WO1979000575A1

WO1979000575A1 - Excavation and transplanting of plants with a ball of soil

Info

Publication number: WO1979000575A1
Application number: PCT/GB1979/000020
Authority: WO
Inventors: C Newman
Original assignee: C Newman
Priority date: 1978-02-01
Filing date: 1979-02-01
Publication date: 1979-08-23
Also published as: DE2965338D1; EP0010541B1; EP0010541A1; US4301605A; JPS55500059A

Abstract

Apparatus for excavating and transplanting of plants and trees comprising interlockable curved blades (16) detachable from the driving apparatus (32, 33) such that several soil-balls and several sizes of soil-ball can be excavated consecutively by the apparatus driving each blade (16) successively by the transfer of momentum from a rapidly reciprocating device (32, 33) producing little resultant reactive force. The soil-balls so dug are secured in the temporary reusable containers formed by sets of interlocked blades, and may be extracted from the plantation by normal lifting and transporting means to the place of transplanting, without the encumberance of the excavating apparatus accompanying each plant. The apparatus incorporates means for guidance (1, 2, 15, 21) of the detachable blades during driving and means (17) for guided rotation and positioning of the apparatus about the vertical axis of the tree.

Description

EXCAVATION AND TRANSPLANTING OF PLANTS WITH A BALL OF SOIL

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention re1ates to the mechanica1 transp1anting of p1ants and trees, the hea1thy growth of which after transp1anting requires that a substantial part of the root system be contained in a ba11 of soil retained undisturbed during transplanting. The hand digging of soi1 -ba1ls, fo11owed by wrapping and binding by hand has remained preferab1e to excavation by ordinary earth-moving equipment because of the need to cut roots c1ean1y and to avoid cracking the soi1-ba11. But over the past 20 years special digging and transplant equipment has been deve1oped.

BACKGROUND ART British Standard 4043:1966 entit1ed "Recommendations for transplanting semi-mature trees", and Civic Trust (UK) pub1ication "Practice notes on the transplanting of semi-mature trees" refer to the subject in recent years.

This inventor's British Patents nos : 992491 and 1094890 introduced mechanica1 aids to wrapping and transplanting _during 1962-1966. Other patents based on UK Pat: no: 992491 were, USA 181504; West Germany 1175933; France 1 .325.813 ; Italy 69/87 ; Canada 693367.

United States (of America) Patent no. 2990630 or 1961 referred to the design of a tree moving machine manufactured by Vermeer Mfg. Co. Pe11a, Iowa, USA, and later superseeded by the range of Vermeer "Tree Spades" designated TS 30,. TS 44, TS 66 for which there was no patent protection specified in the sa1es 1iterature. Within the past five years variants of the Tree Spade concept, have been marketed from the USA by Spartan Landscaping, Lancing 48833, Michigan, under the name "Big John" and in West Germany under the name "Optimal" by Opitz GmbH & Co KG, 8548 Heideck/Seiboldsmϋhle. These variants of the "Tree Spade" concept differ mainly by the use of doub1e curvature blades forced into the soil a1ong a curved path in p1ace of straight section blades. Al1 such machines of the "Tree Spade" concept employ a mu1tip1icity of b1ades, usual1y four, guided by a rigid frame having a hinged gate to permit the positioning of the Apparatus about the tree. Each b1ade is forced into the ground by a hydrau1ic ram that reacts against the mass of the Apparatus. The said mass coupled with the anchorage achieved by part driven blades limits the rate and extent of penetration by any one blade, until in the end position the driven b1ades substantia11y enc1ose a ba1l of soi1 containing part of the tree's roots. These previous designs are each mounted on a vehicle ranging from farm tractors up to 8 wheel trucks for the 1arger versions transplanting a tree with soil-ball approx, 2m diameter. The whole Apparatus norma11y trave1s with one tree thus loaded for transplanting. The smal1er versions may disgorge the soil-bal1 above ground 1eve1 for wrapping by hand or pre-formed container to achieve greater economy of transport and output. Because of each machine's considerable mass and size when mounted on its integral vehicle it is limited in practice to digging substantially its designed maximum soi1-ba11. This is reinforced by the economic constraints of growing trees in p1antations and nurseries at the closest spacing compatible with available transplanting techniques.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention there is supplied an Apparatus for driving a multiplicity of curved blades around a plant and whereby the number of blades may be varied to excavate a range of sizes of soil-balls. Each b1ade is driven by the transfer of momentum from a rapidly reciprocating device such as a power hammer, (as might be used for breaking concrete), thereby imparting energy at a high rate without the need for the Apparatus itself to be of 1arge mass as is the case with previous designs using hydrau1ic ram pressure direct to each blade.

