Transplanter

Abstract

To provide a transplanter (1) in which an operation for changing a stand member (41F) between a stand position (X1) and a retracted position (Y1) can be performed without moving to a front portion of a traveling body (2).SOLUTION: A transplanter (1) comprises: a transplanting device (3) that transplants seedlings into a field; a traveling body (2) on which the transplanting device (3) is mounted; an operation handle (4) provided at a rear side of the traveling body (2); a stand member (41F) provided at a front portion of the traveling body (2) and changeable between a stand position (X1) supporting the traveling body (2) and a retracted position (Y1) retracted from the stand position (X1); and an operating device (45) for operating the stand member (41F) between the stand position (X1) and the retracted position (Y1) from the operation handle (4) side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a walk-behind transplanter for planting seedlings in, for example, a field. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART A transplanter disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known as a walking type transplanter.

[0003] The transplanter disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a steering handle attached to the rear of a traveling body on which a transplanting device for planting seedlings in a field is mounted. Stand members are attached to the front and rear of the traveling body and can be freely switched between a stand position that supports the traveling body and a retracted position that is retracted from the stand position.

[0004] When a walk-behind transplanter is operated, the operator positions himself behind the running body, on the steering handle side, and follows the movement of the running body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-370678 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the transplanter disclosed in Patent Document 1, the stand member provided at the front of the running body is structured so that the operator can change it between a stand position and a retracted position at the front of the running body. Therefore, when changing the front stand member between the stand position and the retracted position, the operator must move from the operating handle to the front of the running body, which makes the operation of changing the front stand member between the stand position and the retracted position cumbersome.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a transplanter in which the operation of changing the stand member between the stand position and the retracted position can be performed without moving to the front of the traveling body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A transplanter according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a transplanting device for planting seedlings in a field, a running body on which the transplanting device is mounted, a control handle provided at the rear of the running body, a stand member provided at the front of the running body and which can be changed between a stand position that supports the running body and a retracted position retracted from the stand position, and an operating device that operates the stand member between the stand position and the retracted position from the side of the control handle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the transplanter described above, the operation of changing the stand member between the stand position and the retracted position can be performed without moving to the front of the traveling body, which is very convenient. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a transplanter. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a transplanter. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the front part of the running body and the lifting mechanism. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the front part of the running body and the lifting mechanism. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the front part of the running body and the lifting mechanism. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a rear view showing the front part of the running body and the lifting mechanism. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a side view of the lifting mechanism during operation. [Figure 10] 10 is a side view of the lifting mechanism with the stand member in the stand position. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the operating device. [Figure 12] FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a front view of a first spare seedling table device, a second spare seedling table device, etc. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is an oblique view of a first spare seedling table device, a second spare seedling table device, etc. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is an oblique view of a first spare seedling table device, a second spare seedling table device, etc. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is an oblique view of a first spare seedling table device, a second spare seedling table device, etc. [Figure 17] FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the position change device. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a right side view of a portion of the position change device. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a front cross-sectional view of the inside of the support bracket. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a seedling tray, a tray placing device, etc. [Figure 22] 10 is a left side view of the first spare seedling tray device etc. when the spare tray placing table is in the first position. FIG. [Figure 23] 10 is a left side view of the first spare seedling tray device etc. when the spare tray placing table is in the second position. FIG. [Figure 24] 10 is a left side view showing the guide plate and the like when the spare tray placing stand changes its position from the first position to the third position. FIG. [Figure 25] 10 is a left side view of the first spare seedling tray device etc. when the spare tray placing table is in the third position. FIG. [Figure 26] 10 is a left side view showing the guide plate and the like when the spare tray placing stand changes its position from the first position to the third position. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a schematic side view showing the overall configuration of a transplanter 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of the transplanter 1. The transplanter 1 plants seedlings in a field (ridge) while traveling, and is a walk-behind transplanter 1 in which an operator walks behind the transplanter 1, following the movement of the transplanter 1.

[0013] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the direction of arrow A1, which is the forward direction of the transplanter 1, will be described as the front, and the direction of arrow A2, which is the backward direction of the transplanter 1, will be described as the rear. The direction of arrow K1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 will be referred to as the front-to-rear direction (the fore-and-aft direction of the machine body). Furthermore, the left side of the operator facing forward (the near side of Figure 1, the direction of arrow B1 in Figure 2) will be described as the left, and the right side of the operator facing forward (the far side of Figure 1, the direction of arrow B2 in the figure) will be described as the right.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the horizontal direction, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (direction of arrow K1), will be described as the aircraft width direction (direction of arrow K2).

[0015] The direction from the center of the width direction of the transplanter 1 to the right or left will be described as the outward direction of the machine body width direction K2. In other words, the outward direction of the machine body width direction K2 is the direction in the machine body width direction K2 that moves away from the center of the width direction of the transplanter 1. The direction opposite to the outward direction of the machine body width direction K2 will be described as the inward direction of the machine body width direction K2. In other words, the inward direction of the machine body width direction K2 is the direction in the machine body width direction K2 that moves closer to the center of the width direction of the transplanter 1.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the transplanter 1 comprises a running body 2 that runs in the field, a transplanting device 3 that is mounted on the running body 2 and plants seedlings in the field (furrows), and a control handle 4 provided at the rear of the running body 2. When performing planting work or when moving the transplanter 1 by running it without performing planting work, the operator is positioned behind the transplanter 1 and walks while holding the control handle 4 and following the movement of the running body 2.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the traveling body 2 has a machine body 5 and a traveling device 6 that supports the machine body 5 so that it can travel freely.

[0018] The aircraft body 5 comprises a transmission case 7, a front frame 8 arranged in front of the transmission case 7, a prime mover 9 (see Figure 1) mounted on the front frame 8, and a rear frame 10 arranged behind the transmission case 7.

[0019] The prime mover 9 is, for example, an engine. The power of the prime mover 9 is input to the transmission case 7 via a power transmission mechanism such as a belt transmission mechanism. The power input to the transmission case 7 is output from the transmission case 7 via a power transmission mechanism such as a clutch or a speed change mechanism. The power output from the transmission case 7 is transmitted to the running device 6 (rear wheel 17R in this embodiment) and each drive unit of the transplantation device 3. Therefore, the running device 6 (rear wheel 17R) and the transplantation device 3 are driven by the power output from the transmission case 7.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, the front frame 8 is made up of a base frame 11 and a front frame 11. The frame 11 has a bracket member 12 attached to a portion of the frame 11. The rear portion of the frame 11 is attached to the front portion of the transmission case 7. As shown in FIG. 1, the prime mover 9 is placed and attached to the frame 11. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the bracket member 12 has a pair of side walls 12a, 12b facing each other in the vehicle width direction K2, and a rear wall 12c connecting the rear portions of the pair of side walls 12a, 12b. A support member 13 formed of a tubular member having an axis extending in the vehicle width direction K2 is fixed to the front portions of the pair of side walls 12a, 12b. The rear wall 12c is attached to the front surface of the frame 11.

[0021] 1, 2, and 3, the rear frame 10 has a mounting frame 14 that forms the front portion of the rear frame 10, a pair of left and right intermediate frame members 15 that form the middle portion of the rear frame 10, and a pair of left and right rear frame members 16 that form the rear portion of the rear frame 10. The mounting frame 14 is attached to the upper part of the transmission case 7. The left intermediate frame member 15 extends rearward from the left portion of the mounting frame 14, and the right intermediate frame member 15 extends rearward from the right portion of the mounting frame 14.

[0022] The left rear frame member 16 is connected to the rear of the left intermediate frame member 15, and the right rear frame member 16 is connected to the rear of the right intermediate frame member 15. The front portions of each of the left and right rear frame members 16 extend in the longitudinal direction K1, the middle portions extend in an inclined direction that transitions outward in the fuselage width direction K2 as they extend rearward in a plan view, and the rear portions extend in an inclined direction that transitions upward as they extend rearward.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the steering handle 4 is connected to the rear of the rear frame 10 (a pair of left and right rear frame members 16). Specifically, the steering handle 4 has a first rod 4a extending rearward from the rear of the left rear frame member 16, a second rod 4b extending rearward from the rear of the right rear frame member 16, and a third rod 4c connecting the rear ends of the first rod 4a and the second rod 4b. The steering handle 4 is provided with operating members such as levers, and the operating members provided on the steering handle 4 are used to perform operations related to the transplanter 1. For example, these operations include engaging and disengaging a traveling clutch that interrupts power transmission to the traveling device 6, engaging and disengaging a steering clutch that steers and turns the traveling body 2, interrupting power transmission to the transplanter 3, and raising and lowering the machine body 5.

