By Vasudha Sharma
While we all would like summer to last a little longer, the reality is that winter is just around the corner. Many of you must be wrapping up all of the farm operations. If you have an irrigation system on your farm, this is the perfect time to consider “winterizing” it.
Irrigation systems should be checked thoroughly at the end of the fall season to maintain proper operation for the coming growing season. Below are some basic steps that can be followed to protect your irrigation system as well as to ensure that the system is ready for the next growing season:
- Conduct the uniformity test and check the sprinkler performance
- Perform a “catch can” uniformity test to ensure that system is applying water uniformly and if there are any leaks, missing or damaged sprinklers, damaged pipes, regulators, etc., that needs to be repaired or replaced. The details about the uniformity test can be found at https://z.umn.edu/IrrigationUnifromityTesting
- If the uniformity test came out to be very poor, consider replacing the sprinkler package. The useful life of sprinkler heads range from 5,000 to 8,000 hours of pivot operation.
2.Check system components and secure them.
- Check all motor and pump openings to see that they are closed properly to keep rodents out.
- Lock the control box in OFF position.
- Repair any panel door damage to keep moisture and rodents out of the panel. You may consider application of long residual action insecticide to the bottom of the box.
- Make sure all connections the control box are tight and all connection surfaces are free of corrosion.
- If you have a flow meter and pressure gauges, remove and store them in a warm place for winter.
3.Drain the irrigation system.
- Drain all water carrying pipes, valves, tanks, booster pumps or anything above ground that can hold water. Also drain the pump casing to remove any water.
- Empty and clean out the sand trap at the end of the pivot.
4.Service parts.