The fastest peat cutter

This machine replicates the manual work of a peat cutter (Fig. 2). However, the pieces of peat are much larger and are not suitable for producing fuel peat. Peat cutting machines were used to cut the upper layers of peat, the white or fibric peat. In the past, this was used primarily as insulating material and as lining for stables. Later, the excellent properties of storing moisture and of the high proportion of humus caused it to be used in gardens and in garden centres.

Our advisory board member Heinz Kunze (Fig. 7) owns a working cutting machine. This is well maintained and undamaged. Once a year there is a demonstration. Figures 3 to 6 show a few impressions of this. We are building a digital museum on our website and the peat cutting machine can be seen in action there.
The cutting machine was powered by a 2-cylinder Deutz engine. Nearly all the functions of this machine are mechanically powered from a single source. Only the cutting apparatus is operated hydraulically. The special thing about this is that the cutting apparatus is able to perform its work on the spot, while the chassis continues to move forwards.
The individual parts of the machine are coordinated such that the machine cuts the peat, moves it onto a belt then sets it down beside the ditch. While doing this, it continually creeps forwards so that it can cut, transport and set down the next sod of peat.
The annual demonstration is coupled to an appeal for donations to our Moor Museum. We would like to thank our advisory board member Heinz Kunze for maintaining the cutting machine, for the demonstration and for collecting ever more generous donations.

The peat cutting machine in action - a masterpiece of technology!

Links to other stations in the museum:

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