One of the most labor-intensive processes in agriculture is the cultivation of potatoes. To facilitate this task, farmers came up with a potato planter. Due to the real saving of labor costs, this device has found wide application both in small farms and for large-scale plantings.
Principle of operation
Kartofelesazhalka (KS) - special equipment, the design of which consists of a compartment for falling asleep potatoes, a conveyor mechanism, a plow, a ridger and wheels. KS allows you to set the depth and distance when planting potatoes, which allows you to achieve optimal planting for further germination. But you can use such a device only on previously prepared soil.
What is the principle of operation of most types of potato planters? Due to the self-propelled motor-tractor technology, the digger moves on wheels of a special lug design, which transmits the movement to the seed supply system.
The plow works the ground to the desired depth. Then the tubers from the compartment through the transport mechanism fall into the ground, and disc hills dig a furrow. The result is a flat bed with a uniform planting density and the same row spacing.
Let us consider more carefully the detailed scheme of a potato planter for a tractor with the function of simultaneously introducing fertilizers into the furrows and backfilling planted potatoes:
I, II - working and loading position; 1 - device for sowing fertilizers; 2 - scooping device; 3 - feeder bucket; 4 - valve; 5 - the main compartment; 6 - hydraulic cylinder of the loading compartment; 7 - loading compartment; 8 - baking powder traces of tractor tracks; 9 - running wheel; 10 - hydraulic lifting cylinder; 11 - stabilizer; 12 - element for falling asleep furrows; 13 - flap shaker; 14 - agitator; 15 - auger; 16 - opener dumps; 17 - tuber reflector; 18 - opener; 19 - wire for fertilizers; 20 - copying device of the landing part; 21 - a basic wheel.
At the heart of the planter design is a frame on which the main compartment 5 is mounted with a slope of the bottom towards the feeder buckets 3. It is equipped with sashes 13 and agitators 14. On the front wall of the compartment there are 3 windows that are closed by valves 4.
In front of the main hopper, six scoop units 2 with augers 15 and three units for sowing fertilizers are mounted. In the rear part to the bunker, the hopper 7 is fixed on hinges. Its bottom from the grate allows the impurities to be sieved during loading (position II). After filling, the compartment is lifted using two hydraulic cylinders 6 (position I), and the tubers by gravity enter the main hopper 5.
The potato planter frame is planted on four wheels: in the front two supporting metal 21 and two pneumatic chassis 9 at the rear. The wheels have an individual suspension with hydraulic cylinders 10. The front section of the KS is raised by the power of the tractor's attachments, and the rear one - by the hydraulic cylinders of 10 wheels 9.
Scoops 2 begin to rotate from the tractor power take-off shaft through the driveshaft, bevel gear, connecting roller, control drive and chain drives. Devices for sowing fertilizers 1, augers 15, agitators 14 and rollers pushers of the shaking flaps 13 are rotated by chain gears from the shaft of the scooping apparatus. During the move, they move clockwise (when viewed from the left). Thanks to the shutters 13 and agitators, the potatoes from the hopper are fed into the feeder buckets 3, and from there, with the help of screws 15, they enter the scooper.
When the spoon approaches the coulter, the clamping lever, flying onto the guide rail, releases the clamp, and the potato enters the coulter 18. At the same time, the fertilizer enters the front part of the coulter through the fertilizer duct 19 and into the furrow. The dumps 16 cover the tuks with earth, on top of which the potatoes fall. Disks 12 fill a furrow. The stabilizer 11 holds the planter in a stable position on sloping surfaces.
The design of the potato planters is quite uncomplicated, and does not require specialized maintenance or additional steps during planting. It is enough to connect it with a walk-behind tractor or tractor, put potato tubers in the compartment, and the equipment will do the laborious work for you.
Types of potato planters
The main difference between the models of potato planters is the type of supply of planting material:
- Finger method. When planting, the potatoes are intercepted by metal finger-shaped rods that feed the tubers into the ground.
- Flat feed. Tubers fall into the soil thanks to horizontally arranged belts.
- Shaped belts. Very careful system. Even sprouted potatoes are not damaged upon serving. It is similar to the previous one, only a belt of a different shape and with recesses.
