Dimensional specifications, pressure classes and engineered jointing for specialized infrastructure service.
Lateral Tubing & Micro Tubing
Lateral pipe and micro tubing
Lateral pipe, or "16 pipe", is a soft, flexible branch pipe laid along the tree rows with drippers fitted on it. 16 mm is the most common size, and 20 mm is chosen for longer rows and higher flows.
Micro tubing is a thin 4 or 6 mm tube that takes water from the lateral or dripper to the foot of a tree, pot or plant. Both are supplied in coils and are installed without welding.
Soft, bendable low-density polyethylene (LDPE) pipe is also supplied in PE32 and PE40 grades; its size table is not published yet, and diameter and length are confirmed at quotation.
Laying lateral tubing in orchards and fields
Run the lateral along the row, on the ground or slightly raised on a support wire, and lay it out in the sun for a few days before fitting the drippers so the coil set relaxes. The start of the lateral connects to the sub-main with a start connector or an off-take valve.
No lateral should be longer than the length the irrigation designer set; an over-long lateral gives less pressure and flow at its far end. Close the end of each lateral with an end closure that can be opened for flushing.
Lateral Tubing & Micro Tubing — Frequently Asked Questions
Which sizes of lateral pipe are there?
Lateral pipe is supplied in 16 and 20 mm, and micro tubing in 4 and 6 mm.
What is micro tubing for?
To take a dripper's water to plants that are not next to the lateral, such as pots and scattered trees.
Should I buy 16 or 20 mm tubing?
16 mm suits most orchards; 20 mm is chosen for longer rows or higher flow.
Can't find what you need?
If you require specific sizes, custom fittings or specifications not listed in the catalog, our technical team is ready to assist and review custom requests.