Reasons for Automatic Hose Festooning

In designing this system Robertson Air Systems took the following into consideration: 1) operator time and motion  2) vacuuming efficiency.  Time and motion efficiency meant having a vacuum hose lance readily available, lance handle mounted controls that are easily accessible and reliable, and user friendly free flowing hose feed and retraction capability through the entire length of the bus.  Vacuum efficiency meant eliminating as many bends, turns, and restrictions in the vacuum line as possible to prevent plugging and increase air flow.

Automatic hose festooning accomplishes all of the above and more with superior performance and benefits listed as follows:

1. Provides an easily available hose and controls to the operator.
2. Allows the use of a reliable hardwired, customized lance handle to control the hose feed, retract, and vacuum; thus eliminating the need for inconsistently operating, expensive and fragile remote control handsets.
3. Allows greater air flow and eliminates the plugging caused by the hose reel elbows and turns.
4. Retracts the hose with a user friendly pneumatic (not gear driven) force.
5. Suspends the hose off the floor at the door of entry thus making it easier to move the hose through the bus.
6. Creates a less congested, aesthetically pleasing fuel island area.
7. Simplifies the duct system.
8. Takes very little extra electrical power to operate.
9. Is extremely reliable and easy to maintain.
10. Can be furnished and installed for approximately ½ the cost of hose reels.

The "User Friendly” Automatic Hose Festooning as opposed to Counterbalance Festooning

Automatic hose festooning makes the hose available to the operator without any of the “pull back” associated with counterbalance festooned systems--that means longer lengths (greater weights) of hose can be managed.  An operator can easily proceed to the full length of a 30’ bus from either the front or back door without experiencing a heavy counterweight pulling the hose back.

The retraction power on an automatically festooned hose is also greater.  The operator simply presses the lance handle mounted retract button any time during the vacuuming procedure to bring the hose back when needed.  The retraction will stop when the button is released.

Culver City Transit will be pleased to provide information regarding the outstanding performance of the automatic festooned hose system.  The following Culver City Transit contact will serve as references:

Mr. Paul Condran, Facilities Maintenance Supervisor

4343 Duquesne Avenue

Culver City, CA  90232

310-253-6520