How to choose a soil or geotechnical test instrument
By Grant, Inspection Tool Specialists. Reviewed November 2026.
Three things decide which geotechnical instrument you need: the soil property you must measure (density, compaction, bearing capacity, permeability, grading or water level), the site and sampling you can do, and the standard your project follows. Answer those first. For soil moisture and nutrient instruments, see our soil meter guide.
Which instrument?
| Need | Instrument | Typical in our range |
|---|---|---|
| Compaction on earthworks | Soil compaction tester | SCM-3 compaction tester; SCM-750-II with data logging |
| Bearing capacity of ground | Ground bearing capacity tester | BK-GBD12 bearing capacity tester |
| Density on site | Bulk density or density meter | BK-SDT4 bulk density tester; BK-SRM1 relative density meter |
| Permeability of clayey soil | Permeameter | BK-SPM55 permeameter |
| Grading of fine soil particles | Hydrometer | 152H soil hydrometer |
| Water level in wells, dams and boreholes | Water level meter | GLT500A static water level meter |
| Non-nuclear density and moisture | Density and moisture meter | BK-NDM4 density and moisture meter |
Sampling and standards
Results depend on how the sample is taken, its moisture and the test procedure. Follow the standard your project uses for the sample size, the method and the reporting, and keep the record of each sample and test. Ground tests can affect structures, so a qualified engineer should interpret the results.
Price guide
As a guide to our current range, including VAT: hydrometers and water level meters from about R1,300; permeameters, density and relative density testers from about R7,300 to R8,800; bearing and compaction testers from about R15,800 to R20,100; the non-nuclear density meter from about R104,800. Prices change, so check the product pages and confirm the accessories each quote includes.
Questions we will ask you
Tell us the soil property you must measure, the site and depth, the sampling you can do, the standard or specification your project follows, whether results must be recorded, and whether a qualified engineer will interpret them. With that we can recommend an instrument and provide pricing.