The Soil Lathe is designed for controlled trimming and diameter reduction of cylindrical soil specimens before laboratory testing. The manually operated system accommodates specimens from 35 mm to 100 mm in diameter and provides an adjustable working height of up to 230 mm. The specimen is rotated while thin layers of soil are removed with a wire saw until the required diameter and cylindrical geometry are achieved.
- Cylindrical specimen preparation: Supports preparation of soil specimens before laboratory testing.
- Diameter trimming: Removes thin layers from the specimen circumference to obtain the required diameter.
- Specimen diameter range: Suitable for specimens from 35 to 100 mm.
- Adjustable working height: Adjustable up to 230 mm.
- Manual operation: Requires no electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic power.
- Rotating specimen support: Allows the operator to work evenly around the specimen circumference.
- Controlled trimming: Supports gradual reduction of specimen diameter.
- Vertical support system: Helps maintain specimen alignment during preparation.
- Wire saw application: Designed to be used with a suitable open wire saw.
- External dimensions: 30 × 30 × 35 cm.
- Approximate weight: 27 kg.
- Optional Open Wire Saw: LT-G0170.
- Replacement Wire: LT-G0170/1.
- Trimming Knife: LT-G0171.
- Accessories: Open Wire Saw, Wire and Trimming Knife are ordered separately.
- Product code: LT-S0025.
| Product Code | Product Name | Dimensions (cm) | Weight (kg) |
| LT-S0025 | Soil Lathe | 30 × 30 × 35 | 27 |
| LT-G0170 | Open Wire Saw | — | — |
| LT-G0170/1 | Wire | — | — |
| LT-G0171 | Trimming Knife | — | — |
What Is a Soil Lathe?
The Soil Lathe is a laboratory specimen preparation device designed to trim cylindrical soil samples to the required dimensions before mechanical testing.
The LT-S0025 Soil Lathe supports specimens between 35 mm and 100 mm in diameter. The operator positions the specimen between the lower rotating support and the adjustable upper support. The specimen can then be rotated manually while excess soil is gradually removed from its circumference.
This controlled trimming procedure helps produce a more regular cylindrical specimen without requiring powered cutting equipment.
LİYA specifies a maximum adjustable working height of 230 mm, providing flexibility for specimens of different lengths.
35–100 mm Soil Specimen Range
The LT-S0025 is designed for cylindrical soil specimens with diameters ranging from 35 to 100 mm.
Different geotechnical laboratory tests may require specimens with specific dimensions or diameter-to-height relationships. A soil sample obtained from a tube or block may therefore require trimming before it can be placed into the testing equipment.
The Soil Lathe allows the operator to remove material gradually rather than making a single aggressive cut.
This approach is particularly useful when working with cohesive specimens where maintaining the general cylindrical shape is important during preparation.
Manual Rotating System
The LT-S0025 operates completely manually.
The operator rotates the soil specimen using the lower support while guiding the cutting tool around the sample. Because no electric motor is required, the device can be installed on a normal laboratory workbench without an electrical connection.
Manual rotation also gives the operator direct control over the amount of material removed during each pass.
As the specimen approaches the target diameter, smaller corrections can be made to improve its geometry.
Adjustable Working Height
The vertical working height can be adjusted up to 230 mm.
The upper support is positioned according to the height of the soil specimen. This support helps keep the specimen aligned during rotation and trimming.
Correct alignment is important because uneven specimen geometry can influence later laboratory measurements. The operator should therefore periodically check the diameter and overall shape while removing material.
Open Wire Saw and Trimming Accessories
The Soil Lathe is designed to be used with an Open Wire Saw.
LİYA lists the following accessories separately:
LT-G0170 — Open Wire Saw
LT-G0170/1 — Wire
LT-G0171 — Trimming Knife
These accessories are not included as standard with the LT-S0025 and should be ordered separately when required.
The wire saw is used to remove thin layers of material around the specimen circumference. The trimming knife can then support final correction of small irregularities.
Soil Specimen Preparation
Specimen geometry is an important part of geotechnical laboratory testing.
The operator should avoid deep cuts, sudden loading or excessive handling that could disturb the specimen. Material should instead be removed progressively while the specimen is rotated.
The diameter can be checked with a suitable calliper during preparation. End surfaces and overall specimen geometry should then be prepared according to the requirements of the laboratory test that will follow.
BS 1377-2:2022
LİYA’s current English product page lists BS 1377:2 for the Soil Lathe.
The current edition is BS 1377-2:2022 — Methods of test for soils for civil engineering purposes – Classification tests and determination of geotechnical properties. BSI confirms that this standard covers laboratory testing of soils and remains current.
Because the Soil Lathe is a specimen preparation device rather than a complete test apparatus, I would use BS 1377-2:2022 as a RELATED STANDARD rather than making a direct conformity claim.
Compact Laboratory Design
The LT-S0025 has external dimensions of 30 × 30 × 35 cm and weighs approximately 27 kg.
Its compact mechanical construction allows the device to be installed in soil mechanics and geotechnical laboratories without a dedicated power connection.
Overall, the Soil Lathe provides a controlled method for reducing and correcting the diameter of cylindrical soil specimens before laboratory testing. Its 35–100 mm specimen range, manual rotating system and adjustable 230 mm working height make it a practical soil specimen preparation device.
