DE10116180C2 - Potato harvester - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a multi-row, self-propelled, potato harvest machine that transfers the crop into large-volume receptacles.

From DD 122 626 a method and a device are known which Compliance with a predetermined constant drop height of bulk goods at the Transfer from a potato harvester to a transport vehicle, for example enable. The procedure described is used to hand over potatoes from the harvesting vehicle to an accompanying vehicle with compensation for the to enable differences in height caused by the uneven floors. The proposed arrangement is comparatively complex because the stochastic fluctuations in the height of the crop due to different Frame movements of the harvesting vehicle and the transport vehicle due to the Unevenness in the floor must be compensated.

DE 87 13 765 U1 proposes a root crop pickup in which the height conveyor can be guided over the tank at a low height in order to enable better and more uniform filling of the tank. For this purpose, the root crop pickup, in particular beet pickup, has a height conveyor ( 2 ) with an upper conveyor part ( 8 ) pivotably arranged thereon. This conveying part ( 8 ) can be pivoted between a substantially horizontal position and a plane substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the height conveyor ( 2 ). The object of the invention is a gentle treatment of the beets when filling the tank. However, this is in direct contradiction to the tiltable arrangement of the root crop tank ( 6 ) on the harvesting machine.

This would be the case when emptying the large-volume root crop tank by tipping it over inevitably lead to extreme mechanical stress on the crop and massive damage to the root crops. For the One of ordinary skill in the art is aware that when harvesting or ingesting Beets, especially sugar beets, have significantly lower requirements for mechanical load on the crop are to be put as when harvesting or Intake of cleared potatoes, especially seed or table potatoes. So would the falling height of the beets declared in DE 87 13 765 U1 as advantageous and gentle from a horizontal position of the pivotable end of the elevator cause the bottom of the tank when handling potatoes or seed potatoes, that the potatoes treated in this way no longer meet the requirements placed on them Quality requirements (appearance, shelf life) would meet. Also finds according to the characterizing features of DE 87 13 765 U1 no uniform (Normal) distribution of the crop inside the tank. So will suggested that the delivery point of the elevator should be approximately in the middle of the Tanks is arranged. Due to the mass of the forage or sugar beet harvested and the comparatively large drop height can essentially be done with this method be realized that the ingested beets due to the kinetic energy independently on the forming cone to the edge of the large-volume bunkers. This procedure is compared to known devices on sugar beet harvesters, such as. B. in use by comparatively aggressive screw conveyors, to be regarded as gentle, However, it does not meet the technological requirements when handling Potatoes. The possibility of also described in DE 87 13 765 U1 Movement of the elevator above the horizontal position serves up from the point of view of the average specialist, only the creation of the necessary Space required to prevent the filled large tank from tipping (emptying) without collision enable.

DE 199 33 589 A1 teaches a device for filling harvested leeks into a transport container. Among other things, it suggests that the laterally projecting arrangement of the transport container ( 7 ) on a shelf ( 15 ) could alternatively be solved by arranging the container directly on the self-propelled harvesting machine. The inventive concept of DE 199 33 589 A1 assumes that there is always only one transport container on or possibly on the harvesting machine. A brief interruption of the harvesting process for parking the filled transport container and the subsequent picking up of an empty transport container is essential. The transport container according to DE 199 33 589 A1 is used exclusively to pick up and transport the crop to a collection point.

DE 89 08 916 U1 discloses a device for lifting root crops, in which the bunker is a container that can be disconnected from the device, so that the Crop does not increase the weight of the device. According to the description is the disclosed device is not suitable for potatoes, since the crop is large Fall height hits the container floor, which can result in damage, that would reduce the shelf life of potatoes. This is only for fruits that how sugar beet will be processed soon, insignificant. In addition, the described machine does not have the necessary for the potato harvest Main assemblies.

Starting from this prior art, the invention has the task of Eliminate disadvantages of the prior art and a potato harvester too create the crop while avoiding crushing or damage Fills directly into the containers intended for storage, which means handling processes can be saved and one by careful treatment of the crop premature spoilage is prevented during storage.  

The object is achieved by the features of the main claim. Advantageous further developments are set out in the subordinate claims.

