Method and Apparatus for Preventing the Drive Wheels of an Irrigation Machine from Becoming Stuck in the Mud

Abstract

To prevent the rut-like wheel tracks of an irrigation machine from becoming so deep that the wheels of an irrigation tower can become stuck in mud and water accumulating in the track, a foundation member is inserted into select, potentially troublesome portions of the wheel track to provide support for the wheels during subsequent passes of the machine. In one embodiment the foundation member comprises a generally rectangular pad constructed from synthetic resinous material and designed to be hooked together with other such pads in a chain-like series to provide the length of foundation required. In another embodiment, the foundation member comprises a thinner web or ribbon of preferably synthetic resinous material that may be wound into a coil for storage and cut to length as required. A third embodiment comprises a series of end-to-end pads hingedly interconnected by thinner lines of weakness that may be severed to provide a desired length of foundation member.

1 . In a method of irrigating a field using an irrigation machine that is provided with a water supply conduit supported by a plurality of mobile towers disposed at spaced locations along the length of the conduit, each of the towers having at least one load-bearing, ground-engaging wheel, the improvement comprising:
 running the machine in the field until the at least one wheel creates a recessed wheel track in the ground;   inserting a foundation member into the wheel track in such a manner that a load-supporting surface of the member faces upwardly and the foundation member is confined by opposite sides of the wheel track; and   running the machine in such a manner that the at least one wheel rides on the foundation member when the at least one wheel is in the wheel track.   
   
   
       2 . In an irrigation method as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 said foundation member comprising a generally flat pad having a top, a bottom, a pair of opposite lateral sides, and a pair of opposite ends.   
   
   
       3 . In an irrigation method as claimed in  claim 2 ,
 said pad having interlock structure at said opposite ends for releasably joining together a plurality of the pads in a series.   
   
   
       4 . In an irrigation method as claimed in  claim 3 ,
 said interlock structure comprising a male part on one end and a female part on the other end.   
   
   
       5 . In an irrigation method as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 said foundation member comprising a ribbon of material capable of being stored in a bulk roll and severed into desired lengths.   
   
   
       6 . In an irrigation method as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 said foundation member comprising a series of foundation pads integrally interconnected by thinner, hinging lines of weakness.   
   
   
       7 . In an irrigation method as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 each of said towers including a leading load-bearing wheel and a trailing load-bearing wheel disposed to run in the same wheel track,   said inserting step being carried out behind the leading wheel and ahead of the trailing wheel.   
   
   
       8 . In an irrigation method as claimed in  claim 7 ,
 further comprising the step of interlocking a number of the foundation members together in end-to-end relationship.   
   
   
       9 . In an irrigation method as claimed in  claim 8 ,
 said interlocking step being carried out within the wheel track.   
   
   
       10 . In an irrigation method as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 further comprising the step of transporting a supply of the foundation members on a mobile tower to the wheel track.   
   
   
       11 . A foundation member adapted for insertion into a recessed wheel track in the ground for supporting wheels of a mobile irrigation tower when the wheels are in the wheel track, said foundation member comprising:
 an elongated, generally flat pad having a top, a bottom, a pair of opposite lateral sides, and a pair of opposite ends; and   interlock structure at said opposite ends of the pad for releasably joining together at least a pair of said pads in end-to-end alignment.   
   
   
       12 . A foundation member as claimed in  claim 11 ,
 said interlock structure comprising a male part on one end and a female part on the other end.   
   
   
       13 . A foundation member as claimed in  claim 12 ,
 said male part comprising a hook having an outwardly extending leg and a downwardly projecting tang at the outer end of the leg,   said female part comprising an opening for receiving said tang of the hook.   
   
   
       14 . A foundation member as claimed in  claim 13 ,
 said tang of the hook having a generally outwardly projecting lip at the lower end of the tang,   said opening being complementally configured with respect to the hook to present an undercut, overhanging ledge disposed to overlie the lip when the hook is locked in the opening and thereby resist release of the hook from the opening.   
   
   
       15 . A foundation member as claimed in  claim 14 ,
 said pad having a plurality of apertures therein.   
   
   
       16 . A foundation member as claimed in  claim 11 ,
 said pad having a plurality of apertures therein.   
   
   
       17 . A foundation member as claimed in  claim 11 ,
 said pad being constructed from a synthetic resinous material.   
   
   
       18 . A foundation member as claimed in  claim 17 ,
 said material comprising high density polyethylene.   
   
   
       19 . A foundation member adapted for insertion into a recessed wheel track in the ground for supporting wheels of a mobile irrigation tower while they are in the wheel track, said foundation member comprising:
 an elongated, generally flat ribbon of material that may be severed into desired lengths,   said ribbon of material having a top side and a bottom side and a series of longitudinally spaced, transverse grooves in one of said sides to permit the ribbon to be stored in a coil.   
   
   
       20 . A foundation member as claimed in  claim 19 ,
 said ribbon having a plurality of apertures therein.   
   
   
       21 . A foundation member as claimed in  claim 19 ,
 said ribbon being constructed from high density polyethylene.   
   
   
       22 . A foundation member adapted for insertion into a recessed wheel track in the ground for supporting wheels of a mobile irrigation tower while they are in the wheel track, said foundation member comprising:
 a series of flat pads aligned in end-to-end relationship; and   flexible lines of weakness hingedly interconnecting the pads and integral therewith.   
   
   
       23 . A foundation member as claimed in  claim 22 ,
 said lines of weakness being thinner than the pads.   
   
   
       24 . A foundation member as claimed in  claim 22 ,
 each of said pads having a plurality of apertures therein.   
   
   
       25 . A foundation member as claimed in  claim 22 ,
 said pads and said lines or weakness being constructed from high density polyethylene.