PRE-SEASON CHECKLIST
Travelling Irrigators
THIS CHECKLIST
This is a minimum list of checks of travelling irrigators that should be made before the irrigation season starts.
BE SAFETY CONSCIOUS – ELECTRICAL, HEIGHT AND MECHANICAL HAZARDS PRESENT.
Checks include structural and mechanical checks of the structure, and performance checks of water flow, nozzle
delivery and pressure. It can be helpful if two people work together to perform checks.
• Begin the checks with the machine turned off
–– Ensure the electrical isolator switch is tagged/locked to prevent accidental starting.
–– Observe the state of the machine, 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 (e.g. electrical).
–– Ensure the irrigator travel path is clear before starting the machine.
–– Check the operation of the machine, drive system 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 only for travelling irrigators themselves. 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 travelling irrigator 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 Electrical isolator and motor Hose reel and Reel turning smoothly
switches are tagged/locked cable reel
Hose or cable winding in correctly
Hose reel and Structure condition, corrosion
cable reel or damage Inlet pressure gauge – replace
Wheel lug bolts, tyre condition if necessary
and pressure
Inlet pressure– preferably at
Gearboxes, drive shafts – lubricate furthest hydrant
as required
Drag hose Turbine functioning
Cable winch action and ratchets
Tighten all bolts, check pins Gun cart Cart moving correctly
Lubrication, grease (see manual) Inlet pressure– replace gauge
if necessary
Seals and flanges
No leaks
Gun cart Structure condition, corrosion
or damage Drag hose No leaks
Wheel lug bolts, tyre condition
and pressure Not mis-shapen
Tighten all bolts, check pins Sprinklers Each sprinkler is turning correctly
and cage not damaged
Condition of other connections
No leaks, repair or replace
Lubrication, grease (see manual) as necessary
Seals and flanges Pressure above last sprinkler,
Rotating boom turntable not above pressure regulator if fitted
worn, allows free turning Gun Operation
Drag hose Hose condition for wear, kinks or
other damage Gun angles are correct, switches
direction at right locations
Boots – tighten bands if necessary
Control unit Correct functioning
Sprinklers Nozzle orifice condition – replace
if wear detectable Other
Ensure rotating nozzles are free
turning and cages not damaged
Splash plate, angle, alignment
Components for looseness,
freedom of movement
Outlet nozzle orifice condition –
replace if wear detectable
Electronic controls and
battery charge
Prepare to start Before starting: Ensure nothing is
parked in front of the irrigator
[Link]
