Total Landscape Care Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/85694
Flow Shut-Off irrigation Straight Blade Adjustment Choose the Best Rotor for Residential Applications Advances in technology can save you time and money. T echnologies such as smart control- lers, central control and drip irrigation systems continue to improve irrigation system effi ciency by using less water to keep landscapes looking their best. These advances are impressive, but what about one of the most well-known components of any ir- rigation system — the rotor? We see rotors applying water to turf and dense landscape plantings, seem- ingly operating just as they have for years. While today's rotors may look the same as their predeces- sors, what lies beneath the surface defi nitely is not your father's rotor. Here, Mike Wendel, rotor product manager for Rain Bird's contractor division, answers questions about rotor technology and how contractors can en- sure they're choosing the best for their applications. What features make today's rotors faster to install and maintain? One of the most important features that makes rotors easier to maintain is a wiper-seal design. The 38 TOTAL LANDSCAPE CARE / January 2012 Stainless Steel Riser Rain Curtain Nozzles Pressure- Activated Wiper Seal Pressure Regulating Stem Check Valve Simple on the outside, hi-tech engineering inside: the intricacies of a Rain Bird 5000 series rotor wiper seal typically is a soft plastic material that interacts with the riser-stem to keep debris from entering the rotor and "sealing off" the rotor as the riser-stem pops up. It's not glamorous, but it's one of the most critical components of the rotor. And choosing a rotor that has an inferior or poorly designed wiper seal can make or break a contractor's year. Speed of installation and adjustment are critical considerations, as well. For example, the slip-clutch