Engineering Development of the Valley VRI Package Agricultural Equipment Technology Conference

Transcription

1 Engineering Development of the Valley VRI Package 2013 Agricultural Equipment Technology Conference

2 Discuss development of VRI Background Design Process Design Solutions Prescriptions Testing 2

3 The Ag sector has been moving into precision farming 3

4 Historically center pivots: Designed to Provide uniform application Along the center pivot In the direction of travel Everyone expects high uniformity 4

5 Will high pivot uniformity optimize resource management on this field? Sand Silt loam Fine sand The real goal should be to put: - right amount of water - in the right place - at the right time Clay loam Solution Variable Rate Irrigation

6 How to Accomplish Variable Rate Irrigation? To change application depth Change the speed of the center pivot And / or adjust the sprinkler Adjustable rate sprinkler Pulse the sprinkler Utilize a prescription 6

7 Objectives of VRI Design Meet the needs for variable rate irrigation and customer Reliable and durable Minimize addition of new parts Simplify installation process Good dealer acceptance 7

8 Design Process Choices for Variable Rate Irrigation Buy a third party product Repackage Consider how to interface with Controls Telemetry Develop a product Utilize existing parts Develop software to operate in existing control panels Ensure interaction through telemetry 8

9 Final Design To Meet the Needs for Variable Rate Irrigation Develop a product Utilize existing parts GPS package for endgun control Power line carrier from endgun control Valves from corner package Software in control panels Provide safeties, diagnostics, and control Interaction through telemetry TrackNet Valley BaseStation2-SM 9

10 Design Process Reliable and Durable Use field proven parts Testing of new parts Minimize addition of new parts Not to the detriment of the product Simplify installation process Minimize need to install multiple hoses and valves 10

11 Final Design Reliable and Durable Using PLC, GPS and valves Minimize addition of new parts No new parts other than the VRI box which is a new box with existing parts Simplify installation process Use PLC technology and existing cables 11

12 Design Process Good dealer acceptance Based on reliable and durable, new parts and installation Training - sales, installation and maintenance 12

13 Final Design Good dealer acceptance Used existing parts dealers familiar with Training; sales, installation and maintenance Sales Regional workshops Installation and maintenance Annual regional service schools Grower meetings 13

14 Choices for precision irrigation Sector Control VRI Speed Control VRI Zone Control -9 to 20 management zones -6.5 to 14.4 acres -Constant flow -No prescription -Select2 and Pro2 panels -180 management zones acre minimum -Constant flow -Prescription required -Select2 and Pro2 panels management zones acre minimum -varying flow -Prescription required -Pro2 panel

15 Equipment for VRI speed control -Existing Select2 and Pro2 panels require software upgrade - New Select2 and Pro2 panel since mid 2011 ship with software

16 VRI Map Upload Data input from soils maps, grid sampling data, yield map, or other into Valley VRI software VRI Rx Generation Valley VRI Zone Control arrangement VRI VRI Existing Span Cable Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 29 Zone 30 Tubing Harness Solenoid Valve Pipeline PRO2 Panel End Gun Simple design utilizing existing, already installed components No additional wiring (plug-and-play connection to existing span cable)

17 The Variable Rate Irrigation is a package For the complete package need Hardware Prescription Software Provides instructions to control panel Where to change What application depth to use The package cannot work without both 17

18 For prescriptions - manual design - automatic design EC a (ms/m)

19 Testing of VRI Zone Control

20 Testing - aerial data collection 30/June 06/August

21 Testing - Soil Moisture Data Clay loam 40% reduction in irrigation Sand 0% reduction

22 NDVI Aerial Imagery

23 Testing - Catch Can Data

24 Testing - Data Analysis

25 What has been discussed about the development of VRI Background Design Process Design Solutions Prescriptions Testing 25

26 Questions and Comments