Soil Compaction and Penetrometer Tester with Dial

Soil Compaction and Penetrometer Tester with Dial

Soil Compaction Tester / Dial Penetrometer is a catalog item and designed to show if you have layers or hard pans in your soil profile. This features a durable construction and is listed in our catalog for easy reference.

Push the Soil Compaction Tester into the soil with steady down pressure and watch the gauge and you will see any hard pans in the soil profile up to 24 inches (60 cm) deep. Comes with two tips, each a different type of tip: one type for hard soils and one type for soft soils.

Soil compaction can happen anywhere. Years of traffic, tillage, Aerification and settling can cause soil particles to clump together and fill in air spaces in the creating a “plow pan” or “hard pan” below the root zone. When this happens a hard layer is formed and it’s hard for moisture and roots to penetrate the soil. Some are more prone than others but once a compaction layer is formed and moisture and traffic continues the compaction layer will get denser and thicker

Soil Compaction Tester / Dial Penetrometer is a simple tool that uses downward pressure to test soil compaction at different depths in the profile. Test down to 24 inches (60cm).

The Soil Compaction Tester is a Penetrometer which measures and is manufactured in accordance with the ASAE S313.3 standard. Comes with two tips: a small tip (1/2” diameter) for hard and a large tip (3/4”diameter) for soft material, each is designed for different conditions. The dial has two scales (one for each tip) that are calibrated in pounds per square inch (PSI) of the base area of the cone shaped tip.

What is a Soil Compaction Tester

Soil compaction testers, also known as penetrometers, are a must have tool for farmers, gardeners and agricultural professionals to measure soil compaction. Compacted can cause many problems including poor seed germination, poor root growth and reduced crop yields. When particles are pressed together they reduce the pore space for air and water movement which stunts root growth and delays planting. By using a soil compaction tester you can diagnose compacted problems and take corrective action to improve health. This proactive approach means it stays mellow and loose and promotes better plant growth and overall plant health.

Components

To enhance versatility and accuracy, testers may come with a variety of accessories, such as plungers, load weights, and sample containers. These accessories allow users to test different soil types and conditions, and to determine the consistency and firmness of the soil with greater precision. A shock collar is often included to protect the gauge during transport or storage, ensuring the device remains in top condition over time. For efficient soil sampling, a hand auger kit with extension can be a valuable addition to your toolkit.

With a typical weight of around 2 pounds (1 kg) and compact dimensions—approximately 35.25 x 11 x 2.75 inches (90 x 28 x 8 cm)—the tester is easy handling and portability in the field. Manufactured in the USA, these are built to last, providing reliable performance for customers ranging from farmers and landscapers to construction professionals choosing the right field scale for their needs.

The thoughtful and durable construction of each component make the tester an essential tool for anyone needing to determine soil compaction. By using this device, customers can quickly identify problem areas, save time and resources, and make informed decisions to increase or decrease the quantity of soil compaction as needed. The price of testers may vary depending on the model and included accessories, but they offer excellent value for those who require accurate, field-ready soil testing solutions.

Why Test Compacted Material?

Turfgrass Areas and Poor Root Growth

• Increase efficiency of your irrigation system

• Fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides will penetrate the better

• Increase water retention and infiltration

• Ensure Aerification is reaching desired depths

• Consistency from green to green, fairway to fairway, tee to tee or athletic field to athletic field

• Reduce fungus problems due to improved aeration and water movement

Farming

• In Farming increase yield by increasing root and plant development

• In Farming reduce time and fuel cost by reducing power needed to till a field

• Fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides will penetrate better

• Water retention and infiltration

• Prevent water accumulation in fields delays planting which can affect harvest schedule and stunted root growth, increased fuel cost and poor seed germination

To read the Digital Soil Compaction Tester / Digital Dial Penetrometer simply look at progress bar on digital read out for color comparison and digital display for PSI or kPa numeric value

• Green (0 - 200 psi) - Good

• Yellow (200 - 300 psi) - Fair

• Red (300 psi and above) - Bad

How to Use a Soil Compaction Tester

Using a soil compaction tester is simple. Here’s how:

1. Choose a spot: Select a spot in the field or garden where you want to test the soil compaction. Test multiple areas to get a overall picture

2. Insert the penetrometer: Push the penetrometer until you reach the desired area. Apply steady even pressure to avoid skewing the results.

3. Read the gauge: Note the reading on the color coded gauge, it will tell you if it is good.

4. Record the data: Record the readings and note the areas with high resistance. This will help you to identify compacted areas and take action to relieve soil compaction.

It is recommended to perform tests over a period of several weeks to monitor changes

By following these steps you can monitor and manage soil compaction and have healthier and better crop yields.

• 24” stainless steel rod with adjustable shock collar to prevent damage to the gauge during transport or storage

• Easy to read, color coded, stainless steel dial that is liquid filled to reduce shock

• Durable molded housing with rubber grip handles

• Large and small tip included with convenient storage in tester housing

• Hanger hole with nail included for storage on wall or above workbench

• Gauge shows how much pressure is required for concrete testing applications

Specifications

• Green (0-200 psi): good

• Yellow (200-300 psi): fair

• Red (300 psi and above): bad

• 2 tips included: 1/2” Inch tip for hard soil, 3/4” tip for soft soil, both to penetrate the soil to measure resistance accurately

• Readings based on ASAE S313.3 standard

• Size: 37 x 12.5 x 3.5 Inch (94 x 32 x 9 cm)

• Weight: 3 lbs (1.36 kg)