Thorough testing is essential to make sure nozzles, risers and rotors function consistently. Hunter Industries uses this test apparatus with dozens of automated collection cups below the spray pattern. ?EUR??,,????'??+photo courtesy of Hunter industries

Selecting the correct nozzle is one of the most crucial, yet overlooked, elements in irrigation system design.

Study Manufacturer Specs

Choosing the correct nozzle, whether it?EUR??,,????'???s for a spray head or a rotor, is easy if you take the time to study the nozzle charts in a manufacturer?EUR??,,????'???s product catalog and select one that best suits your needs; irrigation equipment manufacturers have put a tremendous amount of effort into developing nozzles to fit almost every application:

?EUR??,,????'???? For flexibility with spray heads, select a nozzle with an adjustable or variable arc.

Nozzles set on risers use water pressure to raise them to spray position. Years of trial and error have let to today?EUR??,,????'???s advanced designs.

Because nozzles are designed to work within a wide range of pressures, it is important to ensure you have the correct pressure at the base of the nozzle. Too much pressure, as is commonly the situation with spray heads, will result in misting. Misting creates a reduction in the radius of throw and you may experience uneven coverage, and cause wet and dry spots. To correct this, several manufacturers offer devices that can be installed at the nozzle or are integrated in the sprinkler, such as the Rain Bird PRS Series.

Special Case:

Rotor Nozzles
If you?EUR??,,????'???re working primarily with rotors, keep in mind that too much pressure can cause the rotor to rotate too quickly. The nozzle stream of a fast moving rotor will ?EUR??,,????'??horsetail?EUR??,,????'?? and cause a severe reduction in the radius of coverage. Too little pressure will also result in a reduction in the radius of throw and uneven water distribution.

From www.rainbird.com

Like many spray nozzles, rotor nozzles are color-coded to ease arc-pattern and spray volume identification in the field. Photo courtesy of Rain Bird

Irrigation Insights

4: Dollars, the maximum amount of a rebate offered by the Long Beach, Calif. water department for the replacement of rotating irrigation nozzles. The rebate covers up to four dollars of the cost of the nozzles or 100 percent of the cost, whichever is less.