Abstract: A contour trimmer apparatus for potted plants includes a crank and connecting rod mechanism for moving a pair of transversely opposed pot engagement heads between open and closed positions. A gap between the pot engagement heads in their closed position may be adjusted via a lead screw arrangement which adjusts an operating position of the crank of the crank and connecting rod assembly.

Abstract: An outfeed gate includes a fixed plate and a sliding plate, wherein bearing strips protect the fixed and sliding plates from excessive wear as they slide over each other. The outfeed gate safely accepts material from a high temperature and pressure environment to an ambient environment, and deposits the material in a material exit apparatus.

Abstract: A tag placement apparatus useful for placing a tag or label into communication with a container. The tag placement apparatus includes at least one tagging head having a linear slot in which a cam portion of a tag placement arm assembly reciprocally travels in response to a cylinder stroke to which it is attached. The tagging apparatus further includes an encoder for translating the roller rotation of a conveyor assembly into belt position and travel which in turn regulates the speed in which the reciprocal movement of the tag placement arm operates during use.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transplanting seedling from a first tray to a second tray. The apparatus includes a frame, a moveable carriage 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 carriage includes a gripper assembly comprised of a plurality of grippers slidably mounted to a guide rod system or track. A positioning mechanism is employed to move the carriage 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 separating member and can be easily detached from the carriage by a disconnect mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a flexible cover from a bale of material, such as compressed peat moss, including a pusher member adapted to move the bale lengthwise against a plurality of knives adapted to cut across the front end of the cover as well as along the sides to slit the cover and separate it from the material. The pusher member is provided with spike devices for retaining the separated cover as the material is discharged from a discharge station, to remove the split separated cover to a cover removal station. In a preferred form of the invention, a stripper mechanism is included for stripping the split cover from the pusher member.