Transplanters (also called plant setters) were an important part of farming well into the 20th century. They were primarily pulled by horse or tractor, and allowed for the precise and efficient planting of vegetable seedlings. Steel wheels provided the most durability and strength for dealing with rough fields, making them a common choice for farmers.

This steel wheeled transplanter is owned by Chatham Village Historical Society; we believe it dates back to the 1930s.

Donna Staron of Staron Farm shares the following recollection with us:

“I started farming in 1978, and used a transplanter to plant cabbage, tomatoes, peppers, cauliflower, and any other plants that needed to be put in the ground. It is a two-person machine but I sat on one seat and put plants on the other seat. I had to be careful the steel wheel didn’t catch my shorts because of the hole in the steel”.