PRE-SEASON CHECKLIST
Water Supply
THIS CHECKLIST
This is a minimum list of checks that focuses on the system water supply: wells, surface intakes, pumps and mainlines.
These checks should be made before the irrigation season starts.
BE SAFETY CONSCIOUS – ELECTRICAL, HEIGHT AND MECHANICAL HAZARDS PRESENT.
Checks include structural and mechanical checks of the structure, and performance checks of water flow, nozzle
delivery and pressure. It can be helpful if two people work together to perform checks.
• Begin the checks with the machine turned off
–– Tag/lock electrical isolator or motor switches to prevent accidental starting.
–– Observe the state of all equipment, looking for damage or wear and tear.
–– Tighten, adjust, maintain or replace components as required.
–– Lubricate all parts as specified in manuals.
• Make checks with the system running
–– Consider which aspects required qualified expert (e.g. electrical)
–– Ensure the irrigator travel path is clear before starting moving machines
–– Check the operation of intake, pump, motor, headworks, valves and hydrants.
• Check drawdown, flows and pressures
–– Ensure the depth to water and system operating points are as expected.
Many items can be fixed on-farm. Others require specialist skills or equipment. Tick the check boxes as each item is
found OK. Make notes on the checklist overleaf against items requiring follow-up attention.
OTHER RESOURCES
System Operation Manual
Every system should be supplied with a System Operation Manual. Read it and follow instructions. The manual may
include extra checks not listed here. It will give more detail than this checklist including information specific to
your system.
Other Checklists
This checklist is only for travelling irrigators themselves. Irrigation New Zealand has additional checklists for the water
supply system (intakes, pumps and mainlines) and for other irrigation types.
See www.irrigationnz.co.nz.
Calibration Guidelines
IRRIG8Lite software and IRRIG8Quick energy efficiency guidelines and worksheets can be downloaded from
www.pagebloomer.co.nz/resources.
www.irrigationnz.co.nz
PRE-SEASON CHECKLIST
Checks completed by:
Signature: Date:
SYSTEM OFF CHECKS SYSTEM ON CHECKS
(SYSTEM NOT RUNNING) (SYSTEM RUNNING)
Component Check Component Check
Safety Electrical isolator and motor Well/bore Water depth below the top of
switches are tagged/locked the casing
Well/bore Ground water level after recovery Depth against previous years
and before irrigation
Pump No new noises or unusual
Water depth below the top of vibrations
the casing
No leaks – repair as necessary
Depth against previous years
Inlet pressure – replace gauge
Consider well test to check for if necessary
deterioration in performance
Outlet pressure – replace
Surface takes Intake structures for damage gauge if necessary
Strainers secure, not damaged, Flow rate as expected
not blocked
Energy consumption
Pump Complete basic shed maintenance as expected
Bearings quiet, smooth Headworks Water meter functioning
Lubricate as required Control valve operation
Belts – replace if worn No leaks
Headworks Filters – clean Outlet pressure – replace
gauge if necessary
Pressure gauges fitted and in
good condition Mainline and Fill and pressurise mainline –
off‑takes check that it holds pressure
Mainline and Repair obvious damage
off‑takes No leaks in line off-takes
Off-take valves or hydrants or hydrants
Power supply Exercise caution Correct pressure at furthest
hydrant of off-take
For any obvious problems, worn Control unit Functioning correctly
cables or fuel lines
Get expert assistance if required Other
Control unit Electronic controls and
battery charge
Prepare to start Before starting: Ensure nothing is
parked in front of the irrigator
www.irrigationnz.co.nz
