ATTACHMENTS | RISUTEC PLANTER Left: The Risutec PM160 features a maximum plant carousel size to ensure minimal requirements for refilling during the working shift
Left inset: To demonstrate the working movements of the planter, it is seen here raised from the mound with the probe opening to demonstrate how it inserts the plant in the preformed mound Above inset: Firming in plates of the planter provide effective compaction without losing the gentle touch around the vulnerable plant
Below left inset: The amber light indicator on the planting machine faces the operator and signals completion of the planting action when it illuminates allowing the unit to be lifted clear and begin the next cycle
PLANTING ATTACHMENT Having previously run a PM100, the first Risutec planter attachment to be produced, the current PM160 model was bought in 2014 and has been worked extremely hard over the years. It is currently mounted on its second carrier, a Hyundai 140LCM-9A complete with a high-clearance, heavy-duty undercarriage. Toni continued, “Risutec have much experience of mechanised tree planting and most important of all is how they are willing to listen and produce exactly what the customer wants. The support they give long after supplying the equipment is also very important and any technical issues are resolved quickly, allowing us to get the most from the machine.” Working for six years on this high intensity, multi-shift working pattern, the Risutec attachment has demonstrated its high build quality. Compared with similar attachments from other manufacturers, the Risutec design has fewer moving parts, particularly to perform mounding that is the most demanding part of the process. Saying that, Risutec also offers the option of a movable mounding spade for those that require it.
Above: Toni Lainio who runs the business with his father with the machine, which is run with two other operators on a twin shift basis through the busy planting season
“THE SUCCESS RATE OF THE CROP IS MUCH HIGHER THAN MANUAL PLANTING, WHICH MAKES IT MUCH MORE ATTRACTIVE TO THE GROWER”
Success rates with mechanised planting are said to be greater than manual approaches The working principle of the attachment sees the front mounding plate being drawn in towards the excavator to accumulate sufficient material to form a mound. The planter is then rested on top of this material to provide a degree of compaction. The operator presses a single button on one of the excavator’s joysticks to start a fully automated planting process. A probe at the base of the attachment creates a suitable hole in the mound for the small containerised plants, 160 of which are held in the carousel. As the probe is opened within the mound, a single plant drops down a chute from the carousel and is duly compacted into place. An amber light on the back face of the attachment signals to the operator that the cycle is complete, and the carousel automatically advances one space to present the next plant. Although the Risutec is clearly a heavyduty attachment, it handles the young containerised plants with extreme delicacy. It is also extremely consistent in terms of placing the plant in the mound and compacting it in. As Toni confirmed, “Success rates with mechanised planting using this machine are very high. Much of this comes down to proper selection of planting sites and FORESTRY MACHINERY SPRING 2020
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