KIFCO AG-RAIN Water-Reel T30A User manual

1
Ag-rain
®
OPERATOR’S MANUAL
Models
T30A to T40A
E30A to E40A
Copyright © February 2003 by Kifco
®
Inc.
Kifco Inc.
707 South Schrader Avenue, P.O. Box 290, Havana, IL 62644
Phone [phone] Fax [phone]
www.kifco.com
P/N 19301790

3
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing an Ag-Rain Water-Reel.
Read This Manual carefully to learn how to operate and service your Water-Reel properly.
Failure to do so can result in personal injury and/or property damage.
This manual is a permanent part of your Water-Reel and should always be available for
reference by the operator. This manual should remain with the Water-Reel when it is sold.
Measurements in this manual are in U.S. units unless otherwise noted.
The Serial Number of your machine should be written in the space provided in the Dealer
Checklist.
If You Have A Problem or if you do not understand some feature of this equipment contact
your Kifco/Ag-Rain dealer.
Warranty is provided as part of the Kifco/Ag-Rain product support. Please see specific
warranty statement in this manual.
The warranty excludes:
Alterations or modifications not previously approved. Neither Kifco/Ag-Rain dealers
nor representatives are authorized to make exceptions to warranty policy. Any
deviations from standard warranty require written authorization from an officer of
Kifco Inc. Irrigation tube that is longer, larger in diameter, or made from non-
approved materials will void the warranty on the entire machine.
Damage caused by normal wear, accident, lack of reasonable care and
maintenance, neglect or abuse.
The replacement cost of normal service items such as belts, gaskets, brake bands,
etc. unless these parts are known to be defective.
Transportation, mailing, service call, diagnosis costs. Labor for repairs is also
excluded unless unusual circumstances exist and then only if pre-approved.
Parts Manuals are available at www.Kifco.com

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Dealer Checklist
Owner’sName
Address
City State Zip
Model Serial No. Date Sold
Pre-delivery Checklist: Check below before delivery to customer.
1. Guards and shields in place _______ 6. Turbine valve operation _______
2. Decals in place and legible _______ 7. Sprinkler nozzles _______
3. Tire pressure and axle adjustment _______8. Drive disengage _______
4. Lubrication points _______ 9. Supply hose fittings _______
5. Gear box brake adjustment _______ 10.Touch up paint & clean _______
Delivery Checklist: Review operator manual with the user and explain the
following:
1. Kifco warranty policy and claims procedure. _______
2. Safe operation and service. _______
3. Transporting the Water-Reel on roads or highways. _______
4. Speed adjustment and effect on depth of application. _______
5. Effect of flow and pressure on Water-Reel performance. _______
6. Have customer record serial no. in specifications section. _______
7. Discuss winterization and storage procedures. _______
8. Give the customer this manual and encourage the customer to read and study
the information in the manual. _______
Date Delivered Customer Signature
NameofDealer
Dealer Phone #

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Table of Contents
Safety 5
Controls 9
Handling the Polyethylene Tube 10
Lubrication and Service 11
Start-Up & Operation 12
Tongue Jack 12
Start-Up Procedure 13
Travel Speed Settings 17
Speed Compensation 18,33
Travel Speed Indicator 19
Turbine Drive Speed Settings 21
Turbine Compensation Overview 18,33
Engine Drives 22
Engine Drive Speed Settings 23
Engine Drive Speed Control Linkage 24
Engine Drive Compensation Overview 24,33
Engine Drive Shut-Off System 24
Hydraulic Controls Maintenance & Adjustments 26
Turbine Shut Off Adjustment 29
Level-Wind Timing 30
Safety Shutdown Adjustments 25
Drive Cog Adjustment 31
Turbine Bearing & Runner Adjustment 28
Sprinkler Cart Lift 32
Sprinkler Cart 32
Polyethylene Tube Repair 34
Winterizing and Storage 37
Assembly 38
Specifications 39
Optional Equipment 42
Warranty 43
Polyethylene Tubing Warranty 44
Parts Manual (Hard Copy Available Upon Request) http://www.Kifco.com

6
Safety
Owner’s Responsibilities
The owner is responsible for the safe operation of this product. The important safeguards
and instructions appearing in this manual are not meant to cover all possible conditions and
situations that may occur. Common sense and caution are factors that cannot be built into
any product. These factors must be supplied by the person(s) caring for and operating the
product.
The owner’s responsibility is to:
1. Read and understand these instructions.
2. Operate the machine according to prescribed limitations.
3. Properly train others who may be permitted to operate the machine.
4. Heed the rules of safety, including but not limited to those in these instructions.
5. Exercise good judgment relating to safe operation and safe conduct by operators
and spectators whether invited or not.
6. Always bring the safety decals and placards on the machine to the attention of
operators and spectators.
7. Keep all shields and guards in place!
Read and Heed The Special Messages!
This safety alert symbol is used to indicate messages related to safety.
When you see this safety symbol, obey the safety message to avoid
personal injury, property damage, or both.
A “Caution” message in this manual or on a machine placard means that you could be
injured and/or equipment or property may be damaged if you do not follow instructions.
A “Warning” message in this manual or on a machine placard means that a hazard exists
that could result in severe personal injury or death.
A “Danger” message in this manual or on a machine placard means that a hazard exists
that will result in severe personal injury or death.

