Patent Publication Number: US-2023148304-A1

Title: Hose reel prime mover and hose reel system including the same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/843,925, filed Jun. 17, 2022, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,540,457, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/886,539, filed May 28, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,432,482, which is a continuation-in-part of International PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2019/015885, filed Jan. 30, 2019, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/625,568, filed Feb. 2, 2018, the entire content of all of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     Aspects of example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a hose reel prime mover and a hose reel system including the hose reel prime mover. 
     2. Related Art 
     As the world&#39;s population increases and arable land decreases due to, for example, climate change and population growth, farmers are under increasing pressure to improve crop yields, that is, to increase the amount of food (e.g., corn, soybeans, etc.) harvested per acre, while also reducing costs. These pressures have caused farmers to increasingly rely on automation to reduce the number of workers required per acre while also ensuring efficient use of the relatively expensive farm equipment, such as tractors, irrigation systems, etc. and efficient use of resources, such as water. 
     One method of increasing crop yield is irrigation. Irrigation is the practice of artificially supplying farmland with water to promote crop growth. When irrigating a field, it is important to ensure that the crops are not under-irrigated, which can result in crop die off or delayed or reduced crop yield, or over-irrigated, which can also result in crop die off and also wastes water and energy. 
     Different agricultural irrigation systems may be used, including permanent or semi-permanent sprinkler irrigation systems, center pivot irrigation systems, and traveling irrigation systems. Of these irrigation systems, traveling irrigation systems provide an attractive combination of relatively low initial investment and flexibility. Unlike the permanent or semi-permanent sprinkler irrigation systems and the center pivot irrigation system, all of which are relatively immobile, traveling irrigation systems are mobile, such that one traveling irrigation system can cover a relatively large field and can be moved between different fields, making such systems economical. 
     Of the traveling irrigation systems, wheel-line irrigation systems (also referred to as “side rolls”) generally include a relatively rigid water supply pipe with a plurality of sprinklers and wheels arranged at regular intervals along the water supply pipe. The water supply pipe is relatively rigid because it acts as an axle for the wheels, and the wheels support the water supply pipe. The wheels may be fixedly mounted to the water supply pipe to rotate along with the water supply pipe. The water supply pipe has a diameter in a range of about four inches to about five inches and may have an overall length of about an eighth of a mile to a quarter mile or longer. The wheels may have a diameter of about five feet to about ten feet and may be spaced apart from each other by about 30 feet to about 40 feet. 
     Typically, a prime mover (e.g., a power mover) is positioned at or near the center of the water supply pipe to move the wheel-line across a field between irrigation sets, that is, between different areas of the field to be irrigated. Prime movers for wheel-lines generally include an internal combustion engine (e.g., a gasoline engine) that spins the water supply pipe, thereby causing the wheels that are fixedly mounted to the water supply pipe to rotate, causing the wheel-line to move across the field. As described further below, the prime mover is used to move the wheel-line between sets. 
     After the wheel-line is positioned in a field, a worker connects the water supply pipe to a mainline water outlet via a flexible hose. Generally, the mainline water outlets are connected to fixed (e.g., rigid) water lines that are permanent or semi-permanent fixtures in the field. Then, a valve at the mainline water outlet is opened to provide pressurized water to the water supply pipe of the wheel-line via the flexible hose. After an amount of time has passed and the portion of the field under and around the wheel-line (a “set”) is sufficiently irrigated, the wheel-line is moved to another portion of the field (another “set”) and the process is repeated. Generally, mainline water outlets are arranged about every 50 to 60 feet across a field. 
     To move the wheel-line, a worker closes the valve at the mainline water outlet, drains the water supply pipe, engages the prime mover to move the water-line to the next mainline water outlet, connects the water supply pipe to the next mainline water outlet via the flexible hose, and re-energizes the water supply pipe with pressurized water to irrigate the new area of the field (e.g., the next set). 
     When the wheel-line reaches the end of the field and completes the final set, the worker disconnects the wheel-line from the mainline water outlet, moves the wheel-line back across the entire length of the field or to another field, and begins the process again. 
     Other types of traveling irrigation systems include traveling gun irrigation systems and water-reel irrigation systems. These systems generally include one or more large sprinklers on a cart (e.g., a mobile cart). The cart is attached to a water supply hose, and the water supply hose is spooled on a hose reel. Generally, the hose reel is moved to one end of a traveling lane in a field, and the cart is then pulled to the other end of the traveling lane by, for example, a tractor while the hose reel remains in place and the water supply hose spools out. Then, the water supply hose is energized and pressurized water flows through the water supply hose to the sprinkler. While the pressurized water exits the sprinkler, the hose reel turns by an internal combustion engine or directly by water pressure, thereby winding up (e.g., retracting) the water supply hose and slowly moving (or pulling) the cart back down the traveling lane toward the hose reel, which remains stationary while the cart moves along the traveling lane. In some cases, the cart may be extended about a quarter-mile or more down the traveling lane from the hose reel. By this method, the traveling gun and water-reel can irrigate a relatively large field (or a relatively large portion of a field) by moving along traveling lanes in the field as they irrigate. 
     However, after the traveling gun and/or water-reel complete a pass, that is, completes a return trip down a traveling lane, a worker is generally required to attend to the traveling gun or water-reel by de-energizing the water supply hose, moving the cart and water-reel to another traveling lane by, for example, a tractor, pulling the cart to the end of the next traveling lane, and then re-energizing the water supply hose. Depending on the length of the traveling lanes, this process may be repeated multiple times a day. 
     Farms often employ a plurality of the above-described irrigation systems, thereby necessitating one or more dedicated workers to continuously monitor, move, and re-set the traveling irrigation systems. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure is directed toward various embodiments of a hydroelectrically-charged agricultural irrigation prime mover, a hydroelectrically-charged agricultural irrigation hose reel prime mover, and a mobile agricultural irrigation system including the prime mover and/or the hose reel prime mover. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a hydroelectrically-charged agricultural irrigation prime mover includes: a carriage; a plurality of wheels coupled to the carriage; a fluid supply pipe configured to receive a pressurized fluid; an electric drive system; and a hydroelectric charging system. The electric drive system includes: a battery pack; and a motor electrically connected to the battery pack and configured to rotate at least some of the wheels. The hydroelectric charging system includes: a turbine fluidly connected to the fluid supply pipe to receive at least some of the pressurized fluid; and a hydroelectric generator connected to the turbine and configured to charge the battery pack. 
     The motor may be configured to rotate the fluid supply pipe. 
     The turbine may be an in-line turbine. 
     The hydroelectrically-charged agricultural irrigation prime mover may further include a steering axle and a non-steering axle. Each of the steering axle and the non-steering axle may have a plurality of the wheels connected thereto. 
