With a rustproof cast iron construction, the sprinkler waters up to 13, 500 square feet, though covering a lesser area of 11,9000 square feet ensures more effective performance. The sprinkler arms adjust for varied spray patterns and arcs, throwing water from 15 to 56 feet. The sprinkler waters as it travels along a hose on a preset route, much like an electric model train, except with a hose as the rails. To water, the homeowner lays out the hose as desired, taking care to avoid dramatic corners or turnabouts that may result in hose kinks or a derailed sprinkler. A front wheel runs on the hose with the two traction-ready rear wheels bestride. The hose connects to the posterior of the sprinkler. For the best results, LR Nelson recommends a 5/8-inch hose, though a 1/2-inch hose may suffice, up to 200 feet in length. For sprinkling termination, the user places a shut-off ramp on the hose to lift the sprinkler off its "rails," while simultaneous stopping operation. The shut-off ramp should be installed with at least five feet of hose between it and the spigot. The traveling sprinkler operates at two motor speeds, high and low. On high power, the sprinkler travels approximately 37 feet per hour, with a 1/4-inch water application. On low power, the sprinkler moves at a 21 feet per hour rate with a 1/2-inch water application. The simple installation requires no tools. The sprinkler weighs 18.1 pounds upon shipping. --Jessica Reuling

You won't be disappointed; this is a time-tested classic!


Flexible and effective way to water your lawn   July 11, 2000
S. Jentsch (United States)
72 out of 74 found this review helpful

After hearing so much about this unit, and seeing a couple of them in my neighborhood, I decided to give it a try, even though the price was higher than I ever expected to pay for a lawn sprinkler.

I now know why so many people like it. It is very effective in watering the lawn, without spraying water high up in the air (less chance for evaporation, and not affected by wind as much), and it has hands-off operation once you set it up.

Adjusting the spray diameter is easy, and using the hose as a way to set the travel path for the sprinkler to follow is a great idea. The adjustable speed allows you to decide how much water to apply and how much ground you want to cover in a period of time.

Inspecting the yard afterwards shows that the ground is nicely saturated, and not needing to go out and move hoses is a welcomed change. This sprinkler is worth the purchase price!


Good Name and Good Product   June 26, 2000
21 out of 22 found this review helpful

I own (and have used heavily during the summer months for 20 years) a "heavier-duty version" of this Nelson sprinkler. The older model actually has a sand ballast bag inside the sprinkler body so it can maintain traction while pulling a long length of hose. Unfortunately, it finally just wore out to the point where parts are more than the cost of a new sprinkler. Since that model is no longer available I am purchasing this Model 1865. Neighbors on both sides of my property currently use a Model 1865 and are getting good service from them, so I'm confident it will provide dependable duty as my other one did.

One important point that no one else has mentioned is the excellent availability of parts. I have kept my other model running for such a long time by occasionally replacing worn out parts. I think some dealers may carry a small inventory of parts, but I simply call the factory and they send the parts I need right away and at a reasonable cost. The sprinkler comes with a good "exploded view" drawing and parts list so parts and numbers are easily identifiable.


LR Nelson "Rain Train" Traveling Sprinkler   May 31, 2000
23 out of 25 found this review helpful

We have used this product for nearly 20 years in two different homes. It is difficult to find in stores, I believe, because it is expensive. It is more than well worth its cost. We have replaced the hose coupler once, last year; it exceeds all recommended usage limits. I love this product and am purchasing one for another home. It will pull several hundred feet of 3/4 in hose up gradual grades in clay based soil. Set out your hose, turn on the water and forget it!


rain train is best invention since the wheel....   July 16, 2001
craig thorpe (bear, de)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful

this is awesome...beats any other sprinkler on the market & makes them obselete. I'd give it 10 stars out of 5 if that were possible. I just set it out and forget about it. It shuts off automatically so you don't waste water. The only problem I have had is with angles of hills and dirt patches...if the rain train is travelling side ways along a hill and it is too steep, it has a tendency to tip over, but once you get used to where it can go without tipping over, it is not a problem. Also, do not have it (the "wheels" run thru any dirt patches as it will get stuck in the mud that develops from the water). This is MUCH, MUCH cheaper and easier than getting an inground sprinkler system and I highly reccommend it.