Connecting To A Mid-Way Point In A Lateral Line Using Tee Fittings
Installing an Irrigation Rotor or Spray body along a lateral line can be done in a variety of ways. However the process almost always involves the use of a Tee Fitting, a transitional fitting such as a Schedule 80 Nipple fitting or Swing Joint Assembly and your choice of Rotor or Spray Body.
Using Saddle Tee’s
Install your Irrigation System like the professional contractors do using Saddle Tee’s to install both Rotors and Spray Bodies for Irrigation Systems. Saddles Tee’s significantly reduce flow restriction (up to 41% less restrictive than common insert fittings) and can be installed 6 times faster than traditional fittings. No tools are required and no cutting of your tubing is required to install a Saddle Tee! Once a saddle Tee is installed you are left with a 1/2” or 3/4” FPT fitting to install your Rotor or Spray Body.
Shown below are two illustrations using Saddle Tee fittings. The illustration on the left show the Dawn KwikTap Saddle fitting used with a Swing Joint, while the Blu-Lock fitting on the right is shown using a simple Schedule 80 Nipple fitting. We will discuss the installation of these transition fittings later in this tutorial.
| KwikTap Saddles From Dawn Industries | BLU-LOCK |
 Shown With 6″ Swing Joint Assembly |  Shown With Schedule 80 Nipple Fitting |
| Product Options and Links Dawn KwikTap Saddle Tee’s are sold together as one unit. Each unit comes with one Saddle and one Insertion Fitting. For 3/4” Tubing · KT007C – 3/4” x 1/2” FPT · KT007D – 3/4” x 3/4” FPT For 1” Tubing · KT010C – 1” x 1/2” FPT · KT010D – 1” x 3/4” FPT | Product Options and Links Blu-Lock Nitro Saddles and Tee’s are sold separately in combinations to achieve the proper fitting For 3/4” Tubing · 02916 Saddle w/02919 1/2” FPT Tee · 02916 Saddle w/02920 3/4” FPT Tee For 1” Tubing |
Using Insert and Blu-Lock Connection Fittings
When using Insert Fittings you will need to use gear or crimp clamps for each side of the insert fitting. Blu-Lock Tee’s are installed using the Blu-Lock direct lock connections and require no clamps. This method will be slightly less expensive than using Saddle Tee’s but will require a bit more effort upon installation.
| Conventional Tubing (Insert Fittings) | BLU-LOCK |
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| Product Options and Links For 3/4” Tubing · 1402-101 – ¾” x ¾” x ½” FPT · 1402-007 – ¾” x ¾” x ¾” FPT For 1” Tubing · 1402-130 – 1” x 1” x ½” FPT · 1402-131 – 1” x 1” x ¾” FPT | Product Options and Links For 3/4” Tubing · 37372 ¾” x ¾” x ½” FPT · 37373 ¾” x ¾” x ½” Blu-Lock (for use with ½” Swing Pipe) For 1” Tubing · 37671 1” x 1” x ½” FPT · 37672 1” x 1” x ½” Blu-Lock (for use with ½” Swing Pipe) |
As noted above, Blu-Lock BL x BL x FPT Tee fittings are only available with 1/2″ FPT Fittings. Using 1/2″ FPT outlet fittings is fine for both 1/2″ Spray Bodies and 3/4″ inlet Rotors, however for the latter a 1/2″ x 3/4″ Swing Assembly is required.
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