How We Put Our Products to the Test Before You Put Them to the Test

The commitment to product testing is one of the primary reasons why Hunter's reputation in the industry for performance and quality is so strong. But this commitment is also something that does not come cheaply, as creating an on-site test facility required a sizable investment by the Hunter family. In fact, when all was said and done, about three times more money had been spent on Hunter's testing equipment than by any of its competitors. But that was the value put on ensuring that the company's products would be the best they could be. And, that extra investment into the product development stage has no doubt paid huge dividends when the resulting products possess quality reputations that lead to increased sales.

You see, at some companies, the term "state-of-the-art" as it applies to a test room may mean nothing more than new catch cans; at Hunter, the term represents the entire approach to testing - procedures as well as equipment. Sophisticated technology plays a major role, as computers not only start, run and stop all equipment, but they also compile the information and analyze it through the latest available software programs. The findings can then be presented in a variety of formats, from linear graphs to pictorial models, in both imperial and metric formats.

Hunter's testing procedures are overseen by test supervisor Fred Danner. "The complete battery of tests we do are cost-prohibitive and too time-consuming to have done at outside facilities," he said. "But in a continuous effort to provide our customers with the very best products we can make, we have committed the resources to perform these tests here at our own facilities. We then send many of our products out to be re-tested and verified at the Center for Irrigation Technology in Fresno (California)."

These efforts have paid off, as Hunter has acquired a reputation for having the best spray patterns in the industry. Said Danner: "We think our superior testing facility and the information we gather there have had more than a little to do with that distinction."

What Does Hunter Test?

Hunter's electronically calibrated test facility offers the unique opportunity to test company products under a variety of circumstances prior to actual release of the goods. The test lab also has an outdoor location on site, where selected outdoor tests can be performed without the need to simulate conditions.

Here's a look at just some of the many different testing procedures that Hunter puts their products through:

Nozzle Distribution Testing

Because Hunter molds its own nozzles, constantly checks are done to make sure exacting tolerances are met and published performance charts are matched. Tests, at a variety of pressures and flow rates, supply information on any nozzle's Coefficient of Uniformity (CU), Distribution of Uniformity (DU), Scheduling Coefficient (SC) and Precipitation Rate (PR). This data can then be used to make improvements and adjustments to the molds, ensuring that all nozzles remain as close to the ideal as possible and provide even coverage once Hunter sprinklers are placed in the field.

Extreme Environment Testing

Places like the desert, the tropics and the tundra can be simulated in the lab to determine how a particular product will perform in a particular setting. Hunter engineers can thus conduct such research as UV testing (exposing products to 5 years of ultraviolet light in a period of just 78 days) and an alternating "heat and freeze" test to determine how the products respond to the ultimate in harsh conditions.

Winterization Testing

Because a great number of Hunter products ultimately face the need to be winterized, tests are performed that can duplicate the typical procedures involved in this annual change-of-season ritual - a surge test that pushes cycles of air through the line; and a burst test which sees the system plugged up, pumped up and blown up to determine the maximum recommended psi.

Long-term Durability Testing

This is analyzed by testing life wear (how the product stands up to virtually continuous operation) and life cycle (how a more frequent cycling pattern and its vigorous motions affect such mechanisms as riser seals, body caps, etc.).

Internal and External Sand Testing

The internal sand test looks at how contaminants added into the water supply affect the long-term operation of products; the external soil test buries the heads to check wiper seals and positive retraction in a wide array of soil types.

Field Testing

In addition to testing done on-site at Hunter, numerous products are field tested "on location" in a variety of different sites, in different conditions, throughout the world. The information gathered from field tests is valuable because it shows true-use applications, and takes advantage of direct customer feedback.

In addition, the Hunter test lab routinely runs such tests as pressure loss, check height, speed of rotation, opening speed, minimum operating pressure, pressure regulation, and static pressure. All told, it's a lot of testing that requires a lot of money to support...but Hunter's quality products depend on it.