     The motor may be configured to simultaneously rotate the fluid supply pipe and the non-steering axle. 
     The hydroelectrically-charged agricultural irrigation prime mover may further include a hose reel rotatably connected to the carriage. 
     The hydroelectrically-charged agricultural irrigation prime mover may further include a second motor electrically connected to the battery pack. The second motor may be configured to rotate the hose reel. 
     The hydroelectrically-charged agricultural irrigation prime mover may further include a flexible hose on the hose reel. The carriage may have an opening therein through which one end of the flexible hose passes. 
     The hydroelectrically-charged agricultural irrigation prime mover may further include a hose director configured to move back-and-forth across the opening in the carriage and to direct the flexible hose through the opening. 
     The hydroelectrically-charged agricultural irrigation prime mover may further include a linear actuator to move the hose director. 
     The hydroelectrically-charged agricultural irrigation prime mover may further include a double-acting cylinder to move the hose director. 
     The turbine may be above the hose reel with respect to the carriage. 
     The hydroelectrically-charged agricultural irrigation prime mover may further include a nozzle connected to an outlet of the turbine. 
     The hydroelectrically-charged agricultural irrigation prime mover may further include a fitting connected to an outlet of the turbine. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a mobile agricultural irrigation system includes: a water supply pipe including a plurality of wheels and sprinklers arranged along a length of the water supply pipe; and a hose reel prime mover connected to a proximal end of the water supply pipe. The hose reel prime mover includes an electric drive system and a hydroelectric charging system. The electric drive system includes a battery pack and a first motor electrically connected to the battery pack. The first motor is configured to move the hose reel prime mover. The hydroelectric charging system includes a turbine configured to be powered by a pressurized fluid and a hydroelectric generator powered by the turbine and configured to charge the battery pack. 
     The hose reel prime mover may further include a hose reel on which a flexible hose is arranged. The electric drive system of the hose reel prime mover may further include a second motor electrically connected to the battery pack and configured to rotate the hose reel. 
     The hose reel prime mover may further include a hose director configured to move back-and-forth to direct the flexible hose onto and off of the hose reel. 
     The hose reel prime mover may further include a third motor electrically connected to the battery pack and configured to move the hose director. 
     The hose reel prime mover may further include a controller, and the controller may be configured to control a rotational speed of the hose reel in coordination with a movement speed of the hose director and a movement speed of the hose reel prime mover. 
     The mobile agricultural irrigation system may further include a second prime mover connected along the water supply pipe at a distance from the hose reel prime mover and at a distance from a distal end of the water supply pipe. The second prime mover may include an electric drive system and a hydroelectric charging system configured to power the electric drive system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic illustration of a mobile agricultural irrigation system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a schematic illustration of a hydroelectrically-charged agricultural irrigation prime mover of the mobile agricultural irrigation system shown in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    shows the hydroelectrically-charged agricultural irrigation prime mover shown in  FIG.  2    with a raised cover; 
         FIG.  4    shows a drivetrain of the hydroelectrically-charged agricultural irrigation prime mover shown in  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  5    shows the drivetrain of the hydroelectrically-charged agricultural irrigation prime mover shown in  FIG.  2    with the cover attached thereto; 
         FIGS.  6  and  7    show a portion of the drivetrain of the hydroelectrically-charged agricultural irrigation prime mover shown in  FIGS.  4  and  5   ; 
         FIG.  8    shows another embodiment of the hydroelectrically-charged agricultural irrigation prime mover according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  9    is a schematic illustration of a mobile agricultural irrigation system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  10 - 12    are schematic illustrations of the hydroelectrically-charged agricultural hose reel prime mover of the mobile agricultural irrigation system shown in  FIG.  9   ; 
         FIGS.  13  and  14    are schematic illustrations of the hydroelectrically-charged agricultural hose reel prime mover according to other embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  15 - 17    are schematic illustrations of a hydroelectrically-charged agricultural traveling gun prime mover; and 
         FIGS.  18  and  19    are schematic illustrations of the hydroelectrically-charged agricultural traveling gun prime mover according to other embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure is directed toward various embodiments of a hydroelectrically-charged agricultural irrigation prime mover, a hydroelectrically-charged agricultural irrigation hose reel prime mover, and a mobile agricultural irrigation system including the prime mover and/or the hose reel prime mover. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a hydroelectrically-charged agricultural irrigation prime mover and the hydroelectrically-charged agricultural irrigation hose reel prime mover include an electric drivetrain powered by a hydroelectrically-charged battery pack. The battery pack may be charged by using pressurized water used to irrigate a field, thereby allowing the prime movers to operate relatively independently of any outside intervention by, for example, not requiring any gasoline or solar power to operate. 
     Hereinafter, example embodiments of the present disclosure will be described, in more detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure, however, may be embodied in various different forms and should not be construed as being limited to only the embodiments illustrated herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided as examples so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the aspects and features of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, processes, elements, and techniques that are not necessary to those having ordinary skill in the art for a complete understanding of the aspects and features of the present disclosure may not be described. Unless otherwise noted, like reference numerals denote like elements throughout the attached drawings and the written description, and thus, descriptions thereof may not be repeated. 
     It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, and/or layers, these elements, components, and/or layers should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, or layer from another element, component, or layer. Thus, a first element, component, or layer described below could be termed a second element, component, or layer without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     It will be understood that when an element or component is referred to as being “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or component, it may be directly connected or coupled to the other element or component or one or more intervening elements or components may also be present. When an element or component is referred to as being “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or component, there are no intervening element or component present. For example, when a first element is described as being “coupled” or “connected” to a second element, the first element may be directly coupled or connected to the second element or the first element may be indirectly coupled or connected to the second element via one or more intervening elements. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a” and “an” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and “including,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. That is, the processes, methods, and algorithms described herein are not limited to the operations indicated and may include additional operations or may omit some operations, and the order of the operations may vary according to some embodiments. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     As used herein, the term “substantially,” “about,” and similar terms are used as terms of approximation and not as terms of degree, and are intended to account for the inherent variations in measured or calculated values that would be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art. Further, the use of “may” when describing embodiments of the present disclosure refers to “one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.” As used herein, the terms “use,” “using,” and “used” may be considered synonymous with the terms “utilize,” “utilizing,” and “utilized,” respectively. Also, the term “example” is intended to refer to an example or illustration. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and/or the present specification, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense, unless expressly so defined herein. 