- Spoon. The seed moves in a design of elements in the form of spoons attached to a belt.
- Multi time feed. There is a landing of two rows at once. Thanks to such equipment, the construction of tubers in a line is achieved.
- Incandescent landing units. Often used when planting chopped potatoes.
The most popular are spoon-fed potato planters. There are several varieties of them. One of the most effective is considered to be combined with the ability not only to plant potatoes, but also to form a comb and introduce insecticides into the soil. As a rule, such a function is not provided in the basic configuration, but you can always deliver it additionally.
Planters of this type have many advantages:
- automatic formation of ridges;
- hydraulic drive provides convenient operation with the device;
- wide row spacing to avoid closing sheets;
- thanks to the floating design of the anchor, the tubers from the spoons fall out in a timely manner;
- the landing mechanism is located at a small height above the ground, so that the landing is quite accurate and the tubers are not damaged when dropped;
- Spoon feed allows you to avoid getting several tubers in one hole and skipping planting.
When choosing a planter, plan ahead what technology you will grow potatoes in advance. The European method assumes the row spacing is 75 cm, and the American one - from 86 cm to 102. This is important because the greater the distance between the rows, the denser the potato sits, and this entails the need to form a large comb so that the tubers develop normally.
Potato planters can also be divided into two groups:
- Semi-automatic. Tubers are served by the device operator.
- Auto. Seeds are automatically sent from the hopper to the conveyor.
French potato planters
A separate type can be distinguished French planters, which are designed for planting sprouted potatoes.
The planting process is due to the conveyor belt, through which the tubers are delivered to the planting hopper. From it, the potatoes along the next tape are fed into the working chute, on which they are lined up with belts and a special cylindrical brush.
After that, the tubers roll onto a fork plate, which, under the weight of the planting material, lowers and feeds it directly to the planting drum. This type of design allows you to very carefully plant sprouted tubers.
Potato Planter Specifications
Among the main parameters characterizing the devices under consideration, we can distinguish:
1 landing depth
The ability to adjust this parameter directly affects the emergence rate. At a depth of 100 - 150 mm, the tubers receive the necessary amount of heat, oxygen and moisture for optimal fruit formation. On heavy soils (loams), this parameter should be reduced to 70-100 mm, on mountainous areas - to 40-60 mm.
2 Speed
It directly affects performance. The higher the working speed of the planter, the larger the area planted per unit of time. Among the potato planters on the Russian market, you can choose a device in the range of 4-11 km / h.
3Row spacing - the distance between the rows
Despite the fact that most agricultural producers use the option of planting potatoes of 70-75 cm, recently many farmers have used the width between rows of 90 cm. They argue this option with a higher yield by increasing the assimilation surface of the leaves.
Also, due to better ventilation, the risk of late blight is reduced. If you plan to experiment with different landing options, get a planter that allows you to change the working width to the required parameters.
In summer cottages, to save space, they often use the distance between the rows of 60-65 cm.
4 Weight
This parameter should be taken into account depending on the type of soil into which the landing will be made. If the soil is viscous, it is better to give preference to lighter designs. On hard soils, use heavy planters, because with insufficient weight it is difficult to achieve the necessary depth of landing, and the lightweight mechanism may even begin to bounce, which will necessitate the use of additional weight.
With a small landing area, note that heavy aircraft are less maneuverable. Also an important factor, which is affected by the weight of the planter, is the fuel consumption - with heavier options it will be more.
5 Hopper capacity
Directly depends on the landing area and ease of reloading. If there is a good access to the site, and it is convenient to fill up tubers, you should not chase a bunker with a large volume, because this parameter, although it will reduce the time spent on repeated loading, will affect the weight and, accordingly, the maneuverability of the mechanism. These recommendations are also applicable when choosing a planter for a small summer cottage (the capacities of the hoppers for planters for a walk-behind tractor range from 20-50 kg).
6 Cost
Choosing a potato planter, you should not be mistaken that a more expensive option will be just as better. For example, foreign analogues, taking into account customs duties, will cost more than domestic ones with equal parameters. Although, for the sake of lowering prices, some manufacturers sacrifice quality characteristics of the structure (the use of low-quality materials, reducing the thickness of the metal, etc.).
