Center Pivot End Gun Coverage Options
Installing an end gun on the end of a center pivot has been an economical way to cover more acres with minimal cost. When the elevated pipeline had to stop, due to either a physical obstacle or challenging elevation, additional acres could be watered by adding an end gun which sprayed out beyond the end of the pivot. With end gun control, we could now turn it off and on adding flexibility to the greater coverage zone. Want further throw? Simply add a booster pump, or a bigger booster pump and cover more acres. What a great idea!
End Gun coverage is estimated at 100’ with a 2 HP booster pump
End Gun application is estimated at 80% of water in last 20 % of coverage area
Auxiliary End Guns typically cover 40 to 70 feet
Auxiliary End Guns can help with overhang cleanout of sediment and other foreign materials
Auxiliary End Guns may operate from 15 – 60 PSI and may add acres without a booster pump
Auxiliary End Guns may gain up to 10 - 13 additional acres with a full turn or 6-7 additional acres (corners only) on a ¼ mile pivot.
Now that we have improved efficiency with our sprinklers and are often applying fertilizer and chemicals through our pivots, efficiency and accuracy of application are more important. The one drawback to the primary end gun at the end of the pivot is that about 80% of the water is being delivered to the last 20% of the coverage zone. How can we improve on that? Enter the auxiliary end gun. A shorter-range auxiliary end gun that “fills in” the first 40 to 70 feet, where the primary end gun applies the least amount of water, can improve watering accuracy. By configuring these two applicators together, we can better distribute the water and fertilizer or crop protectants being applied with your center pivot system. Some models of auxiliary end guns will operate at lower pressures, reducing your energy cost and possibly eliminating the need for a booster pump. If you do not have a booster pump, an auxiliary end gun can often add acres without boosting pressures. In cases where a shorter distance needs to be picked up by your end gun, an auxiliary end gun may be all that is needed. Another benefit of auxiliary end guns is that they help with clean out of sediment and other foreign material that may cause plugging issues with a standard end gun installation.
Like many aspects of your farming operation, when new technology or products become available, like the high efficiency sprinklers sold today, it makes sense to look at other options which can make the entire system more effective.
Information on auxiliary end guns was based on the R-55 and R-75 models from Nelson Irrigation.
About the Author
Pete is the marketing manager for Michigan Valley Irrigation, having joined the company in 2016. He was raised on a dairy farm in western New York and graduated from Cornell University with a B.S. in agricultural economics. His entire working career of over 37 years has been involved in agriculture. A farmer helping farmers. When away from Michigan Valley he operates, Joyful Noise Farm, a small livestock and produce farm and spends time with his family.
