When it comes to irrigation system installation and design, valve boxes play an important role, yet often aren’t given much thought.
A well-designed valve box can make installations faster and easier while reducing the need for future maintenance.
The key benefits of Rain Bird’s professional grade VB Series Valve Boxes are:
All the models (except the 6 inch round) are made through a structural foam molding process. Structural foam molding has many inherit qualities including:
- Larger part size - shot sizes up to 200 lbs.
- Durability, strength, and manufacturing efficiency
- Dimensional accuracy over the entire production run
- Weight reduction of up to 15% (by volume) compared to other injection molding methods
- Superior impact resistance
- Parts that are impervious to the elements
- Color consistency and complete range of colors
- Two different materials can be molded simultaneously
- Ability to mold two colors simultaneously
- Consistent surface finish
- Parts are recyclable
The 6 inch round is made through an injection modeling process.
Only within a model family, not between models. For example, the lid that fits on the Standard valve box only works on the Standard valve box or Standard extension; it does not fit the Jumbo valve box.
The different lid colors are designed to either i) blend into the environment or ii) designate a purpose. The green lids are for environmental blending and the purple lids designates non-potable water.
The Rain Bird valve boxes are designed for commercial applications (less the 6” round version). They are ideal for golf courses, parks, or any areas that have heavy lawn equipment. They are assessed against a rigid series of test to verify heavy loads.
There are two lock models, a hex bolt and penta bolt. The hex bolt is 9/16”, 6-sided bolt head. The penta bolt is a 5-sided bolt head that requires a special tool. The socket for the hex bolt is very common; the tool for the penta bolt is less common. The penta bolt is similar to what are used to “lock” gas equipment. The “locks” are designed to keep the casual vandal out.
The 6 inch round is ideal for a junction box. It is used, for example, to extend the reach of the SMRT-Y soil moisture sensor. The 7” round is a more robust unit with extra strength is required.
If damage does occur to a valve box, it is typically the lid that gets damaged. Instead of replacing the entire valve box, a simple lid replacement is all that is needed.
We call it “shovel access.” Over time, it is hard telling what might decide to make a valve box a home. The recessed lid lip allows the contractor to open the lid without having to put his/her hand down there at first. The lip also makes it easier to open lids with the fingers.
Some valve installations are deeper than what a normal sized valve box can fit. The extensions give another 6 inches of depth to the installation. This is offered in the Standard and Jumbo models.
The Rain Bird valve boxes and be interlocked, bottom-to-bottom, in other words stacked. This configuration gives twice the depth as just the normal valve box and more depth than the extension can add. This capability is available on all the rectangle valve boxes.
For most installations, the boxes are installed below ground with the lids placed at finish grade. The box body is rarely seen. The other reason is that the black bodies are made from recyclable material for both cost and environmental benefits.
A wide flange at the base of most of the rectangular Rain Bird valve boxes were designed with this in mind. The broader based simplifies installation and reduces cost associated with not using those stabilizing bricks.
We believe they have more features, more benefits and better value that any valve box line in the industry. They are built rock solid, loaded with features and are priced very competitively. Rain Bird builds a better valve box and prices them competitively.
There are valve boxes and there are valve boxes. For Rain Bird, quality is paramount. The valve boxes were designed with quality and durability in mind. A commercial valve box will meet the needs of commercial applications, from golf courses and parks to industrial parks and business properties. They are designed for heavy loads, namely large mowers and vehicles. Although positioned as a higher-end line of valve boxes, the prices make them attractive to residential installations. Why compromise quality when the price is similar?
At one time, we carried separately orderable lid for small round valve boxes. Few orders were received. In order to help our distributors better manage inventory, we eliminated those SKUs. The replacement process for a lid is to order the new 6” or 7” round valve box with a lid, throw away (recycle) the body, and just use the lid.
Rain Bird offers a full line of professional grade rectangle and round valve boxes. Below are the model numbers and brief descriptions of each.
VB-STD Standard (Body & Green Lid)
VB-STDP Standard (Body & Purple Lid)
VB-STD-B Standard (Body only)
VB-STD-L Standard (Lid only) - Green
VB-STDP-L Standard (Lid only) - Purple
VB-STD-H Standard (Body & Green Lid) + Lock
VB-STD-6EXT-B Standard 6" Extension (Body only)
VB-STD-6EXT Standard 6" Extension (Body & Green Lid)
VB-JMB Jumbo (Body & Green Lid)
VB-JMBP Jumbo (Body & Purple Lid)
VB-JMB-B Jumbo (Body only)
VB-JMB-L Jumbo (Lid only) - Green
VB-JMBP-L Jumbo (Lid only) - Purple
VB-JMB-H Jumbo (Body & Green Lid) + Lock
VB-JMB-6EXT-B Jumbo 6" Extension (Body only)
VB-JMB-6EXT Jumbo 6" Extension (Body & Green Lid)
VB-SPR-H Super Jumbo (Body & Green Lid) + 2 Locks
VB-SPR-L Super Jumbo (Lid only) - Green
VB-SPR-PL Super Jumbo (Lid only) - Purple
VB-MAX-H Maxi Jumbo (Body & Green Lid) + 2 Locks
VB-MAX-PL Super Jumbo (Lid only) - Purple
VB-10RND 10" Round (Body & Green Lid)
VB-10RND-B 10" Round (Body only)
VB-10RND-L 10" Round (Lid only) - Green
VB-10RNDP-L 10" Round (Lid only) - Purple
VB-10RND-H 10" Round (Body & Green Lid) + Lock
VB-7RND Black Body & Green Lid
VB-7RNDP Black Body & Purple Lid
VB-6RND 6" Green Body & Green Lid
VB-LOCK-H Locking (Hex bolt, washer & clip)
VB-LOCK-P Locking (Penta bolt, washer & clip)
The dimensions of the Rain Bird commercial grade valve boxes are presented below in standard and metric measurements:
Standard Length: 21.8 inches (55,4 cm) Standard Extension Length: 20.0 inches (50,8 cm) Jumbo Length: 26.3 inches (66,8 cm) Jumbo Extension Length: 24.4 inches (62,0 cm) |
Super Jumbo Length: 33.1 inches (84,1 cm) Maxi Jumbo Length: 40.3 inches (102,4 cm) 10 Inch Round Bottom Diameter: 13.75 inches (34,9 cm) 7 Inch Round Bottom Diameter: 9.9 inches (25,1 cm) 6 Inch Round Bottom Diameter: 8.3 inches (21,0 cm) |
Valve Boxes Brochure, English (PDF: 1.1 MB)
6" Round Valve Box Tech Specs (PDF:168 KB)
7" & 10" Round Valve Box Tech Specs (PDF:168 KB)
Standard Valve Box Tech Specs (PDF:156 KB)
Jumbo Valve Box Tech Specs (PDF: 156 KB)
Super Jumbo Valve Box Tech Specs (PDF: 160 KB)
Maxi Jumbo Valve Box Tech Specs (PDF: 156 KB)