Sensor system for determining soil characteristics

A sensor system for determining soil characteristics, the sensor system comprising:

• a ground engaging device coupled to an agricultural implement, the ground engaging device comprising at least one disc member having an aperture and an elongate shaft extending through the aperture;
• a first sensor unit disposed on the disc member, wherein the first sensor unit is configured to measure a first force acting on the disc member in a first direction;
• a second sensor unit disposed on the elongate shaft, wherein the second sensor unit is configured to measure a second force acting on the elongate shaft in a second direction;
• an electronic data processor communicatively coupled to each of the first and second sensor units, the electronic data processor being configured to determine a soil characteristic based on the first and second force measurements;
• and
• a satellite navigation receiver for determining a position of each of the measured forces.

A method for determining soil characteristics, the method comprising:

• providing a first and a second sensor unit disposed on a disc member of a ground engaging device;
• detecting a first force acting on the disc member of the ground engaging device in a first direction utilizing the first sensor unit;
• detecting a second force acting on an elongate shaft of the disc member of the ground engaging device in a second direction utilizing the second sensor unit;
• and
• determining a soil characteristic inferentially based on a magnitude of the first and second forces.