Irrigation Products area of interest:
- Home
- Battery & AC Controllers
- Starter Kits
- Head Assembly
- Retrofits Drip & Accessories
- Drip Tubing & Micro Tubing
- Drip Line, Drip-Soaker Hose & Drip Tape
- Drip Emitters
- Microsprinklers & Spray Jets
- Foggers & Misters
- Drip Fittings
- Accessories
- Cooling Mist Kits & Accessories
Installation Instructions
When installing a micro irrigation system, there are various start-up options, layouts and configurations. Choose the option that best suits the needs of the landscape.
Install a 3/4" PVC pipe below grade from the controller or in-line valve to the area to be watered. Connect the PVC pipe to the in-line valve or to the battery operated controller. In each area to be watered add a 3/4" PVC tee (3/4" slip x 1/2" FNPT), and to the tee add a 6-8" 1/2" riser. To the riser add a #63 conversion elbow, and then a #18 swivel adapter or #22 swivel tee. Attach the 1/2" poly tubing or Earthline Brown PC™ Dripline, and secure all 1/2" poly tubing and dripline to the ground using #60 holder stakes. Add drippers or micro sprinklers as needed to the 1/2" poly tubing or use 1/4" micro tubing as the feederline to the plants and add the drippers at the end of the micro tubing.
If the installation requires crossing under a concrete walk or driveway, first dig two holes on opposite sides of the walkway. Next, connect 3-5' of 3/4" PVC pipe to a garden hose, using #7 hose to pipe thread adapter and a 3/4" PVC FNPT x slip. Then turn on the water and begin forcing it through the soil. Be careful to avoid damage to the concrete walk or driveway. When the end of the pipe reaches the other side, turn off the water and cut the pipe so the hose and fittings can be removed. Now use the 3-5' PVC pipe as a sleeve and push the polytube through the pipe until it appears on the other side.
Once the 1/2" poly tubing has been installed, then the 1/4" micro tubing can be connected. First attach the micro tubing to the 1/4" barb or 1/4" tee, then use the #52 punch to make a hole in the 1/2" poly tubing. Insert the barb or tee into the hole. Install a dripper or micro sprayer at the end of the micro tubing and use it as a feederline to reach remote plants or clusters of plants that are away from the main 1/2" poly tubing.
To connect 2 pieces of 1/2" poly tubing use compression fittings. Hold the fitting in one hand and the tubing in the other and force the tubing into the fitting by "walking" or "wiggeling" it into the fitting. Installation is complete when 1/2-3/4" of the tubing is inside the fitting.
To connect various sizes of 1/2" poly tubing with different ODs, use our reducer #14 coupling for TORO BLUE STRIPE™ and #15 for RAINDRIP™ or use Universal Nut Lock™ fittings #73 coupling, #74 tee and #75 elbow to connect any size of 1/2" tubing. Removing the nut and insert it over the poly tubing (any brand name). Insert the barb side of the nut lock into the ID side of the poly tubing, and insert the other side of the barb into the nut lock housing. Then thread the nut lock to secure.
Barb fittings are most often used to connect 1/4" micro tubing into 1/2" poly tubing. They are also used to connect two ends of 1/4" micro tubing. Insert the barb into the end of the 1/4" micro tubing by forcing the micro tubing over the 1/4" barb. To connect micro tubing to 1/2" poly tubing, first attach the micro tubing to a barb. Second, punch a hole in the poly tubing. Last, push the side of the barb without micro tubing into the hole.
To use the basic punch, hold the poly tubing in one hand. Hold the punch in the free hand and use it to apply pressure to the poly tubing. At the same time rotate the punch back and forth creating a hole in the poly tubing. To use the large deluxe punch, first insert the poly tubing into the punch. Then press the handle down to punch a hole.
When plants are close to the mainline install emitters directly into 1/2" poly tubing. Punch a hole in the 1/2" poly tubing. Snap the barb side of the dripper into the poly tubing. Make sure that the minimum spacing between the drippers is not less than 10".
The second method is used for plants that are far away from the 1/2" poly tubing, in a container or for foggers on mist lines. First measure a length of micro tubing from the mainline to the plant. Cut micro tubing and attach a barb to one end of micro tubing. Insert the barb into the 1/2" poly tubing mainline. Insert an emitter into the opposite end of the micro tubing and place close to the plant. Secure the dripper using a #57 or #67 micro tubing holder stake.