     The controller, transceiver, battery management system, and/or any other relevant devices or components according to embodiments of the present disclosure described herein may be implemented utilizing any suitable hardware (e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit), firmware, software, and/or a suitable combination of software, firmware, and hardware. For example, the various components of the controller, transceiver, and/or battery management system may be formed on (or realized in) one integrated circuit (IC) chip or on separate IC chips. Further, the various components of the controller, transceiver, and/or battery management system may be implemented on a flexible printed circuit film, a tape carrier package (TCP), a printed circuit board (PCB), etc. Further, the described actions may be processes or threads, running on one or more processors (e.g., one or more CPUs, GPUs, etc.), in one or more computing devices, executing computer program instructions and interacting with other system components to perform the various functionalities described herein. The computer program instructions may be stored in a memory, which may be implemented in a computing device using a standard memory device, such as, for example, a random access memory (RAM). The computer program instructions may also be stored in other non-transitory computer readable media such as, for example, a CD-ROM, flash drive, HDD, SSD, or the like. Also, a person of skill in the art should recognize that the functionality of various computing devices may be combined or integrated into a single computing device or the functionality of a particular computing device may be distributed across one or more other computing devices without departing from the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , a mobile agricultural irrigation system  10  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. The mobile agricultural irrigation system  10  shown in  FIG.  1    is embodied as a wheel-line irrigation system, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, in other embodiments, the mobile agricultural irrigation system  10  may be embodied as a traveling gun irrigation system, a water-reel irrigation system, a traveling boom irrigation system, water-reel irrigation system and/or a linear line irrigation system. 
     The mobile agricultural irrigation system  10  includes a water supply pipe (e.g., a fluid supply pipe)  11  configured to receive a pressurized water (e.g., a pressurized fluid), a plurality of wheels  12  arranged at intervals along and fixedly mounted to the water supply pipe  11 , a plurality of sprinklers  13  arranged at intervals along the water supply pipe  11 , and a hydroelectrically-charged agricultural irrigation prime mover  100  (also referred to herein as the “prime mover  100 ”) connected to the water supply pipe  11 . The water supply pipe  11  supplies water to the field via the sprinklers  13 . Although the prime mover  100  is shown as being at an approximate center of the water supply pipe  11  in  FIG.  1   , the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the mobile agricultural irrigation system  10  may include a plurality of the prime movers  100 , with the prime movers  100  being positioned at opposite ends of the water supply pipe  11 . By providing the prime movers  100  at the opposite ends of the water supply pipe  11 , the mobile agricultural irrigation system  10  may be more accurately positioned in the field. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  2 - 7   , the hydroelectrically-charged agricultural irrigation prime mover  100  is shown in more detail. As discussed above, the prime mover  100  may be used with, as a few examples, wheel-line irrigation systems, water-reel irrigation systems, traveling gun irrigation systems, traveling boom irrigation systems, and linear line irrigation systems. While the prime mover  100  is shown as being used with a wheel-line irrigation system, aspects and features of the prime mover  100  will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art as being applicable to water-reel irrigation systems, traveling gun irrigation systems, and traveling boom irrigation systems. Put another way, the aspects and features of the present disclosure are not limited to a prime mover for a wheel-line irrigation system, and embodiments of the present disclosure directed to water-reel and other traveling irrigation systems are contemplated herein. 
     The prime mover  100  may include a carriage (e.g., a U-shaped carriage or support)  105  extending between and supported by a plurality of (e.g., a pair of) steering wheels  101  and a plurality of (e.g., a pair of) non-steering wheels  102 . As will be discussed further below, the steering and non-steering wheels  101 / 102  may both be (or may all be) driven wheels. For example, all of the wheels  101 / 102  of the prime mover  100  may be driven (or powered) wheels. 
     The steering wheels  101  may be connected to each other by a steering axle  103 , and the non-steering wheels  102  may be connected to each other by a non-steering axle  104 . The steering axle  103  may be pivotably connected to the carriage  105 , and the non-steering axle  104  may be non-pivotably mounted to the carriage  105 . Bearings may be used between the carriage  105  and the axles  103 / 104  to permit the axles  103 / 104  to spin (or rotate) relative to the carriage  105 . 
     The prime mover  100  may further include a steering box (e.g., a steering motor and gearbox)  106  configured to pivot the steering axle  103  and, thereby, steer the prime mover  100 . A steering shaft  107  may extend between and connect the steering box  106  to the steering axle  103 . 
     In other embodiments, the prime mover  100  may have all-wheel steering. For example, in other embodiments, a second steering box may be included to pivot the other axle  104 . In this way, the turning radius of the prime mover  100  may be improved over the embodiment which has only a single steering axle  103 . 
     The prime mover  100  includes a cover  110  covering (or substantially covering) a hydroelectric charging system and an electric drive system (e.g., drivetrain), the hydroelectric charging system being configured to power (e.g., charge) the electric drive system. The cover  110  may have two halves  111 / 112  that may be opened and/or closed independently from each other to inspect and/or service the electric drive system and the hydroelectric charging system. 
     The hydroelectric charging system may include a water supply pipe (e.g., a fluid supply pipe)  120 , which has an inlet portion  123  and an outlet portion  124 , a shut-off valve  121  and shut-off valve motor  122  configured to control the shut-off valve  121 , an inlet junction box  125  at the inlet portion  123  of the water supply pipe  120 , a turbine inlet hose  127 , a turbine  128  and hydroelectric generator  129 , a turbine outlet hose  130 , and an outlet junction box  131  at the outlet portion  124  of the water supply pipe  120 . The hydroelectric generator  129  may be powered by the turbine  128  to charge a battery pack  132 , and the battery pack  132  may power a motor  133  and gearbox  134  of the electric drive system, which is further described below. 
     Although the hydroelectric charging system is shown to receive water flow from the right side of the prime mover  100  (e.g., the right side when viewing toward the non-steering axle  104 ), relevant components of the hydroelectric charging system may be reversed in other embodiments to accommodate water flow from the left side of the prime mover  100 . In some embodiments, the prime mover  100  may operate bi-directionally. For example, the prime mover  100  may move with the steering axle  103  or the non-steering axle  104  in front, such that the components of the hydroelectric charging system do not need to be moved or changed to accommodate water flow from another side of the prime mover  100 . 
     The turbine  128  is illustrated as being a radial flow turbine in which the water flows through the turbine in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of an output shaft that turns (e.g., powers) the hydroelectric generator  129 . The hydroelectric charging system is not limited to using a radial flow turbine, however, and may use an axial flow turbine (e.g., an in-line turbine) or a spiral flow turbine. 
     The electric drive system may include the battery pack  132 , the motor  133  electrically connected to the battery pack  132 , and the gearbox  134 . The gearbox  134  is connected to the motor  133  and the sprockets  135 . In some embodiments, the gearbox  134  may be a plurality of sprockets, including the sprocket  135 . In other embodiments, the gearbox  134  may be omitted and a direct-drive system employed. 
     The prime mover  100  may also include a controller to control the electric drive system, the hydroelectric charging system, and/or the steering box  106 . The controller may also be powered by the battery pack  132 . In other embodiments, the controller may be separate from the motor  133  and/or may be powered by an independent power supply. 
