Wood Post Mount Garden Hose Reel

Lumber dimensions are a bit misleading. When the board is first rough cut from the log, it is to the true measurement, such as a 4" x 6" post. However, the drying process and planning of the board reduces it to its finished dimensions. As such, our reference to a 4"x 6" post, is actually a 3-1/2" x 5-1/2" post. The wood post kit that comes with this hose reel, is designed to fit on posts whose exact width is either 3-1/2" or 5-1/2".

No. The wall mount hose reel must be assembled into the parallel configuration and the wall plate rotated into a vertical position. The end of the wall plate in which the hose reel arm attaches to it can be positioned on either the top or bottom of the vertical positioning. 

Because we are only discussing one variable at this time (height), consider the following ergonomic principles: 1) all work activities should permit the worker to adopt several different, but equally healthy and safe postures 2) where muscular force has to be exerted it should be done by the largest appropriate muscle groups available. 3) work activities should be performed with the joints at about the mid-point of their range of movement. This applies particularly to the head, trunk, and upper limbs. If possible, position the center of the reel six inches below your belt.

The pressure treatments ACQ – (Alkaline Copper Quaternary) and CA – (Copper azole) are very corrosive and contact with aluminum should always be avoided. The paint on the wood post L-shaped brackets should provide an adequate barrier. However, if you want additional protection, you can place a stainless-steel washer between each of the four wood post brackets and the pressure treated post.

We recommend the hole be 30 inches deep and 12 inches in diameter. We don't recommend an 8-inch diameter hole, following the recommendations of the concrete manufacturers.  There must be enough concrete from the corner of the post to the edge of the hole. A 4 x 4 post in an 8-inch hole would only give 1-1/2 inches of concrete. Freeze-thaw cycles and loads on the post could easily crack that thin of material. Visit the QUICKRETE website for more details and an informative video on Setting Posts in Concrete.  

Yes. You'll have to rotate the L-shaped mounting bracket to the position for a 6x6 (5.5") post mounting. This will leave a 3/4-inch space on both sides between the wood post and the bracket that you'll have to fill with some type of spacer. A set of stainless-steel flat washers would be one option. The poly "lap siding" spacers we provide in the hose reel's mounting hardware kit could also be used to fill 1/2" of the 3/4" gap. See photo below.

Please visit our Assembly Instructions - Post-Mount Hose Reel to view assembly and installation FAQs, downloadable PDF instruction manuals, and step-by-step assembly demonstration videos.

The change in the shape of the garden hose swivel gooseneck does have a theoretical impact on water flow, but it is so minimal that our digital flow meter with a resolution of 0.01 gallons per minute (GPM) and our pressure drop gauges cannot detect it.

Yes, however, don't let that scare you away. Quick and easy assembly was one of our R&D team's primary objectives when designing the durable ELEY hose reels. We provide an excellent assembly manual with the hose reel as well as a full step-by-step video demonstration of the assembly and installation on this website. Please visit our Assembly Instructions - Post-Mount Hose Reel page if you'd like to preview the manual and video.

Yes, the post-mounted hose reel can be removed from the axle/wall plate without removing the wall plate from the post. Please see the steps below.

1. Disconnect your hose from the brass swivel. (You will leave your hose wrapped up on the reel for storage.)

2. Unthread the brass swivel from the axle of the reel by loosening the silver retaining nut from the axle by turning it counterclockwise.

3. Pull the swivel and about 6” of hose out the front side of the reel

4. Unthread the brass swivel from the inlet hose.

5. Slide the cam-lever brake off the axle.

6. Slide the hose reel off of the axle and take it to your designated space for winter storage along with the swivel, brake, and inlet hose assembly.

There is not. You'd have to use a large U-bolt or some other type of strapping system. Center-to-center of the 7/16-inch mounting holes on the short side of the wall plate is 7-5/16 inches.

Yes, however, the 4x4 orientation of the bracket may be too narrow with the jacket. The reel might need to be mounted with the post brackets in the 6x6 orientation, with some type of shim to fill the gap between the bracket and the vinyl sleeve.

The FAQs on this page are specific to this model.
For more general FAQs that would pertain to all hose reel models, scan our General Hose Reel FAQs on the hose reel collection page.