Definition of Irrigation Equipment.
These are tools, machines, and implements designed to convey, direct, and apply water directly to crops for effective growth and productivity. They are special equipment and facilities used for spraying or applying water to crops.
The irrigation system is designed such that water is conveyed, directed, and applied to crops through a series of equipment vital to convey water from the water source through facilitates such as pipes, and centrifugal pumps for directing water to the cropped area through pipelines which may be dripping or partially open to the atmosphere.
In agriculture, Irrigation equipment is paramount because it helps to facilitate easy access to water, minimizes water wastage, filters water to prevent sediment from coating the leaves of crops, and ensures that plants receive adequate water for crops.
The choice of irrigation equipment used in the farms differs from one farm to another due to the source of water, soil types, topography and the type of crop to be irrigated. Agricultural industries use different types of irrigation equipment to ensure the farm’s needs. The equipment used in irrigation must be durable, minimize water losses, and be highly resistant to sunlight since sunlight weakens the PVC irrigation facilities and can be destroyed because of the pressure.
Factors to be Considered Before Buying Irrigation Equipment
When shopping for irrigation equipment it is paramount that the users should take into cognizance some factors that will affect the usage efficiency.
- Durability: durability should not be compromised when chopping for irrigation equipment. The equipment use for irrigation must be able to withstand exposure to water and sunlight to avoid corrosion and degradation. It is vital to install high-quality metal or PVC that will withstand longevity because Surface pipe either metal or PVC can easily weaken or corrosion by water and high rates of sunlight.
- Minimized Water Loses: the equipment used for irrigation must be such that it will be able to minimize water usage. Irrigation pipes and accessories should be able to release water in precise or fine particles to minimize water wastage. The equipment should be well-calibrated to prevent overflowing water on the farm.
- Farm Size: the size of the farm is another factor to be considered before buying irrigation equipment. The capacity of irrigation facilities should be able to match the size of the farm. Equipment such as centrifugal pump, electric machine, water Pipe Laterals and riser, Nozzle, and other components should be of a high standard and should be able to align with farm size for efficient operation.
- Cost: the equipment used on the farm should be budget-friendly. However, while opting for budget-friendly equipment quality must not be compromised. It is necessary to buy facilities with high quality compared low low-quality facilities due to cost. The best quality equipment with high quality that suits the financial budget of the farm should also be considered.
- Distance from the Water Source: the distance from the water source to the farm should be considered before buying irrigation equipment. The closer the source of water the smaller the quantity of irrigation materials required and the further the source of water from the farm the more the amount of irrigation materials to acquire.
Read Also: Irrigation Meaning, importance, Types Causes and Effect
Lists of Irrigation Equipment
Some equipment types of equipment used in irrigating farms include
- Electric generator
- Pumping machines(centrifugal pump)
- Watering can
- Reservoir (tank)
- Hose
- Spade/shovel
- Hand Saw
- Pipes (metal or plastic)
- Screwdriver
- Laterals and Riser
- Water filter
- Irrigation valves
- Water Meters
- Spraying gum
- Soil moisture sensor
- Nozzle
Descriptions and Uses of Irrigation Equipment
(1) Electric Generator
Generators an important irrigation equipment used for powering irrigation equipment. Most generators are either fuel or disease engines with the capacity to convert mechanical energy into electrical power. The generator consists of the starting coil, engine, tank, spark plug, starting ignition, and other vital component. There are different types of electric generators with different capacities and horsepower used for generating power on the farm.
Uses of Electric Generator.
The uses of generators on the farm irrigation farm are
- it helps to power the centrifugal pump and other other irrigation equipment
- it helps to generate and distribute electric power across the farm.
(2) Pumping Machines (Centrifugal Pump)
This is another irrigation equipment used for drawing water from the source and pressurizing it directly into the farm for irrigation or the rank reservoir for future use. The pumping machine whether submersible or centrifugal pump is an electromechanical machine used to pressurize water from the source to another point where it can conveniently be used for irrigation. The pumping machine is different from the electric generator such that the electric generator is only used to empower the centrifugal pumps while Modern water pumps are self-power generated and can also be used to draw and transport water through the farm. These machines exist in various capacities depending on the size of the irrigated farm
Uses of Pumping Machines (Centrifugal Pump)
The uses of pumping machines (centrifugal pumps) on the farm irrigation farm are
- For drawing water from the source.
- Supply water into a tank or reservoir for future uses.
- Supply water directly into the farm for irrigation.
(3) Watering Can
A watering can is a portable container made of metal and plastic used for manual irrigation on the farm. The kettle shape-like container is made of a handle and a funnel. The water outlet hand is constructed in such a way that the water is released to the crop in fine particles or reduces the pressure at which the water reaches the crops
Uses of Watering Can
The uses of watering cans on the farm irrigation farm include
- It is ideal for lifting or carrying water from the source (such as the well, streams, reservoir, tank, etc.) to the field.
- It is excellent for irrigating small-scale nursery farms.
(4) Storage Tank and Reservoir
A storage tank and reservoir are constructed with metal, plastic, and concrete. These equipment are used particularly for storing water for irrigation purposes. Tank and reservoirs are constructed with different sizes and shapes depending on the needs of the user, cost, and the size of the farm. It is advisable for the tank or reservoir to be large to hold a large quantity of water to avoid frequent pumping and the cost of water treatment.
