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research article

Mechanical potato harvesting: Studies conducted in Kern County indicated less injury to potatoes when harvested by machine than by hand harvesting

authors

J. R. Tavernettl, University of California, Davis.
Mike B. Zahara, University of California, Davis.

publication information

California Agriculture 13(7):9-9. DOI: 10.3733/ca.v013n07p9. July 1959.

author affiliations

J. R. Tavernettl is Agricultural Engineer, University of California, Davis. Mike B. Zahara is Assistant Specialist in Vegetable Crops, University of California, Davis.

abstract

Abstract Not Available – First paragraph follows:

Three varieties of potatoes–White Rose, Pontiac, and Kennebec–were harvested mechanically to study the operational efficiency of the machines and to make a comparison between the amount of damage to the potatoes by mechanical and by hand harvesting. Six two-row, direct harvesting type–digging and loading in one operation–machines of the same make were used. The harvesters were pulled by track type tractors of 40-15 horsepower but had their own engines or operating the harvester mechanisms. The studies were made in three fields near Arvin and in two fields near Edison.

author notes

The above progress report is based on Research Project No. 947.