Rain guns provide a promising possibility for sprinkling of small and large holdings in a short time. The Advantages/Benefits/Pros of Rain gun irrigation systems are many:
- Highly energy efficient, Long lasting and trouble free
- Since the jet sprinkles over a large area, it avoids the setting up a large number of smaller jets.
- Reduces labour cost, because the pipeline within the estate is minimized so also the number of jets.
- The precipitation varies with the nozzle size, but unlike conventional jets, overlapping is not necessary.
- This reduces the time required for irrigation as well as the savings on diesel.
- Time is the essence in Robusta sprinkling and in the eventuality of an insufficient natural rain, more are can be covered with the help of these jets.
- The jets are rugged and only require periodic greasing. Ease of installation, assembly and maintenance
- The trajectory of the throw of water is such that the damage to pepper vines is negligible.
- Part circle adjustments, saves water from going into neighboring plantations.
- Fine droplet adjustment, like mist is helpful in creating a microclimate, desirous for Robusta flowering.
- The jet is made up of Aluminum die-casting and as such, it is finely balanced.
- A gear inside the jet ensures the smooth operation of the gun.
- The pressure with which the jet operates is low because of the gearbox mechanisms.
- Ideally suited for sprinkling newly cleared areas.
- The backup of good after sales and service.
- Rain gun irrigation results in improved efficiency compared to conventional sprinklers and provides for surplus irrigation water for subsequent backing showers.
Disadvantages/Cons/Drawbacks of Rain gun irrigation systems are:
- large numbers of trees make it difficult to sprinkle uniformly.
- The rain gun and the raiser pipes are very heavy.
- High day time temperatures result in evaporation loss.
- Not suitable in areas with high velocity Winds.
- Prohibitive cost of rain guns.
- Repairs by qualified personnel