Patent Publication Number: US-10781073-B2

Title: Hydraulically driven agricultural hose reel

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/405,629 filed Oct. 7, 2016. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure is generally related to hose reels, and is specifically directed to hydraulically driven commercial hose reel systems. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There are a variety of agricultural hose reel systems in use today. One variety is a hydraulically driven hose reel that is removably mounted to a tractor or transporter by a hitch, or a 3 point hitch. Other varieties of hose reels include those connected to a wheeled carriage and a tow hitch, and hose reels powered by a direct drive. Hose reels are primarily used in the agricultural markets such as fertilizer, dairy waste, hog waste, and irrigation, and other fluid transfer, as well as firefighting and down-hole water supply for fracking and oil extraction. Hose reels are used to retrieve and deploy hoses from about one eighth of a mile to eight miles from a spool as the hose reel is pushed or pulled by a tractor or other means, wherein the hoses general have a diameter ranging from about 1 inch to about 14 inches. The removably mounted hose reel may be shuttled when detached, whereas wheeled versions may have to be towed when changing job sites. Hydraulically driven hose reels have fewer moving parts than direct drive versions and allow for simpler connection and disconnections from the tractor, as well as allowing for powering of hose reel auxiliary systems. Traditional hydraulically driven hose reels have either one hydraulic motor driving the spool, or two hydraulic motors driving the spool, with one motor on each opposing end of the spool, resulting in either limited power and flexibility or additional parts and drive systems. Currently available hydraulically driven hose reels have been limited to these configurations, as adding any more motors to increase speed or torque is either cumbersome or impossible. 
     Although the foregoing prior art hose reels have been generally adequate for their intended purposes, they have not been satisfactory in all aspects. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention addresses a need that has arisen for a more versatile agricultural hose reel which provides increased flexibility in spool turning variation, reduces the number of parts and complexity, and improves the ability to transport the hose reel between work locations. 
     According to one embodiment, a hydraulically driven agricultural hose reel is disclosed. The hose reel comprises a front end, a back end, a drive side, and a free side, and a spool journaled to a frame. The spool is configured to deploy and retrieve a hose. A transmission assembly is mounted to the frame and configured to rotate the spool via a hydraulic motor system hydraulically powered through a hydraulic manifold. The hydraulic motor system may comprise one or more motors located on the drive side of the hose reel, and the hydraulic manifold is configured to set selectively the hydraulic motor system in one of series, parallel, and free wheel operating modes. 
     According to another embodiment, a method of loading a hose reel from a tractor to a loading surface is disclosed. The method may comprise positioning a hose reel mounted to a tractor by a hose reel hitch, a tractor hitch, and a securing means above the loading surface, and lowering one or more hydraulically operated support legs located on a back end of the hose reel, each configured to partially support the hose reel on the loading surface. The method may further comprise removing pressure from the hose reel hitch and the tractor hitch caused by the hose reel weight and releasing the securing means, wherein the hose reel is at an angle which allows the hose reel hitch to disengage from the tractor hitch, and partially lowering one or more support legs on a front end and the back end of the hose reel, wherein the one or more support legs fully support the hose reel. The method may further comprise moving the tractor hitch out of the path of the hose reel hitch. 
     These and additional features provided by the embodiments of the present invention will be more fully understood in view of the following detailed description, in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present invention can be best understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view depicting a hydraulically driven agricultural hose reel system according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view depicting the drive train of the hose reel according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of cot of the chain tensioning system of the hose reel according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view depicting the tractor-side hydraulic hook-ups and hydraulic hoses which power systems on the hose reel according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5A  is a circuit diagram depicting the hydraulic system driving the spool of the hose reel according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5B  is a circuit diagram depicting the hydraulic system driving the spool of the hose reel according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram depicting a remote hose reel hydraulic manifold controller according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view depicting the hydraulic leg system according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 8A-8D  are side views depicting a method of unloading the hose reel from according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a back end view of the hose reel with an attached modular hose reel according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
     
    
    
     The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative in nature and not intended to be limiting of the invention defined by the claims. Moreover, individual features of the drawings and invention will be more fully apparent and understood in view of the detailed description. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a hydraulically powered agricultural hose reel  1  is shown. The hose reel  1  comprises a hose reel spool  100  journaled to a frame  200  for retaining a hose, a transmission assembly  300  mechanically linked to the spool  100 , a hydraulic motor system  400  which drives the spool  100 , and a hydraulic manifold assembly  500  to power the hydraulic motor system  400 . As used herein, the front end  2  of the hose reel  1  is the end furthest away from the tractor  9  when mounted thereto. Conversely, the back end  4  of the hose reel  1  is the end closest to the tractor  9  when mounted thereto. The drive side  6  of the hose reel  1  is the side on which the transmission assembly  300  and motor system  400  are located. The free side  8  of the hose reel  1  is the side on which no transmission assembly  300  or motor system  400  is located. Although the drive side  6  is shown to be a particular side of the hose reel  1  in  FIG. 1 , it is contemplated that the drive side  6  and the free side  8  could be swapped in some embodiments. 
