Mechanized method of laying drop tape when growing potatoes in the Moscow region

The use of a drip irrigation system allows the most efficient use of irrigation water, since it is delivered directly to the root space. In recent years, the production of drip tape at domestic enterprises has significantly increased by introducing additional capacities at existing plants and commissioning new production facilities, which will halve the import of drip tape and related equipment and fittings. However, the share of lands occupied by drip irrigation among the territories using irrigation measures has practically not increased and amounts to 2-4 %. The design of drip irrigation systems, taking into account the peculiarities of the growing season of a particular agricultural crop, its dynamics of water consumption throughout the life cycle, and the planting scheme, will help to change the situation and expand the use of drip irrigation. One of the limiting factors is the low degree of mechanization when laying the drip tape. The use of handicraft devices for these purposes leads to an uneven tension of the tape and, as a consequence, its breakage and twisting during the laying process. To eliminate this drawback, the working equipment for laying the drip tape into the potato comb was developed and installed on the Grimme GF-75/4 comb shaper. Traction resistance increased by 6-8 %, without affecting the performance of the machine. During the tests, a brake system was installed that maintains the belt tension within acceptable limits and prevents the coil from spinning when the machine stops suddenly. The use of a drip tape stacker based on the Grimme GF-75/4 ridge former has increased the productivity of work by 32–36 %.