Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
This invention pertains to an irrigating apparatus for
linear movement along a field crop to effectively cover a ma
mum area thereof in a progressive, slowly advancing type of
sprinkling operation in which the Apparatus is self-energized
in both its forwardly advancing sprinkling operation and in a
reverse-return type of operation. A further aspect deals with
operative features of the apparatus that enable it to function
in a foolproof and positive manner, with a minimum of manual
control and auxiliary equipment.
Heretofore, there have been both rotary and linear
types of field area irrigating equipment, but the present invent
lion pertains particularly to a linear type and to problems
which have heretofore been presented from the standpoint of
presently known prior art apparatus. One characteristic of the
prior art apparatus is that use has been made of hydraulic jack
actuation in which the upper or forward movement of the piston
rod of the jack represents the only positive actuation thereof
and as employed to advance the equipment. The disadvantage of
constructions of this type has been that the return of the
piston and its rod is non-positive, in that it depends primarily
on gravity and weight considerations, and this has given rise to
various adverse factors, such as a total stoppage of return due
to dirt or mud thrown up from the field, or uncertain and uneven
movement due to frictional resistance encountered by the piston
within its housings, etc.
A further problem encountered in the prior art equip-
mint has been the lack of full coordination between the drive of
the main frame unit and the movement and drive of the wheel-
line, side-extending portion of the apparatus, such as may be
caused by the different nature and contour of the field trays-
tersely thereof as encountered by the apparatus, by an actual
obstruction encountered, such as a stone or mound of dirt, all
-1-
of which tend to present problems of misalignment or a tendency
to bend or break wheel-line portions of the apparatus or to dam-
age the equipment when an excess torque is engendered. The
need has been for an apparatus that will give a maximum cover-
age in its forward linear advance for example, about a quarter
of a mile of field width, and which will do so without entail-
in any damage to the apparatus due to obstructions, stoppage,
irregular contours or other factors that are encountered during
forward movement.
The need has been for a substantially fully keyword-
noted and automated type of operation, such that stoppage of
wheel line drive may be effected when torque resistance above a
present value is reached. Also, simplified self-aligning means
should be provided that will enable the advance of the main
frame to be slowed down, speeded up or stopped to coordinate
its movement with that of the wheel-line.
Another problem, as previously presented, has been
the difficulty of returning apparatus, and especially apparatus
having a considerable length of wheel-line, to an initial or
starting position, once it has reached the end of its desired
forward travel. In this connection, it has heretofore been
necessary to utilize a heavy tractor, truck or other power
equipment which tends to sink into the wet soil and cause ox-
cessive damage to the growing crops, and which increase costs
from the standpoint of man hours and excessive auxiliary equip-
mint required.
It has thus been an object of the invention to deter-
mine and evaluate the adverse factors that heretotofre have
been encountered in connection with the utilization of wide
coverage, linear irrigating apparatus.
Another object has been to devise linear moving
irrigating apparatus which meets the adverse factors and which
enables a solution to problems encountered in the design and
use of prior art construction
A further object of the invention has been to devise
an irrigating apparatus for effectively wetting a large crop
planted field or area, and whose relatively slow speed can be
accurately adjusted and set to accommodate an efficient, full
forward irrigating action, and that is so constructed as to en-
able automatic alignment adjustment and protection from damage
by reason of irregular ground contour or the presence of an
equipment damaging type of obstruction.
A still further object has been to devise a linear
irrigating apparatus that may be both positively hydraulically
advanced in a sprinkling operation, and that may then be self-
operated in a reverse or return direction with a minimal of
changeover involved and with minimal damage to the crop area.
These and other objects of the invention will appear
to those skilled in the art from the illustrated embodiment and
- the claims.
The illustrated embodiment utilizes a main frame that
carries a lateral or side-extending wheel-line on a hollow,
water-supplying, pipe-like shaft member that serves as a drive
shaft and wheel axle for moving the apparatus in both forwardly
advancing and retracting directions. The shaft serves to sup-
ply water under pressure to spray heads at spaced locations
along the wheel-line; it utilizes spaced-apart supporting
wheels and booster and power units that supplement movement
that is effected by a positively reciprocated hydraulic jack on
the main frame. A power unit carried midway of the wheel-line
also cooperates with the master drive unit of the main frame in
returning the apparatus to a starting area. Power units of the
apparatus employ hydraulic jacks, stroking arms and bull gears
for effecting forward movement and have adjustment means be-
-3-
tweet the stroking arms and teeth of cooperating bull gears for
selecting the number of teeth that will be engaged during each
upward stroke of the jacks.
