The first, highest pivot on the line runs at 95 PSI, the lowest runs at 160 psi. Snyder has 380 feet of head from his water source to his bottom pivot. It takes 2.31 feet of head (drop in elevation) to generate 1 PSI, so a minimum of 150 feet of head is necessary. A minimum of 65 PSI of water pressure with a minimum of 300 gallons per minute of water flow is needed at the pivot point to be split between the turbine and pivot for ideal operation. The water continues on to run through the pivot and irrigate the crop. On a typical excess pressure installation, water first runs through the turbine generating power used to turn the hydraulic pump which then moves the pivot. engineering manager, explains pressure generated by an elevated water source is the system driver. ![]() Unfortunately, specific conditions are necessary for turbines to be an option. We pay for water and minimal maintenance.”Įd Brannan, owner of Maybell, Colo., B&B Irrigation, wishes he could install turbines to power his own pivots. Our energy cost is zero with T-L pivots and turbines. “It would probably cost us $15,000 in power to run an electric pivot for 25-30 days. ![]() He notes the cost of power-either electric or diesel to run a generator-are also ever increasing. Water costs here are five-times the 2010 rate, so efficiency is valuable,” Snyder says. Instead of flooding one field, I’m able to water several and continue to water fields I would normally have diverted water away from later in the season to target top-yielding fields. “I’m able to use the same amount of water I did with flood irrigation, but I can spread it over more acres. Snyder says yields have increased, water goes further, and significant power costs have been avoided. Nearly every drop of purchased water makes it to the field where it’s evenly distributed with the steady forward movement of T-L pivot hydrostatic drives. Additionally, water passing through the turbine in pressurized pipes is protected from evaporation and seep loss. ![]() Cost is forever increasing on all inputs, which is why Yampa, Colo., rancher, Tyler Snyder, is quite pleased with his decision to upgrade his flood-irrigated hay fields with six hydro-powered T-L Irrigation pivots.Īn in-pipe turbine generates all power needed on site at no cost beyond initial installation - which qualified for NRCS EQIP cost-share programs.
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