Installation Guide
Swing Pipe Installation Tips
Swing pipe is exible tubing made from
high quality polyethylene that is used
to connect pop-up spray heads and
rotors to PVC and poly pipe lateral lines
in an irrigation system. Swing pipe can
be eectively used in areas where the
space is conned or restricted due to the
placement of water meters, utility boxes
or hardscaping which can not be moved
prior to irrigation installation. The exibility
and kink-resistance of the Rain Bird® swing
pipe makes a dicult installation quick and
easy. Even in wet and muddy conditions,
the surface texture of our swing pipe is easy
to grip. Use Rain Bird’s swing pipe and the
following installation tips the next time you
install an irrigation system.
Application
Swing pipe is used to connect spray •
heads and rotors (up to 10 gallons per
minute) to lateral irrigation lines. Used
with Rain Bird’s spiral barb ttings, the
installation of sprinkler heads and rotors
is quick and easy.
Swing pipe is made of high quality •
polyethylene. If installed above ground
UVA and UVB sun rays will not degrade
the product.
Use swing pipe in heavily tracked areas. •
It allows the head to move under the
weight of an object without transferring
the impact of this force to hard-line PVC
pipes, poly pipe or ttings. Use in areas
where humans, golf carts, lawn mowers,
bicycles or the use of other heavy
equipment might be common.
Landscape Design
Considerations
You can easily download design •
specications from the Rain Bird website
into original irrigation design.
When designing head placement, be •
sure to allow for the oset of the head
due to the swing pipe length. Maintain
correct distance between heads for head
to head coverage.
Tools and
Complementary Product
No special tools needed — only a shovel •
and a sharp knife or pipe cutter to adjust
pipe length.
Spiral barb ttings (½" and ¾") are a •
complement to swing pipe. No glue or
primer is needed to secure the ttings.
Teon tape applied to tting threads is
optional. Do not use pipe dope of any
kind on ttings.
Installation
Dig a trench in accordance with the plan. •
At head locations remember to allow for
placement of swing pipe and head.
Place lateral pipe into trench, measure •
the distances between the heads as
indicated on the original design. Lay out
swing pipe from head back to the point
of lateral pipe connection (saddle tee,
PVC, or poly tting). Cut swing pipe and
install in trench. Design calculations for
pressure loss should be considered when
using lengths longer than 36 inches. PVC
or poly tee, or elbow, should be at a 90º
angle to the nished grade.
If you are working in an area where it is •
dicult to maneuver a vibratory plough
or a machine to trench in the lateral, plan
to run the lateral as close to hardscape as
the equipment permits and swing pipe
the remaining distance.
Insert spiral barb ttings into each end •
of the pipe. Fittings are equipped with
barbs that securely grab the inside wall of
the swing pipe.
In cold climates, ttings are easier to •
install if the swing pipe is warm. Set the
pipe in the sun, on concrete or asphalt, to
soften the pipe. The use of a torch is not
recommended. Extreme heat damages
the swing pipe — breaking down its
chemical structure.
If you elect to use Teon tape, apply it •
to the spiral barb tting. Screw the
spiral barb tting into the PVC/poly
pipe and the other into the sprinkler
head base. Place swing pipe and head
in trench and place clean backll under
and around head, compacting soil and
leveling the top of the sprinkler head
with nish grade.
Make sure the head is placed correctly •
(i.e. slightly higher than the lateral pipe).
This conguration allows drainage from
the head to the lateral to protect against
freeze damage during cold weather.
Measure distance to the next head and •
repeat installation process.
Servicing and Maintenance
Since swing pipe is exible and easily •
adjusted, it saves you time when
repairing a damaged head, or re-leveling
a spray head. The service cost per head is
greatly reduced.
Swing pipe simplies the installation of •
additional spray heads or their relocation.
Determine where you would like the
head located, dig your trench, insert
the spiral barb ttings into the pipe and
attach it to the lateral and spray head.
Rain Bird Corporation
6991 East Southpoint Road, Tucson, AZ 85706, USA
Phone: (520) 741-6100 Fax: (520) 741-6522
www.rainbird.com
The Intelligent Use of Water™ — Visit www.rainbird.com to learn more about our efforts.
®
Registered Trademark of Rain Bird Corporation
© 2008 Rain Bird Corporation 5/08
These tips were created with help from the
following people:
Stephanie Pollard, Pure Integrated
John Gary, Southwest Mirage