Abstract A method of irrigating a large tract of farm land without the use of permanent irrigation sprinkler systems, ditches, pipes and the like. Defining the tract in a general rectangular or square shape, sections of conventional aluminum or other irrigation pipe which may be rigid are detachably coupled together and led to the source of water usually a farm pond or lake and suitable pumping equipment is used with gasoline or diesel engines to suck the water from the pond or lake and deliver it at proper pressure through the base piping which is sort of in the middle of the tract. Flexible irrigation hose coiled on a large reel has one end detachably attached to the outlet end of the base pipe system and is supported on a three-point tractor hitch from which there is a power take-off means selectively to drive the hose reel to wind or unwind. A large, conventional farm-type irrigation sprinkler head is mounted on the frame with the reel and is driven by the water pressure from the flexible hose. The tractor unwinds the reel to the far end of the tract from the sort of central base piping system and then takes stationary position with the sprinkler operating or travels slowly substantially in a straight line from one side of the tract to the other, turning towards the unwatered tract after reaching the far side, detaching whatever base piping is necessary, adjusting the flexible hose to reel or unreel as required and proceeding to water the remainder of the tract in this fashion. The frame supporting the reel on the three-point hitch of the tractor includes suitable roller guide means and may be adjusted from the tractor by the three-point hitch.
In an apparatus attached to and wholly supported on a threepoint hitch on a tractor to be transported around a field for storing and letting-out or taking-in hose for irrigation: a. a tractor having wheels thereon, b. a hose storage frame extending from and wholly supported on said tractor by three-points on said frame attached to a threepoint hitch on the tractor, c. a power take-off on said tractor, d. a hose storage reel mounted on the frame extending from said tractor and having one end of a water hose attached thereto, said hose storage reel being driven from said power take-off, e. a sprinkler mounted on said tractor behind the three-point hitch and ahead of said sprinkler on the frame, said frame being elongated behind said three point hitch and said frame being wholly supported from said hitch on said tractor, whereby said sprinkler is between said reel and said tractor, and one end of said hose being removable from said storage reel for connection to said sprinkler and the other end of said hose remote from said tractor being for connection to a water supply, f. and power transfer means between said power take-off and said hose storage reel for winding and unwinding said hose.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
207 words
In an apparatus attached to and wholly supported on a threepoint hitch on a tractor to be transported around a field for storing and letting-out or taking-in hose for irrigation: a. a tractor having wheels thereon, b. a hose storage frame extending from and wholly supported on said tractor by three-points on said frame attached to a threepoint hitch on the tractor, c. a power take-off on said tractor, d. a hose storage reel mounted on the frame extending from said tractor and having one end of a water hose attached thereto, said hose storage reel being driven from said power take-off, e. a sprinkler mounted on said tractor behind the three-point hitch and ahead of said sprinkler on the frame, said frame being elongated behind said three point hitch and said frame being wholly supported from said hitch on said tractor, whereby said sprinkler is between said reel and said tractor, and one end of said hose being removable from said storage reel for connection to said sprinkler and the other end of said hose remote from said tractor being for connection to a water supply, f. and power transfer means between said power take-off and said hose storage reel for winding and unwinding said hose.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus in claim 1: said reel being driven by a chain, said chain driven from a transmission on said frame.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus in claim 2: said frame having a platform on which said sprinkler is mounted.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus in claim 3: said sprinkler being between said tractor hitch and said reel, said reel being mounted on a support on said frame comprising spaced upstanding members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus in claim 4: there being rollers across which said hose is directed from the end of said frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus in claim 1: said three-point hitch having two spaced lower and one upper connections, there being hydraulic means operable from said tractor to control said hitch and said frame.