Irrigation System Characteristics and Costs

Prepared by:
Ronald E. Sneed, Professor and Extension Specialist
Biological and Agricultural Engineering
North Carolina State University

Published by: North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service

Publication Number: EBAE 178-93

Last Electronic Revision: March 1996 (JWM)

Hand-Move (Sprinkler)

Characteristics

initial cost: medium
operating cost: medium
labor: intensive
acreage: small
pressure: medium
pipe: aluminum
smallest recommended nozzle diameter: 0.25"
application rate: 0.25" to 0.50"/hr
maximum recommended event application: 0.50" to 1.00"
consider used equipment

Hand-Move (Gun Sprinkler)

Characteristics


initial cost: medium
operating cost: medium to high
labor: medium
acreage: small to medium
pressure: medium to high
pipe: aluminum
application rate: 0.30" to 0.75"/hr
maximum recommended event application: 0.50" to 1.00"
consider used equipment
runoff potential
affected by wind
flush lines after pumping sludge

Solid-Set (Sprinkler)

Characteristics


initial cost: high
operating cost: medium
labor: low to medium
acreage: small
pressure: medium
pipe: aluminum
smallest recommended nozzle diameter: 0.25"
application rate: 0.25" to 0.50"/hr
maximum recommended event application: 0.50" to 1.00
consider used equipment

Solid-Set (Gun Sprinkler)

Characteristics


initial cost: high
operating cost: medium to high
labor: low to medium
acreage: small to medium
oressure: medium to high
pipe: aluminum
application rate: 0.30" to 0.75"/hr
maximum recommended event application: 0.50" to 1.00"
consider used equipment
runoff potential
affected by wind
flush lines after pumping sludge

Permanent (Sprinkler)

Characteristics


initial cost: medium to high
operating cost: medium
labor: low to medium
acreage: small to medium
pressure: medium
pipe: PVC
smallest recommended nozzle diameter: 0.25"
application rate: 0.25 n to 0.35"/hr
maximum recommended event application: 0.50" to 1.00"

System Components 
System   Lateral Lateral   Main   Main     Motor
 size     size   length    size  length   & pump

(ac)      (in)    (ft)     (in)   (ft)     (hp)

  5        2      2,880     3    1,500     7.5
 10        2      5,740     3    1,500     7.5
 20        2.5   11,400     3    2,000    10 *
 30        3     17,020     4    2,500    15 **
 40        4     22,600     4    3,000    25 **

* Some power companies will allow single-phase, most desire 3-phase.


** Can only use 3-phase.
System Component Costs 
System  Lateral  Main  Valve   Sprinkler,*     Pump   Misc   Total
 size    cost    cost  cost &  riser &           &
                      (number) swing joint     motor
                               (& number)      

(Ac)     ($)     ($)    ($)       ($)           ($)    ($)     ($)

  5      576      675    490   ( 35) 300 ( 6)  1,600   300    3,941
 10    1,148      675    980   ( 90) 300 ( 6)  1,600   600    5,303
 20    3,990      900  1,960   (140) 450 ( 9)  2,100  1,000  10,400
 30    7,659    1,625  2,940   (210) 600 (12)  2,500  1,500  16,824
 40   14,690    1,950  3,920   (280) 850 (17)  3,200  2,000  26,610
* 20 percent extra sprinkters for each system. System Cost Per Acre * 
Size     Equipment       Contract
(ac)      cost/ac      installation **

5        $ 788        $ 524 ($ .60/ft)
10       $ 530        $ 434 ($ .60/ft)
20       $ 520        $ 436 ($ .65/ft)
30       $ 561        $ 553 ($ .85/ft)
40       $ 665        $ 640 ($1.00/ft)
* Gate valves on each lateral wouldd add about $50/ac.
Water meter at pump would add $10 - 50/ac
** Grouer doing oun instattation coutd significantly reduce these costs

Permanent (Gun Sprinkler)

Characteristics


initial cost: medium to high
operating cost: medium to high
labor: low to medium
acreage: small to medium
pressure: medium to high
pipe: PVC
application rate: 0.30" to 0.75"/hr
maximum recommended evenc application: 0.50" to 1. oo"
runoff potential
affected by wind
flush lines after pumping sludge

Hard-Hose Traveler

Characteristics


initial cost: medium
operating cost: high
labor: low
acreage: medium
pressure: high
main line pipe: aluminum or PVC
hard hose: polyethylene
application rate: 0.40" to 0.75"/hr
maximum recommended event application: 0.50" to 1.00"
runoff potential
affected by wind
portable system, need main line at each location
use engine reel drive unit for sludges
flush lines after pumping sludge

Flow Rates for Different Size Travelers 

Hose size (in)     Flow (gpm) *

  2.5               110 - 150
  3.0               170 - 230
  3.3               225 - 300
  3.7 - 3.75        275 - 400
  4.0 - 4.2         375 - 550
  4.5               500 - 670
* 3-5 psi friction Loss / 100 ft of hose.

