Suncast PW100 Powerwind 100-Foot Capacity Automatic Rewind Garden Hose Reel

Fantastic at rewinding the hose.
You need to be Mr. Muscles to pull the hose out.
Needs a new name "ELECTRIC REWIND, NEW CAR HOOK UP TO PULL HOSE OUT"

Disgusted in this product.

I purchased this hose reel to replace one from the same company that I had purchased at Walmart 3 years ago. After much use the old one broke at the hub in the center that reels up the hose. Considering the climate here in MN thats not bad!
I was disappointed however that the reel didn't come with wheels and a handle like previous models. I also noticed that the reel, while it states that it holds 100ft of hose as did the old one, it really holds 75ft well, and seems over loaded when reeling in that last 25ft.
Over all I got what I orded. Just not everything that was expected.

As was the case with many other reviewers, it was impossible to pull the hose out. I figured out that the drive belt that came with my hose reel was too small. Therefore, the drive motor never disengaged from the reel. I tried to stretch the old belt to be a little longer for weeks without success (good belt material!). I contacted Suncast a few months ago and they were working on a fix for the problem. I just got (for free) a replacement belt that is a tiny bit longer than the original - it is so close that it is hard to tell the difference. Don't mix them up and accidentally put on the bad/short belt again! Now the hose reel works perfectly! It is easy to pull the hose out and it rewinds just fine. So - if you have the "impossible to pull the hose out" problem, just call Suncast for the new, longer belt. NOTE: Getting it in is a bit tricky but it is doable, just be careful.

I really like the hose reeler. It is a bit hard to pull the hose out, but if you straighten it out, for me it's not a big deal. HOWEVER, I have been told not to deal with Suncast for any reason. The customer service is horrible. The charger doesn't work. I tried and tried and tried to order a new one online (I will pay for the darn thing) and can't. I need a quality control # which is not on the box or owners manual as stated. I cannot get ahold of anyone to help with this. Again, I've tried and tried and tried. I was told to call Amazon since I ordered it via them. They sent an email to you and your reply to them was you don't accept emails. NOW WHAT? I will glady pay for the defective part and regard this as a lesson learned the hard way. BOO HISS.....

This is the second hose reel I purchased so now I have one on each side of my house. Very easy to use especially for us senior citizens who have trouble winding up a hose. Excellent product and worth the cost and it was cheaper than in the store.

I purchased this for my 85 yearold father who has trouble rolloing up the 100 ft of rubber hose since he got this it has become little or no effort and I am considerering on for myself to save my back

I ordered this hose reel hoping the belt problem had been solved -- it hasn't. The first week or so the hose pulled out very easy because the rewind mechanism was not engaged. Now it is very difficult to pull the hose out because I am pulling against the rewind mechanism. I called Suncast and was told they are having problems finding a suitable belt manufacturer. They promised to send me a new belt in November 2009. I will wait and see.

How I ever got along without this battery powered hose reel, I don't know, but don't try to take it away from me!!! It's working and I don't have to!!
Dave

You cannot unwind the hose - it is virtually impossible. We have tried everything and still no luck.
Last year we bought a different brand and absolutely loved it, this one is TERRIBLE.

Would give it NO stars if that was even possible.

This hose reel makes gardening a breeze. I used to dread my daily watering because of fighting with the hose, pulling it out, getting all the kinks out, then expending a great deal of energy reeling the hose back in. With this product, all it takes is putting your foot on a pedal to reel it back in. You do not even have to guide it in, it reels it in uniformly. It does take some power to pull the hose out initially, but that is its only downfall. I love my new hose reel and will probably buy another for the back of the house!

yeah, it doesnt unwind
yeah, you can't leave it out in the rain
yeah, you can't use it on your own when unwinding it
yeah, you need to guide it when winding or it tangles up

but it does do its job... kinda

two stars!!

This is the 2nd unit I've purchased and the first one is still going strong after 4 years! I got sick of hand winding the long hose in the back of the house and bought another last week. Several reviews indicated the hose was extremely difficult to unwind which I found to be true. A simple fix is to remove the 3 screws on the side panel door(next to the foot pedal) and open up it up. A careful inspection showed that the "BACK" of the drive belt tends to create to much friction on the winding wheel. When that happens it makes it very difficult to unwind the hose simply because the friction is causing the drive belt to try and turn the other wheels. It supposed to be free or not engaged when unwinding the hose. All you need to do is "lubricate" the "BACK" of the drive belt. After you do that it will turn very easy (the way it's supposed to) and work great. It really is something the factory should be doing because it's so easy and inexpensive to do. I would use any good silicone type lubricant which should last a long time. I believe with use the belt will become freer as it stretches out.

