Draining Farm Fields that are Flat

Draining Farm FieldsDraining farm fields that are flat requires different tools for creation of the layout and different equipment for the application.

I get along fine with tiling hill seeps with my backhoe. The distance is usually short and if they were much longer, using a tile plow would be 10 times faster. If you are a producer and don’t want a lot of expense, a tile plow is a great option. But, as it pertains to this blog article, a plow should not be used on flat ground.

Ask the seller of a tile plow if it will do flat ground and they will say yes. I do sell GoldDigger tile plows but, my answer would be; other more accurate options are available. So why not take advantage of them. I recommend a chain or wheel trencher. Plows may ride up over objects that a trencher will grind through or let you know there is something there that has to be dug up with a backhoe or trackhoe.

Now that I have made my statement about tile equipment, the next controversy is Laser versus GPS. Laser is by far cheaper. But, as a systems approach, from creation of design to creating guidance lines to installing tile, GPS can’t be beat.

The GPS method sounds like it would be complicated and difficult to implement. It takes time to understand the whole GPS concept, but it is actually simple and easy. Yes, there is a learning curve to go through, and I can help get that accomplished. Click here to learn about GPS basics.

Click on the above image for a larger view.

The process using GPS to obtain this information is as follows;

1- Set up your Trimble RTK mobile base station and set “New Base Here”

2- Create your Master Benchmark at the boundary edge with your rover. Gators work great, but you can use just about anything except for things that are carrying a varied load; like combines while harvesting or sprayers, etc.

3- Drive the boundary and record it on the Trimble FmX in Survey Mode. Once completed drive the interior recording your path. Use 30ft, 50ft or what ever your planned tile spacing will be.

4- Export the information from the FmX Display and open it up in Farm Works software.

The above photo shows elevation in color variation. The layer behind show true image features and helps as field reference. To better understand the water flow, there are 3D view tools I can use in Farm Works. This picture is one example.

5- Draw out the tile lines on the software program and verify they work.

6- Create guidance lines from the tile lines and export the layout to the FmX

In this field the flat part to the north is the critical area that needs to be drained. The challenge is to drain this north end to the first south ditch. Going north east would require approval from the neighbor and even the county and state highway department. The other concern is the neighbor’s field doesn’t drain well either and I suspect a new system under the highway would be necessary. Now that I have explained the reasons, you will better understand the drainage tile layout of the main in this next photo.

7- Now that the layout is complete, the main can be installed and laterals attached.

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