Our long range sprinkler models irrigate large acreage of horticulture, fruit, corn, wheat, barley, canola, and potato crops. Every long range sprinkler in Kenya by Grekkon Limited is from 1-1/2” to 2-1/2” inlet diameter size. These sprinklers provide fine rain drop sized watering in the field when operating at optimal capacity

Long range sprinkler specifications

1. Material. Aluminum, brass, and steel
2. Nozzle sizes. 12mm, 16mm, 18mm, and 20mm
3. The diameter of spray. 35M to 40M for the 1-1/2” and 45M to 60M for the 2”
4. Discharge volume. 15 cubic to 30 cubic per hour for the 1-1/2” and 20 cubic to 45 cubic per hour for the 2″

Note that the diameter of spray and discharge volume is a factor of the nozzle size and diesel or electric pump capacity (engine/ motor size, pressure rating, and discharge rate)

How much is a long range sprinkler in Kenya?

1. 1-1/2” is Kes 55,000
2. 2” is Kes 65,000

This cost is inclusive of the steel tripod stand

How to work with long range sprinkler requirements

i. Water availability. It requires 30 cubic per hour as a minimum. If irrigation takes 5 hours per day, then 150 cubic must be available

ii. Pressure. Check your ground elevation, determine your pressure loss in the system and your pipe size. Work backward to determine the water pump type that matches your sprinkler choice. The frictional losses along the pipeline will be taken into consideration too

iii. Crop water requirement. This determines the time spent in irrigation

iv. Land size. This will determine the number of units to run per session

A long range 2″ rain gun sprinkler on display at Grekkon Limited’s ware house in Athi River

Long range sprinkler

FAQs

1. How much does a sprinkler system cost in Kenya?

The cost of a sprinkler system in Kenya is from Kes 55,000 per acre depending on the sprinkler type and number of sprinklers installed

2. What is the distance of a rain gun?

This is from 17M to 50M diameter of spray

3. How much HP motor is required for a rain gun?

A ran gun sprinkler will work with a fossil fuel powered water pump with an engine power from 7.5Hp

4. What pressure is needed for a rain gun?

From 3 bars or 30M lift

5. How to select a long range sprinkler?

Consider the following

• water volume available
• the water pump specifications
• the lift or ground elevation
• the acreage under irrigation
• your budget

6. What are the benefits of a long range sprinkler system?

• it irrigates over a short period of time saving energy
• it is movable
• there are different sizes to choose from
• it covers both small and large acreage
• it is easy to install
• a large volume of water is provided
• it raises the humidity level around the crop

7. What are the disadvantages of a long range sprinkler?

• it consumes copius amounts of water
• it requires a large water pump for energy
• if left operational for a longer than recommeneded period, it causes soil erosion
• it will not work with gravity flow as the pressure is too low
• it is unsuitable for certain crops because they cause flowe rabortion or make them more susceptible to fungal infections when the foliage is left moist

8. How efficient is a rain gun?

It uses half the water volume that flood irrigation would use. However, it uses more than 3 times what would be achieved under drip irrigation

9. What is the diameter of a rain gun sprinkler?

The diameter of a rain gun sprinkler is from 1″ through 2-1/2″

10. How long does a sprinkler system last?

From 20 years under proper care for the metallic types, and just under 5 years for th plastic analogues

11. How effective is rain gun irrigation?

It is carried out for many crops so long as there is sufficient water volume at the source. It is particularly useful for crops that have large spaces in between

12. What is the difference between rain gun and drip irrigation?

• water application. Rain guns apply from the top (overhead), while drip pipes apply from below
• water efficiency. Drip irrigtaion is more water efficient
• cost. drip irrigation systems are more expensive to install
• crop type. drip irrigation will be used for more crop types than rain gun sprinklers
• rain gun sprinklers unlike drip lines will be installed in uneven terrain
• rain gun sprinklers are preferred most under large acreage

13. How many minutes should I run my rain gun?

Depending on the rain gun size, this is from 15 minutes for the large ones, to 35 minutes for the smaller types. Irrigation is done twice a week

14. How do you maintain your sprinkler system?

• ensure that there are no blockages
• clean any debris stuck
• change or repair any loose springs
• limit the number of operators to one 2 persons only

A 2-1/2″ long range rain gun sprinkler at work

Long range sprinkler

Your long range rain gun sprinkler will have a tripod steel support stand. The water delivery pipe is attached to the hollow bottom of the stand. The diameter size of this hollow bottom is the sprinkler’s size

The water drops are fine to use on flowering crops without causing flower abortion. On solanaceous crops such as; tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, irrigate in the morning hours and not in the evening. This allows the moisture to dry off from the leaves, which minimises blight or mildew infection

Before installation, our technical team makes a site visit to make the system layout plan. This is important to ensure that every inch of the farm is covered during irrigation and that there are no dry shadows

These giant sprinklers irrigate over a short period of time, in a large area