Hunter SRS

[Tony Clifton]

Is anybody using these heads?
I think they are a solid head, but just bought my first case. They look cheap, but looks can be deceiving.
What are you guys paying for these?

[Without A Drought]

garbage. don't touch that piston at all.

try a pro-spray.

[Tom Tom]

Me thinks the hunter spray line is confusing..........PS, SRS, Pro Spray, Institutional ........whats the point? Why not go with just one?

[SoCalLandscapeMgmt]

Me thinks the hunter spray line is confusing..........PS, SRS, Pro Spray, Institutional ........whats the point? Why not go with just one?

YEah... Hunter hasn't figured that one out yet. Rain Bird and Toro only need one line of spray heads and they do just fine with them.

[irrig8r]

I used the SRS for a couple of seasons a long while back.... then one job I was using them with 7A nozzles and calculated my flow rates and had the right qty of the right nozzles with flow to spare... and the heads would just not pop up and seat properly.

Switched them out for 1804s, put the same nozzles on and everything worked fine.

Haven't used an SRS since.

[AI Inc]

The whole simple and reliable series was junk.For above 10 ft the ps cannot be beat.
The pro spray does retract a lot better then an 1800 series rb.

[Tony Clifton]

We have always used the ProSprays or Rainbird 1800 series. Its really sandy here and it seemed like 1 out of 15 or so 1800s would stick right after install and would always be a problem so we would have to change them out.
The SRS is the same as the ProSpray, just a different body and no side inlet.

[AI Inc]

Thats my biggest complaint with 1800,s . Install 6 , replace 3 before ya even get the check.

[irrig8r]

We have always used the ProSprays or Rainbird 1800 series. Its really sandy here and it seemed like 1 out of 15 or so 1800s would stick right after install and would always be a problem so we would have to change them out.
The SRS is the same as the ProSpray, just a different body and no side inlet.

Not unless they have upgraded the wiper seal.

The co-molded wiper seal of the Pro Spray improves on the RB 1800, IMO.

But I can't see it would make any sense for them to include that on the SRS, unless they have also upped the price.

OTOH, they both have these same specs... and my problem with them was the excessive flow-by at over 20 PSI.

• Recommended pressure range: 15 to 70 PSI (1.0 to 4.8 bars; 103 to 482 kPa)
• Flow-by: 0 at 10 PSI (.7 bars; 68 kPa) or greater; .1 GPM (0.02 m3/hr; 0.4 l/min) otherwise

But look at the cutaway view and see what they say about the wiper seal of the Pro Spray:

http://www.hunterindustries.com/Resources/PDFs/Brochures/Domestic/lit288w.pdf

[Wet_Boots]

What's the specific gripe on new 1800 bodies?

[Wet_Boots]

Thats my biggest complaint with 1800,s . Install 6 , replace 3 before ya even get the check.So why the need to replace the newly installed 1800's?

[AI Inc]

Because they will not retract.

[Tony Clifton]

I was told that it is the same wiper seal....been too busy to check for myself.

[SoCalLandscapeMgmt]

Thats my biggest complaint with 1800,s . Install 6 , replace 3 before ya even get the check.

Here's the thing... and this is in no way intended to be a dig on anybody. We install literally thousands of 1800 series spray heads a year and I've never had any issues with them. I think it all comes down to how well they are installed, the finished set installed height of the head and how well the system was blown out before it is run for the first time. We've never had issues with new heads sticking up or not fully retracting and we install 1800's in every soil type that you can imagine out here. I think that a significant amount of problems with irrigation equipment has to do with the way it was installed.

[AI Inc]

Then how come the same thing dosnt happen with ps sprayers and pro sprays? The plastic on a 1800 is well for lack of a better term , more rubbery and holds sand more.

[AI Inc]

Keep in mind , I live and install in rotor land. The only time we use spray heads is along a sidewalk strip or driveway. Areas that get sanded heavily in the wintertime.

[AI Inc]

I was at a RB meeting about 6-7 yrs back, and I had mentioned this problem. The RB rep in her best rep voice said what everyone expected her to say, " well this is the first Ive heard of this" the whole room busted out in laughter as every contractor their had complaints about them.

[Wet_Boots]

I haven't done an 1800 install in awhile. The sidewalk strips often have me using the Toro 4x18 SST, which Rainbird doesn't make.

[AI Inc]

I havnt touched a toro head in yrs. Do they finaly make a female threaded nozzle?

[Wet_Boots]

Only if you consider the Irritrol line (and I don't) - one nice thing about a 570 is the ability to stick a pinky finger into the head and pull up the piston.

[Tony Clifton]

Here's the thing... and this is in no way intended to be a dig on anybody. We install literally thousands of 1800 series spray heads a year and I've never had any issues with them. I think it all comes down to how well they are installed, the finished set installed height of the head and how well the system was blown out before it is run for the first time. We've never had issues with new heads sticking up or not fully retracting and we install 1800's in every soil type that you can imagine out here. I think that a significant amount of problems with irrigation equipment has to do with the way it was installed.

I agree 100%. My guys sometimes get sloppy when installing pr backfilling around heads. The final product looks great, but usually somewhere along the line sand gets thrown on top of the head.
That being said, if we can install ProSprays or even SRS's and not have a similar problem the decision of which head to use is a no brainer. (by the way, I am working on getting them to be more careful when they are backfilling heads.)

[Mike Leary]

somewhere along the line sand gets thrown on top of the head. (by the way, I am working on getting them to be more careful when they are backfilling heads.)

Yep, I'm a 1800 fan, installed tons. Those wiper seals are the best on the market, but any sandy soil around the heads not only wrecks the wiper seals and risers, but cause the heads to stick up.

[Wet_Boots]

I was always a stickler for getting the tops of the heads above grade by a smidge. Saves much trouble.

[txgrassguy]

Off the top of my head, in 50 count case quantity, I seem to remember paying $1.27ea, nozzles cost up to $.85 each depending upon configuration.
SRS pop ups are the only spray we install unless contract specs call for the PS.
Personally I like the SRS, seem durable, wiper seal is effective, retract well and are cost efficient.
According to my records, we install about 600/year.

[Mike Leary]

I was always a stickler for getting the tops of the heads above grade by a smidge. Saves much trouble.

Most landscape specifiers call for mulch 2" above finished grade; I spot heads 3" and have still been screwed. :dizzy:

[Tony Clifton]

So you are paying 1.27 for an SRS....6"? (I think they only come in 6", right?)

[txgrassguy]

No, a 4" SRS not a 6".