Patent ID: 7404364

Claim:
A machine for transplanting plant seedlings, the machine comprising: a frame adapted to be moved in a direction of movement over a surface of an area of ground in which seedlings are to be planted, the frame supporting a holder for trays containing plugs of growth medium each containing a plant seedling, an ejector for removing the plugs from the trays to produce freed plugs, a planting mechanism for planting the freed plugs in a row in said area of ground, and a conveyor mechanism for conveying the freed plugs from the ejector to a planting position, wherein said frame carries a ground preparation and modification device comprising two elongated members extending generally in parallel with each other in alignment with said direction of movement of the frame and spaced from each other to form a planting slot having a substantially uniform width through which said planting mechanism plants said freed plugs into said area of ground, each elongated member having a substantially flat underneath surface configured to contact and exert a pressure upon the ground thereby to grade the ground during forward motion of the machine to generate desirable planting conditions for the seedlings, the planting slot positioned to accommodate each soil plug in the planting position and a ground cutting blade positioned ahead of the slot in the direction of movement of the frame, thereby forming a cut in the ground into which said plugs are inserted through the slot as said frame advances over said surface.