The suitability of the seedlings determines the outcome of mechanical planting

 When we start discussions with a new customer, we ask for information about the plants to be used. This is so that we can ensure the technical functioning of the planting machine. 

We usually ask to go to the nursery to examine the seedlings and carry out a drop test. This test is very simple - we drop the seedling from a height of 1.5 m and if the substrate remains in the pot then the seedling is of good quality. 

On the other hand, it is important to check the shape of the roots, if the roots are twisted or they branch outwards the trees will grow slower. Air roots and "prickly" roots are a source of interference to the machine's operation.

The shape of the stem is also crucial, a twisted or curved stem is not suitable for mechanical planting.

We may sound demanding, but the machine performs many functions at the same time. Even a single disturbance slows down the operation and the simplest way is to put poor-quality seedlings in the ground manually.

Weed control in early stage plantation

Weed control is one of the most challenging things in forest management. Especially when planting, it is important to use pre-emergence herbicide, but if it is not allowed to use herbicide? We can control the weed in two ways: tilling the soil and using large seedlings.
Surprisingly, the best time to plant in very fertile soils is winter, when the grass is not growing. The planted seedling is ready to wake up with the sun and gets a few weeks ahead of the grass. This can be decisive. With mechanical planting, the seedling pot can be made deep enough. thus it is safe from the ravages of winter. The development and growth of the seedlings can also be accelerated in various ways, such as slowly releasing fertilizers and bioaccelerators. 

 

Looking for a trainer!

 

We want to provide our customers with continuity and certainty in the operation. Now we are looking for a trainer who is involved in the installation and commissioning of the device and stays for a while to train the customer's drivers in operation, maintenance and work methods. The training takes place in the customers' forests, so the living situation must allow long periods of absence. Between the training periods, the workplace is at the premises of Risutec Oy, where the trainer also installs machines and produces material for the training. This is how we maintain the trainer's professionalism in product management. The prerequisite is good English language skills, good driving skills of an excavator and, of course, willingness to travel.

Interested? Contact: jussi.aikala@risutec.fi 

Operating planting machine

And this is how it works with TASK- guidance system. All in one: planting, irrigation, herbiciding, fertilizing, GPS- points and the best quality soil preparation!

New kind of planter for eucalyptus

In short time Risutec Ltd. is delivering a new type of eucalyptus planting head, type Risutec SKB-180. This special type is designed for deep soil preparation and can be used in slopes.

SKB-180 is designed for excavator 15-18 tons, operational weight is 1200/1500 kg.The seedling cassette includes 180/360 seedlings and it can have a lot of optional devices: fertilizer applicator for granule, water or water gel irrigation, herbicide system, ASTA- documentation system, TASK for precise guiding for seedling placement. Other devices can be automatic lubricator, camera and special trays for loading. With this machine (and all other Risutec models too) can be used telemetric control for adjusting.

This particular machine can be delivered also different kind of subsoilers, It can have a cultivator or rake, whatever your need is.

For additional information, please contact to Risutec!

Steep slopes for eucalyptus production- vital, no choices

In a long term, our growing population needs more food. Climate change will destroy in large scale farming land. Drought, a lack of water means that we have to get more fields from cattle grass land to seeded. Soy bean, maize, grain etc. needs flat ground and fruitful soil to grow.

At the same time, paper consumption is going down bit by bit. Cardboard, new kind of wood fiber, plywood and even a timber will keep the needs of pulp and wood material in same level as it has been in recent years. In this angle, we need long fiber pulp more and more to cover to satisfy the demand of markets.  Electric power is still needed in future, this global depression will heal in some years. And it means that we have to do electricity with sustainable way: sun, wind and- wood chips.

This will lead us situation where have to consider more and more effective ways to grow wood. Now flat grounds are coming more mechanized and it shows benefit of mechanization. But how to get more land for wood grow, if there is a competition with farmers about the land?  


Simple answer is to intensive cultivation of wood in slopes. Many problems are still there , but harvesting in slopes is already solved. Now the bigger issue is how to do silvicultural work with less manpower? Terrace roads are one solution. Those can be used also with fertilizing, weeding (a big problem) and harvesting. But the cost are high, making those roads needs a lot of hours. More simple way to do planting is just drive up and down with feller buncher carrier or powerful excavator.

Risutec Ltd. has develop a solution for slopes. Deep sub soiling and bedding for seedling, fertilizing, water gel, herbicide and in future also TASK- system for accurate placing. We are ready to release our solution in few months. Take contact to us and take advance of  cost reduction!