Mid-Season POGO Check: Inspect Your Tines and Run a Sensor Diagnostic
If you’ve been sampling throughout the season, now is the perfect time to give your POGO a quick mid-season checkup.
After hundreds (or even thousands) of samples, your HydraProbe tines experience normal wear. Taking just a few minutes to inspect your sensor and run a Sensor Diagnostic Test can help ensure you’re still collecting the accurate, research-grade data you rely on every day.
Watch the video below for a step-by-step walkthrough, or keep reading to learn why this simple maintenance routine is so important.
🎥 Watch the Sensor Diagnostic Tutorial
Why Check Your POGO Mid-Season?
Your POGO is built for daily use in demanding turf environments, but like any precision tool, routine maintenance helps keep it performing at its best.
The HydraProbe’s marine-grade stainless steel tines are designed to withstand repeated sampling, but over time they naturally wear as they’re inserted into the soil.
While this wear is expected, excessive tine wear can affect:
- Sampling depth
- Measurement consistency
- Long-term data comparisons
A quick inspection now helps ensure your data remains accurate for the rest of the season.
Inspect Your HydraProbe Tines
Start by taking a close look at the four stainless steel tines.
Look for signs of:
- Excessive wear or shortening
- Bent or damaged tines
- Heavy buildup or contamination
- Physical damage from rocks or other obstructions
Clean tines are just as important as unworn ones. If necessary, gently clean the sensor using a soft-bristle brush and ethanol to remove dirt, debris, or residue before performing a diagnostic test.
Run a Sensor Diagnostic Test
After inspecting the tines, perform a Sensor Diagnostic Test to verify the HydraProbe is functioning properly.
The test only takes a few minutes and helps confirm that your sensor is operating within expected specifications.
For the diagnostic you’ll need:
- A clean plastic or glass container
- Distilled water
- A clean sensor
Once the sensor is placed in distilled water, your moisture reading should typically fall between 76% and 82%, confirming the sensor is operating normally.
If your readings fall outside the expected range, or if you notice unusual behavior, our support team is ready to help troubleshoot the issue.
When Should You Replace Your Tines?
If your tines show significant wear, replacement is recommended.
Fresh tines help ensure:
- Proper insertion depth
- Consistent measurements
- Reliable long-term data
- Continued research-grade performance
Replacing worn tines is a simple way to protect the quality of the data you’re collecting throughout the season.
A Few Minutes Now Can Save Headaches Later
Routine maintenance is one of the easiest ways to protect your investment and maintain confidence in your turf data.
By taking just a few minutes to:
- Inspect your HydraProbe tines
- Clean the sensor
- Run a Sensor Diagnostic Test
…you’ll know your POGO is ready for the remainder of the season and that every sample you collect continues to deliver the reliable insights you’ve come to expect.
Need Help?
If your Sensor Diagnostic Test indicates an issue or you have questions about your POGO, our support team is here to help.
You can submit a support request directly through TurfPro Mobile by tapping the Help & Support (“?”) icon, or visit our Support section here on our main website.
Learn more about POGO and TurfPro or request a demo today: