EP1301065A1

EP1301065A1 - Potato planter for planting potatoes

Info

Publication number: EP1301065A1
Application number: EP01955750A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Adriaan De Jager
Original assignee: Ing A de Jager BV
Current assignee: Ing A de Jager BV
Priority date: 2000-07-17
Filing date: 2001-07-17
Publication date: 2003-04-16
Also published as: NL1015726C2; AU2001277816A1; WO2002005623A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a potato planter comprising a transport system comprising at least one transport device of the first kind (6A, 6B) at least one transport device of the second kind (8A, 8B) the transport device of the first (6A, 6B) kind being arranged for receiving potatoes from a storage hopper (10) and transporting these potatoes to the transport device of the second kind (8A, 8B), the transport device of the second kind planted in the driving direction of the potato planter at a uniform mutual distance, the transport device of the first transport direction (6A, 6B), and the transport device of the second kind (8A, 8B) being arranged for transporting potatoes received from the first transport device in a second transport direction to the respective locations where the potatoes are to be planted an angle included between the first transport direction and the second transport direction. The transport system, being provided with passage means (24A) arranged for interrupting the feed-through of potatoes from the transport device of the first kind to the transport device of the second kind.

Description

Title: Potato planter for planting potatoes

The invention relates to a potato planter for planting potatoes, comprising a transport system which comprises at least one transport device of a first kind and at least one transport device of a second kind, the transport device of the first kind being arranged for receiving potatoes from a storage hopper and transporting these potatoes to the transport device of the second kind, the transport device of the second kind being arranged for delivering the potatoes in a regular manner, such that the potatoes are planted at a regular mutual distance in the driving direction of the potato planter, the transport device of the first kind being arranged for transporting potatoes in a first transport direction, the potatoes on the transport device of the first kind being disposed next to each other and behind each other, the transport device of the second kind being arranged for transporting potatoes received from the first transport device in a second transport direction behind each other to the respective locations where the potatoes are to be planted, while an angle included between the first transport direction and the second transport direction is an acute, right or obtuse angle.

Such a potato planter is known from the British patent application . GB 2 068 203 A. In this patent application, a potato planter is described wherein a transport device of the first kind is formed by feed belts and wherein a transport device of the second kind is formed by cross transfer belts. The potatoes are transported by the feed belts from a supply hopper to the cross transfer belts. The transport device of the second kind comprises compartments for receiving potatoes. The potatoes are transferred from the transport device of the first kind to the transport device of the second kind, the intention being for each compartment to be provided with one potato.

A drawback of the known potato machine is that it cannot function fully automatically. The potato machine requires an operator for signalling and correcting situations in which compartments are filled with more than one potato or situations in which a compartment is not filled with a potato at all. Such errors occur in particular when the potato planter is to process potatoes of different sizes and different shapes.

One of the most important causes of the above-mentioned drawback is that in the known potato planter, the time required for transferring a potato from the transport device of the first kind to the transport device of the second kind is strongly dependent on the weight and the size of the potato. As a result, it happens comparatively often that in some compartments of the transport device of the second kind none, and in other compartments, several potatoes end up.

The potato machine according to the invention meets the above- mentioned drawback and is characterized in that the transport system, between the transport device of the first kind and the transport device of the second kind, is provided with a metering system for the metered delivery of potatoes coming from the transport device of the first kind to the transport device of the second kind.

What is achieved with the aid of the metering system is that all potatoes, regardless of their shape or weight, have the same feed-through time. The transport device of the second kind is preferably provided with at least one row of compartments, the compartments in this row being arranged behind each other in the second transport direction, while each compartment is arranged to be filled with one potato. Thus, in a reliable manner, each of the compartments of the transport device of the second kind is filled with only one potato. In particular, the passage means are arranged for transferring, virtually synchronously, in one cycle, a predetermined plurahty of potatoes from the transport device of the first kind to the transport device of the second kind. The potato machine according to the invention can therefore function fully automatically.

