Take-up device for drip irrigation lines

A device for taking up and paying out tubing of the type used for drip irrigation systems, said device comprising:

• (a) a portable frame assembly defining at least one bay having a front;
• (b) reel support means associated with said bay, said reel support means including a pair of oppositely disposed arms terminating at cradles adapted to engage and support said reel for rotation and means for raising and lowering said reel support means;
• (c) leveling means associated with said bay, said leveling means including guide means reciprocable to guide the application of said tubing on said reel as said reel rotates in relationship to the speed of the reel, said reel leveling means being pivotally connected to said frame and having a first position adjacent the face of said bay and wherein said guide means reciprocates transversely of said bay and being pivotal to a second out-of-the-way position providing access at the front of said bay;
• (d) said leveling means further including means for maintaining tension on the section of tubing extending between the reel and the said guide;
• (e) reel support spindle shaft means adapted to support said reel for rotation and receivable in said opposed cradles, said spindle shaft means including antifriction bearing means and locking means for selectively engaging said reel for rotation with said shaft, said spindle shaft, bearing means and locking means being detachable from said reel and said cradles;
• and
• (f) drive means selectively engageable through clutch means with said spindle shaft means, said drive means further including braking means for selectively breaking the rotation of said reel.