Welcome to Valvette Systems’
Sprinkler & Shower Conservation Products

Here you find the important information about 21st-Century sprinkler & shower conservation products arranged into 6 categories: Categories 1, 2 and 3, show the 3 different ways LittleValve parts – also known as In-stem Flow Regulators – are incorporated into sprinkler parts and demonstrated in the adjacent video. Category 4 shows how to use some of those parts for ‘Drip’ and Micro-Spray applications. Category 5 offers the tools one uses to facilitate the use of LittleValve parts.  There’s also one handy sprinkler tool to have if you do NOT have LittleValves but still helpful with them. Category 6 provides the right nozzles for the many ways water is conserved when sprinklers are brought into the 21st-Century.  This only happens with In-stem Flow Regulating (IFR) sprinklers and sprinkler parts. The nozzle is the attachment on top of the sprinkler from which water is actually emitted. The trick to LittleValves is knowing what nozzle to use.

• • Category 1
  • Category 2
  • Category 3
  • Category 4
  • Category 5
  • Category 6

LittleValve Sprinkler & Shower
Conservation Products Information

LittleValve IFR Sprinkler Information
[Categories 1 through 6]

The Only Sprinkler Parts that Make Sprinkler Head Maintenance Really Easy
With Pressure Regulation at Each and Every Sprinkler Head

NOTE: LittleValve replacement pop-up riser stems and Little Tuffy pop-up sprinklers are always shipped out of the factory in the CLOSED position.

Contractors, ask your distributor for pop-up replacement risers for Toro 570s, Rain Bird 1800s, Hunter Pro-Sprays, Irritrol I-PRO, Weathermatic LX, Orbit, Hit and Nelsons. There are also universal male and female shrub bodies (shrub adapters,) 1/2″ and 3/4″ riser extenders and 1/2″ and 3/4″ couplings.

All LittleValve sprinkler products operate with easy-to-use Allen keys or wrenches. One size – 3/16″ – fits all except for the two 3/4″ fittings which use 1/4″ size. All six stationary products (shrub bodies and fittings) can be connected to threaded nipples with a convenient but inexpensive 5/8″ X 3/4″ open end wrench. You’ll find the open-end wrench and T-handled Allan wrenches in our catalogue in Category 5.

Small Allen keys that fit on keychains are included in product boxes at no charge

On-Off Control at Every Sprinkler

Using parts that contain LittleValves, replace original pop-up riser stems or install shrub bodies (shrub adapters) or couplings and you’ll be able to turn on and off water flow to the head below the nozzle.  This allows service to the nozzle area while the rest of the system is running. Pop-up risers stay in the extended-up position during flushing even while the nozzle is removed. This makes them completely available for you to service without the need for oddball tools, pull-up rings or radio-controlled apparatus.

Install LittleValve couplings or riser extenders below stationary heads and under above-grade rotors or impacts while the rest of the sprinklers on that system are running.  You’ll be able to stop and re-start water flow to a problem head for changing it out.  You can also clean lower screen areas of rotors with the system on.

In all cases, because of In-stem Flow Regulation (IFR), you have complete control over the sprinkler head and you have obstruction-free flushing of the lines.  And you’ll never have to leave the sprinkler you’re working on until the job is finished and the head is operating properly again.

Dial in Your Distance – Even Down to Drip or Micro-spray
with Pressure Regulation as a Bonus

Also you only need 15 to 18 foot radius nozzles because you can bring the spray down to 6 feet without closing down and no distortion. Better yet, with the proper nozzle take your spray all the way down to just a drip and replicate drip systems and micro-sprays.   You get ‘Drip’ without spaghetti tubing, pressure regulators, special filters and special valves. Plus, you’ll have the only parts on the market where you can mix sprays and drip on the same valve system.

LittleValve IFRs allow precise placement of the water exactly where you want it, provide the most uniform water application of any spray heads on the market and eliminate overspray and most of the misting caused by higher pressures.  At 14′ or under, they eliminate misting entirely.  LittleValve sprinkler parts and fittings are virtually unaffected by water pressure up to 175 psi or more. That means that in most cases, no pressure compensation nor pressure regulation of any kind is needed.

With LittleValve parts, you turn ordinary sprinklers into smooth-running, water conservation, maintenance-friendly irrigation systems.  The result is you save hours of labor and gallons of water.

