AT PR2 User manual

Augering Kits for PR2
Augering and access tube insertion for PR1 and PR2 Profile
Probes
Quick Start Guide Version 1.0
Delta-T Devices Ltd

© 2005 Delta-T Devices Ltd
Profile Probes give accurate soil
moisture readings when the access tubes
are in close contact with the soil.
Good augering and insertion techniques are
vital to ensure this is achieved.
Augering equipment
 Short access tubes can be installed in
soft or cultivated soils using the Short
Starter Kit only.
 The Long Starter Kit can be used to install long or short tubes into a
range of cultivated or uncultivated soils*.
 The Complete Kit includes additional the carrying bag and additional
accessories.
* Dry sandy soils may also need the spiral auger ( R-AUG2).

© 2005 Delta-T Devices Ltd
reparation
 Read the Health and Safety instructions and check the safety
equipment.
 Assemble and check over the augering equipment. Sharpen the auger
blades carefully.
Check list for additional equipment that you are likely to need in the field:
 Access tubes [1]
 Collars [2]
 Black caps [3], or red
bungs for soil-surface
insertions [4]
 Flexicanes and pen [5]
 Mist sprayer [6]
 Stiff brush [7]
 Cleaning cloths or paper
towels [8]
 lastic sheet and bucket [9]
 R2 [10] and HH2 meter [11] for checking the readings after installation.
Stabilisation plate
 Choose a patch of ground that is as level and free of stones as possible.
 Assemble the stabilisation plate. Ensure it is stable before hammering the
stakes in.
 Fit the white centring bush.

© 2005 Delta-T Devices Ltd
Insertion Normal Soil-surface
Short tubes 0.55m 0.60m
Long tubes 1.15m 1.20m
ilot Auger
 ush the pilot auger straight down by ~100mm.
Don’t allow the top o the auger to wobble
about. If there is strong resistance, insert by
smaller steps. Rotate the auger through a half turn
and pull out carefully.
 Clean the extracted soil from the auger onto the
plastic sheet using the spatula.
 Continue in this way, taking great care to re-insert
the auger following the same path, until the hole is
deep enough.
Hints
 If the soil is hard, you can
hammer gently on the top of
the pilot auger.
 If the soil is dry and sandy you may need to pre-wet the soil so that it
sticks together, or use the spiral auger instead of the pilot auger.
Finishing Auger
This process is not needed for short access
tubes in soft soils
 Change to the blue centring bush.
 Begin inserting the auger, rotating
clockwise all the time. Auger about
200mm at a time.
 Retract the auger while rotating anti-
clockwise and clean out with the spatula
(be very careful of the sharp edges).
Hints
 In sticky soils, minimise damage to the sides of the hole by applying a light
spray of water to the sides of the auger as it is inserted. A second person
with a mist sprayer will help considerably.

© 2005 Delta-T Devices Ltd
Insert access tube
 Fit the yellow centring bush, and start pushing
the access tube into the soil using the insertion
rod.
 As resistance increases you may need to start
hammering, but minimise wobble. Continue until
the top of the access tube is level with the top
of the centring bush.
 Remove the stabilisation plate. If you are
inserting access tubes level with the soil
surface, continue inserting until just level.
Hints
 Spray a little water on the access tube walls to lubricate the insertion.
 In hard soil you may have to hammer vigorously. Extreme hammering
indicates an undersize hole. Don’t proceed – adjust the auger to a larger
diameter (see Augering Manual) and then start a new hole.
Check readings
 Remove the stabilisation plate, taking care not to knock the tube.
 If necessary, clean out the inside of the access tube with the cleaning rod
and a short length of paper towel or cloth.
 Insert the R2 and take 3 readings, rotating the probe through 120°
increments (see PR2 Quick Start Guide). Look for low readings –
these may indicate air gaps or stones, and the need to re-install.
Finishing off
 Fit the collar and cap or bung.
 Label and insert the flexicane
 Brush any loose soil off the augers. Wash, dry and wipe them with an oily
cloth or use water repellent spray.
Extraction
 Use the ladder jack. The extraction process is fairly complex - you need
to refer to the Augering Manual for detailed instructions.

Preparation
Assemble and check the
equipment
Stabilisation
plate
osition and fix the
stabilisation plate
Pilot auger
Auger a pilot hole to the
required depth
Finish auger
Enlarge hole to final
diameter (not required for
short tubes in soft soils)
Insert
access tube
ush or hammer access
tube into the soil
Check
readings
Take R2 measurements
to check the installation
Finishing off
Fit collar and cap or bung,
insert flexicane
Extraction
Remove access tubes
using extraction kit
Delta-T Devices Ltd
128 Low Road
Burwell
Cambridge CB5 0EJ
UK
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Web: www.delta-t.co.uk