Before selecting a nozzle, always refer to the manufacturer’s nozzle performance charts to ensure your choice is the right one for the application.

Example: Customer X used Hunter I-25's at 30 psi with 26' spacing. He used them because he wanted the stainless steel body. However, I-25 performance charts indicate a minimum requirement of 40 psi, and a minimum throw of 45'. Obviously, this was the wrong choice for his landscape. No wonder he was seeing major dry spots and was having trouble keeping it green!

He had reduced the radius of the I-25's with the set screws and was experiencing difficulty keeping the lawn green. If he insisted on the stainless steel option, a more appropriate rotor model would be the I-20 Ultra with the blue nozzles, or even the low angle nozzles.

Nozzle charts provide essential information when working with irrigation systems, whether you are designing, installing, maintaining or consulting on a system.

Given the wide breadth of rotors and spray nozzles available today, it is not possible to memorize every chart for every product, so it is essential to know how to properly read them—and to remember to do so every time a new project is being evaluated for efficiency and proper operation.