Harvest Preparations Reduce yield loss at digging with proper equipment setup and maintenance. By Amanda Huber
F
rom before the first seed is planted until harvest, producers work diligently to provide all the inputs the crop needs and protect it from pests. Digging is carefully planned with the help of Extension and the maturity board. The same preparation should be given to digger setup and maintenance. Prevent Mechanical Losses Clemson University agricultural
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THE PEANUT GROWER • JULY 2021
engineer Kendall
Kirk says that the majority of peanut losses at digging are from weakened peg strength, disease and over maturity and mechanical actions of the digger. Reducing losses requires digging at the proper time and accurate equipment set up. On the digger, the top link sets the angle of the digger blades. For clay soils, a more aggressive angle is needed. For sandy soils, set the blades for a less aggressive angle. If the top link is too short, the soil will be dug too deep causing excessive soil on the blades and pushing the plants. If the top link is left too long, peanuts are dug too shallow and pods are sheared off and left in the soil. Tractor speed is another factor in digging losses. Driving
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