Previous planting systems use a wheel concept in which many dispensing cups are permanently mounted to a wheel, thus making it very difficult and costly to adapt and change in-row spacing. This method is rendered rather inefficient as it also contains a great amount of moving parts that are subject to premature wear on the equipment.
The Posi-Flow Planting System was designed using a unique single injector that can do the work of 6 to 8 cups, allowing for easy convertibility when in-row spacing changes need to be made. One of several key advantages, the ground engaging mechanism consists of only seven-moving parts, compared to dozens on previous planting systems, simplifying the planting process, reducing the shaking and stress on the machine and increasing the durability and reliability of the equipment.
On the RPP model, a custom designed singulator regulates the amount of seed dispensed. Combined with a series of pneumatic tubes to transfer seed and plant mix into the ground, this design eliminates restraints in speed, consistency, and soil condition faced by previous systems that use gravity to transfer seed to
the ground.
What truly sets The Posi-Flow system apart from the competition is its ability to roll with the punches. Through plastic mulch or on bare ground, The Posi-Flow system exceeds expectations planting on both. On rough terrain or uneven beds, the system is specifically designed to perform with consistent results despite the variables. Planting one row or many rows at once, the equipment can be easily modified for multiple configurations based on the needs of the grower. And on top of all this, a series of accessories can also be added to the ground-engaging tool bar, such as a hole burner, water injector or power soil packer. With these additions, other grower-required tasks can still be accomplished in one motion instead of adding additional moving parts for each component or requiring supplementary labor to perform the tasks. To see The Posi-Flow Planting System in action in the video below.
The Accomplishments
The benefits of The Posi-Flow Planting System are vast. Labor is drastically reduced from previous hand planting methods, and the plantings are much more precise. All in all, yields on some crops have increased 200% to 300% since the introduction of The Posi-Flow system. The larger abundance of produce keeps the price down and the year round availability up.
The Solution, Part 1
the posi-flow planting system
The innovative system created by Faulring Mechanical Devices to combat the industry challenge was first developed decades ago and is referred to as The Posi-Flow Planting System. Since it’s conception, the system has been updated and reconfigured five times to accommodate new needs that arose as the system was developing:
- Seed Planting System in which seed was mixed and planted with a cocoon of soil to optimize growing conditions for the plant (RPP model)
- Seed Planting System for seed only (GVB model)
- Transplanting System where a set of gauge wheels run on the bed, thus helping control the planting depth despite variations in the surface of each bed (RTM model)
- Transplanting System that utilizes a depth controlling system with a sensing wheel to raise and lower the planting mechanism to control planting depth and prevent ripping of the plastic mulch (RTME model)
- Fully Automatic Transplanting System that removes plants from a growing tray and inserts them into the soil—without human hands ever touching the plants
The Posi-Flow Planting System is the definition of disruptive technology. It is essentially the birth of a new "industry standard". The product line has been phenomenally successful with well over 50% of the vegetables grown on plastic mulch in the U.S.A. planted with this system. Because The Posi-Flow Planting System is currently used by many of the top producers in the U.S.A., the conversion to a fully automatic transplanting system is a natural progression in order for a grower to remain competitive.
We’re proud to state The Posi-Flow Planting System has earned prestigious recognition over the years. To date, it has received two patents and four international awards for outstanding innovation from the American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE).
Two research papers have been authored and presented, as well as numerous magazine articles written. In addition, Frank Faulring earned 3rd place honors for the 2004 Inventor of the Year award in Western New York.
Continue to The Solution - Part 2