Manual
Toro Pro Series Soil Sensor:
Installation Guide
Toro Pro Series Soil Sensor:
Installation Guide
Pro Series Soil Sensor Overview
Important Notes for Proper Sensor Installation
Option 1: Deep Root Installation for Trees or Shrubs
ank you for purchasing the Toro Pro Series Soil Sensor. e Pro Series sensor works with sensor
ready Sentinel systems to deliver accurate soil moisture data for precise irrigation control. e sensor
comes with a three-foot tether which allows for great installation exibility.
is installation sheet shows three possible installations:
1. A deep installation where the sensor's spikes need to reach well into a plant's root zone;
a tree, for example.
2. e typical installation where the sensor's spikes are at the root level of turf.
3. And installation in a valve box, which greatly facilitates locating the sensor again
after installation.
1. Using a post-hole digger, remove a turf plug (if digging through turf)
and soil to the desired depth. Retain the turf plug to replace over the
installed sensor.
2. With the sensor oriented correctly, place it carefully into the hole to
prevent scraping or disrupting the soil compaction.
3. Press the spikes laterally against the side of the hole, inserting the
probes completely into the soil up to 3' below the radio enclosure as
shown in the diagram.
4. Once the probe has been installed, backll the hole stopping roughly
8" from grade in order to leave enough space for the radio enclosure.
5. Place the radio enclosure in the hole with the UP arrow facing up.
6. Carefully back ll and compact soil around and under the sensor to
prevent voids and/or movement of the sensor. Keep the top of the
sensor between 1/2" and 2" below grade.
7. Replace the turf plug, blending the seam with the surrounding turf.
• Sensor location should represent the overall plant material
condition including health/disease, salinity build-up, wet/dry spots
and foot trac.
• Record the sensor's exact installation site using xed landmarks
or GPS coordinates (if available). If necessary, a metal detector
can also be used to locate buried sensors. Also note the sensor ID
number on the Pro Series Soil Sensor placard.
• Before installation, verify adequate signal strength. e sensor
should be no more than 500' from the nearest receiver or repeater.
Installing the sensor into a valve box (instead of soil) can increase
range as well.
• If performing a "soil" installation, insert the steel sensor "spikes"
all the way into undisturbed soil (see illustration below). If inserted
only partially or into backlled or tampered soil, the moisture
readings may be unrepresentative of the surrounding native soil.
• Install the sensor with the "Up" arrow up. is ensures the radio
transmitter is as close to grade as possible for better transmission
range. Installing the sensor upside down can greatly impair signal
or prevent wireless communication altogether.
• e sensor can be buried from 1/2" to 2" below grade to the top
of the radio enclosure. Keep in mind that the shallower the burial
depth, the greater the transmission range.
• When backlling installation holes or trenches, use the soil that
was removed. Replacing it with other material may impact the
accuracy of the moisture readings.
sensor
spikes
sensor ID
number
3 ft.
tether
radio
enclosure
3 ft. tether
8” from
grade
undisturbed
soil
½” to 2”
below grade
RELEASED Ver-A.0 ©Toro 2015