History Of Center Pivot Irrigation System

Implementation of Center Pivot Irrigation System

Center pivot irrigation system, known also as circle irrigation system, is a method of rotating the overhead irrigation sprinkler around a pivot. Irrigation piping is made of several segments of galvanized steel or aluminum pipes joined together on trusses and mounted on wheeled towers. As the center pivot irrigation system moves in a circular pattern, water is fed from the pivot point at the center of the circle to the sprinklers positioned along its length. Centre pivots are typically less than 500m in circle radius. Crops may be planted in straight rows or are sometimes planted in circles to conform to the travel of the center pivot.


Center pivot irrigation system is considered both mechanically and electronically complex in the design of key components such as piping, sprinkler, rotational mechanism and water pressure control. Over the years, significant technological improvements were made on pivot movement and even distribution of water. Invention and deployment of electric motors, rubber wheels, control sensors, precision sprinkler heads and even GPS, wireless communication technology are perfecting center pivot irrigation system for cost effective irrigation of agricultural crops.