There have been comments concerning the fact that the BEST OF series videos were created several yrs. ago yet I have the current year noted in the title. The reason is that the facts haven't changed yet and when they do, I'll be sure to create a new video reflecting the new information. Secondly, to provide current/relevant information, the title must reflect the current year's date in it. Thanks for trusting me to provide current/relevant information for you. 🖖
The amount of anxiety I got from seeing you try and get that screen out with the screwdriver just shows how relatable this situation is. I was getting pissed off, impatient, and uncomfortable just watching lol
Wow....Great information! I finally feel like I understand at least SOMETHING about sprinkler nozzles. It has been a massive mystery as to what the letters after the numbers mean until now.
Yes I see a lot of guy’s putting the wrong sprinkler heads in the ground. Last fall I had a guy who put a 5004 on a narrow 4ft by 20 strip. Instead of going to big box stores where the staff knows nothing about sprinklers, go to an irrigation supply place, also lots of con tractors will sell you parts and trench or plow your lines and you can do the rest
Just spent 2 weeks figruing out Van and even Huner MP are a joke, all the way around. Hunter Pro Adjustable Arc, period. They function fine @ 20lb and work better up to 40lb psi. Van nozzles Do Not are about you unless 30lb psi up. good vids man
Just found your channel and subscribed! Are there any nozzles that you can put on a body that simply blocks the spray completely when it pops up. There are a few locations that I would like to stop having the sprinklers work without having to remove the body and cap the source.
Thank you for subscribing! Yes. Hunter calls them Shutoff nozzles and you can purchase them here using my affiliate link amzn.to/3tHXzcZ They are featured on my video here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-dz1DpML4JXs.html
Hi. Why didn't you compare the HE-VAN nozzle? HE-VAN has clearer edges than HUNTER PRO A. You are absolutely right about the fragility of VAN nozzles, but I also often come across skewed Hunter Pro A nozzles
Hello, I left you a general explanation on the valve video comment you left. Regarding this video, even though the spray on the HE has been improved, the adjustment collar didn't get improved and over time they get even more difficult to adjust. I've never had a Hunter adjustable nozzle become difficult to adjust. Also the fact that you can simply turn the top of the nozzle to adjust it is so much easier. I don't recall finding skewed Hunter adjustable nozzles in MY experience, but I don't doubt that you have. There's always going to be variations in experience. Thank you for making the time to share your thoughts.
I would like to see a video explaining how you can convert one head of a zone to a drip irrigation head while the remaining heads remain sprinkler heads.
Bill, I believe the linked video here is what you are asking for. If not, I have a follow up video to that uploading tonight or tomorrow. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-QPQPuZqTW14.html
Thanks for the basic information. However, I'm having a hard time finding anything more detailed on this topic. There have to be more options than the 2 basic nozzles you discuss here (excluding the torro and Rotator nozzles). Like, what about brass nozzles? I got the standard Rainbird (non-adjustable) but there's a lot of mist so I'm sure I'm loosing a lot to evaporation and coverage at the edges doesn't seem great. What nozzles are better for producing large heavy drops rather than light and misty? I live in the hot desert with high clay. I set watering intervals to maximize absorption.
Seriously, the recommendations in the video stand true. I see it everyday. I don't know anyone that uses brass nozzles anymore in a professional realm. The only brass nozzles I see used anymore are the cheapy popups from the home centers and hardware stores and those "brands" don't have an interchangeable nozzle thread on them so you can't use other brands like Hunter or RainBird on them.
I have a rectangular lawn, right now I have fixed pattern 90º 15ft nozzles in the corners and 180º 15ft fixed patterns along the edges. Do you prefer fixed heads for this or hunter adjustables? (15ft) Great channel!
DG, Thanks for the nice comment. I always prefer fixed/stationary nozzles. Nothing to get out of adjustment (except possibly the shaft). The stationary nozzles also perform better and are easier to get debris out with a small screwdriver as needed.
@@SprinklerPros Can I assume that for a normal flat yard for the fixed nozzles that I should get the U-series vs the MPR, and the Hunter equiv of the HE-VAN for the variable/adjustable (haven't figured out what that style is yet for Hunter)? I'm about to order a ton of these, appreciate it.