Furthermore, the present invention a1lows for sets of b1ades, when driven to end position to be locked together to form temporary and re-usab1e rigid containers separate from that part of the Apparatus which guides and drives the b1ades. By this procedure the one Apparatus for guidance and driving may ^'consecutively excavate a number of trees of various se1ected soil-ball sizes. Such a group of trees may then be transported and transp1anted as a sing1e economic load.

By the present invention the extraction and transportation of the trees in bladed containers may be performed by any convenient conventiona1 lifting means such as tractors with arms, or fork 1ift, or by truck with hoist. These vehic1es are required on1y to lift a tree with its soil-ball surrounded by the rigid container of blades. It follows that the same size tree may be extracted by a 1ighter and more compact vehicle than is possib1e in combination with the previous heavy digging machines. Furthermore, it fo1lows that trees may be grown c1oser than was practica1 previously, or that estab1ished p1antation trees can be permitted to grow larger at their existing spacing. In the present invention the Apparatus for guidance and driving the blades is light enough to be manhand1ed into position under normal nursery conditions by two men, or to be towed 1onger distances by a small vehicle or tractor. In operation the Apparatus may be powered by a compact portab1e power unit, or it may draw on accessory power from a tractor.

This invention can be manhand1ed a1ong nursery rows for the purpose of "root-pruning" as described in British Standard BS 4043:1966.

Another economic advantage of the present invention is that its sma11 size permits the excavation of a1ternate trees as a natural si1vicu1tural thinning process so that trees that wou1d otherwise be fel1ed young with neg1igab1e timber va1ue may be rep1anted for amenity purposes. The 1ight weight of the present invention suits it for being lifted over obstructions such as ditches and fences where conventional machines cannot reach. Where trees are to be transplanted to inaccessible town sites, b1ade-bal1ed trees can be hoisted by crane beyond the reach of conventional tree transplanters.

One preferred embodiment of the invention wi1l now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a side e1evation of the invention with the last blade in position prior to being driven down, and with the previously driven b1ades be1ow ground shown in broken line, and substantially containing the ball of soil and root system to be transplanted. Fig. 2 shows a plan view of the invention in the same configuration as in Fig. 1 but for c1arity showing only one previous1y driven blade diametrically opposed to the blade about to be driven.

Fig. 3 shows a sectiona1 e1evation of the Apparatus as in Fig. 1 , but in which the frame is extended for digging of a 1arger soil-ba11 than in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 shows a p1an view of a comp1ete set of driven b1ades with their spoke-like extensions locked to each other ready for 1ifting and transporting, but excluding the soil-ba1l for c1arity.

Figs. 5 and 6 show side e1evation views respective1y of a "fist" b1ade and a "1ast" b1ade on which the aforesaid spokes are arranged to complete the cross-over pattern.

Fig. 7 shows a preferred arrangement for locking together spokes of adjacent blades where these 1atter cross one over the other.

Fig. 8 shows an inverted p1an view of a set of blades of the same size as in Fig. 4 but incorporating a larger number of such b1ades so that their pointed ends no 1onger meet underneath the ball of soil, but nevertheless they form an adequate1y substantial container for transp1anting certain soils such as c1ay.

Fig. 9 shows an end e1evation of "intermediate" b1ades and especia1ly the arrangement of the two spokes 38a and 41a used between "first" and "1ast" b1ades.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In the preferred version of the invention and referring to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the frame of the Apparatus is a substantially horizontal hollow steel structure comprising two parallel members 1a and 1b linked by a U shaped member 1c and a cross member 2. Two extension beams, 3a and 3b, are slideable 1engthways to suit the size of soil-bal1 to be excavated as indicated by the extended beam 3b in Fig. 3. The beams are locked by pins at 3c and 3d (Fig. 2).

