The Potato Digger is a implement to 'as the title says Dig up potatoes. These were an alternative method to the early Potato spinner.
How they work[]
One- and two-row elevator digger's lift the potato crop with a wide share (blade) running under the ridge. The crop is conveyed on a rod link or web-type elevator to the rear where it falls to the ground for hand picking. Agitators under the conveyor elevator shake the soil through the links as the potatoes are moved to the rear. Minimum web agitation will be needed in light dry soil but extra agitators may be required on wet or heavy land.
Front depth wheels, often combined with trash discs, control share depth. Working and power shaft speeds are varied according to crop and soil conditions. A slip clutch protects the digger from damage through overload or blockages.
Early models were pulled by horses, which when tractors arrived were adapted.
Later machines became self propelled and of a far higher capacity.
Manufactures[]
Most old implement manufactures in the UK and areas were potatoes were grown offered one in their range (some badged products of other makers). As yeild increased and the growing of small plots and hand picking decreased in-favour of specialist growers, most makers stopped building them and modern farms now tend to use high capacity Potato harvesters in stead often run by contractors which dig, pick up and clean before loading into bulk trailers or boxes.
- Early makes
- Modern makes
- Grimme
- Massey Ferguson
- Standen