KIFCO Ag-Rain T23/720 User manual

T23_AA_Operator Manual_2014 Revised 08/2014
OPERATOR’S MANUAL
700 South Schrader Avenue
P.O. Box 290
Havana, IL 62644
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]
www.Kifco.com
Chassis Sizes
AA
Model
T23/720
(Turbine Drive)

T23_AA_Operator Manual_2014 Revised 08/2014
Introducon
Thank you for purchasing a Kifco Ag-Rain Water-Reel!
Please read this manual carefully and watch the operator’s video to learn how to operate and service your Wa-
ter-Reel properly before operang your machine for the rst me. Failure to do so can result in personal injury
and/or property damage.
If you have any problems or are unclear regarding any of the instrucons contained herein, contact your local
dealer or Kifco prior to operaon.
Record the model & serial number of your machine in a safe locaon. Should you ever require product support
assistance from our factory; the process will be much quicker if you have this informaon available.
This manual is a permanent part of your Water-Reel and should always be available for reference by the opera-
tor. This manual should remain with the Water-Reel at all mes. Addional copies of this manual are available
on our website at www.kifco.com.
Measurements
In this manual all measurements are in U.S. SAE units unless otherwise noted.
Warranty
A standard Kifco/Ag-Rain warranty is provided. Please see the specic warranty statement in this manual for
full details. Neither Kifco/Ag-Rain Dealers nor their representaves are authorized to make excepons to any
warranty policy. Any deviaons from the standard warranty require wrien authorizaon from Kifco, Inc.
The warranty specically excludes:
 Alteraons or modicaons to any part of your new machine not previously approved by Kifco in wring.
 Irrigaon tube that is longer, larger in diameter, or made from non-approved materials will void the war-
ranty on the enre machine.
 Damage caused by normal wear, accident, lack of reasonable care and maintenance, neglect or abuse.
 Normal wear items such as belts, gaskets, brake bands, etc. unless these parts are known to be defecve.
 Transportaon, mailing, service call, diagnosc costs.
 Labor for repairs is also excluded unless unusual circumstances exist and then only if pre-approved.
Current Parts & Operator’s Manuals are always available online at www.kifco.com.

T23_AA_Operator Manual_2014 Revised 08/2014
Table of Contents
Safety 1-5
Controls 6
Handling the Polyethylene Tube 7-8
Assembly 8
Lubricaon 9
Start-up & Operaon 10-25
Step-by-Step Operaon 10-14
Depth of Water 15
Speed Compensaon 16
Travel Speed Indicator (Taky) 17-21
Turbine Speed Sengs 22-23
Safety Shut 23
Stopping Water-Reel 24
PTO Rewind 25
Maintenance & Adjustments 26-30
Compensator 26
Turbine Seal & Bearing Replacement 27
Levelwind Timing 28-29
Traveler Speed Indicator (Taky) 30
Sprinkler Cart & Cart Li 31
PE Tube Fings & Mending 32-33
Winterizaon & Storage 34
Specicaons 35
Oponal Equipment 36
Warranty 37-38

T23_AA_Operator Manual_2014 Revised 08/2014
Safety
Owner’s Responsibilies
The owner is responsible for the safe operaon of this product. The important safeguards and instrucons ap-
pearing in this manual are not meant to cover all possible condions and situaons that may occur. Common
sense and cauon should be used at all mes by all operators to prevent damage or injury to the operator.
The owner is responsible for:
 Reading and understanding this manual and video. If any instrucons remain unclear contact your local
dealer or Kifco for further instrucons.
 Operang the machine strictly according to prescribed limitaons.
 Properly training others who may be permied to operate the machine.
 Heed the rules of safety, including but not limited to those in these instrucons.
 Exercising good judgment relang to safe operaon and safe conduct by operators and spectators whether
invited or not.
 Always bringing the safety decals and placards on the machine to the aenon of operators and spectators.
 Keeping 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 “Cauon” 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 instrucons.
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.
1

