SPRINKLER IRRIGATION SYSTEM

INTRODUCTION OF SPRINKLER IRRIGATION SYSTEM

Sprinkler irrigation is a method of applying water which is similar to natural

rainfall but spread uniformly over the land surface just when needed and at a
rate less than the infiltration rate of the soil so as to avoid surface runoff from
irrigation. This is achieved by distributing water through a system of pipes
usually by pumping which is then sprayed into the air through sprinklers so that
it breaks up into small water drops which fall to the ground. The system of
irrigation is suitable for undulating lands, with poor water availability, sandy or
shallow soils, or where uniform application of water is desired. No land
levelling is required as with the surface irrigation methods. Sprinklers are,
however, not suitable for soils which easily form a crust. The water that is
pumped through the pump pipe sprinkler system must be free of suspended
sediments. As otherwise there would be chances of blockage of the sprinkler
nozzles.

The basic purpose of sprinkler irrigation is to apply uniform depth of water to

the field crop. The water distribution pattern of a sprinkler nozzle is tested with
the sprinkler operating individually under a set of specific conditions. Operating
pressure and nozzle geometry (i.e., nozzle opening size, shape, and angle) are
the primary factors that control the operation of sprinklers. The performance of
a sprinkler is described by its discharge, distance of throw, distribution pattern,
and application rate and droplet size.

The success of sprinkler irrigation system depends on the selection of

appropriate sprinkler type and their components. These components together are
responsible for efficient application of water as well as high application
efficiency. This lesson deals with types and components of sprinkler irrigation
system.

In the sprinkler method of irrigation, water is sprayed into the air and allowed to
fall on the ground surface somewhat resembling rainfall. The spray is developed
by the flow of water under pressure through small orifices or nozzles. The

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pressure is usually obtained by pumping. With careful selection of nozzle sizes,
operating pressure and sprinkler spacing the amount of irrigation water required
to refill the crop root zone can be applied nearly uniform at the rate to suit the
infiltration rate of soil.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF SPRINKLER

IRRIGATION SYSTEM:

Advantages of sprinkler irrigation

Elimination of the channels for conveyance, therefore no conveyance loss
Suitable to all types of soil except heavy clay
Suitable for irrigating crops where the plant population per unit area is
very high. It is most suitable for oil seeds and other cereal and vegetable
crops
Water saving
Closer control of water application convenient for giving light and
frequent irrigation and higher water application efficiency
Increase in yield
Mobility of system
May also be used for undulating area
Saves land as no bunds etc. are required
Influences greater conducive micro-climate
Areas located at a higher elevation than the source can be irrigated
Possibility of using soluble fertilizers and chemicals
Less problem of clogging of sprinkler nozzles due to sediment laden
water

Some of the most important advantages of the sprinkle method are:

Small, continuous streams of water can be used effectively.
Runoff and erosion can be eliminated.
Problem soils with intermixed textures and profiles can be
properly irrigated.
Shallow soils that cannot be graded without detrimental results
can be irrigated without grading
Steep and rolling topography can be irrigated.
Light, frequent watering’s can be efficiently applied.

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 Crops germinated with sprinkler irrigation may later be surface
irrigated with deeper applications.
Labour is used for only a short period daily in each field.
Mechanization and automation are practical to reduce labor.
Fixed systems can eliminate field labor during the irrigation
season.
Unskilled labor can be used because decisions are made by the manager,
rather than by the irrigator. Weather extremes can be modified by
increasing humidity, cooling crops, and alleviating freezing by use of
special designs.
Plans for intermittent irrigation to supplement erratic or deficient rainfall
or to start early grain or pasture can be made with assurance of adequate
water.
Salts can be effectively leached from the soil.
High application efficiency can be achieved by a properly designed and
operated system.
Tall, dense crops can be adequately watered with sprinklers.
Chemigation and fertigation (application of agricultural chemicals) is
convenient.
The effective land application of treated animal, municipal, and industrial
effluent is possible.

IMPORTANT DISADVANTAGES OF SPRINKLE IRRIGATION ARE:

Relatively high initial costs, compared to surface irrigation methods, must
be depreciated. For simple systems (such as hand-move sprinklers),
Large flows intermittently delivered are not economical without a
reservoir, and even a minor fluctuation in rate causes difficulties.
Sprinklers are not well adapted to soils having an intake rate of less than
0.15 inches per hour.
Windy and excessively dry locations appreciably lower sprinkler
irrigation efficiency.
Irregular field shapes are not convenient to irrigate with mechanized
sprinkler systems (handmove laterals are much more adaptable, since
each individual pipe section is moved separately and, therefore, adding or
removing pipes to fit the field shape is easy).
Cultural operations must be coordinated with the irrigation cycle.

