Wide Selection of Nozzles Makes Hunter Rotors Capable of Handling Lower Pressures

Hunter rotors are capable of performing at lower than optimum pressure, as well or better than the competition’s rotors. Of course, the ideal operating pressure for most Hunter rotors is in the 40-60 PSI range (depending upon the particular type of rotor). These are the pressures for which our rotors were specifically designed to operate.

But we do realize that not every site where Hunter rotors are installed has that optimum pressure. That’s why our performance charts include data for “lower than” and “higher than” optimum PSI levels.

Optimum pressure for the PGJ is 40 PSI; for PGP® and I-20, it’s 50-60 PSI (depending upon the nozzle); and for I-60, it’s 50 PSI. But PGJ, PGP, and I-20 can all operate efficiently as low as 20-30 PSI. And I-60, which is a larger rotor, works well down to 40 PSI.

When matched with the appropriate nozzle from Hunter’s wide range of nozzle choices for each particular rotor product, it is possible to use a Hunter rotor under low pressure situations and get some of the best performance in the industry.

Is it the best performance possible from our rotors? Frankly, no…because, as we said, our rotors are designed to work best at optimum pressure. But it is a level of performance that is as good or better than any other rotors on the market.

If you are in a situation where low pressure seems to be affecting your system’s performance, we strongly recommend that you take into consideration your system’s design. Do you have too many heads on each valve? Are you using the proper size pipe? Chances are it is not the incoming pressure that is causing the low PSI, but rather the layout of the system itself.

An irrigation system can function reasonably well at low pressure, but nowhere near as well as it will at optimum pressure. Use the appropriate nozzle with a Hunter rotor at low pressure and you’ll get good performance. But, design your system right so that you have the correct incoming pressure, then use the right nozzle on a Hunter rotor and you’ll get great performance.