Rain Bird AG-5 Rotation Stop Tool

This is a simple tool to stop the rotation of a Rain Bird AG-5 Maxi-Paw Impact Sprinkler while it is running/spraying water. It accomplishes this by holding in place the pivoting weighted arm (on the left side with the sprinkler spraying away from you).

If you have a tool (Rain Bird or screwdriver), you can manually lift the sprinkler without the water running to expose the mechanics. See the attached photos for the exact placement of the tool. You can also gain access to the sprinkler by removing the cover/cap. This is done by prying out the small center cap to expose the compression catch clips. Squeeze in the catch clips with needle nose pliers while lifting off the cover/cap.

To install the tool with the water running, stop the arm with your left hand and install the tool with your right hand. Water continues to flow in a steady stream, but there is no rotation or arc to the pattern. IMPORTANT: you stop the arm from swinging when the sprinkler is in the normal, slower fire mode with the pattern arcing left to right/clockwise; do not try to stop the arm when the sprinkler is in the counter clockwise/ right to left pattern rapid fire return mode. Also, be careful when installing the tool, the sprinkler has a few delicate parts.

This tool is easy to print, requires a small quantity of filament (3g / 1.02m with a skirt), and is easy to install & remove. No supports or print bed adhesion is necessary (though I used a skirt because I forgot to turn off that setting). See the photos for the exact position of the tool. Note: to get better photos, most were taken with the sprinkler cover/cap removed.

I designed this tool because I have multiple sprinklers on the same watering station/bank and which overlap each other in their coverage patterns. When I am adjusting one sprinkler with the water going, I get hit over and over by one or more of the other sprinklers. I used to place a garbage can over those cans that I needed to block, which would cause the area inside the can to get super soaked. Then, I thought that I could possibly design a solution that would temporarily stop the rotation, but still distribute the water somewhat (at least in a straight line). This is what I came up with.

NOTE: check out Rain Bird's website for a digital owner's manual, which has addition helpful information, including the proper spring tension adjustment/position for the color of nozzle that you are using -- I learned that all of my sprinklers had the wrong spring tension position because they come from the manufacturer with the blue nozzle, but the spring position is factory set for the yellow and beige nozzles. :|

Category: Outdoor & Garden