Access Tube Installation for Diviner 2000 & EnviroSCAN Sentek Technologies Access Tube Installation for Diviner 2000 & EnviroSCAN

Installation Types Standard Installation Installation in Heavy Clay Installation in Dry or Loose Sand Slurry Installation – Stony Soils Removing Access Tubes

A. Standard Installation Technique Use installation tripod Use 47.0 mm auger to auger through the access tube Suitable for most soil types and should be used where possible

Step 1. Assembling the Tripod Attach the base plate to base of tripod Centre tripod over installation site Spread tripod legs until base plate touches the ground Secure tripod in position by driving tripod pins through the tripod legs into the soil

Step 1. Assembling the Tripod Insert sledge hammer handle into the tripod cylinder and straighten tripod by moving tripod cylinder into vertical position. Move the tripod until bubble in spirit level is located in centre of the level window Tighten wing nuts of the legs

Step 2. Installing the Access Tube Turn metal cutting edge onto side & shave a layer of PVC from lip of access tube Insert cutting edge onto the end of the access tube by tapping on the head of the sledge hammer or other solid object, be careful not to damage the cutting edge

Step 2. Installing the Access Tube Select the 47 mm regular auger head Select the required extension rods and screw auger head and T-handle to the extension rods.

Step 2. Installing the Access Tube Feed the assembled auger through the inside of the access tube until the auger head protrudes 20 cm through the tube Place a mark on the auger extension with a marker pen to show the required augering depth.

Step 2. Installing the Access Tube Insert the access tube with fitted cutting edge into tripod guide tube IMPORTANT: ensure metal ‘tooth’ inside tripod is not engaged while hammering tube Select heavy duty dolley and insert into top of access tube Use sledgehammer to tap the dolly until access tube is embedded 5-10 cm (2-4 in) into the soil

Step 2. Installing the Access Tube Place auger inside tripod tube guide and turn auger to remove soil from inside access tube Continue to auger ahead of access tube by approximately 20 cm (as marker on auger extension earlier) If access tube spins while augering engage metal “tooth” on tripod

Step 2. Installing the Access Tube Take the auger out of the tube and empty the soil using the small auger cleaning tool DO NOT empty augered soil onto the surrounding site – it may change the infiltration rate of rainfall & irrigation.

Step 2. Installing the Access Tube Select Heavy duty dolley re-insert into top of access tube Take the sledge hammer and hit the dolly to drive the access tube further into the pre-drilled hole. When you reach the bottom and hammering becomes noticeably more difficult, remove the dolley Alternate between augering & hammering until the dolley nearly touches the top of the tripod.

Step 2. Installing the Access Tube Insert nylon dolley into the access tube & continue hammering & augering until the mark on the dolley is level with the top of the tripod. The access tube will now be 40mm out of the ground

Step 2. Installing the Access Tube Remove the tripod by inserting the tommy bars into the holes of the tripod pins and pulling them upwards with a twisting motion. Carefully lift tripod straight upward & off access tube Ensure that access tube does not move & that there are no visible air gaps.

Step 3. Cleaning the Access Tube Detach auger head and attach the brush cleaning tool Plunge brush tool up and down length of the access tube using rotating motion to remove any loose soil sticking to the inside walls

Step 3. Cleaning the Access Tube Assemble rag cleaning tool. Attach clean cotton cloth through eyelet of rag cleaning tool. Soak cloth in methylated spirits Insert rag cleaning tool and swipe up and down inside of access tube Change cotton cloths as required and continue until access tube is clean & dry

Step 4. Installing Bottom Stopper Bung Ensure access tube is clean Partially insert expandable bung into access tube and hold so that 75% of top rubber ring is within access tube Tighten wing nut to point where there is sufficient friction to prevent bung turning when wing-nut tightened

Step 4. Installing Bottom Stopper Bung Attach Expandable bung tightening tool to the auger extension rod and tighten with tommy bars Place Expandable bung tightening tool over wing nut and slowly push bung into access tube Slowly turn T-handle until cannot tighten any further Twist the tool clockwise slightly and pull upwards. This will release the spring on the tool from the wing nut and enable you to pull the tool out of the access tube.

Step 5. Installing the Top Cap Ensure access tube is protruding 40mm out of ground Ensure the length of access tube protruding from the soil is clean inside & out Apply three rings of silicon around the outside of the access tube about 1 cm (0.4 inch) below the top of the rim.

