A tip for all: when the top lid of your Maxi-Paw is oriented below the level of the soil, particles of dirt, weeds, etc. will fall down inside the housing. The accumulation of that soil inside the housing eventually gunks-up the sprinkler head. You have to dig a small trench (like a moat) around the Maxi-Paw housing (and sometimes a mini drainage ditch to divert mud away), so that dirt doesn't fall in anymore.
Thank you, Dan , for taking the time to video this procedure. I have used it on two of my multiple maxi-paws and it has saved me from buying new ones. The most difficult part of the process for me was getting the special tool to lock onto the base because of the built up mud. I made a little shovel out of a long handled teaspoon bent at a 90 degree angle to scoop the sludge from around the base of the sprinkler head. Worked like a charm. I really appreciate your advice.
I use a water hose with a spray jet nozzle and just flush the gunk out whiled scarring around with a screwdriver. Sometimes bigger rocks can’t be floated so these you have to pick out
I have these sprinklers & some are still working at 35yrs. I had to replace those by the street more & would.just replace the whole thing. First 5yrs with them I didn’t know you could unscrew them out of the pod & that was a game changer for me but I complained that you can’t just buy the guts for these. I have a collection of new pods with old sprinklers in them for parts. I took one pod & put a garden hose on it to clamp it in a portable workbench to work on them because I hated fixing them on the ground. Then I hated to get up to go turn sprinklers on or have someone do it for me & that’s why I bought a timer with remote, now you can control them with your phone. I bought a cordless shop vac to clean pods out & haven’t used it for that yet. Before I would loosen the mud with end of sprinkler wrench & push sprinkler into pod while it was on to flush it out. I’ve learned a lot of tricks working on these for 30yrs & glad to see a video like this. I had to replace those washers with an old one that broke.because they wore out. I never throw old ones away & I took some from a neighbor who was moving who didn’t know how to fix them. I got them all working for spares. I had the stem crack but the head was still good & that’s when I figured how to take the head off. I see you could just buy the head but it screws on to a pipe & I’m thinking you can put it in a pod. It has the tab for lid on it & half the price of the whole pod. I even replaced the directional switch with the spring from another one. I have found a rock stuck inside the flapper once causing problems. One thing I found out was a pressure setting on the main spring . Our pressure is regulated by the city & it’s irrigation water that comes from a damn & sewage plant that gets filtered. At the bottom of spring there is a hook that you can move in a couple notches. Sometimes that spring comes unhooked & sprinkler won’t work. I am thinking of replacing all these sprinklers with more efficient ones with less maintenance. I few of my neighbors have already done that & won’t go back to maxi-paws. I like the sound of these sprinklers & that’s why I haven’t replaced them yet.
Great video I have been servicing these sprinklers for many years but never thought of using wet and dry to sand the grooves out as I thought it would only be doing more harm, but I tried your technique and it works a treat. Thank you 👍🏻
Thanks for this video. I have been buying the whole assemblies when they would stop working correctly, but now bought the tool and was able to repair one...and when the others start giving me problems I will do those as well. Great video...thanks again.
I’ve done this procedure to 3 heads that stopped turning after only a couple summers. Sprinkler season here in Colorado is only a bit over 3 months. I’m on a well with mica in the water. After working to clean and smooth the shaft they turn for a week or so and then stop again. I have some rain bird heads that are well over 25 years in service without a hitch. It’s the newer ones that simply won’t last. I haven’t tried the torch technique and maybe that will be a longer lasting repair. The real problem I think is they are using a much softer grade of plastic and the clearance around the shaft may be less than the old ones.
I have about 12 of these now, and one won't spin back on the return rotation. When i turn that zone on, I would have to poke my finger at the metal wire that activates the return and move it around or lift it up, and it would work. But every time i turned it on, I'd have to do that to it. Now, it won't rotate at all. Only had it about a week
Good job. I have 1 that stops at the transition also. Maybe I will give this a try if I can remember where the washers go back in😅and i can sneak the butter knife without getting caught😂
Surprised this doesn't have more views. this is exactly what i was looking for since I didn't want to replace the whole assembly. Is it still working? Thanks so much
Dude! The wife's butter knife?!? You are the funniest! Great video. Thank you for your time and education. (The manufacturer states not to lube it, so great choice.) Is that a peacock or just chickens I hear in the background?
I have about 50 of these and am plagued with the same problem. For those that have done this 'fix', how long are they lasting? One guy said a few weeks, but other results? Anyone else try the lighter idea to 'glaze' the plastic rather than sanding it?
Looked everywhere can't find how to fix the cap! when one or both of the ears break that hold the cap on! these Maxi-paw's are famous for this fault! and there's really no way to fix it1 if any knows let me know! and glue will break the first time mowing!
Thank you bud for your video. Makes no sense why Rainbird can't put a video out showing how to clean these units.
A tip for all: when the top lid of your Maxi-Paw is oriented below the level of the soil, particles of dirt, weeds, etc. will fall down inside the housing. The accumulation of that soil inside the housing eventually gunks-up the sprinkler head. You have to dig a small trench (like a moat) around the Maxi-Paw housing (and sometimes a mini drainage ditch to divert mud away), so that dirt doesn't fall in anymore.
Thank you, Dan , for taking the time to video this procedure. I have used it on two of my multiple maxi-paws and it has saved me from buying new ones. The most difficult part of the process for me was getting the special tool to lock onto the base because of the built up mud. I made a little shovel out of a long handled teaspoon bent at a 90 degree angle to scoop the sludge from around the base of the sprinkler head. Worked like a charm. I really appreciate your advice.
I use a water hose with a spray jet nozzle and just flush the gunk out whiled scarring around with a screwdriver. Sometimes bigger rocks can’t be floated so these you have to pick out
Good lord. Thanks for video! So many parts! Good job. Straight to the point. No endless condescending talk.
