Rainbird 5000 Adjustments
Rainbird 5000 adjustments may initially seem complicated to navigate, but with enough knowledge you can quickly fine-tune its spray radius and arc pattern for even coverage on your lawn.
Start by gathering all the tools necessary for adjustments. A pair of Channellock pliers and either a rainbird rotor tool or flat head screwdriver are required to get started.
Adjusting the Spray Radius
Spray distance of a sprinkler head is key in creating and maintaining a healthy lawn, and Rain Bird 5000 series features a stainless steel adjustment screw to fine-tune your system’s watering radius, potentially saving up to 35% in terms of lawn water consumption.
To adjust your spray distance, first close off the master valve of the sprinkler system. Locate and select the nozzle you would like to adjust with its corresponding adjustment knob located at the top of its rotor; turn this clockwise for shorter distance and counterclockwise for increased distance; fine-tune until your desired watering radius has been achieved.
Common errors when setting the radius include turning the screw too far, which can damage the head by altering its arc and spray pattern. As a general guideline, take one full clockwise turn at a time when making any adjustments so as to avoid damaging your nozzle and achieve optimal performance of your rotor rotor rotors.
An optional step to ensure your sprinkler system is watering at an appropriate level is to add a soil moisture sensor (sold separately). A soil moisture sensor monitors soil moisture levels to determine how much water should be applied for lawn maintenance purposes. When linked to your controller, these informational readings allow it to direct sprinkler watering systems at an optimum rate based on what has been received from sensors.
Last, but certainly not least, it is essential that you make regular adjustments to your sprinkler heads in order to ensure optimal performance. This includes making adjustments to radius, arc and nozzle settings – this simple step can be completed with no tools necessary and will help ensure an attractive lawn.
If you need any assistance with your Rainbird 5000 system, feel free to reach out! Our knowledgeable sprinkler experts are more than willing to assist in answering any queries or offering any support needed.
Adjusting the Arc Pattern
Based on your irrigation system’s setup, RainBird 5000 pop-up sprinkler heads may require modification in order to water evenly across your lawn. Adjusting this arc pattern can help avoid overspray onto sidewalks or driveways as well as dry spots within their zone – something easily accomplished using the arc adjustment screw at the top of each head.
The arc adjustment screw features a plus and minus sign on its head for easy adjustments, using either your rotor adjustment key or flat head screwdriver in its slot on top of the head. Turning clockwise will narrow or widen your arc; while turning counterclockwise will widen it. After making any desired adjustments, be sure to test out your settings by spraying hard surfaces.
Start by lifting up and rotating the turret on your sprinkler head to its left trip point (counterclockwise), using your rotor adjustment tool or flathead screwdriver to make adjustments to its arc. Once set to your preference, test its coverage by spraying hard surfaces with water before setting the head back down on its base plate.
Ideal arc settings should point downward when your head is turned on, enabling it to reach deep into your lawn and cover a wider area than just the surface. However, if your lawn is particularly wet you may also adjust the arc so it points upward instead.
If you’re having difficulty reaching your desired arc, watch Sean Stefan from Sprinkler Daddy to learn how to easily fine-tune rainbird pop-up sprinklers for optimal performance. By changing both radius and arc settings on your rotor, you can ensure the ideal lawn every time!
Adjusting the Water Flow Rate
Setting the proper water flow rate to your lawn is essential to its optimal performance, as too much or too little will lead to issues like dry spots, dead grass and fungus growth. Your 5000 sprinkler system offers easy adjustments of this flow by means of its valves which control it.
Adjustments to Water Flow Rate WateR Flow of water into your landscape is determined by three key components: sprinkler heads, the main valve and hose lines. The main valve controls overall flow rate through your irrigation system; it should typically be installed near or in your home. Adding a pressure regulator before sprinkler valves can further help lower overall pressure levels in your system.
High water pressure can cause your sprinklers to mist or fog, decreasing the amount of water delivered to your lawn and garden. An easy solution for this issue is installing a Rain Bird PRS Dial Valve pressure regulator at the point of distribution.
Low water pressure may prevent your sprinklers from reaching their intended spray distance, creating puddling or pooling in low head drainage areas. To rectify this issue, install 1800 or 3500 Series sprays or 5000 series rotors with Seal-A-Matic Check Valve technology and avoid this problem altogether.
An inadequate spray radius can leave lawns dry or brown when shaded areas are present, making for dry conditions to persist and eventually dry-out completely. You can increase or decrease its coverage by adjusting its head with a screwdriver or tool inserted into its radius adjustment socket – clockwise will reduce its coverage area, counterclockwise will expand it.
Low arcs can result in uneven watering and an unsightly look. To address this, twist the turret a full turn to either side – left or right – then back – until the nozzle lines up with its center of arc again, providing even coverage across your yard. Channellock pliers make this task simple!
Troubleshooting
Establishing an optimal irrigation system is key to cultivating a lush and healthy lawn. New or established systems should undergo periodic adjustments to ensure each sprinkler head covers the desired area at an appropriate distance and is spraying to the desired coverage rate. If you’re unfamiliar with making adjustments yourself, this step-by-step guide will walk you through how to optimize performance of a Rain Bird 5000 system.
Before adjusting the arc pattern of a head sprinkler system, all water must be shut off at your controller for that zone containing it. You will also require either an adjustment tool that came with your system or one of the standard screwdrivers that may already be lying around your garage.
To change the arc pattern on a sprinkler head, first find and locate its adjustment inserts. Referring to the sketch below as a reference point, locate and insert an adjustment tool into one that says “arc,” feeling out for metal tabs on its underside that allow you to feel when making changes; each full turn adds 90 degrees of arc!
Once your arc has been customized to your satisfaction, the next step should be adjusting the radius. This controls how far away from its center the water from the rotor sprays out – you can do this by inserting your tool in the nozzle turret at its fixed left stop point and turning clockwise or counterclockwise as required to modify its length or spread.
Once you’ve created an arc and radius to suit your preferences, it’s time to adjust the water flow rate. Do this by inserting your tool into the hose shut-off valve at the top of the head, turning clockwise or counterclockwise according to what works for your lawn’s lawn sprinkler system – two simple steps toward perfecting its sprinkler system!
