how do I hook up a hose to this valve?

[stanowen]

So I just bought a piece of commercial property. It has a parkway with grass, trees, and shrubs. That side of the building doesn't have a hosebib on the wall, but it does have some sort of valve in the ground. It has a spring loaded brass cap that flips back and when you look down inside it looks just like an ordinary pipe. I think I have seen these before but I don't know what they're called. They look like a long pipe extension with the hosebib on top. Any clue what the heck I'm looking for?

[Redwood]

Does it look like this?

[stanowen]

no, it doesn't have two connections, it's only got one. and it has a flip up top on it. i'm thinking that it might be some sort of quick connect/disconnect valve. it sits vertically in the grass pointing up towards the sky, but below the level that a lawnmower would hit. i think they plumbed it this way so that the long pipe extension and hose could be removed and stored inside. anything left out would be stolen in this neighborhood. i've tried searching google with a bunch of different keywords but can't come up with anything remotely like it. i know i've seen something similar, i just can't say where.

[jimbo]

The piece you need is usually called a sprinkler key. It twists into your fitting and has a tap on it to attach a valve and hose.

There are two types of thread on these, which I refer to as Superior and Acme.

I will try to find some pics and add it, but any landscape supply ( not HD ) will have them.


Here is a link. Champion calls them quick couplers, and coupler keys. As I mentioned, you just have to find out if yours needs the single lug design ( champion ) or Acme thread design/
>>http://www.championirrigation.com/op...s/0/1/15/1/0/0

[stanowen]

aahhhh yes!! thats what the inground "coupler" looks like, i guess i'll have to check tomorrow and see if it has the threads or lug, also check what size it is (looks like they come in 3/4, 1", etc). looking at the price, now I know why the previous owner took it with them!! sheezaloo.

thank you so much for the help!! my grass and trees will thank you as soon as I get them watered.

[hj]

Hopefully it has a name on the top, because they are not generic, so you have to get the plug-in sprinkler insert made by the same company. Most of them use a watering head, not a hose connection.

[jimbo]

Around here they install them in the landscape areas around condos, commercial bldgs, etc. so the maintenance crew can plug in a bibb.