How to Adjust Rainbird Sprinkler Heads

Rainbird sprinkler heads irrigate lawns and gardens so plants and grasses stay healthy and attractive.

Rainbird sprinkler heads are designed for use on residential and commercial properties to irrigate lawns and gardens. Rainbird sprinklers are designed with adjustable screws to make them more efficient. A radius-adjustment screw allows you to change the sprinkler's watering radius or distance by up to 25 percent. An arc-adjustment screw provides for changes to the sprinkler's arc or rotation. You can adjust the arc from 40 degrees to 360 degrees. Rainbird sprinklers also allow you to change spray nozzles.

Things You'll Need

• Flat-head screwdriver

Instructions

1. Adjust the Rainbird sprinkler's radius or spray distance. Turn the radius-adjustment screw located on top of the sprinkler and above the spray opening. Using a flat-head screwdriver, turn the screw clockwise to reduce the radius and counterclockwise to increase it.

2. Adjust the Rainbird sprinkler's arc. For Rainbird rotary or gear-driven sprinklers only, you can change the movement or rotation. Insert a flat-head screwdriver into the arc-adjustment slot located on top of the sprinkler. A small plus and minus symbol will appear next to the opening. Turn the screwdriver clockwise to increase the sprinkler's arc or rotation and counterclockwise to decrease it.

3. Change the Rainbird sprinkler's nozzle. Rainbird sprinklers like the 5000 series allow you to replace the nozzle to make changes to spray angle or distance. Turn the radius-adjustment screw counterclockwise to back it out. Lift the sprinkler's riser or stem using the pull-up slot. Insert a flat-head screwdriver under the nozzle removal tab. Press the handle down to remove the existing nozzle. Insert a new nozzle into the nozzle socket and turn the radius-adjustment screw clockwise to fix it in place. Place the nozzle's identification plug into the opening on the top of the sprinkler.

Tips & Warnings

• Rainbird rotary or gear-driven sprinklers may require you to find the fixed left edge to make adjustments. The fixed left edge is the side of the sprinkler that the spray will not move past. To find the fixed left edge, either turn on the sprinkler or pull up the riser or stem. Turn the sprinkler turret to the left until it stops. If the sprinkler does not easily turn to the left, turn it all the way to the right and then the left. When the sprinkler stops on the left side, you have found the fixed edge. Grab the sprinkler body and turn it as needed so the left edge aligns with the desired watering area. You can make adjustments to the right edge by turning the arc-adjustment screw.

• For Rainbird sprinklers that have a vandal collar located on the riser, you will need to spread the collar and push it down to make arc adjustments. Hold the riser with one hand and push down on the nozzle turret with the other. Add or subtract from 180 degrees to get your desired arc. For example, if you want to make the arc 270 degrees, you will need to push down the nozzle turret and turn it to the right to 90 degrees. Push down the nozzle turret and turn it to the left to reduce the arc.

• Turning a rotary or gear-driven sprinkler against the direction it is rotating can damage it.

References

• Rainbird: 5000 & 5000 Plus Series Rotors--Installation Instructions
• Rainbird: T-Bird Installation Instructions
• Rainbird: R-50 Series Rotor--Installation Instructions