Overview
The Casella PLS is a professional-grade engine-hydraulic drive hard hose irrigator manufactured in Italy, engineered to deliver efficient water distribution across large agricultural areas. This hard hose reel system utilises a monocylinder engine to power the hydraulic rewinding mechanism, offering substantial energy savings compared to electric or PTO-driven alternatives. With hose capacity configurations ranging from 125 mm to 180 mm diameter and lengths from 430 to 800 metres (1,411 to 2,625 feet), the PLS provides flexible irrigation solutions for diverse field dimensions and crop requirements.
What distinguishes the PLS within the Engine-Hydraulic Drive Hard Hose Irrigators category is its comprehensive hydraulic functionality integrated throughout the machine. Beyond the engine-powered rewinding system, this model features a lower platform with full 360-degree hydraulic rotation, hydraulic trolley lifting, independent hydraulic rear anchors, front hydraulic piston, and front hydraulic brackets—creating a fully hydraulic operational environment that maximises positioning flexibility and operational independence. The inclusion of an integrated compressor capable of evacuating 11,000 litres from the hose, combined with electronic speed control and robust 18R22.5 tyres, positions this irrigator as a complete solution for operations requiring autonomous, efficient irrigation without reliance on external power infrastructure.
Key Features & Benefits
- Monocylinder Engine Rewinding: Delivers substantial energy savings compared to electric or PTO-driven systems while providing consistent hydraulic torque across all hose lengths, reducing operational costs and eliminating dependency on external power sources.
- Lower Platform with 360° Hydraulic Rotation: Enables precise positioning and rapid field-to-field relocation without manual repositioning, significantly reducing setup time and allowing optimal alignment with field contours and wind conditions.
- Comprehensive Hydraulic Control System: Front and rear hydraulic anchors, hydraulic trolley lift, and front hydraulic piston provide complete remote control of all positioning functions, minimising manual labour and improving operational safety.
- Electronic Rewinding Speed Control: Integrated computer system precisely regulates hose recovery speed to match application rates and field conditions, ensuring uniform water distribution and preventing under or over-watering in different irrigation zones.
- Integrated High-Capacity Compressor: Built-in 11,000-litre compressor efficiently evacuates water from the hose at the end of each irrigation cycle, protecting against frost damage, reducing hose weight for easier handling, and preventing water stagnation that could affect water quality.
- Galvanised Four-Wheel Trolley: Heavy-duty galvanised chassis with four-wheel configuration (available in rubber or iron) provides exceptional stability on uneven terrain while the galvanised treatment ensures long-term corrosion resistance in humid irrigation environments.
- Professional-Grade Tyre Specification: Equipped with 18R22.5 tyres designed for heavy agricultural applications, distributing machine weight effectively to minimise soil compaction whilst providing reliable traction across various field conditions.
- Multiple Hose Capacity Configurations: Five distinct hose diameter and length combinations accommodate diverse field dimensions and flow requirements, from 125 mm × 800 m to 180 mm × 430 m, allowing selection of optimal configuration for specific crop water demands and field geometry.
Technical Specifications
| Specification |
Details |
| Manufacturer |
Casella |
| Model |
PLS |
| Product Type |
Engine-Hydraulic Drive Hard Hose Irrigators |
| Drive System |
Engine-powered hydraulic rewinding with monocylinder engine |
| Platform Configuration |
Lower platform with hydraulic 360° rotation |
| Hose Diameter Range |
125-180 mm (4.92-7.09 in) |
| Hose Length Range |
430-800 m (1,411-2,625 ft) |
| Maximum Hose Capacity |
125 mm × 800 m (4.92 in × 2,625 ft) |
| Rotation System |
Full hydraulic 360° rotation on lower platform |
| Sprinkler Configuration |
Raingun with multiple interchangeable nozzle diameters |
| Trolley Configuration |
4-wheel galvanised chassis (rubber or iron wheel options) |
| Trolley Positioning |
Hydraulic lifting system |
| Anchoring System |
Independent hydraulic rear anchors/brackets and front hydraulic piston with front hydraulic anchors |
| Speed Control |
Electronic computer-controlled rewinding speed regulation |
| Integrated Compressor |
11,000-litre capacity for hose evacuation |
| Connection Equipment |
4-metre high-pressure pipe for water inlet connection |
| Tyre Specification |
18R22.5 |
| Chassis Treatment |
Galvanised steel construction |
| Country of Manufacture |
Italy |
Available Hose Configurations
| Hose Diameter |
Hose Length |
