Abstract: A global navigation satellite sensor system (GNSS) control system and method for irrigation and related applications is provided for a boom assembly with main and extension boom sections, which are hingedly connected and adapted for folding. The control system includes an antenna and a receiver connected to the antenna. A rover antenna is mounted on the boom extension section and is connected to the receiver. A processor receives GNSS positioning signals from the receiver and computes locations for the antennas, for which a vector indicating an attitude of the extension boom section can be computed. Various boom arrangements and field configurations are accommodated by alternative aspects of the control system.

Abstract: A self-propelled irrigation system has an elongated pipeline supported above a field by a plurality of drive towers. The drive towers each have a base beam assembly, a tower structure extending above the base beam assembly for supporting the elongated pipeline, and a plurality of drive wheel assemblies for moving the base beam assembly over a field. The drive assemblies include first and second drive assemblies mounted to respective ends of the base beam assembly. At least one of the drive towers also has a third drive assembly mounted to the base beam assembly between the first and second drive assemblies. The base beam assembly supporting the third drive assembly is articulated between its first and second ends and pivotally connected to the lower ends of the tower structure to allow the third drive assembly to move vertically relative to the first and second drive assemblies when traversing uneven terrain.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the center and radius based on a least squares approach is disclosed. In one embodiment, a farmer drives through a given arc of a circular field in question and periodically takes position measurements. In another embodiment, a Least-Squares Algorithm is used to estimate the best-fitting center and radius given the set of position measurements input by the farmer.

Abstract: A liquid manure spreading tool bar for use on a manure spreader, wherein the manure spreader has a tank and a pump, and wherein the spreading tool bar has a supporting frame externally mounted onto the tank, a manure distributor mounted onto the supporting frame, a vertically extending telescopic conduit made of a rigid material, and at least one manure discharging pipes connected to a corresponding outlet of the manure distributor. The supporting frame is movable in an up and down position with respect to the tank. Each of the manure discharging pipes is made of a rigid material and is vertically movable together with the frame and the manure distributor. The telescopic conduit has one end connected to the manure distributor while the other end is connected to the pump so as to feed the manure pumped from the tank to the manure distributor. In as much as the telescopic conduit and discharging pipes are not flexible, they cannot break.

Abstract: A GPS-based control system for irrigation systems includes a power supply, a nonvolatile memory for storing a first set of coordinates corresponding to a reference position for the irrigation system, circuitry for receiving GPS data and using the data to generate a second set of coordinates corresponding to a current position of the irrigation system, and a microprocessor for calculating the azimuth and the distance between the reference position and the current position using the first and second sets of coordinates. The control system communicates with a main controller of the irrigation system to control a function of the irrigation system, such as stopping, reversing, end gun operation, application rate, or other auxiliary output, at a selected distance or azimuth value of the current position relative to the reference position. The control system can be used with either a center pivot irrigation system or a linear move irrigation system.

Abstract: A wash apparatus for automotive vehicles includes a plurality of reciprocating wands which are driven by a compact drive/linkage system to move the wands in unitary reciprocating motion as a vehicle is moved adjacent thereto. Each wand has a turbo nozzle that emits a stream of liquid in a circulating conical path which in cooperation with the reciprocating movement of the wands on which the nozzles are rotated creates a desired cleaning action.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a folding boom for an agricultural sprayer. The boom includes a first piece pivotally connected to a second piece. The folding boom also includes a hydraulic cylinder for hydraulically pivoting the first boom piece relative to the second boom piece between a folded orientation and an extended orientation. The hydraulic cylinder includes a cylinder portion in which a piston structure is mounted. The cylinder portion and the piston structure are configured to slide axially relative to one another when the first boom piece is pivoted relative to the second boom piece. The folding boom further includes an accumulator in fluid communication with the cylinder portion for accumulating hydraulic fluid when the first boom piece collides with an obstruction and is pivoted from the extended orientation toward the folded orientation.

Abstract: An irrigation system is disclosed which includes a center pivot support having an elongated main water boom pivotally connected thereto which extends outwardly therefrom. An elongated extension boom is pivotally connected at its inner end to the outer end of the main boom and is supported by a steerable drive tower. A corner arm sensor is provided for sensing the angle of the extension boom with respect to the main boom. A plurality of first sprinklers are positioned on the extension boom along the length thereof and a plurality of second sprinklers are positioned on the extension boom along the length thereof. The water which is normally allocated to the end gun on the outer end of the extension boom is supplied to the second sprinkler during certain periods of time that the end gun is not activated.