IFR Technology & Function

In-Stem Flow Regulators are available in pop-up riser stem replacements for all major manufacturers in 4”, 6” and 12” sprinklers. Also available in ½” and ¾” couplings (fipt x fipt) and riser extenders (fipt x mipt) and shrub adapters. IFRs provide:

Category 1

Little Tuffy Pop-up Sprinklers

The world’s only water conservation Pop-up sprinklers

NOTE: All Little Tuffys are pressure-regulating sprinklers.

NO POP-UP SPRINKLER SAVES MORE WATER THAN LITTLE TUFFY
BECAUSE OF ITS LITTLEVALVE 21st CENTURY IFR TECHNOLOGY

Little Tuffys and other LittleValve parts
combined with Toro’s PRN – Precision Rotary Nozzle
Is The Premier Sprinkler on the Planet:
(Scroll Down For Installation Help & Instructions)

Little Tuffy pop-ups truly complement the LittleValve Sprinkler & Shower conservation products lines by incorporating into their pop-up stems the unique LittleValve® In-stem Flow Regulator (IFR) technology with all of its labor and water saving benefits – INCLUDING PRESSURE REGULATION.

Little Tuffys are available in 4” and 6” pop-ups with catalogue numbers TUF4 and TUF6. They are compatible with all female nozzles.

Check valves for low-head drainage are available either packaged separately (25/bag) or pre-installed into the pop-up stem for a nominal extra charge.

For a nominal, extra charge, Little Tuffys are also available with purple caps for use with reclaimed water. Catalogue Numbers are TUF4PC or TUF6PC.

Little Tuffys are truly green sprinklers. In addition to saving water and labor, they do not use troublesome plastic flush caps. Little Tuffys are packaged with environmentally-friendly, bio-degradable cork stoppers in place of flush caps. Leave the cork in while installing the sprinkler as the wiper seal and riser stem area is sensitive to fine, silty soil. The cork protects that area during installation. After the cork is popped out, leave it on the ground or bury it with the sprinkler head as it will become compost in 4 – 6 months.

Boxes of Little Tuffys each contain 25 sprinklers. To operate the LittleValves, each box contains 2 LittleValve metal Allen keys (3/16″) that can be put onto a keychain. Additional keys are available upon request at no charge. We suggest that for just a few dollars, you purchase our red, T-handle Allen wrench (AW7187) for additional leverage. There will be times when you will need the extra leverage.

To protect the LittleValve from dirt and grit when operating at low volume [spraying 6′ or under], including drip or micro-spray mode, look for our Low Volume Application filter screens (LVA screens) that go into the bottom of any manufacturer’s pop-up stem (or can be placed onto the end of a Schedule 80 or cutoff riser for our stationary parts). LVA screens are available in bags of 25.

Why Little Tuffys are the World’s
ONLY Water Conservation Pop-up Sprinkler

Little Tuffy water saving pop-up sprinklers, of course, provide you with all the benefits of our other Little Valve parts, like eliminating overspray and most misting, getting rid of 5’, 8’ 10’ and 12’ nozzles; servicing or changing out nozzles while the water is on because pop-up stems do not retract until the water is shut off; eliminating all forms of pressure regulation; bringing sidestrips down to 2’ – 3’ left and right; better looking landscapes due to higher uniformity; AND being able to have drip and micro-spray applications, which can be installed on the same valve system as regular sprays without the use of ¼” tubing, emitters, Y strainers or pressure regulation.

Through controlled testing in 2003 with the Center for Irrigation Technology (C.I.T.) – located at Cal-State University in Fresno, CA, we learned that LittleValve sprinklers use approximately 82% less water during installation of new systems. We have improved on those procedures and now see that by properly installing LittleValve modified sprinklers or Little Tuffy pop-ups, the water savings during installation can reach over 90%.

Please note that Little Tuffy was put through the “3,000 Up & Down” test at the C.I.T. and passed with flying colors. Further, the new heads were field tested for 2 years at various locations with pressures from 165 p.s.i. up to 200 p.s.i.

