Products Catalog 2011

Fall 2011IrrigationViewT-L Irrigation CompanyP.O. Box 1047Hastings, Nebraska 68902-1047 USAPhone: 1-800-330-4264 • Fax: 1-800-330-4268Phone: (402) 462-4128 • Fax: (402) 462-4617www.tlirr.comBy Tharran GainesDumas, Texas — Darren Stallwitz isn’t a psychic or a fortune teller, but he’s already made at least one prediction that he believes will … unfortunately … come true.“Our three electric center pivot irrigation units will give me more trouble this year and take up more of my time than all 13 of our T-L units combined,” says Darren, who farms with his father, Eddie, and son, Garrett, near Dumas, Texas. “I just know they will, because that has certainly been the case in the past.”Due to record drought across Texas in 2011, this past growing season certainly wasn’t the time to experience problems, either. In response to a directive from the State of Texas to predict how much water would remain in the underlying aquifer in 50 years the North Plains Water District has already established pumping allocations, which have been steadily decreasing every few years.The allocations started four years ago with a 24-inch limit and 2011 was the first year for an 18-inch quota. The next step down will be 16 inches. Of the nearly 5,500 acres the Stallwitz family farms, approximately 40 percent of it is irrigated with the crop mix divided between irrigated and dryland wheat, approximately 850 acres of irrigated corn, 110 acres of hay and about 100 acres of milo. “We’ve already done a number of things to help reduce our water usage,” Stallwitz relates. “For one, we’ve been planting almost everything no-till in an effort to maintain as much residue as possible to reduce evaporation from the heat and wind. That includes rotating some of our corn with irrigated wheat and planting no-till into the old wheat stubble,” he adds, noting that irrigated wheat also requires less water than corn, yet provides higher Faced with increasing water restrictions, Darren and Garrett Stallwitz need a center pivot system that’s dependable.There’s No Time or Water to WasteWith pumping allotments on the decrease, pivots need to be ready to move when plants need water.Produced by:T-L Irrigation CompanyP.O. Box 1047Hastings, Nebraska 68902-1047 USAPRSRT STDU.S. PostagePAIDPermit No. 68Wichita, KSContents1 There’s No Time or Water to Waste1 Center Pivot Irrigation Makes Its Mark in History2 No Room For Electric Pivots3 “I Hit the Button and It Works”4 Wise Advice5 Water and Electricity Make Poor Bedfellows7 Slow and Steady Wins the DayVisit our website for additional product information. www.tlirr.com.The T-L Difference. >>Center PivotElectric Center Pivot“Variable Rate Irrigation (VRI)”CAN’T FIXUneven Water Application.The “start-stop” action of electrically powered pivot systems result in the uneven water distribution pattern shown in the left-hand graphic. This unevenness will exist with any control system used, including VRI (Variable Rate Irrigation). This “spoking” can result in inconsistent crop production and lost revenue.T-L hydrostatically powered systems deliver the smooth, even water pattern shown in the right-hand graphic. This water pattern is consistent with T-L pivot systems, and enhances the performance of any control system used with the pivot, including VRI. You can gain improved crop production and better use of water resources through the elimination of “spoking”.Learn more about how you can experience the many benefits provided by T-L’s continuous system movement design. Contact your local T-L dealer, call us at 1-800-330-4264, or visit our website at www.tlirr.com. Let T-L and T-L dealers give you lasting value and decades of T-L dependability.T-L: Proven Technology - That Works CERTIFIEDQ UA LI TYISO9001Irrigation Systems©2011 T-L Irrigation Company Contact your T-L dealer or Call T-L at 800-330-4264 E-mail sales@tlirr.com www.tlirr.com Center Pivot Irrigation Makes Its Mark in HistoryBy Tharran GainesIt’s been more than 40 years since T-L Irrigation introduced its first center pivot irrigation system. But those four decades are only a blink of an eye in terms of irrigation history. Fact is, the use of irrigation can be traced back more than 6,000 years ago to when farmers in Egypt and Mesopotamia (present day Iraq and Iran) began using flood waters from the Nile and Tigris/Euphrates rivers to water their crops. It wasn’t until 1952 that the idea of a center pivot sprinkler system was even conceived. According to the American So-ciety of Agricultural and Bio-logical Engineers (ASABE), which recognizes the center pivot irrigator as “An historic landmark of agricultural engi-neering”, a Strasburg, Colo-rado, farmer named Frank Zyback patented the first “self-propelled sprinkling irrigation apparatus” on July 22, 1952. The patent described the new apparatus as a series of mo-bile towers that carried a pipe-line around a pivot. Sprinklers on the pipeline distributed the 1st Center Pivot - An example of the first center pivot irrigation is on display at the Pioneer Village in Minden, Nebraska.SEE Stallwitz PAGE 6SEE HiStory PAGE 6IrrigationView2By Tharran Gaines Beaver, OkLahOma — Steve Parker doesn’t have much use for the electric center pivot irrigation system he bought several years ago. And he means that both literally and figuratively.