Abstract: A soil detection and planting apparatus. The apparatus includes a vehicle and a controller coupled to the vehicle. The apparatus further includes a planting device coupled to the vehicle, the planting device configured to plant seeds or plants into a soil material. The apparatus includes a ground penetrating radar sensor coupled to the vehicle. The ground penetrating radar soil sensor is configured to scan the soil material up to a designated depth beneath a surface of the soil material, wherein the ground penetrating radar soil sensor is further configured to provide a sensor feedback signal to the controller with respect to an intrinsic characteristic of the soil material. The controller is configured to instruct placement of a seed or a plant into the soil material based on the feedback signal.

Abstract: A planter for the mechanized planting of sea oats in beach or other difficult planting areas. The planter includes a calibrator that automates the release of sea oat plants through various release tubes as the planter moves over a chosen planting area. The calibrator controls the release of each plant at re-selected distances. Growth agent is introduced through ancillary mechanisms either through the release tubes or just behind each tube. A plow in front of each release tube creates a furrow into which each plant is deposited, and a series of grates are strategically positioned to control the reflow of planting soil back into each furrow after release and to then smooth any remaining soil adjacent the filled in furrow. The planter is towed behind a tractor through nominal hitches, and a chair and planting support rack is provided for an operator positioned in the center of the planter.

Abstract: A method, a controller and a vehicle for performing agricultural operations on a field with parallel arranged rows having ends. The operations are performed at positions related to the positions of the rows under control of the controller, based upon stored information about the orientation of the rows, stored information about a distance between adjacent rows, a distance signal related to a distance traveled by the vehicle and a direction signal related to the heading of the vehicle. The invention is particularly suited for providing dams to prevent water from a head ditch to enter into pre-selected, dry furrows on a field with an irrigation arrangement with raised rows and lower furrows between the rows, or dams matching up with adjacent raised rows so that water runs down each furrow.

Abstract: Methods for planting sugarcane seed are provided to achieve high sugarcane plant densities per unit area. The methods include providing sugarcane seed pieces in an appropriate length, preparing the soil for planting the sugarcane seed by creating rows of wide furrows or wide seedbeds, placing the sugarcane seed on the prepared soil in a random orientation to form a layer of sugarcane seed or in an orientation perpendicular to the direction of the furrows or seedbeds, and covering the sugarcane pieces with soil. Soil preparation includes creation of wide rows of furrows, flat seedbeds or raised seedbeds, with each row ranging in width from about 0.5 meters to about 3.1 meters.

Abstract: Methods for planting sugarcane seed are provided to achieve high sugarcane plant densities per unit area. The methods include providing sugarcane seed pieces in an appropriate length, preparing the soil for planting the sugarcane seed by creating rows of wide furrows or wide seedbeds, placing the sugarcane seed on the prepared soil in a random orientation to form a layer of sugarcane seed or in an orientation perpendicular to the direction of the furrows or seedbeds, and covering the sugarcane pieces with soil. Soil preparation includes creation of wide rows of furrows, flat seedbeds or raised seedbeds, with each row ranging in width from about 0.5 meters to about 3.1 meters.

Abstract: The present specification discloses plant or seedling planting apparatus for planting a plant or seedling in a prepared ground position, the planting apparatus including a plant delivery chute leading to a position adjacent to the planting position, a conveyor adapted to carry sequentially a plurality of the plants and to eject same sequentially into an inlet region of the delivery chute, the conveyor also being bodily moveable between a first position adapted to receive a plurality of the plants and a second position at or adjacent the inlet region of the delivery chute, and controls for ejecting at least one plant into the delivery chute while the conveyor is moving towards or is at its second position and to sequentially eject at least one of the plants into the delivery chute while the conveyor is moving towards or is at its first position, such apparatus further including a planting shoe adapted to form the ground planting position and including a furrow forming forward end, a shell and a plant receiver

Abstract: A carousel-type distribution unit for handling and planting vegetable species, the carousel containing a plurality of conical cups, each whereof is composed of two half-cones which are articulated about substantially horizontal axes, the cups being adapted to contain the vegetable species and to open in order to plant them, the unit further comprises two arms which are fixed to the center of the carousel and are adapted to open two of the cups in order to release the plant species into two respective conveyance channels for guiding into respective internal chambers of respective hollow plowshares, from which the plant species are expelled by respective ejector feet into the furrows of the soil provided by the plowshares and arranged along two mutually staggered adjacent rows.

Abstract: A mechanical transplanter device for transplanting seedlings along a path includes a frame, a furrow opening shoe mounted on the frame and engaging the ground for opening a furrow in the ground, and seedling delivery means including a reciprocating stabilizing arm mounted on the frame. The transplanter of the present invention delivers seedlings to the furrow at specific predetermined distance intervals input by the operator into the electronic control system, which utilizes a variable speed electric drive motor that isolates the speed or frequency of the transplanter from variations in ground speed or engine speed of the tractor towing the transplanter along the ground.

Abstract: An adjustable compacting skid for mechanical seedling transplanters that compacts soil around transplanted seedlings to ensure proper moisture and nutrient delivery to the transplanted seedling. The compacting skid includes adjustable soil deflecting tabs that can be extended or retracted according to the present soil conditions as well as the type of seedling being transplanted.

Abstract: A transplanter is disclosed which provides uniform planting without damaging plants. The transplanter includes a rotating cup assembly having two-piece clam shell cups, one of which opens by lateral movement by the cup halves of the cup. The transplanter also includes a chute and kick plate which move together to position the plants received from the rotating cup assembly in the planting position. A unique means is provided for opening the cup halves at a position immediately above the chute to minimize any hang-up of the plants. A polymer furrow opening shoe is also disclosed which includes a protective member which prevents soil damage to the polymeric surface. Also novel packing wheels are disclosed.

Abstract: A planter for placement of plants in spaced parallel rows in the soil has a plant dispenser fed manually or automatically from a plant supply and delivering to a furrow-opening coulter assembly and press wheels. The plant dispenser comprises a drum having an internal impeller defining plant-receiving chutes through which the plants pass, and thence downwards and outwards through an opening in the drum. The coulter assembly has reciprocated coulter side plates which receive and support each plant in a receiving zone between them, and by forward movement relative to the plant and relative to a fixed placement member located in front of the plant, allow soil to flow back to cover the plant's root ball. The press wheels are mounted with a variable caster angle to vary their soil-gathering affect. A hitch has twin parallel toolbars whereby the row units are freely laterally position-adjustable even across the tractor hitch.