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Vacuum hose splitting issues

1

1carwash1

Member
I use 2 inch x 15 feet vacuum hoses. And for the longest time never really had an issue with them coming apart at the spiral seem.
However, recently my hoses are coming apart at the seems in the vicinity of the vac claw (almost like unraveling) which requires me to cut off the short piece of hose and reattach the claw. Obviously, this can only be done so many times before rendering the hose too short. Additionally, I stopped using vac cuffs years ago because customers tended to unscrew them from the hose. To connect the hose to the claw, I would simply push the end of the claw into the hose opening. Recently, however, it has become much much harder to insert the vac claw into the hose. Is anybody else experiencing these issues? Any recommendations on what hose is best?

The hose splitting issues is happening way too frequently which is obviously not good for business.
 
I accidentally ordered some Kleen-Rite 1 1/2" vac hoses and they all broke in the first couple weeks. They still carry Smooth-Bor which are well worth the extra cost.
 
We have a 1" S.S self drilling hex screw though the cuff into the hose and a 1" S.S self drilling hex screw through the cuff into the vac claw to prevent customers unscrewing them been doing that for 17 yrs probably lost 2-3 in that time period.
 
DiamondWash said:
We have a 1" S.S self drilling hex screw though the cuff into the hose and a 1" S.S self drilling hex screw through the cuff into the vac claw to prevent customers unscrewing them been doing that for 17 yrs probably lost 2-3 in that time period.
Click to expand...

Doesn't that catch junk? Surely the screws protrude on the inside.
 
I think I remember Kleen Rite posting something about some bad Hose a while back??!! I got bay blowers and the hose that came with them was coming apart, and I think it is the same hose as the cheap KR hose. I had problems with it from the motor to the booms.
 
IIRC When I inquired about while ordering their hose I was told it was made by smooth-bor. Is this not true?

I noticed on carpet cleaner forums they often attach fittings on hose with goop. I used that to glue my cuff on and so far it has worked well.
 
Are these new hoses that are unraveling? Typically, when we see a hose do that 2 or 3 times, that is a signal that it is time for new hose.

David
 
I've been using the KR hoses for 10 years with no issues. They eventually wear out and I have to cut them, but takes a while.
 
We also have been using KR for years without any problems. We replace them about every 18 months or so or when they start to look really dingy.
 
I put in new combos 2 years ago and after one year hoses supplied by manufacture starting coming undone.Never had a problem with smoothbore.I noticed that fragramatics parts quality is going down hill.
 
We bought new vac hoses from kleen rite last year, i have had nothing but problems with them unraveling and or splitting in between the ribs. Of course you dont notice it until it is really bad, meaning customers used it in that state and probably just got aggravated. It is so bad that i havent bought any more because i refuse to get suckered again on these ****ty hoses and i am waiting to figure out which ones are better. These hoses clearly have a problem that isnt being addressed.
 
Thanks for all the responses.
Here is a follow-up.
Ordered and received Smooth-Bor vacuum hoses and swivel cuffs to replace existing hoses. The construction of the Smooth-Bor hoses seems to be different from what I previously had(unknown manufacturer). However, difficulties of being able to push the vac nozzle into the new hoses or cuffs remains. To get around this problem, I had to grind down (not completely) the raised locking ring that is molded onto the vac nozzle, thereby reducing the locking ring's outside diameter. Once I did this, I was able to slide the vac nozzle onto the hose without too much difficulty and still have enough grip to keep the nozzle from easily sliding out of the hose.
 
I'm still curious if the people who developed the nozzles and cuffs had a clue what they were making. If you buy a standard claw and a swivel cuff and you push the claw all the way into the cuff so it locks, the claw goes about an inch into the hose and it won't swivel. I have to cut the claw and remove the ring, then fasten it to the end of the cuff with screws/locknuts.
 
MEP001 said:
I'm still curious if the people who developed the nozzles and cuffs had a clue what they were making. If you buy a standard claw and a swivel cuff and you push the claw all the way into the cuff so it locks, the claw goes about an inch into the hose and it won't swivel. I have to cut the claw and remove the ring, then fasten it to the end of the cuff with screws/locknuts.
Click to expand...

I am so glad I ain't the only guy that happens to. I just quit pushing the claw all the way into the cuff, or just screw the hose into the claw...
 
soonermajic said:
I am so glad I ain't the only guy that happens to. I just quit pushing the claw all the way into the cuff, or just screw the hose into the claw...
Click to expand...

People would pull the claw out of the cuff to vacuum big stuff, which would fill the vac or clog the hose, and the claw would disappear. The claw screwed into the hose looks messy and obviously doesn't swivel. I find it much easier with a swivel cuff.
 
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