K-Line Irrigation

K-Line Irrigation K-Line Irrigation is the most affordable, effective

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Reviewed by Ann Pruitt, InfoHorse.com · Updated April 2026

K-Line Irrigation

K-Line Irrigation is the most affordable, effective irrigation solution for your pastures and property!

About K-Line Irrigation
K-Line Irrigationbegan about twenty years ago on the south island of New Zealand. Dairy farmer John Kirk and RX Plastics in Ashburton combined to create this new and innovative irrigation system. K-Line’s lower cost and simplicity helped it to catch on quickly with the New Zealand graziers. It is the most popular irrigation system in New Zealand today!

So….Who Is K-LineIrrigation?

K-Line Irrigationis aneCommerce retailer of the K-LINE®Irrigation system and its components.We are the American retail team of helpful people who will assist you with your purchase and send off your amazing K-LINE® irrigation system. We are here to answer your calls and questions, making sure you get to enjoy all the wonderful aspects of your new irrigation system!

What Is The K-LineIrrigationPromise To It’s Clients?
IRRIGATION Made Easy-- Anywhere!

At K-Line Irrigation North America , we believe in providing our clients with the highest level of quality products and customer service. Every irrigation situation is unique so let us help you find the right solution for your needs.

VersatilityK-Line systems can be designed to fit any shape of the property and moved across any type of terrain as long as it can be traversed by an ATV. K-Line is designed to fit each unique field and any obstructions that may be present within it such as fences, buildings, and trees. No need to manipulate your field to make irrigation possible.

Furthermore, K-Line’s versatility permits multifunctional use by the arena owner. K-Line is a perfect solution for wetting down an arena prior to an event. Arena owners may choose to have separate K-Line systems for pasture and arena areas, or because of K-Line’s versatility and portability, utilize the same unit on both areas. Horse property owners can quicky disconnect the pasture unit and transport it to the arena area, water down the arena, avoiding pooling by applying exactly as much water as is needed, then easily transport the system back to the pasture when arena wetting is complete.

Management FlexibilityIf your field or green space has areas that require special attention, either more or less water and/or fertilizer, K-Line’s unique design permits that. With K-Line, every area of your field can be managed to suit its own specific needs.

Irrigating pasture in rotational grazing situations with traditional systems such as wheel lines or center pivots is challenging and even frustrating. K-Line was designed with the express goal of making irrigation and livestock management congruent and harmonious.

EfficiencyThe K-Line system permits slow, even infiltration of water into the soil; much like a soft rain. This means that the soil profile gets watered deep enough to permit robust plant root development - improving plant vigor, production, and drought tolerance.

Water scarcity is now a norm and responsible management of it is vitally important. The K-Line system ensures you apply only as much water when and where needed; no excess runoff and no water applied to areas where it isn't beneficial.

CallToday To Get The RightK-Line Irrigation PackageFor You!

Great horse properties don’t just happen. They are planned and carefully nurtured. Having a healthy watering system for your pastures is vital to the health of your animals and your pocketbook! Having a watering system that is extremely low maintenance, super easy to use, designed to last for many years and affordable, just makes it so much better and that is what you get withK-Line Irrigation!Call our helpful staff today and tell us about your horse property!

What exactly is the K-Line pod irrigation system?

K-Line is a low-cost, low-labor, low-operating-pressure irrigation solution built specifically with the grass-based livestock producer in mind, though after three decades it has also proven itself for agricultural, residential, and commercial use. The system is beautifully simple: there are no moving parts except the self-actuating sprinklers. Towable sprinkler pods snap onto a flexible HDPE supply line (called K-Pipe) that lays out very linearly, so a "watering zone" typically matches up neatly with a grazing corridor's width. Because there are no chains, gearboxes, or greased fittings, there is almost nothing to break down and very little to maintain.

