sugarcane harvester

Abstract

Invention details;

Description

sugarcane harvester

[0001] The present invention relates to a sugarcane harvester.

[0002] [First Background Art] For example, the sugarcane harvester disclosed in Patent Document 1 is equipped with a conveyor (referred to in the document as a "discharge conveyor") that receives the harvested material from a separation device (referred to in the document as a "winnowing device") and transports it diagonally upward, and the conveyor is configured to be able to swing left and right by extension and contraction of a hydraulic cylinder.

[0003] [Second Background Art] For example, in the sugarcane harvester disclosed in Patent Document 2, a conveyor (reference number "200" in the document) is connected to the rear of the running body, and the conveyor is driven to swing up and down by a drive cylinder (reference number "138" in the document).

[0004] [Third Background Art] As disclosed in Patent Document 3, one sugarcane harvester is provided with a reaping and conveying device, a separating device, and a conveyor, and a driving unit is provided above the reaping and conveying device. As the machine moves forward, crops in the field are harvested and conveyed by the reaping and conveying device, and waste is separated from the crops by the separating device. The crops from which waste has been removed are then transported by the conveyor, and the crops are supplied from the conveyor to a transport vehicle traveling alongside the sugarcane harvester.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-078837 U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0183052A1 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-5715

[0006] The first problem corresponding to the first background art is as follows. To extend and retract the hydraulic cylinder, hydraulic piping is provided between the hydraulic source and the hydraulic cylinder, and hydraulic oil from the hydraulic source is supplied to and discharged from the hydraulic cylinder through the hydraulic piping. However, when the conveyor swings left and right, the hydraulic piping connected to the hydraulic cylinder displaces in response to the swing of the conveyor. Generally, other equipment may be located between the hydraulic source and the hydraulic cylinder, so it is undesirable for the hydraulic piping to come into contact with or interfere with the other equipment due to the hydraulic piping displacement. To avoid such inconvenience, it is desirable to have the hydraulic piping held in a predetermined position. However, if the hydraulic piping is held in a predetermined position, its displacement is limited, which may result in excessive deformation of the hydraulic piping due to the swing of the conveyor. An object of the present invention is to provide a sugarcane harvester that can hold the hydraulic piping in a predetermined position while allowing the hydraulic piping to follow the swing of the conveyor without excessive deformation of the hydraulic piping.

[0007] The second problem corresponding to the second background art described above is as follows: The conveyor transports the harvested product, and since there are parts that are subject to wear due to sliding contact with the harvested product, frequent maintenance of the conveyor is considered necessary. However, since many of the parts requiring maintenance are located at a height that is out of reach of workers, if the conveyor swings as low as possible, maintenance by the worker will be easier. An object of the present invention is to provide a sugarcane harvester in which conveyor maintenance is easy.

[0008] The "third problem" corresponding to the "third background art" described above is as follows. When a sugarcane harvester harvests crops in a field, if the direction of travel of the sugarcane harvester changes, the transporter may travel on the right side or left side of the sugarcane harvester. This requires the conveyor to be set to face right or left each time the position of the transporter changes relative to the sugarcane harvester. The present invention aims to improve the operability of changing the direction of the conveyor in a sugarcane harvester.

[0009] The first solution to the first problem described above is as follows: That is, the sugarcane harvester of the present invention includes a traveling body having a reaping and conveying device that reaps crops in a field and conveys them rearward, a separation device that is provided at the rear of the traveling body and separates the crops into waste and harvested material, a conveyor that is connected to the rear of the traveling body in a state where it can rotate about a first axis that faces up and down, with its lower end serving as a fulcrum, and that receives the harvested material from the separation device, conveys it diagonally upward, and discharges it outside the machine, and a conveyor that is connected to the rear of the traveling body and the conveyor in a state where it is allocated to the left and right of the first axis, and that and hydraulic piping connected to a hydraulic power source and capable of supplying and discharging hydraulic oil to each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders, the hydraulic piping having one main pipe and a branching section, the main pipe being connected to the hydraulic power source, the branching section being located on the hydraulic piping forward of the first axis and branching the main pipe into a plurality of pipes corresponding to each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders, and the branching section being configured to be able to swing around a second axis facing up and down in accordance with the rotation of the conveyor.