Hard-Hose Traveler Cost * 

Machine size                         Approximate cost

2.5 in, 800 ft hose                 $ 12,000
3 in, 850 - 1000 ft hose            $ 15,500 - 17,000
3.3 in, 900 - 1200 ft hose          $ 18,500 - 20,000
3.7 - 3.75 in, 950 - 1300 ft hose   $ 22,000 - 25,000
4 - 4.2 in, 1000 - 1250 ft hose     $ 23,000 - 26,000
4 in, 1500 ft hose                  $ 32,000 - 33,000
4.5 in, 1050 ft hose                $ 23,500 - 24,500
4.5 in, 1300 ft hose                $ 32,000 - 33,000
*Most units are equipped uith 3.5 to 5 hp gasoline engines.
Some may be available with small diesel engine.
Could use water drive for clean lagoon liquid.
Definitely need engine for wastewater containing solids.

Center Pivot

Characreristics


initial cost: medium
operating cost: low to medium-high
labor: low
acreage: medium to high
pressure: low, medium or high
main line pipe: PVC
sprinkler: rotary impact, gun, or spray nozzles
application rate: 0.75" to 3.00"/hr
maximum recommended event application: 0.50" to 1.00"
runoff potential
affected by wind
towable systems available
flush lines after pumping sludge

Center-Pivot Cost *

Pivot - impact sprinkler

  < 1000 feet     $ 35 - 40 / ft
    1000 feet     $ 30 - 32 / ft
  > 1000 feet     $ 25 - 28 / ft

Slurry shooter    $ 40 - 45 / ft

Example: a 4-tower pivot with: impact sprinkler   slurry shooter

    approximately 760 - 780 ft  $ 28,000         $ 33,000
    approximately 50 ac         $ 560 / ac       $ 660 / ac
* Need to add pump, power unit, and slurry pipe to determine total cost of system, which would add another $ 300 - 350 per acre.

Pipe Cost

6"    Aluminum Ring-Lok  $ 2.90 - 3.15 / ft
2"    Class 160 PVC      $  .20 - .35 / ft
2.5"  Class 160 PVC      $  .35 - .50 / ft
3"    Class 160 PVC      $  .45 - .70 / ft
4"    Class 160 PVC      $  .65 - 1.00 / ft
6"    Class 160 PVC      $ 1.40 -2.00 / ft
6"    Class 200 PVC      $ 1.75- 2.40 / ft
8"    Class 160 PVC      $ 2.40- 3.00 / ft
8"    Class 200 PVC      $ 2.90- 4.00 / ft

Hydrants, 6" with air-relief:   $ 200 - 225 each

Pump and Power Unit Costs

3 cylinder diesel or 4 cylinder gas           $ 7,000 -  8,000
and pump, 150 - 250 gpm

Small 6 cylinder gas or 4 cylinder diesel     $  9,000 - 11,000
and pump, 200 - 350 gpm

6 cylinder diesel and pump, 350 - 550 gpm     $ 12,000 - 14,000

6 cylinder diesel, slurry pump, 350 - 550 gpm $ 19,000 - 21,000
with hydraulic assist pump on suction

Small PT0 pump, 150 - 250 gpm                 $ 1,800 - 2,300
need 40 - 50 hp tractor

Large PTO pump, 250 - 550 gpm                 $ 3,000 - 4,000
need 60 - 130 hp tractor

Power Costs for Applying Wastewater


System                                   Cost / Ac*
                               -----------------------------
                               Gasonline   Diesel   Electric
Portable pipe (sprinkler)       $  5.65    $ 3.61   $ 4.08
Portable pipe (gun sprinkler)   $  7.53    $ 4.81   $ 5.45
Solid-set (sprinker)            $  5.33    $ 3.40   $ 3.86
Solid-set (gun sprinkler)       $  7.22    $ 4.61   $ 5.22
Permanent (sprinkler)           $  5.02    $ 3.21   $ 3.63                 
Permanent (gun sprinkler)       $  6.90    $ 4.41   $ 4.99
Hard-hose traveler              $ 10.04    $ 6.41   $ 7.02
Center-pivot (sprinkler)        $  5.96    $ 3.81   $ 4.22
Center-pivot (gun sprinkler)    $  7.53    $ 4.81   $ 5.26
* Gasotine and diesel fuel = S1.00/gallon; electricity = $0.08/KWH; pump efficiency = 65%; gasoline engine efficiency = 65%; diesel engine efficiency = 70%; electric m•otor efficieny = 90%. More efficient pumps would decrease pumping costs. Proper pipe size to reduce friction loss should also reduce pumping costs.
Distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. Employment and program opportunities are offered to all people regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.
EBAE 178-93
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