8
--Safety--
Learn to Be A Safe Operator
Read This Manual.
Know the controls on the Water-Reel and also how to stop the supply
pump!
Do not allow children to operate the Water-Reel. Do not allow anyone to
operate the equipment without proper instruction.
Protect Children
Keep children away when you operate the Water-Reel.
Do not allow children to operate the tractor that is positioning the
Water-Reel.
Never allow children to climb or ride on the machine at any time.
Use Caution Around Pressurized Lines
Be sure pressure is relieved from the supply line when
disconnecting.
If the sprinkler plugs, there may be pressure trapped in the Water-
Reel tube.
Stay Away From Operating Sprinklers
Stay away and keep others away from the sprinkler head during
operation. Pressurized fluid from a sprinkler can inflict serious
injury to by-standers.

9
--Safety--
Use Caution When Towing
Your Water-Reel is not intended for highway towing.
Towing Speed:
12 MPH maximum on smooth surfaces.
3 MPH maximum on rough surfaces.
Never tow the Water-Reel in excess of 12 MPH.
Keep Hands and Clothing Away
Do not under any circumstances reach into the Water-Reel while it
is in operation.
Keep All Guards and Shields In Place
Never Operate this Machine with Safety Guards Removed!
Never Service or Make Adjustments While The Water-Reel Is
Pressurized
Shut the Pump off at the source before attempting to do any service,
maintenance or adjustments. Lock out tag the pump shut-off.
Stay Away From Power Lines
Avoid letting water contact power lines. Be careful not to contact
power Lines with irrigation pipe or mechanical equipment.

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Handling The Polyethylene Tube
The polyethylene irrigation tube is a durable product that will operate reliably for many
years if handled properly and given a reasonable amount of care.
Unlike rubber hose or hose with a woven jacket (lay flat hose), polyethylene is a semi-
ridged product that retains its shape when it is not pressurized. This characteristic makes it
feasible to pump fluid through it while it is rolled up on a reel.
A few simple precautions need to be observed to prevent damaging the tube when
operating your Water-Reel.
When starting a new Water-Reel for the first time, you must pull the tube all the way
out in order to correctly tighten the new tube on the spool.
1. Never transport the Water-Reel with the anti-return pawl disengaged! The tubing
will become loose and tangled. Do not attempt to operate if there are any coils of
tube that are loose or misplaced. If loose coils of tube are noticed after pulling
the tube out, they must be tightened up by rotating the spool with the hand crank.
If this is not possible then pull all of the tube out before attempting to rewind the
tube.
2. Never try to move or relocate the machine if the tube is not fully rewound onto
the machine.
3. Never pull the tube off the machine other than by pulling on the sprinkler cart
(straight out from the machine).
4. Never run over the tube with any kind of vehicle and avoid pinching or pulling the
tube around objects. Never bend the tube sharper than 25 times the diameter of
the tube.
5. Be careful when operating other equipment near the tube. Make sure the tube
doesn’t get gouged or punctured.
6. Avoid using the PTO or engine drive to rewind the tube when it is not
pressurized. When the tube is not pressurized during rewind the tube will flatten
and the rewind mechanism cannot function properly. Keep the tube pressurized
when rewinding!
Remember, polyethylene tube is semi-rigid and subject to being kinked. These
precautions will reduce the possibility of kinking or damaging your tube. Throughout the
irrigation industry the words “tube” and “hose” are used interchangeably in connection with
hard-hose traveling irrigation machines.

