Hunter PS spray heads

[Shilohlandscaping]

I have quite a few customers who have Hunter PS spray heads in their lawns... I like the heads for several reasons, (inexpensive from my irrig place, easy to adjust, easy to replace.. etc) but one thing Ive noticed is that they they tend to turn themselves off. Its usually the full circle heads that do it. Ill go to a job and find a spot thats dry looking and sure enough the head has rotated itself completely around so that its off.

Any way of fixing this short of changing all the heads? I hate having a bunch of different heads in a lawn. Ive almost thought of trying a drop of crazy glue.. :hammerhead:

[Wet_Boots]

Given the acronym names that Hunter likes to use, did they really want to name a product "PS" ??

[Shilohlandscaping]

LOL! good one.. Ive said that a few times after they rotated closed. I like to use the pro sprays when I do an install or complete do over.. maybe I will start replacing the full sprays at least.

[ICS]

The only time I have ever seen the spray patterns change on the PS is when they are on a pivot point for a larger mower. We have better luck with the PS when compared to a PRO or 1800 series head. We do not use them for 360spray patterns though.

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

It sounds like these are adjustable spray nozzles. Except in rare situations these nozzles are junk in my opinion. A fixed spray nozzle is always a better first option. Adjustable nozzles are an instance of convenience overriding quality.

[WalkGood]

they tend to turn themselves off. Its usually the full circle heads that do it. Ill go to a job and find a spot thats dry looking and sure enough the head has rotated itself completely around so that its off.



Nah, they aren't turning themselves off. They are getting stomped on, most likely by a heavy mower. Strips the internal threads in the nozzle for the twisting adjustment,

This is a known problem with these heads. They aren't meant for a turf area especially as a 360* full circle. I'll post some pics to show what I mean.

[WalkGood]

The Hunter PS adjustable spray nozzle goes from 0* to 360*+

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/WalkGood/Irrigation/HunterSpray003.jpg


Just "Twist and Shout".

[WalkGood]

The adjustable nozzle is open.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/WalkGood/Irrigation/HunterSpray006.jpg


Hard to get a clear photo of this thing so close with the light I have near my computer.

[WalkGood]

Almost open a full 360*

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/WalkGood/Irrigation/HunterSpray014.jpg


But not quite all the way.

[WalkGood]

This is open too much.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/WalkGood/Irrigation/HunterSpray015.jpg


Anything close to open 360* (like 350*) can and will get stomped down closed.

[WalkGood]

Here is the same nozzle stomped closed.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/WalkGood/Irrigation/HunterSpray016.jpg


All I did was smack the nozzle top with my hand. Like whack-a-mole or like when smacking a ketchup bottle.

Use a full-time 360* sparay nozzle when required. We use the Hunter SRS with a full-time non-adjustable 360* full circle when needed.

[PurpHaze]

Adjustable nozzles are an instance of convenience overriding quality.

Damn... guess I'd better start removing the Toro TVANs and Hunter AANs from our quality systems. They've never lost their arc... so far. :)

The PS series was developed basically for DIYers and in my opinion are not very reliable. Your mileage may vary. :laugh:

[WalkGood]

The PS series was developed basically for DIYers and in my opinion are not very reliable. Your mileage may vary. :laugh:



Oh I dunno.... they work fine when I see them ..... they spray water and are adjustable. They are useful in beds especially when there are irregular shapes/angles. Just do not use them where they can get stomped closed.

Just curious, did you get that "development intent as DIY use" from some Hunter "insider info"? They market & sell to both from what I see.

Have the PS series failed a lot in your usage?

I'm not lookin for an argument, just want to hear about your experiences with the PS.

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

Great demo Walkgood. Another way to show the world why brass is better. Of course some people judge quality by the arc not the spray.

[ICS]

PS is the most common spray head in my area, I know we replace a higher % of 1800 and PRO series then PS heads, to each their own.

[WalkGood]

Great demo Walkgood. Another way to show the world why brass is better. Of course some people judge quality by the arc not the spray.

Thanks.

Again, not picking a fight...... There are places/niches for any kind of head/nozzle.

Better is not always "better" for everyone. A $90,000 Mercedes can be said to be a "better" automobile than an $18K Dodge. For most consumers that $18K Dodge is just fine. It gets them where they need to go and back again. Safe and sound. And they'll "have money left over to buy a proper pair of socks". (Who said that? Two otter pops for right answer).

