Hard Hose Irrigators - An Effective Solution for Modern Farming

Whether you’ve just purchased your property or it’s been in the family for generations, you’ve likely considered how to maximize productivity and resource efficiency. Like any business, primary producers want equipment that ticks multiple boxes.

• lower capital cost

• maximum quality crop yields

• efficient water application

• low energy and labour requirements

• reliable operation

• environmental responsibility

Hard hose irrigators (poly reel irrigators) deliver effective irrigation for farms of all sizes.

How to Choose an Irrigator

Selecting the right irrigator means considering multiple factors across four key areas :

• Field concerns: soil type, drainage, erosion potential, proximity to power, and topography.

• Water concerns: availability, quantity, quality, and annual crop water requirements.

• Crop concerns: yield potential, row spacings, and sprayer boom width requirements.

• System concerns: power supply type, labour requirements, operating costs.

Hard hose irrigators excel due to low manual labour requirements and improved water distribution uniformity. They’re efficient, portable, and easily adapted to any field type or land contour. One reel can safely irrigate 3.2 hectares in a single session.

How Does a Hard Hose Irrigator Work?

The system comprises a hose on a reel with a water cannon mounted on a trolley at the end.

How it works : The pump, mainline, and header are positioned in the field while the reel sits beside the header. A tractor pulls the cannon trolley and hose to the far end of the field, discharging the hose from the irrigator drum. Once irrigation starts, the system automatically retrieves the hose and water cannon slowly (similar to a fishing reel action). The water cannon irrigates a strip as the hose winds in automatically.

After completing one strip, the reel moves 45 to 73 metres down the header and the process repeats.

Considerations and Solutions

Pressure loss can occur with extremely long hose lengths, requiring higher energy output to maintain effective water distribution. High winds can also impact performance.

This is where partnering with experienced irrigation specialists like Australian Pivot Solutions pays dividends. We design complete irrigation systems tailored to your property, water availability, crop requirements, and operational needs : ensuring better efficiency, cost savings and greener crops.