Types of sprinklers
Types of sprinklers
Sprinklers are among the most important components of any irrigation system (with the exception of drip irrigation using drip tape). They determine the efficiency of irrigation and the amount of water used, and therefore the yield, the attractive appearance of the area and the profitability of the crop.
Sprinklers have a deceptively simple task: to deliver water where it is needed, in the amount necessary for proper plant growth. In reality, choosing the sprinklers that will irrigate the area well requires knowledge and experience, as many factors related to the terrain, the nature of the crop, the climate have to be taken into account.
Many sprinklers, one purpose
A set of sprinklers irrigating one area may include models with different technical characteristics. The range of a sprinkler is determined by the trajectory of the water jet, while the width and density of the jet depend on the shape and size of the nozzles. The shape of the irrigated area is the resultant of the reach and the angle of rotation of the sprinkler. This can be a circle or a section of a circle (in this case we speak of sector sprinklers).
In order to achieve the correct coverage of an area – especially if its shape is complex and the needs of the plants are varied – it is necessary to have multiple sprinklers with individually selected characteristics.
Types of sprinklers
Sprinklers – by design – can be divided into several groups: rotary, impact, micro-sprinklers, foggers. The differences in size and design mean that, within each of these groups, one encounters devices with different output and strength, precipitation and trajectory. For irrigation of crops, sports grounds or orchards, you need heavy-duty sprinklers made of bronze, able to withstand intensive use in harsh conditions.
Permanent or temporary
Sprinklers can be installed either permanently (if the water is supplied by a concealed underground system) or on an ad hoc basis – depending on your needs on portable bases or driven into the ground. High-capacity portable sprinklers are used in sports areas (e.g. football pitches) where stationary units cannot be placed.
Home gardens
In domestic gardens, sprinklers with heads made from high grade plastic or lightweight alloys will work well. For stationary installation, pop-up sprinklers, which in their resting position do not protrude above the ground, are very suitable. When switched on, they rise to a height of several or tens of centimetres and work in a similar way to other turbine sprinklers, dispersing a jet of water around or within a set sector. This group includes Hunter sprinklers such as PGP, PGJ, PRO-SPRAY and Rain Bird 1800, 3500, 5000 series available in our store.
Parks and urban areas
Larger areas and the associated higher water output require sprinklers of a reinforced design, with the ability to change nozzles. In parks and urban areas, as in domestic gardens, permanent installation is advantageous, so pop-up sprinklers are optimal. MBIrrigation has a range of such sprinklers from Hunter, including models: I-25, I-60, I-90.
Golf courses and sports grounds
The requirements of golf courses and other sports grounds are even higher. Sprinklers designed for these areas are powerful, can be precisely regulated, and are equipped with built-in pressure-controlled solenoid valves that work with microprocessor controllers. Models in this group include: G995, G990, I80, I90 from Hunter.
Orchards and fields
Orchards and agricultural fields – i.e. large, generally flat areas – allow the use of sprinklers with a long reach and capacity, mounted relatively high above the ground. The sprinklers in the AQ Automat range have such characteristics.
For frost protection of trees, sprinklers that can operate at ambient temperatures as low as -5°C are used. Nelson’s R 2000 sprinkler and the R5 and R10 micro-sprinklers, among others, provide precise application of smaller quantities of water.
Tree and shrub nurseries
Efficient agricultural sprinklers, in particular the R2000 and R2000WF rotors, are recommended for the irrigation of tree and shrub nurseries. Their use reduces the cost of the irrigation system, as they allow the use of pipes with small cross-sections.
