Rain Bird 32SA Vs 42SA : Which Is Better?

Investing in good machines or devices is the first step in achieving a perfect lawn on your yard. Rotors are one of the best devices that you can purchase if you are looking to water your lawn faster and easily. In this article we are going to be discussing about 2 models which are among the best gear drive rotors on the market; the Rain Bird 32SA and the Rain Bird 42SA.

Table of Contents

Rain Bird 32SA Vs 42SA: Comparison Table

	Rain Bird 32SA	Rain Bird 42SA
Weight	0.261 ounces	0.3 ounces
Dimensions	2.16 x 2.16 x 6.75 inches	0.61 x 0.61 x 0.63 inches
Material	Plastic	Plastic
Distance	19-32ft	26-38ft
Inlet	½ inch bottom	¾ inch bottom
Pattern	40-360 degrees	40-360 degrees
Pressure Range	25-55psi	25-65psi
Price	Check Price on Amazon	Check Price on Amazon

Rain Bird 32SA

Rain Bird 42SA

Rain Bird 32SA Vs 42SA: Design

The design of a Rain Bird 32SA is different from that of a Rain Bird 42SA. The dimensions of a Rain Bird 32SA measure 2.16 x 2.16 x 6.75 inches whereas that of a Rain Bird 42SA measures 0.61 x 0.61 x 0.63 inches. This shows that the Rain Bird 42SA is bigger in terms of product dimension. In terms of weight, the Rain Bird 32SA and 42SA have almost a similar weight. So if you are looking for a rotor that is small in size but effective, you can as well purchase the Rain Bird 42SA.

Both the Rain Bird 32SA and the Rain Bird 42SA are designed with a water saving rain curtain nozzle that produces large wind resistant droplets. So if you are looking for a gear drive rotor that is efficient, you can purchase any of the 2 since they have a similar design which enables you to save water.

Rain Bird 32SA Vs 42SA: Distance

The Rain Bird 32SA is designed with a throw distance of 19 to 32ft. On the other hand, the Rain Bird 42SA is designed with a throw distance of 26 to 38 feet. So if you are looking to purchase a rotor that has a longer throw distance, you are better of purchasing the Rain Bird 42SA gear drive rotor. The throw or spray distance can easily be adjusted by using a screw driver to adjust the screw which is located above the nozzle.

Rain Bird 32SA Vs 42SA: Price

Another noticeable difference between the Rain Bird 32SA and the Rain Bird 42SA is on the price. The Rain Bird 32SA is cheaper and goes for a price of approximately $32 whereas the Rain Bird 42SA goes for about $43. The reason why the Rain Bird 42SA is a bit expensive is because it has a longer throw distance and has a bigger pressure range. So if you are looking to enjoy those features you can opt for the Rain Bird 42SA however, if you are running on a strict budget, the Rain Bird 32SA is still a decent option.

Rain Bird 32SA Vs 42SA: Pressure Range

The Rain Bird 32SA has a pressure range of 25-55psi whereas the Rain Bird 42SA has a pressure range of 25-65psi. In this case it would be better to purchase the Rain Bird 42SA since it has a more reasonable pressure range however, it is worth noting that a pressure range of 25-55psi is still good and if you are really running on a budget the Rain Bird 32SA would still be a decent gear drive rotor to purchase.

Rain Bird 32SA Vs 42SA: Pattern

The Rain Bird 32SA and the Rain Bird 42SA have a 40 to 360 degrees adjustable part circle and reversing full circle. You can use this feature to either increase or decrease the amount of water coming out of your rotor using a screw driver. Since both rotors have the same pattern, it may be better for you to opt for the cheaper version which is the Rain Bird 32SA.

Rain Bird 32SA Vs 42SA: Inlet

Rain Bird 42SA has a ¾ inch bottom inlet whereas the Rain Bird 32SA has a ½ inch bottom inlet. So in this case, purchasing the Rain Bird 42SA would be more ideal for you since it as a bigger inlet. However, it’s worth noting that having a rotor that has an inlet of ½ inch is still reasonable. So if you are trying to budget money you can still get the Rain Bird 32SA rotor.

Rain Bird 32SA Vs 42SA: Material

Plastic is the material that is used to make the Rain Bird 32SA and the Rain Bird 42SA. This means, regardless of which rotor you choose to buy between the Rain Bird 32SA and 42SA, you will still be getting a plastic rotor. This means if the type of material used to produce these 2 rotors greatly influences your choice, you can always purchase any of the 2 since they have the same material.

Rain Bird 32SA: Pros

One of the advantages of purchasing a Rain Bird 32SA is that it is very cheap when compared to the Rain Bird 42SA. Furthermore, you will enjoy most of the features found in the Rain Bird 42SA but for a cheaper price.
Another upside of purchasing the Rain Bird 32SA is that it has a rain curtain nozzle which helps to produce large droplets that fall exactly where you want them to. The nozzle is designed to resist wind.
The Rain Bird 32SA has an adjustable spray distance of 19 to 32ft. This is something that is not found on traditional rotors.
The Rain Bird 32SA saves you a lot of water when compared to other methods of watering your lawn.

