Design of a tree root ball transporting device

Thesis (S.B.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2007.Includes bibliographical references (leaf 20).Tree root balls from nurseries are often too heavy for one or two people to lift and plant, but powerful machinery can be expensive for small landscaping organizations or the weekend home gardener. This thesis intends to document the market for such a device and describe why the current products don't meet the specific requirements of the groups listed. The progress of designing a new device is illustrated from the initial constraints of the product to the evolution of a final prototype. Key aspects of the final design are emphasized and the complete process of transporting a tree root ball with the prototype to the desired hole is described. As future work after construction, customer feedback and usability testing can be collected to ensure that a valuable product will enter the market and fulfill the needs of landscapers in all parts of the country.by Christopher Grossman.S.B