Contact Brian Hahn : brianhahn1@att.net To view upper Midwest frost depth (in grass) data, go to the National Weather Service website: https://www.weather.gov/ncrfc/LMI_FrostDepthMap
Northern Frost TubesSales and service of manual frost depth gauges used to measure depth of frozen ground during winter months in northern latitudes. For use in Government, Science, Home and Industry.
Northern Frost Tubes is my one-man, home-based company started after retirement from NOAA-National Weather Service in 2018. I have experience in frost depth gauges since 2002.
The gauges are basically a small tube within a larger tube. The small tube contains a special dye/distilled water solution which changes color when frozen giving a clear indication of the frost depth. The gauges can be built to any length depending on desired purpose, climate, typical winter snow depth and soil type. Snow cover insulates the ground to a certain extent and limits the development of frozen ground. Cold air penetrates easier into looser sandy soils, as opposed to more compact clay soils, allowing for a greater depth of frozen ground.
You install and maintain the gauge. Installation of gauges in grass 4 feet or less in length can be done with a post hole digger. Simple installation and maintenance instructions are provided below. Only minor annual maintenance is needed. The gauges can be installed in grassy areas and also in road surfaces to monitor depth of frozen ground under pavement. Gauges can be built in 1/2 ft. increments from 2 feet to 8 feet in length depending on climate. Conditions should be left natural for gauges in the grass. Example: Recommended length of gauge for use in grass in southern Wisconsin: 3 feet...and 4 or 5 feet for central and northern Wisconsin...and similar latitudes.
Since frost goes deeper under pavement and road surfaces which are normally kept snow-free, gauges for use in pavement could be up to 8 feet in length - depending on climate. Frost tubes for use in pavement are normally sold with both outside and inside tubes. Upon request, the gauge can be made without the outside tube and the inside tube can be modified to fit into existing Dept. of Transportation gauges in pavement. A discount in price of $12.00 per foot is given for this situation.
Prices:Repair or refurbishing of the inside tube of an existing gauge: $25.00 plus shipping charges. Examples of repair: Replace parts as needed, and replace dye/water solution.
New gauges: $13.50 per foot with a minimum of $27.00 charge...plus shipping charges. Shipping charges to be determined. Example: A 4 foot long new frost depth gauge would be $54.00 plus shipping charges (U.S.P.S. priority mail or UPS). Note: A 4 foot frost depth gauge designed for a grassy area has about 41 inches in the ground with about 7 inches sticking out of the ground. A gauge designed for use in pavement under a metal cover has 4 inches clearance.
New PVC covers for use for gauges in grass: $28.00 plus shipping charges. A PVC cover, with a loose cap, is sturdy and protects the gauge from the elements. It has 2 legs that get driven into the ground around the gauge. Cover has 8 small holes to allow air circulation and minimize condensation. See photos below.
Credit Cards accepted: Discover, American Express ,Visa, and Mastercard. Contact Brian Hahn (262-567-0417) to process credit card transactions over the phone or by e-mail brianhahn1@att.net Credit card transactions subject to 3.3% processing fee.
P.S. I can handle large orders. 5% discount available for orders of 10 or more new gauges.
Northern Frost Tubes is my one-man, home-based company started after retirement from NOAA-National Weather Service in 2018. I have experience in frost depth gauges since 2002.
The gauges are basically a small tube within a larger tube. The small tube contains a special dye/distilled water solution which changes color when frozen giving a clear indication of the frost depth. The gauges can be built to any length depending on desired purpose, climate, typical winter snow depth and soil type. Snow cover insulates the ground to a certain extent and limits the development of frozen ground. Cold air penetrates easier into looser sandy soils, as opposed to more compact clay soils, allowing for a greater depth of frozen ground.
You install and maintain the gauge. Installation of gauges in grass 4 feet or less in length can be done with a post hole digger. Simple installation and maintenance instructions are provided below. Only minor annual maintenance is needed. The gauges can be installed in grassy areas and also in road surfaces to monitor depth of frozen ground under pavement.
Gauges can be built in 1/2 ft. increments from 2 feet to 8 feet in length depending on climate. Conditions should be left natural for gauges in the grass. Example: Recommended length of gauge for use in grass in southern Wisconsin: 3 feet...and 4 or 5 feet for central and northern Wisconsin...and similar latitudes.
Since frost goes deeper under pavement and road surfaces which are normally kept snow-free, gauges for use in pavement could be up to 8 feet in length - depending on climate. Frost tubes for use in pavement are normally sold with both outside and inside tubes. Upon request, the gauge can be made without the outside tube and the inside tube can be modified to fit into existing Dept. of Transportation gauges in pavement. A discount in price of $12.00 per foot is given for this situation.
Prices:
Repair or refurbishing of the inside tube of an existing gauge: $25.00 plus shipping charges. Examples of repair: Replace parts as needed, and replace dye/water solution.
New gauges: $13.50 per foot with a minimum of $27.00 charge...plus shipping charges. Shipping charges to be determined. Example: A 4 foot long new frost depth gauge would be $54.00 plus shipping charges (U.S.P.S. priority mail or UPS). Note: A 4 foot frost depth gauge designed for a grassy area has about 41 inches in the ground with about 7 inches sticking out of the ground. A gauge designed for use in pavement under a metal cover has 4 inches clearance.
New PVC covers for use for gauges in grass: $28.00 plus shipping charges. A PVC cover, with a loose cap, is sturdy and protects the gauge from the elements. It has 2 legs that get driven into the ground around the gauge. Cover has 8 small holes to allow air circulation and minimize condensation. See photos below.
Credit Cards accepted: Discover, American Express ,Visa, and Mastercard. Contact Brian Hahn (262-567-0417) to process credit card transactions over the phone or by e-mail brianhahn1@att.net Credit card transactions subject to 3.3% processing fee.
P.S. I can handle large orders. 5% discount available for orders of 10 or more new gauges.
