IRRIGATION SYSTEM WITH DUAL-CONTROLLER DRIVE ASSEMBLIES

摘要

An irrigation system that includes multiple interconnected spans that are supported by multiple tower structures. Each intermediate tower structure and end tower structure may include a dual-controller drive assembly that may include both a fixed-speed drive controller controlling the speed of movement of the dual-controller drive assembly when the fixed-speed drive controller is selected and a variable-speed drive controller controlling the speed of movement of the dual-controller drive assembly when the variable-speed drive controller is selected, and one or more selector switches configured to either manually, based on manual operator input, or automatically, based on automatic sensor input, select between the fixed-speed drive controller and the variable-speed drive controller.

主权项

1. An irrigation system having a movement direction over a ground surface of a field, the irrigation system comprising:
at least one intermediate span and at least one end span; a tower structure configured to support each span above a ground surface; and a dual-controller drive assembly of a tower structure having: (a) at least one wheel configured to contact a ground surface below the irrigation system; (b) at least one span motor configured to drive at least one wheel so as to propel the tower structure over the ground surface; (c) a fixed-speed drive controller controlling the speed of movement of the dual-controller drive assembly when selected; (d) a variable-speed drive controller controlling the speed of movement of the dual-controller drive assembly when selected; and (e) at least one selector switch configured to select between the fixed-speed drive controller and the variable-speed drive controller.