At the outer ends of the two beams 3a and 3b are attached cy1indrical support legs 4a and 4b inside which are rotatable stub 1egs 5a and 5b s1ideab1e vertica11y by fluid pressure actuated jacks (not drawn). Stub 1egs 5a and 5b are supported on wheels 6a and 6b angled from the vertical and with axles offset from the axis of leg rotation to produce a castor-like action. Similar legs 4c and 4d mounted on frame member 1c, contain similar stub legs 5c and 5d supported on wheels 6c and 6d having castor-like behaviour. For traversing the Apparatus into position stub legs 5a and 5b are locked by hinged links 7a and 7b so as to position wheels 6a and 6b parallel to frames 1a and 1b.

For positioning the Apparatus around a tree, wheels 6c and 6d are free to rotate castor-like.

Directional contro1 is aided by a detachable lever 8 inserted either in socket 8a or 8b mounted on frame 1c. For transport over rough terrain or greater distances than between trees, supporting 1egs that carry whee1s 9a (and 9b not drawn) s1ots into brackets 10c and 10d on hammer support arm 11 and may be lowered to operating 1evel by action of pressure actuated cylinders 12a and 12b. A1so for lάnger distance transport, bogey whee1s 13a and 13b on tow-bar 14 may be attached by spherical ball pivot with pin 1ock 14a. Before driving the first blade, the transport wheels are removed and the Apparatus is positioned with the trunk of the tree at a selected radial distance from the 1ower guidance struts 15a and 15b which carry bushed rollers bearing against the centra1 spine of the b1ade 16 for blade guidance. This aforesaid radial distance R1 (Fig. 1) and R2 (Fig. 3) is predetermined to accommodate exact1y the number of blades necessary to excavate an appropriate size of soi1-ba11. Means is provided for rotary guidance of the Apparatus around the tree at any selected radius and for the positioning of εuccessibe b1ades. A preferred feature of this means of guidance (Fig. 2) comprises two soft rubber whee1s 17a and 17b on a common chassis s1ideab1e a1ong a rail 18 and 1ockab1e at any chosen position. Rail 18 is hinged to move in a horizonta1 p1ane about pin 19 and is adjusted by turnbuck1e 20. A third wheel 17c is hinged about the ax1e of wheel 17b and is adjusted by strut and pin mechanism (not drawn). A preferred version of this invention comprises means for guiding each blade whi1st being driven provided by U shaped guidance arm 21 and 25 (Figs. 1 and 2) hinged at pins 22a and 22b on frame members 1a and 1b. At the other end of the guidance arm is provided means of 1ocating and 1ocking the b1ade 39 in the correct position during driving on a part circu1ar path using two location pins (Fig. 2) 23a and 23b and a catch mechanism 24 on the cross beam 25 of the said guidance arm, to locate in 1ocation holes 26a and 26b in p1ate at top of b1ade 27 (Fig. 4) and 1ock in s1ot 28 (Fig. 9) at the top of the b1ade.

In a preferred version of the invention means of positioning the reciprocating hammer is provided by aforesaid U shaped hammer-arm 11 hinged coaxially with the aforesaid guidance arm 21 with pins 22a and 22b on frame members 1a and 1b. Two f1uid pressure operated cylinder rams 12a and 12b mounted on frame 1a and 1b rotate said hammer-arm in an arc. This arcuate motion is also transmitted to the aforesaid guidance-arm 21 by two s1ideable bo1ts 30a and 30b (Fig. 1) on the outer part of the arms. Said bo1ts 1ocate in slots 31a and 31b on the guidance-arm, permitting it limited movement relative to the hammer-arm and vice-versa.

