How to Adjust Metal Ratcheting Sprinklers

Metal ratcheting sprinklers, also known as pulsating sprinklers, have multiple adjustments for many watering needs. Whether you are trying to keep your lawn green or creating a water play area for the kids, you can set a metal ratcheting sprinkler to perform just the way you want it to. You can adjust ratcheting sprinklers for the type of spray, for how far the spray goes and for how many degrees the spray rotates. Some sprinklers come with special tools for making adjustments, while others you adjust by hand or with a screwdriver.

Garden hose and water supply
Screwdriver or adjustment tool

Instructions

- 1
  Attach the sprinkler body to a garden hose while the water is off. Firmly shove the spike into the ground, as far as it can go or until it hits the hose connection.
- 2
  Turn the water on to check the current adjustment of the sprinkler. Turn it off to start making adjustments.
- 3
  Adjust the water volume. Using a screwdriver or an adjustment tool, twist the vertical screw behind the sprinkler arm to control water volume. Turning it to the left widens the path and allows more water to flow. Turning the screw to the right tightens the radius, restricting water flow.
- 4
  Adjust the distance the water is thrown. There is a metal flap in front of the nozzle on the sprinkler. Lowering this flap decreases the distance the water will throw, while raising it increases the distance the water will reach.
- 5
  Adjust the rotation of the sprinkler. Many ratcheting sprinklers have two metal rings with handles. These are trip collars. The bottom of the sprinkler head has a pin on it, known as the trip pin. Depending on where the collars are set, the trip pin ratchets between the collars. Raise the trip pin all the way up to allow a full 360 degrees of rotation.

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