Soil Density Measurement During Cultivation Through Analysis of the Elastic Deformation of a Cultivator Shank

Soil compaction significantly affects crop growth and yield. Traditional methods for assessing soil density are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and provide limited coverage of the entire field. This study aims to evaluate an alternative method for measuring soil density in real time during standard cultivation operations. The proposed approach involves measuring the elastic deformation of the cultivator shank using strain gauges mounted on the working element. Simultaneous measurement of two separate working elements was tested. Data were recorded in real time and used to generate a soil compaction map of the test field. Soil density measurements obtained using a vertical cone penetrometer served as a reference for comparison. Analysis of the collected data revealed a strong correlation between shank deformation and measured soil density, with a Multiple R = 0.814 and R2 = 0.662. The results demonstrate that elastic deformation of the cultivator shank can reliably indicate soil compaction. The tested methodology provides a practical, real-time assessment of soil density during cultivation. It can be integrated into various plows or cultivators, enabling continuous monitoring of soil compaction without the labor and fuel demands of traditional mechanical tests. This approach offers a promising tool for precision soil management and optimizing field operations.