New E-series reel irrigators from Bauer have several improved features to make operation and maintenance easier while maintaining the product’s outstanding reputation for strength, performance and durability.

An example of the improved range will be revealed at BP2023 – the Potato Industry Event – on November 22/23 at the Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate.

Adrian Tindall, Bauer UK & Ireland sales manager, said: “Bauer has put in a lot of R&D investment over recent years to equip the market-leading Rainstar E-series for new digital technologies, including the Smart Rain remote monitoring and control app.

“Now, attention has been turned to some aspects of the mechanical components, mainly to improve access for servicing, maintenance and setting-up to further improve the operator experience.”

The most obvious visual change is to the side guard that covers the reel-drive turbine and gearbox – but less obvious is that instead of being held in place by 10 bolts, the new version has catches that when released allow the cover to swing away.

That makes it quicker and easier to access components such as the belt that transfers drive from Bauer’s highly-efficient water turbine to the pulley on the chain and sprocket that slowly rotates the drum to pull in the hose and either a rain gun or boom.

Opening the new cover also reveals a larger battery to power the Ecostar 6000 controller with its 4.3in LED touch-screen, which is supplemented by membrane buttons for the most frequently used functions.

Adrian Tindall explained: “Users can store up to 12 different irrigation programmes that define retraction speed, pre-irrigation, post-irrigation and speed zones, and then retrieve them at any time to save having to enter individual parameters for every irrigation session.”

Remote access via SMS on a mobile telephone enables irrigation managers to not only stop and start the Rainstar irrigator remotely but also adjust retraction speed, check on the status of the machine and receive error messages.

A ‘run finished’ message can be activated, and thanks to a digital input on the irrigator’s water meter, the Ecostar 6000 controller also records the session and running total of water used.

The battery itself is now kept charged by a more efficient solar panel; it is still fitted flush to the cover but can now be propped at an angle to harvest energy from the sun more effectively.

Other changes include more easily accessible pipe drum bearings should they need attention and retrospective installation of brakes if needed is a new feature of the two- and four-wheel chassis.

The Bauer E-series comprises five models from the E 100 to E 500, each available with from seven to 11 different diameter and length combinations of Bauer’s own polyethylene (PE) pipe manufactured at the group’s principle factory in Voitsberg, Austria.