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Development of a Frame to Automatically Insert a Hand-Held Penetrometer

Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org

Citation:  Paper number  031077,  2003 ASAE Annual Meeting . (doi: 10.13031/2013.15668)
Authors:   Randy R. Price, Jeremy Theriot
Keywords:   Soil Compaction, Cone Penetrometer, Automated, ATV

Cone penetrometers use a rod, tip, and force measurement device to measure penetration resistance of the cone in soils. These devices are widely used in agronomy studies to predict soil compaction, which is an indicator of where soils cause improper root growth and have poor water drainage. A widely accepted value where soil compaction becomes a problem is 2000 kPa (300 psi) or greater. Today most people use a hand-held penetrometer such as the Field Scout SC900. This meter measures soil compaction with depth and GPS location. Testing with the device has indicated that pushing it into the ground at a constant speed can be a hard and laborious task. This paper discusses a frame designed to hold the SC900 and allow automatic insertion of the compaction meter from an ATV.

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