The hammer 32 and reciprocating bit 33, transmit the force to drive the blade through the soil and other obstructions such as roots and stones. Said hammer is mounted at the outer end of the hammer-arm on a cradle 34 pivota1 on shaft 35 which permits rotation of the hammer towards the horizonta1 for convenience of 1oading and transporting. In order to drive blades, the hammer is 1ocked by bo1t mechanism in a position where the said bit 33 is para11e1 to the tangent to the arc of the blade with the point of bit 33 1ocated in b1ade driving block 36b. Longer b1ades that may be required to dig larger trees may have more than one such driving block per blade as shown at 36a (Figs . 1 and 3 ) .

The operator controls said hammer by standing on the middle section of frame member 1c holding hand grips and trigger at the top of the hammer. Controls for f1uid pressure to cy1inders are mounted on a console (not drawn for reasons of c1arity) above aforesaid leg 4d. F1uid pressure for the Apparatus may conveniently be supplied from any suitable external source or from a portable motor and pump unit adjacent to the Apparatus, and connected to it by quick release couplings.

Normal1y the first blade of a set, when driven to end position provides the initia1 1ocation and reference for the subsequent 1ocation of the second blade. For commencing excavations in very hard ground it may be desirable to drive a pilot blade at the chosen radius prior to driving the first b1ade. Said pi1ot blade may be shorter and narrower than a normal blade to estab1ish an accurate radius R1 or R2. The pilot b1ade has no spokes and is withdrawn before the end of the digging cycle to be rep1aced by the 1ast blade of the set . Referring to Figs . 1 , 4, 5 , 6 , 8 , and 9, the preferred version of the Apparatus incorporates blades part cylindrical in their midd1e section and part conica1 in their side edges about a common axis coinciding with the axis of the guidance-arm 21 at pins 22a and 22b. Such blades when driven to end positions in a set may (Fig. 4) substantial1y meet at their lower ends. Or if a greater number of the same shaped b1ades be used to make up a set then the points of the blades wi11 not meet (Fig. 8) but wi11 sti11 substantially contain a ball of soil such as a clay soil. The blades in this preferred version when driven form an overlap along the upper part of their sides. Thus there will be better containment of the soi1 and c1ean cutting of roots. To assist this cutting, the b1ades are toothed a1ong part of their side edges.

In the preferred version shown (Fig. 4) there are three sub-types of blade in a set. The first blade 37 of the set to be driven, (immediate1y fo11owing the pilot b1ade if one is used), is of the same curved profile . but with two spoke assemb1ies of type 38a and 38b (Figs. 4 and 5) each resting on the soil at end driven position. The second and subsequent intermediate b1ades 39 (Figs..4 and 9) and excepting the last blade, have one spoke of type 38a at soi1 level in end driven position and one spoke of type 41a which is raised above soi1 level in end driven position so as to cross over a spoke of type 38a of the previously driven b1ade. The last blade 40 of a set (Figs. 4 and 6) incorporates spokes of type 41b and 41a which complete the pattern of crossed spokes by passing over spoke type 38b on the first blade and spoke type 38a on the penultimate blade.

A preferred version of the invention for the locking together of crossed spokes of adjoining blades is shown in sectional view in Fig. 7, where the 1ower spoke 38a/38b retains a slideab1e square nut 42 into which is screwed a bolt 43 passing through a heavy washer 44 a between the two half members of the spoke type 41a/41 The upper surfaces of spokes 38a and 38b and the lowe surfaces of 41a and 41b may be roughened by a process such as knurling to increase the locking cohesion bet- ween crossed spokes.

A preferred version of a blade drawn in Fig. 3 provide pin holes 45 in spokes 38a and 38b for lifting. The use of said pin holes and lockable pins spreads the lifting loads substantia1ly through al1 the spokes. When digging with sets of blades more numberous than drawn in Fig. 4, the lifting loads to the spokes may be transmitted by spreader beams (not drawn) to distribut loads substantially even1y between the spokes.

