As a result, many growers reported observing some of the worst harvest losses they had ever experienced. Tests conducted at several sites throughout the area showed high losses from digging and combining. While a large part of these losses were weather related, problems with harvesting equipment contributed to these losses as well. Growers can reduce harvest losses due to equipment performance by proper maintenance of equipment and monitoring the performance of the equipment on a regular basis. Harvest conditions can change from day to day as well as from morning to afternoon.
Active management is the key to harvesting success.
Digger adjustments focus on the blade, ground speed synchronization, shaking and inversion. Digger blades should be sharp and adjusted to have a slight angle to lift the plants as they move up to the shaker. The blade should cut the tap root below the pods but not run too deep. Too much blade angle will push soil and cause pods to be torn from the vine. Too little angle will not fracture the soil or begin the lift.