Kiwitech MicroTrough WT MICGO User manual

Postal: P.O. Box 19,
Bulls, New Zealand. 4863
Freephone NZ: 0800 800 787
Freephone AU: 1800 216 397
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
www.kiwitech.co.nz
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INSTRUCTIONS
MicroTrough Portable (WT MICGO)
Operating Notes:
Flow Rate and Pressure Required for Optimum Portable MicroTrough Use
MicroTroughs operate under any flow rate or pressure (e.g. 0-120 PSI - 820 kPa or 8.3 Bar). For practical use
the best operation pressure is around 80 PSI (550 kPa, 5.5 Bar). At very high pressure water tends to jet out
making it harder for the animals to drink comfortably and the Micro Plate will damage faster. The Kiwitech
Valve prefers a water source that is granular free. If you have small, hard particles in your water supply the
Valve may get damaged. Soft matter like mud and algae the Valve can handle.
25mm O.D. Portable Trough Leads
New Zealand spec Low Density Pipe with a pressure rating of no less than 130 PSI (900 kPa, 9 bar) should
always be used for portable trough leads as it has a thick wall to avoid “kinking” when being dragged around
and it is easier to work with when plugging into and out of Kiwitech Tee Hydrants. Currently in Australia, New
Zealand spec LDPE is not available. The two brands we recommend are:
 RX Plastics NZ: 25.15mm O.D.,130 PSI (900kPa, 9bar), wall thickness 3.3mm
 PPI NZ: 25.0 to 25.2mm O.D., 18.4 to 18.6mm I.D., 130 PSI (900kpa, 9bar), wall thickness 3.2 to 3.4mm
Kiwitech can supply trough leads on request.
Stock Serviceability
The MicroTrough was designed for cattle use. We do not recommend using MicroTroughs with sheep
(especially Merinos).
One MicroTrough can service the drinking needs of at least 50 adult cattle.

www.kiwitech.co.nz
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Instructions:
Decoupling from the Hydrant
In order to successfully de-couple Kiwitech portable troughs from Kiwitech Hydrant Tees that have been
incorporated into permanent water lines, a water pressure gradient must be created in the permanent line.
With the Kiwitech Round 100L portable troughs this pressure gradient is created by emptying the trough and
starting the water flow before attempting to de-couple the portable trough lead using the bayonet-release
method.
This method is not available with the MicroTrough, though there are
options for creating the necessary pressure gradient: place something
heavy on the microtrough plate to hold it down, activate another Hydrant
in the permanent line (if one is close by) or use a high pressure release
sleeve.
To use the high pressure release sleeve when plugging in, slide the
sleeve up the lead towards the trough to expose the drilled holes in the
pipe lead then do the usual push, turn, pull steps (take the time to make
sure you have pushed through the o-ring of the side leg). When plugged
in slide the sleeve back down to cover the holes - make sure it sits over
the Hydrant's side leg cone snugly.
Length of Stake
If the length of the stake is too long, cut to size using a grinder. Please note that grinding any points or razors
on the end of the pin will make the stake of the MicroTrough even more of a potential hazard. When
transporting the MicroTrough please take care to keep the stake out of harms way (especially if placing it on
the front or back of a quad where a sudden stop could cause fatal injury).
MicroTrough Maintenance:
General Wear and Tear
MicroTrough Valves and Plates are made from plastic. Over time, through normal use, both will start to show
signs of wear (usually in 4-5 years). The tip of the valve will start to wear down a little and the plate thickness
will thin down where the Valve is making constant contact (in this situation the Micro Plate will look more flat
(horizontal) inside the MicroTrough). If the Plate and/or Valve are worn, the push distance on the Valve’s
plunger will be limited, so, the Valve will not open fully when pushed.
In order to cater for general wear Micro Plates have several moulded “hole stations” each with a different plate
thickness. When both the Valve and Plate are new, the second station is the recommended setting. On this
hole station the Plate has approximately 2cm (or 2 plate thicknesses) of free-play at the top of the Plate’s
swing (i.e. the edge of Micro Plate - opposite the Valve - can be lifted up about 2cm and drops down again
with no interference).
If the free-play goes beyond 3cm then the MicroTrough is still working ok, but, it would work better on a thicker
station. Turn the steel pin 180 degrees and pull it out about 1.5cm, push the Plate down directly over the
Valve and, while still pushing down, pull the Plate out. Re-fit the Micro Plate using the adjacent station (where
the Plate is slightly thicker) and test for free-play again.
New Micro Plates and Valves or Valve parts can be purchased individually.