I've come to realize that my yard is just too big for these basic sprinklers. Can't really afford an irrigation system this year for my 14k+ sq ft yard, so I'm thinking of buying a tripod impact sprinkler for both sides of my yard.

Does anyone have any recommendations on ones to buy?

Gilmour makes a few models,google for their website with pictures & specs. I have been using a gilmour impact metal sled model for a few years and so far it has been great.

You might look at a gear driver sprinkler. I suppose you could mount it on a tripod. Not sure of their range.

My problem with impact sprinklers is that they leave dry spots. The shoot most of the water out over a big area and only water at the circumference of the circle.

Dchall_San_Antonio wrote:You might look at a gear driver sprinkler. I suppose you could mount it on a tripod. Not sure of their range.

My problem with impact sprinklers is that they leave dry spots. The shoot most of the water out over a big area and only water at the circumference of the circle.

That has not been my experience at all,and I always put out 5 rain gauges spaced evenly apart in a line from nearest the sprinkler out to the outer edge of where the water hits, if anything,the levels collected tend to diminish slightly as the distance from the sprinkler head increases. There is a small adjustable screw that extends into the water jet stream that you adjust to breakup the stream to help even out the water distribution, and it did take some experimentation and measuring to obtain even water distribution,but once that sweet spot is found,it distributes water extremely evenly.When I water 1.000 inches,there is less than .10 difference measured in any of the 5 gauges.

You have this one right Morph?

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Would you say it "clicks" very fast or is it more of an steady pace? I got these cheapo plastic impulse sprinklers last year that "click" wayyy to fast and the water gets thrown very unevenly. My neighbor just got a decent metal one that impulses at a nice steady pace with an even stream.

Nice, thank you.

I knew about the screw adjustment but the sprinklers I had just seemed to be so random. The screw didn't even go into the stream on one of them. I've had that plastic one, too.

Another factor is trees and shrubs. The OP's idea to put it on a tripod would get it up over the shrubs but not the trees. I have to arrange my sprinklers so the trees are not in the way. Clearly the people who planted the trees back in the 1940s were not thinking about watering.

I am not a fan of the plastic impact sprinklers,have had much luck with the brass and all metal ones from Gilmour- rainbird makes some nice brass ones also.

I just picked up an "Orbit" impact sprinkler recommended here on a different thread. Very solid construction and a good deal for $35 at Walmart. I have oscilating sprinklers for the side yards but needed the power and coverage of this impact one. Tried it today without the extension of the tripod and it has some serious reach. Still learning the best adjustments.

I have the same "Orbit" tripod model. I think I recommended it on a couple of threads. It is awesome.

That Tripod makes a lot of difference depending on how far you have it raised. It gives a great reach and I found really great distribution and output - and my outdoor water pressure is not even great. I would have to say for the purpose of fast distribution it is tops.

bought a generic tractor supply co brand one this weekend, and it has been working extremely well. (all stores in my area seem to be sold out of sprinklers due to this drought)