How to make a potato planter for a mini tractor with your own hands
When planting potato tubers in large quantities, it is important that this process takes place quickly and easily. It is difficult to make "Russell" potatoes in holes with your own hands, especially in large areas. Therefore, you should look for a faster way to do this. One option is a mini tractor potato planter.
DIY potato planter for mini tractor
The main advantage of using such a device is the even distribution of the planting material. This increases not only the volume of the harvest in the future, but also its quality.
Purpose of the potato planter
The main purpose of a potato planter for a tractor is to plant tubers of non-sprouted potatoes. In addition, with the help of such a device, it is possible to fertilize soil of all types in any terrain (mountainous is an exception). Moreover, such a device is universal. In one pass, in addition to the planting process itself, he can form grooves with a plow and create beds with a special disc.
The main goal of mini potato planters is to simplify the process of agricultural work.
When we dig on such equipment, a person is completely resting. In addition, the correct use of the device allows you to plant potatoes evenly in one or two rows. But, the main problem is that not many farmers can afford a potato planter for a mini tractor, because of its high price.
A product from domestic manufacturers will cost the buyer from $ 200 to $ 500. The price may vary depending on the functional features of the device. The most famous planters are KS -1 and 2, 2 MBS, L - 201, Scout T-25, etc. Foreign ones are even more expensive. A used device is cheaper - from $ 80. But, given the deterioration of individual parts of a potato planter for a mini tractor, the price for such a device is still too high.
An alternative to the purchased option is a homemade potato planter for a mini tractor.
You can make an equally high-quality device cheaper than buying a finished product. The main thing is to know about all the design features of such an apparatus.
Benefits of a homemade potato planter
The main advantage of a do-it-yourself potato planter on a mini-tractor is the simplicity of construction. Unlike purchased models that work only with certain brands of large and small tractors (MTZ 80/82 (Belarus), 132n, etc.), a homemade device is suitable for any vehicle.
How the device works
Easy working principle
A do-it-yourself potato planter for a mini tractor will not be inferior to purchased options if all the features from the choice of materials to the principle of operation of all mechanisms are taken into account. The operation of such a device is based on a simple interaction of two stars and a chain with blades:
- During the movement of the device, the wheel axle rotates.
- A star is installed on the wheel axle (like on old domestic combines), which also rotates.
- Vertically, above one star there is another. Between them is a chain with blades, which, during movement, captures and scatters the tubers.
You can also make discs that will break ditches along a certain track width. In addition, the container itself, where the potatoes are transported, can be made in any volume that the owner wants. Limitations are present only in the availability of material and the desires of a person.
Types of potato planters
The main advantage of a do-it-yourself potato planter on a mini-tractor is the simplicity of construction. Unlike purchased models that work only with certain brands of large and small tractors (MTZ 80/82 (Belarus), 132n, etc.), a homemade device is suitable for any vehicle.
There are 2 types of potato planters for a mini tractor. Single-row and double-row devices are made.
The single row machine is simpler and less efficient. Double-row devices are more powerful, simplify and speed up the planting process. In addition, if the farmer has correctly calculated drawings with the dimensions of all structural elements, then such a device can be attached to a monoblock.
A two-row potato planter for a mini tractor consists of the following structural elements:
- Bunker for planting material.
- Frame with wheels.
- Bipod for earthwork.
- Mounts with bowls for planting tubers.
- Discs for filling soil.
The only difficulty that distinguishes a hand-made device from a purchased Chinese or domestic model is the lack of a mechanism for adjusting the amount of fertilizer. But, if a person and his skills wish, it is also possible to build such a mechanism. It may also be difficult to adjust the row width. A two-row machine will have the characteristics that a person will set it during production.
Construction rules
Robust construction
It is best to design the device according to ready-made drawings, where all the necessary dimensions are already available and the sketch of the device itself is made. The fact is that most of the devices that can be seen in the video filmed by farmers are suitable for any vehicle. The potato planter for the T 40, T80 (82), Neva, Salut and other brands and models is assembled taking into account the same features. Most often, the assembly of the device is carried out as follows (single-row or double-row type of device is not important):
- 2 spars are welded to the frame of the device, which serves as channel # 8. The structure is reinforced with transverse ribs.
- Attachments are welded to the front of the side members, with the help of which the device will be connected to the tractor T 40, T 80, MTZ, etc. (despite the versatility of the device, the possibility of connecting it to the tractor is better to revise / modify).
- 2 metal strips 25-30 mm wide are welded to the side members. The length is taken from the dimensions in the drawing. Place them at an angle.
- A hopper for planting material is welded to the other end of the metal strips.
- At the bottom of the frame, a plow or discs are welded.
The potato container can be made from metal sheets or plywood.
The main thing is that the structure is strong, but not heavy. It is easier to work with wood, the thickness of which is not more than 1.2 cm. According to the available drawings and the dimensions indicated in them, it is necessary to cut out the walls of the tank and connect them into one structure, fixing them at the corners with a metal corner. To avoid damage to the potatoes, foam rubber or other softening material can be placed on the inside of the tank.
As the wheels of the apparatus, you can take from a gas cylinder by cutting off 2 transverse rings from it. The main problem is the stars. A two-row machine must have a certain number of teeth. On the stars, their number should be 40 and 15. It is better to find ready-made parts from old combines. So, it won't be difficult to install the chain. The blades are attached directly to the chain.They can be made from thin sheet metal, or from wire. The second option is simpler. The landing step is regulated by the distance of the blades from each other. It is most advisable to install them at a distance of 25-27 cm.
A Few Tips
You can use a home-made device for planting potatoes even if a tank from a washing machine is installed instead of a plywood or metal tank. Although its capacity will not be large, but you can save time and effort for the manufacture of this part of the device.
It's also important to pay attention to the wheels. They should be wide. So, the device will not "trample" loose soil. The seeder, however, can be made of a simple pipe, the diameter of which is 10-25 cm. All fastenings must be calculated according to the brand of the tractor (MTZ, Salyut, etc.). Although most of such self-made devices, single-row or double-row, can be attached to any type of vehicle, a device developed for a separate tractor is still better.
The single-row machine is easier to use. The device makes 1 groove in the ground, and with a certain step (which is set by the width of the blades), ejects the tubers. It is necessary to collect potatoes of the same size so that the planting material does not get stuck in the planter or in any other part. Another option is to install additional space for an assistant who will control the landing process. You can make it from a simple car seat by attaching it to the frame of the device. If there is a two-row seeder in the design plans, you cannot do without additional space.
Conclusion
A homemade single-row or double-row tuber seeder is an effective means of agricultural work. Despite the lack of adjustment of the width of the ditches and the depth of planting, such a device is not inferior to expensive models of domestic and foreign production.
The cost of manufacturing the seeder is minimal. The main thing is to be able to use a welding machine and have a sufficient amount of material.