SportsTurf provides current, practical and technical content on issues relevant to sports turf managers, including facilities managers. Most readers are athletic field managers from the professional level through parks and recreation, universities.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/753045
www.stma.org December 2016 | SportsTurf 35 See us at STMA 2017 The ideal machines for your sports field from Campey Imants Imants ShockWave KORO ® FIELDTOPMAKER ® Vredo Seeder Raycam Uni Rake Distributed throughout North America by Aqua.Aid www.campeyimants.com or email info@campeyimants.com imants ™ c Perfecting Play Spring startup checklist This checklist for spring startup for automatic irrigation systems is courtesy of Lynda Wightman, industry relations manager for Hunter Industries: Automatic Controllers: In all climates, certain yearly procedures should take place with your control system. ■ Change battery and/or fuses ■ Check wiring compartment for any rodent damage, etc. ■ Change battery and check wiring for remote control units ■ Plug in controller and run through each zone (in winterized climates) ■ Check for current date and time ■ Create spring watering schedule on controller ■ Check the sensing devices: rain shutoff; ET; wind, etc. Electric Valves: ■ Check wiring and waterproof connectors for wear, rodent and water damage, etc. ■ Open fl ow control handle to maximum, and then turn back down 1½ turns for optimum open and closure speeds ■ When operating valves manually/electrically from controller, check to make sure each valve opens and closes with appropriate speeds ■ If valve doesn't close, check solenoid and diaphragms for debris or damage ■ Clean out valve boxes and put new gravel in bottom of box Sprinklers: ■ While sprinklers are running, check for proper arc align- ment (not spraying on hardscapes, other landscapes, etc.) ■ Take a dynamic pressure reading while sprinklers are run- ning to ensure proper operating pressure ■ Raise and/or lower sprinklers to appropriate depth. Sprin- klers buried too low will invite liabilities/accidents and will not allow water to clear tops of turf and plant material. Sprinklers buried too high are unsightly and may cause liabilities and vandalism. ■ Check nozzles for clogging and matched precipitation ■ Add drain check valves, if necessary ■ Clean screens in bottom of sprinklers Miscellaneous equipment: ■ Make sure all isolation valves (ball and/or gate valves) are open and allow water to fl ow freely through them ■ Re-install backfl ow prevention device (in Northern regions) and have a professional conduct proper safety checks ■ Check for leaks in hose bibs, quick couplers, etc. Ongoing maintenance: Develop a "checklist" that can be quickly and easily conducted for ongoing system maintenance. This list can be laminated and re-used with a dry erase pen on a monthly basis. Following is an example that can certainly be customized to meet an individual's specifi c needs. ■ Adjust heads to correct grade ■ No missing heads or broken sprinklers ■ No dissimilar sprinklers zoned together ■ No interference to sprays by landscaping materials ■ Annual equipment inspection ■ Check fi lter screens Don't forget that an effi cient irrigation system relies upon an even distribution of water, the entire year. Site inspections are "cheap insurance policies." Get out and take a visual look at your sprinklers at least once a month to ensure a safe and healthy playing surface. It is also critical to hire irrigation professionals that are Irrigation Association-certifi ed to ensure your work is done properly.