Irrigation

Winter irrigation system projects

by Peter Robin, Origin Amenity Solutions Irrigation Product Manager

If you want your irrigation system to function better next season then winter is the time you can do some “housekeeping”.

However, if you don’t do any corrective work, problems will be the same next season.

My first suggestion derives from all the courses I visit where the pop-up rotors have sunk in the ground, often from years of topdressing. The top of a pop-up sprinkler should sit flush with the surface of the soil when it’s not operating. I have seen hundreds of sprinklers that sit several inches below the soil surface.

This means that when the sprinkler pops up, a huge amount of the water hits the turf directly in front of the sprinkler and makes a big mess. This affects the sprinkler’s ability to operate properly. Lifting a sprinkler is relatively simple if you have swing joints installed, although I’m not the one doing the digging! You’ll need to dig down far enough that you can pull the swing joint to lift the sprinkler. Use a straight edge like a rake handle across the ground surface to gauge the correct height of the rotor as you backfill the hole… leave half an inch difference to allow for the turf. Then pack the soil down hard around the swing joint and rotor. Finally, make sure the rotor is vertical; this can make a massive difference to its throw and uniformity of coverage.

The benefit of this work is that you don’t need the irrigation system to be operating to make this important adjustment. You will also probably know of sprinklers that have been playing up or are just getting really old… it’s a chance to change them out for new ones.

While you’re in the process of lifting sprinklers, take a look at your solenoid valve boxes. These house all your solenoid valves, isolating valves and cable connections under the ground.

They are designed to take the weight of your machinery driving over them but are notorious for having slumped over time and can become a hazard to players. Digging up the box, cleaning out the soil from the solenoid manifold and reinstating the box at the correct height will make the area look much better and safer. Rain Bird supply replacement lids so you don’t have to purchase a complete new box when the lids get lost or broken.

However if valves or boxes are broken, now is the time to install new ones. Rusty gate valves can be replaced too.

Lots of courses have automatic control systems that aren’t working properly anymore. If you have areas of the course that used to be automatic but now the system won’t talk to the controller, it’s likely to be a solenoid cable fault. Often this is caused by cable connections that have corroded over time. Use a cable locator }

to track the cable path; you should be able to hire one. Most cable locators will tell you when there is a significant earth leakage and this is where you should start digging. If you repair a cable, always install the cable connections in a valve box so you can find them again.

Most irrigation cable connectors are filled with grease. Don’t reuse the cable connectors. You can buy new irrigation cable connectors designed for decoder systems for around £2.50 each. If the copper in a cable joint is black from water ingress, cut the cable back a few inches and make a new connection.

Most controller systems on golf courses use decoders. If you have a solenoid valve that isn’t responding to your controller but you have power getting to it, the simplest way to test it is to swap the decoder for a new one that you know is working.

Winter is a great time to give some love to your irrigation system, before the stress returns. If you have questions, contact your Rigby Taylor or Headland Amenity manager (Origin Amenity Solutions), or your preferred irrigation contractor. n www.originamenity.com

Unique solenoid technology at a competitive price

Rain Bird’s ESP- LXIVM two wire irrigation controller, with smart valve technology, features a Solenoid module that remains in continuous two way proactive contact with the controller. This provides real-time, highly efficient irrigation with immediate diagnostic feedback to identify problems quickly, simplify troubleshooting, automatically restart irrigation without manual intervention and shut off valves to avoid leaks in the event of power failure.

The availability of this unique solenoid technology, now at a highly competitive price thanks to manufacturing efficiencies, means that those involved in landscape and sports turf irrigation management can invest without compromise in Rain Bird’s most advanced best in class controller that offers significant advantages over other controllers in terms of stations, programming and diagnostics.

The overall capability of ESPLXIVM is reflected in the 240 station capability of the large scale Pro version, comparing favourably with many other controllers that are limited to a 200 stations or less and with significantly lower programming capacity. Up to 40 irrigation programmes can be set, with each program offering up to eight start times per day across 10 flow zones, making it an ideal solution for sports grounds and similar installations where a range of irrigation regimes are required to provide exactly the right training surface. The low power usage of the IVM Solenoids mean that 16 stations can be operated simultaneously.

