Surely many remember the “fascinating” process of planting potatoes in their dacha. To ensure a good harvest in the fall, it was necessary to dig planting furrows at least 20 centimeters deep.
Agree that this is quite hard and monotonous work. In addition, in Soviet times, workers, students and civil servants were sent to help collective farms. Where collective planting or harvesting of potatoes took place.
It is worth noting that on the collective farm fields, the lion's share of work was carried out by heavy tractors, but on their own plots they had to make do only with shovels and their own hands.
Nowadays, many people have begun to use walk-behind tractors to carry out dacha work, which greatly simplifies hard work. Heavy equipment is still working on state fields.
However, if we are talking about the average planting area, a tractor and a walk-behind tractor will not help. A potato planter for a mini-tractor will help ensure the introduction of seed potatoes into the soil. This will be the best option.
Types and functional features of machines for planting potatoes
For a general understanding of the specifics of the application and operation of the described equipment, we will describe the main differences in the designs of planters, which will help the user navigate when completing planting units and choosing when purchasing equipment.
Working width
For aggregation with MTZ Belarus tractors, based on their productivity, there are two-row planters with a working width of 1.4 meters, three and four-row machines with a working width of 2.8 meters, six-row machines with a working width of 4.2 meters. At the same time, depending on the characteristics of the planters, the row spacing can be adjusted from 60 to 90 cm. To maintain tight agrotechnical terms for planting potatoes on areas above 150 hectares, high-performance, wide-cut, 6-row planters with a productivity of up to 3.8 hectares per hour are used.
Aggregation method
According to the method of connection to the tractor, the majority of the machines are mounted, with the exception of multifunctional wide-grip planting complexes with a semi-mounted connection.
The drive of the working mechanisms of planters, depending on the design, can be carried out both from the power take-off shaft of the tractor and from the running support wheels of the planter. The landing apparatus is adjusted by changing the drive sprockets or gears in the drive mechanism.
Planting apparatus
According to the design of the feeding mechanism of the planting apparatus, machines are divided into planters with a disk apparatus and machines with an escalator feeding mechanism for planting material based on a hinge chain or rubber conveyor belt.
Disc planter
The disk apparatus is a disk with scooping spoons placed along the perimeter of the outer circumference of the disk. The machine's spoons grab the potatoes one tuber at a time, pressing them with spring-loaded fingers. When the spoon moves to the dumping point, the clamp opens under the action of the copier and releases the tuber, ensuring its supply to the machine coulter.
Escalator type planting apparatus
The advantage of escalator feeding is the simple adjustment of the mechanism and the creation of conditions for planting germinated planting material. Today, the majority of modern versions of planters are equipped with an escalator mechanism for feeding tubers.
There are also a number of machines capable of planting tubers in two rows in one furrow. Such planters have a paired mechanism for falling tubers and extended openers. Planting potatoes using a two-line method allows for more efficient use of sown areas and increases crop yields by up to 25%.
Two-line escalator-type planting devices of a modern four-row potato planter SK-4
To achieve high-quality planting and correct operation of the planting apparatus, potatoes of the same size are loaded into the machine. Pre-planting material is calibrated into fractions: 30-50, 50-80, 80-100 grams. When planting tubers weighing more than 100 grams, the planter apparatus is re-equipped with larger tuber-grasping spoons.
The depth of planting of tubers on all machines is regulated by the level of position of the support gauge wheels and the corresponding installation of the planting disks.
Machine functionality
In addition, the machines are distinguished by the presence of additional equipment that simultaneously with planting provides fertilizing with mineral fertilizers and treating the planting material with chemicals. High-performance complexes for working on large areas have an increased volume of the bunker with a hydraulic lift for convenient loading of planting material. Continuous supply of potatoes to the planting apparatus is ensured by a device that creates vibration of the inclined bottom of the bunker. In this way, conditions are created for the potatoes to spill to the place where the tubers are captured with spoons.
Semi-trailer potato planter with a hydraulic lifting hopper with the functions of simultaneous feeding and dressing of tubers
Some machines are distinguished by the presence of equipped workstations on the planter for manual placement of tubers into the planting apparatus. Such machines allow you to plant sprouted potatoes without damaging the sprouts, which ensures maximum germination results and reduces the time it takes for seedlings to emerge.
For ridge planting, the planters are equipped with disc hillers and harrows that close the furrow for smooth planting. Planters used on rocky and heavy soils can be equipped with special coulters equipped with safety locks that protect the working body in the event of a collision with an obstacle.