[0010] According to the present invention, even when the multiple hydraulic cylinders swing left and right following the swing of the conveyor, the branch section is configured to swing around the second axis, so the branch section can swing in response to the swing of the multiple hydraulic cylinders. In other words, the branch section absorbs the load applied to the hydraulic piping depending on the swing posture of the multiple hydraulic cylinders. This makes it less likely that the hydraulic piping will deform excessively, improving the durability of the hydraulic piping. Furthermore, because the branch section is configured to swing around the second axis, the hydraulic piping can be displaced while being maintained in the area where the second axis exists. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the branch section does not swing around the second axis, the hydraulic piping does not move to unintended locations, and contact or interference with other equipment, for example, is avoided. This realizes a sugarcane harvester that can allow the hydraulic piping to follow the swing of the conveyor while maintaining the hydraulic piping in a predetermined position and preventing excessive deformation of the hydraulic piping.

[0011] In the present invention, it is preferable that a plurality of hydraulic pipes and a plurality of branch sections corresponding to the plurality of hydraulic pipes are provided, and that the plurality of branch sections are arranged in a line above and below and are configured to be able to swing around one second axis.

[0012] When the conveyor swings around the first axis, which faces up and down, the hydraulic cylinders swing left and right. With this configuration, the branch sections swing around the second axis while lined up vertically, so the deformation range and deformation posture of the hydraulic piping between the branch sections and the hydraulic cylinders remain within a predictable range compared to a configuration in which the branch sections are not lined up vertically. This makes it less likely that unexpected localized loads will be applied to the hydraulic piping, improving the durability of the hydraulic piping.

[0013] In the present invention, it is preferable that the plurality of hydraulic cylinders are configured as double-acting cylinders, the plurality of hydraulic pipes include extension pipes that supply and discharge the hydraulic oil to and from extension oil chambers in the plurality of hydraulic cylinders, and contraction pipes that supply and discharge the hydraulic oil to and from contraction oil chambers in the plurality of hydraulic cylinders, and the plurality of branch sections include extension branch sections that branch the extension pipes in correspondence with the extension oil chambers in the plurality of hydraulic cylinders, and contraction branch sections that branch the contraction pipes in correspondence with the contraction oil chambers in the plurality of hydraulic cylinders.

[0014] This configuration allows the branched portions of the extension pipe and the contraction pipe to swing independently, making it difficult for excessive deformation to occur in the extension pipe and the contraction pipe, thereby improving the durability of the entire hydraulic piping.

[0015] In the present invention, it is preferable that the second axis is set at a location forward of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders.

[0016] With this configuration, even when multiple hydraulic cylinders swing left and right in response to the swinging of the conveyor, the second axis can be separated as far as possible from the multiple hydraulic cylinders, thereby reducing deformation of the hydraulic piping.

[0017] In the present invention, it is preferable that the second axis is set at a position on an extension of the main pipe at the branch portion in a plan view.

[0018] With this configuration, the main pipe deforms only in the left-right direction, so compared to a configuration in which the second axis is not set at a position on the extension of the main pipe, the main pipe can sensitively follow the oscillation of the branching section, and the amount of deformation of the main pipe can be reduced.

[0019] In the present invention, the hydraulic source is provided with a storage tank for storing the hydraulic oil, and a pump unit for pressurizing the hydraulic oil from the storage tank through the hydraulic piping to each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders, and the pump unit is provided in a state biased to one side of the left or right of the vehicle body relative to the left-right center of the vehicle body of the traveling vehicle, and the main piping and the branch section are preferably provided in a state biased to one side of the vehicle body relative to the left-right center of the vehicle body.

