An apparatus for, and a method of, washing potatoes and like tuberous crops

摘要

A washing apparatus for bulbous or tuberous crops, such as potatoes, comprising a rinsing trough having a water supply arrangement and an overflow defining the water level in the trough, a supply end and a generally opposed discharge end for potatoes, as well as means for keeping the potatoes in motion in the body of water, including a pre-soaking channel (1) connected to the supply end of the rinsing trough (2) in such a manner that the water level (11) in the pre-soaking channel (1) is defined by the water level in the rinsing trough (2), the bottom of the pre-soaking channel (1) terminating below the water level (11) in the rinsing trough (2), defined by the overflow (6), the pre-soaking channel (1) including an axial transport means (8) which positively displaces potatoes and the like deposited in the channel to the rinsing trough (2) in a predetermined period of time and in a controlled manner.