Hunter ST-1600 Synthetic Turf Irrigation System Kit Installation Guide
- June 2, 2024
- Hunter
Table of Contents
Hunter ST-1600 Synthetic Turf Irrigation System Kit
FIGURE COMPONENT QTY DESCRIPTION
- ST-1600-HS-B 1 High-speed pop-up, adjustable arc (40° to 360°), 2″ (50 mm) BSP inlet
- ST-243636-B 1 Composite vault, the precast hole for the rotor, and two quick-access ports for quick coupler and remote on-off-auto selector switch
- ST-BKT-1600 1 Rotor vault hanger and grade adjustment bracket for ST-1600-HS-B Rotor
- ST-BVF30-K 1 Manifold butterfly valve and VictaulicTM coupling fitting kit
- ST-V30-KV 1 3″ (80 mm) metal control valve, 3″ (80 mm) grooved Victaulic inlet/outlet fittings, solenoid, and on-off-auto selector manifold
- ST-H30-K 1 Ultra-flexible 3″ x 26″ (80 mm x 660 mm) stainless steel corrugated manifold inlet hose with stainless steel braided outer support layer with 3″ (80 mm) female NPT inlet
- ST-SPT-K 2 Adjustable manifold support stand; two required per vault
- ST-IBS-1600 1 Infill Barrier System Rubber Cover Kit for ST-1600-HS-B Rotor
- ST-BKT-QCV 1 Hanger bracket for HQ-5-RC Quick Coupler
- HQ-5-RC* 1 Quick coupler, 1″ (25 mm) NPT inlet, 1¼” (32 mm) outlet for key
For ST-1600-KIT-B configurations, order the HQ-5-RC-BSP Quick Coupler
Installation Detail: Top and Side Views
ITEM DESCRIPTION
- Hunter ST-243636-B composite vault and four–piece polymer–concrete cover set with cast–in openings to support rotor lateral thrust, plus cast-in opening with circular covers for quick coupler and on–off–auto access
- Synthetic turf or running track material attached to vault rim and cover set (optional)
- 2″ x 4″ (50 mm x 100 mm) tack glue board or as per the specification of all sides
- Finished grade set to field perimeter tack glue board or as per specification
- Hunter ST-V30-KV ultra-low-loss 3″ (80 mm) valve kit with grooved fitting connections
- Remote on-off–auto selector and solenoid manifold assembly mounted on vault sidewall
- Colour-coded control tubing from ST-V30-KV valve to selector switch mounted on the vault side wall
- Lead wires from solenoid to waterproof splice connectors
- Hunter ST-BVF30-K isolation valve and fitting kit with grooved connections and 500 PSI (35 bar; 3,500 kPa) rated couplings sufficient to connect rotor and control valve to manifold inlet
- Hunter ST-SPT-K adjustable manifold support stand adjusted to support manifold weight (2)
- 16″ x 16″ x 2″ (400 mm x 400 mm x 50 mm) support blocks as per specification (2)
- Mount the bracket to the inner lip of the vault and tighten the bolts until the bracket is secure
- Hunter HQ-5-RC quick coupling valve set directly below circular quick–access port
- Hunter ST-H30-K stainless steel flexible inlet pipe
- 1″ (25 mm) minimum Schedule 80 quick coupler supply piping and fittings or as per specification
- Compacted base field materials per specification
- Brass manual ball valve included with #9 ST-VBF30-K
- Provide drainage via access to the field drainage system
- Waterproof connections per specifications between control wire and solenoid lead wires
- Top of quick coupler set less than 1/2″ below the underside of main vault cover to allow key activation from above
- Hunter ST-IBS-1600 Infill Barrier System Rubber Cover Kit with trim reference rings to allow heights from standard 11/4″ (32 mm) to flat (non–infill or track material) applications
- Hunter ST-BKT-1600 rotor hanger and elevation adjustment bracket
- Hunter ST-1600-HS-B rotor
- Isolation butterfly valve with grooved connections included with #9 ST-VBF30-K
Installing the Vault
The first piece to prepare and install for the kit is the vault. The ST-243636-B Vault is made from construction-grade fibreglass material and houses all the kit components. It’s 24″ (61 cm) deep, 36″ (91 cm) long, and 36″ (91 cm) tall. The body of the vault weighs 170 lb (77 kg), and the complete vault with the covers weighs a total of 320 lb (145 kg). The vault has two ports for easy access to the quick coupler and the on-off-auto selector switch.