❤ just what I needed! 30 mins later I had a fully working sprinkler again. Saves me $20!
I have these sprinklers & some are still working at 35yrs. I had to replace those by the street more & would.just replace the whole thing. First 5yrs with them I didn’t know you could unscrew them out of the pod & that was a game changer for me but I complained that you can’t just buy the guts for these. I have a collection of new pods with old sprinklers in them for parts. I took one pod & put a garden hose on it to clamp it in a portable workbench to work on them because I hated fixing them on the ground. Then I hated to get up to go turn sprinklers on or have someone do it for me & that’s why I bought a timer with remote, now you can control them with your phone. I bought a cordless shop vac to clean pods out & haven’t used it for that yet. Before I would loosen the mud with end of sprinkler wrench & push sprinkler into pod while it was on to flush it out. I’ve learned a lot of tricks working on these for 30yrs & glad to see a video like this. I had to replace those washers with an old one that broke.because they wore out. I never throw old ones away & I took some from a neighbor who was moving who didn’t know how to fix them. I got them all working for spares. I had the stem crack but the head was still good & that’s when I figured how to take the head off. I see you could just buy the head but it screws on to a pipe & I’m thinking you can put it in a pod. It has the tab for lid on it & half the price of the whole pod. I even replaced the directional switch with the spring from another one. I have found a rock stuck inside the flapper once causing problems. One thing I found out was a pressure setting on the main spring . Our pressure is regulated by the city & it’s irrigation water that comes from a damn & sewage plant that gets filtered. At the bottom of spring there is a hook that you can move in a couple notches. Sometimes that spring comes unhooked & sprinkler won’t work. I am thinking of replacing all these sprinklers with more efficient ones with less maintenance. I few of my neighbors have already done that & won’t go back to maxi-paws. I like the sound of these sprinklers & that’s why I haven’t replaced them yet.
Great video I have been servicing these sprinklers for many years but never thought of using wet and dry to sand the grooves out as I thought it would only be doing more harm, but I tried your technique and it works a treat. Thank you 👍🏻
Thanks for this video. I have been buying the whole assemblies when they would stop working correctly, but now bought the tool and was able to repair one...and when the others start giving me problems I will do those as well. Great video...thanks again.
I have an ingrown pool and was looking for a sprinkler head just like this. This video was very helpful😊
Good video! I ended up just replacing all mine. (20 years old)
Thanks for the great video. I have a love-hate relationship with my AG-5 sprinkler heads.
Thanks, Dan! Advice much appreciated...
DAN you are awesome amazing thanks for the help I have been buying and buying I have like 50 of this
Thank you that really helped have a wonderful memorial day weekend
great tip on the washers but instead of sandpaper I used a cigar lighter torch with fire to melt the shaft back smooth… it looks new after doing it …
that's a great idea!
I’ve done this procedure to 3 heads that stopped turning after only a couple summers. Sprinkler season here in Colorado is only a bit over 3 months. I’m on a well with mica in the water. After working to clean and smooth the shaft they turn for a week or so and then stop again. I have some rain bird heads that are well over 25 years in service without a hitch. It’s the newer ones that simply won’t last. I haven’t tried the torch technique and maybe that will be a longer lasting repair. The real problem I think is they are using a much softer grade of plastic and the clearance around the shaft may be less than the old ones.
Exactly! The old ones lasted for me at least a decade now some of the new ones won't last 1 summer.
I have about 12 of these now, and one won't spin back on the return rotation. When i turn that zone on, I would have to poke my finger at the metal wire that activates the return and move it around or lift it up, and it would work. But every time i turned it on, I'd have to do that to it. Now, it won't rotate at all. Only had it about a week
Excellent
Good job. I have 1 that stops at the transition also. Maybe I will give this a try if I can remember where the washers go back in😅and i can sneak the butter knife without getting caught😂
Thank you!
Surprised this doesn't have more views. this is exactly what i was looking for since I didn't want to replace the whole assembly. Is it still working?
Thanks so much
Yes sir, still working great. I just made the video a few weeks back because I couldn’t find anything about how to disassemble and clean.
Dude! The wife's butter knife?!? You are the funniest! Great video. Thank you for your time and education. (The manufacturer states not to lube it, so great choice.) Is that a peacock or just chickens I hear in the background?
So nice me super
only rotor out there you can actually service.
Ap chenj Sperling
I have about 50 of these and am plagued with the same problem. For those that have done this 'fix', how long are they lasting? One guy said a few weeks, but other results? Anyone else try the lighter idea to 'glaze' the plastic rather than sanding it?
How'd you get the assembly out of the sprinkler housing? It's not shown or explained at all. Been looking for this info for the last couple days
Reach down inside with the maxi-paw wrench and it unscrews. The reverse of installing it at 8:54 in the video. a.co/d/7hN8m35
Where did you get the wrench? Never mind found it on Amazon
Cool, I got mine at Ace Hardware.
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How did you take it out of the casing?
Never mind lol
@@AOAvina how do you remove it? with the special tool?
Looked everywhere can't find how to fix the cap! when one or both of the ears break that hold the cap on! these Maxi-paw's are famous for this fault! and there's really no way to fix it1 if any knows let me know! and glue will break the first time mowing!
I h have one now that will not rotate, it isn't very old.
Try using a torch to melt the shaft smooth … it worked for me …
@@brucer1220 I will , thank you
Never use any lubricant on these sprinklers as they are totally water based. Any lubricant will cause them to become sticky and stop functioning.
It’s a 1/2” nut. Just sayin’ 🙂 Good info otherwise.
Can you buy just the guts and not have to pull out the housing.