MODERN DEVELOPMENT TRENDS OF POTATO HARVESTER DESIGNS

The paper discusses the modern methods of application and development of potato harvesting machinery in the Russian Federation. The authors outline the development trends of the considered machinery designs, singling out the following groups of modern potato-harvesting machines: small-sized machinery used in small farms; medium - trailed machines of various systems used on large farms; and complex self-propelled high-performance multi-row machinery featuring electronic process control systems and used in enterprises possessing appropriate technological service systems. The paper provides examples of all groups of the studied equipment. The authors have studies serial potato harvesting machines produced by domestic and foreign manufacturers. Despite a number of advantages of imported machinery, its disadvantage is the excessively high cost of the machines, as well as spare parts for them. It is noted that to increase the potato production, farms of all types need reliable and easy-to-use serial equipment of domestic production adapted for domestic conditions, and also ensuring the optimal combination of price and quality.