Hazards caused by stones in the arable layer of agricultural fields and methods for their removal

The current importance of using various methods of mechanical weed control. These methods are based on the action on the growing undesirable plants (weeds) in the soil of the working elements of tools carrying out mechanical weed elimination (knives, wide blades, chisels) used, for example, in weeders. Their direct contact with stones deposited in the cultivation layer of the field results in excessive, faster frictional wear or even destruction. Other machines at risk of damage from contact with stones are, for example, the cutting units of crop harvesting machines and the working units of combine harvesters for harvesting winter squash and sugar beet. The article identifies the hazards caused by stones in agricultural fields, related to hampering field work and worsening plant vegetation and harvesting conditions. Various stone removal methods are described and illustrated with technical examples. Spot removal of large stones and two-stage and one-stage harvesting from the entire field area are discussed. It was pointed out that the diverse range of machines available on the market makes it possible to fully mechanise the removal of stones, and that the high costs of such a procedure can be fully compensated by the removal of hazards to the working units of the machines and an increase in the quality of the crop.