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Question: |
What is the difference between regular, mud, sand and Dutch augers? |
| Answer: | A regular auger is designed for use in most soil types; it is the most versatile of the auger styles. Mud augers are designed for easy removal of heavy, wet, or clay soils. Sand augers are designed to be used in sand or dry soils and the Dutch auger is used to easily collect samples in fibrous and heavily rooted areas. |
| Question: | What is the difference between the signature connection series, threaded connection series and the quick connection series? |
| Answer: | The signature series is 5/8" with a heavier thread design. It allows augers, extension rods, and handles to be connected and disconnected in 1-½ turns. It offers fast connection speeds without the risk of galling. The threaded connection series is also 5/8" and similar in form to standard nuts and bolts, reliable and simple to use. The quick connection offers coupling connectors that feature fast, positive push-to-lock and easy disconnect. |
| Question: | What do I need for a complete auger system? |
| Answer: | To complete your auger system you will need to decide on auger and connection types, then you will need to order cross handles and extension rods depending upon the auger and connection types. It is important to remember once you pick a connection type you must remain consistent with that style when you choose your cross handle and extension. |
Augers - Eijkelkamp Brand
| Question: | What types of Eijkelkamp Edelman augers are available? |
| Answer: | Eijkelkamp's Edelman Auger is the most commonly used of the Eijkelkamp augers. The design of the Edelman auger allows for a minimum of friction during soil penetration and extraction of the auger from the soil. The four types of Edelman augers are: clay, sand, coarse sand, and combination. |
| Question: | What are the differences between the different types of Edelman augers? |
| Answer: | Clay soils are very cohesive and the blades on the clay auger are very narrow making the fact that they meet little resistance an advantage. Sandy soils are not cohesive. The sand auger has wider blades in order to keep the sample in. Coarse sand soils are very dry and have little cohesion. The blades of the coarse sand auger are extended with extra wings almost totally enclosing the auger. The combination auger gets a good hold of sandy material while clay-like material can be easily removed from the auger. |
| Question: | What styles of augers are available? |
| Answer: | Augers are available in a one-piece style which consists of a crossbar handle welded to the shaft which is welded to an auger. Overall length is about 50 inches. They are also available in a two-piece, screw-on crossbar handle that makes the breakdown and transport easier. Additional 39-inch extensions can be added to increase the overall length. |
| Question: | What is the difference between the bayonet-style and conical screw connections for the two-piece augers? |
| Answer: | On the bayonet-style connection the top and bottom are clamped into each other, then a coupling sleeve is pushed down to lock the connection. The advantage is quick coupling without the use of tools and no jamming of the connection even under adverse working conditions. The conical screw connection is based on male and female thread on the parts to be coupled. The conical thread is cone shaped which gives it a firmer, more stable connection. It would be an advantage to use the conical thread in harder soils or where hammering or jarring is required. |
Compasses
| Question: | What are the differences between basic, directional, hand-bearing and mirror-sighting compasses? |
| Answer: | A basic compass consists of a magnetic needle and a base plate with a compass rose. This type of compass is appropriate to use if the end user simply needs a general direction. A directional sighting compass usually will include the base plate, a moveable azimuth or bezel ring, the directional or north arrow, the orienteering arrow and some map scales. A hand-bearing compass is different than either of the two previous compasses in that it has an eyepiece. It still has a base and vial or liquid capsule, but this compass allows the user to site on an object while simultaneously taking a compass reading. This allows for much greater degree of accuracy and precision. Finally, the mirrored sighting compass is similar to the directional sighting compass, but also includes a cover with a mirror, a sight and usually a declination adjustment. A mirrored compass allows the end user to see the face of the compass while taking a bearing in the field. |
| Question: | What is the difference between the Azimuth and Quadrant Scales? |
| Answer: | The azimuth scale goes around the bezel ring a full 360 degrees. The quadrant scale has four equal 90 degree sections on the bezel ring. Each scale can be used anywhere, but some areas use quadrants instead of the full 360 degrees. Contact your local county extension office and they can provide the scale that is used in the area in which you are located. |
| Question: | What is declination? |
Answer: |
Declination is the difference between true north and magnetic north. The magnetic needle of a compass always points to magnetic north. Since magnetic north is affected by the magnetism of the Earth, the needle will point to the varying magnetic north depending on where you are in the world. This difference becomes significant when taking measurements off a map or trying to relay directions to someone in the field. Since the declination of the United States can vary as much as 30 degrees in either direction it is easy to see why knowing the declination of an area is very important. |
| Question: | Can my compass be repaired? |
| Answer: | Ben Meadows will do repairs on Brunton and Suunto compasses that come in the aluminum housing only. The repair consists of replacement of the capsule, complete reconditioning, cleaning and calibration. For current pricing on compass repair, feel free to contact your Ben Meadows Customer Service Representative for further information at 1-800-241-6401. |
pH Meters
| Question: | How often and what is the procedure for calibrating my pH meter? |
