A traveling sprinkler apparatus (10) comprising a cart (12) adapted for movement along a path defined by water supply pipe having a plurality of spaced hydrants thereon a sprinkler (28) mounted on said cart a power source carried on the cart (12) for moving the cart (12) along the path a docking station (26) including a housing (27) having a body portion and a hydrant valve actuator (136,322) adapted for successively engaging the plurality of spaced hydrants (116), and for opening valves contained in said hydrants (110), said docking station resiliently suspended from said cart (12) for substantially free-floating movement relative to said cart and to said hydrants (110) and a hose operatively connected between said valve actuator and said sprinkler (28).
