Pocket Penetrometer

Soil pocket penetrometer kit

Pocket penetrometer provides accurate measurements of the compressive soil strength. This 6-1/4'' unit is spring-operated, and it measures strength in tons/sq. ft. or kg/sq. cm by pushing a 1/4’’ diameter loading piston into soil to a depth of 0.25’’. The end area is a 0.25’’ compressive load which is indicated by reading a scale on the piston barrel. A friction ring indicates maximum reading. Made of anodized aluminum. An Allen wrench and plastic carrying case with belt loop are included. 

A special 1in-diameter adapter foot is available as an option for use in very sensitive soils. 

A pocket penetrometer is required by OSHA on all excavation jobs, and it can help protect you from costly lawsuits and construction delays.

Usage Instructions: 

The pocket penetrometer is easy to use with easy-toread results. Penetrometer is easy to use: push the indicating ring to the highest point touching the body and insert the piston until the calibration mark is level with the soil. The easy-to-read scale indicates strength from 0 to 4.5 tons per sq ft. The reading is maintained until manually reset. Penetrometer is constructed from anodized aluminum and measures 6-1/4”Lx 7/8” dia.

Use an Allen wrench to loosen the stainless steel pin for cleaning

Key Advantages:

 • The new pocket penetrometer, weighing less than  5 ounces, reduces the human error in classification  of cohesive soils.

• The penetrometer can also be used with the torsional  vane shear tester (TVST) for rapid estimation of the  degree of internal friction of soil.

• The pocket penetrometer is now required by OSHA on most excavation jobs and its use is mandated in the OSHA manual titled “Construction Standards for Excavation”.

• It is a spring operated device used to measure compressive strength by pushing a 0.25” (6.4mm) diameter loading piston into the material being measured up to a calibration groove machined on the piston 0.25 from the end., “easy-tochew” chunks.