Mascaro Infill and Cleat Depth Tester
Procedure Manual
The new Mascaro Infill and Cleat Depth Tester (MICDT) is
designed as a testing instrument that will measure infill depth
on synthetic turf as well as cleat depth penetration on
synthetic turf and natural grass or any other surface where
cleats are being worn by athletes.
Measuring infill on synthetic turf is an important process to
prolong the life and playability of the turf. It also ensures the
playability of the surface reaches the optimum performance
specifications.
Measuring cleat depth will determine how the athletes may
perform on the area by measuring how the (athletes) cleats
will penetrate the surface of the area being tested.
The unit uses Bluetooth technology and, by utilizing the free
version of the SpecConnect App, you can record the readings
in the app as you go. By subscribing to the paid version of
SpecConnect, you can also GPS map the area you are
testing.
For testing infill depth on synthetic turf, simply install the infill
1 inch or 2-inch depth foot, place the unit on the area to be
tested, press down on the handle and the unit will display and
record the infill depth in 100th of an inch increments.
For testing cleat depth, install the cleat depth foot, raise the center shaft up until it hits the stop,
and drop the shaft. The unit will display and record the cleat depth reading in 100th of an inch
increments.
Finding uniformity in athletic field infill depth and cleat depth penetration will ensure a safe
athletic field playing surface.
Mascaro Infill and Cleat Depth Tester - Overall height is 34 inches tall (86 cm) and can be used
standing upright.
MICDT-M - Mascaro Infill and Cleat Depth Tester
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SET UP
Mascaro Infill and Cleat Depth Tester (MICDT) Parts Diagram
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SET UP
The Mascaro Infill and Cleat Depth Tester (MICDT) requires 2 AA
Batteries (included). They are installed inside the plastic housing.
Remove the four screws holding the lid in place to access the
battery holder.
Note: If the MICDT will not be used for an extended period of time
(over one month), it is recommended that you remove the batteries.
Assembly Instructions
Install protective bar over Insert evenly into both guide tubes Press down firmly to secure into
electronics box place
Install foot Be sure the bottom of the foot is Tighten thumb screw on base of
flush with bottom of the guide tube unit. Reconfirm base is flush with
for accurate readings the bottom of the tube for accurate
readings
Install Infill Depth Foot 1” or 2” deep Be sure to tighten screws properly Place the units foot in a clean, flat
or the Cleat Depth Foot depending so foot is tight against actuator shaft steel plate, be sure ring is near the
on the depth of your infill base actuator shaft
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Using the Mascaro Infill and Cleat Depth
Tester (MICDT)
The Mascaro Infill and Cleat Depth Tester (MICDT) measures the depth the plunger
depresses on a surface when it is released from a set height. The value of this depth is
displayed on the LCD readout. The unit will also display the average of a series of
measurements, and the number of measurements included in the average, on the LCD.
Activating/Deactivating the Display:
The unit is activated by briefly pressing the red Power Button located
on the face of the unit.
The LCD will display the percent of battery life for 5 seconds and will
then show zeros when it is ready to take a measurement. The MICDT
will power off after 5 minutes of inactivity.
For Infill Depth - Taking a Reading:
1. Determine the infill depth foot you will be using. If the desired infill depth is
between 0.0 – 1.0 inch, install the 1-inch-long depth foot. If the desired infill depth
is between 1.0 – 2.0 inches deep, install the 2-inch-long depth foot.
2. Place unit on turf surface being measured and be sure the foot is on the surface
of the infill for accurate readings. DO NOT push down on handle, just use it to
stabilize the unit during testing.
3. If the display is blank, press the Power Button briefly and wait for the unit to turn
on.
4. Connect the unit to the SpecConnect app as shown on Page # 11
5. Slightly lift up on the plunger shaft so that the collar is not touching the actuator
shaft on the electronics box.
6. The display will now show the number of measurements that have been included
in the average (or zero for the first reading).
7. Raise the shaft up slightly with the actuator shaft grip and then smoothly press
down on the actuator shaft grip until the synthetic turf backing is reached. (Do
not use excessive force)
8. For the 1.0-inch foot – Readings are displayed as shown.
For the 2.0-inch foot = Add 1.0 inch to the reading as the digital readout scale
is 0.000 to 1.000 inch and the infill depth foot has a 2.000-inch-long probe. (If
reading is 500 infill depth is 1.500 or 1.5 inches deep)
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9. On the first measurement, the value of the current measurement is displayed.
For subsequent measurements, the LCD will display the current reading for 2
seconds and the average after 2 seconds.
10. To reset the average, press the Power Button briefly while the average value is
being displayed. If the average is not reset, the next reading will be included in
the average as well. The average will also be reset if the meter is powered off
(manually or due to 5 minutes of inactivity).
11. Move to the next test area and repeat the process.
For optimal field conditions, you do not want to see more than a 10% difference in
readings.
For testing infill with the Mascaro Infill Smoothly press down on actuator shaft
and Cleat Depth Tester (MICDT), lift up grip until the synthetic turf backing is
the plunger shaft slightly so the collar is reached and read the digital display.
not touching the actuator shaft on the
electronics box.