I just saw your note here. If your popups are at the right distance from each other so that the sprays will all easily reach each other, you don't need the U-series. The U- series was designed to solve existing coverage issues where popups are too far apart. They are designed to spray under themselves better than standard sprays. The nomenclature for Hunter adjustable nozzles is xA. Example: 15A. A, of course stands for adjustable. RainBird's nomenclature is x VAN for variable arc nozzle. Be sure NOT to use adjustables as 360s. They aren't designed to do that. If you have any other questions or comments, please use a new comment thread so I can be sure to see it. Thanks and good luck.
Bill, if I were to choose one over the other, I would choose the HE-MAN as it does a much better job at getting the water where it belongs, but as explained in the video, the Hunter is far better than either of them. Not only does it perform much better but is so much easier to adjust especially long term.
Is there a video of which rainbird to use and when? When rotating vs when fixed? When 3500 vs RVan vs mpr HEvan vs u series vs 32SE vs all other rain birds? Please make a video like this.
just found your channel and saw where you had a gripping tool to grip the riser shaft - kinda like a vice-grip. Went to your website and did not find it in your tools section. Looks handy and probably less likely to mar the riser than a vice grip. Any idea where I can get the tool? Thanks, Rob
Robbie, go to the Rain Bird section of this page on my Resources site: sprinklerpros.net/resources/sprinklers/ Thank you for your viewership and purchase.
Yes I'm aware of methods how to get it out. My point in the video was to show the basic hassle of SIMPLY trying to remove it. Thanks for the input for those who don't know.
Is it possible to change from an orbit brand to rain bird or hunter sprinkler head or do I have to stay with orbit all the time? Can you show any videos using orbit sprinkler heads for the various sizes and adjustable or stationary heads as well?
Javier, at this point I don't do videos specifically on Orbit products since I don't consider them to be professional grade products. I intend to make an exception at some point to show folks how to program Orbit timers since there are so many of them in use. As far as the brand of popups you use, it doesn't matter which brand you use in your system. I see systems with many different brands in place. The beneficial thing I would recommend though is to stick with popups that accept female nozzles so it makes it easier to buy and switch nozzles as needed. Female nozzles are used on Orbit, Hunter, and RainBird.
You can mount Hunter nozzle on Orbit body without filter screen (both orbit filter and hunter filter will block hunter nozzle on orbit body). Hunter don't have pressure regulated 2" pop-up body so you would have to dig a minimum of 3" if you want a pressure regulated body but can get away with 2" if a pressure regulated Orbit. Both Hunter and Orbit nozzle will fit into Rain Bird body with filter screen that comes with the nozzle package. Stay away from TORO. Orbit body supports hard top cover ring. Orbit nozzle and filter screen should fit into Hunter body (not verified). You can also go fancy by using twin spray brass nozzle from Orbit for non-adjustable stations.
Kevin, The manufacturers' nozzle spec pages show the trajectory of each nozzle. Here is the doc library page for RainBird: www.rainbird.com/products/mpr-series-fixed-pattern-spray-nozzles/support Here is the doc library page for Hunter adjustable nozzles: www.hunterindustries.com/print/pdf/node/884
Thank you for the info. Question- I cannot do underground sprinkler due to local regulations. So if I am wanting to use the MP nozzles and connect to above ground, I don't need those pop ups? Should I just be connecting to the shrub body directly to sprinkler spikes?
I have a circular lawn with a fountain in the middle: a donut. Currently I have variable sprays around the outer edges and my lawn just doesn't get fully covered. Do you have any advice? It's great to have someone giving advice from dry California! I'm in the foothills near Sacramento.
No advice for your situation. Until they invent sprays that can shoot a curve, non-straight lawn edges are gonna be a challenge. You are going to water the area outside the lawn or have dry edges. I have a business associate that lives in El Dorado Hills. He creates a product for my business. Beautiful area.
In general, are all nozzle heads compatible. In my case I have k-rain nozzles, can I swap for a raid bird? Mine came with male nozzles so I’m stuck with the males only
After years of settling into the ground, the sprinklers have sunken so that the pop up is now just hitting the dirt in the recession. Is there an add on tube to make the nozzle sit up higher? Or do I have to dig up the sprinkler head and likely the system?
Tim, Typically the soil rises from thatch, tree roots, and heaving, and in some areas like the coast where wind blows in sand, the sand will add to the thickness over time. If you have Rain Bird 1800 popups, there is a product called Rain Pro 1006 that has a telescoping shaft to turn your 4" popups into 6" popups without needing to dig up your entire popup body. Simply get it cleared away enough to unscrew the bonnet. Pull out the guts and replace them with this contraption. The other solution is to dig up each offending popup and extend the riser enough to bring the popup to the height you need. I prefer using 1/2" x 6" cutoff risers and 1/2" x 3" cutoff extensions. This way you can customize the height.
