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A prototype in-field transport system for high-value crops was designed and built. This system carries a semi-trailer upon two rubber-tracked undercarriages. A mechanism was designed for timely assembly and disassembly of the system. A set of field experiments was conducted to compare the sinkage, motion resistance, and drawbar forces of the rubber-track versus the current pneumatic-tire system. Increased flotation was observed with the prototype system. The motion resistance of the track system was less than or greater than that of the pneumatic-tire system depending on the soil condition. The prototype met performance objectives during assembly, operation, and disassembly of the system.

This paper describes sensors and systems developed, or under development, by researchers at Purdue University including: an automated soil nutrient mapping system; a real-time acoustic soil texture sensor; an improved, real-time soil organic matter (SOM) sensor; a real-time soil compaction sensor; and an animal manure application monitoring and control system. Issues to consider for sensor use and development, criteria for evaluating the potential for successful sensor implementation, and likely future sensors for site-specific crop management (SSCM) are also discussed.