Soil sampling machine and method of use

A soil sampling machine and its method of use is provided. The soil sampling machine can include a sampling mechanism configured and positioned to obtain a soil sample. A storage tank is located on the machine and can store the obtained sample material from the sampling mechanism. A hose connects the sampling mechanism and the storage tank and a vacuum generator generates a vacuum force in the hose to transport the obtained soil sample from the sampling mechanism to the storage tank.

BACKGROUND

The application generally relates to the taking of soil samples. The application relates more specifically to a machine for acquiring soil samples in an agricultural field and the method of using the machine to acquire the soil samples.

The taking or acquiring of soil samples from an agricultural field and the subsequent analysis of the soil samples can be useful in increasing the crop yield for that agricultural field. However, the acquisition of soil samples has been a manually performed process that is difficult and time consuming. To take a soil sample, a person had to manually insert a probe into the ground to remove the soil or sample material from the ground, and then store and label the sample material from the probe for subsequent analysis. Another option for taking the soil sample was to use an all terrain vehicle (ATV) equipped with a device to insert the probe into the ground. However, due to the limited capabilities of the ATV, the device mounted on the ATV could not provide much additional insertion force over the insertion force that could be provided by the person. Further, if the amount of sample material removed from the ground was not a sufficient sample for analysis, additional sample material had to be removed from the ground until a sufficient sample had been obtained. The process is then repeated at the next soil sample location in the agricultural field, which can have numerous sampling points or locations depending on the size of the agricultural field. Thus, depending on the number of sampling locations in an agricultural field, a person could spend a day or more collecting the necessary soil samples from an agricultural field.

Therefore, what is needed is a machine and method that can simplify and reduce the time needed for the soil sampling process.

SUMMARY

The present application is directed to a method of obtaining a soil sample from an agricultural field. The method includes acquiring sample material from an agricultural field with a sampling mechanism mounted on a soil sampling machine and transferring the acquired sample material from the sampling mechanism to a storage tank located on the soil sampling machine with a vacuum force. The method also includes removing the acquired sample material from the storage tank and placing the acquired sample material in a container.

The present application is additionally directed to a soil sampling machine. The soil sampling machine includes a sampling mechanism configured and positioned to obtain a soil sample and a storage tank to store an obtained soil sample from the sampling mechanism. The soil sampling machine also includes a hose connecting the sampling mechanism and the storage tank and a vacuum generator to generate a vacuum force to transport the soil sample from the sampling mechanism to the storage tank.

One advantage of the present application is the automation of the soil sampling process.

Another advantage of the present application is that the sampling process is more consistent and repeatable.

Still another advantage of the present application is the ability to sample an increased number of acres per hour compared to manual sampling.

A further advantage of the present application is increased efficiency in collecting samples.

Other features and advantages of the present application will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the application.

Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1shows an embodiment of the process for acquiring soil samples using a soil sampling machine. The process begins by obtaining sample material, e.g., soil or dirt, from the ground using the soil sampling machine (step102). The sample material can be obtained from the ground using a probe(s), auger or other similar sampling device. If the sample material is to be obtained using a probe(s), the probe(s) can be inserted into the ground by the soil sampling machine (see e.g.,FIG. 2) to acquire the sample material and then can be subsequently removed from the ground with the sample material. Alternatively, if the sample material is to be obtained using an auger, the rotating auger can be inserted into the ground by the soil sampling machine to obtain and transport the sample material from the ground.

In one exemplary embodiment, multiple probes can be used to acquire sample material. The number of probes that can be used to obtain enough sample material for a sufficient sample can be based on the measurement depth, i.e., the distance the probe is inserted into the ground, for the corresponding probes and the internal diameter of the probes. If the measurement depth used for the probe(s) does not provide enough sample material for a sufficient sample, then the probe(s) may have to be reinserted into the ground until enough sample material has been obtained. The amount of sample material or soil needed for a sufficient sample can vary based on the analysis to be performed, the type of soil or sample material, and other factors.

After the sample material has been obtained, the sample material can be transferred or transported to a storage tank or container located on the soil sampling machine (step104). A hose, tube or conduit can interconnect the probe(s) or auger and the storage tank and a vacuum force can be used to move or transport the sample material through the hose from the probe(s) or auger to the storage tank. In one embodiment, the hose or conduit can be clear to permit the operator of the soil sampling machine to visually confirm the transfer of the sample material to the storage tank. If the sample material is obtained using a single probe, the hose can be attached directly to the probe or the hose can be connected to a multiple branch pipe or hose, e.g., a “Y” pipe, or to a header or storage vessel interconnecting the probes if several probes are used. In another embodiment, if multiple probes are used, each probe could have its own hose connected to the storage tank to permit the vacuum force to be applied to each probe and hose individually. To transfer the sample material from the probe(s) to the storage tank, the vacuum force can be engaged after the probe is removed from the ground. The probe(s) can then be rotated into a substantially horizontal position (see e.g.,FIG. 3) and a vibrator or vibrating device can be started to remove or loosen the material from the probes. After a predetermined time period has elapsed, the vibrator and vacuum force can be disengaged. In one embodiment, if the sample material is loose or sandy soil, the vacuum force can be engaged as the probe is being withdrawn from the ground to prevent the sample material from flowing out of the probe and onto the ground.