Head Assembly Installation
All properly designed drip systems begin with what is called the "head assembly". This consists of three vital components: a control valve (manual or automatic), a filter, and a pressure regulator. This assembly can be attached to a faucet, anti-siphon valve, in-line valve, or sprinkler riser.Option 1:
BEGIN THE INSTALLATION BY CONNECTING TO AN OUTDOOR FAUCET
First attach the Option 2:
BEGIN THE INSTALLATION CONNECTING TO AN EXISTING MAINLINE
DIG provides several different types of automatic control valves; each one is designed for the low-flow hydraulic needs of drip systems. If the design calls for more than one control valve, use the same type for each zone. This may involve building a manifold with a series of tees branching off to each valve. Always end the manifold with a PVC cap to make future valve additions easier. Choose either in-line battery operated valves (
Use controller model 
Use DIG model 
Use DIG model Option 3:
BEGIN THE INSTALLATION BY RETROFITTING AN EXISTING 1/2" RISER
Install a drip system on an existing 1/2" riser by first unscrewing the sprinkler head from the riser and then attach the Choosing Lateral Layout Installation
INSTALLATION METHOD USING POLY TUBING AS THE MAIN LATERAL:
Install the 1/2" poly tubing above or below grade from the hose end, in-line controller, or in-line valve to the area to be watered. Use #19 1/2" tees and #20 elbows where needed. From the tee or elbow extend additional poly tubing to the plant area. Secure all 1/2" poly tubing to the ground using #60 holder stakes. Use 1/4" micro tubing as the feederline and add drippers as needed.INSTALLATION METHOD USING A PVC PIPE AS THE MAIN LATERIAL:
Install a 3/4" PVC pipe below grade from the controller or in-line valve to the area to be watered. Connect the PVC pipe to the in-line valve or to the battery operated controller. In each area to be watered add a 3/4" PVC tee (3/4" slip x 1/2" FNPT), and to the tee add a 6-8" 1/2" riser. To the riser add a #63 conversion elbow, and then a #18 swivel adapter or #22 swivel tee. Attach the 1/2" poly tubing or Earthline Brown PC™ Dripline, and secure all 1/2" poly tubing and dripline to the ground using #60 holder stakes. Add drippers or micro sprinklers as needed to the 1/2" poly tubing or use 1/4" micro tubing as the feederline to the plants and add the drippers at the end of the micro tubing.
1/2" POLY TUBING AND 1/4" MICRO TUBING INSTALLATION:
Unroll the 1/2" poly tubing and lay it out in direct sunlight to warm it up and make it easier to work with. Use #60 stakes to secure the poly tubing to the ground. If the polytube is to be installed below grade, dig trenches 6-8" deep to keep the poly tubing a safe distance from cultivation practices. Leave the end of the poly tubing above the surface for periodic flushing.If the installation requires crossing under a concrete walk or driveway, first dig two holes on opposite sides of the walkway. Next, connect 3-5' of 3/4" PVC pipe to a garden hose, using #7 hose to pipe thread adapter and a 3/4" PVC FNPT x slip. Then turn on the water and begin forcing it through the soil. Be careful to avoid damage to the concrete walk or driveway. When the end of the pipe reaches the other side, turn off the water and cut the pipe so the hose and fittings can be removed. Now use the 3-5' PVC pipe as a sleeve and push the polytube through the pipe until it appears on the other side.
Once the 1/2" poly tubing has been installed, then the 1/4" micro tubing can be connected. First attach the micro tubing to the 1/4" barb or 1/4" tee, then use the #52 punch to make a hole in the 1/2" poly tubing. Insert the barb or tee into the hole. Install a dripper or micro sprayer at the end of the micro tubing and use it as a feederline to reach remote plants or clusters of plants that are away from the main 1/2" poly tubing.
COMPRESSION FITTING INSTALLATION:
To connect 2 pieces of 1/2" poly tubing use compression fittings. Hold the fitting in one hand and the tubing in the other and force the tubing into the fitting by "walking" or "wiggeling" it into the fitting. Installation is complete when 1/2-3/4" of the tubing is inside the fitting.
To connect various sizes of 1/2" poly tubing with different ODs, use our reducer #14 coupling for TORO BLUE STRIPE™ and #15 for RAINDRIP™ or use Universal Nut Lock™ fittings #73 coupling, #74 tee and #75 elbow to connect any size of 1/2" tubing. Removing the nut and insert it over the poly tubing (any brand name). Insert the barb side of the nut lock into the ID side of the poly tubing, and insert the other side of the barb into the nut lock housing. Then thread the nut lock to secure.
BARB FITTING INSTALLATION:
Barb fittings are most often used to connect 1/4" micro tubing into 1/2" poly tubing. They are also used to connect two ends of 1/4" micro tubing. Insert the barb into the end of the 1/4" micro tubing by forcing the micro tubing over the 1/4" barb. To connect micro tubing to 1/2" poly tubing, first attach the micro tubing to a barb. Second, punch a hole in the poly tubing. Last, push the side of the barb without micro tubing into the hole.
USING THE PUNCH TOOLS:
DIG offers two different punches used to "punch" the holes in poly tubing for the installation of emitters, micro tubing, etc. Both are easy to use. When installing a small number of drip emitters, use the #52 basic punch. For a large number of emitters and for ease of installation, use the #51 deluxe punch that offers leverage and more accuracy.To use the basic punch, hold the poly tubing in one hand. Hold the punch in the free hand and use it to apply pressure to the poly tubing. At the same time rotate the punch back and forth creating a hole in the poly tubing. To use the large deluxe punch, first insert the poly tubing into the punch. Then press the handle down to punch a hole.
Drip Emitter Installation
The drip emitters are installed using one of the two methods; either directly in the poly tubing or at the end of micro tubing.DIRECTLY INTO POLY TUBING:
When plants are close to the mainline install emitters directly into 1/2" poly tubing. Punch a hole in the 1/2" poly tubing. Snap the barb side of the dripper into the poly tubing. Make sure that the minimum spacing between the drippers is not less than 10".
AT END OF MICRO TUBING:
The second method is used for plants that are far away from the 1/2" poly tubing, in a container or for foggers on mist lines. First measure a length of micro tubing from the mainline to the plant. Cut micro tubing and attach a barb to one end of micro tubing. Insert the barb into the 1/2" poly tubing mainline. Insert an emitter into the opposite end of the micro tubing and place close to the plant. Secure the dripper using a #57 or #67 micro tubing holder stake.
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