Installation
The regular installation method provided for in the design of the sprinkler.
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Platform. Stand in the form of a fairly wide base, allowing you to put the device on any more or less flat surface. At the same time, the sprinkler can stand confidently both on soft ground and on hard surfaces up to asphalt. On the other hand, the platform takes up quite a lot of space and inevitably crushes the vegetation underneath (although manufacturers try to minimize this effect, in particular, by making openings in the stand).
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Leg. A pointed leg that, when installed, is buried in the ground. Such placement requires a minimum of space — the diameter of the legs usually does not exceed a few centimeters. It is also considered more reliable than a platform-mounted installation — the risk of the sprinkler moving accidentally is minimal. On the other hand, legs are applicable only on soft soils; in stony soil, installation may be problematic, and on a hard surface, the sprinkler will be completely useless. In addition, this method is poorly suitable for powerful heavy devices.
— Tripod. A device in the form of support legs — usually three (this number is optimal for a number of reasons), hence the name. The legs often have pointed tips for penetration into the ground, although, if necessary, the sprinkler can also be installed on a hard surface. land at only three points, occupying a minimum of
...space on the ground. In addition, the tripod makes it possible to provide height adjustment of the nozzle (see below). At the same time, such a mount significantly affects the weight and dimensions of the device, and the advantages mentioned are rarely decisive. Therefore, this installation method is typical mainly for heavy pulse and turbo sprinklers with an irrigation distance of 10 m or more.
— Hidden. An installation method that involves the deepening of the sprinkler itself into the ground — almost entirely, so that only a small part is outside. At the same time, hidden models are equipped with retractable nozzles that rise up during operation and sink back into the housing at the end of irrigation. The main advantage of such sprinklers is already clear from the name: after hours they are hidden underground. Not only does this improve the appearance of the lawn, but it also allows for trouble-free use of lawn mowers and also protects the irrigation system from animals and curious children. On the other hand, the hose to the hidden model also needs to be brought underground, which greatly complicates the installation; and the folding design affects the cost. Note that such sprinklers are quite popular in automatic programmable irrigation systems.
— Trolley on wheels. The cart used in sprinklers usually has two wheels and a third fixed support. Thus, the device can stand stably in one place thanks to the support — and by lifting it, you can easily roll the device on wheels right behind the hose connected to it. This feature is indispensable in cases where one sprinkler needs to be periodically moved from place to place. On the other hand, modern models are rarely so heavy that they are difficult to carry in the hands, and the need for movement is infrequent; therefore carts on wheels were not widely used.
— Without fastening. The complete absence of any attachment — only the sprinkler itself is supplied with a thread (or other similar device) for attaching to the attachment. Such models are convenient in two cases: if the site already has a “seat” for a sprinkler (for example, in the form of a vertical pipe, which requires only a watering nozzle) and if the owner himself wants to choose a mount, without relying on the choice of the manufacturer (for many models a variety of mounts are available and sold separately).Spraying width
The irrigation width provided by the sprinkler, to be more precise, the width of the area covered by the device at a time, without turning the nozzles horizontally.
This parameter is relevant primarily for oscillating models (see "Type") — they evenly capture a rectangular space, and the width is one of the main dimensions for a rectangle. In other types of sprinklers, we are talking about the width of the jet at maximum range (because the jet expands as it moves away from the nozzle); however, for such models, it is more convenient to indicate the size of the captured space by the angle of irrigation (see above), and the width for them is rarely indicated.
Сoverage distance
The maximum range that the sprinkler can provide.
The choice for this parameter depends primarily on the size of the area to be covered. However, keep in mind that a high range usually requires fairly high pressure and can degrade watering efficiency close to the nozzles. Therefore, even in large areas, it is sometimes more convenient to use a system of several sprinklers with a short range, rather than a long-range device.
Minimum coverage area
The smallest area that a sprinkler can cover in normal operation, in other words, the area captured at a minimum range.
The minimum area is indicated only for models in which the size of the watered area can be adjusted (for example, by changing the angle). The smaller it is (at the same maximum), the wider the adjustment range. It also measures the suitability of a sprinkler for an area that is significantly smaller than the maximum irrigation area (see below). At the same time, when choosing, do not forget that models with the same area may differ in the shape of the space covered, the irrigation angle, etc.
Max. coverage area
The largest area that the sprinkler can cover during operation (or the standard coverage area for models that do not allow changing the size of the captured area).
The larger the area, the more watering area it may require. At the same time, the irrigation system must correspond not only to the area, but also to the shape of the site. Therefore, a model covering a large area is not always the best choice — sometimes (especially in areas of complex shape) it is easier to cover the required space with a few relatively modest sprinklers.
In some cases, knowing the irrigation area, you can determine other characteristics of the device: for example, for a sprinkler with an irrigation angle of 360 °, you can calculate the maximum range without much difficulty, even if it is not indicated in the characteristics.
Pressure
The pressure of the water in the connected hose/pipe that the sprinkler is designed to handle: lower pressure will not give the device the required performance, higher pressure may cause damage. And even if too high pressure did not lead to an "accident" immediately, it can happen at any time. Therefore, this parameter should never be ignored.
The best option is considered to be the situation when the pressure in the hose is slightly (by 0.4 — 0.5 bar) does not reach the claimed maximum — this allows you to fully realize all the capabilities of the sprinkler and at the same time gives a guarantee against breakage in case of pressure surges.
Additional output
The presence
of an additional outlet in the design of the sprinkler.
This feature allows the sprinkler to work in a "through" mode, when part of the water is taken for irrigation, and the rest of the water is fed through the outlet further — to the rest of the sprinklers, to the watering hose or other "consumers". Thus, if there is an additional outlet, the sprinkler can be connected in series — this is often much more convenient than pulling a separate hose from the tap / pump to each consumer, especially in large areas with an extensive irrigation system.