Step 5. Installing the Top Cap Unscrew top cap from top cap assembly base Push top cap base onto top of access tube with a slight rotating motion until the lip of the top cap sits neatly on the rim of the access tube. Make sure cable and cable gland faces the direction of the logger or DTU, or in the case of a Diviner, the red plug should point to the right of the person taking readings.

Step 5. Installing the Top Cap Wipe off excess silicon from inside the access tube Screw the cap back onto the top cap housing. Make sure not to spin the top cap housing until silicon is dry

B. Installing in Heavy Clay Soils This method is specifically for heavy clays where the standard installation method is not possible Use the 53.0 mm auger for moist to wet clay Use the 56.0 mm auger for dry clay

Installing the Tube Ensure the tripod is set up correctly and centred over the installation site Select the 53.0 mm clay auger for moist to wet clay or the 56.0 mm clay auger for dry clay. Fit the stabilization poly guide over the extension rods and attach the T-handle.

Installing the Tube Insert the assembled auger into the tripod ensuring the centralization poly guide is fitted to the top of the tripod cylinder. Auger to the required depth of installation. Regularly clean the auger head away from the installation site.

Installing the Tube Fit cutting edge onto the access tube Insert Heavy duty dolley into tube and hammer in access tube until dolly nearly touches top of tripod

NOTE: This places the first sensor 10 cm below the surface. Installing the Tube Insert nylon dolley and continue hammering until the mark on the dolley is level with the top of the tripod. NOTE: This places the first sensor 10 cm below the surface.

C. Installing in Dry & Loose Sand Use the access tube spiral cleaning tool as the augering device

D. Stony Soils – Slurry Installation Slurry Installation methods are recommended for: Soils high in stone and gravel Installations deeper than 2.5 – 3.0 metres

Step 1. Glue in Slurry Bottom Stopper Clean both surfaces with PVC cleaning fluid Apply PVC glue evenly to both surfaces Insert slurry bottom stopper into access tube and hold in place until glue sets. It is recommended to test the seal in a bucket of water (This step can be done before you get into the field)

Step 2. Augering the Oversized Hole Manually Attach the 61 mm auger head and T-handle to extension rods Auger hole to required depth You may need to use the tungsten tipped auger or rock breaker if you encounter difficulties

Step 2. Augering the Oversized Hole (Mechanically) If augering is too difficult manually, you may need to use a mechanical flight auger with tungsten tip attached to a drill rig NOTE: Flight auger must be 61.0 mm in diameter

Step 3. Checking the Hole Depth Insert the access tube with slurry bottom stopper fitted to check the depth level. The top of the access tube should protrude by 40mm. Cut the tube to length if necessary.

Step 4. Making the Slurry Slurry Recipe: 4 parts kaolinite 1 part cement 4-5 parts water

Step 4. Making the Slurry Measure out 4 parts kaolinite and 1 part cement and mix in a plastic container Slowly add 4-5 parts of water and stir with paint stirrer until no lumps

Step 5. Inserting the Access Tube Pour the slurry into the hole until it fills approximately a third to half the hole Slowly insert sealed end of access tube through the slurry, allowing air bubbles to escape Allow slurry to dry for a few hours Take a spatula or broad knife and remove excess dried slurry from the soil surface If slurry has settled and formed depression, make up a small quantity of extra slurry and fill gaps, allow to dry, then chip away excess

Step 6. Installing the Top Cap Apply 3 rings of silicon around the outside of the access tube, 1cm below top of the rim Push top cap base onto top of access tube with a slight rotating motion until the lip of the top cap sits neatly on the rim of the access tube. Wipe off excess silicon from inside the access tube

E. Removing Access Tubes Unscrew the top cap and remove the probe Attach T-handle and expandable bung tightening tool to auger extension Tighten using tommy bars Insert bung tightening tool into access tube. Click onto expandable bung and turn anti-clockwise until bung loosens, make sure not to unscrew bung tool Pull upwards and remove bung.

E. Removing Access Tubes Slide diagonal parts of tube extraction tool so that they form a cylinder Insert tube extraction tool into access tube and tap horizontal bar with small hammer

E. Removing Access Tubes Assemble lifting device and attach to extraction tool Carefully winch tube upward and out of ground NOTE: An access tube extraction tool tripod is available from Sentek however some kind of other tripod and winch can be used.