The solution according to the invention is a multi-row, self-propelled potato Harvesting machine that transports the crop into two or more large-volume receptacles passes, which are suitable for long-term storage of the potatoes and which are direct and are removably arranged on the potato harvester, the crop being by means of adjustable conveyors and distributors in one position above the Receptacle transported and from a minimal height into the receptacle is handed over.  

The potato harvester according to the invention stores the crop in larger sizes Quantities themselves, so that it is no longer necessary that, as in known solutions Potato harvester constantly during the harvest from a transport vehicle Stuff is accompanied, which picks up the potatoes. In addition, the harvesting process can be done without technological interruptions are carried out almost continuously.  

In the case of the variant with bunkers, its content is discontinuously transferred to a transport vehicle Hand over the stuff when the capacity of the bunker (s) is exhausted. In the Variants with storage containers are the containers together with the crop on a transport trip reloaded stuff when they are filled.

The second variant has the additional advantage that the potatoes do not come back have to be moved, thereby rationalizing the entire harvesting, handling and and storage process is achieved and, moreover, the crop is gentler treated and an increased yield is achieved.

The potato harvester is advantageously divided into two functional sections.

Functional section A includes a front steering axle and a rear support axle, the driver's cab and the functional assembly known for a potato harvester pen haulm topper, dam pick-up device, sieve device, haulm separator device, elevator, clod or stone separator assembly, a hand picking arm work place and a picking belt with a movably arranged transfer end.

The functional section B is based on the known fifth wheel principle with the functional sec tion A connected and at a pivot point above the rear support axis of the function section A pivoted. It consists of a frame with at least one driven axis, the motor and an intermediate connected to the frame frame on which different containers can be arranged, which the Pick up the harvested potatoes during the digging process.

The container variants of roller floor bunkers or large-capacity Storage box for use.

The engine including the associated energy systems (hydraulics, electrics) can be classified either in functional section A or B.  

Depending on the operating conditions and soil conditions, the Impellers of all axles can be driven and / or steerable.

By structuring the potato harvester into two functional sections The functional section can continue to be used for repairs. The functional section A with the usual assemblies for picking up the crop can be used in solo mode with transport vehicles for conventional Harvesting inferior potatoes can be used.

After the containers have been filled with the harvested potatoes, they are handed over this container onto a transport vehicle. In the variant with a rolling floor bunker the collected potatoes are transferred to the transport vehicle. In the Variant with large storage boxes, the filled containers with one on the Hand the installed loading crane onto the transport vehicle. Latter Variant has the advantage that the filled large-capacity storage box without any Moving the damage-sensitive potatoes into a potato warehouse can be adjusted.

The crop is picked up with the help of the modules in functional section A in a known manner. After manual correction of misdirected potatoes or The potatoes are added to the hand picking workplace Picking belt by means of a movably arranged transfer unit in the first Rolled floor bunkers or large storage containers promoted.

In order to minimize the impact load on the mined potatoes, it becomes mobile arranged transfer unit first to the bottom of the container to be filled lowered. The adaptation of the transfer device to the height of the bottom of the Container or to the respective height of the potato pouring cone is done manually or in a preferred development of the invention by means of an automatic head adjustment device.  

The drop height adjustment device detects via a touch sensor or a non-contact sensor the current level of the large storage box. It comes with increasing filling level of the large storage box to touch the touch sensors with the potatoes or the set target value of the distance of the contactless sensor to the potatoes, so the height of the end the bunker filling belt via a control loop and the height adjustment provided elements are automatically adjusted so that the potatoes are always as possible leave the bunker filling conveyor close above the forming potato cone.

For the optimal filling of the container with potatoes, direction a device for even distribution of the crop can be provided. This prevents the potatoes from being all in the same, narrowly limited Impact area of the container, causing segregation of crop and inevitably entrained soil is avoided. Otherwise it would turn into form an accumulation of usually damp earth in this area of impact, that detaches from the potatoes when they hit them. That would be in the container a source of putrefaction is present, which is particularly important when filling large Storage boxes must be avoided, since the potatoes in them for longer Periods are stored and in these places a much poorer ventilation the storage potatoes.

After the filling process of the first moving floor bunker or large Storage container starts filling the next one, also on the machine installed container. For this purpose, the bunker filling belt is moved into such a position that a movement or an exchange of the containers located on the machine not hindered and the harvesting process of the potato harvester is not interrupted becomes.

