Bulk Handling Spring Crop Potatoes from Harvester to Packing Line: Methods and Costs

Excerpt from the report: The purpose of this study was to obtain information needed for developing and planning efficient and economic facilities for receiving and temporary holding of early crop potatoes. Specific questions to be answered were: (1) What holding facility design would be desirable to provide more capacity under the same roof area than is provided by the present sloping-bottom bin? (2) What holding facility design or arrangement would permit use of lower cost conveying equipment for receiving potatoes or possibly eliminate such equipment altogether? (3) Could equipment less specialized than the hopper-body truck be adapted to the bulk handling of potatoes? (4) Since temporary holding facilities for potatoes are used only about 2 months each year, would it be possible to design a satisfactory facility that could be used to serve another purpose for part of the year, such as the storage of equipment and supplies