I started using Kap it riser extensions, they're easy to install. You'll get approx. 1 - 1 1/2" rise on your existing riser or you could double kap it which will give a higher extension range.
Tom, I discovered I have a leak in a sprinkler zone. I noticed that the spray from the 6 heads (Rainbird Rotator) was weak and I found water bubbling up in the middle of that zone. I figured it would be an easy fix and would just need to dig down where the water was bubbling up and repair the line. But when I dug down, I hit tree roots. The spot is about 5 or 6 ft. from a 20 year old maple tree and the line is deep below the tree roots. I've called several arborists and they all say cutting the tree roots to get to the line might kill the tree. So is the only solution a complete re-running of lines to all the sprinkler heads in that zone from the valve box?
Sounds like a re-routing is in order but is it necessary to route it to all the heads? That is what you'll need to determine based on your knowledge of the layout or some best guess deduction. I was just at a job today in which the brilliant landscapers planted a tree 2ft from the corner of the driveway by the garage and directly OVER the piping from the valves to the sprinklers. No surprise two of the pipes are broken. The tree will finally get removed now.
Got a question about repairing the 1” pvc that supplies water from my well. Recently I had to repair two holes, one created by the Terminix guy looking for a termite trap and another by me installing some metal edging. It’s a simple repair except that plumbers pvc cement dries in seconds, making it hard to get the splice together before the glue is set. Is there a slow setting glue or some trick for repairing this pipe?
FWIW, in cases like that, after the pipe has been cut and cleaned, I use primer on it and then I use Christy's Red Hot glue/solvent. I know that sounds counter to what you asked for, but if you are prepared and follow good techniques, it shouldn't be a problem. You can watch this Short of mine to get an idea of the proper procedure for repairing your pipe by using a 1" slip fix. ru-vid.comfOoDyxkIc-k 1. Be sure the pipe is cleared well around it to make working on it easier. 2. Be sure there are no rough edges at the ends of the pipe you cut. 3. Be sure the pipe is clean of any roughness. Use sanding cloth carefully if needed. 4. Be sure to have two 12" Channelocks handy and set for grabbing the small end and large end of the slip fix. 5. Use primer to soften the pipe and clean it chemically. 6. You'll need a 1" PVC slip coupler as well. 7. Glue the coupler onto the slip fix before you begin. This will help you with knowing how much 1" pipe to cut out for this new assembly. Be sure to turn it back and forth a couple of times to be sure the glue is slid onto the pipe evenly. 8. As seen on the video, be sure to glue the coupler'd end of the slip fix first and let it set a few mins. 9. Apply glue to the other pipe and inside of the big end of the slip fix. 10. Grab the big end of the slip fix and slide it onto the pipe and turn it a couple of times. The Channelocks are a just in case scenario if you run into trouble getting the slip fix onto the pipe completely at either end and/or there's a reason to remove the slip fix assembly quickly. I hope this answers your concern. Let me know.
I’ve always thought all the spray between and under the arc is full and uniform but that’s not really the case every time and it ends up a missed dry spot! Is there a quick way to know for sure every inch of grass is getting coverage. Thanks in advance
I am currently working on the first of the Design Series videos where I go over that and other aspects of proper coverage. Subscribe and stay tuned. BTW, there is no quick answer for that.
I have a coverage problem with the front of the grass edge not getting enough water(brown/dry appearance) and the distance is green. What would you suggest? I have heard of dual coverage sprayer nozzles that eliminate this problem. Your thoughts.
Henry, the nozzle you speak of is the RainBird U series nozzles. U stands for undercut. I will do a video on them at some point. When you say "grass edge", do you mean the edge along edge of the lawn or in front of the sprinklers? When you say the distance is green, are you referring to the color of the nozzle? If I am guessing correctly, you are saying that the grass is dry in front of the sprinklers and you have the green nozzles which are 8 ft.'ers. Are the distances between heads 7 ft. or less? If not, you need nozzles that will reach each other and that will solve the dry areas in front of each nozzle. I will go in more detail in my upcoming Design Series.
I have a theory that Rainbird nozzles shoot further than Hunter I can inner change them on the same head turn the zone back on and the rain birds shoot further in my opinion what do you think?
