Control systems on central pivot irrigators can be compared to the steering wheel of a motor vehicle – it may be only one part of the bigger whole but, if not in place, the rest of the system cannot perform properly. Further there are big differences in the quality and efficiency of various control systems. The Reinke control system design ensures the farmer of uncomplicated control over all his centre pivot machines.

Facing present demanding conditions farmers are compelled to concentrate on continuous improved efficiency to increase harvests and consequently profit. The never-ending goal is to produce more food on less land. Smart centre pivot control systems, which allows efficient management, assist the farmer in doing just that.

The Reinke Precision Management (RPM) Advanced Plus™ centre pivot control box provides the farmer with an advanced control system at an affordable price. Flow and pressure readings are available by pressing a key and the touchscreen can be adjusted to show the information that is most required immediately.

Farmers prefer control systems which they can adapt easily to their own needs but are still programmable and for that reason Reinke developed the RPM Advanced Plus™ control box. This model can be fitted to new centre pivot machines but the screen can also be combined with older models to get the best performance from the system for less than what a complete new system would cost.

The 11 cm full colour touchscreen provides all the advanced control functions at a price lower than what an ordinary computer panel would cost. The system has an electronic flow meter, independent pump control, pressure and temperature switch-on controls, as well as speed control.

The RPM Advanced Plus™ can easily be connected to the ReinCloud® system, which allows the farmer to control all his centre pivot machines by means of an app on his smartphone. With ReinCloud® a farmer can control all his systems 24 hours per day, even if he is not physically on the farm. For peace of mind the farmer can be informed by means of cellphone text messages should any changes or problems crop up in the system. He can then disconnect the system through his cellphone to prevent any damage.

The RPM Advanced Plus™ has a five year guarantee irrespective of the farmer buying the complete system, upgrading his existing system, or merely purchasing the screen only. There is no better value for money when it comes to longevity and dependability of a centre pivot control system.

Gary Moody is farm manager of the Kembali Sugar Cane Estate near Gingindlovu, KZN. He is particularly impressed with the simplicity of controlling the six centre pivot machines on their farm from his phone. “I can adjust everything on each of the centre pivots without physically driving to the machine. It saves lots of time, which allows me to do other work instead,” says Gary.

Mark Thiele of Thiele Estates near Paulpietersburg is equally impressed with his Reinke control systems. “The control box of the centre pivot is a show-off with its latest touchscreen technology. It is even provided with a weather station which keeps watch over weather conditions enabling me to plan my irrigation accurately without water waste but still not expose the plants to drought or water shortage. I utilise all the information gathered by the weather station to make informed decisions for efficient irrigation,” says Mark.

Chris van Niekerk, another farmer near Paulpietersburg, boasts easily about the smart RPM Advanced Plus™ control system. “The centre pivots perform with the latest electronic aids. When a centre pivot reaches the end of its programmed run, the system switches off automatically and the water flow also is interrupted,” says Chris.

For enquiries, contact Patrick Ellis, director of Reinke South Africa, on 031-350-4525, or send an email message to Patrickellis@reinke.com.