The main frame unit utilizes a self aligning means
that is controlled in its operation by the relationship between
a drive reel or capstan and a revved guide cable which is to be
anchored at its ends to extend along a full forward length of
the field to be covered.
Side-positioned booster drive and power units are
each provided with torque-sensitive valve means that will slow
down and stop the drive stroking movement of their associated
jacks when an obstruction is encountered. The main frame as
well as an intermediate power drive unit are provided with come
bastion engines for driving the equipment in a coordinated no-
turn direction after a flexible supply hose has been disco-
netted from a water supply hydrant at its one end and at its
other end has been connected in a dragging return relation to
the then back end of the returning main frame.
FIGURE 1 is a greatly reduced somewhat diagrammatic
plan view illustrating apparatus of the invention in a typical
forwardly advancing, crop irrigating layout;
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view in elevation showing a
main or master drive unit and its mounting on a longitudinally
extending main frame; it also shows a hollow, water-carrying no-
toting axle shaft which, in effect, defines a side or laterally
extending wheel-line;
FIGURE 3 is a perspective view in elevation on the
scale of FIGURE 2, illustrating an intermediate power drive
unit that may be positioned, as shown in FIGURE 1, in an
operative mid position along the wheel-line;
FIGURE 4 is a perspective view in elevation on the
same scale as FIGURES 2 and 3 and particularly illustrating
what may be termed booster units which, as indicated in FIGURE 1,
may be spaced along the wheel-line to support i-t and drive it
forwardly during the irrigating, forward movement of the
apparatus.
FIGURE 5 is a slightly enlarged fragmental plan view
of the master drive unit apparatus of FIGURE 2 which particular-
lye shows its self-alignment system, a rearwardly-positioned auto-
matte, shut-off valve mechanism, and a forwardly-positioned come
bastion engine drive which its utilized to return the apparatus
to its starting area or position;
FIGURE 6 is a fragmental side view in elevation on the
scale of and taken along the line VI-VI of FIGURE 5;
FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmental view in elevation
taken along the line VI-VI of FIGURE 8 and showing an upper port
lion of a positively reciprocated typical hydraulic jack mocha-
noisome whose reversing operating is controlled by a poppet valve.
FIGURE 8 is a fragmental side view in elevation on the
same scale as FIGURE 7, and particularly illustrating a jack-
actuated, forward drive mechanism for the power and booster
units of FIGURES 3 and 4; except for the use of torque-sensitive,
valve-control means, the jack, stroke arm and bull gear equipment
is substantially the same as that employed for the master drive
unit of FIGURE 2;
FIGURE 9 is a further enlarged fragmental perspective
view particularly illustrating a frame-mounted support post or
bracket for carrying a slid able, adjustment piece or element
which may be used with the drives of the master, power and
booster units for adjusting and setting the number of teeth that
are engaged by an upper dog that is positively actuated by each,
upward power stroke of an associated stroking arm;
FIGURE 10 is a fragmental side view in elevation taken
from the lower part of the main frame apparatus of FIGURES 5
and 6 to show the construction and mounting of self-aligning
means that may be adjusted for its scope of speed control by a
hand wheel; it also shows the relation between the bull gear and
the capstan with the reeving of an anchored cable about the cap-
stank
FIGURE 11 is a fragmental sectional view on the scale
of and taken along the line XI-XI of FIGURE 10; in this view,
the flow control valve has been rotated 90 from FIGURE 6 to
show it more clearly;
FIGURE lea is an enlarged fragmental view of the flow
control valve of FIGURE 11;
FIGURE 12 is an enlarged isometric view of a main
valve shut-off lever mechanism of the master drive unit for
closing-off the supply of water to the equip page when the open-
cling finger of the system engages a stop along the anchored
cable at a desired forward, final stopping position of the Papa-
fetus (see also FIGURE l);
FIGURE 13 is an enlarged section taken through the no-
toting, water-supplying, axle shaft adjacent a spray mount, see
line XIII-XIII of FIGURE 4;
FIGURE 14 is a side section on the scale of and taken
along the line XIV-XIV of FIGURE 13;
And, FIGURE 15 is a side section in partial section
on the same scale as FIGURE 14 showing how the axle shaft is
simplified with water from the short length connecting hose
illustrated in FIGURE 2.
