Published Paper Details:

In farming and nursery practices, crop trays are commonly used for growing and transferring seedlings. A standard tray generally contains around 105 to 125 plants. However, handling these trays in wet soil is often difficult, as it can cause damage to the seedlings and increase the chances of tearing the plastic tray. Manual shifting of trays in polyhouses or farms also requires significant labour effort and reduces overall efficiency. To overcome these challenges, an ergonomic tray handling device has been developed. This device is specifically designed to handle plants with care, including sensitive or weak-stemmed seedlings, ensuring their safety during transportation. The device consists of two strong metal sheets operated by a simple lever and gear mechanism. When the lever is pressed, the sheets move apart, allowing the tray to be placed easily without strain. On releasing the lever, the sheets move back together, holding the tray securely in position. After use, pressing the lever again automatically releases the empty tray, thereby eliminating the need for manual effort. This innovative design is simple, durable, and cost-effective. It makes tray handling easier, minimizes plant damage, reduces the risk of tray breakage, and saves valuable time during plantation activities. As a result, it improves both efficiency and safety in nursery and farming operations.