Agricultural implements for soil and vegetation analysis
Described herein are implements that include a vehicle having a system for sensing or testing soil and/or vegetation as the vehicle traverses a field.
1. An agricultural implement for sensing or acquiring at least one of soil and vegetation comprising:
a vehicle;
a sampling implement supported by the vehicle for sensing or acquiring at least one of soil and vegetation, the sampling implement comprising:
a probe having a collection port and a plurality of notches on a side rearward of a direction of travel of the vehicle;
a rod having a plurality of scooper discs aligned with the plurality of notches and configured to scoop soil from the notches in a rotating motion through a rotary actuator;
a plurality of bars linking the probe to the vehicle and configured to move the probe through an actuator, wherein the sampling implement is located to a side of or below the vehicle, a bar of the plurality of bars being attached at a first end of the bar to the vehicle and connected to the probe at a second end of the bar;
a location system for determining a position in a field;
a memory storing a map, wherein the map defines locations for the sampling implement to sense a characteristic of at least one of soil and vegetation or acquire at least one of a soil sample or a vegetation sample at each of the locations;
a controller, wherein when the vehicle reaches each of the locations as the vehicle traverses the field, the controller is configured to send a signal to the sampling implement to sense or acquire at least one of the soil and vegetation.
2. The agricultural implement of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle performs at least one agricultural operation while in motion.
3. The agricultural implement of claim 1 , wherein the map is at least one map chosen from yield, moisture, soil nutrient, organic matter content, electrical conductivity, and soil compaction.
4. The agricultural implement of claim 1 , the sampling implement further comprising:
a plunger connected with a plunger arm configured to extend into the collection port and eject a sample from the probe through an actuator.
5. The agricultural implement of claim 1 , further comprising a collection container to receive the soil removed from the plurality of notches.
6. The agricultural implement of claim 5 ,
prior to a plunger ejecting a sample from the probe, the controller sending a first signal to move the collection container to a position adjacent to the collection port opposite of the plunger,
after the plunger ejecting the sample, the controller sending a second signal to move the collection container to a processing system.