A Neat Feature – Easy Wiper Seal Replacing

An additional feature is that Little Tuffy wiper seals are replaceable and are not expensive. The weakest element of a pop-up sprinkler is the wiper seal – the round, white, rubbery part in the center of the cap through which the pop-up stem pops up. When these go bad, the stem gets stuck in the ‘Up’ position and/or the seal also starts deteriorating to the point that water starts shooting out from between the seal and the stem. Wiper seal leaking is the first sign that your sprinkler is losing its efficiency.

Most manufacturers do not sell wiper seals separately and Rain Bird’s 1800 series pop-up wiper seals are co-molded with the cap, hence they don’t even have a separate wiper seal. Generally, when the wiper seals go bad on sprinklers, a complete, new sprinkler has to be purchased. In the case with Rain Bird 1800s, caps are available at irrigation distributors but usually cost the same or more than a whole new sprinkler.

The Little Tuffy is one of the few pop-up sprinklers on the market that makes easily available replacement wiper seals. They are sold in 5-ct bags and each seal costs 98 cents. It takes less than a minute to change out a Tuffy wiper seal.  In fact, all the separate parts of the Little Tuffy pop-up sprinkler can be purchased separately.  For the other parts, please contact us at (866) 200-8590 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time

Little Tuffy pop-ups are available with check valves that eliminate water-wasting low-head drainage.. They are also available with purple caps to be used with re-claimed or re-cycled water.

Ordinary Little Tuffys cost as follows:  4″ – $5.88; and 6″ – $10.77.  There is a savings when you buy them in boxes of 25.

When you receive your order of Little Tuffys, we urge you to read the Tips, Information & Instruction page that will be included with the products. On the backside you will find our Warranty. We also encourage you to read over the ‘Preferred Nozzles’ information page. The TUF4 is competitively priced. The TUF6 along with our check valves are exceptionally well-priced.

Trade customers: If the counter people at your distributor are not familiar with Little Tuffys or the other LittleValve parts, we urge you to call us between 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Pacific time. We will make the necessary arrangements with the distributor to ensure you promptly get the products you need.

SUGGESTED LITTLE TUFFY
INSTALLATION PROCEDURES

For maximum water savings we strongly suggest the following:

Install your Little Tuffys making sure the surrounding soil grade meets the Tuffy caps + or – 1/4 inch above the bottom of the cap. [Little Tuffys are sensitive to fine, silty soil getting between pop-up riser stem and the wiper seal.] After completing the installation, turn on the water to the system, which will fully elevate the Tuffy pop-up stems, which, in turn, will force out the corks. (The corks will pop-out under pressure so stay clear of any sprinkler when turning on the system.) Since the pop-up stems are packaged in the ‘closed’ position, very little water will exit the stems until you open the LittleValves.

NOTE: The LittleValve stem in your Little Tuffy does NOT shut off 100%; it shuts off about 96% – 98%. Do not try to shut it down completely; that will not happen.

Remember, when the irrigation valve (RCV) is opened up, the system is now live. When the system is on, the pop-up stems will not retract. Go to the first sprinkler closest to the water valve (RCV), open the LittleValve to flush the lines and the sprinkler itself. After a good flushing, close the LittleValve. Then insert your nozzle filter screen, thread on the desired nozzle and then — keep the LittleValve closed down. Then go to the next sprinkler and repeat doing it the same way, and then onto the next until every head in the entire system is flushed, screened and nozzled. Upon the completion of flushing and nozzling all the heads, your job will be as dry as a bone – almost.

Then we suggest that you do NOT make your final adjustments to the system until your plants or lawn are installed. After planting is completed now turn on the system. The Little Tuffy pop-up stems will elevate but again very little water will exit them because you had them closed down from before when you flushed and nozzled after installation. Now you adjust the LittleValves until each sprinkler is throwing the water the distance you want it to.

CAUTION: If your installation was not a ‘clean’ installation such as having broken pipes or other ways in which dirt and rocks got into the piping, when you flush out the system, you will likely run into situations where you have to do it the ‘OLD’ way, which means removing the pop-up stem completely and flushing out all the debris through the open pop-up body. With ‘clean’ installations, you generally avoid that grief.

Additional tips and suggestions can be found in the Little Tuffy section of the “Tips, Instructions, Information” tab.
Live technical information can be obtained by calling us at the number below from 8am to 6pm – Pacific time.

