Garden Sprinklers: specifications, types

— Static. The simplest type of sprinklers: devices that do not have external moving parts and supply water flow in only one, initially specified direction (or in all directions at once). However some models may provide a change in direction and/or mode of operation; however, this is done by manual switching and not by "programmed" operation. And the adjustment of the irrigation range is most often provided by changing the water pressure at the inlet. The main advantages of static models are extreme simplicity and low cost. Among the shortcomings, in addition to limited capabilities, it is worth noting the increased requirements for water purity: it is advisable to connect a static sprinkler through a filter (or make sure there is a built-in filter), otherwise the nozzle may become clogged with debris that has entered the water.

— Spinner. The simplest type of rotary sprinklers : watering is carried out using a continuous jet beating from a rotating nozzle (in many models, the rotating head has several nozzles). The nozzle describes a full circle during operation, the design does not provide adjustment of the irrigation angle, and in general, the turntables are quite simple and unpretentious in terms of functionality: for example, the irrigation range is usually regulated by changing the pressure. On the other hand, such models are simple, reliable and provide fairly uniform watering. In general, t...his option (also called "circle sprinklers") is well suited for round areas, such as flower beds.

— Pulse. In accordance with the name, this type of sprinkler does not supply water in a continuous stream, but in separate pulses. Due to this, such devices are less sensitive to contaminants in the water than models with a continuous water supply (for example, turntables — see above). However, the main advantage is that in this way it is possible to provide a high irrigation range and, accordingly, a large area coverage; it is these devices that are considered most suitable for large spaces such as stadiums, golf courses, etc. At the same time, pulse sprinklers are most often quite advanced devices with a high degree of automation. For example, most models have adjustable irrigation angle, and the distance changes automatically during operation: first, the farthest part of the treated sector is watered, then the jet gradually moves closer and closer to the sprinkler. The main disadvantage of impulse models is their rather high cost.

— Oscillating. A type of sprinkler, originally designed for rectangular areas; also known as "pendulum". The working element of such a device is a horizontal tube with holes through which water enters. The tube during operation rotates back and forth around the longitudinal axis, due to which the water is evenly distributed over a rectangular area. Many models allow you to adjust the angle of rotation, thus changing the size of the irrigation spot.

— Microdroplet. Sprinklers designed for use in drip irrigation systems — when water is not sprayed “over the areas”, but is supplied “addressally”, under the roots of each individual plant. Such systems are quite complex and expensive, but extremely efficient and economical; they perform particularly well in arid regions where water conservation is an urgent need. The micro-drop sprinklers themselves, in accordance with their purpose, are small in size and have low productivity (and the latter in this case is not a disadvantage, but a necessary condition for normal operation).

— Turbo sprinkler. Turbo sprinklers are quite advanced devices with high productivity and irrigation range, usually having a rotary design with the ability to adjust the spraying range and angle. The jet in turbo sprinklers, unlike impulse models, is solid, thanks to which such devices operate noticeably quieter (which is important, for example, in the private sector). At the same time, various tricks are used in the design that improve the uniformity and overall quality of irrigation — for example, a divider for "spraying" water. Turbo sprinklers are worth paying attention to, first of all, if you plan to regularly water fairly large areas.

— Contour. The name of this variety of sprinklers is due to the fact that they are able to provide irrigation within the area with given contours. This can be very useful on irregularly shaped lawns — the device can be programmed to spray the entire area without leaving unwatered places and at the same time not entering garden paths and other places that do not require irrigation. The main disadvantage of such models is that such "smart" irrigation requires complex electronics, which is very expensive. For this reason, contour models are relatively rare on the market.

— Micro sprinkler. The simplest sprinklers, which are, in accordance with the name, small in size and, usually, are not equipped with their own mounting brackets (see below). Irrigation capabilities in such models are very limited — for example, the range usually does not exceed 3 m; and any "bells and whistles" like pulse mode, angle adjustment, etc. not included in the design. The main application of micro-sprinklers is small areas, indoor complexes like greenhouses or greenhouses, as well as automatic systems with several sprinklers.

The regular installation method provided for in the design of the sprinkler.

— 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).

— 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).

The number of spray modes provided in the design of the sprinkler.

Different spray modes provide different jet parameters — for example, in one mode, water is supplied in a continuous stream, in another it expands and breaks into smaller drops, in the third it is sprayed almost to a fog state. The more such options, the more versatile the sprinkler, the easier it is to configure it for a specific situation. On the other hand, an increase in the number of modes complicates and increases the cost of the design (although much depends on the implementation features: for example, an inexpensive rotary nozzle with different types of holes can be used for switching).

The number of individual nozzles (nozzles) provided for in the design of the sprinkler. This number corresponds to the number of jets that the device is capable of delivering at the same time.