In FIGURE 1 of the drawings, an apparatus of the in-
mention is somewhat diagrammatically illustrated. In this lay-
out, A and A' represent a group or series of spaced-apart ho-
drafts whose intermediate spacing approximates a distance repro-
setting twice the length of a flexible hose G which is to be-
detachably utilized therewith for supplying water under pressure
to the apparatus. As indicated, the irrigating apparatus is
adapted to advance forwardly lengthwise in a direction along a
field or crop area between two locations that are represented by
ground anchors 42, 43 between which the guide cable 41 is adapt-
Ed to extend. It will be noted that the back end of the cable
41 is secured to the anchor 43 through the agency of a heavy
spring 44 which serves to provide it with a flexible, non-break-
able mounting.
The apparatus proper employs a master drive unit C
that is represented by a main frame 10 (see FIGURE 2) from which
extends a rotating, pipe-Iike water-carrying axle shaft 17 that
serves as a conduit to supply water under pressure along its
length to sprinkling units 93 (see FIGURES 2, 3, 4, 13 and 14).
The shaft 17 defines a side or laterally extending wheel-line B
that is supported at spaced locations along its length by wheels
F that are keyed thereon. Also, a mid-located power mover unit
D and lengthwise-space booster units E are shown as completing
the wheel-line construction.
Forward movement of the construction is accomplished
in a substantially automatic manner by a four wheel master drive
unit C, four wheel power unit D, and a two wheel booster units
E, all as driven by reciprocating hydraulic jacks 30, 30' and
30". The maximum or final forward position of the apparatus is
controlled by a stop element or trip clamp aye (see FIGURES 6
and 12) that is to be clamped on the cable 41 to trip a lever
mechanism shown in FIGURE 12 of the drawings to completely shut-
off the supply of water to the apparatus at the end of its for-
ward movement through the agency of a main shut-off valve 45.
As shown in FIGURE 5, the valve 45 is mounted on frame 10 by an
upwardly extending bracket 45. Suitable rotatable spray head
assemblies (see FIGURES 13 and 14) apply water to the crop rows
during the forward advance of the apparatus. The advance is
effected at a relatively slow rate to assure a suitable depth
of wetting of the field area with one movement.
Referring to FIGURES 2, 5 and 6, the master drive unit
C is shown as a four-wheeled unit whose pair of rear wheels 11
(the arrow a represents the direction of forward movement) are
free-turning and mounted by their hubs 12 on a cross-extending
axle shaft 13 and secured in place by spacer collars lo. The
shaft 13 is rigidly secured on a back end front portion of the
main frame 10.
A pair of front wheels 15 are provided with hubs 16
that are bolted on the front shaft 17 which, as noted in FIGURE
2, is provided with enclosure caps 18 at its opposite ends to
provide a closed-end conduit for water supplied thereto. As
shown in FIGURES 5 and 6, a dead end coupling 21 is securely
fastened, as by weld metal, on a U-shaped mounting block 22 that
extends upwardly from the main frame 10 to provide it with
sufficient strength to drag flexible water supply hose G back
when the apparatus has reached its final forward position.
