Field Performance Analysis of Center Pivot Sprinkler Packages

During the cropping years of 2002 and 2003, the sprinkler performance of 304 center pivot irrigation systems on the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project located near Farmington, New Mexico was evaluated. System discharge was measured and can catch tests completed on each system. Six types of sprinklers were evaluated including flat overhead spray, low angle impact sprinklers, Nelson spinners, Senninger I-Wob's, and three types of spray heads on drops. The large number of tests completed under field conditions allows statistical analysis of the results to determine repeatability and appropriateness of the test method on the various types of sprinklers tested. This paper presents the range of results for each sprinkler type as well as an assessment of the reliability of the results. The strengths and weaknesses of the testing programs are discussed and recommendations presented for the use and interpretation of the data.