Selecting a chemical spray hose can be a difficult task, especially when you have clients with different profiles and needs. Manufactures make hoses with varying factors in mind, including size, portability, the conditions under which they will be used, and the best material for the intended purpose.

Answering these four questions can help you narrow down your choices and make the best purchases as you revamp your collection of chemical spray hoses.

What Type of Stress Will It Be Subjected To?

A chemical spray hose is typically subject to external and internal stress. While calculating the amount of stress your hoses will be subject to is tough when you serve many people, an experienced supplier will be able to help you figure out what is best suited for different applications. For instance, some hoses are specifically designed for agricultural chemicals while others are best suited for high-pressure tree spraying.

The nature of chemicals that you deal with often and the pressure involved will determine the internal hose stress. The level of external stress is determined by storage, usage, and the amount of dragging and pulling your hoses undergo when in use. These parameters determine the best material for a prolonged lifespan, optimum service, and value for your money.

What Is The Content of My Sprays?

The type of chemicals you use for the various jobs you take on plays a critical role in the kind of hose you choose. For instance, if you deal with wet powders where you dissolve granules into water to create a solution, you need to know if they stay in solution form or if they separate and settle when you let the solution stand.

The design of your hose should allow shaking and re-mixing space or a mechanism to return granules to the mixing drum to avoid blockages. It also should be able to contain the weight when the solution separates and leaves the solids in the hose.
​
If you are working with emulsions and chemicals that easily separate, the material should be non-corrosive in order to minimize damage caused by accumulated concentrates. For instance, a polyvinyl chloride and polyurethane blend is a perfect choice for hydrocarbon-based chemicals and also offers strong chemical resistance.

The hose must also have a draining mechanism to avoid concentrates from accumulating at the top of the reel. A non-corrosive liner that allows concentrates to slide out is an excellent idea.

What Are My Working Parameters?

Evaluate the temperatures and pressures involved with the kind of chemicals you deal with often. These parameters will help your supplier understand the type of material and design or make an order for you.

You cannot, for example, use thermoplastic hoses for chemicals that heat up during spraying or when the weather forecasts warn you to expect unusually high temperatures in the coming seasons.

The amount of pressure involved will also help your supplier get the burst strength right. Hoses with bends may not be best suited for high-pressure applications. Your supplier can also fix control measures to relieve the pressure or stop the flow when the pressure goes too high.

Make sure that you meet OSHA standards as you assemble your collection. These include using compressed air safety shut-off valves for hoses whose diameter exceeds half an inch in order to manage pressure if your hose fails.

What Is My Budget?

Go through your budget with your supplier to determine the best brand, material, and size of hoses that will give you the best value for your money. For instance, ordering a multipurpose hose that you can use for commercial, agricultural, and pest control sprays minimizes the number of purchases you need to make.

A good supplier will also give you a free consultation to determine which of your old hoses they can repair and which ones need replacement.

The best way to replace your chemical spray hoses or expand your collection is to talk to an experienced supplier to evaluate your business needs, applications, and budget. Having a long-term relationship with your supplier is an advantage, as they can anticipate your needs throughout the year.

When you need to buy new chemical spray hoses, contact KIMS International for professional advice and quality products.