Tree transplanting machine

Claim 1

A machine for excavating a tree from the ground with a root ball including: (a) a base frame for encircling a tree to be excavated; (b) a plurality of upright blade guide units on said base frame; (c) a plurality of movable digging blades corresponding in number to said guide units, with each blade movable in a guided path adjacent to and outwardly from an associated guide unit; (d) means for guidably supporting a blade for movement in said guided path from an upper position out of the ground, to a lower ground inserted position wherein said blades are inclined downwardly and inwardly of said base frame to form a tree ball for the roots of a tree being excavated; (e) means for moving each blade in the guided path therefor including an upright lift screw and coacting nut assembly, located within each guide unit; (f) means supporting the lower end portion of said lift screw on the base frame for rotational movement about an upright axis and for pivotal movement in a plane laterally of a blade; (g) means for connecting each nut assembly to the upper end portion of an associated blade; (h) coacting means on a guide unit and nut assembly for defining said guided path of movement of a blade; and (i) means for reversibly rotating said lift screw.