How to Find and Extract a CropX Soil Sensor

How to Find and Extract a CropX Soil Sensor


This article explains how to safely locate and remove a soil moisture sensor from the field. It walks through best practices for finding the sensor after installation, properly extracting it from the soil, and handling challenging conditions such as dry or heavy soils to ensure the sensor is removed without damage.


Navigate to the Sensor
  • Use the Flags placed during installation as the primary method to locate your sensor.
  • If the flags are missing or unclear, use the GPS navigation feature in the CropX app as a backup to locate it.
 

Extracting the Sensor

  1. Remove the Sensor

    • Use the Installation Rod or Star Adapter to rotate the sensor counterclockwise to loosen it from the soil.
    • If the sensor is rotating but not coming out, apply upward force while rotating with your hands.

  2. Loosen the Soil (if needed)

    • For dry or heavy soil, use a tile spade to carefully dig and loosen the soil around the sensor.

  3. Soften the Soil (if extraction is difficult)

    • Water the soil heavily to make removal easier.
    • To improve water infiltration, drill small holes (1–2 inches) around the sensor and pour water into them.