Uniformity of Linear-Move Irrigation with a Single Sprinkler of the Self-Propelled Hard Hose Traveler

In this study, a self-propelled hard hose traveler is developed as a modification of the conventional design. The traveler demonstrated enhanced field applicability and intelligence level in Europe and central–eastern China. A parametric configuration scheme was attained through the irrigator’s computational modeling and experimental validation. This study proposed a uniform water distribution calculation model for single-sprinkler linear-move irrigation. The deviation rate between calculated and experimental values was 7.3%. The average application depth decreased with increased sprinkler motion speed and path spacing. The uniformity of water distribution (CU value) exhibited an oscillating trend as the path spacing changed. As the sprinkler rotation angle increased along a specific path, the CU value first rose from 69.2% to 80.0% and then declined to 68.7%. When irrigation and sprinkler motions were combined, the CU value at 1.5 R initially decreased from 92.1% to 72.9%, then increased to 84.2% as the sprinkler rotation angle increased. The combined sprinkler and irrigation motions showed a significantly better uniformity than the specific path irrigation. The highest CU value was 95.0%, with a nozzle diameter of 16.0 × 6.0 mm, a sprinkler rotation angle of 180°, and a path spacing of 1.6 R. This study introduces a novel approach for water-saving irrigation equipment and offers practical guidance for farmers on operating the self-propelled hard hose traveler.