[0024] 1, 2, and 3, the traveling device 6 has a pair of left and right traveling mechanisms 17. The left traveling mechanism 17 is disposed on the left side of the machine body 5, and the right traveling mechanism 17 is disposed on the right side of the machine body 5. Each of the left and right traveling mechanisms 17 has a front wheel 17F, a rear wheel 17R, and an elevating device 17A that raises and lowers the machine body 5 by moving the front wheel 17F and the rear wheel 17R up and down relative to the machine body 5.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the left and right front wheels 17F are disposed at the front of the vehicle body 5. Each of the left and right front wheels 17F is supported by a bracket member 12 via a rotating shaft 18, a tubular member 19, a front-wheel support arm 20, and the like so as to be vertically movable relative to the vehicle body 5. Specifically, the rotating shaft 18 is inserted into a support member 13 and is supported by the support member 13 so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the vehicle body width direction K2. The tubular member 19 is attached to the rotating shaft 18 so as to be rotatable integrally therewith. A front portion of the front-wheel support arm 20 is fixed to the tubular member 19. The front wheel 17F is supported at the rear portion of the front-wheel support arm 20 via an axle so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the vehicle body width direction K2. Therefore, the front wheel 17F moves up and down (raise and lower) relative to the vehicle body 5 as the rotating shaft 18 rotates and the front-wheel support arm 20 swings up and down.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the left and right rear wheels 17R are disposed midway in the longitudinal direction K1 of the vehicle body 5. The left and right rear wheels 17R are supported by the transmission case 7 and a support bracket 21 attached to the transmission case 7 via a rotating cylindrical shaft 22, a transmission case 23, and the like so as to be vertically movable relative to the vehicle body 5. More specifically, as shown in Figure 1, the support bracket 21 has a pair of left and right plate members 21a disposed on the left and right sides of the lower part of the transmission case 7, and a connecting member 21b connecting the lower parts of the left and right plate members 21a. The connecting member 21b is fixedly attached to the bottom of the transmission case 7. The rotating cylindrical shaft 22 is supported by the transmission case 7 and the support bracket 21 so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the width direction K2 of the vehicle body. The front part of the transmission case 23 is attached to the rotating cylindrical shaft 22 so as to rotate integrally with the rotating cylindrical shaft 22. The rear part of the transmission case 23 is attached to the rear wheels 17R. The rear wheels 17R are supported via an axle so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the vehicle width direction K2. Therefore, when the rotating cylindrical shaft 22 rotates and the transmission case 23 swings up and down, the rear wheels 17R move up and down (raise and lower) relative to the vehicle body 5. In addition, power output from the transmission case 7 is transmitted from the transmission shaft inside the rotating cylindrical shaft 22 to the transmission mechanism inside the transmission case 23 and then to the rear wheels 17R. As a result, the left and right rear wheels 17R are driven to rotate.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, each of the left and right lifting devices 17A has a first bracket 24 fixed to the rotating shaft 18 in an upwardly protruding manner, a second bracket 25 fixed to the rotating cylinder shaft 22 in an upwardly protruding manner, a first interlocking member 26 interlockingly connecting the upper parts of the first bracket 24 and the second bracket 25, a third bracket 28 fixed to the supporting shaft 27 in an upwardly protruding manner that is supported on the mounting frame 11 so as to be rotatable around an axis extending in the machine body width direction K2, a second interlocking member 29 interlockingly connecting the upper parts of the third bracket 28 and the second bracket 25, and a fourth bracket 30 fixed to the supporting shaft 27 in a downwardly protruding manner.

[0028] The transplanter 1 is equipped with a first hydraulic cylinder 31 and a second hydraulic cylinder 32 that operate the left and right lifting devices 17A. The first hydraulic cylinder 31 is disposed on the left side of the base frame 11. The cylinder tube of the first hydraulic cylinder 31 is supported on the base frame 11 so as to be movable in the front-to-rear direction K1. The protruding end of the piston rod of the first hydraulic cylinder 31 is pivotally connected to the lower part of the fourth bracket 30.

[0029] When the first hydraulic cylinder 31 is extended and retracted (extended and contracted), the second interlocking member 29 is pushed and pulled back and forth, and the first interlocking member 26 is also pushed and pulled back and forth. As a result, the transmission case 23 swings up and down, and the front wheel support arm 20 also swings up and down, causing the left and right front and rear wheels 11F, 11R to move up and down in conjunction with the machine body 5. The left and right front wheels 17F and the left and right rear wheels 17R then move up and down simultaneously relative to the machine body 5, thereby raising and lowering the machine body 5. As a result, for example, unevenness in the field (top of the ridges) can be detected by the sensing roller 33 (see FIG. 1), and the lifting and lowering of the machine body 5 can be controlled based on this detection information to follow the unevenness in the field.

[0030] The second hydraulic cylinder 32 is disposed inside the gantry frame 11. The cylinder tube of the second hydraulic cylinder 32 is fixedly attached to the gantry frame 11. The protruding end side of the piston rod of the second hydraulic cylinder 32 is connected to a tubular member 34 that rotatably supports the support shaft 27. The tubular member 34 is supported by the gantry frame 11 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction K1.

[0031] 1 and 3 show the second hydraulic cylinder 32 in its most retracted state. When the second hydraulic cylinder 32 is extended from this state, the first hydraulic cylinder 31, the tubular member 34, the support shaft 27, the third bracket 28, the second interlocking member 29, and the fourth bracket 30 move rearward together, causing the left and right front wheels 17F and the left and right rear wheels 17R to move downward relative to the machine body 5, thereby lifting the machine body 5. Therefore, when lowering the machine body 5, the second hydraulic cylinder 32 is retracted. This allows the height position of the machine body 5 to be set, for example, by extending or retracting the second hydraulic cylinder 32. Furthermore, when turning the transplanter 1 on a headland in a field, the machine body 5 can be quickly lifted by the second hydraulic cylinder 32.

[0032] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the transplanting device 3 has a seedling loading table 37 on which seedling trays (cell trays) 36 containing a large number of seedlings 35 (e.g., vegetable seedlings) are placed, a seedling removal device 38 that removes the seedlings 35 one by one from the seedling trays 36 placed on the seedling loading table 37, a planting device having a planting body 39 that plants the seedlings 35 removed by the seedling removal device 38 in the field, and a pair of soil covering wheels 40 that press down on the soil on the left and right sides of the seedlings 35 planted by the planting body 39.

[0033] As shown in Figure 21, the seedling tray 36 is made of plastic, is thin and flexible, and is rectangular in shape when viewed from above. The seedling tray 36 has a large number of pot sections 36a arranged vertically and horizontally in a grid pattern at a predetermined pitch. The opening edges of the pot sections 36a are connected by a flat top wall 36b. The pot sections 36a protrude from the top wall 36b to the rear side (downward). Seedlings (soil block seedlings) 35 are grown in the seedling tray 36 by supplying bed soil to the pot sections 36a, sowing seeds in the bed soil, and raising them (see Figure 1).

[0034] As shown in Figure 1, the seedling carrying table 37 supports the seedling tray 36 in a downwardly inclined state (inclined downward as it moves forward). The seedling carrying table 37 is supported on the machine body 5 so that it can be moved laterally intermittently by one pitch of the pot section 36a in the machine body width direction K2. The seedling carrying table 37 also has a vertical feed mechanism that moves the seedling tray 36 downward in the inclined direction by one pitch of the pot section 36a.

[0035] The seedling removal device 38 is located on the front side of the lower part of the seedling loading platform 37. The seedling removal device 38 removes seedlings from the seedling trays 36 placed on the seedling loading platform 37 and supplies them to the planting body 39 below. Specifically, the seedling removal device 38 removes seedlings 35 one by one from the seedling trays 36 while the seedling loading platform 37 is intermittently moved laterally in the machine body width direction K2 by one pitch of the pot section 36a. After a horizontal row of seedlings 35 is removed from the seedling tray 36, the seedling tray 36 is moved vertically downward along the inclined direction by one pitch of the pot section 36a. This makes it possible to remove the next horizontal row of seedlings 35. The seedling loading platform 37 is then moved laterally in the opposite direction to remove the seedlings 35. After a horizontal row of seedlings 35 has been removed, the seedling tray 36 is moved vertically. By repeating this process sequentially, all the seedlings 35 can be removed from the seedling tray 36.

[0036] The planting device has a lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the planting body 39. The planting body 39 moves back and forth up and down, receiving the seedlings 35 at the top dead center position. When lowered, the planting body 39 plunges into the field to plant the seedlings 35. Specifically, the planting body 39 is formed as an opener that can be opened and closed back and forth. When closed, it holds the seedlings 35 inside and descends. When it plunges into the field, it opens back and forth to form a planting hole in the field and drop the seedlings 35 into the planting hole for planting.

[0037] The pair of soil covering wheels 40 roll in the field to compress the soil on both sides (left and right sides) in the machine width direction K2 of the seedlings 35 that have been dropped into the planting holes from the planting bodies 39. As the pair of soil covering wheels 40 roll in the field, soil is piled up around the base of the seedlings 35 and the base is compacted.

[0038] As shown in Figure 1, in the transplanter 1 of this embodiment, stand members 41 are provided at the front and rear of the running body 2 to support the running body 2, for example, when the transplanter 1 is placed on the bed of a light truck or the like, when adjusting the wheelbase of the transplanter 1, or when the transplanter 1 is stored in a storage location such as a warehouse. Hereinafter, the stand member 41 provided at the front of the running body 2 will be referred to as the front stand 41F, and the stand member 41 provided at the rear of the running body 2 will be referred to as the rear stand 41R.

[0039] The front stand 41F can be freely changed between a stand position X1 (position shown by solid lines in FIGS. 1 and 4, in use position) for supporting the running object 2 and a retracted position Y1 (position shown by two-dot chain lines in FIGS. 1 and 4, non-use position) retracted from the stand position X1. The rear stand 41R can also be freely changed between a stand position X2 (position shown by solid lines in FIG. 1, in use position) for supporting the running object 2 and a retracted position Y2 (position shown by two-dot chain lines in FIG. 1, non-use position) retracted from the stand position X2.

[0040] The operation of changing the front stand 41F and rear stand 41R between stand positions X1, X2 and retracted positions Y1, Y2 is performed, for example, by raising the aircraft body 5 to a height at which the front stand 41F and rear stand 41R do not come into contact with the ground surface at stand positions X1, X2.