T23_AA_Operator Manual_2014 Revised 08/2014
Safety Decals
All Ag-Rain Water Reels are supplied with a variety of safety decals. These decals must be proper-
ly maintained, including replacing any that become illegible or are missing. When replacing safety
decals, make sure to install them into the cor-
rect locaon as outlined in this manual.
Note: Spool Break and Spool Break
Decal are located on the opposite
side of the machine.
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T23_AA_Operator Manual_2014 Revised 08/2014
Safety Decals
To Disengage Drive (Pull Cart Out)
The clutch pin should be locked into the groove when in the disengaged
posion.
To Engage Drive (Run Machine)
Engage the drive system by pulling out the clutch pin and turning it counter-
clockwise to the unlocked posion.
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T23_AA_Operator Manual_2014 Revised 08/2014
Maximum Towing Speeds
12 MPH on Smooth Surfaces
2 MPH on Rough Surfaces
Safety Precauons
Learn To Be a Safe Operator
Read This Manual
 Know the controls on the Water-Reel and how to stop the water supply.
 Do not allow anyone to operate this Water-Reel without proper instrucon.
General Precauons
 Never aempt to service the Water-Reel while it is operang.
 Never aempt to make adjustments to the equipment while it is operang.
 Perform recommended maintenance at suggested intervals.
 Be certain the stabilizer legs are securely posioned before guncart pullout.
Protect Children
 Do NOT allow children to operate the Water-Reel.
 Keep children away while operang the Water-Reel.
 Do not allow children to operate the tractor that is posioning the Water-Reel.
 Never allow children to climb or ride on the machine at any me.
Use Cauon Around Pressurized Lines
 For your own protecon, always take care when working with or around pressurized equipment.
Shut o the pump before working with any components. This includes the pump, supply lines,
machine or any related equipment.
 Be sure the pressure is relieved from any supply line before it is disconnected.
 When the automac sprinkler shut-o is used, pressurized water may be trapped in the system
tube.
 Never service the equipment while it is pressurized or in operaon.
Stay Away from Operang Sprinklers
Stay away and keep others away from the sprinkler head during operaon. Pressurized water from a sprinkler
can inict serious injury to bystanders.
Transporng Your Water-Reel
Cauon! Never transport your Water-Reel unless the An-Reverse Pawl is in the
down posion. The Pawl should always be in the down posion EXCEPT on gun-
cart pullout!
Your Water-Reel is not in-
tended for highway towing
and should never be towed
in excess of 12 MPH.
4

T23_AA_Operator Manual_2014 Revised 08/2014
Safety Precauons
Learn To Be a Safe Operator
Keep Hands and Clothing Away
 Do not reach into any part of the Water-Reel while it is in operaon.
 All operators and spectators should keep a safe distance from all moving parts
during operaon.
Keep All Guards and Shields in Place
 Never Operate this Machine with Safety Guards Removed!
 Should a shield or guard become damaged or lost, replace it prior to operaon.
Stay Away From Power Lines
Avoid leng water contact power lines. Be careful not to contact power lines with
irrigaon pipe or mechanical equipment while operang or transporng you Water-
Reel.
5

T23_AA_Operator Manual_2014 Revised 08/2014
Machine Controls
1Screw Jack
2Turntable Lock Pin
(See Photo 1)
3An-Return Pawl
(See Photo 1)
4Spool Break Adjustment
(Opposite side of machine - See Photo 2)
5Stabilizer Leg Lock Pin
6Retracon Engage/Disengage Clutch Pin
7Compensator Bar/Shut O Bar
Photo 1
Turntable Lock Pin
Photo 1
An-Return Pawl
Photo 2
Spool Brake Adjustment Knob
6