     In further embodiments, the hose reel  1  may comprise a support assembly  600  to aid in moving, supporting, and stabilizing the hose reel  1  when it is not mounted to a tractor  9 . The support assembly may also assist in attaching and detaching from the tractor  9 , and loading or unloading the hose reel  1  from storage or transporting devices, such as a tow trailer such as a step deck trailer. It is contemplated that the hose reel  1  may be mounted to any power driven vehicle capable of operating the hose reel  1 , such as a tractor  9 . Various embodiments for the support assembly  600  are contemplated, including the retractable and extendable system shown in  FIG. 1 , as well as wheels, manually operated legs, and stationary legs. 
     Hose reels  1  generally have spools  100  up to about 10 feet in diameter. The primary limitation to the size of the hose reel  1  is restriction widths for equipment that can be transported on road systems. Therefore, it is important to be able to design the hose reels so that as many as possible are capable of being transported over the road at once on a single truck or tow trailer. Therefore, having a hose reel  1  that is approximately 102 inches wide and long may be optimal. Additionally, being able to change the orientation of the spool  100  while on a truck or tow trailer, such as rotating the spool  100 , may be effective in increasing the mobility of the hose reel  1 , wherein hose reels  1  of longer length and/or larger diameter than those mentioned above may be conventionally provided. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , various elements of the transmission assembly  300  and the hydraulic motor system  400  are shown. In the embodiment shown in the  FIG. 2 , a first hydraulic motor  410 , a second hydraulic motor  420 , and a third hydraulic motor  430  are utilized to drive the spool  100  of the hose reel  1 . In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the hydraulic motor system  400  will have only two motors used to drive the spool  100  located on the drive side  6  of the hose reel  1 . In other specific embodiments three motors will be used. It is further contemplated that any number of motors and configurations may be utilized by the present invention to drive the spool  100 . The first hydraulic motor  410  is coupled to the transmission assembly  300  by the first driveshaft  415 . Likewise, the second hydraulic motor  420  is coupled to the transmission assembly  300  by the second driveshaft  425 , and the third hydraulic motor  430  is coupled to the transmission assembly  300  by the third driveshaft  435 . 
