Metering device is a main component of vegetable transplanters that could save cost of operation and labour requirement in transplanting. Therefore, a tractor-drawn three-row automatic vegetable transplanter using an inclined magazine-type metering device for cylindrical paper pot seedlings was developed and evaluated in field. Experiments on metering device were conducted at seven forward speeds 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 km/h, to determine the optimal performance speed for 45-day old tomato seedlings. Data on seedling spacing, tilted planting, soil cover, seedling damaged while conveying and feeding and transplanting were recorded and analysed for conveying efficiency (CE), feeding efficiency (FE), transplanting efficiency (TE), overall efficiency (OE) and seedling spacing (SS). The CE, FE, TE and OE were found to be 100, 83.3, 91.7 and 96.7%, respectively, at 1.2 km/h. The SS was ranged from 633 to 651 mm for speed range of 1-1.2 km/h. Based on the optimized values of laboratory studies, a tractor-drawn three-row automatic vegetable transplanter was developed and evaluated in the field. The field performance data revealed that actual field capacity of the machine was 0.11 ha/h at a forward speed of 1.2 km/h, with a 50% field efficiency. The transplanter can transplant per row 33 seedlings/min, compared to 3.7 seedlings/min by manual method. Also, the saving in cost and labour is about 55 and 93.9% as compared to manual method. This transplanter offers efficient transplanting of potted seedlings, ensuring timely operation, labour savings and reduced drudgery compared to conventional practices.

The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal operating speeds for a low-speed automated vegetable transplanter that utilized a modified linkage cum hopper-type planting unit. A biodegradable seedling plug-tray feeding mechanism is employed by the transplanter. Using kinematic simulation software, the planter unit's movement was simulated under various operating conditions. The resulting trajectories were compared based on variables like plant spacing, soil intrusion area, soil intrusion perimeter, and horizontal hopper displacement in the soil. It was discovered that the best results occurred at 200, 250, and 300 mm/s and 40, 50, and 60 rpm combinations. Following testing in a soil bin facility, it was discovered that the ideal operating speeds performed well when transplanting pepper seedlings, with measured plant spacing that was nearly identical to the theoretical spacing. While the planting angle in various speed combinations was found to be significantly different, but still within acceptable bounds, the planting depth in each case did not differ statistically. The optimal speed combinations that were chosen resulted in minimal damage to the mulch film. The best speeds for the transplanter were found through this investigation, and these speeds can be used as a foundation for refining the other mechanisms in the transplanter.