How to Winterize a Hose Reel
Water left in the hose, turbine or pump is the number one winter killer. This checklist works for OCMIS, Bauer, Kifco and most other reels. Always follow your manufacturer's manual.
Have us do it- 1
Pull the hose out
On level ground, pull the hose out straight to its full length, so the water can drain.
- 2
Drain the hose
Open the drains and the inlet, and raise the reel end if you can, so gravity does the work.
- 3
Blow it out
Connect compressed air at the inlet and blow until only dry air comes out the gun end. Leftover water is what splits hose in a hard freeze.
- 4
Drain the turbine and bypass
Open the turbine and bypass drain plugs and cycle the bypass so no water sits in the valve.
- 5
Drain pumps and lines
Drain any booster or PTO pump, the inlet valve, the pressure gauge line and the supply line.
- 6
Wind it back in
Rewind the empty hose slowly and evenly so it doesn't kink or flatten in storage.
- 7
Service the gearbox
Check the gearbox oil level and condition, and change it if it's milky (water) or due.
- 8
Grease and lube
Grease every fitting, and oil the chains and the gun's pivot points.
- 9
Check the gun
Look for worn bearings, cracked nozzles and loose drive arms. Order parts now, not in June.
- 10
Check tires and frame
Air up the tires, check for cracks, and touch up bare metal.
- 11
Store it
Under a roof or covered if you can. Sun is hard on PE hose and tires.
Rather we winterize it?
We'll do it in the shop or on your farm. Tell us the reel and where it is.
Rather talk it through?
Call: (270) 883-5924- OCMIS hose reel dealer in Murray, KY
- Delivery and setup across the Mid-South
- Parts and service for every brand of reel
- Also a Lindsay Zimmatic pivot dealer, so you get a straight answer on reel vs pivot