NEW GENERATION OF HOSE-REEL IRRIGATION MACHINES
The
big hose-reel irrigation machines nourish a world market growing every
day thanks to the reached standards of efficiency and versatility,
which no other equipment is able to offer.
The components mainly changed with innovative interventions are the
following:
-Polyethylene hose:
The different models, differing in diameter from 32mm to 150mm, use today
a PET hose remarkably modified in elastic chacteristics, resistance to
traction, granting aldo bigger flow rates: all this make them better
usable on any kind of soil.
-Hydraulic systems:
Almost all new models use systems to grant bigger comfort during use, with assembly of hydraulic controls applied to rotation, supporting legs and other functions. In the most sophisticated versions, hydraulic systems can be also radio-controlled. These applications enable an easy use also for an operator only, with reduced labour intervention in exercise and change of position.
-Rewinding systems:
The rewinding system is the real engine of hose-reel irrigation machines. It is the most studied and renewed mechanical-hydraulic apparatus of these machines. From this renewed system depends the even distribution of water, the reduction of losses of pressure, the rewinding speed adjustings of sprinkler and booms, with the precise management of rain height. In general it’s made of a turbine and a gearbox able to work with many gears, changing the speed depending on the cultivation, the phase of growth and other needs. The new rewinding systems are determinant for the reduction of energy costs as regards the old models.
-Sprinklers:
Until now the sprinklers used on hose-reel irrigation machines had oscillating arm quick or slow return, having performances with throws varying from 30m to 75m, ensuring an excellent water breaking. The change of many tyoes of nozzles enable the farmer to choose the most suitable water breaking for his field and cultivation. Recent tests made in some horticultural farms showed the better validity of sprinklers with adjustable speed: the advantage of these sprinklers is the eveness, as the advancing is continuos and constant.
-Spraying boom:
The introduction and perfecting ofm spraying booms, as an alternative to sprinklers, determined a high improvement in even distribution of water on cultivations. These equipments enable the use of hose-reel irrigation machines also on delicate cultivations as vegetables and, thanks to use of atomizers and sprayers, they work at very low pressure with an energy saving until 50% as regards the use of sprinklers. The booms, manufactured in galvanised steel or aluminium, grant cross-coverings until 50m and over, with excellent eveness and fine water atomization.
-Control and management panels:
They are most technological and innovative apparatus of hose-reel irrigation machines. As the machines are equipped with tachometer and water-metres, with these panels we obtain the complete automation of irrigation cycle. The panels, functioning at low voltage (12 Volt) and feeded by batteries and solar panels, offer many performances like: measuring of unwound hose and metres of hose to be rewound; control of flow rate; possibility to programm work speed; possibility to programm total time of irrigation; possibility to programm rain height.