Library Card

Kees, Gary . 2005. Hand-Held Electronic Cone Penetrometers for Measuring Soil Strength. 0524 2837. Missoula, MT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Missoula Technology and Development Center. 12 p.

Describes tests comparing three hand-held electronic cone penetrometers: the CP40 (Agridry Rimik PTY LTD, $5,100 for the newer CP40II), the Field Scout SC–900 (Spectrum Technologies, Inc., $1,495), and the Penetrologger (Eijkelkamp Agrisearch Equipment, $5,200). Cone penetrometers are used to measure soil strength, which can be a concern during forest management activities that require the use of heavy equipment. A traditional mechanical penetrometer requires two persons to operate. Dynamic cone penetrometers take about 5 minutes to probe 500 millimeters deep. Newer electronic cone penetrometers that can be operated by one person probe 500 millimeters deep in just 17 seconds. These penetrometers can locate areas with excess soil strength, but they do not provide definitive measurements of soil compaction. The CP40 appeared to be the most practical of the three penetrometers tested. It had the most storage for data, a comfortable operating height, and performed well in repeatability testing.

Keywords: comparisons, equipment, nurseries, reforestation, soil compaction, soil mechanics, soil physical properties, soil strength, soil testing

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USDA Forest Service - Missoula Technology & Development
Last Modified: Wed, Nov 30 2005 15:05:58