Protective hoses for Okkerman snow ploughs

Okkerman builds snow ploughs that are mounted on the front of a vehicle. Cables for the controls and lighting run between the vehicle, the hydraulic unit and the blade. Those cables have a hard time.

The first challenge is temperature. A snow plough works precisely when it is freezing, and for the rest of the year it can sit idle for months. Materials that turn hard and brittle in the cold will crack or break just when the plough is needed.

The second challenge is load. At the front of a vehicle, the cables get covered in snow, ice, brine and road spray, and the blade vibrates and jolts over the road surface. Loose cables chafe, get damaged or catch on things.

The third challenge is that this is a largely static application. The cables are fixed along the frame and only move when the blade is operated. So the protection mainly has to be sturdy and tidy, and keep the cables in place for years without anyone having to look after them.

We chose corrugated protective hoses from Reiku, the same hoses we use in robotics. They stay flexible in the cold, resist moisture, salt and dirt, and absorb chafing and impacts before they reach the cable.

The hoses run from the hydraulic unit along the frame to the blade, with glands and cable entries where they go into a cabinet or panel. This way the cables are shielded along their full length and run neatly along the structure, instead of hanging loose at the front of the vehicle.

Because the application is largely static, the focus was on a sturdy hose in the right size and secure mounting, so the cables stay in place even when the blade vibrates or is adjusted.

The cables on the Okkerman snow ploughs are now protected along their full length and run neatly along the frame. They can withstand frost, brine and vibration, and are ready for winter, even after months of standstill.

Do you build machines that work outdoors, in the cold or in dirty environments? Take a look at our protective hoses or get in touch with one of our specialists.