Overview
The Irrimec MASTER MF3 is a professional turbine drive hard hose irrigator engineered for large-scale agricultural irrigation where reliable, fuel-free operation is essential. Manufactured by Irrimec in Italy, this water-powered reel system harnesses hydraulic energy directly from the irrigation supply to rewind hoses ranging from 90 mm to 140 mm (3.54 to 5.51 in) in diameter and spanning lengths from 300 m to 630 m (984 to 2,067 ft), delivering consistent coverage across medium to large field areas. The turbine drive mechanism eliminates the need for external power sources, making this hard hose irrigator ideal for remote locations and operations seeking to reduce fuel dependency and operating costs.
What distinguishes the MASTER MF3 within Irrimec's turbine drive hard hose irrigator range is its robust three-point chassis platform featuring a flanged turbine assembly that drives a precision gearbox and chain transmission system. The hose guide mechanism ensures even winding and consistent layering across multiple irrigation cycles, whilst the galvanised steel chassis construction provides long-term durability against corrosion in wet field environments. The MF3's versatile configuration options across seventeen hose diameter and length combinations enable farmers to match the irrigator precisely to their field geometry, water supply capacity, and crop water requirements, all whilst maintaining the operational simplicity and energy independence of a fully water-powered reel system.
Key Features & Benefits
- Water-Powered Turbine Drive: Harnesses hydraulic energy from the irrigation supply to eliminate all fuel consumption, reducing operating costs and providing energy-independent operation ideal for remote paddocks without electricity access.
- Flanged Gearbox Integration: Turbine mounts directly to a sealed gearbox assembly that converts water flow into controlled rotational force, delivering consistent rewinding speed proportional to supply pressure with minimal mechanical complexity.
- Integrated By-Pass Valve Speed Control: Allows precise adjustment of rewinding speed by regulating water flow through the turbine, enabling operators to match travel speed to soil infiltration rates and crop requirements without engine throttles or electronic controls.
- Chain and Gear Transmission: Provides positive-drive engagement between the turbine assembly and hose reel drum, ensuring reliable power transfer even under heavy hose loads and eliminating slippage common in friction-drive systems.
- Guided Hose Levelwind System: Automatic hose guide mechanism distributes incoming hose evenly across the drum width, preventing uneven layering that can cause binding or hose damage during subsequent deployments.
- Galvanised Steel Chassis Construction: Hot-dip galvanised or treated steel framework resists corrosion from constant water exposure and fertiliser residues, extending service life in demanding agricultural environments.
- Multi-Configuration Platform: Seventeen hose diameter and length combinations from Ø 90 mm to Ø 140 mm (3.54 to 5.51 in) and 300 m to 630 m (984 to 2,067 ft) provide flexibility to match irrigator capacity to field size, water supply, and raingun performance requirements.
- Low Maintenance Operation: Absence of engines, fuel systems, ignition components, and hydraulic pumps dramatically reduces maintenance requirements to simple gearbox lubrication and periodic chain tension checks.
- Quiet Field Operation: Water-driven turbine produces minimal noise compared to engine-driven reels, reducing operator fatigue and disturbance to livestock or adjacent properties during extended irrigation cycles.
- Reliable Cold-Weather Performance: Eliminates starting difficulties, fuel gelling, and battery failures associated with engine-driven systems, ensuring consistent operation even in early-season or high-altitude conditions.
Technical Specifications
| Specification |
Details |
| Manufacturer |
Irrimec |
| Model |
MASTER MF3 |
| Product Type |
Turbine Drive Hard Hose Irrigator |
| Drive System |
Water-powered turbine with flanged gearbox assembly |
| Turbine Type |
Hydraulic impulse turbine with integral by-pass valve |
| Transmission |
Chain and gear drive with positive engagement |
| Hose Diameter Range |
100-140 mm (3.94-5.51 in) |
| Hose Length Range |
300-630 m (984-2,067 ft) |
| Maximum Hose Capacity |
630 m of Ø 100 mm hose (2,067 ft of 3.94 in hose) |
| Speed Control Method |
Manual by-pass valve adjustment (water flow regulation) |
| Hose Guide System |
Automatic levelwind mechanism with guided traverse |
| Raingun Compatibility |
Medium to large volume rainguns with nozzles 18-38 mm (0.71-1.50 in) |
| Wheel Configuration |
Three-point chassis with agricultural wheels |
| Water Inlet |
Flanged connection sized to hose diameter |
| Chassis Treatment |
Galvanised steel construction |
| Country of Manufacture |
Italy |
Available Hose Configurations
| Hose Diameter |
Hose Length |
Model Designation |
Typical Coverage Area |
Performance Data |
| Ø 100 mm (3.94 in) |
530 m (1,739 ft) |
100 TG |
6.0-8.0 hectares (14.8-19.8 acres) |
Contact for performance data |
