Transplanter, have any, know where to get one?

[Tororider]

I planted about 700 evergreens last year, about 450 norway spruce, 150 fraser firs, and 100 black hills spruce. Thinking of planting a few hundred more this year. Last year we used the counties transplanter, it was a piece of junk, and we worked way harder than we needed to. Question is, anybody near MI looking to sell or rent one, or anyone have a line on a good used one?

 

[john_bud]

They are pretty specialized and $$. (you are talking about the ones you tow behind the tractor, sit on and plant saplings with, right?)

I did 3000 white pines with a shovel, didn't think there were enough to justify a planter....until about #1200!

jb

 

[Tororider]

Hey JB,
Yeah that is the kind we are talking about. I know a few hundred trees doesn't justify one unless you can find a nice used one. We were thinking we could rent it out too. It may not be justified, but they sure make things easier when they work right

 

[Eastinlet]

Years ago they used to use a homemade bar with tree spade ends that would bolt across the tractor rim, with the ends extending beyond the tire. They would drive down the planting wire making 2 slits for every turn of the tire.

I never used one, but know someone who did and have seen pictures. It takes only some of the work out of it, though. Still got to bend down, then make a cut with a tree spade to close the slit.

Obviously tire circumference determines tree spacing, so it wouldn't work for some of the smaller machines. Would make a good 2 person job after the slits are done by tractor, one setting trees and the other closing slits behind him.