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PSA: I think the standard 3/4 inch suction hose is a bad default for most river work.
Had a major clog last month on the Colorado River because we were moving too much fine sediment and the line couldn't keep up. We switched to a 1 inch line and production doubled with zero downtime. Anyone else find the smaller hose just invites problems?
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oliver_morgan5mo ago
Bigger hose just means more weight and a bigger pump to lug around. Sometimes the hassle isn't worth it for a one-off clog.
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casey_harris5mo ago
Honestly, people forget about water hammer. A bigger hose holds way more water that's moving fast. When you suddenly stop that flow at the clog, all that force slams back into your pump and fittings. I've seen it blow a cheap coupler right off. That's a whole new problem you didn't have before. For a simple clog, you're just adding more risk for not much extra power.
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felixlee5mo ago
Casey's point about water hammer is huge. That sudden stop can wreck more than just a coupler. I've seen it crack pump housings and split hose barbs clean off. You're trading a simple clog for a full system failure that needs parts and tools to fix. A bigger hose might move more material, but it turns a small problem into a trip ender if you aren't ready for that kick.
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