Serviceable sprinkler with nutating distribution plate

A sprinkler assembly comprising:

• an inlet and a nozzle configured to direct water along an axis;
• a shaft supported downstream of the nozzle, the shaft terminating at a bearing surface;
• a deflector assembly configured to receive the water from the nozzle and to rotate and tilt relative to the axis, the deflector assembly including a lower bearing surface;
• and
• a separate starter cap captured between the bearing surface of the shaft and the lower bearing surface of the deflector assembly,
• wherein the starter cap defines a first area of engagement with the bearing surface and a separate, second area of engagement with the lower bearing surface, the starter cap configured to independently articulate relative to both the shaft and the deflector assembly to reduce friction forces during initial startup of the deflector assembly from a rest position.

A sprinkler assembly comprising:

• an inlet and a nozzle configured to direct water along an axis;
• a shaft supported downstream of the nozzle, a distal end of the shaft terminating at a bearing surface;
• a deflector assembly configured to receive the water from the nozzle and to rotate and tilt relative to the axis, the deflector assembly including a lower bearing surface;
• and
• a separate starter cap captured between the bearing surface of the shaft and the lower bearing surface of the deflector assembly, the starter cap defining a first area of engagement with the bearing surface and a separate, second area of engagement with the lower bearing surface,
• wherein the starter cap first articulates relative to both the shaft and the deflector assembly during initial startup and then the deflector assembly lifts off the starter cap after initial startup during use of the sprinkler assembly.

A sprinkler assembly comprising:

• an inlet and a nozzle configured to direct water along an axis;
• a shaft supported downstream of the nozzle, the shaft terminating at a bearing surface;
• a deflector configured to rotate and tilt relative to the axis due to impingement by the water, the deflector including a lower bearing surface;
• a separate starter cap having an inner bearing surface and an outer bearing surface, the starter cap be captured between the bearing surface of the shaft and the lower bearing surface of the deflector;
• a first area of engagement between the starter cap and the bearing surface;
• and
• a second area of engagement between the starter cap and the lower bearing surface,
• wherein the starter cap independently articulates relative to both the shaft and the deflector during initial startup of the deflector from a rest position, and wherein the inner bearing surface has a first radius and the outer bearing surface has a second radius greater than the first radius.