Mechanical Planters

[Katharine]

In this pic of a Mechanical Planter how does it actually work? Dumb question I know, but we're trying to learn...Is each person in those seats actually physically putting the plant in the ground and is it in front of them or to the side where they are putting the plants? What is the big tank on there for, water maybe? Why couldn't they all be watered in afterwards? Can one of these be welded together at home and are there plans around anywhere?
Thanks!

 

[Anonymous-0]

Yes there is a person that sets on each seat. We sold a different brand and they were used here to plant tomatoes. There is a chain that goes around and there are "grippers" that hold the plant attached to the chain. When the plant is placed in the soil the grippers loosen and the plant is planted. Tank holds starter fertilizer mixed in a water solution. Alinkage trips the valve so as the plant is planted a measured amount of water/fertilizer mix is released to wash the roots to the plant. At one mile an hour ground speed those fingers flyby the people on the seats! Where are you located. Since the tomato game here has chainged there are probably some laying around here in the weeds. J.

 

[Katharine]

We're in North Florida, Gainesville area. Where are you?

 

[Anonymous-0]

Katherine, these can be bought rather cheap now days as folks that still use them have moved on to bigger and not necessarily better units. With the water added at setting time you can also put on chemicals to control bugs and disease. There are lots of these in the tobacco belt(KY,NC,TN and so on). I suspect that in big vegetable areas they are abundant as well. New parts are available for them. I think you can travel a little and buy one cheaper than you could ever rig one up. As stated one person to each seat and plants are placed in the rubber fingers with the roots toward the seat and the machine sets them at a distance that can be regulated by changing sprockets. The big red wheels turn the machine and does everything except placing the plants in the rubber fingers. The one pictured is a one row unit. They can be had in one, two, four, and six row models. They will set any type of plants like tomatoes,cabbage,broccoli,peppers and almost any seedling plant. Plants should be 8 to 12 inches tall for transplanting. I have used these all my life to set tobacco and garden plants with. The Mechanical brand is the best there is in my opinion. I have used others as well and like the Mechanical best.

 

[Katharine]

Thank you for all the good info! Can't put in any bug killer though as we are an organic farm wanting to have a CSA (pre-paid memberships) so we'll need something bigger like this to help on planting. "Two row one" looks like that'll be the ticket as we don't have any hired hands and the kids are too little for helping yet! Need one from round the South end of Georgia somewhere or there abouts..

 

[Anonymous-0]

If you purchase used (As I would), be certain you receive all extra sprockets (They'll be in pairs) and extra pockets if available. I use Holland (Not New Holland) brand & have always been well satisfied with that brand as well.

 

[Katharine]

Ok, here's another dumb question, what are the "pockets" for and how many do you need?

 

[Anonymous-0]

Ohio: We sold the Holland brand. The pockets are where the plants are placed. My neighbor has an old one row New Idea and it is set up as a pot planter. It plants pot and all! How many acres are you doing? Most of the people around here had tool bar (mounted type) units and then they carried about 500 gallon of water on the tractor.That for either a 2 or 3 row unit. Are you going to cultivate what ever you want to plant? I think it would be good to find some used units. I would check for a dealer in your area.

 

[Anonymous-0]

He is talking about the rubber parts, I referred to as fingers. They are pockets. Never back up with the machine on the ground. It will break and damage parts. My kids were riding one of these at 5 and 6 years old. The younger they start the easier it is for them. Beware, there will be many arguments.

 

[Anonymous-0]

J S you must be in NW Ohio.Those were the good ol years.When Cambell's,Hunts and Heinz quit taking tomatoes there went the good money from our operation.We grew 115 acres of tomatoes.
Had a 3 point ground drive like you described.Just cut it up,4 of the 6 units are still sitting on a load of scrape.
I would not plant bare root plants again,the plug planters spoiled us.Mark

 

[Bill in NorthCentral PA]

We use one for trees which is a one person (greater spacing than between vegetables) and it is much more simple. We use it to plant seed potatoes, but not sure if it would work for plants.

Essentially, their is a coulter (sod cutting) wheel on the front followed by a "straight plow," which resembles a ripper somewhat. The tree is inserted into the slot in the ground right behing the ripper. The operator holds the tree as it passes between two wheels which are tipped out at the top to close the slot. We walk each row to firm up the soil behing the planter.

I don't know if that helps, but it is much more simple that the moving parts type planters.

Good luck,

Bill

 

[Anonymous-0]

Right on the location. You must be more in the Monroe County area.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Lenawee County.Bought one through Speck's in Bowling Green.