Planters Mechanical vegetable planter?

   / Mechanical vegetable planter? #1  

Bob_Skurka

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Jul 1, 2003
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OK here is the question. Do I really want a mechanical veggie planter? I have been looking at used single row units. This year we put in about 150 veggie plants by hand, and used a JD 71 Flexi planter for an acre of corn, 1/6 acre of green beans, and I don't know how much sunflower (just for the blooms and the birds). But I really HATED every minute of transplanting those vegetable plants (Pulling the JD planter was fun!) And our harvest is going to be donated to others (charity), so I really wish we would have planted more. I have more land available to plant, so next year I could easily plant 500+ tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, watermelon, honeydew, pumpkins, etc. The problem is the manual effort to do the actual planting.

So my question really boils down to this: Has anyone actually used a one row mechanical planter (I'd buy a used one) on a small scale, is it worth the investment in a used unit, or am I just being a crybaby because I don't want to plant the stuff by hand?
 
   / Mechanical vegetable planter? #2  
I would look to the recipients for some assistance, or look at one of those little Garden Way seeders.

Tomatoes generally transplant aorund here don't you?
 
   / Mechanical vegetable planter?
  • Thread Starter
#3  
<font color="red">
I would look to the recipients for some assistance, or look at one of those little Garden Way seeders.

Tomatoes generally transplant aorund here don't you? </font>

I already have a planter for planting seed.

The type of planter I am looking for would mechanically plant a small potted plant that has already sprouted and may have a plant that is 4" to 8" tall. "Holland Planters" seem to be a very common brand. Sweets Farm Equipment sells used ones, I would probably buy one from him, or perhaps one locally, restore it, and use it.

Here is a photo of one that I think would be an excellent size for what I am thinking of doing.

aa_1_b.jpg
 
   / Mechanical vegetable planter? #4  
I planted about 25 tomatoes and peppers from 4" containers to rows in my garden and it took about an hour. So for your 500 plants figure on 20 hours by yourself, or get 3-4 helpers and get it done in half a day. I have never used or even seen a planter like you are describing except in the picture you sent me. Looks interesting, but I would probably get some help and do it manually.
 
   / Mechanical vegetable planter?
  • Thread Starter
#5  
bdog, these planters are very common in some areas. Vegetable farms and tobacco farms use various versions of them. Some are quite elaborate, some are designed for specific types of plants.


Here is a thread to a TBN member who posted the whole process with a dozen or so photographs. 5000 pepper plants with an L3130
 
   / Mechanical vegetable planter? #6  
Hey Bob, hopefully Ken will chime in. I saw they had quite an assortment of planters on the web site yesterday. I think this a great excuse for another attachment! Maybe you need another tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif All those implements and only two tractors!
 
   / Mechanical vegetable planter?
  • Thread Starter
#7  
<font color="blue"> I think this a great excuse for another attachment! </font>

Well the lovely Mrs_Bob goes out of town on Monday for a visit to the family in New Mexico. Traditionally some new large toy shows up while she is gone.

This year I've been looking at new tools for the new garage/shop. So far on the list is (in addition to the building!!!) a 4 post car lift (I already have this, just need to sneak it home!), new compressor, maybe a small sandblaster & a set of air tools. I already 'snuck home' a Miller Passport welder, a second box blade, and a new landscape rake /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif and don't forget that I am working on the Snow Trac {as in snow tractor} restoration that I imported early this year (in fact that may come home from the office/warehouse today if my buddy shows up with the trailer).

But I have to admit that I wonder if I want the vegetable planter just so I have something else to restore and play with?
 
   / Mechanical vegetable planter? #8  
Wow, after reading that thread I think I want one now. I wonder what the magic number of plants to justify one is?
 
   / Mechanical vegetable planter?
  • Thread Starter
#9  
<font color="red"> I planted about 25 tomatoes and peppers from 4" containers to rows in my garden. . .

. . . I wonder what the magic number of plants to justify one is? </font>



THE MAGIC NUMBER IS '24' /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
   / Mechanical vegetable planter? #10  
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( <font color="blue"> I planted about 25 tomatoes and peppers from 4" containers to rows in my garden. . .

. . . I wonder what the magic number of plants to justify one is?

THE MAGIC NUMBER IS '24' </font> )</font>

Bob Skurka, you kill me. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I've never seen one but it looks like a pretty neat tool. Just the fact that your "thinking about it", means that there is one going to follow you home soon. Let us know what you decide and how it works. I'm interested because the actual planting of my garden is probably my least favorite part of the whole process. It's usually a full day or couple of days of really backbreaking work and my back isn't what it used to be. Like you, we usually end up giving half the produce away or holding "pick-your-own" BBQ's and pool days for friends and family. I could plant a smaller garden I suppose but then that would hardly be worth the effort. The truth is, I just like to grow veggies. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
 
 
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