FAQs

GENERAL QUESTIONS

How do I become a reseller?
Oakfield Apparatus works with many dealers and distributors.  If you are interested in becoming a reseller of our products, please contact us and we can provide information on discounts you can receive and minimum order volumes. It's easy to start doing business together and we look forward to hearing from you!

Can I get a bulk discount?
When you buy 25 or more of an item we will give you 25% off the total of that item.

 

PRODUCT QUESTIONS

How do I know which soil tip to use?
The great thing about our soil tips is they are interchangeable, so you can use different tips on all our equipment for different soil and moisture conditions. Instead of buying an entirely new soil sampler, it's an economical and practical way to extend the lifespan of your soil probe.

How do I tell the soil tips apart?

Telling your soil tips apart can be tricky if you have a few and they're mixed together. Luckily, we've added a handy feature to make it easy to tell them apart. There are small notches on the side of the soil tip that will tell you what the recommended soil is for use.

• The Dry Soil Tip has 1 notch.
• The Regular Soil Tip has 2 notches.
• The Wet Soil Tip has 3 notches. 
• The Heavy Duty Soil Tip has 4 notches.
• The Serrated Soil Tip doesn't have any notches, and it's the only soil tip with a serrated edge.

How deep can I sample using an Oakfield Apparatus auger?
All of our soil sampling equipment is commonly used for obtaining samples at or near the surface. With the use of extensions, our augers have the capacity to go as deep as you want. However, it is recommended to attach the auger to a chuck drill using our Hex Adapter accessory for depths greater than 5 ft.

Should I get a soil sampling kit or a one-piece probe?

Soil Sampling Kits	One-Piece Soil Probes
All parts are interchangeable and easily assemble. Convenient carrying case protects and stores parts. Save space on storage. Easy to create just the right tool for your job - swap a soil tube for an auger or go from a 12" tube to 18" tube. Add length with extension rods to sample deeper and save your back from bending.	Easy to grab and go. No assembly required. You can still replace the screw-on tips if needed so you don't have to replace the entire probe. Single unit avoids losing parts. Option of getting a soil probe with a footstep or specialty probes (e.g. turf probe or soil compaction probe).

 

SOIL SAMPLING QUESTIONS

What’s the difference between a soil probe and a soil auger?
Hand operated soil probes are pushed or pounded rather than twisted into the ground. These probes produce soil cores rather than a loose sample. An auger is twisted into the ground and produces a loose soil sample. You can also use a soil auger to clear the top layer of soil away before using a soil probe to sample at greater depths.

In what cases should I use an auger or a soil probe for sampling?
Augers can be used for sampling when there is not a need for a clean or undisturbed sample. They work best in hard or rough conditions. Generally, augers are used to bore to a depth where a sample is to be obtained using a soil sampler. Usually the auger is used in these cases to bore to greater depths than using a soil sampler allows, or when the soil is hard or rough and needs to be loosened up. When you require the collection of a virtually undisturbed sample, a soil probe should be used. You can use an auger to bore to the required depth to take the sample.

When should I sample my soil?
Soil samples can be taken any time throughout the year for checking pH, phosphorus and potassium status. It is recommended to collect soil samples at least one to two months before planting or during the dormant season to allow time for lime recommended to react with the soil and change the pH before the crop is planted. It is not recommended to sample immediately after lime, fertilizer, or manure is applied to the soil. Wait 6-8 weeks after those applications to sample so you can obtain true soil fertility. To assess soil nitrogen, sample as close to planting as possible.

How often should I sample my soil?
Annually test fields to measure the available nitrogen pool or as often as needed to understand how soil properties may be changing in relation to different practices and crop production. Test soil if fertilizer is going to be applied or when problems occur during the growing season. 

How many sample should I take?
20 samples taken randomly from the area of interest are recommended to obtain a sample which will represent an average of the soil in the field or area.

Where can I send my sample to be analyzed?
Besides a general Google search for a local soil testing lab, often universities will have soil and plant nutrient testing laboratories. A large laboratory with multiple locations is A&L Labs (now Waypoint Analytical). Generally, two weeks should be allowed for mailing, analysis, and reporting of results.