irrigation made easy
Irrigation made easy Part 19: Pipelines play a major role
Various types of pipes are used in irrigation systems. The type of pipe used will depend on cost, working pressure, type of system, friction characteristics, durability, fittings used and internal pipe diameter. Types of pipe available include: • Black steel • Galvanised steel • Fibre-resin • Special composite •[...]
Irrigation made easy Part 15: Portable hop-along or dragline systems
Hop-along and dragline systems are designed to reduce labour requirements on portable systems. Each time the lateral is moved, several movements of the sprinkler can be made before the next lateral move. This allows the labour team which moves the lateral to perform other tasks during the day. The[...]
Irrigation made easy Part 14: Types of sprinkler irrigation systems
Portable systems (with or without fixed, buried mainline) Both the lateral and mainline are assembled from portable quick-couple pipes. Sprinklers are mounted on the portable lateral pipes (Figure 1). Pipes are uncoupled and moved by hand between each set (Figure 2). This type of system is extremely labour intensive.[...]
Irrigation made easy Part 13: Types of sprinklers
Sprinklers driven by offset nozzles On some types of sprinkler, the spreader nozzle sprays water at an angle to the main delivery nozzle. This offset nozzle provides the drive to cause the sprinkler to rotate and distribute water over the irrigated circle. The nozzles of these sprinklers are normally[...]
Irrigation made easy – Part 11: Sprinkler irrigation
Sprinkler irrigation is the most common form of mechanised irrigation. Water is normally supplied to the sprinkler under pressure. The term "sprinkler" includes a wide variety of spray systems, from small orifice sprayers to large high-pressure rain-guns. When discussing agricultural irrigation in this article, "sprinkler" refers only to small[...]