K-Line Farm Pack pod-and-tubing irrigation kit laid out across a field

Who invented K-Line, and who stands behind it in North America?
The concept of pod irrigation began in the mid-1990s on the South Island of New Zealand, where dairy farmer John Kirk teamed up with RX Plastics in Ashburton to create the system that became K-Line Irrigation. Its lower cost and simplicity caught on quickly with New Zealand graziers, and today over 200,000 acres are watered with K-Line there, with similar growth across Australia and beyond. K-Line Irrigation North America was established in June of 2003 to bring the system to the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, and is headquartered at 4270 Hollywood Rd, St Joseph, MI 49085. You can reach the company at 1-866-66K-Line.

K-Line Irrigation system applications across pasture and turf land

How does the system actually water your pastures?

After K-Line works with you to assess your needs, your property is divided into as many zones as necessary, each served by one supply riser, a feedline, and a K-Pipe carrying the required number of sprinklers and pods. Each zone is further split into 6 to 12 sets, and depending on whether 12 or 24-hour irrigation periods are used, a full zone is irrigated within three to 12 days before each K-Line returns to its original start position. The slow-absorption method of smaller sprinklers running over a longer period produces greater forage growth with virtually no runoff, which means real water savings or more forage from the same amount of water. Sprinklers run best at 40-50 PSI, with low-pressure options that can operate down to 25 PSI.

K-Line Irrigation grass-based livestock pasture watered by pod sprinklers

What materials make K-Line tough enough for a working pasture?

K-Line is built from a proprietary blend of polyethylene that makes the tubing durable enough to work in pastures where rocks and obstructions would damage other products, yet flexible enough to be manipulated into the shape of the irrigated area and run over steep, uneven terrain. Considering normal use, K-Line tubing and pods are expected to last at least ten years, and the company is aware of systems in the United States and abroad that are 20+ years old with little to no maintenance beyond occasionally splicing a kinked line. For pastures grazed during irrigation, optional "stock guards" sit over the top of the pods so livestock hoof action will not break sprinklers or fittings.

Who is K-Line for, and what can it do beyond pastures?
K-Line shines wherever other irrigation options prove less practical: managed intensive grazing, hay production, sod farms, germination and cover crops, orchards and produce, effluent disposal, and dust suppression for racetracks, rodeo arenas, and construction sites. It is equally at home on athletic fields, yards, golf courses, cemeteries, and parks. The system can also fertigate, running fertilizers and crop chemicals through the lines and even letting an operator micromanage chemical rates field-by-field rather than blanketing an entire field. Most operators relocate the pod lines with an ATV or UTV, though small lawn tractors are sufficient, and the company notes some producers even use a horse to move smaller systems.

How do you buy K-Line and get a system designed for your property?

K-Line products are sold through a network of established irrigation dealers across North America who specialize in the installation and support of pastureland products, which keeps shipping costs down and puts local expertise close to the customer. For smaller-scale situations of 1-4 acres, prepackaged "grab-and-go" Farm Packs come in 3-Pod, 4-Pod, and 5-Pod configurations on 32 mm / 1.25" or 1.5" K-Pipe, bundling the pods, tubing, sprinkler and fitting componentry, handy installation tools, and a detailed Installation Guide; multiple packs combine to cover roughly 4-11 acres. To begin, fill out K-Line's Consultation Request Form or call 1-866-66K-Line, and the team will work with your local dealership to provide a personalized design, materials list, and project estimate. Farm Packs can also be purchased online through K-Line's eCommerce partner, Soft Rain Irrigation.

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The Solution Section (FAQ)

How do I control dust in my horse arena?

The most reliable way to keep arena dust down is to wet the footing evenly before you ride, applying enough water to settle the surface without leaving puddles. K-Line Irrigation is a portable sprinkler system well suited to this — its versatility lets an arena owner wet down the arena before an event, applying exactly as much water as needed to avoid pooling.

What is K-Line irrigation and how does it work?

K-Line is a low-pressure, portable irrigation system of self-actuating sprinklers mounted on tough, pliable tubing, with no moving parts beyond the sprinklers themselves. K-Line Irrigation systems are designed so you can tow multiple sprinkler pods across a field with an ATV (or move smaller systems by hand or with a horse), making them easy to relocate between pasture and arena.

Can one irrigation system water both my pasture and my arena?