For potato cultivation, inter-row cultivators KON-2.8 and KNO-2.8 are used together with 4-row planting machines and cultivators KRN-4.2G and KNO-4.2 for 6-row planters.
How to do it yourself
It is not always possible to buy a ready-made potato planter. That's why some farmers make homemade potato planters for homemade tractors. It is quite possible to do this from scrap materials.
Potato planter drawing
First of all, draw a drawing of the future potato planter; it will help you not get confused during construction.
Now you can find a lot of specialized literature on this topic. If you have time and patience, then this activity is just for you.
How to make a potato planter with your own hands for a tractor. First you need a frame, the remaining parts will be attached directly to it. You can weld a homemade frame from several pieces of channel No. 8. The frame will consist of two spars, which are connected to each other by three transverse steel rods.
In front of the side members, weld an arch that is attached with a fork to the central link; you also need to weld two additional fastening pins to the lower link.
To strengthen the sides of the frame, weld steel inclined beams and attach supports to the central arches. You also need to independently attach the seatpost support to the spar. For this you can use a metal corner 50/50/5 cm.
DIY potato planter
Then use welding to attach the plastic bracket to the inclined oblique arches. And after that, a potato tank with a volume of 0.17 m3 is attached to these slants.
The seed tank itself can be made from sheets of ordinary plywood, they can be taken 12 mm thick. To ensure that the tank lasts for quite a long time, saturate it with drying oil on top, and then, after drying, cover it with a layer of water-based paint.
Cut the finished painted plywood into the required dimensions of the future tank and fasten the parts using steel corners.
The next thing you need on the frame is an axle. It can be made from steel or cast iron pipe. At the ends of the pipe, spikes and pins are installed, which are pre-turned on a lathe.
After this, you will need to drill holes where pins will be installed to hold the tenons. The DIY potato planter for the T 40 tractor is also similar in design, only here you should pay attention to attaching the canopy to the tractor.
DIY potato planter
In order not to be distracted, if something goes wrong, you will also need an assistant to monitor the process of sowing potatoes.
Before you decide to start working on a potato planter yourself, it is worth assessing the costs, both monetary and physical, and besides, the work requires a lot of time. And if you are making such a unit for the first time, then you can make mistakes in the design that can delay the work process.
In terms of cost, you will not see much difference between a homemade and purchased potato digger.
Potato planting machines KSM 6, KSM 4
In Soviet times, the KSM-4 potato planter was the main equipment for planting potatoes in conjunction with the MTZ 80(82) tractor. Semi-mounted machine in older versions with a disc sowing mechanism, and in new modernized versions with an escalator apparatus. The sowing mechanism is driven from the rear power take-off shaft of the tractor. Some modern versions are driven by the support wheels of an agricultural machine.
A modern version of the potato-planting semi-mounted complex KSM-4
Technical characteristics of KSM planters
| Indicators | KSM 6 | KSM 4 |
| Working width, m | 4,2 | 2,8 |
| Operating speed, km/h | 5,9 | 5,9 |
| Productivity ha/hour | 2,1-3,8 | 1,4-2,5 |
| Adjustable distance between tubers in a row, cm | 18 — 30 | |
| Planting density, thousand tubers per hectare | 40 — 75 | |
| Planting depth, cm | 10-16 | |
| Hopper capacity, kg | 3200 | 2300 |
| Loading height of tuber hopper, mm | 420 | |
| Fertilizer hopper capacity, kg | 900 | 600 |
| Total weight of equipment, kg | 2950 | 2350 |
There is also a two-row version of this brand of planter - KSM 2 for aggregation with tractors of lower power LTZ T-40 and T-25 "Vladimirovets".
For which tractor is it purchased?
If the power of your tractor is not very high, within a dozen horsepower, you should focus your attention on light-weight potato planters. Compact and lightweight models are easy to set up and operate, and their transportation is not difficult.
The Ukrainian-made KSC-3 potato planter performs quite well. It has many advantages and options. What attracts most attention is its weight - only 72 kg.
This model can be transported even by one. Not only a small and compact garden mini-tractor, but also a low-power walk-behind tractor can handle it.
If you are the happy owner of a tractor whose engine power is more than 10 hp. p., you can safely purchase heavier models.
They are often equipped with various options: soil levelers, fertilizer spreaders and others.
In addition, heavier and larger potato planters are designed to process fairly large areas. Excellent equipment in this category is produced by the Xingtai company. Model name – 2 SM-1.
It is suitable for tractors from 10 to 20 HP. pp., has low weight and good productivity for its modest dimensions: 0.1-0.14 ha/h.
