Crusader Hose has invested heavily in technology and factory upgrades to supply a world-class irrigation hose that stands up to the rigours of our local conditions
With over 30 years experience manufacturing layflat for irrigation, Crusader Hose has found that reliability and ease of handling are the two key qualities farmers require most of a good travelling irrigation hose.
The result of this experience has produced Flexidrag®, a locally made travelling irrigator hose many Australian and New Zealand farmers now trust most.
Farmers using their irrigation hoses on a daily basis may not realise their layflat travelling irrigator hose is one of the most challenging hoses to manufacture, as the demands are various and numerous.
Crusader Hose engineers had to overcome three critical design issues. The durability of the exterior, the weight of the drag and its overall flexibility were all issues that required industry experience to arrive at a point where every farmer would be happy with the performance of the hose.
For any hose manufacturer to get it right takes a focused commitment to address the issues farmers were facing and for Crusader Hose, with over 35 years of experience the company can now lay claim to the leading brand with Flexidrag®.
But it doesn’t end there; developing layflat hose technology is driven by a spirit of continuous improvement. The company has invested close to $1 million in technology and factory upgrades to bring about the world-quality travelling irrigation hose found in the Flexidrag®.
For any manufacturer supplying irrigation hose without local knowledge the task is much more arduous. In addition to the extreme UV conditions of Australia, the temperature range common in many farming areas of below zero to 50°C also demands a robust cover.
A travelling irrigation hose, or drag hose as it is often referred to as the irrigator pulls it along from place to place is inherently subjected to more stress on its exterior than any other hose. Crusader Hose has developed and now manufactures Flexidrag® to contend with continued dragging and also manage extreme weather issues.
Layflat Flexidrag® is made with a polyurethane (PU) cover. The hose’s high-tensile textile reinforcement is encased in PU via the weave-through extrusion process giving Flexidrag® its tough exterior and interior.
Crusader Hose believes Flexidrag® is superior to rubber irrigation hose because it is non-cracking as its designers have overcome cold flow property issues that can lead to rubber crack along the seam.
By adverting the issue of cracks that can expose the textile hose, it also avoids premature wear and breakdown. This is why Flexidrag® PU is UV stabilised to withstand the extremes faced by local irrigators.
Flexidrag® is extruded with precise concentricity. This means the PU layer thickness is measured evenly throughout the length of the hose. Concentricity to this degree makes Flexidrag® lightweight and flexible. PU is also lighter in weight per metre versus rubber, thereby reducing energy requirements.
The flexibility and ease of handling make Flexidrag® a top performer in all irrigation settings. It is compact, and longer lengths can be fitted onto the irrigator reel compared to rubber hose or other imported brands.
State-of-the-art technology gives Flexidrag® its small bend radius, and this in turn helps reduce kinking. It also allows Flexidrag® to work well at low pressures on laterals as well as with high pressures on guns.
Francois Steverlynck, Managing Director at Crusader Hose wanted to highlight the important work his team has put into Flexidrag®, “The improvements to our drag irrigation hose bring Flexidrag® to world standard.
“We’re in the second irrigation season since its development, and Flexidrag® is proving itself a top seller in the market. I believe we have created the world’s best travelling irrigation hose.”
For peace of mind, Flexidrag® is backed up by a pro-rata 10-year warranty. With the benefit of being made here in Australia, dealing with a local manufacturer is so much easier if you have any issues.
Francois Steverlynck added, “When dealing with imports, waiting for factory test results can take six months and sending the hose overseas for testing is expensive.”
Crusader Hose is able to support farm and irrigation projects with reliable Australian-made products, that are designed for our local conditions.
Get more details on this Aussie made hose range for local farmers, and to locate a dealer near you contact Crusader Hose on 03 9720 1100, email: sales@crusaderhose.com.au or see the full range at: www.crusaderhose.com.au