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Start Up & Operation
Tongue Jack
The Ag-Rain Water-Reel models have as standard either a screw type or manual-hydraulic
tongue jack. The tongue jack frame offers a set of 5 adjustment holes to augment the
stroke of the screw by 11 inches. The stroke of the screw is 14 inches. See the diagram
below. The dimensions apply to both types of jacks.
Caution! Do not extend the screw-type tongue jack beyond the stroke
of the screw. Extending the tongue jack beyond the stroke of the screw
may cause damage to the tongue jack.
Tongue Jack Adjustment Limits
Start-Up Procedure
Successful operation of the Water-Reel irrigation system depends a great deal on the
operator’s understanding of the proper pullout and start-up procedure. Unless you are an
experienced operator of this type of equipment, do not attempt to operate this Water-
Reel until you read and understand the preceding section titled “Handling the
Polyethylene Tube”!
The following steps are important.
1. Pull the Water-Reel to the area to be irrigated and safely secure the chassis. Rotate
the spool so that the sprinkler cart is facing towards the path of irrigation and is
approximately 90 degrees away from the chassis. Be especially careful to have the
spool squarely aligned with the sprinkler cart travel path.

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--Start Up--
Warning! Do not pull the tube off of the back of the machine. The
stabilizer legs will not hold the load of incoming tube if the chassis
wheels are not approximately 90 degrees from the sprinkler cart travel
path. See diagram below.
2. Deploy the stabilizer legs. Manually or hydraulically extend the
stabilizer legs until both stabilizer feet are firmly inserted into the
ground. For hydraulic units, this will also lower the sprinkler cart.
Warning! Never operate the Water-Reel with only one stabilizer leg in
the ground. Never operate the Water-Reel without the stabilizer feet
firmly inserted in the ground.
Pulling the tube from the Water Reel

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--Start Up--
Caution! If the tube is pulled out in an arc, the first 20% of the tube must
be pulled straight away from the machine. Failure to observe this
limitation places excessive side load on the level wind mechanism and
may result in equipment failure or tube damage. See the section titled
“Handling The Polyethylene Tube”.
Use a gear in your tractor that will not exceed 3 MPH at full throttle. Pull the tube out
at a steady rate and do not exceed 3 MPH. Do not start and stop. Slow the tractor
to 1 MPH or less for fifty feet prior to stopping.
The purpose of the gearbox brake is to prevent coils of tube from becoming loose on
the tube spool. Loose coils of tube will make the level-wind mechanism appear to
be out of time. In this case, the level-wind system will be damaged and a mis-wrap
will occur.
Coasting of the spool during the tube pull out is the most frequent cause of mis-wrap
problems! This problem is most common when the Water-Reel is used often in short
runs and the entire tube is seldom pulled all the way out or when the sprinkler cart is
pulled out fast and with sudden stops. When the spool coasts, the irrigation tube will
become loose on the spool.
7. Adjust sprinkler cart to the desired width. See “Specification Section”.
8. Turn on the pump. Do not pick up or hold Supply Hose as it is being pressurized!
Confirm the sprinkler is operating as expected and in the desired arc. The arc of the
sprinkler will affect the precipitation application of the system. Note the “Precip Rate”
column on the performance guide located on the Water-Reel. The lowest
precipitation rate will occur when the sprinkler is operating a full 360-degree circle.
See below.
Note: The swivel seal at the main bearing may leak initially at low pressure however
will stop as pressure increases, and the “o” ring seats.
Note: Arc settings where the sprinkler never throws
water forward of the sprinkler cart could make the
sprinkler cart track off line. This is caused by the
continuous thrust of the sprinkler that tries to push the
tube towards the Water-Reel. It is necessary to have
some sprinkler thrust which puts the Tube under
tension.
Sprinkler Arc Limits

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--Start Up--
9. After all air is purged from the system and the sprinkler is operating smoothly, you
can start the drive system if you have an engine drive. For turbine drives, allow the
water to go through the system for several minutes to carry out any trash or debris
that may have been in the mainline pipe. After the system is thoroughly flushed,
start the drive system.
Warning! Before starting the machine, exercise the compensation/
shut-off bar to confirm that the engine and/or turbine are stopped
when the sprinkler cart reaches the machine. This confirms that
the engine shut-off switch and/or turbine gate are properly adjusted
and working. Always exercise the compensation/shut-off bar each
time before the unit is restarted to confirm proper operation. Do
not allow the machine to operate if the shut-off system is not
working properly. Damage will result if the machine fails to stop
when the irrigation tube is completely rewound.
Caution! Do not engage or disengage the gearbox under high
loads. Engaging or disengaging the gearbox under high loads may
damage the gear train.
10.Important: Before Leaving the machine, exercise the compensation/shut-off bar that
stops the engine or turbine. Confirm that it works easily and that it safely stops the
turbine or engine.
11.Observe pressure, travel speed, and sprinkler operation. See the “Specification”
section of this manual for performance information and then adjust speed to the
desired travel rate.
12.When the sprinkler cart completes the irrigation run and has contacted the
compensation/shut-off bar, the retraction of the tube will stop. With the irrigation run
completed, stop the pump, lift the sprinkler cart into transport position, retract the
stabilizer legs, and disconnect the supply hose, and rotate the spool and cradle to
the transport position. The Water-Reel is now ready to be moved and set up in a
new location.
13.If you are using the PTO rewind, avoid collapsing the tube by maintaining the
operational water pressure during the entire PTO rewind. The tube may collapse if
you are using the PTO rewind and do not have the proper water pressure. See the
section titled “Handling the Polyethylene Tube”.
Warning! When using the PTO rewind, the compensation/shut-off
bar will not stop the machine! The operator must manually stop the
rewind process. Failure to stop the rewind process while using PTO
rewind will result in serious machine damage!