[0041] The front stand 41F and the rear stand 41R extend substantially vertically at stand positions X1 and X2. The front stand 41F is inclined downward toward the rear at the retracted position Y1, and the rear stand 41R extends in the front-to-rear direction K1 at the retracted position Y2.

[0042] The retracted positions Y1, Y2 of the front stand 41F and the rear stand 41R are not limited to the positions shown in the figure, but may be any positions that do not come into contact with the field (ridges) during planting of the seedlings 35. In the transplanter 1 of this embodiment, the retracted position Y1 of the front stand 41F and the rear stand 41R is set to be located at a position higher than the connecting member 21b of the support bracket 21.

[0043] 4, 5, 6 and 7 show the front stand 41F in the stand position X1. In the following description, the configuration of the front stand 41F will be described in the state where it is in the stand position X1.

[0044] 5, 6, and 7, the front stand 41F has an upper base 42 and a lower leg 43. The base 42 has a pair of side walls 42a, 42b facing each other in the width direction K2 of the vehicle body, a front wall 42c connecting the front portions of the pair of side walls 42a, 42b, and a side wall 42c. The base 42 is disposed between the left and right side walls 12a, 12b of the bracket member 12, and a stay portion 42d is provided on the portion 42b (the right side wall portion 42b in this embodiment).

[0045] As shown in Fig. 4, the front stand 41F is rotatably supported by the bracket member 12 via a pivot shaft 44. More specifically, the pivot shaft 44 has an axis extending in the width direction K2 of the machine body and penetrates the left side wall 12a of the bracket member 12, the left side wall portion 42a of the front stand 41F, the right side wall portion 42b of the front stand 41F, and the right side wall 12b of the bracket member 12 in the width direction K2 of the machine body (see Fig. 7). Therefore, the upper part of the base 42 is rotatably supported by the bracket member 12 (the left and right side walls 12a, 12b) via the pivot shaft 44 around the axis in the width direction K2 of the machine body. In other words, the upper part of the base 42 is a supported part that is rotatably supported by the bracket member 12 via the pivot shaft 44. As shown in FIG. 6, the stay portion 42d is formed by extending rearward from the lower portion of the right side wall portion 42b of the base portion 42.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 6, the leg 43 is configured to have a first member 43a, a second member 43b, and a third member 43c. The first member 43a, the second member 43b, and the third member 43c are formed of pipe material. The first member 43a and the second member 43b extend in the vertical direction and are arranged with a gap in the body width direction K2. The third member 43c extends in the body width direction K2 and is arranged below the first member 43a and the second member 43b.

[0047] 7, the first member 43a has an upper portion disposed at the corner between the left side wall portion 42a and the front wall portion 42c and fixed to the side wall portion 42a and the front wall portion 42c. The second member 43b has an upper portion disposed at the corner between the right side wall portion 42b and the front wall portion 42c and fixed to the side wall portion 42b and the front wall portion 42c. The third member 43c is connected to the lower ends of the first member 43a and the second member 43b.

[0048] Incidentally, conventionally, changing the front stand 41F between the stand position X1 and the retracted position Y1 had to be done at the front of the running body 2. Therefore, when changing the front stand 41F between the stand position X1 and the retracted position Y1, the operator had to move from the operating handle 4 side to the front of the running body 2, making the operation of changing the front stand 41F between the stand position X1 and the retracted position Y1 cumbersome.

[0049] 11, the transplanter 1 of this embodiment is equipped with an operating device 45 that allows an operator to operate the front stand 41F between the stand position X1 and the retracted position Y1 from the operating handle 4 side. In other words, the front stand 41F can be remotely operated by the operator from the operating handle 4 side (behind the transplanter 1) between the stand position X1 and the retracted position Y1. This allows the operator to change the front stand 41F between the stand position X1 and the retracted position Y1 without having to move to the front of the traveling body 2.

[0050] The operating device 45 has a lifting mechanism 46 that lifts the front stand 41F from the stand position X1 and changes it to the retracted position Y1, and an operating unit 47 that operates the lifting mechanism 46 from the operating handle 4 side.

[0051] First, the lifting mechanism 46 will be described.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the lifting mechanism 46 has a contact portion 48, an arm 49, an engagement portion 50, a biasing member 51, and a cable 52.

[0053] The abutment portion 48 is provided on the front stand 41F (stand member 41). More specifically, the abutment portion 48 is formed of a plate material and fixed to the stay portion 42d. The abutment portion 48 has a plate surface facing up and down, and has a first portion 48a whose inner side (left side) in the body width direction K2 is fixed to the upper end of the stay portion 42d, and a second portion 48b extending rearward from a portion (right side) of the first portion 48a on the outer side in the body width direction K2.

[0054] 8, the arm 49 is formed of a plate material and is disposed to the right of the stay portion 42d with its plate surface facing the fuselage width direction K2. The arm 49 is also formed to be long in the front-rear direction K1. Furthermore, the arm 49 has a front portion 49a of its upper edge formed to be inclined downward from a midpoint in the front-rear direction K1 toward the front, and a rear portion 49b of its upper edge formed to be inclined downward from the midpoint toward the rear.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 8, the arm 49 is rotatably supported by the front stand 41F. Specifically, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the arm 49 has a longitudinal middle portion supported by a rotation support portion 53, the rotation support portion 53 being fixed to the stay portion 42d, so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the width direction K2 of the machine body via a pivot 54. The rotation support portion 53 is formed by a tubular member having an axis extending in the width direction K2 of the machine body. The rotation support portion 53 is disposed below the first portion 48a of the abutment portion 48, and is fixed to the outer surface (right surface) of the stay portion 42d in the width direction K2 of the machine body. Therefore, the rotation support portion 53 and the abutment portion 48 are provided on the stay portion 42d.

[0056] 6 and 8, the engagement portion 50 is provided at one end (front portion) in the longitudinal direction of the arm 49. More specifically, the engagement portion 50 is disposed on the inner side of the front portion of the arm 49 in the width direction K2 of the machine body. The engagement portion 50 is also disposed below the right side wall 12b of the bracket member 12. The engagement portion 50 is formed by a roller (bearing roller), and is supported on the front portion of the arm 49 via a support shaft 55 so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the width direction K2 of the machine body.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 8, the engaging portion 50 positions the front stand 41F at the stand position X1 by engaging with an engaged portion 56 provided on the traveling body 2. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the engaged portion 56 is configured as a groove formed on the lower end side of the right side wall 12b of the bracket member 12. The groove (engaged portion 56) is formed to be open downward. The groove (engaged portion 56) is formed in a V-shape that widens as it extends downward. In other words, the groove (engaged portion 56) has a front edge 56a and a rear edge 56b, and the front edge 56a is formed to be inclined forward as it extends downward, and the rear edge 56b is formed to be inclined rearward as it extends downward.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 8 , when the front stand 41F is at the stand position X1, the engaging portion 50 engages with the engaged portion 56 by fitting into it from below. When the front stand 41F is at the stand position X1 and the engaging portion 50 is engaged with (fitted into) the engaged portion 56, if the front stand 41F attempts to rotate rearward and upward about the rotation support shaft 44, the engaging portion 50 abuts against the rear edge 56b of the engaged portion 56, thereby restricting the front stand 41F from rotating rearward and upward about the rotation support shaft 44 (toward the retracted position Y1). Furthermore, if the front stand 41F attempts to rotate frontward and upward about the rotation support shaft 44 in this state, the engaging portion 50 abuts against the front edge of the engaged portion 56, thereby restricting the front stand 41F from rotating frontward and upward about the rotation support shaft 44. In other words, the front stand 41F is positioned at the stand position X1.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 8, when the engaging portion 50 is fitted into the engaged portion 56, there is a gap between the rear portion 49b of the upper edge of the arm 49 and the abutting portion 48 (second portion 48b).

[0060] The biasing member 51 biases the arm 49 in a direction in which the engaging portion 50 engages with the engaged portion 56. More specifically, the biasing member 51 is formed of a tension coil spring, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. As shown in FIG. 5, one end of the biasing member 51 is engaged with (hooked onto) a spring hook 57 provided on the traveling body 2. The spring hook 57 is fixed to the right side wall 12b of the bracket member 12 so as to protrude outward in the body width direction K2. The spring hook 57 is also disposed above the pivot support shaft 44 (see FIG. 8). As shown in FIG. 5, the other end of the biasing member 51 is engaged with (hooked onto) a support shaft 55.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 4, one end of the cable 52 is connected to the other end (rear portion) of the arm 49 in the longitudinal direction via a connecting metal fitting 58.

[0062] As shown in Fig. 11, the operating unit 47 is provided on the side of the control handle 4. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 2, the operating unit 47 is provided on the right side (second rod portion 4b) of the control handle 4. As shown in Fig. 11, the operating unit 47 has an operating lever 59, a support plate 60, and a guide member 61.

[0063] 11, the operating lever 59 has a lower portion supported on the lower portion of the support plate 60 so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the width direction K2 of the machine body. Therefore, the operating lever 59 can be freely swung in the front-rear direction K1.

[0064] The operating lever 59 is composed of a lever body 59a and a gripping member provided on the upper part of the lever body 59a. The lever body 59a has a grip 59b for holding the cable 52 and a hook 59c provided at the front of the lever body 59a. The other end of the cable 52 is connected to the lever body 59a via a connecting fitting 62.

[0065] In Figure 11, the routing path of the cable 52 is simplified (shown roughly) and is not specific to what is shown, and is configured (designed) as a routing structure that can perform the operation of the lifting mechanism 46 described below.

