Methods of beet soil separation

The soil accumulated in beet cleaning at the sugar factories constitutes a major environmental problem, which lends particular importance to the further development of methods of beet soil separation. Currently, the standard procedure in southern Germany is to preclean the sugar beets in the field before shipment to the factory or clamp storage. This article reports on the development of new harvesting devices which ensure better separation of the soil from the beets. Covering the clamps with fleece or chopped straw and employment of cleaner-loaders help to reduce the soil content. The soil produced by wet and dry cleaning in the factory yard is best handled in skips, the advantages and costs of which are described.