Importance

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Abstract

A seedling holding and dispensing mechanism used on planters having a planting arm which is intermittently extended downwardly into the soil. The seedling holder and dispenser is preferably mounted along the trailing edge of the planting arm. The seedling holder includes a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw is preferably mounted to the trailing edge of the planting arm in a fixed position. The second jaw is mounted for movement relative to the first jaw to allow clamping of the seedlings. The second jaw can be pivotally mounted, such as by using a connecting rod which is pivoted torsionally about a longitudinal axis. A proximate end of the connecting rod is adapted to have a lever arm. The mechanism preferably uses retraction and extension position actuators which automatically open the jaws in both the retracted loading position and the extended discharging position. A biasing spring biases the jaws together when not actuated to thereby hold the seedling as it is moved downwardly and inserted into the soil.

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First Claim