While stone-pickers might not be commonplace on UK and Irish farms, Polish firm Usarya reports that more and more of its machines are being used by potato growers as a higher speed alternative to conventional de-stoners.
Available in 5.0m and 7.0m working widths, the company’s machines employ pairs of rotors working down to 20cm depth to flick out stones and draw them to a central conveyor.
Key advantage of having twin rotors is said to be that because of the increased agitation effect the units can work in wetter conditions than might normally be possible.
From the conveyor the stones pass on to a Trommel-type barrel screen which generates a tumbling effect to separate any remaining soil. From here the rocks drop into a 3cu.m high-tip hopper which can discharge into trailers up to 3.5m high.
Able to separate out material of between 25mm and 500mm, Usarya reports that many of its customers make use of the aggregate as a secondary income stream. Others have diversified into using the units for beach cleaning. That might help in going some way towards the machine’s £140,000 pricetag. Usarya’s UK importer is Coventry-based ArbAgri.
For more up-to-date farming news click here and subscribe now to profi and save 47%.
