A system predicts needed maintenance for an irrigation system that includes a portion of the irrigation system and a movable end gun operably associated with the portion of the irrigation system. The predictive maintenance system includes a controller and one or more sensors configured to couple to the movable end gun and configured to electrically communicate with the controller. The one or more sensors are configured to generate an electrical signal indicative of movement and/or positioning of the movable end gun relative to the portion of the irrigation system over time. The controller is configured to receive the electrical signal and determine whether the movable end gun, or one or more components thereof, requires maintenance based on the electrical signal. The signal indicative of abnormal operation includes an indication of movement and/or positioning relative to the portion of the irrigation system over a period of time

A machine learning based predictive maintenance system includes an irrigation system having a plurality of components and configured to irrigate a farming area. The maintenance system includes a sensor disposed at a center pivot of the irrigation system or at a main disconnect of a utility. The sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a condition of at least one component of the plurality of components of the irrigation system based on network power quality. The maintenance system further includes a processor and a memory. The memory includes instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the predictive maintenance system to receive the sensed signal, determine abnormal operation of the at least one component, and predict, by a machine learning model, a maintenance requirement of the at least one component based the determined abnormal operation. The network power quality includes a phase balance, an inrush current, a power factor, or combinations thereof.

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.

The present invention provides a system and method for maintaining desired pressure levels in an irrigation system when the flow rate available to the irrigation system is reduced below the system's required flow rate. According to a first preferred embodiment, the present invention teaches a method which includes the steps of: receiving and storing irrigation system information including sprinkler specifications, flow rates and pressure requirements; receiving and storing an irrigation plan to be executed including the target amount of an applicant to be applied to a target area; determining an available flow rate to the irrigation system; determining a required flow rate of the irrigation machine; comparing the available flow rate to the required flow rate to determine whether the available flow is sufficient for the system based on the sprinkler specifications; adjusting the pulse rate of the sprinklers to reduce the require flow rate to at least the available flow rate; and calculating and selecting a lower ground speed required to apply the target amount of applicant to the target area based on the selected pulse rate for the sprinklers.

Aspects of the technology described herein provide a system for improved control and monitoring of a movable tower in an irrigation system. A computer controller associated with a tower of an irrigation system receives an indication of parameter modification. The system is then able to change parameters at a component of the tower control system based on the received parameters. The system stores the current drive value at a station to control drive. If the stored drive value is above a threshold level, a drive signal is provided to a motor. The system is operable to selectively apply a drive signal at a tower. The system provides the ability to digitally modify a threshold that is used in a machine run-mode to operate the motor at a tower.

A sprinkler nozzle is configured for a sprinkler positioned at a distal end of a center pivot irrigation system. The sprinkler nozzle includes a connection part securable to the sprinkler, and a nozzle opening downstream of the connection part. A nozzle opening downstream of the connection part is part-toroidal shaped and partially blocked or skewed to control water flow to portions of the deflector plate according to a desired wetted area. The part-toroidal shape spans an arc less than 360 degrees. The nozzle enables a custom designed water application to complement the other sprinklers that are on the pivot and can be shaped to also apply water a distance beyond the end of the pivot pipe to match the application rate of the sprinklers along the pivot pipe.

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.

The present disclosure provides an irrigation system for crop irrigation, and especially a centre-pivot irrigation system. The system comprises: a pivot assembly comprising a frame supporting an inlet pipe assembly for inlet of water from a water supply to the irrigation system, and a span assembly for connection to the pivot assembly to extend radially therefrom across a field. The inlet pipe assembly comprises an upper pipe segment and a lower pipe segment. The upper pipe segment is mounted in the frame for rotation about a pivot axis relative to the lower pipe segment. The span assembly comprises a distribution pipeline for fluid connection with the inlet pipe assembly to convey the water along the span assembly for distributing the water to a plurality of sprinkler heads located along the span assembly for applying the water to the field.

A mobile irrigation system configured to support an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the mobile irrigation system comprising a number of irrigation spans, a control system, and a UAV support system. Each irrigation span includes a conduit section connected to conduit sections of adjacent irrigation spans for transporting an irrigation fluid from a fluid source to a field, a truss configured to support the conduit section, a number of fluid emitters, and a mobile tower connected to the truss for moving the truss, conduit section, and fluid emitters across the field. The UAV support system includes a docking station configured to receive the UAV and deploy the UAV to collect agricultural data or to carry out agricultural tasks and a data transfer module for transferring agricultural data from the UAV to a remote data storage system or edge processing devices.

Circuitry for identifying a misaligned wheeled irrigation tower within a plurality of wheeled irrigation towers is described. The circuitry includes a test resistance configured for installation in a center pivot irrigation system. The circuitry also includes a plurality of resistances. Each of the plurality of resistances is configured for installation in a wheeled irrigation tower of the center pivot irrigation system and to be coupled in series with the test resistance. Each of the plurality of resistances is configured to be coupled to a corresponding switch of a respective wheeled irrigation tower and a neutral line. The circuitry further includes detection circuitry coupled to the test resistance. The detection circuitry is configured, when installed in the center pivot irrigation system, to identify a misaligned wheeled irrigation tower of a plurality of wheeled irrigation towers based on a voltage corresponding to the test resistance.