The preferred version of the invention provides means for mechanical rotation of the apparatus to successive positions for the driving of a set of blades. In this preferred version a fluid pressure cylinder 46 (Fig. 2 pu11s a be1t 46a about a stepped pulley 47 also carrying a cable 47a guided at pu1ley at 48. Cab1e 47a with hooked end is engaged manually on the furthest vertical edge of the driven b1ade, such that operation of the cylinder ram 46 retracts the cab1e thus rotating the whole Apparatus anti-clockwise through an arc equivalent to one blade width. In this preferred version of the invention (Fig. 1 and 2) there is provided an index-arm 49 pivoted at 49a and locked by slideab1e bo1t 50 and with a cam operated clamp engaging hole 28 at the top of each successive blade. Lower edge of index-arm 49 carries stops 51a, 51b and 51c and 1ocating pin 52 which together provide accurate 1ocation on the top of the blade previous1y driven. Index-arm 49 is fixab1e about pin 49a by engaging screw-adjustable radius arm 53 by pin 54 in one of severa1 jig-bored 1ocation holes in the indexarm, typified by ho1e 54a. According to which 1ocation hole pin 54 engages, the index-arm is located for the appropriate ang1e between adjacent blades to produce a ful1 set of the desired number of driven b1ades. Means is provided for adjustab1e radius arm 53 to be set to nominal position or varied to compensate from time to time for smal1 irregu1arities in the re1ative angular displacement of b1ades due to being driven through or deflected by obstructions.

A preferred version of the invention inc1udes provision of tripods or polypods (not drawn) which are adjustab1e for length of 1eg. The base of each leg comprises a 1ug and pin means of 1ocking to s1ot 28 (Fig. 9) in any blade. The apex of the po1ypod comprises two hinged and padded ha1f circu1ar members to fit around the trunk of the tree. Aforesaid po1ypod provides support for the heavy crowns of trees when laid over for transport.

A preferred version of the invention inc1udes means for placing a gird1e strap 56 (Fig. 8) around the set of blades after extraction from the ground. The gird1e strap of a strong non-e1astic material carries a numberof slideab1e hooks typified by 57 by which it is attached at each driving b1ock as at 36b, so that it can be tightened by a ratchet device 58, and thereby compressing the bladed root-ball during travel. When a set of blades excavate a bal1 of soil open at its base the aforesaid gird1e 56 may provide anchorage for e1astic ties 59 radiating from a central ring 60 which wil1 support a sheet of hessian or burlap type material (not drawn) to retain 1oose soil.

In this preferred version of the invention, and when digging a 1arger soil-ball than the available b1ades wi11 contain, it may become necessary to drive a longer b1ade prior to the standard b1ades, so as to cut deep tap-roots under the tree. Such a root-cutting blade 61 (Fig. 8) is drawn in broken 1ine, and is narrow and fine1y pointed. After driving it is immediately withdrawn by raising the hammer-arm linked to the guidancearm by bolts 30a and 30b (Fig. 1).

Shou1d it be wished to excavate a 1arger soil-ball as in Fig. 8 but comp1ete1y contained within a set of b1ades this is achieved by emp1oying a set of blades 1onger in arcuate 1ength but of the same curvature and other features. One such longer b1ade is drawn for example in broken line at 62 (Fig. 8).

Without necessari1y 1imiting the scope of the invention claimed, preferred embodiments of the invention may be summarised as fo11ows:-

1. A hydraulic-mechanical Apparatus for transp1anting p1ants and the like together with a ball of soil containing roots as excavated previously by means of frame incorporated b1ades driven by hydraulic rams, wherein the invention is characterized in that several sets of interlockab1e curved b1ades (Fig. 4) detachab1e from the frame and arms (Fig. 1; 1-3, 21) be guidedly driven successively by reciprocating hammer device (Fig. 1 ; 21 , 32, 33) to excavate consecutively severa1 soil-ba1ls thus temporari1y contained in re_¬ usable sets of locked blades composed of various selected quantities and arcuate 1engths forming thereby severa1 sizes of container to suit the needs of various sizes of plant.

2. Apparatus as summarised as above characterized by inter1ockab1e b1ades, is achieved by means of two s1otted members (Figs. 4, 5, 6, 9) fixed near the top. of each b1ade in a se1ected set of b1ades so that when each b1ade in the set has been driven successively to end position every said s1otted member is crossed by another fixed on an adjacent b1ade, and a11 crossing pairs of s1otted members may then be 1ocked by means of a bo1t and a nut anchored in the s1ot of the 1ower member (Fig. 7).

