Potatoes are one of the favorite root crops of most people. And therefore it is not surprising that in almost every household plot you can see its landing. That's just the area of these landings are very different. Some have a small garden, while others have a whole plantation. And this is due not only to differences in the sizes of summer cottages. An important role in this matter is played by the method of landing. It’s difficult and tiring to do it with your hands. But the technique will greatly facilitate the implementation of this process. A special device for planting potatoes with your own hands can be aggregated, for example, with a walk-behind tractor or a mini tractor. And it can be used as a separate unit. Consider several such options.
Preparation for work
Before proceeding with the manufacture of devices for planting potatoes with your own hands, you need to familiarize yourself with the theory. There are two main tasks that are put before the unit:
- Plant potato tubers at the same distance from each other. It is convenient if this interval can be adjusted, as in most factory planters.
- The depth of the holes in which the tubers are placed should be the same. This will allow us to expect the same period of plant emergence.
Taking into account these requirements, all designs are created. It should be understood that devices for planting potatoes (manually or using equipment) only facilitate the planting process. But they still require human involvement.
There are several design options. Homemade potato planter can be single row, double row or three row. This will depend on the type of frame used to make the frame. A container is attached to the frame, where root crops are poured. It can hold up to 20-30 kg. An elevator with bowls is installed in this hopper, which lowers the tubers into the prepared holes.
Preparation of drawings
DIY potato planter is assembled on the basis of pre-prepared drawings and diagrams. They can be developed independently if there are certain skills.
You can find a large number of drawings of potato planters of various designs and designs. You can choose a ready-made option. And you can take the scheme and modify it at your own discretion and understanding. In any case, before starting work, all specified dimensions and data must be checked. Only then can you get to work.
Hand devices
To begin, consider several design options that make it easier to plant potatoes, but at the same time require physical effort. They do not connect with the equipment, but allow you to perform work manually. Devices for planting potatoes in this way are notable for their simplicity. But they can also be made in various variations.
The simplest option is a cone-shaped punch. It is driven into the soil to the desired depth. True, for this it is necessary to make certain physical efforts. In this case, a hole is formed in the soil, where the potatoes fall. After removing the punch, the pit falls asleep.
The second option is a slightly improved breakdown. It is made of a metal pipe, one edge of which is cut at an angle. A potato container is attached on top. A valve is made on the pipe. The pipe is driven into the ground and tilted so that the valve opens. Through an existing hole falls potato tuber coming from above. The potato remains in the ground and, after removing the pipe, falls asleep.
Another option for a home-made potato planter is popularly called the "raven beak" because of the outward resemblance. The "beak" is driven into the ground in closed form. After the "beak" is opened, a tuber rushes there, which remains in the ground.
Partial mechanization options
This group includes a tool for a quick planting of potatoes, outwardly resembling a conventional garden trolley with one wheel. This option is suitable for soft soil that has been prepared in advance.
In the trolley, the wheel is replaced by a rotary cutter, which can have several compartments at once (for example, four). Potatoes are poured into the cart. From there, the tubers enter the cutter compartments. When moving due to rotation of the cutter, the tubers remain in the ground. It is worth noting that landing requires physical effort. To facilitate the process, another handle is welded in front of the structure. It allows you to move the device together.
The principle of operation of mechanized options
On your own, you can assemble devices that are suitable for coupling with equipment. For example, for a walk-behind tractor. The potato planter in this case will have a more complex structure. The rotation of its individual parts will depend on the operation of the engine technology.
The axis on which the sprocket is worn is welded to the frame of the structure. A little higher, another sprocket is attached, which connects to the previous one through a chain. When the tractor moves and its wheels rotate, the linkage axis begins to rotate. Due to this, the upper sprocket rotates through a chain transmission. Cups are fixed on the chain, into which root crops fall from the hopper. Rotating, the cups transfer the potatoes to the soil. As you can see, the device for planting potatoes with their own hands is not difficult to assemble. Having picked up a suitable drawing and having acquired the necessary materials, you can begin to work.
Necessary materials and tools
To assemble a potato planting device with your own hands, which will be paired with a walk-behind tractor (mini tractor), you will need the following materials:
- metal channel (square pipe or corner);
- hopper (a tank from an old washing machine will do, it can be made of a sheet of metal or thick plywood);
- wheels (preferably metal) or material for their manufacture.
To work on the project, you will need a grinder with cutting wheels for metal, a welding machine with electrodes and some other tools that any owner in the garage has. The connection of metal elements is carried out by welding. You can connect everything with bolts, but this will not add reliability and structural rigidity.
Performance of work
Do-it-yourself devices for planting potatoes begin with the preparation of the frame. To do this, use a metal pipe. Next, prepare the wheels. Metal wheels will not slip if the soil is too loose. They can be made independently from metal strips. It is convenient to use a gas bottle. Two rings (about 15 cm wide) need to be cut from it, on the outside of which are welded soil tines. Inside of metal fittings, pipes or plates make knitting needles. Their design does not matter.
Next, a chain drive is prepared, consisting of two sprockets and a chain connecting them. Gears are better to pick from old agricultural machinery. Options from the bike will not work. On the chain, grippers in the form of cups with a diameter of 5-6 cm are welded, which will lift the tubers.
At the top of the frame is a bunker where potatoes will be filled. It’s easy to make a bipod. Difficulties may arise in the manufacture of the hiller. Therefore, it is easier to take disks from old equipment.
Finishing
The last step in creating a potato planter for a walk-behind tractor is to give it an external appeal. To do this, the welds are cleaned if this was not done immediately. The design is cleaned of dirt and corrosion. In order for it to last longer, it should be primed and painted.