Rotor Head vs Spray Head
A common question that I get asked is: "What is the main differences between a rotor head and a spray head?" Well, there are a couple of main differences between these two types of sprinkler heads that I will define for you. Neither type is superior over the other, they both have their pros and cons, it is just that each is suited better for a particular types of applications, which I will share with you now.
A spray head does not rotate or turn and will apply water approximately 3 times faster than a rotor head. Sprays come in a variety of nozzle patterns and distances commonly ranging from four to fifteen feet (there are 18 foot VAN nozzles available). The pattern come in fixed 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, of full circle 360 degrees.
There are also adjustable nozzles such as Rain Bird's VAN (variable arc nozzle) which can be adjusted from zero to 360 degrees. VAN nozzles are great for curves and certain areas, but they do use more water than a fixed nozzle adjusted to the same pattern and they do not appear to have as good or defined spray pattern. Spray heads have smaller, finer nozzles which do tend to get clogged easier. Sprays are great for smaller lawn areas, gardens, and shrubs.
Rotor heads turn or rotate, hence the name. A typical residential rotor throws an average of thirty feet. A range of 22 to 40 feet is common depending on pressure and adjustment of head. Rotor nozzles normally come with the option of one gallon to six gallon per minute nozzles. 1.5, 2.0 and 3.0 are the most commonly used nozzle sizes on residential landscape irrigation application.
Rotor have a larger nozzle opening and do not get clogged as easy as spray heads. You can use less heads and water the same amount of area with rotors compared to sprays. However, since they do rotate, they have a much lower precipitation rate than sprays, so they take about three times as long to water the same area compared to sprays. Rotors are great for larger lawn areas.
In a properly designed irrigation systems, both rotors and sprays will be used in the most appropriate places. A smart irrigation designer can determine where each type of head will be most beneficial. Also, it is not a good idea to mix rotors and sprays on the same zone (although I see it quite often while doing maintenance) because of there different precipitation rate. There are certain circumstances where rotors and sprays can be mixed and be beneficial to the landscape design, but this is left to the most advanced irrigation specialists (like myself of course) who fully understand irrigation system dynamics as well as landscape, lawns, plants, flowers, and shrubs watering needs.
Scott
http://www.autolawnsprinklers.com
A spray head does not rotate or turn and will apply water approximately 3 times faster than a rotor head. Sprays come in a variety of nozzle patterns and distances commonly ranging from four to fifteen feet (there are 18 foot VAN nozzles available). The pattern come in fixed 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, of full circle 360 degrees.
There are also adjustable nozzles such as Rain Bird's VAN (variable arc nozzle) which can be adjusted from zero to 360 degrees. VAN nozzles are great for curves and certain areas, but they do use more water than a fixed nozzle adjusted to the same pattern and they do not appear to have as good or defined spray pattern. Spray heads have smaller, finer nozzles which do tend to get clogged easier. Sprays are great for smaller lawn areas, gardens, and shrubs.
Rotor heads turn or rotate, hence the name. A typical residential rotor throws an average of thirty feet. A range of 22 to 40 feet is common depending on pressure and adjustment of head. Rotor nozzles normally come with the option of one gallon to six gallon per minute nozzles. 1.5, 2.0 and 3.0 are the most commonly used nozzle sizes on residential landscape irrigation application.
Rotor have a larger nozzle opening and do not get clogged as easy as spray heads. You can use less heads and water the same amount of area with rotors compared to sprays. However, since they do rotate, they have a much lower precipitation rate than sprays, so they take about three times as long to water the same area compared to sprays. Rotors are great for larger lawn areas.
In a properly designed irrigation systems, both rotors and sprays will be used in the most appropriate places. A smart irrigation designer can determine where each type of head will be most beneficial. Also, it is not a good idea to mix rotors and sprays on the same zone (although I see it quite often while doing maintenance) because of there different precipitation rate. There are certain circumstances where rotors and sprays can be mixed and be beneficial to the landscape design, but this is left to the most advanced irrigation specialists (like myself of course) who fully understand irrigation system dynamics as well as landscape, lawns, plants, flowers, and shrubs watering needs.
Scott
http://www.autolawnsprinklers.com
posted by Irrigationman at
7:57 PM
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