Effect of Planting Method and Soil Moisture on Efficiency of Potato Harvesters

A considerable part of investment on producing potato are spent in harvesting stage. This research was carried out in the form of factorial experiment with the base of randomized complete block design to compare the technical performance of potato harvesters in different planting methods. This research was conducted to find out the effects of planting methods (in two levels: using two-row and six-row planter machines), harvesting methods (in three levels: using combine harvester, two-row harvester, and combination of harvester and combine machines), and two levels of soil moisture content (11 and 15%) on efficiency, effective field capacity, fuel consumption, fuel and laborer energy consumption in harvesting process, and tuber losses. Results showed that the highest effective field capacity and efficiency (0.59 ha/h and 81.1%) was related to combination harvesting method. The lowest effective field capacity happened when two-row harvesting machine was used, while the lowest efficiency (65.49%) were observed when combine harvester was employed. The highest (3.38%) and lowest (0%) of products left on the field, were observed in combination method and two-row harvesting method respectively. Results showed that in all three methods, energy consumption increased when the moisture content increased from 11 to 15% ; results also indicated that the highest amount of energy consumption happened in harvesting of potato by two-row harvesting machine and when soil moisture content was 15%.