What should be noted in mechanized potato harvesting

When harvesting potatoes mechanically, in order to save time, labor and effort, improve the economic benefits of machine use and the marketable rate of potatoes, the following issues should be noted.

(1) About 10 days before the determined harvest date, the vines should first be rolled or cut (the method of rolling vines is to thread old tires onto an axle in a string and pull them with a tractor to roll the vines), so that the potato skins age and are prevented from being damaged during harvest, which would affect the quality of marketable potatoes.

(2) The number of potato pickers matched to each machine unit should be reasonable. Small harvesters are generally matched with about 12 people, and large harvesters with about 40 people, so as to ensure the rational use of personnel, neither leaving the machinery idle nor wasting labor.

(3) Before the harvest operation officially begins, the machinery should be adjusted at the edge of the field, and a section should be test-harvested. Particular attention should be paid to adjusting the plow share's soil penetration depth: too shallow easily damages the potatoes, while too deep increases the tractor's load and affects the quality of potato-soil separation. Both too deep and too shallow will affect the harvest rate.

(4) The driver should stay focused, ensure the machine travels straight and true, and keep the speed relatively stable to prevent row deviation and potato damage. If the soil is highly viscous and wet, it should be driven slowly. The throttle should be as large as possible to increase engine speed, thereby increasing the running speed of the shaking sieve and achieving good potato-soil separation. When raising and lowering the plow share at the edge of the field, the machine unit should grasp the timing of raising and lowering to prevent missing a raise or lower, and when lowering the share it should be aligned with the row.

(5) When the tractor tows or mounts the machinery to move between plots or for short-distance transport, the power connection between the tractor and the implement should be disconnected, and no person or other items may be placed on the machinery. When crossing ditches and ridges, the machine unit should travel slowly to prevent damage to the machinery.

(6) When the machinery is raised, personnel are strictly prohibited from performing maintenance underneath it, to avoid casualties. Lubricating grease should be frequently added to the lubrication points of the machinery.

(7) Frequently clear weeds and potato vines clogging the machinery, remove stones caught in the shaking sieve, and clear soil from the tips of the plow shares.

(8) The tightness of the shaking sieve should be checked regularly and adjusted in time. Too loose or too tight will affect the quality of potato-soil separation and the service life of the conveyor belt.