Utilizing a standard tractor’s three-point hitch and remote hydraulic system, AIM’s Golden Retriever can handle 3 – 12-inch diameter pipe in 20 – 40-foot lengths. It also can pull lateral irrigation pipe from the field with risers still in place.
Workers begin by feeding pipe into the machine, which is lined by four sets of angled, hydraulically powered tires on each side. The tires propel the pipe like mechanical rollers in both installation and retrieval applications.
To simplify disassembling Certa-Set and Certa-Lok, which are connected by spline-locked couplings, one crewmember is assigned the task of spline removal. Each time a pipe coupling reaches this designated crewmember, he or she stops the machine, pulls the spline out of the coupling, and then places the machine back in gear. The power of the wheels returning to motion ejects the loosened end pipe section onto a trailer.
“Each coupler joint features an O-ring which provides the hydraulic seal,” Burkner explains. “You’ll need enough pulling force to release it and separate the pipe from the coupler. The Golden Retriever does this with little effort.”
Using AIM’s Golden Retriever, Driscoll Strawberries was able to cut its pipe retrieval crew in half.
“We’re very happy with the Certa-Set irrigation pipe,” said Robert Holscher, high-elevation nursery manager for Driscoll. “I’ve heard some experienced nursery managers say it’s one of the most important innovations to happen in the strawberry nursery industry in the past 30 years.”
He adds, “What impresses me most about the Certa-Set pipe is that, unlike aluminum pipe, the Certa-Set holds water all the time. Even when the system is down, the pipes stay charged. We’ve had excellent feedback.”
