Our old Suncast hose reels lasted a long time. So when it came time to replace them, I decided to invest in Suncast again. Imagine my delight when I discovered the Suncast Easy-Reach Hose Reel Cart. The crank for winding the hose is set high ... no more back aches reeling in the hose!


Description

This hose cart design is open with all parts assessable. The cart is constructed from heavy-duty plastic in a beige color. It measures 24" wide x 24 1/4" deep x 34 5/8" tall.

Starting at the top of the cart, there is a 13"-long handle set above a tray. This handle is designed like a grocery cart handle. Grab the handle, tip the cart backward onto the wheels to roll it forward. The tray has two drainage slots in its bottom and measures 11" long x 4" wide (at its widest point) x 3" deep.

To the right of the tray is the handle that controls the hose winding. The handle is 29" from the ground and very easy to grasp and turn.

The spindle the hose winds around is located in the center of the unit. The spindle will hold 225-feet of 5/8" hose. Along the front of the spindle are two horizontal bars that hold the plastic hose guide. The hose feeds through this guide.

At the rear of the base are two black plastic wheels (7" diameter). The front of the unit rests on a single long piece of plastic. The right side of the plastic piece extends 2 1/4" to form a footing. It is designed so that a person’s foot can stand on the plastic piece to anchor the hose cart in place while the handle is turned to reel in the hose.


Assembly

A cardboard sleeve comes wrapped around the cart. The back of the card has assembly instructions. There is also a diagram listing each part of the cart with a part number. An order form is printed on the cardboard in case you need to order a replacement part. The only problem is that the form does not list prices for any of the parts, yet there is a column for adding up the cost of each part ordered. There is a flat shipping and handling fee of $5.00. The instructions and order form are printed in both English and French.

The hose cart comes assembled. The cart comes folded with the upper handle piece in a downward position. All I had to do was lift the handle upright until the upper portion of the cart locked in place. (The handle can be unlocked and folded down by pressing buttons at the handle base. This makes the unit compact for storage.)

Next I connected the leader hose to the hose reel and faucet. I unfolded the handle-crank that controls the winding of the hose. Then I attached the garden hose to the reel. I used the 110-foot Swan hose purchased last year. This hose would not fit on my old hose reel, so I was pleased it fits on this Suncast Easy-Reach Hose Reel.

Initially I had trouble connecting the leader hose to the right connectors on the cart. The diagram wasn’t clear, and I made mistakes. However, with perseverance (this hose reel would not defeat me!), I made the correct connections, turned on the water, and had a working hose reel.


My Experiences

This hose reel cart is easy to move. Just tip it backward onto its wheels and roll it. Of course, it can only roll as far as the leader hose stretches, which is only about 4-feet.

I love the convenience of the high handle to crank the hose. Not having to bend and turn the handle is much kinder to my back. It’s easier to wind the hose, too. I would purchase more of these hose reels just for that high handle crank.

The plastic hose guide helps control the hose as it unwinds and winds back onto the reel. It guides the hose neater on the reel, too. My old hose reel used to flop the hose around in freestyle configurations. If the cart is facing in the direction of the hose being wound onto the cart, it is much easier to wrap the hose around the reel. If the hose is at an angle to the cart (not directly in front of it), I have to use my free hand to keep the hose loose and moving while I turn the crank.

That 2 1/4" long foot piece at the base of the unit is nice, too. I step on it to anchor the cart in place as I reel in the hose. The handle is easy to turn, but the cart does shift if my foot is not standing on that foot piece.

I only use the small tray to hold a few different hose nozzles. It would hold gardening gloves or a trowel, but I have other carriers for those items. The drainage slots are small and located at the far left and right sides of the tray. There is no center drainage hole. We had rain today, and I see the tray still has a bit of water in it that did not drain out.


Maintenance & Storage

The instructions say that to maintain a watertight seal for the out-tube, that the in-tube O-rings will require periodic replacement. There are step-by-step instructions on how to do this.

When the weather turns cooler and my garden begins to fade, I will empty the hose of water. Then I will fold down the handle to make the hose reel more compact and store the two hose reels I purchased in the garage.


Purchasing

I bought two of these hose reels at Lowes for $29.99 each. Suncast says that this product can also be purchased from Do It Best and True Value stores.


Update -- August 18, 2007

Thought you would like to know that these hose reels are still working great. The hose reels stay out from spring through autumn, and the plastic is still as strong as ever. There are no cracks, no fading. I'll put them away for the winter and pull them out again when the weather warms.


Summary

The two Suncast Easy-Reach Hose Reel Carts I purchased are worth every penny. I enjoy the convenience of the high handle for turning the hose. The hose guide offers more control in winding and unwinding the hose, too. While these hose reels won’t win a beauty contest, they receive "A’s" in my book for ease of use. I just wish the storage tray had better drainage.

I hope you have found this review useful.

Enjoy your day,
Dawn
http://dlstewart.com


Please read my other reviews:

Ames RealEasy Work Center Hose Reel Cart

Swan Tuff & Flexible Water Hose

Gilmour Advanced Variable Oscillating Sprinkler

Upside-Down Tomato Planter

The Earthbox Planter

Deluxe Pyramid Composter

Fiskars Power-Lever Long-Handled Bypass Lopper

Craftsman Long Handle Weeder

The Garden Claw

Rubbermaid Tool Tower

Step 2 Grass Hopper Wheeled Garden Stool / Cart

Rubbermaid Big Max Storage Shed

Black & Decker Cordless Battery Mulching Mower


Copyright 2005 Dawn L. Stewart

Recommended: Yes