Cable & Hose Reeling Drums
Available as spring operated & motorised models perfect for cables and hoses
Spring loaded cable reels
Spring operated hose reels
Motorised cable reels
Earth bonding reels
Custom cable reeling systems
Spring Loaded Cable Reels: SC Range
The SC range of spring operated cable reeling drums is built for reliable indoor and outdoor use. Each reel is made from heavy gauge steel and runs on ball races sealed for life, making it robust, weatherproof and low maintenance.
Clock springs or spiral wound springs provide the retraction force and can be assembled in series, in parallel or as a single rotation unit to suit the length and weight of your cable.
Heavy Duty Spring Cable Reels: SCXL Range
The SCXL range takes the proven SC design and adds a larger drum, giving greater cable or wire capacity for longer travel and more demanding industrial applications. It offers the same heavy duty construction with the extra storage needed where a standard spring reel would reach its limit.
Motorised Cable Reels: MRT Torque Range
Our MRT torque range of motorised cable reels is engineered in house, with the cable reel mounted directly to the torque motor for a simple, reliable and cost-efficient drive.
Motor driven reeling drums maintain consistent cable tension at higher travel speeds and over longer distances than spring reels allow. Each reel can be configured for your cable size, cable length and operating temperature range and is designed for easy installation and minimal maintenance.
Spring Operated Hose Reels
Our spring operated hose reeling drums are built from heavy duty materials for industrial facilities where hoses need to pay out and retract cleanly.
A roller guide protects the hose as it is drawn out, while a stop catch holds it in position and relieves spring tension during use. Keeping hoses tidy and off the floor reduces wear and trip hazards and helps cut downtime.
Download our brochure
Take a look at our brochure today and find out more about our products
Spring or Motorised: Which Cable Reeling Drum Do You Need?
Choosing between a spring loaded and a motorised cable reel depends on how far and how fast your machine travels, the weight of the cable and the environment it works in.
A spring cable reel is usually the right choice when:
- travel distances are shorter and cable lengths are modest
- the cable or hose is relatively light
- travel speeds are moderate
- you want a self-contained reel with no separate drive or controls
A motorised cable reel is usually the better option when:
- travel distances are long or the cable is heavy
- the machine travels at higher speeds or accelerates quickly
- consistent cable tension is needed across the full length of travel
- the reel is part of a crane, stacker or tunnelling system running continuous duty cycles
Other factors to consider include ingress protection, operating temperature, corrosion protection for coastal or chemical sites and the mounting positions available on your machine. Our team can review your application and recommend the right reeling drum.
Typical Applications
Metreel cable reeling drums power mobile machinery across ports, mining and heavy industry, from ship-to-shore cranes to tunnel boring machines. For marine and offshore projects, see our offshore division or browse our case studies to see our equipment in action. Where a reeling drum is not the best fit, festoon cable systems or conductor systems may offer a better way to power moving machinery.
| Port & Maritime | Mining & tunnelling | Industry |
|---|---|---|
| Ship-to-shore cranes Automatic stacking cranes Rail-mounted gantry cranes Ship loaders Shore power systems | Tunnel boring machines (TBM) Face drilling machines Stacker-reclaimers Electric rope shovels | Construction Steel manufacturing Wastewater Chemical plant Nuclear power plant Theatres |
Earth Bonding Reels
Earth bonding reels are designed for aircraft and other refuelling applications where fuel transfer can generate static electricity build-up and result in spark hazards.
Fixed to the chassis or frame of the refuelling tanker, the reel is self-retracting and carries forty metres of high-conductivity copper braided cable. A universal heavy-duty spring clamp completes the circuit to the aircraft or other vehicles.
The spring and stop catch mechanism allows the cable to be pulled and relaxed at any desired position. An extra pull is all that is required for cable retrieval.
Features
- Sealed spring and stop catch for dirt and water prevention
- Wide range of mounting positions
- 40m 1c 4mm² PVC sheathed braided copper cable
- Rubber-bump stop and heavy-duty spring clamp
- Total earth path resistance 0.25Ohm
- Reel mechanism tested to -20°C to +60°C
- Standard cable suitable to -19°C
- Hand rewind available
Custom Engineered Cable Reeling Systems
When your requirements fall outside standard parameters, our engineers design bespoke cable and hose reels using 3D CAD, sharing virtual models with you throughout the design process so you can review the solution before manufacture.
Recent work includes a motorised reeling drum for a dockside site with a customised geared motor, stainless steel shaft, integrated brake and encoder, forced ventilation and a C5 coastal paint system. Read more about choosing cable management equipment for coastal environments.
If you need reeling drums or other powerfeed products, contact us on 0115 932 7010.
Download our brochure
Take a look at our brochure today and find out more about our products
Reeling Drum FAQs
What is a cable reeling drum?
A cable reeling drum, also known as a cable reel or cable reeler, stores an electrical cable and automatically pays it out and retrieves it as mobile machinery moves. It keeps the cable under tension and off the ground, protecting it from damage and reducing trip hazards and downtime.
What is the difference between a spring and a motorised cable reel?
A spring loaded cable reel uses clock or spiral wound springs to retract the cable and needs no separate drive. It suits shorter travel, lighter cables and moderate speeds. A motorised cable reel uses a torque motor to control the cable, making it better suited to long travel distances, heavy cables, higher speeds and continuous duty cycles.
Can cable reeling drums be used outdoors?
Yes. Our SC range of spring cable reels is weatherproof and suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. For coastal, offshore or chemical environments we can specify corrosion-resistant materials and protective coatings to suit the site.
Do you manufacture hose reels as well as cable reels?
Yes. As well as spring and motorised cable reels, Metreel manufactures spring operated hose reeling drums with a roller guide and stop catch for industrial applications.
What is an earth bonding reel used for?
Earth bonding reels are used during aircraft refuelling, where the transfer of fuel can build up static electricity. The self-retracting reel is mounted on the tanker and uses a braided copper cable and spring clamp to complete the earth circuit safely.
Can Metreel design a custom reeling drum?
Yes. When an application falls outside our standard ranges, our engineers design bespoke cable and hose reels using 3D CAD and share virtual models with you during the design process.
Who manufactures cable reeling drums in the UK?
Metreel is the only UK manufacturer of cable and hose reeling drums, with a reeling drum heritage dating back to the 1940s.
Get in touch with an expert
Not sure which reeling drum is right for your application? Our engineers offer free, no-obligation advice on spring and motorised cable reels, hose reels and custom reeling systems.