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A Flexible, Low‐Cost Cart for Proximal Sensing
Author(s) -
White Jeffrey W.,
Conley Matthew M.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci2013.01.0054
Subject(s) - cart , computer science , frame (networking) , terrain , simple (philosophy) , plot (graphics) , remote sensing , radiometer , computer vision , artificial intelligence , computer graphics (images) , computer hardware , biology , mechanical engineering , engineering , geology , telecommunications , mathematics , ecology , philosophy , statistics , epistemology
Increasing interest in deploying multiple types of sensing instruments for agricultural plot‐level observations has created a need for simple, high‐clearance vehicles that can be easily maneuvered through crops while minimizing damage due to wheel traffic. We describe a simple cart built from a 2‐m‐wide by 1.2‐m‐long steel frame that was welded onto two bicycle frames at a height providing 1 m of vertical clearance. Instruments such as radiometers and infrared thermometers are attached to the frame via arms that are secured with U‐bolts. A large, horizontal surface allows mounting data loggers, batteries, or computers. The cart is easily maneuvered by one person on level ground or by two persons on terrain with furrows, berms, or other obstacles. Design sketches and lists of materials are provided in an electronic supplement. The basic design is readily modifiable for different interrow spacings and sensor positions.