Irrigation System Plan
An irrigation system plan is a conscious effort made by the farmer to ensure that he puts the best irrigation system suitable for the crops. One needs to consider available resources, efficiency, time, and management. It is common knowledge that wears and tear on irrigation systems will lead to depreciation and revenue loss. In light of this, one should note that pumps and motors can contribute to a gradual decline in water application efficiency. These issues may not always be easily identifiable due to the make and set up of various types of irrigation systems. However, regular recording of the static and pumping water levels, output pressure, flow rate, and energy use provides an excellent reference for evaluating the irrigation system performance. Without record-keeping, one may not be aware of how much change has occurred on the system performance over a while. The following questions will help to have a proper irrigation system plan:

Cost of installing the system
Land area needed for optimal use
Power requirement
Frequency of maintenance
Availability and cost of spare parts
Water use efficiency of the system
Labour requirement for maintenance
Cost of labor
Time spent on maintenance
The life span of the irrigation system
Cost of installing the system
Land area needed for optimal use
Power requirement
Frequency of maintenance
Availability and cost of spare parts
Water use efficiency of the system
Labour requirement for maintenance
Cost of labor
Time spent on maintenance
The life span of the irrigation system
Irrigation System Maintenance
Every irrigation system should have a recently calibrated water meter and pressure gauge. It also needs a means of monitoring the water level in the well, i.e., the air-line or hole for an electric resistance probe. It is also essential to install Gauges to monitor variables like motor water temperature, oil pressure, and revolutions per minute. It is crucial to maintain the hours of operation to provide means to control the system as well as shutting it down if it ceases to function optimally.

Additionally, other motor records should include hours of operation, oil
and fuel use rates, and engine operating temperature. Engine overhauls and part replacements are also easier to plan for as long as the farmer records the hours of operation.

During the spring, examine the control boxes, pipelines, the engine
compartments, and exterior oil cooling coils for rodents. Also, check all wire coverings that rodents may have damaged. These damages create the potential for electrical shortages. Consequently, corrosion also can contribute to wiring problems. Therefore, a pre-startup check of all electrical connections before running the system will reduce the likelihood of electrical failures or personal injury.

Basic Routine Requirements
Before the first Irrigation next spring, ensure that the owner manual and checked before embarking on the routine maintenance. Some of the basic routines include:

Change of engine oil and filter
Examination of drive belts (if any)
Applying grease on all drive shafts on pump, and motor
Fuel filters replacement
Assess the operation of the chemical injection pumps
Check and clean the battery power cables
Do well to drain, flush and refill the cooling system, for 30mins-1hour.
Drain and replace the lubricating oil in pump gear drive
Refill the reservoir for lubrication of the pump drive shaft
Examine the gear drive to be sure it is free moving and clean the non-reverse pins with a wire brush, and lubricate each pin
Start the motor and allow it to run at 1000rpm
Some pump installations may not require all of these maintenance checks or require different or additional repairs. This scenario explains why it is essential to read reviews and check with persons using the kind of irrigation system you want to install before purchase. It is also necessary to check your owner's manual for what best suits your irrigation system.

The water distribution system, especially the drive tower tires, gearboxes, and alignment panels, also need routine maintenance. The Oil lubrication of the gearboxes is essential. To this end, bearings and seals should be checked regularly. Lubricating oil containing water, or steel filings can drastically increase the wear and tear. Drain any water out of the bottom of the gearbox before each irrigation season. Refill gearbox oil annually and replace it after the first irrigation season and every 3000-4000 hours of system operation.
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