Water under suitable pressure is supplied by heavy
duty flexible hose G to the main unit C through an end coupling
aye of a main butterfly, shut-off valve 45, see FIGURE 5. Water
passes from the valve 45 through an opposite end coupling aye
which serves as a one-end mounting for short length of flexible
hose H (see FIGURE 2). The other or front end of the hose H is
adapted to be connected to a tee fitting 20 (see FIGURES 2 and
15) which is mounted in a fluid sealed-off positioning on the
hollow shaft 17 to supply water under pressure through Saudis
open ports in the shaft and provide a continuous flow there-
through during the forward movement of the apparatus. As shown
in FIGURES 2, 5 and 6, and earlier mentioned, closed-off or dead
end coupling 21 is mounted on the front end of the frame 10 to
receive one end of the flexible hose G for dragging it backward-
lye along the field when the apparatus is to be returned to an
initial or starting position. At this time, the forward end of
--8--
1;3~3
the hose G is disconnected from an adjacent hydrant, such as A',
which is turned-off, and from the back end coupling aye of the
main valve 45.
A relatively slowly timed forward movement of the main
frame 10 and its unit C is accomplished through the agency of a
reciprocating, positively powered, double-acting hydraulic jack
30 (see particularly FIGURES 6 and 7). The hydraulic jack 30 is
employed to forwardly advance the unit C through the agency of
a stroking arm 28, an upper or power stroke actuated drive dog,
paw or spring-pressed latching finger element 24, a bull gear
25 and a capstan 40. As shown particularly in FIGURES 6 and 10,
anchored cable 41 is revved about the grooved periphery of the
capstan 40 in such a manner that rotation thereof will cause the
capstan to advance the unit C forwardly along the cable 41 at a
rate depending upon the number of teeth aye of the bull gear 15
that are engaged with each upward or outer power stroke of
piston rod 31 of the jack 30. As shown in FIGURES 8 and 9, the
upper or power stroke paw 24 is pivotal mounted by a side
extending pin aye within and to extend from bifurcated bracket
23 that is secured at a mid location along the stroking arm.
Adjustment of the number of teeth engaged with each
upward power stroke of piston 32 and piston rod 31 of the jack
30 is controlled by adjustable, arcuate-shaped, sliding piece or
element 26, see particularly FIGURE 9. A support or bracket
member 27 extends upwardly in a secured relation to the frame
10, and has an offset angle-shaped extension portion aye that
carries a wing nut and bolt assembly 27b for mounting the ad-
justment plate or element 26 in a secure, set position along its
arcuate or sloped adjustment slot aye. In this manner, as
illustrated by the dot and dash lines of FIGURE 8, the dog 24
may, for example, be adapted to advance the bull gear 25 by only
one or by two or three teeth engagement during the upper stroke
of the jack.
Lo
As shown in FIGURE 9, the extending portion of the pin
aye of the paw 24 is rounded to ride along the outer arcuate
surface of the adjustment element 26 for a distance which repro-
sets a distance of non-tooth engagement by the pal 24. ten-
soon spring 24b is connected at one end to a lug 24f on the paw
24 and, at its other end, to a lug eye on the mounting bracket
assembly 23 to normally urge the paw towards tooth engagement
with respect to the bull gear 25, as well as into riding-over
engagement with the adjustment plate or element 26.
To prevent reverse (clockwise) movement ox the bull
gear 25, a second paw 24' is pivotal mounted by a pin aye' on
a lower bracket assembly 23' that is directly secured to the
main frame 10~ The paw 24' is urged into tooth engagement by a
tension spring 24b' that is secured between a lug 24f' on the
paw 24' and a lug eye' on the mounting bracket 24'. It will be
apparent that the paw 24' rides over teeth aye of the bull gear
when rotation is being effected counterclockwise by the paw 24,
but that reverse (clockwise) rotation is prevented by latching
engagement of the paw 24' with the teeth aye.
The construction and mounting of the jack 30 for the
master drive unit C, for the power drive unit D and for the
booster units E is substantially the same. For this reason, to
avoid duplication of description, like parts of the drive units
have been given the same reference numerals, but with a single
prime affix for the power unit and a double prime affix for the
booster units. Where the parts are exactly the same, no prime
affixes have been applied.
