Linear Irrigation Systems are self-propelled machines that travel in a straight line across rectangular fields, watering the whole area instead of a circle. Send your field details and independent irrigation contractors that may cover your area reply with machine options and prices.
Send your field length, width, crop and water supply to get linear system quotes.
Get the Best QuoteWhat Linear Irrigation Systems Include
- Cart. The drive unit at one end or the centre that carries the water inlet, power and controls.
- Spans and towers. Steel pipe spans on wheeled towers that move together across the field.
- Sprinkler package. Drops, nozzles and pressure regulators chosen for your crop and soil.
- Water feed. A canal or ditch the cart draws from, or a hose dragged from hydrants along a supply line.
- Guidance. A buried cable, furrow or GPS system that keeps the machine straight.
Who It Suits
Long rectangular fields where a pivot would leave dry corners, and farms that want overhead irrigation on every square metre. Linears suit vegetables, fodder and seed crops on flat to gently sloping land.
Linear vs Centre Pivot
- Coverage. A linear covers a full rectangle. A pivot covers a circle unless a corner arm is added.
- Water supply. A pivot is fed at one fixed point. A linear needs a canal or a line of hydrants along its path.
- Management. A linear usually travels to the end of the field and must return or be moved, so it needs more attention.
- Cost. Per hectare, linears usually cost more than pivots.
Ask contractors about canal vs hose feed for your water source, the slope along the run and whether the machine can be towed to a second field.
How the Job Runs
- Field survey. Length, width, slope, obstacles and the water supply are checked.
- Machine design. Span lengths, sprinkler package, feed method and power source are selected.
- Supply works. The canal, hydrant line or mainline and the pump are built or upgraded.
- Erection. Towers and spans are assembled on site and the guidance system laid out.
- Commissioning. Speed, application depth and alignment are tested before handover.
Linear Irrigation Systems Prices
Ballpark prices so you can sanity-check a quotation.
| Item | Ballpark price |
|---|---|
| Linear move, infield equipment, per ha | R35,000 - R60,000 |
| Centre pivot, infield equipment, per ha (for comparison) | R22,000 - R45,000 |
| Pivot-type annual maintenance, per ha (older figure) | ~R1,100 |
| Pivot-type annual electricity, per ha (older tariffs) | ~R6,300 |
| Machine service, per machine | R4,000 - R15,000 |
Prices JUST UPDATED. Ballpark figures, rounded, excluding VAT unless stated. They are compiled from published South African cost estimates and typical supplier and contractor rates. They are not our prices or quotations, and no contractor is bound by them. Unless a row says otherwise they exclude the water source, power supply and earthworks, so confirm exactly what each quotation includes.
Sources:
- SASRI - irrigation cost estimates
- Typical South African supplier and contractor rates
Get prices for your farm rather than a range. Send one request and compare replies.
Get the Best QuoteWhat Affects the Price
- Machine length. More spans and towers cost more.
- Feed method. A lined canal or a long hydrant line adds civil and pipe work.
- Power. A diesel generator on the cart or a power cable along the run.
- Sprinkler package. Low-pressure drops and regulators vary in price.
- Guidance. GPS guidance usually costs more than a cable or furrow.
Maintenance
Before each season, check tyres, gearboxes, drive shafts, alignment and nozzles. Keep the canal or hose path clear, check hoses and hydrant couplings for wear, and grease moving parts. Machine servicing is similar to a pivot and is usually done per machine.
Linear Irrigation Systems FAQs
Is a linear better than a pivot?
On a long rectangular field a linear can irrigate area a pivot would miss. On a square or round field a pivot is usually simpler and cheaper.
What is the difference between canal and hose feed?
Canal-fed machines draw water from an open channel along the run. Hose-fed machines drag a hose that is moved between hydrants on a supply line.
Can a linear work on a slope?
Gentle slopes are manageable. Steep or uneven land affects alignment and the canal, so a contractor should survey the field first.
Related Services
Request linear irrigation quotes through Agricultural Irrigation South Africa and compare the machine length, feed method and sprinkler package each contractor offers.
Agricultural Irrigation South Africa is a quote-comparison service. We do not design, supply, install or repair irrigation systems, and we do not employ contractors. Work is quoted and carried out by independent irrigation businesses, and your contract is with the business you choose. Ask each one for a written quotation that names the equipment, design flows and pressures, preparation, timing and any warranty terms before you pay a deposit.
Linear Irrigation Systems. Describe your irrigation job once and compare replies from independent contractors.
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