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 Surface irrigation methods on suitable soils and slopes may have higher
potential irrigation efficiency. Water supply must be capable of being cut
off at odd hours when the soil moisture deficiency is satisfied.
Careful management and maintenance must be exercised to obtain the
high potential efficiency of the method.
Systems must be designed by a competent specialist with full
consideration for efficient irrigation, economics of pipe sizes and
operation, and convenience of labor.
Water quality can introduce problems.
When used in overhead sprinklers on fruit crops, irrigation water that has
high concentrations of bicarbonates may affect the production quality.
Saline water may cause problems because salt may be absorbed by the
leaves of some crops.
Careful filtration of surface water supplies is necessary to prevent
clogging.
Corrosion of metal components and resultant clogging can be
problematic.
Some types of sprinkle irrigation systems, when not in operation, are
susceptible to movement by wind.
Pressure regulation and or flow control nozzles are required to achieve
adequate water application uniformity on significantly undulating
topographies.
There may be increased evaporation losses from wet soil and plant
surfaces due to more frequent irrigation.

COMPONENTS OF SPRINKLER IRRIGATION SYSTEM

A typical sprinkler irrigation system consists of the following components:

• Pump unit
• Mainline and sometimes sub mainlines
• Laterals
• Sprinklers

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The components of portable sprinkler system are shown through fig.
A sprinkler system usually consists of the following components
(i) A pump unit
(ii) Tubings- main/submains and laterals
(iii) Couplers
(iv) Sprinker head
(v) Other accessories such as valves, bends, plugs and risers.

(i) Pumping Unit: Sprinkler irrigation systems distribute water by

spraying it over the fields. The water is pumped under pressure to the
fields. The pressure forces the water through sprinklers or through
perforations or nozzles in pipelines and then forms a spray. A high
speed centrifugal or turbine pump can be used for operating sprinkler
irrigation for individual fields. Centrifugal pump is used when the
distance from the pump inlet to the water surface is less than eight
meters. For pumping water from deep wells or more than eight meters,

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 a turbine pump is suggested. The driving unit may be either an electric
motor or an internal combustion engine.

(ii) Tubings: Mains/submains and laterals: The tubings consist of

mainline, submanins and laterals. Main line conveys water from the
source and distributes it to the submains. The submains convey water
to the laterals which in turn supply water to the sprinklers. Aluminum
or PVC pipes are generally used for portable systems, while steel
pipes are usually used for center-pivot laterals. Asbestos, cement,
PVC and wrapped steel are usually used for buried laterals and main
lines.

(iii) Couplers: Couplers are used for connecting two pipes and uncoupling
quickly and easily. Essentially a coupler should provide
(a) a reuse and flexible connection
(b) not leak at the joint
(c) be simple and easy to couple and uncouple
(d) be light, non-corrosive, durable.

(iv) Sprinkler Head: Sprinkler head distribute water uniformly over the
field without runoff or excessive loss due to deep percolation.
Different types of sprinklers are available. They are either rotating or
fixed type. The rotating type can be adapted for a wide range of
application rates and spacing. They are effective with pressure of
about 10 to 70 m head at the sprinkler. Pressures ranging from 16 to
40 m head are considered the most practical for most farmers. Fixed
head sprinklers are commonly used to irrigate small lawns and
gardens. Perforated lateral lines are sometimes used as sprinklers.
They require less pressure than rotating sprinklers. They release more
water per unit area than rotating sprinklers. Hence fixed head
sprinklers are adaptable for soils with high intake rate.

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 (v) Fittings and accessories: The following are some of the important
fittings and accessories used in sprinkler system.
Water meters: It is used to measure the volume of water delivered.
This is necessary to operate the system to give the required quantity
of water.
Flange, couplings and nipple used for proper connection to the pump,
suction and delivery.
Pressure gauge: It is necessary to know whether the sprinkler system
is working with desired pressure to ensure application uniformity.
Bend, tees, reducers, elbows, hydrants, butterfly valve and plugs.
Fertilizer applicator: Soluble chemical fertilizers can be injected into
the sprinkler system and applied to the crop. The equipment for
fertiliser application is relatively cheap and simple and can be
fabricated locally. The fertilizer applicator consists of a sealed
fertilizer tank with necessary tubings and connections. A venturi
injector can be arranged in the main line, which creates the
differential pressure suction and allows the fertilizer solution to flow
in the main water line.

