Soil collector

Abstract

A soil collector including: a first frame configured to attach to a vehicle, wherein the vehicle has a forward direction of travel; a second frame configured to translate on the first frame perpendicular to the direction of travel; an actuator connected to the first frame and the second frame and configured to translate the second frame on the first frame; a motor disposed on the second frame; a coulter connected to the second frame and disposed perpendicular to the direction of travel and in mechanical communication with the motor; and a collection container disposed adjacent to the coulter for collecting soil from the coulter. Also, a method of collecting soil from a field including: moving a vehicle having the soil collector to a location in a field; translating the coulter across a plurality of lanes; and collecting soil from the plurality of lanes.

Description

SOIL COLLECTORCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Application No. 63 / 679437, filed 5 August 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD

[0002] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to soil collectors.BACKGROUND

[0003] Nutrients can be added to fields in a variety of methods. Fields have crop row where plants are planted and grown, and fields have areas between adjacent crop rows. Nutrients can be broadcast onto fields in which nutrients are spread over both crop rows and areas between crop rows. Nutrients can be banded in which nutrients are applied in crop rows. To know how much nutrients need to be applied after a crop is harvested and before a new crop is planted, soil samples are collected. With a difference between broadcast and banding, this required sampling both crop rows and areas between crop rows to determine a total amount of nutrients in the soil. It would be a time savings if one sample could be collected from a plurality of crop rows and / or areas between crop rows in a single operation.BRIEF SUMMARY

[0004] A soil collector comprising: a first frame configured to attach to a vehicle, wherein the vehicle has a forward direction of travel; a second frame configured to translate on the first frame perpendicular to the direction of travel; an actuator connected to the first frame and the second frame and configured to translate the second frame on the first frame; a motor disposed on the second frame; a coulter connected to the second frame and disposed perpendicular to the direction of travel and in mechanical communication with the motor; and a collection container disposed adjacent to the coulter for collecting soil from the coulter.

[0005] Also, a method of collecting soil from a field including: moving a vehicle having the soil collector to a location in a field; translating the coulter across a plurality of lanes; and collecting soil from the plurality of lanes.

[0006] Within the scope of this application it should be understood that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out herein, and individual features thereof may betaken independently or in any possible and compatible combination. Where features are described with reference to a single aspect or embodiment, it should be understood that such features are applicable to all aspects and embodiments unless otherwise stated or where such features are incompatible.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] One or more embodiments of the invention / disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a soil collector;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of the soil collector of FIG. 1 ; and

[0010] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a field.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of a modified housing for the soil collector of FIG. 1.

[0012] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a chainsaw blade.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] All references cited herein are incorporated herein in their entireties. If there is a conflict between definitions herein and in an incorporated reference, the definition herein shall control.

[0014] FIGs. 1-2 illustrate a soil collector 100, which can be connected to a vehicle. Vehicle can be driven in a forward direction of travel 10 across a field. Vehicle can be any vehicle such as a tractor, a utility vehicle, an automobile, or a truck.

[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a field 20. Field 20 has a plurality of lanes 30 (30-1 to 30-5). A lane is either a crop row 40 (40-1 to 40-3) or a middle area 50 (50-1 to 50-2). Middle area 50 is the area between adjacent crop rows 40.

[0016] Soil collector 100 has a first frame 110 that can be configured to attach to the vehicle. A second frame 120 is configured to translate on the first frame 110 in a direction that is perpendicular to the direction of travel 10. Second frame 120 can translate across a plurality of lanes. An actuator 140 is connected to first frame 110 and second frame 120 to effect the translation of second frame 120 on first frame 110.

[0017] A motor 130 is disposed on second frame 120 and is connected to a coulter 150. Motor 130 can be directly connected to coulter 150, or motor 130 can be connected through a linkage 135 to coulter 150. Motor 130 can be any fuel powered motor, such as a gasoline powered engine, or motor 130 can be an electrical motor.

[0018] Coulter 150 is disposed perpendicular to the direction of travel 10 and is connected to second frame 120. Coulter 150 can be any coulter, such as ones with or without teeth, or coulter 150 can be a chainsaw blade 150’. FIG. 5 illustrates chainsaw blade 150’.

