For some, Spring can often mean the windy season which can be a worrying time for irrigator owners. After teaming up with IrrigationNZ we developed an Irrigator Advice Guide offering some thoughts on helping your Irrigator stay upright when strong winds hit. This advice is built around Point, Park, and Anchor.
If strong winds are predicted, the advice recommends you point the irrigator into the prevailing wind, park it in a designated spot and ensure it’s correctly anchored. Wind accounts for over a third of our irrigator claims, with about 60% of these incidents occurring between September and November.
Having a proactive plan for windstorms can significantly ease pressure. Our work with industry bodies like IrrigationNZ reinforce the importance of this approach. Your plan should cover wind prediction, responsibilities, and necessary actions. These preventative measures could help remove or reduce the high costs of repairs and potential disruption to your business operations.
Watch out for hazards. Beyond wind, irrigators are often damaged by hitting things such as overgrown trees and machinery parked in the way. Start the season by checking for hazards along the irrigator’s path. Walk the track before running the irrigator—a small amount of work now can prevent much larger damage later.
Check out our comprehensive guide to protecting your irrigator.
What we know
- Corner arms have been damaged in up to 7% of wind-related claims.
- In 2023 alone, we spent nearly $7 million on irrigator repair costs. -
- Over the past five years, we’ve supported more than 1,300 claims, totalling $28 million.
- The average cost of irrigator claims is rising, now sitting at $21,000.