“It’s been at least 15 years since I’ve even used it,” says Parker, who has since installed two T-L center pivot units on the cattle and wheat operation he owns south of Beaver, Oklahoma. “Yet, every month, until I told them to just come out and remove the meter, I was having to pay a meter service charge. “I think I’ve finally got it sold,” he relates. “But I’ll cut it up and build cattle pens out of the pipe if I have to. One way or the other, it’s leaving. I’ve had nothing but trouble with that one since the day I bought it.”Irrigation is nothing new to Parker, however. For as long as he can remember, Parker has been moving irrigation pipe and dealing with temperamental systems. In fact, he says his father and grandfather drilled the first well in 1962 and began furrow irrigating corn and sorghum for silage. Even today, Parker says he still does some furrow irrigation in combination with a few side-roll lateral systems. “Fortunately, I’ve since got acquainted with my dealer for T-L,” he adds. “I liked the idea of no electricity, because I understand hydraulics a whole lot better than I do 480-volt electricity.”Although a lot of things have changed since Parker put in the first of his two T-L units — without any electricity needed at the control box — he says he still holds a preference for T-L pivots. Originally, he says, they were installed to help irrigate wheat, alfalfa and forage grown for a family owned dairy that once numbered up to 140 cows. Today, the dairy is gone, and so is the alfalfa. However, cattle are still the focus on Parker’s ranch. It’s just that the herd that averages around 175 in number now consists of beef cattle. “Wheat is the only cash crop I grow,” Parker says, relating that around 350 acres total are under some type of irrigation. “Otherwise, it’s all cattle related.”In addition to the cow/calf herd that he maintains year around, Parker says he and his son, who works at the sale barn in Beaver, often buy what they call “put together cows”. “Those are the old cull cows that come through the ring one or two at a time,” he explains. “We try to buy them pregnant so we can get at least one more calf off of them while speculating on the cows themselves.”Unfortunately, Parker is still responding to one of the worst droughts in history. Just this past summer, he was forced to sell off more than 40 head of cows, bringing his herd down to around 115 animals. Still, he insists it would have been worse had he not had a crop of cool-season grass under one of his T-L pivots. In addition, Parker is not one to over-graze a pasture of any kind. That includes the winter wheat he used for pasture this past winter.“I’d open the gate and leave them on the wheat for four or five hours at a time and drive them off,” he says, noting that he also has about 120 acres of dryland wheat. “I can still remember when I was in grade school and not being able to see more than a few hundred yards because of blowing dust; and I don’t intend to let it happen again. Besides, if you manage it right, you can graze the wheat during the winter and still get a decent wheat crop. Of course, that wasn’t the case this year, with the drought. We were lucky to get any wheat at all.”Of course, that’s another reason he has dreams of adding at least one or two more T-L units as replacements for the side-roll machines. “Those lateral-move units are so inefficient they can barely pull their own weight when they’re filled with water,” he says. “In comparison the T-Ls not only save water, but they do a better job of putting it on than our electric pivot ever did. Because of the hydraulic drive, the motion is always steady, whereas the electric units continuously stop and start. “Best of all, the T-L pivots require a lot less labor than either the side-roll systems or the electric units,” he concludes. “And at my age, I’m all for anything that takes less labor.” •No Room For Electric PivotsThis Oklahoma rancher insists that one way or another, his only electric center pivot unit is leaving“I liked the idea of no electricity, because I understand hydraulics a whole lot better than I do 480-volt electricity.”Steve Parker insists he will never again own anything but T-L center pivot units.CERTIFIEDQ UA LI TYISO9001Irrigation Systems ©2011 T-L Irrigation Company Are you tired of dealing with the hassles of irrigating with electrically powered pivot irrigation systems? Microswitches, expensive unexpected repairs, high maintenance costs, safety concerns … the list goes on.Only T-L irrigation systems use strong, efficient, smooth-running and reliable hydrostatic power that you know and work with every day. Proven technology that works Let T-L Irrigation Co. and T-L dealers give you lasting value and decades of dependability. T-L pivot irrigation systems are “Easier on You – For a Lifetime.” Call your local T-L dealer or T-L Irrigation Co. at 1-800-330-4264 today T h E T - L D i F F E r E n c EProven technologyThAT WoRkSContact your T-L dealer or Call T-L at 800-330-4264 E-mail sales@tlirr.com www.tlirr.comThoU$AND$Electric Center Pivot Center PivotA picture can be worthIrrigationView 3By Tharran Gaines GiBBOn, neBrask a — Dan Mercer can think of plenty of reasons he prefers pivot irrigation to traditional flood irrigation, including less labor, more even water distribution and the fact that it increases the property value. And he can come up with just as many reasons he prefers T-L units. Unfortunately, he is running out of places to put them. In fact, the most recent T-L pivot is a quarter circle unit that covers just 45 acres. “There’s a pasture that cuts into the field, so it didn’t leave much room for a pivot,” he says. “But I think it will still pay off.”Of the 1,300 acres Mercer farms with his father, Thomas Mercer, all but about 100 acres is irrigated. On the remaining total, eight center pivot units, including seven T-L units, cover approximately 950 acres. The first of those were installed in 1995.