Pasture Drip Systems Installation

Select the location you wish to cover with the SSD network. You must eliminate excessive weed presence or pest activity before laying tape.

Diagram the arrangement of the drip system prior to breaking ground. Strive for even and consistent moisture distribution in your design. Pasture may require a dense placement of drip tape laterals.

Prepare the ground where you will place the SSD lateral extension. Feed your design measurements into your Global Positioning System and use a tape injector attachment to pierce the land with your tractor. Make sure the depth wheels are set correctly.

Mount the drip line tape reels to the injector attachment. Adjust the control roller to be certain the delicate tape does not encounter any rough or sharp edges. Lay the tape using the same GPS coordinates as before.

Drive your tractor again over the same ground, using its wheels to compress the torn-up soil over the drip tape.

Dig trenches for the manifolds and flush lines. Rotary trenchers or backhoes are both sufficient for this task. Extend the depth of the trenches about 1 ½ feet below that of the drip lines. The trenches should be about 4 to 5 inches wider than the installed pipe.

Penetrate the walls of the trenches to expose the drip tape laterals. Drill holes in the manifold PVC pipe at each location at which the tape will connect. Match your drill bits to the diameter of the connecting hose fastener loop.

Place the grommets -- or fasteners -- into each drilled hole, sealing them with glue. Secure the connecting hoses in the grommets and lay the manifold piping in the trench.

Insert the PVC hose into the drip tape at each connection, securing it with steel wire. Connect the manifold to the main water supply line. Flush the network with water immediately in order to prevent any insect incursion.