IRRIGATION Quality vs. Quantity
Anytime technicians are tearing into the ground, tools of all shapes, sizes and uses will take a beating. Likewise, it’s not unusual to accidentally bury a screwdriver or set of wire cutters while refilling a valve-box hole. So, this prompts the question of whether to invest in quality or quantity
when it comes to tool replacement. Nearly overwhelmingly, irrigation contractors say they will spend the extra money on quality
tools. “This question of quality vs. quantity has really evolved in this industry for the better,” says Mark Dzierzbicki, president of Controlled Irrigation and Backflow Inc., Highland, Indiana. “You spend $3 when you should have spent $30 on a particular tool and never considered the bad day you’ve created for the technician who’s in the middle of a service call when that cheap tool fails.” “You always buy the best product you can,” says John Castanoli, CIC, owner of Central Lawn Sprinklers
Inc., Elk Grove Village, Illinois. “When a tool fails on you, it’s a real problem, and you don’t want to hear at the end of the day that a broken tool was the reason a job didn’t get finished.” However, another school of thought says it’s more cost-effective not to overspend on everyday tools
constantly getting replaced. “It’s my experience that guys don’t lose the high-dollar items that they love because they really cherish these tools for their usability in the field,” says John Newlin, CIC, CIT, CLIA, owner of Cleveland-based Quality Sprinkling Systems Inc. “We rarely see those bigger, costlier items get broken, lost or stolen. So, it makes more sense to find the best deal on those screwdrivers and pliers you’re constantly replacing.”
Other requisite detection tools include quality under-
ground cable and valve locators. A high-frequency pulse allows technicians to trace hidden irrigation wires and con- nections whose locations have been forgotten and lost over time. Similarly, a valve locator transmits a signal along the wire to locate irrigation valves. Both tools are reasonably accurate at their jobs and, more importantly, avoid costly damage to the surrounding landscape from excessive prob- ing and prodding. “Tese tend to be expensive [tools],” Newlin says of the electric locators. “But when you need it, you need it. And you’re glad it’s with you.” Irrigation technicians need a fault finder nearby, as
well, says John Castanoli, CIC, owner of Central Lawn Sprinklers Inc., Elk Grove Village, Illinois. Tis electronic device senses the slightest nick or break in the insulated wire and alerts an irrigation technician to replace or re- pair it. “You don’t need them all of the time, but they are essential tools,” he adds.
Underground cable and valve locators can help avoid damage to the surrounding landscape during installation and maintenance. While they can be expensive, they can save time and money. Photo: Smitty’s Sprinkler Systems
“A lot of the [irrigation] controllers now have sophisti-
cated testing cycles built into them,” Castanoli says. “But if you’re doing two-wire work, then you need a milliamp clamp meter [to troubleshoot problems].” Technical innovations to old tools have made them
even more valuable to irrigation technicians. For example, with more reliable and longer-lasting rechargeable batter- ies, cordless power tools have found a lasting home with irrigation contractors. Unencumbered from power and extension cords, reciprocating saws more easily clear tree roots and cut pipes on-site. Likewise, cordless drills are more versatile for hanging irrigation controllers or pow- ering pumps, freeing technicians from having to first hunt for power sources. Speaking of pumps, both mechanically operated and
My service techs are all well versed on how to use YouTube out in the field. I advise them not to call me [with a technical issue] unless they’ve first sought the answer to their question on YouTube. – John Newlin, Quality Sprinkling Systems
An electric valve actuator is a vital detection tool for finding faulty irrigation valves. “It sends a pulse to the so- lenoid to activate [the valve] manually,” Smith says. “But it will also tell you if you have an open line or a short- ed line. So, it’s a good troubleshooting tool that tells the technician how the valves are operating or if they’re not.” If you’re servicing two-wire irrigation systems, then a milliamp clamp meter should be within arm’s reach, Castanoli says. Tis device measures the small pulses created by decoder activity on two-wire irrigation cir- cuits without undoing wire splices. Unlike conventional meters, clamp meters don’t have to be inserted into an electrical circuit to measure current. Instead, they conve- niently clamp over a wire.
24 Irrigation & Lighting March 2023
hand-cranked pumps rank high among the essential must- haves in an irrigation contractor’s equipment inventory. Many factors, from excessive rainfall to servicing locations below surrounding water tables, contribute to flooded trenches and valve boxes that must be drained before servicing. While pumps may not be required on every job, Smith says they are worth their weight in gold to technicians. “Tere’s nothing worse than bailing out a
valve box with a Big Gulp cup from your truck because you don’t have a pump on your truck,” he says. For many veteran irrigation contractors like Castanoli,
a well-stocked truck is the No. 1 tool a technician needs in the field. “I learned early on that going to the [irriga- tion] supply house to get what you need every day was a huge waste of time,” he says. “It’s important to have the truck stocked.” Tis includes an ample supply of repair couplings, re- ducing bushings, fittings, wire splices, wire nuts for wa- terproof connections and an array of solenoids that match the major irrigation brands. “A well-stocked truck holds everything you could need to complete that job on time,” says Mark Dzierzbicki, president of Controlled Irrigation
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