FAQs
You’ve got a farm to run and decisions to make. These are the questions farmers ask most about RAIN with straightforward answers that explain what it does, why it matters, and how it could fit into your operation.
What does the machine do when it gets to the end of a pass?
The machine doesn’t actually turn around at the end. Instead, it simply reverses direction—backing up on the same pass it just made while picking up its hose along the way.
Doesn't the machine knock over crop when it turns around?
No. The machine simply picks up its hose while backing up on the same path it was just on. It doesn’t turn around at the end.
Does someone have to move it over every pass?
No. The machine remains connected to the riser and uses a backbone system to drive from one path to the next autonomously.
How much hose in on the machine’s reel?
3,000 feet of 3-inch hose.
How fast does it go?
The machine moves a max speed of 8 inches per second (or 0.4 MPH). The time it takes the 360 RAIN machine to completely cover your field is dependent on the rate of liquid being applied in combination with the total acres being covered.
How many acres does it cover?
Depending on your field shape and obstacles, the machine can cover 160 to 200 acres from one riser point. If you’re curious how it could look in your field, a dealer can Map Your Field on their computer in minutes – just reach out!
How long would it take to cover an 80 acre field?
Applying 0.45 inches of water across an 80-acre field with 360 RAIN would require about 977,500 gallons in total. At a pump rate of 200 gallons per minute (12,000 gallons per hour), the machine would complete the application in roughly 81 hours, or about 3.4 days of continuous runtime.
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How much can it apply per pass?
Most machines are applying 0.25 - 0.5 inches of water per pass. That’s like a 0.5-inch rain across the field, but because RAIN places it right at the base of the plant, the crop actually feels it like a 1-inch rain. we’re concentrating the water where it matters most—at the plant, not the middle of the row—so the crop gets double the effective benefit.
How does RAIN compare to a pivot?
Required Water Flow:
360 RAIN operates on 200–250 gpm, while pivots often require 500 gpm or more.
Water Usage:
360 RAIN typically uses about 40% less water because it applies water right at the base of the plant using banded drops. Pivots use significantly more water due to poor placement and higher losses from evaporation and drift.
Coverage:
360 RAIN can run irregular patterns, square, around obstacles, or in nontraditional field shapes. Pivots are limited to circular coverage only.
Injection:
360 RAIN is built to inject nutrients, manure, and even digestate directly into the water stream and place it exactly where plants can use it. Pivots can do some fertigation, but the distribution is uneven and placement isn’t ideal for optimum uptake.
Wind:
Wind has little to no effect on 360 RAIN’s banded drops. Pivots see increased drift and evaporation under windy conditions.
How is RAIN more efficient than other options?
Example: A farmer previously used a pivot on a 205 acre field and irrigated 141 acres (69%) applying 0.8" acre/week at a water flow consumption rate of 700 gal/minute. The total water usage was 4.06 million gal/week.
The same farmer switched to 360 RAIN on the field and was able to irrigate 205 acres (100%) applying 0.35" per acre but since it was banded at the base of the plant, the plant saw an equivalent of 0.7" acre/week at a water flow consumption rate of 200 gal/min. The total water usage was 1.47 million gal/week.