An embodiment of the potato planter according to the invention is characterized in that the metering system is upstream provided with first closable passage means for each time passing a predetermined plurahty of potatoes to the transport device of the second kind. With the first closable passage means, the feed-through of potatoes from the transport device of the first kind to the transport device of the second kind can be interrupted. Thus, a high degree of metering can be obtained.

A further elaborated embodiment of the potato planter according to the invention is characterized in that the metering system upstream of the first closable passage means is provided with buffer means for each time preparing the predetermined plurality of potatoes in front of the first closable passage means. Due to the buffer means readying the predetermined plurahty of potatoes, a particularly reliable operation of the potato planter is obtained in that the buffer means ensure that the first closable passage means are provided with the predetermined plurality of potatoes before the potatoes are to be delivered to the transport device of the second kind. Preferably, the buffer means comprise an accelerating mechanism for transferring potatoes in a relatively short time from the buffer means to the respective compartments of the transport device of the second kind.

In a still further elaborated embodiment of the potato planter according to the invention, the metering system is further provided with second closable passage means located upstream of the buffer means, for each time passing the predetermined plurahty of potatoes coming from the transport device of the first kind to the buffer means. What is achieved with the second closable passage means is that only one potato at a time is transferred to the buffer means. This has as a result that also only one potato at a time is carried via the first closable passage means to the transport device of the second kind. What is thus achieved is that each compartment of the transport device of the second kind is filled with only one potato. Optionally, the transport system is provided with a first detection mechanism connected to the second closable passage means. The first detection mechanism can detect whether one potato has been supphed to the buffer means. As soon as this is the case, the second closable passage means are activated, so that the supply via the transport device of the first kind is shut off.

A further elaborated embodiment of the potato planter according to the invention is characterized in that the first closable passage means are provided with a plurahty of passages, which plurahty corresponds to the predetermined plurality of potatoes, the passages being arranged relative to each other in a same direction as the compartments, for delivering per passage a potato to a compartment, each passage being provided at its upper side with an inlet opening and at its underside with an outlet opening, the passage being further provided with a detainer with which the outlet opening can be closed off and cleared for interrupting the above-mentioned feed-through of the potatoes. In this embodiment, the passage means can place the predetermined plurahty of potatoes virtually synchronously in the plurahty of compartments of the second transport device. Subsequently, the potatoes are carried off by the second transport device and dehvered at the locations where the respective potatoes are to be planted. Due to the fixed distances (although flexibly adjustable) between the compartments on the second transport device, the potatoes will be planted at highly uniform mutual distances. Furthermore, a plurahty of transport devices of the second kind can be used for increasing the capacity of the machine in that a plurahty of rows of potatoes can be planted simultaneously.

A preferred embodiment of the potato planter according to the invention is characterized in that the transport device of the first kind comprises at least one vibrating channel provided with an accelerating mechanism for transferring a potato from the at least one vibrating channel to one of the passages of the passage means. With the vibrating channel, the potatoes are supplied and somewhat pushed up to the accelerating mechanism. Subsequently, the accelerating mechanism carries a potato to a passage of the passage means. What is achieved with the combination of the vibrating channel and the accelerating mechanism is that the potatoes are brought in the respective passages of the passage means before the potatoes are to be fed through to the respective compartments, so that none of the compartments of the transport device of the second kind remains empty. The accelerating mechanism can consist, for instance, of one or more wheels attached to the bottom of the transport device of the first kind. Optionally, the accelerating mechanism is connected to a detection mechanism with which it can be determined whether a certain passage of the passage means is filled with a potato. With the aid of the detection mechanism, the accelerating mechanism can be set into operation as soon as it has been detected that the respective passage is empty.

