AutoPilot linear control panel named New Product of the Year
By Sara Sims, Valley Irrigation
Monday, December 22, 2008 3:51 PM CST
VALLEY, Neb. - The AutoPilot linear control panel from Valley Irrigation recently won the Irrigation Association’s prestigious agricultural New Product Contest.
The AutoPilot linear control panel is the first computerized control panel with GPS Ready technology providing positioning for linear irrigation. The panel itself was introduced in the international marketplace in the summer of 2007 and became available in North America in early 2008. GPS Ready technology recently became a standard component of all new AutoPilot linear control panels.
“We’re honored that the AutoPilot linear control panel was recognized by the Irrigation Association,” said Jake LaRue, manager of international projects and products, Valmont. “This award helps illustrate that Valley is dedicated to helping producers increase efficiency through advanced technologies.”
The AutoPilot linear control panel with GPS Ready positioning is unique because it allows linear irrigators to correlate production techniques with land variability, ultimately minimizing costs and maximizing yields, he said.
“With GPS technology, a producer can set more automated functions to change the percent timer speed, control primary and secondary end guns, change direction, stop the linear, and start and stop chemigation,” LaRue said. “All of these operations can be programmed to occur automatically, which gives the producer more time to perform other tasks.”
The Irrigation Association New Product Contest was introduced in 2002 and has since become a mainstay of the annual Irrigation Association show.
“Products have to go through a qualifying screening process before they can even be considered for the top award, so it’s not an easy award to win,” said Kathy Bradley, Irrigation Association meetings coordinator. “The onsite judging occurs Sunday before the show opens and winners are announced at the Monday morning general session. Attendees often tell us that stopping by the New Product Contest booth is one part of the show they can’t miss.”
The winner of the New Product Contest is determined by judging criteria that include the product’s ease of use, quality of design and product life expectancy. Other considerations include how the product contributes to water conservation, cost savings and time savings.
AutoPilot linear control panels with GPS Ready positioning technology are available through Valley dealers. To locate a dealer, please visit www.ValleyIrrigation.com.
The Valley brand has been recognized worldwide as the leader in sales, service, quality and innovation since Valmont founded the mechanized irrigation industry in 1954.
With historical sales of more than 175,000 center pivots and linears, Valmont-built equipment annually irrigates approximately 17 million acres (6.9 million hectares) around the world. The Nebraska-based company remains dedicated to providing innovative solutions now and well into the future.
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