Patent GB-1353911-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for irrigating land
IPC: A01G25/09
Filed: 1971-06-18
Abstract: 1353911 Mobile irrigation apparatus N P BADOOCK 18 June 1971 [18 June 1970] 28804/71 Heading A1D [Also in Division B7] An apapratus for irrigating land includes a mobile carriage 16 having at least one transport wheel 24, a driving motor which may be internal combustion, electric- or water-powered, and spray means, e.g. rotating nozzle 22. The carriage is driven outwardly in a substantially straight path from a fixed hydrant 10 and a hose 14 is paid out by a rotary reel or turntable 18 until at a pre-determined distance, on reaching the end of the hose or on meeting an obstacle, the drive to the wheel(s) is reversed. The carriage returns along the same path and picks up the hose. On engaging the hydrant, the carriage is caused to be displaced angularly about the hydrant and subsequently follows another path outwardly from the hydrant. This can continue indefinitely. The drive to the wheels may be reversed by the operation of reversing gear box arm 64 by a bumper bar 26 via rod 96, by arm 30 which operates when stop 92 on the arm engages an adjustable stop 93 on the hose, or by other means which act on the arm 64 after the carriage has been indexed about the hydrant. On approaching the hydrant, plunger 98 on "pole" 28 of the carriage, Fig. 2B engages a stop 99 on a swivel outlet 12 of the hydrant and opens a valve 50, Fig. 5, to allow water in a steering cylinder 44, Fig. 2A to drain out through pipe 47 such that the normally extended cylinder retracts and the carriage swivels about a pivot 40 connecting the pole to the carriage, see Fig. 10. The carriage then indexes about the hydrant swivel junction and the movement causes bell-crank 100 on pole 28 to engage pin 101 on pawl arm 102 of a pawl and ratchet mechanism on the hydrant. Normally disengaged pawl 105 engages wheel 106 and further indexing of the carriage stops. Simultaneously linkage 109 connected to arm 64 reverses the motor and the valve 50 closes or may be isolated by valve 51 and the carriage strightens and follows a new outward path. A template tracing mechanism 112-125, Figs. 14, 15 may also be incorporated, the template 112 being cut out in the shape of the area to be watered and rotated by pawl and ratchet mechanism 114-117 operated by relative movement of the pole 28 and the carriage during indexing movement so that the template, on the inward and outward journeys of the carriage, maintains the same orientation with respect to the area to be watered. Tracer 124 is moved by cam 122 connected to the carriage gear box. On striking the template edges pivot rod 119 is moved and link 125 acts on reversing gear arm 64 to reverse the carriage. In another embodiment the pawl and ratchet indexing control mechanism is replaced by a plunger on the end of a cranked pole 28, Fig. 12, which is operated after indexing has already started and engages stops which close valve 51 in order to extend cylinder 44. The speed of the carriage may be increased on approaching the hydrant to ensure even water distribution by a valve circuit, Fig. 8, by-passing the hydraulic mtor 20 and which is controlled by an arm 30 engaging the turns of hose on the reel.  Other forms of carriage have single or double steerable wheels and/or extra wheels lowered to replace the wheels 24 for rotation around the hydrant. The hydrant swivel outlet 12 may be extended and bent (Fig. 19, not shown) so that the carriage does not engage the hydrant but moves alongside and round. Turntable 18 may be rotated by water motor 77 in one direction to wind in or tension the hose during winding out.