[0066] The support plate 60 and the guide member 61 are fixed to the second rod portion 4b of the control handle 4. The operating lever 59 passes through the guide member 61.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 12, the guide member 61 has a guide groove 63. The guide groove 63 has a movement allowance portion 63a that allows the operating lever 59 to move freely in the front-rear direction K1, and a pair of front and rear locking portions (a front locking portion 63b and a rear locking portion 63c) on which the operating lever 59 (hook portion 59c) is hooked and locked. When the front stand 41F is at the stand position X1, the hooking portion 59c fits into and is locked to the front locking portion 63b. Furthermore, when the front stand 41F is positioned at the retracted position Y1, the hooking portion 59c can be fitted into the rear locking portion 63c. By fitting the hooking portion 59c into the rear locking portion 63c, the front stand 41F can be held at the retracted position Y1.

[0068] In the operating device 45 configured as described above, to change the position of the front stand 41F from the stand position X1 to the retracted position Y1, with the front stand 41F at the stand position X1, the machine body 5 is raised so that the front stand 41F is lifted off the ground surface. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the operating lever 59 is moved in the direction of arrow D1 to disengage the hook portion 59c from the front locking portion 63b, and the operating lever 59 is swung rearward (in the direction of arrow D2). Then, first, the other end of the arm 49 is pulled up from the state shown in FIG. 8, and the arm 49 rotates clockwise around the pivot 54. When the arm 49 rotates clockwise, the engaging portion 50 disengages downward from the engaged portion 56, and the rear portion 49b of the upper edge of the arm 49 abuts against the abutment portion 48 (second portion 48b), as shown in FIG. 9. In this state (the state shown in FIG. 9), the front stand 41F is allowed to rotate about the rotation support shaft 44, and the front stand 41F can be pulled up and rearward by the arm 49 about the rotation support shaft 44. Then, by swinging the operating lever 59 rearward, the arm 49 moves upward, and the front stand 41F is pulled up to the retracted position Y1, as shown in FIG.

[0069] As described above, the front stand 41F is unlocked from the stand position X1 and raised from the stand position X1 to the retracted position Y1 by operating the operating lever 59 backward (one-way operation). In this way, the front stand 41F is unlocked from the stand position X1 and raised from the stand position X1 to the retracted position Y1 by operating the operating lever 59 in one direction (one action), making it easy to operate the operating device 45 and simplifying the structure.

[0070] Furthermore, when the front stand 41F is pulled up to the retracted position Y1, the operating lever 59 is positioned on the rear end side of the movement allowance portion 63a of the guide groove 63, so that the hook portion 59c can be fitted into the rear locking portion 63c. Then, as shown in Fig. 12, when the operating lever 59 is moved in the direction of arrow D3 and the hook portion 59c is fitted into the rear locking portion 63c, the front stand 41F can be held in the retracted position Y1.

[0071] To change the position of the front stand 41F from the retracted position Y1 to the stand position X1, the machine body 5 is raised so that the front stand 41F is lifted off the ground, the hook portion 59c of the operating lever 59 is disengaged from the rear locking portion 63c, and the operating lever 59 is swung forward. The front stand 41F then swings downward around the pivot shaft 44 due to its own weight and moves to the stand position X1. When the front stand 41F moves to the stand position X1, the engaging portion 50 engages with the engaged portion 56, and the front stand 41F is positioned at the stand position X1. In other words, the front stand 41F changes position from the retracted position Y1 to the stand position X1 due to its own weight when the operating unit 47 is operated. This makes the operating device 45 easy to operate and simplifies the structure of the operating device 45.

[0072] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the transplanter 1 is provided with a spare seedling table device 66. Reference numeral 66 denotes a tray for placing spare seedling trays 36. A spare seedling tray 36 is a seedling tray 36 that is placed on a seedling placing table 37 and from which seedlings 35 have been removed by a seedling removal device 38, and is used to replenish the seedlings 35 in the seedling placing table 37 when the remaining seedlings 35 in the tray 36 become low. In this embodiment, a plurality of spare seedling placing devices 66 are provided.

[0073] As shown in Figure 2, the multiple spare seedling table devices 66 include a first spare seedling table device 66L arranged on one side (left side in this embodiment) of the traveling body 2 in the body width direction K2, and a second spare seedling table device 66R arranged on the other side (right side in this embodiment) of the traveling body 2 in the body width direction K2. The first spare seedling table device 66L and the second spare seedling table device 66R are arranged on the front side of the seedling placing table 37 and the seedling taking out device 38. In other words, the seedling placing table 37 and the seedling taking out device 38 are mounted between the operating handle 4 on the traveling body 2 and the first spare seedling table device 66L and the second spare seedling table device 66R in a side view.

[0074] It is sufficient to provide at least one spare seedling table device 66. When only one spare seedling table device 66 is provided, a spare seedling table device 66 whose position in the front-to-rear direction K1 can be freely changed, i.e., a first spare seedling table device 66L, is provided.

[0075] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the first spare seedling stand device 66L has a mounting bracket 67L, a spare tray placing stand 68L, and a rocking body 69L.

[0076] As shown in Fig. 1, the mounting bracket 67L is attached to a side surface of the fuselage 5 at a midpoint in the fore-and-aft direction K1. More specifically, as shown in Figs. 2 and 15, the rear portion of the mounting bracket 67L is attached to the left side surface of the mounting frame 14 of the rear frame 10. The front portion of the mounting bracket 67L protrudes forward beyond the mounting frame 14.

[0077] The spare tray stand 68L is a member on which the spare seedling tray 36 is placed. The upper surface of the spare tray stand 68L serves as a placement surface on which the spare seedling tray 36 is placed. As shown in Figure 14, upwardly protruding restricting portions 70a, 70b, and 70c are provided on the front and rear parts of the spare tray stand 68L and on the inner side in the machine body width direction K2 to restrict the movement of the seedling tray 36 on the placement surface.

[0078] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 15, the swinging body 69L is configured to have a swinging rod 71L and a mounting member 72L.

[0079] 13, 14, and 15, the swing rod 71L is formed of a rod material (a pipe material in this embodiment) that is long in the vertical direction. The lower part of the swing rod 71L is attached to the front part of the mounting bracket 67L via a pivot 73L so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the machine body width direction K2. The swing rod 71L rotates about the pivot 73L, thereby allowing the upper part of the swing rod 71L to swing back and forth. Furthermore, the swing rod 71L swings back and forth, allowing the spare tray placement stand 68L to be freely moved back and forth.

[0080] 13 and 14, the spare tray mounting stand 68L is mounted on the mounting member 72L. The mounting member 72L has a main rod portion 74L formed of a vertically long rod material (a pipe material in this embodiment), and a mounting stay 75L to which the spare tray mounting stand 68L is mounted.

[0081] As shown in Fig. 18, mounting stays 75L are fixed to the upper and lower parts of the main rod part 74L. A mounting boss 76L is provided midway in the vertical direction of the main rod part 74L (mounting member 72L) between the upper mounting stay 75L and the lower mounting stay 75L.

[0082] 13, the mounting boss 76L of the main rod portion 74L is attached to the upper part of the swing rod 71L via a support shaft 77L so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the width direction K2 of the machine body. In other words, the mounting member 72L is attached to the swing rod 71L so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the width direction K2 of the machine body.

[0083] As shown in Figure 18, each mounting stay 75L is formed from a plate material. The mounting stay 75L has a base 75a, a front mounting piece 75b, and a rear mounting piece 75c. The base 75a is formed in the shape of a strip with its plate surface facing the fuselage width direction K2 and extending in the front-rear direction K1. The base 75a is disposed inward of the main rod portion 74L in the fuselage width direction K2 and is fixed to the main rod portion 74L.

[0084] The front mounting piece 75b extends outward in the width direction K2 of the machine body from the front of the base 75a. The rear mounting piece 75c extends outward in the width direction K2 of the machine body from the rear of the base 75a. The spare tray mounting base 68L is attached to the front mounting piece 75b and the rear mounting piece 75c. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, a pair of front and rear notched grooves 78 are formed in the restricting portion 70c on the inner side of the spare tray mounting base 68L in the width direction K2 of the machine body. The front mounting piece 75b is fitted into one of the notched grooves 78, and the rear mounting piece 75c is fitted into the other notched groove 78, and the restricting portion 70c is attached to the front mounting piece 75b and the rear mounting piece 75c with bolts. As shown in FIG. 13, the spare tray mounting base 68L is attached to the mounting stay 75L in an inclined manner that slopes upward as it extends outward in the width direction K2 of the machine body.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 13, the second spare seedling stand device 66R has a mounting bracket 67R, a spare tray placing stand 68R, and a rocking body 69R.

[0086] The mounting bracket 67R is attached to a midpoint in the fore-and-aft direction K1 on the side of the fuselage 5. More specifically, the rear portion of the mounting bracket 67R is attached to the right side surface of the mounting frame 14 of the rear frame 10. The front portion of the mounting bracket 67R protrudes forward beyond the mounting frame 14.

[0087] The spare tray placing stand 68R is a member on which the spare seedling tray 36 is placed. The spare tray placing stand 68R of the second spare seedling stand device 66R has the same configuration as the spare tray placing stand 68L of the first spare seedling stand device 66L, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0088] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 15, the swinging body 69R is configured to have a swinging rod 71R and a mounting member 72R.