One of the reviews said he ran the winder for about 30 mins non stop and it freed it up. I tried that first and unfortuantely it didn't work for mine, hence my solution! Bottom line other than that it's the best winder on the market IMO. I've tried the water driven models and frankly they are lousy. Never had one work very long or well!

I strongly recommend this unit to anyone wanting a relatively inexpensive electric unit that works great. It can hold a 100 ft of hose which is normally long enough to do most watering jobs. It takes 30 secs of "hands free" work to roll up the hose. You stay nice and clean and it makes for very neat storage. Be SURE to bring it in BEFORE the first freeze if you live in a cold climate. You DO NOT want to freeze the plastic connections with water in them! It's an excellent unit or I would not own 2 of them...........

Very disappointed in this unit. While it is easy reel in the hose, it takes a tractor to pull it out. We had to pull so hard, it caused the hose to clamp on itself, and I had to open the top and pull the house out by hand. I think the problem is you are rotating the motor backwards. They should have made it so it would free wheel when going out (like a bike coasting). We returned the unit.

We should have paid attention to those reviews that pointed up the difficulty in extracting the hose from this unit. The amount of tension (pull) required to simply unwind the hose is unacceptable. Damage to the unit, if it is secured, seems to be a likely outcome. C'mon folks, you've had enough complaints about this very issue....fix it. We returned our unit the day after purchase and will not be looking at other Suncast products in the future.

I received my hose reel three days after ordering, but because of work commitments I didn't get around to unpacking it until a week later. When I unpacked it I dutifully plugged in the battery and charged it for 24 hrs. Then I attempted to start it, it didn't start. I called customer service and they told me to check all the connections. Again, because of work I couldn't take the time to do it right then. A week later I again charged the battery, checked all the connections and then attempted to start machine--it still didn't work. I couldn't fool around with it right then so put it aside until the next week. I checked the charge on battery and noticed it was uncharged, again. This time I figured it was the battery and called customer service again. The friendly rep told me it sounded like a problem with the battery and would send me another one--though it might take 5 to 7 days to arrive. I told him I waited this long another 7 days would be no problem. It arrived in 3 days. I charged this battery up, put it in, and it ran perfectly. I attached the hose, pulled it straight and had the machine reel it in--great! I've pulled the hose out and reeled it in several times now and haven't had a problem. Works great, and great customer service from the company. Highly recommend.

What's the use of a hose rewinder that rewinds okay, but fights you to unwind the hose. Do not even think about this product. Kudos to Amazon for making this return painless and cost-free.

This hose reel is fairly compact, and attractive. I am a little worried about the plastic piece that you must lift up and down to engage and disengage the lock on the screw mechanism that lines the hose up on the reel. It seems like it will break off at some point. If it does, I guess I will just have to guide the hose back and forth while rewinding. The rewinding is pretty fast which surprised me. The battery life does not seem very long. I think next time I would try the kind that rewinds with water pressure rather than the battery type such as this one.

This product does what it is made to do. If you use 5/8 hose it works like it was made to do.The best part is the automatic reel up GREAT I would buy another one "NO Problems "From the reviews I read the problems were people problems

After reading the reviews, I reluctantly ordered this power hose reel. Initially I experienced the same impossible task of trying to unwind the hose.

The problem was solved after charging the battery. I ran the reel empty of hose continuously for 30-40 minutes. This stretched and loosened the drive belt.

I then recharged the battery, and the hose reel now works perfectly.

I suggest not reeling the hose until you operate the reel for an extended time.

Under the conditions I have given above, this power hose reel is highly recommended.

I had an older version of this product which lasted for 5 years. This newer model is not as sturdy as was the previous one. Also, it only holds 100 feet of hose versus the older model which held 150 feet. In addition the older version had wheels on it to made it easy to move. This unit must be picked up and/or dragged from place to place. I would say that the new model is a result of cost cutting by the manufacturer.

I loved my 2-year old powerwind reel (same model), worked perfectly, and ordered a second last summer. It was impossible to pull out the hose. I compared the belts on the older and newer reels, and discovered the interior measurement of the new belt was 1" smaller than that of the belt in my first reel (17" instead of 18"). Customer service acknowledged a change in manufacturer had resulted in problems, and sent me a new belt. Still 17" and too tight. Customer service has not returned my call asking for an 18" belt replacement. The reel is useless without it.

I have owned water powered hose reels before and none compare to this one. I just got it and it works PERFECTLY. Now the test will be how long it last before I have a problem. Like everything you buy nothing last forever so the clock begins to tick the minute you buy it....time will tell.

Reel was delivered expediously.
Upon first use, reel retracted hose in very well, but pulling the hose out of the reel was almost impossible.
I sent an e-mail query to Suncast that was never answered.
I took the reel apart and found that the binding was caused by a bushing/bearing that was not seated properly.
Worked fine after re-assembly.

