The Orbit 58322 traveling sprinkler is the weirdest looking thing in my garage. It looks like a tiny tractor. My kids call it the robot sprinkler. My neighbors stop and stare when it crawls across my lawn. I have owned this thing for two full seasons now and I can tell you exactly when it makes sense and when it does not.
I bought the 58322 because my backyard is a long rectangle about 50 feet deep and 80 feet wide. A regular oscillating sprinkler covers maybe 30 feet. I was moving sprinklers around every 20 minutes. The Orbit tractor promised to crawl the entire length of my yard on its own. Here is what happened.
What the Orbit 58322 Brings to the Table
The 58322 is a self-propelled traveling sprinkler. You lay out a hose in the path you want it to follow. The sprinkler follows that hose like a train on tracks. It uses water pressure to turn its own wheels and drive forward. No electricity. No batteries. Just water power.
| Feature | Spec |
|---|---|
| Type | Self-propelled traveling sprinkler |
| Body Material | Cast iron |
| Coverage Width | Up to 50 feet diameter |
| Coverage Length | Up to 200 feet (hose length dependent) |
| Speeds | 3 speeds (high, low, neutral) |
| Auto Shut-Off | Yes, built-in ramp stops at hose end |
| Hose Connection | Standard 5/8 inch garden hose |
| Weight | About 18 pounds |
My Real-World Experience With the Orbit 58322
The first time I used it I messed up. I laid the hose in a gentle curve thinking the tractor would follow it. Nope. The tractor needs a mostly straight path. It went about 10 feet, veered off the hose, and started watering my patio furniture. Lesson learned.
Once I figured out the hose path, this thing became my favorite lawn tool. I lay the hose straight down the middle of my backyard. I set the speed to low. The tractor crawls along at about 20 feet per hour. It takes about two and a half hours to travel the full 50 feet of my yard. When it reaches the end, it hits a little metal ramp that shuts off the water automatically.
The spray arms throw water about 25 feet on each side. That gives me roughly 50 feet of total coverage width. Perfect for my 80-foot-wide yard. I do two passes and the whole lawn gets an even soak.
What I Like About the Orbit 58322
- Truly set it and forget it — once the hose is laid out, you turn on the water and walk away
- Cast iron body — this thing feels like it will outlast me, heavy and solid
- Automatic shut-off — the ramp at the end of the path stops the water so nothing floods
- Covers long narrow yards perfectly — my rectangular backyard is exactly what this was built for
- Three speed settings — low for a deep soak, high for a quick pass
- No electricity needed — runs entirely on water pressure, nothing to plug in or charge
- Even watering — because it moves at a steady pace, no spot gets too much or too little water
What Could Be Better
- Heavy to move around — at 18 pounds of cast iron, this is not something you want to carry across a big property
- Needs a flat yard — slopes and bumps make the tractor veer off the hose path
- You need a dedicated hose — the tractor follows the hose it is connected to, so that hose cannot be used for anything else while it runs
- Pricey for a sprinkler — at around $85, it costs more than most hose-end sprinklers
- Spray arms are plastic — the body is iron but the arms and nozzles are plastic and can break if stepped on
- Minimum water pressure requirement — if your water pressure is below about 30 PSI, the tractor may not move at all
Orbit 58322 vs Nelson Rain Train: Which Traveling Sprinkler Is Better?
These are the two most popular traveling sprinklers. I have used both. The Orbit 58322 and Nelson Rain Train are very similar. Both have cast iron bodies. Both follow a hose. Both have auto shut-off.
The biggest difference is price. The Nelson typically costs about $10 to $15 less than the Orbit. But the Orbit has a slightly better build quality in my experience. The gear mechanism feels smoother and the auto shut-off ramp is more reliable.
Replacement parts are easier to find for the Orbit. You can buy new spray arms, the tee connector, and even a replacement motor assembly right on Amazon. That matters if you plan to use this thing for 10 years.
Both are good. I picked the Orbit because of the parts availability and because I found it on sale. You will be happy with either one.
Who Should Buy the Orbit 58322
This sprinkler is perfect for three types of lawns. Long narrow yards are number one. If your lawn is shaped like a rectangle or a long strip, this tractor will cover it better than anything else. Big open lawns are number two. If you have a half acre or more of open grass, lay the hose in a grid pattern and let the tractor cover it all. New lawns are number three. When you are trying to grow grass from seed, you need even consistent watering. The tractor provides that better than any stationary sprinkler.
Who should skip it? If your yard is small, hilly, or full of obstacles like trees and flower beds, a regular oscillating or impact sprinkler will serve you better. The tractor needs a clear straight path to do its job.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Orbit 58322 traveling sprinkler work?
You connect a garden hose to the tractor and lay that same hose in a straight path across your lawn. When you turn on the water, the pressure spins a small turbine inside that powers the wheels. The tractor follows the hose. Two spray arms rotate and water the lawn on both sides as it moves.
How fast does the Orbit 58322 travel?
On low speed it moves about 15 to 20 feet per hour. On high speed about 30 to 40 feet per hour. Low speed gives more water per area. High speed is good for a lighter watering or when you just need to cover ground fast.
What water pressure does the Orbit 58322 need?
It works best at 35 to 60 PSI. Below 30 PSI the tractor may stall or not move at all. Most municipal water supplies deliver 40 to 60 PSI so this is rarely a problem.
Can the Orbit 58322 go around corners?
No. It needs a relatively straight hose path. Gentle curves might work but sharp turns will cause the tractor to wander off the hose. Plan your hose path in straight lines.
How long of a hose can it follow?
Up to 200 feet. The limiting factor is usually water pressure and friction loss in long hoses, not the tractor itself. With good pressure, 150 to 200 feet works fine.
Does it shut off automatically?
Yes. A small metal ramp clips onto the hose at the point where you want the tractor to stop. When the tractor drives over the ramp, it trips a valve that shuts off the water flow.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means if you click on a link and buy something I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. I bought the Orbit 58322 with my own money and all opinions are based on my real experience using the product. Prices and availability were checked on June 17, 2026 and may change.
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