Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a mechanized irrigation system that includes an electronic controller equipped with a telemetry means configured to read wireless tire pressure monitors and transmit this information up to 2900 feet from the tires being monitored. Based on the ability to remotely monitor the tire pressure of a mechanized irrigation system, the operator can remotely determine when tire pressures are low and take the necessary corrective action to avoid costly down-time.

Abstract: A wheel apparatus includes a hub that is configured to be received by an axle of an irrigation system. The wheel apparatus also includes a rim assembly that includes a plurality of substantially flat feet that form a faceted circular arrangement. A support structure is disposed between the hub and the rim assembly to at least partially support the rim assembly. At least one of the substantially flat feet is coupled to at least one of the plurality of spoke structures. The wheel apparatus also includes at least one cleat disposed on an outside surface of at least one of the plurality of substantially flat feet to provide traction to the rim assembly.

Abstract: A self propelled irrigation system has a drive tower on which a drive wheel is mounted to a rotating member of a drive mechanism with an axis of the wheel obliquely angled relative to a drive axis of the rotating member such that the wheel is tilted out of a plane normal to the drive axis. A hub has its oppositely facing sides arranged to support the wheel in such an orientation, and may therefore be mounted between the drive mechanism and wheel of a conventional irrigation system in which the wheel and drive axes were previously coincident. The tilt of the wheel causes an intentional wobble under rotation of the hub so that the wheel's point of engagement with the ground wanders back and forth during repeated passage of the drive tower over a particular path, thereby reducing a rut forming or deepening tendency of the irrigation system.

Abstract: Valves for use in irrigation systems include a moveable sealing member disposed within a valve body. The moveable sealing member is configured to close automatically the valve when the magnitude of a pressure differential between the inlet and the outlet of the valve body reaches a predetermined threshold value and to open automatically the valve when the magnitude of the pressure differential falls below the predetermined threshold value. Irrigation systems include such valves and methods for flushing debris out of the irrigation systems using such valves.

Abstract: A wheeled lawn sprinkler assembly for easily moving a lawn sprinkler around a large or small size yard which assembly contains a shut off valve, a collapsible wheel assembly and a collapsible support assembly.

Abstract: A swivel inlet hose-drag irrigation machine is disclosed which utilizes an inlet elbow mounted in a swivel bearing on the cart to attach a water supply hose to the machine. The inlet elbow is mounted to the side of the four-wheel linear cart rather than behind the cart between the tires. The inlet elbow is free to rotate in a 180° arc so that the hose can be attached from either end of the cart at the side thereof. The machine also includes a pair of vertically disposed and rotatable rollers which are mounted at the opposite ends of the cart to push the drag hose out of the way of the tires of the cart so that the tires of the cart do not roll over the drag hose thereby eliminating any manual handling of the drag hose.

Abstract: A method of applying a chemical material, such as a pesticide, to a surface utilizes a wheel mounted spraying assembly. The wheel mounted spraying assembly includes: a rod having a wheel rotatably mounted on its lower end portion for supporting the spraying assembly on a generally horizontal surface and enabling the spraying assembly to be moved over the surface; a spray nozzle mounted on the spraying assembly adjacent the wheel; a supply line for supplying a chemical material under pressure to the spray nozzle; and a control for controlling the flow of the chemical material to and through the spray nozzle. The spray nozzle is oriented to spray the chemical material in an expanding pattern in an outward direction to one side of the lower portion of the spraying assembly to apply the chemical material to a generally vertical and/or generally horizontal surface.

Abstract: A forward roll agricultural irrigation line includes an irrigation unit having a plenum pipe, a plurality of water delivery orifices in the plenum pipe, a water supply line in communication with the plenum pipe, and at least one drive wheel supporting the plenum pipe. Typically, there are a plurality of drive wheels supporting the plenum pipe. A drive unit includes a DC electrical motor mounted to the irrigation unit and engaged to controllably rotate the drive wheels, preferably by rotating the plenum pipe. A control/power unit includes a battery power supply, a control unit having as an input power from the battery power supply and as an output a control and power signal to the DC motor, and a photovoltaic battery charger providing recharging power to the battery power supply.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a braking method and apparatus. The method of the present invention comprises securing a first end of a connecting means to a first irrigation line, and securing a second end of said connecting means to a second irrigation line. The apparatus of the present invention comprises a rigid connecting means having a desired length for connecting a first side role irrigation line to a second side role irrigation line. The connecting means is of sufficient strength to secure a first irrigation line to a second irrigation line, where were either irrigation line is being influenced to move by wind blowing against the line. The connecting means the should have a weight such as not to bend or deform the irrigation line to which it is secured. Alternatively, the connecting means may have a support system to take weight off of the line when the connecting means is secured to the line.