T23_AA_Operator Manual_2014 Revised 08/2014
Polyethylene Tube
Precauons for Handling
The polyethylene irrigaon tube is a durable product that will operate reliably for many years if handled
properly and given a reasonable amount of care.
Medium Density Polyethylene is a semi-rigid product that retains its shape when it is not pressurized but can
also be wound on a drum or spool without damage. This characterisc makes it feasible to pump uid through
it while it is rolled up on a reel.
A few simple precauons need to be observed to prevent damaging the tube when operang your Water-Reel.
1. When starng a new Water-Reel for the rst me, you must pull the tube all the way out in order to
correctly ghten the new tube on the spool. It is also important to follow the ming Instrucons on
Page 30 of this manual. The Water-Reel must be med on the rst run.
2. Never transport the Water-Reel with the an-return pawl disengaged! The tubing will become loose and
tangled. Do not aempt to operate your Water-Reel if there are any coils of tube that are loose or mis-
placed. If loose coils of tube are noced aer pulling the tube out, they must be ghtened by rotang the
spool with the hand crank. If this is not possible, pull all of the tube out before aempng to rewind the
tube.
3. Never try to move or relocate the machine if the tube is not fully rewound onto the machine.
4. Never pull the tube o the machine other than by pulling on the sprinkler cart (straight out from the ma-
chine).
5. 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 mes the inner diameter of the tube.
6. If the tube is frequently pulled out only a poron of its complete length the tube remaining on the drum
will become loose. Occasionally it will be necessary to pull all the tube o the drum to ghten the remain-
ing coils.
7. Be careful when operang other equipment near the tube. Make sure the tube doesn’t get gouged or
punctured.
8. Never leave tube pulled out on ground for more than 12 hours prior to your irrigaon run.
9. 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 aen and the rewind mechanism cannot funcon properly. Keep
the tube pressurized when rewinding!
10. The Water-Reel’s gearbox is equipped with a brake to prevent coils of tube from becoming loose on the
tube spool due to freewheeling of the drum. Loose coils of tube will make the level-wind mechanism ap-
pear to be out of me. In this case, the level-wind system will be damaged and a mis-wrap will occur.
7

T23_AA_Operator Manual_2014 Revised 08/2014
Polyethylene Tube
Precauons for Handling
If your machine is exhibing signs of miswrapping, or loose tube see the Maintenance Secon, Page 28.
Note: If the tube is pulled out in an arc to follow a contour or to avoid an obstacle, the arc should be very
gradual. The arc should not begin unl at least 20% of the tube is rst pulled out straight from the machine.
Under no circumstances should the tube curve more than 90 degrees in its enre length. How well the tube
will follow its laid out path back to the machine will depend mostly on the surface of the ground. For exam-
ple, if there are contours or furrows to follow, the tube may track back very well. If the soil or vegetaon is
slippery and no rows or furrows exist, the tube may slide sideways across the laid out path and the sprinkler
cart will be recoiled back to the machine in a straight line instead of following the intended arc. This will place
an excessive side load on the level wind mechanism and may result in equipment failure or tube damage.
Assembly
Water-Reels are usually shipped with the primary assembly complete. The only items to assemble at the des-
naon are as follows:
1. Wheels. Make sure all lug bolts and axle adjustment bolts are ght. They must be rechecked aer being
towed for any distance greater than one mile.
2. Sprinkler Cart. Aach the sprinkler cart to the tube end.
3. Sprinkler. Install on the sprinkler cart riser pipe.
4. Sprinkler Nozzle. Install the appropriate sprinkler nozzle.
Final adjustment of the sprinkler cart li assembly should be made upon compleon of the rst irrigaon run.
The li hooks should be located directly above the sprinkler cart when the sprinkler cart is completely drawn
up to the compensaon/shut-o bar.
8

