Abstract: A stabilizing apparatus for stabilizing a mobile irrigation tower of a pivot irrigation system includes a pair of outrigger arms which extend from opposite sides of the irrigation tower. The outrigger arms are able to move between an extended position and a retracted position. The distal ends of the out rigger arms present ground engaging elements adapted for low friction passage across a farm ground surface. When the outrigger arms are in the extended position, the ground engaging element of each arm is in contact with or at least in close proximity to the farm ground surface at a location which is spaced transversely away from the irrigation tower. If the outrigger arms are in the extended position and if the irrigation system is subjected to a high velocity wind, the ground engaging elements will engage the farm ground surface and resist overturning movement of the irrigation tower.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle platform and system for selectively performing an in-season management task in an agricultural field while self-navigating between rows of planted crops, the autonomous vehicle platform having a vehicle base with a width so dimensioned as to be insertable through the space between two rows of planted crops, the vehicle base having an in-season task management structure configured to perform various tasks, including selectively applying fertilizer, mapping growth zones and seeding cover crop within an agricultural field.

Abstract: An indication system associated with a coupler assembly includes a sensing element affixed to the coupler assembly, and an indicator assembly coupled to the sensing element. The sensing element is arranged and positioned proximate to a hydraulic assembly of the coupler assembly. The sensing element is configured to generate a signal indicative of an extension of a piston pin of the hydraulic assembly. The indicator assembly is configured to receive the signal indicative of the extension of the piston pin, and determine if the piston pin is in an extended state based on the received signal.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle platform and system for selectively performing an in-season management task in an agricultural field while self-navigating between rows of planted crops, the autonomous vehicle platform having a vehicle base with a width so dimensioned as to be insertable through the space between two rows of planted crops, the vehicle base having an in-season task management structure configured to perform various tasks, including selectively applying fertilizer, mapping growth zones and seeding cover crop within an agricultural field.

Abstract: A method and decoder-based irrigation controller, and method and programming chart, are provided. In some embodiments, a decoder-based irrigation controller comprises a microcontroller; and a first connector coupled to the microcontroller and configured to couple to a reader, wherein the reader comprises an optical reader configured to read an optically readable pattern, wherein the first connector is further configured to couple an input from the reader to the microcontroller; and wherein the microcontroller is configured to interpret the input from the reader and perform an action at the decoder-based irrigation controller according to the input.

Abstract: An anchoring device for a self-propelled irrigation system includes a screw pile and drive assembly that drives the screw pile into the ground to anchor a drive tower of the irrigation system to the ground. The screw pile is rotatably driven about a vertical axis and movable vertically relative to the drive tower. The drive assembly can include an electric motor with a suitable gear reduction that causes the screw pile to be rotated slowly with a large amount of torque. The drive assembly can be mounted stationary to the drive tower, or it can be mounted on tracks so as to move vertically together with the screw pile. A low voltage electrical system with one or more batteries can be used to power the electric motor. A solar battery charger or other charging system can be used to maintain an electrical charge in the batteries. A controller is provided to activate the drive assembly when adverse weather conditions are detected, or upon receiving a remote command from the operator.

Abstract: A fully automated land irrigation system to irrigate regular and irregular shapes of land. The system includes an expanse of water delivery pipe moved laterally while irrigating adjacent to a stationary row of spaced access valves supplied by a water main. A swing arm is pivotally mounted to one end of the delivery pipe and a valve coupler is mounted to the opposite free swinging swing arm end. Valve connection is made and the delivery pipe irrigates while traveling to the next successive access valve. The coupler is then disconnected from the valve and the free swing arm end and coupler are ground pivoted to the next valve where connection is again made. Delivery pipe travel results in rotation of the swing arm about the valve connection. This rotation feature also enables the swing arm and the water delivery pipe to the pivoted about a valve as an anchor to a similar position on the opposite side of the water main.

Abstract: A water inlet for a linear move irrigation system wherein the water inlet is supported upon a wheeled frame which travels along the bottom of an irrigation ditch adjacent one side thereof. The water inlet is fluidly connected to the end most support tower by a plurality of jointed pipes arranged such that the water inlet may be raised out of the irrigation ditch at times. The jointed connection of the pipes permits the water inlet to vertically move relative to the support tower to compensate for vertical differences in the irrigation ditch and the cart path upon which the support tower travels.

Abstract: A fully automated land irrigation system to irrigate regular and irregular shapes of land. The system includes an expanse of water delivery pipe moved laterally while irrigating adjacent to a stationary row of spaced access valves supplied by a water main. The invention includes a new connection apparatus for hydraulically connecting the traveling delivery pipe along the row of stationary access valves. A swing arm is pivotably mounted to one end of the delivery pipe and a valve coupler is mounted to the opposite free swinging swing arm end. Valve connection is made and the delivery pipe irrigates traveling the same distance found between successive access valves. The coupler is then disconnected from the valve and the free swing arm end, with coupler, is ground pivoted to the next valve where connection is again made. Delivery pipe travel results in rotation of the swing arm about the valve connection.

Abstract: An irrigation system has a mobile extractor tube rig for moving along a series of water supply standpipes, which are connected to a buried mainline. The rig and/or the standpipes have seals for engagement at the time of transfer. Each standpipe has an upper portion mounted for adjusting movement to insure flush contact between an extractor tube and a standpipe to reduce leakage that otherwise would occur.