Abstract: In a seedling-interval regulation apparatus, the transport interval between two adjacent seedlings successively transported by a variable speed conveyer is calculated by measuring a distance over which the preceding seedling is transported between a point in time when the preceding seedling is detected by a seedling sensor and a point in time when the succeeding seedling is detected by the seedling sensor. The calculated transport interval between the seedlings is compared with the planting interval. When the calculated transport interval coincides with the planting interval, the transport speed of the variable speed conveyer is maintained.

Abstract: A method and a device for picking up seedlings from a seedling tray is capable of picking up seedlings by accurately arranging seedling storage cells in opposition to seedling pushing rods irrespective of the transporting tilt of the seedling tray. In the method, the seedling tray formed with a plurality of seedling storage cells is positioned at a predetermined position by means of tray positioning rods, and the seedling pushing rods are inserted into respective seedling storage cells while maintaining the positioned condition. The device implementing the method includes the tray positioning rods for positioning the seedling tray at the predetermined position and the seedling pushing rods for performing an inserting operation for respective seedling storage cells while maintaining the positioned condition of the seedling tray by the tray positioning rods.

Abstract: A seedling with soil selecting and transporting apparatus for a transplanting machine which can steadily and certainly discriminate good seedlings with soil and no good seedlings with soil without causing operation failure by deposition of a clump of earth even if external vibration and/or slight disturbance is caused in transporting attitude of the seedling with soil. The seedling with soil selecting and transporting apparatus for a transplanting machine transports good seedlings having leaf portions grown into a normal length and no good seedlings having leaf portions not grown into a normal length. The apparatus comprises a strip form transporting belt transporting good and no good seedlings with soil in an attitude wherein they are fallen sideways and have concentrically mounted soil depositing portions on one outer side edge portion of the strip form transporting belt.

Abstract: The invention provides a seedling transportation apparatus of a simple structure wherein a new seedling tray can be supplied readily without immediately removing an emptied old seedling tray and does not interfere, when it is moved toward the downstream side in a transportation direction, with a transportation operation for a seedling. To this end, transportation of a seedling tray is performed not in an upright condition or in a curved or bent condition but in a horizontal condition.