Hand auger equipment is extremely suitable for soil research. As almost any type of soil sets its own demands, where it concerns the model of the auger to be applied. In the course of the years many models have been developed. Years of experience and many contacts with soil researchers at home and abroad made it possible to achieve the optimum design for various types. For more details
This type of soil auger is by far the most used auger. The typical design of the Euro design auger allows for a minimum of friction during penetration into the soil, and the extraction of the auger from the soil, which means less physical effort.
The spiral auger operates similar to a corkscrew and does not cut off the soil. The auger is usually applied when hard layers need to be penetrated. The spiral auger has a negative end, i.e. the centre of the auger end is whetted away.
The gouge auger can be used for sampling with a minimal disturbance of more or less soft, cohesive layers e.g. wet clay, peat.
This design is very suitable for augerings in hard, stiff soils, mixed with fine gravel both above and below the ground water level. The very sharp extremities of the auger bits point at an angle downwards. This design makes the auger go through the soil easily.
The piston sampler differs completely in design and application from the augers described before and is very suitable for sampling less cohesive soil layers (sand) below the groundwater table. The piston sampler is also suitable for sampling sediments with a sand content.
The stainless steel bailer samplers have been developed to sample still water (or other fluids) at any required depth. The bailer sampler consists of a stainless steel tube, open at the top-end and fitted with an unscrewable cap at the bottom. A one way valve is fitted at the bottom. As soon as the water sampler is lowered it can be lifted again. To assure a proper replacement of the contents during the lowering, the sampler is lifted half a meter several times.
This bi-partite gouge auger distinguishes itself from other gouges by the cylindrical tapered cutting head at the bottom side of the gouge that, when the auger is pushed into the soil, cuts a cylinder shaped piece from the soil. As a result the auger does not need to be revolved around its axis after being inserted, as the other gouge augers need to be (less sensitive to torsion). The tapered cutting head also holds the sample better. For this auger roughly the same applications apply as for the ordinary steel gouge augers.
The stainless steel peat sampler is pushed into the soil by hand. Half a cylinder is used to contain the obtained sample. The cone of the peat sampler is massive, distinguishing it from the standard gouge auger. The sample containing section is sealed off by a plate (fin) that can pivot around the axle in the middle of the sampler and that is fitted with a cutting edge on one side. Having arrived at the correct sampling depth the complete sampler is given half a turn clockwise (180°). During the turning the fin remains in position, which allows the half cylinder to be filled and closed again. The half circular sample cylinder is kept closed by the other side of the fin during extraction.
The liner sampler set for hard soils with screw thread connection allows undisturbed soil samples to be taken in a liner. This is done by applying a stainless steel core sampler with sample tubes and cutting head. In hard soils the sampler tube can be driven into the soil using the shock-absorbing hammer with two nylon heads or the down-the-hole hammer.
These stainless steel gouge augers with different dimensions consist of a steel auger pipe, a collecting bucket and a stick with a steel handle. The auger pipe is filled by pressing the collecting bucket with your foot. Because of the conical shape of this pipe the sample is easily pushed toward the collecting trough when the next sample is taken. It is easy to take samples while walking. The correct number of samples per hectare depends, among other factors, on the type of crop, the relief and the type of soil. In case of grassland it is required to take 30 samples per hectare. It is possible to quickly take samples of the top 5 or 10 centimetres of grass covered areas, for root- and/or fertilisation research, with these type of augers. The grass plot sampler is particularly suitable for research in grassland farming but also in horticulture and for the Parks and Public Gardens Department.
The percussion drilling set is perfect for soils with bricks, large or many stones, for example in urban areas or industrial sites. With this drilling set you get beautiful clean samples without the use of lubricants. The set is equipped with extremely robust rods and gouges. The different diameters allow efficient, fast and light work. Please note that this set does not replace cutting with a diamond core and is not intended for fibrous material. Do not use the set on dry glacial loam, porosity is required.
This type of Edelman auger is suitable for moderately cohesive soils, such as sandy soils. The elongated, twisted bit ensures easy penetration of the soil. The blades of the sand type are broad, allowing a good hold of the soil.
Root research is executed to improve the insight in the possibilities for root growth (depth and concentration) of the root system of trees and plants. In general it is important to all plants to have a dense and extensive root system in the soil. An extensive root system allows the plant to benefit from a large volume of soil. If sufficient quantities of nutrients and water are present, the absorption will be larger if the root system is more extensive. Measuring the root system also is a useful means of localising physical and/or chemical barriers in the soil profile. This single root auger gives large cylindrical and undisturbed cores. The auger is easy to clean and suitable for soft (turf) layers. Please note that this root auger is not suitable for hammering.
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