In an advantageous embodiment, the transport device of the second kind comprises a conveyor belt. In a further embodiment, this conveyor belt is provided with at least one row of compartments. Preferably, the machine is provided with two transport devices of the second kind, each comprising a conveyor belt arranged for transporting potatoes coming from the transport device of the first kind to the ground, each conveyor belt comprising a horizontal part for receiving potatoes from the passage means, and an inclining part reaching to the ground, the inclination being made of adjustable design. By adjusting the inclinations of the conveyor belts of the transport device of the second kind, inter alia the distance between the rows of potatoes to be planted by the transport device of the second kind can be varied. In an advanced embodiment of the potato planter according to the invention, the transport directions of the two conveyor belts can be directed opposite to each other. Preferably, the two transport directions of the two conveyor belts are directed towards each other adjacent the positions from which these are filled with potatoes from the transport device of the first kind. As a result, the potato planter can be made of particularly compact design.

In a special embodiment of the potato planter, in use, the transport device of the first and the second kind are horizontally stabihzed. This renders it possible to use the potato planter for planting potatoes in a hilly terrain. For the stabilization of the first and second conveyor belt it is possible to use a hydraulic cardan suspension.

A special embodiment of the potato planter according to the invention is characterized in that the angle between the driving direction of the potato planter and the first transport direction has a predetermined value of between 0 and 360 degrees.

Further, in particular, the transport system is arranged such that the potatoes are transported while freely movable relative to each other. Thus, in combination with the metering device, the great advantage is achieved that potatoes of all sizes can be planted and that pre-sprouted potatoes can be planted without, damage to the sprouts.

The invention will presently be elucidated on the basis of the drawing. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 schematically shows a side view of the potato planter according to the invention;

Fig. 2 schematically shows a top plan view of the potato planter according to Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 schematically shows a front view of the potato planter according to Fig. 1; Figs. 4A-4C show a side view in the direction of the arrow Z in Fig. 3 of a possible embodiment of the passage means of the potato planter according to the invention, the passage means in Figs. 4A-4C being in a closed condition and the passage means in Fig. 4B being in an opened condition;

Figs. 5A-5C show a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment of a part of the first transport device and a part of the second transport device, of which Fig. 5A is a top plan view, Fig. 5B is a front view (in the direction of the arrow V of Fig. 1) and Fig. 5C is a side view (in the direction of the arrow Z of Fig. 3); and

Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of a possible embodiment of the first transport device. Figs. 1, 2, and 3 give a possible embodiment of a potato planter 2 according to the invention. This potato planter 2 is arranged to be used as a trailer behind a tractor, while, during driving, potatoes are planted in a potato field. In order to be used as a trailer behind the tractor, the potato planter 2 is provided with wheels 4 and, further, at its front side (the front side being indicated with the arrow V in Fig. 1) provided with means for coupling it to the tractor.

The potato planter is provided with a transport system comprising at least one transport device 6A, 6B of the first kind and at least one transport device 8A, 8B of the second kind. In this example, the machine is provided with two transport devices 6A, 6B of the first kind and two transport devices 8A, 8B of the second kind. The transport devices 6A, 6B are arranged for receiving potatoes coming, for instance, from a storage hopper 10. This storage hopper 10 is hydrauhcally adjustable into several positions (see, for instance, the depicted positions 10.1 and 10.2.) The transport devices 6A, 6B are respectively arranged for transporting the potatoes to the transport devices of the second kind 8A, 8B. In the example of Fig. 3, the transport devices of the first kind 6A, 6B are mutually arranged next to each other. Hereinafter, it will be discussed how the transport device of the first kind 6A delivers potatoes to the transport device of the second kind 8A. The delivery of potatoes from the transport device of the first kind 6B to the transport device of the second kind 8B proceeds entirely analogously. By the transport device of the second kind 8A, 8B, the potatoes are delivered and planted in a uniform manner. For planting the potatoes, the potato planter is further provided with furrow openers 12, located on opposite sides at the front of the machine (the front is indicated in Fig. 1 with arrow V). Each of the furrow openers 12 opens a furrow 14 in which potatoes 16 are planted by the second transport device 8 (Fig. 2). Then, each furrow is closed by the potato coverers 18 located on opposite sides at the rear (the rear is the side opposite the front V) of the potato planter, which completes the planting of the potatoes. In this manner, the potatoes are planted in a regular manner in the driving direction R (indicated with the arrow R in Fig. 1) of the potato planter. The transport device of the first kind 6A is arranged to transport the potatoes in a first transport direction Ti (see Figs. 1 and 2) , with the potatoes on the transport device 6A of the first kind disposed next to and behind each other with respect to the first transport direction. The transport device 8A of the second kind is arranged to transport the potatoes received from the first transport device Ti in a second transport direction T^A ₂ behind each other to the respective locations where the potatoes are to be planted. The angle included between Ti and T^A ₂ is an acute, right or obtuse angle. This means that this angle is unequal to 0° or.180°.

