Firefighters Deserve the Best Hoses. Here’s why

fire fire hoses industrial hoses near me commercial grade hose equipment

Firefighters deserve only the very best and most reliable hoses and hose accessories on the market. Constantly putting their lives at risk, they put so much effort and dedication into fighting each individual fire. So, it makes perfect sense for them to have the best hose-related items in their possession to protect themselves, wildlife, structures and their community. Who could argue with that?

You can’t expect the best outcome possible when you’re not using the right equipment. Fighting fires is an incredibly dangerous task. Anyone would be crazy to opt for the cheapest, lowest quality of equipment to fight a fire. That why you need US Hose, the #1 choice for commercial hoses and fittings.

Hydraulic Hose Near Me | Hydraulic Hoses Ontario

What is a hydraulic hose?

hydraulic hoses

Hydraulic hoses are used anywhere in a hydraulic system requiring a flexible connection between two fluid ports. A hydraulic hose is a synthetic rubber tube surrounded by some sort of flexible strength enhancing winding, such as metal or fiber, and then covered in another rubber carcass. The reinforcement windings are what give the hose its flexibility and strength, and these reinforcements can be either braided or spiral wound.

Hydraulic hoses are used for two primary purposes; to allow movement between two port locations or to reduce the effects of vibration. Hydraulic hose can also be used for secondary reasons, such as for ease of installation or availability of hose manufacturing equipment. Because hose is flexible, it is easy to line it up with ports that may not be well aligned or have been modified, where tube or pipe must be more precise to fit the installation, as they are more rigid. Also, most cutting and crimping equipment is widely available but fewer shops carry the heavy-duty tube bending and flaring equipment, especially in the larger sizes.

When hydraulic hose is used for its primary purpose of joining ports on two moving components, it must be flexible enough to bend as the components move, such as between the jib and boom arms of an excavator. The flexibility of the hose is determined by its pressure rating (and number of reinforcement windings), its diameter and its material construction. Hoses used in this fashion are equipped on mobile equipment of every type, cable carriers on injection molding machines or automation, hydraulic presses, tractor implements, etc.

Hydraulic hose is also the plumbing of choice to dampen noise and vibration in hydraulic machinery. Some pump types emit pressure waves into the fluid as gears or pistons reach the pressure chamber, which in turn resonates and vibrates metal plumbing or components. This resonance is related to the combined size, shape, mass and geometry of the plumbing, components, reservoir and fittings. This resonance is difficult to predict before a power unit or machine is fabricated. However, the annoying resonance can be improved by swapping rigid tube or pipe with hydraulic hose. Hose’s innate elasticity and flexibility can absorb some vibration caused by pumps, reducing the resonance, or changing its pitch, so that noise is reduced in intensity.

Commercial Grade Hoses | Commercial Hoses | Hoses Near Me

Commercial grade hoses and fittings

hoses

Let’s face it, our firefighters deserve only the greatest hoses and hose accessory products possible. They put their lives on the line while at work and they put so much effort and dedication into fighting each individual fire. So, it makes perfect sense for them to have the best hose-related items in their possession to protect themselves, wildlife, structures and their community. Who could argue with that? You can’t expect the best outcome possible when you’re not using the right equipment. Fighting fires is an incredibly dangerous task. Anyone would be crazy to opt for the cheapest, lowest quality of equipment to fight a fire. That’s why you need US Hose, the #1 choice for commercial hoses and fittings.

Let’s face it, our firefighters deserve only the greatest hoses and hose accessory products possible. They put their lives on the line while at work and they put so much effort and dedication into fighting each individual fire. So, it makes perfect sense for them to have the best hose-related items in their possession to protect themselves, wildlife, structures and their community. Who could argue with that?

You can’t expect the best outcome possible when you’re not using the right equipment. Fighting fires is an incredibly dangerous task. Anyone would be crazy to opt for the cheapest, lowest quality of equipment to fight a fire. That’s why you need US Hose, the #1 choice for commercial hoses and fittings.

Food-Grade Hoses Near Me| Commercial Hoses | Industrial Hoses

An Introduction to Food-Grade Hoses

food-grade

Food and beverage companies must comply with strict standards that indicate the type of equipment they can use for their production operations. These requirements and restrictions are enforced to ensure the safety of consumers, as the wrong equipment can lead to product contamination. They may apply to the entire piece of equipment as well as to the individual components, such as the transfer hoses.

In the United States, food-grade hoses must be designed and built to the specifications outlined by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This ensures they allow for the clean and safe transfer of food materials. While these components come in numerous variations, differing with regard to size, pressure rating and temperature rating to suit different customer needs, they also have some common characteristics.

Below, we highlight the shared characteristics of food-grade hoses as well as outline some of their typical applications.