Even the Standard version of ESP-LXIVM can offer 60 stations as standard and 10 independent programs for less intricate training requirements as well as for medium size real-time irrigation control applications in areas such as landscaped housing developments and gardens, parks, schools and commercial sites.

Wireless communication with a network communication cartridge means that the ESP- LXIVM can be used with Rain Bird’s IQ4 central control browser based irrigation management system. This gives the user remote internet control from a smartphone, tablet or desktop PC. The controller’s IVM-SEN interface allows real-time flow sensing and management tools to be used, including Rain Bird’s FloWatch and FlowManager, to guard against high or low flow conditions. Interface with a weather sensor will also promote water conservation through a reduction in total watering times. n www.rainbird.eu

A winning combination

Course manager John Smith operating Toro’s Lynx central control system from his phone Reesink Turfcare has long recommended renovation for irrigation wherever possible. It solves a multitude of issues, keeps costs down, minimises disruption and brings the system bang up to date. And with Reesink’s training support on hand too, it’s been a winning combination for Breadsall Priory Golf Club.

Renovating its irrigation was an approach recommended to John Smith, Course Manager at Breadsall Priory, by Reesink when the system started experiencing communication errors and electrical breakdowns on both its systems on both its courses in 2018.

“Completely replacing everything would have resulted in huge costs, but with the help of Reesink’s Toro irrigation team, including Peter Newton and Cevan Edwards, we discovered we only needed to upgrade the two control systems and we’ve saved a lot of money thanks to renovating rather than replacing,” explained John.

The existing wiring and pipework were found to be compatible with being updated to Toro’s Lynx central control system which would control the irrigation on both courses.

“The biggest difference is that now we can water both courses at the same time. Before we had to water the courses over alternating nights, so this is game-changing.”

Another benefit to having the system come into its own over the Pandemic.

“The remote control aspect has always been really useful and convenient, but never more so than during the Pandemic,” said John.

“It meant that irrigation was never disrupted even with a reduced team and restricted access to the club over certain periods. I could activate it throughout and even put ‘rain hold’ on when the weather changes and I wasn’t on site. It played dividends to the state of the turf over that period.”

Since 2018, John has been updating the sprinklers on the course to Toro Infinity for the Championship Priory course and T7s on the Moreland course.

“It’s an ongoing project, we’re replacing 20 a year until they’re all done.”

Lee brings wealth of knowledge to KAR UK

KAR UK, a leading wholesaler of irrigation equipment, has boosted its team with the appointment of Lee Williams who joins as a new area sales manager.

Lee (pictured) will be covering the areas of North England, North Wales and Scotland, and brings with him a wealth of experience.

After studying for a Diploma in Horticulture at the prestigious Myerscough College, Lee started his career as an apprentice greenkeeper. He then switched golf for football when he accepted a position at Manchester City FC’s Carrington training ground – a role which saw him progress to Head Groundsman after just 12 months.

With further roles at Oldham Athletic FC, and as a contractor, a Sales Manager and a Technical Sports turf journalist, Lee has remained in the groundscare industry for the entirety of his career.

He revealed that the opportunity to join KAR UK was just too good to turn down: “Having been in the industry a long time, it is a company I know very well,” said Lee.

“I have heard a lot about the products, particularly Hunter irrigation, and everyone who has used the equipment is always full of praise. The company also has a market leading reputation and that really drew me towards accepting the job.

“KAR UK is a small but highly professional team and it has a family feel to it - everyone is there to support and help one another, and that really appeals to me.

“I’m looking forward to getting back out there and meeting new people and customers,” continued Lee. “It is a new challenge, and in a way, it will be like going back to school for me as there will be a lot to learn, but I’m looking forward to the future and hopefully playing my part in growing the business.” n www.karuk.com