Yes — that flexibility is a key advantage. Because K-Line Irrigation is portable, a horse-property owner can quickly disconnect the pasture unit, move it to the arena to water down the footing, then transport it back to the pasture, rather than buying two separate systems. Owners who prefer can also run dedicated K-Line setups for each area.

Will an irrigation system work on odd-shaped or rough property?

Yes. K-Line Irrigation can be designed to fit any shape of property and moved across any terrain an ATV can traverse, working around fences, buildings, and trees without you having to alter the field. Provided there is sufficient water supply, if the area can be reached by an ATV, it can be irrigated with K-Line.

Is it safe to leave horses in the pasture while K-Line is running?

Yes. The K-Line Irrigation system is designed to be compatible with horses and other livestock, and optional stock guards fit over the top of the pods so hoof action won't break sprinklers or fittings, all without hindering water application. Stock guards are an add-on item to request with your order.

How long does a K-Line irrigation system last and what maintenance does it need?

Under normal use, K-Line Irrigation tubing and pods are expected to last at least ten years, and many systems in the U.S. and abroad are 20-plus years old with little to no maintenance. Upkeep is minimal: draining at season's end, occasionally clearing a clogged sprinkler nozzle, and splicing the rare kinked line.

How much property can a K-Line Farm Package cover?

As a general rule of thumb a Farm Package covers from under one acre up to about eleven acres, and for areas larger than roughly three acres two Farm Packs can be combined. K-Line Irrigation provides pack-selection charts and is happy to talk through your acreage by phone to make sure the system fits your property.

How do I learn more or get the right K-Line package for my property?

K-Line Irrigation is the American retail team for the K-LINE® system, on hand to answer questions and match you to the right setup. Visit https://k-linena.com/ to explore the system and reach their helpful staff to talk about your horse property.

What is the K-Line Irrigation system?

K-Line is a low-cost, low-labor, low-operating-pressure pod irrigation system designed specifically for the grass-based livestock producer, though it also works well for agricultural, residential, and commercial uses. It pairs towable sprinkler pods with a flexible polyethylene supply line called K-Pipe. The defining feature is its simplicity: there are no moving parts except the self-actuating sprinklers, which means almost nothing to break down.

Who invented K-Line Irrigation and where did it come from?

The concept of pod irrigation began in the mid-1990s on the South Island of New Zealand. Dairy farmer John Kirk and RX Plastics in Ashburton, New Zealand combined to create the innovative system that was eventually called K-Line Irrigation. Its lower cost and simplicity helped it catch on quickly with New Zealand graziers, and it is now the most popular irrigation system in New Zealand with over 200,000 acres being watered.

When did K-Line come to North America?

K-Line Irrigation was introduced to the U.S., Canada, and Mexico when K-Line North America was established in June of 2003. The company is headquartered at 4270 Hollywood Rd, St Joseph, MI 49085, and can be reached at 1-866-66K-Line. After three decades of success worldwide, the system continues to expand across North America through a dealer network.

How does the K-Line system irrigate a property?

Your property is divided into as many zones as necessary, each served by one supply riser, a feedline, and a K-Pipe with the required number of sprinklers and pods. Each zone is further divided into 6 to 12 sets. Depending on whether 12 or 24-hour irrigation periods are used, each zone is fully irrigated within three to 12 days before returning each K-Line to its original start position.

What pressure do the K-Line sprinklers require?

40-50 PSI at the sprinkler is ideal, but K-Line also offers options that can be run down to 25 PSI. The pressure required at the supply pump depends on the size, type, and length of both underground and aboveground pipe, and may also need to overcome any rise in terrain. Low-pressure operation helps decrease on-farm energy consumption.

How much water do I need to run K-Line?

This depends on your location, but as a general rule three gallons per minute will put down an inch per week per acre, which is sufficient across much of the eastern part of the continent. When K-Line designs a system, the team factors in evapotranspiration during the peak season and sizes the design to replace that amount of water. A consultation produces a tailored design for your specific conditions.

How can I check how much water I have available?

