How to adjust Toro 570 Sprinkler Head

Tweaking a Toro 570 sprinkler head seems suspiciously simple and straightforward until it suddenly isn’t. One extra turn and things can get seriously ugly. Suddenly, you will have to deal with water spraying onto the sidewalk or pooling on the ground. Toro 570 series sprinkler heads are known for their forgiving and predictable nature, and therefore, it’s no wonder that these heads are quite popular among homeowners in Dallas. However, you just have to make sure that you are making adjustments with a little bit of patience, otherwise things may backfire spectacularly.   

Understanding the Toro 570 Design First

Before you get super excited with screws and start tinkering with the nozzles, you need to have a better understanding of how the Toro 570 actually works. It utilizes a fixed spray nozzle to release water. Whenever the zone activates, the sprinkler head pops up automatically. Unlike rotating heads, spray patterns of these fixed spray nozzles are by and large determined by the internal diffuser screw and nozzle type.

The body of Toro 570 stays consistent no matter what the setup is. However, nozzles vary in radius and arc. Common options are half, quarter and full circle sprays. Contrary to what most people believe, the adjustment screw on top does not control or alter the arc. the adjustment screw only controls the flow pattern and shape.

Tools You Actually Need, Not a Full Kit

The very first thing that you need to do while adjusting a Toro 570 sprinkler head is to stop overthinking. You would not need any fancy set of tools to adjust a Toro 570 Sprinkler head. Basic tools that you are most likely to have at your disposal are more than enough for this task. All you need is a small flathead screwdriver. However, in some cases, you might also need to have a hex-style adjustment tool. A pair of gloves is something that you should have at your disposal to keep things safe and clean.

How to Adjust Spray Distance on a Toro 570

Adjusting the spray distance on a Toro 570 is a simple process but some people go on a rampage while doing so. How far water travels, is by and large, controlled by a small screw on the top of the Toro 570 nozzle. All you have to do is to turn it clockwise and it will shorten the spray distance whereas turn it counterclockwise and it will increase the reach.

Problems arise when you back out the screw too much. When the screw is backed out excessively, it can cause water to atomize into mist rather than forming a clear spray pattern. In windy or warm conditions, misting can lead to a massive 10% water loss. Incremental adjustment is the need of the hour. Try a quarter turn at a time and then observe carefully how it is impacting the spray pattern before making any further adjustment. Now, if you are unable to achieve full coverage with the screw fully open, it clearly indicates the fact that there is something wrong with the nozzle size.

Adjusting the Spray Pattern Without Changing the Arc

Arc changes through adjustments are mainly controlled by the nozzle; turning the head will not help you much here. However, you can make slight changes in the spray pattern by making some minor adjustments using the diffuser screw. With the diffuser screw, you can either tone down the spray pattern or break the stream. This can prove useful if the spray has gone rough somehow and is hitting the driveways or the walls. You can increase the force by raising it but you should not make excessive adjustments. Soil compaction near sprinkler head is a clear sign of overly aggressive spray pattern in practice and therefore, it needs to be avoided. Aggressive spray pattern can also make it hard for water to each outer area more effectively.

Final Notes

So, when you are trying to make adjustment in Toro 570 sprinkler head, you need to focus more on making minor adjustment and less on using brute force.