Head spacing and Rain Bird vs. Toro question Cancel The title field is required!

1. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   6/12/2012 12:06 PM

   I actually have two different questions, If I remember in my irrigation class, when spacing heads we would want them to be about 70% of the radius of the head? If real windy area I have heard of even going down to 50%. So on a 70" radius head we would want them spaced about 49 feet? Looking at old Rain Bird data it says on the 51D performance chart, a 51 head with 20 nozzle, has a radius of 71 feet at 80 psi. Recommended spacing was listed as 77 feet? Of course it doesn't mention triangle spacing or square spacing. Or was that diameter not radius?
   
   The second question pertains to Rain Bird 900 heads compared to Toro DT54 series. Am really familiar with the 900's last Toro head I worked on was the 500, 700 and 900 series heads. Any pro's or cons of the Toro? Anyone who has worked with both?
   
   Thanks, Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
2. Keith Pegg

   

   0 posts
   
   6/12/2012 3:06 PM

   IF the book said; 77' then space at 77' square or triangle. Triangle is better I think. You most likly will have problems at 70' 60' or 90' so go 77'. RB and TORO are both good. I have RB on this job and have used Toro also. (and many others). Stay with these two and follow the designer advice. I would go so far as to adjust golf design a little for proper irrigation. A good designer will work this out for you.
   
   Keith

   
   
   
   
3. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   6/12/2012 4:06 PM

   Thanks Keith, actually it's funny the old 51 spec sheet shows a recommended spacing the 900 sheet doesn't.
   
   This isn't an actual design job, it's replacing some old heads (51's) around a green and wanting to go to 900's and I was wanting to make sure I put the correct nozzles in. The old 51's and I have tried new nozzles, have 20's in them and are suppose to throw 71 feet, we get about 59 feet on them, so I figure some of the internal components are worn, so I thought I would replace with all new heads. The spacing on this green is actually very accurate compared to other greens out here on our course, they are all 71 to 72 feet. I do have an issue where they triangle spaced them but I feel they should have put one more head in the back. We are thinking about adding a head back there.
   
   I did find a book laying around where they mention to space them at 60% of the diameter, which if a head throws a radius of 71', that would be a diameter of 142' and 60% of that is 85' spacing, shouldn't the heads basically throw to each other?
   
   The reason I asked about the Toro heads was our salesman is trying to sell us some to compare, and I was mistaken, I worked with the Toro 650's 670's, and 690's. Biggest issue I seemed to have had with them was the pilot valve on the side, the Rainbirds we seem to have problems with the HPDV valves, which is more a problem of debris in our lines.
   
   Thanks, hope to hear more.
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
4. Keith Fellenstein

   

   0 posts
   
   6/13/2012 10:06 AM

   On flat level ground with no wind, heads should be spaced equal to radius of throw or half (50%) the diameter to achieve as close to uniform coverage as possible. Triangular spacing will give you better coverage than square spacing. Adjust spacing accordingly for wind, slope, features, and budget. If you are mixing old heads with new in your system, you could compare precip rates etc. or just use good old fashioned observation and experience since they probably won't be putting out the same amount of water. If it is a dry area that needs a little more water, put the next higher nozzle in, if it is wet, drop down a nozzle.
   
   Sorry can't help you with new TORO heads, haven't used them.
   
   I agree with Keith...usually easier and better to alter design to accomodate irrigation rather than other way around. Unfortunately most architects disagree.

   
   
   
   
5. Wallace Jeffrey V

   
   6/13/2012 11:06 AM

   Keith Fellenstein said: On flat level ground with no wind, heads should be spaced equal to radius of throw or half (50%) the diameter to achieve as close to uniform coverage as possible. Triangular spacing will give you better coverage than square spacing. Adjust spacing accordingly for wind, slope, features, and budget. If you are mixing old heads with new in your system, you could compare precip rates etc. or just use good old fashioned observation and experience since they probably won't be putting out the same amount of water. If it is a dry area that needs a little more water, put the next higher nozzle in, if it is wet, drop down a nozzle.
   
   Sorry can't help you with new TORO heads, haven't used them.
   
   I agree with Keith...usually easier and better to alter design to accomodate irrigation rather than other way around. Unfortunately most architects disagree.

   
   Nailed it!

   
   
   
   
6. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   6/13/2012 11:06 AM

   Thanks guys,
   
   Actually because I can be so particular about things, when we look at fixing one head around the green, we go ahead and replace all of them. We'll take the old 51's and use them in the fairways to replace broken cases and then install all new gear driven rotors.
   
   Good ideas on the switching out using different nozzles, like I mentioned before this green they are actually spaced well, I just feel they left one head out. We have another green that has heads spaced about 68 feet apart on the front half of the green and in the 58 foot range for the back half. I can figure out PR rates for the front half and the back half, it's the middle that stumps me a little.
   
   Thanks again.
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
7. Corey Eastwood

   

   80 posts
   
   6/13/2012 2:06 PM

   I found that 59 ft spacing on 62 ft heads is perfect. Rainbird 700 and 750.

   
   Corey Eastwood CGCS, Stockton Golf & CC, Retired
   
   
8. Keith Pegg

   

   0 posts
   
   6/13/2012 5:06 PM

   Mel
   
   I have worked with this company a number of times and he is very good. I sure he will not care if I send this on to you.
   
   Keith Pegg
   Japan