Patent ID: 6983582

Claim:
A stalk strength tester comprising: (a) an external shaft comprising a first end, and a second end; (b) an internal shaft comprising an upper end, a lower end, a set of measurement markings near said upper end, and a slidable marker for retaining a strength reading; (c) a tension member associated with said lower end of said internal shaft; (d) said tension member and said lower end of said internal shaft in telescopic relationship with said external shaft wherein said tension member is positioned within said second end of said external shaft and said internal shaft is positioned such that said measurement markings are above and outside said external shaft; (e) means for slidably maintaining said internal shaft and said external shaft in telescopic relationship; (f) a trough-like stalk cradle for pivotally aligning a stalk for strength measurement; and (g) means for pivotally associating said trough-like stalk cradle with said upper end of said internal shaft.