| Ø 100 mm (3.94 in) |
560 m (1,837 ft) |
100 TG |
6.3-8.4 hectares (15.6-20.8 acres) |
Contact for performance data |
| Ø 100 mm (3.94 in) |
630 m (2,067 ft) |
100 TG |
7.1-9.5 hectares (17.5-23.5 acres) |
Contact for performance data |
| Ø 110 mm (4.33 in) |
500 m (1,640 ft) |
110 TG |
6.5-9.0 hectares (16.1-22.2 acres) |
Contact for performance data |
| Ø 110 mm (4.33 in) |
550 m (1,804 ft) |
110 TG |
7.2-9.9 hectares (17.8-24.5 acres) |
Contact for performance data |
| Ø 110 mm (4.33 in) |
600 m (1,969 ft) |
110 TG |
7.8-10.8 hectares (19.3-26.7 acres) |
Contact for performance data |
| Ø 120 mm (4.72 in) |
400 m (1,312 ft) |
120 TG |
5.6-8.0 hectares (13.8-19.8 acres) |
Contact for performance data |
| Ø 120 mm (4.72 in) |
470 m (1,542 ft) |
120 TG |
6.6-9.4 hectares (16.3-23.2 acres) |
Contact for performance data |
| Ø 120 mm (4.72 in) |
500 m (1,640 ft) |
120 TG |
7.0-10.0 hectares (17.3-24.7 acres) |
Contact for performance data |
| Ø 125 mm (4.92 in) |
420 m (1,378 ft) |
125 TG |
6.3-9.2 hectares (15.6-22.7 acres) |
Contact for performance data |
| Ø 125 mm (4.92 in) |
450 m (1,476 ft) |
125 TG |
6.8-9.9 hectares (16.8-24.5 acres) |
Contact for performance data |
| Ø 135 mm (5.31 in) |
350 m (1,148 ft) |
135 TG |
5.6-8.4 hectares (13.8-20.8 acres) |
Contact for performance data |
| Ø 135 mm (5.31 in) |
380 m (1,247 ft) |
135 TG |
6.1-9.1 hectares (15.1-22.5 acres) |
Contact for performance data |
| Ø 135 mm (5.31 in) |
400 m (1,312 ft) |
135 TG |
6.4-9.6 hectares (15.8-23.7 acres) |
Contact for performance data |
| Ø 140 mm (5.51 in) |
300 m (984 ft) |
140 TG |
5.1-7.8 hectares (12.6-19.3 acres) |
Contact for performance data |
| Ø 140 mm (5.51 in) |
320 m (1,050 ft) |
140 TG |
5.4-8.3 hectares (13.3-20.5 acres) |
Contact for performance data |
| Ø 140 mm (5.51 in) |
360 m (1,181 ft) |
140 TG |
6.1-9.4 hectares (15.1-23.2 acres) |
Contact for performance data |
Coverage areas are indicative and depend on raingun selection, operating pressure, nozzle size, wind conditions, and lane spacing. Consult IrriFinder technical support for application-specific sizing.
Turbine Drive System & Operation
The MASTER MF3 employs a water-powered turbine assembly flanged directly to a reduction gearbox that converts the kinetic energy of flowing irrigation water into controlled rotational force for hose rewinding. As pressurised water enters the turbine housing, it drives an impulse rotor whose speed is directly proportional to flow rate and supply pressure; this rotation transfers through the sealed gearbox and chain drive to the hose reel drum, pulling the raingun cart steadily back toward the irrigator at a rate determined by the by-pass valve setting. An integrated manual by-pass valve allows the operator to divert a portion of the water flow around the turbine rotor, providing infinitely variable speed control without mechanical clutches or electrical components—simply adjusting the valve increases or decreases rewinding speed to match soil infiltration capacity, field slope, or desired application depth.
This hydraulic drive approach delivers significant operational advantages over engine-driven hard hose irrigators. The system requires no diesel or petrol fuel, eliminating refuelling logistics, fuel storage concerns, and combustion-related maintenance tasks such as oil changes, air filter cleaning, or spark plug replacement. Turbine operation is virtually silent compared to internal combustion engines, reducing operator fatigue during setup and monitoring whilst minimising disturbance to livestock or neighbouring properties. The direct coupling between water supply pressure and reel speed ensures consistent performance across varying field conditions—if supply pressure drops due to pump fluctuations or pipeline friction, rewinding speed automatically adjusts proportionally, maintaining appropriate travel rates without operator intervention. For farms with remote irrigation blocks lacking electrical infrastructure or seeking to reduce carbon emissions and operating costs, the MASTER MF3's water-powered turbine system offers genuine energy independence combined with the simplicity and reliability demanded by commercial agricultural irrigation.
Ideal Applications
- Remote Pastoral Properties: Ideal for irrigation blocks distant from electrical supply or fuel distribution points, where the water-powered turbine eliminates dependency on diesel delivery and provides autonomous operation using only the existing water supply infrastructure.
- Pasture and Forage Production: Well-suited to irrigating large pasture paddocks, hayfields, and fodder crops where consistent long-run irrigation at controlled speeds maximises infiltration and minimises runoff, whilst the absence of fuel costs improves the economics of low-value forage production.
- Broad-Acre Field Crops: Effective
SPECIFICS: Turbine driven, model 10/50 - 25/120.Model with hot galvanised ground support platform, giving 360° turntable rotation. Structure shot-blasted treated with 2 applications of powder coating epoxy anti-corrosive primer and a top coat of polyesthere paint with high shock resistence, high atmospheric resistance and long lasting.