“The last five units we’ve bought have all been T-L models,” he relates. “It’s not that we don’t want any more electric drive units. We just like the way the T-L machines move continuously for nice, even water application. “They seem to be more reliable, too,” Mercer adds. “Come spring, I hit the button and it works.” Of course, Mercer says there’s a little loyalty to the community involved, as well. One factor is the location of the T-L factory, which is only about 40 miles away. Another is the fact that one of Dan’s good friends works for T-L. “I don’t know what it is, but I also don’t seem to have as much trouble with the nozzles clogging up on the T-L units as I do with the other units,” he adds. “I don’t know if it has something to do with the way they build the pipe or what.” Dan insists the reliability of T-L units is particularly important these days as his dad looks toward retirement, having farmed in the area since 1966. “It’s tough to hire anybody for just the spring and fall,” Dan relates. “If they need a job, they obviously prefer something full time.” Consequently, Mercer has been trying to get away from as much furrow irrigation as possible … even if the newest T-L only covers a quarter circle.“We’re down to where we can’t put in any more full-circle pivots,” he explains. “One of the things I do like about the T-L half-circle pivot is that I can adjust the amount of time it sets at the stop before it reverses direction. I usually set it for eight to 10 minutes so we can get the edges watered a little better.”Mercer says the other challenge to adding more pivots is talking the landlord on their rented land into splitting the cost. Right now, those are the only fields left that don’t have pivots on them. “The half-swing is on rented land,” he explains. “And on that one, we did a cost share on the pad and the pipe to the base with the agreement that I would have a contract on the rental for a minimum of seven years. In addition, I paid for everything from the pad up, which means I own the pivot. I figure if I ever lose the lease, I can always move or sell the pivot itself.” In the meantime, Mercer continues to put the emphasis on corn production with a rotation that consists of three years of corn, followed by one year of soybeans. With irrigation, corn typically yields in the range or 170 to 220 bushels per acre, while soybeans average 70 bushels or more.“I’ve been looking at trying to go with a little more no-till on some fields, just to further protect against erosion,” he says, noting that the transition becomes a lot easier with the elimination of furrows. “But I also look at it as a way to reduce labor, which is really what it’s all about these days.” •“I Hit The Button and It Works”As his dad looks toward retirement, this Nebraska farmer looks to reduced tillage and center pivot irrigation to reduce labor requirements. Dan Mercer notes that the last five center pivot units he and his dad have purchased have been T-L units.Notice the non-uniform water application of the center pivot circles shown. This is known as “spoking,” which results from the start-stop operation of an electric drive pivot system. An electric pivot starts and stops 2,880 times a day at the end tower alone. Michigan State University field research (Fusco, 1995) verified the significant effect of “spoking” and found application uniformity ranged from 15% to 85% on a leading manufacturer’s electric drive pivot. call up Google Earth Maps on your computer and see for yourself.Common sense would say the consequence of “spoking” is lost crop production and that production losses can be even greater if the system is being used for chemigation. Your investment in irrigation is significant, and is intended to maximize your economic return from your crop. However, the intermittent motion of an electrically powered pivot system can detract from your return, sometimes significantly.History has shown that the start-stop motion is also detrimental to component life, increases mechanical problems, creates more expense, causes downtime and generally makes irrigating miserable. Many growers have experienced these problems.Recover your lost production.www.tlirr.com • 1-800-330-4264“Proven Technology – ThaT WOrks”Only T-L irrigation systems are hydrostatically powered. The same simple and reliable power design you know and work with every day. And there is more: • Smooth, continuous system movement at any speed. • Precise rotation times at any temperature. • high speed rotation for frost control and uniform chemical application. • Exclusive option of planetary gearboxes with an 8-year, 24,000 hour gearbox warranty unavailable from any other manufacturer. • Specially formulated, environmentally friendly hydroclear fluid that assures life-long hydraulic component performance. • high-efficiency, variable-displacement hydraulic pump that uses only needed power and can be used with single or 3-phase electricity. Safety, high maintenance costs, and unexpected downtime will no longer be major concerns. Let T-L and T-L dealers give you lasting value and decades of reliability. T-L irrigation systems are “Easier on You – For a Lifetime.”Contact your T-L dealer, call us at 1-800-330-4264, or visit our website at www.tlirr.com.IrrigationView4By Tharran Gaines eGyPT — When Tamer Semida has trouble with a center pivot irrigation system, he always hopes that the problem is something he and his crew can repair themselves. Otherwise, he often has to wait two or three days for a repairman to make the 250- to 375-mile trip to the farm. And that’s just one-way. That’s one reason Semida has advised his employer, as well as other companies in Egypt, where he serves as head of the agriculture section for the Jenaan Company, to buy only T-L pivots when purchasing new units or replacing old electric units. Semida speaks from experience, too, having worked with center pivot systems since 2004. “I worked for a year in the Sinai in food crop production where they had several different irrigation