As summer turns to fall, leaves begin falling from trees into the surrounding areas. While this natural process results in some of the most stunning views of the year, it also bestows residential property owners, commercial landscapers, and town/city municipalities with the task of gathering and disposing of the fallen debris. While leaf collection and disposal operations are both time- and labor-intensive, the right tools and equipment can make them more effective and efficient.
Lawn and Leaf Vacuum Hoses at Flexaust
All of our lawn and leaf collection hoses are designed for superior flexibility and durability, making them easy to use and long-lasting. As indicated above, we offer products suitable for residential, light-duty commercial/landscaping, and heavy-duty commercial operations. Below we provide an overview of our hose recommendation for each of these markets.
Residential – Tractor Vacuums: On residential properties, tractor vacuums are generally sufficient to remove excess leaves and lawn clippings. For these units, we offer two hose recommendations:
- Flex-Tube PV: This medium-weight hose features a coextruded PVC construction reinforced with a rigid PVC helix. This design offers an ultra-smooth interior ensuring efficient air and material flow. This hose is also very flexible and crush resistant.
- Flex-Tube PU: This medium-weight hose is made from clear coextruded thermoplastic ether-based polyurethane and reinforced with a rigid ABS helix. It offers great resistance to abrasion, crushing, and tears with its high tensile strength. Both Flex-Tube PV and Flex-Tube PU can be customizable (in color and length) to meet OEM requirements. Stocked in 12’ and 25’ lengths to accommodate most tractor equipment
- Flexadux LCDC: This medium-weight hose is made from a high-performance polypropylene blend and reinforced with a spring steel wire helix and external polypropylene wear strip. It tends to be more economical with a long flex life and good abrasion and tear resistance.
- Flexadux HT-W: This heavier-weight hose features thermoplastic construction reinforced with a spring steel wire helix and external polypropylene wear strip. This construction offers excellent resistance to moisture, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, dragging, and tearing, all of which are necessary for hoses used in outdoor environments.
- Flx-Thane HD: This heavy-weight hose is available in clear polyurethane reinforced with a bronze-coated spring steel wire helix. This construction provides it with superior flexibility and durability (including resistance to abrasion, moisture, and UV).
- Flx-Thane VHD: This heavier-weight hose is also available in clear polyurethane and reinforced with a bronze-coated spring steel wire helix. Compared to the HD model, it features a thicker wall (.060 inches instead of .045 inches). The (standard) clear color allows user to quickly see blockages. During leaf collection season, these hoses are also available in 10’ lengths to accommodate the municipal equipment
Comparisons Between Lawn and Leaf Vacuum Hoses
The following table provides a comparison of three of the hoses we recommend for leaf/lawn collection applications.
|
|
LCDC (Good) |
HT-W (Better) |
Flx-Thane HD & VHD (Best) |
Flex-Tube PV (Best for Residential) |
Flex-Tube PU (Best for Residential) |
| Construction | Black wire reinforced polypropylene blend w/polypropylene wear strip |
Black wire reinforced thermoplastic rubber w/polypropylene wear strip |
Clear wire reinforced polyurethane |
Clear all plastic smooth interior PVC w/rigid PVC |
Clear all plastic smooth interior, thermoplastic ether based, polyurethane w/ABS helix |
|
Weight |
Medium-weight |
Heavy-weight |
Heavy-weight |
Medium-weight |
Medium-weight |
|
Wall Thickness |
.032 inches |
.045 inches |
.035 or .045 inches |
0.020 – 0.040 inches |
0.020 – 0.040 inches |
|
Inside Diameter |
6 to 12 inches |
6 to 12 inches |
2 to 24 inches |
|
|
|
Length |
10 & 25 feet |
10 & 25 feet |
10 & 25 feet |
12 & 25 feet |
12 & 25 feet |
|
Temperature Range |
-30 to 200 °F |
-60 to 275 °F |
-65 to 200 °F |
20 to 160 °F |
-40 to 200 °F |
|
Durability |
Good abrasion, puncture and tear resistance. Good UV protection |
Better abrasion and drag resistance. Great UV protection. |
Best abrasion resistance and puncture resistance. Great UV protection |
Good abrasion and puncture resistance. Ultra smooth interior and crush resistant. |
Superior abrasion and puncture resistance. Ultra smooth interior and crush resistant. |
|
Application |
Economical option for residential and commercial light duty intake |
Suitable for commercial leaf collection intake |
Suitable for commercial leaf vacuum. High abrasion intake |
Economical option for residential lawn mowers |
Best option for commercial lawn mowers |
Selection Considerations for Leaf/Lawn Collection Hoses
When choosing a hose for leaf/lawn collection equipment, it is important to keep in mind the essential characteristics of the hose. Some of the key factors to consider are:
- Durability (e.g., resistance to abrasion, moisture, UV, etc.)
- Flexibility
- Inner wall smoothness
- Visibility into and through the hose
- Size (e.g., wall thickness and overall diameter)
- Outside (low) temperatures
- Cost
In addition to the above factors, it is vital to ensure the hose is compatible with the equipment—i.e., the connections on the chosen hose should fit the equipment ports.
Contact Us for Your Leaf/Lawn Vacuum Hose Needs!
The right equipment is critical to the success of the operation. This statement applies to many industrial, commercial, and residential processes, including leaf/lawn collection.
At Flexaust, our experts are ready and willing to help you choose the right hose for your leaf/lawn collection equipment. Equipped with over 80 years of experience manufacturing and distributing hose and ducting products, we have the knowledge and skills to identify appropriate solutions for nearly any need. If you have additional questions about leaf vacuum hoses, contact us or request a quote today.
