SATURO
SATURO
Field Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity





We think you should spend less time on complex processes and more time being productive. That’s why we automated almost everything in the new SATURO dual-head infiltrometer.
- Measures field saturated hydraulic conductivity
- Fully automated and portable infiltrometer
- Unlike a double ring infiltrometer, SATURO is capable of unattended measurement
Get more out of every field visit
Saturated hydraulic conductivity is a pain to measure in the field. And that’s only the beginning. When you get back to the office, you still have to convert the raw data into hydraulic conductivity and infiltration rates. We think you should spend less time on complexity and more time being productive. That’s why we automated almost everything in the new SATURO.
Set it up, and leave
The SATURO dual-head infiltrometer does almost everything for you. It’s fully automated and doesn’t require post-processing of data. Install the ring, connect the hoses, and push start. It’s that simple.
The infiltrometer automatically measures infiltration rates, and the control unit calculates field saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kfs) on the fly. That means if you need a value right away, it’s there. If you want to dig deeper, you can always download the raw data.
With this infiltrometer, one person can do everything
Unlike double ring systems, the SATURO infiltrometer is designed for one person to carry and set up. Plus, it requires way less water, saving you a ton of time and effort. How? The SATURO ponds water on top of the soil and uses air pressure to create two different pressure heads. It uses a pump to automatically maintain the correct water levels.
No more constant measuring and adjusting
SATURO operates unattended, which means you can get other field work done instead of having to babysit the instrument. And, you can run multiple instruments simultaneously, allowing you to further maximize the efficiency of your time in the field.
Eliminate guessing
Single and double ring infiltrometers require you to know—or guess—the “alpha factor” (soil macroscopic capillary length) to manually correct for three-dimensional flow. The SATURO infiltrometer changes everything. It automates the well-established dual head method which measures infiltration at two different pressure heads to estimate sorptivity. This simplifies the three-dimensional flow analysis, allowing you to determine field saturated hydraulic conductivity without making any dubious assumptions. And the best part is—it does all the calculations for you, saving you hours of tedium.
A simple, precise solution
The SATURO infiltrometer combines automation and simplified data analysis together in one system. It even computes infiltration rates and field saturated hydraulic conductivity on the fly. And the SATURO is recommended by the Soil Health Institute as a standard method for measuring Kfs: a Tier 1 soil health indicator. The SATURO makes life a little easier for those who need a faster, more accurate way to measure Kfs in the field.
Feature summary
- Fully automated infiltrometer
- Capable of unattended measurement
- The Soil Health Institute recommends SATURO as a standard method for measuring Kfs: a Tier 1 soil health indicator
- Kfs values calculated and graphed in real time, no data post-processing is necessary
- Portable
- Includes self-contained water reservoir
Measurement Specifications
Pressure Head Ranges
0 to 40 cm
Water Level
Maintained at 5 cm
Kfs
The range of Kfs values that can be effectively measured by the SATURO infiltrometer are limited by the minimum and maximum infiltration rates listed above. These depend on the pressure heads applied to the water during infiltration and to the three-dimensional flow characteristics of the soil, so the measurement range of Kfs cannot be specified explicitly. SATURO will generally be able to make measurements on poorly to moderately structured soils as coarse as medium sand, but the maximum infiltration rate can be exceeded by soils with excessive structure and especially by soils with significant macropores.
Infiltration Rate
Range: 0.0038 cm/hr to 115 cm/hr
Resolution: 0.0038 cm/hr
Accuracy: ±5 % of reading
Physical Specifications
Charging Adapter
18 V 2.2 Amps; Range 18 to 24 V DC Output: USB
Operating Temperature Range
0 to 50 °C
Other
GSA
Other Compatible Software
Download the measurement data stored in the SATURO to your Windows computer with the free downloader software linked below in the support section.