The mechanization of potato harvesting is associated with high labor and energy intensity of the process. Nevertheless, now there are various types of units on the market for performing this operation, and new solutions are being created, according to the federal journal Agribusiness.
Specialists of several scientific institutions from Russia and Uzbekistan have developed an experimental model of a potato digger. It consists of a supporting-clod-destroying device made in the form of two disks, between which the working body destroying clods in the form of a roller is fixed on the axis. Along the perimeter, the disks are interconnected by elastic bars, the length of which is greater than the distance between the disks. The digging working body contains shares fixed on the frame, along whose outer edges there are transporting elements made in the form of counter-rotating augers. An intermediate plowshare is placed along the axis of symmetry of the row spacing, above which a separator in the form of an lancet share is installed. Behind the shares there is a separating elevator.
During the operation of the potato digger, the support-clod-destroying device with elastic rods and a roller destroys soil clods located on the surface of the ridge and cuts the side of the ridge with discs. Further, the tuberous mass dug up by the plowshares as a result of interaction with the separator is transferred to the spiral space of the augers, while the plant residues and the earth slip between the gaps of the plowshares. The intermediate ploughshare is made in a shortened form, thanks to which it does not dig out a solid zone between rows, but only picks up fallen tubers, which prevents soil from entering the working bodies of the machine. After the direction of the tuberous layer towards the augers, the soil is destroyed again, as a result of which the connection between the tubers and the soil is broken, and moves in a uniform layer to the side of the separating body.
The use of the tool in the field made it possible to reduce labor costs by 15–20% and operating costs by 16–17%.
A pilot model of a potato digger developed by specialists showed good results during the test. Further development and improvement of this unit will be continued with a view to its further introduction into agricultural production.