Impact heads and the wind Cancel The title field is required!

1. Dalton Andrew

   
   6/24/2012 8:06 PM

   I have almost all rain-bird impact heads, they are 51 and 91 Dr series. Although these heads are pretty much trouble free based on the fact there isn't much to them, they are terrible performing sprinklers in the wind. Not that there is a wind resistant irrigation head out there, but these are just pathetic. I am pushing hard to get these replaced eventually, but until then I am stuck with a lot of dry areas and not enough bodies to hand water. This is probably a stupid question, but has anyone done anything to these to try and make them perform better. I have noticed that a few of them out there have been bent, not sure if it was intentional or just an accidental mower hitting it, but the trajectory is lower and the coverage seems to be better. I have never really messed around with these heads, but they seem to be pretty tough like they might be able to handle a little heat and manipulation. Any advice would be appreciated.
   
   Andy

   
   
   
   
2. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   6/24/2012 8:06 PM

   Andy,
   
   We have mostly the same as well. When we identify a problem area we try to go in and replace them with 900 heads. We try to do one green a year, then the old 51's become spare fairway heads....not perfect but it's something we can afford and since the greens are the most important.
   
   The last batch we replaced according to specs should have been throwing about 70', only one of the four was doing that. What I would suggest and I'm sure you'll get some better ideas, is; check the nozzles, if they are worn, that would affect some throw.
   
   But I wonder and would be interested myself in this, do you have valve in head? Is there a way to adjust some of the side valves to get more throw? Could those valves be cleaned? How about the tubing?
   
   Also check your spacing, we have some greens spacing is pretty good, some is fair and then some are just the plan what the heck was going on when they were spaced.
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
3. Dalton Andrew

   
   6/24/2012 8:06 PM

   Thanks for the reply. I failed to mention all the greens have been changed to 850 series Toro heads. The previous superintendent started this and I finished them up last year. My problem is tees and fairway areas. These are valve in head rain-birds and placement is an issue with us too. I have leveled a bunch of heads and that has helped a little bit too, but I just think these heads are weak compared to a modern rotor. I bought a couple of the eagle's nests that you can stick in the body and that has helped a bit too, but those aren't cheap either.
   
   Andy