The elevation to the grade of the vault must be precise. It’s determined by the field and irrigation specifications. In many installations, the vault’s elevation is specified such that the upper rim of the vault is level with the upper rim of the tack glue board surrounding the field. The type of material, if any, that attaches to the vault’s upper surface may also affect the vault’s elevation. This can include the field’s synthetic material or the adjacent running track material.
Tack glue board around the vault
To begin the installation, configure the vault according to the specifications
provided by the irrigation consultant. It must rest upon a compacted base
material per the field specifications. For the vault to drain properly, it
needs access to the drainage system. The drainage system must be lower in
elevation than the vault’s 36″ (91 cm) depth to keep water from pooling inside
the vault. If the vault is set directly on gravel within the drainage system,
the gravel should be compacted, and the vault should be set upon six or more
bricks for stabilization. After levelling the vault, you may want to pour a
concrete curb around the outside of the base and the inside corners for
stabilization.
Vault dimensions
- Upper rim: 27″ x 38″ (69 cm x 97 cm)
- Cover set: 24″ x 36″ (61 cm x 91 cm)
- Cover thickness: 3″ (8 cm)
- Depth: 36″ (91 cm)
- Base: 42″ x 48″ (107 cm x 122 cm)
Installation Detail: Synthetic Turf Over Vault
ITEM DESCRIPTION
- Vault sidewall and rim
- 2″ x 4″ (50 mm x 100 mm) tack glue board at field elevation
- Vault cover
- Attached synthetic turf to cover, the rim, and frame
Installation Detail: Track Over Vault
ITEM DESCRIPTION
- Vault sidewall and rim
- 2″ x 4″ (50 mm x 100 mm) tack glue board at field elevation
- Vault cover
- Attached is synthetic turf to frame
Installation Detail: No Synthetic Turf Over Vault
ITEM DESCRIPTION
- Vault sidewall and rim
- 2″ x 4″ (50 mm x 100 mm) tack glue board at field elevation
- Vault cover
- Attached is synthetic turf to frame
Incoming Plumbing Location
When installing the kit, it’s crucial to prepare the incoming plumbing location properly. If done correctly, you should be able to easily level the rotor using the predetermined amount of fittings. The first step is to prepare the depth and location of the rigid piping connected to the inlet of the manifold. The manifold’s inlet is centred also on the side wall of the vault, approximately 24″ to 30″ (61 cm to 76 cm) from the top of the vault. While this is the standard angle for the manifold, it can be pivoted within the vault.
This makes it possible to adjust for minor angular variances in the rigid sub- mainline piping that will be attached to the manifold. The main line should also be set at this approximate depth unless specified otherwise. Once the incoming water supply line and flexible hose location are known relative to the manifold, use a 6″ (15 cm) hole saw to create an access port in the vault’s sidewall. Lastly, it’s important to note that the flexible stainless steel hose will extend out 24″ (61 cm) from the vault to the mainline. The pipe between the stainless steel hose from the mainline should be at least 6″ (15 cm) long to allow for easy positioning.