Again referring to FIGURES 5, 6 and 7, the lower end
of the housing of the jack 30 is shown pivotal mounted at 76
on an upright mounting bracket lo which is secured to extend
upwardly from the main frame 10. Water under pressure is sup-
plied alternately to opposite ends of the jack 30 and alternate-
--10--
lye exhausted therefrom through flexible, end-mounted hose
lengths aye and 30b. Reciprocating movement or reversal of the
direction of movement of the piston rod 31 is effected by a pop-
pet valve 34 that is mounted on the side of the housing of the
jack to extend sideways therefrom (see FIGURE 7). The valve 34
has an upper plunger aye that is adapted to be engaged and
pressed inwardly by a laterally extending finger 35b which is
secured on a vertically movable, side-positioned operating rod
35. The rod 35 is secured, as by weld metal, to the side of a
Levis 33 carried by the upper or outer end of piston rod 31.
When the piston rod 31 is in its final, innermost,
withdrawn position of FIGURE 7, the poppet valve 34 is actuated
by its plunger aye to send a reversing signal through flexible
hose lines 34d and eye to a main control valve 36 to reverse
the direction of positive forwardly and exhaust flows to the
jack 30. At this time, there is a positive flute flow through
line 30b and a negative or return flow through line aye which is
the direct opposite of the flow in accordance with which the
piston 32 is moved positively to its "down" and innermost
position within the jack housing. When the piston rod 31 has
reached its uppermost position, a side-projecting, lower open-
cling finger 35c contacts pressure plunger 34b of the poppet
valve 34 to send a signal through lines 34d and eye to again
effect a reverse flow through the lines aye and 30b, such that
the power pressure flow is through line aye and the exhaust flow
is through line 30b. Operating water under pressure is applied
to the poppet valve 34 through a flexible hose line 34c which,
as shown in FIGURE 6, is connected to a tee aye, a line valve
and a gauge to a main input water line 56 from the main water
supply end coupling aye that leads from the main valve 45.
Operating water under pressure is applied to control
valve 36 which effects a positive reciprocating movement of the
--11--
jack 30, through line 57, an alignment flow control valve 55,
and a line 56b from the tee aye (see FIGURE 6). Water exhausts
from the valve 36 through line 98 which may be connected to a
spray nozzle 99 carried on the rear end of the main frame 10
(see FIGURES 5 and 6) and mounted on spacer collar 14. With
reference to FIGURES 6 and 8, a pressure gauge 37 is shown con-
netted to the inside of the cylinder of the jack 30 through a
manual line closing valve 38.
Referring particularly to FIGURES 5, 6 and 12, main
water supply shut-off valve 45 is controlled in its operation
by a lever system which is pivotal mounted on the main frame
10 by a mounting bracket assembly 49 that is secured thereto to
project upwardly therefrom. The system has a pair of operating
arms 47 and 51 that are secured in a pivotal connected open-
cling relation on an upright, frame mounted bracket 49 by a
connecting pin aye. The pin aye is rotatable mounted in a
sleeve 53 that is secured by weld metal to extend crosswise
through the upper end of the bracket 4g. Latching arm 47 of the
assembly has a down-projecting latching pin aye which is adapted
to engage within a hole in the end of a valve shut-off main
lever arm 52 to hold the valve 45 through the agency of the arm
52 in fully open, left hand position of FIGURE 5 against the
tension of a spring 48 that normally urges it to a closed, dot
and dash position of the same FIGURE.
Again referring to FIGURE 12, a longitudinally extend-
in push rod 50 has a pivoted, bifurcated mounting with the
lever arm 51 and, at its front end, is slid ably mounted within
a guide collar 50c that is weld-secured to an upstanding, box-
like mounting piece 74 that may be weld-secured to the main
frame 10. The foremost front end portion of the operating push
rod 50 has a downwardly bent or right-angular extension portion
aye that, at its lower end, carries a bifurcated bracket or
-12-
Levis 50b having a cross-extending, removable guide pin 50c to
receive and bypass the anchor cable 41. During normal forward
movement of the apparatus along a crop field, the somewhat
thimble-like guide construction 50b will freely slide along the
anchored cable 41 until it engages a stop or trip block aye that
is secured on the cable, see also FIGURE 1. This engagement
causes the rod 50 to move in the direction of the arrow of
FIGURE 12 to thus raise the latch arm 47 to disengage its
latching pin aye from within a latching hole in the valve open-
cling arm 52. At this time, the spring 48 will then be free to
swing the arm 52 to its right hand position of FIGURE 5 to fully
shut-off flow of water from the valve 45 to all parts of the
apparatus.
