6. The fixed link AD (Fig. 2(a)) may be given an inclination to bring the point of planting L at a
lower elevation compared to those of A and D. This also ensures more clearance of the machine
parts from the soil level.
2.5. Second and third stages
The parameters (items 7 to 9 listed in Section 2.2) are to be decided in the second stage. The true
size of the linkage will depend on the size of the seedlings. The seedlings can be picked from the
tray at K (see Fig. 3), carried downward to the point L for planting and the finger will then retrace
to the starting point through the separate path without interfering with the seedlings stacked in
the tray. The following observations were noted on the preliminary study of the mechanism.
2.5.1. Observations on the preliminarystudyof the mechanism designed in Stage 1
1. A scale dimension of 10 cm to 1.00 unit in the above mechanism will be suitable considering the
size of rice seedlings. This will give a vertical distance of 35 cm from the tray to the point of
planting.
Fig. 9.