3. Apparatus as summarised as above, characterized by b1ades detachab1e from the Apparatus yet guided1y driven, is achieved by temporari1y 1ocating and locking the top member of a blade to be driven (Fig. 4; 26 and 27) to a hinged guidance arm (Fig. 1; 21) by dowel pins and s1ideab1e c1amp (Fig. 2; 23 and 24) such that axis of hinged guidance arm is co-axia1 with axis of curvature of blade.

4. Apparatus as summarised as above, characterized by se1ecting soi1-bal1 size to suit plant size, is achieved by adjustable means of guidance of Apparatus about vertica1 axis of tree (Fig. 2; 17-20) comprising slideable soft e1astic whee1s, locating at base of trunk, and being adjustable for diameter of trunk, and adjustable for the desired size of soi1-ball having the trunk at the centre of its geometrical horizontal shape .

5. Apparatus as summarised . above characterized by the selection of a variab1e quantity of blades to compose a set for a container of desired size, is achieve by means of an indexing-arm and attachments (Fig. 2; 49-54) hingeable at 49a on vertical axis substantially coinciding with the theoretica1 mean vertica1 between meeting edges of adjacent b1ades, and whereby the index arm is set by means of radius-arm 54 at a position to locate in the previously driven blade such that the successive blade to be driven will be at the correct end position appropriate to the number of blades selected to comprise the set for chosen size of container.

6. Apparatus as summarised above characterized by the reciprocating hammer device driving successive blades, is achieved by means to rotate the said pivotable frame (Fig. 1; 1-3, 17-20) anti-clockwise through the angle subtended at the vertica1 axis of the plant by the width of the top of the previously driven blade. Said means of rotating the frame may be provided

(Fig. 1 ; 46-48) by a ram and strap operated stepped pu11ey operating a cable with hooked end pulling on the far vertical edge of the previously driven blade. Said frame is expandable lengthwise (Fig. 1; 1-6) so that castoring support wheels pass outside consecutively driven blades.

7. Apparatus as summarised above characterized by the driving of successive blades whereby the frame, guidedly rotated about the plant and supported on 4 wheels, incorporates means in the 1egs of said wheels to adjust for irregularity of soi1 1evel so that said frame may be substantially realigned to a chosen reference plane at the soil surface. 8. Apparatus as summarised above wherein energy for operation of the Apparatus may be of a1ternative type and of alternative means of transmission.

A1though reference numerals have been used in the appended c1aims to improve the inte11igabi1ity of these c1aims, it is express1y stated that these reference numera1s should not be construed as 1imiting the claims to the constructions i11ustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Plant transp1anting apparatus, for transp1anting a p1ant together with a ba11 of soi1 containing roots of the p1ant, comprising:

a p1urality of curved b1ades (16) each having a wide end, a pointed end, and a curved 1ongitudina1 axis extending from the wide end to the pointed end such that the longitudina1 axes of a p1ura1ity of said b1ades have the same radius of curvature;

drive means (32 and 33) for driving the b1ade (16) into the soil;

guide means (1a, 1b, 1c, 2, 15a, 15b and 21) for guiding the b1ades (16) so that the b1ades (16) are driven into the soi1 to form, at 1east partially, a cup-shaped container in which the wide ends of the b1ades (16) extend around a c1osed 1oop and the pointed ends converge at or adjacent each other;

characterized in that;

each blade (16) is detachable from the drive means (32 and 33) and the guide means (1a, 1b, 1c, 2, 15a, 15b and 21);

the drive means (32 and 33) comprise a hammering device (32) and are operable to drive the blades (16) into the soil one at a time; and

locking means (38a, 38b, 41a, 41b, 42 and 43) are provided for holding the blades ( 16 ) together after the blades (16) have been detached from the drive means (32 and 33) and the guide means (1a, 1b, 1c, 2, 15a, 15b and 21).