Uses of Tank and Reservoir
The uses of tanks and reservoirs on the farm for irrigation farm include
- it is used for temporary water storage.
- it also helps to store water for future use.
- It provides an avenue for the treatment of water before usage.
Recommended for reading: Types of Irrigation, Advantage and Disadvantage
(5) Irrigation Hose
This is another equipment used for irrigating crops. It is a long hollow rubber or tube used to convey liquid from the source of water to the area where water is needed for irrigation. The Irrigation hose comes in different colors which could be red, white, and black. The hose is usually lightweight, and flexible such that it bends or carries from one area to another. The irrigation horse comes in various inches depending on the choice of the farmers.
Uses of Irrigation hose
The uses of Irrigation hoses in agriculture include
- move water from one location to another
- Excellent for filling irrigation materials.
- ideal for carrying water from irrigation sources for watering.
(6) Spade/shovel
The spade consists of a blade and a handle. The spade/shovel is made of long wood or metal with a D Shape that facilitates handling. The blade is rectangular or curved at the base of the shovel. The cutting edge of the spade is shaped such that it can be driven into the soil. The D-shaped handle can fixed to the long-hand wooden handle with an aid bolt and nut while the mental handle is welded to the long metal handle.
Uses Spade/shovel
The uses of spades/shovels as irrigation equipment include.
- It is used for digging trenches and pipe installations.
- It is used for digging holes for the construction of the underground reservoir,
- It is used for constructing channels and furrows for irrigation.
(7) Hand Saw
These consist of a blade and handle. The blade is sharp and serrated while the handle could be wooden or metal. The handle is constructed in a way such that it can be well tightly held. There are different types of made-up handsaw and each of these types comes in different sizes and shapes.
Uses of Hand Saw.
The hand Saw is used for the following
- It is used for cutting irrigation pipes during installation.
- It is used for cutting wood and ropes during irrigation activities.
(8) Irrigation Pipes
Irrigation pipes could be metal or rubber. The pipes could be hollow or tubular and cylinder, used for transporting water from the irrigation source to the farm for watering. Irrigation pipes usually come in various inches depending on the needs of the farmers.
Uses of Irrigation Pipes
The Irrigation Pipes are used for the following
- Carry water from the source of water to a tank or reservoir.
- Carry water to various irrigation points.
(9) Screw Driver
The screwdriver consists of both the handle and the metal part. The handle is made of rubber or wooden handle. The metal part is made of cyclic that could be flat at one end or pointed with a crossed shape at the tip. The cyclical rod could be detached from the handle to suit the types of the screw to remove. The screwdriver comes in different shapes and sizes depending on the type of screw to remove.
Uses of Screw Driver
The following are the uses of Screw Driver
- It is us for tightening and losing nuts when fixing irrigation equipment
(10) Irrigation Valves
The Irrigation valves are made of metal or plastic of various types. The pressure is fixed to the pipes with a valve which helps reduce or regulate the flow of water in the tanks or reservoir. It has a valve that is used to control the release of water pressure to a desired value.
Uses of Irrigation Valves
The use of irrigation valves are.
- It is used to control the pressure of water during irrigation
- it helps to regulate the flow of water
(11) Water filter
The water filter is made of plastic or ceramic installed on the out pipe to remove impurities from the water. It could small filter or ceramic cartridge fixed at the outlet pipes to remove contamination for irrigation water.
Uses of the Water filter
The following are uses of the irrigation Water filter
- It helps to ensure clean water for irrigation (i.e., filter undesirable chemicals, suspended solids, and micro-organisms from the water)
(12) Water Meters
The water meter like every meter is a clock-like instrument made of measuring mechanisms used for measuring water for irrigation. The instrument consists of the measuring interface, the scale, the number figure, the pointer, and powering factors. The instrument is used, particularly in commercial irrigation farms. T
Uses of Water Meters
The uses of water meters in agriculture include
- It helps to detect water Leakages on the farm.
- It helps to measure the amount of water flowing through pipes.
- It helps to reduce wastage of water.
(13) Laterals and Riser
The laterals and riser could be plastic used to support the sprinkler head. These are irrigation equipment used to carry water and support the sprinkler head. The lateral and riser are highly corrosion-resistant.
Uses of Laterals and Riser
The Uses of Laterals and Riser in irrigation include
- It helps to support the sprinkler heads during irrigation
- It helps to distribute water evenly to the crop during irrigation.
(14) Nozzle
The nozzle used in irrigation could be metal or plastic. The nozzle exists in various sizes, colors, shapes, and structures depending on the nature of the pipe needed. The nozzle is used to control or regulate the rate of water flow to crops. It nozzle creates room for calibration in other to release fine particles of water into crops..
Use of Nozzle
The uses of the nozzle in agriculture are
- it helps to release water evenly to crops
- it helps regulate the flow of water for precise application.
(15) Irrigation Guns.
Read more on spraying guns on
- Use to spray water over large area of farmland.
(16) Soil Moisture Sensor
The soil moisture sensor consists of a two-fork-shaped, power-capable, reading interface and an inbuilt machine. It is a portable machine that can be carried from one place to another. The two-fork shape makes it possible to be inserted into the soil. It is a vital irrigation component used in agricultural industries.
Uses of Soil moisture sensor
The uses of Soil moisture sensors include
- It is an excellent machine for measuring soil moisture content
- It can be used for tracking nutrients or fertilizer leaching in the soil.