[0020] With this configuration, the storage tank and pump unit are biased to one side of the machine body, making it easier for workers to maintain the storage tank and pump unit compared to a configuration in which the storage tank and pump unit are located in the center of the machine body. Also, because the piping and branching section are biased to the same side as the storage tank and pump unit, the length of the hydraulic piping between the drive source and the multiple hydraulic cylinders is shortened, reducing pressure loss in the hydraulic piping.

[0021] In the present invention, it is preferable that another hydraulic piping is provided to supply and discharge the hydraulic oil from the hydraulic source to a portion of the conveyor rearward of the hydraulic cylinder, and that a guide portion is provided at the connection point between the rear of the running body and the conveyor to prevent the another hydraulic piping from falling into the gap between the rear of the running body and the front of the conveyor.

[0022] Because the area where the rear of the traveling body and the conveyor are connected has space to allow the conveyor to rotate, other hydraulic piping can easily fall into the gap where the rear of the traveling body and the conveyor are connected, which can cause excessive deformation of the other hydraulic piping.With this configuration, the other hydraulic piping is firmly supported by the guide part, reducing the risk of excessive deformation of the other hydraulic piping.

[0023] The above and other configurations, features, and effects of the present invention, which is the [first solution], will become clearer from the following embodiments and drawings.

[0024] The second solution corresponding to the second problem described above is as follows: That is, the sugarcane harvester of the present invention comprises a traveling body having a reaping and conveying device that reaps crops in a field and conveys them rearward, a separation device that is provided at the rear of the traveling body and separates the crops into debris and harvested material, a conveyor that is connected to the rear of the traveling body in a state that it can swing up and down around a horizontal swing axis with its lower end as a fulcrum, and that receives the harvested material from the separation device, conveys it diagonally upward, and discharges it outside the machine, and a drive cylinder that is connected to the rear of the traveling body and to the conveyor and drives the conveyor to swing up and down, the drive cylinder being connected from the rear of the traveling body to the side of the conveyor and connected to the bottom of the conveyor.

[0025] According to the present invention, since the drive cylinder is connected to the bottom of the conveyor, the overall length of the drive cylinder can be extended and the stroke of the drive cylinder can be increased compared to a configuration in which the drive cylinder is connected to the top of the conveyor without passing through the sides of the conveyor. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the drive cylinder is connected to the top of the conveyor without passing through the sides of the conveyor, the conveyor can swing further downward and the height of the conveyor can be reduced. This improves the ease of maintenance when an operator performs conveyor maintenance. As a result, a sugarcane harvester with an easy-to-maintain conveyor is realized.

[0026] In the present invention, it is preferable that the bottom portion is provided with an attachment portion that protrudes to the side of the conveyor, and the drive cylinder is connected to the attachment portion and is arranged so as to extend and retract along the extension direction of the conveyor in a planar view.

[0027] According to this configuration, the drive cylinder is connected to the mounting portion, which protrudes laterally from the conveyor, making it easy to configure the drive cylinder to pass from the rear of the traveling body to the side of the conveyor. Furthermore, because the drive cylinder is positioned to extend and retract along the extension direction of the conveyor in a plan view, no lateral torsional force acts on the conveyor and the drive cylinder. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the drive cylinder extends and retracts not along the extension direction of the conveyor, no undue load is placed on the conveyor and the drive cylinder. This eliminates the need to unnecessarily increase the rigidity of the conveyor and the drive cylinder, making it easy to reduce the weight of the conveyor. Note that "along the extension direction" in this specification is not limited to strictly "along the extension direction" but also includes the meaning of "approximately along the extension direction."

[0028] In the present invention, it is preferable that left and right drive cylinders are provided, and that the bottom portion is provided with left and right mounting portions that protrude to the left and right sides of the conveyor and are connected to the left and right drive cylinders, respectively, and horizontal frames that are connected to the left and right mounting portions, respectively.