Organize and Assemble the Manifold Components
The ST System’s manifold is made up of the ST-V30-KV Control Valve and the
ST-BVF30-K Isolation Valve Kit. The manifold controls and supports the long-
range rotor and provides a point of connection for a quick coupler and drain
valve. The manifold assembly components are made with 3″ (80 mm) grooved
Victaulic™ type fittings. These fittings join pipes of various materials
across multiple fire protection, industrial, and commercial applications. Made
of cast ductile iron and pressure-responsive synthetic rubber for the gasket,
these fittings are extremely rigid and have operating pressures of up to 500
PSI (35 bar; 3,500 kPa). They have great joint integrity and can withstand
thermal changes, seismic events,
and differential settlements. Victaulic fittings add to the robustness of the
kit. The isolation valve kit includes:
QTY DESCRIPTION
- 1 Galvanized grooved x male BSP rotor adapter fitting
- 1 Galvanized grooved 90° elbow fitting
- 1 Galvanized grooved tee fitting
- 1 Epoxy-coated grooved butterfly valve
- 6 Galvanized grooved coupling
- 1 Galvanized grooved x 1″ (25 mm) female NPT drain plate
- 1 Galvanized male NPT plug
- 1 Brass 1″ (25 mm) female NPT ball valve (drain valve)
Assemble the Grooved
VictaulicTM Type Fittings
When assembling grooved Victaulic-type fittings to create the ST Manifold,
approved pipe gasket lubricant can be used to aid the assembly process, but it
is not required.
- Slide the gasket over the end of the first fitting to be connected. The gasket must not protrude or extend beyond the edge of the fitting.
- Place the second fitting to be connected in position against the first fitting. The fittings must be held together in this position for the next step.
- Slide the gasket over and centre it between the grooves of the two fittings to be connected.
- Press each coupling half onto the gasket and squeeze them together.
- Fasten the bolts and nuts to the coupling. Tighten evenly, alternating sides until securely tightened.
- Coupling halves must come together and make complete contact. Be sure the nuts are facing upwards for ease of future service, and as an option, apply grease to subdue rust.
Flexible Hose Access
Through the Vault The ST Kit’s ST-H30-K Flexible Stainless Steel Hose connects
the incoming water supply to the manifold. The flexible hose adjusts for minor
elevation and alignment differences between the manifold and the incoming
water supply line. Install the flexible stainless steel hose to the manifold
with the provided coupling and gasket. Secure it to the inlet side of the
butterfly valve using the same steps for assembling the manifold with
Victaulic fittings. Next, wrap the hose with 0.25 mm thick plastic pipe-
wrapping tape to protect it from corrosive soil conditions. Please note that
this step cannot be performed when the rotor and manifold assembly are in the
vault. If you’ve already lowered it, simply bring it out to install the tape.
When the rotor, manifold, and stainless steel assemblies are installed in the vault and connected to the water supply line, the stainless steel hose should appear smooth and untwisted between the incoming water supply line and the manifold. If necessary, loosen the coupling between the flexible hose and the butterfly valve. Then remove any twist in the flexible hose, and retighten when complete.
Quick Coupler Supply Line
After attaching the flexible hose, install the rotor to the manifold assembly.
- Apply Teflon™ tape or paste to the adapter’s threads.
- Thread the rotor to the adapter to provide a watertight seal.
- Connect the adapter to the manifold with a coupler and gasket for the Victaulic fittings.
- After the rotor is attached, the quick coupler supply line can be installed to the manifold.
- Apply Teflon tape to the supply line threads.
- Install the supply line fitting to the manifold.
Configure and Position the Adjustable Support Stands Once the rotor, manifold, and stainless steel hose are assembled, you’ll need to install the ST-SPT-K Support Stands. Two adjustable stands are required to support the weight of the manifold. Place one support stand under one of the couplings attached to the isolation valve. Position the other support stand under the coupling between the elbow and the control valve. Place both adjustable support stands on a concrete support pad like a 16″ x 16″ x 2″ (400 mm x 400 mm x 50 mm) support block for stabilization.
- Prep the soil where the support block will be placed on opposite ends inside the vault by compacting the soil.
- Lower the support block inside the vault.
- After the vault area, support blocks, and support stands are prepped, place the support stands on the support blocks.
- The top of the support stands should be approximately 29″ (74 cm) from the top of the vault. If needed, raise or lower the support stands to attain the correct measurement. To adjust the support stands, loosen the nuts on the top of the black rubber support stand base. Raise the nuts as far as possible, then press downward on the support stand’s metal rail until it stops.
