Sprinkler Collection

[paulg]

Sunbeam

Sunbeam sprinklers and mowers were very popular around Chicago when I was a kid in the 1960s and 1970s. Then again, it seems that a third of nearby Berwyn worked for Sunbeam. I'm rebuilding a small Sunbeam mower right now. Never can have enough mowers! LOL.

 

[jons1077]

Paul

Very cool!!! I had to obsessions as a kid growing up...washing machines and sprinklers. I'm afraid I may never get enough of them either. We had a Wizard lawn mower when I was a kid. I remember that thing being so heavy for me and since I loved watering the yard, the grass was always very thick!!!

 

[frontaloadotmy]

Sunbeam K3 Automatic Rain King

Hi Jon, For some reason not long (something you posted, no
doubt) after you joined I checked your profile and was intrigued and pleased to see your mention of collecting
sprinklers. Of course, I collect just about anything, and
especially if it reminds me of when I was between 6 or 7 - 12.
The Grandparent Years!!! I remember my Grands got one of these
new when they built their last house in 1959. Anything with a
"dial" adjustment works for me!!! I also have a Nelson from
2000 or 2001, looks the same but no smart "Tear Drop" marketing by then.

 

[frontaloadotmy]

Sunbeam A R K no 2

Got this from a neighbors estate sale 5 years ago, it was still occasionally in use. The original connector was
obviously retrofixed. I'm sure it did some drenching in its
day!!!

 

[jons1077]

Rain King

frontload,

I remember our next door neighbor from when I was a kid had one of the K-3's. I agree...the dial always intrigued me as well. Pulsating sprinklers were by far my favorite though. I had really cool parents who would give in and buy sprinklers for me as I was growing up. I think by the time I was well into high school I must have had over 30 sprinklers of various types. Unfortunately, with us moving so many times and eventually me moving out many of them were destroyed or lost.

 

[frontaloadotmy]

thats a shame to loose much of your collection

But you have some very nice "rain birds".

 

[red_october]

Ah, Rain Birds. That's quality.

My dad still has an old Rain Bird; it's a light green color, matte finish, with two large, smooth black wheels. The head has been replaced a few times but its original one was a dark grey-brown, probably tarnished brass. Not sure when he bought it but it's at least as old as I am, and probably older. My guess is it dates from the 70s. Due to its quality it's regarded as a regular use thing and not an antique at all, although it probably is.

 

[jons1077]

Rain Birds

...were always my particular favorite. I don't know why. They had this kind of mean look to them.

 

[appnut]

Those rotary sprinklers were my most favorite.

 

[tlee618]

Jon I remember you telling me about your sprinkler collection in Tucson. Thanks so much for posting the pictures, these are just fantastic. Terry

 

[jons1077]

Thanks guys! I'm glad you like! I'm just glad I can share something with the club until I finally have my house and some washers!

 

[powerfin64]

Jon! we have to talk!

I too, have a LARGE sprinkler collection! all kinds of rainbirds, Rainkings, TRAVELING Rainkings, Tractors(the ones the follow the hose. The old metal Heart shaped with the spinner in the middle(those are my favorite and HARD to find!)Tall, short, plastic, metal, I have ALOT of sprinklers( and I use a good portion of them too.)
Im SOO glad Im not the only one with a sprinkler and washer hobbie!
contact me please!

Rich

 

[whirlcool]

I remember those Sunbeam sprinkers as well. Very popular, I remember seeing those as early as 1962 or so.

I am so tired of moving sprinklers, sprinklers that flip over when the water is turned on, etc. I found out that it is not all that expensive to have a sprinkler system installed. I got a quote the other day for about $1100. We may do it.

 

[jons1077]

powerfin,

WOW! Sounds like you have a ton of stuff! I don't have very many many right now because I have such a small place and not even a yard to water! That'll change soon though thank goodness.

whirlcool,

sprinkler systems are very nice to have but it can still be fun to pull out an old favorite and sip your tea in the lawn chair while you watch it.

Jon

 

[powerfin64]

AMEN to that! I watch my sprinklers all the time!

Rich

 

[jons1077]

hehe...I guess once we get to Portland we'll have to have a "Water-In" and a "Wash-In"! And call me strange, but I'm one of those people that like to wonder what it was like years before I was born. I will probably throw a load of clothes in the Westinghouse top-loader, water the grass with a 1974 Rainbird, and put on a top record artist from that time. Would be cool to have all of those sounds together like it would have been before.

 

[veg-o-matic]

Ooooh, loves me that Sunbeam! (Jon's, not Smoofy's. Because, I mean, really...)

veg

 

[jons1077]

LOL Thanks!

 

[rp2813]

I've wanted to find one of those old K3 types for a long time. We never had one, but neighbors did when I was growing up and I too was intrigued by the dial and the power those things had.

Growing up we had a 50's "Everain" (I think?) oscillator, probably one of the earliest types, very plain and basic, and it did a better job than later models. I don't know what happened to it but it was used well into the 70's.

The home I own has no piped-in sprinkler system and I've been using a Nelson "Pattern Master" rainbird type and it does a great job without a lot of overspray onto the sidewalk so people can walk by without getting wet. For being made entirely of plastic it has held up well for over 15 years. I have a spare pattern ring for it that has never been used.

I also have an interest in old sprinkler heads from piped-in systems. My parents' house was built in the 20's and had many old heads. I saved those that didn't break during removal but I think my dad may have tossed them all after I moved out of the house.

I'm considering a piped-in system for my front lawn. During the summer it becomes a real chore to drag out the hose reel and set up the Pattern Master. If anyone has suggestions for the best type of sprinkler heads for good coverage, I'd be interested in hearing from you.

Ralph

 

[jons1077]

Ralph,

I guess it depends alot on the size of your lawn and shapes, etc. My parents have a smaller yard and had a system installed. It just uses the basic pop-up spray heads by Toro. Anything bigger you'd probably be looking at gear-drive sprinkler heads (work well for large yards, but low water pressure) or pulsating heads. There is alot of literature you can read online about this stuff too.

Jon