EP-AWB-1600 Trailed Potato Digger – 2 & 4 Row, up to 10 km/h

■ Double the Speed of the Mounted Series

5–10 km/h versus 3–5 km/h for the mounted version. At 8 km/h, the 2-row trailed machine covers the same area in half the field time — meaning more hectares per day, or the same acreage with shorter tractor hours. For operations where the harvest window is measured in days, not weeks, this throughput difference has real seasonal value.

■ EP-AWB-3200 CAR — 4 Rows at 10 km/h

The four-row configuration of the EP-AWB-3200 CAR is the highest-output potato harvest machine in the Watanabe lineup. At 8 km/h and 60 cm row spacing, it covers approximately 1.92 hectares per productive hour — roughly 4× the throughput of the basic mounted digger. For commercial operations above 30 hectares, this is the machine that makes a tight harvest schedule achievable.

■ Ground-Following Stability at Speed

The trailed machine's own ground wheels absorb terrain variation independently of the tractor, keeping the blade in consistent contact with the ridge profile at higher speeds. This stability is what allows 5–10 km/h operation with maintained digging accuracy — something a hitch-mounted machine physically cannot achieve at the same speed on uneven Korean highland soil.

■ Suited to Contract and Cooperative Operations

Agricultural machinery contractors who harvest for multiple farms across a tight seasonal window need high daily output above all else. The EP-AWB-1600 BAR/CAR with Kit B and the EP-AWB-3200 CAR are both designed around this operational profile — maximum harvested hectares per day, robust enough for multi-season continuous use, with parts availability through our Korea local network.

■ Maintained Low-Damage Web Design

Higher speed does not mean higher damage — Watanabe specifies the web conveyor length and separation characteristics of the trailed series for its higher material throughput rate. The "without damage to the potato" design principle that defines the EP-AWB family carries through to the trailed models. Harvesting faster should not cost you quality at the chip factory or the fresh market.

The trailed potato digger series represents the upper tier of the Watanabe harvest lineup — machines designed for intensive seasonal use across large areas, season after season. The "secured performance and quality" statement from the brochure reflects a construction standard oriented toward this requirement. Frame welds, blade mounting, web bar specification, and PTO shaft construction are all specified for the higher dynamic loads of 5–10 km/h operation in stony highland soil.

For the EP-AWB-3200 CAR in particular, the 3,000 Kg machine operating at speed in potato soil places significant structural demand on every component. Watanabe's specification for this machine reflects the requirements of high-throughput commercial harvest use — not the lighter requirements of occasional family farm operation. The Korea operation maintains stock of critical wear components specifically for the AWB series trailed models.

✓ Pre-Sale Tractor Compatibility Check

We verify drawbar capacity, PTO power delivery, and hydraulic valve availability against your specific tractor model before the order is placed — particularly important for the EP-AWB-3200 CAR given its high drawbar load requirement at 140 cv.

✓ Web Bars and Blades In Stock

Common wear items for the trailed AWB series are stocked locally in Ansan-si. For contract operators who cannot afford mid-season downtime, pre-season inspection and parts ordering through our Korea network is the recommended standard practice.

✓ Kit Configuration at Order Stage

As with the mounted series, the discharge kit must be specified at order time. We confirm variant-to-kit compatibility and your tractor hydraulic valve count before finalising the order to eliminate the most common configuration mismatches.

What is the main advantage of the trailed series over the mounted EP-AWB-1600?

Working speed: 5–10 km/h versus 3–5 km/h for the mounted version — effectively doubling daily field coverage. The trailed machine runs on its own ground wheels rather than being carried on the tractor's rear hitch, which provides the stability needed to maintain consistent blade depth and web separation quality at higher speeds. For operations where total harvested area per day is the constraint, this speed advantage directly determines whether the harvest can be completed within the seasonal window.

What does "trailed" mean for tractor connection?

A trailed implement connects to the tractor via a drawbar coupling — a pin-and-hitch connection at the tractor's rear drawbar point, not the three-point hitch. The implement rides on its own ground wheels and is pulled behind the tractor rather than lifted and carried on the hitch. The PTO shaft still connects to the tractor's rear PTO as on mounted machines. Confirm that your tractor has a functioning rear drawbar with adequate rated capacity for the machine's working weight before ordering.

