AUTOMATED CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR WIDE-COVER IRRIGATION MACHINES: ANALYSIS AND PROSPECTS FOR APPLICATION IN BRIDGE FARMING

Within the framework of developing domestic bridge-type farming technology for reclaimed lands, this article provides a comprehensive analysis of modern automation systems for center pivot irrigation machines. The research aims to establish technical requirements for creating an automated control system for a multifunctional electrified agricultural unit. A detailed review of the architectural solutions and technological approaches employed by leading global manufacturers, such as Valley (Valmont Irrigation), Lindsay (Zimmatic), T-L Irrigation, and Reinke, is presented. The study systematically examines three key levels of automation. The first level is the motion control and alignment system, which analyzes the evolution of position monitoring sensors (from mechanical cables to GPS modules), the role of programmable logic controllers with advanced algorithms (PID controllers), and the comparative characteristics of actuators—electromechanical and electrohydraulic drive systems for mobile towers. The second level—irrigation management automation—includes an analysis of methods for stabilizing pressure in the pipeline, controlling the application rate, and, most significantly, Variable Rate Irrigation (VRI) technologies that enable adaptive water management based on electronic prescription maps. The third and highest level comprises remote monitoring, control, and data analysis systems (FieldNET, Valley 365), which integrate machine telemetry with data from soil sensors, weather stations, and remote sensing. The study demonstrates that the current trend involves a shift from simple automation to the creation of intelligent agricultural systems capable of predictive management based on water balance models. This ensures not only significant savings in water and energy resources but also increased crop yields and enhanced environmental safety of agricultural production on reclaimed lands.