LN BURKOV'S METHOD AND DEVICE FOR HARVESTING ROOT AND TUBER CROPS Russian patent published in 2010 - IPC A01D17/06 

FIELD: agriculture.

SUBSTANCE: method involves mowing plant tops a week and a half before harvesting whereupon a self-propelled root and tuber crops combine harvester is used to harvest root and tuber crops. When the combine harvester is operating, separate vehicles are used for root and tuber crops and for waste. When digging out crops, the rotor digs out the layer with roots and tubers so it can be thrown on a transporting-separating operating element that separates dirt, plant tops, breaks dirt lumps and conveys the mass for sorting that fills storage hopper. The device has an engine, a control cabin, a system of operating elements, such as a digging rotor in the form of a drum with paw-shaped lifters installed in several parallel rows. The lifters are positioned in a circle around the rotor offset relative to one another. The first third of the transporting-separating unit consists of a piler transporter in the form of three-blade pilers installed on the shaft in a screw line. The second third of the transporter has rolling press with rubberised surface with parallel projections on the surface of every second one. Each pair of rolling press is installed contrarotatable and with a gap relative to the next pair. The last third of the specified transporting-separating unit is manufactured in the form of several parallel rows of double-sided pilers installed on the shafts in a screw line. There is a lump breaker made in the form of flat round rollers with rubber rings on top and hinged on the common hollow shaft above the two last rolling presses. Sorting is made in the form of a wire belt having a possibility of moving laterally by means of hydraulic engine and self-cleaning by means of several rows of pins. The digging rotor-type drum drive is made from the hydraulic engine with a possibility of moving the drum on lateral guides from the operating position to the transporting one and back. The hoppers for collecting crops and waste are manufactured of the equal height. Discharge hatch of each hopper is located respectively on the left and right with a possibility for a car or a tractor trailer to drive up and be loaded at the same time. Shutters are made vertical. The drive is made from hydraulic engines and rack-and-gear transmission with actuating mechanisms. Each hopper bottom is inclined to the horizon and oppositely directed. There is a vibrator in the middle of each hopper bottom on the outside.

EFFECT: increased productivity and reduced number of damaged roots and tubers.

2 cl, 7 dwg