     The controller may also include (or may communicate with) a transceiver configured for two-way wireless radio communication. As will be discussed further below, by using the transceiver, the prime mover  100  may report its position, current operating status, state of charge of the battery pack  132 , etc. to a central operating platform, thereby enabling one worker or a central controller to remotely monitor and/or control a plurality of the prime movers  100 . 
     The battery pack  132  may include a plurality of individual battery cells connected to each other in series and/or in parallel. In some embodiments, the battery pack  132  may include three battery cells, each operating at 12 volts, connected to each other in series, such that the battery pack  132  provides 36 volts to the motor  133 . In the illustrated embodiment, only two battery cells are shown so that a battery tray, on which the battery cells are arranged, is visible. Nevertheless, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the battery pack  132  may include any suitable number of battery cells connected to each other in series and/or in parallel to provide increased voltage and/or increased power. The battery pack  132  may further include, for example, a battery management system (BMS) to monitor a state of charge (SoC) of the battery cells, for enabling and disabling charging of the battery cells, and/or for charge leveling among the battery cells. In other embodiments, one or more super capacitors may be used in place of the battery pack  132 . 
     The gearbox  134  may be driven by the motor  133  and may drive the water supply pipe  120  and both the steering axle  103  and the non-steering axle  104  by, for example, a chain drive system including a plurality of sprockets or a belt drive system including a plurality of pulleys. In the illustrated embodiment, the gearbox  134  drives a chain drive system, which includes three sprockets  135  fixedly mounted to the water supply pipe  120  under the carriage  105 . From among the three sprockets  135 , one sprocket is driven by the gearbox  134  and the other two sprockets may respectively drive the first and second driven sprockets  136 / 137 , which drive the axles  103 / 104 , respectively. 
     When the prime mover  100  is commanded to move, the motor  133 , which is powered by energy stored in the battery pack  132 , rotates an output shaft which turns the gearbox  134 . The gearbox  134  then rotates one of the sprockets  135 , which rotates the water supply pipe  120  and the other two sprockets  135 . By rotating the water supply pipe  120 , the other wheels mounted to the water supply pipe  120  rotate. Further, the other two sprockets  135  drive the sprockets  136 / 137 , thereby driving the wheels  101 / 102  and moving the prime mover  100 . In this manner, the prime mover  100  and the mobile agricultural irrigation system  10  move together. 
     Hereinafter, referring to  FIGS.  6  and  7   , the hydroelectric charging system will be described in more detail. First, pressurized water from a mainline water outlet enters the water supply pipe  120  of the prime mover  100 . The water may be pressurized from about 45 to about 120 pounds-per-square inch (psi). The water supply pipe  120  may have a diameter of about four to about five inches, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Further, the water supply pipe  120  may be pivotably connected to the prime mover  100 , including being pivotably connected to the shut-off valve  121 , the inlet junction box  125 , and the outlet junction box  131 , such that the water supply pipe  120  may pivot or rotate relative to the prime mover  100 . 
     When the shut-off valve  121  is open, the pressurized water passes through the shut-off valve  121  and into the inlet portion  123  of the water supply pipe  120 . The inlet junction box  125  surrounds a circumference of the inlet portion  123  of the water supply pipe  120 , and a plurality of openings (e.g., holes)  126  are formed in the portion of the water supply pipe  120  surrounded and sealed by the inlet junction box  125  (e.g., a perforated portion of an exterior surface of the inlet portion  123  of the water supply pipe  120  is surrounded and fluidly sealed by the inlet junction box  125 ). Because the water supply pipe  120  rotates relative to the prime mover  100 , the inlet junction box  125  may include gaskets, such as O-rings, fluidly sealing the pressurized water between the exterior surface of the water supply pipe  120  and the inlet junction box  125 . 
     The openings  126  in the inlet portion  123  of the water supply pipe  120  allow a portion of the pressurized water to escape from the water supply pipe  120  into the inlet junction box  125 , and the pressurized water in the inlet junction box  125  may be passed into the turbine  128  via the turbine inlet hose  127 . Again, because the water supply pipe  120  rotates relative to the prime mover  100 , the inlet junction box  125  allows for pressurized water to move from the water supply pipe  120  to the turbine  128  without the turbine inlet hose  127  being fixed to the rotatable water supply pipe  120 . Also, because the flowrate of pressurized water in the water supply pipe  120  is relatively high as it is intended to irrigate a field, introducing the entire flowrate of pressurized water from the water supply pipe  120  into the turbine  128  may damage the turbine  128  and may reduce the water pressure to the portion of the water supply pipe  120  beyond the prime mover  100 , thereby causing uneven irrigation of the field. By using the inlet junction box  125  and the perforated inlet portion  123  of the water supply pipe  120 , only a portion of the pressurized water is diverted from the water supply pipe  120  to the turbine  128 , thereby increasing the lifespan of the turbine  128  and mitigating any reduction in water pressure in the portion of the water supply pipe  120  beyond the prime mover  100 . 
     As the water moves into the turbine  128  via the turbine inlet hose  127 , the water contacts and moves a plurality of blades of a turbine runner in the turbine  128 , causing the turbine runner to spin. The spinning turbine runner spins a driveshaft, which spins a rotor of the hydroelectric generator  129  within a stator. By spinning the rotor within the stator, an electrical current is generated by the hydroelectric generator  129 , and the electrical current is output to the battery pack  132 . The electrical current generated by the hydroelectric generator  129  may be used to charge the battery pack  132  while the pressurized water flows through the water supply pipe  120  to irrigate the field. 
     As the pressurized water exits the turbine  128 , it flows through the turbine outlet hose  130  and into the outlet portion  124  of the water supply pipe  120  at the outlet junction box  131 . Similar to the perforated inlet portion  123  of the water supply pipe  120  at the inlet junction box  125 , the outlet portion  124  of the water supply pipe  120  is surrounded and sealed by the outlet junction box  131  and has a plurality of openings (e.g., holes) therein to allow the pressurized water exhausted from the turbine  128  to re-enter the water supply pipe  120 . Thus, the water supply pipe  120  may have two perforated portions, one at the inlet portion  123  where the inlet junction box  125  is arranged and another at the outlet portion  124  where the outlet junction box  131  is arranged. Further, the openings (e.g., the perforations) in perforated outlet portion  124  of the water supply pipe  120  may be configured to induce a Venturi effect to provide a scavenging effect to reduce the backpressure on the turbine  128 . For example, the perforations in the perforated outlet portion  124  of the water supply pipe  120  at the outlet junction box  131  may be formed as an orifice plate to increase the velocity and reduce the fluid pressure of the water exhausted from the turbine  128  as it returns to the water supply pipe  120  due to, at least in part, the reduced pressure of the water entering the outlet junction box  131  after having exited the turbine  128  compared to the pressure of the water in the water supply pipe  120 . 
