Stay safe this irrigation season

How to stay safe this irrigation season

By Vicky Bloomer, IrrigationNZ Technical Manager.

It’s spring, and we all know that means it’s time to get our irrigators ready for the irrigation season. Safety as always is a key priority. Over the last five years, on average, IrrigationNZ partner FMG Insurance, paid out $2.5 million for irrigation related claims. So how can you make sure that you do not become a statistic? By undertaking pre-season checks and maintenance.

Start at the intake and pump shed, check that screens in rivers are clear and any other filters are clean. A blocked in-take is a recipe for disaster for pump failures and damage to valves, nozzles and sprinklers.

Talking of pump failures, check pump safeties are working. Pumping to a dead head for a short period of time to test pressure and flow switches are functioning is valuable in comparison to the cost of these not working.

Check for any damage to wiring, pump sheds can be wet places and we all know water and electricity do not mix. While you are here, assess any cables for telemetry units reporting to Council. For diesel generators check there are no birds nesting to avoid fires.

Not only is checking the headworks important, but you need to get into the paddock and have a walk. Check your anchor points for travelling irrigators are secure and undamaged by any machinery or stock over winter. For pivots and linears, “check the track, to make it back”. Ensure any ruts are not too deep as to cause problems, no trees have branches that have encroached into the pivot circle waiting to catch the overhang and topple the machine. For drip and micro systems, check for any major leaks and breaks, cycle through each block to ensure automated valves are operating as intended.

These are just a few of the pre‑season checks to make. You can find copies of the IrrigationNZ pre‑season checklists for each system type on our website or visit the IrrigationNZ E‑Learning Platform to access the checklists and watch the training content ‘Operation and Maintenance’.

Pre-season CheCkLIst

Centre Pivot and Linear Move IrrigatorsTHIS CHECKLIST This is a minimum list of checks of pivot and linear systems that should be made before the irrigation season starts. BE SAFETY CONSCIOUS – ELECTRICAL, HEIGHT AND MECHANICAL HAZARDS PRESENT. Checks include structural and mechanical checks of the structure, and performance checks of water flow, nozzle delivery and pressure. It can be helpful if two people work together to perform checks. • Begin the checks with the machine turned off – Ensure the electrical isolator switch is tagged/locked to prevent accidental starting. – Observe the state of the machine, looking for damage or wear and tear. – Tighten, adjust, maintain or replace components as required.• Make checks with the system running – Consider which aspects require a qualified expert (e.g. electrical). – Ensure the irrigator travel path is clear before starting the machine. – Check the operation of the machine, drive system and nozzles.• Check system calibration – Ensure the depth and uniformity of application are as expected. Many items can be fixed on-farm. Others require specialist skills or equipment. Tick the check boxes as each item is found OK. Make notes on the checklist overleaf against items requiring follow-up attention. OTHER RESOURCES System Operation Manual Every system should be supplied with a system operation manual. Read it and follow instructions. The manual may include extra checks not listed here. It will give more detail than this checklist including information specific to your system. Other Checklists This checklist is only for the centre pivot or linear move machine itself. Irrigation New Zealand has additional checklists for the water supply system (intakes, pumps and mainlines) and for other irrigation types. See www.irrigationnz.co.nz Calibration Guidelines IRRIG8Lite software and IRRIG8Quick system calibration guidelines and worksheets for centre pivot and linear move systems can be downloaded from www.pagebloomer.co.nz/resources. SYSTEM OFF CHECKS (sYsteM not rUnnInG) Component Check safety Electrical isolator switch is tagged/lockedPivot point Lubrication, greaseDrag hose (linear) Condition of other connections towers Hose condition and fittings secure U joints for wear, replace if necessary www.irrigationnz.co.nz Cable and rod connections Wheel lug bolts, tyre condition and pressure riser and spans Gearboxes, drive shafts – lubricate as required Boots – tighten bands if necessary Flanges end gun, corners Connections sprinklers Wiring and hydraulic lines Every sprinkler against nozzle chart, for damage and correct size Control unit Prepare to start Droppers for wear or damage, replace as necessary Electronic controls and battery charge Before starting: Ensure nothing is parked in front of the irrigator

Pre-season CheCkLIst Checks completed by: Signature: Date:

SYSTEM ON CHECKS (sYsteM rUnnInG)

Component Check

Pivot point riser and spans For leaks, movement For leaks along spans and at towers towers sand trap sprinklers end gun, corners Flanges – call service company if flanges leaking Motors, gear box and drive shaft operation for noise or vibration Empty and flush Each sprinkler is turning correctly and cage not damaged Droppers for leaks, repair or replace as necessary Connections Operation Gun angles are correct, turns on and off at right locations system pressure Corner arm sprinklers turn on and off correctly Inlet pressure gauge with alternative – replace if necessary Inlet pressure is correct other End pressure – above pressure regulator at last dropper

www.irrigationnz.co.nz