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.

An irrigation maintenance system for facilitating irrigation of a farming area includes a sensor disposed at a main disconnect of a utility, a processor, and a memory. The sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of abnormal operation of at least one component of a plurality of components of an irrigation system for the farming area based on network power quality, the network power quality including a phase balance, an inrush current, a power factor, or combinations thereof. The memory includes instructions stored thereon, which when executed by the processor, cause the irrigation maintenance system to: determine abnormal operation of the at least one component of the irrigation system based on the signal; and predict, by a machine learning model, a maintenance requirement of the at least one component based on the determined abnormal operation.

The present invention provides a system and method which includes a machine learning module which analyzes data collected from one or more sources such as UAVs, satellites, span mounted crop sensors, direct soil sensors and climate sensors. According to a further preferred embodiment, the machine learning module preferably creates sets of field objects from within a given field and uses the received data to create a predictive model for each defined field object based on detected characteristics from each field object within the field.

An automated farming system includes a frame. The frame includes a fixed base, a beam, and a support. A farming implement support extends from the beam and moves up and down in relation to the beam. The farming implement support moves along a length of the beam. The movable support includes a propulsion system and is configured to rotate around the fixed base. Movement of the farming implement support and the movable support allows for high density planting of crops in hexagonal patterns and/or a continuous spiral pattern.

An automated farming system includes a frame. The frame includes a fixed base, a beam, and a support. A farming implement support extends from the beam and moves up and down in relation to the beam. The farming implement support moves along a length of the beam. The movable support includes a propulsion system and is configured to rotate around the fixed base. Movement of the farming implement support and the movable support allows for high density planting of crops in hexagonal patterns and/or a continuous spiral pattern.

A modular kinematic and telemetry system for an irrigation system includes a condition-based monitoring (CBM) system and a plurality of sets of modular foot assemblies. The CBM system has a housing and supports a plurality of kinematic and telemetry components. The plurality of sets of modular foot assemblies includes a first set and a second set that secure to the housing of the CBM system. The first set is configured to secure the CBM system to a first end gun configuration and the second set is configured to secure the CBM system to a second end gun configuration that is different from the first end gun configuration.

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.

Some embodiments of a gearbox for an irrigation system can comprise a housing, a worm gear within the housing, a bull gear within the housing and configured to be engaged with the worm gear, a diaphragm, and a vent. The diaphragm can define a chamber configured for expansion and contraction and configured to be positioned inside the housing to relieve pressure build-up within the housing. The vent can be configured to allow air to flow between the atmosphere and the chamber.

An irrigation system with an alignment detector uses a plurality of discrete sensors to detect and measure each irrigator span's misalignment when moving in either direction. In particular, this sensor alignment detector utilizes a first sensor for the forward movement direction and a second sensor for the reverse movement direction, which provides a significant improvement in alignment optimization and sensitivity.

Aspects of the present invention provide a theft-resistant cable clamp that increases the time and effort required to remove the cable from the irrigation equipment, thereby deterring thieves As the extensions that protrude from the cable-reception loop are forced together, the walls of the cable-reception loop compress against the cable. Openings in the extensions on the cable clamp allow the cable clamp to fit over a component of the irrigation equipment. A plurality of teeth can protrude from the perimeter of an opening to grip the exterior of the component. A coupler or other component may have a groove into which the teeth engage when the cable clamp is in a final location on the component.