Irrigation nozzles

For the last 3 weeks we have been changing the nozzles in the majority if the irrigation heads on the course.  When the hot weather comes this will make a very big improvement in the uniformity of distribution with our irrigation system.  The nozzles are plastic and the size and shape of the opening is very precise to deliver the water evenly.  If you think about how many minutes the irrigation heads run per season, how much friction that is against the plastic nozzle moving at a very high rate of speed under high pressure, you can imagine how these nozzles wear and change shape causing the water to be sprayed less uniform.

Look how the water has worn a line down this plastic nozzle

Irrigation designers say the nozzles should be replaced about every 10 years, our nozzles are 44 years old.  If we irrigate 160 nights throughout the season, that would be 43 hours or 90,000 gallons of water that has passed through that plastic hole at 125 psi = 1,890 hrs and 3,960,000 gals over 44 years.   I think the plastic hole is probably a little worn compared to when it was new, and a very small change in the shape and diameter will have a big impact on how the water leaves the nozzle and is distributed on our turf.