Abstract: A tagging machine acts to automatically insert label tags into selected compartments of a seed tray as the tray passes under the machine.A cartridge loaded with tags feeds the tags one by one to a breach channel. A pair of extractor fingers lift the tag in the breach channel, onto a deflector which deflects the emerging end of the tag between a pair of displacement fingers. Once the displacment fingers have received the tag they drive the tag back along the channel in the opposite direction to discharge the tag into the seed tray.As the tag is moved in a direction to be discharged from the channel it displaces the extractor fingers out of the channel. The fingers are only brought back into the channel to lift the next tag, when the displacement fingers return to their tag receiving position.

Abstract: Soil plug release apparatus is arranged to release plugs of soil from a tray of the type having an array of compartments arranged in rows and columns with each compartment having a hole in the base thereof. The apparatus has a pair of support members held in parallel spaced relationship, and a bridge member spanning the support members and having a curved upper surface, in which there is a row of spaced openings; the spacing between the openings corresponds to the spacing of the holes in a row of tray compartments. A pair of guides guide a tray between the support members transversely over the upper surface of the bridge. The guide means are such as to deform the underside of the tray to conform to the curvature of the bridge member at the point the tray passes over the bridge member. A plurality of cylinders each arranged to store a discrete bolus of air, are coupled one to each opening. The bolus of air is released from each cylinder when the holes in a row of compartments become aligned with the openings.