methods, including drip, sprinklers and pivots,” he says. “The most effective and lowest cost system was the pivots, even though the electrical and mechanical malfunctions caused some troubles.” From 2005 through 2007, Semida worked with the National Research Center on an agronomical consulting project involving fertilization management. Unfortunately, he again saw his share of electrical malfunctions. It wasn’t until he joined the Jenaan Company in 2008 that Semida discovered there was an alternative. “In August 2009, the chairman of the company told me he had bought another pivot system that worked on hydraulic oil,” he recalls. “That was the first time I had heard about T-L. I could not believe it. The T-L is an amazing pivot, which has worked all this time without any malfunctions.” Located in the extreme southwest corner of Egypt in an area known as the Sharq El-Owienate Project-New Val-ley governorate, the Jenaan Company currently produces a wide variety of crops, including alfalfa, Bermuda grass, wheat and vegetables. However, because the farm is situated in the desert, approximately 400 kilometers (250 miles) from Dakhla City, Egypt, and 600 kilometers (375 miles) from Aswan, Egypt, it’s virtually impossible to produce a crop without irrigation. “Pivot irrigation systems are the most effective and lowest in cost for food and feed crop production,” Semida says, noting that the company’s current inventory includes 160 center pivot units, consisting of 25 T-L hydraulic-drive pivots and 135 electric units from two other companies. “That’s because one pivot can cover between 118 and 150 acres and one person can operate more than one unit … which means we can easily spread the agriculture investments to further reduce the cost of human power in comparison with the fixed irrigation systems (drip and sprinkler).” Semida says that by using a regular preventive maintenance program, he believes he can keep most of the pivots working without problems or downtime. Still, he has found that T-L pivots, with their hydraulic drive system, offer a superior advantage when it comes to reliability. “T-L pivots definitely have more advantages in comparison with the electric pivots, such as the low preventive maintenance and repair costs,” he says. “This means lower requirements for operating and maintenance staff and maximum time efficiency for ‘higher income’.” Although the Jenaan Company project was initiated to grow and export hay and forage crops like alfalfa, millet, oats and Bermuda, it has since expanded to include wheat and potatoes and is currently studying the viability of other crops, including vegetables. “Jenaan Company now has 33,000 acres divided into two projects in southwest Egypt,” Semida explains. “The old one includes 20,000 acres with all of it being sowed. The recent one includes 13,000 acres, which are under construction to add wells and roads. At the same time, there are negotiations between the company and the Egyptian regime about Jenaan’s plans to expand its agriculture investments to reach 100,000 acres in the Toshca project which is closer to the city of Aswan.” Regardless of the location, Semida and his staff have to contend with challenges most North American farmers never have to face … like endless sand. Still, the predominance of fine sand and sandy soil isn’t the biggest problem. That would be the heat, which can easily range from 100 degrees to well over 110 degrees Fahrenheit during the afternoons in June, July and August. “The heat is the biggest challenge we face because it can cause oil leakage in the gearboxes,” he says. “That leads to failures in the gearbox or couplings and stops the continuity of our work.” Due to the dry conditions, Semida says the irrigation schedule is 12 hours per day in the winter and 18 to 20 hours per day in the summer. At full speed, the pivots can make a full revolution in approximately 12 hours and apply around 3,000 cubic meters (792,500 gallons) of water. At 60 percent speed, which is closer to the average, a pivot will take 20 hours per revolution and apply about 5,000 cubic meters (1.3 million gallons) of water. Because the sandy soil is low on nutrients, the center pivot units are also called on frequently to apply liquid fertilizer as a supplement to the nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and micronutrients applied before and after planting. In the meantime, weed control depends on the crop, the export restrictions and management of the particular farm. Semida says the weed density also differs from field to field, which is part of the reason they follow a diverse rotation program. “Jenaan’s plan is to take about 30 cuts of alfalfa hay, which means a field is in alfalfa production for about three years,” Semida says. “After that, the crop rotation includes wheat, corn, potatoes, barley and millet to create diversity of the crop type and the soil microbiology, while enriching soil fertility.” All of that, of course, depends on a steady water supply. “Within the company, we have a very well-trained staff of engineers and technicians who do the maintenance work on the pivots, engines and pumps,” Semida concludes. “However, I am trained to do most of the maintenance and instruction, as well. In fact, I remember in 2008, when the farm wasn’t as large as it is today, when I would carry a tool bag in my car and when I’d see a defect, I would stop and repair it myself without any help.” Fortunately, as the number of T-L pivots continues to grow, the use of that tool bag is even less frequent. •Wise Advice “My recommendation is to buy T-L pivots or replace the old electric pivots with T-L pivots to help the project succeed.”Tamer Semida says T-L is the only brand he recommends for irrigation in Egypt’s hot, dry climate.