Anchoring apparatus for a mechanized irrigation system

A self-propelled irrigation system, comprising:

• an elongated water pipeline supported upon drive units which are spaced along the length of said pipeline;
• each of said drive units including an elongated main frame having drive wheels at the opposite ends thereof and a support frame extending upwardly from said main frame to said pipeline;
• said support frame including first and second support frame members which extend upwardly and inwardly from one end of said main frame to said pipeline in a V-shaped manner and third and fourth support frame members which extend upwardly and inwardly from the other end of said main frame to said pipeline in a V-shaped manner;
• an elongated lower support bar, having first and second ends, secured to said first and third support frame members which extends therebetween in a horizontal manner;
• an elongated upper support bar, having first and second ends, secured to said first and third support frame members which extends therebetween in a horizontal manner;
• a first auger anchor assembly including an elongated frame which is secured to said upper and lower support bars at said first ends thereof;
• said elongated frame of said first auger anchor assembly having upper and lower ends;
• said elongated frame of said first auger anchor assembly extending downwardly and outwardly from said upper end thereof to said lower end thereof;
• a first elongated auger anchor longitudinally movably mounted on said frame of said first auger anchor assembly between upper and lower positions;
• said first auger anchor having upper and lower ends;
• said first auger anchor having an auger member mounted on said lower end thereof;
• a first selectively reversible motor operatively secured to said upper end of said first auger anchor to selectively rotate said first auger anchor in first and second opposite directions;
• the rotation of said first motor in said first direction causing said first auger anchor to move downwardly, with respect to said frame of said first auger anchor assembly, from said upper position to said lower position to cause said auger member thereon to auger into the ground to anchor said first auger anchor in the ground;
• the rotation of said first motor in said second direction causing said first auger anchor to move upwardly, with respect to said frame of said first auger anchor assembly, from said lower position to said upper position thereby withdrawing said auger member thereon from the ground;
• a second auger anchor assembly including an elongated frame which is secured to said upper and lower support bars at said second ends thereof;
• said elongated frame of said second auger anchor assembly having upper and lower ends;
• a second elongated auger anchor longitudinally movably mounted on said frame of said second auger anchor assembly between upper and lower positions;
• said second auger anchor having upper and lower ends;
• said second auger anchor having an auger member mounted on said lower end thereof;
• and a second selectively reversible motor operatively secured to said upper end of said second auger anchor to selectively rotate said second auger anchor in first and second opposite directions;
• the rotation of said second motor in said first direction causing said second auger anchor to move downwardly, with respect to said frame of said second auger anchor assembly, from said upper position to said lower position and to cause said auger member thereon to auger into the ground to anchor said second auger anchor into the ground;
• the rotation of said second motor in said second direction causing said second auger anchor to move upwardly, with respect to said frame of said second auger anchor assembly, from said lower position to said upper position thereby withdrawing said auger member thereon from the ground.