Senninger Waters the World with Eaton’s Sustainable Pivot Irrigation Hose

Eaton pivot irrigation hose is an integral component on Senninger farmland irrigation systems in 49 countries.

Background

An Eaton sustainable product is helping a leader in irrigation technology provide products that save water and energy and help protect our environment.

Eaton’s pivot irrigation hose is used on drops with sprinklers,spray nozzles, and pressure regulators made by Senninger Irrigation, Inc. of Clermont, Florida. Utilizing drop hose allows applicators to be placed closer to the ground and conserves water by helping prevent wind drift.

Made entirely from 100% post-consumable PVC compound, the hose bears a green leaf indicating that it is An Eaton Green Solution. These products or systems represent Eaton benchmarks for environmental performance. The green leaf symbol is Eaton’s promise that the solution has been reviewed and documented as offering exceptional, industry-leading environmental benefits.

Challenge

“The Eaton hose has an interesting history,” says Geoff Pantling, market development manager.

“When we launched the hose in 1995, its green anatomy was viewed as a design flaw by those who considered recycled materials inferior, recalls Pantling. “So back then, we learned not to promote the hose’s recycled materials.”

What Pantling did promote was the hose’s superior construction that was much different than the competitive hose on the market.

“A loom process is used to construct the competitive hose,” Pantling says, “and the squares of interwoven yarns often become stress points where the hose cracks.

Solution

“We explained to Senninger that our hose features a spiral construction that stretches, thereby eliminating stress on the yarns, helping support the weight of the sprinklers, and resisting the effects of wind.”

Even though this irrigation hose was new to the market, its quality made Senninger willing to give it a try.

“The UV-resistant PVC cover and polyester reinforcement yarns provide durability, and the hose’s temperature and pressure range is ideal for pivot irrigation,” says Senninger’s Chris Striby, national sales manager.

Results

For the past 15 years, Senninger has sold irrigation systems all over the world with Eaton pivot irrigation hose assemblies as integral components. Proof of the hose’s fit and functionality is its long service life.

“Senninger has irrigation hose in the field lasting up to 10 years," Pantling says.

“Eaton is pleased to partner with Senninger to provide a reliable solution to irrigators and promote conservation through the use of recycled materials.”

In 2009, Eaton used 1.4 million pounds of recycled PVC in the manufacture of irrigation hose, thereby freeing up landfill space and lowering waste transportation costs. Reuse of PVC also translates into lower input energy costs, since the material has already been processed once; and lower processing temperatures are used, reducing processing energy costs.

Learn more about Eaton Green Solutions at www.eaton.com/greensolutions