[0019] Optionally, a housing 160 can be disposed over coulter 150 to minimize soil being thrown about. The housing 160 can surround coulter 150 on all sides except the bottom of coulter 150. An opening 165 can be provided in a side of housing 160 to allow for soil to be collected.

[0020] An alternative housing 160’ is illustrated in FIG. 4. Housing 160’ has a hollow chute 161’ to collect and direct soil from coulter 150 to a collection container.

[0021] A collection container 170 is disposed adjacent to coulter 150 to collect soil from coulter 150. Collection container 170 can be connected to second frame 120 by a bracket 175.

[0022] Soil collector 100 can be configured to collect soil from a plurality of lanes 30. In one embodiment, the plurality of lanes includes at least one crop row 40 and at least one middle area 50.

[0023] Optionally, soil collector 100 can be raised and lowered vertically to adjust a penetration depth of coulter 150.EXAMPLES

[0024] The following are nonlimiting examples.

[0025] Example 1 - A soil collector comprising: a first frame configured to attach to a vehicle, wherein the vehicle has a forward direction of travel; a second frame configured to translate on the first frame perpendicular to the direction of travel; an actuator connected to the first frame and the second frame and configured to translate the second frame on the first frame; a motor disposed on the second frame; a coulter connected to the second frame and disposed perpendicular to the direction of travel and in mechanical communication with the motor; and a collection container disposed adjacent to the coulter for collecting soil from the coulter.

[0026] Example 2 - The soil collector of Example 1 further comprising a housing connected to the second frame and disposed over the coulter.

[0027] Example 3 - The soil collector of Example 2, wherein there is an opening in a side of the housing adjacent to the soil collector.

[0028] Example 4 - The soil collector of Example 2, wherein the housing further comprises a chute.

[0029] Example 5 - The soil collector of any preceding Example, wherein the collection container is connected to the second frame by a bracket.

[0030] Example 6 - The soil collector of any preceding Example, wherein the motor is a fuel powered engine or an electric motor.

[0031] Example 7 - The soil collector of any preceding Example, wherein the coulter is connected to the motor through a linkage.

[0032] Example 8 - The soil collector of any preceding Example, wherein the coulter is a chainsaw blade.

[0033] Example 9 - A method of collecting soil from a field comprising: moving a vehicle having the soil collector of any preceding Example to a location in a field; translating the coulter across a plurality of lanes; and collecting soil from the plurality of lanes.

[0034] Example 10 - The method of Example 9, wherein the plurality of lanes comprises at least one crop row and at least one middle area.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A soil collector comprising: a first frame configured to attach to a vehicle, wherein the vehicle has a forward direction of travel; a second frame configured to translate on the first frame perpendicular to the direction of travel; an actuator connected to the first frame and the second frame and configured to translate the second frame on the first frame; a motor disposed on the second frame; a coulter connected to the second frame and disposed perpendicular to the direction of travel and in mechanical communication with the motor; and a collection container disposed adjacent to the coulter for collecting soil from the coulter.

2. The soil collector of claim 1 further comprising a housing connected to the second frame and disposed over the coulter.

3. The soil collector of claim 2, wherein there is an opening in a side of the housing adjacent to the soil collector.

4. The soil collector of claim 2, wherein the housing further comprises a chute.

5. The soil collector of any preceding claim, wherein the collection container is connected to the second frame by a bracket.

6. The soil collector of any preceding claim, wherein the motor is a fuel powered engine or an electric motor.

7. The soil collector of any preceding claim, wherein the coulter is connected to the motor through a linkage.

8. The soil collector of any preceding claim, wherein the coulter is a chainsaw blade.

9. A method of collecting soil from a field comprising: moving a vehicle having the soil collector of any preceding claim to a location in a field; translating the coulter across a plurality of lanes; and collecting soil from the plurality of lanes.10 The method of claim 9, wherein the plurality of lanes comprises at least one crop row and at least one middle area.

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