosing a garden hose reel, it is important that you consider the material of the reel. Most modern reels of today are made from durable materials like stainless steel, aluminium, or even high-quality plastic. Most of these materials are designed to withstand the elements of weather and resist rust and corrosion. Moreover, a well-constructed reel will last longer and require less maintenance, making it a worthwhile investment.

Garden hose reels from The Blue Hose are made of powder-coated heavy duty steel, which makes them last much longer than traditional steel or plastic counterparts.

2. Rewind Mechanism

One of the most important features you need to look for in a garden hose reel is the rewind mechanism. Most garden hoses come with a manual rewind function, while others come with an automatic rewind function.

The manual rewind function is sometimes more durable than the auto rewind ones. However, the auto rewind feature saves you the hassle of manually winding up the hose after each use. With just a push of a button or a simple tug, the hose retracts neatly into the reel. This saves time and also ensures the hose is stored properly.

3. Swivel base

A swivel base allows the hose reel to rotate 360 degrees. This means you can move around your garden without having to constantly adjust the position of the reel. 

The swivel base provides flexibility and ease of movement. This makes it easier to water plants in different areas of your garden without tangling or kinking the hose.

Garden water hose reels  from The Blue Hose are equipped with brass swivels which makes them much more durable and also helps in preventing leaks.

4. Retractable Hose Guide

The retractable hose guide is a feature that ensures the hose winds evenly onto the reel. It prevents the hose from overlapping or tangling, which can cause damage to the hose over time. The guide moves back and forth as you retract the hose, distributing it evenly across the reel. This not only extends the life of the hose but also makes it easier to unwind and use the hose the next time you water your garden.

5. Usability and ergonomics

You will use a garden hose reel for long hours in your garden or outside area. Thus, it makes sense that you choose a hose reel carefully to ensure it feels comfortable in your hand.

Try to find features like a gripped surface, rubber coatings, handles or even a versatile mounting option which will increase its ergonomics and ease of access. This makes the hose reel more comfortable and convenient to use.

6. Adjustable Hose Length and Pressure Control

Having control over the length of the hose you use and the water pressure can make a huge difference in your gardening tasks. Some modern hose reels allow you to adjust the length of the hose that you pull out, which prevents excess hose from lying around and getting in your way. Read our indepth blog on how to increase garden hose water pressure.

In addition to this, pressure control features in a hose reel let you adjust the water pressure to suit different plants' needs. This ensures optimal watering without damaging delicate flowers or preventing the over-watering shrubs.

7. Compact and Space-Saving Design

If you have a small garden, then space can be an issue for you. In this case, you don&#;t want to buy a hose reel which takes up too much space.

Thus, modern garden hose reels come in compact designs that can be mounted on a wall or even stored easily in a corner. Some models feature a collapsible or even a foldable design which makes them even more space-efficient. This feature will come in useful for people who are dealing with a small amount of storage space. Read this blog to learn about creative Garden Hose Storage Ideas.

8. Integrated Hose and Reel Protection

To extend the lifespan of your hose and even your hose reel, try to look for hose reels that come with integrated protection features. This can also include covers that will shield the hose from UV rays and prevent it from becoming brittle or cracking over time. 

Some reels also have enclosed designs that keep the hose out of sight and protected from the elements of weather when not in use.

9. Ratchet Systems for Locking the Hose

One feature that stands out in most modern hoses is a ratchet system, which allows the user to lock the hose at certain points. This is an innovative mechanism that provides a huge advantage for users like gardeners who need to control the length of the hose they use for different tasks.

The primary benefit of a ratchet system is the precision it offers. By locking the hose at a certain length, you can prevent excess hose from trailing behind you, which can cause tripping hazards or damage to plants.

Garden hose reels from The Blue Hose locks out the hose at shorter lengths which helps in controlling the length of the hose you need for the job.

10. Aesthetically Pleasing Design

While functionality is key, the aesthetic appeal of a garden hose reel should not be overlooked. Modern reels come in a variety of styles and colors that can complement your garden's décor. 