[0029] With this configuration, the left and right drive cylinders are connected to the mounting parts, and the left and right mounting parts protrude to the sides of the conveyor, making it easy to configure the left and right drive cylinders to pass from the rear of the traveling body to the sides of the conveyor. Also, because the horizontal frames are connected to the left and right mounting parts, a configuration without horizontal frames is provided, making the support structure for the left and right mounting parts stronger. As a result, the load acting on the conveyor from the drive cylinders is distributed among the conveyor body, the left and right mounting parts, and the horizontal frames.

[0030] In the present invention, it is preferable that the bottom portion is provided with a bottom frame portion extending along the extension direction of the conveyor, and that the mounting portion is supported by the bottom frame portion in a state where it is positioned lower than the bottom frame portion when viewed in the extension direction of the conveyor.

[0031] With this configuration, because the mounting portion is located below the bottom frame portion, the overall length of the drive cylinder can be extended longer, and the stroke of the drive cylinder is longer, compared to a configuration in which the mounting portion is located above the bottom frame portion. Furthermore, when the mounting portion is located above the bottom frame portion, a tensile force acts between the mounting portion and the bottom frame portion, but when the mounting portion is located below the bottom frame portion, a pressing force acts between the mounting portion and the bottom frame portion. Therefore, with this configuration, the support structure for the mounting portion relative to the bottom frame portion is simplified, compared to a configuration in which the mounting portion is located above the bottom frame portion.

[0032] In the present invention, it is preferable that a chain-like body is provided which is connected to the rear of the running body and the conveyor while being positioned lower than the drive cylinder when viewed in the extension direction of the drive cylinder, and which restricts the downward swing of the conveyor, and the length of the chain-like body is configured to be longer than the maximum extension length of the drive cylinder.

[0033] With this configuration, for example, when the drive cylinder is removed from the machine body during maintenance, the chain can restrict the conveyor's downward swing. Therefore, even when it is inconvenient to ground the upper end of the conveyor, the operator can remove the drive cylinder from the machine body. Furthermore, because the length of the chain is configured to be longer than the maximum extension length of the drive cylinder, the risk of the drive cylinder's stroke being unexpectedly restricted during actual field work, etc., can be avoided.

[0034] In the present invention, it is preferable that the fulcrum is provided with a bearing member that supports the oscillating shaft of the conveyor, the bearing member has a boss portion fixed to the running body and a cylindrical portion that is fitted into the boss portion and slides against the oscillating shaft, and the bearing member is configured so that its support posture with respect to the oscillating shaft can be changed by rotating the boss portion and the cylindrical portion around the axis of the oscillating shaft.

[0035] The cylindrical portion of the bearing member slides against the swing shaft as the conveyor swings up and down, and the lower portion of the cylindrical portion is particularly prone to wear. The upper portion of the cylindrical portion wears less than the lower portion of the cylindrical portion. With this configuration, the boss portion and the cylindrical portion rotate around the axis of the swing shaft, causing the cylindrical portion to flip upside down, making it possible for the portion of the cylindrical portion that wears less to be the sliding portion against the swing shaft. This allows for further continued use of the cylindrical portion, reducing the frequency of replacement of the cylindrical portion.

[0036] The above and other configurations, features, and effects of the present invention, which is the [second solution], will become clearer from the following embodiments and drawings.

[0037] The [third solution] corresponding to the above-mentioned [third problem] is as follows: That is, the sugarcane harvester of the present invention comprises a harvesting and transporting device that harvests crops in a field and transports them toward the rear of a machine body, a separation device connected to the rear of the harvesting and transporting device and separating waste from the crops transported by the harvesting and transporting device, a conveyor that extends upward from a position below the separation device and transports the crops from which waste has been separated by the separation device, and a driving section that is provided above the harvesting and transporting device and has a driver's seat and a manual operating tool that is operated manually, the conveyor is supported so as to be swingable left and right about a vertical axis that passes through the front part of the conveyor in a vertical direction and is configured to be swingable left and right, and the driving section is provided with a swing pedal that can be manually stepped on to swing the conveyor left and right.

