Jan 4, 2017Valley Irrigation launches new line of smart panels
Valley Irrigation introduces a center pivot control with new Valley ICON family of smart panels.
The ICON panels accommodate irrigators with varying needs. Whether buying a new pivot, upgrading an existing panel, changing from another brand of pivot, or switching from a different irrigation method, the advantage of operating an intuitive, full-color touchscreen interface that can be adapted to today’s quick changing technology is key.
Campbell states, “The ICON panels have expanded connectivity on a smart relay board, so they are ready for future upgrades. To bring that technology center stage, each panel comes equipped with AgSense ICON Link, so all four models are compatible with both AgSense and BaseStation3 telemetry technology. That makes it easy for growers to view data and control their pivots remotely, whether they’re expanding existing networks or just starting with remote monitoring and control.”
Valley ICON10, equipped with a 10-inch, full-color touchscreen display, works much like a tablet, but it’s right at the pivot point. It provides all the features of the current Pro2 control panel from Valley, but with more memory and speed. It is also GPS ready and works with Valley Variable Rate Irrigation (VRI) Speed Control and VRI Zone Control programs.
The Valley ICON5 features many of the same benefits as the ICON10 on a smaller, five-inch display, and with soft touch buttons.
With the Valley ICON1, growers have full touchscreen control with a remote device. Growers can manage and control their pivots with a desktop, tablet or smartphone remotely through the ICON app, available for both iOS and Android. They can also use the ICON1 to connect to the app from the edge of their field using the new Edge-of-Field WiFi technology.
The Valley ICONX easily brings any control panel – including all major pivot brand panels – into the AgSense or BaseStation3 network. It takes control of an existing panel using that panel’s circuits to deliver full ICON panel control.
The new Valley Edge-of-Field WiFi technology allows growers to connect to their panel in the field without having to travel to the pivot point. It provides control with any tablet or smartphone through the ICON app. It comes standard with the ICON1 and is optional with the ICON10.
Valley Irrigation states there are new optional features that can give farmers more information about field conditions so they can adjust their irrigation, chemigation and fertigation as necessary.
“There is wind, rain and temperature monitoring available with optional sensors,” said Matt Ondrejko, vice president of marketing. “This allows the grower to set parameters for their pivots. For example, if it rains an inch, the panel can be programmed to shut the pivot off. Or if the wind is blowing at a set 20 miles per hour, or the temperature goes above 75 degrees, the grower can tell the machine to stop at a certain field position.”
Whether growers opt to use the most basic control or the most advanced management, every ICON panel is designed to provide simple, intuitive control for farms of every size.
