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 dual span center pivot irrigation system comprising first and second center pivot span structures pivotally secured at their inner ends to a fixed center pivot structure. Each of the center pivot span structures are independently operable with the movements thereof being coordinated by suitable controls. The center pivot span structures may be operated in at least three different modes, namely: (1) independent wiper; (2) follow the leader; and (3) independent full circle.

Abstract: A swing arm support system for automated irrigation systems has a support hub and a means to attach and operate two wheels to opposite sides of the support hub. The support hub provides greater ground flotation to prevent the forming of ruts in a field and traction to prevent an automated swing arm from becoming stuck. The swing arm support system provides for the use of common automated irrigation components so that fabrication, repair and operation are most efficient. The support hub in pivotally attached to an existing swing arm support tower. The support hub is carried by two pneumatic tires in one embodiment, four tires in another embodiment, six tires in another embodiment, and movable tracks in another embodiment.

Abstract: Connecting apparatus for use with centre pivot irrigation equipment that includes a boom supported on ground wheels and made up of one or more pipes arranged to rotate about a water supply pipe to which the boom is connected. The apparatus is provided with a U-shaped flexible pipe assembly for connecting the boom to the water supply pipe so as to enable the boom to move radially towards and away from the water supply pipe as it rotates while remaining connected thereto. This radial movement causes the distance between the ground wheels and the water supply pipe to vary and reduces the damage caused to a crop and the land in the path of the wheels. The apparatus includes a structure that is rigidly connected to the inner end of the boom. The structure may include rails that slide over a seat mounted on the water supply pipe.

Abstract: A laser alignment system is provided for a mechanized irrigation system with the laser alignment system being operatively connected to the drive tower motors of the irrigation system to maintain the spans of the irrigation system in alignment.

Abstract: A flow-through joint in an irrigation machine between the main pipeline section and a swing span, such as a corner span, permits a limited amount of generally linear displacement of the swing span within the joint for speed control or other purposes. A turret that rotates freely on the upright outlet port of the main pipeline section has a pair of coupling assemblies on opposite sides of the upright pivot axis through the outlet port, one of such coupling assemblies having a ball joint and the other being provided with relatively displaceable components. The arms of a connecting yoke on the inner end of the swing span are coupled with the ball joint on the one hand and the displaceable components on the other so as to provide the necessary swinging and pivoting motions while at the same time allowing displacing movement as necessary for control purposes.

Abstract: An irrigation system includes a central pivot connected to a source of fluid; at least one mobile intermediate tower; a mobile end tower; a plurality of support sections spanning the main tower, the intermediate tower, and the end tower; a fluid distribution conduit supported by the support sections and coupled to the source of fluid; and a plurality of water-emitting devices supported along the length of the fluid distribution conduit for delivering fluids from the conduit to crops beneath the irrigation system. A main controller is positioned at the main tower for controlling speed, direction, and fluid application functions of the irrigation system. An independent GPS controller is positioned at the end tower and includes a GPS receiver and a computing device. The GPS receiver receives satellite signals from a plurality of GPS satellites and determines a current location of the end tower as a function of the received satellite signals.

Abstract: The sprayer trailer has a trailer frame with a font end and a rear end. A pair of wheels are connected to the trailer frame. A hitch assembly includes a rear mast with a lower end connected to the trailer frame and a front mast with a front mast top end connected to a rear mast top end. A vertical guide assembly is mounted on the hitch assembly. A hitch connector assembly portion is mounted on a front mast lower end. A vertical guide assembly is mounted on the hitch assembly. A boom support frame is slidable on the vertical guide assembly. A sprayer boom center section is supported by the boom support frame. Nozzles on the boom center section move vertically between a lowered position below the rear mast and a raised position above the rear mast lower end.

