How to Adjust Landscape Pop-up Sprinkler Heads
Hunter MP Rotator
Hunter Gear Rotor
Rain Bird Rotator
Rain Bird Gear Rotor
Sprinkler Guides
Sprinkler Guides
January 15th, 2021
Sprinkler Guides
Find the best tips on adjusting pop-ups, rotors, and more for an efficient irrigation watering system.
Impact Sprinkler Guides
January 15th, 2021
Impact Sprinkler Guides
Discover tips for repair and troubleshooting your impact sprinklers.
Sprinkler Throw Range Guide
January 14th, 2021
Sprinkler Throw Range Guide
Use the charts below to give you a rough idea of the average throw radius of the variety of sprinkler in the different applications. Some sprinklers have more of overlap but we have used this chart to guide you when the sprinkler may be better suited for a certain distance.
Micro Garden Sprinklers
Micro-Sprinklers are ideal for garden/flower beds or veggie gardens. There is a variety of micro-sprinklers that you can choose from,
- Shrubblers are ideal for veggie gardens
- Jet and Micro Sprays
- Work well in veggie gardens to cover the larger areas
- Great for small gardens or flower beds
- Micro Sprays have a larger selection of spray types and throw distances
- Rotor Sprays are ideal for larger garden/flower beds
- only have a 360-degree throw option.
Landscape Pop Up Sprinklers
Landscape pop-up sprinklers can be categorised into three varieties. Spray Nozzles, Rotator Nozzles and Gear Rotor Sprinklers.
Spray Nozzles
- Ideal for garden/flower beds, small lawn applications or large veggie gardens.
- Can throw further than 3m but Rotator Nozzles are more efficient at this range.
- Provide a fine droplet, fan-spray pattern
- Higher flow rates than Rotator Nozzles
Rotator Nozzles
- Lower flow rates than the Spray or Gear Rotor Sprinklers
- The ideal throw range is 3m to 8m
- Can throw shorter than 3m but lose the consistency
- Can throw higher than 8m but are more suspectable to wind
- Best sprinkler nozzle for Lawn application
Gear Rotor
- Adjustable to be either a part or full circle sprinkler.
- Different nozzles inserted into the sprinkler affect the range and flow rate.
- Standard rack of nozzles provided but can have speciality short-range nozzles sold separately.
- Ideal for large lawns or commercial areas
Impact Sprinklers
Impact sprinklers are the classic landscape sprinkler that has been in operation for years. The application can range from lawns, commercial areas, to horticulture and agriculture systems
- Different brands and sprinkler types will have different ranges and flow rates. Be sure to look at the brochures and technical specs of the specific sprinkler.
- Different nozzles can affect range and flow rates, with some varieties having front and rear nozzles.
- Available in brass or plastic and full or part circle options
Head to Head Coverage for Sprinkler Spacing
March 31st, 2020
Head to Head Coverage for Sprinkler Spacing
The rule for spacing your pop-ups is summed up in one simple phrase, “Head to head”. What this rule means is that your sprinkler should throw from itself to the next sprinkler.
Something you should always try to achieve as this will give you an excellent uniform coverage of water.
There are two main types of spacing for sprinklers, triangular or square, try and follow either of these options, and it will keep things uniform and tidy looking.
Below are some diagrams of sprinkler layouts on typical lawn shapes.
Here are a few examples of how pop-up sprinkler spacing works.
Uneven Coverage
The above examples show what not to do when irrigating an area. The areas close to the sprinkler receive more water than further away from the sprinkler. A common mistake, and the result is uneven grass growth due to overwatering and under-watering. If this was a fenced property or a deck was close by, you would have the sprinklers overthrowing onto them.
Even Coverage
These three examples show the steps to how we recommend you should provide coverage for your lawn. By starting in the corners and working around and using the head to head method, you can see that through the steps we get to a fully covered lawn with little to no overthrow. This method will ensure that the grass receives and even coverage and saving money on the amount of water used. It may cost more initially having more sprinklers put in, but will save you money in the long term, as well as making sure your lawn stays healthy and even.
This example of a large circle area being laid out head to head for maximum coverage and efficiency of water. Notice the dry patches in the variations and attempts to best cover the area.
This is another example of how to cover an area using a triangle pattern. The disadvantages to this though are possible overthrow when trying to close off at the end and the dry patch when trying to correct this.