[0089] As shown in Figures 13, 14, and 15, the swing rod 71R is formed from a vertically long rod (in this embodiment, a pipe). The lower part of the swing rod 71R is attached to the front part of the mounting bracket 67R via a pivot 73R so as to be rotatable around an axis extending in the machine body width direction K2. The swing rod 71R rotates around the pivot 73R, allowing the upper part of the swing rod 71R to swing back and forth. Furthermore, the swing rod 71R swings back and forth, allowing the spare tray placing stand 68R to be freely moved back and forth. The pivot 73R of the second spare seedling table device 66R is arranged concentrically with the pivot 73L of the first spare seedling table device 66L (see the dashed line R1 in Figure 15).

[0090] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the mounting member 72R is a member to which the spare tray mounting base 68R is attached. The mounting member 72R has a main rod portion 74R formed of a vertically long rod material (a pipe material in this embodiment) and a mounting stay 75R to which the spare tray mounting base 68R is attached. The mounting stays 75R are fixed to the upper and lower parts of the main rod portion 74R. A mounting boss 76R is provided between the upper and lower mounting stays 75R, at a vertical midpoint of the main rod portion 74R (mounting member 72R). The mounting boss 76R of the main rod portion 74R is attached to the upper part of the swing rod 71R via a support shaft 77R so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the width direction K2 of the machine body. In other words, the mounting member 72R is attached to the swing rod 71R so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the width direction K2 of the machine body. The support shaft 77R of the second spare seedling table device 66R is provided concentrically with the support shaft 77R of the first spare seedling table device 66L (see the dashed dotted line R2 in FIG. 13).

[0091] The structure of the mounting stay 75R is the same as that of the mounting stay 75L of the spare tray stand 68L of the first spare seedling stand device 66L, so similar components are given the same reference numerals and their explanations are omitted. The mounting structure of the spare tray stand 68R of the second spare seedling stand device 66R to the mounting stay 75R is also the same as that of the first spare seedling stand device 66L, so its explanation is omitted.

[0092] The second spare seedling table device 66R is connected to the first spare seedling table device 66L by a connector 79 described below, and its position is changed in conjunction with the change in position of the first spare seedling table device 66L. In other words, the position of the spare tray placing stand 68R of the second spare seedling table device 66R is changed in conjunction with the change in position of the spare tray placing stand 68L of the first spare seedling table device 66L in the front-to-rear direction K1. This allows the position change operation of the first spare seedling table device 66L and the second spare seedling table device 66R to be performed in a timely manner. This can facilitate the process and simplify the structure.

[0093] As shown in Figures 15 and 16, the transplanter 1 is equipped with a position changing device 80 that changes the positions of the first and second auxiliary seedling table devices 66L and 66R (auxiliary tray mounting tables 68L, 68R) to multiple positions in the front-to-rear direction K1. The position changing device 80 directly changes the position of the first auxiliary seedling table device 66L (auxiliary tray mounting table 68L) to multiple positions in the front-to-rear direction K1. As described above, the second auxiliary seedling table device 66R is connected to the first auxiliary seedling table device 66L, and therefore its position is changed in conjunction with the position change of the first auxiliary seedling table device 66L by the position changing device 80.

[0094] As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the position changer 80 includes a support bracket 81, an operating handle 82, an engagement pin 83, a guide plate 84, and a link member 85.

[0095] As shown in Fig. 16, the support bracket 81 is disposed on the inner side of the mounting member 72L in the width direction K2 of the vehicle body. More specifically, the support bracket 81 is disposed on the inner side of the upper mounting stay 75L of the mounting member 72L in the width direction K2 of the vehicle body. As shown in Figs. 18 and 19, the support bracket 81 has a first bracket 86 and a second bracket 87. The first bracket 86 and the second bracket 87 are formed from plate material.

[0096] 18, the first bracket 86 has an upper wall 86a whose plate surface faces the vertical direction, a front wall 86b extending downward from the front end of the upper wall 86a, and a rear wall 86c extending downward from the rear end of the upper wall 86a. Cutout portions 88 that are open outward in the fuselage width direction K2 are formed in the middle of the front wall 86b and the rear wall 86c in the vertical direction. The first bracket 86 is fixed to the upper mounting stay 75L at the upper portions of the front wall 86b and the rear wall 86c, above the cutout portions 88.

[0097] The second bracket 87 has a side wall portion 87a whose plate surface faces the fuselage width direction K2, a front wall portion 87b extending inward in the fuselage width direction K2 from the front end of the side wall portion 87a, and a rear wall portion 87c extending inward in the fuselage width direction K2 from the rear end of the side wall portion 87a. Open-top notches 89 are formed in the upper portions of the front wall portion 87b and the rear wall portion 87c. The second bracket 87 is disposed between the lower portions of the front wall 86b and the rear wall 86c of the first bracket 86, with the front wall portion 87b attached to the front wall 86b with bolts or the like, and the rear wall portion 87c attached to the rear wall 86c with bolts or the like. The notches 88 and 89 form an insertion portion through which a first rod portion 90a of the operating handle 82 (described later) is inserted.

[0098] 18, the operating handle 82 has an operating rod 90 and a grip 91. The operating rod 90 has a first rod portion 90a extending in the front-to-rear direction K1, a second rod portion 90b sloping inward in the fuselage width direction K2 as it extends forward from the front end of the first rod portion 90a, a third rod portion 90c sloping inward in the fuselage width direction K2 as it extends rearward from the rear end of the first rod portion 90a, a fourth rod portion 90d extending downward from the front end of the second rod portion 90b, and a fifth rod portion 90e extending downward from the rear end of the third rod portion 90c. The first rod portion 90a is inserted into a notch 88 of the first bracket 86 from the outside in the fuselage width direction K2. Additionally, the first rod portion 90a is fitted from below into the notched portion 89 of the second bracket 87. As a result, the operating handle 82 is supported by the support bracket 81 so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the front-rear direction K1.

[0099] A pair of grips 91 are provided and attached to the fourth rod portion 90d and the fifth rod portion 90e.

[0100] As shown in Fig. 18, a pair of front and rear restricting plates 92, each formed of a ring-shaped disk (a disk with a hole formed in the center), are fixed to the first rod portion 90a. As shown in Fig. 19, the front restricting plate 92 abuts against the front surface of the front wall 86b of the first bracket 86, and the rear restricting plate 92 abuts against the rear surface of the rear wall 86c of the first bracket 86. Therefore, the operating handle 82 is movable integrally with the support bracket 81, the mounting member 72L, etc.

[0101] The operating handle 82 of this embodiment is configured with grips 91 provided at the front and rear, but the grip 91 provided at the front can be omitted. In this case, the fourth rod portion, the second rod portion, and the front portion of the first rod portion 90a can be omitted. In other words, the portion of the operating handle 82 forward of the support bracket 81 can be omitted.

[0102] 18 and 19, the engagement pin 83 is fixed to the operating rod 90 between a pair of regulating plates 92. More specifically, the engagement pin 83 is fixed to the center of the first rod portion 90a in the front-rear direction K1 so as to protrude inward in the body width direction K2.

[0103] 20, the guide plate 84 is fixed to the swing rod 71L. Specifically, the guide plate 84 has a main wall portion 84a located on the inner side of the support bracket 81 in the body width direction K2, and a lower wall portion 84b extending outward in the body width direction K2 from the lower end of the main wall portion 84a, and the lower wall portion 84b is fixed to the upper end of the swing rod 71L.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 17 , the main wall portion 84a of the guide plate 84 is formed with a first locking groove 93, a second locking groove 94, a third locking groove 95, and a guide groove 96. The first locking groove 93 is located midway in the front-to-rear direction K1 of the guide plate 84 and extends in the up-down direction. The second locking groove 94 is formed in front of the first locking groove 93 and is inclined downward, gradually shifting rearward. The third locking groove 95 is formed behind the first locking groove 93 and is inclined downward, gradually shifting forward. The guide groove 96 is formed above the first locking groove 93, the second locking groove 94, and the third locking groove 95, and is curved upward, extending in the front-to-rear direction K1. The guide groove 96 is connected to the first locking groove 93, the second locking groove 94, and the third locking groove 95.

[0105] The engagement pin 83 is inserted through the first engagement groove 93, the second engagement groove 94, the third engagement groove 95 and the guide groove 96 in the width direction K2 of the machine body. When the engagement pin 83 fits into the first engagement groove 93, the second engagement groove 94 and the third engagement groove 95, movement of the engagement pin 83 in the front-to-back direction K1 relative to the guide plate 84 is restricted, and swinging of the first spare seedling table device 66L (swing rod 71L) in the front-to-back direction K1 is restricted. When the engagement pin 83 fits into the guide groove 96, movement of the engagement pin 83 in the front-to-back direction K1 relative to the guide plate 84 is permitted, and swinging of the first spare seedling table device 66L in the front-to-back direction K1 is permitted.

[0106] 17, a protrusion 97 that protrudes downward is formed on the upper edge of the guide groove 96. The protrusion 97 is located above the first locking groove 93. For example, when the engagement pin 83 moving in the guide groove 96 comes into contact with the protrusion 97, the worker can recognize that the engagement pin 83 is located above the first locking groove 93.

