PRE-SEASON CHECKLIST
Sprayline Irrigation
THIS CHECKLIST
This is a minimum list of checks of sprayline irrigation systems that should be made before the irrigation season starts.
BE SAFETY CONSCIOUS – ELECTRICAL, HEIGHT AND MECHANICAL HAZARDS PRESENT.
Checks include physical checks of the system, and performance checks of water flow, sprinkler delivery and pressure.
It can be helpful if two people work together to perform checks.
• Begin the checks with the machine turned off
–– Ensure electrical isolator or motor switches are tagged/locked to prevent accidental starting.
–– Observe the state of equipment and components, looking for damage or wear and tear.
–– Tighten, adjust, maintain or replace components as required.
• Make checks with the system running
–– Consider which aspects required qualified expert ([Link]).
–– Ensure the pumping system is safe before starting the system.
–– Check the operation of the pump system, pipework, hydrants/off-takes, laterals and nozzles.
• Check system calibration
–– Ensure the depth and uniformity of application are as expected.
Many items can be fixed on-farm. Others require specialist skills or equipment. Tick the check boxes as each item is
found OK. Make notes on the checklist overleaf against items requiring follow-up attention.
OTHER RESOURCES
System Operation Manual
Every system should be supplied with a System Operation Manual. Read it and follow instructions. The manual may
include extra checks not listed here. It will give more detail than this checklist including information specific to
your system.
Other Checklists
This checklist is for sprayline irrigation systems. With thought, it may also be used for long-lateral systems. Irrigation
New Zealand has additional checklists for the water supply system (intakes, pumps and mainlines) and for other
irrigation types. See [Link].
Calibration Guidelines
IRRIG8Lite software and IRRIG8Quick system calibration guidelines and worksheets for sprayline irrigation systems can
be downloaded from [Link]/resources.
[Link]
PRE-SEASON CHECKLIST
Checks completed by:
Signature: Date:
SYSTEM OFF CHECKS SYSTEM ON CHECKS
(SYSTEM NOT RUNNING) (SYSTEM RUNNING)
Component Check Component Check
Safety Pump switch is tagged/locked Headworks For leaks
Water supply Checks completed Flow rate of each block
Filtration Rings/screens clean with System pressure Pump pressure for each block
no holes
Pressure before and
Pressure gauges in good after filters
condition
All off-take pressures correct
Control valves Wiring and hydraulic
lines secure Lateral inlet pressures*
Off-takes Hydrants secure
Lateral end pressures**
Manual valves correctly set
Pipe network For leaks along mains
Flushing points Flushing points accessible
For leaks along sub-mains
Caps in place
For leaks along laterals
Laterals Laterals undamaged
Laterals flush clear
Tapping saddles/
connections secure Off-takes Hydrants not leaking
Risers for wear or damage Sprinklers Application pattern
Sprinklers Every sprinkler against Moving sprinkler parts free
nozzle chart
Calibration Calibration checks completed
Every sprinkler for wear
and damage Other
Alignment correct
Control unit Electronic controls and
battery charge
*
Can measure at first sprinkler
Prepare to start Before starting: **
Can measure at last sprinkler
Pump system secure
[Link]
