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MPR Update: A Big Thank You!

Celebrating 30 Years!

Dear Valued MPR Customer,

The team at MPR - and especially me and my partners - want to thank you for your support and loyalty for the past 30 years.

That’s right! June 1st, 2021 will mark the 30th anniversary of our company.

We survived the Great Flood of 1993, 9/11, the Great Recession, and now a worldwide pandemic.

Not only did we survive, but also, we thrived! We have outlasted and outperformed many competitors.

Why? It is simple. We do what we say. We take good care of our employees, who in turn take great care of our customers.

Experience matters. We have four employees that have been with us since the beginning and four that have been with us for over 25 years.

Most importantly, we treat our customers as full members of the MPR Supply family.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you and to provide for our employees. We are excited about the next 30 years!

Michael D. Hartman
President
MPR Supply Co.


What to Say to Customers When You're "REALLY BUSY"?

With a roaring economy, every contractor is crazy busy. Something you MUST be do well right now: customer communications.

Have you trained your team on the right ways to handle customer inquiries? Your team shouldn’t be making up answers as they go.
Here are two situations to ponder:

When you can’t get there as fast as when the customer needs you. Use “positive language” which involves saying what you can do for the customer in a positive way, not saying what you cannot do. So instead of saying “we can’t possibly do it today, we’re all booked up”, you say “I can have Charlie there first thing on Friday”.

When your schedule has slipped. Never leave them wondering why you didn’t show up at the scheduled time. They will assume the worst. Silence can and often will lead to a lost customer. (Ever hear “he just disappeared”?) You MUST proactively call customers when there’s a schedule change and let them know when you WILL be there.


Learn How to Make Your Dripline Designs Even Better!

Dripline has grown in popularity. Now there are new ways to accelerate installations and make them more reliable. Get all of the details of smart dripline irrigation design with the updated XF Series Dripline Design, Installation and Maintenance Guide from Rain Bird.

Get layout recommendations for on-surface and sub-subsurface dripline applications, learn the right way to adjust for narrow plantings, trees, and slopes, and understand how to calculate zone flow and application rate.

Click here to download the full guide. (Takes time to download, file size: 25mb)




Why Contractors Are Choosing the Toro Evolution Controller

The EVOLUTION® Series Controller is the latest in irrigation control from the innovators at The Toro Company. It is designed to meet the needs of the everyday controller... and more. We know that homeowners love the new controller layout, because they helped us to design it. More like other modern devices they use every day, users find it easier to program and understand.

  • Powerful Features The EVOLUTION Comes with the Right Features to Meet Your Needs Expandable from 4 to 16 zones
  • Three independent watering schedules and one Auxiliary schedule
  • Run up to 4 standard solenoids at one time
  • Master Valve/Pump controls

Never Get Left Behind. The EVOLUTION Controller was made to evolve. As its name depicts, the EVOLUTION Controller can be easily updated with new features and capabilities. Simply download free updates from www.toro.com/evolution and update the controller using a USB thumb drive.
Simplicity at Its Best EVOLUTION changes the game with its unique shortcut interface. By moving advanced features like multiple programs and master valve controls to a separate area, it reduces clutter and confusion for the homeowner. Use of words and phrases, instead of tough to understand symbols and numbers, make the controller more intuitive.

Competitive Price Compare EVOLUTION's list price to competitive models. No other irrigation controller offers the same capability, ease of use and flexibility.


We Have the Cool Tools Irrigation Professionals Need

here are few things worse than finding yourself on a jobsite without the proper tools. Check out these convenient options:

Spray-Loc Efficiency is key, and holding up a spray head with one hand while making a repair with the other can be as ineffective as it is frustrating. The Spray-Loc tool allows you to quickly lock a spray head in place while cleaning the nozzle, making replacements and other adjustments. The Spray-Loc comes with 5 same-size tools per ring.

Cutters The SwitchBlade PRO Cutters are a must have on every job site. They are available in two models with two blade sizes of 1½" and 2". The blades are PTFE coated providing a clean cut every time. Both are equipped with a Quick Release Blade Button for the fastest blade swap on the market. New to the market are King Innovation's PTFE Ratchet Cutters that come in 1¼" and 2" sizes to cut SCH40 and Class PVC. The 1¼" Cutter cuts through PVC Pipe 33% EASIER than Stainless Steel Blades! The 2" Cutter cuts through PVC Pipe 78% EASIER than Stainless Steel Blades! Both King ratchet cutter sizes feature a durable cast aluminum body and have a pointed blade for ease of cutting.

Wire Markers Save time and money during all on-site irrigation controller installations, troubleshooting, maintenance and repairs with the Wire Marking System from King Innovation. It features 0-9 separate marker numbers that are easy to feed and tear off. Made from a non-smearing material that also resists moisture, dirt and oil.


Retain Stormwater On-Site with Stormtech Chambers

Comply with local regulations, store stormwater without a traditional basin, reduce potential for runoff to enter waterways.

StormTech chambers are most cost-effective subsurface detention / retention system, using high quality injection molded polypropylene chambers that can be installed under landscape features.

This is a special order product. Learn more about on-site stormwater management by ADS here.




Wire Sizing Tips from Regency Wire and Cable

How far can you run 18 gauge irrigation wire and still have the valve operate properly?

The answer to this question requires some basic understanding of the concept of "voltage drop". When electricity is flowing through a wire, some voltage is lost due to resistance in the wire. The amount of voltage loss is dependent upon the length of the circuit, the number and quality of splices, the size/resistance of the particular wire being used and the amount of current flowing through the wire (the amp draw of the solenoid).

Electrical resistance is comparable to friction loss in piping. As water flows down a pipe, it loses pressure (PSI). As current flows down a wire, it loses voltage.

Let's consider a "normal" installation: a single irrigation solenoid that needs 0.25 amps at 24 volts AC to operate properly that is located 750 feet from the controller. Let's assume voltage output at the controller is at least 24 volts. The total length of the circuit we need to consider is 1,500 feet (750 feet out to the solenoid on the "hot" wire and 750 feet back on the "common" wire.)

If the wire is too small or is run too far, the valve won't receive enough current to open or close against the pressure of the water. The higher the water pressure is, the greater the current must be to actuate the solenoid.

With 85 psi static pressure at the valve and a standard solenoid, 18-gauge wire might be used for total circuit runs up to 2,000 feet, unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer. So it would be safe to use for a single solenoid circuit up to 750 feet away.

If you're sizing long wire runs, please ask us to help you make the right wire size choices. You don't want to install the wrong size!