Installing and Adjusting the Rotor, Manifold
Assembly, and Rotor Hanger Bracket After placing the adjustable support stands
in the vault, it’s time to install the rotor and manifold assembly. Use two
people to lower the rotor and manifold assembly onto the support stands. If a
slight adjustment is needed, you can raise or lower the support stands with
these assemblies on them. With the rotor inside the vault, install the ST-
BKT-1600 Rotor Hanger Bracket onto the vault to secure the rotor. There are
two halves of the bracket with the supplied bolts and nylon nuts needed to
assemble it.
- Set one half with the protruding hanger arms facing upward under the flange of the rotor. Engage the arms on the rim of the vault.
- Install the second half, once again confirming that the arms are engaged on the rim of the vault and are under the flange of the rotor.
- Once the brackets are loosely fitted to the vault and rotor, slide the bolts through the bracket’s predrilled holes to connect the two bracket pieces, and tighten the bolts and nylon nuts to loosely grip the rotor. Keep the bracket loose
until after the Infill Barrier System is installed and the rotor’s elevation is set.
Installing the Infill
Barrier System to the Rotor All in-vault installations require the ST-IBS-1600
Infill Barrier System to blend the ST System with the surrounding field. The
Infill Barrier System also creates a snug fit between the rotor and the vault
cover, allowing for smoother operation. For infill-type synthetic sports
fields, the Infill Barrier System retains much of the infill material on the
rotor’s logo cap area as well as the area surrounding the rotor. The infill
barrier walls should be below the level of the infill material to promote a
safe transition between the rotor’s pop-up and the surrounding area.
Important
Do not apply adhesive or glue to the Infill Barrier System when installing the
rotor. All parts must remain removable to allow for rotor servicing.
- Install the ring on the flange of the rotor. Use your fingers to pull and place each retaining segment of the ring over and then under the rotor’s black flange.
- After all retaining segments have been positioned, check to make sure all segments are completely under the rotor’s flange.
- Install the cup over the rotor’s green logo cap by lifting the logo cap and placing a piece of wood beneath it.
- Place the cup over the edge of the logo cap.
- Use your fingers to pull and place each retaining segment of the cup under the logo cap’s outer edge.
- After all retaining segments have been positioned, recheck to make sure they are completely under the logo cap.
- Carefully lower the logo cap and cup assembly. Take care not to disengage the cup from the logo cap, and check to make sure the Infill Barrier System cup and ring are aligned.
Adjusting the Rotor Elevation and Installing the Cover Material to the Infill Barrier System Before attaching synthetic, track, or concrete material to the vault, cover, and Infill Barrier System, trim the walls of the Infill Barrier System to create a flat upper surface if using non-infill type material. If an infill-type material is being used, trimming is not required. Adjust the upper flat surface elevation to the same elevation as the vault’s upper surface by maneuvering the rotor into place.
This step allows for seamless integration of the ST System into the field and keeps it from becoming a tripping hazard. Once the elevation is set, tighten the rotor hanger bracket to lock the rotor into position. If a pad or synthetic turf material must be attached to the Infill Barrier System, it needs to be 143/8″ (36.5 cm) in diameter. After a piece of cover material is cut, use the Hunter-approved ST-ADH-K Adhesive to attach the material to the Infill Barrier System cup.
Installing the Quick Coupler Piping, Quick
Coupler and Quick Coupler Bracket Quick couplers allow fast access to water
while maintaining in-ground durability and vandal resistance. A quick coupler
valve is a great tool to use when the rotor does not need to be turned on to
irrigate a large area, and it’s only needed for spot watering in small areas.
The quick coupler inlet piping must be plumbed to align with the quick
coupler’s 7″ (18 cm) diameter Quick Access Port in the vault’s cover. If the
quick coupler is too low, it will be impossible to attach the key.
Important
For all threaded parts, apply Teflon tape to the threads.
- Thread the quick coupler to a 1″ x 18″ (25 mm x 460 mm) Schedule 80 PVC nipple or metal nipple.
- Install the nipple with the quick coupler attached to it on the supply line.
- Mount the quick coupler to the vault with the ST-BKT-QCV Quick Coupler Bracket. Mount the bracket to the vault directly below the quick coupler access port with the supplied bolts.
