Hunter Debuts Sprinkler Test Facility

 

The urn-shaped collection devices under this sprinkler nozzle precisely measure the distribution of water in its spray pattern.

Hunter Industries has opened a new spray sprinkler test facility at the company’s headquarters in San Marcos, Calif. The laboratory adds new capabilities to Hunter’s existing testing laboratories and is focused specifically to support the company’s growing spray sprinkler business. Its design and testing hardware offer one of the most sophisticated, comprehensive testing environments maintained by an irrigation products manufacturer. The company used the facility to develop the recently introduced Pro-Spray line of fixed pattern spray nozzles.

Hunter developed the facility in order to maintain better control over individual product testing, giving the company the ability to adapt and adjust spray head and nozzle development based upon test results. Having the ability to conduct such extensive research on site gives the company the opportunity to do more thorough testing. The facility can also be used for testing of competitor units to assure that the Hunter offerings meet or beat industry standards.

Among the more notable tests performed at the new facility are:

• 2-D Automated Collection Grid – Allows testing of spray sprinkler nozzles of any pattern to ascertain distribution uniformity. Determines flow, radius, and density of water to ensure that distribution is uniform (so grass will be green everywhere). The grid includes catchments that measure the entire sprinkler pattern, which is specifically valuable when testing spray sprinkler nozzles.
• High Pressure Burst Testing – Performed on the body and body cap of Hunter products. This test allows up to 1,200 PSI to be pumped into Hunter sprinkler bodies (most Hunter sprinkler bodies usually can handle up to 600 PSI).
• Environmental Chamber – Permits testing of all products in the harsh climates contractors put them in. Product operation can be tested in sub-zero temperature on the low end and 140 degrees F on the high end.
• High Pressure/High Heat Accelerated Life Wear Tanks – Simulates years of job site conditions in a shorter time. Allows the company to determine the longevity of products in typical field conditions.