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Garden Hose Reels
Garden hose reels make it possible to roll
up the garden hose for storage when it is
not being used. These reels can be attached
to the wall of the house, garage, shed or
fence; they can be contained in plastic boxes;
reels also come as convenient wheeled carts
that can be moved around the garden. Garden
hose reels are usually made of tough, durable
plastic that will not rust and can be left
out in all types of weather.
The following should be considered
when buying
a garden hose reel:
- Reels that attach to the side of a structure
will allow you to pull the hose either parallel
or perpendicular to the wall. Those that
pull perpendicular stand out farther from
the wall and so are not as compact, but they
can be easier for some people to use. Look
for models that are easy to mount securely.
Better quality reels allow for quick removal
for portability and winter storage. Look
for sturdy handles that can turn the wheel
easily.
- Make sure the reel can accommodate the full
length of the hoses you wish
to store.
- If you do not want to attach a reel to a
wall, consider storing the
hose in a box.
These hose boxes are made of
high impact
plastic that can sit outside
all year long.
They come in various sizes,
depending on
the length of the hoses you
want to store.
Because they sit close to the
ground, turning
the handle that retracts the
hose requires
bending over into a position
some people
may find uncomfortable. Better
model boxes
have interior guides that prevent
the hoses
from bunching at one end of
the storage bar.
- Wheeled carts allow the gardener to store
hoses in the garage or shed when not in use
and are very convenient for larger properties.
Look for carts that are stable enough not
to tip over and that have wheels designed
to make it easy to pull the cart over different
types of terrain. Make sure the handle for
winding the hose is at a comfortable height.
The cart should be made of durable material
that is light enough for you to pull when
fully wound with the hoses.
Newer, more expensive models of garden hose
reels are powered by small, highly efficient
water-piston engines that eliminate the need
to manually rewind hoses. They are easy and
safe to operate, and they automatically empty
any water left in the hose, so there is no
danger of damage to the hose from freezing
water or mildew. |
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