Hose Reel Irrigation FAQ

Acres per pull ≈ lane width × (hose length + wetted radius) ÷ 43,560. A 250 ft lane with 1,000 ft of hose covers about 6.7 acres. Small OCMIS R1 reels cover roughly 3–6 acres per pull, mid-size reels 6–10, and the big Vario Rain reels 15 or more. Our calculator does the math for your field.

The pump has to cover gun pressure, friction in the hose and the turbine drive. OCMIS publishes inlet pressures from about 65 PSI on a small R1 up to 150–170 PSI on long, high-flow setups, for gun pressures of 45–87 PSI. Longer and smaller hose needs more pressure for the same flow.

OCMIS performance tables run from about 75 GPM on the R1 to about 585 GPM on the VR7. Match the reel and gun to what your well or pond pump can actually deliver at pressure. Send us your pump details and we'll size it.

Pivots win on labor and cost per acre on big, square, owned ground. Reels win on odd shapes, small or leased fields, and ground a pivot can't reach, and one reel can move between farms. We sell and service both, so we'll tell you which fits.

Time = hose pulled ÷ travel speed. Speed depends on the depth you want: speed (ft/hr) = 96.3 × GPM ÷ (lane width × inches). At 250 GPM on 230 ft lanes, 1 inch takes about 105 ft/hr, so a 1,000 ft pull runs about 9.5 hours.

Space lanes at a percentage of the gun's wetted diameter: about 80% in calm air, 70–75% in light wind, 60–65% around 10 mph, and 50–55% in stronger wind. Too wide leaves dry strips between lanes.

The OCMIS R-Series and Vario Rain reels are turbine-driven, with a built-in bypass to set speed. Turbines run on the water itself, so there's no engine to fuel or maintain, but they use some inlet pressure and need reasonably clean water.

Bigger hose means less friction, so more flow or a longer pull at the same pressure. It also means a heavier, more expensive reel. Field length sets the hose length, and your pump's GPM and pressure set the diameter.

Yes, with the right intake screening. Turbine drives and gun nozzles don't like trash or sand, so surface water needs a good screen or filter. For effluent, call us first: the setup is different.

We deliver and set up reels across Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Arkansas and Mississippi from our shop in Murray, KY. Parts ship anywhere in the U.S.

Yes. We sell OCMIS, but we source parts for, and service, most hose reel brands, including Bauer, Kifco, Cadman, RM and Irrifrance. Send us the model and serial number.

Pull the hose out, drain it, then blow it out with air. Drain the turbine, bypass and any pump. Check the gearbox oil, grease the fittings, and store the reel with the hose wound and out of the sun if you can. Our winterizing guide has the full checklist.

With good care, many seasons. The things that shorten hose life are freezing with water inside, kinks, dragging over sharp edges, and constant sun. We replace hose on every brand of reel.

Ask us. We take trade-ins and sometimes have used reels. Tell us what you have or what you're looking for in the quote form.