- When installing the quick coupler to the bracket, it’s important to set the top of the quick coupler less than a 1/2″ below the underside of the main v
- ault cover to allow for key activation from above. Mount the bracket to the inner lip of the vault and tighten the included bolts until the quick coupler is secured. Route and install the drain valve piping.
- Attach the brass drain valve. Make sure the drain valve is the lowest piping within the vault.
Installing the Remote On-Off-Auto Selector
The on-off-auto selector switch allows the user to control the kit to
automatically actuate from an irrigation controller or manually from the
switch. To install the switch, make sure it’s positioned directly below an
access port in the vault’s cover set.
- Drill two pilot holes with a 5/ 16″ masonry drill bit in the sidewall of the vault. The pilot holes should be 1″ (25 mm) apart.
- Mount the switch with the supplied hardware and bolts.
- Lastly, connect the solenoid using the recommended 3M DBRY high-quality wire connectors.
Connecting the Control Tubing
After installing the on-off-auto selector switch, insert the supply tubing
from the switch into the control valve. This allows you to turn the valve on
and off, either manually from the switch or automatically from the controller.
On the
control valve, you’ll find two fittings. One fitting is on the inlet side of
the valve, and the other is in the centre of the valve. Each fitting comes
from the factory with a black protective dirt plug. To remove the plug, press
downward on the collet ring atthe top of the fitting while pulling the plug
upward and out ofthe fitting.
To connect the tubing to the fitting, simply press the tube into the fitting until it stops. Pull gently outward to confirm the tube is locked into the fitting. Perform these two steps while making sure to match the blue color- coded tube to the blue color-coded fitting, and the red color-coded tube to the red color-coded fitting.
Installing the Tack Glue Board
The last thing to install is the tack glue board. After backfilling around the
vault, install a tack glue board around the vault’s perimeter. This allows you
to securely attach the synthetic material in this area. The synthetic material
rests on compacted field base soil and, depending on the specification, may be
attached with tack nails, glue, or both. The most common tack glue board
construction material is Trex™ 2″ x 4″ (50 mm x 100 mm) lumber. A close-
fitting frame design is ideal. Install the tack glue board around the vault’s
exposed upper rim with adhesive between the frame and the vault. It should be
equal in elevation to the vault’s perimeter rim.
Setting the Rotor’s Arc Orientation and Adjusting the Arc
Now that the internal and external components are installed, turn on the
system to verify functionality with the on-off-auto selector switch. Next, set
the rotor arc. The ST-1600-HS-B Rotor has an arc range of 40° to 360°. It also
has a ratcheting feature so the rotor can be rotated toward the playing field.
While operating, push the rotor forcefully toward the intended irrigation
area. The rotor will ratchet unless the arc adjustment clips interfere with
the reversing trip arm on the back of the gear drive. Slide the arc adjusting
clips, if needed, to move the rotor to the intended irrigation area. To adjust
the arc, activate the rotor and slide the arc adjustment clips. This allows
you to set the arc to the intended irrigation area. Move the trip arm on the
back of the gear drive manually to speed up the process.
Final Kit Adjustments
Before completing the installation of the ST-1600 Kit, do one last check of
the vault, manifold, rotor assembly, fittings, and brackets. Verify that the
bolts are tight and the components are positioned properly in the vault. After
making any final adjustments, enjoy the benefits of an automatic synthetic
turf irrigation system.
Helping our customers succeed is what drives us. While our passion for innovation and engineering is built into everything we do, it is our commitment to exceptional support that we hope will keep you in the Hunter family of customers for years to come. Gene Smith, President, Landscape Irrigation and Outdoor Ligh.
UNTER INDUSTRIES
Built on Innovation® 1940 Diamond Street, San Marcos, CA 92078 USA
hunterindustries.com
Victaulic is a trademark of Victaulic Company. Teflon is a registered trademark of the Chemours Company. Trex is a trademark of Trex Company Inc. © 2023 Hunter Industries Inc. Hunter, Hunter Industries, the Hunter logo, and other marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Hunter Industries Inc. in the U.S. and certain other countries.
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Read User Manual Online (PDF format) >>