If you're under 50 gallons per minute, the easiest method is the bucket test, timing how long it takes to fill a five-gallon bucket. For example, if a five-gallon bucket fills in ten seconds, the calculation is 5 x 60 (seconds in a minute) divided by 10 (seconds to fill), which equals 30 gallons per minute. This figure helps K-Line size your system correctly.

How long does a K-Line system last?

Considering normal use, K-Line tubing and pods are expected to last at least ten years. However, the company is aware of many systems in the United States and abroad that are 20+ years old and have required little to no maintenance, aside from occasionally splicing a pipe crack after repeated kinks in the same spot. The proprietary polyethylene blend is built for durability in rough pasture conditions.

What maintenance does K-Line require?

Very little. Simplicity was the guiding word during the design process, so nearly anyone can repair it, though repairs are rarely necessary. The only regular maintenance is draining the system at season's end, unplugging the occasionally clogged sprinkler nozzle, and splicing the rare break in a line if it has been kinked multiple times over.

Can I graze livestock on the same area while K-Line is running?

Yes. K-Line offers optional stock guards that place over the top of the pods, ensuring that livestock hoof action will not break the sprinklers or fittings and does not hinder water application. This makes the system well suited to managed intensive grazing, where animals and irrigation share the same paddocks. As soon as livestock are moved out, K-Line can be shifted right behind them without disturbing fence lines.

What equipment do I need to move K-Line?

Most operators use an ATV or UTV to relocate the K-Line pod lines, though small lawn tractors and lawnmowers also work, and some producers even use a horse to move their systems. It is best to move K-Line while it is operating so the K-Pipe stays filled with water, which adds rigidity and prevents kinking. Because of this, systems over 4 or 5 pods long may be too heavy for some lawnmowers or horses to tow.

How often do you move a K-Line system?

Typically, systems are relocated to a new set once every 24 hours. Relocation can be done every 12 hours if sufficient water supply and labor are available. Increasing the move rate to 12 hours lowers your upfront product investment because you can water twice as much area in the same time, but it does increase labor demands.

What is the ideal pod and line spacing?

K-Line generally recommends that line spacing and set spacing be as equal as possible so each sprinkler serves a near-square area, with overlap to account for the circular spray pattern. A 45-foot pod spacing on the K-Pipe and a 45-foot set width is generally considered ideal. Because paddocks vary in shape, spacing is often adjusted to fit imperfect set lengths, and all of this is calculated for you during the design process.

Can I apply fertilizer through K-Line?

Yes, you can run fertilizers and other crop chemicals through K-Line just as with any other form of irrigation. The real advantage is that a field can be micromanaged: with mainstream irrigation, the only option is to blanket a field with an average amount of chemical, but with K-Line, select areas can be pre-wetted and the operator can choose to add more, less, or no chemical to specific areas. This is a key flexibility and environmental stewardship benefit other systems can't match.

What are K-Line Farm Packs?

Farm Packs are K-Line's prepackaged grab-and-go product, bundling the same pods and tubing available in bulk along with all necessary sprinkler and fitting componentry, handy installation tools, and a detailed Installation Guide. A single Farm Pack is perfect for smaller-scale situations of 1-4 acres, and multiple packs can be combined for medium-scale situations of roughly 4-11 acres. All Farm Packs come with the fittings required to combine packs when more than one is needed.

What Farm Pack sizes and K-Pipe options are available?

Farm Packs are offered in 3-Pod, 4-Pod, and 5-Pod configurations, on 32 mm / 1.25" or 1.5" K-Pipe. Not all K-Line retailers stock Farm Packs, so it's best to inquire about availability with your local dealership. Farm Packs can also be purchased online through K-Line's eCommerce partner, Soft Rain Irrigation.

How do I buy K-Line and get a system designed for my property?

K-Line products are sold through a network of established irrigation dealers across North America who specialize in installing and supporting pastureland products. To get started, fill out K-Line's Consultation Request Form or call 1-866-66K-Line, and the team will work with your local dealership to provide a personalized design, materials list, and project estimate. Selling through local dealers keeps shipping costs down and gives customers localized expertise and installation services.