“T-L pivots definitely have more advantages in comparison with the electric pivots, such as the low preventive maintenance and repair costs…”CERTIFIEDQ UA LI TYISO9001Sign up at:www.tlirr.com/enewswww.tlirr.comSign up today to start receiving the latest news and product releases from T-L Irrigation. Get connected with T-L Irrigation Co.Management Control OptionsThe T-L DifferenCe.TechnOlOgical advancemenT »IrrigationView 5Water and Electricity Make Poor BedfellowsFlood waters from the Missouri River covered the lower half of one T-L irrigated field this past summer.Richard Oswald checks the organic matter left from 100 percent no-till.By Tharran Gaines rOCk POrT, missOuri — Richard Oswald has never felt that water and electricity were a good mix … which is one of the reasons he has always preferred T-L center pivot systems over electric pivots. However, he never thought of safety in terms of floodwaters. In the last 20 years alone, at least four of the six T-L center pivots on Oswald’s 2,000-acre farm near Rock Port, Missouri, have been partially or totally submerged in water from the nearby Missouri River. Prior to that, the area hadn’t experienced widespread flooding since 1952, before the current levy system was finished.Although Oswald’s farmland used to be split nearly 50/50 between hill country and bottoms, the mix has changed significantly since his son, Brandon, started farming in 1989.Today, most of Richard’s farm ground is in the river bottom, while most of his son’s land is in the hills. Although portions of the farm are owned together, other fields are owned and managed individually. Interestingly, some of the land that Richard and his wife, Linda, farm under the umbrella of Oswald Farms is also fifth-generation property owned by cousins living as far away as New York. In fact, they technically own five of the T-L pivots, even though they left the purchase decision up to Oswald.“The worst thing about the gumbo in the bottoms is that when you till it and leave it exposed to the wind, it tends to blow and drift worse than sand,” Oswald insists. “When it’s wet, it’s the heaviest soil you can imagine, but it can also be like powder when it dries.”That’s why Oswald has been using irrigation for as long as he can remember and a total no-till program since 1986. “Not only does no-till farming reduce the potential for erosion, but it offers a tremendous amount of savings in fuel and equipment. Tillage implements wear out and I don’t see a need to put that many hours on a tractor.” Oswald has the same conservative view of center pivot irrigation. “My father purchased the first T-L center pivot in 1984 after years of he and I wading irrigation ditches and moving pipes and siphon tubes,” he says. “We liked the idea of the oil drive in place of electric motors. At the time, I remember reading that electrocution was the second leading cause of death in farmer fatalities; and I think center pivot irrigation systems were the leading cause within the category. So that made an impression on me.“My children were growing up on the farm at the time, and we just thought T-L offered a safer solution,” he adds. “I understand that electric drive is what most of the center pivot industry has evolved into; but as long as there is still another option, I’ll take it.”Little did he know at the time, though, that T-L pivots would be better suited to withstand submersion in flood waters. Unlike the flood of 1993, which came and went quickly, due to heavy rain throughout the Midwest, the 2011 flood occurred when the Corp of Engineers opened the spillways on dams in South Dakota for an extended period of time. In fact, Oswald was forced out of his own home for nearly four months.“After the flood of 1993, all I did was pull the drain plugs on the drive units and refill them,” he says. “We never had any other damage. However, the towers on four of the six pivots were setting in water for 14 weeks or more this time. “I don’t anticipate too much more damage than last time, but I certainly wouldn’t think it would be good for electric motors to set in water that long … even if they are sealed to withstand normal conditions.”Oswald insists he also likes the continuous movement of the T-L units, which was once more important than it is today. “I don’t think they have as many problems as pivots that start and stop every few minutes,” he relates. “We certainly haven’t had any problems anyway. “However, it was an even bigger issue when we used to do a lot more chemigation,” he adds. “Several years ago, when Dad was still farming, we used to put on a majority of our fungicides through the pivot. However, with Bt corn, that has pretty much ended.”Oswald says he has also cut back on his practice of applying liquid fertilizer through the pivots as the price has increased. Today, he puts most of his nitrogen on in the form of cheaper anhydrous ammonia, even though he had great success with liquid nitrogen applied through the pivots just prior to tasseling. “I still think T-L pivots are a good investment, though, even if they aren’t used for anything more than insurance in dry years when you need moisture,” he says. “We’ve fought wet more than we’ve fought dry the last couple years or so. But if you consider the price of a combine or tractor compared to a center pivot, knowing that the center pivot is going to last a lot longer, it’s still not a bad investment — especially when bottom ground is selling for $5,000 to $6,000 an acre and corn is selling for over $7.00 per bushel.” •T-L pivots reveal additional benefits when floodwaters inundate Missouri River bottomland. “My children were growing up on the farm at the time, and we just thought T-L offered a safer solution…”Manual Speed and Direction ControlControl