Take note of any high or low areas and groom the field or add additional infill to even out
the playing surface. Usually wear areas, like football field centers and soccer goal
mouths, will have more displaced infill as compared to areas of the field that are less
utilized.
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For Cleat Depth - Taking a Reading:
1. Place the unit on the surface being measured.
2. Place the unit on the turf surface being measured and be sure the foot is on the
surface of the infill for accurate readings. DO NOT push down on handle, just
use it to stabilize the unit during testing.
3. If the display is blank, press the Power Button briefly and wait for the unit to turn
on.
4. Lift up the plunger shaft until it hits the Stop (about four inches). The display will
now show the number of measurements that have been included in the average
(or zero for the first reading).
5. Release the Plunger so that it drops smoothly.
6. On the first measurement, the value of the current measurement is displayed.
For subsequent measurements, the LCD will display the current reading for 2
seconds and the average after 2 seconds.
7. To reset the average, press the Power Button briefly while the average value is
being displayed. If the average is not reset, the next reading will be included in
the average as well. The average will also be reset if the meter is powered off
(manually or due to 5 minutes of inactivity).
8. Move to the next test area and repeat the process.
9. For optimal field conditions, you do not want to see more than a 10% difference
in readings.
Lift up the plunger shaft until it hits the Release smoothly to avoid affecting drop
Stop (about four inches) speed
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Understanding readings in 100th of an inch
Note, often synthetic infill depth requirements are listed in millimeters and this tool
measures in one hundredths of an inch. A simple conversion formula is as follows:
Formula: Multiply number on display x 25.4 – Millimeter
500 on display = .500 of an inch
.500 x 25.4 = 12.7 mm
(Remember with the cleat foot and the 1-inch infill depth foot, this is your reading)
With the 2-inch-deep infill depth foot, you MUST add an inch to the reading:
500 on display = 1.500 of an inch of infill
1.500 x 25.4 = 38.1 mm
Note: Most human hair is one-thousandth of inch, or 0.001 inch so 10 human hairs =
1/100th of an inch. This would equate to a reading on the Mascaro Infill & Cleat Depth
Tester of 001. For sports field infill we want less than a 10% variance in depth so a
range between 0.00 and 0.20 inches or on the display a range of 200 is acceptable. If
the field reads between 400 and 600 (1.4 inches and 1.6 inches, this would be an
acceptable range).
For professional sports, a smaller range would be necessary in order to maintain a more
accurate and consistent surface.
Understanding infill readings
Check with your synthetic turf manufacturer as to the infill depth requirements for your
surface. Each manufacturer has different depth requirements from brand to brand and
also different infill depth requirements for different types of surfaces produced by the
same manufacturer. Always look at the manufacturer recommendations.
In general, 70% of the pile height should be covered with infill material and 30% of the
pile should be visible above the infill material. If the pile (fiber) height is 2.00 inches, the
infill material should be at the depth of 1.40 inches.
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FieldScout Mobile App/ SpecConnect
The FieldScout Mobile App can be used to view measurement results directly on your mobile
device and send the data directly to the SpecConnect web interface. Data can be viewed on a
Smartphone in two formats:
Basic Grid Mode - Available with or without a SpecConnect subscription. The site is divided
into a customizable 2-dimensional grid of 3 to 5 rows and 3 to 5 columns. Measurements are
taken in each grid cell. Grid cells are color-coded showing firmness average (fig. 1).
Freeform Mode - Available with a SpecConnect subscription. Color-coded location icons are
placed at every measurement point using the coordinates from the internal location of the app’s
mobile device (fig. 2).
The data from the Pro version of the app is sent instantaneously to SpecConnect. Data can be
viewed in map form (fig. 3), exported to a spreadsheet, or viewed as a Trend Report (fig. 4).
More details are available in the user's guide for the app.
Figure 1. Grid Mode Figure 2. Freeform Mode
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Fig. 3. 2-D Mapped Readings and Contour Plot in SpecConnect
Fig. 4. Trend Report
FieldScout Mobile App:
Setup and Use
Install the FieldScout After Installing the app, it asks Choose to Login to
SpecConnect app on your if you are testing a Golf Course SpecConnect if you have the
device from the Play Store or or Agriculture / Other Area. paid version with your
App Store Choose Agriculture / Other username and password or
Area choose Basic if you are using
the free version
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Open the FieldScout Mobile Click Settings In Settings, under App
App. Mode – Choose “Farm”
Click Configure Profile Add new profile & create *This screen will appear
“MICDT Cleat” and “MICDT after you create the profile
Infill”. You can also set your name. Choose TruFirm and
colors and depth ranges range for cleat depth and
here. * infill depth you are looking
for testing. Click OK
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Choose Hamburger Menu Click on Farm Add a Sports field by
and click Home clicking on the “+” or select
a sports field if you have
one listed
Select session type as Select the session your Start Testing - Click on
Trufirm and Save created Session you created and
choose freeform or grid.