Rotators VS Sprays
March 26th, 2020
Rotators vs Sprays
The most popular pop-up sprinkler nozzles are the Hunter MP Rotators and the Rain Bird R-Van's. This type of sprinkler nozzle is referred to as a rotator; it has finger streams of water shooting out, which then rotate around the head of the nozzle. In comparison to the spray head nozzles, these use a typical fan type spray to cover the area.
The significant benefit in the rotator sprinklers is that they use less water and have a lower application rate, ensuring there is no water runoff. Using less water per nozzle will enable you to run more at a time you are therefore saving money in having no runoff and reducing the number of zones required.
Hunter MP Rotator
Overview
The MP Rotator's are installed onto any conventional spray head body or shrub adapter. Transforming them into high uniformity, low precipitation rate sprinklers with matched precipitation at any arc and any radius.
Rain Bird R-Van
Overview
The R-VAN's engineered to deliver the most efficient coverage while making installation and maintenance faster and easier. The R-Vans work on the same principles of the MP Rotators.
Spray Nozzles
Spray Nozzles were the traditional spray head that was used in the past. It has a fan spray pattern with smaller droplet sizes. Hunter and Rain Bird both have their variations of spray nozzles. The nozzles are adjustable from shut off to a 360-degree spray pattern. Simple to adjust with twisting the top and no tool required.
Rotator Nozzles
Pros:
- Application rates are lower resulting in a better absorption rate by the soil
- Bigger droplet size doesn't get affected by the wind as easily as the sprays.
- Lower water usage per nozzle means more nozzles running at the same time
- Less water used per nozzle = fewer zones needed = saving money
- A more significant range of throwing distances means fewer sprinklers to cover an area.
- Fewer zones = decrease in install time, less pipe required, smaller controller needed, fewer fittings.
- Less expensive once you combine all of the factors.
- More even coverage in throw
Cons:
- Price per nozzle is higher
- different nozzles are required for different arcs
- MP Rotator = 90-210, 210-270, 360
- R-Van = 45-270, 360
Spray Nozzles
Pros:
- Price per nozzle is cheaper
- Spray nozzles will do from 0 degrees to full 360 degree pattern
Cons:
- Uses a lot more water per nozzle
- Higher water consumption, means fewer nozzles running at one time
- Fewer nozzles able to run at one time means more zones required to cover an area
- More zones required = more fittings, more sprinklers, more pipe, bigger controller, increase in install time.
- More expensive once you combine all of the factors.
- Water waste is higher due to being susceptible to wind
- Easy to over water
- Not as even in coverage
- Smaller throw distances
Water Usage Comparison
A 4m x 4m Lawn would use 4 x MP100090 throwing 4m each at 90 degrees
MP100090 @ 90 degree = 0.68 L/m per nozzle
0.68 L/m x 4 nozzles = 2.72 L/m
All four sprinklers running at the same time will be using 2.72 litres per minute.
A 4m x 4m Lawn would use 4 x HSN15A throwing 4m each at 90 degrees
HSN15A @ 90 degree = 2.53 L/m per nozzle
2.53 L/m x 4 nozzles = 10.12 L/m
All four sprinklers running at the same time will be using 10.12 litres per minute.
If you had only 10 litres of water coming out of your house tap, you would be able to run 14 x MP1000 @ 90 Degree nozzles at 1 time, In comparison to the Sprays where you would be pushing 4 nozzles.
With this calculation, you can quickly see how the spray nozzles may be cheaper initially, actually cost you a lot more in pipe, valves, controllers, etc.
Tips:
- Older systems installed using spray heads that now have a loss of flow can easily interchange to Rotators, to improve efficiency.
Products Used
-
Hunter MP Rotator Sprinkler Nozzles
$21.03 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Hunter MP Rotator Strip Nozzles
$21.03 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Hunter Adjustable Spray Head Nozzles 360°
$3.98 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Hunter Specialty Strip Pattern Spray Nozzles
$4.35 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Rain Bird R-VAN Rotary Nozzles
$11.96 – $18.12 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Rain Bird Variable Arc Nozzles
$3.48 – $4.54 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
How to Install a Pop-Up Sprinkler
March 26th, 2020
How to Install a Pop Up Sprinkler
Pop-Up sprinklers are the most popular application for residential lawns. In this guide, we will give you the tips on how to install the pop-up sprinkler and why we use them.
Here you can see our recommended category for lawn pop-ups. These products are our most common in both commercial and residential lawns.
