How do Sprinkler Irrigation Systems Work?
Sprinkler irrigation System is a system of watering your farm which works like normal rainfall. Water flow passes around through a system of pipes mainly by pumping. It is then separated through sprinklers so that it splits up into tiny water drops that fall to the ground. Spray heads at the terminals distribute the water over the entire soil surface.
Sprinkler Irrigation System
Sprinklers are suitable for application and usage in all types of gardens, landscaping, fields as they provide appropriate coverage for small to large blocks of land. The Sprinklers are adaptable and suitable for use on nearly all types of irrigable soils as they are available in a wide range of discharge capacities. However, Sprinkler Systems can quickly clog due to sediments or rains, and large Systems incur high capital investment costs.
Sprinkler Irrigation System Components
A sprinkler system or set-up arrangement typically consists of the following:
a) A pump unit that extracts water from the source and produces pressure for discharge into the pipe system. The pump must be able to supply water at the appropriate pressure so that the water is discharged at an optimum rate and volume suitable to the crop and soil type.
b) Principal pipes and secondary pipes which carry water from the pump to the laterals. In some cases, these pipelines are installed on the soil surface or buried below the land surface. In some cases, they are temporary and can be transferred from one field to another. The primary materials used for the pipe include asbestos cement, plastic, or aluminum alloy.
c) The laterals transport water from pipes to the sprinklers. They can be permanent, but mostly they are portable and made of aluminum alloy or plastic so that they can be moved quickly.
d) Sprinklers – which are the water-emitting devices that transform and disperse the water jet into tiny droplets. The arrangement of sprinklers is made so as to wet the soil surface in the desired area as evenly as possible.
What are the Advantages of Sprinkler irrigation systems?
Before installing any sprinkler Irrigation system in your crop or garden, you should first understand the benefits that you will gain out of it. You can create an optimum solution by going with what suits your space and what you want to achieve. Here are some of the significant advantages of installing this system on your farm.
- Excludes water conveyance channels, thereby reducing conveyance or in-transit loss.
- Suitable for all types of soil except for heavy clay.
- Saves up to 30% – 50% of the water supply.
- Suitable for irrigation where the plant population per unit stretch is remarkably high.
- It helps to boost production.
- Overcomes soil compaction.
- The system is easy to use because of its mobility.
- Suitable for different land types and areas.
- Soluble fertilizers and chemicals can be used.
- Provides frost protection.
- Helps in the modification of microclimate.
- Decreases labor cost.
What about the Sprinkler System Disadvantages?
The major Sprinkler System downside is that it’s usually affected by climatic conditions, water sources, and expense. Even mild breeze can severely decrease the effectiveness of Sprinkler Systems by altering the distribution pattern of the water droplets.
Furthermore, when operating at high temperatures, water can evaporate at a fast rate degrading the effectiveness of the irrigation. Although Sprinkler Irrigation can benefit farmers and ensure water resources are used more efficiently, this technology depends on a clean source of water and therefore may not be suited to areas where rainfall and groundwater sources are limited.
The installation costs for Sprinkler Systems are also higher as compared to gravity-fed irrigation systems. In fact, a large labor force is needed to move pipes and sprinklers in a temporary arrangement. In some places, suitable labor may not be available and might also be high priced.
Mechanized Sprinkler Irrigation Systems have comparatively high energy demand, and thus this technology may not suitable for areas with limited or fluctuating power supply.
How do I choose the best sprinkler system?
There are various Sprinkler Systems available in the market, and you need to choose the right one basing on your requirements. It may also be advisable to hire experts to guide you in the whole process of selecting and creating your Sprinkler Irrigation Systems. When choosing the right Sprinkler System always consider the following factors:
1. The type of Sprinklers suitable for your farm. Getting a Sprinkler System is now pretty easy considering that you can easily place your order online. However, the challenge comes in when choosing the right one. Here are some of the common Sprinkler Systems that you will find in the market today.
✓Hand-Held Sprinklers - As the name states, this is a hand-held aluminum pipe which you will connect to the water source and move it around to irrigate your farm. The system allows you to move the pipe manually as you water your garden or farm.
✓Solid Set Sprinklers - The system is easy to operate, and once installed, you will not need to move the pipes since they cover the entire area to be watered. However, solid-set sprinklers can hinder some garden operations like harvesting, cultivating, and even spraying.
✓Hand-Held Rain Guns - This system is similar to the hand–moved sprinkler irrigation system but the difference is that this system has replaced the usual low-volume sprinklers with a single or two high-volume large gun sprinklers.
✓Centre Pivots - This is a moving irrigation system, where the water is sprinkled along the length of the system pipes. This system is most suitable for gardens with a single crop such as vegetables or fruits. Here the cost of labor is low, but the installation costs could be higher.
✓Travelling Big Gun Sprinklers - This System is part of a big gun sprinkler that is fixed on a wheeled truck and linked with a plastic hose pipe on a reel. Larger acreage farms and their owners prefer using this system since it can efficiently irrigate the whole farm with minimal manual labor. You can water the whole of your farm within a very short time.
2. The System Cost
How much are you willing to spend on a Sprinkler Irrigation System? Depending on the size of your farm, it’s always a good idea to go for the most affordable irrigation system. However, do make sure you get a quality sprinkler system at an affordable price. Ensure that the product guarantees value for your money in the long run.
3. The Sprinkler Brand
Just like any other product on the market, do your research to know the best Sprinkler System manufacturer around. Read customer reviews and check the company ratings before making your final decision.
For quality Sprinkler irrigation systems, contact us at Abset Plumbing Services today. We have served millions of customers, both locally and internationally. Feel free to contact us for more information and expert guidance in choosing a great value world-class Sprinkler Irrigation System suited to your needs.