Mini Pivot Irrigator For Small Fields

1995 - Volume #19, Issue #1, Page #18

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"Our new low-cost `mini pivot' irrigation system is designed for small fields ranging from 2 to 40 acres and operates on single phase electricity. Maintenance costs are much less than for a conventional system," says Doug Dobbs, Irrigation Sales, Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Components on the Titan 2000 Mini-Pivot are much smaller than on a full-size center pivot, allowing use of 1/15 hp gear motors to drive each wheel. The 12 gauge, galvanized steel pipe is only 2 7/8 in. in dia. compared to 6 5/8 in. dia. for conventional center pivot. Small ATV tires keep wheel tracks to a minimum. Electromechanical controls are used throughout the system.

It's a cost-efficient way to irrigate small acreages,' says Dobbs. "We didn't take a big machine and scale it down - we designed the drive train and controls from scratch.The problem with other small center pivot systems is their power requirement and cost. They use 1 1/4 hp motors and gearboxes that require 480-volt, 3-phase electricity. However, a lot of areas don't have 3-phase power and are so remote that the cost of bringing it in is prohibitive.

Our system is inexpensive to maintain because it uses sealed gear motors that are direct-coupled to the wheels. There are no universal joints or drivelines. Operating costs are very low. Because of the low power requirement we're testing a solar-powered system that we think has a lot of promise.

"One limitation is that ground clearance is only 6 ft. so it may not be the best system for field corn."

The master control panel includes speed control, forward/reverse, wet/dry, on/off, and percent timer. Controls are standard at the center. Controls located at the edge of the field are optional.

"A 40-acre system sells for about $11,500 not including cost of installation or the well. That's about 35% less than the price of a new comparable conventional system and about the same as a good used center pivot system," says Dobbs. "A 10-acre system sells for about $7,000. That cost won't compete with wheel lines but our maintenance costs are much less because cattle won't bother it."

Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Titan Mini Pivot part supplied by: Carefree Industries, Inc.
1054 E 1300 N., Shelley, Idaho 83274, Mark McCabe: (ph 208 680-6970; titan@titanpivotparts.com, titanpivotparts.com)

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Mini Pivot Irrigator For Small Fields IRRIGATION Irrigation Systems Our new low-cost `mini pivot irrigation system is designed for small fields ranging from 2 to 40 acres and operates on single phase electricity Maintenance costs are much less than for a conventional system says Doug Dobbs Irrigation Sales Idaho Falls Idaho

Components on the Titan 2000 Mini-Pivot are much smaller than on a full-size center pivot allowing use of 1/15 hp gear motors to drive each wheel The 12 gauge galvanized steel pipe is only 2 7/8 in in dia compared to 6 5/8 in dia for conventional center pivot Small ATV tires keep wheel tracks to a minimum Electromechanical controls are used throughout the system

It s a cost-efficient way to irrigate small acreages says Dobbs We didn t take a big machine and scale it down - we designed the drive train and controls from scratch The problem with other small center pivot systems is their power requirement and cost They use 1 1/4 hp motors and gearboxes that require 480-volt 3-phase electricity However a lot of areas don t have 3-phase power and are so remote that the cost of bringing it in is prohibitive

Our system is inexpensive to maintain because it uses sealed gear motors that are direct-coupled to the wheels There are no universal joints or drivelines Operating costs are very low Because of the low power requirement we re testing a solar-powered system that we think has a lot of promise

One limitation is that ground clearance is only 6 ft so it may not be the best system for field corn

The master control panel includes speed control forward/reverse wet/dry on/off and percent timer Controls are standard at the center Controls located at the edge of the field are optional

A 40-acre system sells for about $11 500 not including cost of installation or the well That s about 35% less than the price of a new comparable conventional system and about the same as a good used center pivot system says Dobbs A 10-acre system sells for about $7 000 That cost won t compete with wheel lines but our maintenance costs are much less because cattle won t bother it

Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Titan Mini Pivot part supplied by: Carefree Industries Inc 1054 E 1300 N Shelley Idaho 83274 Mark McCabe: ph 208 680-6970; titan@titanpivotparts com

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