Overview
Treadle hose is a pressurized rubber tube used to trigger an air switch when physical contact or pressure is applied. In commercial garage door applications, it connects the gum hose in a pneumatic reversing edge to the air switch mounted on the door. In driveway and vehicle detection applications, the hose is laid across a drive lane so that a vehicle crossing over it compresses the hose and triggers the air switch to activate the door operator.
This black treadle hose has a .350-inch inner diameter and is built to withstand repeated compression cycles from vehicle tires, foot traffic, and mechanical contact at the bottom of a garage door. Barron Equipment sells it by the foot in exact lengths or on a 100-foot bulk reel for contractors, door service companies, and facilities with multiple doors or lanes to equip.
How Treadle Hose Works
Treadle hose operates on a simple pneumatic principle. The hose is pressurized, and one end connects to an air switch. When something presses down on the hose — a closing garage door contacting an obstruction, or a vehicle tire rolling across a driveway — the compression changes the air pressure inside the hose. The air switch detects that pressure change and sends a signal to the door operator to open, close, stop, or reverse.
In a pneumatic reversing edge system, the treadle hose is the link between the gum hose running along the bottom of the door and the air switch mounted on the door panel or header. The gum hose detects the obstruction, the treadle hose transmits the pressure change, and the air switch sends the signal to the operator.
In a driveway detection system, the treadle hose itself is the sensing element. It is routed across the driveway or drive lane, and any vehicle that crosses it triggers the air switch to signal the door to open.
Applications
This treadle hose is used in two primary configurations.
As a pneumatic safety edge component, it connects the gum hose to the air switch in a reversing edge system on commercial and industrial garage doors. This is the most common application. The safety edge kit page on this site includes one foot of treadle hose per kit — this standalone listing allows you to purchase additional or replacement treadle hose without buying a full kit.
As a driveway or vehicle detection trigger, the hose is laid across the path of incoming vehicles. When a tire rolls over the hose, the pressure change activates the air switch, which signals the door operator to open automatically. This configuration is common at car washes, parking facilities, gated entrances, fire stations, and any facility where a vehicle’s arrival should automatically trigger a door to open.
Ordering
Treadle hose is available in two options to match the scale of your project.
The per-foot option (T2561-00-Z) lets you order the exact length you need. Enter the desired footage in the quantity field and the hose ships as a single continuous piece. This is ideal for single-door safety edge installations or single-lane driveway detection setups where you know the exact run length.
The 100-foot reel (T2561-00-Z-100) is designed for contractors, door service companies, and facilities with multiple doors or lanes. The bulk reel provides enough hose for multiple installations and eliminates the need for repeated individual orders.
Selection Assistance
Measure the distance from the gum hose connection point to the air switch mounting location on your door to determine how many feet of treadle hose you need for a safety edge installation. For most commercial doors, one to three feet is typical — but routing distance varies depending on air switch placement.
For driveway detection, measure the width of the drive lane or driveway where the hose will be laid. Add extra length to account for routing to the air switch location at the side of the lane.
If you are building a complete pneumatic reversing edge system from scratch, you will also need gum hose, an air switch, and a treadle hose anchor or gum hose plug. Contact Barron Equipment for help sourcing all components together, or consider a Safety Edge Kit that includes treadle hose, gum hose, air switch, and plug in one package.