The goal of this project was to design a trailer mechanism that transplants two year-old evergreen saplings. The mechanism automates the processes of digging holes, planting seedlings, and refilling the holes. To dig the hole, a four bar linkage with a dibble on the end intermittently pierces conical holes into the ground, minimizing soil disturbance. The saplings are held in a hopper and individually separated by an arm on a linkage that reorients and places the saplings into the holes. Finally, two angled wheels on the rear of the trailer refill the holes with surrounding dirt. These systems were designed to operate synchronously using the torque generated by the wheels as they roll across the field. Future research could use this information to actualize the transplanting mechanism.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Esworthy, Timothy David
• Barber, Chester
• Palmer, Sydney

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-051120-200811

Award

• Provost's MQP Award

Advisor

• Cobb, Eben C.

Year

• 2020

Date created

• 2020-05-11

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Mechanical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Last modified

• 2023-01-19