Abstract: An apparatus for transplanting seedling from a first ray to a second tray. The apparatus includes a frame, a moveable gantry connected to the frame, and a conveyor system. In the preferred embodiment, a first conveyor is used to shuttle seedlings into the operative reaches of the apparatus and a second conveyor shuttles the transplanted seedlings out of the operative reaches of the apparatus. The gantry includes a gripper assembly comprised of a plurality of grippers slidably mounted to a track. A positioning mechanism is employed to move the gantry and associated gripper assembly. The grippers includes an upright support and a pair of pivotally connected spaced apart gripper fingers. The gripper fingers are separated by a plunger mechanism preferably having a beveled surface for ease of insertion between the gripper fingers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for disassociating material such as peat moss from a compressed bale. The apparatus includes a housing having a plurality of substantially vertically stacked agitator assemblies. The agitator assemblies are rotatable in response to an independent hydraulic drive motor attached to one end of the vertical shaft of each agitator spindle partially comprising the agitator assembly. The hydraulic motors are mounted to the exterior of the housing, but receive the aforementioned shafts. A lifting platform is provided within the housing to enable a bale of material to be placed thereon. The lifting platform is hydraulically manipulated such that it may be raised to enable the bale of material to come in contact with the rotating spindles of the agitator assemblies. An exit port is provided in the lowermost portion of the housing to enable the material to be ejected from the housing after it is disassociated from the bale.