Key Characteristics of Food-Grade Hoses

Food-grade hoses are made from flexible materials, such as polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or thermoplastic rubber. Additionally, they typically have an internal helical wire made from spring steel or stainless steel that provides strength and durability to the overall assembly. While they may look like other types of hoses, they differ from them in the following ways:

  • Non-toxic, non-metal construction. Metal components are susceptible to corrosion, which can lead to product contamination during production operations. Plastics and rubbers offer an inherent resistance to corrosion, making them ideal for equipment used in food and beverage operations.
  • Excellent durability. Food-grade hoses are designed to withstand the harsh conditions found in food processing facilities (e.g., high temperatures and pressures). As a result, they are often more durable than other types of hoses.
  • Pressure capacity. Many food processing operations rely on the maintenance of various pressure conditions. Quality food-grade hoses are capable of achieving and sustaining specific pressure and vacuum levels as needed.
  • Odorless/tasteless design. Food-grade hoses are engineered to not add any odors, contamination or flavors to the conveyed material, which helps maintain the integrity of the final product’s taste and aroma.  

Typical Applications of Food-Grade Hoses

In food processing applications, food-grade hoses are generally used to transport bulk dry food materials, such as cereal, flour and sugar. They are also used in pharmaceutical production operations to transport capsules and tablets. In both cases, our food-grade hoses are made with FDA-acceptable materials and, if necessary, USDA standards for food contact.

These hoses can be cut to different lengths and fitted with various fittings. This customizability ensures the hose assembly meets the equipment and operation requirements.

Food-grade hoses are a critical element of many food processing operations. Need quality hose components for your food production facility? Turn to the hose experts at US Hose today!

Our food-grade hoses are suitable for any light material handling operation involving solid foods and powders. While they come in a variety of materials and sizes, all of them are made with FDA-acceptable materials. Typical applications for these hose products include:

  • Food factory venting
  • Cereal manufacturing
  • Cosmetic manufacturing
  • Pharmaceutical manufacturing
  • Sugar manufacturing
  • Flour manufacturing
  • Spices manufacturing
  • Tablet manufacturing

Exhaust Hoses | Industrial Hoses | Industrial Exhaust Hoses

Exhaust Hoses for Industrial Applications

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Exhaust hoses are commonly used in many types of industrial applications. From welding stations and engine testing stations to fire engines and bus stations, these hoses appear nearly everywhere.


Industrial Exhaust Hose

Industrial exhaust hoses are used in many applications that involve high-temperature air, toxic chemicals and fumes. There are many types of exhaust hoses and ducting made from various materials including PVC, neoprene, polyester and others. Using the right hoses and ducting, workers and equipment can remain safe from exposure to potentially harmful gases and fumes.

Common Applications

Some specific applications for industrial exhaust hoses include:

Welding. The welding process often produces dangerous chemicals including hexavalent chromium and manganese, which have the potential of causing serious health issues such as lung cancer and brain damage. A sufficient weld fume ventilation system using exhaust hoses and ducting can keep workers consistently safe in the welding environment. Because of the high temperatures produced during the welding process, exhaust hoses must be heat resistant to provide lasting protection.

Vehicle exhaust. In many facilities, vehicle exhaust can accumulate and put people at risk without reliable fume exhaust systems in place. Exhaust hoses are often used for engine testing, garages and fire engines. 

Bus depots/stations and train stations. To protect workers and passengers in these locations, exhaust hoses are also frequently used to keep facilities clear of toxic fumes.

Quality Hoses for Exhaust System Applications

Depending on your application’s needs, US Hose carries a wide range of high-quality exhaust hoses for nearly any environment. Our hoses come in a variety of materials including fiberglass, Teflon® and aramid fabrics, along with steel and silicone reinforcements. Our line of Flex-Lok flexible exhaust hoses is compatible with many applications requiring sufficient heat resistance and fume mitigation in confined spaces. These hoses often appear in facilities such as garages, train depots and fire engine stations to protect workers, pedestrians and equipment.

Our extensive inventory includes the following exhaust hoses:

Types of High-Temperature Exhaust Hose Fabrics

High-temperature hoses facilitate the movement of fumes and hot air through various industrial systems and equipment. US Hose offers several variations of high-temperature hoses featuring a range of flexibilities and temperature ranges. They’re made from several types of high-quality construction materials, providing different levels of suitability and flexibility for a variety of applications.

Teflon® Fabric Hoses – Benefits and Properties

This material is ideal for venting many types of harsh chemicals. It features a sealed exterior that effectively prevents fumes from escaping, with excellent resistance to heat, wear and tear. 

Coated Fabric

High-temperature coated fabric hoses come in a variety of fabric combinations. These hoses may include silicone, fiberglass or neoprene coating with a single or double-ply coated fabric. When made with a ply, hoses are often more suitable for applications involving temperatures of up to 1200°.