If the Hunter adjustable nozzles have a more defined edge and larger droplets and the Rainbird fixed arc nozzles are better than Hunter fixed arc, wouldn't I be better off buying the Hunter adjustable if I want more even coverage and less mist? I didn't hear anything in regards to the Rainbird fixed arc nozzles having the same issue of mist and irregular spray coverage. Are those two issues only with the Rainbird adjustable arc nozzles or both types?
Naaman, I'll try to answer your questions. If I miss the mark, let me know. I always recommend fixed arc nozzles when possible and RB's are my preference because of the color coding on top and they are tough, besides their great performance. I only use adjustable nozzles when I need a different arc than what the fixed arc nozzles can give me. I only use Hunter adjustable arc nozzles because of their performance and they're tough AND one bonus is the color coding is on top. The other bonus is that the adjustable part remains adjustable over time unlike the RB adjustable. I NEVER use adjustables for 360degree sprays like I just saw on a new landscaping installed by a 'professional' landscaping company here. They used adjustables and the performance was awful, less than 360degrees, and a flat trajectory even though they were 15footers so they were barely spraying over the grass. It didn't help that they installed the popups too low.
Interesting, I can see why you make the choices you do. Still prefer rain bird over Hunter only from experience. I will say that Hunter toughness is overblown. Their good products, don't get me wrong. But under the extreme conditions we give them in Australia, they don't last any longer than any of the other good named ones.
Matthew, Interesting. We have the opposite results here in CA. I've been at this since 1985 and now work mostly with repairs since 2005. Hunter blows away Rain Bird and all other brands and models on durability. Good to hear from you, though. Chime in with other observations you have.
So I went to your page and I purchased the Rainbird 10H 90 degree nozzles, I cleared the system from any debris, I purchased new bodies. The 90 degrees would only spray about 1 foot, so I used the Rainbird screw driver and adjusted the screw, I turned it counter clockwise fully, it now spays 2 feet, It is the blue head. I then put an adjustable Rainbird nozzle on and it sprayed over 10 feet from the same pop up. Any ideas?
That's a trip. My guess is a defective nozzle but in all the mega thousands I've used, I've never heard of that. Did you try a different stationary nozzle there? I just gotta ask.
@@SprinklerPros I tired an adjustable one and it works fine, so I will try them on my front yard to see how they work there. Which way do your turn the screw to get more water? Funny this is an 10 x 20 area with 6 brand new sprinkler heads and they cannot cover the area.
What do you think about the Rain Bird U-Series High Efficiency Dual Orifice Nozzles? I have head to head coverage but I still get dry spots up close. Do you think it is worth it to replace all my nozzles with U-Series?
Ryan, that's a good Q. I have the U-series on my truck but I rarely EVER use them. They should be a last resort and were intended to help with those situations where poor coverage is the case but fixing the problem is (for whatever reason) out of the question. So to answer your Q, yes, you can use them and they should help but I still must respectfully say that if you have proper coverage, you shoudn't have dry spots under the heads. I am currently working on the first of several Design Series videos that will explain how to get proper coverage AND how to correct it when you have bad coverage so be sure to subscribe so you'll be notified when they get uploaded.
Josh, That's exactly right. One of the reasons for using them sparingly is the small port for the undercut. It can clog AND if the popup is at a downward angle, the undercut spray may not do any good and just flood the base of the popup. I've seen these scenarios.
I have Toro and it's a pain to remove the filter! I have to unscrew the cap sometimes and that could unscrew the whole head. Any tricks? I don't want to replace all the heads.
Yue, if you can't easily get the filter (screen) out using a small screwdriver like I show in the video, then purchase one or more RainBird Pull-up tool(s) mentioned in this video (you can get it thru my Resources page) and let it/them hold up the popup shafts. Remove the nozzle(s) and turn on that line allowing the water to flush the nozzle(s) out. I've done this many times. If I do this I use all 3 of my Pull-up tools on 3 different pop ups at one time to get them all done quicker. Let me know how it goes.
@@SprinklerPros Thank you! I did the same, although my water pressure is a little high so I have to wait by the head or I won't be able to find the filter😂
How do you clean the inside of the nozzle when it’s clogged inside. I’ve tried cleaning the filter but when I pull it out. It’s clean as a whistle. You have any idea where I can start?
Cody, if the screen is clean and you're as sure as can be that there is debris inside the nozzle and you can't get it out using a small screwdriver while the water's on, then you're toast. Just replace the nozzle.
