Nice to meet Ben 'frum' Cambridge, hope the altitude of West Yorkshire was a pleasant experience and that the planter serves him well. I have used it for three years and it got my operation running. It is a very reliable machine .... unllike the weather.
The 'Bell' Method was the L model which required two potato operatives on the planter working to instructions from The Bell.
This is the GT model with a delux platform for an observer to stand on. This model picks up the seed potatoes automatically and drops them into the shoot. In theory, no operatives are required on the planter but it is best to have a 'bod' on there just to over see the operation.
The upgrade that I have purchased is the GLX Custom Delux model. (about 25 yr old). I have yet to operate it as it is still in my workshop being overhauled, however. It relies on cups to lift the seed spuds from the hopper and raises them to the top of the shoot. Here there is a wire finger fitted that lifts as a spud passes which in turn operates a light in the tractor. So the light flashes consistently when working correctly. This 'newer' machine also has more adjustment for furrow width and spacing. It can also feed a fertilizer directly into the furrow as the spud is planted.
Much less labour intensive for me and should allow me to grow a larger potato which is a demand.
Unlike Ben who runs a co-operative, getting folk to do 'owt around these parts aint happening. Considering this village was a hot spot for the Luddite Uprising exactly 200 years ago (October 1813).. how things have changed..... loans, four wheel drives, TV and fast food.