Inspect Center Pivot Irrigation Systems Now To Prevent Issues Later

March 16, 2022

There is nothing easy about agriculture. The workdays are long and the summer sun is hot in the fields. Many risks could prevent you from getting a good yield and turning a profit from your hard work.

Fortunately, some pre-planting preparations can help to make the summertime fieldwork easier. It also can help you to turn a profit with greater crop yields. It’s always helpful to inspect your irrigation systems and other equipment to ensure you get the most effective use.

Early Inspections Prior to Planting Season

Long before you start planting your fields, you need to ensure that you have a reliable water source. The center pivot irrigation systems you use are mechanical systems that require regular maintenance and occasional repairs to work well.

Inspecting your center pivot irrigation systems helps maintain them so that they can continue providing your crops with a critically important water source. If repairs are needed, you can do them before you need to use the center pivot irrigation systems for another growing season.

Test for Uniform Irrigation

The center pivot irrigation system is a great tool for distributing water to your fields. But the water must be distributed equally to ensure the best results and highest possible yield. A “catch can” test can tell you whether the system is distributing water evenly.

The catch can test can help you to identify:

  • Irrigation system leaks and damaged pipes
  • Sprinklers that are malfunctioning or missing
  • Problems with end guns

The catch can test can help you ensure the center pivot irrigation system will properly apply water equally and in the amounts you need for a good yield.

Maintain Irrigation Systems as Needed

Your pre-planting preparations should identify any issues with your center pivot irrigation systems. Timely maintenance and repairs will help to keep the system working as designed. It will also help you produce the highest yields while enabling the system to provide better service season after season. That adds up to a much better return on investment.

Drain Irrigation Systems and Look for Problems

After each growing season is done, you need to make your system ready for winter storage. You should drain your irrigation systems and inspect the panel boxes. You can drain the system by removing all plugs, cleaning out the sand trap, and draining water from gearboxes and gear motors.

After removing all water, you want to seal the entire system to prevent internal corrosion or access for rodents and pests. You could place a small amount of pesticide within the system to help prevent rodents and other pests from making a winter home inside your center pivot system.

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B&M Pump Irrigation Sales & Service, Inc.