Irrigation Equipment

Summary of Lloyd's Model RE-40 Submersible Sludge Pump (Evaluation Report - PDF File - 0.46 MB)

Performance Characteristics: Performance of the Lloyd's Model RE-40 submersible sludge pump was very good. Measured water flow rate at 7.7 gal/min (35 L/min) hydraulic motor flow rate varied from 400 to 170 gal/min (1820 to 775 L/min) over a range of total heads from 15 to 30 ft (4.6 to 9.1 m). A peak efficiency of 21% occurred at a 7.7 gal/min (35 L/min) hydraulic motor oil flow rate and a 300 gal/min (1365 L/min) water flow rate. Maximum power to operate the Model RE-40 at a 7.7 gal/min (35 L/min) hydraulic motor oil flow rate was 10.0 hp (7.5 kW).

The Lloyd's Model RE-40 could be used to pump liquid manure provided there was no straw in the manure.

Ease of Operation: Two people could easily install the model RE-40 at a pump site. The support stand provided only marginal stability when used in a vertical position.

Operator Safety: The pump was safe to use if common sense was exercised.

Operator's Manual: No operator's manual was supplied with the pump.

Mechanical Problems: No mechanical problems occurred during testing.

Summary of Lloyd's Model RE-80 Lift Pump (Evaluation Report - PDF File - 0.46 MB)

Performance Characteristics: Performance of the Lloyd's Model RE-80 lift pump was very good. Measured water flow rate for the 1000 rpm power take-off speed varied from 1850 to 600 gal/min (8410 to 2730 L/min) over a range of total heads from 15 to 40 ft (4.6 to 12.2 m) with a 17 in (430 mm) inlet submergence depth. A peak efficiency of 43% occurred at a 540 rpm power take-off speed and 700 gal/min (3180 L/min) flow rate. Maximum power required at 1000 rpm power take-off speed was 41 hp (31 kW).

Ease of Operation: Hitching the model RE-80 was easy. Caution had to be used when transporting on rough roads due to bouncing. The pump was easy to service and positioning of the model RE-80 at a pump site was easy.

Operator Safety: The pump was safe to use if common sense was exercised.

Operator's Manual: The operator's manual was clearly written and included a well illustrated parts list.

Mechanical Problems: One mechanical problem occurred during testing. The transport lock bent due to bouncing of the inlet and discharge tube while travelling over rough roads.

Summary of Lloyd's Model RE-100 Lift Pump (Evaluation Report - PDF File - 0.39 MB)

Performance Characteristics: Performance of the Lloyd's Model RE-100 lift pump was very good. Measured water flow rate at 1000 rpm power take-off speed varied from 4400 to 1940 gal/min (20,000 to 8820 L/min) over a range of total heads from 16.4 to 55.8 ft (5 to 17 m) with a 27 in (685 mm) inlet submergence depth. A peak efficiency of 44% occurred at a 1000 rpm power take-off speed and 3000 gal/min (13 650 L/min) flow rate. Maximum power required at 1000 rpm power take-off speed was 96 hp (72 kW).

Ease of Operation: Hitching the Model RE-100 was easy. Caution had to be used when transporting on rough roads due to bouncing as a result of the negative hitch weight. The transport lock mechanism was inconvenient to use. The pump was easy to service and positioning of the model RE-100 at a pump site was easy.

Operator Safety: The pump was safe to operate if common sense was exercised.

Operator's Manual: The operator's manual was clearly written and included a well illustrated parts list.

Mechanical Problems: One mechanical problem occurred during testing. The discharge tube bearing inspection plate seal leaked and broke when operated at total heads above 46 ft (14 m).

Summary of Lloyd's Model RE-140 Lift Pump (Evaluation Report - PDF File - 0.40 MB)

Performance Characteristics: Performance of the Lloyd's Model RE-140 lift pump was very good. Measured water flow rate at 1000 rpm power take-off speed varied from 7300 to 4000 gal/min (33,185 to 18,185 L/min) over a range of total heads from 15.0 to 75.0 ft (4.6 to 22.9 m) with a 37 in (940 mm) inlet submergence depth. A peak efficiency of 47% occurred at a 1000 rpm power take-off speed and 5500 gal/min (25,000 L/min) flow rate. Maximum power required at 1000 rpm power take-off speed was 232 hp (173 kW).

Ease of Operation: Hitching the Model RE-140 was easy. Caution had to be used when transporting on rough roads due to bouncing as a result of the negative hitch weight. The pump was easy to service and positioning of the model RE-140 at a pump site was easy.

Operator Safety: The pump was safe to use if common sense was exercised.

Operator's Manual: The operator's manual was clearly written and included a well illustrated parts list.

Mechanical Problems: Two mechanical problems occurred during testing. The transport lock bent due to bouncing of the inlet and discharge tube while travelling over rough roads and the discharge tube bearing inspection plate seal leaked and broke when operated at total heads above 53 ft (16.2 m).