speed and direction with two simple hydraulic valves.remote System ManagementA GPS pivot control or monitoring system is available to remotely manage your T-L irrigation system. It can communicate through the internet to provide actual performance information and notification to a cell phone, smart phone or computer, enabling timelier operating and water use decisions.T-L Precision Point Control iiiControl speed, direction, end gun and auto/stop locations with GPS or encoder position sensors. Closed loop speed control for maximum uniformity. Safe 24VDC Control.T-L Point ControlControl speed and direction from the pivot or remote location. Safe 24VDC Control.Now with GPSPrOven TechnOlOgyThaT workS.From manual control to gPS,T-L Pivot Manager iiCreate programs for full control of all irrigation functions. Monitor water pressure and flow. Closed loop speed control for maximum uniformity. Safe 24VDC Control.IrrigationView6Copper wire is being stolen from electrically powered pivot systems world-wide. Many growers have resorted to 24-hour guards, razor wire, floodlights and daily disassembly to protect themselves.T-L’s hydrostatically powered pivot systems can be designed with no wire to steal, eliminating the problem. t-l irrigation systems are easier on you — for a lifetimePrevent theft and discover the reliability, safety and low maintenance of T-L’s hydraulically powered pivot irrigation systems.www.tlirr.com • 1-800-330-4264Razor Wire Flood LightsNo wire to steal.Stop Copper Theft.yields than dryland wheat. “Garrett thinks we should go to strip till on our row crops, but we’re still looking at that option.”Like most farmers in the area, Stallwitz also uses sprinkler nozzles on drop tubes on all the pivots to put the water a few inches from the ground. Darren says he has also begun experimenting with soil moisture probes in a couple fields to measure precise moisture levels in the root zone down to 60 inches. “I can pull up all the information on the computer, but I’m still working on how to apply it,” he admits. “The idea is to hold off irrigation until the monitor tells you when the plants actually need water. That includes holding off irrigation when the roots are developing to force them deeper into the soil profile.”Of course, that means the pivot needs be ready to go when it’s time to water.“I think I’ve only replaced one gearbox on a T-L the whole time we’ve owned them,” he says, noting that all are equipped with planetary drives. “I have replaced a few hydraulic motors, but only because of age. Our oldest T-L unit is 32 years old and it’s still going.”That hasn’t been the case with the three electric units Stallwitz Farms still operates. Darren says he is continually working on center drives, gearboxes, U-joints and switches.“I think all that starting and stopping is just hard on the electric units,” he says. “There’s a lot of torque there every time you stop and restart; and I think that contributes to a lot of the problems.”Darren says the only reason he even has any electric units at all is because he and his brother, who used to farm with the family, bought two of them used. The third was acquired when a previous landlord didn’t want to split the cost of a T-L.“We haven’t bought anything but T-L pivots since that time, even after a tornado took out three of our pivots,” he adds. “The insurance paid for one new T-L and we used the parts from the one we replaced to repair another one.“Of course, that’s another advantage of the T-L units,” he says. “They’re simple enough that we can do a lot of our own repairs. T-L was the first unit Dad bought back in the late ‘70s and it’s still the brand he prefers today … primarily for that very reason.” •water to the crop. Two years later, Robert Daugherty, the founder of Valley Manufacturing in Valley, Nebraska, acquired the patent and developed a commercial product that debuted in 1954. According to historians at Wessels Living History Farm in York, Nebraska, Valley had the market for center pivot systems pretty much to itself through much of the 1950s and ‘60s, until the patent expired in 1969. Despite the advantages a center pivot system offered, it was still slow going for the center pivot industry as a whole through much of that time. In fact, only seven center pivot machines were built in 1955. By 1960, production was still limited to about 50 units a year.By the end of the 1960s, however, the market took off – just as the original patent protecting Zybach’s invention ran out. One reason for the sudden growth was that more and more farmers were facing labor shortages as young people were leaving the farm. Wessels Living History Farm records that one man using a gated-pipe system could irrigate approximately 320 to 480 acres per day. “However, if that same farmer could buy and install several pivot systems, he could supervise the irrigation of 1,200 to 2,000 acres per day.”Secondly, center pivot irrigation units allowed even hilly land to be irrigated. Farmers who were looking to expand in the 1960s were finding that all of the flat land that could be irrigated by gravity was already priced out of the reach of the average farmer. However, there was still plenty of fertile, but hilly, land around the country — particularly in Nebraska and the High Plains — that could be purchased at a reasonable price. Finally, irrigation provided an insurance policy against drought, which often plagued the Great Plains. With irrigation, farmers … and their bankers … could count on a crop, no matter the weather. It also allowed farmers in many areas to grow more valuable crops, such as corn, where only wheat or grain sorghum had previously survived. By 1972, there were 2,725 pivot systems in Nebraska alone. By 1980, there were 18,785. And by 2002, there were an estimated 258,000 center pivots installed around the world.