What is the difference between AAR, BAR, and CAR?

All three are 2-row trailed diggers working at 5–10 km/h with 95 cv minimum and 540 RPM PTO. The differences are weight and hydraulic valve requirement: AAR (1,150 Kg, no valves — Kit A only), BAR (1,350 Kg, 2 valves — Kit A/B/C), CAR (1,500 Kg, 2 valves — Kit A/B/C). The hydraulic valve requirement on BAR and CAR is what enables Kit B side discharge and Kit C deviner web. If you need side discharge or haulm separation, you must choose BAR or CAR.

Can I realistically achieve 10 km/h in Korean potato fields?

10 km/h is the upper limit of the specified range — achievable in ideal conditions: flat, well-prepared soil, consistent ridge height, dry autumn conditions. In Korean highland spring harvests with heavier clay soil, more typical working speeds are 6–8 km/h. The practical approach is to start each field at a conservative speed (6 km/h) and increase if separation quality and tuber condition in the windrow are both acceptable. The machine is specified for the full 5–10 km/h range; the operator matches speed to conditions on the day.

What tractor is needed for the EP-AWB-3200 CAR?

The EP-AWB-3200 CAR requires a minimum of 140 cv at the PTO and adequate drawbar rated capacity for the machine's working weight. Tractors commonly paired with this machine in Korean commercial operations include the John Deere 6M and 6R series (140–180 cv range), New Holland T6 and T7 series, and Kubota M7 series. Confirm both drawbar capacity and PTO power delivery with your tractor specification sheet before ordering — 140 cv is the minimum, and working in heavy clay soil with 4 rows at speed will use a significant proportion of that capacity.

Does the drawbar connection affect stability on sloped fields?

The trailed configuration is generally well-suited to the gentle-to-moderate slopes common in Korean commercial potato land. On steeper slopes, the drawbar connection means the implement tends to follow the tractor more closely up-and-down slope and with slightly wider lateral tolerance on cross-slope headland maneuvers. The trailed series is less suited than the mounted version for very tight-turn terraced fields — the longer overall machine length (tractor + drawbar + implement) requires more headland space. For highland terraced plots with tight headlands, the mounted EP-AWB-1600 series is the more practical choice.

How much potato area does the trailed 2-row cover per day?

At 8 km/h, 2-row coverage, and 60 cm row spacing, the productive field throughput is approximately 0.96 hectares per hour of actual field travel. An eight-hour working day (accounting for headland turns, fill/collection stops, and normal breaks) typically yields 6–8 harvested hectares in Korean commercial conditions. This is roughly double the daily output of the mounted EP-AWB-1600 at 4 km/h. The EP-AWB-3200 CAR at the same speed and 4-row coverage doubles the 2-row trailed figure again, to approximately 12–15 hectares per day in good conditions.

How does the EP-AWB-3200 CAR compare to a self-propelled potato harvester?

Self-propelled potato harvesters — large dedicated single-function machines — provide maximum throughput and often include on-board bunkers and sorting tables, but at significantly higher purchase cost, higher operating cost, and with much greater logistics complexity when moving between farms. The EP-AWB-3200 CAR uses an existing 140 cv tractor as the power unit, dramatically reducing capital investment while delivering commercially competitive harvest throughput. For Korean operations of 30–80 hectares, the drawbar-trailed approach typically offers better return on investment than a self-propelled machine; for very large operations above 100 hectares, discuss the trade-offs with us at the time of enquiry.

What end-of-season maintenance is recommended for the trailed series?

Post-harvest: wash all soil and organic material from the frame, web, and blade — trailed machines cover more area per season than mounted versions and accumulate proportionally more wear debris. Inspect every web bar for bending, cracking, or significant tip wear. Check the drawbar coupling, hitch pin, and safety chain. Inspect the PTO shaft for wear and replace the guard if damaged. Lubricate all grease points. Order any replacement bars or blades in the autumn so they are available before the next season. For the EP-AWB-3200 CAR specifically, have the frame welds and blade mounting brackets inspected by a qualified mechanic at end of each full season — the higher working weight and speed make structural fatigue a more significant factor than on the lighter models.

