The Rain Bird 1806PRS 6" Spray Head is the pressure-regulating version of Rain Bird's legendary 1800 Series — the #1 commercial-grade irrigation spray head brand in the world. Trusted for over 30 years and installed in parks, sports fields, and residential lawns across the globe, the 1800 Series is synonymous with reliability. The 1806PRS builds on that foundation with one critical upgrade: a patented PRS (Pressure Regulating Stem) built directly into the spray body, maintaining a constant outlet pressure of 30 PSI regardless of fluctuating inlet pressures up to 70 PSI — with no additional parts to install.
What makes the 1806PRS stand out from standard spray bodies is its Rain Bird® Flow Optimizer™ Technology, which actively adjusts to changing inlet pressure rather than simply capping it. This keeps nozzle performance consistent across every head in a zone, eliminates wasteful misting and fogging caused by high pressure, and can save approximately one gallon per minute per spray head compared to non-regulated bodies. If a nozzle is removed or damaged, the PRS stem restricts water loss by up to 70% — a critical advantage in vandal-prone or high-traffic areas. The cap is stamped with "PRS" for instant field identification during maintenance.
The 1806PRS features a 6" pop-up height, ideal for clearing taller turf and dense ground covers, along with both side and bottom 1/2" NPT female inlets for flexible installation in any lateral pipe configuration. It works with all Rain Bird plastic spray head nozzles, including the U-Series, HE-VAN, R-VAN, MPR, and VAN Series, covering radii from 3 to 18 feet with standard spray nozzles and up to 24 feet with rotary nozzles. Constructed of time-proven UV-resistant plastic with a heavy-duty stainless-steel return spring, all components are removable from the top without special tools, making flushing and routine maintenance fast and easy. This head is EPA WaterSense certified and ideal for all lawn areas. This listing is for the spray body only — nozzle sold separately. DripWorks carries a full selection of compatible Rain Bird spray nozzles to complete your system.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| SKU / Model | PRB1806PRS |
| Pop-Up Height | 6" (15.2 cm) |
| Overall Body Height (Retracted) | 9 3/8" (24 cm) |
| Exposed Surface Diameter | 2 1/4" (5.7 cm) |
| Inlet Size | 1/2" NPT (Female) — Side & Bottom Inlets |
| Regulated Outlet Pressure | 30 PSI (2.1 bar) constant |
| Inlet Pressure Range | 15 to 70 PSI (1.0 to 4.8 bar) |
| Throw Radius — Standard Nozzles | 3 to 18 ft (MPR, VAN, U-Series, HE-VAN) |
| Throw Radius — Rotary Nozzles | 13 to 24 ft (R-VAN Series) |
| Spacing Range | 2.5 to 24 ft (0.8 to 7.3 m) |
| Flow-By | 0 gpm at 8 PSI or greater; 0.1 gpm otherwise |
| Pressure Regulation Technology | Rain Bird® Flow Optimizer™ / Patented PRS Stem |
| Check Valve | Not included (see 1806-SAM-PRS for check valve version) |
| Wiper Seal | Co-molded, pressure-activated (debris-clearing) |
| Nozzle Alignment | Ratchet mechanism (tool-free rotation) |
| Side Inlet Note | Side inlet installation not recommended in freezing climates |
| Compatible Nozzles | All Rain Bird plastic spray nozzles (MPR, VAN, U-Series, HE-VAN, R-VAN) |
| Body Material | UV-resistant plastic; corrosion-resistant stainless steel spring |
| Nozzle Included | No — nozzle sold separately |
| Certifications | EPA WaterSense Certified |
| Brand | Rain Bird |
What does "PRS" mean, and why does it matter?
PRS stands for Pressure Regulating Stem. The 1806PRS has Rain Bird's patented pressure regulator built directly into the spray body stem — no external regulators or additional parts needed. It maintains a constant 30 PSI outlet pressure regardless of how high or how much your inlet pressure fluctuates (up to 70 PSI). This eliminates misting and fogging caused by excessive pressure, ensures uniform nozzle performance across all heads in a zone, and can save approximately one gallon per minute per head compared to non-regulated bodies.
What is Rain Bird® Flow Optimizer™ Technology?
Unlike competitive PRS sprays that simply cap pressure at a fixed threshold, Rain Bird's Flow Optimizer™ Technology actively adjusts to fluctuating pressure, optimizing flow as conditions change. The result is a more consistent spray pattern and better water distribution uniformity across your entire irrigation zone — especially critical in systems with varying pressure zones or long lateral runs.
What inlet size does the 1806PRS use?
The 1806PRS uses a 1/2" NPT (Female) inlet and features both a side inlet and a bottom inlet, giving you flexibility for installation in either swing joint / funny pipe configurations (bottom) or direct side-outlet lateral connections (side). This dual-inlet design is unique to the 6" and 12" models in the 1800 Series.
What nozzles are compatible with the 1806PRS?
The 1806PRS accepts all Rain Bird plastic spray nozzles, including MPR (Matched Precipitation Rate), VAN (Variable Arc Nozzle), U-Series, HE-VAN (High Efficiency Variable Arc), and R-VAN rotary nozzles. With standard spray nozzles, the radius covers 3 to 18 feet. With R-VAN rotary nozzles, it extends to 13 to 24 feet.
How do I align the nozzle pattern after installation?
The 1806PRS features a ratchet nozzle alignment mechanism that allows you to rotate and align the nozzle spray pattern without any tools. Simply turn the nozzle cap to ratchet it into the correct position. All internal components — nozzle, screen, and wiper seal — are accessible from the top of the body without digging up or removing the spray head from the ground.
Is the 1806PRS required in certain states?
Yes. Pressure-regulating spray bodies (PRS) are now required by law in several U.S. states as part of water conservation mandates. States including California and others have enacted regulations requiring PRS-equipped spray bodies for new irrigation installations. Even where not legally required, PRS bodies are widely recommended by irrigation professionals to meet EPA WaterSense standards and maximize system efficiency.
Can I use this spray head with a smart irrigation controller?
Yes. The 1806PRS is a standard 1/2" spray head that works with any solenoid valve-based irrigation controller, including smart controllers from Rain Bird, Rachio, Orbit B-Hyve, Hunter, and others. DripWorks carries a full range of compatible irrigation timers and controllers to automate your system.
Before you install, verify the following:
Pair your Rain Bird 1806PRS spray heads with these essential components for a fully functional system:
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