Department of Agriculture

Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization

Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija

MODULE 2
CROP ESTABLISHMENT
Mechanized Transplanting
Engr. Wella Rose G. Matic
Science Research Analyst
Technology Management and Training Division
 OBJECTIVES
The objectives of mechanizing crop establishment activities are:
• To minimize the drudgery and cost of rice planting; and increases crop
productivity

Source: Agripreneur
 II. METHODS OF TRANSPLANTING

1. Traditional / Manual Transplanting

2. Mechanical Transplanting
METHODS OF TRANSPLANTING
1. Traditional / Manual Transplanting
 most suited for labor-surplus areas and for small rice fields.
 can be done in fields with less than optimal leveling and
with varying water levels.
METHODS OF TRANSPLANTING
1. Traditional / Manual Transplanting
 most suited for labor-surplus areas and for small rice fields.
 can be done in fields with less than optimal leveling and
with varying water levels.

2. Mechanical Transplanting
Process of transplanting young rice seedlings , which
have been grown in a mat nursery, using a self-
propelled rice transplanter (CSISA, 2015)

Source: Agripreneur
METHODS OF TRANSPLANTING
1. Traditional / Manual Transplanting
Pull out the seedlings at an average of 15 to 30 days
after seeding (DAS)
In a modified mat nursery, seedlings are ready for
transplanting at 15–20 DAS
Transplant the seedlings soon after pulling from the
nursery in a puddled, and leveled field
Transplant 2–3 seedlings per hill at shallow depth at
optimum spacing (20 cm x 20 cm or 22.5 cm x 22.5
cm).
 WHY DO WE NEED MECHANIZED
TRANSPLANTING?
Transplanting is tedious and time-consuming
Planting laborers can suffer from back problems (health risk)
Difficult to get enough labor at peak periods to plant on time.
Difficult to maintain optimum spacing and uniform plant
density
Low plant density with contract transplanting on area basis
lowers yields.

Source: Agripreneur
MECHANICAL RICE
TRANSPLANTER
• Machine designed for transplanting
rice seedlings into a puddled and
leveled field (PNS/PAES 151:2015)
TYPES OF TRANSPLANTER
1) Manually Operated Rice Transplanter

Source: Agriculture XPRT (TR-3)

TYPES OF TRANSPLANTER
1) Manually Operated Rice Transplanter
2) Self-Propelled Rice Transplanter
Source: Agriculture XPRT (TR-3)

a. Walk-behind Transplanter b. Riding-type Transplanter

Source: Kubota SPV6MD

Source: Yanmar Philippines (AP4)

 SPECIFICATIONS OF A
WALK-BEHIND TRANSPLANTER
Technical Information
Engine Type Gasoline
No. of Rows 4 rows
Dimension 2.19 m (length
1.5 m (width)
1.03 m (height
Weight 145 kgs
Power (Gross) 2.6 kW (3.5 HP)
Fuel Consumption 0.5-0.8 liters/hr
Field Capacity 1-1.5 ha/day
Source: Yanmar Philippines (AP4)
Transplanting speed 0.38-0.76 m/s
BASIC PARTS AND FUNCTIONS OF A
WALK-BEHIND TRANSPLANTER
1. Engine Transmission System

Engine

Right Wheel
Gear Transplanting
Engine Box
Mechanism
Pump
Hydraulic
Transmission
Left Wheel System (Gear Box)
Source: Ford Tractor Philippines (TYM)
BASIC PARTS AND FUNCTIONS OF A
WALK-BEHIND TRANSPLANTER
2. Wheels and Hydraulic Lift

A. Field Operations Hydraulic Lift

B. Travel Mode

Wheel Arm
Hydraulic Lift
Paddy Wheel
Source: Ford Tractor Philippines (TYM)
BASIC PARTS AND FUNCTIONS OF A
WALK-BEHIND TRANSPLANTER
3. Planting Mechanism Forks
Right Wheel

Gear
Engine Box Propeller Forks

Pump

Forks
Left Wheel

Slide Guide

Planting Arm
Source: Ford Tractor Philippines (TYM)
PLANTING FORK AND PIN

Source: GrabCAD

Planting fork Planting pin

BASIC PARTS AND FUNCTIONS OF A
WALK-BEHIND TRANSPLANTER
4. Floats and Markers

Side Marker

Line Markers

Side & Center Floats

Source: Ford Tractor Philippines (TYM)
BASIC PARTS AND FUNCTIONS OF A
WALK-BEHIND TRANSPLANTER
5. Controls Hydraulic clutch lever
used to lift or down the machine

Gear shift lever

gear settings: Reverse, Main clutch lever
Neutral, Transplanting, controls the transfer
and Transport of power to all power-
needed parts

