Innovation in Irrigation
A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
The Nelson name has been tied to manufacturing and irrigation products for over 100 years. It all started when Lewen Russell Nelson invented the “Clincher” hose coupler and opened Central Brass and Stamping Company in Peoria, Illinois in 1911. This company later became L.R. Nelson Mfg. Co. Inc., which ultimately was sold in 1972. Nelson Irrigation was founded at the time of the sale and in the nearly four decades since, NIC has led the agricultural irrigation industry with innovations such as Big Gun® Sprinklers, Rotator® Sprinklers, 3000 Series Pivot Products, 800 Series Control Valves and a complete line of Pressure Regulators.
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1911
Lewen R. Nelson
Lewen R. Nelson started Central Brass and Stamping Co. that later became L.R. Nelson Mfg. Co. Inc..
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1929
L.R. Nelson Mfg. Co. Inc.
L.R. Nelson Mfg. Co. Inc. manufactures and sells the "clincher" perfect coupler and the "crown", the "flaring rose", the "bird" and the "lark" sprinklers.
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1934
Russell B. Nelson
Russell B. Nelson joins L.R. Nelson Mfg. Co. Inc. and later becomes president, running operations until 1972.
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1961
Barton R. Nelson
Barton R. Nelson joins L.R. Nelson Mfg. Co. Inc..
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1972
L.R. Nelson Mfg. Co. Inc. Sold
On October 18, 1972 L.R. Nelson Mfg. Co. was sold (the company remained in Peoria, IL).
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1972
Nelson Irrigation Corporation Founded
When L.R. Nelson was sold, Nelson Irrigation started up in Walla Walla, WA. The initial product offering included 150 & 200 Series Big Guns and 5 models of impacts.
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1974
Flow Control Nozzle
The Flow Control Nozzle automatically compensates for field elevation differences, excessive pipe friction loss, or variations in pump pressure.
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1983
SR Series Big Gun
The SR (Slow Reverse) Series Big Gun Sprinkler offers high-volume irrigation installations heavy-duty reliability with better performance.
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1987
Rotator
The first Rotator sprinkler.
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1995
3000 Series Pivot Products
The modular 3000 Series Pivot Products family, based on the 3TN Nozzle System, debuts.
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1997
R5 Rotator
The R5 Rotator.
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1997
ACV200 Air Control Valve
The need for better air control prompts the development of the ACV200 Air Control Valve.
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1998
PC-S3000 Part-Circle Spinner
The PC-S3000 Part-Circle Spinner helps solve wheel-tracking problems.
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1998
R2000WF Rotator
The R2000WF Rotator.
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2000
Pivot End Gun Control Valve
The Pivot End Gun Control Valve combo allows for End Gun control without a solenoid.
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2000
Mini Regulator Drain Check
The patented Mini Regulator Drain Check provides pressure regulation with a drain check feature in a 1/2" size.
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2002
MP Rotator
The first MP Rotator.
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2004
PC-R3000 Rotator
The PC-R3000 Rotator is used to solve wheel-tracking problems and provide end of system coverage.
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2007
MP Rotator Turf Sprinkler Business is sold
Nelson Irrigation sells its MP Rotator Turf Sprinkler to Hunter Industries, so it can sharpen its focus on agricultural irrigation.
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2010
8200 Controller
Nelson joins forces with Baseline Systems to help automate agricultural irrigation with the 8200 Controller.
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2010
O3000 Orbitor
Satisfying a need for an offset-axis sprinkler, the O3000 adds features such as a bracketless design for no drift or drool.
