Irrigation system

An irrigation system for crop irrigation, the irrigation system comprising:

• a pivot assembly comprising an inlet pipe assembly for inlet of water from a water supply to the irrigation system, and a frame separate from the inlet pipe assembly, in which frame the inlet pipe assembly is, in use, mounted and supported in a field to be irrigated, wherein the inlet pipe assembly comprises an upper pipe segment and a lower pipe segment, the upper pipe segment and the lower pipe segment extending vertically and coaxially with one another, wherein the upper pipe segment is mounted in the frame for rotation about a vertical pivot axis relative to the lower pipe segment;
• and
• a span assembly for connection to the pivot assembly to extend radially therefrom across the field, the span assembly comprising a distribution pipeline for fluid connection with the upper pipe segment of the inlet pipe assembly to convey the water along the span assembly for distributing the water to a plurality of sprinkler heads located along the span assembly for applying the water to the field, wherein the span assembly is configured to rotate about the pivot axis together with the upper pipe segment;
• wherein the pivot assembly includes a bearing arrangement for mounting the upper pipe segment for rotation about the vertical pivot axis relative to the lower pipe segment, wherein the bearing arrangement comprises a first bearing part that includes a collar directly fixed in the frame and a second bearing part for rigid attachment to the upper pipe segment, wherein the collar encompasses the upper pipe segment and the upper pipe segment extends downwards through the collar so a lower end region of the upper pipe segment connects with an upper end region of the lower pipe segment below the collar, and wherein the second bearing part is configured to seat or bear against an upper face of the collar during rotation of the upper pipe segment about the vertical pivot axis relative to the lower pipe segment.

A pivot assembly for an irrigation system, the pivot assembly comprising:

• a frame providing a stationary supporting structure to support the pivot assembly in a field to be irrigated;
• and
• an inlet pipe assembly that, in use, is mounted in the frame and supported by the frame for inlet of water from a water supply to the irrigation system;
• wherein the inlet pipe assembly comprises an upper pipe segment and a lower pipe segment that extend vertically and coaxially with one another, wherein a lower end region of the lower pipe segment has a water inlet configured for fluid connection to the water supply and a top end region of the upper pipe segment has a water outlet configured for fluid connection with a distribution pipeline of a span assembly, wherein the lower pipe segment is mounted fixed in the frame, and wherein the upper pipe segment is mounted in the frame for rotation about a vertical pivot axis relative to the lower pipe segment;
• wherein the frame has a bearing arrangement coupled thereto that mounts or supports the upper pipe segment for rotation about the vertical pivot axis relative to the lower pipe segment, wherein the bearing arrangement comprises a first bearing part that is fixed in the frame and a second bearing part for secure or rigid attachment to the upper pipe segment, wherein the first bearing part comprises a generally cylindrical support member that encompasses or surrounds the upper pipe segment, wherein the upper pipe segment extends downwards through the cylindrical support member, wherein a lower end region of the upper pipe segment is received within and connects with an upper end region of the lower pipe segment below the cylindrical support member.

An irrigation system for crop irrigation, the irrigation system comprising:

• a pivot assembly comprising an inlet pipe assembly for inlet of water from a water supply to the irrigation system, and a frame comprising a plurality of legs in a pyramidal structure which, in use, mounts and supports the inlet pipe assembly in a field to be irrigated, wherein the inlet pipe assembly comprises an upper pipe segment formed of a polymer plastic material and a lower pipe segment formed of a polymer plastic material, the upper pipe segment and the lower pipe segment extending generally vertically and coaxially with one another, wherein the upper pipe segment is mounted in the frame for rotation about a vertical pivot axis relative to the lower pipe segment;
• and
• a span assembly for connection to the pivot assembly to extend radially therefrom across the field, the span assembly comprising a distribution pipeline for fluid connection with the upper pipe segment of the inlet pipe assembly to convey the water along the span assembly for distributing the water to a plurality of sprinkler heads located along the span assembly for applying the water to the field, wherein the span assembly is configured to rotate about the vertical pivot axis together with the upper pipe segment;
• wherein the pivot assembly includes a bearing arrangement for mounting the upper pipe segment for rotation about the vertical pivot axis relative to the lower pipe segment, wherein the bearing arrangement comprises a first bearing part formed as a cylindrical support member that is fixed in the frame and a second bearing part for rigid attachment to the upper pipe segment, wherein the cylindrical support member encompasses or surrounds the upper pipe segment which extends downwards through the cylindrical support member, a lower end region of the upper pipe segment being received within and connecting with the lower pipe segment below the cylindrical support member, and wherein the second bearing part contacts or seats against the cylindrical support member for rotation of the upper pipe segment about the vertical pivot axis.