Lawn Sprinklers: Rotary Nozzles

[KDpoolguy]

Looking at my pool side paradise, I can’t help but sweat my water bill. My lawns wrap around my pool, and I also have a huge front lawn. My water bill is presently 20% above my budget and is becoming quite spendy. FYI: I don’t have a leak.
I’ve been looking at rotary nozzles, and my water utility gives me a $4/nozzle rebate.

As a test, I’ve purchased and installed 6 of these, in a 180sf lawn strip. I used the Rain Bird RVAN rotary nozzles from Home Depot and they screw right into my existing 1/2” pop-up spray/mist sprinklers. The The RVans are female thread, and I have a mix of these and the Toro male threaded 1/2” sprinkler heads. The test strip is doing well, and the run off is much less as the nozzles are easily adjustable and we have heavy winds and the stream out of the nozzle lands on the lawn instead of misting onto the driveway or sidewalks.

Has anyone else used these rotary nozzles? I’m hoping for some input on the Toro Precision models.

There are 4 manufacturers that are approved for the rebate:

• Rain Bird RVAN 12SA & 22SA
• Hunter MP Rotator
• Toro Precision
• KRain Rotary Nozzles

 

[Divin Dave]

I have Hunter MP Rotators in my whole yard. Front, back, and sides, all total, 47 of them. I installed them 9 years ago and I love them. They are mesmerizing to watch.

I designed my irrigation system and installed every square inch of it myself.

 

[Spookie]

I also have the Hunter MP’s. 22 in my front yard. I installed them a year ago after hours of researching different brands. I also have the pressure regulated bodies - PRS40. They are awesome but expensive. Maybe buy a few of the nozzles, try them out, then find the one that works best.

 

[KDpoolguy]

The water district rep recommended the Hunters as well. Many reviews and posts on lawnsite.com mention the MPs clogging up, while the RBs handle gunk/dirty water better. The Rain Birds are just easily available at local Home Depot and Lowe’s, which helps. There are some heads that need replacing, but the original irrigation plan (2001) was done using Toro, so some I just want to replace the nozzles since that’s all the cost that the rebates cover. I have 38 heads.
@Divin Dave they are mesmerizing!

 

[duraleigh]

Hunter rotors seem to be the defacto standard in my part of Florida. I am slowly replacing them with K-rains which seem to me a bit beefier construction-wise but the spray is identical.....cost is virtually identical

I have a big, self installed system (I had younger help!) of 12 zones and roughly 90 heads.

 

[Divin Dave]

Maybe im just lucky, out of all the years, Ive only had to unclog a very few of the MP Rotator, but its easy to do.
If I have a gripe about them is that they NEED 40 PSI on the zone to operate like they should. If you have less than 40, then you need to space the nozzles closer together to get head to head coverage, or put fewer heads on the zone.

I dont have great water pressure where I live. After all the pressure loss from the water meter, the backflow preventer the main line, zone valve and laterals, I was only at about 33. On the zones in the front yard, close to the water meter, I have 4 heads per zone. In the back, I can only have 3.

But on the opposite end, like Spookie, if you have great water pressure, then you need to get perssure regulating bodies to go along with the nozzle.

p is t

The water district rep recommended the Hunters as well. Many reviews and posts on lawnsite.com mention the MPs clogging up, while the RBs handle gunk/dirty water better. The Rain Birds are just easily available at local Home Depot and Lowe’s, which helps. There are some heads that need replacing, but the original irrigation plan (2001) was done using Toro, so some I just want to replace the nozzles since that’s all the cost that the rebates cover. I have 38 heads.
@Divin Dave they are mesmerizing!

 

[KDpoolguy]

I guess my main concern is the manufacturers that make these nozzles in a male thread. I see Hunter’s MP and Toro only, otherwise I’ll have to replace the entire head and I’d rather not.
Ugh, this is gonna be a chore. Maybe I’m over my head.
How about water savings? Have you seen any?

 

[KDpoolguy]

@Divin Dave and Dave @duraleigh

I have Hunter MP Rotators in my whole yard.

Did you use the adjustable MP Rotators, or the fixed ones? I have to use some side strip versions (5x15) but for some would just be easier to purchase adjustable heads. Normally I avoid the adjustable spray heads as they are so unreliable, but I’m not sure about the adjustable rotary nozzles. Unfortunately the Toro rotary nozzles only come in adjustable versions.

 

[KDpoolguy]

I’ve decided on the MP Rotator, though one small zone will have the RVANs I purchased a couple weeks back.

Hunter’s MP Rotators have a more robust options of both female and male thread (RB & Toro) options, including female and male threads for lawn strip corners! I’m purchasing them from sprinklerwarehouse and prices for many were less than the RVANs. Our water utility reimburses $4/head and with that it’ll cost me about $100 for 42 heads. I also found its less expensive to purchase a few nozzles with the heads—and I need some new heads with check valves for my front lawn which is on a slope.

 

[wilafur]

I switched out to MP rotators two years ago. The issue is that my irrigation system (at least the front yard) was designed for rotors (25-35' distance between heads). The MP rotators don't provide enough coverage and I have a handful of hot spots. Overall, they're pretty good but I'd caution to make sure the head distances aren't huge, otherwise the MP rotator coverage will not be ideal.