Whether you prefer a sleek, modern look or a more traditional design, you can find a hose reel that not only serves its purpose but also enhances the overall appearance of your garden.

Additional resources:
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Goto zkhthydraulics to know more.

Final thoughts

 

By choosing the right garden hose reel, you can make a huge difference in the ease and also the enjoyment of your gardening tasks. Thus, by considering the features listed above, you can find a garden hose reel that lives up to your expectations and also enhances your gardening experience at the same time.

Tired of tangled hoses and cluttered yards? Upgrade to BluSeal garden hose reels from The Blue Hose today for a neat, organized, and hassle-free garden experience. Complete with a 10-year warranty, our hoses are meant to last and perform!

Read our other blogs

 

Sinopulse Group specializes in fabricating all kinds of rubber hydraulic hoses, supplying a wide range of hydraulic fittings applicable to almost all machinery requiring hydraulic fluid conveying systems. But you may wonder there are a variety of types and dimensions of hydraulic hose fittings in the different regional hydraulic markets, for instance, European markets have their own standards thus American markets prefer to another, moreover, each country has its own traditional usage in thread type, seal type, how can you match them according to client&#;s requirement, in this article, I will elaborate the details to identify hydraulic fittings you need, and eventually offer you a simple sequence of Number which represent you want. Let&#;s dive into it.

what are hydraulic fittings made of?

Carbon steel fittings with zinc-plated surfaces are the most popular ones in our stock house, most clients prefer to buy these fittings because of their anti-corrosion, durability, and low-price features, they can meet over 80% of requirements. Anti-salt fog test can witness their durability in some corrosive conditions.

Stainless steel hydraulic fittings have higher corrosion resistance and endure higher pressure, and can be used in some extremely high or low temperatures. But, their price is approximately 10 times steel fittings.

The five dimensions to identify hydraulic fittings

We divide a normal hydraulic fitting into three sections, Head part, Body Part, and Tail part, please refer to the image below:

Hydraulic Fitting Diagram

Our search form on the hydraulic fitting page offers a simple method to help you identify the right one you want to order:

In the query form, you should determine each param one by on in sequence.

Tail type

On the tail part, we connect the hydraulic fitting and the end of the hydraulic hose into a tight integration by the methods of crimping the hydraulic ferrule out of the hydraulic hose with a fitting nipple supported inside the hose.

On the hydraulic ferrule, several ring teeth tightly bite the out layer of the hose when they are crimped and pressed on with a hose crimping machine, so, when they are put into use, they can endure a high-pressure pulse.

On the hydraulic fittings nipple, common hydraulic fittings have several ring pagoda shape barbs in order to increase the friction preventing them from dropping out. Here&#; We name it swaged hydraulic fitting

In some high-pressure occasions, It is not enough to bite the outer layer of the hydraulic hose, we need to peel the inner layer of the hose and introduce interlock hydraulic fitting to cooperate to fasten the hose end with the outer ferrule.

on the interlock fittings, there are Several circular bulges, that have the same functions as the ferrule, and they can supply more friction than the common ring pagoda barbs, So, we call it to interlock hydraulic fitting.

In some other scenarios, we need to replace the worn ones with reusable fittings temporarily for example on-field use, we don&#;t have hose-making machines, so we can use reusable fittings with a wrench. it is handy but not for permanent use.

Thread type:

In many world regions, especially in developed countries, the industry started early and then formed its own standard system. The main thread types are involved British standards, German Standards, American Standards, and Japanese Standards.

