French company HOSE-PULL have developed an all-terrain, omni-directional rolling device that allows hoses freedom of movement, reducing friction, heavy manual pulling and potential repetitive strain injuries for operators.
The system uses Mecanum-style omni-directional wheels, usually associated with industrial robotics, which allow it to move freely across almost all terrains. Originally designed for firefighting hoses, the device has found applications across sectors including industrial tank cleaning and fluid transfer, oil and gas, hydro-evacuation and truck unloading, aeronautics and cement works, civil security operations and winemaking.
The rolling device is offered in sizes 70mm, 75mm and 110mm, with adapters for diameters below 110mm and bespoke solutions for sizes over 110mm, up to 203mm.
Xavier Pineaud, CEO of HOSE-PULL, says: ‘The idea was simple: reduce the physical burden on operators while extending the working life of the hose itself. Friction is one of the biggest causes of hose wear, and it's also one of the most physically taxing parts of the job for teams on the ground.’
