Types of Irrigation Systems

Hand move sprinkler system-
Hand move sprinkler systems are a series of lightweight pipeline sections that are moved manually by hand. Lateral piplines are connected to a mainline which may be portable or buried. Handmove systems are mainly used for smaller areas. These systems are not suitable for tall growing trees or crops due to difficulty in repositioning laterals. Labour requirements are also higher.

Level Basin Systems-
These systems differ from traditional border check or flood systems in that slope of the land is level and areas ands are closed. water is applied at high volumes to achieve an even, rapid ponding of the desired application depth within basins.

Low Flow Irrigation Systems-
These systems which include drip and trickle use small diameter tubes placed above or below the soils surface. Frequent, slow applications of water are applied to the soil through small holes or emitters. The emitters are supplied by a network of main, submain and lateral lines. Water is dispensed directly to the root zone avoiding runoff and minimising evaporation. These systems work well or orchards, vineyards and vegetable crops.

Furrow Systems-
These systems have a series of small, shallow channels used to guide water down a slope across a paddock. Furrows are genurally straight, but may also be curved to follow the contour of the land. Row crops are genurally grown on the ridge or bed between the furrows, spaced from approx 1 meter apart.

Travelling gun sprinkler systems-
Travelling gun systems use a large sprinkler that is mounted on a wheel or trailer, fed by a flexible rubber hose. The sprinkler is self- propelled while applying water, travelling in a lane guided by a cabel. The system requires high operating pressures up to 100psi.

Solid set/ fixed sprinkler systems-
Sold set/ fixed refer to a stationary sprinkler system. Water is supplied to pipelines and the pipline to a sprinkler nozzle which is elevated above the grounds surface. Solid set systems are commonly used in orchards and vinyards for frost protection, they are common in turf and landscaping also.

Side- roll wheel move systems-
Side-roll wheel systems have a large wheel mounted on a pipline which allows the line to be rolled as a unit to successive positions across a field.

Linear or lateral- move systems-
Linear or lateral-move systems are similar to the centre-pivot systems, except that the lateral line and towers move in a continous straight line across a rectangular field. Water is supplied by a fexible hose or pressurised from a concrete-lined ditch along the fields edge.

Center- pivot sprinkler system-
A centre-pivot sprinkler is a self propelled system in which a single pipeline supported by a row of mobile towers is suspended 2 to 4 meters above ground. Water is pumped into the central pipe and as the towers rotate slowly around the pivot point. Sprinkler nozzles mounted on or suspended from the pipline distribute water under pressure as the pipline rotates. The nozzles are graduated small to large so that the faster moving outer circle recieves the same amount of water as the slower moving inside.