The supply of potatoes from the storage hopper 10 can optionally proceed via a metering hopper 20 and an extra conveyor belt 22. This metering hopper 20 is then preferably provided with a funnel-shaped outlet for the measured feed-through of the potatoes. The funnel-shaped outlet opens into, for instance, the extra conveyor belt 22, via which outlet the potatoes end up on the conveyor belt 22. The conveyor belt 22 transports the potatoes in a direction opposite to arrow R, to the transport device 6A of the first kind. In an advanced embodiment, the speed of the conveyor belt 22 is regulated on the basis of the amount of potatoes on the transport device of the first kind. This speed regulation can comprise a continuous adjustment of the speed of the conveyor belt and/or an on/off control of the conveyor belt 22.

The transport system of the potato planter 2 in this example comprises a metering system provided with first passage means 24A, B. The first passage means 24A are located near the transition of the transport device 6A of the first kind to the transport device 8A of the second kind. With the passage means 24A, the feed-through of potatoes from the transport device 6A, 6B of the first kind to the transport device 8A, 8B of the second kind can be interrupted. In the front view of Fig. 3 it is shown that the passage means 24A are located between the transport device 6A of the first kind and the transport device 8A of the second kind. The passage means are further illustrated in Figs. 4A, 4B and 4C (these figures show side views in the direction of the arrow Z in Fig. 3). The passage means 24A are arranged to transfer, virtually synchronously, in one cycle, a predetermined plurality of potatoes from the transport device 6A of the first kind to the transport device 8A of the second kind. To this end, the passage means 24A comprise a plurahty of passages 26A, which plurality corresponds to the predetermined plurahty of potatoes. In the example given (see, for instance, Fig. 3), there is a total of four passages 26A. Via each passage, a potato can be transferred from the transport device 6A of the first kind to the transport device 8A of the second kind. The transport device.8A of the second kind is provided with a row of compartments 28A, the compartments 28A in the row being arranged behind each other in the second transport direction T^A2 with respect to each other. The passages 26A are located at mutual distances which correspond to the mutual distances between the compartments 28A of the second transport device 8A, and the passages are arranged relative to each other in the same direction as the compartments, for delivering, per passage, a potato to a compartment 28A. Each passage 26A is provided at its upper side with an inlet opening 29 and at its underside with an outlet opening 31, which is closed by detainers 32. With the detainers 32, the passage 26 can be closed off and cleared.

The detainers 32 are, for instance, flaps (which can hinge about a hinge 34), shutters or movable brushes. Another possibility is to design the detainers 32 as shdes, while, for instance, all outlet openings are opened and closed with two slides, so that all openings can in effect be opened and closed simultaneously. Using slides also has as an advantage that the height of the construction of the potato planter can be limited to minimal dimensions. The transport system can open and close the passages 26A, B by controlling the detainers 32 for delivering potatoes to the transport device 8A, B of the second kind. Preferably, the passages 26A are released synchronously for passing potatoes; to this end, preferably, all detainers 32 are opened virtually simultaneously (analogously, this apphes to passages 26B). The closing of the detainers, however, does not need to take place simultaneously. In view of the different sizes of the potatoes, it is desired that the detainers 32 of the respective passage 34 are closed directly after passing one potato. In this example, the transport device of the second kind 8A comprises a conveyor belt on which the compartments mentioned are arranged. The conveyor belt comprises adjacent the passages 26A a transport path which is directed horizontally and, downstream of the horizontally directed transport path, a transport path inclining downwards. The inclination α_a of the downwardly directed path is designed to be adjustable. In this example, the transport device of the second kind 8B is identically designed to the transport device of the second kind 8A, except that a transport direction T^B2 of the transport device of the second kind 8B is oppositely directed to the transport direction T^A2. This entails that by variation of the angles of inclination α_a, ctb of the two transport devices of the second kind 8A, 8B, a distance D between the rows of potatoes planted by these transport devices of the second kind 8A, 8B can be adjusted (Fig. 3). Here, from the transport device of the first kind, the transport directions T^A2, T^B2 are oppositely directed Preferably, the transport system is further provided with means for regulating the speed of the transport devices of the second kind 8A, 8B and, if necessary, to adjust it to the driving speed of the potato planter. Thus, the distance between the planted potatoes in a planted row can be adjusted independently of the driving speed of the machine.

