Key Points of Daily Maintenance for Sprinkler Pumps

Key Points of Daily Maintenance for Sprinkler Pumps

The core of daily maintenance for sprinkler pumps lies in preventing malfunctions and ensuring their continuous, stable, and efficient operation during the irrigation season through regular, meticulous inspections and simple upkeep. This is not a complex technical task, but rather about solidifying certain key aspects into operational habits, which directly affect the lifespan of the equipment and the reliability of the entire irrigation system. The key points of maintenance can be summarized as: keeping the equipment clean, monitoring its operating status, ensuring effective seals, and emphasizing seasonal maintenance.

Daily maintenance begins with a visual inspection and basic operation before and after each pump start-up and shutdown. Before starting, check that all connections in the pump body and inlet/outlet pipes are tight and free of leaks; clean weeds, plastic film, and other debris around the inlet filter or foot valve to ensure unobstructed water intake; for belt-driven pumps, check the belt tension and wear. After starting, run the pump at idle or low load for a few minutes, listening to whether the operating sound of the motor or diesel engine and the pump body is smooth and even, observing whether the pressure gauge and voltmeter readings are within the normal range, and touching the bearings to feel for any abnormal temperature or vibration. After each shutdown, if the water source is turbid, it is recommended to briefly flush the pump with clean water to prevent sediment buildup; wipe the pump body surface clean of water stains and mud, keeping it dry and clean, especially the motor cooling area.

In addition to daily operation, regular inspection and maintenance of some key components are crucial. Sealing is paramount; whether it's an older packing seal or a mechanical seal, even slight leaks can gradually develop into serious problems, leading to decreased efficiency or even bearing damage. Regularly check the shaft seal for continuous water droplets or mist seepage. Lubrication is another basic maintenance step. Add or replace appropriate grease to the bearings regularly according to the instruction manual to prevent damage from dry friction. For diesel engine pumps, the engine oil and filter also need to be changed periodically. At the same time, pay attention to impeller wear caused by the intake of debris or cavitation; excessive wear will directly lead to a decrease in pump output and pressure. A practical habit is to create a simple maintenance log for each pump, recording the date of each inspection, operating hours, problems found, and corrective actions. This helps to predict component lifespan in advance and achieve preventative replacement. Finally, targeted maintenance should be performed based on the seasonal characteristics of irrigation. A thorough maintenance check must be carried out after the irrigation season or before long-term storage: drain any water from the pump casing and piping to prevent freezing and cracking in winter; apply anti-rust oil to exposed metal parts (such as couplings and bolts); and store the pump in a dry, well-ventilated location. Before the start of the next irrigation season, conduct another comprehensive inspection and manually rotate the pump shaft to ensure it rotates freely without jamming. This maintenance process, which is followed throughout the entire service life of the pump, can significantly extend its service life, ensuring reliable start-up whenever needed and providing a stable water supply for crop growth.