     In some embodiments, an inlet valve may be provided at the inlet of the turbine  128 . In such an embodiment, when the controller determines that the state of charge (SoC) of the battery pack  132  is below a threshold, the inlet valve may be opened to allow the pressurized water to pass through the turbine  128  such that the hydroelectric generator  129  charges the battery pack  132 . And when the controller determines that the SoC of the battery pack  132  is above the threshold, the inlet valve may be closed to prevent pressurized water from passing through the turbine  128 , thereby preventing the battery pack  132  from being overcharged and reducing wear on the other components of the hydroelectric charging system. 
     When the mobile agricultural irrigation system  10 , which includes the prime mover  100 , is ready to be moved across the field, the shut-off valve  121  may be closed by the shut-off valve motor  111  and the pressurized water may be drained from the water supply pipe  120 . The shut-off valve  121  may be closed manually, such as by a worker in the field, remotely by a command received via the transceiver, or automatically (or autonomously) by the controller. Then, the electric drive system of the prime mover  100  may be activated to move the prime mover  100  and the mobile agricultural irrigation system  10 . For example, the motor  133  may be activated manually, remotely by a command received via the transceiver, or automatically (or autonomously) by the controller to drive the prime mover  100  and the mobile agricultural irrigation system  10  by using the energy stored in the battery pack  132 . In some embodiments, the prime mover  100  may be remotely controlled and/or may be autonomous, such that the controller may (e.g., may automatically or autonomously) close the shut-off valve  121 , wait an amount of time for the pressurized water to drain from the water supply pipe  120  or wait until a drop of pressure in the water supply pipe  120  below a threshold is sensed by a pressure sensor or the like, activate the motor  133  to move the prime mover  100  and the mobile agricultural irrigation system  10  a distance (e.g., a set distance) across the field, and then open the shut-off valve  121  to resume irrigation and to charge the battery pack  132 . In some embodiments, the distance may correspond to a distance between mainline water outlets in the field, such as about 50 or 60 feet. In other embodiments, the controller may include a positioning system, such as a satellite-based positioning system (e.g., GPS, GLONASS, etc.) and may use positioning information obtained from the positioning system to move itself across the field. For example, the controller may store a number of waypoints in a field and may use the position determined by the positioning system to move between the waypoints. 
     In embodiments in which the mobile agricultural irrigation system  10  includes a plurality of the prime movers  100 , such as one prime mover  100  at each end of the water supply pipe  120 , one of the prime movers  100  may be a primary and the other prime mover  100  may be a slave to the primary prime mover  100 . In such an embodiment, the controller of the primary prime mover  100  may control the controller of the slave prime mover  100  by using the transceivers. For example, the primary prime mover  100  may command the slave prime mover  100  to move when it does, in the same direction, and for the same amount of time, to ensure that the mobile agricultural irrigation system  10  remains straight in the field. 
       FIG.  8    illustrates a hydroelectrically-charged agricultural irrigation prime mover  150  (also referred to herein as the “prime mover  150 ”) according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. For ease of understanding, the differences between the prime mover  100  described above and shown in  FIGS.  1 - 7    and the prime mover  150  shown in  FIG.  8    will be primarily described below. Further, the elements and components indicated by the same numerals between the prime mover  100  and the prime mover  150  indicate the same or substantially similar elements or components, and as such, repeated descriptions thereof may be omitted. 
     The prime mover  150  includes a hydroelectric charging system and an electric drive system, and the hydroelectric charging system is configured to power (e.g., charge) the electric drive system. 
     The hydroelectric charging system may include a water supply pipe (e.g., a fluid supply pipe), which has an inlet portion and an outlet portion, and a turbine  178  and hydroelectric generator  179 . The turbine  178  is an in-line turbine and does not require re-routing of the pressurized fluid from the water supply pipe to generate power. The in-line turbine  178  may spin the hydroelectric generator  179  by a belt or chain drive, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. 
     In  FIG.  8   , the in-line turbine  178  is shown as an axial flow turbine in which the water flow passes through pitched blades, which causes the blades to spin and rotate an output shaft to power the hydroelectric generator  179 . In other embodiments, however, the in-line turbine  178  may be a paddlewheel turbine (see, e.g.,  FIG.  13   ) in which a plurality of paddles extend into the water flow through the water supply pipe  170 , causing the paddles to spin and rotate an output shaft to power the hydroelectric generator  179 . And in yet other embodiments, the in-line turbine  178  may be a spiral turbine (see, e.g.,  FIG.  14   ) in which the fluid flows in a circular path around a central shaft to spin the shaft and power the hydroelectric generator  179 . 
     Further, similar to the prime mover  100  described above, the hydroelectric charging system of the prime mover  150  may also include a shut-off valve and shut-off valve motor configured to control the shut-off valve. By including the shut-off valve, the amount of water lost from the water supply pipe  11  while the prime mover  150  is switched from being connected to one mainline water outlet to another mainline water outlet is reduced, thereby improving efficiency and reducing the time required to re-energize the water supply pipe  11  after being connected to the next mainline water outlet. 
     Similar to the prime mover  100  described above, the hydroelectric generator  179  may be powered by the in-line turbine  178  to charge the battery pack  132 , which may power the motor  133  and gearbox  134  of the electric drive system. 
     The prime mover  150  may be used in the mobile agricultural irrigation system  10  in place of, or in addition to, the prime mover  100 . 
     Similar to the prime mover  100  described above, relevant components of the hydroelectric charging system of the prime mover  150  may be rearranged to accommodate water flow from the other side of the prime mover  150 , or the prime mover  150  may operate bi-directionally to accommodate water flow from either side thereof without rearranging components of the prime mover  150 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  9   , a mobile agricultural irrigation system  20  according another embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically illustrated. The mobile agricultural irrigation system  20  is similar to the mobile agricultural irrigation system  10  shown in  FIG.  1    but also includes a hydroelectrically-charged agricultural hose reel prime mover  200  (also referred to herein as the “hose reel prime mover  200 ”). 
     In the mobile agricultural irrigation system  20 , the hose reel prime mover  200 , described in more detail below, is provided at one end of the water supply pipe (e.g., the fluid supply pipe)  11  and the prime mover  100 / 150 , embodiments of which are described above, is provided along the length of the water supply pipe  11 . For example, the prime mover  100 / 150  may be arranged about two-thirds of the distance of the water supply pipe  11  away from the hose reel prime mover  200 . To ensure water (or fluid) flow through the prime mover  100 / 150  to allow its hydroelectric charging system to operate, an additional length of water supply pipe  11  (e.g., about one-third the total length of the water supply pipe  11 ) is provided past the prime mover  100 / 150  away from the hose reel prime mover  200  with a sprinkler  13  at the distal end of the water supply pipe  11 . However, this configuration and/or arrangement of components is just an example. In other embodiments, the hose reel prime mover  200  and/or the prime mover  100 / 150  may be arranged between sections of the water supply pipe  11 , and a plurality of hose reels  200  and/or prime movers  100 / 150  may be provided. 
