It has been another wet spring here in Nebraska and farmers challenged to wrap up their spring fieldwork may not have started thinking about their irrigation equipment yet.

Now is a good time to do a quick evaluation of the pumping plant, well, and center pivot to ensure they are in good working order before we have to rely on them during the heat of the summer. Here are a few quick checks you can do to help ensure a successful irrigation season.

Pumping Plants

Electric motors account for about 55% of the pumping plants in Nebraska, according to 2013 NASS Irrigation Survey. They are relatively maintenance-free, but still need to be looked over. It is a good idea to change the oil in the unit every year (Figure 1). Next, open up the junction box and make sure the connectors are tight and have a good ground. Check for frayed wires and damage from rodents.

Internal combustion engines need quite a bit more attention. Change the engine oil and all filters. Check engine hours and refer to the manufacturer’s service interval on valve adjustments and other service that may be needed such as draining, flushing, and refilling the cooling system. Also, grease and adjust the clutch and drive shaft between power unit and gear head.

If you are running a gas, propane, or natural gas engine, be sure to check the spark plugs and replace as needed.

It’s also a good idea to run the Nebraska Extension App IrrigatePump to see how your pumping plant stacks up against the Nebraska Pumping Plant Criteria. This will give you an idea of the efficiency of the power unit and pump. In the current economic climate we want to be as efficient as possible.

The Pump