Automated adjustable drop hose for mechanized irrigation

A nozzle height adjustment subsystem to adjust a height above ground of a single drop hose of an irrigation system, the nozzle height adjustment subsystem comprising:

• a single spool including a central hub, the spool configured to retain the single drop hose to which a nozzle is attached;
• a single electric motor including a shaft coupled to the central hub, the single electric motor, when activated, being operable to rotate the single spool in a first direction to wind the single drop hose on the single spool or a second, opposite direction to unwind the single drop hose from the single spool;
• and
• a single control device including electronic circuitry configured to generate a signal that activates the single electric motor.

An irrigation system comprising:

• a plurality of mobile support towers;
• a fluid conduit supported by the mobile support towers, the fluid conduit configured to provide fluid from a fluid source;
• a plurality of drop hose and nozzle assemblies, each drop hose and nozzle assembly including:
• a drop hose,
• a nozzle connected to one end of the drop hose, the nozzle configured to disperse fluid, and
• a connecting hose coupled to the fluid conduit and configured to provide fluid to only the drop hose and nozzle;
• and
• a plurality of nozzle height adjustment subsystems allowing a height above ground of each drop hose to be adjusted individually, each nozzle height adjustment subsystem including:
• a spool including a central hub, the spool retaining at least a portion of one drop hose,
• an electric motor including a shaft coupled to the central hub, the electric motor, when activated, being operable to rotate the spool in a first direction or a second, opposite direction, and
• a control device including electronic circuitry configured to generate a signal that activates the electric motor.