BayDrive™

The BayDrive is a remotely operated farm canal gate actuator.

Select language

The BayDrive is designed to make surface irrigation less labor-intensive and more flexible so you can improve yields and reduce water use.

Actuates Bay Gates

Ideal for farm ditch check gates and head ditch overshot outlets

Water Level Sensor

Optional water level sensor that features Rubicon’s proven ultrasonic flow measurement technology

Powered by the FerIT™

Incorporates the FerIT Solar Node for long range communication and long battery life

Smart Motor Operation

Intelligent motor allows for variable open/close position, event driven operation and adaptive control

Remote operation

Irrigate without having to be on-site and time irrigations to precisely meet crop water requirements.

Features and Benefits

Now you have the freedom to irrigate without someone having to be on site and the peace of mind that comes with being able to get notified or make changes remotely.

BayDrives are operated remotely using flexible software which features easy to use tools for monitoring crop water demand and managing irrigation. And, because the software is web-based, BayDrives can be operated from a smartphone or any device with an internet connection.

Irrigation sequences can be set-up to precisely time the opening and closing of a series of BayDrives. Precisely timed operation combined with the BayDrive’s ability to actuate high-flow gates up to ten feet wide makes it an essential component of a high-performance surface irrigation system.

The BayDrive has been designed from the ground up to automate surface irrigation. It combines robust engineering with integrated solar power supply and radio communications in a single unit for reliable operation year after year.

Highlights

Ideal for actuating rubber flap gates used as:
- check gates to control flows in farm distribution systems
- outlets for applying water to fields
Remote operation of gates from 36in to 120in wide
Engineered and manufactured for long life
Solar power supply for low cost operation
Email and SMS text alerts to track irrigation progress
Powered by the FerIT™ Solar Node, containing location registers that are uploaded to the host for automatic mapping.

A FarmConnect™ product

The BayDrive is part of the FarmConnect product range for farmers. FarmConnect’s modular hardware and software enables precisely timed application of water to crops using high-flow, high-performance surface irrigation. With FarmConnect, farmers can grow higher value crops using less labor, water and energy.

Technologies

The BayDrive uses technologies which are common across Rubicon products:

Gate control technology

The BayDrive uses the same robust gate control technology used in Rubicon’s TCC™ products, including the FlumeGate™. The BayDrive arms are driven by Rubicon’s CableDrive™ system. Designed for high duty-cycle operation, CableDrive provides positive drive in both the raise and lower directions, enabling the gate to open and close in high flow, high head pressure environments.

Remote operation

The BayDrive’s secure pole mounted housing contains the electronics, high-capacity power system and wireless communications for remote operation. Each BayDrive communicates through a FarmConnect Gateway* installed in the field which is connected to a cellular network and then the internet, enabling remote management using FarmConnect Software*.

Location registers in the integrated FerIT Solar Node ensures each BayDrive is accurately displayed on a Google Maps interface making remote opening, closing, programming and monitoring simple.

Specifications

General
Control	Local via a toggle switch or remote via FarmConnect software (sold separately)
Drive mechanism	CableDrive™ stainless steel wire rope and cable drum assembly
Electronics	Power management and control technology contained within integrated housing. Each unit passes a 12hr heat soak pre-stress and 100% functional test.
Weight	Refer to the BayDrive data sheet
Motor	12V DC with electrical brake
Typical stroke time	Less than 1 minute
Actuation options	12V DC powered (solar)
Event-driven operation	Can be programmed to open and close based on sensor inputs, including channel water level information from Rubicon’s MicronLevel™ sensor (sold separately)
Material
Top cover plates, base beam, actuator arm, housing pole	Structural grade aluminium
Hardware, shafts	Structural grade stainless steel
Power
Power supply	12VDC self-contained battery charged from solar panel or AC line power
Solar panel	10W monocrystalline (20W optional)
Batteries	(1) 12V sealed gel lead acid with temperature sensor (~5yr life, provides ~5 days of operation without solar power)
Communications
Protocols	Modbus, analog/digital I/Os, USB
Data communications	ZigBee (international wireless communication standard)
Zigbee radio frequency	2.4GHz
Gateway (sold separately)	A FarmConnect Gateway provides the interface to cellular networks and can link up to 120 BayDrives. Additional gateways enable unlimited expansion.
Transmission range	1km between BayDrives. A BayDrive can reach the Gateway over much larger distances by passing data through intermediate BayDrives (called self-meshing).
Environmental
Operating temp	1°C to 60°C
Operating humidity	0% to 100%
Water temperature	1°C to 50°C

Specifications subject to change

BayDrive™

Actuates Bay Gates

Water Level Sensor

Powered by the FerIT™

Smart Motor Operation

Remote operation

Features and Benefits

Technologies

Specifications

General

Material

Power

Communications

Environmental

Company

Solutions

Software

Gates & Flow Meters

Case Studies

Login