No Oscillation?

[GardenGeisha]

I'm trying to get my garden set up for the caretaker while I'm away. For some reason, I can't get two of my spike sprinkler heads to oscillate. They were working the other day. My friend who set them up said he did have to try 3 brand new ones in the one spot before he could get it to oscillate. They will oscillate once and then they get 'stuck' and shoot water from just the one spot.
Do you think this is caused by low water pressure? I thought I'd try watering tonight about midnight to see whether they work then?
Or do you think they are inferior quality? I bought them at Walmart a few weeks ago. Is there a brand that works better? They are Orbit brand, Plastic Impact on Plastic Spikes. They have worked fine in years past.... I also bought a 14 dollar metal spike at the ranch store the other day. Would it have better oscillation? If it's the water pressure, I think there is nothing I can do? I see another has stopped oscillating just now, and it's about 8:30 a.m. More people could be watering in the area...
Going on vacation is always such a hassle, getting everything set up. All suggestions appreciated. A hose burst yesterday, so I had to go buy a new one. Good thing it happened before I left. Now I have to hook it up.

 

[bobm]

It could be several things ... if they were made in China - inferior product . Grain of sand in the orifice could block the rate of water flow and needs cleaning out. Check for earwigs in the orifice, again needs to be cleaned out. As for low water pressure, check the water flow rate at the hose end without the sprinkler head on , if the flow rate is good , then check out items above . If the flow rate is low ... you have your answer. Always buy a quality product preferably made in the USA !

 

[GardenGeisha]

I tried a metal headed one of the same brand that is working. Both were made in China, but this one works. I also discovered I might not have had the pressure switch all the way on before. So it might be that the plastic one works, if I had it all the way on. However, a second plastic one isn't working, with the switch all the way on. I need to unscrew it and test this other plastic one in its place. I may need to buy a second metal one.

 

[journey11]

Very hard to take a vacation this time of year. Good luck, I hope you can get it fixed or get a new one maybe. We scheduled our vacation for the second week of September. I hope to have most of the canning done by then, but there will still be some things left to deal with when I get back I'm sure.

 

[Nyboy]

If they worked last year, try soaking in CLR ( calcium, lime and rust remover) all hardware and supermarkets here carry it. Great for clogged showerheads too!

 

[Smart Red]

No idea. I don't do vacations. I don't do watering unless I hear the plants gasping.

 

[catjac1975]

No matter how much you spend they stop working within a year or 2. Try w-D40 on the moving parts and it may extend the use.

 

[Nyboy]

I just paid $35 for one, warranty claims 10 years I saved label and receipt, we will see how long it lasts. I have a few vintage sprinklers that still work fine they are made of a heavy metal. You might want to look on ebay for older sprinklers.

 

[Nyboy]

There are people who collect older sprinklers, some rare ones go for hundreds of dollars. You might have a fortune in your shed.