[0038] According to the present invention, even when an operator sitting in the driver's seat is operating a manual operating tool (such as a steering wheel or a speed change lever) with his or her right or left hand, the operator can operate the turning pedal with his or her right or left foot to swing the conveyor left or right and change the direction of the conveyor.

[0039] According to the present invention, when an operator seated in the driver's seat depresses the swing pedal to the left or right, the conveyor direction changes to the right, and when the operator depresses the swing pedal to the other left or right, the conveyor direction changes to the left. In this way, the conveyor direction can be changed by the simple operation of depressing the swing pedal to the left or right, improving the operability of changing the conveyor direction. According to the present invention, the conveyor direction can be changed with a single swing pedal, which is advantageous in terms of simplifying the structure.

[0040] In the present invention, it is preferable that when the rotation pedal is depressed to the right, the conveyor is swung counterclockwise in a plan view, and when the rotation pedal is depressed to the left, the conveyor is swung clockwise in a plan view.

[0041] According to the present invention, the conveyor is disposed rearward of the driver's seat and extends upward from below the separation device. In the above-described state, when an operator seated in the driver's seat depresses the swing pedal to the right, the conveyor is swung counterclockwise in a plan view, extending to the right from the machine body. When an operator seated in the driver's seat depresses the swing pedal to the left, the conveyor is swung clockwise in a plan view, extending to the left from the machine body. This allows the operator's intentions to be aligned with the swing operation of the conveyor, improving the operability of changing the direction of the conveyor.

[0042] In the present invention, it is preferable that the turning pedal is positioned offset to the left or right with respect to the left-right center of the driver's seat in a plan view, and is configured to be swingable around a horizontal axis along an imaginary line extending diagonally forward to the right or left from the driver's seat.

[0043] When an operator sitting in the driver's seat assumes a natural posture, the right leg (left leg) may extend diagonally (radially) to the side from the operator's body in a plan view.

[0044] According to the present invention, the swing pedal is arranged offset to the left or right with respect to the left-right center of the driver's seat in a plan view, and is configured to be swingable about a horizontal axis along an imaginary line extending diagonally forward to the right or left from the driver's seat. As a result, when an operator sitting in the driver's seat assumes a natural posture, the horizontal axis of the swing pedal is aligned with the direction in which the operator's right foot (left foot) extends, making it easier for the operator sitting in the driver's seat to step on the swing pedal, improving the operability of changing the direction of the conveyor.

[0045] In the present invention, a locking device that can be switched between a restricted state and an unrestricted state is provided in the operating unit, and in the restricted state, the locking device contacts the tread surface of the rotation pedal from above, thereby holding the rotation pedal in a neutral position where the swing operation of the conveyor is stopped, thereby restricting the operation of the rotation pedal, and in the unrestricted state, it is preferable that the locking device moves away from the tread surface to allow the operation of the rotation pedal to be depressed.

[0046] According to the present invention, when there is no need to depress the swing pedal, the locking device can be set to the restricted state. In the restricted state, the locking device holds the swing pedal in the neutral position and restricts the swing pedal from being depressed in the left-right direction. Therefore, even if an operator sitting in the driver's seat accidentally tries to depress the swing pedal, the swing pedal is held in the neutral position and the conveyor will not change direction.

[0047] In the restricted state, the locking device comes into contact with the tread surface of the turning pedal from above, thereby holding the turning pedal in a neutral position, so that the operator seated in the driver's seat can use the locking device as a footrest.

[0048] The above and other configurations, features, and effects of the present invention, which is the [third solution], will become clearer from the following embodiments and drawings.

