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.

Forest builders for the good of the community

These two forest builders were headed to the same customer in the Far East. Many areas have varied terrain and different types of soil.

Since the purpose is to secure the vitality of natural seedlings' growth on the slope, the customer chose our SKB type with different tools such as a 3-fork ripper, tilt and mounding bucket. (the picture shows a U-bucket. The U- bucket is chosen especially in some flat areas with a hard pan that can be used to break it).

ASP works commercial planting in flat areas, below 25 degrees. There are difficulties in transporting different machines to the fields for cleaning, tilling, applying herbicides and fertilizing, so the choice of equipment was clear, just one machine.
The most common reason for purchasing our equipment is a lack of labour. However, at the same time, we can raise the standard of living of the workforce we use by providing training around the infrastructure of machinery.
Here are clear reasons to invest in mechanization, trees' vitality, and people's vitality.

How to plant trees in wasteland?

Nowadays, the world share one crucial mission that is to fight against climate change. Meanwhile, many hectares of land are neglected without adequate agriculture or forestry. It would be a waste of nature if we did not take action and take care of our land. All land can be planted no matter how wet or dry or full of weeds it is. We just need to choose the right method.

Cocoon is a good example of a planting method that is herbicide-free and still keeps the weeds away. It is a biodegradable paper donut which can store almost 20 liters of water inside and release the moisture for long enough for the plant to become stronger and bigger.

The cocoon has a lid, which prevents other species from growing near the planted tree. A vertical tube covers outside the tree and hides it from animals such as elks and deer. It also has mini climate that stabilizes the moisture and protects the tree from the overheating of the sun.

The birch in the picture below was planted with Risutec planting machine. The machine dug a hole and planted the seedling effortlessly. After the cocoon was placed in the right position, the machine added the water and covered the cocoon with soil. Manual labor was required only to place the cocoon, its lid and the tube.

Compared with the open-field plants, this birch has many more green leaves and its stem is stronger. In a few weeks, without any caring and effort, it might be difficult to find the little birch in the picture above among all the vegetation on the field.

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!

Mekaaninen! Istutuskone PM60

Ei letkuja, ei sähköjohtoja. Vain kiinnitys kaivinkoneen puomiin, täyttö ja istutustyön aloitus. Ajatuksena yksinkertainen, mutta vaati paljon testejä ja muutostöitä.

Risutec PM60 on noin 550 kg painava istutuskone. Taimimäärä on nimen mukaan 60 kappaletta kuusen tai männyn taimea. Periaatteessa koivunkin istutus onnistuu, jos taimi on alle 20 cm korkea. Tämä istutuskone on rakennettu kaivinkoneen omistajille, jotka haluavat tehdä työtä omissa metsissään tai urakoida pieniä alueita. Koneessa on kaksi säädettävää kohdetta, muuten työtahti- ja tapahtuma on kuljettajasta kiinni. Laite on saatavana myös erilaisilla kiinnityksillä

Mättään tekeminen tapahtuu normaalia totutusta kauempana. Jos halutaan istuttaa  menetelmällä mätäs- istutus, pitää kone kääntää suoraan joka kerta mättään tekemisen jälkeen. Nopeampi keino tottuneelle istuttajalle onkin mätäs-mätäs 5-6 kertaa, sitten istutus-istutus. Tällä menetelmällä konekin on vamiina oikeassa asennossa, jossa kuljettaja näkee telat ja etenemissuunnan. Koneella on myös tehty erittäin kivistä kohdetta, mutta kivisyys aiheuttaa  työn hidastumista. Koneen hinta on määritetty ostajaystävälliseksi, laitteen voi hankkia Risutec Oy:stä tai AF- Parts . Koneen rakenne on suojattu oikeudellisesti, kuten muutkin Risutec Oy:n tuotteet.

Risutec TK serie moulding planting machine for forest seedlings

Planting head Risutec PM160

Old but still working. Done a lot of hectares and new trees!