Before placing the System into service each season, check the following:
Visual Inspection:
Make a visual check of all bolts in the System making sure something has not become loose during the idle period. When the System has been newly installed, all the bolts should be checked with an end wrench to make sure they have been tightened by the erection crew. One loose bolt may cause serious structural damages. Check the electrical boxes and wiring of the System to make sure the Ground Wires are secured and rodents or insects have not damaged the Systems’ mechanisms.
Flushing/Draining the System:
Place the Disconnect Switch in the “OFF” position. Only water is required for this procedure – the System does not need to move. DO NOT start the flushing procedure while the System is under water pressure. Removing Sand Trap Caps while the System is under pressure can cause personal injury or death! Remove the Sand Trap Cap and pump water through the System. This will flush out any foreign material that might plug the Sprinkler Heads or Sprinkler Valves. This is particularly important on newly installed Systems, because of possible straw, dirt or any other material may be accumulated in the pipe during erection. After the Sand Trap Cap is back in place, pump water through the System and check the Sprinklers for proper operation. The arc travel of the End Gun should be set as the diagrams show on page 16 of the owner’s manual. Also, check the System water pressure to see if it is operating at the proper pressure. If the water pressure has fallen, your Well may need adjustment or repair, or after time, the Sprinkler Head nozzles may be worn. Repair or replace any worn or damaged sprinklers, pressure regulators, or fittings. These problems will reduce the uniformity of water application and should be corrected. If a Sprinkler Nozzle is replaced, make sure the new one is the same size. After flushing the System, check the function of the Low Pressure Drains by pushing each one upward in a rotating motion. Low Pressure Drains are located on the bottom side of each Hook Joint, the Last Tower Top and on the End Boom Pipe.
Grease fittings are located on the Power Tower Cart (Lateral Move only), Pivot Point (8), at any optional Steel U-joints (1 each), and on any Towable Gearboxes (2 each). These fittings should be greased with good quality grease. Check the oil level in the center Drive and Wheel Gearboxes. Water condenses in the Gearboxes and should be drained. The water may be drained by loosening the drain plug on the bottom. When the plug is removed, if there is any water, it will be the first to drain out. Do not overfill any of these Gearboxes! Overfilling may result in seal damage. NOTE: Refer to the Reinke Wheel Gearbox Maintenance Section.
If a Booster pump is installed on your System, it should be inspected for proper operation. A second person should be located near the End Boom. Turn the Percent Timer to zero and with power to the System, press the Start Button. When the System is at normal operating pressure, turn the End Gun Switch to the ON position and check the phasing of the Booster Pump. When viewing from above, the pump shaft should be turning in a clockwise direction when running. Operating the pump backward can damage the pump. When the End Gun switch is OFF, the Booster Pump should be OFF.
Switches: Main Control Panel Switches should be cycled and checked for proper System operation. All automatic controls such as Auto-Stop, End Gun, Tower Auto-Stop and Tower Auto-Reverse should be cycled to check for proper operation. Consult your Reinke Dealer or authorized Service Technician for assistance.
Tires:
Tire pressure should be maintained according to the chart in the owner’s manual. Also, inspect the Tires for impending problems (cuts, breaks, etc.).
Generators:
If your System utilizes Generator Belts, check them for proper tension and wear. Before starting the Engine, remove any rodent nests from the Engine Fan Cover. The Generator Pulley may initially be rotated either direction to generate power.
Caution. If the Generator rotation is ever reversed later, the System will be out-of-phase.
Call your Dealer or Service Person to correct the phasing problem if you plan to operate the Generator while rotating it in the opposite direction.
NOTE:
The Generator warranty requires that all Combustion Engines coupled to a Generator, driving the System, must have a Governor, a Tachometer, and a Safety Load Meter. The Generator and System controls will be damaged by over or under Engine speeding.