Region ScopeThread Abbr.CompleteNameThread StandardDescription BritishBSPTBritish Standard Pipe Tapered--British Thread Type
Also adopted by Japanese, used in some Japan made engineering machine. BSPPBritish Standard Pipe Parallel--BSPPBritish Standards Parallel Pipe Thread.
JIS also adopted this Standard Germmany (EU)MetricDeutsche Industrial NormeMetricDIN is the German Industrial Standards, they are widely used in German or other European market. North AmericaJICJoint Industrial CouncilSAE J514The thread was defined by the SAE J514, JIC 37° flare fitting features in flared nose of the fitting and flared tube face in the female connection with metal to metal interface. NPTNational Pipe TaperedNPTFTapered inner diameter
Tapered outer diameter
Self-sealing NPSMNational Pipe Straight MechanicalNPSM__ SAESociety of Automotive EngineersSAE J512It originate from Society of Automotive Engineers, a very reliable and resuable thread type. ORFSO-Ring Face SealSAE JORFS is the abbreviations of O-Ring Flat Seal, The thread complies with SAE J Standard.
ORFS connections are commonly manufactured in carbon, nickel plated carbon & Stainless steel and typically use Buna-N or Viton, 90 Durometer O-rings that seat into a groove in the face of the fitting. 4-Bolt Flange--SAE J518 and ISO Connected with flange, with 4 bolt to fix , suitable for both normal duty or heavy duty. Japan (East Asia)JISJapanese Industrial StandardBSPPLargely used in Japanese or Korean made engineer equipment, They usually have BSP thread.

Through the table above, you can learn the abbreviations of the main thread types in the global, and their location and features.

If you want to replace your old one, you must know how to determine the thread dimension, once you&#;ve done that, you can look up your dimension in the table below and determine its thread type.

No. Size(Thread Size or O.D.) x (of Threads Per Inch) DashInchBSP/BSPPBSPTNPTJICSAEORFSFLANGE -021/8"G1/8"x28R1/8"x28Z1/8"x275/16"x245/16"x24// -033/16"///3/8"x243/8"x24// -041/4"G1/4"x19R1/4"x19Z1/4"x187/16"x207/16"x209/16"x18/ -055/16"///1/2"x201/2"x20// -063/8"G3/8"x19R3/8"x19Z3/8"x189/16"x189/16"x/16"x16/ -081/2"G1/2"x14R1/2"x14Z1/2"x143/4"x163/4"x/16"x161/2" -105/8"G5/8"x14//7/8"x147/8"x141"x14/ -123/4"G3/4"x14R3/4"x14Z3/4"x141.1/16"x121.1/16"x121.3/16"x133/4" -147/8"///1.3/16"x121.3/16"x121.5/16"x12/ -161"G1"x11R1"x11Z1"x11.51.5/16"x121.5/16"x121.7/16x121" -201.1/4"G1.1/4"x11R1.1/4"x11Z1.1/4"x11.51.5/8"x121.5/8"x121.11/16x121.1/4" -241.1/2"G1.1/2"x11R1.1/2"x11Z1.1/2"x11.51.7/8x121.7/8x122&#;&#;x121.1/2" -322"G2"x11R2"x11Z2"x11.52.1/2"x122.1/2"x122.1/2"x122" NOTE: The dash of metric thread accords with the O.D. of thread.

As long as you carefully study the dimension of your thread in addition to the supported information of the old one, it is not difficult to determine which thread you will choose, once you&#;ve done it, let&#;s go to the next step.

Connection Port Type:

Male&#;

male connection means that the thread is located on the outer surface of the fitting, normally it can&#;t be rotated when being fixed, but especially some outer thread is located on the swivel nut. it increases the convenience of being mounted.

Female :

The thread is located on the inner surface of the swivel nut.

Flange:

Flange connections consist of a flange plate, a couple of flange clamps, and 4 bolts, an annular groove containing an elastic rubber washer on the flange plate is used to seal the interface.

Elbow Angle:

Elbow angle means the bending angle between the fitting head and the fitting tail, commonly types cover straight (0°), 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90°.

Seals type:

The seal type is the most difficult part to understand in the five dimensions, we didn&#;t make it an option in the query form, but in the query result, all involved seal types are presented based on your defined parameter.

Although there might be hundreds of hydraulic fittings, they all boil down to three basic types of seals type: metal seal, soft seal, and tapered thread seal. the next table elaborates on them in detail.

Seals TypeInstanceImageDescription Tapered Thread SealNPTThe male thread mates with the female thread and a seal is formed when the two are crushed together i.e. threads deformation.

Teflon and pipe dope are used if needed.