     As stated above, previously available hose reels were operated with only one hydraulic motor, or with one hydraulic motor on each side the spool. However, up until the embodiments of the present invention, having two or more hydraulic motors on the drive side  6  of the hose reel  1  has not been achieved in an effective manner. The use of two or more hydraulic motors on one side of the spool  100  reduces the number of parts in the transmission assembly  300  and the hydraulic motor system  400 , as they can share one transmission assembly  300 . Having motors on both ends of the spool  100  also requires having an additional transmission assembly  300 , increasing build, operating, and maintenance costs. Additionally, utilizing two more hydraulic motors coupled to the same transmission assembly  300  allows for improved control and variation of the speed and torque available to the spool  100 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the first driveshaft  415 , second driveshaft  425 , and third driveshaft are coupled to the first drive sprocket  315 , second drive sprocket  325 , and third drive sprocket  335 , respectively, in order to power the spool drive means  305 . The spool drive means  305  turns the spool sprocket  310 , rotating the spool  100  to retrieve and deploy a hose. The sprockets are contemplated to be of any type of transmission gearing known in the art that may be suitable for driving the spool  100 . Additionally, the spool drive means  305  may be any power transferring means suitable for the application that is known in the art, such as a drive chain, drive belt or drive shaft. In certain embodiments, the hydraulic motor system  400  receives power from a pump located on the tractor  9 , and is transferred to the two or more motors through the hydraulic manifold  500 . It is also contemplated that the tractor  9  or other power source may provide a direct drive to a hydraulic pump located on the hose reel  1 , which in turn activates the hydraulic motors and other auxiliary hydraulic systems. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , a tensioner  350  is shown restricting the travel of the spool drive means  305 . With two or more hydraulic motors driving the spool drive means  305 , each with an individual drive sprocket, the tensioner  350  is utilized to automatically adjust the tension in the spool drive means  305  to both prevent the spool drive means  305  from loosening from the spool sprocket  310  and becoming dislodged, and ensuring that minimal energy is lost due poor power transmission to the spool sprocket  310 . The tensioner  350  shown in  FIG. 3  has a first chain restraining arm  352  and a second chain restraining arm  354 , which are coupled by tensioner springs  360 . In one or more embodiments, the tensioner springs  360  may be any means able to provide the necessary tension know in the art. The tensioner springs  360  may be adjusted to change the amount of tension they provide during operation. The first chain restraining arm  352  and the second chain restraining arm  354  travel along a tensioner shaft  356 , which allows the restraining arms to slide freely according to the pressure applied by the tensioner springs  360  and make the tension adjustments to the spool drive means  305 . The first chain restraining arm  352  is coupled to the spool drive means  305  by the first tensioner sprocket  362  and the second chain restraining arm  354  is coupled to the spool drive means  305  by the first tensioner sprocket (not shown), allowing the tensioner to apply pressure and allow the spool drive means  305  to move freely. The tensioner  350  is mounted to the frame  200  by a tensioner support bracket  358 . While it is shown that the first chain restraining arm  352  and a second chain restraining arm  354  interact with the spool drive means  305  along a shared axis and substantially equidistant from the tensioner  350  center, it is contemplated that many configurations of the tensioner  350  exist and could be utilized in the present invention. It is also contemplated that one or more embodiments of the invention may have additional tensioners  350 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the power source hydraulic hook-ups  900  of a tractor  9  are shown. Alternatively, another powered drive vehicle or external power source may be used to provide the hydraulic hook-ups to energize the hydraulic motors of the hose reel  1 . The power source hydraulic hook-ups  900  may comprise a first hydraulic leg hook-up  912 , a second hydraulic leg hook-up  914 , and a hydraulic motor assembly hook-up  916 . As is shown, each of the hydraulic leg hook-ups may be coupled to one or more hydraulic piston hoses  510  which transfer the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic manifold  500  and/or the support assembly  600 . Additionally, the hydraulic motor assembly hook-up  916  may be coupled to one or more hydraulic motor assembly hoses  520  which transfer the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic manifold  500  and/or the hydraulic motor system  400 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5A , a circuit diagram of a bi-motor hydraulic system  1100  capable of driving the spool  100  of the hose reel  1  is shown. The hydraulic pump  1110  pushes the hydraulic fluid through the hydraulic manifold  500  to the first bi-motor  1120  and the second bi-motor  1130 . The directional valve  1140  allows the spool  100  to be turned in either the forward or reverse direction. This bi-motor hydraulic system  1100  is configured to run selectively the motors in one of a series, parallel, and free wheel operating modes though the use of mode valve  1150 , which sets the selected mode. While in a series operating mode configuration, the hydraulic fluid is first sent to either first bi-motor  1120  or second bi-motor  1130 , and then the remaining motor. This results in one motor receiving more of the pressure, and increases the speed that the spool  100  turns but lowering the torque in comparison to the parallel mode. While in a parallel operating mode configuration, the hydraulic fluid is sent to both of the motors equally, resulting in an increase in torque and decrease in speed of the system in comparison to the series operating mode configuration. With two motors in parallel, the torque is doubled from that of one motor, and the speed is reduced to half. It is to be appreciated that other hose reels have been capable of turning the motors in the reverse and forward direction, but generally speed and torque changes could only be made by adjusting the hydraulic fluid pressure in the pump system. While in the free wheel operating mode configuration, no hydraulic fluid is forced through the motors, however they are free to turn. This allows the spool  100  to turn freely with only the resistance provided by the transmission assembly  300 , the motors, the weight of the spool  100 , and other nominal factors to prevent the spool  100  from turning. This resistance is expected to be about 40 pounds of pressure, but may be up to about 80 pounds and down to about 20 pounds, depending on the operating mode configuration of the hose reel  1 . This is generally enough resistance to prevent the hose from unreeling from the spool  100  without external interference. 