     In the mobile agricultural irrigation system  20 , the hose reel prime mover  200  may be considered the “master” prime mover and the prime mover  100 / 150  may be considered the “slave” prime mover. For example, as described in more detail below, the hose reel prime mover  200  may control (e.g., command) the prime mover  100 / 150  via, for example, a wired or wireless connection, such that the prime mover  100 / 150  is a slave to the hose reel prime mover  200 . The present disclosure, however, is not limited to this arrangement. In other embodiments, the mobile agricultural irrigation system  20  may omit the prime mover  100 / 150  such that the hose reel prime mover  200  is the only prime mover, or the mobile agricultural irrigation system  20  may include a plurality of hose reel prime movers  200  such that one of the hose reel prime movers  200  is the master prime mover and the other hose reel prime movers  200  are slave prime movers. In yet other embodiments, the prime mover  100 / 150  may be the master prime mover, and the hose reel prime mover  200  may be the slave prime mover. 
     As described above, the water supply pipe  11  may be fixedly connected to a plurality of wheels  12  and may act as an axle for the wheels  12 . A plurality of sprinklers  13  may be arranged along the water supply pipe  11 . As described above, the prime mover  100 / 150  may rotate the water supply pipe  11 , which turns the wheels  12  as they are fixedly mounted to the water supply pipe  11 , to move the mobile agricultural irrigation system  20 . In addition, and as described in more detail below, the hose reel prime mover  200  may include an electric drive system (e.g., an electric drivetrain) to propel itself, which in turn, moves the water supply pipe  11  due to it being connected to the hose reel prime mover  200 . As the mobile agricultural irrigation system  20  moves along (or across) a field, the hose reel prime mover  200  may deposit (e.g., reel-out) a flexible hose (e.g., a flexible water hose), which may be a quarter-mile or longer. Thus, different from the mobile agricultural irrigation system  10  described above, which may need to be stopped, de-energized, disconnected from one mainline water outlet in the field, connected to another mainline water outlet, and re-energized, which may need to occur about every 50 or 60 feet, the mobile agricultural irrigation system  20  according to the present embodiment may travel about a quarter-mile or more (only limited by the length of the flexible hose on the hose reel prime mover  200  and the ability for the hose reel prime mover  200  to move its own weight) before needing to tended to (e.g., to be connected to a different mainline water outlet or moved to a different field or traveling lane). Thus, the mobile agricultural irrigation system  20  requires less human interaction than other traveling irrigation systems and provides improved efficiency by reducing the amount of downtime incurred when tending to the mobile agricultural irrigation system  20 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  10 - 12   , the hose reel prime mover  200  is described in more detail. The hose reel prime mover  200  includes a carriage (e.g., undercarriage)  205 . A plurality of (e.g., two) steering wheels  201  are connected to each other via a steering axle  203 , which is pivotably connected to the carriage  205 , and a plurality of (e.g., two) non-steering wheels  202  are connected to each other via a non-steering axle  204  (see, e.g.,  FIG.  12   ), which is rotatably connected to the carriage  205 . 
     The steering axle  203  may be pivotably connected to the carriage  205 , and the non-steering axle  204  may be non-pivotably mounted to the carriage  205 . Bearings may be used between the carriage  205  and the axles  203 / 204  to permit the axles  203 / 204  to spin (or rotate) relative to the carriage  205 . However, in other embodiments, one or both of the axles  203 / 204  may be fixed (e.g., non-rotatable) with the carriage  205 , and the corresponding wheels  201 / 202  may be connected to the fixed axle by individual bearings. In yet other embodiments, the driven wheels (e.g., the non-steering wheels  202 ) may have individual electric motors arranged in or near the wheels such that each driven wheel is independently driven by an electric motor. 
     The non-steering axle  204  may be connected to the carriage  205  by a leaf spring suspension, which is a relatively simple and robust suspension system. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the carriage  205  may include different suspension systems or may not include a suspension system at all (e.g., the non-steering axle  204  may be connected to the carriage  205  without any damping system therebetween). 
     The hose reel prime mover  200  may further include a steering actuator (e.g., a linear actuator)  206  configured to pivot the steering axle  203  and, thereby, steer the hose reel prime mover  200 . 
     In other embodiments, the hose reel prime mover  200  may have all-wheel steering. For example, in other embodiments, a second steering box may be included to pivot the other axle  204 . In such an embodiment, the axle  204  may pivotably connected to the carriage  205 . In this way, the turning radius of the hose reel prime mover  200  may be improved over an embodiment which has only a single steering axle  203 . 
     The hose reel prime mover  200  further includes a hose spool  240  connected to and supported by the carriage  205 . The hose spool  240  may be connected to the carriage  205  by a plurality of (e.g., two) a-frame supports  208 . The a-frame supports  208  may include one or more bearings into which the hose spool  240  (e.g., an axle of the hose spool  240 ) is fitted, thereby allowing the hose spool  240  to rotate (e.g., spin) relative to the a-frame supports  208  and the carriage  205 . 
     A flexible hose (e.g., a flexible water hose)  241  may be received by (e.g., accommodated on) the hose spool  240 . The hose  241  may be received by (i.e., reeled-onto) and deposited from (i.e., reeled-out of) the hose reel prime mover  200  via an opening  209  in the carriage  205 . In some embodiments, a hose director  242  may be arranged on the carriage  205  in (or over) the opening  209 . The hose director  242  may ensure that the hose  241  is accurately and efficiently reeled onto and off of the hose spool  240 . 
     For example, the hose director  242  may move back and forth along guide rails  243  on the carriage  205  to ensure that the hose  241  is accurately and tightly arranged on the hose spool  240 . As shown in  FIG.  14   , the hose director  242  moves back-and-forth in a linear direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the traveling direction of the hose reel prime mover  200  (e.g., parallel or substantially parallel to the non-steering axle  204 ). The hose director  242  prevents or substantially reduces the chance that the hose  241  bunches up on one side the hose spool  240  by ensuring that the hose  241  is evenly distributed on (e.g., is evenly spooled on) the hose spool  240 , thereby preventing a jam and maximizing the amount of (e.g. the length of) hose  241  that can be accommodated on the hose spool  240 . 
