By John McIntyre.
The device has been designed and constructed by John McIntyre, a CFA member since 1954, who has a bent for engineering.
The old method of washing hoses was with a broom while the hose was manually pulled through a water-jet box. As this had to be done twice to clean both sides, it was a labour intensive task and also used a lot of water.
The new device is driven by water pressure and moves the hose through while cleaning both sides in the one operation. The ‘engine’ of the device is a rotary arm pipe, similar to some garden irrigator systems. The station hydrant, which usually maintains a 900 Kpa pressure, is connected to the hose-washer via a 38 mm hose, reducing to a standard 19 mm clip-on hose fitting. A ball tap controls the on/off aspect as well as the speed of operation.
The rotation of the arms is connected to a series of stainless steel shafts by a worm drive system. Two of the shafts contain rubber transmission rollers while two more contain rotary brushes. The shafts are connected by timing belts and pulleys, red-thane belting and nylon gears.
As the unit is fitted with wheels and long handles, it can easily be moved around the station.
The water generated within the hose-washer is contained by Perspex shrouds which also safely cover the moving parts.
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