5.3
Installing On Slopes
5.3.1
Across Slopes
Leeaky Hose works best across slopes. Leeaky Hose is, in fact, a preferred product for preventing erosion on steep slopes. To equalise the flow from a single header to multiple runs of Leeaky Hose there are several proven methods.
The first method (for gentler slopes is to place a run of polypipe down-slope and “T” off to Leeaky Hose so that it runs across the slope This can be achieved by running normal hose or poly pipe down the slope and running Leeaky hose from it.
Method A
The in-line taps are placed in the feeder line at approximately each metre of fall and the
flow rate adjusted to the appropriate water requirement for the number of metres of
Leeaky Hose below each tap.
Method B
The following method offers the advantages of irrigating larger areas from a
single feed line (as it can be run at pressure), and isolate and reduce or
increase water flow rates for isolated patches of different grained soil.
In the above diagram the single in-line tap feeding each three or more lines of
Leeaky Hose is fed from a high-pressure line. The flow rates through each tap
can be regulated for the individual soil type or plant needs.
5.3.2
Down Slopes
Leeaky Hose can run down slopes more than 2.5°, but a pressure reducer or
in-line tap is required every metre of fall so that the lowest runs of LH do not
receive all of the water.
The first (preferred for gentler slopes - less than 10deg.) and simplest method
is to work up from the bottom of a run. As Leeaky Hose is not a pressure
system, but a water delivery system, the flow of water needs to be regulated to
some degree so that each section receives roughly the same amount of water
in a given time period.
In-line taps can be used to regulate the flow to each section.
In the above example, in-line tap ‘C’ is inserted in the hose on the first metre
of fall up the slope and the flow rate is adjusted at (for example) 2 litres (L) per
metres (M) per hour where (M) equals the number of metres between ‘C’ and
the end of the hose. Tap ‘B’ is adjusted for the flow rate required between B
and C PLUS the flow rate from C downwards. Therefore tap ‘A’ would be set
for the flow rates required from the start to ‘A’, plus the flow rates required
through ‘B’ and ‘C’.
COMMERCIAL INSTALLATION
A non-intrusive plow-tine with a 19mm pipe fitted to the rear enables Leeaky
Hose to be laid sub-surface in established turf, or to be re-laid in newly worked
beds at the start of a planting season.
The appropriate length of hose is unrolled and the kinks removed before being
inserted in the plow pipe for sub-surface insertion. The hose can be unrolled
from a drum on the plow.
Method B
The following method offers the advantages of irrigating larger areas from a single feed line (as it can be run at pressure), and isolate and reduce or increase water flow rates for isolated patches of different grained soil.
In the above diagram the single in-line tap feeding each three or more lines of Leeaky Hose is fed from a high-pressure line. The flow rates through each tap can be regulated for the individual soil type or plant needs.
5.3.2
Down Slopes
Leeaky Hose can run down slopes more than 2.5°, but a pressure reducer or in-line tap is required every metre of fall so that the lowest runs of LH do not receive all of the water.
The first (preferred for gentler slopes - less than 10deg.) and simplest method is to work up from the bottom of a run. As Leeaky Hose is not a pressure system, but a water delivery system, the flow of water needs to be regulated to some degree so that each section receives roughly the same amount of water in a given time period.
In-line taps can be used to regulate the flow to each section.
In the above example, in-line tap ‘C’ is inserted in the hose on the first metre
of fall up the slope and the flow rate is adjusted at (for example) 2 litres (L) per
metres (M) per hour where (M) equals the number of metres between ‘C’ and
the end of the hose. Tap ‘B’ is adjusted for the flow rate required between B
and C PLUS the flow rate from C downwards. Therefore tap ‘A’ would be set
for the flow rates required from the start to ‘A’, plus the flow rates required
through ‘B’ and ‘C’.
COMMERCIAL INSTALLATION
A non-intrusive plow-tine with a 19mm pipe fitted to the rear enables Leeaky
Hose to be laid sub-surface in established turf, or to be re-laid in newly worked
beds at the start of a planting season.
The appropriate length of hose is unrolled and the kinks removed before being
inserted in the plow pipe for sub-surface insertion. The hose can be unrolled
from a drum on the plow.