Valmont Irrigation has recently put together a list of 10 maintenance tips to help advise growers on how to make the most of their center pivot or linear machine investment.
Throughout the next several weeks, I will be publishing these tips in 5 series. Each series will not only include 2 of the 10 preventative tips, but will also explain what each mentioned part of the machine is.
1. Drive Train - The drive train of a center pivot or linear includes 3 main components: the center drive motor, wheel gearbox, and tire/flotation options. Please visit www.ValleyIrrigation.com to learn more about a center pivot or linear machine drive train.
TIP: To maximize the life of your drive train and keep it operating trouble-free, drain water from the wheel gearbox and center drive, and make sure the gear lubricant is at the appropriate level.
2. Wheel Tracks - Wheel tracks, or ruts, are created by the tires of the center pivot or linear. Large, deep wheel tracks are undesirable because they create wear and tear to the machine and may also damage the field. Valmont Irrigation offers several machine options to help ensure shallow wheel tracks, and thus help ensure a longer life for the machine. In rice production under center pivots and linears, Valmont Irrigation may advise larger tires, Valley Tracks, Raaft tracks, boom backs, or other solutions that fit your field's needs. Best management practices are also critical to minimize wheel tracks. Please visit the success story in Crawfordsville, Arkansas, USA, to see how Valley options and management helped minimize wheel tracks in 2009.
TIP: Be sure to fill deep wheel tracks during the off-season to reduce stress on irrigation, tillage, and harvest equipment. To help prevent future tracking, consider changing to a different type of tire, adding floatation, or modifying the sprinkler package to reduce water application to the wheel tracks.
Please visit www.ValleyIrrigation.com to view all Top 10 Preventative Maintenance Tips.
Farm Irrigation has been such a foreign thing to me. It's amazing how much actually goes into the planning and maintenance of these systems. Thanks for posting!
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