Then the movably arranged transfer unit is placed over the next container pivoted and lowered there to the bottom of the container to be filled. To one Being able to install and fill the largest possible number of containers can the pivotability of the transfer unit and the mobility of the containers  be provided so that the respective container to be filled is first in a for the Transfer unit easily accessible position can be brought before the transfer unit is swung into the container and filling begins.

If all containers are filled, their contents are transferred to a transport vehicle or they are transferred to a transport vehicle and replaced by empty containers.

If roller floor bunkers are used, they will be removed by the Potato harvester intended lifting devices raised. Subsequently the potatoes are transported to the side of the machine via the rolling floors, where they a waiting transport vehicle or in storage boxes fall on this vehicle. The emptied bunkers are then lowered again and the harvest can begin be continued.

If large storage boxes are used, one advantage is that the Potatoes do not have to be handled again before they are stored. In In this case, the containers that are detachably installed on the machine are therefore included their content with the help of one belonging to the machine or provided externally Loading crane reloaded onto a waiting transport vehicle and then replaced by empty large storage boxes. The harvest can then continue.

The invention is explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments. Show

Fig. 1 potato harvester with the two functional sections A and B.

Fig. 2 potato harvester with the main functional modules

Fig. 3 potato harvester with crawler track

Fig. 4 potato harvester with 2 large roller bunkers (top view) and transport vehicle

Fig. 5 potato harvester with 2 large roller bunkers (side view)

Fig. 6 filling device for two rolling floor bunkers in a loading position

Fig. 7 filling device for two rolling floor bunkers in a different loading position

Fig. 8 filling device for two rolling floor bunkers in the bunker emptying position

Fig. 9 Potato harvester with large storage containers and loading crane (top view)

Fig. 10 potato harvester with large storage containers and Füllrichvorrich device

Fig. 11 Potato distribution device - distribution variant 1

Fig. 12 Potato distribution device - distribution variant 2

Fig. 13 Potato distribution device - distribution variant 3

Fig. 1 shows the basic structure of the potato harvester according to the invention in a plan view. In Fig. 2 the same machine is shown in a side view. The machine consists of the functional sections A and B.

The functional section A consists of a front steering axle ( 1 ) and a rear support axle ( 2 ), the driver's cab ( 3 ) and the cabbage beater ( 4 ), dam receiving device ( 5 ), sieve device ( 6 ), cabbage separator device ( 7 ), elevator ( 8) ), Clod or stone separation assembly ( 9 ), a manual picking station ( 10 ) and a picking belt with a movably arranged transfer end ( 11 ).

The functional section B is connected to the functional section A according to the saddle-on principle and is pivoted at a pivot point ( 12 ) above the rear support axis ( 2 ) of the functional section A. It consists of a frame with a driven rear drive shaft ( 13 ), the motor ( 14 ) and an intermediate frame ( 15 ) connected to the frame, on which different containers can be arranged to hold the harvested potatoes during the digging process.

Fig. 3 shows a variant of the preferred embodiment in which the front steering axle ( 1 ) and the rear support axle ( 2 ) of the functional section A are replaced by a crawler track. This variant is particularly advantageous if the soil compaction is to be minimized or if the soil has absorbed a lot of moisture in the time before the harvest due to high rainfall.

In Fig. 4, the potato harvester according to the invention in the variant with roller bunkers ( 16 ) is shown in plan view and in Fig. 5 in a side view.

To collect the harvested potatoes in this variant, at least two roller floor bunkers ( 16 ) of known design are arranged one behind the other on the machine. After the manual correction of the misdirected potatoes or admixtures on the manual picking station ( 10 ), the potatoes for filling the first roller bunker ( 16 ) are conveyed through the picking belt with a movably arranged transfer end ( 11 ).

The continuous adjustment of the drop height of the potatoes from the potato distribution device to the bottom of the bunker or to the potato pouring cone, which is necessary in the interest of a low impact load of the potatoes, is carried out in the preferred embodiment by a device for automatic drop height adjustment ( 21 ). This device is attached to the bunker filling belt ( 22 ) and detects the current filling level of the bunker via a touch sensor. If the level of the bunker comes into contact with the sensor with the potatoes, the height of the end of the bunker filling belt ( 22 ) is automatically adjusted via a control loop and the elements provided for height adjustment, so that the potatoes are always as close as possible to the potato cone that forms ( 20 ) leave the bunker filling belt ( 22 ).

