Pivot Irrigators - Towing & Recovery

• Two people must be used tro perform this task at all times.

• Move from:

• Move to:

• Conducted on

  Date

• Responsible Person / Checklist Prepared by:

• Additional Person / Personnel

• Location
  Address

• Irrigator towing procedure
  
  Preparing to tow
  
  1. A Irrigator Towing Checklist must be filled out during the towing procedure
  2. Align Irrigator on tow path aiming to get the end tower centred on the path (If the end tower is not visible it is possible to climb one of the towers towards the end and stop the machine with the safety shut off switch. Ensure that the switch is turned back on after the pivot has stopped)
  3. Stop irrigator and switch off generator
  4. Close control panel door, disconnect earth clamp and then hang earth cable over control door to ensure it will not open.
  5. Turn off main line valve, release 200mm flexible hose clamp on the pivot riser pipe to release water pressure and then disconnect flexible hose from main line valve.
  6. Cover main line valve with steel plate.
  7. If the centre tower is aligned correctly for the tow the tower wheels can be turned before releasing the tie down chains.
  8. If the centre tower is not aligned for the tow it must be aligned and hooked to towing vehicle prior to turning the pivot wheels into the tow position.
  9. To realign the centre tower (while the pivot wheels are in the watering position) release the tie down chains.
  10. Jack up each wheel of the centre tower in turn and turn the wheels to allow the unit to be turned.
  11. Pull the centre tower into line with a vehicle hooked to the drawbar.
  12. Hook towing vehicle onto towing frame
  13. Connect safety chain to towing vehicle.
  14. Jack up and turn all the pivot wheels into the towing position.
  
  
  
  Safety issues around using hi- lift Jacks
  Manual jacking can be dangerous particularly on soft and sloping ground.
  The handle can fly up and injure the operator
  
  
  • Always use genuine “HiLift” jacks
  • Check mechanism for reliable operation
  • Use extended handles for improved leverage and control
  • Keep head away from over the jack handle when using the jack
  

• Towing
  
  Towing vehicle and person assisting must have UHF radio communication
  
  1. Check radio communication
  2. Proceed with tow ensuring the pivot tows easily and without allowing the pivot to roll backward.
  3. Tow at around 2 – 3 km/hr at a steady rate.
  4. Approaching the pivot pad align the towing vehicle with the painted lines.
  5. If using the bulldozer place truck tyres on the pivot pad
  6. Tow onto the pad with the person assisting to stop with the riser pipe dead centre over the centre mark.
  7. Tie down the centre tower with the chain twitches before disconnecting the towing vehicle.
  8. If the centre tower is not aligned with the tie down chains, jack and turn all the pivot wheels before disconnecting the draw bar and aligning the centre tower.
  9. The pivot riser pipe must be within 100mm (half the width of the pipe) of the centre mark on the concrete before chaining down
  10. The pivot irrigator must not be reversed. Ensure that the pivot is stopped with the riser pipe within 100 mm of the centre mark on the concrete slab.
  11. Place the wooden blocks under the foot of the centre tower legs.
  12. Connect flexible hose ensuring that the hose is resting on the rubber mat and that the clamps are securely attached
  13. Connect earth clamp to copper rod in the hole in the concrete slab (Wheat pdk and South Bells have the rod on the western side of the slab next to the concrete)
  14. Turn all pivot wheels to watering position before starting generator.
  15. Start up irrigator as per the start up procedure
  

Before Turning Pivot Wheels

• Pivot end tower is centred on tow path

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Earth clamp lead is around control panel to ensure the pivot can not be started

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Centre tower is aligned for tow direction prior to turning pivot wheels

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Pivot is hooked to towing vehicle prior to turning wheels if not chained down

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Before Towing

• Main line valve cover plate is in place

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Safety chain is connected to towing vehicle

  Safe

  At Risk

  N/A

• UHF Radios have been tested and are working correctly

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Double check that all the pivot wheels are in the towing positionDouble check that all the pivot wheels are in the towing position

  Safe

  At Risk

  N/A

• Person assisting tow is aware of all the hazards on the tow path and of the procedure for towing.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Wind conditions are acceptable for towing

  Safe

  At Risk

  N/A

• Verifiy All procedures have been completed prior to towing / moving irrigator

  Sign

• Time confirmed to comence move

  Date

After Towing

• Pivot is chained down before disconnecting towing vehicle when chains are aligned with tow direction

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Pivot wheels are turned to watering position prior to disconnecting towing vehicle when chains are not aligned with tow direction

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Verifiy all the above procedures have been completed prior to turning pivot wheels to towing position

  Sign

• Time Confirmed wheels ready to be turned into watering position.

  Date