     Having the above mentioned operating modes available and easily selectable is advantageous as conditions change while retrieving and deploying a hose. For instance, when cornering, it is contemplated that the speed of the spool  100  may need to be increased to ensure the hose is laid uniformly or wound quickly enough. Conversely, on long straight tracks, the hose can be laid in the free wheel operating mode configuration. The optional flow restrictor  1160  is capable of limiting the flow of hydraulic fluid to the motors, allowing for the resistance the spool  100  has to overcome to turn during the free wheel operating mode configuration. Altering the resistance through the flow restrictor  1160  may be useful for increasing and decreasing the rate a hose deploys from the hose reel  1 . It is contemplated the flow restrictor  1160  may be fixed or adjustable. Additionally, the system relief valve  1170  protects the system from excess pressure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5B , a circuit diagram of a tri-motor hydraulic system  1200  which drives the spool  100  of the hose reel  1  is shown. A hydraulic pump  1210 , such as one provided by tractor  9  via hook-ups  900  ( FIG. 4 ), pushes the hydraulic fluid through the hydraulic manifold  500  to the first tri-motor  1220 , the second tri-motor  1230 , and the third tri-motor  1240 . The directional valve  1250  allows the spool  100  to be turned in either the forward or reverse direction. This tri-motor hydraulic system  1200  is configured to run the motors selectively in one of series, parallel, and free wheel operating modes though the use of first mode valve  1260  and the second mode valve  1270 , which together set the operating mode. 
     While in a series operating mode configuration, the hydraulic fluid is first sent to the first tri-motor  1220 , second tri-motor  1230 , or the third tri-motor  1240 , and then the remaining motors. This results in one motor receiving more of the pressure, and increases the speed that the spool  100  turns but lowering the torque in comparison to the parallel mode. While in a parallel operating mode configuration, the hydraulic fluid is sent to all three of the motors equally, resulting in an increase in torque and decrease in speed of the system in comparison to the series configuration. With three motors in parallel, the torque is tripled from that of one motor, and the speed is reduced to a third. While in the free wheel operating mode configuration, no hydraulic fluid is forced through the motors, however they are free to turn. This allows the spool  100  to turn freely with only the resistance provided by the transmission assembly  300 , the motors, the weight of the spool  100 , and other nominal factors to prevent the spool  100  from turning. This resistance is expected to be about 40 pounds of pressure, but may be up to about 80 pounds and down to about 20 pounds, depending on the operating mode configuration of the hose reel  1 . The optional flow restrictor  1280  is capable of limiting the flow of hydraulic fluid to the motors, allowing for adjustment of the turning resistance of the spool  100  during the free wheel operating mode configuration. Altering the resistance through the flow restrictor  1280  may be useful for increasing and decreasing the rate that a hose deploys from the hose reel  1 . It is contemplated the flow restrictor  1280  may be fixed or adjustable. Additionally, the system relief valve  1290  protects the system from excess pressure. 
     In most tractors  9  suitable for operating the hose reel  1  of the present invention, the provided hydraulic pressure provided by the pump is about 2900 PSI, or from about 1900 PSI to about 3900 PSI. Also, most motors suitable for operating the hose reel  1  are capable of handling at least about 2500 PSI of hydraulic pressure. Therefore, if the pump of the tractor  9  does produces more than 2500 PSI, more than one motor may be required to operate the hose reel  1  reliably. It is contemplated that some embodiments may have more than three motors, and other hydraulic systems not described in the circuit diagrams of  FIGS. 5A and 5B  are contemplated to operate the hose reel  1 . In one or more three motor embodiments, a third motor may not be provided initially, but the system is expandable to incorporate a third motor if desired. 
