“Urethane Flex Medium-Duty”
“Thermoplastic Flex Medium-Duty WS”
“Urethane Flex Light-Duty”
“Urethane Flex Heavy-Duty”
“Thermoplastic Flex Medium-Duty”
“Neoprene Flex Conductive”
“Urethane Flex Static Dissipative”
“Urethane Flex Self Extinguishing”
“Urethane Flex Extra Heavy-Duty”
“Thermoplastic Flex White”
“Thermoplastic Flex Super Reinforced”
“Thermoplastic Flex Heavy-Duty”
“Neoprene Flex – 2 ply Heavy-Duty”
“Neoprene Flex – 2 ply”
“Thermoplastic Flex Light-Duty”
“Thermoplastic Flex Extra Light-Duty”
“Neoprene Flex – 1 ply”
Screw Clamps
Agricultural Hose
Table of Contents:
1. Agriculture – The Lifeblood of Society
2. What Type of Outdoor Hose Is Used in Agriculture?
3. What Is Considered a Food-Grade Hose?
4. Can Flexible Hoses Be Used for Grain Handling?
5. Urethane Flex Ducting
6. Smooth-Tube Flex Hoses – Smooth Interior Walls
7. Should Thermoplastic Rubber Hoses Be Used for Agricultural Hoses?
Agriculture – The Lifeblood of Society
Agriculture refers to the practice of cultivating plants and livestock. Its fundamental purpose is to produce food, feed, fiber, and other goods by systematically raising plants for consumption and production. Agriculture plays a significant part in environmental sustainability, creating food, and maintaining the ecological integrity of rural communities. Without agriculture, the world population and global market would not have been able to grow and flourish as they have. Our flexible hoses play a small part in the efficiency of modern-day farming techniques and processing. As agricultural hoses are specially designed for various tasks such as grain handling and the transfer of mulch and fertilizer, they also need to be durable enough to withstand the harsh conditions and the daily rigors of farming environments. From chemical exposure to extreme weather conditions to the constant transfer of abrasive materials, agricultural hoses need to be designed to handle all of these conditions and beyond to ensure that the production of food and crops goes uninterrupted.
What Type of Outdoor Hose Is Used in Agriculture?
While many different types of outdoor hoses are used in agriculture, flexible hoses are frequently used for agricultural work, especially for applications such as peat moss spreading, mulch layering, and fertilizer broadcasting. Peat moss is a type of organic matter harvested from peat bogs, and it is used in agriculture by being spread along the soil and crops. Applying peat moss evenly with contemporary agriculture techniques can retain moisture and improve soil structure. As a result, peat moss is particularly beneficial in sandy soils, where it enhances water retention and optimizes a balanced pH balance in the ground. On the other hand, mulch consists of various materials such as organic residue, compost, and gravel. It serves as a means for moisture conservation, weed control, temperature regulation, and maintaining soil health; all are vital for modern-day agriculture techniques. Lastly, using a flexible hose to broadcast fertilizers is essential for agriculture as it spreads fertilizer evenly across fields. By spreading fertilizer evenly across the soil surface, the fertilizer can efficiently distribute crop nutrition and improve soil health. Additionally, by utilizing a flexible hose for agricultural ductwork, farms can efficiently create an environmentally sustainable farm that can ultimately increase crop yields to match and fulfill the ever-increasing global market needs.
“Thermoplastic Flex Heavy-Duty”
“Thermoplastic Flex Heavy-Duty”
- Suitable for more demanding positive and negative pressure applications
- Great moisture and UV resistance
- Designed for applications with wide temperature ranges
- Excellent chemical resistance
- Smooth interior assures minimal friction loss and efficient air flow
The “Thermoplastic Flex Heavy-Duty” is a heavy duty rubber hose that is designed to withstand positive and negative pressure applications. This heavy-duty hose is made from thermoplastic rubber, which offers great chemical resistance and fares better than standard rubber in extreme hot and cold environments. The thermoplastic composition of this heavy-duty hose also serves to provide excellent moisture, UV, and chemical resistance. Thermoplastic rubbers are a class of copolymers that possess both thermoplastic and elastomeric properties, generally made from a mix of plastic and rubber. They deliver enhanced performance and the potential for reduced system costs, compared to materials such as thermoset rubber. Thermoplastic rubber materials are also recyclable and exhibit outstanding chemical resistance.
