MECHANIZATION OF HARVESTING OF JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE

Abstract

The main mechanization harvesting problems of Jerusalem artichoke tubers are revealed. The results of laboratory and fi eld studies of the conditions for the growth and separation of Jerusalem artichoke tubers from stems during harvesting are given. The average depth of occurrence of rhizomes in the soil is 190-210 mm, their average mass is 6.09 kg. The degree of separation of tubers from the rhizome with a single dynamic effect (falling from the height of 1.5 m) accounts for 26.01%; the average effort to tear tubers from the bush or stolons is 4.40 ... 12.42 ± 0.1 N. The complete removal of tubers from the rhizome is achieved by fi xing the stems and rhizomes in a stationary condition. The above efforts to tear the tubers were applied in the direction of both tearing them off and turning them at an angle of 90 ... 180 °. Effective mechanical and technological methods of separation of Jerusalem artichoke tubers from rhizome and stems are identifi ed. They consist of the combined effect of dynamic forces of the impact type, equivalent to a fall from the height of not less than 1.5 m, rotational at an angle 90 ... 180 ° and the tearing off effects on tubers of at least 12.42 N on the rhizome, tubers and stolons. The composition, arrangement, schemes and interaction of the harvesting machine working parts for autumn harvesting of Jerusalem artichoke are established. Innovative schemes and composition of the working parts of a harvesting machine for harvesting Jerusalem artichoke, based on an adapter to serial harvesting machines for potatoes, are proposed. Working parts of the harvesting machine include a pulling and supporting-conveying device as well as separating devices located above the separating elevator of the harvesting machine. The technology of operation of the working parts by the elements of the harvesting machine design is described.