Pop-Up sprinklers are a disguised and effective way to keep your lawn beautiful and alive. The sprinkler is buried below ground, with only the head shown. The head is flush with the soil, below the grass. Once popped up, the sprinkler's stem rises above the grass to irrigate.
This strip of grass below will be our example. Below you'll see the correct fittings required to install the pop-up sprinkler.
Installation Tips
- The top face of the sprinkler should be flush with the soil
- Make sure the sprinkler is installed vertically, else risk uneven watering
- Use the same trench dug for the pipe to lay the straight through pop-ups to save time
- Standard lawn pop-ups are 15mm BSP inlet (Gear rotor sprinklers will be larger)
- Use the swing joints to get closer to walls/fences and corners.
- If the pressure is too high you will see the sprinkler mist. (may need to install the pressure regulating body/PRS30 or 40)
Straight Line Example
- A female threaded tee is used in a straight line situation when you want to continue the zone/pipe to run to more sprinklers.
End of Line Example
- A female threaded elbow is used at the end of the line to finish off the zone/pipe.
- It is recommended to dig the trench 200mm out from the edge (easier to dig when digging by hand as well), allows you to get closer to the corner.
- The sprinkler should be around 30mm to 50mm away from the deck/edging. This allows for tools to be used behind (weed whacker) as well as the grass to grow behind and disguise the sprinkler.
- When sprinklers are too close to the edge of a path or deck, the grass can die around the sprinkler, due to the roots not getting a proper footing.
- Trench Depth should be around 200mm deep, this depends on the site (using swing joints allows for adjustable sprinkler height, allowing for a flexible trench depth)
- Unless your sprinkler is under pressure you will not need thread tape.
- Ratchet Clips are advised on all lateral fittings.
Sprinkler Bodies
The pop-up bodies are effectively the same from either Rain Bird or Hunter. The pop-up bodies are referred to by the height of the stem that rises above the grass: the most popular being 100mm or 4-inches.
Stem Height Options
- 50mm
- 80mm
- 100mm (Standard for lawns)
- 150mm
- 300mm
The 150mm and 300mm are handy if you need to rise above a step or low plants. These sprinkler bodies being longer, have a side BSP inlet at the same height as the 100mm, allowing you not to have to bury the pipe deeper for the larger bodies. (In doing the side entry, the check valve/Seal-o-Matic will no longer function)
A benefit to the broad face of the body prevents the sprinkler from shifting from vertical when nudged. Compared to some of the other bodies available, like the PS Ultras that can be susceptible to this.
Tips
- Pack the sides of the pop-up body tightly on installation, to ensure it doesn't move from the vertical
- Where sprinklers are installed on sloping terrain, the lowest sprinkler will always weep water until the system drains, Check valves can be used to solve the problem (pre-installed or aftermarket)
- Broader face = less likely to move
- When changing sprinkler nozzles, make sure the riser has a male thread outlet.
- Rainbird and Hunter Nozzles both have 10mm female threads. (Toro nozzles are male)
Swing Joint
A common issue that people have with pop up sprinklers is if someone steps too hard on the top of the sprinkler, or a vehicle drives over, it can break the fittings underneath if installed directly onto lateral pipe. The swing joint is designed to combat this issue, giving the sprinkler some flexibility when pressure is applied above. Digging up the pipe to fix a broken fitting is a significant pain, so having a swing joint is recommended. When wanting to raise or lower the sprinkler a connection directly to the lateral pipe will not allow it.
Perfect for getting close to corners or tight spots where the pipe cant reach.
Sizes:
- 150mm Length - 15mm BSP Threads
- 300mm Length - 15mm BSP Threads
- 300mm Length - 1 x 15mm, 1 x 20mm BSP Threads
- 300mm Length - 20mm BSP Threads
Tips:
- When cutting the pipe for the sprinkler position, it will not be where the sprinkler is, rather 150mm or 300mm to either side. (see top view example below)
- Sprinkler can be located parallel to the lateral pipe, or anywhere up to right angle.
- It takes less time to install with swing joints than without.
Products Used
-
Hunter Pro Spray Pop up Sprinkler Bodies
$6.75 – $41.95 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Hunter Pop-up Sprinkler Swing Joints
$6.38 – $8.11 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Antelco Female Threaded Elbow
$1.61 – $2.98 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Antelco Female Threaded Tee
$2.00 – $4.46 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Antelco Plastic Ratchet Clips
$0.21 – $0.64 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Rain Bird 1800 Series Pop-Up Sprinkler Bodies
$4.68 – $46.58 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page