T23_AA_Operator Manual_2014 Revised 08/2014
Lubricaon
Water Resistant Grease (Figures 1-3, 5 & 6)
To keep your Water-Reel operang eciently, it is important to lubricate it at the designated locaons aer no
more than 100 operang hours or a minimum once per season. Water resistant grease should be ulized.
Oil (Figure 4)
The gearbox must be kept full of SAE 90 oil. There is an oil sight gauge to assist with assessing this.
Drum Support
Jack
Drum Support
Turntable Bearing
Stabilizer Leg
Hoseguide Mechanism
Fork Support
Figure 1
Bevel Gear Pair
Primary Chain
Secondary Chain
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 5
Figure 4
Figure Summary
1. Drum Support & Jack
2. Drum Support
3. Stabilizer Leg
4. Turntable Bearing
5. - Primary Chain
- Secondary Chain
- Right Angle Gearbox
(Bevel Gear Pair)
- Fork Support
9

T23_AA_Operator Manual_2014 Revised 08/2014
Start Up & Operaon
Start-Up & Operaon Procedure
Successful operaon of the Water-Reel irrigaon system depends a great deal on the operator’s understand-
ing of the proper pullout and start-up procedure. Do not aempt to operate this Water-Reel unl you read
and understand the preceding secon tled “Precauons when Handling the Polyethylene Tube”!
Step-by Step Operaon
1. Pull the Water-Reel to the area to be irrigated, parking your Water-Reel and tractor perpendicular to the
irrigaon lane. Pull the turntable lock pin and rotate the spool so that the sprinkler cart is facing down
your irrigaon lane and is approximately 90 degrees away from the chassis. Insert turntable lock pin the
turntable slot plate and replace the coer pin to secure it. Be especially careful to have the spool square-
ly aligned with the sprinkler cart travel path (Diagram Below).
Warning! Do not pull the tube o of the back of the machine. The sprinkler
cart and tube should always be pulled out at approximately a 90 degree angle
to the chassis (diagram below). The stabilizer legs will not hold the load of in-
coming tube if the chassis wheels are not approximately 90 degrees from the
sprinkler cart travel path. See diagram below.
Pull Into Posion Remove Lock Pin Rotate Turntable Replace Lock Pin
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T23_AA_Operator Manual_2014 Revised 08/2014
Start Up & Operaon
Step-by Step Operaon Connued
2. Lower the stabilizer legs. Remove the coer pin to the slide bolt holding the stabilizer leg in posion while
holding the handle. Lower each leg into the ground and rmly stomp them into the ground. Replace the
slide bolt & coer pin once lowered.
Warning! Never operate the Water-Reel with only one stabilizer
leg in the ground or without the stabilizer feet rmly inserted in the
ground.
3. AA models are equipped with a standard hand crank jack for making height
adjustments. Lower the jack and level your unit, unhook and pull tractor around
into posion to pull sprinkler cart down the irrigaon lane.
1. Verify that the chassis of your Ag-Rain Water-Reel is level, if not adjust the jack
accordingly. Also verify that both stabilizer legs are securely in the ground.
2. Adjust sprinkler cart to the desired width. See “Specicaon” secon.
3. Lower the sprinkler cart from its transport posion. Set the desired sprinkler arc and conrm that the sprin-
kler is equipped with the proper nozzle. Note: Turbine drive irrigators have a minimum G.P.M. ow
requirement. Do not aempt to operate at ows or pressures dierent from those
listed on the “Performance Guide” decal that is installed on the machine.
4. Li An-Return pawl (Diagram below). Flip the pawl into the up posion.
Important! If the pawl is under pressure, remove the safety guard and the yellow sleeve on the gearbox PTO
sha and remove the key that locks the sha into posion.
An-Return Pawl
Remove Safety Shield Remove Yellow Sleeve Close up of Locking Key in
Sha
Remove Locking Key
11