Summary of Valley Universal Rainger Model 9880 Linear Move Irrigation System (Evaluation Report - PDF File - 1.42 MB)

Overall Performance: Overall functional performance of the Valley Universal Rainger Model 9880 linear move irrigation system was fair. Performance was reduced by guidance and alignment problems and high application rates.

Nozzle Distribution Patterns: Individual distribution patterns of the Delavan Raindrop spray nozzles were circular and ring shaped. Very high applications occurred in one region of the pattern perimeter. Increasing nozzle pressure increased the wetted area and increased the average application rate. Increasing nozzle discharge height increased the wetted area and decreased the average application rate.

System Distribution Uniformity: The coefficient of uniformity (CU)* under light wind conditions was 75% when operated with the optional end gun and 76% when the end gun was shut off. The maximum coefficient of uniformity under ideal conditions was 82%. High applications occurred below each nozzle and near each support tower.

Extension Booms: Nozzle extension booms increased the area over which water was applied. Average application rate was 2.2 in/h (56 mm/h). Maximum application rate was 13.7 in/h (348 mm/h). Local ponding occurred at various positions along the lateral when operated at low timer settings.

Nozzle Calibration: Nozzle delivery varied less than 1% after 820 hours of field use. The Senninger pressure regulators were effective in reducing nozzle pressure variations resulting from lateral pressure changes.

Pressure Loss Pressure losses when operating in hilly fields were occasionally large enough to cause a reduction in the nozzle delivery rate. The system pressure gauge read 6 psi (40 kPa) high in the normal operating range.

Crop About 1.5% of the total irrigated area was required for the cart road allowance and supply ditch. Tower wheels travel over less than 0.5% of the total irrigated area.

Pump Delivery: Output from the Cornell pump was adequate for most field conditions. Priming the pump was difficult due to an improper seal at the exhaust valve.

Rate of Work: Maximum travel speed was 75 in/min (1900 mm/min). Application depth decreased with increased travel speed.

Ease of Operation: Operation of the steering and alignment system was erratic, causing numerous system shut-downs. All controls were accessible. The system pressure gauge was not readily visible from the control panel location. Servicing and cleaning was easy. Span drains occasionally plugged with silt.

Operator's Manual: The operator's manual was clearly written and contained information on operating, servicing, adjustments and safety.

Mechanical Problems: Several mechanical problems occurred during the 960 hours of operation. The fuel gauge leaked, the booster pump contact and generator malfunctioned. A support tower drive motor burned out and the tread on the cart tires began to separate.

*Christiansen's coefficient of uniformity (CU) is commonly used as a measure of distribution uniformity. A CU above 85% indicates very uniform coverage while a CU below 70% indicates inadequate uniformity.

Summary of Lockwood Model 2265 Centre Pivot Irrigation System with Flexspan Corner System Attachment (Evaluation Report - PDF File - 1.26 MB)

Functional Performance: Performance of the Lockwood Model 2265 pivot irrigation system with Flexspan corner system attachment was very good.

Nozzle Distribution Patterns: Individual nozzle distribution patterns of the Rainbird 8X spray nozzles were pie-shaped. Very high applications occurred at the outer perimeter. Increasing nozzle pressure increased the wetted area and increased the average application rate.

System Distribution Uniformity: The coefficient of uniformity (CU)* under light wind conditions was 84% when operated with the optional end gun and the Flexspan corner system extended.

Application Rates: Nozzles were mounted on drop tubes placed on alternate sides of the lateral. The average application rate was 1.5 in/h (33 mm/h). Maximum application rate was 13.1 in/h (333 mm/h). Local ponding occurred at several positions along the lateral when operated at low timer settings.

Nozzle Calibration: Nozzle delivery varied less than one percent after 930 hours of use.

Pressure Losses: Pressure losses along the lateral were uniform and varied from 50 psi (345 kPa) at the pivot to 35 psi (240 kPa) at the system end. The system pressure gauge was accurate..

Crop Damage: Tower wheels travelled over less than 0.8% of the total irrigated area.

Rate of Work: Minimum full circle rotation time for the test system was 22 hours. Application depth decreased with increased timer settings.

Ease of Operation: All controls were accessible. Servicing and cleaning were easy. Span drains occasionally plugged with silt.

Operator's Manual: The operator's manual was clearly written and contained information on operating, servicing, adjustments and safety precautions.

Mechanical Problems: Several mechanical problems occurred during the 930 hours of operation. A span support tower tire deflated, the pivot coupler packing began to leak and an axle on the Flexspan corner attachment broke.

*Christiansen's coefficient of uniformity (CU) is commonly used as a measure of distribution uniformity. A CU above 85% indicates very uniform coverage while a CU below 70% indicates inadequate uniformity.