When considering the differences between a King Cobra Travelling RainGun and Greenback Magnum Travelling Irrigator for your farm, it is important to look at the type of pump you have available, the terrain of your farm, and the length of the paddocks. With both irrigator options having advantages to meet the needs of your farm, there are a few aspects of the systems to look at before making a decision.
Winch System Differences
The main difference between the two irrigators is the winch system. The King Cobra uses a turbine to drive the winch. Winch systems with turbines can be problematic if there is fibrous material in the effluent, which can cause issues of blockage. The winch system within the Greenback Magnum does not share the same issue with the design being a well-proven traditional system of travelling irrigator that can be a more reliable option for dairy effluent management.
King Cobra Travelling RainGun
The King Cobra Travelling RainGun features three wheels and is compact without long arms, which makes it easy to tow around. The compact style and small size make it a popular choice for effluent management, but the three wheels can cause issues if irrigation is needed along a slope where it can run away down the hill due to the heavy weight of it and the design.
Unlike other travelling irrigators, the King Cobra can only be used as a raingun and requires a high pressure pump to drive it. If the conditions are windy, the wind drift can also contribute to less nutrients making it to the paddock. The King Cobra is often a popular choice for dairy effluent management due to the benefit of pointing it in one direction alongside a crop paddock.
Greenback Magnum Travelling Irrigator
The advantage of the Greenback Magnum Travelling Irrigator is the versatility to use it as a traditional irrigator and a raingun. There is the option to turn off the raingun and use the two arms as a normal greenback irrigator, which contributes to less wind drift and adds more control during windy conditions.
One of the disadvantages is the need for higher flow than a King Cobra, which requires a bigger pump to operate the system. The Greenback Magnum also features a skid on the front that serves as a brake, which can stop the irrigator from running down the hill. It is a good option to consider for those who need versatility in an irrigator.
Irrigating Over Crop Paddocks
A King Cobra can be better than the Greenback Magnum if you are irrigating over a crop paddock. If the irrigator needs to be set up along the edge of the crop paddock and project the effluent over the paddock to not damage the crop, it can be easily achieved with the King Cobra due to the raingun component. A Greenback Magnum does feature an arm that spins around, which means the irrigator can’t be placed right next to the fence line the same as you are able to with a King Cobra.
Which irrigator is right for your farm?
If you are in a position to buy one of the two irrigators for your dairy effluent management system, the Greenback Magnum is generally the better choice due to the versatility and reliability of the system. Chat with our team to learn more about which irrigator is the right choice for your dairy farm.