“Thermoplastic Flex Heavy-Duty”
“Thermoplastic Flex Super Reinforced”
“Thermoplastic Flex White”
What Is Considered a Food-Grade Hose?
For a flex hose to be considered a food-grade hose, it must meet the required standards of the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). According to the FDA, a food-grade flexible hose must be made from non-toxic materials, exhibit excellent durability and pressure capacity, and feature an odorless and tasteless design. In addition, the FDA requires that these flex hoses follow FDA-approved health codes so that they are being utilized in the cleanest and most efficient ways possible. Materials such as PVC, thermoplastic rubber, and polyurethane are FDA-approved and often used in producing and manufacturing food-grade flexible hoses and ductwork. For instance, the “Thermoplastic Flex White” hose is an excellent example of an FDA-approved food-grade flex hose designed explicitly as an agricultural hose. The “Thermoplastic Flex White” is a medium-weight material handling hose that is resistant to chemicals, heat, and UV rays, which makes it perfect as it is designed to withstand the daily rigors of agricultural work and serves as the standard of what an FDA approved agricultural hose should be.
“Thermoplastic Flex White”
“Thermoplastic Flex White”
- Good abrasion resistance
- Smooth interior assures minimal friction loss & efficient air flow
- Manufactured with FDA acceptable materials
The “Thermoplastic Flex White” is a medium-weight material handling hose that is great for abrasive, dust, and material collection applications. This product is specifically made from FDA acceptable hose material, which makes it suitable for food and drug-related applications. The thermoplastic rubber used in this product provides good chemical and heat resistance, and is also able to withstand higher temperatures than ordinary rubber products. Thermoplastic rubber refers to a class of copolymers that are made from a mixture of plastic and rubber. This combination results in a material that offers good chemical and UV resistance. This thermoplastic hose is also reinforced with a spring steel wire helix for added protection and stability. This resilient quality is important when using the food grade hose in rough and unforgiving environments. The smooth interior of this hose material allows for minimal friction loss and provides efficient airflow.
The “Thermoplastic Flex White” can be used as a dust collection hose in both high and low temperature environments. This thermoplastic hose has an operating temperature range of -40 degrees to +250 degrees Fahrenheit and is intended for environments that ordinary hoses cannot withstand. This product comes in a white color, which provides good visibility for food grade applications.
“Neoprene Flex – 1 ply”
“Neoprene Flex – 2 ply Heavy-Duty”
“Neoprene Flex – 2 ply”
Can Flexible Hoses Be Used for Grain Handling?
Flexible ducting is an excellent option for grain handling, as grain handling facilities receive, store, process, and transfer grain in bulk quantities and large volumes. According to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), the grain handling industry is a highly hazardous sector where workers can be exposed to numerous dangers, such as grain-related suffocation, fires, and explosions. It is essential to utilize an appropriately designed flex hose that considers scenarios that could lead to the creation of these incidents. Static dissipative flexible ducts are an excellent instance of a flex duct specifically designed to prevent hazardous scenarios such as grain-related fires and explosions. Due to grain dust’s highly flammable nature, preventing dust explosions is problematic because it is highly dependent on eliminating as many ignition sources and exposures as possible by controlling grain dust with dust collection equipment and flexible ducts. However, a static dissipative flexible duct can reduce the danger of static buildup by allowing electrostatic energy to discharge. By utilizing materials such as a conductive elastomer coating, static dissipative flex hoses can prevent grain dust-related explosions throughout day-to-day application and ensure the safety of grain facility workers.
“Neoprene Flex – 2 Ply”
“Neoprene Flex – 2 Ply”
- Good crush resistance and tensile strength
- Neoprene coating offers excellent abrasion and chemical resistance
- Good flexibility
- More durable than double ply cotton hoses
The “Neoprene Flex – 2 ply” industrial duct is recommended for dust control and material transfer applications. The large diameter flexible pipe is made using a strong double-ply neoprene coated polyester fabric with a spring steel wire helix. The intelligent construction and durable 2-ply neoprene wall allows these flex hoses to withstand abrasive dust and other harsh materials. This hose is recommended for use in a vast list of harsh conditions including dust collection, grinders, woodworking and furniture industries.
