UPGRADING SYSTEMS
Common
PROBLEMS are worn or plugged SPRINKLER
NOZZLES, plugged or malfunctioning PRESSURE
REGULATORS, and improper INSTALLATION.
Example of a dual nozzle clip Photo credit: Nelson Irrigation
Consider using dual nozzle clips to
• adjust flow rate to meet changing evapotranspiration requirements during the growing season for water and energy savings.
• reduce flow rate and intensity of water application when germinating to maintain integrity of bare soil.
• reduce flow rate when applying chemicals.
• reduce flow rate late in the season to maintain required operating pressure to compensate for decreasing water availability.
WHY CONSIDER AN UPGRADE?
Runoff and deep wheel tracks are common problems associated with center pivots. A modern, properly designed sprinkler package will match application rates and droplet size to the intake properties of the field to minimize runoff. Part- circle devices at the wheel tracks, oftentimes installed on boombacks, are becoming more common to further keep the wheel track dry and prevent tracking.
Old sprinkler technology was oftentimes inefficient and required high operating pressures. Over the years, the industry has introduced new sprinkler options that provide low operating pressures in the 6-20 psi (0.4-1.4 bar) range that achieve high levels of uniformity and efficiency.
Sometimes older sprinkler packages don’t match the current field and crop requirements. The height of the sprinkler above the crop canopy, along with the spacing and wetted radius of the sprinkler nozzles, can significantly affect irrigation uniformity.
Part-circle sprinkler devices give a
180-degree pattern. Photo credit: Nelson Irrigation
In general, sprinkler height should be approximately 3 feet (1 meter) above the plant canopy to ensure good irrigation uniformity. In most cases, excellent uniformity can be expected when sprinkler spacing does not
22 Irrigation TODAY | Fall 2019 Photo credit: Nelson Irrigation
exceed 50% to 65% of the wetted radius. At times this is not possible with taller crops such as corn. Extra attention is needed to ensure proper overlap and runoff control in these cases.
Your sprinkler package is no different than every other piece of machinery on your farm. It needs consistent monitoring, maintenance and replacement to maximize production efficiency by getting water and nutrients more efficiently and uniformly into the root zone.
Part-circle sprinklers installed
on boombacks keep tracks dry ahead of the pivot.
, is vice president of global mechanized irrigation for Nelson Irrigation Corporation.
irrigationtoday.org
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