Aramid Fabric Hose

Another fabric used in high-temperature applications is aramid or aromatic polyamide. These fibers are man-made and include molecules that consist of rigid polymer chains. Aramid fibers’ strong hydrogen bonds allow for the efficient transfer of mechanical stress, which helps reduce the molecular weight of the polymer chains. As a result, aramid materials are strong and highly resistant to abrasion, organic solvents and electricity, with no melting point and minimal flammability.

Contact Us for Your Flexible Exhaust Hose Needs

US Hose reliable exhaust hoses work with nearly any application in need of proper exhaust systems for toxic chemicals, fumes and high-temperature air. Made with top-quality fabrics, coatings and other materials, you can keep people and equipment consistently protected. For more information about our products, contact us today. We can also help you find the right exhaust hoses for your systems when you request a quote from us.

Agricultural Hoses | Industrial Hoses | US Hose

Everything You Should Know About Agricultural Hoses

agricultural hoses

For many agricultural applications, specific types of hoses are required to handle harsh conditions and work with certain chemicals and materials. Here we’ll review what agricultural hoses are, their applications and the different types available based on a given application’s specific requirements.

Agricultural hoses are designed to withstand many environmental conditions and extreme temperatures. To reinforce their structure, many agricultural hoses feature a spring steel wire helix while others have an all-plastic construction with an outer plastic helix and smooth interior. In some applications with special sensitivities or other requirements, agricultural hoses are exclusively made with FDA acceptable materials.

Depending on the needs of your specific application, there are several flexible hoses available from US Hose. You can use these hoses for applications such as:

  • Fertilizer broadcasting
  • Cotton picking
  • Animal breeding
  • Fish farming
  • Grain vac transfer
  • Seeders and fertilizer
  • Harvesting (corn combines)
  • Augers/grain carts
  • Air intake on combines
  • Composting (mulch and blow into trucks)

Hose Types for Agricultural Applications

Based on the specific agricultural application, there are multiple types of agricultural hoses you can use, including:

Fertilizer Broadcasting

A broadcasting agricultural spray hose can apply slurry, liquid or solid fertilizer or manure. Of the applications used for agricultural hoses, broadcasting is the least time and energy consuming. Broadcasting also creates uniformity in the application pattern. However, surface broadcasting can cause organic fraction on soil surfaces to gradually decay and it promotes loss of nitrogen to the atmosphere.

For fertilizer broadcasting, a reliable fertilizer hose is required to provide consistent results. In many broadcasting applications, a system of flexible hoses is used to apply fertilizer or manure to arable land or grassland.

Cotton-Picking

For cotton-picking applications, it’s important to have the right hose to meet your needs without the risk of failure. Cotton-picking hoses are often used in today’s systems, which typically use flexible suction hoses and suction heads to pick cotton pneumatically, driven by an engine.

Normally, these hoses are mounted on straddle tractors and work in conjunction with a bale-tying mechanism. The cotton harvesting system then bales cotton immediately after it’s picked. After baling, the bales are moved to a raised drying floor before they are transferred to a processing facility.

Grain Vac

If you require a solution for grain vacuuming applications, US Hose offers a highly flexible heavy weight clear polyurethane hose with a rigid black external PVC helix and an embedded copper grounding wire. The enclosed copper grounding wire is ideal for reducing static build-up in handling dry materials in light bulk quantities.

This particular farm hose is easier to handle and more lightweight than heavy wall PVC hoses, making it the best option for use in applications requiring adequate airflow along with excellent hydrolysis and microbial resistance, tear resistant with high tensile strength and extremely abrasion resistant. You can also use this hose for more than grain vacuuming, including other high volume material handling applications.

Augers

For many years, flex hoses have been the industry standard for use in most augers. US Hose’s flexible auger hoses are manufactured with increased durability to meet these applications’ demands. Despite this added strength, these hoses remain easy to transport if you need to move them between trucks, silos and grain storage bins.

Importance of Anti-Static and Chemical Resistance Hoses in Agriculture

One of the biggest risks in many American industry sectors is that of explosions resulting from the ignition of combustible dust. If a facility isn’t compliant with NFPA standard engineering controls to minimize the risks of hazardous dust or static, this could lead to extensive property damage, along with serious injuries or even death to employees or others on the premises.

In these applications, hoses are needed to handle various types of substances including:

  • Agricultural dust from processes involving sorghum, wet corn, sugars, flour and other types of grains
  • Chemicals including pesticides, fertilizers and other agricultural chemicals

Quality Agricultural Hoses at US Hose

To meet the specific requirements of your application, US Hose offers a selection of high-quality agricultural hoses, including fertilizer hoses, irrigation hoses, cotton-picking hoses and many others using some of the most durable, flexible and lightweight materials available. To get started on choosing the right agricultural hose for your operations, contact us for additional information.