Sports Field Irrigation Companies in the U.S. - The Top Five List
For sports field managers and facility operators, ensuring the optimal condition of their turf is paramount. A well-irrigated field not only enhances the game experience but also ensures player safety and consistent performance. However, with a plethora of sports field irrigation companies in the U.S. making the right choice can be daunting.
This article aims to simplify that decision-making process. By evaluating companies based on their industry reputation, years of expertise, dedication to innovation, and the quality of customer service, we’ve identified the top five frontrunners. Our mission is to guide you in partnering with the best in the business, ensuring your sports turf stands out in excellence.
If you are currently planning to invest in a sports turf irrigation or sprinkler system, try our cost calculator to get a customized cost estimate for your needs.
Top Five Sports Field Irrigation Companies in the U.S.
1. Hunter Industries
Type of Company
Hunter Industries is a full-service provider of sports turf irrigation solutions. This means that the company can handle all aspects of a sports turf irrigation project, from design and installation to maintenance and repair. Hunter Industries is also a manufacturer of irrigation products, which allows the company to offer its customers the latest and most innovative irrigation technologies.
Products and Services
Hunter Industries offers a wide range of products and services for sports turf irrigation, including sprinklers, valves, controllers, and irrigation systems. The company also offers installation, maintenance, and repair services.
Successful Projects
The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) integrated Hunter’s STK-6V system into their state-of-the-art, USA Field Hockey-certified facility for the Aggies women’s program. Given the strict standards set by the International Hockey Federation for artificial pitches, maintaining playability requires wetting the field before play and during halftime.
To meet these requirements, Hunter’s ST System was chosen for its high precipitation rates and consistent coverage. The STK-6V kit, designed for easy installation and maintenance, also supports the field’s extensive drainage capabilities. This advanced facility now allows the Aggies to host games on their home turf, elevating the program’s pride and stature.
Certifications & Memberships
Hunter Industries is certified by the Irrigation Association (IA) and the WaterSense® label program. The company is also a member of the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA).
Founding Year: 1981
Headquarters Location: San Marcos, California
Warranty Period Duration
Hunter Industries offers a variety of warranty periods for its products, depending on the product and the application. The warranty period for sports turf irrigation products typically ranges from one to five years.
Read more: Hunter Industries: Irrigation Systems for Sports Fields
2. Rain Bird
Type of Company
Rain Bird is another full-service provider of sports turf irrigation solutions. The company can handle all aspects of a sports turf irrigation project, from design and installation to maintenance and repair. Rain Bird is also a manufacturer of irrigation products, which allows the company to offer its customers the latest and most innovative irrigation technologies.
Products and Services
Rain Bird offers a wide range of products and services for sports turf irrigation, including sprinklers, valves, controllers, and irrigation systems. The company also offers installation, maintenance, and repair services.
Successful Projects
The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) faced challenges in managing its irrigation sites due to the absence of a centralized control system. With 38 sites lacking network access, DPR had to rely on contractors to manually adjust watering schedules. Budgetary constraints further complicated the situation, making it hard for DPR to invest in a comprehensive system all at once. To address these challenges, DPR opted for Rain Bird’s cost-effective products, implementing a phased installation of a new central control system.
This modular system allows for incremental expansion based on available funding, optimizing DPR’s operations. As a result, the IQ™ Central Control system not only saved DPR considerable time but also significantly reduced water wastage. The team can now precisely adjust watering schedules, ensuring optimal turf coverage and preventing over-irrigation. Moreover, the phased investment approach proved economical, allowing DPR to expand the system as future budgets permit.
Certifications & Memberships
Rain Bird is certified by the Irrigation Association (IA) and the WaterSense® label program. The company is also a member of the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA).
Founding Year: 1933
Headquarters Location: Azusa, California
Warranty Period Duration
Rain Bird offers a variety of warranty periods for its products, depending on the product and the application. The warranty period for sports turf irrigation products typically ranges from one to five years.
3. Toro
Type of Company
Toro is a leading manufacturer of outdoor power equipment, including irrigation products. However, the company also offers full-service sports turf irrigation solutions.
Products and Services
Toro offers a wide range of products and services for sports turf irrigation, including sprinklers, valves, controllers, and irrigation systems. The company also offers installation, maintenance, and repair services.
Successful Projects
Minnesota United, in collaboration with The Toro Company, has successfully renovated a soccer pitch at the Arlington Hills Community Center in Saint Paul. This initiative is a testament to their shared commitment to ensuring equitable access to soccer within the Twin Cities community.
The Toro Company, which has been the official turf equipment and irrigation partner for MNUFC since 2017, played a pivotal role in this transformation. The Arlington Hills Community Center, a hub for a diverse community, witnessed the transformation of its once barren field into a top-tier, accessible soccer field.
The joint effort saw MNUFC and The Toro Company contribute $30,000 towards the renovation. The field underwent leveling and the installation of a water-efficient Toro irrigation system in late May. The main renovation took place on June 2nd 2022, with approximately 50 volunteers from both organizations.
Certifications & Memberships
Toro is certified by the Irrigation Association (IA) and the WaterSense® label program. The company is also a member of the Sports Turf Managers Association
Founding Year: 1914
Headquarters Location: Bloomington, Minnesota
Warranty Period Duration
Toro offers a variety of warranty periods for its products, depending on the product and the application. The warranty period for sports turf irrigation products typically ranges from one to five years.
