Align the fixed edge of a rotary sprinkler with the edge of the lawn.
Lawn sprinklers come in several shapes and sizes. They can be installed underground as part of a larger irrigation system, placed on the ground, spiked into the ground or rolled across the ground like a miniature tractor. Each sprinkler type has its share of unique problems. Most of these issues can be easily fixed with basic troubleshooting or adjustments.
Traveling Sprinkler
A traveling sprinkler rolls across the lawn, as it waters, in a pattern laid out by the water hose that feeds it. The direction of the arms controls both the movement of the sprinkler and the distance of the spray. If the arms don't move, the unit won't roll. Tilt both of the arms of the spray head down for a narrower reach or up for a broader reach. Twist the arms to an equal angle from the ground but in opposite directions. The opposite placement is what propels the unit. Avoid tilting the arms down so far that they hit the unit as this prevents them from spinning.
Rotary Sprinkler
A rotary sprinkler is installed underground and pops up to water the lawn when activated by a controller or open water valve. Sometimes, a rotary sprinkler sprays areas that are unnecessary, such as pavement or walls. This can be corrected by inserting the supplied adjustment tool into the arc or rotation range adjustment head. Twist the tool to narrow the rotation away from the unnecessary watering area until it operates within the boundaries of the watering area.
Impact Sprinkler
An impact sprinkler can be spiked into or placed on the ground, depending on the base. If the sprinkler shoots a steady stream of water yet the sprinkler head fails to oscillate, then the water pressure going into the sprinkler might be too low or too high. Insert a pitot tube gauge directly into the stream of the sprinkler as close to the nozzle as you can get it without touching it. Depending on the read-out, adjust the water pressure at the water source to correct the oscillation issue.
Oscillating Sprinkler
Oscillating sprinklers are placed on the ground with an attached garden hose. The sprinkler sprays a fan of water from one side of the base to the other across the lawn. If the sprinkler doesn't oscillate, inspect the controller located on the base for its settings. An oscillating sprinkler can have numerous watering area settings, including a single position. If the sprinkler is set to water a larger area but still fails to oscillate, verify the water pressure coming from the water source.
