Potato Digger - Powell, WY
Posted by: 
T0SHEA
N 44° 45.154 W 108° 45.312
12T E 677684 N 4957914
Potatoes were a common crop in this area, making this a very useful piece of machinery here.
Waymark Code: WMXXX1
Location: Wyoming, United States
Date Posted: 03/14/2018
Views: 1
This is another of those machines that farmers, in this case potato farmers, were undoubtedly elated and overjoyed to see come to market. This machine was able to dig potatoes by sliding a large knife under the potatoes in the ground, then elevating potatoes and dirt up a chain link belt, through which the dirt, but not the potatoes, fell. After the dirt had fallen out, the potatoes were simply dumped back on top of the ground, ready to be picked up. Since the ground had been loosened by the digger, the spuds would have a soft landing. The entire mechanism was ground driven as the digger was pulled through the field, likely by a team of horses. It was a very clever and very successful piece of machinery.
The Homesteader Museum is one of the most interesting museums we have visited. The director was there and she was so helpful and answered all of our inquiries. This is a free admission museum that is made possible by a benefactor. The museum will celebrate their 50th birthday in 2018.
There are numerous large displays divided by categories, such as household appliances, dentist and doctor offices, set as they were when operating, a photography and printing office, a post office, vintage clothing and haberdashery - the list just goes on.
They also have several outdoor displays housed in original buildings, one of which is the Bever Homestead, an original 1911 homestead house; also outside is a CB&Q Caboose and a large collection old farm equipment and tractors.