After the filling process for the first moving floor bunker ( 16 ) has been completed, the picking belt with the movably arranged transfer end ( 11 ) remains in the upper filling position, and the bunker filling belt ( 22 ) is moved via the movement of the cylinder 1 ( 23 ), the short coupling ( 24 ) and the long coupling ( 25 ) is pivoted from the loading position A ( 26 ) shown in FIG. 6 into the loading position B ( 27 ) under the picking belt with a movably arranged transfer end ( 11 ).

The hopper filler belt ( 22 ) is held and guided over a boom construction ( 28 ). The boom construction ( 28 ) consists of the post ( 29 ) and the boom ( 30 ). The boom construction ( 28 ) is arranged on both sides of the picking belt with a movably arranged transfer part ( 11 ) and bunker filling belt ( 22 ) and is firmly connected to the main frame of the functional section A of the potato harvesting machine via the post ( 29 ).

The boom ( 30 ) is moved by means of the cylinder 2 ( 31 ) to fill the second moving floor bunker ( 16 ). The potatoes now go to the second roller bunker ( 16 ), which is filled in the same way as the first one.

As with the first rolling floor bunker ( 16 ), this filling process takes place via an automatic drop height adjustment ( 21 ), which ensures that the potatoes with a low drop height are transferred to the bunker floor or to the potatoes that have already been deposited.

After the filling process for the second moving floor bunker ( 16 ) has been completed, the potato conveying is stopped and then, as shown in FIG. 7, the bunker filler belt ( 22 ) is pivoted from the loading position C ( 32 ) into the loading position D ( 33 ). Since the two roller bunkers ( 16 ) for transferring the potatoes to a transport vehicle ( 18 ) by means of the two bunker cylinders ( 36 ), as shown in Fig. 8, from the bunker position a ( 34 ) in the bunker position b ( 35 ) must be brought , it is necessary to bring the boom construction ( 28 ) with the hopper filling belt ( 22 ) into the hopper emptying position ( 37 ).

After the two roller floor bunkers ( 16 ) have been emptied, they are returned to the bunker position a ( 34 ), the bunker filling belt ( 22 ) is pivoted back into the loading position A ( 26 ) and the picking belt with the movably arranged transfer end ( 11 ) into the roller floor bunker ( 16 ) lowered into the lower filling position.

The filling process can start again.

In a further preferred embodiment of the potato harvester according to the invention, the potatoes are filled directly into a number of interchangeable standardized large-capacity storage boxes installed on the machine. FIG. 9 shows a top view of the potato harvesting machine according to the invention in the variant with large storage boxes, FIG. 10 shows the same machine in a side view.

To collect the harvested potatoes in the machine of the preferred embodiment, the intermediate frame ( 15 ) of the functional section B is equipped with a bogie ( 38 ) which accommodates four large storage boxes ( 17 ). The large-capacity storage boxes ( 17 ) are filled in succession without the harvesting machine having to be interrupted. After filling, the first large-capacity storage box (17) is provided by rotating the bogie (38) at the filling (39) an empty large-capacity storage box (17).

After manual correction of the misdirected potatoes or admixtures on the picking belt with a movably arranged transfer end ( 11 ), the potatoes are transferred to a deposit belt ( 40 ). This storage belt ( 40 ) is fastened to a movable lifting arm construction, which consists of a stand ( 41 ), a coupling ( 42 ) and an arm ( 43 ). The stand ( 41 ) is arranged on both sides next to the picking belt with a movably arranged transfer end ( 11 ) and is firmly connected to the main frame of the functional section A of the potato harvester. The coupling ( 42 ) is rotatably mounted on the stand ( 41 ) and is moved via hydraulic cylinders ( 44 ). The arm ( 43 ) is rotatably arranged on the coupling ( 42 ) and receives the storage belt ( 40 ) at the delivery end, so that it moves up or down via the movable lifting arm construction depending on the filling level in the large-capacity storage box ( 17 ) can be moved.

