Overview
The Irrimec OPTI RAIN ST2 is a water-powered hard hose travelling irrigator engineered for efficient, fuel-free irrigation across medium to large-scale agricultural operations. Manufactured by Irrimec, this turbine drive hose reel irrigator harnesses the energy of pressurised irrigation water to autonomously rewind hoses ranging from 63 mm to 82 mm in diameter and extending up to 280 metres in length. The integrated water-powered turbine eliminates the need for diesel, petrol, or electric motors, making it an ideal solution for remote paddocks and operations seeking to reduce operating costs while maintaining reliable coverage with compatible rainguns across pasture, crop, and horticultural applications.
What distinguishes the OPTI RAIN ST2 within the turbine drive hard hose irrigator category is its robust transmission system coupling a precision-engineered turbine directly to a chain-driven gearbox, delivering consistent rewinding speed proportional to water flow and pressure. The model features a galvanised steel chassis for long-term corrosion resistance, a guided hose retrieval system that ensures even winding and prevents tangling during operation, and a stable cart platform designed to minimise ground compaction while traversing varied terrain. Built-in speed control via an adjustable by-pass valve allows operators to fine-tune rewinding velocity to match specific irrigation requirements, ensuring uniform water application rates across the entire irrigated strip without manual intervention.
Key Features & Benefits
- Water-Powered Turbine Drive: Eliminates all fuel and electricity costs by harnessing irrigation water pressure to drive the rewinding mechanism — ideal for remote fields without grid access or fuel logistics, reducing operational expenses and environmental impact.
- Precision Chain-Drive Transmission: Delivers consistent, smooth torque transfer from turbine to reel drum, ensuring reliable hose retrieval speed without slippage or sudden jerking that can damage hose or disturb raingun trajectory.
- Adjustable Speed Control By-Pass Valve: Enables operators to fine-tune rewinding speed by regulating water flow through the turbine, allowing precise matching of travel speed to desired irrigation depth and soil infiltration rates for uniform water distribution.
- Galvanised Steel Chassis Construction: Provides superior corrosion resistance and structural durability in high-moisture environments, extending equipment lifespan and reducing maintenance frequency compared to painted or untreated steel frames.
- Guided Hose Retrieval System: Automatically guides the hard hose onto the reel drum in neat, evenly spaced layers, preventing overlapping, kinking, or tangling that can cause premature hose failure and reduce operational efficiency.
- Wide Hose Diameter and Length Range: Accommodates hose diameters from 63 mm to 82 mm and lengths from 180 m to 280 m, providing flexibility to configure the irrigator for varying field sizes, crop water requirements, and available water pressure conditions.
- Low Maintenance Operation: Water-powered turbine design features fewer moving parts than engine-driven reels, eliminating spark plugs, carburettors, fuel filters, and oil changes — reducing downtime and servicing costs over the equipment's operational life.
- Silent, Emission-Free Performance: Operates without engine noise or exhaust emissions, making it suitable for noise-sensitive areas, organic farming operations, and environments where air quality regulations restrict combustion equipment.
