Scientific Journal of KubSAU

Potatoes are cultivated in all parts of the world. In 2019, the Russian Federation ranked third in potato production. Ryazan region has favorable climatic conditions for potato growing. The growth in potato production is constrained by the insufficient provision of small and medium-sized farms with harvesting equipment and storage facilities. For working in small areas and in difficult conditions, simple machines are in demand: potato diggers and single-row potato harvesters. “Gala” variety potatoes are grown using intensive technology in the experimental field of the agrotechnological station of Ryazan State Agrotechnological University. In September 2019, there was a study of the effect of plant parts on the performance indicators of the technological process with a single-row KKS-1M potato harvester with a combined plant-top-removing device. The device consists of top-directing fingers, a top-removing roller and a counter-current finger-type separator. The studies are based on standard and private test methods. The harvester was tested on dark gray forest soils of heavy loamy composition, with a moisture content of 19-21%. Plots were prepared for testing: one with uncleaned tops, one with tops previously removed by BD-4 haulm shredder and one with manually removed tops. In the course of research, a change in the direction of potato stems during the movement of the heap along the working bodies of the potato harvester was determined. It was found that the stems change their direction from transverse to longitudinal. It was established that a combined PLANT-TOP-REMOVING device removes from 75.8% to 88.2% of plant impurities entering the harvester. Studies confirmed the efficiency of KKS-1M combine when harvesting potatoes. According to the generalized results, the loss of tubers was 1.5-4.7%, their damage was 1.7-4.39% and the purity of the tubers in the bunker was 70.3-84.7%. Studies confirmed that the harvesting technology significantly affects the performance of a potato harvester. In severe conditions, pre-harvesting row-spacing loosening can be recommended and the haulm shredder is set to a cutting height of at least 150-180 mm