Theoretically, the more jets, the thinner they are and the more evenly the water is sprayed. However, in fact, this indicator by itself has practically no effect on irrigation efficiency: for example, a single nozzle of a properly selected design may not be inferior in efficiency to a set of several nozzles. Therefore, when choosing, it is worth focus not so much on the number of nozzles, but on other practical characteristics and features of the jet (the latter can be clarified, for example, from video reviews). We only note that oscillating sprinklers(see "Type"), by definition, are equipped with a set of several nozzles (up to 25 – 28).

The number of nozzle lock keys provided in the design of the sprinkler.

This function is found only in oscillating models (see "Type") — it allows you to block some nozzles, reducing the width of the captured space or the intensity of watering (depending on which nozzles are disabled). In this case, each key is responsible for one nozzle — accordingly, the total number of keys corresponds to the maximum number of nozzles that can be blocked. Usually this number is 6 – 8, but there are exceptions; at the same time, the total number of nozzles in sprinklers with lock keys most often ranges from 18 to 26. Accordingly, the more lock keys relative to the total number of nozzles, the wider the possibilities for adjusting the sprinkler.

The irrigation angle provided by the sprinkler during operation, in other words, the size of the horizontal circular sector in which the device operates. For angle-adjustable sprinklers (see below), this item indicates the maximum value or the range of values from minimum to maximum (more often the former, since manufacturers rarely give a specific range).

Most modern models are able to cover a full circle — they indicate an angle of 360 °. However, pivot irrigation is not always required. In such situations, there are two options: either use a model with adjustable angle, or choose a sprinkler with a narrower irrigation angle. The advantages of the first option are described below, and the second, usually, is cheaper, and the sprinkler itself is more reliable due to its simplicity.

The ability to change the angle within which watering is provided. This is usually about adjusting the horizontal angle, but oscillating sprinklers (see "Type") are an exception — they change the range in which the nozzles swing (and, in fact, we are talking about adjusting the irrigation distance). Anyway, this feature simplifies the adjustment of the sprinkler to specific conditions and can significantly “make life easier” for the user.

The height at which the nozzles (sprayers with nozzles) are located during operation.

The meaning of this parameter depends primarily on the installation method (see above). So, in hidden models, we are talking about the height to which the nozzle extends during operation. The model with legs can be equipped with a rod several tens of centimeters long, at the end of which there is a nozzle. And in tripods, such a bar can also be adjusted in height — in such cases, they usually indicate the maximum height of the rise.

It should be noted that the placement of nozzles at a considerable height (several tens of centimeters) has a positive effect on the range and uniformity of irrigation, allows you to irrigate the ground directly under the sprinkler, and also “get” the jet over high obstacles such as a row of bushes, a curb, etc. at the same time, a bar sticking out of the ground is far from always appropriate.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Water consumption during the operation of the sprinkler in the standard format. Usually, the range from minimum to maximum flow is indicated — this allows you to determine the "gluttony" of the device in all modes.

Consumption data will be useful primarily for calculating the time required for irrigation — they can be used to determine how long the sprinkler will give out the amount of water needed for certain plants (and when it needs to be turned off so as not to “flood” the watered flora). In addition, this information will be useful if water is paid by the metre or it needs to be drastically saved.

Availability in a sprincler of the built-in regulator of pressure.

Pressure adjustment allows, if necessary, to reduce the pressure of water at the outlet of the sprinkler, thus adjusting the range or intensity of watering. However, this function is only indicated if the user can manually adjust the pressure (many sprinklers are able to automatically change the irrigation distance during operation due to pressure changes, but they are not included in this category).

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.

The diameter of the hose (or pipeline) that the sprinkler is designed to connect to, in other words, the diameter of the mounting thread provided in the device. This parameter allows you to determine compatibility with a specific hose: if the mounting diameters do not match, you will not be able to connect the sprinkler directly, you will need an adapter.

Hose diameters are traditionally indicated in inches — for example, 3/4" or 1.5".

The main material used in the construction of the sprinkler.

— Plastic. The key advantages of plastic are its low cost and ease of processing, making it well suited for complex shaped parts. In addition, this material is lightweight and completely corrosion resistant. On the other hand, plastic is less durable and reliable than metal, and is less suitable for rubbing and other parts in contact with each other. However, in the case of sprinklers, this moment is not critical, and most modern models are made of plastic.

— Metal. Metal favorably differs from plastic in higher strength and, theoretically, durability. On the other hand, it weighs more and is much more expensive; in addition, water-resistant alloys and/or coatings must be used in sprinklers, which further increases the cost. Therefore, this material is used relatively rarely — mainly in fairly advanced models of the impulse type(see above).

— Metal / plastic. A combination of the two materials described above: usually, the most critical elements are made of metal, while the rest of the device uses plastic. This design allows you to combine the advantages of both materials and partially compensate for their shortcomings: metal-plastic sprinklers are not as expensive and heavy as all-metal ones, and at the same time more durable and reliable than plastic ones. This option is very popul...ar, especially in models of the middle and upper classes.