8 Transplanters to Help Right-Size Labor in Your Growing Operation
Greenhouse growers are keenly focused on reducing labor overhead costs wherever possible, and one of the easiest ways to right-size your labor deployment is to implement automated transplanting and sticking robots. Check out the slideshow above for a look at some of the latest offerings from AgriNomix, Visser and its North American distribution partner, Bell Park Horticulture, as well as TTA.
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AgriNomix RW 1500 Wireless Transplanter
The AgriNomix RW 1500 Transplanter can utilize flats, shuttle trays, and individual pots 6 inches in diameter and above. The robot can stick plug trays from 512 to 50 cell trays and features a transplant speed of up to 24,000 plugs per hour (rate depends on plug tray and finish container specs).
Other Features: Independent finger movement; wireless communication; up to 24 fingers; Max. usable finger spread is 57.5 inches; Pinching spade gripper design does not require push-up pins; User-friendly graphical touch-screen control; and electronic planting depth and plug tray height adjustment.
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AgriNomix RW 2100 Wireless Transplanter
The AgriNomix RW 2100 Transplanter has many of the same specs and features as its RW 1500 counterpart, but features a transplant speed of 48,000 plugs per hour (rate depends on plug tray and finish container specs). Another difference is the ability to utilize up to 48 fingers with a max finger spread of 81 inches with the RW 2100 model; Pinching spade gripper design does not require push-up pins; User-friendly graphical touch-screen control and electronic planting depth and plug tray height adjustment.
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AgriNomix RW 2100 Twin Wireless Transplanter
The AgriNomix RW 2100 Twin Wireless Transplanter is similar to the RW 2100 model but can can transplant from 288 to 50 cell trays with a transplant speed of up to 61,000 plugs per hour (rate depends on plug tray and finish container specs).
Other Features: Double boom; Independent finger movement; Wireless communication; Up to 72 fingers with a max. usable finger spread of 81 inches; Planting fingers pull from 3 plug trays length or 5 width wide at a time.
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TTA FlexPlanter/FlexSorter
The FlexPlanter/FlexSorter is a unique transplanter which combines transplanting and selection/grading into one simple step. The FlexPlanter/FlexSorter is the best choice for greenhouses who propagate their own young plants and would like to reduce labor costs and at the same time increase efficiency and quality.
Key Features:
- Capacity per hour: 3,000 to 30,000 plugs
- Plug diameter: 9 to 60 mm
- Machine weight: 2 kg
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 3,500 mm/2,850 mm/2,650 mm
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TTA PackPlanter S
The PackPlanter S is able to transplant into trays, packs or pots in shuttle trays. The simplicity in design allows for a complete tray change-over in less than 15 minutes. The PackPlanter S is a straight forward low price transplanter and comprises a high capacity in the smallest possible frame.
Key Features:
- Capacity per hour: 10,000 – 20,000 plugs
- Plug diameter: 9 – 30 mm
- Machine weight: 450 kg
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 3,546 mm/2,120 mm/2,275 mm
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Visser AutoStix 3G
The AutoStix 3G is equipped with 3 grippers instead of the traditional 6 grippers, making it about half the size of the flagship model, allowing for the processing of smaller batches and more varieties with less idle capacity. The lower price point of the 3G enables it to be more accessible for growers who do not require the full capacity of a 6 gripper AutoStix machine.
Key Features:
- Up to 5,000 cuttings planted per hour
- Can automatically plant labels with the strips
- Efficient uniform planting
- Achieve high labor savings
- Strips are biodegradable
- The strips can hold cuttings with a variety of stem diameters
- Will not harm plant tissue or leaves
- Cuttings shipped at high density without harm to plants
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Visser AutoStix 6G
The Visser AutoStix 6G is an industry-changing way to plant cuttings, according to the company. The patented transplanter and a special patented strip plants cuttings supplied by some of the largest cutting producers in the world, including specialized strips for New Guinea Impatiens, Poinsettia, Root Cage, and the new Multi Media strips. The strips themselves are biodegradable and will degrade into the soil, and they can hold cuttings with a variety of stem diameters and continue to position them firmly and without damage to soil tissue.
Key Features:
- Up to 11,000 cuttings planted per hour
- Can automatically plant labels with the strips
- Efficient uniform planting
- Achieve high labor savings
- Cuttings shipped at high density without harm to plants
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Visser Redline Basket Planter
The Basket Planter is a new product from Visser that is designed to handle the tedious and labor intensive task of planting multiple colors and plants into hanging baskets. The robot can pull from three or four different plug trays and can plant three or four different colors or combos. It can also plant up to 15 plants per basket of the same variety or up to four different colors from four different trays.
Key Features:
- Up to 3,000 baskets per hour
- Suitable for most baskets
- Can be integrated with the Visser Versa Filler or Mayer Potting Machine
- Also works on a line with the Bellpark WT-700 Recycling Watering Tunnel