“Even before the patent ran out in 1969, other companies were bringing out their own systems with their own unique differences designed to avoid patent infringement,” states Wessels’ website (www.livinghistoryfarm.org).For example, Zybach’s first system siphoned some of the pressurized water from the main pipe and directed it to a piston that operated a ratchet-like linkage that moved the wheels. However, as early as 1959, an Australian company had modified the Zybach design to use electric motors on the wheels and a truss system to support the pipe at each tower. A California-based pump company eventually brought the system to the United States, put rubber tires on the towers, instead of steel wheels, and began marketing it as Raincat. After going through various owners — eventually landing in Greeley, Colorado — Raincat went out of business in the early 1980s.Other new companies came up with their own innovations, including other configurations of electric drive and a “bow-string” truss system under the pipe spans. In contrast, early systems had used wires running from the top of tall towers to support arched or bowed pipe. However, the truss system bowed the pipe up and transferred the weight back to the towers. This was not only important for supporting the weight of the water, which at 14 pounds per cubic foot could add up to more than 18,000 pounds over a quarter-mile pivot, but it helped raise the span high enough to clear tall corn.In the meantime, LeRoy Thom, a farm-raised agricultural engineer from Minden Nebraska, and later on his sons, Dave and Jim, decided they, too, could improve on the center pivot machines on the market. Founded in 1955 by Leroy Thom and a partner named J. G. Love, T-L Irrigation had already become established as a manufacturer of gravity irrigation systems and grain dryers. Seeing an opportunity to change the market, the Thom family developed and introduced a system in 1969 that used hydraulic motors to drive the wheels on each tower. The idea was that hydraulic motors would allow the systems to move around the field at a constant rate, rather than starting and stopping at set intervals as electric motors do, thereby applying water more evenly. “We looked at electricity,” LeRoy admits. “But we had some reasons why we decided against powering them with electricity. First of all, farmers work with hydraulics every day and understand them,” he adds. “They usually can make what repairs are needed themselves.” Unfortunately, the 1980s took a toll on the industry as the export market for American grain literally dried up. Agricultural credit became extremely tight, farm machinery companies went out of business or merged, farmers were in danger of losing their farms and the majority of center pivot companies went out of business.Today, T-L Irrigation, along with three competitors in Nebraska and a company in Oregon that only builds custom-ordered pivots, are the only ones that remain in business in the United States; and T-L is still the only center pivot manufacturer that uses hydraulic drive. Yet, there were certainly plenty of attempts in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s to enter the rapidly growing center pivot market. According to Wessels Living History Farm records, “Over the years, there have been over 80 individuals or companies who have tried to make and sell center pivot systems, even though some of the smaller companies were bought by the giants.”Most, however, simply tried and failed … like Paul Geis, a car dealer in York, Nebraska, who also had a small business that made irrigation pipe. He introduced his Kroy (York spelled backward) center pivot system powered by compressed air in the late ’60s. When the system failed to catch on, Geis sold it to a well driller in Sidney, Nebraska, who quit the business in the late 1970s. Additional names that came and went include Tumac, Pringle, Mel Brown, Olson and Gifford Hill. Fortunately, those that have remained in business continue to develop new technology that allows farmers to be even more efficient. For example, T-L not only offers linear and towable units, in addition to circle and corner pivot irrigation systems, but remote control that allows the operator to start, stop and monitor the system from an office computer or cell phone. Sprinkler systems can also be configured to nearly any shape and size a producer wants to cover. Needless to say, the industry has come a long way since Frank Zyback had an idea for an overhead sprinkler that simply pivoted in a circle. •History / Pivot Irrigation for the Average FarmerContinued from page 1Stallwitz / Low, Simple Maintenance Reason for T-L PreferenceContinued from page 1I know Thomas Edison said “1% inspiration, 99% perspiration”...but I still don?t think my electric pivot should be this much work IrrigationView 7Slow and Steady Wins the DayBy Tharran Gaines WhiTe sWan, Wa — When Rich Knight and his dad, Rick Knight, decided to install their most recent center pivot unit, they were surprised to learn that one competitor wasn’t even willing to give them a cost estimate. The salesman was afraid their pivot wouldn’t climb the 43-foot hill that comprised the upper end of the Knight’s quarter-section cornfield. “There are a lot steeper hills in the area,” says Rich, who farms around 1,000 acres in partnership with his dad near White Swan, Washington. “But with a 17-degree grade and rise of more than 40 feet from bottom to top, this one is obviously more than some pivots can handle.”To make matters worse, the field, which hasn’t been farmed in more than 20 years, contains a high percentage of alkali soil, which becomes very sticky when it is wet. Consequently, Rich says he couldn’t envision an electric-drive pivot working very well anyway.”