     As mentioned above, the hydraulic manifold  500  routes the hydraulic fluid from the pump to the hydraulic motors of the hose reel  1 . The manifold  500  is also operable to set the system selectively to a series, parallel, or free wheel operating mode. Additionally, the manifold  500  is capable of removing hydraulic pressure from one or more motors. Optionally, the manifold may be configured to actuate the support assembly  600  and/or other auxiliary hose reel systems. In one embodiment, the hydraulic manifold  500  may be manually operated by hand. However, this may be less than optimal in some cases, such as when the manifold  500  must be actuated many times in succession or only one person is operating the tractor  9  and the hose reel  1 , and must exit the tractor  9  to hand operate the manifold  500 . In such a case and referring now to  FIG. 6 , the hose reel  1  may comprise a remote hose reel hydraulic manifold controller  550  that may be located in the cabin of the tractor  9  or at any other suitable place on the tractor in order to provide remote operation of the hydraulic manifold  500 . The controller  550  may be connected to the hydraulic manifold  500  through a controller wireless system  552  or through a controller wired system  554 . A single person while operating the tractor  9  may as well actuate the hydraulic manifold  500  and set selectively one of the series, parallel, and free wheel operating modes as desired by providing a related command to the controller  550   a  without exiting the tractor  9 . 
     The remote hose reel hydraulic manifold controller  550  is configured to activate one or all of the manifold  500  features. For example, as shown, the controller  550  may comprise several rows of selectable options, such as a Mode control row  562 , a motor control row  564 , and a leg control row  566 . The mode control row may contain selections for the various operating mode configurations: a free wheel operating mode, series operating mode, and parallel operating mode, which would be selectable one at a time. The motor control row  564  may contain a selection to turn on or off one or more of the motors. The leg control row  566  would allow the retractable and extendable support system to be activated. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 7 , the hose reel  1  may comprise a support assembly  600  to allow for improved transportation, loading, and unloading. The support assembly  600  may comprise one or more hydraulic pistons  610  located on the frame  200  of the hose reel  1 . It is contemplated that two hydraulic pistons  610  may be located on the frame  200  at the front end  2  and the back end  4  of the hose reel  1 . Optionally, a hydraulic piston  610  may be located at each corner of the frame  200 . Each hydraulic piston  610  is connected to at least one support leg  630 , which is raised and lowered by the hydraulic piston  610 . In addition, each hydraulic piston  610  is supplied with hydraulic pressure, e.g. from the hydraulic piston hose  510  ( FIG. 4 ) via hook-ups  900  of the tractor  9  by a controlled operation. 
     Optionally, each hydraulic piston  610  may be actuated independently, or may operate concurrently with one or more other hydraulic piston  610 . For example, the two hydraulic pistons  610  located on the front end  2  of the hose reel  1  may be configured to extend and retract together, and the two hydraulic pistons  610  located on the back end  4  of the hose reel  1  may be configured to extend and retract together. All or some of the support legs  630  may have a support leg base  635  fixed to the portion of the support leg  630  that would contact the ground or loading surface. The support base  635  may be a substantially flat plate to provide support for the hose reel  1 , or wheels to allow for easier transportation. The hydraulic piston  610  is capable of retracting and extending the support leg  630  up to a length L wherein the support leg  630  is fully extended. The length L shown is for illustrative purposes only and is dependent on the length L desired for the application and therefore may increase or decrease from the present distance. It is expected that the hydraulic piston  610  will raise and lower the support legs  630  whether the support leg base  635  is suspended or on a surface. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8A-8D , the loading of the hose reel  1  from a mounted position on a tractor  9  to a tow trailer  10  is shown. In one embodiment, the hose reel  1  may be a pull-type hose reel mounted on the front of the tractor  9  or a payloader, and may utilize a quick hitch mounting system. Other embodiments may include a pull type hose reel or a truck type hose reel. As the size of agricultural production and other industries grow, it is of increasing importance that hose reel systems are capable of being transported, mounted, and dismounted efficiently. Additionally, it is often difficult to load a hose reel  1  on a tow trailer  10  because tow trailer load heights, approximately 24 inches to 36 inches, are usually substantially higher than the ground clearance of an unloaded hose reel  1 , approximately 6 inches to 12 inches. 