Rain Bird 32SA: Cons

One of the disadvantages of purchasing the Rain Bird 32SA is that it has a shorter throw or spray distance when compared to the Rain Bird 42SA.
Another downside of purchasing the Rain Bird 32SA is that it has a lower pressure range when compared to the Rain Bird 42SA.

Rain Bird 42SA: Pros

One of the advantages of purchasing a Rain Bird 42SA is that it has a longer throw or spray distance when compared to the Rain Bird 32SA. This means that it can water a larger area.
Another pro of purchasing the Rain Bird 42SA is that has a greater pressure range as compared to that of a Rain Bird 32SA.
The Rain Bird 42SA has a rain curtain nozzle that produces large droplets which fall exactly where you want them to.
The Rain Bird 42SA has a longer throw distance when compared to the Rain Bird 32SA and the nozzles can be adjusted easily. This means you can easily adjust the position you want your rotor to face.

Rain Bird 42SA: Cons

One of the disadvantages of purchasing the Rain Bird 42SA is that it is expensive when compared to the Rain Bird 32SA.
Another downside of purchasing this gear drive rotor is that it has almost the same features as the Rain Bird 32SA and as result you may be better off purchasing the Rain Bird 32SA which is cheaper.

Rain Bird 32SA Vs 42SA: Similarities

The Rain Bird 32SA and the Rain Bird 42SA have so many things in common. Below we highlight some of those similarities so that you have an idea when trying to pick the best gear drive rotor for your needs.

The Rain Bird 32SA and the Rain Bird 42SA both have an adjustable pattern of 40-360 degrees.
Another similarity which you should take note of is that both rotors are made using the same material, which is plastic.
The Rain Bird 42SA and the Rain Bird 32SA both have an adjustable arc which you can use when you are trying to point your rotter in the right direction.
Both rotors have an adjustable spraying distance although the length differs.

Things To Consider When Choosing Between Rain Bird 32SA And Rain Bird 42SA

If you are trying to decide which rotor to purchase between the Rain Bird 32SA and the Rain Bird 42SA, there are a few things that you need to take into consideration. Below we discuss some of those factors in detail.

Price- this is the first thing that you need to consider before deciding on which rotor to purchase. Identify how much money you are willing to part with for a rotor and then stick to that budget. If you purchase something that is way beyond what you planned for, you may end up regretting your decision.
Long term goal- identify the purpose of your rotor and whether or not you will need it in the future. Identifying your needs helps you to choose a rotor that will be able to carter for your needs in the future.
Durability- before you purchase anything you should research on its durability. This means you may have to read or see what other people are saying about this product.
Design- consider the design which you would envision your rotor having. Purchasing a rotor that has a design which you are not fond of may give you problems in the future.

Rain Bird 32SA Vs 42SA: Verdict

Choosing between Rain Bird 32SA and Rain 42SA is a tough decision especially considering that both rotors have almost similar features and functions. However, at the end of the day, a decision needs to be made. If you decide to go with the cheaper rotor which is the Rain Bird 32SA it means you will be getting a shorter throw or spray distance and also a lower pressure range. However, you will still be able to enjoy most of the features found on the Rain Bird 42SA.

If you decide to choose the Rain Bird 42SA it means that you will have to spend a bit more money however, you will get everything that is found on the Rain Bird 32SA and some extra features. Some of the extra features include a longer throwing distance, a bigger inlet and more pressure range.

It is important to know that whichever gear drive rotor you decide to take home will have its own advantages and disadvantages however, we strongly recommend that you purchase the Rain Bird 42SA. This is because although it is expensive and seems like a replica of the Rain Bird 32SA, it has a longer throwing distance and a bigger inlet. You will definitely be getting value for your money on this model.

FAQs

What Is The Flow Rate Of Rain Bird 42SA?

The flow rate of a Rain Bird 42SA is 3.0 gallons per minute. This rotor is designed to help you save water. The Rain Bird 42SA is designed with a pre-installed nozzle and it is also adjustable to suit your needs.

How Many Gallons Per Minute Does A Rain Bird 32SA Use?

The Rain Bird 32SA uses 3.0 gallons per minute. This is because the nozzle is designed in such a way and it is supposed to help homeowners save water.

How Do I Adjust My Rain Bird 42SA?

The best way to adjust your Rain Bird 42SA is to use a screw driver. This way, you can easily adjust everything according to your specifications. In order to do tis simply find the screw that is located close to the nozzle.

How Do You Adjust A Rain Bird 32SA?

You adjust the Rain Bird 32SA by using a screw driver. Simply start by locating the screw that is above the nozzle. Use the screw driver to adjust the rotor according to your specifications.

Conclusion

Finding the perfect rotor that meets your needs is one of the hardest things to do. This is because there are many factors you need to consider before you can buy anything. In this article we have compared 2 of the most popular gear drive rotors on the market which are the Rain Bird 32SA and the Rain Bird 42SA. We hope you have understood the features of each rotor and how these 2 differ. When making your purchase, it is our hope that you choose a rotor that meets your needs.