For tractors with a power of 20-25 hp. With. and potato planters weighing more than 200 kg are most often used. They are designed for large planting areas.
An excellent choice would be the Xingtai 2 SM-2. The model is equipped with a large number of different additional functions: plowing and compaction, loosening, spreading fertilizers.
Planters SKM 6, SKM 3, SN-4B
Both machines have a disc planting device designed to work with unsprouted tubers. The planting apparatus of the SKM 3 complex can operate in two-line tuber planting mode. For this purpose, the machine is equipped with widened coulters and paired spoon-disk feed mechanisms.
Scheme of potato planter SKM-3
| Indicators | SCM 6 | SCM 3 | SN-4B | |
| Working width, m | 4,2 | 2,8 | ||
| Operating speed, km/h | 4,3-7,1 | 5,9 | 4,5-6 | |
| Productivity ha/hour | 1,9-3 | 2,4-2,8 | 1,2-1,7 | |
| Adjustable distance between tubers in a row, cm | 20-32 | 20-40 | 25-40 | |
| Planting density, thousand tubers per hectare | 40 — 75 | 40-70 | ||
| Planting depth, cm | Up to 20 | 10-16 | Before 18 | |
| Hopper capacity, kg | 1200 | 360 | ||
| Loading height of tuber hopper, mm | 1380 | 1500 | ||
| Fertilizer hopper capacity, kg | 144 | 144 | 48 | |
| Total weight of equipment, kg | 1780 | 1900 | 1015 | |
User manual
Before you start working with the unit, read the instructions that come with the special equipment. Check the places where the fasteners are located; if they are loose, be sure to tighten them. This way, the performance of the potato digger will not decrease.
Carry out all repairs and mandatory maintenance in advance. If any problems arise during work, turn off the tractor engine, and only after that proceed to repair the equipment.
Instructions for use
Keep strangers away from the unit in order to protect them from injury in the first place. Do not exceed the permissible operating power of the potato digger if you do not want premature failure.
Observe the temporary operating mode, because for some units you can only work for a certain time, after which you need to give the potato digger a break.
If you work in mountainous areas, you need to reduce the speed of movement while working, otherwise the engine will overheat.
Four-row planter SAYA-4 with conveyor planting apparatus
A special feature of the SAYA-4 machine is the conveyor falling mechanism, which ensures the planting of sprouted potatoes. If the conveyor spoons capture more than one tuber, a spring mechanism discards the excess potatoes and returns them along the slope table back to the feeding hopper. The bunker sensor automatically turns off the conveyor drive if the preset seed level does not match. Additionally, the planter is equipped with fertilizer sowing devices for simultaneous feeding of crops with mineral fertilizers.
Scheme of planter SAYA-4
| Indicators | SAYA-4 |
| Working width, m | 2,8 |
| Operating speed, km/h | 2,9-3,9 |
| Productivity ha/hour | 0,5-1,5 |
| Adjustable distance between tubers in a row, cm | 18-39 |
| Planting density, thousand tubers per hectare | 40-75 |
| Planting depth, cm | 6-21 |
| Hopper capacity, kg | 470 |
| Loading height of tuber hopper, mm | 1150 |
| Fertilizer hopper capacity, kg | 120 |
| Total weight of equipment, kg | 1550 |
Main varieties
Before you buy a potato planter, you need to familiarize yourself with the main types of such devices.
Metal plow - used to create planting furrows
Negotiable
Many people prefer to use reversible designs. They plant potatoes in three stages:
- Creation of planting furrows.
- Planting tubers.
- Sprinkling the planted potatoes with soil.
The main advantage of such models can be considered their low cost. The fact is that reversible planters are an order of magnitude cheaper than bunker planters.
Bunker
Recently, people increasingly prefer bunker models.
Their main distinguishing feature from revolving structures is that they can be used to plant potatoes in one pass. Thanks to this, it is possible to plant a large number of tubers in just a few hours.
Despite all the advantages of bunker planters, they also have disadvantages. The disadvantages include the fact that they cannot be used to plant sprouted tubers.
Planting machines SKS-4-1 and SKS-6-1
The machines have a disk planting apparatus designed to work with ungerminated planting material.
