Page 52 - Grapevine May-June 2019
P. 52
Around The Vineyard
Let’s Get It Up and Running Check for proper pressure settings of any pres-
sure reducing or sustaining valves.
Regionality, post-harvest vine vigor, and winter
precipitation are all factors determining whether a 2. Filtration systems: Remove screens and pressure
vineyard irrigation system gets shut down off-sea- wash to remove debris. Treat with a chemical
son. Some growers close it all off, while others use solution to kill biological slimes, then clean and
irrigation intermittently, but still need to check replace. Check sand media and refill and replace
various components. A few growers know by late as needed. Sand media should have sharp
March if their vines have delayed spring growth edges—if rounded, replace. Check settings and
due to insufficient water during colder months, and function of automated backflush system, and
can only plan for next year to enable better health make sure differential across filters is less than
with a post-harvest irrigation plan. For the major- 10 psi. A properly-functioning filter station is
ity of producers, it’s time for a spring tune-up. one of the most critical components in main-
De-winterizing a system follows numerous steps. taining uniformity of drip and micro-irrigation
systems.
Fipps started the process with the basics:
3. Check your pump flow rates and pressure mon-
1. If the irrigation system was idle all winter, the itoring systems for each irrigation block or set.
system should be inspected for any damage that If you’re using a variable frequency drive (VFD),
could have occurred. Turn each station on for a schedule an appointment to have the VFD ser-
cycle and visually inspect each for visible tears viced. Check settings and make adjustments as
or leak in the tubing, as well as dry areas from needed based on current conditions that may
clogged drip emitters. differ from when the VFD and pump station
were installed. Check flow meters and pressure
2. While running, also check the pressures and gauges for accuracy and calibrate or replace any
flow rates—if pressure gauges and flow meters damaged or unreadable gauges.
are installed—to ensure they correspond to sys-
tem requirements. 4. While the pump is running, check the irrigation
set perimeter to make sure all line ends are
3. It’s also recommended to flush each drip line receiving water and re-attach any disconnected
for a short period to remove any sediment or lines. Drive every line to check riser tee screens
biologicals like algae that could have accumulat- for debris and clean or remove and replace with
ed. Flushing the lines can help reduce problems plain washers. Check flow rates of emission
during the irrigation season. devices and replace plugged or partially plugged
devices as necessary. Check riser tees, couplers
Fipps added, “All drip filters should be removed and hose ends for leaks, and replace or repair as
and properly cleaned before start-up. If any filter needed.
is damaged or unable to be cleaned, it should be
replaced. Additionally, for automatically controlled “Review the previous season with your irriga-
systems, make sure all valves are opening and clos- tion supervisors to understand the most common
ing correctly. Valve solenoids and diaphragms can problems the irrigation team is dealing with,”
become damaged over time, requiring maintenance Hernandez told The Grapevine Magazine. “Plan to
or repair.” fix the biggest issues in a systematic fashion. Often,
a simple fix will open up a lot of time for your irri-
Hernandez provided a detailed four-part checklist: gators and enable them to spend more time on
preventative maintenance instead of temporary
1. Pump station hardware: start system and make fixes.”
a note of any leaks from broken pipes, couplers
and other fittings. Repair and replace as nec- Hewitt also offered a multi-check process:
essary. Exercise manual and automated valves.
Clean air vents and replace any damaged units. 1. For surface-mounted pump stations, check for
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