APPLICATIONS · IRRIGATION
Irrigation pipe for farms and gardens
From the pump to the plant: mains, sub-mains and laterals for drip, sprinkler and other irrigation systems.
OVERVIEW
What the job needs
An irrigation system usually steps down in size from the pump: a main line to the field, sub-mains along it, and small laterals that deliver water to the plants. Each part sees a different pressure, so each suits a different pipe.
Pipelink started out supplying pipe for small-scale agricultural irrigation and livestock water, and today makes every part of the system: PVC for the mains, HDPE for pressure lines and LDPE coils for the laterals.
WHAT MATTERS WHEN CHOOSING
- Start from the pumpThe pressure is highest at the pump. Size the class of the main line from the pump's maximum pressure, not the pressure the drippers need.
- Match the pipe to the groundOn rocky ground or where pipe will be handled roughly, mPVC and HDPE cope better with knocks than uPVC.
- Low pressure at the plantDrip and sprinkler laterals run at low pressure, which is where economical LDPE in Class 3 or 6 makes sense.
- Keep it out of the sunStore pipe out of direct sunlight, and bury or cover it where you can.
AT A GLANCE
Typical pipe by part of the system
| PART OF THE SYSTEM | TYPICAL CHOICE | PIPELINK PRODUCT |
|---|---|---|
| Main line from the pump | uPVC or mPVC; HDPE on smaller systems | uPVC pressure pipe |
| Sub-mains along the field | HDPE or PVC pressure pipe | HDPE pressure pipe |
| Main lines over rough ground | mPVC or HDPE | mPVC pressure pipe |
| Drip and sprinkler laterals | LDPE, Class 3 or 6 | LDPE irrigation pipe |
Typical choices only. The project specification and your engineer's design come first.
RECOMMENDED PIPE
Pipelink pipe for this job
HDPE or LDPE for irrigation?
HDPE is pressure pipe (our certified range is SANS 4427-2, Class 6 to 20) for mains and pressurised lines. LDPE is softer, cheaper pipe for low-pressure laterals at Class 3 or 6.
Which LDPE class should I use?
Check the pressure at the start of the lateral. Class 3 suits low-pressure systems; Class 6 gives more margin. If you're unsure, send us the pump and layout and we'll advise.
Do you supply pumps for irrigation?
Yes. We are an authorised distributor for a leading global water technology brand and can quote the pump with the pipe.
GUIDES
Read before you order
Both are black polyethylene pipe in coils, but they're made for different pressures and different parts of an irrigation system.
Read the guide GUIDE · 5 MIN READHDPE or PVC pipe? How to choose for your projectPolyethylene and PVC both make excellent water pipe. They suit different jobs, and many projects use both.
Read the guide GUIDE · 7 MIN READPipe pressure classes explainedWhat the class number on PVC and HDPE pipe means, how to convert it to metres of head, and how to choose the right one.
Read the guideOther applications: Water supplyBulk water mainsBoreholes and livestockSewer and storm waterBuildings
Tell us the size, class and quantity. We'll quote it.
Every quote is built for the order. We don't publish prices, but we answer quickly.