Agricultural sampling system and related methods

An agricultural sample preparation system comprising:

• a mixing device fluidly coupled to a water source, the mixing device configured and operable to receive an agricultural sample and mix the sample with water to prepare a slurry;
• a stirring device fluidly coupled to the mixing device, the stirring device configured to receive and maintain the slurry in an agitated mixed condition;
• a density measurement device fluidly coupled to the stirring device, the density measurement device arranged to receive the slurry and configured to measure a density of the slurry;
• and
• a coarse filter unit fluidly coupled between the mixing device and stirring device, the coarse filter unit configured to remove oversized particles from the slurry received by the stirring device from the mixing device;
• wherein the coarse filter unit includes a pressurized air inlet and a pressurized water inlet collectively forming a bubbler for clearing oversize particles from a filter screen of the coarse filter unit.

An agricultural sample preparation system comprising:

• a mixing device fluidly coupled to a water source, the mixing device configured and operable to receive an agricultural sample and mix the sample with water to prepare a slurry;
• a stirring device fluidly coupled to the mixing device, the stirring device configured to receive and maintain the slurry in an agitated mixed condition;
• a density measurement device fluidly coupled to the stirring device, the density measurement device arranged to receive the slurry and configured to measure a density of the slurry;
• and
• a closed slurry recirculation flow loop fluidly coupled to the stirring device, the stirring device comprising a stirring chamber which forms an integral part of the slurry recirculation flow loop;
• wherein the mixing device comprises a mixing chamber agitated by a rotatable mixing blade mechanism, and the stirring chamber of the stirring device is agitated by a rotatable stirring blade mechanism;
• wherein the mixing blade mechanism is configured and operable to impart greater energy into and more aggressively mix the slurry in the mixing device than the stirring blade mechanism in the stirring device.