Overview
ISO/TR 8059:1986 - "Irrigation equipment - Automatic irrigation systems - Hydraulic control" is a Technical Report (type 3) published by ISO/TC 23. It documents state-of-the-art guidance (1986) on irrigation systems that use hydraulic devices powered only by the energy available in the irrigation water. The report defines key terms, classifies hydraulic automatic control systems that measure and control applied water quantities (volumetric control), and illustrates operating principles with figures. It is guidance rather than a normative International Standard.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and approach
- Focuses on systems where control is achieved by direct water quantity measurement, not by elapsed time.
- Applies to fully automatic hydraulic systems and semi‑automatic systems (single-cycle preset dosing requiring manual reset).
- Core definitions
- Volumetric valve - valve that shuts off flow after a preset measured volume has passed.
- Hydraulic valve - valve actuated by pipeline pressure for opening/closing.
- Control tubing - small-diameter tubing that transmits hydraulic commands between valves.
- Terms: sequential activation, water dose, irrigation interval.
- Classification and models
- Single volumetric valves: mechanical shut-off vs hydraulic shut-off designs.
- Sequential systems: several models (A–D) describing layouts and control strategies:
- Model A: hydraulic valves on main supply line (suitable when groups are widely spaced).
- Model B: hydraulic valves in laterals, interconnected by control tubing.
- Model C: hydraulic volumetric valves on laterals using control tubing for sequence control.
- Model D: representative volumetric valve controlling groups of laterals via hydraulic valves.
- Components and operation
- Basic components: volumetric meters/valves, hydraulic valves, control tubing.
- Emphasizes the superiority of volumetric (flow-measurement) control over time-based control because flow rates vary with pressure, clogging, wear and system changes.
- References
- Cross-references ISO 7714 for general requirements and test methods for volumetric valves.
- Notes that standard graphical symbols are intended to be issued in a future ISO standard.
Applications and users
ISO/TR 8059 is practical for:
- Irrigation system designers and manufacturers developing automatic hydraulic controls and volumetric valves.
- Agricultural engineers, irrigation consultants and farm managers seeking reliable, energy‑free automation for pressurized irrigation.
- OEMs integrating sequential hydraulic control into sprinkling, drip or lateral distribution systems.
- Standards bodies and researchers reviewing historic state-of-the-art hydraulic control concepts.
Practical benefits include improved water application accuracy, reduced labor and human error, efficient sequential irrigation of multiple laterals, and better management of limited water resources.
Related standards
- ISO 7714 - Volumetric valves: general requirements and test methods (referenced by ISO/TR 8059).