Tree Planter - Tree Spacing Timer

[aczlan]

Now your talking stuff that I don't know anything about. Basic electrical is ok but relays, circuit boards, etc. are above my understanding.
I can however follow instructions very well.

I will see if I can make something up.

Aaron Z

 

[Canada_CT230]

Is this the basic concept (don't laugh)?

I was looking at Wikipedia about relays. Is a single throw (normally open) relay what I want?

I also don't know how the connections at the relay work.

 

[Canada_CT230]

here is a JPG version of the picture.

 

[Mark Page]

Compromise and plant at 11ft. Spray paint a mark on your rear tires, everytime a mark comes up plant a seedling.

 

[powerpace]

Keep it simple. Right above the blade attachment install two pillow bearings and a shaft. Extend to the side a disk or wheel that is 10' in circumference. A bell tripped by a lever. Or a line painted on the disk.

 

[leonz]

I recently bought a Detco 101 tree planter (Detco, Inc. Tree Planters, Spades, and Tongs) and I need a way to equally space the trees while planting.

I have seen the trailing chain method and that is a possibility but I saw this video on YouTube. The chain method would be more of a nuissance as you have to look backwards.

Planting Christmas Trees - YouTube

They have some kind of timer or measurment device that beeps when a certain distance is driven.

I have done some searching but haven't found anything. I don't know what it is called so that makes it harder to find.

Any help would be appreciated.

What made you choose Detco over a Michigan transplanter?

 

[Canada_CT230]

I don't like the idea watching for a mark or watching a drag chain spacer. It distracts the planter from focusing on the tree planting. An audible sound does not interfere with the eye balls and gets a rythm going.

I don't want the...look...look...look...look...look...look...plant. I want...beep...plant............................beep...plant.

The adjustablity is nessesary depending on how early I want to harvest trees. I can live with some limited adjustability but 11 ft won't be the only spacing. I can live with 11' or 5.5' or 3.65' or 2.75' spacing (either 1, 2, 3 or 4 magnets on the rear tire rim).

I can fashion the mounting brackets, etc. to mount the required hardware. I don't mind to do some rig up as it is once per year for one day of planting.

I like the idea of using the tractors horn and a relay/magnetic switch to activate a beep. I think some rare-earth magnets stuck to the tire rim would be strong enough to activate the mag switch and stay put while driving. If that doesn't work I could always double side tape the other side of the magnetic contact switch on to the tire rim.

 

[Canada_CT230]

What made you choose Detco over a Michigan transplanter?

Price! I can't afford $5000 for a planter.

Also...I plant 2 yr old trees and they are bigger (and bigger roots). The Holland Planter (and across the street competitor) could not handle the root depth.

I didn't want the mechanical grabbers, etc. Too much to fiddle with.

 

[aczlan]

here is a JPG version of the picture.

Pretty much, but you only switch the positive wire. See the 4 wire relay instructions at: FAQ: RELAYS; how they work and how to wire it up...

Aaron Z

 

[powerpace]

Keep it simple. Right above the blade attachment install two pillow bearings and a shaft. Extend to the side a disk or wheel that is 10' in circumference. A bell tripped by a lever. Or a line painted on the disk.

A rod attached to the wheel would ring a bell as it makes contact with the ground at each rotation.