Tuesday, October 27, 2020

Irrigation issues...

 We continue to have irrigation issues with our Toro 855 sprinkler heads.  Over the past year or so, I have been seeing a lot of washout in the bunkers that are close to our sprinkler heads.  Before we start blaming the issues on the head itself, we need to identify other possible issues.  About 14 years ago, I replaced all the green side sprinkler heads with the Toro 855's.  Over many years the turf has grown up from our topdressing programs which in turn makes the head sink.  Our plan this fall and the 2021 spring is to go around to all 90 sprinkler heads and raise them up to grade.  We will also raise the quick coupler as well.  This process will allow for better uniform coverage on the turf.  If this does not help with our bunker washout, we will then look at the head.  Is the o ring worn out?  Which way is the water being shed when the sprinkler turns off.  

Not only are we having wash outs, the bottom rock screen is clogging up with material.  I have gone around every year to all the fairway and rough sprinkler heads and checked the bottom rock screen.  It usually takes me about 2-3 days to check all the heads.  I last did it this past May, we are now having problems again.  The problem is course wide but it really is only affecting our block stations and not as much around the greens (which is good I guess.)  I have spoken with many people regarding this issue and they have steered me in a few directions.  This winter I will try and get a diver in to check the bottom of our wet well to see if we have gravel/sand sitting at the bottom.  Also we will check to make sure we have a great seal from the surround earth around the wet well stake.  We will also check the wye strainer in the pump station.  Another possible source of the material is our ageing system.  Our main line is from 1972 and the laterals were installed in the late 80's.  There is a lot of abandoned pipe still in the ground hooked up to the current system.  Who knows how much metal pipe is in the ground.  Could the material be coming from the old cast iron pipe flaking off?  I have our Toro rep coming out to the course next week to help me diagnosed the problem  I do not think this will be a easy remedy to find out what is causing the issue.  Only time will tell...



washed out bunker face at #14 green
edged sprinkler head on the fairway

the carnage from the edge sprinkler heads

Toro 855 rock screen plugged with material




 

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