Category 2

Pop-up Riser Stem Replacements

NOTE: All LittleValve pop-up stems are pressure-regulating

The only provider of 4″, 6″ and 12″ replacement stems for the major brands and some of the others, as well.  All our stems contain the ultimate in water conservation sprinkler technology, which is:

 In-stem Flow Regulation by LittleValve
with automatic pressure regulation

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Toro 570s, Irritrol I-Pros, Rain Bird 1800s, and 4″ and 12″ Hunter Pro-Sprays with LittleValve stems pre-installed can be special-ordered in case quantities  by contacting us at (866) 200-8590 – Pacific Standard time.

Use Low Volume Application screens inserted into the bottom of any pop-up stems for use when watering at distances of SIX feet or less with LittleValve parts.

Note: All LittleValve replacement stems are sold in the ‘Closed’ position.

Rain Bird Pop-up Riser Replacement Stems with Check Valve

POP410CK * for Rain Bird Model 1804 $7.06

POP610CK * for Rain Bird Model 1806 $9.40

POP1210CK * for Rain Bird Model 1812 $12.55

NOTE:  Toro 570 and Irritrol I-Pro stems can also be ordered with check valves pre-installed at the same costs as the Rain Bird stems.

LVA — Low Volume Application Screens –
use when watering 6 feet or less.

For insertion – tail first – into bottom of any Pop-up riser stem when watering (or throw) distance is less than 6′.
Little tabs on LVA screen lock it into place.

NOTE: When watering 6′ or less with stationary LittleValve parts, (Category 3 below,) you can use any manufacturer’s filter screen so long as the head of the screen is big enough that it doesn’t fall into opening of riser pipe or nipple.  Drop screen tail first into riser pipe, then thread on LittleValve part.

Category 3

Stationary, Above-Grade LittleValve Parts

NOTE:  All LittleValve sprinkler parts are pressure-regulating 

1/2″ and 3/4″ LittleValve parts and fittings to use when stationary sprinklers (non pop-ups) are permanently placed above grade (ground level.)  Stationary sprinklers are almost always used in shrub or ground cover areas or planters and also on hillside slopes.

 NOTE:  Stationary sprinklers and pop-up sprinklers use the same nozzles.

1/2″ PARTS Featuring LittleValve for Water Conservation

Use with Female nozzles  MB200 Male Shrub Adapter (aka Male Shrub Body) $3.90	Use with Male nozzles FB300 Female Shrub Adapter (aka Female Shrub Body) $4.07	½” Male thread at one end ½” Female thread at other end w/ Filter screen pre-installed RX550 1/2″ Riser Extender $4.31
½ Female threads at both ends  CP050  1/2″ Coupling  $4.11	NOTE: The 1/2″ LittleValve Coupling to the left is used with the ordinary shrub adapters you see below. Using any length 1/2″ Riser Pipe, you must join an Ordinary Shrub Adapter to a CP050 whenever a Precision Rotating Nozzle or a Precision Spray Nozzle is being used in a stationary setting, for example, in shrub beds. See the picture to the right                                                        → NOTE: To see detailed information on this, go to the “How do I Know What to Buy” tab, then scroll down to no. 4.

For FEMALE Nozzles ½” Female threads for attachment to a 1/2″ Riser pipe (also known as 1/2″ nipple)                              OMS Ordinary Male Shrub Adapter $ 1.24

For MALE Nozzles ½” Female threads for attachment to a 1/2″ Riser pipe (also known as 1/2″ nipple)  OFS Ordinary Female Shrub Adapter $ 1.32

3/4″ PARTS

3/4″ parts are primarily used to control above-grade rotors and impact sprinklers.  If the rotor is installed IN the ground, usually LittleValve parts won’t help.  But shrub rotors and rotors on hillside slopes are often installed above the ground allowing access to the LittleValve screw.

With either of these parts under your above-grade rotor, you will never have to use the ‘diffusion’ screw to control the water distance.  You’ll do that through the LittleValve instead, which allows for pinpoint watering with any size nozzle or any type of arc you want.   Plus a rotor that, for example, waters at a 40 feet radius can now be reduced down to 12 or 13 feet. And, of course, maintenance of rotors is so easy with LittleValve parts allowing you to shut off the rotor completely while the water to the system is still turned on.