 

[KDpoolguy]

Finally received and began installing my MP Rotators. My system was designed with only 8-15’ distance, and most people were recommending the MPs. The prices were also cheaper so I’m now $300 invested in Hunter’s MP.
My main issue was unsure about the adjustable nature of the MPs, but now that I’ve got both MPs and a handful of RVANs, I’m liking the MPs. Despite the need for a tool, the MPs are easier and more reliable to dial in and the lawn strip versions are perfect for long/short corners. They appear to send as much water and that is better for dialing in shorter distances as the RVANs stop rotating at shorter throws.
I’m the first in our block with rotary nozzles, which surprises me because it’s a pretty new and upscale area. People are mesmerized by them, stopping to take a look as on half of my front lawn is rotary and the other mist nozzles and you can clearly see the wind carry the mist water out over the driveway while the rotary Nozzles park the water in a firmer stream onto the lawn.

 

[RMcGirr83]

I am slowly replacing them with K-rains

Are they a simple "drop in" type of replacement with the Hunters?

 

[RMcGirr83]

I switched out to MP rotators two years ago.

What did you switch them out with? I'm running into the same issue with hot spots on the front and back yard.

 

[Newdude]

II’m purchasing them from sprinklerwarehouse and prices for many were less than the RVANs.

I bookmarked the site for next year. Thanks much. I have been buying them at Lowe’s but a lot of the smaller stuff is marked up considerably at the home centers cuz they know we will just grab them while we are already there working on bigger projects.

 

[setsailsoon]

KD,

I've had great results with a smart controller. Brand I use is Rachio but there are now several others. It uses wifi to connect to a weather station nearby and uses predictive weather algorithms to modify water use instead of just a rain detector. I have a 1/2 ac lot and this saves a lot of water. Also has some neat options to split watering into multiple cycles so more of the water can soak in instead of run off. Even though I switched to well for irrigation, I still save on running the pump. Could be your year-round dry climate won't save as much but during wet season here I save a LOT of water. May be worth at least looking into. Install was a snap.

Chris

 

[duraleigh]

Are they a simple "drop in" type of replacement with the Hunters?

You know, I am not sure. Since they come with the sprinkler body, I have always removed the Hunter body, rotor and everything. My Hunters all have a 3/4" 90 that attaches to the bottom of the sprinkler body. I unscrew that (carefully, so it doesn't get dirt down in the 90) and then the K-rain body (and innards) get screwed in in it's place.

 

[KDpoolguy]

KD,

I've had great results with a smart controller. Brand I use is Rachio but there are now several others.

Glad you mentioned the Rachio Chris. In fact, I wouldn’t (& really couldn’t) have tackled this job without upgrading my controller. I decided on the Orbit B-Hyve, mostly because it has physical controls on its panel, and it has a enclosure all for $80 on prime day. The Rachio got high marks, but the cost was more than I was comfortable spending for a 5 zone system & my landscaper needs manual control and the Rachio panel control is confusing and limited. Probably if it wasn’t for the panel and enclosure I’d have gotten the Rachio, it looks like a more capable app software too.
I’ve been really happy with the Bhyve and recently gave it the keys by letting it control everything in its smart feature control. It’s awesome to turn the zones on/off from my phone to dial in the new nozzles.
It hasn’t really lowered my water use yet, but it’s too early to tell and the water use this time of year is insane. The rotary nozzles really just make me feel like I can control the overspray and make a last ditch conservation attempt before I set aside funds to make the entire front yard desert landscape.

 

[ranger_ric]

If you are looking to buy a bunch of these in one purchase you might check out the Pro Desk at home depot. I know I have gone there and had them look up pricing for me for plumbing parts, wire, and other electrical stuff. If you are buying in some kind of volume they have ways to order some in for you at pretty good savings. I got plumbing parts at 60% off of shelf price and the wire (depending on volume I have saved up to 25%). You have to wait about a week to 10 days for it to come in but the savings can be found. Disclaimer: I have NOT priced sprinkler heads... Good Luck

 

[setsailsoon]

Glad you mentioned the Rachio Chris. In fact, I wouldn’t (& really couldn’t) have tackled this job without upgrading my controller. I decided on the Orbit B-Hyve, mostly because it has physical controls on its panel, and it has a enclosure all for $80 on prime day. The Rachio got high marks, but the cost was more than I was comfortable spending for a 5 zone system & my landscaper needs manual control and the Rachio panel control is confusing and limited. Probably if it wasn’t for the panel and enclosure I’d have gotten the Rachio, it looks like a more capable app software too.
I’ve been really happy with the Bhyve and recently gave it the keys by letting it control everything in its smart feature control. It’s awesome to turn the zones on/off from my phone to dial in the new nozzles.
It hasn’t really lowered my water use yet, but it’s too early to tell and the water use this time of year is insane. The rotary nozzles really just make me feel like I can control the overspray and make a last ditch conservation attempt before I set aside funds to make the entire front yard desert landscape.

KD,

Great choice! Your system addresses the things I don't like about my Rachio ($$$$, and no local control). B hyve was just out and now it looks to be a lot better.

Chris

 

[KDpoolguy]

I bookmarked the site for next year. Thanks much. I have been buying them at Lowe’s but a lot of the smaller stuff is marked up considerably at the home centers cuz they know we will just grab them while we are already there working on bigger projects.

Best prices I could find were on sprinkler warehouse. Many I purchased with new valve bodies (w/&w/o check valves) for leaking slopes and worn ones and come with nozzles for less than what I could find just nozzles at local hardware store.