System Start Up
WARNING! Never stand or lean over the sprinkler while the irrigation system is being filled, during manual or
automatic operation or when performing sprinkler service procedures. Direct contact with irrigation spray, a failed
or improperly installed sprinkler connection or sprinkler components forcibly ejected upward under pressure can cause
serious injury.
The following is a recommended procedure that will protect system components during system start-up. The procedure
is based on a velocity fill rate of less than 2' (.61 m) per second. See Table 3 below.
Step 1 – Use a jockey pump only to fill the system at a velocity fill rate of less than 2' (0.61 m) per second.
CAUTION: Failure to comply with recommended fill rate will increase line pressure resulting in a water
hammer effect that could damage sprinklers and piping components. See Warning above.
Step 2 – Use quick coupler keys at all tees and greens with quick coupler valves to bleed air from the system
lines during the filling process. For best results, do not compress air and then relieve it – bleed the air
continuously while filling the system.
Step 3 – After water has filled all lines and all air is removed, remove the quick coupler keys.
Recommended System Fill Rate
Pipe Size
Flow
Velocity
Pipe Size
Flow
Velocity
in. cm
GPM LPM ft/sec m/sec in. cm
GPM LPM ft/sec m/sec
1/2 1.3
2 7.6 1.60 0.49 3 7.6 45 170.3 1.86 0.57
3/4 1.9 3 11.4 1.92 0.59 4 10.1 75 283.9 1.87 0.57
1 2.5 5 18.9 1.50 0.46 6 15.2 150
567.8 1.73 0.53
1-1/4 3.1 10 37.9 1.86 0.57 8 20.2 250 946.3 1.70 0.52
1-1/2 3.8 10 37.9 1.41 0.43 10 25.4 450
1703.0 1.97 0.60
2 5.0 20 75.7 1.80 0.55 12 30.5 500
1893.0 1.55 0.47
2-1/2 6.4
30 113.6 1.84 0.56
Winterization
Winterizing the irrigation system is required in freezing climates to prevent damage from water expansion when it
freezes. Following are three key points for successfully winterizing the system, however, Toro provides a complete
“Winterization and Pressurization Guide” (P/N 373-0849) that is available from your local Toro Distributor.
•
Open low point drains, vent high points and allow the system to drain naturally several days prior to using
compressed air.
•
Attach compressor to the highest point possible and use the compressed air to force remaining water out of the
low points and close vents and drains working from high points to low points when clear air is observed.
•
Regulate compressed air to 50 psi and cycle each sprinkler ONCE until clear.
