Tech Spec

Sand Media Filter

MADE IN THE U.S.A.

For the Most Challenging

Source Water Conditions
Proper filtration and clean water are essential
to the efficient operation of today’s irrigation
systems. Trash, algae, sand, silt and other solid
contaminants in source water will lead to plugged
nozzles, silt deposition in equipment and on the
turf, inoperative valves, and a significant reduction
in overall efficiency. Rain Bird filtration technol-
ogy can resolve these problems in your system.
Rain Bird’s Sand Media Filters provide reliability,
efficiency and long-term economy. Made in the
USA, these filters are designed and manufactured
to exacting standards, giving you many years of
top performance.

Filter Tanks
Rain Bird sand media filters will protect your irrigation system
Rain Bird filter tanks are designed to provide su-
from solid contaminants including algae, sand and debris.
perior safety features. All closures have safety lids
that will not pop off if over-pressurized. Rain Bird’s
3/16” tank construction is also heavier than aver-
age, giving you extra protection against bursting
Fusion Bonded Epoxy Interiors • Single valve operation, either manually, semi-
Available automatically or automatically, assures proper
from accidental over-pressurization or surge. backwashing efficiency and sequence
All Rain Bird Sand Media Filter systems are • Even media bed fluidization ensures total
Automatic Valves available with optional fusion-epoxy lining. This cleaning of the system, while producing a flat,
Rain Bird cast valves feature a fusion epoxy lining premium environmental coating system provides uniform media bed after flushing
designed for years of trouble-free service. The excellent protection against aggressive electrolysis
valve shaft and seal retainers are noncorrosive and corrosion. The Rain Bird fusion powder coat Rain Bird filtration technology provides reliability,
stainless steel with durable, molded polyurethane system is applied to all interior surfaces of the efficiency and long-term economy.
seals. Also, the valves are made with Rain Bird’s ex- filters and manifolds after sandblasting to white
clusive replaceable brass shaft guides and external metal. The Rain Bird fusion bonded epoxy system Rain Bird’s cast valves feature durable fusion epoxy
grease fittings for easy on-site maintenance. is a true environmental coating providing years of lining, stainless steel trim and molded polyure-
protection for salts, chemicals and other materials thane seals.
Stainless Steel Underdrain found in aggressive water.
Rain Bird’s underdrain system features a lateral
design of high strength, stainless steel wedgewire.
Filtration Process
It produces a pressure drop of only 4 PSI and will • Uniform 14” media bed depth for optimum
withstand collapse pressure in excess of 600 PSI. particle entrapment
Unlike other manufacturers, Rain Bird does not • Filtration achieved through flow from inlet (top)
use plastic underdrain parts or threaded fastener manifold to outlet (bottom) manifold
style underdrain assemblies because of limited • 2-stage inlet diffuser
durability. • High strength, hydraulically balanced Type
304 stainless steel underdrains for thorough
Automatic Control backwashing
Automatic control makes Rain Bird your most cost- • Low pressure drop and even flow dispersion
effective choice for your next filtration system. Backwashing Process
Rain Bird automation packages allow fully unat-
• Rain Bird underdrains require less water for
tended operation. All Rain Bird controllers monitor
backwashing and require backwashing less
system operation on both pressure differential and
frequently
elapsed time. Units are available in A/C power, D/C
• Backwashing cleans one tank at a time, so you
power or solar power for remote application.
can continue to irrigate during the backwash
cycle
• The system backwashes with clean filtered
water
Filtration Process
• Uniform 14” media bed depth for optimum particle
entrapment
• Filtration achieved through flow from inlet (top)
manifold to outlet (bottom) manifold
• 2-stage inlet diffuser
Filtration Process
• High strength, hydraulically balanced Type 304
stainless steel underdrains for thorough backwashing
• Low pressure drop and even flow dispersion

Backwashing Process
• Rain Bird underdrains require less water for
backwashing and require backwashing less frequently
• Clears one tank at a time, so you can continue to
irrigate during the backwash cycle
• The system backwashes with clean, filtered water
• Single valve operation, either manually,
semiautomatically or automatically, assures proper
backwashing efficiency and sequence
• Evenness of media bed fluidization ensures total
cleaning of the system, while producing a flat, uniform
media bed after flushing Backwashing Process

Sand Media Filter Performance Data

Filter Model Number
No ID / OD ID only ID & OD Irrigation Flow Ranges
Fusion Fusion Fusion Maximum Media Backwash
Bonded Bonded Bonded No. of Pressure Minimum Flow Maximum Flow Filtration Requirement Flow Rate
Epoxy Coat Epoxy Coat Epoxy Coat Tanks (psi) U.S. GPM m3/Hour U.S. GPM m3/Hour Area (Ft.2) (100# Bags) U.S. GPM
SM1816-2-M SM1816-2I-M SM1816-2B-M 2 150 60 13.6 88 20.0 3.5 4 25
SM2416-2-M SM2416-2I-M SM2416-2B-M 2 150 107 24.3 158 35.9 6.3 8 50
SM3016-2-M SM3016-2I-M SM3016-2B-M 2 125 170 38.6 250 56.8 10.0 10 80
SM3616-2-M SM3616-2I-M SM3616-2B-M 2 125 238 54.1 350 79.5 14.0 16 110
SM4816-2-M SM4816-2I-M SM4816-2B-M 2 125 425 96.5 625 142.0 25.0 26 190
SM4816-3-M SM4816-3I-M SM4816-3B-M 3 125 638 144.9 938 213.1 37.5 39 190
SM4816-4-M SM4816-4I-M SM4816-4B-M 4 125 850 193.1 1250 283.9 50.0 52 190
SM4816-5-M SM4816-5I-M SM4816-5B-M 5 125 1063 241.5 1563 355.0 62.5 65 190
SM4816-6-M SM4816-6I-M SM4816-6B-M 6 125 1275 289.6 1875 425.9 75.0 78 190
SM4816-7-M SM4816-7I-M SM4816-7B-M 7 125 1488 338.0 2188 497.0 87.5 91 190
SM4816-8-M SM4816-8I-M SM4816-8B-M 8 125 1700 386.2 2500 567.9 100.0 104 190
SM4816-9-M SM4816-9I-M SM4816-9B-M 9 125 1913 434.5 2813 639.0 112.5 117 190
SM4816-10-M SM4816-10I-M SM4816-10B-M 10 125 2125 482.7 3125 709.8 125.0 130 190
-M denotes Commercial model number Contact Rain Bird for drawings or visit www.rainbird.com to download.

Rain Bird Corporation Rain Bird Corporation Rain Bird International, Inc.
6991 E. Southpoint Road 970 West Sierra Madre Avenue 1000 West Sierra Madre Ave.
Tucson, AZ 85756 Azusa, CA 91702 Azusa, CA 91702
Phone: (520) 741-6100 Phone: (626) 812-3400 Phone: (626) 963-9311
Fax: (520) 741-6522 Fax: (626) 812-3411 Fax: (626) 852-7343 

Rain Bird Technical Services Specification Hotline The Intelligent Use of Water™
(800) RAINBIRD (1-800-724-6247) 800-458-3005 (U.S. and Canada) www.rainbird.com
(U.S. and Canada)

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