Both systems require numerous tillage operations: primary fall tillage [mouldboard (MP) vs. chisel plough (CP)], secondary spring tillage [offset disc (OD) vs. vibrashank (VS)], and “tertiary” tillage operations [implements involved in planting, cultivating and hilling (PCH) and harvesting (HARV) operations]. Our results show that each primary, secondary and tertiary tillage operation is potentially erosive, as each moved large quantities of soil over considerable distances. After one pass, all six tillage operations tested moved soil at least 3 m, with the furthest translocated distances observed for the PCH sequence (23.6 m) and for the CP, VS and HARV (approx. 6 m). The mass of translocated soil was largest for the PCH sequence (115.9 kg m^-1), followed by the HARV (71.7 kg m^-1), CP (64.4 kg m^-1), MP (43.3 kg m^-1), OD (35.0 kg m^-1) and VS (34.9 kg m^-1). Overall, the potential for tillage erosion was greatest for the PCH sequence and HARV (3.6 and 3.0 kg m^-1 %^-1 pass^-1, respectively), followed by the MP, CP and OD (1.8 to 1.9 kg m^-1 %^-1 pass^-1), and finally the VS (0.3 kg m^-1 %^-1 pass^-1). It is apparent that conservation, secondary and tertiary tillage implements can move as much soil as conventional tillage implements, such as the mouldboard plough, and must be considered when developing best management practices to improve soil conservation strategies for potato production systems in Canada and worldwide.