Abstract: A ground-clearing and mound-building device is provided that can be towed along the ground to move material on the surface to one side, expose the surface of the ground, and build mounds on the cleared ground for planting and forest regeneration, having a scarifier means mounted for rotation about its central axis, circular in cross-section, and having a peripheral surface that digs into the ground during rotation thereof when in contact with the ground under pressure, arranged to be brought into contact with the ground at any selected contact pressure; with control of at least one of the selected contact pressure and the selected rotation rate to dig, loosen, and displace a surface layer of the ground and push such loosened ground into mounds.

Abstract: A digging and planting machine is provided having a tubular digging and planting tool mounted on a vehicle travelling along the ground surface, and at least one sensing and signalling means for sensing the resistance of the ground to penetration by the digging tip of the tool, thus gauging the condition of the ground, and detecting obstacles to such penetration, so as to ensure that the digging tip provides and a plant is fed to a planting hole of the desired depth, when ground condition is suitable, and, when ground condition is not suitable, that new digging attempts continue to be made at closely-spaced intervals as the vehicle travels over the ground until a planting hole of the desired depth is dug, so as to plant as many plants as close together as desired per unit area.

Abstract: A digging and planting machine is provided having a tubular digging and planting tool, and at least one sensing and signalling means for sensing the resistance below and/or exceeding a predetermined minimum of the ground to penetration by the digging tip of the tool, thus gauging the condition of the ground, and detecting obstacles to such penetration, so as to ensure that the digging tip provides and a plant is fed to a planting hole of the desired depth, when ground condition is suitable, and, when ground condition is not suitable, that a digging attempt is aborted and a new attempt made as soon as possible.