The cost of a potato planter also depends on the number of built-in additional functions. Starts with budget simplified options and ends with expensive models with built-in dispensers of fertilizers and other vitamin and mineral supplements.
7 Planting frequency - the distance between the tubers along the length of the row
This value depends on many factors:
- potato variety - early varieties (25-30 cm) denser than later ones;
- size of tubers - small ones plant more densely;
- soil fertility - good soil allows a denser landing.
In summer cottages, in order to save space, the landing frequency is reduced to 18-25 cm.
Overview of Potato Planter Models
There are quite a lot of manufacturers and proposed models of KS. Consider those that, due to the good price-quality ratio, are in greatest demand.
Planters for motoblocks
KS-1A. This unit weighs 33 kg, bucket capacity - 34 l, the distance between wheels - 0.6 m. Planting frequency - 5 tubers / 1 m. Manufacturer Russia. Automatically forms a comb. From the hopper to the ground is transported independently 1 pc.
KS-1. It can work with medium and heavy models of walk-behind tractors. Weight is 25 kg, width - 70 cm. Row spacing - 0.6-0.7 m. Planting frequency - 5-6 tubers / m. It processes on average up to 0.2 ha / hour.
KSM-1. Weight - 44 kg, bowl size - 41 l. Allows to plant potatoes with a distance of 0.25-0.3 m. The width of the rows is 0.4-0.6 m. Productivity is up to 0.25 ha / hour.
Neva. Designed specifically for use with the NEVA walk-behind tractor. Despite the minimum weight (25 kg), this model allows you to process, like most heavier models, up to 0.2 ha / hour. The row spacing is 0.6-0.7 m.
When purchasing a potato planter, make sure that the selected model is able to work with your type of walk-behind tractor.
Models for small tractors
L-201 suspended. Used for planting untreated seed. Combined with tractors of subclasses 0.5-1.3. The width between the rows is 50-70 cm. Productivity is 1.16 ha / hour. Self-filling of tubers is not provided. Weight - 380 kg. Landing distance - 18-37.5 cm.
L-202. Suitable for planting untreated tubers. Combined with tractors of various subclasses. The distance between the rows is 70 cm, the hopper is 600 kg. Productivity - up to 2.4 ha / hour. Landing intervals - 20.5-40.5 cm. Weight - 760 kg.
L-207. Four row potato planter. Allows planting untreated potatoes in four rows at a time. The distance between the rows is 0.7, 0.75 or 1 m. It is compatible with tractors MTZ 80, MTZ 100. It has fertilizer screening equipment. Productivity - up to 3.24 ha / hour. Allows in the field to carry out the loading of the hopper directly from the truck. Planting density - 30-70 pcs / ha, fertilizer consumption - up to 400 kg / ha. Hopper capacity - 1,200 kg. Weight - 1 900 kg.
KS SN-4B. Allows simultaneous planting of untreated potatoes to carry out the application of cereal-type fertilizers. The distance between the rows - 0.6-0.7 m. Landing distance - 20-40 cm. Fills the furrow with fertilizers automatically. It can process up to 1.3 ha / hour. Weight - 1,100 kg.
Terms of Use
For your potato planter to serve for a long time, you should take the habit of following a few basic rules:
- After the end of the working day, clear the hopper, feed buckets, coulters, and other items. Check and, if necessary, adjust the tension of the chain gears, mounting bolts.
- Lubricate the hinges of the lower link rods every 32 hours of operation.
- During the off-season, store the potato planter indoors or under a canopy. Release tension on springs, rods, chains.
- Inspect the planter once every two months.
DIY potato planters
You should know that a self-assembled unit must perform three main functions:
- even furrow formation of a given depth (furrow cutter);
- uniform supply of potatoes (tubers);
- backfilling of planted material with soil (backfill discs).
One of the most difficult parts of the COP is tuber pipe, and not every home master can make a clearly working mechanism. Avoiding difficulties, many farmers attract an assistant who manually throws the planting material into a furrow made by a simplified planter.
