| 1. Hydramatic hydraulic
drive systems are waterproof | Other electric automatic cover systems have electric gearmotors
that can be damaged when submerged in water resulting in costly repairs that are not covered by any warranty.
The unique HYDRAMATIC dual-motor hydraulic system can be submerged or exposed to high moisture without any adverse affects.
Don’t be misled by so-called submersible electric motors that have a gasket metal sleeve around the electric motor.
These sleeves will still “sweat” on the inside airspace and corrode the electric motor and bearings.
A hydraulic motor is fully contained and is lubricated by the same hydraulic fluid that drives the mechanism. |
| 2.
Hydramatic pool cover systems are FULL FLUID DRIVE systems | This patented – virtually no maintenance
dual-motor fluid drive is unique! Elegant in its simplicity – one motor opens the cover – another motor closes the cover.
Other so-called single motor hydraulic systems are really hydraulic/ mechanical systems complete with clutches and shearpins. They need to be greased and maintained regularly and are harmed by moisture or submersion!
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| 3.
Hydramatic systems are FULLY AUTOMATIC systems. NO MANUAL LATCH is required to keep the cover closed. |
Other clutch and brake electric systems will open if the cover is walked on or can be manually pushed open far enough
to endanger a small child! To meet ASTM F1346-91 safety standards, a small manual latch/strap is attached to the leading edge of the cover
which must be fastened to the deck to make the cover safe. Every time you either open or close your “automatic” cover, you must first walk
to the leading edge of your cover at the end of the pool to manually unlatch your cover, and then walk back to the key switch to open your
cover (see their Homeowners manual). The HYDRAMATIC system keeps the cover closed and sealed with a small amount of hydraulic pressure and
check valves. NO LATCHES/STRAPS ARE REQUIRED!
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| 4. Hydramatic
pool cover systems eliminate electricity next to the pool for greater safety
| Hydramatic systems have the hydraulic powerpack, the pump that drives the two motors and the electric controls,
located at the pool equipment pad along with the filter and other pool equipment. Two hydraulic lines are all that connects the two systems’
two motors at the cover recess next to the pool. NO ELECTRICS AT THE POOL. The open/close key-lock control switch may be located in a
convenient place in full view of the cover. Additional key-lock controls are possible options.
Other electric clutch and brake systems usually have the gear motor located right next to the pool in the cover recess.
In many cases, especially the lower cost models, the operating controls are also located next to the pool which is in violation of most local
codes. The below deck recess is subject to damp conditions and may be frequently flooded if the drains in the cover recess are not kept clear.
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| 5. Hydramatic systems are DURABLE and have fewer parts |
Hydraulics are widely used on heavy equipment. The unique patented dual-motor system eliminates mechanical
linkages, brakes, and clutches needed to change the direction and motion of the cover. It has the least number of parts of any other
cover system, does not require lubrication, and yet has the full range of safety and convenience features. |
| 6.
Hydramatic pool cover systems have a LEADING EDGE SLIDER system - no wheels
| We invented leading edge sliders (U.S. patent 4,939,798). Sliders are tough Delrin runners on each front
edge of the cover that slide in the track extrusion mounted on each side of the pool. Sliders support the leading edge in a more aesthetic
manner and also protect the front corner of the fabric from tearing back and creating an unsafe condition. On top of the deck track systems,
sliders hold the leading edge closer to the deck, more securely to the track and do a better job of preventing access under the cover. |
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7. Hydramatic pool cover systems have a simple positive
pool cover TRAVEL LIMIT system | Pressure relief valves, (standard equipment on all Hydramatic
systems), gently stop the cover at the end of the cover travel; it’s positive and simple. When the leading edge touches the end of the pool,
it must stop, and the slight fluid over-pressure causes fluid to bypass back to the reservoir and ceases to drive the motor.
Other electric systems generally offer electric sensor limit switches as an option. Some electrical systems do not have
this option, so you must “eyeball” and stop the cover at the right place.