Engine switch Choke

settings: On, Off and
Source: Ford Tractor Philippines (TYM)
Lamp (lights on)
BASIC PARTS AND FUNCTIONS OF A
WALK-BEHIND TRANSPLANTER
5. Controls
Low

High

Left and Right

Steering Clutch Lever Hand Throttle
(For pivoting) Controls engine speed

Source: Ford Tractor Philippines (TYM)

PLANTING SETTINGS:
WALK-BEHIND TRANSPLANTER
1. Planting Distance (between hills)
Planting Gear Case
(Change gear set:
15-13-17, 14-12-16)

Hill space adjustment

(3 adjustable settings)
The hill space can be selected
Kubota (SPW-48C) Ford Tractor Philippines (TYM)
from 12,14,16,18,21cm.
Hill space adjustment
(2 adjustable settings)
The hill space can be selected
from 12,14,16, 17, 19,21cm.
PLANTING SETTINGS:
WALK-BEHIND TRANSPLANTER
2. Planting Density (Number of seedlings per hill)

Taking
Quantity
Lever
(smaller - larger)
Planting Settings: Walk-Behind Transplanter
3. Planting Depth

Planting
Depth
Lever
(shallow - deep)
BASIC FIELD OPERATION:
WALK-BEHIND TRANSPLANTER
Travelling
1. On the engine switch
2. Set the RPM
3. Start the engine
4. Set the hydraulic lever
5. Set the main gear shift lever
6. Engage the main clutch on
BASIC FIELD OPERATION:
WALK-BEHIND TRANSPLANTER
Planting
1. Set the hydraulic lever down
2. Load the seedling mats
3. Adjust the planting settings
4. Engage planting clutch on
5. Engage line markers
6. Engage the main clutch on
SPECIFICATIONS OF A
RIDING TYPE TRANSPLANTER
Technical Information
No. of Rows 6 rows
Dimension 3.05 m (length)
2.22 m (width)
2.6 m (height)
Weight 805 kgs
Power (Gross) 14.2 kW (19 HP)
Revolution 3200 rpm
Fuel Diesel
Field Capacity 2-3 ha/day
Transplanting Speed 0-1.65 m/s

Source: Kubota SPV6MD

 BASIC PARTS AND FUNCTIONS
OF A RIDING TYPE TRANSPLANTER
1. Seedling Racks and Wheels
Operator’s seat
Steering Wheel

Spare
seeding Side bumper
racks and stand

Rear wheel
Front wheel

Source: Yanmar Philippines (YR60D)

BASIC PARTS AND FUNCTIONS
OF A RIDING TYPE TRANSPLANTER
Center marker Line marker

2. Markers
Side markers
Source: Yanmar Philippines (YR60D)
BASIC PARTS AND FUNCTIONS
OF A RIDING TYPE TRANSPLANTER
3. Planting Section
Seedling mount board
Seedling mat guide
Seedling mat stopper

Rubber mat pusher

Floater

Source: Yanmar Philippines (YR60D)

BASIC PARTS AND FUNCTIONS
OF A RIDING TYPE TRANSPLANTER
4. Instrument Panel
Preheater pilot
Seedling lamp (glow lamp)
adding lamp

Unit clutch Engine oil pressure

pilot lamp warning lamp

Hour meter Engine coolant

warning lamp
Fuel meter
 BASIC PARTS AND FUNCTIONS
OF A RIDING TYPE TRANSPLANTER
4. Instrument Panel
Hydraulic lock

Automatic planting
depth control switch

UFO
automatic
adjusting
knob Source: Kubota SPV6MD
BASIC PARTS AND FUNCTIONS
OF A RIDING TYPE TRANSPLANTER
5. Main Shift Lever
Travelling

Forward

Neutral
Reverse

Source/Model: Kubota SPV6MD Model: Yanmar

 BASIC PARTS AND FUNCTIONS
OF A RIDING TYPE TRANSPLANTER
6. Planting Lifting Lever

Planting

Left and Right Marker

Down

Neutral

Up
 BASIC PARTS AND FUNCTIONS
OF A RIDING TYPE TRANSPLANTER
7. Speed Control and Break
Break pedal lock/parking break

Break Pedal

Foot Throttle/Accelerator Pedal

Hand Throttle/
Accelerator Lever
 BASIC PARTS AND FUNCTIONS
OF A RIDING TYPE TRANSPLANTER
8. Differential Lock and Fuel Tank

Differential Lock Fuel Port/Cap

 BASIC PARTS AND FUNCTIONS
OF A RIDING TYPE TRANSPLANTER
9. Unit Clutch and Hydraulic Sensitivity

