Though agricultural irrigation systems function almost automatically once programmed for the specific crop and conditions, it is critical to keep an eye on them from day to day.
Clogged Sprinkler Nozzle Problems
Clogged sprinkler nozzles are a common cause of irrigation problems in center pivot and traveling irrigation systems that are otherwise working perfectly.
Spray nozzles get clogged easier and faster than you might think, too.
To prevent this and prevent sprayer problems that can lead to reductions in yield, clean the nozzles on your systems regularly throughout the growing season.
Problems With Rotating Sprinkler Nozzles
The biggest problem with the rotating types of sprinkler nozzles used on many agricultural irrigation systems is clogging caused by organic material getting stuck between the water regulator and the rotating sprinkler disc.
When material like grass, seeds, and other bits of matter make it through to the sprinkler head or get blown or wrapped around it, it can form a plug that prevents the rotator from spinning.
When the sprinkler cannot spin, the plants in the path of that nozzle are not getting the water they need for optimal growth.
Steps to Cleaning Irrigation System Nozzles
Fortunately, cleaning out clogged center pivot and traveling irrigation system nozzles is very easy to do in just a few hours per system in a few simple steps:
- Turn Off The Valve - While the system is running, turn off the valve to the individual sprinkler nozzle so you can work on it.
- Remove the Sprinkler Nozzle - Pop off the sprinkler nozzle so you have the rotating piece in your hand.
- Clean the Nozzle - Pull off any plugs of vegetative matter and other debris, then clean off the whole mechanism; you can do that by turning on the valve to the sprinkler line and washing the head off.
- Replace the Nozzle - After the nozzle is clean and the rotator can spin freely, turn off the valve again and replace the nozzle. Open the valve again and the nozzle should be spraying the water out on all sides and the rotator should be spinning.
Depending on the size of the system and the number of nozzles, this cleaning can be done quickly, by one person or a few people, to keep things working properly.
Then after cleaning the nozzles on your traveling or center pivot irrigation system so they work as intended, back flush the water filter mechanism to get out any collected debris headed to the system, clean out the filter, and then start it all back up again.
Check the sprinkler nozzles frequently and do this every time they become inefficient from debris blocking the spinners.