Crop input application systems, methods, and apparatus
AssigneeM.A. Industries, Inc.
InventorsGregg A. Sauder, Timothy Sauder, Justin L. Koch, Nowell Moore, Jonathan T. Welte, Reid Aberle, Steven Nuest
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Crop input application systems, methods and apparatus are provided. In some embodiments, an irrigation system is provided with a reel in fluid communication with a wellhead, secondary cart or fluid supply line outlet. In some embodiments, a drop assembly is incorporated in an irrigation system. In some embodiments, a crop applicator system traverses a field portion at a first speed in a first direction and then traverses the field portion at a second, lower speed in a second, opposite direction.
Claims13
A crop input applicator adapted to apply a crop input to a field, the field having a crop input source, the crop input applicator comprising:
- a frame rollingly supported on a plurality of wheels, wherein at least one of said plurality of wheels is a drive wheel capable of moving said frame in a first direction of travel and in a second direction of travel opposite said first direction of travel;
- a boom supported on said frame above a soil surface of the field, said boom extending transverse to said first and second direction of travel, said boom supporting a plurality of spaced applicators;
- a reel rotationally supported on said frame above the soil surface of the field, said reel supporting a length of conduit wound thereon, an inlet end of said length of conduit coupled to the crop input source, an outlet end of said length of conduit communicating a crop input from the crop input source to said plurality of spaced applicators;
- whereby, as said frame moves in said first direction of travel and away from the crop input source, said reel rotates in a first rotation direction such that a portion of said length of conduit is unwound from said reel onto the soil surface of the field;
- and
- whereby, as said frame moves in said second direction of travel back toward the crop input source, said reel rotates in a second rotation direction such that said unwound portion of said length of conduit on the soil surface is rewound back onto said reel.
A method of applying a crop input to a field, the method comprising:
- (a) positioning a vehicle in a first portion of the field, said vehicle including:
- a frame rollingly supported on a plurality of wheels, wherein at least one of said plurality of wheels is a drive wheel capable of moving said frame in a first direction of travel and in a second direction of travel opposite said first direction of travel;
- a boom supported on said frame above a soil surface of the field, said boom extending transverse to said first and second direction of travel, said boom supporting a plurality of spaced applicators;
- a power source supported on said frame, said power source operably powering said drive wheel;
- a reel rotationally supported on said frame above the soil surface of the field, said reel supporting a length of conduit wound thereon, said length of conduit having an inlet end and an outlet end, said outlet end of said length of conduit in fluid communication with said plurality of spaced applicators;
- (b) coupling said inlet end of said length of conduit to a crop input source disposed within the field;
- (c) communicating a crop input from said crop input source through said length of conduit;
- (d) driving said drive wheel to cause said vehicle to move in the first portion of the field in said first direction of travel and away from said crop input source, whereby, as said frame moves in said first direction of travel, said reel rotates in a first rotation direction such that a portion of said length of conduit is unwound from said reel onto the soil surface of the first portion of the field;
- and
- (e) driving said drive wheel to cause said vehicle to move in the first portion of the field in said second direction of travel and back toward said crop input source, whereby, as said frame moves in said second direction of travel, said reel rotates in a second rotation direction such that said unwound portion of said length of conduit is rewound back onto said reel, and whereby as said vehicle moves in said second direction of travel, applying said crop input through the plurality of applicators to the first portion of the field at a first application rate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.