Recently our PA metal fabrication shop was tasked with manufacturing a hose reel assembly for a major national lawn care chain. The company’s fleet of vehicles included aging reels that were in need of replacement, and our goal was to work closely together with our customer to manufacture a more durable, longer-lasting and more cost-effective replacement assembly.

A few of the most notable aspects of this project follow. Read on to learn more about how we were able to provide a complete solution for the client.

First, the project team used their years of manufacturing experience and extensive knowledge of fabrication techniques to collaborate on the creation of the new hose reel. The design process, including 3D modeling using SolidWorks, allowed us to ensure precise fit and flawless operation in advance – before any metal was cut or any parts were assembled.

Thanks to on-site laser cutting, we were able to produce the wide variety of stainless steel parts quickly and precisely. We even came up with a creative solution for the assemblies’ chain guard. This critical component was cut in a way that allowed for hand-forming during the assembly process in order to achieve the most accurate fit possible.

A few elements that ultimately made for a better, stronger finished product included a custom-stamped flangette, precision laser cut gears, extensive use of PEMs instead of weld nuts, and stainless steel parts for a long-lasting, polished finish.

We even sourced additional components including motors and rubber hose guards so that we could complete the final assembly in house. This allowed us to deliver a perfect finished product that was ready for use without any additional work by our client’s staff.

If you’ve got a component or assembly that needs to be reinvented, we’re here to help. Our PA fabrication shop can provide an end-to-end solution from design to delivery of final completed parts and assemblies. Contact us today to learn more about our capabilities and to chat about how SPEC FAB might be able to help with your next project.