solar powered wheel mover
Say Hello to Your New Farmhand
The next generation of twin rail movers are here… and they move with the push of a button.
Charges Itself with Solar Power
No More Tinkering with a Carbureted Motor
7 Hours of Time Savings Per Week
Retrofit your existing twin rail easily with the Universal Conversion Kit
Irrigation Simplified
solar powered wheel mover
If you've ever moved a wheel line, you know they take time, labor, and are simply a pain in the rear.
Put labor costs back in your pocket and increase yields with remote operated solar power on Wade Rain, Travis, and all other twin rail movers.
Irrigation, meet innovation
+ built to save
The HydroSide drivetrain adds efficiency putting labor costs back in your pocket and time back on your clock.
+ REtrofit with ease
Say goodbye to gas and hello to solar power. Convert your existing twin rail gas mover with HydroSide’s Universal Solar Conversion Kit at a partial cost of an entirely new system.
+ tap into solar
For the first time, your wheel line will move at the click of a button. No more broken pull-start lines. No more tinkering with motors. No more refuels. 100% green power.
Simplify your Irrigation
Grow more crops so you can grow your farm. There’s no need to hire another employee or buy expensive and outdated equipment.
The details make the difference
For more detailed information, including spec sheets, check out the Travis Pattern or Wade Rain Catalog.
For more information or questions on the Universal Solar Twin Rail Conversion Kit contact HydroSide Systems: 208-580-4467
The details make the difference
For more detailed information, including spec sheets, check out the Travis Pattern or Wade Rain Catalog
Frequently Asked
Questions
No, you get to keep your existing infrastructure including pipe, wheels, and sprinklers from your old system. Our system only replaces your mover, and is compatible with all wheel sizes, pipe sizes and lengths.
Yes, our solar powered drive train can be used on any Wade Rain, Western or other twin rail frame to convert it to solar power.
The solar drivetrain works with all flow rates.
The system charges by way of a 200 watt solar panel, which is connected to deep cycle batteries with a MPPT intelligent charge controller. These batteries then power the system.
The solar drivetrain can move over 2200’ with battery to spare without any chargeback. During a 60 foot set move, the solar powered wheel line mover consumes a maximum of 1.3 amps and consumes a maximum of 28 amps over a quarter mile. The Deep Cycle Marine batteries that HydroSide uses have 120 amp hours and are constantly charged with the solar panel during the daylight hours, so there is little to no risk of running out of battery power no matter how often you move it or how long it sits idle.
The Solar panels will still work even when the light is reflected or partially blocked by clouds. Rain (and oversplash from your irrigation) actually help to keep your panels operating efficiently by washing away any dust or dirt. HydroSide’s test users have measured approximately 1 amp continuous on a cloudy day. So while it is lower than a sunny day, the unit does still charge even on a cloudy day. Truly, the only way to stop the panel from charging is to physically cover the panel.
No, because the wheel line pipe serves as an axle with fixed wheels. We can’t turn the wheel line around a bend or corner without breaking the existing system. It would be like trying to turn a truck in 4 wheel drive on dry pavement…if you’ve ever done that you know it doesn’t do so well…plus this would be with a hollow aluminum axle held together by turnbuckles – the results would not be good!
Yes! There is an adjustment screw at the front and rear axle to adjust the axles to track properly on a field. You simply need adjust the travel like you always have with your Wade Rain and Travis machines for the last 50 years!
Best practice is to store the machine inside in the winter. At a minimum, remove the deep cycle batteries so they do not sit all winter in the cold, which can effect their performance and lifespan.
Nope. Our units are driven by enclosed electric motors. So they are extremely low maintenance. No more pull-start carburated motors that need constant tinkering to operate.
For most units, the oversplash from irrigating will keep your solar panel clear of debris and haze. However we recommend checking at least 1-2 times a season to ensure the panel is clean. Dust, pollen, ash, and other substances such as bird droppings can impact the amount of electricity generated by the panel.
- Optimally-choose an overcast day to clean your solar panel and do it either early in the morning or later evening because if the sun is beating down, any water used to clean can evaporate quickly and dirt become smeared on the panel.
- If the panels are dry, before tackling them with water, brush off any loose materials first – this will make cleaning easier and faster.
- Don’t use metal objects or harsh abrasive products for removing caked on materials. Scratching the glass on a solar panel can affect its performance as scratches will cast shadows. Avoid using detergents if possible as these may streak the glass of the panel. Use of abrasive powders also risks scratching the panels.
- Given the nature of good quality solar panel glass, clean water and a little scrubbing with a coarse cloth covered sponge or soft brush should remove the most stubborn grime. Plastic scourers may also be used.
For most potential mechanical problems…yes! We know there is a big battle in ag around the right to repair. That is why we designed this unit to be easily repaired if there is ever an issue. The batteries can be bought at a local auto center and swapped out. The motors can be easily removed and we can send a new one. The gearboxes can be removed and replaced easily if needed. Most everything except the software can be handled right in the field. The only thing that would require a technician’s assistance is a software update, but with a tech savvy farmer, we can send you any software updates via email and they can be updated wirelessly from your smartphone. Our hope with this unit is that if there is ever a problem, then downtime is dramatically reduced and you do not need to wait for a certified repair technician for any little issue.
If you have hardwater, we recommend checking the unit’s solar panel 1-2 times a season to ensure it is not being compromised with heavy mineral build-up. If there is build-up on the unit, fill a bucket with warm water and with a cleaning solution. Green cleaning supplies do a great job on glass and solar panels. Here’s is a simple non-toxic recipe for glass cleaner: 1/4 cup vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon liquid non-abrasive soap or detergent (dawn dish soap works great!), and 2 cups of water in a spray bottle.
- Use a non-abrasive cleaning sponge or towel to wash the glass. Get the glass clean and clear as possible – don’t scratch it.
- Remove remaining water with a high quality squeegee to avoid hard water mineral build up.
- Use a lint free cloth to dry the edges of the panel.