Alternatively, if the sample material is to be obtained using an auger, the hose can be connected to a storage area in proximity to the auger that receives the sample material from the auger. To transfer the sample material from the auger to the storage tank, the vacuum force can be engaged at the same time (or shortly thereafter) as the auger is engaged and the vacuum force can continue to operate during the operation of the auger and for a predetermined time period after auger operation has ceased. Alternatively, the sample material from the auger can be stored in the storage area associated with the auger for the duration of auger operation and then transferred to the storage tank in a similar manner as described above for the probes once auger operation has stopped.

After the sample material has been transferred to the storage tank, a determination is made on whether enough sample material has been obtained for a sufficient sample (step106). If there is not enough sample material for a sufficient sample, the process returns to step102to obtain additional sample material. In one embodiment, as each additional sample is taken or acquired, the sample material from that sample can be mixed with the stored sample material from previously taken samples by the vacuum force that is present in the storage tank. Otherwise, the process proceeds to remove the sample material from the storage tank (step108) and place the soil sample in a container (step110). To remove the sample material from the storage tank, the storage tank and any associated filtration systems can be vibrated to loosen or remove the sample material from the storage tank. A valve or gate, e.g., a butterfly valve, associated with the storage tank is opened and the sample material is dispensed onto a conveyor or auger by force of gravity and the vibration of the storage tank. The conveyor or auger can then transport the sample material into the cab of the soil sampling machine. Once the sample material has reached the cab of the soil sampling machine, the operator of the soil sampling machine can place the sample material in a container, such as a bag, and provide an appropriate label for the container. In another embodiment, the operator of the soil sampling machine can transfer the sample material directly from the storage tank to the container.

FIGS. 2-4show one embodiment of a soil sampling machine. InFIG. 2, a soil sampling machine200can be taking or acquiring sample material with the probe202. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 2, the probe(s) can be inserted into the ground at the angle of rotation of the mast. InFIG. 3, the soil sampling machine200can be positioned to transfer or transport the sample material from the probe202to the storage tank206through the hose204using a vacuum force. A vibrator208can be used to loosen or remove the material from the probe202for transport through the hose204. InFIG. 4, the sample material can be transferred or transported from the storage tank206to the cab of the soil sampling machine200. A valve or gate210can be used to permit the sample material to flow or travel from the storage tank206to a conveyor or auger212to take or transport the sample material to the cab of the soil sampling machine200. A hydraulic generator209and possibly one or more transformers can be used to provide the necessary power to generate the vacuum force to transport the sample material through the hose204, to operate the vibrator208and any vibrator used with the storage tank206, to actuate the valve210and to operate the conveyor212. In another embodiment, other types of generators, such as a diesel or gasoline generators or electric generators, can be used to power the components.

FIG. 5shows an exemplary embodiment of a soil sampling machine. The soil sampling machine500can have a sampling mechanism502located at the front of the machine500and a sample handling system504located at the rear of the machine500. A hose or tube (not shown) can connect a connection point506of the sampling mechanism502to a storage tank or vacuum silo508of the sample handling system504. The sampling mechanism502can use a single probe510to obtain sample material and a vibrator or vibrational device512can be used to loosen the sample material from the probe510for subsequent transport through the tube to the storage tank508. The sample handling system504can include a vacuum generator to generate a vacuum force to transport the sample material from the sampling mechanism502through the tube to the storage tank508.

FIG. 6shows another exemplary embodiment of a soil sampling machine. The soil sampling machine600can have a sampling mechanism602located at the front of the machine600and a sample handling system604located at the rear of the machine600. The sampling mechanism602can use multiple probes610to obtain sample material. A hose or tube606(partially shown) can connect one or more connection points of the sampling mechanism602to a storage tank or vacuum silo608of the sample handling system604. Depending on the multiple probe configuration used, the hose or tube606may incorporate manifolds and/or valves to regulate the vacuum force and the transporting of the sample material. The sample handling system604can include a vibrator or vibrational device612to loosen sample material stored in the storage tank608for transport to the cab614of the soil sampling machine by a conveyor616.

