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.

Weed mechanical control

 In my previous post, I talked about the importance of a properly done field establishment for weed control.

When done correctly - cultivation, the right kind of seedlings, and other actions are a good foundation for the future growth of the stand.

But grass and bushes grow and compete for light and nutrients with the target crop.

In a plantation environment with straight lines and row spacings designed for extraction, it’s easy to control grass mechanically. But we shouldn’t discount cutting in northern conditions - where efficiencies can be gained with a small combi- or compact excavator.

It’s wise to cut the grass and bushes with an efficient method before the final cut. This is because the quantity and quality of the cut wood improve, while the final cut is quick and inexpensive, which is critical for controlling cost when operating with an expensive harvester.

Subsoiling machnery is one of our branches

 

Although we are profiled as a manufacturer of forest builders (planters) and digital systems, we are also a manufacturer of other soil preparation equipment. The pitting tool PT-6 has been a success in forestry. The device subsoil fertilizes and digitally marks the location and working time tracking. Combined with mechanical planting, where water gel is added with a light planting machine, we have reached steep slopes with good work speed. Two PT-6 devices and one PM-120 are great team, especially for slope work or slash areas.

According to our customer's research, the system gives at best a 30 per cent growth rate compared to manual planting and bucket tillage!
The picture shows a device built by our licensed
manufacturer, this also shows our willingness to cooperate in sales, maintenance and license manufacturing. We are at your service for all questions!

The ASTA system is the key to productivity

 Many countries already use our digital system for documenting the location of seedlings, called ASTA.

This system provides a wide range of information such as area, speed of site formation, number of sites and density. Several different types of work points can be added to the system such as pit, tree, and seeding points and generate different types of data and API interface data.

You should contact us to hear more, data is key to processes that contribute to work for the forest and the land.

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!