T23_AA_Operator Manual_2014 Revised 08/2014
Start Up & Operaon
Step-by Step Operaon Connued
Rotate the hand wheel counter-clockwise. This will take pressure o the pawl so that it can be lied. Once
pressure is relieved, ip the pawl up into place. Important! Be careful not to turn the sha too far. Over-
rotang may cause the coils of tube to become loose or tangled. Rotate only enough to relieve pressure o
the pawl so it can be lied. Make certain to replace the key into the sha once complete and then replace
the yellow sleeve & safety guard.
10. Disengage the Gearbox via the Clutch Pin before pulling the tube out. Pull the clutch pin out and turn to set
in the groove (See clutch pin posions below).
Warning! Never pullout the guncart with the clutch pin engaged. This will severely damage the
gearbox.
11. Pull the sprinkler cart out the desired distance using your tractor; ulizing the chain, clevis and pin provided.
Use a gear in your tractor that will not exceed 3 MPH at full throle. Pull the tube out at a steady rate and
do not exceed 3 MPH. Do not start and stop during pull out as this contributes to spool coasng and may
result in loosening of the tube. Slow the tractor to 1 MPH or less for y feet prior to stopping. If this is the
rst run, pull out the full length of the tube. It is important that the rst run be a full length run so the
tube becomes packed ghtly on the reel and Timing can be veried. Refer to page 28.
Cauon! If the tube is pulled out in an arc, the rst 20% of the tube must be pulled
straight away from the machine. Failure to observe this limitaon places excessive side
load on the level wind mechanism and may result in equipment failure or tube damage.
See the secon tled “Handling The Polyethylene Tube”.
Engaged Position
Disengaged Position
12

T23_AA_Operator Manual_2014 Revised 08/2014
Start Up & Operaon
Step-by Step Operaon Connued
10. Verify that the coils of tube remaining on the drum are both coiled and packed
ghtly (photo). If they are not use the hand crank and PTO input on the gearbox to
ghten them.
11. Aach supply hose. Verify there are no kinks or twists in the supply hose.
12. Lower the an reverse pawl prior to engaging the drive system.
13. Verify the turbine is o and turn on your pump. If your supply lines have not been used for an extended
period of me, ush them prior to aaching to the Water-Reel.
14. Engage the gear box via the clutch pin.
15. Aer all air is purged from the system and the sprinkler is operang smoothly allow water to go through
the system for several minutes to carry out any trash or debris that may have been in the mainline pipe.
Aer the system is thoroughly ushed, start the drive system by engaging the turbine.
Turbine Drive
Engage turbine and adjust speed control knob
aer system is purged.
Warning! Do not pick up or hold
supply hose as it is being pressurized!
Engaged PositionDisengaged Position
Start
Stop
13

T23_AA_Operator Manual_2014 Revised 08/2014
Start Up & Operaon
Step-by Step Operaon Connued
16. Conrm the sprinkler is operang as expected and in the desired arc. The arc of the sprinkler will aect
the precipitaon applicaon of the system. Note the “Precip Rate” column on the performance guide lo-
cated on the Water-Reel. The lowest precipitaon rate will occur when the sprinkler is operang a full
360-degree circle.
Warning! Exercise the compensaon/shut-o bar to conrm that the engine and/
or gearbox, stop retracon when the sprinkler cart
reaches the machine. This conrms that the turbine
gate is properly adjusted and working. Always exercise
the compensaon/shut-o bar each me before the unit is restarted
to conrm proper operaon (See Page 26 for Adjustment). Do not
allow the machine to operate if the shut-o system is not working
properly. Damage will result if the machine fails to stop when the
irrigaon tube is completely rewound.
17. Observe pressure, travel speed, and sprinkler operaon. See the “Specicaon” secon of this manual for
performance informaon and then adjust speed to the desired travel rate.
18. When the sprinkler cart completes the irrigaon run and has contacted the compensaon/shut-o bar,
the retracon of the tube will stop. With the irrigaon run completed, stop the pump, li the sprinkler
cart into transport posion, retract the stabilizer legs, disconnect the supply hose, and rotate the spool
and cradle to the transport posion. The Water-Reel is now ready to be moved and set up in a new loca-
on. Alternately, the Water-Reel can be rotated 180° to irrigate in the opposite direcon while ulizing
the same water supply.
Sprinkler
Arc Limits
Note: The upper elbow at main bearing may
leak inially at low pressure, but will stop as
pressure increases.
Note: Arc sengs where the sprinkler never
throws water forward of the sprinkler cart could
make the sprinkler cart track o line. This is
caused by the connuous 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.
Cauon! Do not engage or disengage the clutch pin under high loads. Engaging or disengaging under
high loads may damage the gear train.
14