     The hose director  242  may have a square or rectangular shape through which the flexible hose  241  passes. The hose director  242  may further have a plurality of wheels or rollers arranged along two or more sides thereof to ensure that the flexible hose  241  smoothly passes through the hose director  242  without damage to either the hose  241  or the hose director  242 . 
     The hose director  242  may be moved along the guide rails  243  by any suitable drive mechanism, such as a linear actuator, such as a worm drive, rack-and-pinion, single- or double-acting cylinder, etc. As described in more detail below, the hose director  242  may be controlled by a controller. 
     The hose reel prime mover  200  includes a hydroelectric charging system and an electric drive system. The hydroelectric charging system is configured to power (e.g., charge) the electric drive system. 
     The hydroelectric charging system may include a turbine inlet pipe (e.g., a fluid supply pipe)  223 , a turbine  228 , a hydroelectric generator  229  powered by the turbine  228 , and a turbine outlet pipe (e.g., a discharge pipe)  224 . The hydroelectric generator  229  is configured to charge a battery pack  232 , and the battery pack  232  may power the electric drive system, which is further described below. Further, the hydroelectric charging system of the hose reel prime mover  200  may also include a shut-off valve and shut-off valve motor configured to control the shut-off valve. The shut-off valve reduces the amount of water lost from the water supply pipe  11  and/or the flexible hose  241  when the flexible hose  241  is disconnected from the mainline water outlet, thereby improving efficiency and reducing the amount of time necessary to re-charge the hose reel prime mover  200  and the water supply pipe  11  when it is connected to another mainline water outlet. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  10 - 12   , the turbine  228  and hydroelectric generator  229  may be arranged on (or above) the hose reel  240  to efficiently use space, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the turbine  228  and hydroelectric generator  229  may be arranged on (or near) the carriage  205  in front of the hose reel  240  (e.g., toward the steering axle  203 ). In this way, the turbine  228  and hydroelectric generator  229  may be more easily serviced and/or replaced during the lifetime of the hose reel prime mover  200 . Further, cable connections between the hydroelectric generator  229  and the battery pack  232  may be more easily routed when the hydroelectric generator  229  is near the bottom of the hose spool  240 . 
     The water flow path through the hose reel prime mover  200  will now be described in more detail. First, a first end (e.g., a distal end) of the hose  241  is attached to a mainline water outlet by a suitable fitting. This may be done manually by a worker in the field. A second end (e.g., a proximal end) of the hose  241  may be connected to the turbine inlet pipe  223 . For example, the first end of the hose  241  may be the distal end of the hose  241  from the hose reel prime mover  200  and may be passed though the hose director  242  and the opening  209  in the carriage  205  to be connected to the mainline water outlet. The second end of the hose  241  may be the proximal end of the hose  241  with respect to the hose reel prime mover  200  and may be connected, either permanently or via a suitable fitting, to the turbine inlet pipe  223 . For example, the second end of the hose  241  may terminate into a drum at or near a central axis of the hose spool  240 . 
     Because the hose spool  240 , on which the hose  241  is arranged, rotates relative to the turbine inlet pipe  223 , which is fixed to the carriage  205 , a bearing fitting is provided to connect the second end of the hose  241  (or to connect the drum into which the second end of the hose  241  terminates) and the turbine inlet pipe  223 . Thus, the second end of the hose  241  (or the drum) is allowed to rotate 360° at where it connects to the turbine inlet pipe  223 . 
     Pressurized water from the mainline water outlet passes through the hose  241  (e.g., passes through the entire hose  241 ) to the turbine inlet pipe  223 . The pressurized water passes through the turbine inlet pipe  223 , into and through the turbine  228 , and then to the turbine outlet pipe  224 . As the pressurized water passes through the turbine  228 , it causes an output shaft to rotate, which is connected to and powers the hydroelectric generator  229 . The hydroelectric generator  229  generates an electrical current, which is then stored by the battery pack  232 . 
     The pressurized water then passes from the turbine outlet pipe  224  to the water supply pipe  11  of the mobile agricultural irrigation system  20  by, for example, a bearing connection  225  (see, e.g.,  FIGS.  9  and  11   ). Because the water supply pipe  11  rotates, the bearing connection  225  is provided between the turbine outlet pipe  224 , which is fixed to the carriage  205 , and the water supply pipe  11  to allow for a fluid tight connection between the fixed turbine outlet pipe  224  and the rotatable water supply pipe  11 . The present disclosure, however, is not limited to this example. As described below, in other embodiments (see, e.g.,  FIGS.  15 - 19   ), the turbine outlet pipe  224  may connect to a nozzle through which the pressurized water is expelled to water a large area of a field, thereby providing a self-contained traveling gun irrigation system. 
     The turbine  228  may be an in-line turbine. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS.  10 - 12   , the turbine  228  is an axial flow turbine in which the water flow passes through pitched blades, which causes the blades to spin and rotate an output shaft to power the hydroelectric generator  229  by a belt or chain drive. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. 
     In  FIG.  13   , the turbine  228 . 1  is a paddlewheel turbine in which a plurality of paddles protrude into the pressurized water flow, causing the paddles to spin and rotate an output shaft to power the hydroelectric generator  229 . 
     In  FIG.  14   , the turbine  228 . 2  is a spiral flow turbine in which the pressured water flow flows in a circular pattern around a turbine to spin the turbine and power the hydroelectric generator  229 . 
     The hose reel prime mover  200  may also include a controller  236  (see, e.g.,  FIG.  11   ) to control the electric drive system, the hydroelectric charging system, and/or the steering box  206 . The controller  236  may be powered by the battery pack  232 . In other embodiments, the controller  236  may be powered by an independent power supply. 
     The controller  236  may also include (or may communicate with) a transceiver configured for two-way wireless radio communication. As described above, by using the transceiver, the hose reel prime mover  200  may report its position, current operating status, state of charge of the battery pack  232 , etc. to a central operating platform, thereby enabling one worker or a central controller to remotely monitor and/or control a plurality of the prime movers  100 / 150  and/or the hose reel prime movers  200 . 
     The electric drive system of the hose reel prime mover  200  will now be described in more detail. The electric drive system may include the battery pack  232 , a first motor (e.g., a drive motor)  233  and a second motor (e.g., hose spool motor)  235 . The first motor  233  and the second motor  235  may be electrically connected to the battery pack  232 . Further, the drive system for the hose director  242  may be part of the electric drive system. For example, when a hydraulic cylinder is used to move the hose director  242 , the electric drive system may include a pump (e.g., a hydraulic pump) and associated valves to control the hydraulic cylinder. In other embodiments, when a linear actuator, worm drive, or rack-and-pinion system is used to move the hose director  242 , the electric drive system may include a third motor (e.g., a hose director motor) to control the linear actuator, worm drive, or rack-and-pinion system. 