The two 3/4″ parts require a 1/4″ Allen wrench.   We provide them with each order of 3/4″ parts.  However, we also sell a larger, red-handle, T-handle version. as well.

3/4″ Female threads at both ends CP075 3/4″ Coupling $ 6.62

3/4″ Male thread at one end, 3/4″ Female thread at other end RX575 3/4″ Riser Extender $ 6.62

Category 4

Drip & Micro Spray Product Information

Water Saving Sprinkler Information for LittleValve Pinpoint Watering
with Above Grade Drip Systems and Micro-Spray Sprinklers

Where pressure regulation is always built in

Section A:  LittleValve Above-Grade ‘Drip’ Applications

NOTE:  Water usage in Drip systems is measured in gph and gpm – (gallons per hour and gallons per minute)

1.    Micro Stream Caps (MSC).  1/2″, black PVC plastic, female-threaded caps.  Caps have pre-drilled holes that serve as emitters of streams of water, which are controllable to pre-determined gpms and distances when used with LittleValve IFR parts regardless of pressure. Caps are available in three (3) sizes of stream holes with 12 different configurations or patterns for each of the 3 stream sizes.  The Caps are labeled for easy identification.

Micro Stream Caps can be installed into new or existing sprinkler systems.  Using the appropriate LittleValve parts, they can be connected onto stationary above-grade sprinkler risers OR into pop-up sprinklers that have male-threaded pop-up stems which accept only female-threaded nozzles, i.e. Little Tuffy, Rain Bird, Irritrol, Hunter, Weathermatic, Orbit.

— MICRO STREAM CAPS —

(MSC)

2.    BS50 – Single stream above-grade ‘Drip’ sprinkler.  The BS50 fitting (with ½” female threads,) can be threaded onto our RX550 – ½” Riser Extender or directly onto any length ½” threaded pipe or nipple, which is then connected to our CP050 – ½” Coupling.  We also call this a ‘Single Plant Drip Fitting’.   See the 6 pictures directly below.  Like the Micro Stream Caps, BS50s can be installed onto stationary risers or onto male-threaded pop-up stems.

For Above-grade ‘DRIP’ ½” Female threads Optional: 1/4″ tubing can be attached to tip BS50 1/2″ ‘Drip’ Fitting $1.32

BS50 Fitting with 1/8″ Tubing Attached to Barbed Connector

NOTE: To purchase BS50 Fitting, go to “Stationary LittleValve Parts” within “Buy Products Here” tab.

BS50 Fitting Connected to RX550 – Filter screens provided when the two are purchased together	BS50 Fitting Connected to Riser Pipe and CP050
BS50 in conjunction with RX550 See the BS50 calculations in table at bottom of this page.	BS50 in conjunction with CP050 18″ Stream from the BS50 is using 9.6 GPH or  .16 GPM

3.   5-foot Center strip nozzles.  To water 2 plants at the same time, a 5-foot center strip nozzle can be used.  Locate the sprinkler between the 2 plants.  5-foot center strip nozzles are available in both male and female threaded nozzles, hence can be used in stationary applications and in all pop-up sprinkler brands.  See the 2 pictures directly below.

Notice that when you install the sprinkler in between 2 plants with LittleValve parts, you can pinpoint the streams to put the water right at the base of each plant without watering the ground between them.  This is fine for areas with just dirt or mulch and you don’t wish to grow weeds.  If you have ground cover or flowers, then use 15′ center strips nozzles instead of 5′ center strips.

4.    5’ stream bubblers nozzles.  Great for drip applications putting out about 1/4 gallon per minute at distances of about 9 inches diameter.  For low-volume applications, generally use them for shrub areas having a distance range of 9 inches up to 4 – 5 feet.  Available in patterns of 1/4 circle – 2 streams, 1/2 circle – 4 streams, and full circle – 6 streams.  Also available in both male and female threaded nozzles and can be used in stationary applications and in all pop-up sprinkler brands.

NOTE:  We recommend that you do not try to use throw distances LESS than what is described above.  In time, they will likely close down on you.

Section B:  LittleValve Above-Grade ‘Micro-Spray’ Applications

For Pop-ups and Stationary Above-grade Applications

Female Nozzles:  Use Rain Bird’s 8’ Flat nozzle (NOT the regular, green 8’ nozzle.)  Available in 1/4 circle and 1/2 circle spray patterns.
Hunter’s SS530 side strip nozzle can also be adjusted down to a micro-spray of about 2 feet.