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--Start Up--
After the desired depth of water has been determined and the proper nozzle has been
installed, follow the steps in the following example to set the speed: (Assume: 1.46” ring
nozzle, 120 psi inlet pressure, and a desired depth of water of 1 inch.)
1. Find the proper section in the performance Guide for the 1.46” ring nozzle. (1)
2. Locate the 122-psi inlet pressure. (2)
3. Find depth of application 1.00 inch. (3)
4. Locate 111 feet per hour. (4)
5. The water pressure on the sprinkler nozzle is 70 psi. The flow in gallons per
minute being discharged through the sprinkler is 355 and the wetted diameter is
385 feet. (5)
6. The effective irrigated width is 270 feet and the maximum effective irrigated
length is 1455 feet. (6)
7. You can also note the precipitation rate (the rate that water is being applied to
the soil) is 0.40 inches per hour. This computation is based on a 320-degree arc
of the sprinkler with the arc symmetrical to the direction of travel. See sprinkler
arc setting in this section. (7)
8. Hours required for a complete run about 13.2 can be read from the chart at the
bottom of the performance guide entitled “Retraction Speed of Irrigation Tube
(Ft/Hr)”. (8)
Note: This information is based on standard lengths of tube for the various models. Any
tube of a non-standard length or diameter will substantially charge the performance.
Consult the factory for performance information on non-standard tubes.
Speed Compensation
Speed compensation is necessary for uniform application of water. The build up of tube on
the spool gives the spool a larger effective circumference. With a constant speed of
rotation, each layer of tube on the spool makes a significant increase in the rate of sprinkler
cart retraction speed during the irrigation run. From the beginning of the irrigation run to
the end of the run the typical speed increase of a hard-hose traveler is about 40%. This
means that without speed compensation, if you set the travel speed to apply 1 inch of water
at the beginning of the run, you will get only 0.6 inches at the end of the run. On the
average, the depth is only 0.8 inches. This level of uniformity is unacceptable in most
cases.

20
--Start Up--
To better manage the uniformity of application, the Water-Reels are equipped with a speed
compensator. The compensator slows the rotation of the spool at approximately the same
rate that the tube builds up on the spool so the velocity of the incoming tube stays relatively
constant throughout the irrigation cycle.
The compensation system monitors the diameter of the spool by use of a bar that rides on
the tube and slows the drive system to offset the increase in the circumference of the spool.
The bar is attached mechanically to the turbine motor or to the throttle of an engine drive
system.
For Cruise Control equipped machines, the Cruise Control electronically compensates the
rotation of the spool. The Cruise Control knows the size of the Water-Reel it is controlling
and knows how much tube is on the spool. It then calculates the diameter of the spool and
adjusts the rotational speed accordingly. The bar that rides on the tube is not used for
speed compensation. It is used for shut-off in the event of a mis-wrap or when the sprinkler
cart reaches the machine.
The compensator systems will maintain a reasonably constant sprinkler cart retraction
speed throughout the run.
See the “Maintenance & Adjustments” section in this manual for more information about
adjusting the turbine or engine compensators.
Travel Speed Indicator
The travel speed indicator displays the ground speed of the sprinkler cart. The speed is
shown in feet per hour. Cruise Control equipped models do not have a tachometer. The
speed is read directly from the Cruise Control screen.
A shaft on the back of the gearbox (which turns at a speed relative to the rotation of the
spool) drives the indicator. To make full use of the information displayed on the speed
tachometer the operator must understand the various lines and symbols on the dial.
The following information and diagram in this manual will be helpful. You should read and
understand the previous section about “Speed Compensation” before proceeding.
During operation, with the compensator operating properly, the needle will move counter
clockwise (indicating slower spool rotation) as the layers of tube build up on the spool. This
movement is normal. The lines in the dial numbered 1 thru 5 represent layers of tube on
the spool. No. 1 represents the first layer of tube on an empty spool.
The radial lines (compensation lines) that go across tube layer lines represent the track of
the needle during the run.

21
--Start Up--
Standard Tachometer Face