T23_AA_Operator Manual_2014 Revised 08/2014
Start Up & Operaon
Depth of Water
The depth of water applied by the Water-Reel is regulated by the speed of the sprinkler moving across the
ground and the rate of water being discharged by the sprinkler head. The sprinkler nozzle size and the water
pressure at the sprinkler determine the rate of water discharged. The selecon of the sprinkler nozzle is made
based on the water supply and pump performance.
Aer 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 in sprinkler, 120 psi inlet pressure
on pressure gauge, and a desired depth of water of 1 inch.
1. Find the proper secon in the performance Guide for the 1.46” ring nozzle.
2. Locate the 122-psi inlet pressure.
3. Find depth of applicaon 1.00 inch.
4. Set your travel speed as indicated (111 feet per hour in this example).
5. The water pressure on the sprinkler nozzle is 70 psi. The ow in gallons per minute being dis-
charged through the sprinkler is 355 and the weed diameter is 385 feet.
6. The eecve irrigated width is 270 feet and the maximum eecve irrigated length is 1455 feet.
7. You can also note the precipitaon rate (the rate that water is being applied to the soil) is 0.40
inches per hour. This computaon is based on a 320-degree arc of the sprinkler with the arc
symmetrical to the direcon of travel. See sprinkler arc seng in this secon.
8. Hours required for a complete run of about 13.2 can be read from the chart at the boom of the
performance guide entled “Retracon Speed of Irrigaon Tube (Ft/Hr)”.
Note: This informaon is based on standard lengths of tube for the various models. Any tube of a non-
standard length or diameter will substanally change the performance. Consult the factory for performance
informaon on non-standard tubes.
1
5
4
3
2
6
7
8
Sample
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T23_AA_Operator Manual_2014 Revised 08/2014
Start Up & Operaon
Speed Compensaon
Speed compensaon is necessary for uniform applicaon of water. The buildup of tube on the spool gives the
spool a larger eecve circumference with each layer. With a constant speed of rotaon, each layer of tube
on the spool makes a signicant increase in the rate of sprinkler cart retracon speed during the irrigaon run.
From the beginning of the irrigaon run to the end of the run the typical speed increase of a hard-hose travel-
er is about 40%. This means that without speed compensaon, 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.
To beer manage the uniformity of applicaon, the Water-Reels are equipped with a speed compensator.
The compensator slows the rotaon of the spool at approximately the same rate that the tube builds up on
the spool so the velocity of the incoming tube stays relavely constant throughout the irrigaon cycle.
The compensaon system monitors the diameter of the spool by use of a bar that rides on the tube and slows
the drive system to oset the increase in the circumference of the spool. The bar is aached mechanically to
the turbine motor or to the throle of an engine drive system.
For Cruise Control equipped machines, the Cruise Control electronically compensates the rotaon 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 rotaonal speed accordingly. The bar
that rides on the tube is not used for speed compensaon. It is used for shut-o 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 retracon speed throughout the
run.
See the “Maintenance & Adjustments” secon in this manual for more informaon about adjusng the tur-
bine compensators.
16

T23_AA_Operator Manual_2014 Revised 08/2014
Start Up & Operaon
Travel Speed Indicator
The travel speed indicator (Taky) displays the ground speed of the sprinkler cart, amount of hose pulled o
machine and layers of tube on spool. The speed is shown in feet per hour for more informaon refer to taky
manual. Cruise Control equipped models do not have a tachometer. The speed is read directly from the
Cruise Control screen.
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