A data management system for an irrigation system and methods of controlling operations thereof are provided. The data management system directs data captured at a plurality of sensors on the irrigation system to a remote device. The data management system comprises a communication bus and a plurality of communications. The communication bus extends along the irrigation system. The plurality of communication systems are positioned on the irrigation system and are connected to the communication bus. Each of the communication systems is configured to receive signals representative of the data from one of the sensors and to transmit signals representative of the data, via wireless communication, to the remote device.

Systems, methods and apparatuses for irrigating soils and crops are described. The irrigation system may include a center pivot irrigation system and at least one irrigation apparatus. The irrigation apparatus may include at least one side frame, at least one back frame, at least one boom assembly, at least one means for enabling the apparatus to move, and/or at least one means for configuring the apparatus to the center pivot irrigation system. The disclosure may reduce and/or eliminate rut formation.

A computing device for processing geospatial data associated with an irrigation system comprises a processing element in electronic communication with a memory element. The processing element is configured or programmed to receive sensor data over time from a plurality of sensors associated with the irrigation system, receive or determine geolocation data, link data from each sensor with geolocation data to form geospatial data, determine trends in the geospatial data for each sensor or a group of sensors, determine changes or adjustments in an operation of components of the irrigation system based on trends determined in the geospatial data, and output an electronic signal whose analog level or digital data value varies according to the changes or adjustments in the operation of components of the irrigation system.

An irrigation system comprising a fluid-carrying conduit, two or more spaced-apart mobile towers, and a height-adjusting system. The two or more spaced-apart mobile towers are configured to support and move the conduit above a field. Each mobile tower includes a pair of legs, wheels, and a motor. Each leg has a first end coupled with the fluid-carrying conduit via a swivel connection and a second end. One of the wheels is connected to each of the second ends of the legs. The motor is for driving at least one of the wheels. The height-adjusting system is configured to move the second ends of the legs of each mobile tower relative to one another to raise or lower the irrigation system. The height-adjusting system may include an expansion mechanism for permitting adjustments to the height of the irrigation system or for applying a force to help make the adjustments.

An agricultural irrigation system and method for irrigating a field includes a water supply pipe supported by a wheeled support or tower. The irrigation system can move in an oscillating fashion across the field while dispersing water. The irrigation system is advanced in a forward direction a first distance, reversed in a backward direction a second distance that is less than the first distance, then readvanced in a forward direction. The system can include a manifold connected to the water supply pipe. The manifold includes drop lines to supply water to a crop below the manifolds. Existing irrigation systems can be retrofitted with the manifold and drop lines.

The present invention provides a system and method for detecting and aligning the orientation of a displayed irrigation system. According to first preferred embodiment, the method preferably may include the steps of: initializing a controller; polling sensors and initiating the detection of a center pivot location; detecting the position of an outer drive tower; calculating the relative orientation between the center pivot and the outer drive tower; detecting and recording the position of magnetic north; calculating image display data for the irrigation span; transmitting image display data to a display device; displaying the irrigation span at a user selected azimuth and displaying other displayed items at an angle offset from the user selected azimuth; monitoring changes to orientation; recalculating image display data if any orientation change is detected; and retransmitting the image display data.

A system and method for obtaining real-time data regarding the condition of a crop and planning and executing an irrigation cycle in response to the data. The invention uses an unmanned aerial vehicle to survey the conditions within an irrigated area. The unmanned aerial vehicle is operated from a base station mounted on the boom assembly of a pivot irrigation system. The inventive system determines a position for the base station and uses that position to land the UAV.

A circular grazing system for poultry and/or livestock. The circular grazing system including a center pivot structure installed at a field. The center pivot structure may have a center pivot axis. The field may be a poultry and/or livestock grazing field. The circular grazing system for poultry and/or livestock may include an enclosure for containing poultry and/or livestock. The enclosure may extend generally radially from the center pivot structure to a circumference of the field. The enclosure may be rotably coupled to the center pivot structure such that the enclosure rotates around the center pivot axis.

A center-pivot irrigation system having mobile towers interconnected by spans actuatable about a center-pivot, constant speed motors for each of the mobile towers, and variable gear ratio transmissions each driven by one of the constant speed motors and each driving one of the mobile towers. The irrigation system may also include a control system sending command signals to the variable gear ratio transmissions, independently increasing or decreasing a speed of the mobile towers via the variable gear ratio transmissions. The irrigation system may also include a sensors for providing alignment information regarding the spans to the control system. The control system may independently command the transmissions to speed up or slow down one of the mobile towers relative to alignment information received from the sensors.

The present invention provides a system and method which combines sensor inputs, control systems, field mapping, motor controls, and high speed and variable speed motor designs within an irrigation machine. According to a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides systems which are capable of full torque operation, even at speeds less than the rated speed of the motor. According to further preferred embodiments, the present invention utilizes a combination of motor types including Switch Reluctance, DC Permanent Magnet and AC Permanent Magnet motors in combination with Variable Frequency Drives.