I'm thinking those are foot markers on the hose, similar to whats put on wire to indicate how much has been used, or how much is left, put on there when the hose was manufactured. In his case 4744 feet, mine would be 240 feet. if so you would expect to see another number on the hose, mine would be under the insulating cover at the condenser if it was marked every foot, and i have not seen it there (have not looked either).