SPRINKLER TALK FORUM - You Got Questions, We've Got Answers

I've received the design from Rainbird and Toro and wanted to compare and get a material lists based on the best of both. After reviewing both, I'm confused as to why both are totally different. I understand that there are more then one way to irrigate a lawn but I'm baffled as to why they are so different and I'll give examples.

Why would you go from a 3/4" rough in supply line to 1" mainline only to go to 1/2" sprinkler head and the other stay at 3/4" main line from 3/4" rough in.
Why would one design have two drip irrigation valves and the other state more can be added to the one drip irrigation valve which was suggested?
Why is one going all spray and the other including rotors?
Why is one using flow stream emitters and the other drip line only.
One is suggesting all 4" pop ups, the other 5",6" & 12".

This just keeps going on throughout both designs and there is very little that is common between the two. If Rainbird felt 5 zones were enough why would Toro suggest 6?

When I received the Rainbird's design I started making up my order list and had 3/4 complete since I wanted to upgrade from residential to pro material. Now that I received the Toro design, I have to wonder (since I'm not a pro) which is more cost and design effective? Also both got identical dimensional drawings so they based there design with the exact same info.

Is this common, if so then it's hard to compare apples to apples, and keep in mind, I didn't think they would be exactly the same, but was surprised at just how different they are.

Help understanding this would help so I can continue with my order list.

Can anyone shed some light on any of the discrepancies, for e.g. why would you go from a 3/4" rough in supply line to 1" valve/mainline only to
go to 1/2" sprinkler head and the other Toro stay at 3/4" valve/main line from
3/4" rough in?

This is what confuses me, "Sizes of pipes and fittings and valves affect pressure losses, and pressure losses depend on the amount of flow.", if you have two different designs based on the exact same amount of flow, why change the size of mainline pipe, fitting, valves, etc, since as you say it affects pressure loss.

This was based on 60 psi at 14 gpm.

Rainbird;

5 zones with one being drip irrigation,
all 4" pop ups with drip irrigation being all drip-line.

Toro

6 zones with 2 being drip irrigation mixed in with lawn.
62 heads, 5', 8", 12" both pop ups and rotor.
Drip Irrigation has both adjustable flow stream emitters, flow bubblers, hose emitters.

In conclusion, I believe I'll just place a partial order this afternoon based on what I'm sure about.

Thanks for your help Wet_Boots and I apologize for my tone due to my frustration.

Thanks for the reply wsommariva;

I placed a partial order today with the exception of the drip irrigatio which seems to be where the most discrepency is. I'll try to make some more progress tomorrow.

To answer a couple of your questions;

Location Niagara Falls NY.

Most will be Rainbird, what SW doesn't have in Rainbird I'll have to find a substitute which most likely will be Hunter.

Land is flat 2.5 degree grade, but not wide open.

I'm at 60psi with 14 gpm.

I'm going to stick with 4 zones for standard irrigation and one for drip, since it's a small lot with 42 heads, not including drip.

Thanks

Thanks again for the reply wsommariva;

Let me recap and by the way, Rainbird did not suggest any Rotors based on the maximum throw being around 23 ft.

I've done head to head.

Reduce throw rating by around 10%,

Check for leaks before filling in trenches.

Consider an extra zone.

Use poly rather then pvc based on freezing tempertures in my area.

Purchase swing joints for every sprayer.

Use a PVB preferably Watts or Febco listin on SW.

Purchase shut off valve for winter blowout between backflow and valve.

Question:

I noticed the swing joint has a male fitting, what adaptor/fitting is needed to screw into the 1" lateral poly line? I guess I'll need one for every swing joint?