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Showing posts with the label agriculture irrigation equipment

Prevent Damage to Irrigation Equipment: Proper Spring Preparation

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Introduction Winter's harsh conditions can wreak havoc on even the most well-maintained irrigation systems. Frozen pipes, cracked components, and misaligned sprinkler heads are just a few of the issues that can arise. That's why, as temperatures warm and the growing season approaches, it’s essential to perform a thorough spring startup check, and necessary maintenance, on irrigation equipment.    This guide will walk you through the critical steps of preparing your irrigation equipment for spring, ensuring you avoid costly repairs, and that your irrigation equipment performs optimally. As a bonus, save our spring preparation checklist (at the bottom of this article) to refer back to later.    Pre-Start-Up Checks Before starting up your irrigation system for the spring, the weather is the first thing to consider. If the ground is still frozen, turning irrigation equipment on could damage components and lead to expensive repairs. To avoid this damage, wait until after ...

Common Post-Winter Issues in Irrigation Systems and How to Address Them

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  As the winter frost retreats and Ontario's landscapes begin to awaken, it's time to revive your   irrigation system . Perhaps you’ve already set up your irrigation system for the season. But, if you’re here, maybe it’s not working quite as you expected it to. There are a host of common issues that irrigation systems can face, even if it’s worked well for you year after year. In this article, we’ll dive into a few of them, from frozen pipes to electrical malfunctions. These problems can hinder your system's performance, lead to costly repairs, and even endanger your clean water supply.    Understanding the common culprits behind post-winter irrigation troubles is the first step towards a solution. Whether you're a seasoned farmer, a meticulous golf course superintendent, or a landscaping contractor or customer, this comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge and tools to troubleshoot and resolve these issues, ensuring your irrigation system is primed for ...

Irrigation Start-up Best Practices - Expert Recommendations

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  Spring is near, which means it’s almost time to start thinking about charging up your irrigation system. The colder winter months can take a heavy toll on an irrigation system. It’s critical to perform routine start-up maintenance of your system components before the heavy watering season begins. De-winterizing your irrigation in the spring is just as important as winterizing! Whether you’re running a commercial, agricultural, golf, or residential irrigation system, the efficiency and performance depends on starting up your system with care. Protect your irrigation investment by following these expert recommendations.   When to Start Up Your Irrigation System Timing your irrigation start-up can be a gamble. If you open it up too soon, you run the risk of freezing the pipes you worked so hard to protect over the winter. This is an expensive mistake. If you wait too long, however, you shorten the window of time available to address any repairs or replacements your system requi...

Winterizing Your Farm Irrigation System - A Handy Checklist

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  The Purpose of Winterizing Farm Irrigation Systems You may be done with harvesting the crops this season, but it’s not time to rest just yet. Left unprotected, your irrigation equipment will remain exposed to the risk of damage by the ice that forms within it. If your system is not blown out properly, you might end up with cracked or burst pipes, malfunctioning irrigation equipment and costly repair bills. As the temperature begins to drop, it’s time to protect your commercial irrigation system. This one final seasonal project will ensure that your equipment will be ready to serve you again in the spring. Whether you have a farm, fruit orchard, or vineyard, the same irrigation winterizing principles apply; you must remove excess water to prevent damage caused by ice. The blow-out method forces high-pressure air through all the pipes and equipment to remove remaining water. While similar to the steps required for winterizing a commercial or landscape irrigation system [insert li...