| Answer: | pH meters should be calibrated at least once before each use. Most meters require a 2-point calibration. To perform a 2-point calibration on your meter, you must choose two buffers, one always being a pH of 7.00, and a second buffer which covers the expected pH of your sample. For example, if you are measuring an acidic solution (pH below a 7.00), you would choose the pH 4.01 and 7.00 buffers to calibrate the meter. Likewise, if you were measuring mostly basic samples (ph above 7.00), you would choose pH 7.00 and pH 10.00 buffers for calibration. Note: For meters requiring a 1-point calibration, one buffer (7.00) is used; for meters requiring a 3-point calibration, three buffers are used (4.01, 7.00, and 10.00). |
| Question: | How often should I calibrate my pH meter? |
| Answer: | pH meters should be calibrated at least once a day on any day they are being used. |
| Question: | How should I store my electrode? |
Answer: |
After taking measurements, electrodes should be stored so that the bulb stays moist and wet. All electrodes are shipped with a protective cap (also commonly called a "rubber boot). The cap can be used to hold a small amount of liquid. Add a few drops of a potassium chloride (KCl) or 4.01 buffer solution to the cap, then replace it on the electrode. This method works for long or short term storage. Electrodes can be placed in a beaker or an electrode-saver bottle filled with KCl solution or buffers with a pH of 4.01 or 7.00. Regular tap water can also be used for short term storage, but do not use distilled or deionized water. pH testers can be stored by placing a small piece of sponge or paper towel in the tester cap, moistening it with KCl, tap water or pH 4.01 buffer, and then replacing the cap. |
| Question: | How do I test my meter or electrode to determine it is calibrating properly? |
| Answer: | If you cannot calibrate to pH 7.00 and also cannot be sure your electrode is reliable, try the paper clip test. Disconnect the electrode, then hold one end of the paper clip to the outside of the meter's BNC connector and the other end to the center connection hole of the BNC connector. This will short out the input to the meter and give it a 0.0mV signal, equivalent to a pH 7.00. If you are unable to adjust to pH 7.00 with the input shorted out, there is a problem with the meter and it should be returned for repair. If you are able to calibrate to pH 7.00 with the input shorted out, then your electrode is not working properly and requires reconditioning or replacement. |
Rangefinders
| Question: | What is a laser rangefinder? |
| Answer: | A laser rangefinder is a distance-measuring instrument that uses laser technology to calculate the distance to targeted objects. |
| Question: | How do they work? |
| Answer: | Rangefinders use an invisible, eye-safe Class 1 Laser beam (as classified by the FDA) which is "bounced" off distant objects with the press of a button. Then the rangefinder's high-speed digital clock measures the time it took for a laser beam to reach a target and return to the unit. Next, using advanced digital electronics, the rangefinder instantly calculates the distance within ±1 yard and shows the range in either yards or meters on a through-the-lens LCD display. The entire process is so fast that less than a second elapses between the time you press the button to generate a laser beam to the time the exact range to your target is displayed. |
| Question: | What is target reflectivity? |
| Answer: | Because rangefinders "bounce" a laser beam off the target in order to take a measurement, their range is partially determined by the reflectivity of the target. In other words, hard or "reflective" targets - like a rock cliff or semi-truck - can be measured at greater distances than soft surface targets - like a deer. Ranges for moderately reflective targets, like trees, fall somewhere in the middle. The harder the target the more reflective it will be, allowing for greater measurements of distance. |
| Question: | What is a Laser Hypsometer Rangefinder? |
| Answer: | A Hypsometer Rangefinder will give you two measurements; it gives you the distance through the laser rangefinder and combines that with a vertical angle senson that allows the user to remotely determine the height of objects. Applications for the Hypsometer measurements system include tree heights measurements, construction, utilities and survey applications where survey quality measurements are not required and higher instrument cost is not justifiable. |
| Question: | What is the Scan Mode? |
| Answer: | The scan mode allows you to pan across the landscape while viewing a continuously updated LCD display of the distances between you and the targets you scan with the viewfinder. |
| Question: | Will laser rangefinders work in the rain? |
| Answer: | Most rangefinders have a way to compensate for precipitation which is built into the software on the instrument. This allows for accurate distance measurement through rain or snow. |
| Question: | What is Zip? |
| Answer: | Zip or Brush allows the user to obtain distance through brush or clutter. It ignores the foreground, such as brush, boulders and tree branches, and provides distances on the LCD display to background objects only. |
Soil pH Testing
| Question: | How do I test the pH of my soil? |
| Answer: | First, calibrate your pH meter or tester. Follow the manufacturer's instructions. Next, loosen soil from the ground or from the soil sampling equipment with a clean plastic scoop. Avoid touching the soil with your hands as this may contaminate your sample. Remove any stones and crush any soil clumps. This will help to prevent damage to the glass electrode. Fill approximately three fourths of a clean jar with the prepared soil. Fill the rest of the jar with distilled water. Using your scoop, mix the soil slurry, let it stabilize, then take your reading. Always remember to rinse the electrode with water after each use. |
Don't forget to check out our 
documents for additional information on soil sampling and how to use the tools you'll need.
If you have specific questions on product specifications, product applications or installation, personal safety gear, regulatory compliance requirements, or any other technical questions E-mail our Technical Support staff at tech@benmeadows.com . Or, call 800-241-6401 or 608-743-8001 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT, Monday--Friday.
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