If you miss, you may run the cover fabric out of the track or worse – break a shearpin, drive bolt, or cover rope. |
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8. Hydramatic built-in pool cover systems SEAL better
to keep out leaves and dirt | The leading edge bar of the cover is kept tight against the end of the pool
under a slight amount of hydraulic pressure – a direct result of (see # 5 above). This gives a better seal to keep dirt and debris from
getting into your pool.
Other “clutch and brake” types of electric covers may break a “shearpin” if you try to drive the leading edge hard against the end of the pool. If supplied with an electric limit switch, the sensor will try to stop the cover at the preset position – no pressure is applied to keep the cover tightly closed
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9. Hydramatic pool cover systems are more fail-safe
| Pressure relief valves gently stop the cover if it meets an obstruction while closing.
Other covers break a mechanical “shearpin” linkage that needs to be replaced before operation. This is not a simple repair.
Average time to replace takes 20 minutes to one hour or a call to a service technician at a billable charge.
Remember a broken shearpin or drive bolt is not covered by their warranty!!
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10. Hydramatic pool covers close square |
A patented automatic cable compensating system makes sure that the cover fabric closes squarely for a perfect tight and safe seal.
Other “clutch and brake” systems may close as much as several inches off-square. This is
the result of uneven cable wind-up on the two cable spools that pull each side of the
cover closed. To adjust this, you will need to unwind and manually re-attach the rope to the reels each time.
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| 11. Hydramatic
pool cover systems have an easy to use Rainwater Removal System |
Removing rainwater off the top of a Hydramatic system is easy. Simply retract the cover so
water on top of the cover passes through a patented fine screen mesh into the pool, trapping
leaves and debris (see the video). Water is removed in minutes simply by retracting the
cover instead of hours with a pump! A cover pump is also included as an alternative in case the
home is vacant for an extended period of time.
Other clutch/shearpin cover systems use a small pump to remove water from the top of the
cover (not removing water off the cover during operation would likely result in breaking the
mechanical shearpin!). Remember, on these systems, the water must be removed off the top
of the cover before the cover can be opened! And don’t forget, the pump, electrical supply
cord, and the drainage hose must also be removed off the cover before the cover can be
opened. Not very automatic!
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| 12.
Hydramatic pool cover systems have the best fabric on the market |
Hydramatic systems are supplied with a 16-oz sq. yd. coated homogeneous vinyl fabric with a
polyester mesh reinforcing substrata. The vinyl has special U.V. and chlorine inhibitors to enhance the fabric life.
This same material is used for heavy-duty truck tarpaulins. Cables for the covers are custom made by manufacturers of yacht braids.
Because these high quality cables are more densely constructed, they have lower stretch characteristics and a longer life.
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| 13.
Hydramatic pool cover systems use more attractive, solid cover recess lids
| Because the hydraulic controls are remote, and the system is waterproof, there is less need to have ready
access to the cover mechanism recess, i.e. to clean the drain, adjust the brakes, change or replace shearpins, lubricate clutches.
The cover recess can be covered with brick, tile, coping stone, or concrete sections. Hydramatic systems can also be supplied with an
attractive composite polymer lid available in 6 decorative colors or an aluminum extruded lid. Unlike other cover systems, the Hydramatic
aluminum recess lid has a two-inch front vertical face that serves as structural bracing and more adequately hides the mechanism.
Other electric clutch/brake systems generally use an extruded thin aluminum lid with an approximate 1” front face. These lids cannot be walked on without severe deflection and permanent bending; they also leave a large unsightly opening.
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| 14.
Hydramatic pool cover systems are independently tested and exceed ASTM F1346-91 safety
standards | Hydramatic systems have been independently tested by Engineering test labs including UL and
found to exceed this standard. Powerpack electrics are listed by UL, CSA & CE approved.
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| 15. BEST OF ALL - Hydramatic
pool cover has the best and longest warranty ! 20/7 years. | The hydraulics and hardware have a limited twenty year warranty. The cover fabric has
a limited seven year warranty.
Other competitive electric clutch/brake systems offer anywhere from a 2 to 10 year limited
and prorated warranty on the mechanism (watch for the fine print on electric motors) and a 2 to 7 year limited prorated warranty on the cover fabric.
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