Abstract: A corner pivot irrigation machine comprising a main arm extending outwardly from a center pivot structure supported upon and driven by a plurality of non-steerable drive towers. An elongated corner arm is pivotally secured to the outer end of the main arm and is supported by a steerable drive tower including an elongated beam positioned beneath the water line of the corner arm and having a pair of drive wheel supports positioned at the opposite ends thereof which are rotatable with respect thereto about vertical axes. A steering motor, driven by a conventional guidance system, is mounted on the main beam and is connected to the rotatable drive wheel supports by an adjustable linkage to enable the linkage to be selectively adjusted when the machine is to be operated in a reverse direction.

Abstract: A mechanized irrigation system and method of irrigation is disclosed and claimed. The system 10 comprises a main irrigation pipe 11 carrying a plurality of sprinklers 15 for applying liquid to a land 13 in relatively smaller regions along the pipe 11. A wheeled support structure supports the pipe 11 in a position spaced above land 13. Secondary sprayer carrying pipe 18 is rotatably mounted on and communicates with the main pipe 11. The main pipe 11 is anchored at 14 and is connectable to a hydrant. The arrangement is such that the secondary pipe 18, in use, distributes at least some of the liquid to be applied to the land 13 at a rate higher than the infiltration rate of the land over a larger region thereby to limit run-off of the liquid.

Abstract: Correction steering for a linearly movable irrigation system, consisting of interconnected pipes carried by motorized irrigation towers, whereby at least one irrigation tower constitutes a steering unit for correction of the irrigation system in the case of an angular deflection occurring with respect to the guideway, which deflection is automatically detected by sensors arranged on a bar located in the area of the irrigation tower pertaining to the steering unit, which sensors are in operational contact with the guideway; the bar is a sensor arm (12) which is supported to rotate about a vertical axle (13); the axle (13) is arranged at one of the irrigation towers (1) of the steering unit and the sensor arm (12) is connected with the support (24) located at the outer end of the pipe (5).

Abstract: Apparatus for precise water and liquid chemical application to agricultural fields is provided comprising a control platform with two motors, each motor driving a separate set of drive wheels. The speed of the first platform motor being selectable, the speed of the second motor being controlled by a variable frequency AC motor controller which receives a signal from a linear position transducer which senses the positional relationship of the control platform to a pre-determined path so as to maintain the platform on a pre-determined path. A second variable frequency AC motor controller receives a signal from a second linear position transducer between the control platform and a plurality of span sections supported by a plurality of motorized, wheeled towers which is operable to maintain alignment between the towers and the control platform, and the span sections are provided with switches operable to switch the motors of the towers on and off momentarily as required to keep them in alignment with each other.

Abstract: This is concerned with an irrigation system or mechanism which is constructed and arranged and intended to water non-circular fields which may be considered polygonal sided intersecting at the corners. The system and method includes the use or combination of two types of irrigation systems, the first a so-called lateral move or free-standing span system and the second, either a so-called center pivot irrigation unit or a lateral move unit. The free-standing span moves along the outside of the field following the edge or border or fence with turns at intersections and the main irrigation unit moves inside of it and is coordinated and connected to it so that at times they overlap and at times they are distended with water, preferably, being supplied to the free-standing span by the main irrigation unit.

Abstract: A self-propelled, linear-forwardly, relatively slow-moving irrigating apparatus has a main frame and master drive unit carrying a rotating, water-supplying, pipe-like, axle shaft that provides a side-extending wheel-line along which are spaced what may be termed power, booster and wheeled spray units that enable a large area of ground crop to be irrigated at one time. Longitudinally spaced-apart hydrants are provided along the length of the field that is to be irrigated to detachably receive a flexible water-supplying hose that is also detachably carried by the main frame. The apparatus has automatic means for maintaining the main frame and the wheel-line in an aligned forwardly advancing relation, for stopping forward movement when a serious obstruction is encountered and when the desired full extent of its advance along a side-extending anchored guide cable has been attained.