SELECTING SPRINKLER SYSTEM CAPACITY

A sprinkler system must be designed to apply water uniformly without runoff or

erosion. The application rate of the sprinkler system must be matched to the
infiltration rate of the most restrictive soil in the field. If the application rate
exceeds the soil intake rate, the water will run off the field or relocate within the
field resulting in over and under watered areas.

The sprinkler system capacity is the flow rate needed to adequately irrigate an
area and is expressed in liters per minute per acre. The system capacity depends
upon on the: Peak crop water requirements during the growing season; effective
crop rooting depth; texture and infiltration rate of the soil; the available water
holding capacity of the soil; pumping capacity of the well or wells (if wells are
the water source).

Constraints in application of sprinkler irrigation

(i) Uneven water distribution due to high winds
(ii) Evaporation loss when operating under high temperatures

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(iii) Highly impermeable soils are not suitable
(iv) Initial cost is high
(v) Proper design
(vi) Lack of Package of practices
(vii) Lack of awareness
(viii) Lack of social concern to save natural resources
(ix) High water pressure required in sprinkler (>2.5kg/cm2)
(x) Difficulty in irrigation during wind in sprinkler

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

Proper design of a sprinkler system does not in itself ensure success. It should
be ensured that the prime mover and the pump are in alignment, particularly in
the case of tractor-driven pumps. For these the drive shaft as well as the pump
shaft should lie at nearly the same height to prevent too great an angle on the
universal shaft.
While laying the main and lateral pipes, always begin laying at the pump. This
necessarily gives the correct connection of all quick coupling pipes. While
joining couplings, it is ensured that both the couplings and the rubber seal rings
are clean.
In starting the sprinkler system, the motor or engine is started with the valves
closed. The pump must attain the pressure stated on type-plate or otherwise
there is a fault in the suction line. After the pump reaches the regulation
pressure, the delivery valve is opened slowly. Similarly, the delivery valve is
closed after stopping the power unit.
The pipes and sprinkler-lines are shifted as required after stopping. Dismantling
of the installation takes place in the reverse order to the assembly described
above.
Maintenance
General principles regarding the maintenance of the pipes and fittings and
sprinkler heads are given below:

1. Pipes and fittings

The pipes and fittings require virtually no maintenance but attention must
be given to the following procedures:

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 (a) Occasionally clean any dirt or sand out of the groove in the coupler in
which the rubber sealing ring fits. Any accumulation of dirt or sand will
affect the performance of the rubber sealing ring.
(b) Keep all nuts and bolts tight.
(c) Do not lay pipes on new damp concrete or on piles of fertilizer. Do
not lay fertilizer sacks on the pipe.

2. Sprinkler heads
The sprinkler heads should be given the following attention:
(a) When moving the sprinkler lines, make sure that the sprinklers are not
damaged or pushed into the soil.
(b) Do not apply oil, grease or any lubricant to the sprinklers. They are
water lubricated and using oil, grease or any other lubricant may stop
them from working.
(c) Sprinklers usually have a sealed bearing and at the bottom of the
bearing there are washers. Usually it is the washers that wear and not the
more expensive metal parts.
Check the washers for wear once a season or every six months which is
especially important where water is sandy. Replace the washers if worn.
(d) After several season's operation the swing arm spring may need
tightening. This is done by pulling out the spring end at the top and
rebending it. This will increase the spring tension.
In general, check all equipment at the end of the season and make any
repairs and adjustments and order the spare parts immediately so that the
equipment is in perfect condition to start in the next season.

