Valmont Industries, Inc.

Dale A Christensen

Ricky D McGee

Carl R Ostrom

Craig S Malsam

John A Kastl

Jerry D Gerdes

Bruce Kreikemeier

Kevin K Fischman

Todd Zessin

Ronald L Frankenstein

The present invention provides an improved system and method for designing an irrigation system for a selected field. According to a preferred embodiment, the system and method of the present invention calculates a complete bill of materials, customer pricing, design requirements and dimensions for a field irrigation system for a given irrigated field.

Systems, methods and user interface for graphical configuration for field irrigation systems

An overhead irrigation assembly having multiple truss rods is disclosed. In an implementation, an overhead irrigation assembly includes a first support, a second support, and a span of pipeline supported between the first support and the second support. The overhead irrigation assembly also includes a first truss rod tensioned between the first support and the second support and a second truss rod tensioned between the first support and the second support. Spreaders are suspended from the span of pipeline that are configured to separate the first truss rod from the second truss rod. The overhead irrigation assembly also includes a third truss rod is also tensioned between the first support and the second support. The first truss rod, the second truss rod, and third truss rod are configured to maintain a generally bow shape in the span of pipeline.

Overhead irrigation assembly having three or more truss rods

A drive unit for a self-propelled irrigation system including an elongated pipeline supported upon a plurality of spaced-apart drive units. Each of the drive units includes a generally transversely extending base beam having first and second ends. A first drive assembly is pivotally connected to the base beam adjacent the first end thereof and a second drive assembly is pivotally connected to the base beam adjacent the second end thereof. Each of the first and second drive assemblies includes an elongated support member pivotally connected, about a generally horizontal axis, which is generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the base beam, to the base beam adjacent the first end thereof. First and second driven wheels are rotatably mounted on the elongated support member adjacent the ends thereof. The driven wheels are driven by an electric motor and gearbox arrangement.

Irrigation drive unit

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.

Method and means for reducing stress in a pivot irrigation pipeline

A wheel track closing assembly is described for use with a drive unit of a mechanized irrigation system. Each of the wheel track closing assemblies includes an elongated rigid arm which is longitudinally and pivotally connected to either the drive wheel or the gearbox for the drive wheel. A replaceable soil-engaging member in the form of oppositely disposed shovels is secured to the free end of the rigid arm for engaging the soil adjacent the wheel track to move the soil into the wheel track to close the same. When the direction of movement of the drive tower is reversed, the drive wheels walk-over the soil-engaging members so that the soil-engaging members are repositioned in a trailing position with respect to the associated drive wheels.

Wheel track closing assembly

An irrigation system is disclosed which includes a center pivot support having an elongated main water boom pivotally connected thereto which extends outwardly therefrom. An elongated extension boom is pivotally connected at its inner end to the outer end of the main boom and is supported by a steerable drive tower. A corner arm sensor is provided for sensing the angle of the extension boom with respect to the main boom. A plurality of first sprinklers are positioned on the extension boom along the length thereof and a plurality of second sprinklers are positioned on the extension boom along the length thereof. The water which is normally allocated to the end gun on the outer end of the extension boom is supplied to the second sprinkler during certain periods of time that the end gun is not activated.

Corner irrigation system

An irrigation system is disclosed which includes a center pivot support having an elongated main water boom pivotally connected thereto which extends outwardly therefrom. An elongated extension boom is pivotally connected at its inner end to the outer end of the main boom and is supported by a steerable drive tower. A deflection sensor is positioned on the extension boom for sensing vertical deflection of the extension boom which is caused by relative movement of the main boom with respect to the extension boom. A control connects the deflection sensor with the drive for driving the steerable drive tower upon the deflection sensor sensing a predetermined amount of deflection of the extension boom.

Center pivot irrigation system

A corner pivot irrigation machine comprising a main arm extending outwardly from a center pivot structure supported upon and driven by a plurality of non-steerable drive towers. An elongated corner arm is pivotally secured to the outer end of the main arm and is supported by a steerable drive tower including an elongated beam positioned beneath the water line of the corner arm and having a pair of drive wheel supports positioned at the opposite ends thereof which are rotatable with respect thereto about vertical axes. A steering motor, driven by a conventional guidance system, is mounted on the main beam and is connected to the rotatable drive wheel supports by an adjustable linkage to enable the linkage to be selectively adjusted when the machine is to be operated in a reverse direction.

Corner pivot irrigation machine

A water balance control for a pivotal end boom connected to the outer end of a center pivot irrigation system to irrigate peripheral areas (e.g., corners) beyond the periphery of the circular area covered by the main conduit of the system; the water balance control comprises a sensing mechanism for sensing both the angular position of the boom and its direction of movement (swing-out or swing-in) relative to the end of the main conduit. Primary control circuits, actuated by the sensing mechanism, turn the boom nozzles on and off, depending on the angular position of the boom; secondary control circuits, also actuated by the sensing mechanism, operate the primary controls in accordance with two different programs, one for swing-out movement and the other for swing-in movement. A speed control for the main conduit, also actuated by the sensing mechanism, is included.

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Arlington, NE, United States of America

Dale A Christensen