Abstract: A method for determining a position of a rotatable arm of a center pivot irrigation system may comprise providing a pivot arm position sensing system including a tower unit positionable at the rotatable arm and a GPS receiver at the tower unit, and receiving, from a user over a communication network, a schedule for operating the irrigation system as the rotatable arm rotates. The schedule may include at least two instructions for taking an action by the irrigation system with each instruction including an action and a corresponding location for the action. The method may further include downloading the schedule over a communication network to storage on the position sensing system, determining a location of the tower unit as the tower unit moves about the center of rotation using the GPS receiver, and initiating an action when the location corresponds to the location in one of the instructions.

Abstract: A method for determining a position of a rotatable arm of a center pivot irrigation system may comprise providing a pivot arm position sensing system including a tower unit positionable at the rotatable arm and a GPS receiver at the tower unit, and receiving, from a user over a communication network, a schedule for operating the irrigation system as the rotatable arm rotates. The schedule may include at least two instructions for taking an action by the irrigation system with each instruction including an action and a corresponding location for the action. The method may further include downloading the schedule over a communication network to storage on the position sensing system, determining a location of the tower unit as the tower unit moves about the center of rotation using the GPS receiver, and initiating an action when the location corresponds to the location in one of the instructions.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a position of a center pivot irrigation system includes positioning a tower unit on the rotatable arm of the irrigation system, determining a distance between the arm's rotation center and the tower unit, calculating coordinates of the tower unit along a path of the tower unit as the arm rotates, and associating an action of the irrigation system with coordinates of the tower unit location that correspond to the position of the arm where the action is to occur. Optionally, the action of the irrigation system and the coordinates of the location of the tower unit are downloaded to a remote unit located adjacent to the irrigation system. Optionally, current location coordinates of the tower unit are determined using a GPS receiver at the tower unit. Optionally, the current location coordinates are transmitted from the tower unit to the remote unit. Optionally, the current location coordinates are compared to the coordinates of the location of the action.

Abstract: A grain bin monitoring system for efficiently monitoring remote grain bins. The grain bin monitoring system includes a main station, a central unit in communication with the main station, a plurality of transmitter units in communication with the central unit, and at least one sensor positionable within a grain bin for determining condition data with respect to a grain bin. The sensor is in communication with one of the transmitter units for providing the condition data to the transmitter unit, wherein the transmitter unit automatically forwards the condition data to a central unit that automatically forwards the condition data to the main station. In the event of an alarm condition, an individual may be notified.