[0107] When the engagement pin 83 is fitted into the first locking groove 93, the second locking groove 94 or the third locking groove 95, the grip 91 is moved inward and upward in the body width direction K2 and the operating handle 82 is rotated around the axis of the first rod portion 90a, whereby the engagement pin 83 moves upward and disengages from the first locking groove 93, the second locking groove 94 or the third locking groove 95 and moves into the guide groove 96.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 20 , a return spring 98 is provided inside the support bracket 81 to bias the operating handle 82 so as to rotate the operating rod 90 in a direction from when the engagement pin 83 is in the guide groove 96 to when the engagement pin 83 fits into the first locking groove 93, the second locking groove 94, or the third locking groove 95. The return spring 98 is formed of a compression coil spring. The return spring 98 is interposed in a compressed state between a spring receiving member 99 fixed to the operating rod 90 and the upper mounting stay 75L. Therefore, to disengage the engagement pin 83 from the first locking groove 93, the second locking groove 94, or the third locking groove 95, the operating handle 82 is rotated against the biasing force of the return spring 98. In this embodiment, a pair of return springs 98 and spring receiving members 99 are provided, one at the front and one at the back.

[0109] As shown in Figures 13, 15, 16, and 22, the link member 85 is formed of a rod material that is long in the vertical direction and is disposed in front of the swing rod 71L. The link member 85 has shafts 85a and 85b at its upper and lower ends. The shaft provided at the upper end of the link member 85 is referred to as the upper shaft 85a, and the shaft provided at the lower end of the link member 85 is referred to as the lower shaft 85b. The upper shaft 85a is formed by bending the rod material that constitutes the link member 85 outward in the width direction K2 of the aircraft body, and has an axis that extends in the width direction K2 of the aircraft body. The lower shaft 85b is formed by bending the rod material that constitutes the link member 85 inward in the width direction K2 of the aircraft body, and has an axis that extends in the width direction K2 of the aircraft body.

[0110] The upper shaft portion 85a is attached to a stay member 100 fixed to the support bracket 81 so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the width direction K2 of the machine body. The stay member 100 is fixed to the lower part of the front part of the support bracket 81 so as to protrude forward. The lower shaft portion 85b is attached to the front part of the mounting bracket 67 so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the width direction K2 of the machine body. The lower shaft portion 85b is disposed in front of the pivot 73L. With the above configuration, the link member 85 swings in response to the swinging of the swing rod 71L.

[0111] As shown in Figures 14, 15 and 16, the transplanter 1 is equipped with a connector 79 that connects the second auxiliary seedling table device 66R to the first auxiliary seedling table device 66L. The connector 79 has a first member 101, a second member 102 and a third member 103. The first member 101, the second member 102 and the third member 103 are formed from plate materials.

[0112] The first member 101 is fixed to the mounting member 72L of the first spare seedling holder device 66L. More specifically, the first member 101 is fixed to the support bracket 81 (the upper surface of the first bracket 86) and is attached to the mounting member 72L via the support bracket 81. The first member 101 may also be attached directly to the mounting member 72L.

[0113] As shown in Fig. 16, the first member 101 has an upper wall portion 101a and a side wall portion 101b extending downward from an end portion of the upper wall portion 101a on the inner side in the fuselage width direction K2. Insertion portions 101c are provided at the front and rear portions of the upper wall portion 101a. A substantially central portion of the side wall portion 101b in the front-to-rear direction K1 is fixed to the support bracket 81. The front and rear portions of the side wall portion 101b form mounting portions 101d.

[0114] As shown in Figure 14, the second member 102 is fixed to the mounting member 72R of the second spare seedling holder device 66R. More specifically, the second member 102 is fixed to the upper surface of a fixing member 104 fixed to the mounting stay 75R of the mounting member 72R, and is attached to the mounting member 72R via the fixing member 104. The second member 102 may also be attached directly to the mounting member 72R.

[0115] As shown in Fig. 14, the second member 102 has an upper wall portion 102a and a side wall portion 102b extending downward from an end portion of the upper wall portion 102a on the inner side in the fuselage width direction K2. Insertion portions 102c are provided at the front and rear portions of the upper wall portion 102a. A substantially central portion of the side wall portion 102b in the front-to-rear direction K1 is fixed to a fixing member 104. The front and rear portions of the side wall portion 102b form mounting portions 102d.

[0116] The fixing member 104 is formed to have the same configuration as the support bracket 81. Note that the fixing member 104 does not have to have the same configuration as the support bracket 81, and may not even be provided.

[0117] In this embodiment, a plurality of third members 103 are provided. Specifically, a pair of third members 103 are provided, one in front and one in back. The front third member 103 is referred to as the front third member 103F, and the rear third member 103 is referred to as the rear third member 103R. Note that the number of third members 103 may be one. In other words, it is sufficient that at least one third member 103 is provided.

[0118] The front third member 103F is disposed between the front portions of the first member 101 and the second member 102. The left end of the front third member 103F is attached to a mounting portion 101d on the front side of the first member 101. The right end of the front third member 103F is attached to a mounting portion 102d on the front side of the second member 102.

[0119] The rear third member 103R is disposed between the rear portions of the first member 101 and the second member 102. A left end of the rear third member 103R is attached to an attachment portion 101d on the rear side of the first member 101. A right end of the rear third member 103R is attached to an attachment portion 102d on the rear side of the second member 102.

[0120] The mounting member 72R of the second spare seedling table device 66R is connected to the mounting member 72L of the first spare seedling table device 66L by a connector 79, so that the position of the second spare seedling table device 66R is changed in conjunction with a change in the position of the first spare seedling table device 66L.

[0121] As shown in Figures 14 and 21, an empty tray placing device 106 is provided above the connecting body 79 for placing seedling trays 36 (empty seedling trays) after the seedlings 35 have been removed by the seedling removal device 38. The empty tray placing device 106 has a placing device main body 107, a first rod body 108, a second rod body 109, and a tray pressing device 110.

[0122] As shown in FIG. 21, the mounting device main body 107 includes a pair of longitudinal rods 107a and 107b arranged at an interval in the width direction K2 of the machine body and extending in the longitudinal direction K1. a and a pair of widthwise rod portions 107b connecting the front ends and rear ends of the arms 107a, respectively, and are formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view.

[0123] The first rod 108 is provided across the front portion of the first member 101 and the front portion of the second member 102 of the connecting body 79. Both ends of the first rod 108 in the body width direction K2 are bent downward. The left end of the first rod 108 is inserted into the insertion portion 101c of the first member 101, and the right end is inserted into the insertion portion 102c of the second member 102.

[0124] The second rod 109 is provided across the rear of the first member 101 and the rear of the second member 102 of the connecting body 79. Both ends of the second rod 109 in the body width direction K2 are bent downward. The left end of the second rod 109 is inserted into the insertion portion 101c of the first member 101, and the right end is inserted into the insertion portion 102c of the second member 102.

[0125] A mounting device main body 107 is fixed to the upper side of the first rod 108 and the second rod 109 .

[0126] The empty seedling tray 36 is placed and supported on the holding device main body 107, the first rod body 108 and the second rod body 109 so that the rod portions and the first rod body 108 and the second rod body 109 that constitute the holding device main body 107 fit between the pot portions 36a and 36a.

[0127] As shown in Figure 21, the tray pressing device 110 has a handle 110A, a pressing member 110B, and a spring member 110C. The handle 110A is supported by a bracket 110D fixed to the second rod 109 so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the front-rear direction K1. The pressing member 110B is fixed to the handle 110A, and by rotating the handle 110A, the pressing member 110B can be changed between a pressing position where it presses down from above the empty seedling trays 36 placed on the placement device main body 107, the first rod 108, and the second rod 109, and a retracted position (see Figure 13) where it is retracted upward from the pressing position. Spring member 110C is formed by a tension coil spring, and one end side is hooked to spring hook member 110E fixed to bracket 110D, and the other end side is hooked to spring hook member 110F fixed to pressing member 110B. Spring member 110C biases pressing member 110B to move from the retracted position to the pressing position.

[0128] To place the seedling tray 36 on the placement device main body 107, the first rod 108 and the second rod 109, the pressing member 110B is raised to the retracted position, and the seedling tray 36 is moved from the rear above the placement device main body 107 and placed thereon.

[0129] In the transplanter 1 having the above configuration, as shown in Figure 1, the position change device 80 can swing the swing rod 71L of the first auxiliary seedling table device 66L to change the positions of the auxiliary tray placing tables 68L, 68R of the first auxiliary seedling table device 66L and the second auxiliary seedling table device 66R to a first position P1, a second position P2 which is a position shifted a predetermined distance S1 (see Figure 23) rearward from the first position P1, and a third position P3 which is a position shifted a predetermined distance S2 (see Figure 25) forward from the first position P1. Note that the predetermined distance S1 and the predetermined distance S2 may be the same or different.

[0130] The change in position of the above-mentioned spare tray placing stands 68L, 68R (first spare seedling stand device 66L and second spare seedling stand device 66R) will be described in detail below.

[0131] Figure 22 shows the spare seedling table device 66 (first spare seedling table device 66L, second spare seedling table device 66R) and the position changing device 80 when the spare tray placing tables 68L, 68R are located at the first position P1. The dashed-dotted line R3 in Figure 22 is a line extending vertically and passing through the axis of the pivot 73L (the axis of the main rod portion 74L when the spare tray placing tables 68L, 68R are located at the first position P1).

[0132] When the spare tray placing tables 68L, 68R are in the first position P1, the swing rods 71L, 71R, mounting members 72L, 72R (main rod portions 74L, 74R), and link member 85 are extended vertically in a side view. In addition, in the first position P1, the spare tray placing tables 68L, 68R are oriented such that their upper surfaces (placing surfaces) face upward and extend in the front-to-rear direction K1 in a side view. When the spare tray placing tables 68L, 68R are in the first position P1, the engagement pin 83 is fitted into the first locking groove 93, as shown in FIG. 17. The engagement pin 83 being fitted into the first locking groove 93 restricts the front-to-rear swing of the first spare seedling table device 66L and the second spare seedling table device 66R. In other words, the positions of the first auxiliary seedling table device 66L and the second auxiliary seedling table device 66R cannot be changed in the front-rear direction K1.