Not many will go for the brass nozzle Mercedes in irrigation. If you can sell it often, hey that is great. But for the most part it doesn't matter how much better brass nozzles are. The flowers still grow the same.

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

Thanks.

Again, not picking a fight...... There are places/niches for any kind of head/nozzle.

Better is not always "better" for everyone. A $90,000 Mercedes can be said to be a "better" automobile than an $18K Dodge. For most consumers that $18K Dodge is just fine. It gets them where they need to go and back again. Safe and sound. And they'll "have money left over to buy a proper pair of socks". (Who said that? Two otter pops for right answer).

Not many will go for the brass nozzle Mercedes in irrigation. If you can sell it often, hey that is great. But for the most part it doesn't matter how much better brass nozzles are. The flowers still grow the same.

The flowers don't grow the same. They grow better with brass nozzles. Just like hot chicks look better in Mercedes than Dodges.:)

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

PS is the most common spray head in my area, I know we replace a higher % of 1800 and PRO series then PS heads, to each their own.

What % of the heads installed in your area are 1800s or pro sprays? My guess is their are 20+ 1800s to every ps. I've never even seen a ps in Dallas. Maybe they are using them in the builder stuff in the new areas.

[WalkGood]

The flowers don't grow the same. They grow better with brass nozzles. Just like hot chicks look better in Mercedes than Dodges.:)

Do you have links to your pic postings of all the brass nozzle systems you are personally installing?

BTW, if you have the right hot chick no one notices the car and she looks hot even when riding on your handlebars. :cool2:

[Shilohlandscaping]

For my part.. Im in northern cal and most of the PS heads I see are in front lawns that were installed by the home builder.. Im guessing because of price more than anything. My local pro irrig shop sells them for 2 bucks. Just on the surface, they are easy to replace and for the most part work well with the exception of the turning themselfves off issue. Thing is... where ive had a problem with the heads, I turn the system on after I mow and make sure all is good.. then I come back next week to a dry spot and the head is off. From the pix posted earlier tho I think I will get some dedicated 360 heads to replace those with... that was nice info!

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

Do you have links to your pic postings of all the brass nozzle systems you are personally installing?

BTW, if you have the right hot chick no one notices the car and she looks hot even when riding on your handlebars. :cool2:

I don't install systems. I take existing systems and upgrade the equipment. Let others suffer for low profits doing all that backbreaking ditch work then I come in when the landscape matures and makes their system obsolete. I have a thread I'll find.

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

Here is a thread where I upgraded from Toro 570s to RBs and brass nozzles

http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=197128

[WalkGood]

From the pix posted earlier tho I think I will get some dedicated 360 heads to replace those with... that was nice info!


Glad to help.
http://wurzerenterprises.com/phpBB2/images/smiles/beer.gif

[txgrassguy]

Funny, my company installs a great deal of systems each year and we have experienced no troubles with the Pro Spray series of heads nor the adjustable arc nozzles, from Hunter.
Personally, I like the flexibility of the VAN and the convenience of not having to lug around three boxes of various types of nozzles when the VAN has worked so well for my company.
Each to his own I suppose.

[WalkGood]

Funny, my company installs a great deal of systems each year and we have experienced no troubles with the Pro Spray series of heads nor the adjustable arc nozzles, from Hunter.
Personally, I like the flexibility of the VAN and the convenience of not having to lug around three boxes of various types of nozzles when the VAN has worked so well for my company.
Each to his own I suppose.

Do you ever open the van all the way and put where they can get run over by a mower or stomped on?

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

Funny, my company installs a great deal of systems each year and we have experienced no troubles with the Pro Spray series of heads nor the adjustable arc nozzles, from Hunter.
Personally, I like the flexibility of the VAN and the convenience of not having to lug around three boxes of various types of nozzles when the VAN has worked so well for my company.
Each to his own I suppose.

I think 90% of irrigators would agree with you. Put a brass next to a van and the spray quality of the brass is far superior. But as walkgood says if the grass is green why bother with the brass. Having used brass my whole career seeing that god awful van spray is not something I can accept.

[txgrassguy]

Do you ever open the van all the way and put where they can get run over by a mower or stomped on?

No, all of the heads installed are in the middle of concrete slabs.
WTH do you think? We have installed everything from small residential to 8+acre commercial sites. And my company maintains these sites as well.
Fimco, with the profit margins being squeezed as tight as they have been, unfortunately there is no room for brass up-grades. I have, however, a few installs wherein I was told, and more importantly paid for, to use brass nozzles where ever possible. I agree that a brass nozzle, with a clean irrigation source, produces a uniform spray pattern not easily duplicated with a plastic van.

