Traveling Gun Drive Systems

Figure 1.  A typical turbine drive (the turbine is circled in white).  The blue gate valve above the turbine (which allows an amount of water to bypass the turbine) is adjusted to vary the speed of the gun cart return.  Since this is a water-powered system, if the pump stops delivering water to the traveler the system will stop reeling in the gun cart.  Typically used for normal irrigation with well or surface water sources.  The clearances within the turbine may be too small to allow use with effluent irrigation. (Picture courtesy Amadas Industries)

Figure 2.  An engine-driven traveler.  The engine replaces the turbine in Figure 1 as the motive power for the system.  The engine will continue to reel in the gun cart even if the pump stops supplying water.  This type of drive system is particularly well suited for effluent irrigation due to the fact that there are no obstructions or close clearances in the water stream.  It may also be used with "normal" irrigation water sources such as surface waters or wells.  (Picture courtesy Amadas Industries)

Figure 3.  A bellows-driven traveler.  The actual bellows is located behind the screen in the white circle.  A bellows drive actually "rachets" or moves the hose reel in increments, discharging a small amount of water each time.  Since this is a water-powered system, if the pump stops delivering water to the traveler the system will stop reeling in the gun cart. Typically used for normal irrigation with well or surface water sources.  (Picture courtesy Kifco Manufacturing)