Each “Neoprene Flex – 2 ply” industrial duct has good crush resistance that allows it to be used in harsh environments. The flexible pipes tensile strength, or the maximum tension the material can withstand without tearing, is complemented by the excellent abrasion and chemical resistance offered by its neoprene coating. The “Neoprene Flex – 2 ply” flexible duct has good flexibility and is more durable than double ply cotton hoses. The flex hoses can handle both positive and negative pressures. Each industrial duct has a working temperature range of -40 F to +250 F and is listed as a UL 94 V-0 flame retardant product.
“Urethane Flex Light-Duty”
“Urethane Flex Extra Heavy-Duty”
“Urethane Flex Heavy-Duty”
“Urethane Flex Medium-Duty”
“Urethane Flex Static Dissipative”
Urethane Flex Ducting
“Urethane Flex” hoses stand as one of the best durable options for agricultural hoses. Polyurethane comprises elastomeric polymers, making them the top of their class regarding abrasive-resistant durability. Urethane hoses are the go-to choice when wear resistance, flexibility, and durability are the top concerns. This makes this class of flexible ducting ideal for agricultural machinery featuring high-tensile strength and high-volume applications such as grain ducting and fertilizer broadcasting. “Urethane Flex” hoses come in different builds and designs that cater to a desired application need. From static dissipation features to being made out of self-extinguishing and FDA-approved materials, “Urethane Flex” hoses offer the widest variety of application options to the industry. In addition, it is essential to note that “Urethane Flex” hoses can come in different wall thicknesses. As the flex hose’s wall thickness increases, the level of flexibility and compressibility decreases, but as the wall gets thicker, the hose’s wear resistance increases. Considering “Urethane Flex” hoses’ chemical composition, their overall strength and resistance to all abrasive material and heavy-duty applications make them an invaluable option for all your agricultural ductwork needs.
“Urethane Flex Self Extinguishing”
“Urethane Flex Self Extinguishing”
- Halogen-free
- Great abrasion resistance & high tear strength
- Manufactured with flame retardant materials
The “Urethane Flex Self Extinguishing” material handling hose is a medium-weight wall hose made with a self-extinguishing polyurethane material great for severe abrasive, dust, and material movement. The polyurethane hose materials used in this product gives it excellent chemical, abrasion resistance, and high tear strength. Polyurethane flex ducts exhibit the best abrasion resistance and are recommended in applications that demand a durable flex ducting. This material handling hose exhibits superior flex fatigue and is recommended for applications that require continuous flexing. This product is available in FDA acceptable materials and allows for its use in applications involving the movement of foods, grains, and pharmaceuticals.
This flex ducting works in temperatures ranging from a low of -65 to a high of +225 degrees Fahrenheit. The “Urethane Flex Self Extinguishing” hose is made of Halogen-free flame retardant hose materials. Halogens (Flourine, Chlorine, Bromine, Iodine, Astaline) are salt formers. This is especially for the electronics industry that has an interest in products assembled without the use of these elements in the raw materials.
“Smooth-Tube PU”
Smooth-Tube Flex Hoses – Smooth Interior Walls
Our “Smooth-Tube” flex hoses are a series of flex ducts with an ample wall thickness that protect these hoses from physical damage such as external objects or abrasive materials. Depending on your required applications, you can choose from a range of different material options, from standard PVC and thermoplastic rubber to polyurethane film. With this range of possibilities, “Smooth-Tube” flex ducts are undeniably one of the most durable series of flex hoses for agricultural machinery and ductwork. However, the featured design for the “Smooth-Tube” series is the see-through interiors, which is very practical for heavy-duty industrial applications. This feature alone will save hours of maintenance and production downtime as users will be able to detect clogs and any blockage that should ever occur. In addition, the smooth interior prevents any small particles and materials from building up inside the hose. It ensures that the material is transferred from one point of the duct to the other. Whether you choose this as an outdoor duct or a grain hose, the “Smooth-Tube” series is a reliable, cost-effective option for an agricultural hose.