Here are the drawings of a full potato planter, which is attached to a walk-behind tractor or tractor:
1 - supporting frame; 2 - hopper for potatoes; 3 - the planter; 4 - seat; 5 - seatpost; 6 - support; 7 - flooring for the trunk; 8 - holder pair of cultivators; 10, 11 - a rack with a closing disk; 12 - an emphasis for legs; 13 - planting fixture; 14 - supporting guide wheel.
Potato planter layout with dimensions:
In this design, the cultivator is represented by a cultivator leg assembled with a stand. A pipe 42 * 42 * 3 mm is used for the manufacture of the seatpost; supports for the seatpost — angle 50 mm; for legs — a flat sheet 6 mm thick. These parts are designed separately, and then welded at a level based on the parameters of a particular person.
Materials required for the manufacture of the frame:
Drawing No. above | Item name | Material | amount |
1 | arch | channel number 8 | 1 PC. |
2 | spar | channel number 8 | 2 pcs. |
3 | brace | strip 80 x 14 mm | 2 pcs. |
4 | hopper mounting bracket | strip 70 x 8 mm | 1 PC. |
5 | tuber support | 8 mm sheet | 2 pcs. |
6, 8, 9 | cross members | channel number 8 | 3 pcs. |
7 | mounting plate support | 8 mm sheet | 2 pcs. |
10 | jumper | sheet 6 mm | 2 pcs. |
11 | finger for attaching to lower link of tractor | bar with a diameter of 18 mm | 2 pcs. |
12 | kerchief | 4 mm sheet | 30 pcs |
13 | fork for attaching to the center link of the tractor hitch | sheet 6 mm | 1 PC. |
14, 15 | pads | sheet 6 mm | 2 pcs. |
The potato hopper is made of steel or plywood sheets. The disks for sealing the furrows are mounted on a support, and the pressure angle and the depth of penetration are regulated by step ladders and bushings (see drawing).
The closing disks: 1 - a disk; 2 - rivet (diameter 6 mm - 5 pcs.); 3 - a nave; 4 - bearing housing; 5, 6 - bearing.
The working depth of the furrow cutter is adjustable on the frame and fixed with stepladders. Planting material is fed into the planting machine by the lift method or manually.
Sowing machine with a furrow cutter: 1 - tuber pipe (pipe 100 mm); 2 - furrow cutter (sheet 6 mm).
The following drawing shows a sleeve that adjusts the position of the terminating disc:
The stand of the closing disk: 1 - the base of the stand (42 mm pipe); 2, 4 - steps M12; 3 - rack support; 5 - a scarf from a sheet of 20 * 20 mm; 6 - console (rod with a diameter of 28 mm).
For mulching, rippers (cultivator nozzles mounted at the bottom of the frame) are used, the depth of which is regulated by the vertical movement of the racks.
Holder of cultivators: 1 - holder; 2 - kerchief (4 sheets of 6 mm each); 3 - rod from the corner 50 * 50 (welding in a square).
The wheel axle that attaches to the frame is quite difficult to manufacture. It is better to order it according to the drawing in specialized masters or adapt if possible the available:
What you need to make a wheel axle:
Number above | Item name | Material | amount |
1 | jockey wheel | 4 mm sheet | 2 pcs. |
2 | frame spar | ||
3 | axis | pipe with a diameter of 60 × 8 mm, length 1,067 mm | 1 PC. |
4 | clip | 8 mm sheet | 2 pcs. |
5 | bolt | M16 | 4 things. |
6 | screw | M5x0.5 | 6 pcs |
7 | hub cap | 2 pcs. | |
8 | nut | M16 | 2 pcs. |
9 | split washer | 2 pcs. | |
10 | support washer | 2 pcs. | |
11 | bearing | 205 | 4 things. |
12 | hub | 2 pcs. | |
13 | spacer sleeve | 55 mm pipe | 2 pcs. |
14 | gasket | felt | 2 pcs. |
15 | pin | 6 pcs | |
16 | spike | 2 pcs. |
If you are the owner of a mini-farm or a large plot of land, and are engaged in growing potatoes, the purchase of a planter will significantly reduce your labor costs. And after a while you will surely be convinced of the advisability of buying a potato planter.