FIGS. 7 and 8show the sampling mechanism ofFIG. 5. The sampling mechanism502can be mounted to the soil sampling machine500by hydraulic cylinders other suitable connection techniques. The sampling mechanism502can include a cylinder507having the connection point506for the hose. The cylinder507can be connected to the probe510and when vibrator512is operated, the sample material is loosened or removed from the probe510and travels through the cylinder507to the connection point506for subsequent travel through the hose. An isolator(s)550can be mounted on a frame515to limit or prevent the transfer of the vibrational force from the vibrator512to the frame515and/or other components of the sampling mechanism502. The isolator(s)550can be used to maintain the vibrational force from the vibrator512on just the probe510and cylinder507.

The sampling mechanism502can also include a hydraulic cylinder514mounted on the frame515to move a sliding mechanism516to which the probe510is connected. To acquire sample material with the probe510, the sampling mechanism502is placed on the ground by the soil sampling machine500. Once the sampling mechanism502is in the proper position, the hydraulic cylinder514is actuated to move or lower the sliding mechanism516along the frame515and force the probe510into the ground to acquire the sample material. In one exemplary embodiment, the hydraulic cylinder514can insert the probe510into the ground with a force of between about 2500 psi and about 3000 psi. The insertion force applied to the probe510can be varied based on the selection and configuration of the hydraulic cylinder514and sliding mechanism516. To remove the probe510from the ground, the hydraulic cylinder514is actuated in the opposite direction to move or raise the sliding mechanism516and the probe510. The movement of the sliding mechanism516as well as the configuration of the probe510can be used to determine the measurement depth for the probe510. In another embodiment, pneumatic cylinders could be used instead of the hydraulic cylinders. In still another embodiment, a probe can be used having a length greater than or equal to the maximum desired measurement depth and a linear actuator can be used to control the insertion of the probe to obtain any desired measurement depth up to the maximum measurement depth. Thus, a single probe can be used to take samples of different measurement depths.

FIGS. 12-14show an exemplary embodiment of a probe that can be used with the sampling mechanism. Probe510can have a tip or end portion552that can be inserted into the ground. As can be seen inFIG. 14, one end of the tip552, i.e., the end that is initially inserted into the ground, can have a first internal diameter and the opposite end of the tip552, i.e., the end that mates or connects with the rest of the probe510, can have a second internal diameter that is greater than the first internal diameter. The change in the internal diameter of the tip552can permit the sample material entering the probe510to expand or decompress in order to enable the vacuum force to transport the material from the probe510to the storage tank508. In one exemplary embodiment, the first internal diameter can be 1.16 inches and the second internal diameter can be 1.61 inches.

FIG. 9shows the sample handling system ofFIG. 5. The sample handling system504can be mounted to the soil sampling machine500by any suitable connection technique. The sample handling system504can include a vacuum silo or storage tank508to store the sample material obtained from the sampling mechanism502. The vacuum silo or storage tank508can include one or more vacuum generators, pumps or motors positioned inside the vacuum silo or tank508to generate the vacuum force to transport the sample material from the sampling mechanism502to the storage tank508. The storage tank508can have a connection point520for the hose connected to the sampling mechanism502. When sufficient sample material has been collected for a sample, a valve522can be opened and the sample material can travel by gravity to a conveyor528. To assist in removing and loosening the sample material in the storage tank508, a vibrator or vibrating device532can be used on the storage tank508. A motor526can drive the conveyor528to enable the conveyor to transport the sample material from the storage tank508to a funnel, channel, or passageway524. The opposite end of the funnel524can be located inside the cab of the soil sampling machine500to permit the operator to store the sample material in a container or bag. The sample handling system504can have a hydraulic generator530to provide power to the components of the sampling mechanism502and the sample handling system504and an air compressor536. The sample handling system504can also include a control panel and/or user interface534that can be accessed by the operator and configured to provide control instructions to the components of the sampling mechanism502and the sample handling system504.

FIGS. 10 and 11show another exemplary embodiment of a sampling mechanism. A sampling mechanism900can be mounted to a soil sampling machine by hydraulic cylinders or other suitable connection techniques. The sampling mechanism900can use an auger902to acquire the sample material instead of a probe. The auger902can be rotated by a motor906to transport the sample material along the helical blade of the auger902to a storage area908that receives and stores the sample material transported by the auger902. The storage area908can include a connection point for the hose910. The sampling mechanism900can also include a hydraulic cylinder912mounted on a frame914to move a sliding mechanism916to which the auger902and motor906are connected. To acquire sample material with the auger902, the sampling mechanism900is lowered to or positioned onto the ground by the soil sampling machine. Once the sampling mechanism900is in the proper position, the hydraulic cylinder912can be actuated to move or lower the sliding mechanism916along the frame914and force the rotating auger902into the ground to acquire the sample material. To remove the rotating auger902from the ground, the hydraulic cylinder912is actuated in the opposite direction to move or raise the sliding mechanism916and the auger902. The movement of the sliding mechanism916as well as the configuration of the auger902can be used to determine the measurement depth for the auger902. In an exemplary embodiment, pneumatic cylinders could be used instead of hydraulic cylinders.

