Patent ID: 6305303
Filing Date: 2001-10-23
Classification: A01C,Y10S

Abstract:
Apparatus for planting seedlings attached to a tape, wherein said apparatus is adapted to be attached to a tractor, and wherein said apparatus comprises:(a) a frame adapted to be mounted to the rear of the tractor;(b) a furrow opener attached to said frame and adapted to open a furrow in the ground as said frame is pulled by the tractor(c) a pair of packing wheels, wherein said packing wheels are mounted to said frame rearward of the furrow opener;(d) a drive wheel mounted to said frame and adapted to roll on the ground as the tractor moves;(e) a drive train powered by said drive wheel;(f) a rotatable turntable mounted on said frame and adapted to hold the tape of seedlings;(g) a clutch connected to said drive train and adapted to control the rotation of said turntable; and(h) two conveyor belts, wherein said conveyor belts are mounted near the turntable and are driven by the drive train at a speed equal to the speed of the tractor, and wherein said conveyor belts are adapted to pull the tape from the turntable into the furrow opener;wherein:said furrow opener is adapted to place tape entering said furrow opener into the soil at a speed equal to the speed of the tractor, and wherein the packing wheels are adapted to pack soil against the tape after the tape has been positioned in the furrow.