Now there’s a machine available in the U.S. designed specifically for Geotechnical Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) applications. It’s the Model 6625CPT machine from Geoprobe Systems®. And it’s the only machine available in the industry that’s completely operable using a wireless remote.

“The 6625CPT can do the same work as a 20-ton static CPT rig,” said Troy Schmidt, Product Development Engineer, “but it’s easier to transport and operate on site.” The track-mounted machine’s small footprint (approximately 53 sq. ft. [5 sq. m.]) allows for easy mobilization, but its light weight ... just 5 tons ... doesn’t diminish the machine’s 20-ton push capabilities.

Scott Slaughter, Geotechnical Engineer and Operations Manager for Southern Earth Sciences (SES) in Baton Rouge, LA, has used the machine on several project sites and is a fan of the unit. “I can honestly say,” Scott said, “that the unit meets or exceeds all of our expectations. Our only problem with the machine is that we need about three more of them!”

The 6625CPT machine presents a total package for companies providing geotechnical testing services. Although it was designed to perform Cordless CPT and Seismic CPT, “we took the machine’s design a step further,” Troy explained. With the 6625CPT, you can also complete standard Geoprobe®-type environmental sampling and logging work including electrical conductivity (EC) logging, membrane interface probe (MIP) logging, soil and groundwater sampling, and augering. “It’s the only multi-purpose machine you’ll find that can perform both geotechnical and environmental functions,” Troy said.

“Another feature of the machine that makes it attractive to customers,” Troy added, “is that all functions can be operated by wireless remote.” This allows machine operators to choose the optimum operating position. A control panel on the machine can also be used in place of the remote if needed. “You will not find another CPT machine in the industry that is fully operable using a remote system,” Troy said.

Added Capabilities. The 6625CPT machine makes it possible to do projects that you would have a hard time doing with any other machine. Geoprobe® Engineers came through again when asked for a machine with a portable platform for pushing CPT. And according to Troy, they did a great job! “Everything we asked for, they delivered,” Troy said. “Plus, we got the reliability and dependability that’s built in to every Geoprobe® machine. We definitely wanted a machine for pushing cones, but we couldn’t tell the engineers to leave out our trademark percussion and augering functions that our customers like,” he said. The result is a machine that does both, “and does both very well.” (The augerhead is an optional feature of the machine.)

High-Torque Anchor Heads. The 6625CPT is equipped with two powerful, high-torque anchor heads that can power robust diameter anchors into the ground, quickly giving you the reaction needed for the 20-ton CPT press on this machine. The machine can install anchors up to 16 in. in diameter.
A hydraulically-activated CPT chuck, with a wide chuck opening, allows passage of larger probes or casings. The chuck jaws are easily removed for quick adaption to different sized push rods. “We think the chuck jaws are a great feature of the machine,” Troy stated. “It’s another one of those features that makes a customer smile when they see the machine in action.”

If he had to list the number one feature of this machine, Troy’s response would be the power available in the small package. “People find it hard to believe that this relatively small machine has the same 20-ton press capability as the larger, 20-ton static CPT rigs,” Troy said.

The 6625CPT “can push CPT right along with our large 20-ton rigs at about 97 percent of the sites,” Scott Slaughter with Southern Earth Sciences (SES) added. “Due to its small size, it can also get into areas inaccessible to the big rigs. The operating costs are much lower as well.”
Southern Earth Sciences first used the 6625CPT to take CPT logs at the Plant Crist power plant in southern Louisiana. They performed 25 CPT pushes during the five-day project to determine at what depth substantial soil could be found along the river bank to anchor new steel sheet piles. SES also used the machine in New Orleans checking the foundation of the levee system between the city and Lake Pontchartrain.

Powerful Percussion. To make the package complete, the machine is equipped with a Geoprobe® GH62 Hammer to drive casings and rods for either CPT work or for general sampling. “We used this machine,” said Kelly Bergdoll, President of KB Labs in Gainesvile, FL, “because there was no other CPT unit on the market that allowed us to do combined CPT/MIP work with a single rig in a restricted space.” She also added, “the unit is highly maneuverable, and although track-mounted, can still provide the 20-tons of push making it comparable to a large, 20-ton CPT truck. We couldn’t have fit between the buildings with the large static rig.”

KB Labs and Zebra Environmental, in Tampa, FL, recently completed a combined CPT/MIP logging project using the 6625CPT machine. The project involved a delineation of a contaminated site with multiple locations between buildings and with very little horizontal or vertical clearance. The track-mounted 6625CPT was deemed the only feasible way to provide the client with combined CPT/MIP data given the space restrictions. “We were able to provide the client real-time data for both contaminant and lithology on site,” added Kelly. “We successfully logged 70 borings in a three-week period.”
Another feature of the machine is the ability to hydraulically side-shift the GH62 Hammer to the center of the machine for sampling and logging work. During static pushing, the hammer shifts to the side and away from the rod clamp/hydraulic chuck. An optional augerhead can also be added. With the percussion hammer and augerhead features, “we can direct push all of the Geoprobe® tools, push CPT, and drill shallow holes with the augerhead,” said Scott. “We really like the versatility of this unit.”

It’s a complete package. “We wanted to design a platform from which customers can perform both environmental and geotechnical work all from one package,” explained Jason Eikleberry, Project Engineer. “Our intent was to provide value to our customers by including many features and work options.”

The 6625CPT Machine will be aboard the Geoprobe® Field Days truck for many of the customer stops this year. Make sure you schedule a stop at your office. Or “Come to Kansas” and see the machine and other Geoprobe® machines and tools in action.

Call 1-800-436-7762 for more information and a free brochure.