[0133] To move the spare tray platforms 68L, 68R from the first position P1 to the second position P2, the operating handle 82 is rotated to disengage the engagement pin 83 from the first locking groove 93 and move it into the guide groove 96, and then the operating handle 82 is moved rearward. As a result, as shown in Fig. 23, the swing rods 71L, 71R swing rearward, and the spare tray platforms 68L, 68R move a predetermined distance S1 rearward from the first position P1 to the second position P2. Furthermore, as the spare tray platforms 68L, 68R move from the first position P1 to the second position P2, the empty tray mounting device 106 also moves rearward.

[0134] As shown in FIG. 23, the predetermined distance S1 is the distance that the main rod 74L moves rearward from the position when the spare tray mounting tables 68L, 68R are at the first position P1.

[0135] On the other hand, when the spare tray placing tables 68L, 68R are repositioned from the first position P1 to the second position P2, the engagement pin 83 moves relatively forward within the guide groove 96 and is positioned above the second locking groove 94. In this state, when the operating handle 82 is rotated to fit the engagement pin 83 into the second locking groove 94 (see Figure 24), the first spare seedling table device 66L and the second spare seedling table device 66R are positioned so that the spare tray placing tables 68L, 68R are at the second position P2. Furthermore, when the spare tray placing tables 68L, 68R of the first spare seedling table device 66L and the second spare seedling table device 66R are moved from the first position P1 to the second position P2, the link member 85 swings in response to the swinging of the swing rod 71L, causing the mounting member 72L (main rod portion 74L) to rotate about the support shaft 77L so that the top sides of the spare tray placing tables 68L, 68R face upward. As shown in FIG. 23, the spare tray placing tables 68L, 68R are slightly tilted downward toward the rear at the second position P2. Similarly, the empty tray placing device 106 is also slightly tilted downward toward the rear.

[0136] By setting the spare tray placing tables 68L, 68R to the second position P2, the spare tray placing tables 68L, 68R are closer to the operator positioned behind the traveling body 2, making it easier for the operator to access the seedling trays 36 on the spare tray placing tables 68L, 68R. Also, at the second position P2, the spare tray placing tables 68L, 68R are slightly tilted downward and rearward, making it easier for the operator to access the seedling trays 36 on the spare tray placing tables 68L, 68R. An operator (user) who desires the spare tray placing tables 68L, 68R to be close to the operator sets the spare tray placing tables 68L, 68R to the second position P2 and uses the transplanter 1 with the spare tray placing tables 68L, 68R in that position.

[0137] To move the spare tray platforms 68L, 68R from the first position P1 to the third position P3, the operating handle 82 is rotated to disengage the engagement pin 83 from the first locking groove 93 and move it into the guide groove 96, and then the operating handle 82 is moved forward. As a result, as shown in Fig. 25, the swing rods 71L, 71R swing forward, and the spare tray platforms 68L, 68R move a predetermined distance S2 forward from the first position P1 to the third position P3. Furthermore, as the spare tray platforms 68L, 68R move from the first position P1 to the third position P3, the empty tray mounting device 106 also moves forward.

[0138] As shown in FIG. 25, the predetermined distance S2 is the distance that the main rod 74L moves forward from the position when the spare tray mounting tables 68L, 68R are at the first position P1.

[0139] On the other hand, when the spare tray placing tables 68L, 68R are repositioned from the first position P1 to the third position P3, the engagement pin 83 moves relatively rearward within the guide groove 96 and is positioned above the third locking groove 95. In this state, when the operating handle 82 is rotated to fit the engagement pin 83 into the third locking groove 95 (see Figure 26), the first spare seedling table device 66L and the second spare seedling table device 66R are positioned so that the spare tray placing tables 68L, 68R are at the third position P3. Furthermore, when the spare tray placing tables 68L, 68R of the first spare seedling table device 66L and the second spare seedling table device 66R are moved from the first position P1 to the third position P3, the link member 85 swings in response to the swinging of the swing rods 71L, 71R, causing the mounting members 72L, 72R to rotate about the support shafts 77 so that the top sides of the spare tray placing tables 68L, 68R face upward. As shown in FIG. 25, the spare tray placing tables are also slightly tilted downward toward the rear at the third position P3. Similarly, the empty tray placing device 106 is also slightly tilted downward toward the rear.

[0140] By setting the spare tray stands 68L, 68R to the third position P3, the spare tray stands 68L, 68R are moved away from the seedling stand 37 and the seedling take-out device 38, facilitating maintenance of the seedling stand 37, the seedling take-out device 38, and their surrounding areas. Even in the third position P3, the spare tray stands 68L, 68R are slightly tilted downward toward the rear, making it easier for an operator to access the seedling trays 36 on the spare tray stands 68L, 68R. An operator (user) who desires the spare tray stands 68L, 68R to be in the third position P3 or the first position P1 sets the spare tray stands 68L, 68R to the third position P3 or the first position P1 and uses the transplanter 1 with the spare tray stands 68L, 68R in that position.

[0141] A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a transplanter 1 as described in the following items. (Item 1-1) The transplanter 1 comprises a transplanting device 3 that plants seedlings 35 in a field, a running body 2 on which the transplanting device 3 is mounted, an operating handle 4 provided at the rear of the running body 2, a stand member (front stand 41F) provided at the front of the running body 2 and changeable between a stand position X1 that supports the running body 2 and a retracted position Y1 retracted from the stand position X1, and an operating device 45 that operates the stand member 41F from the operating handle 4 side to move between the stand position X1 and the retracted position Y1.

[0142] According to the transplanter 1 relating to this item 1-1, the operation of changing the stand member 41F between the stand position X1 and the retracted position Y1 can be performed without moving to the front of the traveling body 2. (Item 1-2) The transplanter 1 described in item 1-1, wherein the operating device 45 has a lifting mechanism 46 that lifts the stand member 41F from the stand position X1 and changes it to the retracted position Y1, and an operating unit 47 that operates the lifting mechanism 46 from the operating handle 4 side.

[0143] The transplanter 1 according to item 1-2 also allows the operation of changing the stand member 41F between the stand position X1 and the retracted position Y1 to be performed without moving to the front of the running body 2. (Item 1-3) The lifting mechanism 46 has an abutment portion 48 provided on the stand member 41F, an arm 49 whose longitudinal middle portion is rotatably supported on the stand member 41F, and an engagement portion 50 provided on one longitudinal end of the arm 49 and engages with an engagement portion 56 provided on the running body 2, thereby positioning the stand member 41F at the stand position X1. When the stand member 41F is at the stand position X1, by lifting the other longitudinal end of the arm 49, the arm 49 rotates, the engagement portion 50 disengages from the engagement portion 56, and the arm 49 abuts against the abutment portion 48. In this state, the arm 49 moves upward to lift the stand member 41F to the retracted position Y1. This transplanter 1 is configured as described in item 1-2.

[0144] According to the transplanter 1 relating to item 1-3, the structure of the lifting mechanism 46 can be simplified. (Items 1-4) The transplanter (1) according to item (1-3), wherein the lifting mechanism (46) has a biasing member (51) that biases the arm (49) in a direction in which the engaging portion (50) engages with the engaged portion (56).

[0145] According to the transplanter 1 relating to this item 1-4, the engaging part 50 can be prevented from coming off the engaged part 56. (Items 1-5) The transplanter 1 according to any one of items 1-2 to 1-4, wherein the stand member 41F changes its position from the retracted position Y1 to the stand position X1 under its own weight by operating the operating unit 47.

[0146] According to the transplanter 1 relating to item 1-5, the configuration of the operating device 45 can be simplified. (Items 1-6) The transplanter 1 described in any one of items 1-3 to 1-5, wherein the lifting mechanism 46 has a cable 52 connecting the operating lever 59 and the other end of the arm 49, the operating unit 47 has an operating lever 59 provided on the side of the steering handle 4, and the stand member 41F is lifted from the stand position X1 to the retracted position Y1 by operating the operating lever 59 in one direction.

[0147] According to the transplanter 1 relating to item 1-6, the configuration of the operating device 45 can be simplified. (Items 1-7) The transplanter 1 described in any one of items 1-3 to 1-6, wherein the stand member 41F is rotatably supported on the running body 2 and can be rotated to freely change between the stand position X1 and the retracted position Y1, and the engaging portion 50 engages with the engaged portion 56 at the stand position X1 in which the stand member 41F extends in an approximately vertical direction.

[0148] According to the transplanter 1 according to item 1-7, the stand member 41F can be moved from the retracted position Y1 to the stand position X1 by its own weight, which simplifies the structure (item 1-8). The stand member 41F has a pivotal support portion 53 that supports the arm 49 so that it can rotate freely, and a stay portion 42d on which the pivotal support portion 53 and the abutment portion 48 are provided, the engaged portion 56 is formed by a groove that is open downward, and the engaging portion 50 engages with the engaged portion 56 by fitting into it from below, a transplanter 1 described in any one of items 1-3 to 1-7.

[0149] According to the transplanter 1 according to item 1-8, the structure can be simplified. (Item 2-1) The transplanter 1 comprises a transplanting device 3 that removes seedlings 35 from a seedling tray 36 containing the seedlings 35 and plants them, a running body 2 on which the transplanting device 3 is mounted, an operating handle 4 provided at the rear of the running body 2, at least one spare seedling table device 66 for placing a spare seedling tray 36 thereon, and a position changing device 80 that changes the position of the spare seedling table device 66 to multiple positions in the forward / backward direction K1.

