Irrigation Locating Cancel The title field is required!

1. Troyer Adam

   
   7/12/2011 2:07 PM

   We recently took over an 18 hole golf course that has a toro hydraulic irrigation system and no irrigation map of any kind. The course is in desperate need of a lot of drainage and we are constantly hitting lines. Since its a hydraulic system a wire tracer can't be used to locate pipe. We have looked into ground penetrating radar companies to locate but the price is outrageous. Just wondering if anyone has any ideas or experience with a similar situation.

   
   
   
   
2. Kinney Brian

   
   7/12/2011 2:07 PM

   My experience is the bulk of the lines,(ones you don't want to cut) run with the mainline. Finding that would be key. Plus, i assume you have controllers in the field, you could track the 110v line, that would help find main too. As far as the laterals are concerned, sometime a little digging around heads will at least point you in the right direction instead of guessing, then log onto a map as you find 'em!!
   also you can ask around and make some phone calls to those who may have worked there, maybe an old irrigation tech is still in the neighborhood.
   good luck man

   
   
   
   
3. Keith Lamb

   

   3 posts
   
   7/12/2011 2:07 PM

   Unless it's a hydraulic retrofit, most of the lines will be running with irrigation pipes. otherwise you will just have to fix them as you go. I know of no way to trace hydraulic lines. Even when you have a leak it can be tough to find unless you find a wet spot.

   
   
   
   
4. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   7/12/2011 4:07 PM

   We have a ground penetrating radar cart. We have found that it fails to locate single hydraulic tubes. But, has no problem locating bundles of tubes or pipe.
   
   Before we bought the cart, we had free use of a cart through our local utility association. We found many old quick couplers and valves through the membership. Have no clue of the cost, as it is not my department though.
   
   Like Brian said, you can find the mainline by tracing out the common or ground wire run with the power.

   
   
   
   
5. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   7/12/2011 4:07 PM

   alohakane said: Even when you have a leak it can be tough to find unless you find a wet spot.

   
   
   Keith,
   
   We use one of these to find leaks and breaks on hydraulic tubes:
   
   http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/search.shtml?searchQuery=1TC18&op=search&Ntt=1TC18&N=0&sst=All
   
   As long as you know the general route of your tubes, hook a propane tank to the tube at the satellite, and start walking. We've found leaks in as little as 5 minutes. Usually tanks about half a day though. Wind wreaks havoc on the gas, so we typically use early in the morning. No smoking.

   
   
   
   
6. Keith Lamb

   

   3 posts
   
   7/12/2011 4:07 PM

   Andy,
   
   Your gonna have to come and give me a demonstration. I'll buy the beer and watch you from the cart while smoking a cigar. Let me know when you're free.

   
   
   
   
7. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   7/12/2011 5:07 PM

   Dang it Andy you have all the little toys and tools. I'm Jealous.
   
   Keith make sure to run video.
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
8. Wahlin Scott B

   
   7/12/2011 6:07 PM

   alohakane said: Andy,
   
   Your gonna have to come and give me a demonstration. I'll buy the beer and watch you from the cart while smoking a cigar. Let me know when you're free.

   
   
   I have seen it done with methy bromide. Inject a little, wait a day then look for a dead spot. It seemed dangerous to me, but it worked for him.
   
   It is not that tough to just cut the tubings and fix them. After you get all of your drainage work done, run all new tubings. I had an irrigation tech who did it in-house.
   
   We don't try to locate them. We just run new tubes and write them on a map. Someday we will replace them all.

   
   
   
   
9. Kinney Brian

   
   7/13/2011 5:07 AM

   we have found leaks by hooking the spray hose on the spray rig to the line in question with a home made adapter and running at a low gpm off the spray hose. added either wetting agent (it will foam up on surface) and /or blue dye to the tank to find troublesome hydraulic leaks too

   
   
   
   
10. Troyer Adam

    
    7/13/2011 7:07 AM

    Thanks for all the suggestions guys much appreciated

    
    
    
    
11. Nowakowski Michael J

    
    7/13/2011 7:07 AM

    I guess I must be old school as i have used two metal rods as divining rods. When they cross, I know I am on top of water lines of some kind, either tubes or pipes.

    
    
    
    
12. Ronald Conard

    

    4 posts
    
    7/13/2011 10:07 AM

    sylvansupe said: I guess I must be old school as i have used two metal rods as divining rods. When they cross, I know I am on top of water lines of some kind, either tubes or pipes.

    
    
    
    I never believed this until my farmer assistant showed me how. I still didn't believe him but every time the guy finds our pipe. He uses two irrigation pin flags, bent 90 degrees.