29 June 2013 11:36 pm

Hi All

I thought I would do a post to show how I process my "loam" samples maybe someone may pick up a tip or 2.

This pic shows the classifier bucket I use, it has a series of 6mm holes drilled in it.



The next one shows the classifier placed inside a 20l bucket which is 3/4 full of water.



This one shows the cordless drill & mixing paddle I use.



Here is how I mix or agitate the soil in the bucket.



This shows the soil make up of the "Loam" samples.





This shows the size of the sample I take.

This one shows the finished product of the oversize left inside the classifier bucket, you can see how clean it gets.



This is the - 6mm in the bottom of the 20l bucket after mixing & pouring of the excess water.



I use this item to float off the silt from the -6mm, I let it overflow in my paddock run by a bore pump, this provides a bit of flood irrigation to provide pasture growth for my horses.



You can see how this device agitates the water then allows the silt to over flow.





This is the clean sample, which helps to speed up the panning process, I do 4 at a time which speeds up the whole thing which is good when you have 80 samples + to do.



How I do it: I 3/4 fill the 20l bucket, place the classifier bucket inside the 20l bucket, put the "Loam" sample into the classifier bucket ( I tie the plastic top of the sample bag with the number identifier on it to the handle of the 20l bucket) using the paddle on the cordless I mix the sample for less than 2 minutes, this lets all the - 6mm material drop into the main bucket, then I use the PVC item to float off the silt, doing this creates a vortex & gets rid off the majority of all silt which makes panning of the sample much quicker.

I hope this gives someone an idea on how to get the job done a bit quicker. .

cheers

Lee