Home made soil probe

[NickfromWI]

I have been planning on purchasing an insulated soil probe (specifically, the 36" 3/8 Hex rod, $66). But it's one of those things I haven't gotten around to ordering.

I got a call yesterday afternoon from some folks who had a tree removed (upon my recommendation)

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The tree has finally been removed. They want to have a new tree put in ASAP. It will be going back in the planter box. I made it clear to the client the stump must be ground to a depth of at least 24" and ideally 36" and that this might cost them a pretty penny.

So they call me back after the tree was removed. "We don't think they ground the stump deep enough. Can you come check."

Long story short, I needed a soil probe fast, so I made one.

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It worked just fine. I got the info I needed and it cost me less than $6. I'm still going to order the Mighty Probe. This one hurt my hand a bit. I had to put some cusion inside my glove when pushing the probe in deep.

love
nick

 

[OTGBOSTON]

36'' is a tough nut to crack, NO?

cool probe though. I usually use a shovel

 

[Paul B]

mine cost me something like $25 or so I think...

 

[sotc]

thats a core sampler, he just wantd a probe. i make mine but left it at a customers a few weeks back and havent drove the 20 miles to get it

 

[Al Smith]

All well and good but here's an easy way .Just weld a ball bearing on the end of a 3/8" or 1/2" rod and put a handle on it .A short piece of 1" pipe works great .Drill a hole in it,weld around the rod .Old Al has made a bunch of tile probes . To mark depth,a wrap of electrical tape but duct tape works just as well .