Proper irrigation is essential for maintaining a healthy, green lawn, and the Rain Bird 5000 series sprinkler system is a popular choice among homeowners. These sprinklers are known for their durability, high performance, and adjustability, making them an ideal choice for various landscapes. In this article, we will explore how to adjust the Rain Bird 5000 sprinkler heads to ensure your lawn receives uniform watering.
The Rain Bird 5000 series offers various adjustments that can be made to customize your sprinkler system to fit your landscape’s specific needs. Knowing how to make these adjustments will not only promote optimal watering but also extend the life of your system. From adjusting the left stop to changing the spray pattern, these adjustments are simple and can be done with minimal tools.
Key Takeaways
Adjusting Rain Bird 5000 sprinkler heads promotes optimal watering for your lawn
Understanding the different adjustments helps maintain the life of your sprinkler system
Basic tools and knowledge are sufficient for most Rain Bird 5000 adjustments
Understanding the Rain Bird 5000

Features and Benefits
The Rain Bird 5000 is a high-quality underground sprinkler system designed for both residential and commercial applications. Some of the significant features and benefits include:
- Easy adjustment and fine-tuning
- Even water distribution **
- Durable, long-lasting components
Rain Curtain Nozzles
One major feature of the Rain Bird 5000 series is the Rain Curtain Nozzles which provide even watering across your landscaping. This ensures that your entire lawn or garden is effectively covered, reducing the need for additional watering.
Triple-Blade Wiper Seal
The Triple-Blade Wiper Seal is another essential feature. It maintains a tight seal between the sprinkler head and its body, preventing leaks and ensuring smooth retraction of the riser. This ensures your sprinkler system operates efficiently and with minimal water waste.
Self-Cleaning Adjustment Screw

The Rainbird 5000 also includes a Self-Cleaning Adjustment Screw. This feature helps keep the sprinkler head functioning properly by clearing debris from the adjustment screw while in use. This not only helps maintain accurate watering patterns but also extends the lifespan of your sprinkler system.
Retract Spring
Lastly, the Retract Spring ensures that the sprinkler riser retracts smoothly and consistently. This is important for maintaining the even distribution of water, preventing damage to your lawn or garden from excessive water pooling, and keeping your sprinkler system in good working condition.
When using a Rain Bird 5000, you can be confident that your lawn or garden is receiving the best care possible, thanks to the thoughtful and reliable design of this top-of-the-line sprinkler system.
Adjusting the Rain Bird 5000

Adjusting the Rain Bird 5000 series rotors is crucial for a healthy and well-maintained lawn. These professional and durable sprinklers will provide you with a reliable watering system when set up correctly. To adjust your Rain Bird 5000, follow these easy steps.
Adjusting the Starting Point and Range of Motion
Begin by locating the Left Stop or hard stop setting of the Rain Bird 5000. Rotate the top of the sprinkler head (turret) all the way to the right and then back to the left. When the turret stops on the left side, this is known as the hard stop.
Adjust the starting point of the sprinkler by using the indicator line on the turret to align with your desired starting point. Then turn the turret to the right so that it aligns with the right limit of the spray area.
Changing the Arc
The Rain Bird 5000 allows you to change the arc of the sprinkler head. For this, you’ll need the adjustment tool or a flathead screwdriver.
- Locate the arc adjustment socket on top of the rotor turret.
- Insert the adjustment tool or flathead screwdriver into the socket.
- Turn the tool clockwise to increase the arc or counterclockwise to decrease it.
Remember that the arc can be adjusted between 40 and 360 degrees.
Adjusting the Spray Pattern
Having a good spray pattern is essential for distributing water evenly throughout your lawn. To adjust the spray pattern, use pliers to gently grasp the nozzle tip.
- Turn the nozzle clockwise for a narrower spray pattern.
- Turn the nozzle counterclockwise for a wider spray pattern.
Adjusting the Radius
If you need to reduce or increase the range of your Rain Bird 5000, follow these steps:
- Use your adjustment key to unlock the rotor turret by inserting it into the radius adjustment slot.
- Insert the key into the slot while the sprinkler is running to see the coverage area.
- Turn the key clockwise to reduce the radius or counterclockwise to increase it.
Remember to re-lock the rotor turret after making any adjustments to the radius.
By following these guidelines and using the appropriate tools, your Rain Bird 5000 sprinkler system will keep your lawn looking healthy and well-maintained.
Maintaining Your Sprinkler System

Maintaining your sprinkler system is essential for a lush, green lawn and consistent watering. In this section, we will discuss three key aspects of maintenance: periodic inspections, cleaning the nozzles, and winterizing your irrigation system.
Periodic Inspections
Conduct regular inspections of your irrigation system to ensure its optimal performance. Checking for leaks, damaged sprinkler heads, and proper rotor alignment is crucial for even dispersal of water and maintaining your lawn’s quality.
- Inspect your system at least once a month during the watering season.
- Look for any signs of leaks, such as water pooling or an unusually wet area.
- Check the sprinkler heads for damage or malfunction.
Cleaning the Nozzles
Over time, debris can clog the nozzles of your sprinkler heads, affecting their performance and resulting in uneven water distribution. Follow these steps to clean the nozzles:
- Turn off the water supply to your irrigation system.
- Remove the nozzle from the sprinkler head using pliers or a similar tool.
- Carefully clean the nozzle with a soft brush or toothbrush to remove any debris.
- Reinstall the nozzle and test the sprinkler head to ensure proper functioning.
Winterizing Your Irrigation System
To protect your irrigation system from freezing temperatures, winterizing is necessary. This process helps prevent damage to your sprinkler heads and other components.
- Turn off the water supply to your irrigation system before the first freeze.
- Drain any remaining water from the pipes, valves, and sprinkler heads.
- Insulate your system’s backflow preventer and main shutoff valve to protect them from freezing.
By following these steps, you can maintain the efficiency and longevity of your irrigation system, ensuring a consistently lush and healthy lawn.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to set left and right stops?
To set the left stop, rotate the turret counterclockwise to the desired starting position. To set the right stop, rotate the turret clockwise to align with the fixed left edge. The sprinkler rotates automatically between these stops during normal operation.
Adjusting Rainbird spray?
To adjust the spray arc, insert a flat-blade screwdriver into the adjustment slot at the top of the rotor. Turn it clockwise to increase the arc or counterclockwise to decrease the arc.
Shorten left stop on 5000?
To shorten the left stop, rotate the turret counterclockwise until it reaches the desired position. You may need to adjust the right stop accordingly to maintain a consistent arc.
Change radius of spray?
To change the radius of spray, use a flat-blade screwdriver to adjust the radius adjustment screw located on the top of the rotor. Turn the screw clockwise to decrease the spray distance and counterclockwise to increase it.
Finding 5000 nozzle chart?
The Rainbird 5000 nozzle chart can be found on the Rain Bird website or in the product manual included with your rotors. The chart provides information about nozzle sizes, flow rates, and precipitation rates.
Using Rainbird tool?
The Rainbird tool is a specially designed tool for adjusting Rainbird sprinkler heads. This tool can be used for setting the left and right stops, adjusting the spray arc, and changing the radius of spray. It can be purchased from most hardware stores or online retailers.
Sprinkler Expert