Subsurface Drip Irrigation Guide - Page 8

Refer to the Quick Install Guide (click here for PDF file) for tips on choosing what components to use and how to size each element. For even more information, refer to the Netafim Design Guide for Techline CV and the Netafim Design Guide for Techline.

Of the mechanical methods listed, the use of the Vermeer multi-blade vibratory plow with chutes that drops the tubing into the ground rather than pulling it is clearly the best.

Imagine a knife being stuck into the ground and moved forward and backward as the sharp edge of the blade is moved through the soil. That is how this type of plow works, but on a much larger scale. The blades each have a chute behind them that lay the dripperline into the ground, allowing for a very clean and efficient installation of pipe with minimum damage to the turf.

Given the opportunity to lay dripperline rows lengthwise in a zone rather than in shorter rows across the zone, choose lengthwise.

The exception to this rule is that you should always lay dripperline perpendicular (across a slope). While the details of design and layout have been left to the specific product design guides, here is a design detail to show the philosophy of dripperline layout on a slope.

IN TURF:

Figure 33 - Example of a sprinkler system where the trenches were not properly compacted after the PVC pipe was installed.

Regardless of how you get the tubing into the ground, you need to ensure the soil is compacted back around the dripperline so the water can radiate outward uniformly. We discussed this earlier, but it cannot be emphasized enough. Even in sprinkler systems, getting trenches properly compacted is critical. The picture below illustrates what can happen if the trenches are not as tightly packed as the surrounding undisturbed soil.

In order to compact the soil, some contractors will use a vibrating roller when they are done installing the dripperline or the piping network in a sprinkler system. Others will simply drive their trencher over the rows to pack them down.

Next we will go through some tips and hints about the various methods of installing dripperline in turf. Then we'll discuss using seed, hydroseed, and laying sod.

ON SUBSURFACE / SUBGRADE AND BRINGING TOPSOIL IN:

This method typically requires that the dripperline be laid in rows, frequently by hand. For best results, follow these simple steps:

IN A TRENCH AND COVERING IT WITH SOIL:

Netafim USA recommends that a narrow bladed trencher be used, with the blade's cutting width only slightly wider than the tubing. This will minimize cleanup.

BY HAND TRENCHING:

Rent a narrow bladed trencher or use a Techline CV/Techline Multi-Blade Vibratory Insertion Plow.

For hand trenching:

WITH A VERMEER® MANUFACTURING COMPANY MULTI-BLADE VIBRATORY INSERTION PLOW:

This unit was specially designed and built in conjunction with Vermeer Manufacturing, a world leader in trenching equipment. This vibratory plow differs from other plows on the market in a number of important ways, including:

Subsurface Drip Irrigation Guide - Page 8