“The way I figure it, trying to pull that hill with an electric-drive unit that continually starts and stops would be like revving up a car engine and letting out the clutch,” he says. “It would just dig itself into a rut and it would be stuck.”Although corn is an important crop for the Knights, their main commodity is alfalfa, which is marketed directly to a nearby dairy. Corn and wheat only serve as rotation crops for the 600 acres that are devoted to hay. “Because we only get about seven inches of rain a year, everything is under irrigation,” Rich explains. “We have three electric mini-pivots and three T-L center pivots — one sweep that covers 80 acres; a regular circular pivot, and a corner pivot that covers 146 acres, while navigating around two houses. The rest of the farm is covered with wheel lines.”Unfortunately, the lateral-moving wheel lines are much more labor intensive than the pivots; and fields watered with wheel lines can’t be rotated to corn, due to the lack of clearance.“We generally rotate a field out of alfalfa every five to six years,” says Rich, noting that they normally get five cuttings per season off of each field. “At that point, we’ll rotate the fields with center pivots to one year of corn and one year of wheat before going back to alfalfa. On fields with wheel line irrigation, we’ll go with two years of wheat. That’s another reason we’d like to add at least three more center pivot units.”Rich says center pivot irrigation is also preferable for applying fertilizer. In fact, the Knights use chemigation on every field that has a pivot.“On our alfalfa, we’ll take soil samples in the spring and then put on about 20 gallons per hour of custom-blended fertilizer until the recommended levels have been met.”Rich says they put about half of the nitrogen required by a corn crop through the pivots, as well. That’s in addition to phosphate, potash, sulfur and micronutrients.“I think we use less nitrogen when we ‘spoon feed’ it on through the pivot,” he adds. “It goes immediately to the plant and you don’t have to worry about it leaching down through the soil or running off.“The key is getting it spread evenly,” Rich continues. “Of course, that’s another benefit of T-L’s continuous movement. You wouldn’t think of going through a field with a tractor and fertilizer spreader and stopping and starting every few feet; yet that’s what an electric pivot is doing.”On the other hand, Rick has his own reasons — besides the continuous movement and ability to climb hills — for preferring T-L center pivot units over electric-drive units.“I know how to work with hydraulics and I’m not afraid of 24 volts,” he says. “But 480 volts tend to scare me.” However, Rich says electric-drive pivots concern him for another reason. According to Knight, the state of Washington has adopted the National Electrical Code for center pivot irrigation systems, which means the junction box on every pivot tower has to be checked by a state inspector. “Unfortunately, they don’t seem to know there is a difference between the T-L units and other brands,” Rich laments. “On the other hand, there’s nothing to prevent a T-L from passing, since there are no junction boxes on the towers. “As far as I’m concerned, anything we can do to reduce the amount of government regulation — which seems to be getting worse instead of better — is worth it,” he adds. “But the best feature is still the consistency.”“We’ve all seen how the tractor industry is moving toward CVT transmissions for infinitely variable speed, without the jerking that comes with powershift and gear range changes,” Rick concludes. “Why wouldn’t you want that with your irrigation system?” •The ability to climb a 17-degree hill without slipping is just one of the reasons these Washington state farmers prefer T-L’s continuous movement. Rick and Rich Knight (center and right) visit with Jon Hayter, their T-L dealer from Farmers Equipment Co. in Sunnyside, Washington, about their future irrigation needs.“I think we use less nitrogen when we ‘spoon feed’ it on through the pivot…”Rich Knight says the family’s newest T-L pivot is on a hilly field that hasn’t been farmed in over 20 years. A GPS pivot control or monitoring system is available to remotely manage your T-L irrigation system. It can communicate through the internet to provide actual performance information and notification to a cell phone, smart phone or computer, enabling timelier operating and water use decisions.Remote System ManagementIrrigationView8T-L CrediT Company:Need financing? Our T-L Credit link makes the application process easy. Just provide us with your basic information and we’ll get the wheels rolling. You’ll quickly be on your way to owning or leasing the industry’s most innovative irrigation equipment – and reaping the rewards. Get started today by visiting www.tlirr.com/financing.T-L TesTimoniaLs:At T-L Irrigation Co., we offer some of the best equipment in the industry. In fact, we’ve done it for the past 55 years. But, don’t just take our word for it. Visit the Testimonial link on our website and read what other farmers are saying about our systems. Have your own story to share? Visit www.tlirr.com/difference/testimonials.www.tlirr.comOn the web @NEWT-L media:Learning how to improve your operations has never been easier Simply click on our T-L Media link and you’ll obtain the latest and greatest information about our irrigation equipment. Plus, you’ll learn more about T-L Irrigation Co.’s services and specials. You don’t want to miss out Get the inside scoop at www.tlirr.com/difference/media.T-L enews signup:T-L Irrigation Co. knows you’re always on the go. 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