Storage
The following points are to be observed while storing the sprinkler equipment
during the off season:
(a) Remove the sprinklers and store in a cool, dry place.
(b) Remove the rubber sealing rings from the couplers and fittings and store
them in a cool, dark place.
(c) The pipes can be stored outdoors in which case they should be placed in
racks with one end higher than the other. Do not store pipes along with
fertilizer.
(d) Disconnect the suction and delivery pipe-work from the pump and pour in a
small quantity of medium grade oil. Rotate the pump for a few minutes. Blank

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the suction and delivery branches. This will prevent the pump from rusting.
Grease the shaft.
(e) Protect the electric motor from the ingress of dust, dampness and rodents.
Trouble Shooting

The following are the general guidelines to identify and remove the common
troubles in the sprinkler systems:

1. Pump does not prime or develop pressure

(a) Check that the suction lift is within the limits. If not, get the pump
closer to the water.
(b) Check the suction pipeline and all connections for air leaks. All
connections and flanges should be air tight.
(c) Check that the strainer on the foot valve is not blocked.
(d) Check that the flap in the foot valve is free to open fully.
(e) Check the pump gland (s) for air leaks. If air leaks are suspected
tighten the gland (s) gently. If necessary repack the gland (s) using a thick
grease to seal the gland satisfactorily.
(f) Check that the gate valve on the delivery pipe is fully closed during
priming and opens fully when the pump is running.

2. Sprinklers do not turn

(a) Check pressure.
(b) Check that the nozzle is not blocked. Preferably unscrew the nozzle or
use a small soft piece of wood to clear the blockage. Do not use a piece of
wire or metal as this may damage the nozzle.
(c) Check the condition of washers at the bottom of the bearing and
replace them if worn or damaged.
(d) Check that the swing arm moves freely and that the spoon which.
moves into the water stream is not bent by comparing it with a sprinkler
which is operating correctly.
(e) Adjust the swing arm spring tension~ Usually it should not be
necessary to pull up the spring by more than about 6 mm.

3. Leakage from coupler or fittings

The sealing rings in the couplers and fittings are usually designed to drain
the water from the pipes when the pressure is turned off. This ensures that

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 the pipes are automatically emptied and ready to be moved. With full
pressure in the system the couplers and fittings will be effectively leak-
free. If, however, there is a leakage, check the following:
(a) There is no accumulation of dirt or sand in the groove in the coupler
in which the sealing ring fits. Clean out any dirt or sand and refit the
sealing ring.
(b) The end of the pipe going inside the coupler is smooth, clean and not
distorted.
(c) In the case of fittings such as bends, tees and reducers ensure that the
fitting has been properly connected into the coupler.

INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

(1) Installation and operation

The best prepared plan contributes little or nothing toward obtaining the
objective of conservation irrigation and maximum yields of high-quality crops
unless the farmer purchases substantially the equipment specified in the plan,
installs the equipment properly, and operates it according to design. The
installation of sprinkle irrigation systems may be the responsibility of the
engineer, dealer, farmer, or any combination of the three depending on the
financial and physical arrangements made by the farmer.

A plan of the system should be furnished to the farmer which includes a map of
the design area or areas showing the location of the water supply and pumping
plant; location of supply lines, mainlines, and submains; location and direction
of movement of lateral lines; spacing of sprinklers; and pipe sizes and length of
each size required. While it is not necessary to furnish a complete list of
materials, minimum equipment specifications should be furnished. These
include the discharge, operating pressure, and wetted diameter of the sprinklers;
the capacity of the pump at the design dynamic head; and the horsepower
requirements of the power unit. Fittings for continuous operation should be
specified where applicable.

Farmers may receive sprinkle-system plans prepared by NRCS engineers and

then purchase equipment that is entirely different from that specified in the
plans. While NRCS personnel do not have any responsibility for or control over
the purchase of sprinkler equipment by the farmer, it is important, nevertheless,

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to emphasize the necessity of purchasing a satisfactory system. A sprinkler
system should give suitable uniformity, have the capacity to supply crop water
requirements throughout the season, and be designed to conserve energy.

The farmer should be given instruction in the layout of mainlines and laterals,
spacing of sprinklers, movement of lateral lines, time of lateral operation, and
maintenance of design operating pressures.

(2) Irrigation scheduling

The farmer should also be shown how to estimate soil-moisture conditions to
determine when irrigation is needed and how much water should be applied.
Ideally, irrigation scheduling should be managed so that optimum agricultural
production is achieved with a minimum of expense and water use. Nearly
perfect irrigation should be possible with fixed and center pivot systems. The
soil moisture, stage of crop growth, and climatic demand should be considered
in determining the depth of irrigation and interval between each irrigation. For
each crop-soil-climate situation, there is an ideal irrigation management
scheme.

