I do not like using the modern conflute hoses on vintage mowers, but sometimes there is no choice because that is all that is available. The old plain rubber snorkels are getting hard to come by in good condition and the prices on auction sites have gone through the roof. I think I saw my last good rubber snorkel at the tip over 12 months ago. I am not prepared to pay nearly $100 for an old rubber hose. I remember when they were getting flogged off on ebay for around 10 bucks each and we thought they were expensive back them.
I am looking for suitable modern replacements.
The dairy industry makes a very good rubber hose in 25 to 32mm diameters, but these are also very expensive and hard to get, unless you know a dairy farmer who is willing to part with his secondhand tubing. Then you may have the problem of mice chewing into the rubber because of the milk residues which are impossible to remove completely. I have searched the internet high and low for plain rubber tubing in the same diameter as the old snorkels, but cannot find a single one anywhere. The world has moved on into flourine, nitrile, and silicon etc.
I am wondering what other restorers may be using as a substitute that looks and behaves similar to the old rubber material? Has anybody tried hydroponic hose? It looks to have a plain but shiny outer surface. But will it keep its shape and not sag and kink off?
https://www.simplyhydroponics.com.au/hydroponic-flexible-hose-25mm-x-10mtr