Suncast Powerwind Hose Reel #PW100

I purchased this unit as a replacement for a NO CRANK CLASSIC water driven hose winder unit that lasted less than a year, was problematic and was a waste of money in my opinion. I read the other reviews on the PW100 and figured the folks who complained about how difficult it is to pay out the hose were probably 90 pound weaklings. Well, that will teach me to judge others... this thing requires Charles Atlas to dispense your hose!!!

All kidding aside, I went to Suncast's website and voiced a complaint. After more than a week, I finally received an email from their customer support folks instructing me to open up belt/pulley compartment and verify that the belt wasn't misaligned or binding on anything. I inspected and verified everything was aligned properly. While I had the cover off the compartment, I went ahead and removed the belt and pulleys to see if the hose pulled out easily - which it did. I put the pulleys and belt back on and had my wife pull out on the hose while I observed the unit... the belt still makes slight contact with the motor pulley so this is where the added resistance to pull out on the hose is coming from. MY ASSESMENT - the belt is too small and needs to be slightly larger so it doesn't bind up on the motor pulley during pay-out.

I replied back to Suncast today to let them know my findings and to see if they would send me a replacement belt to see if my assessment of the situation is correct. I absolutely love this hose winder -IF- they can get the belt issue resolved. I'll post back with my findings once I've heard back from Suncast and/or received a replacement belt to test out my theory. Hope this is helpful to others...

***UPDATE 9/03/2008***

Suncast customer service has sent me a replacement belt to see if that corrects the difficulty with paying out the hose. I'll post back after I receive and install the replacement belt.

I really like this, but only have one problem with it, its very hard to pull the hose out, not recomended for older people. Im not sure why its so hard to pull the hose out. My wife prefers not to use it. If the manufacture fixes this problem, then it would be a perfect product.

After owning one of these little marvels for nearly two years, I bought two more -- one for each outdoor spigot on my house. I used to be pretty lazy about leaving hoses sprawled around the yard but rewinding is so easy with one of these that I'm not tempted to leave the hose out for the next use anymore.
Several other reviewers have complained about pulling the hose out after it's been reeled in and there is a knack to using this thing:
1. On first use, you may need to manually adjust the guide so it aligns exactly with where the hose is unrolling off the reel (just once per hose).
2. After winding in the first time, unwind it straight out from the reel, fill with water and rewind.
3. Position the reel in a position where you can unreel the hose straight out. Pull what you need straight out and then haul it where you need it.

With these simple steps, it works like a charm: no bending and cranking, no wet muddy hands from hand coiling and one or two battery charges last a whole season.

We have used a PW100 for 2 years and it has worked flawlessly.

I suspect that the reviewers that are having problems pulling the hose out are not following the directions when retracting the hose.

The hose should be aligned with the level wind mechanism when it is installed on the reel.

The hose should be stretched out in front of the unit while retracting. The weight of the hose will provide enough tension so that the hose spools evenly on the reel. If the hose is all kinked and loose when it is retracted it will not spool evenly and the snarls make it hard to pull the hose out next time.

Our neighbors have bought their own units after seeing how well ours works.

My husband and son both love this hose reel. I put it together with no problem. A month out and it hasn't needed a charge.

We had several hydro powered hose reels and they always leaked somewhere. This hose reel is awesome

This is a horrible hose reel. I bought for my elderly mother thinking what a great invention.... step on the peddle and the hose rewinds.... the problem is you can't get the hose out! Even my son and husband tried and unless 2 people are holding the reel down and a VERY strong person is pulling the hose out, it's next to impossible to get the hose out. I tried 3 different styles of hoses thinking it would help. Nothing worked. I'm shipping back today and paying the cost, DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY!!!!

This hose reel has helped me in more ways than one. First...it neatly keeps the hose in place, second...my feet do the work instead of my shoulder, elbow and hand. This is the second one that I have had and I love it. KFisher

Do not buy this product. It is virtually impossible to pull the hose out and use it. The winder works great, but when trying to pull out the hose, you are pulling against the motor and the gears and it is very difficult to pull out the hose. I am trashing mine. I went out and bought a different suncast model that holds up to 150 feet of hose. You have to hand crank it but at least you can pull the hose out to use it.

Virtually impossible to reel out the hose when it is stored because the container cannot be secured to the ground firmly enough to prevent the entire container from moving and tumbling over. The rewinder works GREAT, however. If they should include a powder UNwinder, buy that unit!

I have used this item for several years now. I also have one of the water driven hose reels. The PW100 is so much easier, less messy, I will never have a water driven reel again. I am in the process of ordering another PW100 to replace my water driven reel. Suncast, I thank you and my wife thanks you for making a great product that really works. I must mention that Suncasts service (needed one time) was fantastic.