How to Winterize Your Irrigation Reel System Properly
How to Winterize Your Irrigation Reel A Step-by-Step Guide to Protecting Your System Before the Freeze
Every irrigation reel that gets put away wet, or left with water sitting in the pump and hoses, is one hard freeze away from a cracked casing, a split hose, or a seized gearbox. Whether you're running farm irrigation solutions across large acreage or maintaining a Kifco water-reel irrigation system for turf and sports fields, proper winterization is one of the cheapest forms of insurance available for expensive equipment.
At Victory Irrigation, we support growers and contractors across cold-weather regions like the Hudson Valley, Northeast Pennsylvania, and Colorado, where a missed winterization step can mean a full pump replacement come spring. This guide walks through exactly how to shut down your reel system for the season the right way.
Trapped water expands roughly 9% in volume when it freezes, enough to crack pump housings and split hose walls.
A properly winterized reel typically needs little more than a pressure and seal check before spring startup.
Skipping winterization is one of the most common reasons growers end up needing a full irrigation reel repair before the next growing season even starts.
Why Winterization Matters More Than Most Growers Expect
A water-reel system holds water in more places than most operators realize — the pump housing, the hose itself, the sprinkler cart, valves, and any low points in the line where water naturally pools. Every one of those spots is a potential freeze point if the system isn't properly drained before temperatures drop.
This ties directly into the same logic covered in how to maintain your irrigation equipment for long-lasting performance: most catastrophic equipment failures don't happen because a part wears out gradually — they happen because a preventable condition, like standing water in freezing temperatures, goes unaddressed.
Step 1: Drain the Pump Completely
Start with the pump, since it's usually the most expensive component to replace if it cracks. Most Kifco pumps have drain plugs at the lowest point of the housing — remove these and let the pump drain fully before storage.
Quick Checklist:
Remove all drain plugs and allow water to fully empty
Run the pump briefly (dry, per manufacturer guidance) to clear residual water from internal passages
Inspect seals and gaskets for cracking while the housing is open
Replace worn seals now rather than waiting for a spring failure
If you're unsure which components on your specific pump need attention, a quick quote for Kifco irrigation pumps or a call to our team can confirm the winterization steps specific to your model.
Step 2: Fully Drain and Coil the Hose
Hose damage from trapped freezing water is one of the most common — and most avoidable — winter failures. Even a small amount of water pooling in a low section of hose can split the wall from the inside when it freezes.
How to Do It Right:
Run the reel out fully and let gravity drain as much water as possible before rewinding
Use a low-pressure air compressor to blow out any remaining water in the line, paying close attention to low points and dips
Inspect the hose for cracks, abrasions, or thinning while it's fully extended and easy to see
Store the hose wound evenly on the reel, avoiding kinks that can weaken the material over the off-season
Hoses showing significant wear at this point are worth replacing before storage rather than gambling on one more season — a small cost compared to a mid-run failure during peak irrigation season, a scenario covered in more detail in irrigation planning reduces downtime during peak growing seasons.
Step 3: Protect the Sprinkler Cart and Nozzles
The sprinkler cart and nozzle assembly often get overlooked during winterization, but trapped water in the nozzle body or cart plumbing can freeze just as easily as the main line.
Quick Fixes:
Remove nozzles and drain any residual water from the assembly
Clean nozzle tips of mineral buildup or debris before storage, since deposits left over winter are harder to remove in spring
Store nozzles indoors where possible to protect against extreme cold and UV exposure
Check cart wheels, bearings, and moving joints for water intrusion, drying and lubricating as needed
Step 4: Inspect and Lubricate the Gearbox and Drive System
Cold temperatures thicken lubricant and can cause moisture inside a gearbox to freeze if water has found its way in through a worn seal. Before storing the reel for winter, check the gearbox oil level and condition.
Drain and replace gearbox oil if it appears milky (a sign of water contamination) or has not been changed in the last full season
Apply fresh grease to exposed bearings and drive components
Check tension springs and guide arms for rust or stiffness, addressing any issues now while the unit is accessible
This is also a good time to review whether any parts are due for replacement using genuine Kifco irrigation parts, since OEM components are built to the exact tolerances your system needs — a topic we cover in depth in why OEM irrigation parts matter.
Step 5: Store the Reel Properly
Where and how a reel is stored over winter matters almost as much as how well it was drained.
Storage Best Practices:
Store indoors or under cover whenever possible to protect against snow load, ice accumulation, and UV degradation of hoses and seals
Block or chock wheels to prevent movement from wind or settling ground
Cover exposed fittings and connection points to keep out moisture and debris
Keep the unit off bare wet ground where possible, using pallets or a gravel pad to reduce rust risk
Reels stored outdoors without cover are significantly more likely to need service before the next growing season, which is one of the patterns we see reflected in complete guide to irrigation reels and controllers when it comes to controller and electronics protection specifically.
Don't Forget the Controllers and Electronics
If your system includes automated controllers, timers, or sensors, these need their own winterization steps. Disconnect and store battery-powered components indoors, protect wiring connections from moisture, and check for corrosion at any exposed terminals before shutting the system down for the season.
Spring Startup: What to Check Before Turning the System Back On
A properly winterized system generally needs only a quick inspection before startup rather than a full teardown. Before running water through the system again:
Re-check all drain plugs are closed and seals are seated properly
Inspect hoses for any cracking that may have developed during storage despite proper draining
Test the pump at low pressure first to check for leaks before running at full capacity
Confirm gearbox oil level and condition after the off-season
Run a short test cycle before the first full irrigation run of the season
Sometimes the winterization process uncovers wear that goes beyond a simple seal replacement or hose patch — a pump housing with hairline cracks, a gearbox with significant water contamination, or a hose too worn to trust for another season. In these cases, it's worth weighing repair against replacement before spring planting or turf season arrives.
Our team can help evaluate whether a Kifco water-reel irrigation system upgrade makes more sense than continuing to repair an aging unit, especially for large-acre farms where downtime during peak season carries a real cost.
Final Takeaway
Winterizing an irrigation reel isn't complicated, but it does require going through each component methodically rather than simply parking the unit and walking away for the season. Draining the pump, clearing the hose, protecting the sprinkler cart, servicing the gearbox, and storing everything properly are the difference between a system that starts up smoothly in spring and one that needs emergency repairs right when the growing season demands it most.
For genuine Kifco parts, a design consultation, or help planning your off-season maintenance schedule, reach out to Victory Irrigation today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I winterize my irrigation reel?
Winterization should happen once per season, ideally as soon as the last irrigation run of the year is complete and before the first hard freeze is expected in your region.
Can I winterize my Kifco reel myself, or do I need a professional?
Most winterization steps — draining the pump, clearing the hose, and basic lubrication — can be done by an experienced operator. However, if you notice signs of wear like cracked seals, milky gearbox oil, or hose damage, it's worth scheduling a consultation before storing the unit for winter.
What happens if I don't winterize my irrigation reel?
Water left in the pump, hose, or gearbox can freeze and expand, cracking housings, splitting hoses, and damaging seals. This often leads to costly repairs and potential downtime right at the start of the next growing season.
How do I know if my hose needs to be replaced instead of just drained for winter?
Inspect the hose fully extended for cracking, thinning, or abrasion. Any section showing significant wear should be replaced before storage rather than risking a failure mid-run the following season.
Where can I find genuine replacement parts for winterizing my system?
Authorized dealers like Victory Irrigation carry genuine Kifco parts and accessories built to OEM specifications, ensuring proper fit and long-term reliability compared to generic aftermarket alternatives.
