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TOP 5 COMMON CAUSES OF IRRIGATION PUMP PROBLEMS If you have been around irrigation and pumping stations, you probably are aware that things don't always go as planned. Below are some common problems seen in irrigation pumping and design that should be considered to minimize potential future problems. Lack of supply water A lack of water can be caused by a number of different factors. An irrigation pump that starves for water can cavitate, which can significantly shorten the life of the pump. Most of the time, it is because there is a problem with a partially plugged strainer at the water source. For example, plastic sacks have an unbelievable ability to wrap around an intake strainer and plug it completely. Frogs (or fish, or …), sediment, weeds and debris can also plug up the intake strainers. It is important to design the strainer so that the velocity of water entering the strainer is low. This allows debris to float beyond the strainer rather than get sucked into it. Other factors can also lead to low water supply: • Sometimes the water supply in the pond or creek is low enough that the pump's intake system is not able to deliver it to the pump. • The water level in wells can drop while pumping and cause the pump to starve for water. • Booster pumps can starve for water if there is an issue in the pipeline. Lack of adequate power Irrigation systems are often located at the end of the power grid. The pumps supplying water to the pivots are the largest power draw in the irrigation system, so the pumps are the first to suffer if there is a power problem. If the power grid is soft, then the voltage will drop when a load is applied. As voltage drops, the amp draw on the system will increase. This condition can perpetuate until the system faults for low voltage. These conditions can also cause motor failures due to excessive heat produced in the motor. By Aaron Caughey, Product Manager of Water Management Solutions, Valley Irrigation 18 POTATO GROWER | FEBRUARY 2019