New options for the Valley VFlex Corner | by John Kastl

This spring, we introduced a number of new options for the Valley_® VFlex™ Corner – including electronic sequencing, a 305-foot corner arm, and an inverted corner – for even more flexibility in designing a machine that meets the specific needs of your field. Let’s take a look at each of these new options to see how they make the VFlex even better. 

VFlex electronic sequencing is a computer-controlled module with an advanced, yet easy-to-use display that makes it simple to monitor, control, and even customize the sprinkler sequencing of your corner. This option uses the same area-based sequencing logic as the industry-leading Valley Precision Corner^®, which provides excellent water uniformity. And, if you apply crop production chemicals through your machine, the built-in, user-selectable Chemigate mode automatically varies your machine’s speed for uniform chemical application with a simple, fixed-rate injection pump.

Electronic sequencing also comes with two powerful features for customizing water application under the corner. The first is an angle-based override. This feature allows you to specify which banks of sprinklers are on or off based on the angle of the corner relative to the pivot. This is handy if you have an area in all four corners of the field where you’d like to keep a few extra sprinklers running. The second feature is a built-in positon override table. This feature allows you to specify which banks of sprinklers are on or off by the position of the machine in the field. This can be helpful if there is a small area in the field that needs a little extra water or if you have an unusual field boundary and need more water there. Bear in mind that GPS Guidance is required in order to use position-based overrides.

The computing power behind electronic sequencing also allows us to control more sprinkler banks and in turn allows us to offer an even longer corner: the 205/100 VFlex, with the industry-leading water uniformity you’ve come to expect from Valley. This new 305-foot option is a great choice for rectangular fields where the corner arm is fully extended for a significant period of time.

Combining electronic sequencing with the swiveling inlet makes it possible to run an inverted corner, which means your corner moves through the field ahead of the base pivot when the machine is running forward (clockwise). Inverted orientation can be helpful in maximizing irrigated acres on part-circle pivots.

Here at Valley, we’re always working to help you increase your irrigated acres with options that meet your specific needs. Stay tuned for the next improvements to our corners!

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John Kastl Product Manager - Equipment John joined the Valley Irrigation Engineering Department in 2000 after having spent 11 years at General Electric Aircraft Engines. Today, he manages the equipment products for Valley (center pivots, corners, and gearbox, to name a few), helping develop the next generation of Valley Irrigation machines. John enjoys photography, home renovation, and travel. On his third birthday, John watched the first moon landing!

Need More Irrigated Acres? You Can Irrigate More Land to Increase Yields!

Originally published in Spring 2013 edition of PivotPoint.

The value of farmland in the Corn Belt rose 13 percent for the year ending October 1, 2012, according to a Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago survey₁, as commodity prices rose to record and near-record highs. This environment makes it more important than ever to make the most of cropland to get the highest possible yield. Valley_® continues to respond to this need with products to help growers accomplish just that.

"We recently did a study and found that growers can increase their profits by at least $600 per acre on corn in Nebraska, just by irrigating more of the land they already have,” says John Kastl, Valley Product Manager. “That’s why we offer Bender, DropSpan™, and corner products.”

Bender30

For a low investment, growers can gain up to six acres in each direction. The Bender30 can be placed on any drive unit, providing the ability to bend around trees, feed lots, roads, wells, or other obstacles. If the Bender30 adds just 3.5 irrigated acres, it will pay for itself in one year.

• Available with PolySpan^®, for use with corrosive water
• Bends up to 30 degrees in either or both directions
• Uses existing structural components, so it’s easy to retrofit with no structural change required
• Completely automatic, no operator input required

Bender160

As the name indicates, the Bender160 can bend your machine up to 160 degrees, allowing irrigation around large obstacles, like houses, grain bins and barns. Exclusive to Valley, the Bender towerbox controls the end guns and allows the machine to always know the bending angle. It takes only an additional nine irrigated acres for a one-year payback – and the Bender160 can irrigate up to 32 additional acres.

• Bends up to 160 degrees in either or both directions, in forward and reverse
• Uses custom structural components
• Provides integrated end gun and auxiliary controls for bending mode

Valley Corner

The Valley Corner is the original corner machine, introduced in 1974. It is the simpler, more mechanical corner, efficiently and economically irrigating the corners of square, rectangular, or odd-shaped fields.

• Low-profile track and roller joint connects the corner arm to the machine
• Field-proven, rugged structure handles tough field conditions
• Sprinkler sequencing is based on corner angle and is controlled with a simple cam stack and microswitches
• Available with GPS Guidance

Valley Precision Corner^®

The Valley Precision Corner is the leading corner in the industry. It has variable drives for smooth operation, more accurate water application, and efficient use of electricity.

• Water transfer connection and hose eliminates pressure losses from multiple 90 degree bends
• Industry leading 8000 series span and wide drive unit wheelbase for the toughest field conditions
• Available with GPS Guidance
• Angle sensor and computerized sequencing assures water uniformity

DropSpan

With DropSpan, growers can drop the outer spans, so the rest of the machine can irrigate acres behind barriers. At the edges of the field, DropSpan allows growers to drop as many spans as necessary, and then reattach them as the machine returns.

• One person can attach or drop spans in only 15 minutes – with no tools!
• Winch and support leg system is used to easily drop and reattach outer spans
• Simple electrical connector manages span cable and control logic, so no rewiring is necessary
• Optional end gun can be mounted at the DropSpan drive unit

For more information on the Valley Bender30, Bender160, Valley Corner, Precision Corner, and DropSpan options, visit www.ValleyIrrigation.com. Or, if you have questions or comments, please use the Comments box below!

1 What happens next to farmland prices? Randall Hertz, president, Hertz Real Estate Services, January 10, 2013, http://www.agprofessional.com/agprofessional-magazine/What-happens-next-to-farmland-prices-186338041.html.