In one exemplary embodiment, the process for acquiring a soil sample begins with the operator engaging an auto operation switch in the soil sampling machine. The operator can lower a mast of the soil sampling machine (i.e., position the sampling device on the ground) and then lower the probe (i.e., insert the probe into the ground) to collect the sample material. Once the probe is in the “full up” position, the silo or storage tank vacuum and the front probe vibrator can operate for 5-8 seconds and turn off automatically. The cycle time for the silo vacuum and the front probe vibrator can be programmable by the operator. The silo vacuum system can use one or more high powered motors to generate over 210 CFM of air flow and a vacuum of over 150 inches of water lift. The sample can then be vacuumed from the front probe through a clear collection hose, and deposited into the silo vacuum chamber. When there is enough dirt or soil to make a complete sample (1-2 samples for a 12 inch probe, 2-3 samples for an 8 inch probe and 3-4 samples for a 6 inch probe), the operator can engage a bagging switch. The silo vibrator and the electronic filter shaker can run for 10 seconds and then will turn off automatically. The cycle time for the silo vibrator and the electronic filter shaker can be programmable by the operator. An 8 inch belt conveyor can turn on and the sample can be discharged via an 8 inch air gate and travel up the conveyor, discharge into a stainless steel funnel, and down into a bag located inside the cab. During the bagging operation, the air gate can close in 5 seconds and the conveyor can turn off in 22 seconds after the bagging switch is engaged. The cycle time for the air gate and the conveyor can be programmable by the operator.

In another exemplary embodiment, the soil sampling machine can be built on a 5600 Bobcat® Toolcat™ All Purpose Chassis with a Kubota® 59 hp hydrostatic transmission and can be a 18.9 GPM hydraulic system. The soil sampling machine can include a sampling device with: a 14 inch slide rack and cylinder; a 1.5 inch diameter stainless steel probe, 6 to 12 inches long; a 12 volt, 85 lb. vibrator; a 2.5 inch diameter×14 inch cylinder; and a quick detach capability using hydraulic couplers. The soil sampling machine can also include a silo vacuum with: two (2) 1600 watt, 4.8 hp, 220 volt motors located inside the silo that can operate at a 72 dBa noise level, generate an 11 Hg inch vacuum rating (150 inches of water lift) and generate a 210 CFM volume rating; a primary filter having 13 square feet of area; a heavy duty electric primary filter cleaning shaker; a 2 inch (51 mm) inlet with aluminum cast deflector; a compression housing cast composite; an 8 inch air tight slide gate valve with electric over air activation for sample discharge; and a 12 volt, 85 lb vibrator. The soil sampling machine can include a hydraulic generator with a Hydro 500 hydraulic generator that can provide 5000 (5500 peak) watts of continuous output. The soil sampling machine can include a conveyor with: a 5 foot mini belt conveyor with a 220 volt motor that can operate at 22 feet per minute and has an 8 inch urethane belt with 0.80 inch cleats every 12 inches; aluminum side rails; and a stainless steel hopper with bagging tube and bag holder. The soil sampling machine can include an air compressor with: a storage tank; 110 psi output; a 12 volt motor; a built-in regulator that can turn on the air compressor at 85 psi and turn off the air compressor at 110 psi; and 20 feet of ¼ inch air hose.

In other exemplary embodiment, the soil sampling machine can include agricultural management software such as AgJunction®. The agricultural management software can include: a 7 inch touch screen; a 10 Hz DGPS using EGNOSS/WAAS correction; a built-in terrain correction capability; soil sampling, area measurement and record keeping functionality; a guidance mode; a work order system; and an integrated advanced cellular modem for wireless data transfer and logistics.

In one exemplary embodiment, the results from the sampling process can be used to generate soil maps that can then be used to develop prescription or application plans for the agricultural field.

Although the figures herein may show a specific order of method steps, the order of the steps may differ from what is depicted. Also, two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Variations in step performance can depend on the systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the application.

While the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures and described herein are presently preferred, it should be understood that these embodiments are offered by way of example only. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present application. Accordingly, the present application is not limited to a particular embodiment, but extends to various modifications that nevertheless fall within the scope of the appended claims. It should also be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.