[Kiril]

I maintain some systems that use them and IMO, the PS series are one of the better VANS on the market. That being said, they do have their problems, however creep is not one I have experienced. Don't use them for full circle patterns, or anything much over 300 degrees for that matter.

[WalkGood]

No, all of the heads installed are in the middle of concrete slabs. WTH do you think?

What I was getting at, have you had that problem where the Hunter PS van fully opened 360* gets stomped closed?

And, some irrigators just will not put a spray head in turf areas.

[PurpHaze]

[I] Don't use them for full circle patterns, or anything much over 300 degrees for that matter.

We use very few full circle spray nozzles. We're of the inclination that if a row of 360s has to be used then there's a better sprinkler out there that will eliminate the need for the 360s and throw side-to-side in the zone and still be head-to-head. Of course... there is always the chance that a make-up sprinkler may be necessary in a given spot to make things better for the zone.

[Kiril]

We use very few full circle spray nozzles. We're of the inclination that if a row of 360s has to be used then there's a better sprinkler out there that will eliminate the need for the 360s and throw side-to-side in the zone and still be head-to-head. Of course... there is always the chance that a make-up sprinkler may be necessary in a given spot to make things better for the zone.

I can't agree more. :clapping:

If there is a need for full circle patterns using sprays, it is time to consider other options (eg. rotors, MPs). I cap full circle sprays whenever possible.

[PurpHaze]

And, some irrigators just will not put a spray head in turf areas.

With new technologies (i.e. the MP-Rotators and other mini rotors, etc.) there are often other viable alternatives to using sprays in a given area. There is more than one way to skin the irrigation cat. http://www.websmileys.com/sm/animal/454.gif

[PurpHaze]

If there is a need for full circle patterns using sprays, it is time to consider other options (eg. rotors, MPs). I cap full circle sprays whenever possible.

There are two avenues of thought on this issue.

(1) For contractors: The more sprinklers in a system the more potential problems... therefore the greater potential for service calls and making money. Why screw with the golden calf?

(2) For maintenance entities and golf courses, etc. where we do our own in-house maintenance: The fewer sprinklers the better. Fewer sprinklers mean fewer problems and resources can be allocated in other areas needing immediate attention.

[Kiril]

In other words you mean:

1) Option for dishonest hacks. :nono:

2) A well designed system. :clapping:

[PurpHaze]

In other words you mean:

1) Option for dishonest hacks. :nono:

2) A well designed system. :clapping:

It's not that simple. Contractors are often driven by what the customer can afford.

[WalkGood]

One "problem" I notice with these Hunter PS adjustables, is the nozzle is raised above the bonnet or cap.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/WalkGood/Irrigation/HunterSpray021.jpg

In Spring, I find a lot of small new root growth swirled around and stuck in there. Sometimes holds back the nozzle from popping up during start-up, until it is cleared away and then repeated use keeps the nozzles free of roots.

But I do like seeing rotors with a grass plug mohawk in Spring at startup. Don't know why but it always makes me chuckle when they pop up like that.

[PurpHaze]

This pic shows a couple of Toro 570 fixed spray nozzles where Bermudagrass roots have invaded the nozzle orifices. This was the result of the zone not working for many months before being reported to us and has nothing to do with the type of nozzle or manufacturer. Some were so clogged with roots that the invasion prevented the riser from popping up or even putting out any water.

Although I'm one of those "lazy guys" [ :) ] that's switched to adjustable spray nozzles more for the convenience of not having to carry as many nozzles instead of installing quality items... there is one superior aspect to the adjustable spray nozzles (we use TVANs for existing Toro 570 sprinklers and AANs for Hunter I-Spray new heads) over any fixed spray nozzle on the market (so far as I've seen). If our TVANs/AANs get a piece of debris in their orifices... instead of pulling out the knife or small screwdriver to pop out the piece of debris we merely need to open the adjustment all the way which then allows the debris to blow out of the orifice. A quick opening blows out the debris and then a quick closing resets the arc to where we want it.

[WalkGood]

I've seen that too, and usually when the zone has been off for a while or a VERY late Spring startup. Usually I just replace the nozzle.

I recall one startup this year (2007) that took almost 2 hours for 8 zones (maybe 4 or 5 heads each). System wasn't on since 2005. Water took FOREVER to bubble out of the stuck heads. Couldn't find the heads until water started pooling, had to poke around. Cut grass plugs from around each of the heads.

