OUR BEGINNING
Beginning in 1954, Mr. Reinke formed the company on a family farm and began manufacturing farm and commercial building structural components specializing in chicken houses and laminated rafters.

1960`S INDUSTRY FIRSTS
During the late 60`s, Reinke introduced the ELECTROGATOR® center pivot irrigation system. The first reversible, electric drive center pivot with collector ring allowing continuous rotation and span over 100 feet in length with a patented V-jack truss design. These designs are now used worldwide by all major manufacturers of center pivot and lateral move irrigation systems.

The ELECTROGATOR® was also the first to incorporate interchangeable pipe and truss components, an O-ring gasket (Reinke exclusive) between pipes for a non-intrusive seal and first gear driven towable system with rubber tires.

Also a Reinke first was the introduction of the MINIGATOR®, the first system with 4-1/2” water pipe designed for low water supplies and smaller fields.

1970`S
At the beginning of the 1970`s, Reinke continued to make great improvements and innovations by adding more water pipe options such as 6" water pipe as well as providing the largest selection of water pipes for varying water quality and field conditions. This lead to the first Chromium Nickel Plus (CN+) steel water pipe option and the introduction of the first successful aluminum system, the ALUMIGATOR®. These options still remain a Reinke exclusive to this day.

Perhaps the greatest breakthrough during this period was the introduction of the high strength steel. Higher strength was introduced to reduce the weight, increasing the life of the drive train and reducing soil compaction in the field. This also included the completely new way of connecting the base beam to the water pipe using the Reinke exclusive single leg tower.

In the later part of the 70`s, Reinke introduced the versatile 2-wheel drive power tower the MAXIGATOR®, a lateral move irrigation system allowing for maximum coverage in rectangular shaped fields.

1980`S
To prevent leaks at the water pipe connections, Reinke developed a new way of preventing gasket failures due to misalignment and sunlight. This included embedding a V-ring seal as a non-intrusive gasket between pipe flanges (Reinke exclusive) allowing the flanges to be connected face to face. Thanks to a unique flange design, the V-ring seal is completely hidden and allows the flanges to join together without the interference of a gasket.

Reinke has made great improvements in electronic enclosures. This decade also brought the introduction of the double walled, injection molded tower box that features a safety interlock (Reinke exclusive) which prevents the cover from being removed without first disconnecting the power to the tower. This exclusive tower box provides a moisture-free environment for electrical components and is the last place you`ll ever find condensation.

Other advancements such as the patented Energy Saver Package (ESP) for swing arm corner systems with limited system gpm (Reinke exclusive). The first bow string truss over 210 feet was also introduced.

1990`S
With more irrigation dotting the globe, challenges in covering every acre possible was the challenge of the day. Reinke introduced the Drop Span, which would allow the connection and disconnection of adjacent spans, and the system to cover additional acres.

Advancements were also paramount in the on-board irrigation system controls. Reinke introduced the Reinke Automated Management System (RAMS) control panel and the Digital Precision Application Controller (PAC Timer) which changed the way growers managed their systems. This decade also brought Stainless Steel as a new water pipe option for corrosive water applications.

2000`S
The 2000`s brought the most technical advances since our humble beginning. Reinke has been the leader in Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Precision Management main control panels, water pipe options, satellite-based communications and much more.

Reinke introduces Navigator GPS guidance swing arm corner systems. The first to offer successful GPS guidance for swing arm corners
A single phase power option is offered for systems
The ELECTROGATOR® II is introduced featuring new tower and span designs
Reinke begins to offer Navigator GPS controls for end of system and guidance for lateral systems, the first to successfully do so in the industry
Robotic welding is installed by Reinke to improve productivity quality
Reinke becomes the first to offer five types of water pipe for their systems (aluminum, galvanized steel, stainless steel, poly lined galvanized steel and chromium nickel plus)
Introduction of the 10 degree Wrap Span
Development and introduction of the Reinke Precision Management (RPM) control panel series
Introduction of the 90 degree Wrap Span
Option for either a trailing or leading swing arm corner
Introduction of the revolutionary Touch Screen Main Control Panel. Reinke was the first to bring this technology to the market
Introduction of Reinke Base Station software allowing remote management of systems via radio communication
Variable Rate Irrigation (VRI) with accuracy and management via the Reinke Touch Screen Control Panel
Reinke introduces the Pivoting Lateral, which is integrated with GPS guidance and offers the benefits of both a center pivot and a lateral move system
ReinCloud® is introduced. Offering growers worldwide a new platform for collecting, processing and presenting key data

TODAY
In this day and age, you don`t often find a worldwide industry leader operating in the same place as where it was founded. But, that`s the way it is with Reinke. We`re still in Deshler, Nebraska, the original location established by founder Richard Reinke in 1954. We choose to remain in Deshler – America`s heartland – close to our roots and our customers because that`s who we are. We live and work among the growers of this country and our dealers live and work among the growers of countries all over the world. We`re a global leader in irrigation products, but we`re a hometown business at heart.

Reinke - Wrap Span for Center Pivot Irrigation

Two Configurations