OPTIMIZATION OF A POTATO DIGGER-LOADER WITH CENTRIFUGAL LIFTING-SCREW ELEVATOR

This thesis presents the optimization of a potato digger-loader equipped with a centrifugal lifting-screw elevator (CLSSE) using mathematical experiment planning. Four-factor experiments were conducted according to the Hartley-4 design. The effects of drum rotation speed (X1), elastic drum width (X2), elevator speed (X3), and working gap (X4) on soil separation rate (Y1, %) and tuber damage (Y2, %) were studied. Second-order regression equations were obtained and solved using Excel's Solver. Optimal parameters were determined: X1 = 120 rpm, X3 = 0.94 m/s, X4 = 0.010 m. At these values, Y1 = 81.62% and Y2 = 5.74%. Field trials showed that the new machine improves soil separation by 10-12% and reduces tuber damage by 1.46% compared to the conventional KKS-1.4 combine harvester. The new design operates reliably even in heavy and wet soils without clogging.