Continuous Motion Electric Center Pivot

Continuous Motion Electric Center Pivot IRRIGATION Irrigation Systems 20-6-28 Conventional center pivot irrigation systems never move smoothly through the field - the towers are always starting and stopping which creates a lot of stress on motors, gearboxes, and the towers them-selves. It also causes uneven water distribution. A new "continuous motion" electric center pivot eliminates those problems by keeping all pivot towers moving together at a smooth, constant rate of travel. Once the system starts it continues to rotate with-out stopping until the circle is completed. "It extends the life of motors and gear-boxes and allows for precise water and chemical distribution," says Jim Martin, Powerhorse Corporation, Beachwood, Ohio. The company purchased the assets of Lockwood Corporation last year. The system, called the Navigator, is being offered on new Powerhorse Lockwood electric pivots and can also be retrofitted to existing Lockwood electric pivots. Eventually the company plans to offer retrofit kits for other pivot brands. The system uses standard electric motors and gearboxes. What's different is that each tower is outfitted with a solid state controller that's linked to a microprocessor-based control panel at the main tower. Each tower "communicates" its position to the control panel. In turn, the control panel guides each motor, speeding it up or slowing it down as needed. As a result the towers stay perfectly aligned at all times. "The end tower controls the speed and the other towers try to stay perfectly in line with it," says Martin. "It saves a lot of wear and tear because each motor and gearbox on a conventional irrigation system starts and stops over 2,500 times per revolution. When you add up the number of revolutions a typical center pivot makes per year it's no wonder that irrigators constantly have to replace motors and gearboxes. Our system will significantly reduce the need to replace motors and gearboxes. "Another advantage of the continuous motion is that the tower wheels aren't as likely to get stuck because they're always moving and don't sink into mud as easily. If for some reason one tower falls too far behind, the control panel shuts down the system. You can then take a handheld control unit to the tower that's stuck and use it to rock the tower free." The system adds about $5,000 to $6,000 to the cost of a new center pivot. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Powerhorse Corp., 23950 Commerce Park Rd., Beachwood, Ohio 44122 (ph 800 582-6156 or 216 595-1090).

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