Hydraulic Sensitivity Lever

Unit clutch lever

 BASIC PARTS AND FUNCTIONS
OF A RIDING TYPE TRANSPLANTER
10. Fuel Filters

Fuel strainer Water separator

PLANTING SETTINGS:
RIDING TYPE TRANSPLANTER
1. Planting Distance (between hills)

Model: Kubota

Hill space
adjustment lever
BASIC PARTS AND FUNCTIONS
OF A RIDING TYPE TRANSPLANTER
2. Planting Density (Number of seedlings per hill)

Vertical Feed
Adjusting Lever
(less – more)
Model: Yanmar

Lateral Feed
Adjusting Lever
BASIC PARTS AND FUNCTIONS
OF A RIDING TYPE TRANSPLANTER
3. Planting Depth

Planting Depth
Control Lever
Source: Yanmar
(shallower –
deeper)
BASIC FIELD OPERATION:
RIDING TYPE TRANSPLANTER
Travelling
1. Set the hydraulic lever and
forward-reverse lever in neutral
2. Start the engine
3. Raise the planting section and
engage hydraulic lock
4. Set main shift lever in driving (D)
position and slowly engage
forward
BASIC FIELD OPERATION:
RIDING TYPE TRANSPLANTER
Planting
1. Load the seedling mats
2. Adjust the planting settings
3. Set planting lifting lever on
planting position and lower the
line markers
4. Slowly engage forward and and
press on the accelerator
FIELD OPERATION PATTERN:
WBRT AND RTRT

START HERE H
H
E E
A A
D D
L L
A A
N EN
D XD
I
T
BASIC MAINTENANCE: TRANSPLANTER
1. Washing after use
2. Check the planting fork
assembly
3. Change oil*
4. Check rotating/moving parts;
tighten loosed parts and
lubricate*
5. Check filters, fuse, and battery
6. Park in shaded and leveled ground
7. Full tank when stored longer
Palay Check
Palay Check

20 x 20
Palay Check Transplanter
20 x 20
Palay Check Transplanter
20 x 20 12 x 30
Palay Check Transplanter
20 x 20 12 x 30
hill row hill row
Palay Check Transplanter
20 x 20 12 x 30
hill row hill row
Palay Check Transplanter
20 x 20 2 12 x 30
= 400 cm hill row
hill row
Palay Check Transplanter
20 x 20 2 12 x 30
= 400 cm hill row
hill row
= 0.04 m 2

1
0.04
Palay Check Transplanter
20 x 20 2 12 x 30
= 400 cm hill row
hill row
= 0.04 m 2

1 m2
0.04 m 2
Palay Check Transplanter
20 x 20 2 12 x 30
= 400 cm hill row
hill row
= 0.04 m 2

1 m2
= 25 hills
0.04 m 2
 Palay Check Transplanter
20 x 20 2 12 x 30
= 400 cm hill row
hill row
= 0.04 m 2

1 m2
= 25 hills
0.04 m 2
25 hills x 10,000 sq meter
 Palay Check Transplanter
20 x 20 2 12 x 30
= 400 cm hill row
hill row
= 0.04 m 2

1 m2
0.04 m 2 = 25 hills
25 hills x 10,000 sq meter
= 250,000 hills/hectare
 Palay Check Transplanter
20 x 20 2 12 x 30
= 400 cm hill row
hill row
= 0.04 m 2

1 m2
= 25 hills
0.04 m 2
25 hills x 10,000 sq meter
= 250,000 hills/hectare
 Palay Check Transplanter
20 x 20 2 12 x 30 = 360 cm 2
= 400 cm hill row
hill row
= 0.04 m 2

