Product Description
What It Does
An elbow makes a sharp turn in a drip line. The 16mm PE elbow has two barbed ends at a right angle. Push a 16mm tube onto each end, and the water changes direction by 90 degrees.
This is the fitting you reach for when a lateral needs to go around a corner or when you are building a manifold.
Where a Farmer Would Use It
- Going around a tree or a post – Your drip line runs in a straight row, but there is a tree in the way. Cut the line, add an elbow on each side of the tree, and run a short piece of tubing around it. The water keeps flowing.
- Turning at the end of a row – You have a mainline along the top edge of a field. You need to run laterals down each row. At the start of each row, put an elbow to turn the water from the mainline down the row. No need to bend the tubing sharply.
- Connecting a riser to a sprinkler – You have a horizontal pipe buried in the ground. You want a sprinkler to stand up above the crops. Put an elbow at the end of the horizontal pipe, point it upward, and attach a short vertical pipe. The sprinkler goes on top.
- Going around a corner of a greenhouse – The mainline runs along the inside wall. You need to get water to a bed that is perpendicular to the wall. Put an elbow at the corner to turn the line 90 degrees toward the bed.
- Lifting a line over a barrier – A pipe needs to go up and over a small wall or a concrete footpath. Use two elbows facing upward with a short vertical piece between them. The water goes up, across, and back down.
Installation Steps
Cut the tubing ends square. Use a sharp knife or PVC cutter. A crooked cut can cause leaks or make the connection difficult.
If the tubing is stiff from cold weather or long storage, dip the ends in hot water for 10 to 15 seconds. This softens the plastic without melting it.
Push one tube firmly onto one barb. Push the tube until it covers all barbs, about 15 to 20mm. You should feel the tube bottom out. Then push the other tube onto the second barb. No glue, no clamps, no tools.
Flow Impact
An elbow creates more friction loss than a straight connector. The sharp 90 degree turn slows water slightly. In a short lateral (under 20 metres), the effect is small. In a long lateral (over 50 metres), try to minimise the number of elbows.
Use gentle bends with longer radius fittings if available, or bury the pipe with a gradual curve instead of a sharp elbow.
Removal and Reuse
To disconnect, twist the tubing while pulling away from the barb. Work slowly; the barbs grip tightly.
If the tubing is stuck, cut the tubing close to the barb and then peel the remaining piece off with pliers. The elbow can be reused if the barbs are not cracked or deformed. Inspect the barbs before reinstalling.
Pressure Rating
The elbow holds typical drip pressures up to 3 bar (about 45 PSI). At higher pressures, the tubing may blow off the barb.
If your system runs above 3 bar, add small stainless steel clamps over the tubing at each barb. The clamp prevents the tubing from sliding off.
IrriHub provides reliable irrigation and farm systems for small and medium‑scale farmers across Kenya. For help choosing the right product for your farm, reach out to us directly. Call us: +254 729 717 881. Visit our store: Shubham Complex, Old Mombasa Rd.