How to Adjust Orbit Lawn Sprinklers

Installing an underground sprinkler system in your lawn and garden is only the first step in proper irrigation. You have to adjust the adjust the heads periodically to stay abreast of changes in the local climate as well as in your growing plants. Orbit manufactures a variety of sprinkler heads, and all are simple to adjust with a flat-head screwdriver or a special key available from dealers who sell Orbit sprinkler system components.

Orbit adjustable pop-up spray nozzles can water in arcs that range from 25 to 360 degrees. To adjust the arc, lift the nozzle out of the ground with the Orbit adjustment tool and clamp the tool around the sprinkler sleeve to keep it up. Rotate the sleeve until the indicator on the nozzle head faces the right side of the spray area. Then, hold the sleeve steady and rotate only the head until the indicator is lined up with the left side of the spray area. To adjust spray distance, turn the screw in the center of the nozzle with a flat-head screwdriver. Turn it clockwise to decrease spray distance and counterclockwise to increase it.

Orbit manufactures the Saturn line of gear-drive rotary sprinkler heads, and the newest model, the Saturn IV, comes with a special adjustment key -- adjust the previous Saturn models with a flat-head screwdriver. To adjust the arc, first turn the green turret on the top of the head all the way the left to reset it, and then align it with the right side of the spray area. To adjust the left stop, insert the plastic end of the key or the flat-head screwdriver into the adjustment stop on the turret -- push the key or screwdriver straight through the slot -- and turn it clockwise to widen the arc -- a full rotation equals 90 degrees.

Adjust the spray distance with the screwdriver or the metal end of the key. Turn the diffuser screw on the top of the turret clockwise to decrease the spray distance and counterclockwise to increase it.

The Voyager gear-driven rotary sprinkler is similar to the Saturn, but you should adjust the arc before you install the sprinkler head. Turn the head all the way to the left and then all the way to the right. Make the adjustment with the head in this position. Insert the screwdriver or the plastic end of the key into the arc-adjustment hole and turn it clockwise to increase the arc width -- once again, a full turn adds 90 degrees. After finishing the adjustment and screwing the head onto the riser, make the distance adjustment by turning the screw on the front of the nozzle-- just over the aperture. Turn it clockwise to decrease spray distance and counterclockwise to increase it.

You can adjust the arc of Satellite impact rotors from 25 to 360 degrees by sliding the friction collars under the spray head. After lifting the head out of the ground and ensuring the trip lever is down, slide one collar to set the right stop point and the other collar to set the left point. You don't need tools to do this. After setting the arc, use a flat-head screwdriver to turn the diffuser screw on the front of the nozzle, which sets the spray distance. Turn it clockwise to decrease the distance and counterclockwise to increase it.

Your sprinkler heads are properly adjusted when all parts of your lawn and garden receive water -- if any part doesn't, and you can't adjust the nearest sprinkler head to correct the problem, consider replacing the head with one that has a longer spray distance. You can make all the adjustments while the water is on, but if you do, expect to get wet -- at least a little.