Rain Bird’s Sports Turf Irrigation Package Features New 11000 Series Rotors

Rain Bird is committed to ensuring that natural and synthetic pitches as well as other sports and leisure surfaces remain healthy, playable and can be easily managed with the emphasis on water conservation.

This has resulted in a range of sports turf irrigation packages and now the new 11000 Series Rotor range brings new levels of irrigation efficiency. It is complemented by 952 Series rotors, advanced controllers and a proven management system.

Building on the experience and performance of the company’s renowned tough golf course rotors, the 11000 Series addresses issues such as wind drift, water saving and the need for distribution uniformity  – all without the higher operating pressures of many other irrigation rotors. Able to cover longer distances with their full 32 metre radius, these rotors facilitate irrigation over larger areas and as such they are ideal not only for use on large pitches but can also be considered for larger commercial landscape irrigation projects.

Specifying 11000 Series Rotors can reduce the number of heads needed to irrigate a typical pitch by up to 40% compared with traditional rotor solutions. That means lower investment costs with fewer components and less piping as well as faster installation times and lower maintenance costs. The rotors cover throw radii from 21.3 to 32 metres and operating pressures typically of 5.0 bar, within the 4.1 to 6.9 bar range. 30-345º, reversing, part-circle modes are included as well as a non-reversing, 360º full-circle mode – all in a single body. With a minimally exposed surface, they protect players when competing on a pitch. There is an optional opposing nozzle for enhanced close-in watering.

To address wind drift and prevent water wastage, the rotor produces larger water droplets. This also helps to ensure maximum efficiency and uniform coverage. The Seal-A-Matic™ (SAM) check valve prevents wasteful low-head drainage. Nozzles are pre-installed and can be adjusted with a standard screwdriver.

A 1.5” ACME threaded inlet simplifies installation, with optional swing joints available for superior flow and performance. Rather than having to laboriously unscrew the top of the rotor for maintenance and adjustments, the new Snap Ring action is faster and easier. Optional features include a sod cup or rubber covers in green for synthetic turf or purple for non-potable water use.

Meanwhile, Rain Bird’s latest 952 Series Rotors complement for the 11000 Series. Suitable for pitch side installations, full 360º as well as part circle irrigation versions, adjustable from 30º, are available. These have a similar throw radius to ensure head to head coverage across a complete pitch alongside the 11000 Series.

A new self-adjusting automatic stator modifies water flow to control rotation speed and ensure consistency. Rapid Adjust technology provides easy arc adjustments with the turn of a screw. The MemoryArc® feature retains two part-circle arc settings, so users can move between full and part-circle operation in seconds. Different nozzles can be accommodated and changed quickly.

For the complete top of the range sports turf irrigation package, Rain Bird offers the ESP-LXIVM controller for flexible programming and featuring a smart Solenoid module for real time diagnostics with simplified troubleshooting. Wireless communication through a network cartridge means that the controller can be used with the IQ4 central control platform.

Users, including groundsmen and contractors, can remotely control installations from a smartphone. Irrigation programs can be managed and quickly adjusted in accordance with any training requirements whilst intelligent scheduling based on local weather forecasts will save water. Alerts and alarms covering flow monitoring and other operating conditions enable any emerging problems to be detected and addressed quickly.

For more information about Rain Bird 11000 Series Rotors, visit rainbird.com/products/11000-series. For information on sports turf packages, contact Peter Longman, Rain Bird Europe, plongman@rainbird.eu  www.rainbird.eu