Casella PL Engine-Hydraulic Drive Hard Hose Irrigators

Overview

The Casella PL is a professional-grade engine-hydraulic drive hard hose reel irrigator manufactured in Italy, designed to deliver efficient water distribution across large agricultural operations. This hard hose reel system utilises a monocylinder engine to power the hydraulic rewinding mechanism, offering exceptional energy savings compared to electric or PTO-driven alternatives. The PL accommodates multiple hose configurations ranging from 125 mm to 160 mm (4.92 to 6.30 inches) in diameter, with lengths extending from 350 m to 650 m (1,148 to 2,133 feet), providing versatile coverage capacity for diverse irrigation requirements.

What distinguishes the PL within the Engine-Hydraulic Drive Hard Hose Irrigators category is its integrated lower platform design with full 360-degree hydraulic rotation capability, enabling precise positioning and operational flexibility without requiring machine relocation. The monocylinder engine powering the hydraulic system delivers substantial energy savings whilst maintaining consistent rewinding torque across the entire hose length, regardless of water pressure or terrain variations. Combined with independent hydraulic back anchors, hydraulic trolley lifting, and a galvanized chassis construction, this engine-powered irrigation system offers operational independence ideal for remote locations where external power sources are unavailable or impractical.

Key Features & Benefits

• Monocylinder Engine-Hydraulic Recovery System: Delivers massive energy savings compared to electric or PTO systems whilst providing consistent, reliable rewinding power independent of external power sources, making it ideal for remote field locations.
• Lower Platform with 360° Hydraulic Rotation: Enables complete directional adjustment without repositioning the entire machine, dramatically reducing setup time and allowing precise irrigation coverage across irregularly shaped fields and multiple paddocks from a single location.
• Galvanized Trolley Construction: Available in 2-wheel or 4-wheel configurations with rubber or iron wheel options, providing corrosion resistance and extended service life even in harsh agricultural environments with high moisture exposure.
• Hydraulic Trolley Lifting System: Eliminates manual handling of heavy sprinkler equipment, improving operator safety and enabling quick transitions between field positions whilst protecting the raingun and hose from ground contact damage during transport.
• Independent Hydraulic Back Anchors: Provide secure stabilization during operation without manual intervention, automatically compensating for uneven terrain and maintaining proper tension throughout the rewinding cycle for consistent water distribution.
• Integrated Rewinding Speed Computer: Allows precise control over hose retrieval speed to match soil infiltration rates and crop water requirements, preventing runoff and optimizing water application efficiency across varying field conditions.
• 8,000-Litre Capacity Compressor: Enables complete hose drainage at season end or between irrigation events, preventing freeze damage in cold climates, reducing hose weight for easier handling, and eliminating standing water that could promote algae growth or contamination.
• Heavy-Duty Tyre Options: Available with 385/65R22.5 or 18R22.5 agricultural tyres designed to distribute weight across soft soils, minimize compaction damage to growing crops, and provide stable transport across rough terrain between field positions.
• 4-Metre High-Pressure Connection Pipe: Provides flexible connection to water source whilst absorbing vibration and allowing slight misalignment, reducing stress on both the water supply infrastructure and the machine's inlet manifold during operation.

Technical Specifications

Available Hose Configurations

Hydraulic System & Operation

The PL employs a monocylinder engine that drives a dedicated hydraulic pump to power the hose rewinding mechanism, delivering consistent torque throughout the entire retrieval cycle regardless of hose length or water pressure variations. This engine-hydraulic configuration provides substantial energy savings compared to electric motors or tractor PTO systems, as the monocylinder engine operates at optimal efficiency specifically tuned for the rewinding load profile. The hydraulic drive system maintains constant line speed controlled by the integrated computer, ensuring uniform water application rates across the irrigated area whilst preventing excessive speed that could damage crops or cause soil erosion. Unlike electric systems that require grid connection or generators, the self-contained engine provides complete operational independence ideal for remote field locations.

The lower platform design with full 360-degree hydraulic rotation eliminates the need to reposition the entire machine when changing irrigation directions, significantly reducing setup time and fuel consumption during field transitions. Operators can precisely adjust the spray angle from the control position, enabling coverage of irregular field boundaries and multiple paddocks from strategic central locations. The hydraulic anchoring system automatically stabilizes the machine during operation, compensating for ground slope and maintaining proper alignment throughout the rewinding cycle. Maintenance requirements remain minimal due to the robust monocylinder engine design and sealed hydraulic components, with routine servicing limited to engine oil changes, hydraulic fluid checks, and periodic lubrication of rotating components. The system operates with relatively low noise levels compared to high-speed electric motors, making it suitable for noise-sensitive environments near residential areas or during night irrigation schedules.

Ideal Applications

• Large-Scale Field Crops: The energy-efficient monocylinder engine provides economical operation across extensive coverage areas up to 650 metres, making it cost-effective for irrigating wheat, maize, cotton, and other broadacre crops where long irrigation runs are standard practice.
• Remote Agricultural Operations: Complete operational independence from external power sources makes the PL ideal for farms without reliable grid electricity, operating on remote leased land, or irrigation blocks distant from main farm infrastructure where running electrical supply would be prohibitively expensive.
• Mixed Farming Enterprises: The multiple hose configuration options allow farmers to match equipment capacity to different field sizes and crop water requirements, using shorter large-diameter hoses for high-demand crops and longer smaller-diameter configurations for extensive pasture irrigation.
• Orchards and Permanent Plantings: The 360-degree hydraulic rotation capability enables precise positioning between tree rows and coverage of irregularly shaped plantings without repositioning the entire machine, whilst the computer-controlled rewinding speed prevents excessive water application that could damage fruit or promote disease.
• Seasonal Pasture Irrigation: The galvanized construction and robust hydraulic components withstand continuous outdoor exposure throughout extended irrigation seasons, whilst the compressor system enables complete hose drainage during off-seasons to prevent freeze damage and extend hose service life.
• Contract Irrigation Services: The heavy-duty tyre options and hydraulic trolley lifting enable efficient transport between multiple client properties, whilst the reliable monocylinder engine provides dependable operation without requiring connection to clients' power infrastructure or tractor equipment.
• Frost Protection Systems: The independent operation and precise speed control make the PL suitable for automated frost protection irrigation in vineyards and orchards, where reliable overnight operation without supervision is essential and grid power may be subject to storm-related outages during critical frost events.

Standard Equipment