The transport devices of the first kind 6A, 6B can each be designed as a channel system with second closable passage means such as eccentric cams 35. In an advantageous embodiment, the channel system comprises a transport channel 36 and a singling system for singling the potatoes (see Fig. 1). Each transport channel is suitable for the feed-through of one row of potatoes. Further, the system can comprise a vibrating unit 38 with which the channel system can be set into vibration. This is the principle of a vibrating trough. The potatoes supplied by the conveyor belt 22 roll, at the end of this conveyor belt located in the discharge direction, off the conveyor belt into an opening 40 of the transport channel 36. The vibration has, inter alia, as an effect that the potatoes are advanced to the passage means 24 in a manner such that the potatoes, during transport, are behind each other without interruption. This yields a highly uniform transport with a constant supply in the direction of the passage means 24A, B. Furthermore, the metering device in this example is provided with buffer means equipped with an accelerating mechanism 43 for transferring potatoes in a short time from the vibrating channels 36 to the passages 34 of the passage means 24A. The accelerating mechanism 43 comprises a number of transport wheels 46 which, with the aid of the shafts 48, 48.2 and 48.3, are mounted on a frame under the bottom of the vibrating channels 36 (Fig. 6). The shafts are arranged at a mutual distance from each other in the transport direction of the channel system. A shaft 48.2 situated between two of these shafts 48.1, 48.3, is provided, per channel, with one wheel per channel, while the two other shafts are provided with two wheels per channel. In the embodiment of Fig. 6C, the transport wheels are situated at the respective ends of the respective transport channels. Finally, the transport device of the second kind comprises separating means 35 for separating a potato brought into contact with the accelerating mechanism 43. The operation of the transport system is as follows. In each vibrating channel, the potatoes are advanced, by the vibration generated, to the accelerating mechanism arranged in the vibrating channel. The potatoes are here transported while freely movable relative to each other and therefore cannot be pressed against each other and thus become injured. Subsequently, a potato brought into contact with the accelerating mechanism is separated by the separating means, so that the feed-through of other potatoes in the vibrating channel is prevented. This also prevents several potatoes ending up in the same passage simultaneously. Optionally, the separating means are controlled by a first detection mechanism (such as, for instance, electronic eyes) arranged in the vibrating channels. A potato brought into contact with the accelerating mechanism is subsequently passed to the associated passage in a short time. The accelerating mechanism may be set into operation by a second detection mechanism which detects whether the respective passage has already been filled with a potato. What is thus achieved with the combination of vibrating channels, separating means and the closable passages is that, eventually, in a reliable manner, each compartment of the transport device of the second kind is filled with exactly one potato. What is achieved in that, in this example, each compartment is filled with one potato, is that the potatoes cannot be pressed against each other and therefore cannot damage each other. In other words, the potatoes, are transported through the transport device of the second kind while freely movable relative to each other. Moreover, the compartments result in a uniform plant spacing of the potatoes.

