Simple solution ideal way to go

Kevin Smith's very efficient invention does not require electronics.

Kevin Smith likes to find simple solutions to complicated problems -- that's the specialty of his product and prototype development business.

The Tauranga-based engineer and innovator took his latest development to Fieldays and the response inspired him to take it to the next level.

Simply put, it is a valve that ensures irrigation systems are operating at the right pressure.

Smith says irrigation systems usually have a specified pressure at which they deliver the optimum application rate and coverage.

In his experience, by the time the line is plugged into the irrigator the pressure is wrong -- either too low or high -- or it isn't constant.

Using his bespoke device, which requires no electronics, the optimum pressure can be selected and is delivered consistently.

Smith says that although the device is all his own work it is based on sound principles. He describes the process as identifying a problem, having an epiphany, then building and testing the device.

In this case, the device simply attaches to a commercially available irrigator, takes the feed and controls the flow. Smith says his research suggests there is nothing else like it on the market.

There are larger industrial devices, but they are expensive and beyond the needs of a farm irrigation system. An added bonus is that his will work with debris in the line, whereas the industrial models won't.

Smith says it isn't likely that on a farm there wouldn't be debris in the line -- his invention accumulates it, then spits it out, and never stops working.

He is now taking the device from bench test to farm testing.

Pre-productions models are being completed to test in the field and if that proves as successful as expected they could soon be on the market in New Zealand and overseas.