Precision Technology Use of Ag. Subsurface Tile Drainage Systems

Samantha AmbroseSOIL 4213

What is tile and how does it work?

The old days

Today’s technology

Introduction

What is tile?

Originally clay pipes Slotted, flexible plastic

tubing 7.5 to 46 cm diameter

Removes excess water from the root zone 24 to 48 hours after a heavy rain

Image from: http://www.abalonwpg.ca/weepingtile.htm

How does it work?

Lateral tileHeader tile

Tile outlet

Open ditchAdapted from: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/engineer/facts/10-091.htm

Image from: http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/cropsystems/dc7740.html

Topography

Crops

Soil texture Spacing

15 to 40 meters Depth

Placed 0.9 to 1.2 meters

Installation Variables

Clay pipe: 5,000 BC

Hand tools used for installation 1906: 3 ft deep,

$2.42 per 100 ft

Installation-Then

Machine Trenching

1906: $1.24 per 100 feet

Installation-Then

http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/waterquality/documents/History_of_Drainage.pdf

http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/waterquality/documents/History_of_Drainage.pdf

Contractors

GIS/AGPS Soil maps Contour maps Aerial photographs

Field history is essential

Installation-Now

www.heartlandaggroup.com

http://www.gpsdrainage.com/gallery.htm

Calculates tile depth

and slope during installation

RTK GPS uses Vertical Curve Technology (VCT)

Real time guidance with grid control that reduces flagging

AGPS-Pipe Pro

Feature PipePro Pipe FM+

PipeFM

Comp. Slope Control

Comp.LevelingSystem

Lay uphill/downhill from topography elevation

Y N N N N

Design change while plowing

Y Y Y N N

Works with any brand GPS

Y Y Y Y N

Corrects if obstruction hit (varied soil cond)

Y Y Y N N

Steering guidance- grid and curved

Y Y N N Y

Labeling/ file transfer Y N N N N

Tile drainage

installation has come a long way in the past 100 years

Potential for more improvement with new technology

Summary

Thank you

Questions?