He Harvests Spuds With 100-Year-Old Digger

He Harvests Spuds With 100-Year-Old Digger CROPS New Techniques 19-3-11 "It's a lot older than I am," says 75-yearold Leonard Thoeny, Circle Pines, Minn., about his 100-year-old potato digger. Thoeny has had a lot of fun converting the old horse-drawn rig to mount on the side of his John Deere "B". It makes quick work of harvesting the several acres of potatoes he raises each year to sell at a local farmer's market. The digger was originally ground driven. He took off the wheels and converted it to pto drive, mounting it on the right side of the tractor. Blades scoop down under the potatoes and a chain conveyor carries them back. Chain slats are spaced about 3 in. apart to let dirt drop through. "Mounting it on the tractor makes it easy to maneuver around small potato patches," notes Thoeny. The Hoover digger was originally patented in 1888. He bought it at an auction about 10 years ago. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Leonard Thoeny, 221 Elm St., Circle Pines, Minn. 55014 (ph 612 784-1141).

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