The NPT and BSPT are not interchangeable because of the difference of their thread. BSPT Metal to Metal SealJIC 37° Flare (SAE J514)Both the JIC male and female have straight thread specified in SAE J514 Standards, The two halves have 37° flare (seat).

when they are threaded, a mechanical surface will be formed against leakage. SAE 45° Flare (SAE J512)The SAE 45° Flare connections are commonly used for low pressure applications such as refrigerant lines, fuel lines, and automotive piping systems.

Both the SAE male and female halves have a 45° flare seat.
The seal is formed on the 45° flare seat.

They have the same thread type with JIC 37° Flare. SAE 45° Inverted Flare (SAE J512)The inverted flare finds many applications in automotive systems. A machined male connector has a 42° seat.A flared male tubing has a 45° seat. The female end of the inverted flare has a 42° seat that provides a sealing surface. Threads engage to form a mechanically strong connection. NPSM 60° ConeThe thread of male and female connector is straight, the male has a 30° internal chamfer while the female has an inverted 30° seat.

The metal to metal surface will form leak-resistant when the two parts are threaded together. Metric 60° ConeThe male of the Metric 60° Cone connection has a 60° recessed cone and a straight thread. The female half has a globeseal seat and a straight thread.

The seal takes place between the 60° recessed cone and the tapered nose of the female. The threads of the two halves engage to form a mechanically strong connection.

This connection finds many applications in hydraulic systems. BSPP 60° ConeThe BSPP male end has a 30° seat. The tapered nose of the female swivel seals on the 30° seat of the male.

Although the male end is similar to the American National Pipe Straight Mechanical (NPSM) male, the two are not interchangeable because their thread pitches are different. JIS 30° FlareThe male has a 30° seat and a straight thread.The female half has a 30° seat and a straight thread.

This connection is similar to 37° Flare. Its 30° seat and BSPP-like thread dimensions differentiate it from the American 37° Flare. KOMATSU 30° Flare (JIS METRIC)The Komatsu 30° Flare has parallel metric threads and a 30° seat.

This connection is widely used on Komatsu equipment. The JIS metric connection is similar to the JIS 30° flare, except that the latter has BSPP-like thread dimensions. Flareless Compression (SAE J514)The male of the flareless tube has a 24° seat and a straight thread. The female half has a compression sleeve and a straight thread.

In addition to the sleeve, a female nut and a tube form part of the female connection. On the male, the seal takes place between the 24° seat and the compression sleeve.

On the female, the seal takes place between the tubing and the compression sleeve. The threads engage to form a mechanically strong connection. O-Ring SealSAE straight thread o-ring(o-ring boss)The male connector of the O-Ring Boss has an O-ring and a straight thread. The female port has a sealing face, a chamfer, and a straight thread.

The O-ring is compressed into the chamfer to form a seal. The threads of the two halves engage to form a mechanically strong connection. This connection finds many applications in high pressure hydraulic systems. O-Ring Face Seal(SAE J)This O-Ring Face Seal connection offers an impressive leak resistance and it is suitable for applications that are up to psi.

The male contact has an O-ring and a straight thread. The female contact has a flat surface and a straight thread.

A seal is formed when the O-ring in the face of the male end is compressed onto the machined flat surface female seat. The swivel female nut mechanically holds the connection. 4-Bolt Flange (SAE J518 AND ISO )The Four-Bolt Flange is suitable for connecting 1/2" to 3" hoses and tubings and it is widely used in fluid power systems.

The O-ring seats on the ring groove of the male. The seal takes place between the O-ring on the male and the smooth face of the female port. Four bolts and two clamp halves hold the connection in place.

Final Thoughts

In this article, we talk about how to identify your hydraulic fitting code from the five dimensions in spite of a variety of hydraulic fittings on the market, First, you should determine the tail type, whether they are swaged for permanent use or temporarily reusable use, Second, determine the thread, it is important to match the other hydraulic component completely, and then, you should determine the connection port type and the elbow angle to meet your mounting need, and finally, the result will present all hydraulic fittings aligning with your requirement in different seal types. Bear in mind, comply with the above step, and one by one, you will get the right one. Don&#;t hesitate, have a try!

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Integrated Hose Fittings.