Automated Connector & Guidance System for Linear Move Irrigation

Continuous linear-move irrigators are the superior means of overhead irrigation and are capable of irrigating rectangles and irregular shapes. Presently, no affordable and hassle-free automated apparatus exists to connect the linear traveling irrigator to the stationary mainline and existing guidance methods add significantly to cost and complexity. Consequently, few linears are sold. Most irrigation today is with less efficient methods. The overall objective is to complete the development of a very affordable and reliable automated connector and guidance system for linear-move irrigation. In Phase II we seek to: 1) establish successful interaction between connector and water supply at high-gallonage flow rates; 2) prove, through the actual practice, that our guidance will successfully guide a full-length linear; 3) prove that our guidance will also guide the full length linear over moderately sloped ground; 4) prove that a specialized sprinkler underboom attachment developed to compliment the connector, will function in actuality as designed.