     The first motor  233  is mechanically connected to a gearbox  234 , and the gearbox  234  is connected to the non-steering axle  204  to drive (e.g., to rotate) the non-steering axle  204 . As some examples, a chain drive system including a plurality of sprockets or a belt drive system including a plurality of pulleys may be used between the first motor  233  and the non-steering axle  204 . 
     The second motor (e.g., the hose spool motor)  235  is connected to the hose spool  240  to rotate the hose spool  240 . For example, a belt drive system including a belt and pullies or a chain drive system including a chain and sprockets may be used to rotate the hose spool  240 . As will be further described below, the second motor  235  may rotate the hose spool  240  according to (e.g., in sync with) the movement speed of the hose reel prime mover  200 , for example, according to (e.g., in sync with) the speed of the first motor  233 , to reel-in or reel-out the hose  241  at a suitable speed (or rate). By including the second motor  235  to reel-in or reel-out the hose  241 , load on the first motor  233  is reduced as it does not have to move the hose reel prime mover  200  and reel-out the hose  241  from the hose spool  240  and allows for the hose reel prime mover  200  to move back down its traveling path to reel-in the hose  241  after completing a set. 
     Movement of the hose reel prime mover  200  will now be described in more detail. When the hose reel prime mover  200  is commanded to move, the first motor  233 , which is powered by energy stored in the battery pack  232 , rotates an output shaft which turns the gearbox  234 . The gearbox  234  then rotates the non-steering axle  204 , thereby driving the wheels  202  and moving the hose reel prime mover  200  (e.g., moving the carriage  205  of the hose reel prime mover  200 ). As the hose reel prime mover  200  moves, the second motor  235  rotates the hose spool  240  to either reel-in the hose  241  (when the hose  241  starts in reeled-out configuration) or reel-out the hose  241  (when the hose  241  starts reeled onto the hose spool  240 ). The rotational speed of the hose spool  240  is controlled by the controller  236  to be in sync with the movement speed of the hose reel prime mover  200 . In this way, the hose  241  is not reeled-out or reeled-in too slowly or too quickly, which would increase wear on the hose reel prime mover  200  and on the hose  241 . 
     Further, the rotational speed of the hose reel  240  must be varied as the amount of hose  241  is reeled-in or reeled-out. Using a reel-out situation as an example, the effective circumference of the hose reel  240  decreases as the amount of hose  241  is reeled-out; thus, even when the movement speed of the hose reel prime mover  200  remains constant or relatively constant, the rotational speed of the hose reel  240  must increase to maintain the same reel-out rate of the hose  241 . Conversely, in a reel-in situation, the effective circumference of the hose reel  240  increases as the hose  241  is reeled-in due to the hose  241  stacking on itself in layers; thus, even as the movement speed of the hose reel prime mover  200  remains constant or substantially constant, the rotational speed of the hose spool  240  must decrease over time to maintain the same reel-in rate of the hose  241 . 
     As the second motor  235  rotates the hose spool  240 , the hose director  242  moves back and forth in sync with the rotational speed of the hose spool  240  and/or in sync with the movement speed of the hose reel prime mover  200  to ensure that the hose  241  is tightly and efficiently reeled onto the hose spool  240  or is efficiently reeled off of the hose spool  240 . 
     Thus, the hose reel prime mover  200  according to embodiments of the present disclosure effectively operates in both the reel-in and reel-out directions. Thus, as one example, the hose reel prime mover  200  could repeatedly pass back-and-forth along a section of field without requiring human interaction. 
       FIGS.  15 - 17    show an embodiment of a hose reel traveling gun  250 . For ease of understanding, the differences between the hose reel prime mover  200  described above and the hose reel traveling gun  250  will be primarily described below. Further, the elements and components indicated by the same numerals between the hose reel prime mover  200  and the hose reel traveling gun  250  indicate the same or substantially similar elements or components, and as such, repeated descriptions thereof may be omitted. 
     Different from the hose reel prime mover  200 , the hose reel traveling gun  250  is a self-contained irrigation device. For example, instead of passing pressurized water to the water supply pipe  11  as with the hose reel prime mover  200 , the hose reel traveling gun  250  includes a nozzle  251  connected to the turbine outlet pipe  224  to discharge the pressurized water to irrigate a field. For example, similar to the hose reel prime mover  200 , the pressurized water from a mainline water outlet passes through the hose  241 , to the turbine inlet pipe  223 , through the turbine  228  to power the hydroelectric generator  229  and charge the battery pack  232 , and to the turbine outlet pipe  224 . Different from the hose reel prime mover  200 , in the hose reel traveling gun  250 , the pressurized water in the turbine outlet pipe  224  flows to and exits the hose reel traveling gun  250  via the nozzle  251 . 
     The nozzle  251  may be rotated 180°, 360°, or any suitable range during use to evenly irrigate a field as the carriage  205  moves along a traveling lane in a field. In some embodiments, the nozzle  251  may be an impact sprinkler and may be rotated via the pressurized water passing therethrough. In other embodiments, a motor  252  may be included adjacent to the nozzle  251  to rotate the nozzle  251  by, for example, a belt or chain drive. The motor (e.g., a stepper motor)  252  may be powered by the battery pack  232  and may include a belt or chain drive system to rotate the nozzle  251 . The speed and direction of the motor  252  may be controlled to vary the rotational speed and coverage area of the nozzle  251 . The motor  252  may be controlled by the controller  236 . 
     The hose reel traveling gun  250  may be a self-contained irrigation system in that it both moves and irrigates. For example, in use, the hose reel traveling gun  250  may move by the first motor  233 , the hose reel  240  may rotate by the second motor  235 , the hose director  242  may direct the hose  241  onto or off of the hose reel  240 , and the pressurized water is emitted via the nozzle  251  to directly irrigate a field without using the wheel line irrigation system as in the previously-described embodiments. 
     Further, similar to the embodiments of the hose reel prime mover  200  shown in  FIGS.  13  and  14   , the turbine  228  of the hose reel traveling gun  250  shown in  FIGS.  15 - 17    may be not only an axial flow turbine (see, e.g.,  FIG.  17   ) but may be a paddlewheel turbine  228 . 1  (see, e.g.,  FIG.  18   ) or a spiral flow turbine  228 . 2  (see, e.g.,  FIG.  19   ). 
     Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to the example embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications to the described embodiments may be made, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, those skilled in the various arts will recognize that the present disclosure described herein will suggest solutions to other tasks and adaptations for other applications. It is the applicant&#39;s intention to cover, by the claims herein, all such uses of the present disclosure, and those changes and modifications which could be made to the example embodiments of the present disclosure herein chosen for the purpose of disclosure, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the example embodiments of the present disclosure should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, with the spirit and scope of the present disclosure being indicated by the appended claims and their equivalents.