Greenhouse Mechanization and Material Handling
Tray and Pot Filling
There are two basic types of container-filling machines. Both are available to fill trays and plugs or individual pots.
Tray Filling Machines
Filling trays and plugs is one of the large labor users in the production of plants. The advantage to choosing a machine over hand-filling is the uniformity of media in the container (Figure 4.11). There are no compacted areas. This results in more uniform watering and therefore more uniform plants. Although a tray filler can be used as a standalone machine, they are more efficient if they are part of a production line.
Pot-Filling Machines
Pot filling with media can either be done using a semi-automatic potting machine or an automatic potting machine.
Semi-Automatic Filling Machines
A semi-automatic potting machine consists of a hopper on wheels, a soil elevator that lifts the media from the hopper, and a horizontal circular chain conveyor (Figure 4.12). Empty pots are placed in holders on the chain, carried under the elevating conveyor, filled, dibbled and moved to a location where they are either manually or mechanically removed. Excess soil then falls back into the bin.
Automatic Pot-Filling Machines
Alternatively, the pot is filled automatically with a potting machine that consists of a hopper on wheels, a soil elevator that lifts the media from the hopper and a horizontal circular chain conveyor (Figure 4.13). Empty pots are placed in holders on the chain, carried under the elevating conveyor, filled, dibbled, and moved to a location where they are either manually or mechanically removed. Transplants can be set as the pot goes by or the containers can be placed on carts or pallets for later planting.
Click on the following topics for more information on greenhouse mechanization and material handling.
