K-Rain

Incorporated in 1974, K-Rain Manufacturing started on the path to become one of the largest manufacturers of irrigation rotors, sprays, electric valves, indexing valves and irrigation controllers in the world.

The Early Years
As a young man, Carl Kah excelled in physics and chemistry and had a keen interest in electronics and aerodynamic design. While still in high school, he designed and built an early version of a cyclone vacuum cleaner. It would be the first of many inventions to come.

From Rockets to Rotors
With a degree in Chemical Engineering and after graduating first in his class from the U.S. Army Artillery Corps Guided Missile School, Carl began work in the Applied Research and Propulsion Division of Pratt & Whitney. His contribution there helped develop the early reusable rocket engines – a technology that is still used by NASA today.

In the evenings, out of concern for his own residential lawn, he used a lathe in his garage to design and machine a valve that cycled from zone to zone thus eliminating the need for multiple valves. Carl patented the valve in 1966.

In 1970, he invented and patented the Modulated Pressure Control. This allowed for the control of the entire irrigation system of a golf course without wires or tubes. The patent was later sold to a manufacturer of golf course irrigation systems. That patent sale was the catalyst to founding K-Rain Manufacturing in 1974.