Walk to the middle of the line to start and stop the mover
The Modern Wheel Line Irrigation System
Save labor costs with edge of field control of irrigation lines. The easiest to use wheel line ever — designed by growers, for growers.
Get better coverage, while saving time and labor.
Watch below for more info
Thunderbird’s end drive wheel line irrigation system is engineered to simplify the precision application of water, in ways not possible for flood, or center pivot irrigation. The system spans up to 1/2 mile, reliably moving across the field, irrigating for longer periods of time, reaching all the corners of your fields, driving salts deeper, and giving your crops better access to essential nutrients, which enhances yield.
This irrigation system operates from the edge of the field. Start it, stop it, and connect to the mainline from one spot on the perimeter — no walking a quarter-mile in mud or trampling crops to move the line. Thunderbird's end drive wheel line irrigation system has engineered that wasted walk time out of the job, along with all the other things growers have to tolerate with old wheel line brands.
This irrigation system operates from the edge of the field. Start it, stop it, and connect to the mainline from one spot on the perimeter — no walking a quarter-mile in mud or trampling crops to move the line. Thunderbird's end drive wheel line irrigation system has engineered that wasted walk time out of the job, along with all the other things growers have to tolerate with old wheel line brands.
All the irrigation. None of the hassle.
Traditional Wheel Lines
Thunderbird’s End Drive Wheel Line
Move the system from the perimeter, where you already connect to the mainline
Motors for each line are located out in the crop
One motor controls multiple lines from the edge of the field
One motor per line
One portable 4 hp power unit runs multiple lines
Flanged sections make connecting or disconnecting sections a difficult chore
With our quick connect/disconnect technology, irregular fields are no longer a problem
The line drifts out of alignment, especially on slopes
Multiple movers hold alignment - even on hilly terrain
Wind resistance is very low
Self-locking lever attachment keeps your line where you want it
Praise for the Modern Wheel Line
It’s the most efficient way to water. If you’re talking efficiency and you want to maximize ground, these wheel line water every acre and you’ll get the maximum amount of yield, which is what we’re after. If you want healthy ground and ground that you can maximize your value out of it – and ground is not cheap – that’s the way to do it is with these Thunderbird Wheel Lines.
Kim & Garret Wahlen, Kim Wahlen Farms, Aberdeen ID
Most of our farm is not flat ground. We demoed two lines on pretty severe hills and it worked so well, we now have seven Thunderbird Wheel Lines. With other wheel line companies, the motor is out there in the middle of the field so you have to walk all the way there in the middle of the field. And also every wheel line has its own motor, so you’re paying for that motor, plus it’s a pain in the butt when you go walking out to there to t
Bryce Buckley, M&S Buckley Farms, Walla Walla, WA
They were a life saver for us.
Tony Burgemeister Farms, American Falls, ID
One thing we really like about the wheel lines is the dirt gets wet and then it will dry. As the dirt dries, diseases can minimize, like in potatoes you get white mold. Here in Pleasant Valley where we farm, we’re in the center of the wind tunnel and the Thunderbird Wheel Lines hold up really well in all of the wind storms we experience.
Denver Driscoll, Driscoll Bros, Bingham County, ID
We have been using the Thunderbird wheel lines since the late 70s. They are a a good durable line that will stay straight in lots of hilly conditions.,,we replaced a center pivot with a corner arm on it with eight wheel lines and we were able to farm instead of 150 acres the whole 160 so not only did we get to farm the extra 10 acres in that field but the overall increase in yield of the field was we estimated 70 to 75 sacks an acre."
Kim West, Wild West Farms, American Falls, Idaho
More Coverage Than a Pivot Can Reach
If your field is a square, a rectangle, or a shape nobody has a name for, the center pivot circle can’t reach a percentage of your land. And that’s going to limit your total production. A wheel line irrigation system runs straight sets across the full field, corner to corner, irrigating ground a pivot cannot reach. On hills, on odd shapes, and on the corner acres of a quarter section, a modern wheel line puts more of your ground into production.
Plus, because these modern wheel lines irrigate deeper, you'll water less frequently, creating a drier canopy that's less hospitable to soil diseases.
Plus, because these modern wheel lines irrigate deeper, you'll water less frequently, creating a drier canopy that's less hospitable to soil diseases.
Thunderbird wheel line transmission units apply even torque to the entire line.
Thunderbird’s End Drive Wheel Line Irrigation System Exclusive Advantages
Save on Labor
Move our end-drive wheel lines through your fields quickly and efficiently.
Maximize Crop Yield
Precision water delivery to every corner of your field.
Made in the USA
Built in the USA by people who understand farming, this system is engineered to handle any field shape, even with challenging slopes.
Durable & Easy to Maintain
Built for easy maintenance and long life - lines are torque and corrosion resistant.
3.5 FT CROP CLEARANCE
Ideal for row crops, alfalfa, sugar beets, potatoes, wheat, peanuts, sorghum, soybeans, cotton, sod and more.
AUTOMATIC DRAINAGE
Drains under each sprinkler open automatically when the water is shut off.
POSITIVE PINS:
THE MODULAR ADVANTAGE
Pipes can be disconnected and reconnected easily and quickly.
MULTIPLE
TRANSMISSION UNITS
Applies even torque to the
entire length of the line.
entire length of the line.
END-DRIVE/END-FEED
WATER CONTROL
Start, stop and reconnect the water source all from one place.
PORTABLE POWER UNITS
Drive power is provided by a portable 4 hp gasoline engine that can run multiple wheel lines.
LEVER ATTACHMENT FOR MINIMAL MECHANICAL STRESS
For when you need to put the system in gear and to help prevent movement in windy conditions.
EASY INSTALLATION
No special equipment needed.
"Revolutionizing Irrigation in the United States and Beyond"
That’s the headline Irrigation Leader magazine chose for their May 2026 cover story—and we couldn’t have said it better ourselves.
The article explores the origins of our wheel line system, from its roots in clockmaker-precision engineering to the in-field refinements shaped by decades of working alongside real growers. Co-owner Chris Nulph and irrigation consultant Philip Reh walk readers through what makes Thunderbird’s approach different, and why growers across the country and around the world are making the switch.
Read the full article to learn how a commitment to precision and practicality continues to drive everything we build.
The article explores the origins of our wheel line system, from its roots in clockmaker-precision engineering to the in-field refinements shaped by decades of working alongside real growers. Co-owner Chris Nulph and irrigation consultant Philip Reh walk readers through what makes Thunderbird’s approach different, and why growers across the country and around the world are making the switch.
Read the full article to learn how a commitment to precision and practicality continues to drive everything we build.