[0049] 11 is a cross-sectional view of the entire sugarcane harvester; FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the entire sugarcane harvester; FIG. 13 is a side view showing the separation device and the conveying start end of the conveyor; FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the separation device and the conveying start end of the conveyor; FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the separation device and the conveying start end of the conveyor; FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the hopper and the conveying start end of the conveyor; FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the engine, the travel transmission unit, and the hydraulic piping; FIG. 18 is a side view of the conveyor, showing the extension and retraction operation of the lifting hydraulic cylinder of the conveyor; FIG. 19 is a side view of the support structure of the front end of the conveyor; FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the conveyor, showing the support structure of the lifting hydraulic cylinder; FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the swing hydraulic cylinder and the branching unit taken along line XI-XI of FIG. 9; FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the swing hydraulic cylinder and the branching unit taken along line XII-XII of FIG. 11; FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the swing hydraulic cylinder and the branching unit; FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the swing hydraulic cylinder and the branching unit; FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the swing hydraulic cylinder and the branching unit; FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the separation device with the cord-like body wound around it; FIG. 23 is a side view of the essential parts showing the interlocking mechanism of the conveyor and the hood unit. 27 is a cross-sectional plan view of a main part showing the interlocking mechanism between the conveyor and the hood section. FIG. 28 is a plan view showing the rotation range of the conveyor and the hood section. FIG. 29 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the endless rotating chain of the conveyor and the carrier. FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of the endless rotating chain of the conveyor and the carrier as viewed in the conveying direction, showing the endless rotating chain of the conveyor and the carrier. FIG. 29 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the carrier. FIG. 29 is a plan view showing the entire upper cover section of the conveyor. FIG. 29 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the conveying start end of the conveyor. FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXV-XXV of FIG. 24 showing the conveying start end of the conveyor. FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXVI-XXVI of FIG. 24 showing the conveying start end of the conveyor. FIG. 29 is a bottom view showing the structure of the conveyor's pivot point. FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXVIII-XXVIII of FIG. 27 showing the structure of the conveyor's pivot point. FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional plan view of the driver's section. FIG. 29 is a rear view of the vicinity of the side panel. FIG. 29 is a plan view of the vicinity of the side panel. FIG. 29 is a plan view of the vicinity of the side panel and the driver's seat. FIG. 30 is a longitudinal left side view of the vicinity of the swing pedal and the locking device in the restricted state. 1A and 1B are a rear view of the vicinity of the rotation pedal and the locking device in a restricted state, a plan view of the vicinity of the rotation pedal and the locking device in a restricted state, a rear view of the vicinity of the rotation pedal and the locking device in an unrestricted state, and a rear view of the vicinity of the rotation pedal when stepped to the right and the locking device in an unrestricted state.1 is a rear view of the vicinity of the swing pedal depressed to the left and the locking device in an unrestricted state. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the control device and the reaping unit, the transport device, the separating device, and the conveyor. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the control device and the driving unit, the engine, the hydrostatic continuously variable transmission, the auxiliary transmission, and the front wheels.

[0050] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a sugarcane harvester illustrating the above-mentioned [first solution means], [second solution means], and [third solution means] will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0051] [Overall Configuration] Figures 1 and 2 are views showing the entire sugarcane harvester, with Figure 1 being a left side view and Figure 2 being a plan view. In this embodiment, the direction indicated by the symbol (F) in Figures 1 and 2 is the front side of the machine body, and the direction indicated by the symbol (B) is the rear side of the machine body. The direction indicated by the symbol (L) in Figure 2 is the left side of the machine body, and the direction indicated by the symbol (R) in Figure 2 is the right side of the machine body.

[0052] The sugarcane harvester is equipped with front wheels 1 as steerable left and right front traveling devices, and rear wheels 2 as non-steerable, rotationally driven left and right rear traveling devices. The sugarcane harvester is capable of traveling by driving the rear wheels 2. The left and right front wheels 1 and the left and right rear wheels 2 support the traveling body, which is the entire sugarcane harvester.

