Month: May 2016

The pump shaft is the central piece that connects the pump’s impeller to the driver (electric motor, engine, etc.) A broken or cracked pump shaft is a catastrophic failure that is often the result (or cause) of significant pump damage.

Troubleshooting Your Pump Shaft

A number of things can go wrong and cause your pump shaft to crack or break. Three of the most common of these include:

1. Damage to the pump’s impeller. A damaged pump impeller can cause imbalance and vibration that puts more stress on the pump shaft. This imbalance can cause excessive wear on the pump bearings allowing the shaft to move laterally causing the shaft to flex and eventually fail.
2. Worn Bearings. As mentioned above, bearing failure can lead to pump shaft failure if not addressed early. The pump shaft should be checked periodically for any lateral movement in the pump shaft. Bearings that are worn usually cause the pump to run louder than normal and can also cause the pump to draw more current that normal.
3. Misalignment. Pumps that are belt driven or use a flexible coupling can become misaligned. Misalignment puts additional stress on the pump’s bearings and shaft. Belts that are over tensioned can also cause excessive stress on the pump shaft leading to failure.

To learn more about how to keep your pump well maintained and running smoothly, contact W.P. Law, Inc. today. We’ve been helping North and South Carolina farmers and homeowners with their irrigation needs since 1970.

In most cases, the most popular overhead irrigation system is the center pivot system. This consists of a pivot, often serviced by a well in the middle of the field, with several sprinklers rotating from it. Ideal for covering large evenly dimensioned fields. However, they are not perfect for small or irregular fields. Luckily, there are other options:

The Traveler (Traveling Gun)

Traveling gun sprinkler systems typically feature a large “big gun” sprinkler on a movable cart. Water is supplied to the cart by a HDPE hose. As water is pumped through the hose to the sprinkler the hose is wound around a large hose reel. As the hose winds around the reel it moves the cart across the field. Travelers are ideal for irregularly shaped fields and areas that only need intermittent irrigation. Traveling guns can also be moved from field to field as irrigation needs change throughout the growing season.

Drip & Micro Irrigation Systems

Drip and micro irrigation systems irrigation can be an extremely effective way to water an odd shaped field. Pressure compensating emitters allow for varying row lengths and slight elevation changes. Drip irrigation systems allow for water to be placed near the root zone greatly lowering losses to evaporation and improving system efficiency.

Ultimately, the right choice depends on the shape of your field, the type of crops you are growing, your access to labor and several other factors. Want to learn more about which irrigation strategy is best for your needs? Contact W.P. Law today to chat with one of our company’s specialists.

If you use an underground irrigation system for your lawn, garden, farm or nursery, you know how invaluable such a system can be in getting the right amount of water to the plants at just the right times. However, like any mechanical system, irrigation systems are occasionally subject to break-downs and pipes getting broken or clogged. The good news is that you can help prevent such problems if you know the things to look out for.

Things To Watch Out For With Your Irrigation System

1. Tree roots. If one of more of your irrigation heads is not functioning well or at all, it likely is being hampered or crushed by growing tree roots. This is a particular problem during the spring growing season as tree roots seek the largest source of water. You can help prevent this from happening by not locating your sprinkler heads between large trees and water mains.
2. Poor installation. Another common reason for pipe failure is that the system was not installed correctly. While you can save some money by installing the system yourself, this may not save you money in the long run.
3. Too much water pressure. Too much water pressure can cause valves and sprinkler heads to wear out faster than normal. It’s important to set the water pressure at the correct pounds per square inch (psi) as recommended by the manufacturer.

Don’t wait for your irrigation system to fail. Watch out for tree roots, make sure that your system is property installed and that the water pressure is set correctly. To learn more about keeping your irrigation and sprinkler systems running smoothly all season, contact W.P. Law, Inc. today. We’ve built our company on finding economical solutions to our customer’s problems.