Linear Pivot Irrigation Systems (Lateral Move)

Working principle

How a linear machine covers the field

It does not rotate. It runs the length of the field and back, which is the whole reason it reaches the corners a circle cannot.

Travel line

The machine runs along a prepared line — a canal, a hose feed or a buried main with hydrants — that supplies water the whole length of its pass.

Out

It travels the parcel applying a measured depth, the same across every metre of the width it covers.

Back

At the end of the run it reverses and returns. There is no fixed centre, so there is no circle and no dry corner.

Coverage

Up to 98% of a square, rectangular or irregular parcel is irrigated — the land you own, rather than a circle inscribed inside it.

Engineering

Why a linear, not a circle

Rectangles, watered end to endKare, dikdörtgen veya düzensiz tarlalar

Unlike a centre pivot, the linear does not rotate about a central point — it runs the length of the field and back. Coverage reaches up to 98% of the parcel and the irrigated area is maximised rather than inscribed. Against flood and sprinkler irrigation it cuts labour cost by up to half. On soils prone to it, applying a small amount of water at a time keeps the application balanced and stops surface run-off.

Up to 98% of a square, rectangular or irregular parcel.
Up to 50% less labour than flood or sprinkler irrigation.
Run-off control — small applications suit soils that shed water.

AksuPivot linear pivot machine travelling a rectangular field

Even application across the widthSu homojen dağıtımı

The saving in water comes from applying the same depth everywhere the machine passes, instead of the too-much-and-too-little a flood run leaves behind. Sprinkler size and spacing are charted for the soil so the application rate stays below its intake rate.

Homogeneous distribution for maximum yield from the pass.
Efficient use of the source, and easier on the ground.
Effective on large parcels and on slopes.

Sprinkler line of an AksuPivot machine in operation over a crop

System components

What the machine is made of

A linear is built from the same spans, drive and control as our centre pivots — so the spares and the service crew are the same machine to machine.

Drive towers

Gearmotor, wheel gearbox and tower box on every tower, keeping the line straight along the travel.

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Galvanized span pipe

Hot-dip galvanized inside and out, drilled to your outlet spacing.

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Sprinkler package

Nozzles charted for the soil so the application rate stays under its intake rate.

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Control panel

Direction, depth and fault alarms; digital or standard, new build or retrofit.

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Electrical cable

Multi-core span cable rated for outdoor irrigation duty.

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Manometer and regulators

Pressure held constant so the depth applied does not drift across the run.

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Field suitability

Fields a linear machine suits

No machine suits every parcel. This is where this one does and does not fit — the other two are compared below.

A good fit for

Square and rectangular parcels, where a circle would leave the corners dry
Irregularly shaped fields that a fixed rotation cannot follow
Large and sloping parcels needing even application
Soils prone to surface run-off, where small frequent applications help

Consider another machine when

Round parcels — a centre pivot is the simpler machine for a circle
Fields with no straight run for the machine to travel along
Parcels too broad at one end for a straight run — consider a universal machine

Compare the three

Center, linear or universal — which one your field asks for

All three are built on the same galvanized spans, the same tower drive and the same control panel. The choice is about the shape of the land, not about the machine you are tied to afterwards.

Compare

Center Pivot

Best for: Round or large parcels
Movement: Rotates about one reinforced base
Coverage: 90–95% water use efficiency
Trade-off: Corners of a square parcel stay dry

Center Pivot systems

This page

Linear Pivot

Best for: Square, rectangular, irregular
Movement: Travels the field and back
Coverage: Up to 98% of the parcel irrigated
Trade-off: Needs a straight run to travel along

Compare

Universal Pivot

Best for: Parcels that change shape end to end
Movement: Rotates AND travels in a line
Coverage: 90–95% rotating, up to 98% travelling
Trade-off: Both modes have to be planned up front

Universal Pivot systems

Common questions

Linear Pivot irrigation — questions we are asked

What is the difference between a linear and a center pivot?

A center pivot rotates about one fixed base and waters a circle. A linear machine travels the length of the field and back, so it covers up to 98% of a square, rectangular or irregular parcel instead of the circle inscribed in it.

Is a linear pivot the same as a lateral move machine?

Yes — lateral move, linear move and linear pivot all describe the same machine: one that travels in a straight line across the field rather than rotating.

How is the machine fed with water along its run?

From a supply that runs the length of the travel line — a canal, a hose feed or a buried main with hydrants. Which one suits depends on your water source and is settled when the layout is drawn.

Does it save labour compared with flood irrigation?

Against flood and sprinkler irrigation, a linear cuts labour cost by up to half. The machine applies a measured depth on a schedule instead of needing someone in the field moving water.