Abstract: A sealed worm wheel gearbox is provided having a worm disposed on a driveshaft. The worm engages a bull gear within the gearbox. Eccentric rotatable driveshaft mounts are mounted on opposite sides of the gearbox to support the driveshaft. The driveshaft axis of rotation is offset from the eccentric rotatable driveshaft mount axis of rotation. Thus, when the eccentric shaft mounts are rotated, the driveshaft moves linearly within the gearbox. In this way, rotation of the eccentric shaft mounts enables engagement and disengagement of the worm and bull gears.

Abstract: A pivoting lateral move irrigation system which operates to water in the pivot mode. The irrigation system includes a conduit extending over the field to be irrigated, and a series of support towers which are spaced along the length of the conduit and support the conduit. The power tower is designed for lateral movement and includes a pivoting top according to the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, the irrigation system is a ditch fed system which moves laterally to a canal or ditch, from which water is obtained for irrigation. The power panel includes switches to allow the machine to pivot at the end or corner of the canal. According to the present invention, during pivoting, the irrigation system operates to irrigate, i.e., provide water to the field, during the pivot operation.

Abstract: A wheel supported irrigation system is provided with a locking assembly to immobilize the system against travel resulting from high winds or other causes. A system water pipe carries positionable leg members which, when deployed, are in ground contact. Wheel engaging arms carried by each leg member are adapted for engagement with wheel segments to stabilize the associated leg member when operatively deployed. The leg members include extensions to facilitate ground contact. The system water pipe is provided with leg engageable retainers to allow stowage of the leg members when retracted and stowed lengthwise along the water pipe. The retainers are of I cross-section with flanges confining the retracted leg members in place.

Abstract: A support apparatus for use on an above ground field irrigation system which supports an irrigation system pipe terminal end extension. The apparatus comprises a support post or stand which has a securing clamp ring at its upper end which is free to rotate about the pipe and secures the upper end of the stand to the terminal end of an irrigation system pipe. The apparatus supports the terminal end of an irrigation system pipe in an upright position when the stand is vertically beneath the terminal end as an alternative to a half-wheel or a full wheel at the terminal end.

Abstract: Wheel line irrigation apparatus provided with a plurality of rotary, impact-type, high volume sprinklers, mounted on trunk lines each of which are self leveling. The pipeline is axially affixed to laterally spaced wheels; the pipeline including a main line, having a substantially horizontal longitudinal axis, and a plurality of dropped line portions defining cradle-like structures. A series of trunk lines, in fluid communication with the pipeline and rotatably connected to the pipeline by support bearings, are nestled within the cradles. Each of the trunk lines is provided with a sprinkler, rotatable about a vertical axis. The sprinklers are maintained in the upright position, even when the pipeline is on uneven ground, as the trunk lines pivot within the cradles because of the low center of gravity. The inlet port of each nozzle is located at or below the longitudinal axis of the main line to hold oscillations to a minimum.

Abstract: A ground-engaging travelling structure supporting a member which is pivotally mounted on the structure for swinging movement about a fore-and-aft axis of the structure and including a device to maintain the member in a substantially constant position with respect to the structure and the ground. The member may be an upright pipe supplying an irrigation boom with water and the device may be actuated by a pendulum and so be responsive to deviation of the supply pipe from the upright position and operable to operate a fluid actuator to restore the supply pipe to its upright position. The actuator may be connected in a circuit including pressure-relief valves operable to limit the end loading which is permitted to be exerted on the boom by the supply pipe.

Abstract: A wheel line irrigation system provided with a plurality of rotary, impact-type, high volume sprinklers, each of the sprinklers provided with a nozzle having a large discharge port of 0.5 inches in diameter or greater. The pipeline is axially affixed to laterally spaced wheels; the pipeline including a main line, having a substantially horizontal longitudinal axis, and a plurality of dropped line portions, of modified V-shape, to which each respective sprinkler is attached. The inlet port of each nozzle is located at or below the longitudinal axis of the main line and preferably in a vertical plane with the main line to overcome the reactive thrust of the sprinkler and to reduce the oscillation, caused by the impact arm, of each sprinkler.

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.