In order to optimally distribute the potatoes in the containers and to avoid segregation of the crop and entrained soil and the resulting formation of a rotting source, the potatoes are passed on from the bunker filling belt ( 22 ) to a potato distribution device ( 46 ) shown in FIG. 11. This is approximately pyramid-shaped, so that incoming potatoes are distributed over the rolling surfaces ( 47 ) over the entire floor of the rolling floor bunker ( 16 ).

In a further preferred embodiment, instead of the potato distribution device ( 46 ), a rotating distribution cone ( 48 ) shown in FIG. 12 is used.

In a further preferred embodiment, instead of the potato distributor device ( 46 ), a funnel shown in FIG. 13 with a rotating outlet ( 49 ) is used.

The rotating distribution cone ( 48 ) and the funnel with rotating outlet ( 49 ) have the same function as the potato distribution device ( 46 ).

The potato distribution device ( 46 ), the rotating distributor cone ( 48 ) or the funnel with a rotating outlet ( 49 ) are fastened to a parallelogram guide ( 45 ) which is rotatably guided at the discharge end of the deposit belt ( 40 ) so that when the Storage belt ( 40 ) is always aligned horizontally.

The rotating distribution cone ( 48 ) and the funnel with rotating outlet ( 49 ) have the same function as the potato distribution device ( 46 ).

At the end of the filling process of the large storage box ( 17 ) it is possible - in the interest of a maximum filling level - the potato distribution device ( 46 ), the rotating distribution cone ( 48 ) or the funnel with rotating outlet ( 49 ) with an actuator ( 50 ) from the swivel out horizontal position.

The continuous adjustment of the drop height of the potatoes from the potato distributing device ( 46 ) to the bottom of the large-capacity storage box ( 17 ) or to the potato pouring cone ( 20 ), which is necessary in the interest of a low impact load on the potatoes, is carried out in the same manner as in the embodiment with roller-bottom bunkers.

The change from a filled to an empty container takes place in such a way that the entire arrangement of the large storage boxes ( 17 ) attached to the functional section B is rotated about the axis of rotation of the bogie ( 38 ), so that the next container to be filled is in the area of the End of the storage belt ( 40 ) arrives and can then be filled.

When all the large-capacity storage boxes ( 17 ) installed on the machine are filled, the filled containers and their contents are lifted from the bogie ( 38 ) using the loading crane ( 19 ), which is also attached to the potato harvester, and placed on a transport vehicle. Then empty bulk storage boxes ( 17 ) are also lifted onto the potato harvesting machine with the help of the loading crane ( 19 ), fastened on the bogie ( 38 ) and the harvest is then continued.

Overview of reference symbols used

A functional section A
B functional section B

1

Front steering axle

2

Rear support axis

3

driver's cab

4

Krautschläger

5

Bank lifting device

6

Absiebvorrichtung

7

Krautabscheidervorrichtung

8th

elevator

9

Clod or stone separator assembly

10

manual sorting station

11

Picking belt with a movably arranged transfer end

12

Coupling device (fulcrum)

13

Rear drive axle

14

engine

15

intermediate frame

16

Moving floor bunker

17

Large-capacity storage box

18

transport vehicle

19

ladekran

20

Potato angle of repose

21

Automatic drop height adjustment

22

Bunkerbefüllband

23

cylinder

1

24

Short paddock

25

Long paddock

26

Loading position A

27

Loading position B

28

construction boom

29

post

30

boom

31

cylinder

2

32

Loading position C

33

Loading position D

34

Bunker position a

35

Bunker position b

36

bunker cylinder

37

Bunke Rent empty position

38

bogie

39

filling station

40

Deposit belt,

41

stand

42

paddock

43

poor

44

hydraulic cylinders

45

parallelogram

46

Kartoffelverteilvorrichtung

47

rolling surfaces

48

Rotating distribution cone

49

Rotating spout

50

actuator

Claims (25)

