Turf-Tec Soil Compaction Tester / Dial Penetrometer shows if you have layers or hard pans in the soil profile. By pushing the Turf-Tec Soil Compaction Tester into the soil with steady down pressure and watching the gauge, you can visually see any hard pans in the soil profile up to 24 inches deep (60 cm). This unit also comes with two tips, one for hard soils and one for softer soils.
Soil compaction can occur in any type of soil. Years of traffic, tillage, Aerification and settling can cause soil particles to group together and fill in air spaces in the soil creating a “plow pan” or "hard pan" below the root zone. When this happens, a hard layer is formed making it difficult for moisture and roots to penetrate the soil. Some soil types are more susceptible to compaction than others; but once a compaction layer is formed, and moisture and traffic continues, the compaction layer will continue to get denser and thicker.
Turf-Tec Soil Compaction Tester / Dial Penetrometer is a simple tool that uses downward pressure to determine soil compaction at different depths in the soil profile. With this easy to use tool you can test down to 24 inches deep (60 cm).
The Turf-Tec Soil Compaction Tester is a Penetrometer which measures the compaction of soil and is based on the ASAE S313.3 standard. The tester is supplied with two tips: a small tip (1/2” diameter) for use in firm soil and a large tip (3/4”diameter) for use in soft soil. 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.
Why Test Soil Compaction?
Turfgrass Areas
- Increase the effectiveness of your irrigation system
- Applications of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides will penetrate the soil better
- Increase soil water retention and infiltration
- Insure Aerification techniques are reaching desired depths
- Maintain consistency from on green, fairway, tee or athletic field to another
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
- Increase the effectiveness of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides
- Increase soil water retention and infiltration
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 Growing Conditions
- Yellow (200 - 300 psi) - Fair Growing Conditions
- Red (300 psi and above) - Poor Growing Conditions
Features
- 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 easy storage on wall or above workbench
Specifications
-
Green testing range (0-200 psi): good growing conditions
- Yellow testing range (200-300 psi): fair growing conditions
- Red testing range (300 psi and above): poor growing conditions
- Two tips included: 1/2" Inch tip for firm soil, 3/4" tip for soft soil
- The compaction readings are based on the 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)
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