Melnor All Metal Pulsating (Impact) Sprinkler: Product Review
The Melnor All Metal Pulsating Sprinkler with Step Spike is a sturdy yet basic impact sprinkler that stays in place thanks to the spike.
Available on Amazon
Buy ItThe Melnor All Metal Pulsating Sprinkler is a standard impact sprinkler that’s available in several configurations: with a convenient step spike to insert it into your lawn and garden and keep it in place, a basic spike (no step), a three-pronged spike, a weighted sled base or a wheeled base. There are also plastic versions available, although we didn’t try those. We reviewed the metal model with the step spike base.
Adjusting the parts of an impact sprinkler can be a little confusing if you’re not sure what all of the moving pieces do. See the Melnor All Metal Pulsating Sprinkler with step spike in use (and in slow motion!), and learn how to adjust an impact sprinkler by clicking on the video below.
Then continue reading to see what we thought of this particular sprinkler.
The Melnor Pulsating Sprinkler with step spike came on cardboard backing
Specifications
| Metal or Plastic: | metal |
| Adjustable length: | No |
| Adjustable width: | No |
| Adjustable flow: | No |
| Adjustable pattern(s): | No |
| On/off switch: | No |
| Advertised coverage area: | 85 ft diameter |
| Tested coverage area: | 76 ft diameter (at 22 psi) |
| Work with low water pressure? | Yes (we tested it down to 22 psi) |
| Extras: | Extra connector so you can daisy-chain multiple sprinklers |
Close-up of the Melnor All Metal Pulsating Sprinkler after it has been inserted into the ground
What we liked:
This is your standard impact sprinkler (Melnor calls it a “pulsating” sprinkler).
Easy-to-use Step Spike – We tested the version with the step spike (it’s also available with a weighted sled base) which was easy to insert into the ground be stepping on the metal “wings” at each side. I like the spiked version because you’re able to keep it fixed in a single location (it stays upright very nicely), but can also easily uproot it and move it elsewhere.
Daisy-Chain to Cover Larger Areas – You can daisy-chain the Melnor pulsating sprinkler with other sprinklers (in fact, you can buy multi-packs of this sprinkler on Amazon for just that purpose). If you’ve got high enough water pressure (this won’t work with low pressure), daisy chaining several sprinklers together will let you water an entire long yard. Just don’t forget to replace the cap on the sprinkler after you’ve used it in series!
Easy to Connect – The metal connector easily attaches to a hose, although you should connect it before driving the spike into the ground.
Standard Adjustments – Assuming that you understand how to adjust an impact sprinkler, this one is easy to use. The large deflector works well and it’s simple to lift up the tabs so the sprinkler can move in a full 360-degree circle.
Connecting the hose to the sprinkler was hassle-free
The Melnor All Metal Pulsating Sprinkler in use
What we didn’t like:
Diffuser Pin Problems – On the sprinkler that we tested, the diffuser pin tolerances were too tight, which made the screw hard to turn. As a result, it was very difficult to adjust the distance the sprinkler covered. It was possibly not well threaded or too tightly machined (we assumed it was a quality control issue), but we weren’t able to fix the problem.
The diffuser pin was not well threaded which made it very difficult to adjust
Inconsistent Coverage – We tested the consistency of the water distribution, and there was significantly more water captured (about twice as much) at 30 feet than at 5, 10, or 15 feet. Basically, it put a lot more water in a donut around the sprinkler, rather than evenly covering the entire area.
Most impact sprinklers have this same issue, so keep that in mind when choosing the right sprinkler for your purposes.
Warranty
The Melnor all metal pulsating sprinkler has a two-year limited warranty.
Recommendation
Aside from the diffuser pin issue, we really liked the Melnor all metal pulsating sprinkler with step spike. It’s sturdy, easy to use (once you know how to adjust an impact sprinkler!) and even runs well at lower water pressure (many impact sprinklers don’t operate properly at the 22 psi pressure we used). The ability to daisy-chain the sprinkler is a nice plus (assuming you have high enough water pressure).
Where to Buy
The Melnor All Metal Pulsating Sprinkler is available on Amazon with either a step spike or weighted sled base. You may also find it at a garden center or box store near you.
Please note that there are 7 other versions of the Melnor Pulsating Sprinkler also available:
Last update on 2023-03-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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