New Hunter Sprinkler Heads

Post by dnoyeB
I am going to change my heads to cut the flow in half on each of my
zones. What type of tools and supplies do I need to accoplish this?
I have Hunter PGP and PGM heads mostly.
Also, is there a good supplier for these items?
Thanks,
CL

You could do it with just an allen wrench and the new nozzle, but it
won't be easy. To do it the easy way, Hunter makes a key like
tool. One end of the key gets inserted into an opening on the head
and then you can pull the rotating head up out of the head cylinder,
just like it would come up with water pressure. They have a second
clip-on device, which then snaps on to lock it and hold it up while
you work on it. The other end of the tool has the allen wrench of
correct size to take out the set screw that adjusts the water throw
distance and also holds the orrifice in. After taking out the screw,
you can pull the old nozzle out with a pair of needle nose pliers and
press the new one in.

You can find the two tools either online at shops that sell Hunter or
at a local plumbing supply.

hr(bob) hofmann@att.net

2008-07-01 02:38:29 UTC

You could do it with just an allen wrench and the new nozzle, but it
won't be easy. To do it the easy way, Hunter makes a key like
tool. One end of the key gets inserted into an opening on the head
and then you can pull the rotating head up out of the head cylinder,
just like it would come up with water pressure. They have a second
clip-on device, which then snaps on to lock it and hold it up while
you work on it. The other end of the tool has the allen wrench of
correct size to take out the set screw that adjusts the water throw
distance and also holds the orrifice in. After taking out the screw,
you can pull the old nozzle out with a pair of needle nose pliers and
press the new one in.
You can find the two tools either online at shops that sell Hunter or
at a local plumbing supply.

If you are putting on too much water, save the money, buy a new timer
that lets you reduce the amount of time the sprinklers are on.

RicodJour

2008-07-01 03:14:31 UTC

You could do it with just an allen wrench and the new nozzle, but it
won't be easy. To do it the easy way, Hunter makes a key like
tool. One end of the key gets inserted into an opening on the head
and then you can pull the rotating head up out of the head cylinder,
just like it would come up with water pressure. They have a second
clip-on device, which then snaps on to lock it and hold it up while
you work on it. The other end of the tool has the allen wrench of
correct size to take out the set screw that adjusts the water throw
distance and also holds the orifice in. After taking out the screw,
you can pull the old nozzle out with a pair of needle nose pliers and
press the new one in.
You can find the two tools either online at shops that sell Hunter or
at a local plumbing supply.

If you are putting on too much water, save the money, buy a new timer
that lets you reduce the amount of time the sprinklers are on.

Why would the OP need to buy a new timer? Couldn't he just set it for
a shorter period of time on each zone if that was the problem? The OP
might have a flow rate problem and the existing heads aren't providing
full coverage.

dnoyeB, please flesh out your question a bit. Why do you want to
change the heads? Are there failed seals and water is leaking out
along the body? Pressure/flow issues?

Changing the complete head is very simple. You just dig out around
the riser, unscrew the old head and screw on the new one. If the new
heads are not a direct replacement in height you will have to swap out
the existing riser for one of the desired length. As Trader
mentioned, swapping out the nozzle is even easier and has a definite
impact on water usage. http://www.hunterindustries.com/Products/Rotors/bluenozzlefb.html

R

dnoyeB

2008-07-01 03:32:58 UTC

You could do it with just an allen wrench and the new nozzle, but it
won't be easy. To do it the easy way, Hunter makes a key like
tool. One end of the key gets inserted into an opening on the head
and then you can pull the rotating head up out of the head cylinder,
just like it would come up with water pressure. They have a second
clip-on device, which then snaps on to lock it and hold it up while
you work on it. The other end of the tool has the allen wrench of
correct size to take out the set screw that adjusts the water throw
distance and also holds the orifice in. After taking out the screw,
you can pull the old nozzle out with a pair of needle nose pliers and
press the new one in.
You can find the two tools either online at shops that sell Hunter or
at a local plumbing supply.

If you are putting on too much water, save the money, buy a new timer
that lets you reduce the amount of time the sprinklers are on.