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: Foldable boom inner wings are attached to a boom center frame through a rocker attached to a breakaway hydraulic cylinder pressurized to full stroke and connected to an accumulator. When a wing impacts an object, the impact load is transmitted through the fold cylinder and rocker into the breakaway cylinder. As the breakaway cylinder retracts to allow the wing to pivot, pressure builds in the system in three stages. First pressure builds along an accumulator pressure curve until a relief valve in the hydraulic system actives to initiate the second stage wherein oil is dumped through the relief valve. Thereafter, pressure is again allowed to build along the same accumulator curve to absorb impact hydraulically before the cylinder reaches full stroke. The staged pressure buildup prevents boom momentum from gaining and loads from increasing above the strength of the overall structure.

Abstract: A method and means for reducing stress in a pivot irrigation pipeline by permitting the pipeline to be separated from the center pivot structure while maintaining the pipeline in alignment with the center pivot structure. The alignment assembly of this invention facilitates the reconnection of the pipeline to the center pivot structure when the irrigation system is going to be used to irrigate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fluid flow control method that enables a self-propelled irrigation machine to apply varying amounts of fluid as might be required to suitably treat the surface area affected by each of the individual fluid application devices thereon. The control method regulates the total volume of fluid emitted by each application device to a predetermined value as it responds to a suitable control signal to permit or prevent fluid flow. This fluid flow control method involves time-based rapid cycling of the flow control apparatus to provide continuously variable fluid flow as is required to meet the desired average output of each emitting device as the flow requirement varies from time to time as needed to produce a selected, pre-determined application rate throughout the treated surface area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spray boom comprising an end section connected to a second section by an articulation, a holding device intended to keep the end section in an initial position as long as a pivoting force has not reached a certain triggering threshold. After triggering, the return of the boom to the initial position is due solely to the weight of the end section. The present invention advantageously makes it possible to reduce the knocks generated by the devices of the prior art.

Abstract: A high torque driveline coupler is provided for use in the driveline between a drive motor and a wheel drive of a sprinkler irrigation system. The coupler has first and second yoke assemblies with intermeshed pairs of legs, and a floating rubber member with radially extending arms positioned between the intermeshed legs of the yoke assemblies. The legs of the yoke assemblies and the floating rubber member are arranged to allow the coupler to be quickly and easily coupled and decoupled without the use of separate means for securing the yoke assemblies together. The coupler has a unique alignment system for aligning the floating member with the yoke assemblies. The alignment system includes first and second recesses formed in opposite sides of a center portion of the floating rubber member, and first and second projections extending from the first and second yoke assemblies, respectively.

Abstract: An irrigation machine distribution pipeline is protected against corrosion by a plastic liner within a steel pipeline. Access openings are spaced along the pipeline and aligned with apertures in the plastic liner. The liner extends the full length of the pipeline. The outside diameter of the liner is sufficiently less than the inside diameter of the pipeline to allow the liner to slide into the pipeline during installation of the liner. A plurality of plastic outlet fittings extend through each access opening and aperture. Each outlet fitting is in sealing engagement with the plastic liner and provides fluid communication from the interior of the plastic liner through the aperture to the exterior of the pipeline. With this construction none of the steel components of the pipeline comes in direct contact with the water.

Abstract: An apparatus attachable to a center pivot irrigation system provides for the raising and lowering of all sprinkler heads simultaneously. The apparatus includes a bar along the length of the system rotatably mounted in brackets attached to the bottom of the existing water supply pipe. Cables from each sprinkler head are wound around and fixed at the other end to the bar, and if several towers are arranged in a line, the bars are joined together with flexible spring couplings to transmit the torque from one bar to the next smoothly even if they are somewhat misaligned. Flexible hoses are used between the sprinkler heads and the water supply line to allow them to lift vertically upwardly or downwardly as the height is adjusted, and such height adjustment is accomplished by rotating the bar to either wind or unwind the sprinkle head support cables as desired.

Abstract: A flexible joint accommodates relative horizontal motion between the main pipeline of a center pivot irrigation machine and a swing span without unduly stressing the spans. The flexible joint has a spindle mounted for rotation about a vertical axis in a socket at the outer end of the main pipeline section. The spindle has a horizontal pivot shaft mounting an arm assembly for rotation about the shaft. The opposite end of the arm assembly carries a second pivot shaft pivotally mounting a link. The swing span is attached to the link. A brake is provided to limit coasting of the swing span.