A system for a high-efficiency planting operation for a work machine for planting saplings. The system comprises a conveying unit to store at least one tray of saplings and to transport the tray of saplings towards a gripping unit. The gripping unit retrieves at least one sapling from the tray and to release at least one sapling towards an indexing unit. The indexing unit is coupled to the gripping unit and individually releases a sapling for planting. A planting unit receives the sapling from the indexing unit and delivers the sapling into a ground. A sensing module is coupled to a plurality of sensors to detect a set of parameters and generates data input signals based on the parameters. A controller receives the data input signals and provides feedback to the conveying unit, the indexing unit or the planting unit to adjust actuators in response to the data input signals.

An apparatus having a support frame supports a tray actuation means, a pick up means and a conveyor assembly for feeding a transplanter with viable plants from a multi-celled tray is disclosed. The tray actuation means is configured to move the multi-celled tray along the support frame. The pick up means is configured to pick up the viable plants by their foliage from the multi-celled tray and leaving non-viable plants therein. The conveyor assembly includes receptacles for receiving one viable plant from the pick up means, and at least one sensor for detecting empty receptacles. A controller cooperatively operates the tray actuation means, the pick up means, and the conveyor assembly in order to skip empty receptacles for ensuring continuous feeding of the transplanter with viable plants. A gripper for picking up plants by their foliage is disclosed. A method for continuously feeding the transplanter with viable plants is disclosed.

A work vehicle automated travel system for executing automated travel of a work vehicle along a travel route comprising work routes, in which work is performed by a work unit, and turning routes. Said work vehicle automated travel system is provided with an operation unit. Said operation unit is able to select implementation or non-implementation of an automated work unit control, which detects the beginning of turning of the work vehicle and automatically raises the work unit and disconnects the work clutch of the work unit, and detects completion of the turning of the work unit and automatically lowers the work unit and connects the work clutch. If the beginning of turning is detected while the work vehicle is performing automated travel in a turning route, automated work unit control is implemented regardless of whether implementation or non-implementation of automated work unit control has been selected by the operation unit.

A working vehicle includes a traveling body supported by a traveling apparatus, a steering portion that steers the traveling body, a lifting/lowering apparatus that lifts and lowers a working machine, and a controller configured to execute a turning control including setting a working machine descent start line, calculating coordinates of the traveling body based on a steering operation and a traveling distance of the traveling apparatus, and in a case where the traveling body has reached the working machine descent start line in a state in which the traveling body has completed the turning, starting lowering the working machine by the lifting/lowering apparatus.

An agricultural planter has a plurality of planter row units spaced across a width of the planter, and release mechanisms for releasing seeds or plants into the ground from each row unit. A positioning system determines a location of the planter in a field, and a controller uses the location information to cause the release mechanism to release seeds or plants at predetermined tripping points in the field. The release mechanisms of all of the planter row units are moved simultaneously as the planter reaches each tripping point location in the field. This allows the seeds or plants from all of the row units to be released in a synchronized manner and aligned in a lateral direction relative to a direction of travel of the planter while planting. In one embodiment, the release mechanisms are positioned near lower ends of seed delivery tubes that receive seeds from seed metering mechanisms.

An agricultural planter has a carousel-type distribution unit for handling and planting plants. The distribution unit has a rotatably driven carousel containing a plurality of cups adapted to hold plants. The cups are operable to release plants into a conveyance channel for guiding the plants into a hollow plowshare. An ejector foot expels the plants from the hollow plowshare into a soil furrow. A drive mechanism drives the distribution unit to rotate the carousel, release plants into the conveyance channel, and expel plants from the hollow plowshare. The drive mechanism in one embodiment includes a ratcheting arm connected to a drive shaft that drives the distribution unit, and a linear actuator connected to the ratcheting arm. A positioning system determines a location of the planter in a field, and a controller activates the linear actuator to rotate the ratcheting arm when the planter reaches a tripping position in the field.

The invention discloses an automatic feeding device and method for a seedling bed of a transplanter, and relates to the technical field of agricultural mechanical equipment, comprising: a bracket installed on the transplanter; several trays, obliquely arranged on the bracket downwards and used for placing the rice seedling bed, and the bottom of the trays being provided with release mechanisms for releasing the rice seedling bed; a conveyor belt, arranged on the bracket, and positioned at the bottom of the tray, and the end of the conveyor belt is connected with a transplanting platform of the transplanter; a photoelectric sensor, arranged on the transplanting platform and used for detecting the height of the remaining rice seedling bed on the transplanting platform; and a controller, in communication connection with the photoelectric sensor, when the photoelectric sensor detects that the height of the remaining rice seedling bed on the transplanting platform is lower than the height of the photoelectric sensor. Only one driver is needed to operate, so that the labor input is greatly reduced, and the labor intensity is reduced; meanwhile, the space is saved by the reduction of the number of workers, enabling more seedling raw materials to be stored.

The tree planting machine includes a vehicle main unit, a beam, and a plurality of planting devices. The beam is attached to the vehicle main unit along the vehicle width direction, and is longer than the vehicle width of the vehicle main unit. The plurality of planting devices are attached to the beam.

A furrow opener on an agricultural ground working implement has an opener body supported on a tool supporting shank of the implement and a replaceable furrowing tip body on the opener body. A delivery passage extends through the opener body and the tip body to deposit granular material in a furrow formed in the ground by the furrow opener. The tip body has a vertical knife portion and laterally protruding wings. Each wing further includes a soil shield portion projecting upwardly from the inner edge of the respective wing alongside the corresponding side surface of the opener body so as to resist penetration of soil into the chamber through a seam between the inner edge of the wing and the corresponding side surface of the opener body.

A sapling retrieval apparatus coupled to a chassis, which extends in a fore-aft direction, includes ground-engaging supports to facilitate propelling the chassis. The sapling retrieval apparatus comprises a gripping unit for retrieving a linear row of saplings from a tray and releasing the row of saplings, a transfer unit, and an indexing unit. The transfer unit moves the released linear row of saplings to the indexing unit for individual delivery of a sapling for planting as the chassis is propelled.