How to re-pack Forestry Hose backpacks?

[Dalmatian90]

We don't use it too often. But the other day the Middle Schoolers were either smokin' or tokin' on their way in and we had a fire going in the dry leaves of the conservation land behind the school.

500' of Forestry Hose later, not much of a big deal :D

So now we're looking at 500' to put back in the backpacks. Some of the old timers remember there was a way to pack it so all the couplings where at the back of the bag, and you could if you want to uncouple one, reach in and grab a 100' section.

Anyone have directions or pictures how we do that????

(Forestry hose for those who don't know is lightweight, 1.5" single jacket un-lined hose. Once charged, water soaks through the jacket so it doesn't burn through. We carry some in rolls, some in gear bags, and we have like 4 back-packs of 300' each.)

[Resq14]

We simply flat-load 300' into the backpacks that open from the top.

If we only need 100', we pull 100 and break it. How are you currently loading them? (saw the pics and the gear bags on the Service 190 site).

We used 600' of forestry hose to supply our forestry truck a couple months ago... had a large pile of creosote-soaked railroad ties burning well into the woods. We just laid in with the backpacks off the back of the truck. hehe. Worked slick.

Our forestry hose is single-jacket poly-lined. The older stuff we have does weep as the lining cracks/expands as the line is charged. The newer stuff doesn't seem to do this.

[NJFFSA16]

I really should know the answer to this...but it eludes me. If I come across a photo from the vast piles of instruction manuals in my possession...I'll post something. Right now, I can't recall the correct method. We actually double donut roll our forestry hose, connect the couplings and play it out that way.

Shame on me.....for not having an answer!:eek:

[CALFFBOU]

This might help. I doubt you have a delta pack, but this
is the best way I have seen. The threads are protected.
You could roll the hose this way and drop it in your
hose back pack.

http://www.pixhost.com/pixb/boukca/23076654603_0_alb.jpg

[RxFire]

Resq14's way works good if you want a simple lay.
Another option that is nice in the fact that you don't need/have any other equipment is the style of hosepack where the hose itself is the pack and can deploy as you go - No needing to stop and unroll hose. http://www.redriver.org/images/Pumps-10.jpg
Here is a picture of the pack. A real disadvantage of this is that if the p-cord holding the pack together gets loosened up, the pack will fall apart. But the hose itself forms the straps, so that when completely deployed.. all you have to pick up is the p-cord. You can take this idea and use it for a progressive lay or for extending your trunk line. A few differences, but the same idea essentially.

Oh, and as for "forestry hose" weeping... why waste your water. Just keep your hose out of the fire.

[jsdobson]

We use a "navy" duffle bag with shoulder straps and stuff 300' of forestry hose into it. Kind of like a stuffing a rope bag. The nozzle goes in first followed by 200' connected to 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" gated wye followed by the last 100' of hose. The system allows the hose to play out nicely with minimal problems. Connecting 100' to the gated wye allows over-lapping coverage between the gated wyes.

Dobber

[aarel20]

Dalmation90
If your using the square canves bags like DEP you simply start packing the hose on end starting at the front of the pack, That is the male coupling would be against your back when wearing the pack. If your hose is in 100' lengths it will complete the first row, Make your connection and leave the coupling on the end, continue with the second row, when you reach the front of the pack, simpley pull a short length of hose to the back of the pack, laying it flat on the first course,(it seems to work best if you lay it flat across the middle of the pack) make your connection, and place it at the back of the pack. Then continue loading the next length on end in the same manner you did the first, and continue for the rest of the lengths.
This way should allow you to get 500' in each bag, and have your couplings easily accessable at the back of the pack, and by laying the hose flat between courses you can easily grab 1 length and not disturb the balance of the pack should you need to lay more hose.

We also add (2) 1.5 gated wyes, 2 spanner wrenches, and 2 nozzles to our kits. Ill try to get a picture posted, "techo dummie"


stay safe:p :eek:

[Dalmatian90]

aa's sounds like he's on the right track...have to play with it tonite :) I also like the idea of having 500' in a bag...when you need this stuff, you tend to need *a lot* of it!

Resq14 -- these are the actual "Backpacks" that we carry on our Engine-Tank & Engine. We use the gear bags in lieu of having enough backpacks to use them on the Service, too.

Only problem now is we lost (!) one of the backpacks...so I told a couple young bucks to go and look for it today!

[FlyingKiwi]

Dal

We use vinyl or canvas backpack forestry bags down here, we sinmply flake three lengths of hose in working from back to front of the pack in layers and connect each length as we go (41mm or 1.6 inch canvas line), running out is easy and you can feel the connection run out for each length.

Had a fairly good bush fire last week, we were a bit cunning, and grabbed the spare packs from the neighbours truck. OOPS, sorry guys but your hose is really dirty. :D

Will take some picis later today and post them.

[hwoods]

Doesn't the hose fall out of the packs when you are standing there, upside down??:p :p Dal, I can't help you with this one, we carry our hose loaded on the Trucks in beds. I just pull a few hundred feet off and go with it as a shoulder load. I have seen the pack that Bou referred to, and it's not a bad deal.

[CALFFBOU]

As for hose packs that consist of only the hose rolled upon
itself, those are commonly referred to as "ganzer packs" and
they, for the most part- suck.

They dont conform the the FF's back, fall apart easy and just
plain to bulky during a fast moving progressive lay. I would
advise against them.

I like the delta packs. They are EASY, comfortable and
fast to put into service.

Please ask me in here if you have anymore questions.

[FlyingKiwi]

Doesn't the hose fall out of the packs when you are standing there, upside down??

Blimey Harve.

Not only do we pack the hose in from back to front but we start at the top of the pack and work down.

That way when we close the flap on the bottom the hose will not fall out.

Silly man.

[hwoods]

OK............:D :D :D :D :D

[Dalmatian90]

Well, I either have smaller packs that aarel or I can't pack as tight :) Did 100' in two tiers though so you can scoop two tiers to grab a whole length. Sure made the pack "look" right when I was done.

Gotta pack another one later tonight while watching the Patriots game (some people drink beer, I pack firehose...God, something is wrong with me...). Maybe I'll try for the 100' a tier then :)

These are pics with 300' in each, coupled couplings at rear so you can "break & scoop" the tiers:

http://www.mortlake.org/Forestry_Hose_Bag/MVC-001S.JPG

http://www.mortlake.org/Forestry_Hose_Bag/MVC-003S.JPG

http://www.mortlake.org/Forestry_Hose_Bag/MVC-005S.JPG