Creating Great Agricultural Spaces

Watering crops, especially large acreage areas that need ample, even watering, is often done using the center pivot irrigation system. This type of irrigation involves many sprinklers operating at once, using a center pivot to move across fields slowly for even water saturation.

You have a new crop you've just started, and you want to use irrigation center pivot equipment to keep your fields wet. Since a new system can be expensive, you want to know all your options, from basic equipment to used. Here are things to look for in your irrigation center pivot equipment shopping.

Versatility

You want equipment that can be changed as far as water saturation and frequency of motion of lines. Choose irrigation equipment that is versatile in use so you can water not just your current crops, but if you change the type of produce you grow in the future, you'll be able to effectively water these areas as well without worrying about over or under-watering your crops.

Ease of use

You want an irrigation center pivot equipment set that is easy to use. Once installed, these pivots will move on their own, gently moving in either a circular motion around your crops or in a back and forth motion, providing even watering for the entire acreage you want covered. Choose a system that can have watering measurements and speed movements calculated electronically. You can also manually adjust your sprinklers so they don't spray out into roadways or arch too high and damage crops during watering.

Reliability

Since irrigation equipment is necessary for your successful crop growing season and can be very expensive — although you can write off watering equipment on your taxes as a business expense if you run a farm or other agricultural business — only buy used irrigation center pivot equipment if the equipment has been tested to still work or if the equipment comes with a warranty or guarantee by either the manufacturer or seller.

You want to have your crop equipment inspected every season so broken or bent lines can be repaired quickly. Select an irrigation system that has readily available parts in the event you have a sudden breakdown.

When you have the right irrigation center pivot equipment in place, your crops are easier to grow and you manage water output more easily. Consider many types of systems before making a purchase. Your agricultural supplier will help you choose the best watering system for your needs.