QUESTION: How long does the average delivery
hose last?
ANSWER:
On average, for a truck in service daily doing around 20
stops per day, you may get a year and a half to 2
years, provided that the hose is rotated, under normal working
conditions.
QUESTION: Why should I rotate my delivery
hose and how do I do it?
ANSWER:
Just like you rotate your tires to promote even wear, it’s
a good idea to rotate your hose. Typically, the hose
is only pulled partially out and the hose is subject to
additional wear at this frequently used portion of the
hose. Rotating the hose is a relatively simple procedure
and Lin’s recommends that this be done every 6
months.
Simply unroll all of the hose off of the reel and uncouple
the connection at the reel. Disconnect the hose
nozzle. Connect the hose nozzle end - to the reel, and connect
the former reel end - to the nozzle.
Rotation of an existing hose is not subject to the DOT hose
management process that would require a
pressure test. A pressure test is required for all repairs
and new hoses. However, the hose should be
carefully inspected during this procedure to ensure the
integrity of the entire hose assembly. Also, all of the
hose connections should be double checked for leaks.
QUESTION: Why doesn’t delivery hose
last like it used to?
ANSWER:
In the past, I blamed the newer lead-free manufacturing
process but I think there are other things to
consider. When I think about delivery hose replacements
years ago, the worn hose was in really poor
condition or worse yet, blown out. With the increased emphasis
on maintenance, inspection and liability
issues, we are all much more aggressive about replacing
delivery hoses. Also, since we no longer use
reusable hose-end fittings it is more difficult for the
average propane marketer to cut back the hose, to
eliminate the worn areas. You now have to have a specially
equipped shop do this and pressure test the
hose, where once you were able to do this yourself.