As shown in FIGURE 12, the stop or trip block aye
which is adapted to be mounted on the cable 41 may be of two-
part construction secured together by a set screw in a clamping
relation on the cable. This enables the stop aye to be located
at any suitable desired position along the anchor cable 41 for
effecting an automatic stopping operation.
Self-alignment of the forward movement of the master
drive unit C is enabled through a mechanism or system portico-
laxly illustrated in FIGURES 10 and 11 of the drawings. In this
connection, the capstan 40 is mounted with respect to the shaft
17 in such a manner that any misalignment of the main frame 10
with respect to the cable 41 will be registered in the alignment
system, but without any danger of the reeving being disturbed.
With reference to FIGURE 10, a pair of longitudinally spaced-
apart support arms 67 and 67' are rigidly secured by bolt and
nut assemblies 70, 70' to brackets lo and lock that are mounted
on the frame 10 to project downwardly therefrom and carry a pair
of pulley boxes 68 and 68' within which are rotatable mounted
guide alignment pulleys 69 and 69'. This assures that any mist
alignment of the machine with respect to the anchored cable 41
does not influence the reeving of it with respect to the capstan
40.
To register off-alignment, a lengthwise-extending,
angle-shaped member 72 is shown pivotal mounted by a pivot
bolt, nut and washer assembly 75 on a foot aye of a bracket 74
that extends downwardly from the main frame 10 and also extends
upwardly therefrom as a stationary support for the rotating axis
shaft 17. Each end of the alignment arm member 72 is connected
through adjustable screw and nut means 73, 73' to pulley mount-
in housings or boxes 65, 65'. Each box is carried on a swing
finger 61, 61'; the upper end of each finger is pivotal mount-
end at 62, 62' in a side-extending bifurcated bracket lob lob
that is secured to and mounted to the main frame I Each box
65, 65' carries a pair of cooperating pulleys 66 and 66' which,
with their central grooves, define a pass there between for the
anchor cable 41 (see FIGURE 11).
The right hand end of the alignment assembly in FIGURE
10, see the detail of FIGURE 11 and the enlarged detail of
FIGURE lea, is provided with an adjustment screw aye which is
thread ably mounted to extend through pivot finger 61 to support
and adjustable carry a collar 58. The collar 58 at one end has
a slot and pin mounting aye on an extending end of the adjust-
mint screw shaft aye (see FIGURE lea). The collar 58 also has
an integral, side-extending valve operating finger aye that has
a pivot pin 55b which singable connects the finger aye on a
mounting finger aye which extends integrally from the housing of
an alignment flow control valve 55. Alignment control valve 55
is positioned in the water supply line 56b to adjust the flow of
water under pressure through line 57 to the control valve 36 for
the jack 30. As indicated in FIGURES 11 and lea, swing of the
to
pivot finger aye about the pivot point 55b will control the
operation of the valve 55 through its connection 59b to valve
operating stem 59 to, in one direction, open it to more than its
normal setting and in the other direction to move it towards a
closed position, depending on whether the misalignment is caused
by a lagging of the master drive unit C with respect to the
wheel-line, or a more normal condition in which the master drive
unit C tends to lead the wheel line during advance of the Papa-
fetus over a crop field area.
Referring particularly to FIGURES 3, 4 and 8, the
drive mechanism for the power mover omit D and the booster units
E operate in substantially the same manner as previously de-
scribed in connection with the master drive unit C, except that
no capstan is used and the bull gear 25' 25" is keyed to direct-
lye effect rotating movement of the shaft 17. However, an add-
tonal feature is added to the mechanism of the power drive and
booster units which is employed to provide protection to units
of the wheel-line from the standpoint of obstructions encoun-
toned by it during its forward movement. Such means may be
termed torque means, in the sense that it will automatically
close-off water pressure application to the respective jacks 30
of such units when torque resistance to forward advance of such
units reaches a preset maximum limit.