1. Multi-row working, self-propelled potato harvester, which transfers the crop into large-volume receptacles, characterized in that at least two large-volume receptacles, which are suitable for long-term storage of the potatoes, are arranged directly and removably on the potato harvesting machine, and the harvested crop by means of adjustable conveyors and Distribution devices are transported to a position above the receptacle and transferred to the receptacle from a minimal height. 2. potato harvester according to claim 1, characterized in that the potato harvester is divided into two functional sections A and B, wherein the functional section B is connected to the functional section A and on you can arrange different containers. 3. potato harvester according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the receptacles arranged on the potato harvester can be raised and are rolling floor bunkers that can be emptied by means of moving floors. 4. potato harvester according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the receptacles are stackable large-capacity storage boxes. 5. potato harvester according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the receptacles are movably arranged on the potato harvester are. 6. potato harvester according to claim 5,  characterized in that the receptacles are rotatably or pivotably arranged. 7. potato harvester according to claim 5, characterized in that the receptacles are arranged axially displaceable. 8. potato harvester according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the functional sections A and / or B arranged on a crawler track are. 9. Potato harvester according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjustment of the drop height of the potatoes from the potato distribution device to the bottom of the open-plan storage box or to the potato pouring cone via a Device for height adjustment is realized. 10. potato harvester according to claim 9, characterized in that the detection of the fill level of the receptacle via a Touch sensor done. 11. potato harvester according to claim 10, characterized in that the touch sensor the distance between the distributor and the Bottom of the receptacle or the potato cone with optical, pneumatic and / or mechanical means detected. 12. Potato harvester according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the device for height adjustment is arranged on the bunker filling conveyor.   13. Potato harvesting machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjustable conveying device consists of a picking belt with a movable at the arranged transfer end ( 11 ) and a bunker filling belt ( 22 ). 14. Potato harvester according to claim 13, characterized in that the bunker filling belt ( 22 ) is held and guided via a boom construction ( 28 ). 15. Potato harvester according to claim 14, characterized in that the boom construction ( 28 ) consists of a post ( 29 ) and a boom ( 30 ), the boom construction ( 28 ) on both sides of the picking belt with a movably arranged transfer end ( 11 ) and bunker filling belt ( 22 ) and is connected via a post ( 29 ) to the main frame of the functional section A of the potato harvester. 16. Potato harvester according to claim 15, characterized in that after completion of the filling process, the picking belt with the movably arranged transfer end ( 11 ) can be moved into the upper filling position and the bunker filling belt ( 22 ) via the movement of a cylinder ( 23 ), a short coupling ( 24 ). and a long coupling ( 25 ) can be pivoted under the picking belt with a movably arranged transfer end ( 11 ). 17. Potato harvester according to one of claims 2 to 16, characterized in that the removable receptacles are arranged on a bogie ( 38 ) which is mounted on an intermediate frame ( 15 ) of the functional section B. 18. Potato harvester according to one of claims 13 to 17, characterized in that the crop is transferred via the picking belt with a movably arranged transfer end ( 11 ) to a storage belt ( 40 ), the storage belt ( 40 ) being fastened to a movable lifting arm construction which consists of a stand ( 41 ), a coupling ( 42 ) and an arm ( 43 ), the stand ( 41 ) being arranged on both sides next to the picking belt and being firmly connected to the main frame of the functional section A of the potato harvester. 19. Potato harvester according to claim 18, characterized in that the coupling ( 42 ) is rotatably mounted on the stand ( 41 ) and can be moved via a hydraulic cylinder ( 44 ). 20. Potato harvester according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the potato distribution device is substantially conical or pyramid-shaped, so that the incoming potatoes are distributed uniformly over the rolling surfaces ( 47 ). 21. Potato harvesting machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the potato distribution device is designed as a rotating distribution cone ( 48 ). 22. Potato harvester according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the potato distribution device is formed as a funnel with a rotating outlet ( 49 ). 23. Potato harvester according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the potato distribution device, the rotating distribution cone ( 48 ) or the funnel with rotating outlet ( 49 ) on a parallelogram guide ( 45 ) at the discharge end of the storage belt ( 40 ) is rotatably guided such that this is aligned essentially horizontally when the storage belt ( 40 ) moves upward. 24. Potato harvesting machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the potato distribution device, the rotating distribution cone ( 48 ) or the funnel with a rotating outlet ( 49 ) after the completion of the filling process of the receptacle with an actuator ( 50 ) can be pivoted away from the horizontal position. 25. Potato harvester according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receptacles arranged on the potato harvester can be removed with a loading crane ( 19 ) arranged on the functional section A or B.