Seed potato cutting system with potato positioning mechanism

A seed potato cutting system, comprising:

• a seed potato sizing mechanism, configured to segregate uncut seed potatoes into size groups;
• a plurality of cutting roller units, disposed adjacent to the seed potato sizing mechanism, each cutting roller unit configured to receive a discrete size group of uncut seed potatoes from the sizing mechanism, each cutting roller unit including
• an endless roller chain, having a plurality of parallel roller sets with longitudinal gaps therebetween, configured to convey seed potatoes resting in the gaps in a longitudinal direction through a plurality of pairs of adjustably-spaced upright cutting blades;
• a laterally-slidable thumb rake, disposed in each longitudinal gap parallel to the roller sets, having a plurality of upwardly extending thumbs;
• and
• a thumb rake alignment device, configured to sequentially laterally slide all thumb rakes in first and second directions, respectively, to contact and laterally align each seed potato with a corresponding pair of cutting blades as the roller chain conveys the seed potatoes theretoward.

A seed potato cutting system, comprising:

• a seed potato feeding system, configured to convey seed potatoes to an inlet location in a feed direction;
• a sizing table, positioned to receive seed potatoes from the seed potato feeding system, having a plurality of groups of parallel sizing rollers disposed in series, each group being adapted to convey uncut seed potatoes and having a discrete and adjustable longitudinal spacing between adjacent rollers, the longitudinal spacing of each group being greater than the spacing of a preceding group, whereby seed potatoes sequentially drop between adjacent sizing rollers in order of increasing size;
• and
• a plurality of cutting roller units, each disposed below one group of sizing rollers to receive a discrete size group of uncut seed potatoes, each cutting roller unit including
• an endless roller chain, having a plurality of parallel roller sets with longitudinal gaps therebetween, configured to convey seed potatoes resting in the gaps in a longitudinal direction through a plurality of pairs of adjustably-spaced upright cutting blades;
• a laterally-slidable thumb rake, disposed in each longitudinal gap parallel to the roller sets, having a plurality of upwardly extending thumbs;
• and
• a thumb rake alignment device, configured to sequentially laterally slide all thumb rakes in first and second directions, respectively, to contact and laterally align each seed potato with a corresponding pair of cutting blades as the roller chain conveys the seed potatoes theretoward.