An irrigation system for providing irrigation to a crop comprising a plurality of mobile support towers, a conduit, a plurality of drive motors, a plurality of sensors, and a control system. The conduit carries fluid and is supported by the mobile support towers. The conduit includes a valve which can be opened to allow fluid flow through the conduit and closed to prevent fluid flow through the conduit. The drive motors propel the mobile support towers. The sensors generate data regarding the amount of fluid used to irrigate the crop. The control system controls the operation of the valve and the drive motors and is configured to calculate a price of forecasted yield loss, calculate a cost of irrigation, and terminate irrigation if the cost of irrigation is greater than the price of the forecasted yield loss.

A gooseneck pipe includes a first pipe half having a first radiused centerline curve, and a second pipe half fixed to the first pipe half and having a second radiused centerline curve. The first and second pipe halves define a flow path. Cross-sectional diameters of the first and second pipe halves vary along the flow path. The varying diameters of the first and second pipe halves serve to mitigate pressure losses due in part to Dean vortices or secondary flow patterns in the flow path when a fluid is turned in the gooseneck pipe.

The present invention provides a system and method which combines field mapping and control software to effectively manage sprinkler parameters to adjust for changes in weather conditions and positional/terrain changes. According to a first preferred embodiment, the present invention preferably provides a system which monitors a mapped set of boundaries and preferably receives data regarding a variety of weather factors including wind monitoring (speed, direction, averages, and gusts) and preferably makes adjustments to the system to adjust and modify the shape of a desired distribution area based on the weather factors.

The present invention provides an improved valve assembly and valve controller for controlling the movement of fluid for irrigation. In according with a preferred embodiment, the present invention teaches a system and method for monitoring the status of a valve assembly and for providing “proof of placement” for selected applicants. According to further preferred embodiments, the present invention includes a valve assembly including a valve controller for applying an electric current to a latch valve thereby switching the latch valve from a first flow state to a second flow state. According to a further preferred embodiment, the valve assembly of the present invention preferably further includes a state/current detector which preferably measures the active current being applied to the latch valve and outputs the measured waveform for analysis.

A novel steering tube assembly is provided having a steering tube with a first end and a second end. An upper plate assembly is coupled to the first end of the steering tube and a drive gear plate is coupled to the second end of the steering tube. A bearing steering tube plate is coupled to the steering tube at a location between the first end and the second end. The bearing steering tube plate has a first surface and a second surface. A bearing support is coupled to the first surface of the bearing steering tube plate and includes a cylindrical portion and a flange portion. A bearing block is coupled to the bearing support and the bearing block comprises a low-friction, non-metallic material.

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.

A fully automated land irrigation system to irrigate regular and irregular shapes of land. The system includes a water deliver pipe assembly configured to travel laterally while irrigating adjacent to a stationary row of spaced access valves supplied by a water main. The system includes a single coupler automated connector to automatically supply water to the water delivery pipe assembly. The connector includes a swing arm pivotably mounted to the water delivery pipe assembly, a valve coupler mounted to the swing arm to selectively access water from the water main via the spaced access valves and a water conveyance to operably flow water between the valve coupler and the swing arm. The valve coupler includes a vertical coupler travel configured to provide essentially vertical travel of the valve coupler relative to the swing arm. The water delivery pipe assembly can be center-pivot rotated employing a rotator. The rotator provides to anchor the delivery pipe assembly's rotation and to adjust the distance between the anchor and the delivery pipe assembly during the rotation.

The present disclosure generally relates to wheel adapters for center pivot irrigation systems. In one example embodiment, a dual-wheel adapter generally includes a spacer. The spacer includes a body having first end portion and a second end portion. A first flange is disposed at the first end portion of the body and oriented axial to the body. The first flange configured to align with a first wheel of a pivot tower and to secure the spacer to the pivot tower. A second flange is oriented axial to the body and disposed at the second portion end of the body. The second flange is configured to align with a second wheel and to secure the second wheel to the pivot tower.

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.

A method of automatically managing a center pivot irrigation machine comprising steps of: (a) providing at least one center pivot irrigation machine and positioning said center pivot irrigation machine such that said center pivot irrigation machine is movable within an irrigated plot around a center thereof; (b) providing a ground penetration radar; (c) mounting said ground penetration radar on said center pivot irrigation machine; (d) moving said center pivot irrigation machine about said center of said irrigated plot; (e) scanning said irrigated by said ground penetration radar at frequencies ranging between 200-1200 MHz; (f) calculating a distribution of soil moisture over a depth from a soil surface; and (g) creating an irrigation plan according to said distribution.