Abstract: A bearing structure for a pivoting irrigation system apparatus having a rotatable vertical section with a plurality of annular assemblies mounted thereon. The assemblies include a plurality of components that are rotatable and non-rotatable with the rotatable vertical section so as to facilitate movement with decreased friction therebetween.

Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a rigid wheel and an airless tire. The wheel includes a cylindrical rim portion that is parallel with an axis of rotation of the wheel and includes a transversely flat outer surface corresponding to at least eighty percent of the total width of the rim portion. The tire is mounted on the rim portion of the wheel and includes a cylindrical tire body presenting a transversely flat inner surface that engages the outer surface of the wheel. A plurality of traction lugs are spaced circumferentially around the tire and extend radially outwardly from the tire body. A plurality of drive lugs are spaced circumferentially around the tire, extend radially inwardly from the tire body and engage corresponding receptacles on the rim portion of the wheel.

Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a rigid wheel and an airless tire configured to present some performance characteristics of a pneumatic tire. The wheel includes a pair of radially outermost axially spaced rim portions, each rim portion including a transversely flat outer surface extending at least partially around the circumference of the wheel. The tire is mounted on the wheel such that the tire engages the outer surfaces of the rim portions of the wheel. A central portion of the tire is configured to flex inwardly between the rim portions of the wheel in response to ground engaging pressure, thus minimizing ground penetration and soil disturbance during use.

Abstract: An irrigation machine is selectively converted into a sprayer for applying chemicals that have been approved for use only by spraying equipment. A method is disclosed for irrigating and spraying crops using the same conduit connected to either an irrigation ground water source or a sprayer-approved chemical source, but at no time is the conduit connected to both sources simultaneously. The method includes connecting the input of a conduit to a ground water source, irrigating the crops with water from the ground water source, disconnecting the input of the conduit from the ground water source, connecting the input of the same conduit to a sprayer-approved chemical source, and spraying the crops with chemical from the chemical source.

Abstract: A bearing structure for a pivoting irrigation system apparatus having a rotatable vertical section with a plurality of annular assemblies mounted thereon. The assemblies include a plurality of components that are rotatable and non-rotatable with the rotatable vertical section so as to facilitate movement with decreased friction therebetween.

Abstract: A system for managing irrigation equipment comprises a first irrigation system for applying water in a first irrigated area, a second irrigation system for applying water in a second irrigated area, a control system for controlling the irrigation systems, and a user interface for enabling a user to configure the control system. The user interface presents a map view of a geographic area including the irrigated areas and includes a first graphical element corresponding to the first irrigation system and a second graphical element corresponding to the second irrigation system. The user interface further presents a first interactive control panel for controlling the first irrigation system concurrently with the map view when the user selects the first graphical element, and presents a second interactive control panel for controlling the second irrigation system concurrently with the map view when the user selects the second graphical element.

Abstract: An irrigation management system includes a monitoring system, a controller and a user interface. The monitoring system monitors an operational status of the irrigation system, including a current position, a travel status, a direction of travel, and a fault status. The user interface displays a map view of a geographic area including an irrigated area corresponding to the irrigation system. A graphical element in the map view provides a visual indication of the operational status of the irrigation system. The controller receives monitoring information from the monitoring system and continuously updates the user interface to reflect changes in the operational status of the irrigation system, such that the graphical element reflects a current status of the irrigation system.

Abstract: A method of operating a mobile irrigation system includes receiving water application amount and application pattern information from a user, automatically determining an irrigation plan using the amount information and the pattern information, and using an automated controller to operate the mobile irrigation system according to the irrigation plan. The irrigation system is operated by applying water at progressively decreasing levels as the irrigation system moves from a first position to a second position, and applying water at the same or similar progressively decreasing levels as the irrigation system is moved in a reverse direction from the second position back to the first position.

Abstract: A grounding adapter to be used with a cable comprises a central band, a plurality of upper extensions, and a plurality of lower extensions. The central band may include an upper side, an opposing lower side, a left side, and an opposing right side to form a rectangle. The upper extensions may be spaced apart and coupled to the upper side of the central band. The lower extensions may be spaced apart and coupled to the lower side of the central band. Each upper extension and lower extension may have an isosceles triangle shape with a first side and a second side of equal length and a rounded corner therebetween. The lower extensions may be offset from the upper extensions such that a space between any two lower extensions aligns with an upper extension.