I am using reclaied water source. I cant push 18GPM. I can handle around
9 though. So I am looking to reduce the GPM by changing heads if I can.

Its getting tricky though because the nozzle change sees to bring a radius
change. I don't want the radius change. I'm going to have to experient.
First I think I need to disassemble my heads and find out what nozzles
they are using now and if I can get one with 1/2 the flow rate.

Changing the complete head is very simple. You just dig out around the
riser, unscrew the old head and screw on the new one. If the new heads
are not a direct replacement in height you will have to swap out the
existing riser for one of the desired length. As Trader mentioned,
swapping out the nozzle is even easier and has a definite impact on
water usage.
http://www.hunterindustries.com/Products/Rotors/bluenozzlefb.html
R

Hunter has so many nozzles. Looks like the blue ones are just new but not
any different from the read. im going to order a set of blue nozzles. I
went in Federal Supply here in Livonia(probably) MI and the lady gave me
2 adjustent tools. So I think I am on my way. So long as I can get
matched radiuses.

The nozzles show a radius, but I know you can adjust the throw. They
don't show a range though :(

RicodJour

2008-07-01 04:06:40 UTC

Post by dnoyeB
The nozzles show a radius, but I know you can adjust the throw. They
don't show a range though :(

That's why the heads come with a tree of nozzles. You're always
futzing around with the suckers. I've had good luck swapping out some
of the heads with MP Rotators when there's a water supply issue.
http://www.mprotator.com/products/products.html

R

Bob F

2008-07-01 04:17:07 UTC

Post by dnoyeB

You could do it with just an allen wrench and the new nozzle, but it
won't be easy. To do it the easy way, Hunter makes a key like
tool. One end of the key gets inserted into an opening on the head
and then you can pull the rotating head up out of the head cylinder,
just like it would come up with water pressure. They have a second
clip-on device, which then snaps on to lock it and hold it up while
you work on it. The other end of the tool has the allen wrench of
correct size to take out the set screw that adjusts the water throw
distance and also holds the orifice in. After taking out the screw,
you can pull the old nozzle out with a pair of needle nose pliers and
press the new one in.
You can find the two tools either online at shops that sell Hunter or
at a local plumbing supply.

If you are putting on too much water, save the money, buy a new timer
that lets you reduce the amount of time the sprinklers are on.

I am using reclaied water source. I cant push 18GPM. I can handle around
9 though. So I am looking to reduce the GPM by changing heads if I can.
Its getting tricky though because the nozzle change sees to bring a radius
change. I don't want the radius change. I'm going to have to experient.
First I think I need to disassemble my heads and find out what nozzles
they are using now and if I can get one with 1/2 the flow rate.

Hunter has so many nozzles. Looks like the blue ones are just new but not
any different from the read. im going to order a set of blue nozzles. I
went in Federal Supply here in Livonia(probably) MI and the lady gave me
2 adjustent tools. So I think I am on my way. So long as I can get
matched radiuses.
The nozzles show a radius, but I know you can adjust the throw. They
don't show a range though :(

Since you are reducing the volume needed, you need to look at the pump size
needed also. The 1 1/2 HP you discuss elsewhere might be more than you need.
Just something to think about. I run 1 HP, and it can get ahead of my water
supply. It doesn't provide city water pressures however.

dnoyeB

2008-07-01 11:58:05 UTC

Post by Bob F

Post by dnoyeB
The nozzles show a radius, but I know you can adjust the throw. They
don't show a range though :(

Since you are reducing the volume needed, you need to look at the pump
size needed also. The 1 1/2 HP you discuss elsewhere might be more than
you need. Just something to think about. I run 1 HP, and it can get
ahead of my water supply. It doesn't provide city water pressures
however.

True. I'm reducing because the current flow rate of my well is lower. So
I'd rather match it than create a large reservoir or have the pump cycling
a lot. If I can find a smaller pump I will go with it.

