Theoretical Analysis of Separation of Potato Tubers From Soil in a Belt-Rod Elevator

Abstract

In this study, the mechanism of operation of the belt-rod elevator of a small-sized potato digger and the efficiency of separating tubers from the soil were studied. The main factors influencing the characteristics of the separation of tubers from the soil were obtained on the basis of a theoretical analysis of the tilt angle of the elevator, the linear speed of the belt-rod elevator and the speed of movement of the digger. As a result, the optimal parameters were obtained: equal elevator tilt angle of 18°, linear elevator speed of 1.4 m/s and forward speed of the digger of 0.80 m/s.