[0053] The traveling machine body is equipped with a driving unit 3, a reaping unit 4, a topper 5, a transport device 6, a separation device 7, a conveyor 8, an engine 9, and the like. The reaping unit 4 harvests crops (sugarcane) planted in the field. The topper 5 cuts the upper leaves of the crops. The transport device 6 transports the crops harvested by the reaping unit 4 rearward and upward. The separation device 7 is provided at the rear of the traveling machine body and separates the crops transported by the transport device 6 into impurities and the harvested product (sugarcane). The separation device 7 is connected to the rear of the transport device 6. The conveyor 8 extends diagonally upward from a position below the separation device 7 (extending in an inclined position). The conveyor 8 is connected to the rear of the traveling machine body in a state in which it can rotate around the vertical axis X1 with its lower end as a fulcrum. It receives the harvested product from the separation device 7, transports it diagonally upward, and discharges it outside the machine. The vertical axis X1 is the rotation axis of the conveyor 8. The engine 9 supplies power to each part of the machine body. The reaping unit 4 and the conveying device 6 correspond to the "reaping and conveying device" of the present invention. The vertical axis X1 corresponds to the "first axis" of the present invention.

[0054] The conveyor 8 is provided with an inclined portion 8A, a connecting portion 8C, and a bent portion 8B. The inclined portion 8A is inclined obliquely upward, and the connecting portion 8C is connected to the inclined portion 8A via the bent portion 8B on the downstream side in the conveying direction, and is lower than the inclined portion 8A.

[0055] The driving section 3 and the engine 9 are provided above the reaping section 4 and the transport device 6. The driving section 3 is provided at a high position at the front of the traveling body, and is surrounded by a cabin 10. Inside the cabin 10, a driver's seat, a steering wheel, an operation panel, etc. are provided. Openable and closable doors are provided on both the left and right side portions of the cabin 10.

[0056] The reaping unit 4 is provided at the front lower part of the traveling body. The reaping unit 4 is equipped with left and right grass dividing devices 11 and a cutting header 12. The left and right grass dividing devices 11 divide and guide the planted crops to be harvested. The cutting header 12 cuts the crops planted in the field and sends them to the rear. The left and right grass dividing devices 11 are equipped with a grass dividing rotor 13 that is rotated and is oriented vertically.

[0057] There are provided inner and outer grass dividing rotors 13 on the right and inner and outer grass dividing rotors 13 on the left, and the grass dividing rotors 13 are configured in a screw shape with a spiral attached to the outer periphery of an elongated cylindrical main body.

[0058] A hydraulic motor 13M (see Figure 40) is provided on the top of the grass dividing rotor 13. An electromagnetically operated control valve 162 (see Figure 40) is provided to supply and discharge hydraulic oil to the hydraulic motor 13M. The hydraulic motor 13M drives the grass dividing rotor 13 to rotate around an axis that runs vertically. Left and right hydraulic cylinders 113 (see Figure 40) are provided that can change the height of the left and right grass dividing rotors 13, and an electromagnetically operated control valve 163 (see Figure 40) is provided to supply and discharge hydraulic oil to the hydraulic cylinders 113.

[0059] The cutting header 12 is arranged adjacent to the rear of the left and right grass dividing devices 11. Two falling rollers 16 are provided in the area between the left and right side walls of the cutting header 12. The two falling rollers 16 are arranged behind the grass dividing rotor 13, and a plurality of falling plates (not shown) with uneven edges are attached radially to the outer periphery of a cylindrical main body (not shown). The falling rollers 16 are rotated around their axis along the left-right direction by a hydraulic motor 16M (see Figure 40), and an electromagnetically operated control valve 164 (see Figure 40) is provided to supply and discharge hydraulic oil to the hydraulic motor 16M. The falling rollers 16 push the crops forward while sweeping them backward.

[0060] The harvesting header 12 is equipped with cutting devices 18 that cut the base of the crop. The left and right cutting devices 18 are located behind the left and right grass dividing devices 11. The left and right cutting devices 18 are also provided behind the felling roller 16. The cutting devices 18 are equipped with a pair of left and right rotary cutters that are supported rotatably around an axis that runs in the vertical direction. The rotary blades are driven to rotate by a hydraulic motor 18M (see Figure 40), and an electromagnetically operated control valve 165 (see Figure 40) is provided to supply and discharge hydraulic oil to the hydraulic motor 18M. The rotary cutters of the cutting devices 18 rotate around the vertical axis to cut the base of the crop.