Male Nozzles: Use Toro’s Flat spray nozzle. Available in 1/4 circle, 1/2 circle and full circle patterns.

Oftentimes a 6’ VAN makes a good micro-spray and works well for irregular planter areas.  VANs (Variable Arc Nozzle) are producd by almost all sprinkler manufacturing companies.

With the LittleValve, adjust spray down to a, 18” to 60” radius.

Remember though, Toro’s Precision Rotating Nozzle (PRN) can be brought down to a radius of 14 -18 inches or more, which qualifies it as a Micro-Spray nozzle, as well. (See the 18″ video at the bottom of the ‘PRN/LittleValve Combo’ tab page.)

You will find that LittleValve Micro-Spray is the least troublesome micro-spray available on the market today and requires no pressure-regulation.

LittleValve Micro-Spray FLAT-SPRAY NOZZLE WITH MB200 (Male Shrub Adapter)  Watering distance in picture is from 36″- 42″      Water usage is approximately 1/3 GPM  or 18.5 GPH.

Notes:

1.   When using LittleValve replacement pop-up stems or Little Tuffy pop-ups in drip or micro-spray mode or when spraying under 6 feet, we strongly recommend LVA ( Low Volume Application) filter screens.   Insert them under the LittleValve – tail first – into the bottom of the pop-up stem. Push screen into bottom of stem until it locks in place.  LVA screens are available here or from your LittleValve distributor in 25/ct bags.

With LittleValve above-grade shrub adapters, couplings or riser extenders, it is not necessary to purchase LVA Screens.  You can use any manufacturer’s filter screen, i.e., Rain Bird, Toro, Hunter, etc.  Place filter screen into the opening of a Schedule 80 or cut-off riser, tail down into riser opening. Screen will not fall into riser opening.  Then thread LittleValve part onto riser right over the screen.

2.   When using LittleValve parts and Little Tuffy Pop-ups, even in drip and micro-spray mode, pressure regulation is never needed regardless of how high the pressure. ALL LittleValve sprinkler parts and Little Tuffy pop-up sprinklers are pressure-regulating sprinklers or sprinkler parts.

3.   Remember, each nozzle is individually controlled by the LittleValve screw.   So drips, micro-sprays and regular sprays can be mixed on the same valve system if the math works.

4.  One of the more flexible features of LittleValve products is the ability to have LittleValve ‘Drip’ or LittleValve ‘Micro-Spray’ on a pop-up sprinkler as easy as having it on a stationary fixed-height shrub adapter.

5.   NEW:  We have taken a 5′ center strip nozzle and closed up one of the orifices so that the center-strip nozzle emits water only out of one side. In so doing, we have created a single-plant Drip Fitting. These nozzles are available on special request. They are available in Female and Male styles. We use Rain Bird’s 5CST-B nozzle for Female style and Toro’s SB-2-180 for Male style.  [See right side picture at top of this page]

With this New application, we recommend a minimum distance of 18″ – 24″ from nozzle to plant.  There is a concern that if the ‘throw’ distance is less, the distance may reduce over time.  We have learned that in pop-ups, the distance maintains well at 20 inches or more.

6.  When mixing drip application with micro-sprays and/or regular sprays on the same valve, special low-flow valves are NOT necessary. BUT, when all heads are in drip mode, a low-flow valve may be necessary.

CALCULATIONS:               Note:  For Micro Stream Cap calculations, scroll back up to near the beginning of this Category.  Look to the right of the Pattern sheet.

A.  5-foot center strip nozzles adjusted down to a 24” throw use approximately 6.5 gallons per hour or .11 gpm.

B.  BS50 calculations table at various distances:
NOTE:  All distances are measured from sprinkler to the point where water strikes the surrounding grade with the top of sprinkler head assembly being 7 inches above grade.

C. Micro-Spray tests with a Rain Bird ½ circle 8’ Flat nozzle adjusted down to 27” – 36″, the usage is .26 gpm or 15 – 16 gallons per hour  (approximately 1/4 gpm).  At a 36” to 40” radius, the usage is .31 gpm or 18.4 gallons per hour (less than 1/3 gpm).