October 8, 2024
As systems become more complex, simplicity is becoming more valuable. Technology should be as intuitive as it is useful. That’s something T-L Irrigation Co. takes to heart.
“Irrigation is pretty basic, the way we look at it,” says John Thom, T-L Irrigation’s vice president. “People typically just want to put water on when they need to.”
An example of this focus is the company’s Edge Controller. Released last year, it increases the amount of data that’s available.
The Edge Controller lets operators monitor and control pivots at any time, in any place — and in real time. The controller — which can be retrofitted onto existing pivots and purchased with new systems —replaces a physical control panel at the pivot point and is strategically installed on the end tower.
“Remote telemetry allows the operator to monitor and control the pivot from any connected device anywhere in the world,” says Neal Schlautman, T-L Irrigation’s engineering manager. “Changing the controller location means all sensor input and commands are centralized to where the work takes place — at the end of the pivot.”
Besides adding telematics, the system cuts down the amount of physical wiring on pivots from potentially a half-mile span of cable to just a few feet. Only 24-volt DC power is required. Sensors and control valves are wired directly into the controller, streamlining the entire system.
By moving the controller’s location, the pivot’s pressure sensor is in an optimal place to ensure the system is reaching the necessary water pressure for consistent, uniform application.
An optional Edge Solar component can further reduce wiring by eliminating the span cable and collector ring. Solar panels are installed next to the Edge Controller at the end tower.
“The design increases the overall reliability of the system. Moving the controller to the end tower dramatically reduces the distance the sometimes sensitive low-voltage signals travel and cuts out areas where issues can occur,” Schlautman says.
Simplifying complexity
Eventually, Thom predicts that irrigation data will be tied together via a central, cloud-based app. AI-based subscription platforms will combine field data with aerial footage, weather reports and other outside information to project the best irrigation plan.
“The future is in more controls, sensors and things like that. At some point, autonomy will come into play, where a platform will basically schedule out irrigation based on moisture sensors, weather stations and pivots, together,” Thom says. But while future developments should streamline farm operations, it might not all be good. “We’re adding a lot of complexity to sprinklers. You might have more shutdowns. You might have more complications later on.”
To that end, as systems become more complex, Thom says T-L Irrigation’s goal is to simplify its products while still empowering farmers with the latest advancements. That’s not an easy task.
LEADING THE WAY: T-L Irrigation’s Vice President John Thom says he predicts that irrigation data will be tied together via a central, cloud-based app. (T-L Irrigation)
“We try to keep everything real simple. We try to keep the quality up and manufacture machines that farmers can understand if they do need to fix anything themselves,” Thom says. “We don’t want to have high-end boards or high-end telemetry, which can only be repaired if an engineer comes out and works on it. We want to keep machines reliable, because again, at the end of the day, we’re just trying to put down an inch of water when we need it.”
Conservation focus
Irrigation technology is changing for a reason. The need for greater water conservation is increasing, and potentially stringent reporting requirements are on the horizon. Technology will be necessary to document and interpret data.
It’s a familiar topic to Thom. Conservation sits at the heart of T-L Irrigation’s business philosophy.
“The reason we started our company was to conserve water and get away from flood irrigation,” he says. “It was not economical. It was wasteful. Our mindset has always been to reduce the amount of water that we need for the crops that we grow.
MORE CONTROL: The fully remote Edge Controller from T-L Irrigation, which was released last year, can be retrofitted onto existing pivots or be purchased with new systems. It gives farmers more control and information, letting them more closely monitor water usage. (Andy Castillo)
“Nebraska is really blessed with the recharging qualities we have in our aquifer. But if faced with a long, hard drought, we can be forced into water allocations with the different water districts that we have. Farmers are going to have to learn very quickly how to [wisely] utilize the water that they’re allocated. That’s going to be a big, big deal for farmers.”
we have in our aquifer, but if faced with a long, hard drought, we can be forced into water allocations with the different water districts that we have. Farmers are going to have to learn very quickly how to (wisely) utilize the water that they're allocated. That's going to be a big, big deal for farmers.”
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