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SOILMOISTURE EQUIPMENT CORP.
P.O. Box 30025, Santa Barbara, CA 93105 U.S.A.
Telephone 805-964-3525 - Fax No. 805-683-2189
Email: [email protected] - Website: http://www.soilmoisture.com
SOILMOISTURE
Boreholes made by the Edelman auger (left), the
4. Insert the root auger into the soil.
Without force of impact. In lighter soils, the bi-partite root auger can be hand-screwed into the soil. Turn it clockwise
and push it gently 15 cm into the soil. The drilling crown cuts out soil with roots.
Always rotate the auger clockwise!
With force of impact. In harder soil types, the bi-partite root auger is driven into the soil using the impact-absorbing
hammer. Hold the auger with one hand by the handle (see figure, previous page). Use the impact-absorbing ham-
mer to drive the auger into the soil for max. 15 cm.
If force of impact is needed, always use the impact-absorbing hammer. It is safe and causes no damage
to the root auger. Avoid using a regular steel hammer. It will damage the auger. A bouncing hammer may
cause injuries.
5. Cut off the sample by rotating the auger
Cutting off a full sample will prevent loss of sample material. Rotate the auger a
full circle without pressing it down.
6. Hoist the root auger with sample while gently rotating it. Keep your back straight and your
knees bent to prevent injuries. Turn the auger upside down (put the beating head in the bore-
hole) and remove the sample by operating the extruder.
7. Remove the pin and put it into the dummy hole. Insert the crank handle into the gear casing
and push the sample out of the auger cylinder (see figure). Now, the sample can be examined
(e.g. break the sample and count the roots on the fractured surface).
8. Clean the augers after use with running water. Use the bent spatula to remove dirt between
the extruder and the top of the cylinder. Disconnect the rod from the auger to clean the threads.
Fill up the borehole with soil or bentonite plugs after augering. This will prevent humans or animals to
trip into the hole and incur injuries. It will also allow impermeable layers to recover.
Some remarks:
For sampling at greater depth, use the Edelman and/
or Riverside auger to pre-auger.
Boreholes made by the Edelman auger have a
conical shape (see figure). The Riverside auger is
used to level the borehole before applying the root
auger.
It is recommended to ream the borehole using the
Edelman or Riverside auger after sampling with the
root auger. Hoisting the root auger causes coating
on the walls of the borehole, which impedes further
sampling. Reaming the borehole reduces friction.
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