Potato fork? We have dug 2,000 to 3,000 pounds of potatoes each year for years. We don't dig them all at once, just about 100-150 pounds at a time (enough for market sales each week).

Jay

You don't need a potato digger, just get a middle buster to attach to the mowing tractor. 22hp should be plenty to pull it.

if you don't have a tractor a broadfork will work.

How many is many? I don't even like to use a fork to dig b/c I've spiked too many that way. I only grew them last year, will grow again even if just for us, but if you're not digging too many at a time and your soil is loose you can really just loosen by digging way under(so not to cut any) with a shovel and pulling the whole plant by hand.

If you're "stealing" new potatoes then of course you have to do it by hand.

You can 'spike' some no matter what you use. Those are for personal use.

Using the middle buster, mow the row that you want to dig first, will help and make it easier to find the 'taters'.

Thanks everyone, for responding.
Jay, I'm 67 and have 13 one hundred foot rows. I don't think I am physically capable of hand digging. Wish I was your age.
Madroneb and myfamilysfarm, I have to admit my ignorance. I don't know what a middle buster is. There is a place near us that sells lots of used tractor equipment. If I go there and ask for a middle buster, think I'll be okay?
Have to admit I've put a fork through my share of 'tators. ;-) Been growing for many years, just never so many or so old that they couldn't be dug by hand. Thanks again for responding. I will try to find the middle buster.

I understand about the age, hubby is 61 and I'm 57. Did this stuff for several years without help, aged us faster than should have.

You should be able to call it a 'middle-buster', or just explain what you want to do and they might have something that will work. Bad thing about middle-busters is it doesn't pick up the taters.

Skatcon,
Your ignorance of a middle buster seems to be self imposed. Look at the picture I posted, that is a middle buster. A search on google will give you lots more info.

Basically a middle buster is an implement that attaches to a tractor using a 3 point connection. It has a single shank with a large shoe at the bottom. If you lower the shoe below the potatoes you want to harvest and drive straight down the row, it lifts the potatoes and lays them (mostly) on the surface to be picked up by the laborers of your choice.
As suggested above, it helps to mow the potatoes before doing this.
Hope this helps a bit.

-Mark

This post was edited by madroneb on Fri, Jun 21, 13 at 0:02

This year we are going to try out a single row lister plow. It has sentimental value, as it is how my dad remembers planting and digging potatoes as a kid. I found the old two row lister out in the trees at my grandparents house and was able to remove one of the plow and it will bolt right on to a 2 inch diamond toolbar that I already have.

I also picked up this antique one row potato digger. It is a John Deere. I will pull it behind my tractor. The grates on the back move up and down as the yellow wheel underneath it has a cam that moved it up and down. It will be fun to see how it works. If it doesn't work, It will remain as neat looking yard art!

Jay