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Page 1 - Mascaro Profile Sampler Instructions

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The Turf-Tec Mascaro Profile Sampler

TAKING A SOIL PROFILE SAMPLE

When taking a soil profile sample, be sure cutter blades are securely closed. Next, raise

the instrument a foot or two above the turf and drive it straight down quickly. This will

make it cut through the surface thatch and make a clean cut through the turf.

Place foot on the ledge and push the sampler in until it is stopped by the footplate. DO

NOT FORCE OR HAMMER the sampler into dry or severely compacted soil. Soil

should be moist when taking samples for best results. On severely compacted soils it

may be necessary to push the sampler without undue force, pull it out and remove the soil.

Replace the sampler in the same slot and push it in a little farther. Repeat this until a full

sample is taken.

To remove sampling tool, place feet on each side and with a slightly wiggling motion, lift

it out of the ground.

To open the sampler, turn the sampler so the hinged side of the cutter blade is facing

upward. Grasp the cutting shell with one hand, and lift the hinged side of the cutting

blade open with the other. If blades tend to stick, lubricate hinge with lightweight oil.

After observation, soil sample can be replaced by holding one hand on the open face of

the one cutter blade and carefully insert the cutting blade with the soil sample back into

the turf. Lift the cutting blade straight up, leaving the soil sample in the turf. Use a knife

to wedge the turf back against the replaced sample, using the same technique as repairing

a ball mark on a green. Step on it and it will be almost invisible.

PHOTOGRAPHING THE SOIL SAMPLES

Hold or place soil sample while still in the cutting blade tilted at about a 45-degree angle

for great shots for your records. Many photographs taken by USGA agronomists and

others are always appearing in print. You may get an exceptional shot suitable for

publication or lecture that you may give.

CARE OF YOUR SAMPLER

The hinge will need lubrication with a light oil from time to time. Be sure to keep the

sampler waxed to keep it looking good. A liquid car wax does a good job.

Summary of content (13 pages)

PAGE 1
The Turf-Tec Mascaro Profile Sampler TAKING A SOIL PROFILE SAMPLE When taking a soil profile sample, be sure cutter blades are securely closed. Next, raise the instrument a foot or two above the turf and drive it straight down quickly. This will make it cut through the surface thatch and make a clean cut through the turf. Place foot on the ledge and push the sampler in until it is stopped by the footplate. DO NOT FORCE OR HAMMER the sampler into dry or severely compacted soil.
PAGE 2
A Practical Guide to Analyzing the Soil Profile of Golf Greens By TOM MASCARO Green Section Committeeman (Reprinted from the USGA GREEN EECTION RECORD July, 1992) E STABLISHED GREENS can reveal their secrets when you analyze the soil profile. Golf greens contain a world of information. The complete life cycle of new or old greens can be easily analyzed by taking a close look at their profiles.
PAGE 3
each of the following characteristic in this list. Turfgrass Leaves - Observe the green surface leaves. Use a magnifying glass to observe the cut of the grass blade. A clean cut is necessary for proper appearance, health, and playability of the plant. A tom, ragged cut indicates that adjustments need to be made to the greensmowers. Severely injured leaf tissue exposes more plant cells to infection from disease organisms. A ragged cut also causes an unsightly brown appearance in the turf.
PAGE 4
cutworm activity. Mole crickets also can be found in the thatch layer in southern turf. If present, sample other areas to determine if control measures should be taken. Algae, Black Layer, Slim Mold Algae, black layer, and slime molds often can be observed growing in the mat layer, on the soil surface, and in the soil profile. Their growth usually is encouraged by soil acidity and excess soil moisture. These problems can be controlled by raising the pH with lime, and by aerifying and reducing water use.
PAGE 5
inches down in the profile, due to the compression of hollow tine Aerifiers at the base of their penetration. Soil compaction restricts root growth, inhibits the downward infiltration of water and nutrients, and restricts oxygen from entering the root zone. Nutrients remain at the surface of a compacted profile, which in turn encourages shallow root systems. Soil compaction can have a profound effect on the game of golf, too, drawing complaints from golfers who like their shots to “hold.
PAGE 6
It appears that some of the most damaging layers are those that consist of heavy topdressing over thatch and mat. These layers usually are wellpreserved in the profile. This type of layer can be quite thin or very heavy, depending upon how much thatch and mat had accumulated before being buried with topdressing. Roots - Root development can be observed by lifting away the soil with the point of a knife. Check for white, healthy roots and rhizomes.
PAGE 7
Heavy Duty Mascaro Profile Sampler From the inventor of the original Soil Profile Sampler comes the new and improved Heavy Duty Mascaro Profile Sampler. The sample is extracted and then the heavy-duty cutter blade is simply opened with the aid of a specially designed hinge. No bolts or screws to fumble with when opening sampler. Sample can be viewed instantly and it has the quality you have come to expect from Turf-Tec International.
PAGE 8
The Turf-Tec Mascaro Profile Sampler TAKING A SOIL PROFILE SAMPLE When taking a soil profile sample, be sure cutter blades are securely closed. Next, raise the instrument a foot or two above the turf and drive it straight down quickly. This will make it cut through the surface thatch and make a clean cut through the turf. Place foot on the ledge and push the sampler in until it is stopped by the footplate. DO NOT FORCE OR HAMMER the sampler into dry or severely compacted soil.
PAGE 9
A Practical Guide to Analyzing the Soil Profile of Golf Greens By TOM MASCARO Green Section Committeeman (Reprinted from the USGA GREEN EECTION RECORD July, 1992) E STABLISHED GREENS can reveal their secrets when you analyze the soil profile. Golf greens contain a world of information. The complete life cycle of new or old greens can be easily analyzed by taking a close look at their profiles.
PAGE 10
of the grass blade. A clean cut is necessary for proper appearance, health, and playability of the plant. A tom, ragged cut indicates that adjustments need to be made to the greensmowers. Severely injured leaf tissue exposes more plant cells to infection from disease organisms. A ragged cut also causes an unsightly brown appearance in the turf. Look for disease spots or lesions on the leaf. Also, check for injury from leaf-sucking insects.
PAGE 11
Grubs, Mole Crickets -Look for grubs and cutworm activity. Mole crickets also can be found in the thatch layer in southern turf. If present, sample other areas to determine if control measures should be taken. Algae, Black Layer, Slim Mold Algae, black layer, and slime molds often can be observed growing in the mat layer, on the soil surface, and in the soil profile. Their growth usually is encouraged by soil acidity and excess soil moisture.
PAGE 12
compression of hollow tine Aerifiers at the base of their penetration. Soil compaction restricts root growth, inhibits the downward infiltration of water and nutrients, and restricts oxygen from entering the root zone. Nutrients remain at the surface of a compacted profile, which in turn encourages shallow root systems. Soil compaction can have a profound effect on the game of golf, too, drawing complaints from golfers who like their shots to “hold.
PAGE 13
It appears that some of the most damaging layers are those that consist of heavy topdressing over thatch and mat. These layers usually are wellpreserved in the profile. This type of layer can be quite thin or very heavy, depending upon how much thatch and mat had accumulated before being buried with topdressing. Roots - Root development can be observed by lifting away the soil with the point of a knife. Check for white, healthy roots and rhizomes.