Personally I like Rain Bird sprinklers and nozzles. The house I bought new had all Hunter sprinklers installed, they are the worst to make adjustments. If the spray direction is off, you cant just grab the shaft and move it, as soon as you turn it off and back on, it will be right back where it was. The Rain Bird, turn it the direction you want, Done!
Anthony, At some point I intend to create a free download chart that shows which RB nozzles are designed to use the blue screens, but for now I'll say that you NEED the screens. I have a YT Short video about screens you might want to watch. I just replaced dozens of nozzles yesterday and most of the screens had junk embedded on them. If not for the screens, the nozzles would be clogged. Were your screens clean or gunky?
@@SprinklerPros thank you very much for the tips. I am new to the whole sprinkler thing on my recently bought existing home system. My screens and nozzles are brand new, I just bought a case to replace the whole lot. I will be putting them all back in as soon as possible now!
@@SprinklerPros I have a messy bag of sprinklers and parts, some of the rainbird blue screens, black smaller ones, and green screens. If you have a color coded video on that, it would be great.
@@SprinklerProsthat was my question as well. I know it seems like a very basic question that everyone knows, but it wasn’t quite apparent to me either. So Hunter and Rainbird female thread nozzles are interchangeable and can be used on the competitor’s body. Thanks for clearing that up for me. (I suppose they didn’t have to use the same thread or the same diameter.)
Hmm. Jill, I don't own an iPhone so I am not aware of what you see. It's actually called the Resources site. It's noted in the Description section under the video. The free downloads are also noted and linked there. They are there under all my videos. Let me know if you still don't see them and I will look into it.
Daniel, HE-Vans still have the awkward adjustment collar that I address in the video so I defer to the Hunter adjustables which are so durable and easy to adjust.
There was a major mistake in the teaching and so I felt responsible to correct it and upload the corrected version. I just noticed it the other night. I didn't like losing all the great comments and likes and view counter (it's, by far, my most popular video) but having the information correct was more important. Thanks for being here.
@@SprinklerPros I respect your decision to make the correction since your teaching was incorrect (per you) in your 1st upload of this video. It would be great to see all of those prior comments.....but....glad you did your best in order not to cause confusion. I am already too confused about sprinkler systems. Your videos that I am going through are the first semblance of understanding I have gotten when it comes to sprinkler systems. You sir are doing an excellent job of teaching if I am starting to understand.
@@SprinklerPros I am looking for a corner nozzle for my lawn, the one Have sprays water on the my driveway and sidewalk, if it was true 90 degrees corner nozzle I would not have that problem.
@@SprinklerPros I am going to put in all new nozzles on my front yard, so they all match in performance, also my system is not on a regulator, minimum pressure is 60 pounds to 90 pounds, do you have a recommendation for that? Do I also need a unit siphon valve on the system?
It's all about patents, etc. in any industry. My guess is that since RainBird was the first in irrigation manufacturing and they designed the female thread, Toro felt the need to do the opposite so they created the male thread nozzle.
Paul, You're right. A pick is easier, but most folks don't have a pick on their person/truck so I am simply showing an attempt using a tool that they should have. Thanks for the input.
William, the truth hasn't changed since I created that video and the title needs to remain relevant for the current year for folks to understand that it is up to date. If newer/better products discussed here come on the market and trump what I have shared here, then I will create a new video. The same goes for all the other videos in the BEST OF series.
Wow making it look difficult when its not at 5:24 . Try a simple turn the head around and watch it just drop out in to your hand. Here you are doing it backwards. Both male and female are fine. Stop struggling with your screw driver messing it up. Thanks
Cap'n Obvious, I was pretending that the Toro popup was in the ground since I didn't have a Toro popup installed on the property I was filming at. That struggle would have been just as real if it had been installed in the ground.
@@SprinklerPros Thanks for the clarification, That makes sense now. Oh I love the "Cap'n Obvious" I was a Tug boat Captain a long time ago. Now enjoying retirement. And your video did help me with my sprinkler system in a few areas. Keep the video's coming.
@@SprinklerPros they are talking in gen-z language so let me explain. there has been a trend all over with people getting offended by people because they think they try to guess their gender. If you do that, you get cancelled which means that you basically get harassed with what you said. This is not the case, just someone trying to be funny.
Please Mr. I would be much grateful if you can help me out with a project that I’m undertaking, please if it would be possible for me to contact you personally about the project………