Lee Sang-hyun — Commercial Potato Farm (Atlantic, 28 ha), Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do (summer 2024)

★★★★★

"We upgraded from the mounted AWB-1600 C to the EP-AWB-1600 BAR with Kit B two seasons ago. The mounted version was fine but we couldn't finish 28 hectares comfortably in the window we needed. The BAR at 8 km/h side-discharges into our trailer while we move — that's the key workflow change. We now harvest the whole farm in three and a half days instead of six. Chip factory buyer has noticed the bruise reduction too compared to the previous machine — web handling at speed is clearly gentler than I expected."

Kim Byeong-jin — Agricultural Machinery Contractor (AWB-3200 CAR), Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do (2024 and 2025)

★★★★★

"Running the EP-AWB-3200 CAR as a contract harvest service on a John Deere 6135R. Two full seasons, about 85 hectares contracted across seven farms. At 8 km/h on 4 rows it finishes a 12-hectare client in just over a day including setup and collection. That throughput level is what allows the contract business to be viable — if I were running a 2-row mounted machine I couldn't service the number of farms in the season window. Drawbar compatibility check with the Korea team before purchase caught one issue with my tractor's rated drawbar capacity that we resolved before the order went through."

Choe Yeon-sik — Potato Cooperative, Inje-gun, Gangwon-do (2025 harvest)

★★★★★

"Cooperative runs the EP-AWB-1600 AAR as shared harvest equipment across five member farms, totalling 22 hectares. We chose the AAR because none of our member farms run 2 hydraulic valves on their tractors — Kit A centre discharge is adequate for our collection setup where we follow with a loader. At 7 km/h we can do about 7 hectares per day, which means the cooperative machine visits each farm over 1–2 days and completes the circuit in about 10 working days. We were considering a mounted version before this — the speed difference made the trailed AAR the better choice at similar price."

Park Gwang-ho — Commercial Potato Farm (Superior, 35 ha), Yeongwol-gun, Gangwon-do (summer 2025)

★★★★★

"Running the EP-AWB-1600 CAR with Kit C (side + deviner) on our Superior crop. We harvest while there's still significant vine on the plants and the deviner web is essential for keeping the windrow clean. At 1,500 Kg it handles our stony highland blocks without depth variation problems. The CAR is the right choice over the BAR for us — the extra 150 Kg of frame weight makes a noticeable difference in consistency on the rougher sections of our fields. Two seasons, no structural issues, parts available from the Korea team within two days when I need them."

Oh Jun-hyeon — Agricultural Machinery Contractor (AWB-3200 CAR), Hoengseong-gun, Gangwon-do (2025)

★★★★★

"First season with the AWB-3200 CAR after trading up from a 2-row mounted. The difference in daily output is significant — I covered a 15-hectare block for one client in a single day, which wouldn't have been possible before. Chip factory buyer pays a premium for that client's Atlantic crop and the harvest timing matters to getting the skin set right. The Korea team's pre-sale compatibility check on my New Holland T6 was thorough — they identified that my drawbar needed a coupling adapter for the machine's hitch specification, which they sourced and included with the delivery. That kind of detail is what makes the purchase experience professional."

Jung Eun-seo — Medium Commercial Potato Farm (Dejima, 18 ha), Chuncheon, Gangwon-do (spring 2025)

★★★★★

"We went straight to the trailed AAR rather than the mounted version because our Dejima early harvest has a very tight window — two weeks of optimal conditions between skin set and summer heat onset. At 7 km/h the AAR harvests about 8 hectares per day, so 18 hectares in just over two days. That's the difference between finishing within the window or harvesting the back half in suboptimal conditions. Kit A centre discharge into our front loader works fine for our setup. No hydraulic complications. Pre-sale team helped us work through the timing calculation to confirm the AAR throughput was sufficient — good buying experience."