surrounding soil, minimizing disturbance to the soil, and minimizing preferential flow of water
along the probe.
Factors that affect the distribution of water in soil include soil properties such as texture, depth,
and compaction, slope, land usage, vegetation, and disturbance history.
The selected site should be representative of the soil of interest. Certain soil types may present a
challenge to properly installing the probe. For instance, sandy soil types are likely to collapse into
the augered hole. Pre-wetting the installation location may help in firming up the soil and allow
a hole to be created.
Rocky soils may prevent an auger from creating a hole deep enough for the probe or may
damage the probe during the installation process. Minor abrasions and dents to the body or
threads should not influence the measurements. However, rocky soils may require a different
approach to the installation. Either create a larger hole and use a slurry method to install the
probe, or excavate the soil then back fill the soil around the probe.
7.2 Field installation
Campbell Scientific offers a SoilVUE 10 Installation Kit (
FIGURE 7-1. Components of the installation kit
A – Auger extension shaft
B – Hex socket
C – Hex socket handle
D – Edelman auger
E – Auger clean-out tool
F – Rods to aid in disassembly (insert through holes in extension shaft)
G – T-handle for auger/extension shaft
The installation kit is not necessary to install the SoilVUE 10. A standard 5 cm (2-inch) hand auger
may be used instead of the auger supplied in the kit. The SoilVUE 10 can then be inserted into
the hole using a standard six-sided 2.25-inch socket.
SoilVUE™10 Complete Soil Profiler
8