2. Apparatus, according to C1aim 1, characterized in that;

the 1ocking means (38a, 38b, 41a, 41b, 42 and 43) comprise at 1east two bars (38a and 38b; 38a and 41a; or 41a and 41b) rigid1y connected to the wide end of. each b1ade (16) and projecting from the b1ade ( 16 ) on the same side as the centre of curvature of the longitudinal axis of the b1ade (16);

the bars (38a, 38b, 41a and 41b) are arranged so that adjacent bars (38a, 38b, 41a and 41b) of b1ades (16) which are successively driven into the soi1 overlie each other in intersecting relation; and

fastening means (42 and 43) secure the intersecting bars (38a, 38b, 41a and 41b) to each other;

3. Apparatus, according Claim 1 or C1aim 2, characterized in that;

the guide means (1a, 1b, 1c , 2, 15a, 15b and 21) comprise a pivotally mounted guidance arm (21) having a length equal to said radius of curvature, a pivotally mounted end, and a free end; and

the wide end of each blade ( 16 ) is detachably connectable to the free end of the guidance arm (21) so that the longitudinal axis of the blade ( 16) is centred on the pivotal axis (22a) through the pivotally mounted end of the guidance arm (21).

4. Apparatus, according to any preceding claim, for transplanting plants having trunks, characterized in that;

first locating means (17a, 17b and 17c ) are provided for locating the guide means (1a, 1b, 1c , 2, 15a, 15b and 21) relative to the trunks;

first adjusting means ( 18 , 19 and 20) for adjusting the first locating means (17a, 17b and 17c ) are provided for cooperation with trunks of different sizes; and

second adjusting means (2, 3a , 3b, 3C and 3d) for varying the position of the first locating means ( 17a , 17b and 17c) re1ative to the guide means (1a, 1b, 1c , 2, 15a, 15b and 21) so as to vary the size of the c1osed loop and the number of blades (16) of which the wide ends form the closed loop.

5o Apparatus, according to any preceding claim, characterized in that;

second locating means (27 and 28) are provided on the wide ends of the blades (16);

indexing means (49, 49a, 50, 51a, 51b, 51c, 53, 54 and 54a) are provided for locating the guide means (1a, 1b, 1c, 2, 15a, 15b and 21) relative to a blade (16) which has already been driven into the soil prior to driving a further blade ( 16 ) into the soil the Indexing means (49, 49a, 50, 51a, 51b, 51c, 53, 54 and 54a) inc1ude third locating means (51a, 51b and 51c) which are positive1y engageable with the secondlocating means (27 and 28); and

third adjusting means (53, 54 and 54a) are provided for varying the orientation of the third 1ocating means (51a, 51b and 51c) so as to provide accuratelocation of the guide means (1a, 1b, 1c , 2, 15a, 15b, and 21) where different numbers of blades (16) are emp1oyed and the closed loops provided by the wide ends of these blades (16) are of different sizes.

6. Apparatus, according to any preceding claim, characterized in that;

the guide means (1a, 1b, 1c , 2, 15a, 15b and 21) inc1ude a whee1edframe (1a, 1b, 1c, 2, 6a, 6b, 6c,and 6d);

cable winding means (46a and 47) are mounted on the wheeled frame (1a, 1b,1c, 2, 6a, 6b, 6e and 6d) ;

a cable (46) has a first end attached to the cable winding means (46a and 47) and a second end detachably connectable to a blade (16) whi ch has been driven into the soild so that, on operation of the cable winding means (46a and 47) the wheeledframe (1a, 1b, 1c , 2, 6a, 6b , 6c and 6d) is movable around the plant to be transalanted.

7. Apparatus, according to claim 6, characterized in that;

the wheeled frame (1a, 1b, 1c , 2, 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d) has four wheels (6a, 6b, 6c and 6d) and;

fourth adjusting means (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d) are provided for varing the height of the wheels (6a, 6b, 6c and 6d) relative to the wheeled frame (1a, 1b, 1c,2, 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d) so as to accommodate the irregularity in the surface of the soil so that the whee1ed frame ( 1a, 1b, 1c, 2, 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d) can be a1igned with a chosen reference plane.