As shown particularly in FIGURE 8, the jack 30, in-
stead of being directly, pivotal mounted at the lower end of
its housing on the main frame of the unit, is securely and non-
pivotal mounted by a pin 77 to an upwardly extending foot
portion of a fulcrum arm 78. The fulcrum arm 78 is, in turn,
mounted on a fixed pivot 79 adjacent the jack on a frame mount-
Ed upwardly projecting bracket lo'. It will be noted that
this bracket has a reinforcing rib 80 through which the pivot
pin 79 extends. It will thus be apparent that when the housing
of the jack 30 of unit D or E tends to swing during the respire-
-15-
acting movement of its piston 31, this will cause a corresponding
movement of the fulcrum arm 78. When the piston rod 31 of the
jack 30 is moved outwardly or upwardly to advance it bull gear
25' or 25", as effected by the upward swing of the stroking arm
28', see the dot and dash position thereof 3 this causes a cores
pounding forwardly, upwardly lilted positioning of the fulcrum
arm 78, as indicated by the dot and dash line positions of FIGURE
8.
An extension piece 81 is weld-secured to the fulcrum
arm 78 and, at its foremost end, has a slide pin aye projecting
therefrom to operate within an elongated slot aye in a valve
operating finger 84. The finger 84 is adapted to move between
the full line and dot and dash line positions at FIGURE 8. The
dot and dash line position represents a position in which a
pressure cut-off valve 85 may be fully closed through the agency
of its pin shaft 86 that securely, non-rotatably carries the
forward end of the slotted finger 84 thereon. To adjust the
amount of force or torque to which the finger 84 may be subjected
before it completely closes the valve 85, the extension piece 81
carries an adjustable screw and nut assembly 82 that extends
there through and that, at its lower end, is urged downwardly by a
tension spring 83. The spring 83 is connected between the lower
end of the screw of the assembly 82 and a mounting lug aye on a
downwardly projecting leg of bracket lye that is bolt-secured to
the frame 10' or 10".
The valve 85 has an in-line position the same as the
alignment flow control valve 55 of the master unit C (see FIGURE
6), in that it is connected between take-off line 56b and the
main water pressure supply line 57 that leads to the jack-
operating main control valve 36. Adjusting the tension of the spring 83, for example increasing it, will increase the required
amount of torque as applied to the jack 30 through the stroking
arm 28, before a complete cut-off pressure fluid is accomplished
-16-
to thus stop forward movement of the particular unit in
question.
The pressure setting for the cut-off action may be
noted from the pressure gauge 37 to which water may be supplied
from the cylinder of the jack when the hand wheel 38 is moved
from its normally closed to an open position.
FIGURES 13 and 14 illustrate a typical sprinkler mount
such as located along the rotating water supply and wheel-line
defining shaft 17. Sprinkler heads 93 are located along suitable
spaced-apart length portions of the member 17, usually in an
equally spaced relation between the wheel units D and E and
supplemental wheels F. Water is supplied to a central chamber
92 through a hole aye in the wall of the shaft 17. The chamber
92 is defined by a two-part, fluid sealed-off coupling collar
or sleeve construction 90 which, at its ends, has a rotatable
mounting with respect to the member 17 and is sealed-off by suit-
able gasket means 91. The central chamber 92, as defined by the
sleeve 90, supplies water under pressure through a threaded exit
pipe 94 to spray nozzle head 93 which is shown provided with an
outwardly extending, upwardly projecting nozzle aye. Each head
93 may be adapted to rotate on its stem 94 to provide a circular
path of water spray in a conventional manner.
To prevent rotating movement of the sleeve 90 with the
shaft 17 during its driving movement, a backwardly extending,
angle-shaped, trailing ground-engaging sprig rod 97 is provided.
As shown in FIGURES 13 and 14, the sleeve 90 may be of
two-part, sealed-off construction bolted together for easy
assembly and disassembly through the agency of bolt and nut
assemblies 95, and associated resilient gaskets that extend along
flanges of the two halves. The upper end of each trailing rod
97 has a sleeve 96 with a hole there through which fits over a
pipe nipple 98 that is assembled into a threaded projection that
-17-
extends from the bottom portion of the sleeve 90. The rod is
secured in position with respect thereto by a pipe cap aye.
