Irrigation boom assembly

Abstract

An improved irrigation boom assembly is provided for relatively rapid and easy mounting onto the main water distribution pipe of a traveling irrigation system, particularly such as a center pivot or linear travel system. The improved boom assembly includes a water supply drop pipe adapted for rapid and secure mounting onto the main distribution pipe by an improved clamp assembly and for receiving water from the distribution pipe via a flexible feed hose. The drop pipe has a manifold at its lower end designed for facilitated connection to a lightweight boom comprising a pair of elongated wing tubes cantilevered outwardly therefrom in opposite directions, wherein the wing tubes are each supported in an adjustably selected geometry by a respective pair of support cables anchored between the drop pipe and the wing tube and threaded through support struts mounted at spaced intervals along the wing tube spans. The outboard end of each wing tube includes an easily removable end fitting to permit periodic flushing. Irrigation spray heads are easily mounted onto the wing tube end fittings and further to the drop pipe manifold and at selected points along the wing tubes to provide the desired irrigation coverage. In addition, the wing tubes are adapted for facilitated attachment of guy wires near their outboard ends to control the spacing relative to wing tubes of an adjacent boom. Moreover, the wing tubes are adapted to stack in compact nested relation for facilitated shipping and/or storage.