HydroPoint Data Systems, Petaluma, Calif., recently announced an agreement with The Toro Co. to co-develop and market a new line of intelligent, weather-based irrigation controllers built on HydroPoint’s WeatherTRAK technology.
Toro will incorporate the WeatherTRAK technology into select controllers for both commercial and residential applications. The agreement supports Toro’s strategic focus on providing innovative water management and water conservation solutions to address growing concerns about the availability of water as a resource.
The WeatherTRAK-enabled controllers will feature HydroPoint’s ET Everywhere Data Service, as well as software that will utilize landscape-specific parameters, such as plant type, soil type, sun exposure, sprinkler type and slope to calculates how to apply the right amount of water at the right time. The wireless data service will deliver daily weather updates to each controller, allowing the scheduling software to automatically adjust watering based on actual plant needs. Using local weather data enables the controllers to automatically modify the watering schedule for each irrigation zone to optimize water conservation and protect plant health.
“The Toro WeatherTRAK-enabled system allows our customers the ability to more efficiently manage their water application and improve water conservation practices,” stated Phil Burkart, vice president and general manager of the irrigation business for Toro.
The author is assistant editor of Lawn & Landscape magazine and can be reached at lspiers@lawnandlandscape.com.