Irrigation scheduling should be guided either by devices that indicate the soil-
plant water status or by estimations of climatic evaporative demand. For
example, soil-water sensors can be installed at representative field sites and
connected to a data logger or telemetry system for recording and or real-time
monitoring of field conditions. Computerized and internet-based scheduling
services based on climatic demand prove to be an ideal tool for managing
sprinkler systems.

(3) Screens and sand traps

When water is pumped directly from rivers, lakes, or canals, the intakes should
be equipped with self-cleaning screens. The stainless steel screens should be
about twice the diameter of the attached pipeline and a mesh opening of about
0.25 inch (6 mm) or less. Cleaning is often accomplished with internal
pressurized water jets that rotate inside the intake screen and push debris away
from the mesh openings. For center-pivot and linear-move systems, the lateral
inlet point should also have a stainless steel or galvanized screen with a mesh
size of 0.1 inch (3 mm) or less to keep debris, algae, weed seeds, and so on,
from plugging nozzles. There needs to be a way to hydraulically isolate the

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screen from the rest of the system. These screens can be self-cleaning or
manually cleaned. There should be a pressurized water supply for a hose to
manually wash the screen in both cases.

WHEN TO USE SPRINKLER IRRIGATION SYSTEM

Suitable crops
Sprinkler irrigation is suited for most row, field and tree crops and water can be
sprayed over or under the crop canopy. However, large sprinklers are not
recommended for irrigation of delicate crops such as lettuce because the large
water drops produced by the sprinklers may damage the crop.
Suitable slopes
Sprinkler irrigation is adaptable to any farmable slope, whether uniform or
undulating. The lateral pipes supplying water to the sprinklers should always be
laid out along the land contour whenever possible. This will minimize the
pressure changes at the sprinklers and provide a uniform irrigation.
Suitable soils
Sprinklers are best suited to sandy soils with high infiltration rates although they
are adaptable to most soils. The average application rate from the sprinklers (in
mm/hour) is always chosen to be less than the basic infiltration rate of the soil
(see Annex 2) so that surface ponding and runoff can be avoided.
Sprinklers are not suitable for soils which easily form a crust. If sprinkler
irrigation is the only method available, then light fine sprays should be used.
The larger sprinklers producing larger water droplets are to be avoided.
Suitable irrigation water
A good clean supply of water, free of suspended sediments, is required to avoid
problems of sprinkler nozzle blockage and spoiling the crop by coating it with
sediment.

TYPES OF SPRINKLER SYSTEM

Sprinkle irrigation systems are classified on the basis of portability of different
components and on the basis of spray pattern. On the basis of portability these
can be portable, semi portable, semi-permanent and permanent.

Classification Based on Spray Pattern

Sprinkler systems are classified into the following two major types (on the basis
of the arrangement for spray of irrigation water).

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i. Rotating head or revolving sprinkler system.
ii. Perforated pipe system.

i) Rotating Head: In this type of system small spraying size nozzles are placed
on pipes of certain height known as riser pipes. The nozzles mounted on the
riser pipes are fixed at uniform intervals along the length of the pipe laid on the
ground surface called as lateral pipes. Water is supplied from the source to
laterals through network of pipes consisting of mainline and sub mainline,
called as main and sub main. Water with pressure is supplied to main; main to
sub main and sub main to laterals using a pump. The sprinkler heads mounted
on the risers which are above the crop height and rotated through 90 o to 360o, to
irrigate a rectangular strip. In rotating type sprinklers, the most common device
to rotate the sprinkler nozzle is a small hammer activated by the thrust of water
striking against a vane connected to it. The pressure requirement varies from 2.0
to 4.0 kg cm-2 with application rate from 4.0 to 20.0 mm hr-1 depending on the
nozzle size, spacing etc. Fig. shows different type of rotating type sprinkler
irrigation systems.

Fig. Rotating type sprinkler irrigation systems.

(Source: www.agritech.tnau.ac.in)

ii) Perforated Pipe System: This system consists of pipes having holes or
nozzles along its length through which water is sprayed under pressure. This
system is usually designed for relatively low pressure (1 kg cm-2). The
application rate ranges from 1.25 to 5 cm per hour for various pressure and
spacing. The example shown in the Fig.

