FMG News

You're never too old for parking lessons

In your average paddock, you'd think there'd be plenty of room for both your irrigator and your tractor, right? Well not always so, given how often the two seem to meet each other with disastrous consequences.

In 2008 FMG paid more than $530,000 in claims relating to damaged or destroyed travelling and pivot irrigators. And this amount doesn’t include related damage and liability claims for damage to farm bikes, fencing or third-party property! The vast majority of these losses could have been prevented or minimised, saving the businesses concerned a whole lot of money, time and hassle.

The extra time taken to walk the irrigator track before flicking the 'on' switch could mean saving thousands of dollars. All it can take to damage an irrigator is a new dip in the track caused by a washout (tipping the machine or damaging the gearbox), or a tyre punctured by a fencing iron left lying in the paddock (ruining the tyre and potentially tipping the machine).

Irrigator damage isn’t cheap to fix; the cost of repairs can seriously affect cash flow. Just a few examples we've come across include:

parking a farm bike and trailer near the irrigator before setting the irrigator going which then clipped the trailer on the back of the quad, ruining the trailer and damaging the irrigator;
towing the irrigator to a new paddock without pre-planning the route and clipping some trees on the way, damaging the irrigator to the tune of $6,000;
setting an irrigator going on uneven, unsuitable ground, tipping the machine and requiring repairs of around $8,000.

How you can avoid the same loss

It makes sense to check the paddock for foreign objects and any changes to the ground or surrounding trees, shelter belts and hedges before setting the irrigator going. This is particularly important before making the first run of a new season, as there will undoubtedly have been some growth since the last time the irrigator was run. And don't forget about any new power poles or fences that may have been installed!
Over $75,000 of our 2008 travelling and pivot irrigator claims were storm-related, so if you cannot move your machinery out of the wind (i.e. into a machinery shed or hangar), irrigators should be parked downwind pointing into the prevailing wind.
When gale or storm warnings are issued, consider anchoring the irrigator with a heavy vehicle as well ... and remember to detach and move it out of harm's way before starting up the irrigator again.
In general, because of the high risk of damage and also to ensure worker safety, you should ensure maintenance is kept up on your irrigators (as for all other heavy machinery) and all new workers are trained how to use the machine.
It's a wise idea not only to get workers to read the operating instructions thoroughly, but also for you or an experienced operator to walk the track with them before they operate the machine for the first time. Help them to recognise the different hazards they need to look out for each time they operate or move an irrigator, and you’ll go a long way towards reducing your chance of costly irrigator damage.

Tips when installing irrigation

If you are thinking about installing irrigation, you should first assess your farm's requirements and suitability. Some irrigation manufacturers provide site assessment services to ensure you’re getting a system that meets your requirements.
For pivot and travelling irrigators, it is particularly important to think about topography and soil composition. An irrigator that moves is one that can tip or change course unexpectedly on boggy or less than flat terrain. Also think about what small buildings or fences you might have to move in order to allow your new irrigator to operate safely and effectively. Given the investment required, some additional cost to remove potential hazards will be money well spent to achieve the results you're looking for.
Ensure all materials are installed according to manufacturer's instructions and properly tested. It's also helpful to make use of offers by manufacturers to install and commission your equipment – ask them to provide you with full documentation including the system specifi cations, results of testing and commissioning and how to operate and maintain the system safely and effectively.
To ensure sufficient training of any farm workers, arrange supervision of the commissioning run – this will also ensure the irrigator avoids any obstacles including trees, hedges, fences or buildings.

Make sure you have sufficient insurance cover

Talk to FMG about the cover you'll need for:

The physical loss of your travelling or stationary irrigator.
Your pumps, switchboards and other machinery and plant that operate your travelling irrigator.