Sleeve 90 is retained in position on conduit 17 over hole aye
by two split clamps 99, 99' which are secured in position by bolt
and nut assemblies aye.
With reference to FIGURE 15, tee fitting 10 may be of
somewhat similar construction to the sleeve 90 of FIGURES 13 and
14. It is, however of one-piece construction and is provided
with sealing gaskets 91' that permit rotation of the shaft 17
with respect to the collar 20. A fluid chamber 92' is defined by
the wall of the collar 20 that enables water supplied by the
short length hose H to be supplied to the shaft 17 through feed
holes aye' that may be of larger size and smaller in number than
shown, if so desired.
It will appear from the previously described construe-
lion of the apparatus illustrated in the drawings, the master
drive unit C is positively advanced by its jack 30 at a relative-
lye slow rate, dependent upon the number of teeth that are adjust-
ably set to be engaged by the stroking arm 28. Since the bull
gear 25 and the capstan 40 of the unit C are integrally secured
together, this will produce a corresponding turning movement of
the capstan and thus a forward movement of the capstan in its
reeving relation with respect to the cable 41. As to the power
unit D and the booster units E, advancing movement is accom-
polished in a similar manner by their respective jacks 30, except
that no capstan is provided and their bull gears 25' and 25" are
keyed to or secured on the shaft 17 to directly actuate it.
Adjustment of the member 26 of each unit is set by the
wing nut 27b (see FIGURE 9), in order to assure that each unit C,
D and E has the same forward timing for coordinated, aligned
advance. Since each jack 30 of the limits will have a like
return stroke or movement that is assured by positive fluid
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actuation uncertain, erratic retllrn action of the jack is
obviated. Without such a positive return movement, it is
impossible to coordinate the piston movement as is now assured in
the present construction.
It is believed to be apparent that the equipment or
apparatus of the present invention is so constructed that once
its forward operation is initiated, its operation will be sub-
staunchly fully automatic and that it will not require an alien-
dent to closely follow and become soaked with water. The only
manual requirement for transversing the full length of the field
in which an anchor cable 41 extends, is for an attendant to open
and close valves of the hydrant A, A', etc. and detach the
flexible hose G from a given hydrant, such as A of FIGURE 1, when
the apparatus has additionally reached the forward length extent
of the hose, and to then attach the hose to the next hydrant A'
and open it valve. At this time, the apparatus will resume its
forward advancing movement. Stop aye may be located at a suit-
able position along the anchor cable 41 to effect an automatic
stoppage of the apparatus at the end of the run. This is
accomplished by a fully automatic closing of the main supply
valve 45 of the master drive unit C.
The attendant, on noting such stoppage and desiring
to return the machine to its starting location, may then approach
the hydrant A', shut it off and uncouple the hose G therefrom.
He then uncouples the other end of the hose G from the shut-off
valve coupling aye and connects it to the front, dead-end
coupling 21. Next, the dogs or paws 24 and 24' of the units C,
D and E are moved back against the tension of their springs 24b
and 24b' out of engagement with the bull gears 25, 25' and 25".
They are locked in such a position by hooking each chain 24d,
24d' through an adjacent projecting lug 24c, 24c' so as to permit
the bull gears to freely move in a clockwise direction.
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3 8
At this time, the attendant may start up combustion
engines I which are carried by the master unit C and the power
drive unit D. It will be noted from FIGURES 5 and 6 that each
engine has a gear and drive shaft assembly 101 which is connect-
Ed through a transmission, for example, in a hydrostatic gear
box 102, to drive shaft 103 on which pinion 104 is mounted. As
shown in FIGURE 5, the pinion 104 is adapted to mesh with the
teeth of a gear 105 that is keyed or secured on the conduit and
drive shaft 17. A manual operating arm 106 is employed to
operate an overriding clutch in the gear box 102 to drive the
pinion 104. In this way, the apparatus may be moved backwardly,
dragging the flexible hose G to the rear thereof and at a suit-
able speed, as governed by throttle on each engine I and the
ratio of the running gears of the drive train. When the appear-
tusk arrives at its starting position, then the operating lever
106 may be swung to throw the shaft 103 out of operation. The
engine I may then be stopped.
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