Abstract:
Potato has an important role
in human food. It was the sixth alimentary
product in the world after sugar cane, maze,
rice, wheat and milk in 2011 year. In
addition, potato is the third product in Iran
after wheat and sugar cane in 2011 year.
Therefore, any attempt in the improvement
of potato harvester will be valuable. In this
study, a new semi-mounted one-row potato
digger with rotary blade was designed and
made in the workshop of Shahrekord
University. It can be connected to rotary
potato graders. Transmission system was
mechanical from tractor (PTO) to blade by
belt, pulley, gearbox, chain and sprocket.
Blade diameter was 76 cm and the length
was 10 cm which was assigned by the
researchers. For separating of soil from
potato, a helix containing bars with 2.6 cm
distance and diameter of 9 mm was applied.
Entered soil into set was calculated as 227
ton/h. Required power was got 5.5
horsepower. Computerized model of set was
prepared in Mechanical Desktop Software
and potato motion was studied in Visual
Nastran Software. The device was tested at
field with various advance speed, blade
angle and rotational speed. Results showed
that advance speed of 1.5-3 km/h, rotational
speed of 20-25 RPM and blade angle of 10-
15○ were proper for system. The average of
damaged potatoes was 4%.
