Look Beyond the Last Watering
Just because your pivot finished the season running doesn’t mean every component is ready for another year. Tires, gearboxes, sprinklers, and electrical components all deserve attention during the off-season.
Think back over the past few months. Did you notice an unusual noise, uneven watering, or a tower that gave you trouble? Sharing those details with your service team helps focus the inspection on concerns you’ve seen in the field.
Give Your System a Check From End to End
A thorough pivot inspection should cover the system from the center point to the last tower. Key areas to review include:
- Center point: Structural condition, grounding, electrical components, conduit, and bearing lubrication.
- Spans and sprinklers: Structural integrity, goosenecks, drops, and sprinkler condition.
- Towers and drivetrain: Gearbox oil levels and signs of water contamination, tire condition and pressure, tower electrical components, and alignment.
- Last tower and end gun: Sand trap, booster pump, end-gun plumbing, and filters.
Winter preparation also means making sure drainage and any necessary winterization are addressed for your particular system. Your service team can help determine what your equipment needs before freezing weather arrives.
Plan Ahead for Next Season
Nobody wants to find out their pivot needs work on the first hot, dry stretch of the year. Checking it now gives you time to line up parts and repairs while the machine is sitting.
Put your pivot to rest knowing you’ve taken a step toward being ready when your crop needs water again.
Contact the Red Cedar Irrigation team to schedule your winter check and get a head start on next season!
