M-1000 Vane Borer
The M-1000 is a mechanical field instrument for determining the in-situ undrained shear strength of clay, using a crank-operated torque-recording head, boring rods and interchangeable vanes.
- Torque recorder capacity
- 1150 kg-cm (1000 in-lb)
- Torque recorder dimensions
- 38 × 38 × 25 cm
- Torque recorder weight
- 25 kg

Overview
In detail
How it works
The torque head is a crank-operated loading device that rotates the boring rods at two different speeds while a sharp steel pointer scribes a permanent test record onto a waxed paper disc, recording torque radially and angular rotation tangentially.
A slip coupling with roughly 15° of free play isolates the friction torque needed to turn the rods alone (Mf) from the combined torque needed to turn the rods and vane together (Ms). The difference, Ms minus Mf, gives the soil's shear strength; a remolded-strength retest at the same depth shows the post-failure strength reduction.
Vanes and boring rods
Three vane sizes are available (5×11 cm, 6.5×13 cm and 8×17.2 cm), each with a different capacity and sensitivity to suit softer or stiffer clays. Vanes are made from tempered chrome-nickel steel rated to 1,700,000 kPa ultimate strength. Boring rods are 20.6 mm in diameter, supplied in 1 m sections, and only one set of rods is needed thanks to the slip coupling.
Reach out and say hi
Let us help. Tell us the site, the range you expect and what it has to talk to, and we’ll work out the right variant, cable and mounting — and quote it.
Specifications
Technical specifications
- Torque recorder capacity
- 1150 kg-cm (1000 in-lb)
- Torque recorder dimensions
- 38 × 38 × 25 cm
- Torque recorder weight
- 25 kg
- Vane sizes
- 5×11 cm, 6.5×13 cm, 8×17.2 cm
- Vane capacity
- 2.2 kg/cm² (5×11 cm), 1.1 kg/cm² (6.5×13 cm), 0.6 kg/cm² (8×17.2 cm)
- Vane sensitivity
- 0.60, 0.30, 0.15 kg/cm² per radial inch of recording paper (by vane size)
- Vane material
- Tempered chrome-nickel steel, 1,700,000 kPa ultimate strength
- Boring rod
- 20.6 mm diameter, 1 m length, 2 kg per rod
Ready to specify?
Add M-1000 Vane Borer to your enquiry
Build a list, add your site notes, and an ESS engineer will quote the lot — cables, mounting and calibration included.


