Yard work: when an oscillating sprinkler won’t oscillate…

Self-tutoring about sprinklers: the tutor mentions a problem he’s run into, with a possible solution.

The following is according to my understanding.

For years I’ve watered the lawn: my wife likes a green lawn. Here on the west coast, it’s typically very rainy November through April or May, but can be very dry from then on. Therefore, to have a green lawn in summer, one must irrigate.

From when I was a kid, I recall people using oscillating sprinklers. They’re great: they cover a large area and they water gently. However, to cover a large area, they need to oscillate.

Back in the 70s, I never heard of an oscillating sprinkler that didn’t work. However, we bought one a couple of years back that, this year, wouldn’t oscillate. I couldn’t believe it.

I played around with it for awhile, and discovered that it seems to oscillate if one adjusts it inward a bit on each side: i.e., don’t try to maximize the width.

Interesting, eh?