urf-Tec penetrometer, a compaction meter that can be used to detect compacted layers in the soil. By pressing the meter steadily through the soil layers and monitoring the readings, possible compacted layers can be located down to a depth of 60 cm.
Soil compaction can occur in all soil types. Pressure over time, wear, aeration, and the natural movement of soil particles cause various changes in how soil particles settle in relation to one another. Particles can bond together, block air pores, and form different types of compacted layers. Once compaction has begun, changes in pressure and moisture conditions generally only intensify the compaction, and the effects of the layer on the turf start to become more pronounced.
The meter comes with two different tips; one for hard soils and one for soft soils. The smaller (1/2″) tip is for compact soils and the larger (3/4″) tip is for softer soils. The display of the meter has scales for both tips (PSI).
