Customer Reviews

Nelson 50940 Multi-Pattern Spray Oscillating Sprinkler with Auto Shut-Off and 3750-Square Feet Coverage, Metal with Wheels

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I purchased the Nelson Multi Pattern Sprinkler a couple of months ago. Very sturdy, well built, love the built in timer, but if you have low water pressure, don't buy this. Since it is the water that propels the sprinkler, this one is too heavy. I could hardly get 5 feet of coverage. The cheaper sprinklers work better with lower water pressure since they're lighter and don't require much to get it moving. Great idea in a sprinkler, but useless if the water pressure isn't great.

I bought this sprinkler because I have a perfectly rectangular backyard, and thought I could save some water based on the coverage listed for this item over my in-ground irrigation system. I was extremely disappointed by the output of the sprinkler. Even with over 80 psi of water pressure I must move it 4 times to cover the yard completely. If it actually covered the area it claims to I should be able to water half my yard at once. It does seem sturdy, but the stops were hard to set up and are not acurrate. Also, this item comes with no instructions what so ever, so plan on figuring out how to set it up for use yourself.

This is a great sprinkler. We liked it so much, we ordered another just like it. The sprinkler puts out a large area of water and is not affected by the wind, like other oscilating sprinklers.

I have purchased this sprinkler several times over many years. It is the ONLY sprinkler I have found that will cover my shared half of lawn between my home and my neighbor's home, a 16-foot-wide swath that is 60 feet in length.

My neighbor, of course, has an underground system for his 8-foot strip. I don't have a husband to tinker with toys like that.

When purchasing this, it must be considered that in in order to get such a long cast, the arc will be rather high, and water pressure must be decent (of course). For people with low water pressure, only low-to-the-ground types will EVER work. Not even a Rainbird will give a long enough cast if water pressure is low.

For a long-casting sprinkler to be effective, it is best to water when there is absolute stillness. For any long-cast sprinklers (like this one, or a Rainbird), I use programmable timers so they go after sundown when the breeze has dropped. This is necessary where I live anyway (Florida), because we are often assigned ONLY ONE day a week, and certain hours of that day, or suffer fines.

The only other options for narrow strips is either a small circular sprinkler pulled, or one that travels the line. A sprinkler that travels the line is terribly inconvenient, because those must be set out manually for that one day, then manually taken back up for that week's mowing. Again, living in Florida means year-round watering, and weekly (sometimes more often) mowing.

Having to set only ONE sprinkler, ONE time, with very little hose hassle, is a great convenience. I always keep 2 of these in perfect working condition (for each side of my house) so that I am not tied to lawn watering on my assigned day.

A disadvantage to this sprinkler is the plastic moving mechanism. It corrodes, and unlike a metal sprinkler, you can't disassemble it to soak in vinegar. So, if used at least weekly, year-round, it won't survive but 2-3 years. I have to say, though, in the decades of lawn-watering that I've done in Florida, there simply is NO moving mechanism, even the metal ones, that survive. I witness my neighbor "watering the street" frequently with defective system heads, and then he has the lovely task of digging them up for repair. In any mechanical system, replacement costs must be factored.

When replacement costs are considered for this product, I still give it a 5-star. There simply is NO other sprinkler on the market that will do a long, narrow strip in just ONE setting.

Nelson Multi-Pattern Spray Oscillating Sprinkler with Auto Shut-Off and 3,750 Square-Foot Coverage, Metal with Wheels #50940

The unit drowned my garden when it failed to oscillate and shut down. It started off oscillating but failed and locked up, and did not time out. I did not pay attention until a day later when I found the unit still on. Also the unit leaks excessively at the oscillating junction. The unit does not come with operating instructions. Connecting to another water supply failed to make any change. On the plus side I contacted Nelson and the lady is to ship me a replacement unit.

Anyone seeking a durable (made of steel) timer sprinkler this is the one to purchase. My old one broke after several years of use and I just replaced it with the same Nelson Metal sprinkler. It cost a little more but it is so worth the extra few dollars. Put the timer on and go about my other business. This is a water saver for sure! and a very dependable product!

We bought this thinking it would be a great for our new lawn, wrong in the end. It worked well for the first season, then it was all down hill. To its credit, the timer and adjustability are nice. It worked well, didn't throw water nearly as far as hoped in full spray, but still was good. After we stored it for the first winter, it went downhill. Once removed from the garage, it caused continuous problems. The small holes the water sprayed from were clogged with little bits of corroded pieces from the inside of the sprinkler. We have city water and it is not hard, none of the other water implements we have had any problems with clogging. It started leaking where the rotating bar meets the timer area. It was a minor leak at first, and then worked its way to a full outpouring of water, half the water exiting that spot and rest exiting from the watering nozzles. We wrote Nelson custome service, and we neve heard a response. I was shocked to pay $40 plus for a sprinkler and have it fail miserably after one season and have no response from a company that it going to charge $40+ for their watering products. No thanks.

I have multiple units of this sprinkler, and they ALL leak excessively at the hose junction. There is nothing that can be done, because it isn't in the threads, it's behind them in the unit. Frustrating, because otherwise a good sprinkler. Finding a good timed sprinkler is hard. Can't live without the timer.

I bought my unit last year. It worked great until about a week ago. It stopped oscillating while I was in the house and I came out to find it oscillating about a 1/2", soaking one area. I had it set for full range. I would nudge it and it would work for a while, then stop again. No change in water pressure during that time.
What to do?

The auto shut-off feature is great, works very well. The oscillating sprinkler covers a wide range and is easy to use.