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 Fig. Perforated pipe type of sprinkler system.
(Source: http://nptel.iitm.ac.in & www.sherriffgrasscare.co.uk)

Classification Based on the Portability

i) Portable System: A portable system has portable mainlines, submains,
laterals, and a portable pumping unit. The entire system can be moved from
field to field. As all the components of the system need to be moved, the labour
requirement is high; however initial investment on this type of the system is
less.
ii) Semi-Portable System
A semi-portable system is similar to a portable system except that the location
of water source and pumping plant is fixed. Fig. shows Semi-portable sprinkler
system. Other components are moved from one field to another. Such a system
may be used for more than one field where there is an extended mainline, but
may not be used for more than one farm unless there are additional pumping
units.

Fig. Semi-portable sprinkler irrigation system.

(Source: www.agritech.tnau.ac.in)

iii) Semi-Permanent System: A semi-permanent system has portable lateral

lines, permanent mainlines, submains, and a stationary water source with

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pumping unit. The mainlines and/or submains are usually buried. The risers are
located for nozzle connections at suitable intervals to connect with laterals.

iv) Permanent System: A permanent system has buried mainlines, submains,

and laterals with a stationary pumping plant and/or water source. Sprinkler
nozzles are permanently located on each riser. Such systems are expensive,
however these are suitable for automation. Permanent systems are suitable for
orchards.

v) Solid Set System: In case of a solid set system, the movement of laterals is
eliminated at least for one crop season their movement. The laterals are
positioned in the field before the crop season starts and kept there for the whole
crop season. This system is beneficial when frequent moving of the laterals is
not required crops need frequent irrigation in small depth.

vi) Set-Move Irrigation Systems: Set-move sprinkler irrigation systems are

moved from one set (irrigation) position to another by hand or mechanically.
Set-move systems remain stationary when water is applied. When the desired
amount of water has been applied, the water is shut off and the sprinkler laterals
are drained and moved to the next set position. When the move is complete the
water is turned on and irrigation resumed at the new set position. This sequence
is repeated until the entire field has been irrigated. Set-move systems commonly
have a single mainline laid through the centre of the field with one or more
laterals on each side of the mainline.

The systems can be moved by different means as described below:

Hand-Move: Hand-move laterals are moved by uncoupling, picking –up, and

carrying sections of lateral pipe by hand to the next set position where the
lateral sections are reconnected. Earlier hand-move sprinkler lateral were made
up of aluminium of different diameter. Now these are made with HDPE
available in 50 to 150 mm (2 to 6 in) in diameter and 6, 9, or 12 m (20, 30, or
40 ft) long.

Tow-Move: Tow-move sprinkler systems are the least expensive type of

mechanically moved set-move system. Each section of a tow-move lateral has
skids or wheels so that the entire laterals can be pulled to the next set position.

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Usually a tractor is hooked to the mainline end attached with lateral and the
lateral is dragged in the other direction across the mainline in an opposite S-
shaped curve. The moves are made easier when mainlines are buried.
Tow-move systems are not used extensively because moving the lateral is
tedious. It requires careful attention and may damage crops. Tow-move systems
are suitable to forage and row crops.

Side-Roll: A side-roll or wheel-move system, is the mechanically moved set-

move system. Each section of pipe in a side-roll lateral has a wheel, with the
pipe serving as the axle of the wheel. A gasoline engine and transmission with a
reverse gear at the centre or the end of the lateral supplies the power needed to
roll the lateral, which may be as long as 800 m (about one-half mile), from one
set position to the next. The lateral is commonly 100 or 125 mm (4 or 5 in) in
diameter. Each lateral section is usually 12.2 m (40 ft) long with a wheel at its
centre and a sprinkler mounted on a short riser at one end. Often the sprinklers
have self –levellers to “right” the sprinkler when the lateral is stopped so that
the riser is tilted” from its upright position. A drain valve that opens
automatically when there is a loss of pressure is usually located opposite each
rise. This allows the lateral to be quickly drained and permits moving the lateral
with a minimum time loss. The most common spacing along the mainline is
18.3 m (60 ft).

Gun-Type: The set-move system consists of a larger-volume (big-gun)

sprinkler mounted on a wheeled cart or trailer that is moved from set to set with
a tractor or by hand. Sprinklers with capacities as large as 4700 L min -1 (about
1250 gpm), wetted diameters of as much as 180 m (about 600 ft), and a
recommended operating pressure range of 480 to 896 kPa (70 to 130 psi) are
commonly used. These systems are sometimes used for waste water disposal.

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