It is conceivable that in an embodiment of the potato planter, the vibrating unit reduces the vibrating intensity at the moment when the potatoes are carried through the passages. This minimizes the chance of any malfunction occurring during the feed-through. It is also desirable that the inside of the transport channel is covered with a layer of Teflon, so that pollution is prevented. This is especially important to guarantee a constant feed-through in the channel.

By using a stabilization mechanism it is possible to have the potato planter function in hilly terrain as well. To this end, in a particularly favorable embodiment, the potato planter is provided with a hydrauhc stabilizing mechanism for a cardan suspension of the transport devices 6A, 6B of the first kind and the transport devices 8A, 8B of the second kind. The transport devices of the second kind 8A, 8B are each designed to be preferably hydraulically adjustable in length, so that, in use, the ends of the transport devices of the second kind 8A, 8B can reach to just above the ground at variable inclinations. This last has, inter aha, as a result that the potatoes to be planted do not fall from a great height during delivery by the second conveyor belt. What is thereby achieved, in addition, is that the potatoes do not fall wide of the opened furrows with the potato planter leaning over. Further, the stabilizing mechanism of the potato planter can be designed such that the storage hopper 10, the metering hopper 20 and the conveyor belt 22 are also stabilized.

In the example of Fig. 3, the two transport devices of the first kind 6A, 6B are positioned next to each other. However, it is also possible that these transport devices be positioned one above the other. A special embodiment will be described on the basis of Fig. 5. In Fig. 5, a part of the transport device of the first kind 6A, 6B and the transport device of the second kind 8A, 8B is given. In Fig. 5, for reasons of simplicity, the passage means are not depicted. These can, however, be designed analogously to the passage means discussed on the basis of Figs. 1 - 4. The transport devices of the first kind 6A, 6B, respectively, each comprise a channel system 44.1, 44.2, which are arranged above each other. Each of these two channel systems 44.1, 44.2 comprises six transport channels 36, these transport channels having as a particularity that in these transport channels, per transport channel, there is only a passage space 37 for one potato at a time. The transport devices of the first kind 6A, 6B comprise, in total, 12 of such transport channels. This has as a result that a large supply capacity of the potatoes is provided, while, through the supply of rows of potatoes in individual transport channels 36, the potatoes are transferred to the second transport device 8A, 8B in presorted condition and in a high, measured dose. The transport channels 36 are designed in each case to supply 12 potatoes simultaneously to the transport devices of the second kind 8A, 8B via the openings 37 mentioned, under the control of the passage means (not shown). Fig. 5C shows that the two channel systems (44.1 and 44.2) are mounted in the potato planter at different heights, so that the channel systems are partly disposed above each other. This manner of construction entails that the potato planter can be made of compact design. In this example, the transport device of the first kind and the transport device of the second kind are arranged such that, on these transport devices, the potatoes are transported freely movable in relation to each other. The potatoes therefore cannot be damaged through their being pressed against each other. Also, this renders the transport devices suitable for transporting potatoes of all sizes. Additionally, in this example, the metering system provides that the potatoes are transferred without damage from the transport device of the first kind to the transport device of the second kind. In this example, the transport system as a whole is therefore designed such that the potatoes are transported freely movable relative to each other.

The invention has been described on the basis of a few preferred embodiments. However, as will be evident to a skilled person, there are various embodiments possible which also fall within the scope of the invention. It is possible, for instance, to design the transport devices of the first kind as a conveyor belt. Instead of vibrating channels, also tapes (in a V-shape) or belts, or other transport means could be used. Further, the passage means can be formed by grippers, which may or may not be designed with suction cups, arranged to transfer the potatoes from the transport device of the first kind to the transport device of the second kind. To this end, the grippers can be controlled by the transport system. Also possible is an embodiment in which the transport direction of the first kind is substantially perpendicular to the driving direction of the potato planter. Other directions are also possible. The potato planter can also be made of self-propelling design. Such embodiments are all understood to fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A potato planter for planting potatoes, comprising a transport system which comprises at least one transport device of a first kind and at least one transport device of a second kind, the transport device of the first kind being arranged for receiving potatoes from a storage hopper and transporting these potatoes to the transport device of the second kind, the transport device of the second kind being arranged for delivering potatoes in a uniform manner, such that the potatoes are planted at uniform mutual distances in the driving direction of the potato planter, the transport device of the first kind being arranged for transporting potatoes in a first transport direction, with the potatoes on the transport device of the first kind being disposed next to each other and behind each other, and the transport device of the second kind being arranged for transporting potatoes received from the first transport device in a second transport direction behind each other to the respective locations where the potatoes are to be planted, while an angle included between the first transport direction and the second transport direction is an acute, right or obtuse angle, characterized in that the transport system, between the transport device of the first kind and the transport device of the second kind, is provided with a metering system for the metered delivery of potatoes coming from the transport device of the first kind to the transport device of the second kind.

