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Today, many agricultural processes are mechanized, especially work related to planting, processing and digging potatoes. Today, there are a large number of diggers on the market that can be used in conjunction with tractors and walk-behind tractors. They are designed for large-scale work on an industrial scale, and there are also small units that are used on small farms.
General description of potato diggers
As the name implies, the potato digger belongs to attachments and is needed to dig up potatoes. Thanks to the operation of the device, which is attached to a tractor or walk-behind tractor with a special hitch, the process of harvesting potatoes is greatly simplified. The principle of any potato digger is that it penetrates deep into the ground, pulls potato tubers out of it and leaves them on the surface. A person can only collect already clean potatoes.
What does it look like
Since the cleaning time using such devices is significantly reduced, it is possible to recoup the purchase of such a unit quite quickly.
Types of potato diggers and principles of their work
Almost every person who at least once participated in the harvesting of potatoes is familiar with the work of potato diggers. For different types of devices, the general points are the same. First, special knives grab the ground, which falls into a separate shaking mechanism. It is he who separates the potatoes from the ground, the soil crumbles earlier, and the potatoes lie on top, you just need to collect it. Different types of technology have their own fundamental differences. If you go to any store of agricultural equipment, for example, in Moscow, then the variety of models will surprise you.
Pointed universal
This version of the device is designed specifically for use with walk-behind tractors. Pointed potato diggers are very simple, which causes certain disadvantages. The biggest disadvantage of such a device is its poor performance. With the use of such a device, on average, it turns out to raise only 85% of the crop up.
Lance shovel
But the lancet potato digger for a walk-behind tractor has two significant advantages that can overcome any disadvantages:
- Low price, which is very important for small farms;
- Before using such a digger, a power take-off shaft is not required in the walk-behind tractor, which allows it to be successfully used with old models of walk-behind tractors.
Outwardly, the most simple potato diggers are presented in the form of a simple shovel, to which rods are welded to separate the potato from the soil.
Screen type diggers
Such devices are much more efficient than the previous ones. Due to the fact that they have an improved design, they allow you to immediately harvest up to 98% of the crop. The constructive composition of such a digger is presented:
- vibrating table;
- driven;
- ploughshare.
Single row
The principle of operation of the screening digger is as follows.The upper layers of the soil, where the potato tubers are located, are picked up and moved to the vibrating table. Further, under the influence of vibration in the table, the soil is separated from the potatoes. The ground falls down through the bars, and the potatoes fall from the other side and lie on the ground.
Conveyor models
According to its principle of operation, the conveyor potato digger for a walk-behind tractor is very similar to a roaring device. They differ in that the vibrating table is replaced by a special conveyor belt. A layer of soil with tubers is picked up and placed on a conveyor belt, which, as it moves, begins to transport the soil mass, separating the soil from the crop. The soil falls down through the holes, and the potatoes move along the conveyor, falling from the back.
How to choose the right one
Before purchasing a potato digger, it is important to consider many points. First of all, you should pay attention to the characteristics of the unit itself and compare with the needs of the potential owner. The main qualities can be distinguished in three points:
- productivity of work;
- device security for the user himself;
- power.
Particular attention should be paid to the technique with which the potato digger will be used. For middle-level machines, in particular, walk-behind tractors, it is necessary to choose special devices for harvesting potatoes so that it perfectly copes with the task at hand. If you have a good walk-behind tractor, you can purchase good heavy rotary potato diggers.
When choosing a potato digger, it is important to take into account the strength of the walk-behind tractor. The efficiency of the digger depends on the correct choice of the characteristics of the conveyor potato digger.
Which is the best rattling or conveyor potato digger, it is up to the user to decide. In most cases, when choosing models, the cost of the product plays an important role.
The most popular types of factory devices
Today on sale you can find a huge selection of potato diggers of various types and types. Many manufacturers offer this technique. But from all the diversity, there are several devices that are very popular among the residents of Russia:
- Digger KKM-1. Small-sized potato digger, which is designed to dig out not only potatoes, but also beets, onions and garlic. Thanks to a flexible system of settings, you can choose the level of soil separation. Constructively consists of an active knife and a sowing grid;
- Digger KM2. A mounted type device that allows you to extract the crop without damaging it. Most often, this version of the potato digger is used with the "Belarus" walk-behind tractor;
- Digger "Poltavchanka" - a vibration device with an active knife, which in its design is very similar to traditional potato diggers. Differs in increased productivity, which allows you to cope with large fields and harvesting in a short time;
- Digger KVMZ - a single-row vibrating potato digger, which is well suited for use with various motoblocks of Russian, Belarusian or Chinese production. The weight of the device is about 39 kg;
- Digger 2KN... Single-row small-sized device designed for work in small areas of farms. To harvest quickly and without problems, the area should be well removed from tops and weeds. Designed for use with Tselina, Neva and Kaskad walk-behind tractors. You can also use the "Scout" or MTZ mini-tractor. Productivity is approximately 100 m in 2 minutes.
Digger KKM-1
DIY potato digger
With a sufficient amount of finance, today it is easy to buy any model of a device designed for harvesting potatoes. The main thing is to choose it correctly, in accordance with the soil on the site, as well as the walk-behind tractor itself.
But some craftsmen easily make tractor diggers for potatoes with their own hands. Initially, such a task may seem quite complicated, but with the right approach, you yourself can make not only a simple digger, but even a vibration one.
To complete the work you will need:
- welding machine;
- drill and drill bits for metal;
- scissors;
- hammer;
- spanners;
- metal components for the manufacture of the device.
Device assembly technology
Do-it-yourself assembly of a potato digger for a mini tractor, intended for use with a walk-behind tractor, consists of several successive stages:
- manufacturing of a frame, which will require corners and channels;
- fixing other elements on the manufactured frame;
- assembly of transmission shafts;
- reinforcement on the frame of special sides made of metal;
- fastening to the general structure of the conveyor belt or vibrating grate;
- bolting that secures the share;
- unification of the transport and support parts;
- direct connection of the assembled equipment to a cultivator or walk-behind tractor.
To assemble a potato digger for a tractor or walk-behind tractor with your own hands, you will need to use a welding machine. It is possible to make such a device using conventional bolted connections, but the first option is more reliable. For the manufacture of a potato digger of standard sizes, corners of 63x40 cm are required.
Self-assembly features
As already noted, to make a potato digger with your own hands, you will need a metal channel.
The torque is determined using a rubber or metal wheel. It is important to install the share only after complete assembly and welding of the elevator part of the device. Initially, this element is fixed to the frame, and only then the installation continues. This detail is basic and visually resembles a plow that will be responsible for raising the land with tubers.
It is also important to correctly manufacture the support and transport unit. It is represented by a metal bar with a pair of roller chains. Thanks to this element, the conveyor belt rotates or the grate vibrates.
Assemble yourself, know its design
Another important point in the independent manufacture of a potato digger is the procedure for attaching the entire device to the walk-behind tractor. If the technology is disrupted in this place, then there is a high probability of malfunctions, which can lead to a decrease in the efficiency of the device.
With the correct calculation and selection of all spare parts, you can make a homemade potato digger even for the T 40 tractor. It is important to take into account the tractor power and calculate the unit dimensions correctly.
As you can see, the use of potato diggers for the MTZ walk-behind tractor or other models can significantly facilitate the work of harvesting potatoes, especially if the plot is of medium size. If you wish and have certain skills in working with metal, it will not be difficult to make such a unit with your own hands. And if certain spare parts are available from the owner, then making a digger will become a free assistant. The presence of such a device will significantly reduce time and labor costs, as well as help save money on buying the desired unit.