Technical Specifications
| Specification |
Details |
| Manufacturer |
Irrimec |
| Model |
OPTI RAIN ST2 |
| Product Type |
Hard Hose Travelling Irrigator |
| Drive System |
Water-Powered Turbine |
| Turbine Type |
Flange-Mounted Direct Drive Turbine with Gearbox |
| Transmission |
Chain Drive with Precision Gearbox |
| Hose Diameter Range |
63-82 mm (2.48-3.23 in) |
| Hose Length Range |
180-280 m (591-919 ft) |
| Maximum Hose Capacity |
82 mm diameter × 200 m length |
| Speed Control Method |
Adjustable By-Pass Valve (Water Flow Regulation) |
| Raingun Compatibility |
Medium to Large Capacity Rainguns (Model-Specific) |
| Wheel Configuration |
Stable Cart Platform with Ground-Contact Wheels |
| Water Inlet |
Flanged Connection (Size Varies by Model) |
| Chassis Treatment |
Galvanised Steel Construction |
| Country of Manufacture |
Contact Manufacturer for Details |
Available Hose Configurations
| Hose Diameter |
Hose Length |
Performance Data |
| 63 mm (2.48 in) |
250 m (820 ft) |
Contact for performance data |
| 63 mm (2.48 in) |
280 m (919 ft) |
Contact for performance data |
| 70 mm (2.76 in) |
220 m (722 ft) |
Contact for performance data |
| 70 mm (2.76 in) |
240 m (787 ft) |
Contact for performance data |
| 70 mm (2.76 in) |
270 m (886 ft) |
Contact for performance data |
| 75 mm (2.95 in) |
200 m (656 ft) |
Contact for performance data |
| 75 mm (2.95 in) |
220 m (722 ft) |
Contact for performance data |
| 75 mm (2.95 in) |
230 m (755 ft) |
Contact for performance data |
| 75 mm (2.95 in) |
245 m (804 ft) |
Contact for performance data |
| 75 mm (2.95 in) |
250 m (820 ft) |
Contact for performance data |
| 82 mm (3.23 in) |
180 m (591 ft) |
Contact for performance data |
| 82 mm (3.23 in) |
200 m (656 ft) |
Contact for performance data |
Turbine Drive System & Operation
The OPTI RAIN ST2 employs a flange-mounted water-powered turbine that converts the kinetic energy of pressurised irrigation water into rotational force, which is transmitted through a chain-driven gearbox directly to the hose reel drum. As water flows through the turbine during irrigation, the turbine blades rotate at a speed proportional to water flow rate and pressure, automatically rewinding the hard hose at a consistent pace without requiring external power sources. The integrated by-pass valve allows operators to divert a controlled portion of water flow around the turbine, providing precise adjustment of rewinding speed to match specific irrigation requirements — slower speeds for heavy soils requiring deeper infiltration, faster speeds for sandy soils or lighter application depths. This self-regulating mechanism ensures uniform water distribution across the entire irrigated strip while eliminating the complexity and maintenance burden of engine-driven systems.
The operational advantages of the water-powered turbine design are significant for agricultural enterprises seeking to reduce input costs and improve operational independence. With zero fuel consumption, the OPTI RAIN ST2 eliminates ongoing diesel or petrol expenses, fuel storage requirements, and the logistical challenges of refuelling equipment in remote paddocks. The turbine operates silently and produces no exhaust emissions, making it compliant with noise and air quality regulations while providing a more pleasant working environment for farm personnel. Maintenance requirements are minimal compared to internal combustion engines — no oil changes, spark plug replacements, air filter servicing, or carburetor adjustments are needed. Performance remains consistent and reliable as long as adequate water pressure is maintained, with no risk of engine failure due to contaminated fuel, overheating, or ignition system faults. This makes turbine drive hard hose irrigators particularly well-suited to large-scale operations, remote grazing properties, and regions where fuel supply is uncertain or prohibitively expensive.
Ideal Applications
- Remote Grazing Properties and Pasture Irrigation: Water-powered operation eliminates the need for electricity or fuel logistics in isolated paddocks, enabling cost-effective irrigation of extensive pasture areas for livestock production without infrastructure investment.
- Large-Scale Field Crop Production: Suitable for irrigating cereals, oilseeds, pulses, and forage crops across long field runs where consistent, fuel-free rewinding reduces operational costs and simplifies labour requirements during critical growing periods.
- Organic and Sustainable Farming Operations: Emission-free, silent operation aligns with organic certification requirements and sustainability goals, providing reliable irrigation without fossil fuel consumption or air quality impacts.
- Row Crop Irrigation in Variable Terrain: Adjustable rewinding speed via by-pass valve control allows precise matching of travel speed to soil infiltration rates and crop water requirements, preventing runoff and ensuring uniform application across undulating fields.
- Sports Turf and Recreational Grounds: Quiet, vibration-free operation makes turbine drive irrigators ideal for golf courses, sports fields, and recreational areas where noise restrictions apply and consistent turf quality is essential.
- Horticultural Production and Nursery Operations: Precision speed control and smooth rewinding action prevent sudden pressure surges or flow interruptions that can damage sensitive crops, while low maintenance requirements reduce downtime during peak growing seasons.
- Supplementary Irrigation in High-Rainfall Regions: Reliable, on-demand operation without engine starting difficulties makes turbine drive systems well-suited to regions where irrigation is used intermittently to supplement natural rainfall during dry spells.
