Look-ahead crop mass predictive sensor

A crop mass predictive sensor, comprising:

• an imaging device;
• a laser-based device;
• a first radar emitting a frequency of energy that is absorbed by plant mass;
• a second radar emitting a frequency of energy that passes through plant mass without being absorbed;
• a location sensor;
• wherein the imaging device, laser-based device, first radar, and second radar are focused on a crop material to the side of an agricultural vehicle;
• wherein the information gathered from the imaging device, laser-based device, first radar, and second radar is used to calculate an estimated mass for the crop material;
• wherein the estimated mass is stored along with a current location from the location sensor for subsequent use;
• and
• wherein the laser-based device is a laser;
• wherein the laser projects a structured pattern of light on the edge of the crop material facing the laser;
• wherein the imaging device captures an image of the structured pattern of light as it appears on the edge of the crop material;
• and
• wherein the crop mass predictive sensor analyzes how the image of the structured pattern of light appears distorted by the irregularities in the shape and distance of the edge of the crop material to determine a shape of the edge of the crop material.