2. A potato planter according to claim 1, characterized in that the metering system is provided with first closable passage means for each time passing a predetermined plurality of potatoes to the transport device of the second kind.

3. A potato planter according to claim 2, characterized in that the metering system upstream of the first closable passage means is provided with buffer means for each time preparing the predetermined plurality of potatoes in front of the first closable passage means.

4. A potato planter according to claim 3, characterized in that the metering system is further provided with second closable passage means located upstream of the buffer means for each time passing the predetermined plurahty of potatoes coming from the transport device of the first kind to the buffer means.

5. A potato planter according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the buffer means are provided with an accelerating mechanism for transporting a potato coming from the transport means of the first kind to the closable passage means at a transport speed higher than the transport speed of the transport device of the first kind.

6. A potato planter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport device of the second kind is provided with at least one row of compartments, the compartments in this row being arranged behind each other in the second transport direction, and each compartment being arranged to be filled with one potato.

7. A potato planter according to any of the preceding claims 2 — 5 and claim 6, characterized in that the first closable passage means are provided with a plurality of passages, which plurality corresponds to the predetermined plurahty of potatoes and wherein the passages are arranged relative to each other in the same direction as the compartments for delivering, per passage, a potato to a compartment, each compartment at its upper side being provided with an inlet opening and being provided at its underside with an outlet opening, the passage being further provided with a detainer with which the outlet opening can be closed off and released for interrupting the feed-through of the potatoes.

8. A potato planter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport device of the first kind comprises at least one vibrating channel.

9. A potato planter according to claim 5, characterized in that the accelerating mechanism comprises at least one transport wheel mounted on the bottom of the transport device of the first kind.

10. A potato planter according to claim 4, characterized in that the transport device of the first kind is provided with a first detection mechanism for detecting a potato brought into contact with the buffer means, the first detection mechanism being connected to the second closable passage means for controlling the buffer means.

11. A potato planter according to claims 5 and 7, characterized in that the potato planter is provided with a second detection mechanism for detecting the presence of potatoes in the passages of the passage means, the second detection mechanism being connected to the accelerating mechanism for controlling the accelerating mechanism.

12. A potato planter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport device of the second kind comprises a conveyor belt.

13. A potato planter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the machine is provided with two transport devices of the second kind each comprising a conveyor belt arranged for transporting potatoes coming from the transport device of the first kind to the ground, each conveyor belt comprising a horizontal part for receiving potatoes from the transport device of the first kind and an inchning part reaching to the ground, the inclination being made of adjustable design.

14. A potato planter according to claim 13, characterized in that the transport directions of the two conveyor belts are directed opposite to each other.

15. A potato planter according to claim 14, characterized in that the two transport directions of the two conveyor belts, adjacent to positions where they are filled with potatoes from the transport device of the first kind, are directed towards each other.

16. A potato planter according to claim 15, characterized in that the two conveyor belts cross each other.

17. A potato planter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport device of the first kind and the transport device of the second kind are horizontally stabilized.

18. A potato planter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the angle between the driving direction of the potato planter and the first transport direction has a predetermined value of between 0 and 360 degrees.

19. A potato planter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in. that the transport system is designed such that the potatoes are transported while freely movable relative to each other.