       FIG. 8A  shows the hose reel  1  mounted to the tractor  9  by the hose reel hitch  20  and the tractor hitch  30 . The tow trailer  10  is capable of being placed under the hose reel  10  in this position.  FIG. 8B  shows the hydraulically operated support legs  630  located on the back end  4  in a lowered position, able to partially support the hose reel  1  on the tow trailer  10 . In this position, the pressure on the hitches caused by the hose reel weight can be removed from between the hose reel hitch  20  and the tractor hitch  30 , and any connecting pins or other securing means can be released. Additionally, this puts the hose reel  1  at a substantial enough angle to allow the hose reel hitch  20  to disengage from the tractor hitch  30 .  FIG. 8C  shows the support legs  630  on the front end  2  and the back end  4  of the hose reel  1  in a partially lowered state, able to support the hose reel  1  fully. The tractor hitch  30  can be moved out of the path of the hose reel hitch  20 .  FIG. 8D  shows the hose reel  1  fully loaded on the tow trailer  10  and disengaged from the tractor  9 . The support legs  630  on the front end  2  and the back end  4  can be fully retracted so the hose reel  1  can be secured to the tow trailer  9 . In one embodiment, three hose reels  1  can be placed together on one tow trailer  10 . It is contemplated that the hose reel  1  can be unloaded and mounted to a tractor  9  by performing the above operation in reverse order. Instead of a tow trailer  10 , the hose reel  1  may also be unloaded and loaded from a truck bed or a platform. It is further contemplated that the hose reel  1  can be unloaded to the ground by following the above operation. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , a modular hose reel  11  mounted to the hose reel  1  by a modular frame bracket  14  and a modular spool drive  16  is shown. The frame bracket  14  removably couples the frame  200  of the hose reel  1  to the modular frame  201 . Likewise, the modular spool drive  16  couples releasably via a pin and bolt connection (not shown) to the hose reel spool  100  of the hose reel  1  to the modular spool  101 , while causing the modular spool  101  to turn with the hose reel spool  100 . In another embodiment, the modular spool drive  16  may optionally cause the modular spool  101  to turn with or instead of the hose reel spool  100 , and may be coupled directly to the transmission assembly  300 , the hydraulic motor system  400 , or the hydraulic manifold  500 . In order to increase the amount of hose that can be laid or reeled at one time without replacing the hose reel  1  mounted on a tractor  9  or putting additional hoses on a spool  100 , it is contemplated that one or more modular hose reels  11  could be attached to a hose reel  1  already mounted on a tractor  9 , effectively multiplying the amount of hose that can be laid or reeled in a single pass. The modular hose reel  11  may optionally have one or more of the hydraulic transmission assembly  300 , hydraulic motor system  400 , hydraulic manifold  500 , and support assembly  600 . 
     It is contemplated that modular hose reels  11  may be mounted on the drive side  6 , the free side  8 , or both of a first hose reel  1 . The modular hose reel  11  may also be coupled to one or more of the hydraulic transmission assembly  300 , hydraulic motor system  400 , and hydraulic manifold  500  of the first hose reel  1 . As shown, the hydraulically operated support legs  630  of the modular spool  101  may be hydraulically connected to the hydraulic manifold  500  or the support assembly  600  of the hose reel  1 . This configuration is also effective for transporting the hose reels  1  more efficiently, allowing more hose reels  1  to be placed on a tow trailer  10 , and in less time. 
     It is further contemplated that the hose reel  1  could be combined with a turntable system or pivoting means as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,530,521, entitled “Hose reel system,” which has been fully incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. The turntable system is contemplated to allow at least a portion of the hose reel  1  to pivot up to about 90 degrees. This would allow for more flexibility in loading and transporting the hose reel  1  on a tow trailer  11 . 
     It is further noted that terms like “preferably,” “generally”, “commonly,” and “typically” are not utilized herein to limit the scope of the claimed invention or to imply that certain features are critical, essential, or even important to the structure or function of the claimed invention. Rather, these terms are merely intended to highlight alternative or additional features that may or may not be utilized in a particular embodiment of the present invention. 
     For the purposes of describing and defining the present invention it is additionally noted that the term “substantially” is utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. The term “substantially” is also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue. 
     Having described the invention in detail and by reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims. More specifically, although some aspects of the present invention are identified herein as preferred or particularly advantageous, it is contemplated that the present invention is not necessarily limited to these preferred aspects of the invention. 
     All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to the term in this written document shall govern.