[0150] According to the transplanter 1 relating to this item 2-1, it is possible to meet the user's requests regarding the position of the spare seedling table device 66 in the front-rear direction K1. (Item 2-2) The transplanter 1 described in item 2-1 is provided with a plurality of spare seedling table devices 66, and the plurality of spare seedling table devices 66 include a first spare seedling table device 66L arranged on one side of the body width direction K2 of the running body 2 and whose position is changed by the position change device 80, and a second spare seedling table device 66R arranged on the other side of the body width direction K2 of the running body 2 and connected to the first spare seedling table device 66L, whose position is changed in conjunction with the position change of the first spare seedling table device 66L.

[0151] According to the transplanter 1 relating to this item 2-2, the positions of the first auxiliary seedling table device 66L and the second auxiliary seedling table device 66R in the front-to-rear direction K1 can be changed by a single position changing device 80, thereby simplifying the structure. (Item 2-3) The first spare seedling table device 66L and the second spare seedling table device 66R have spare tray mounting tables 68L, 68R on which spare seedling trays 36 are placed, and oscillating bodies 69L, 69R to which the spare tray mounting tables 68L, 68R are attached and which are supported on the running body 2 so as to be able to swing freely in the forward and backward direction K1, and the position changing device 80 oscillates the oscillating body 69L of the first spare seedling table device 66L to change the positions of the spare tray mounting tables 68L, 68R of the first spare seedling table device 66L and the second spare seedling table device 66R to a first position P1, a second position P2 which is a position moved rearward a predetermined distance S1 from the first position P1, and a third position P3 which is a position moved forward a predetermined distance S2 from the first position P1.

[0152] The transplanter 1 according to item 2-3 can also meet the user's needs regarding the position of the spare seedling table device 66 in the front-rear direction K1. (Item 2-4) The swinging bodies 69L and 69R are supported at their lower parts by the running body 2 so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the machine body width direction K2, and swing freely back and forth. The transplanter 1 described in item 2-3 has mounting members 72L, 72R to which the tray mounting tables 68L, 68R are attached, the mounting members 72L, 72R being rotatably attached to the oscillating rods 71L, 71R via support shafts 77L, 77R around axes extending in the width direction K2 of the machine body, and the position changing device 80 has a link member 85 that oscillates in response to the oscillation of the oscillating rod 71L of the first spare seedling table device 66L and rotates the mounting members 72L, 72R around the support shafts 77L, 77R so that the spare tray mounting tables 68L, 68R face upward.

[0153] According to the transplanter 1 of this item 2-4, the swing rods 71L, 71R are rotated to swing and change the position of the spare tray mounting stands 68L, 68R, and the spare tray mounting stands 68L, 68R can be kept in a position where the seedling tray 36 can be placed on them (item 2-5). The position changing device 80 has a support bracket 81 fixed to the mounting member 72L of the first auxiliary seedling table device 66L, an operating handle 82 supported on the support bracket 81 so as to be rotatable, an engaging pin 83 fixed to the operating handle 82, and a guide plate 84 with which the engaging pin 83 engages, the guide plate 84 being fixed to the swing rod 71L of the first auxiliary seedling table device 66L, and the guide plate 84 has a first locking groove 93, a second locking groove 94 and a third locking groove 95 into which the engaging pin 83 is fitted to restrict the swing of the swing rod 71L, and a guide groove 94 which communicates with the first locking groove 93, the second locking groove 94 and the third locking groove 95 and through which the engaging pin 83 is movable. and a groove 96, wherein the engaging pin 83 fits into the first engaging groove 93 when the spare tray mounting bases 68L, 68R are at the first position P1, fits into the second engaging groove 94 when the spare tray mounting bases 68L, 68R are at the second position P2, and fits into the third engaging groove 95 when the spare tray mounting bases 68L, 68R are at the third position P3, and by rotating the operating handle 82, the operating handle 82 is disengaged from the first engaging groove 93, the second engaging groove 94, and the third engaging groove 95 and moves into and within the guide groove 96, allowing the operating handle 82 to move integrally with the support bracket 81 and the mounting member 72L.

[0154] According to the transplanter 1 relating to item 2-5, the operation of changing the positions of the spare tray placing stands 68L, 68R can be easily performed by operating the operating handle 82. (Item 2-6) A transplanter 1 as described in item 2-4 or 2-5, which is provided with a connecting body 79 that connects the second spare seedling table device 66R to the first spare seedling table device 66L, the connecting body 79 having a first member 101 fixed to the mounting member 72 of the first spare seedling table device 66L, a second member 102 fixed to the mounting member 72 of the second spare seedling table device 66R, and a third member 103 that connects the first member 101 and the second member 102.

[0155] According to the transplanter 1 relating to item 2-6, the spare tray platform 68R of the second spare seedling platform device 66R can be linked to a change in the position of the spare tray platform 68L of the first spare seedling platform device 66L. (Item 2-7) The transplanter 1 described in any one of items 2-3 to 2-6, wherein the spare tray placing tables 68L, 68R are in a position extended in the front-to-back direction K1 at the first position P1, and in a position slightly tilted downward and rearward at the second position P2 and the third position P3.

[0156] According to the transplanter 1 relating to this item 2-7, it is possible to improve ease of access to the seedling tray 36 when the spare tray placing stands 68L, 68R are set at the second position P2 and the third position P3. (Item 2-8) The transplanting device 3 has a seedling loading table 37 on which the seedling tray 36 is placed, and a seedling removal device 38 that removes seedlings 35 from the seedling tray 36 placed on the seedling loading table 37, and the seedling loading table 37 and the seedling removal device 38 are mounted between the steering handle 4 on the running body 2 and the first auxiliary seedling table device 66L and the second auxiliary seedling table device 66R.A transplanter 1 described in any one of items 2-2 to 2-7.

[0157] According to the transplanter 1 relating to item 2-8, when the spare tray stands 68L, 68R are shifted to the second position P2, the spare tray stands 68L, 68R are closer to the operator standing on the side of the control handle 4, making it easier to access the seedling tray 36 even if the seedling stand 37 and the seedling take-out device 38 are located in front of the control handle 4. Furthermore, when the spare tray stands 68L, 68R are shifted to the third position P3, the spare tray stands 68L, 68R are farther away from the seedling stand 37 and the seedling take-out device 38, improving the ease of maintenance of the seedling stand 37, the seedling take-out device 38 and their surroundings. (Item 2-9) The transplanter 1 according to item 2-6 is provided with an empty tray placing device 106 for placing the seedling tray 36 after the seedlings 35 have been removed, and the empty tray placing device 106 is attached to the connecting body 79.

[0158] According to the transplanter 1 relating to this item 2-9, when the position of the spare seedling stand device 66 is changed, the position of the empty tray placing device 106 in the front-rear direction K1 can also be changed.

[0159] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the embodiment disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0160] 2. Running body 3 Implant device 4 Control Handle 35 Seedlings 41F Stand material (front stand) 42c stay part 45 Operating device 46 Lifting mechanism 47 Control section 48 Contact part 49 Arm 50 engagement portion 51 biasing member 52 Cable 53 Rotation support part 56 Engaged part 59 Operating lever X1 Stand Position Y1 Evacuation position

Claims

1. a transplanter for planting seedlings in a field; a running body on which the transplant device is mounted; A steering handle provided at the rear of the traveling body; a stand member provided at a front portion of the running body, the stand member being changeable between a stand position for supporting the running body and a retracted position retracted from the stand position; an operating device that operates the stand member between the stand position and the retracted position from the operating handle side; A transplanter equipped with:

2. The operating device is a lifting mechanism that lifts the stand member from the stand position to change it to the retracted position; 2. The transplanter according to claim 1, further comprising an operating section for operating the lifting mechanism from the operating handle side.

3. The lifting mechanism includes: a contact portion provided on the stand member; an arm whose longitudinal midsection is rotatably supported by the stand member; an engaging portion provided at one end of the arm in the longitudinal direction, which engages with an engaged portion provided on the running body to position the stand member at the stand position, A transplanter as described in claim 2, wherein when the stand member is in the stand position and the other longitudinal end of the arm is pulled up, the arm rotates, the engaging portion disengages from the engaged portion, the arm abuts the abutment portion, and in this state the arm moves upward to pull the stand member up to the retracted position.

4. 4. The transplanter according to claim 3, wherein the lifting mechanism has a biasing member that biases the arm in a direction in which the engaging portion engages with the engaged portion.

5. 5. The transplanter according to claim 2, wherein the stand member changes its position from the retracted position to the stand position under its own weight by operating the operating unit.

6. the lifting mechanism includes a cable connecting the operating lever and the other end of the arm, The operation unit has an operation lever provided on the steering handle side, 5. The transplanter according to claim 3, wherein the stand member is raised from the stand position to the retracted position by operating the operating lever in one direction.

7. the stand member is rotatably supported on the traveling body and is rotatable between the stand position and the retracted position, 5. The transplanter according to claim 3, wherein the engaging portion engages with the engaged portion when the stand member is in the stand position where it extends substantially vertically.

8. the stand member has a rotation support portion that rotatably supports the arm, and a stay portion on which the rotation support portion and the abutment portion are provided, The engaged portion is configured as a groove that is open downward, 5. The transplanter according to claim 3, wherein the engaging portion engages with the engaged portion by fitting into the engaged portion from below.

Images