Airport Snowplows & Brooms
Snowplows at airports are not what you might see on the highway-- even in places like Minnesota where the maximum legal width of a plow blade is 8 ½ feet. Airport plows are huge earth-moving types of equipment, with blades that can be up to 30 feet wide and can contain up to 57 yards of snow. These machines can also have enormous high-performance airport runway broom attachments for clearing debris. It takes significant force from the hydraulic power unit (HPU) to supply enough energy to lift, lower, float and angle the blades and brooms used on these massive machines.
As with heavy equipment like front end loaders, the hydraulic hoses on airport snowplows are frequently moving, exposed to the elements and susceptible to abrasion by ice, rocks and other debris. It is often necessary to bundle hose on this equipment for containing multiple hoses together. Additionally, protective sleeve wraps and other hose protection products are widely used on airport snowplows. This includes heavy duty spring guards to shield the hose from abrasion, cuts, gouges, crushing, along with powerful impact or compression from components.
The following products have applications on most ground support equipment:
Hydraulic hose sleeving that contains pressure and fluids in the event of hose failure has application on many GSE, keeping fluids from escaping during hose burst or pinhole leaks. This line-of-sight sleeving shields equipment operators and the environment from the consequences of hose failures.
Grip shrink tubing to reinforce the connection at the fitting, which has an adhesive lining for permanent sleeve attachment.
Hose Protectors, also often used near the fitting connection, are made of durable material with a high wear factor to protect against point of contact wear. These hose protectors are designed with molded grooves to fit cable ties for securing to the hose.
Bend Restrictors, are used when hydraulic hose is routed through tight spaces, or the minimum bend radius could be exceeded. They prevent the hose from bursting at the outside of the bend or at one of the fittings. To reduce bending stress, use bend restrictors to add protection, prevent damage to the hose, reduce the chance of hose burst and extend its service life. The upper lip attaches to the hose fitting to hold the restrictor in place and eliminate the need for clamps or adhesives.
Conclusion
Various hydraulic hose protection products are used throughout ground support equipment; from hose used in hydraulics for lifting cargo loaders, to powerful hydraulics required in airplane tugs and tractors, to elevating the conveyor of baggage belt loaders. Some applications may even require special fire sleeving to protect hose and wiring against exposure to heat or flame hazards. If a hydraulic hose becomes overheated it can cause thermal expansion which will result in premature aging of the elastomers in the outer cover and internal hose tube, leading to dangerous hose burst.
GSE operations are highly demanding, requiring powerful hydraulic equipment that exposes hose to harsh conditions, along with fueling hose that supplies highly flammable jet fuel from the fuel truck to the plane. The necessity of hose protection products in both commercial and military ground equipment is vital for the safety of civilian and military personnel, along with the service life, costs and profitability of operations. Without maintaining effective maintenance on the ground, we run the danger of catastrophes in the skies and a weakened Air Force.
Since you seemed interested in our aerospace content, check our Free BluePrint over MRO Aviation on Hydraulic & Pneumatic Systems.