1) The little screws on top of your nozzles should be left in the full “Open” position. All on-off and flow control is done through the LittleValve.

2) NOTE: Little Tuffys are sensitive to fine, silty soil. They come with bio-degradable corks to keep small soil particles out of the wiper seal area. Keep corks in stem area during installation, turn on water and let corks be knocked off. Be sure your installation is relatively clean and make sure the top of the Little Tuffy is level or slightly above the surrounding soil level. If any sprinklers do not retract after turning off the water, manually pull the stems up and down a few times to dislodge small particles from the wiper seal area. In most cases, this should end any ‘sticking-up’ problems providing you with years of trouble-free operation. In rare cases, removal and cleaning of the stem and wiper seal and flushing of the body may be required.

3) Do not crank down on the LittleValve screw; this may damage the part. LittleValves shut down between 96% to 99%. Do not expect 100% shut-off. The objectives are to remove nozzles without shutting down the whole system and control distance of the spray.

4) For maximum water efficiency, use only 15’ or 17’ fixed-spray nozzles. These can be reduced down to a 5’-6’ radius without closing down nor distorting the spray. For micro-spray application 2’ to 6’, use Rain Bird’s 8-foot FLAT nozzle, not the regular 8-foot radius nozzle.

5) Side strip nozzles are greatly enhanced with the control you have over them with LittleValves. Side strips and center strips can now be taken down to 2’ – 3’ left and right. In most cases, we recommend Hunter’s SS530 side strip to ensure sufficient water flow out in front of nozzle.

6) For drip application, use Rain Bird’s 18’ VAN brought down to no less than 6 inches or Hunter’s 10’ VAN down to 12 inches. To water two plants at the same time, use 5-foot center strips, (5 CST-B.)  Also, stream bubblers provide excellent low-flow, water-saving options.

7) When reducing the spray radius to less than 6 feet, we strongly urge you to insert an LVA (Low Volume Application) filter screen UNDER the LittleValve in your Little Tuffy sprinkler to protect the LittleValve area from dirt and debris.

8) Little Tuffys use only Female nozzles. Other nozzles that work effectively with Little Tuffys are 9’ X 16’ side strips and left and right corner strips. Use any size VAN you want except for drip application. If you get misting, increase the size of the VAN.

9) The LittleValves in Little Tuffy sprinklers are shipped in the closed position. After flushing each head, close the LittleValve to insert filter screen and attach nozzle. Then keep it closed to conserve water and keep your jobs drier. We suggest you make final adjustments after planting is completed.

10) Little Tuffys do not need flush caps as the stems stay in the ‘UP’ position with or without the nozzle on. Nozzling up your sprinklers can be done by just one person and with the irrigation valve opened all the way. You can leave the corks on the ground or bury them with the sprinkler as they will disintegrate.

11) Pressure regulation is never necessary with Little Tuffy sprinklers or with any LittleValve parts, because every LittleValve product is a pressure-regulating sprinkler or sprinkler part. Therefore, pressure-regulating stems, PC Screens and PCD’s are eliminated. Pressure-regulating valves installed to reduce misting are not needed either.

12) Little Tuffy wiper seals are easily replaceable. They can be purchased inexpensively in bags of 4 when needed. Caps are also replaceable. Little Tuffys can be purchased with purple caps for use with reclaimed water.

13) When flushing Little Tuffy sprinklers, remember: you control the amount of water that is allowed to exit the head. Do not waste water. You can flush with just a couple cups of water, not the gallons you have been using in the past.

14) Occasional leaking may occur around the LittleValve screw on the side of the pop-up riser stem. If the leakage is insignificant and confined to running down the riser stem, we do not reject the sprinkler.