b"The FieldLoad Pro has everything on it to allow growers to clean potatoes in field.PHOTO: TONG ENGINEERINGThe Full PackageThe FieldLoad Pro gives growers an all-in-one system for cleaning their spuds in field.BY: ASHLEY ROBINSONGETTING YOUR POTATOES sparklylocations, you fold the machine up withsorting capabilities removes the step clean isnt always easy. It requires haulinga tractor, tow it to the next locationof having to physically pick through spuds from field to yard, putting them onIt's one unit to worry about. It's quitespuds. Disease spread is lowered as the a conveyor belt where workers physicallycompact, Charlie Rich, sales director forinfield dirt removal stops soil diseases pick through to find the bad spuds andTong Engineering, says in a Microsoftfrom being transferred. The soil removal junk that may have been picked up in theTeams interview. also reduces hauling costs as theres less field. However, there is an easier way toSoil and debris from the spuds areweight having to be trucked around.get it done. cleaned on the FieldLoad Pro in field,The FieldLoad Pro was initially Four years ago, United Kingdom-basedwith sizing of potatoes done onsite. Alaunched four years ago, with the first one Tong Engineering released the FieldLoadrecent addition to it has been the optionin Canada sold in 2022 to a farm on Prince Pro, an all-in-one spud cleaning machine.to add optical sorting, which allows forEdward Island. Reception has been good With it growers can clean potatoes andobjects such as dirt clods and pieceswith the P.E.I. farm already wanting to load them for shipping directly from theof wood to be removed from the lot.order a second unit, Rich says.field, removing the step of having to haulTong Engineering partnered with TomraAs soon as customers get one, and they potatoes back to the yard for cleaning andto incorporate their optical sortinghave it compared to their old machinery, sorting. capabilities into the machines design.they like it because it's so compact, The FieldLoad Pro is a mobile unitThen you can load the semi from thatbecause it's a powerhouse of cleaning. It which is towed or transported fromfrom that point. So thus, leaving the soilhas our easy clean system in it So very location to location. It has its own powerin the field, leaving the debris in the fieldclean sample that comes off the end of it supply allowing for quick setupyouand any rotten product that you may not it's making their life easy, he adds.park it in a field, unfold the legs, set it up,want to take away into the semi, RichWhile there are companies that start the generator, and within 10 minutesexplains. have products that offer cleaning and its ready to go. There are pros to the all-in-one system.packaging services, Rich says no other has When you want to pack up and moveLabour costs are reduced as the opticalall these services contained in one unit. 32SPUDSMART.COM Winter 2023"