With conditions such as flooding, drought, and everything in between it is crucial to be able to effortlessly adjust an irrigation system. Successfully growing healthy crops is almost solely dependent on how much and frequently water is being applied to the soil. When crops and soil receive too much water they begin to lack of oxygen, resulting in detrimental outcomes such as weak roots and diseases. There are several types of irrigation systems to help farmers avoid unhealthy crop. Surface, localized, ditch, sprinkler system and the popular center-pivot irrigation system.

Center- pivot irrigation systems utilize a length of overhead sprinklers system that rotates around a pivot. This system consists of several sections of pipe with sprinklers attached every few feet, and is supported by wheeled towers. Originally, center- pivots were water-powered but today most are propelled by small electric motors located at the pivot point. Most systems today are driven by an electric motor mounted at each tower in what is called the tower panel.

Along with the motor, most center- pivot tower panels also hold a percentage timer. Farmers use percentage timers in their irrigation systems to set on and off cycle times for the sprinklers. Without this timer, the farmer would have to continuously turn the irrigation system on and off manually. The percentage timer is much easier to install and adjust compared to other timers, such as the electric. Adjusting the percentage timer is as simple as turning a single knob versus several steps accompanied and complicated manuals. It also offers variable adjustment options and a hands-on interface. Quick maintenance and little downtime is necessary to keep up with current weather conditions and crops that the farmer is tending. Once farmers know how much time the sprinklers need to run they can “set it and forget it”, freeing up their time for other duties.