Toro lawn sprinkler systems are quickly fading away as the choice of irrigation contractors. Although I still personally know contractors who swear by Toro parts and proclaim they are the best. This particular contractor claims that he has electric valves that he installed in 1981 that have still not gone bad! Most electric solenoids go out after about 5 years.
I cannot personally testify to the 22-year-old Toro electric solenoid, but the information did come from a very reputable source. So, why are contractors reluctant to install Toro sprinkler systems?
Well, Toro has branched off into lawnmower and power equipment and no longer specializes in irrigation supplies. They have not really kept up with their competitors in developing new products. Also, Toro sprinkler spray heads are a bit different from their competitors spray heads. The stems of the sprinklers heads are female threaded and the nozzles are male threaded, which is completely the opposite of Rainbird, Nelson, Hunter, and Orbit.
This makes irrigation maintenance more difficult for contractors, because the nozzles are not inter-changeable and you are forced to carry extra parts when you are already stocking hundreds of various items. Toro supplies are also harder to get in certain areas which creates even more of a problem for your local irrigation contractor. Having a Toro sprinkler system could raise the cost of the maintenance to your sprinkler system because of these factors.
Wishing you a happier, and care-free lawn care experience,
Scott Young