[PurpHaze]

We also just replace nozzles like these... much quicker.

On this particular zone we had to take screwdrivers and loosen the grass away from the tops of the heads to allow the risers to pop up. Didn't want to hit the sprinkler head with shovels, etc. and then have to spend the extra time replacing guts too.

[Keen]

Worst head I have ever used, screens clog and then since the nozzle is not removable you cant clean them...SRS is not much better lousy seal and dont seem to last. We only use 1800's with fixed nozzles and in a pinch the RB Uni-Spray (If the customer just won't pony up for the 1800s) it is a pretty tough little head.

We only use VAN nozzles when faced with an area where no fixed nozzle will work..I don't like them and they are water hogs...

To each their own I always say... :)

[PurpHaze]

... and they [VANs] are water hogs...

This statement was refuted with manufacturers' charts in a different thread a month or so ago. You might want to do a search. :)

[Mike Leary]

This statement was refuted with manufacturers' charts in a different thread a month or so ago. You might want to do a search. :)

VANs are like women....you know the rest of the line.:laugh: :confused:

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

This statement was refuted with manufacturers' charts in a different thread a month or so ago. You might want to do a search. :)

I believe it was A manufacturers chart.

[Mike Leary]

I believe it was A manufacturers chart.

I like Ron Paul too, but the ad is getting distracting..we can't get
distracted on this forum, can we?:)

[Wet_Boots]

I like Ron Paul too, but the ad is getting distracting..we can't get
distracted on this forum, can we?:)I'm more inclined to support Pat Paulsen.

[Mike Leary]

I'm more inclined to support Pat Paulsen.

We've never elected a dead president..what a concept!

[Wet_Boots]

There's always the animatronic Disney robot of Abe Lincoln.

[Mike Leary]

There's always the animatronic Disney robot of Abe Lincoln.

A virtual president....shades of Solient Green.

[Wet_Boots]

Or maybe the beneficent figurehead from THX-1138

"Buy more lawn sprinklers, and be happy."

[BrandonV]

i like Lewis Black's take on presidents, Vote Reagan in again... nobody would f*$k w/ us because not only is it Reagan but he's dead... so we're crazy enough to bring it to anyone who pisses us off

[Mike Leary]

Or maybe the beneficent figurehead from THX-1138[/i]

Guess what # George Lucas has for a vanity plate & the deuce coupe in
"American Graffiti" had?

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

A virtual president....shades of Solient Green.

That's SOYLENT GREEN favorite cult classic of mine. A buddy and I used to practice crawling up a hill imitating Charlton's "It's PEOPLE They are eating PEOPLE" or something similar to that. Need to see that one again. I'll look for a new signature. Be careful what you wish for.

[Mike Leary]

That's SOYLENT GREEN favorite cult classic of mine. A buddy and I used to practice crawling up a hill imitating Charlton's "It's PEOPLE They are eating PEOPLE" or something similar to that. Need to see that one again. I'll look for a new signature. Be careful what you wish for.

That was Edward G. Robinson's (sp?) final pic......great film..future?

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

EGRs final pic. Great great actor wonder how many of todays kids have seen a movie of his.

[Mike Leary]

He would have made a great contractor..."listen sister, we go 5' centers
or your husband won't come home tonight".

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

He would have made a great contractor..."listen sister, we go 5' centers
or your husband won't come home tonight".

ROFLMAO:laugh: :laugh:

[Keen]

This statement was refuted with manufacturers' charts in a different thread a month or so ago. You might want to do a search. :)


I will take a look for the thread but I have retrofited many zones from VANs to fixed nozzles and seen flow related issues go away every time...

But hey if a Manufacturer put it in a chart it must be true... :laugh:

[PurpHaze]

But hey if a Manufacturer put it in a chart it must be true... :laugh:

Manufacturer claims always have to be scrutinized and taken with a grain of salt. Their tests (and subsequent testing by CIT) are based on a perfect scenario... inside, no wind, etc. At best... test results and charts should be viewed as a base line for a product. The great designers always leave a little wiggle room in their designs to compensate for inaccurate test data. :laugh:

[sprinklerchris]

This is open too much.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/WalkGood/Irrigation/HunterSpray015.jpg


Anything close to open 360* (like 350*) can and will get stomped down closed.



Yep, the nozzle sits at least a 1/4" too high when open fully, so you step on it and its fully closed. And the patterns suck. Rain Bird VAN much better.