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Grid is for the free app. In Freeform is for the paid Connect to the Mascaro
Basic Mode, the Grid screen SpecConnect App and shows Infill Cleat Depth Tester by
appears. Tap on a grid cell the GPS locations. Enter your ensuring the unit is turned
where measurements will be on and then select ”Connect
username and password to
added. The app will display FieldScout Device to
the Take Readings screen send measurements to the Bluetooth”
cloud account.
Select TruFirm Bluetooth Begin taking readings. You can add additional
Fields in Grid by Clicking on
upper right button
• If using the Free or Basic App, click on the square you want to test in. If using the
paid SpecConnect App, the GPS points will automatically appear in the screen as
you test.
Note: Although the device appears in the app, it may not appear on the phone's list of Bluetooth
devices.
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LIMITED WARRANTY OF TURF-TEC INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTS
Turfgrass Products Corporation - dba - Turf-Tec International ("Seller") warrants to the final purchaser that all Turf-Tec International tools will be free
from defects in material or workmanship for a period of one year from the date of purchase. SELLER'S SOLE OBLIGATION AND YOUR
EXCLUSIVE REMEDY under this Limited Warranty and, to the extent permitted by law, any warranty or condition implied by law, shall be the repair
or replacement of parts, without charge, which are defective in material or workmanship, and which have not been misused, carelessly handled, or
improperly repaired by persons other than Turf-Tec International. To make a claim under this Limited Warranty, you must return the complete tool,
transportation prepaid, to Turf-Tec International after contacting Turf-Tec International and receiving a return authorization number. Please include a
dated proof of purchase with your tool.
ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES SHALL BE LIMITED IN DURATION TO ONE YEAR FROM DATE OF PURCHASE. IN NO EVENT SHALL
SELLER BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LIABILITY
FOR LOSS OF PROFITS) ARISING FROM THE SALE OR USE OF THIS PRODUCT.
Hold Harmless Agreement
The seller shall protect, defend, indemnify and hold the purchaser and their respective assigns and their attorneys, accountants, employees, officers and
directors harmless from and against all losses, costs, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses of every kind and character, as incurred, resulting from or
relating to or arising out of the inaccuracy of results, injury of user, injury of sports participant, turfgrass loss, warranty, covenant or any agreement made
by the seller in this agreement.
Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity 47 CFR § 2.1077 Compliance Information
In accordance with European Parliament and Council Decision No. 768/2008/EC Annex III we, Spectrum Technologies, Inc., a
corporation validly organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, having its principal place of business
at 3600 Thayer Court, Aurora IL 60504 USA declare under our sole responsibility that the below named Product: FieldScout
TruFirm Turf Firmness Meter Model Name (Product Number): TruFirm 6490S Object of the Declaration:
FieldScout TruFirm Turf Firmness Meter providing a means for determining the firmness of turf used in sport playing
surfaces. Specifications:
• Battery powered device (2 x AA batteries)
• Bluetooth communications
• LCD Display
• Durable powder coated aluminum frame to which this declaration relates conforms with the relevant requirements of the
Harmonized Legislations mentioned below. Specifically, but not limited to, the following harmonized standards and/or
normative documents:
Harmonization Legislation:
2014/53/EU Radio Equipment Directive
2011/65/EU Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive
Article 3.1(a) Safety of Information Technology Equipment
EN 60950-1:2006 + A11:2009 + A1:2010 + A12:2011 + A2:2013 (as applied to internal Bluetooth module Silicon Labs BLE113-A-
M256K)
Article 3.1(b) Electromagnetic Compatibility
EN 61000-6-1:2007 Immunity for residential, commercial, and light-industrial environments EN 61000-6-3:2007 /A1:2011
Emission standard for residential, commercial, and light-industrial environments
EN 55022:2010 /AC:2011 Information technology equipment - Radio disturbance characteristics - Limits and methods of
measurement
EN 301 489-1 V2.1.1 EMC standard for radio equipment and services; Part 1 (as applied to internal Bluetooth module Silicon
Labs BLE113-A-M256K)
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EN 301 489-1 V1.9.2; 2011 EMC standard for radio equipment and services; Part 1: Common technical requirements
EN 301 489-3 V1.6.1; 2013 EMC standard for radio equipment and services; Part 3: Specific conditions for Short-Range Devices
EN 301 489-17 v3.1.1 EMC standard for radio equipment and services; Part 17 (as applied to internal Bluetooth module Silicon
Labs BLE113-A-M256K)
Article 3.2 Spectrum Efficiency
EN 300 328 V2.1.1; 2016-11 Wideband Data Transmission Systems; 2.4 GHz Band; Emissions, EMC
(as applied to internal Bluetooth module Silicon Labs BGM113-A-M256K)
EN 300 440 V1.6.1 2010-08 Short Range Devises 1-40 GHz; Emissions; EMC
Article 3.3 Other Requirements
EN 63000:2018 Technical documents on for the assessment of electrical and electronic products with respect to the restriction of
hazardous substances
Sam Kelly
Electronics Engineer
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