Read more: Toro Sports Field Irrigation and Sprinkler Systems: Review
4. Nelson Irrigation
Type of Company
Nelson Irrigation is a full-service provider of sports turf irrigation solutions. The company is also a manufacturer of irrigation products, which allows the company to offer its customers the latest and most innovative irrigation technologies.
Products and Services
Nelson Irrigation offers a wide range of products and services for sports turf irrigation, including sprinklers, valves, controllers, and irrigation systems. The company also offers installation, maintenance, and repair services.
Successful Projects
Nelson Irrigation recently completed a successful sports turf irrigation project at the University of California, Berkeley. The project involved the installation of a new irrigation system for the university’s football field. The new system is more efficient and sustainable than the previous system, and it has helped to improve the quality of the football field.
Certifications & Memberships
Nelson Irrigation is certified by the Irrigation Association (IA) and the WaterSense® label program. The company is also a member of the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA).
Founding Year: 1952
Headquarters Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Warranty Period Duration
Nelson Irrigation offers a variety of warranty periods for its products, depending on the product and the application. The warranty period for sports turf irrigation products typically ranges from one to five years.
5. Brightview
Type of Company:
Brightview is a full-service provider company in the sports turf irrigation industry. They are not just limited to manufacturing or supplying but extend their expertise as installers and service providers, ensuring comprehensive solutions for their clientele.
Products and Services:
Brightview offers a wide array of products and services tailored to sports turf irrigation. Their portfolio includes everything from advanced sprinkler systems, valves, and controllers to complete irrigation setups. Beyond product provision, they also specialize in installation, maintenance, and repair services, ensuring that their clients receive end-to-end care.
Successful Project:
One of Brightview’s notable projects was at the AT&T Center. They were entrusted with the task of revamping the stadium’s football field irrigation system. The newly installed system, known for its efficiency and sustainability, has played a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of the turf, making it a testament to Brightview’s expertise.
Certifications:
Brightview proudly holds a membership with the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA), showcasing their commitment to industry standards.
Founding Year: 1939
Headquarters Location: Blue Bell, Pennsylvania
Warranty Period Duration:
Understanding the importance of trust and quality, Brightview offers warranties for their products and services. Depending on the specific product and its application, the warranty durations typically range between one to five years.
Explaining Different Types of Sports Field Irrigation Companies
Full-Service Provider Companies:
- Offer a comprehensive range of services, from design and installation to maintenance and repair.
- Serve as a one-stop solution for sports turf managers, simplifying the process of irrigation system implementation.
- Often have partnerships or in-house teams spanning manufacturers, installers, and service providers, ensuring seamless service delivery.
Manufacturers/Companies:
- Design and produce the actual irrigation equipment and systems.
- Invest in research and development to innovate and refine their products.
- Examples include Hunter Industries, Rain Bird, and Toro.
Suppliers:
- Source products from manufacturers and maintain a diverse inventory.
- Offer a selection of products from various manufacturers.
- Serve local distributors, installers, and sometimes direct end-users.
Installers:
- Specialize in setting up and integrating the irrigation systems on sports fields.
- Ensure optimal layout and functionality based on the field’s specific requirements.
- Collaborate closely with manufacturers or suppliers for the necessary parts and equipment.
Distributors:
- Serve as intermediaries between manufacturers/suppliers and end-users or retailers.
- Purchase products in bulk and distribute them regionally.
- Offer after-sales services and may provide training on the products they distribute.
Service Providers:
- Deliver maintenance, repair, and consultation services for irrigation systems.
- Ensure systems operate at peak efficiency and address any issues or breakdowns.
- Essential for routine maintenance or system upgrades.
Five Tips on Choosing the Right Sports Field Irrigation Company
- Get quotes from multiple companies: It is important to get quotes from multiple companies before making a decision. This will help you to compare prices and services and to find the best deal for your needs.
- Check the company’s reputation: It is important to check the company’s reputation before making a decision. You can do this by reading online reviews, asking for recommendations from friends or colleagues, or checking with the Better Business Bureau.
- Make sure the company is licensed and insured: It is important to make sure the company is licensed and insured. This will protect you in case something goes wrong during the installation or maintenance of your sports turf irrigation system.
- Ask about the company’s experience: It is important to ask about the company’s experience in installing and maintaining sports turf irrigation systems. This will help you to ensure that the company has the knowledge and expertise to meet your needs.
- Get everything in writing: It is important to get everything in writing, including the price, the scope of work, and the warranty. This will help to avoid any misunderstandings down the road.
Conclusion
The right irrigation system can be a game-changer for sports fields, ensuring they remain in top condition regardless of the weather. In the realm of sports turf irrigation, several companies have made their mark, but a few stand head and shoulders above the rest.
These five companies, with their unwavering dedication to the industry, have set benchmarks in delivering state-of-the-art irrigation solutions. Their commitment to innovation, coupled with a deep understanding of the unique challenges of sports turf, allows them to offer systems that are both efficient and effective. For sports facility managers and stakeholders, aligning with such trusted names in the industry is paramount. It’s not just about watering the field; it’s about ensuring a world-class playing surface that stands the test of time and competition.
If you are currently planning to invest in a sports turf irrigation or sprinkler system, try our cost calculator to get a customized cost estimate for your needs.