1 m2
= 25 hills
0.04 m 2
25 hills x 10,000 sq meter
= 250,000 hills/hectare
 Palay Check Transplanter
20 x 20 2 12 x 30 = 360 cm 2
= 400 cm hill row
hill row
2 = 0.036 m 2
= 0.04 m
1 m2
= 25 hills
0.04 m 2
25 hills x 10,000 sq meter
= 250,000 hills/hectare
 Palay Check Transplanter
20 x 20 2 12 x 30 = 360 cm 2
= 400 cm hill row
hill row
2 = 0.036 m 2
= 0.04 m
1 m2 1 m2
= 25 hills
0.04 m 2 0.036 m 2
25 hills x 10,000 sq meter
= 250,000 hills/hectare
 Palay Check Transplanter
20 x 20 2 12 x 30 = 360 cm 2
= 400 cm hill row
hill row
2 = 0.036 m 2
= 0.04 m
1 m2 1 m2
= 25 hills = 27.777 hills
0.04 m 2 0.036 m 2
25 hills x 10,000 sq meter
= 250,000 hills/hectare
 Palay Check Transplanter
20 x 20 2 12 x 30 = 360 cm 2
= 400 cm hill row
hill row
2 = 0.036 m 2
= 0.04 m
1 m2 1 m2
= 25 hills = 27.777 hills
0.04 m 2 0.036 m 2
25 hills x 10,000 sq meter = 27 hills x 10,000 sq meter
= 250,000 hills/hectare
 Palay Check Transplanter
20 x 20 2 12 x 30 = 360 cm 2
= 400 cm hill row
hill row
2 = 0.036 m 2
= 0.04 m
1 m2 1 m2
= 25 hills = 27.777 hills
0.04 m 2 0.036 m 2
25 hills x 10,000 sq meter = 27 hills x 10,000 sq meter
= 250,000 hills/hectare
 Palay Check Transplanter
20 x 20 2 12 x 30 = 360 cm 2
= 400 cm hill row
hill row
2 = 0.036 m 2
= 0.04 m
1 m2 1 m2
= 25 hills = 27.777 hills
0.04 m 2 0.036 m 2
25 hills x 10,000 sq meter = 27 hills x 10,000 sq meter
= 250,000 hills/hectare = 277,000 hills/hectare
 Palay Check Transplanter
20 x 20 2 12 x 30 = 360 cm 2
= 400 cm hill row
hill row
2 = 0.036 m 2
= 0.04 m
1 m2 1 m2
= 25 hills = 27.777 hills
0.04 m 2 0.036 m 2
25 hills x 10,000 sq meter = 27 hills x 10,000 sq meter
= 250,000 hills/hectare = 277,000 hills/hectare
 Palay Check Transplanter
20 x 20 12 x 30 = 360 cm 2
= 400 cm 2 hill row
hill row
= 0.04 m 2 = 0.036 m 2
1 m2 1 m2
= 25 hills = 27.777 hills
0.04 m 2 0.036 m 2
25 hills x 10,000 sq meter = 27 hills x 10,000 sq meter
= 250,000 hills/hectare = 277,000 hills/hectare
= 27,000 hills/hectare
 Palay Check Transplanter
20 x 20 14 x 30 = 420 cm 2
= 400 cm 2 hill row
hill row
= 0.04 m 2 = 0.042 m 2
1 m2 1 m2
= 25 hills = 23.8 hills
0.04 m 2 0.042 m 2
25 hills x 10,000 sq meter = 24 hills x 10,000 sq meter
= 250,000 hills/hectare = 240,000 hills/hectare
 Palay Check Transplanter
20 x 20 21 x 30 = 630 cm 2
= 400 cm 2 hill row
hill row
= 0.04 m 2 = 0.063 m 2
1 m2 1 m2
= 25 hills = 15.8 hills
0.04 m 2 0.063 m 2
25 hills x 10,000 sq meter = 24 hills x 10,000 sq meter
= 250,000 hills/hectare = 140,000 hills/hectare
Comparison of Methods
Particulars Transplanted Transplanted
(Planting by hand) (Mechanical)
Farm system Irrigated/lowland Irrigated/lowland
Suitable season Dry & Wet season Dry & Wet season
Planting preparation 30-40 days nursery 10-19 days nursery
Seed rate 40 to 60 kgs / ha 25 to 60 kgs / ha
Soil moisture at planting Up to 5 cm water Up to 5 cm water
Labor to planting 20 persons / ha 2 persons / ha
Weed Control/Mngt Moderate Slight
Plant Recovery Slower Faster
Seedling distribution Not well distributed Metered and precised
References:
• IRRI Rice Knowledge Bank
• Philippine National Standard/Philippine Agricultural Engineering Standards 171:2015, Agricultural Machinery
– Rice Precision Seeder
• Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia Phase II (CSISA), 2015. Operational Manual for Mechanical
Transplanting of Rice
• ASIA Technology Co., Ltd. Ride on Type Paddy Seeder
• Philippine National Standard/Philippine Agricultural Engineering Standards 151:2015, Agricultural Machinery
– Mechanical Rice Transplanter
• Ford Tractor Philippines (TYM Rice Transplanter Walk Behind)
• GrabCAD, Rice Transplanter Arm by Edgar Osio. Aug 29, 2017
• Kubota Philippines
• Yanmar Philippines
• AgriTech Goldstar Co, Ltd (http://agrigoldstar.com/kubota-rice-transplanter-68c/)
• Agripreneur (by ACD, PHilMech)
• Oli, Generoso, et al., 2017. Technology Demonstration and Promotion on Mechanized Rice Farming in
Irrigated Lowland Areas in Region 02
• Badua, Aldrin, et al., Determinants of the Level of Awareness, Acceptance and Utilization of Precision Rice
Seeding System and Its Benefits Among Farmer-Users in Northern Luzon, Philippines (December 29, 2020).
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