“Smooth-Tube TPR”
“Smooth-Tube TPR”
- Completely smooth interior prevents clogs and maximizes airflow
- Available in flame retardant version
The “Smooth-Tube TPR” flexible hoses are medium weight hose products that are great for use in fume, light materials, dust and air movement applications. Each black rubber hose is made of thermoplastic rubber and has been reinforced with an exterior rigid polypropylene helix. A unique feature of this thermoplastic hose is its completely smooth interior. When hose and ducting materials have a smooth even interior, they greatly reduce the chances of clogs from occurring. The smooth interior helps to maximize airflow for efficient suction.
A very important feature to have in most ducting materials is flexibility and durability. Sometimes one or the other will do, but these flexible hoses combine both! In terms of flexibility, this hose is excellent. It can be bent and flexed with ease so that you can maneuver it into position wherever it is needed. Additionally, this hose is also very durable. The key behind its physical durability is the rigid polypropylene helix that is found along its outer body. This outer helix of the black rubber hose acts as an external wearstrip that serves to enhance the protection provided to this thermoplastic hose. The outer helix protects the hose against any external abrasion. An operator can drag this hose along a rough surface without worrying about it being damaged. As an added bonus, this flexible ducting is available in a flame retardant version.
“Thermoplastic Flex Extra Light-Duty”
“Thermoplastic Flex Heavy-Duty”
“Thermoplastic Flex Light-Duty”
“Thermoplastic Flex Medium-Duty”
Should Thermoplastic Rubber Hoses Be Used for Agricultural Hoses?
As an agricultural hose option, thermoplastic rubber hoses are among the sector’s most widely used flexible hoses due to their design, build, affordability, and range of options. “Thermoplastic Flex” hoses are reinforced with a spring steel wire helix, and due to the durability of thermoplastic rubber, they have a longer life span than standard rubber in extremely hot and cold environments. “Thermoplastic Flex” hoses are built with a standard 25-foot length and come in a wide range of inside diameter sizes (I.D.). However, they can be custom-ordered to lengths up to 50 feet, making them ideal for farms that require it. Considering the distance and size options these flexible hoses can cover, the “Thermoplastic Flex” hoses incorporate a compressible feature, which makes them easy to store and install. Similarly to “Urethane Flex” hoses, thermoplastic rubber hoses come in four different wall thicknesses: extra light, light, medium, and heavy-duty, and the thickness of the hose wall will ultimately affect their overall flexibility and compressibility. Despite that, the “Thermoplastic Flex” hose is a durable, inexpensive outdoor hose that can withstand extreme temperatures in harsh environments. It is designed to withstand the daily rigors of agricultural machinery and serve as a dependable outdoor hose.
“Thermoplastic Flex Super Reinforced”
“Thermoplastic Flex Super Reinforced”
- Combines the ozone, UV, weathering, and chemical resistance of thermoplastic rubber with the tensile strength and fatigue resistance of fabric hoses
- Offers the better tear strength, puncture, & abrasion resistance than traditional reinforced woven neoprene & thermoplastic hoses
- Handles higher positive pressures than non-reinforced thermoplastic rubber hose
The “Thermoplastic Flex Super Reinforced” is a reinforced material handling hose designed for heavy-duty applications that require more abrasion resistance than ordinary thermoplastic flexible ducts. This rubber hose is unique because its hose material is a combination of thermoplastic rubber and non-woven polyester fabric, which makes it more durable and resistant than similar duct hoses. The thermoplastic material gives this rubber hose greater chemical, ozone, and weathering resistance, while also providing a longer life in extreme hot and cold environments. Due to its non-woven polyester fabric reinforcement, this thermoplastic hose is also more resistant to tearing, punctures, and abrasion. The thermoplastic hose is reinforced with a spring steel wire helix that gives this hose even more protection and durability. This product is specifically made for heavy-duty applications involving abrasives and materials.