CL

Ron

2008-07-01 04:28:20 UTC

You could do it with just an allen wrench and the new nozzle, but it
won't be easy. To do it the easy way, Hunter makes a key like
tool. One end of the key gets inserted into an opening on the head
and then you can pull the rotating head up out of the head cylinder,
just like it would come up with water pressure. They have a second
clip-on device, which then snaps on to lock it and hold it up while
you work on it. The other end of the tool has the allen wrench of
correct size to take out the set screw that adjusts the water throw
distance and also holds the orifice in. After taking out the screw,
you can pull the old nozzle out with a pair of needle nose pliers and
press the new one in.
You can find the two tools either online at shops that sell Hunter or
at a local plumbing supply.

If you are putting on too much water, save the money, buy a new timer
that lets you reduce the amount of time the sprinklers are on.

I am using reclaied water source. I cant push 18GPM. I can handle around
9 though. So I am looking to reduce the GPM by changing heads if I can.
Its getting tricky though because the nozzle change sees to bring a radius
change. I don't want the radius change. I'm going to have to experient.
First I think I need to disassemble my heads and find out what nozzles
they are using now and if I can get one with 1/2 the flow rate.

Hunter has so many nozzles. Looks like the blue ones are just new but not
any different from the read. im going to order a set of blue nozzles. I
went in Federal Supply here in Livonia(probably) MI and the lady gave me
2 adjustent tools. So I think I am on my way. So long as I can get
matched radiuses.
The nozzles show a radius, but I know you can adjust the throw. They
don't show a range though :(

Good Hunter help site http://tinyurl.com/5saom3

t***@optonline.net

2008-07-01 14:43:01 UTC

You could do it with just an allen wrench and the new nozzle, but it
won't be easy. To do it the easy way, Hunter makes a key like
tool. One end of the key gets inserted into an opening on the head
and then you can pull the rotating head up out of the head cylinder,
just like it would come up with water pressure. They have a second
clip-on device, which then snaps on to lock it and hold it up while
you work on it. The other end of the tool has the allen wrench of
correct size to take out the set screw that adjusts the water throw
distance and also holds the orifice in. After taking out the screw,
you can pull the old nozzle out with a pair of needle nose pliers and
press the new one in.
You can find the two tools either online at shops that sell Hunter or
at a local plumbing supply.

If you are putting on too much water, save the money, buy a new timer
that lets you reduce the amount of time the sprinklers are on.

I am using reclaied water source. I cant push 18GPM. I can handle around
9 though. So I am looking to reduce the GPM by changing heads if I can.
Its getting tricky though because the nozzle change sees to bring a radius
change. I don't want the radius change. I'm going to have to experient.
First I think I need to disassemble my heads and find out what nozzles
they are using now and if I can get one with 1/2 the flow rate.

Hunter has so many nozzles. Looks like the blue ones are just new but not
any different from the read. im going to order a set of blue nozzles. I
went in Federal Supply here in Livonia(probably) MI and the lady gave me
2 adjustent tools. So I think I am on my way. So long as I can get
matched radiuses.
The nozzles show a radius, but I know you can adjust the throw. They
don't show a range though :(

Good Hunter help sitehttp://tinyurl.com/5saom3- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

Just to clarify, there is no reason to change the head or even remove
it at all to change the flow rate. You just replace the existing
NOZZLE with one of a different size. They come in a plastic push out
type tree that has all sizes. And changing the nozzle will change
the rate and throw distance, but not the radius. You can re-adjust
the throw distance to whatvever you want.

While figuring out the correct nozzle rate, factor in the radius and
throw distance. If one head is doing 90 and another 270, the 270
degree head would need 3X the nozzle rate to deliver the same amount
of water to it's lawn area and keep it balanced. Similar thing with
the throw distance, because again, a head with a longer throw is
covering more area.

dnoyeB

2008-07-01 19:36:20 UTC

On Tue, 01 Jul 2008 07:43:01 -0700, trader4 wrote:

I found that changing the nozzle would change rate and radius for PGP
heads. But the I20 heads have several nozzles with the same radii but
different flow rates with different nozzles. Im considering switching to
the I20s.

CL

t***@optonline.net

2008-07-02 13:58:37 UTC