Mechanical Tree Transplanter

A Mechanical Tree Transplanter is a tractor-pulled, one to four-row implement that’s designed for planting seedling trees on terrain not too steep or rough for mechanized equipment. It usually consists of a rolling coulter, trencher, operator seat(s), and packing wheel for each row, all attached to a frame with a three-point hitch that utilizes the tractor’s hydraulic lift unit. It works by creating a slit in the soil into which the seedlings are placed (by hand), with the packing wheel then closing the slit and firming the soil around the seedlings. Some planters are equipped either with furrowing attachments to first ‘scalp’ part of the planting area or with spray attachments for applying herbicides to control unwanted vegetation.

Cost: $5,000-$8,000, depending on model

Impairment Category: Back, Lower extremity, Strength/endurance, Upper extremity