Self Propelled Beet Harvester

Self propelled beet harvester MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT Miscellaneous 13-4-35 I read about the self-propelled beet harvester built in England in a recent issue of FARM SHOW and thought many of your readers would be interested in a self-propelled 2-row digger-topper machine built by Oregon farmer Dick Lee. Before building his current machine, Lee built several previous beet harvesters using various combinations of tractor power units and engines to power the digger and topper. Many of the lessons he learned building previous self-propelled machines were incorporated in this new machine which he started in 1984. He first bought a used 696 Hesston 6-row pull-type harvester. A Detroit 6-71 engine with a 16-speed transmission was used for the drive train. Rear wheels were positioned behind the lifter wheels for better traction. He used 30.5 by 32-in. tires on the rear and 14.5 by 24-in. tires on the front. The digger parts are all hydraulic-driven and the machine is fitted with an upright squeeze type elevator. Front and rear steering make the machine more maneuverable and the centered and low operator position improves visibility and ease of operation. In 1987 he replaced the engine with an 8-71 Detroit producing 318 hp. The extra power lets Dick dig a 14-ton load in 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 min. Digging his 425 to 500 acres of beets is now a relatively short job. (Don Bowers, 1000 N. C. Street, Parma, Idaho 83660 ph 208 722-5715)

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