http://www.odditycentral.com/page/103
Latest technology in automated agriculture
By Spooky on September 8th, 2008 Category: News, Tech LIKE DISLIKE
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That’s right folks, if you were lucky enough to 
stumble across this article, you have the privilege 
of seeing the latest technology in automated agriculture 
at work. This invaluable tool comes all the way from 
Belarus, a country that apparently spares no effort 
when it comes to investing in new technology.

This revolutionary agricultural device is a 
state-of-the-art cucumber harvester that uses the 
newly discovered power of people on their bellies. 
That’s right, people sitting on their bellies being 
pulled by a tractor. It’s simple and effective and 
I for one can’t wait to get my hands on one, cucumber 
harvesting will never be the same again.

I wish I lived in Belarus (sigh).


http://www.greenpacks.org/2008/09/09/modern-agriculture-in-belarus/
Green Packs web site

Funny or not, these guys in Belarus have modern agriculture 
techniques when it comes to “harvesting” cucumbers. 
If you ever tried to do the job yourself then you
most likely know that it causes back pains. I can’t 
imagine it being all that easy crunching, picking 
cucumbers, then getting up again, all day long. 
Can you? That’s why Belarus farmers invented the 
moving bed where ladies can get as many cucumbers 
they want and forget soaring back.
<br><br>

It may not be the modern you expected, but they 
ladies get the job done and they all seem to 
be pretty happy. I wonder how many will go to 
Belarus during the cucumber harvesting periods 
for a better view.

==============

http://www.kox.sk/?p=1906
Belorussian Technical Development
Belorussian scientists created combine for harvesting 
cucumbers. In the institute of the vegetable-growing of 
republic Belarus was invented a harvesting platform for 
the cucumbers, for optimizing labor. Properties are more 
than urgent under the conditions harvestings. In more 
detail about highly technological novelty tells 
Alexander, doctor of agricultural sciences, the 
director of the institute of the vegetable-growing.

The specific character of the cultivation of cucumbers 
is such, that leaves of different plants tightly are 
interwoven between themselves, and the united mass of 
plants is formed, says Alexander Alexandrovich. - When 
fruits are removed by hand, plants seriously will be 
traumatized. In the vegetable-garden it is possible to 
gather harvest accurately, but on the large cucumber 
plantation? So it is important to us to create a 
solution, which optimizes labor and is not harming plants.

The principle of the operation of harvesting platform 
is a machine which is located above the plant and moves. 
Cleaners (their 10 people plus the operator of tractor) 
in the process of the collection of cucumbers separate 
leaves, they find fruits, tear away them and throw them 
on the conveyer which is about 15 meters long, and it 
moves them to the center.

What is the basic complexity with the development of 
this machine?- men must be located, at proper height, 
the speed of the motion of the machine and the speed 
of the motion of conveyer are such difficult things. By 
calculations they established that the optimum height 
of profile - is 30-40 centimeters, and the speed of the 
tractor - about 1 kilometers an hour: indeed it is 
necessary to have time to move apart leaves, to detach 
cucumber, to place it to the conveyer, moreover the 
convenience was also considered, so that to the working 
men can lie on the platform. Also for the convenience 
we arranged soft cushions on the platform. Is important 
the fact that on the platform it is possible to establish 
receiver - nevertheless it is merrier with the music. 
The platform was created according to the joint 
Belorussian- Russian program with the financial 
support of union state. It was prepared by specialists; 
the development of novelty were occupied 4 design engineers.

Now 2 platforms are located in Belarus. In our country 
it is planned to create raw zones on the production of 
the cucumbers.

- The harvest of cucumbers did increase?
- Productivity grew, moreover several times. But the 
main thing is that in the fact we preserve plants. The 
period of fruiting grows. Moreover, our platform is 
suitable also for harvesting summer squashes.

(ALSO HAS A VIDEO (in Russian) OF THE PROCESS)