Diagram of the SKS-4 planter
| Indicators | SKS-4-1 | SKS-6 -1 |
| Working width, m | 2,8 | 4,2 |
| Operating speed, km/h | 5,9 | 2,9-3,9 |
| Productivity ha/hour | 1,7-2,5 | 0,5-1,5 |
| Adjustable distance between tubers in a row, cm | 25-40 | 18-39 |
| Planting density, thousand tubers per hectare | 45 — 70 | 40-75 |
| Planting depth, cm | 8-16 | 6-21 |
| Hopper capacity, kg | 1500 | 470 |
| Loading height of tuber hopper, mm | 1280 | 1150 |
| Fertilizer hopper capacity, kg | 540 | 120 |
| Total weight of equipment, kg | 1660 | 1550 |
Where to buy a potato planter for a mini tractor
You can buy a high-quality potato planter for working with a tractor in the Gardenshop store. Products are available with a variety of parameters, performance capabilities and prices. Products are represented by Polish, Ukrainian and Chinese manufacturers, who successfully compete with global suppliers of agricultural attachments for tractors.
The Gardenshop company provides the opportunity to purchase goods at retail or wholesale, for full payment or in installments. The price range is quite large and amounts to $199-820. Delivery of attachments mounted on a tractor is carried out by a carrier company to any city in the country.
All offered potato planters for mini tractors have a one-year warranty. They have undergone technical control and pre-sale preparation, so they are fully complete, functional and free of defects.
A potato planter is a useful and effective equipment for installation on a mini tractor. It will help optimize the potato planting process and carry out planting work quickly, efficiently and easily.
Planters KORA
The equipment is produced by the German manufacturer UNIA. The company offers a range of planters in four-row and two-row versions:
- KORA-2 bunker for 400 kg, row spacing 70-75 cm
- KORA-4 bunker 840 kg, row spacing 75 -90 cm
- KORA-4H with a hydraulic lifting hopper for 1000 kg, row spacing 75 cm
- KORA-4HP hydropowered bunker capacity 2000 kg, row spacing 75 cm
Models are segmented by level of additional equipment and may differ in their design:
- bunker volume
- the presence of a hydraulic lift of the bunker
- stage for the operator
- equipped with a mechanism for automatically adjusting the embedment depth
The machines have twin escalator-type planting devices based on a rubber conveyor driven by support running wheels.
In addition to the models described above, the following manufacturers of four-row planters are on the market:
- Planters of the Grammer and Nassia brands made in the Netherlands.
- Cars of the brands Bomet and POLO 4H made in Poland.
- Machines L-202, L-207 manufactured in Russia: hopper 600 kg, row spacing 70 cm, loading height 450 mm, operating speed 4-10 km/h, productivity 1.26-2.4 ha/hour.
- Planting complexes SK-4 produced in Belarus.
Weight category, chassis design features
It is very important to take into account such an important parameter of the potato planter as weight. You should choose a technique only after you have carefully examined your site for swampy areas and other troubles.
If the soil in your garden is viscous, swampy, or in the area that needs to be cultivated it often rains, you should focus on light-weight potato planters. Even if the area of land that needs to be planted is quite large, you should not rush to buy large industrial sowing devices.
It may be much more convenient to use lighter versions. This way, you can save time without having to pull a stuck car out of the sinking ground.
In addition, when working with a lighter potato planter, the tractor consumes much less fuel, since it is necessary to create much less force.
An excellent example is a technique called 2SM-1. Its weight is 90 kg, so falling into the ground is completely excluded.
Is the soil in your area firm and not prone to swampiness? Then you can safely purchase automated agricultural machines for planting potatoes.
It is worth considering the fact that the larger the machine, the easier it will be for it to cope with rocky and hard soil. The GL 30-ECO is perfect for this type of work.
It is necessary to pay special attention not only to the weight of the device, but also to its chassis. If the soil in the garden is loose, then for a mini-tractor you need to select a potato planter with high ground clearance and rubber wheels with tractor tread, which allows you to easily cling to the ground.
You should not purchase equipment with narrow forged iron wheels. They are designed to work with hard, rocky soil. In swampy and loose soil, such wheels will only get stuck.
A great example is SK 2-130. It is quite heavy, equipped with a forged metal wheel, and is excellent for planting potatoes in central Russia, where the amount of rain prevents the soil from getting too wet.
Adviсe
During work, follow these recommendations:
- First check the serviceability of the main parts. At this time, the tractor must be turned off.
- If necessary, use earplugs or headphones to reduce the negative impact on hearing.
- The device is connected only to tractors with the required size, grip and performance for a specific model of potato planter.
- The equipment is used only for planting potatoes.
- When turning, the beam with gutters is raised so that the parts do not deform.
- After completion of work, the device must be cleaned. If necessary, lubricate the rubbing elements.
To quickly harvest large areas, some farmers use homemade double-row potato diggers. They allow you to obtain tubers from several rows at once.
