Patent ID: 7938343

Claim:
A drive tower for a self-propelled irrigation system, comprising: a base beam assembly comprising a first beam member pivotally connected to a second beam member, said first and second beam members being rotatable relative to each other about a first pivot connection; a tower structure comprising first and second tower members, said first tower member being pivotally connected at its lower end to the first beam member about a second pivot connection, said second tower member being pivotally connected at its lower end to the second beam member about a third pivot connection, and said first and second tower members extending upwardly from said second and third pivot connections and converging together to support an elongated water pipeline above the base beam assembly; and a plurality of drive assemblies mounted to the base beam assembly for supporting and propelling the base beam assembly over a field; wherein said plurality of drive assemblies comprises first and second drive assemblies mounted to respective ends of the base beam assembly, and a third drive assembly mounted to said base beam assembly between said first and second drive assemblies; wherein said third drive assembly is mounted to said base beam assembly between said second and third pivot connections; and wherein said second pivot connection is located between and spaced from each of said first and third drive assemblies so that a weight from said first tower member is distributed through the base beam assembly to both of the first and third drive assemblies, and wherein said third pivot connection is located between and spaced from each of said second and third drive assemblies so that a weight from said second tower member is distributed through the base beam assembly to both of the second and third drive assemblies.