Abstract: A wheel assembly is disclosed, the wheel assembly including a rigid wheel including a radially outer rim wall presenting a polygonal shape with a plurality of outermost vertices connecting a plurality of planar faces, and a flexible tire mounted on the outer rim wall. The tire is supported by the vertices of the rim wall and is separated from the rim faces by a space, portions of the tire located between the vertices being configured to flex inwardly when subject to ground engaging pressure.

Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a rigid wheel with a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially outermost mounting elements and a flexible tire mounted on the wheel. The tire engages the mounting elements such that portions of the tire not engaging the mounting elements are separated radially from the wheel by a space, the portions of the tire not engaging the mounting elements being configured to flex inwardly toward the wheel when subject to ground engaging pressure.

Abstract: A wheel assembly is disclosed, the wheel assembly including a rigid wheel and an airless tire mounted on the wheel. A portion of the tire is separated radially from the wheel by a space and is configured to flex inwardly toward the wheel when subject to ground engaging pressure. A spacer is interposed between the wheel and the portion of the tire separated radially from the wheel by a space and is configured to limit the inward flexing of the tire. The spacer may be permanently affixed to the wheel assembly or may be removably attached to the wheel assembly. The spacer may be adjustable between a first size and a second size.

Abstract: A lateral irrigation system comprising a plurality of towers and a plurality of lateral structures extending between and connected to the towers. The support structures may comprise a first support structure, a second support structure pivotable relative to the first support structure, and a third support structure pivotable relative to the second support structure. The irrigation system may also comprise a fluid delivery system having conduits attached to or extending through the support structures and configured to output water from orifices formed therein. The irrigation system may further comprise joints at which the second and third support structures may pivot. The second and third support structures may be configured to pivot into a substantially zig-zag or “Z”-shaped configuration relative to the first support structure.

Abstract: A control system of an irrigation system to continuously drive a plurality of towers supporting an elevated pipeline along a path while maintaining the pipeline in an aligned configuration. The system includes an antenna, a receiver, a controller, and a variable-speed drive motor. The antenna receives signals from at least one external positional information source. The receiver is in communication with the antenna and operable to process the signals to produce positional data corresponding to an alignment of the elevated pipeline. The controller is in communication with the receiver and programmed to adjust a speed of the motor based on the alignment data.

Abstract: A bearing structure for a pivoting irrigation system apparatus having a rotatable vertical section with a plurality of annular assemblies mounted thereon. The assemblies include a plurality of components that are rotatable and non-rotatable with the rotatable vertical section so as to facilitate movement with decreased friction therebetween.

Abstract: The method determines an actual position of the end tower while the irrigation system is in operation; determines an actual angular orientation of the extension arm relative to the end tower; accesses memory and determines the desired angular orientation of the extension arm; and compares the actual angular orientation to the desired angular orientation. If the actual angular orientation deviates from the desired angular orientation by more than a threshold amount, the method shuts down the irrigation system.

Abstract: A bearing structure for a pivoting irrigation system apparatus having a rotatable vertical section with a plurality of annular assemblies mounted thereon. The assemblies include a plurality of components that are rotatable and non-rotatable with the rotatable vertical section so as to facilitate movement with decreased friction therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of moving a mobile tower using solar power are disclosed for use with an irrigation system. The disclosed improvement includes a solar panel with a collecting surface to convert light energy to electrical energy, an electrical charge source in communication with the solar panel to receive electrical energy, and a motor to drive a ground-engaging wheel in communication with the electrical charge source. The improvement also includes a direction control system for regulating rotation of the solar panel and a tilt assembly for adjusting the angle of the solar panel to maintain the disposition of the collecting surface in alignment with the direction of incoming sunlight. The method of moving the mobile tower includes collecting light energy with a solar panel, converting the light energy into electrical energy, and driving a wheel of the mobile tower with a motor powered by the converted electrical energy.

Abstract: A planting and irrigation apparatus and method for planting seeds in and irrigating a field. The apparatus may comprise a plurality of spray nozzles configured with a pressure setting sufficient for forming a plurality of holes into soil of the field and a seed dispenser configured for dispensing one or more seeds into one or more of the holes. Once the seeds are dispensed throughout the field, the apparatus may irrigate the field, thereby washing soil displaced when the holes were formed back into the holes, thereby covering the seeds.

Abstract: A planting and irrigation apparatus and method for planting seeds in and irrigating a field. The apparatus may comprise a plurality of spray nozzles configured with a pressure setting sufficient for forming a plurality of holes into soil of the field and a seed dispenser configured for dispensing one or more seeds into one or more of the holes. Once the seeds are dispensed throughout the field, the apparatus may irrigate the field, thereby washing soil displaced when the holes were formed back into the holes, thereby covering the seeds.