In
some areas it will not be long before pumps start up and irrigators are set in
motion. So if you have not already done so you may want to consider a quick
irrigator WOF check to make sure you get the best out of this critical piece of
farm infrastructure. It may also be worthwhile evaluating if your irrigation
system can be optimised or improved to save on costs such as water or energy.
Simple
pre-season maintenance checks are able to be done by farm staff. A basic inspection while the irrigator is turned off can help
assess if you will require service work to be carried out. It is recommended to
park the pivot in an accessible position and ensure that the electrical
isolator switch is tagged and locked to prevent accidental starting.
Every
centre-pivot should be supplied with an operation manual which can come in
handy, for most you will find this in the inside door of the main panel. Some
manuals actually include recommended maintenance checks with instructions to
show you how to carry them out. Whoever
is carrying out the checks needs to be aware that centre-pivots are generally
high voltage electrical systems, so leave all electrical checks to a qualified
Service Technician. And if there is a need to work at heights make sure you
have safe equipment to do so.
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A
walk up the length of the machine will allow you to assess any damage and parts
requiring repair. Tighten, adjust or replace if possible, or note down so you
can inform your Irrigation Dealer. Greasing of all the grease nipples as you go
is highly recommended, important parts to maintain well-oiled are the pivot
point, gear boxes and drive shafts. Checking that all moving parts around tower
boxes are free and lubricated will help reduce problems for the upcoming
season.
The
uniformity of a centre pivot relies heavily on the correct sprinklers being
fitted to each dropper, checking that the sprinklers installed match the
sprinkler chart will allow your pivot to apply the specified application rates.
Armed with a pole of some description you should be able to free any sprinklers
that have become tangled over the truss rods.
It
pays to check that the tyres are pumped up to their optimum pressure rating. As
tyre pressure is critical not only for the life of the tyre, rim and gearboxes,
but also the application rate of the sprinklers. Over or under-inflated tyres
can apply higher or lower application depths than planned.
Once
you have checked everything over with the pivot stationary, providing there are
no required repairs, the next step is to run the pivot. This is ideally done
when the soil is not too wet so that you don’t create big wheel ruts, or worsen those that need
attention. Wheel ruts
significantly increase the load and wear on the drive train so should be dealt
with when possible. GrowSmart Precision VRI technology can be used to reduce
the spray onto the wheel tracks to help minimise wheel rutting.
Obvious
checks while running the pivot are leaks. Some of these can be fixed with
simple repairs such as replacing droppers, but others may require a call to
your Irrigation Dealer to sort out. While walking the length of the irrigator
listen for excessive vibration or noise that may indicate issues on the towers
motors, gear boxes and drive shafts.
Some
component wear will depend on water quality as high concentrations of iron,
suspended solids and effluent solids or grit can increase damage and
degradation to parts. A general check is recommended every season to ensure
that worn sprinklers and pressure regulators are replaced to maximise the
efficiency of the pivot. Common
causes to check for are blockages or damages from knocks during the previous
season, missing sprinklers
and spray plates.
At
the end of the irrigator remove the sand trap cap (with the irrigator turned
off) and flush the system to get rid of any sediment build up, this is very often
common in the overhang. If your water supply has a high level of sediment than
it is recommended that this is done regularly.
Reducing
the risk of breakdowns during the irrigation season will help avoid production
loses due to downtime for repairs. Long term water and energy cost savings are
also possible through the installation of technology such as variable rate
irrigation, which can reduce nutrient leaching as well. If you would like more
information on recommended maintenance checks for your irrigator, system
calibrations or technology to improve water use efficiency call your local
GrowSmart by Lindsay Dealer.