Configuration Code |
Typical Application |
| 125 mm (4.92 in) |
800 m (2,625 ft) |
125/800 |
Maximum coverage for medium-flow applications |
| 140 mm (5.51 in) |
780 m (2,559 ft) |
140/780 |
Extended reach with increased flow capacity |
| 150 mm (5.91 in) |
650 m (2,133 ft) |
150/650 |
Balanced configuration for high-flow irrigation |
| 160 mm (6.30 in) |
520 m (1,706 ft) |
160/520 |
High-volume delivery for intensive irrigation |
| 180 mm (7.09 in) |
430 m (1,411 ft) |
180/430 |
Maximum flow capacity for large-nozzle rainguns |
Hydraulic System & Operation
The PLS employs a monocylinder engine to drive a hydraulic pump that powers the hose rewinding mechanism, delivering consistent torque throughout the entire recovery cycle regardless of hose length or water pressure. This engine-hydraulic configuration provides substantial energy efficiency advantages compared to electric-powered systems, as the engine operates at optimal efficiency curves matched to the hydraulic load requirements. The hydraulic system eliminates the need for external electrical infrastructure or tractor PTO engagement, enabling completely autonomous operation ideal for remote field locations or operations seeking to minimise tractor time. The consistent hydraulic pressure ensures smooth, controlled rewinding that prevents hose kinking or damage whilst maintaining precise speed regulation through the integrated electronic control system.
Operational advantages extend beyond the rewinding mechanism to encompass the entire machine platform. The lower platform's full 360-degree hydraulic rotation capability allows rapid repositioning without manual intervention, whilst the hydraulic trolley lift, front piston, and independent front and rear anchoring systems provide complete remote control of machine setup and stabilisation. This comprehensive hydraulic integration reduces labour requirements, improves operational safety by minimising manual handling, and accelerates field transitions. The monocylinder engine operates with fuel efficiency optimised for irrigation duty cycles, whilst generating moderate operational noise levels suitable for operations near sensitive areas. Maintenance requirements focus on standard engine servicing and hydraulic system inspection, with the robust Italian engineering ensuring reliable performance across extended irrigation seasons.
Ideal Applications
- Large-Scale Field Crops: Extended hose capacity configurations up to 800 metres combined with energy-efficient engine operation make this system ideal for broadacre cereals, cotton, maize, and other extensive field crops requiring economical irrigation across large contiguous areas.
- Remote Agricultural Operations: Engine-hydraulic drive system provides complete operational independence without requiring electrical infrastructure or continuous tractor availability, perfect for isolated fields, leased land, or operations expanding irrigation into previously unirrigated areas.
- Orchards and Permanent Plantings: The 360-degree hydraulic platform rotation enables precise positioning between tree rows and rapid reorientation for sequential irrigation runs, whilst the controlled rewinding speed prevents damage to permanent plantings and infrastructure.
- Pasture and Forage Production: Robust galvanised construction and heavy-duty tyre specification provide durability for continuous seasonal use across varied terrain, whilst the integrated compressor protects against frost damage during shoulder-season irrigation of cool-season forages.
- Contract Irrigation Services: Multiple hose configuration options allow contractors to match equipment to diverse client requirements, whilst the hydraulic stability and anchoring systems facilitate rapid deployment across multiple properties with varying field conditions.
- High-Value Vegetable Production: Electronic speed control and consistent hydraulic performance deliver precise water application essential for vegetable crops with specific irrigation timing requirements, whilst the fuel-efficient operation reduces per-hectare irrigation costs.
- Mixed Farming Operations: Autonomous engine operation eliminates competition for tractor time during critical periods, allowing irrigation to continue during planting, spraying, or harvest operations without compromising timeliness in other farm activities.
Standard Equipment
| Pipe rewinding with monocylinder engine (huge energy saving) |
Lower platform and hydraulic rotation 360 degrees on it |
| Galvanized Trolley 4 wheels (rubber or iron) |
Sprinkler with nozzles of different diameters |
| Hydraulic lifting of the trolley |
Independent hydraulic back anchors/brackets |
| Front hydraulic piston |
Hydraulic front anchors/brackets |
| Computer to control the rewinding speed |
Compressor to empty the pipe (11.000 litres) |
| 4 meter high-pressure pipe for connection |
Tyres 18R22.5 |
