The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for spraying the leaf and root areas of plants. According to an exemplary preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a foliar chemical application package which is designed specifically to deliver a chemical solution to the leaf area of plants in which the chemical will primary enter the plant through the foliar area rather than the root zone. According to a further preferred embodiment, the present invention teaches a system, method and apparatus for providing a specialized foliage spraying application in which water supply lines and chemical supply lines are individually controlled so that applicants, such as different chemicals received from different chemical tanks, may be simultaneously applied to a given crop.

A programmable, electronically controlled sprinkler system has a hermetically sealed internal chamber which encloses all of the internal water flow, valves, mechanical and rotational components and a plurality of magnetic coupling arrangements which allow external motors to control operation of the internal mechanical components without requiring any hydraulic seals.

An electronic device comprising memory and at least one processor coupled to the memory is disclosed. The at least one processor may be configured to render, on a user interface, a circular shape representing a center pivot irrigation system. The at least one processor may also be configured to receive a first input via the user interface indicating a first input point on the user interface. The at least one processor may also be configured to render, on the user interface, an alteration point marker on the circular shape at a first position aligned with the first input point and a center of the circular shape. The first position of the alteration point marker corresponding to a first radial position of the pivot. The at least one processor may be configured to control the center pivot irrigation system to alter operation of the pivot at the first radial position.

The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for providing an irrigation scheduling module including a graphical user interface for providing irrigation scheduling data for a given field location. According to a preferred embodiment, the irrigation scheduling module is configured to calculate and display an irrigation recommendation for a given set of forecast data. According to a further preferred embodiment, the irrigation recommendation includes a representative shape in the form of a circle which changes from a full circle to a crescent-shaped percentage of the full circle based on the field moisture status.

A system for measuring moisture in soil below the ground surface comprises at least one passive microwave sensor device configured to measure natural thermal emissions from the soil and output a data signal and a processing circuit operably coupled to the at least one passive microwave sensor wherein the processing circuit is configured to receive the data signal and compile a soil moisture profile. The system further comprises a wide-band antenna wherein the at least one passive microwave sensor is located therein and an elongate horizontal mounting frame extending between first and second ends wherein the first end is securable to a mobile agricultural device and wherein the wide-band antenna is secured to the second end so as to position the wide-band antenna at a distance above the ground surface.

The present invention provides a solar power system for use with a mechanized irrigation system. According to a first preferred embodiment, the solar power system of the present includes solar panels which produce DC current which is used to power the irrigation system and to store water in an elevated storage tank. The systems of the present invention selectively use the water stored in the elevated storage tank to provide water pressure to the irrigation system. According to a further preferred embodiment, the system of the present invention preferably converts the power from the solar panels to AC current and uses AC current to power the movement of the irrigation system and other sub-systems.

A light assembly mounted to a span of an irrigation system. The light assembly includes at least one bracket, at least one extension, and a light bar. In one variation, the light assembly is powered by the power supply of the irrigation system. In another variation, the light assembly is powered independent of the irrigation system. In one form, the light assembly is controlled to turn on when natural light is not available and controlled to turn off when natural light is available. As a result, a crops exposure to light during short periods of daylight is increased.

A wheel having a hub and a circular ring is provided. The circular ring has a central axis, an outer surface having a first outer edge and a second outer edge, and a plurality of holes disposed on the outer surface. Additionally, the wheel has a plurality of spokes each being adapted to attach to both the hub and the circular ring, and each of the plurality of spokes being concaved and arranged in an alternating pattern. A plurality of lugs is disposed on the outer surface of the circular ring, and each of plurality of lugs has a first leg and a second leg, each extending from a center rib and a lug plate adapted to connect the first leg to the center rib.

A control system for monitoring a motor and wheel drive gearbox of an irrigation system drive train. The control system includes a motor sensor for sensing an operating state of the motor and a gearbox sensor for sensing an operating state of the wheel drive gearbox. If the motor operating state exceeds a motor operating state threshold or changes too quickly, or if the wheel drive gearbox operating state exceeds a wheel drive gearbox operating state threshold or changes too quickly, the control system operates the drive train at a reduced capacity or in a modified mode such that the operating state is not exceeded or does not change too quickly.

A system and method for detecting and identifying power line carrier controlled devices within an irrigation system having a PLC BUS and a plurality of PLC powered devices. A preferred method includes: initializing a controller; transmitted an identification signal onto the PLC BUS; receiving the transmitted identification signal by a first powered device in the transmission line; recording the signal strength of the received identification signal by the first powered device; reducing the level of the received identification signal by a given increment; receiving the transmitted identification signal by a second powered device in the transmission line; recording the signal strength of the received identification signal by the second powered device; reducing the level of the received identification signal by a given increment; and receiving the transmitted identification signal at the controller.