[jim bean]

Can this be done ? I’ve read one pump can do 2 reels so don’t see why not ? I run a small van and the need space for other equipment for other jobs.
Thinking of a slick male to connect to reel female then a 6mm splitter to the poles both with 20/30  metres pole hose?
2 operators are not used every day and so would take the rig described above off most days and use as usual?

[Splash & dash]

Don’t think you will get enough flow always best one pump one hose per pole

[jim bean]

Surely you’d have more flow through one reel than people doing through 2 100m hoses? Pump is used w/o controller on max so prob get more than 50% on each to what you do normally as you don’t get max output as stated from the pumps through the size hoses we use ?

[Ched]

The problem with 1 x 6mm reel is that the 100psi pump is trying to get all the water through a thin hose so higher resistance to flow. With 2 reels it's easier for the pump to push the water through twice the diameter (2 hoses).

[Splash & dash]

Surely you’d have more flow through one reel than people doing through 2 100m hoses? Pump is used w/o controller on max so prob get more than 50% on each to what you do normally as you don’t get max output as stated from the pumps through the size hoses we use ?

Two reels should give you more flow as with one reel you are halving 6 or 8 mm of water on two reels you have 2x6 or 8 mm of water , if that makes sense , I tried  one pump two reels years ago and found that the lower pole got far more water than higher pole , the best set up is one pump per hose and pole , I didn’t find it worked well dividing the supply

[jim bean]

Yes that makes sense. Guess I’ll have to get another reel and put it above the other one somehow you know any diy solution to stacking them on top of each other ? Can’t really have them both on floor side by side no room for anything else

[Phil J]

Used to do it all the time till I bought a second van.  You can buy a rectus splitter, add two sections of hose with female rectus ends, and away you go. Takes a bit of getting used to but it does work.

[Spruce]

This question regularly comes up on the forums.
We always get one side that says no problem and the other side that says it can't be done effectively.
Just try it out for yourself.

I'm not sure why adding another pump and controller will take up the space of other equipment. The biggest cost of space is the second hose reel you already have. You can use the same leisure battery for both pumps.

BTW we tried it, and it didn't work for us. This is the reason why  we have a twin operator system. You will also notice that if you order a twin operator system from a supplier you get 2 pumps and 2 controllers.

The oldest Shurflo pump we have is over 14 years old and still working. That's not just my experience. They are a very good investment. Our 2 Varistream digital controllers are 12 years old; another good investment. We still have an old Varistream analogue controller working perfectly on son's van which is even older.  He likes it as he can regulate the flow precisely which we can't do with our digital controllers.

As Ched says, the problem comes when switching off the flow to one pole. The pump will most likely start to cycle and I'm sure it  will not be doing the pump or controller any good mechanically.
 


 

[Spruce]

Yes that makes sense. Guess I’ll have to get another reel and put it above the other one somehow you know any diy solution to stacking them on top of each other ? Can’t really have them both on floor side by side no room for anything else

If you are trying to cut costs by only using one pump then the Purefreedom or Grippa stacked reels won't appeal to you.

[jim bean]

Thanks for reply. I have another pump have some old hose that 50m orso of is good spare I can use and I don’t use pump controllers don’t see the point . Yes my current shurflo pump has been going 4 years had to do switch on it 3 times but that’s due to me using it flat out constantly . I have not yet bought another hose reel otherwise I would have tested it out etc. As I said it’s only for a day a week atm. 

[jim bean]

Yes that makes sense. Guess I’ll have to get another reel and put it above the other one somehow you know any diy solution to stacking them on top of each other ? Can’t really have them both on floor side by side no room for anything else

If you are trying to cut costs by only using one pump then the Purefreedom or Grippa stacked reels won't appeal to you.

I wouldn’t buy a pre stacked reel even if I needed it full time which I don’t as I said it’s only a day a week. One wfp one trad out of 1 van isn’t really ideal with drips etc especially on smaller houses wfp operator ends up doing 80% of the work.
I’m also reluctant to box the reel in as I want to add a motor and sprocket onto current reel and probably
Move it back a bit.

[Richard Groves]

2nd operator with a backpack ? just a thought.

[NWH]

And tbh to start off with before you know where you are going each of you on most properties I would say a backpack would be the best idea.

[jim bean]

I have an old trolley set up I could use. Would need a pump to transfer into barrel each time which is more time. I’ve ordered a hose reel today so problem solved I will just take it out when it ain’t needed. I’m gonna try it with one pump initially to ration the water a bit if it doesn’t work I’ll put the second in.
Cheers for advice all 

[dazmond]

Backpack for second user sounds ideal for your situation at the moment mate

[NWH]

It’s just as easy when you ain’t lugging it about fronts and side only lol,what a day.

[paultheg]

i use one pump for two operators one or two days a week when i need help, never had a problem

[NWH]

1 Shurflo pump gives me enough flow more is less flat out I don’t know if it would running 2 poles off of it though,I like using plenty of water.

[Stoots]

It works, its just not ideal. Flow tends to fluctuate and if you lose the pump you are screwed.

If you plan on working 2 man regularly why scrimp on the cost of another pump

[EandM]

We used to do one pump, half inch hose, y-splitter and 2 hose reels - worked really well.