[0061] The topper 5 is supported above the grass dividing rotor 13 and has a rotary blade that is rotatably supported around an axis that runs vertically. The rotary blade is driven to rotate by a hydraulic motor 5M (see Figure 40). An electromagnetically operated control valve 166 (see Figure 40) is provided to supply and discharge hydraulic oil to the hydraulic motor 5M. A hydraulic cylinder 112 (see Figure 40) is provided that can change the height of the topper 5, and an electromagnetically operated control valve 102 (see Figure 40) is provided to supply and discharge hydraulic oil to the hydraulic cylinder 112.

[0062] With the above configuration, as the machine moves forward, the left and right grass dividing rotors 13 separate the crops to be cut from the crops to be left in the field, while the top leaves of the crops to be cut by the topper 5, and the crops to be cut are introduced between the left and right grass dividing rotors 13. The crops introduced between the left and right grass dividing rotors 13 are fallen forward by the falling rollers 16, and the bases of the plants are cut by the cutting device 18, and the crops are supplied from the bases to the conveying device 6. The crops are then conveyed rearward by the conveying device 6.

[0063] The conveying start end of the conveying device 6 is connected to the rear of the cutting device 18. The conveying device 6 is provided in a rearward-upward tilted position from the reaping unit 4 so as to convey the crops toward the rear and upper part of the machine body. Specifically, the conveying device 6 has left and right side panels (not shown) that are provided in a rearward-upward tilted position along the front-rear direction. This structure makes the conveying device 6 a highly rigid structure. This structure forms a roughly rectangular, cylindrical conveying path. Multiple scraping rotors (not shown) are provided on both the upper and lower sides of the transfer path in the conveying device 6. The multiple upper scraping rotors and the multiple lower scraping rotors are supported by the side panels and aligned at appropriate intervals along the crop conveying direction. The upper and lower scraping rotors are driven to rotate in opposite directions around axes that run in the left-right direction. Long crops cut by the reaping unit 4 are conveyed rearward while sandwiched between the upper and lower scraping rotors. When the crop is transported through the transport device 6, the base of the crop precedes the top of the crop.

[0064] A pair of upper and lower cutting rollers 42, 42 (see FIG. 5 ) are provided at the end of the conveying device 6. The cutting rollers 42, 42 are the scraping rotors closest to the end of the conveying device 6 among the upper scraping rotors and the lower scraping rotors. The cutting rollers 42, 42 are provided with cutting blades extending radially outward. When long crops reach the end of the conveying device 6, they are sandwiched between the cutting blades of the cutting rollers 42, 42 at the end of the conveying device 6 and cut to a predetermined length. The "predetermined length" refers to, for example, a length that is easy to handle in subsequent transportation and processing steps. The crops shredded to the predetermined length are supplied to the separator 7. A hydraulic motor 42M (see FIG. 40 ) is provided to rotate the upper and lower scraping rotors (including the cutting rollers 42, 42), and an electromagnetically operated control valve 167 (see FIG. 40 ) is provided to supply and discharge hydraulic oil to the hydraulic motor 42M.

[0065] The separator 7 separates and discharges to the outside impurities such as fine stem and culm debris and leaf fragments contained in the crops discharged from the conveying end of the conveying device 6 by the ventilation action of the fan 72 rotating around the vertical axis X1. In other words, a sorting wind is supplied to the crops inside the separator 7, and the debris is separated, blown away, and discharged. In other words, the fan 72 generates a sorting wind from the bottom to the top of the case part 70, and the sorting wind separates the debris from the crops, blows it upward, and discharges it from the discharge port of the hood part 71.

[0066] A hopper 19 is provided directly below the separating device 7 and behind and below the rear end of the conveying device 6 to receive the crops discharged downward from the conveying device 6. The crops shredded by the cutting rollers 42, 42 pass downward inside the separating device 7 and fall into the hopper 19 connected to the front end (conveyance start end) of the conveyor 8. The crops received in the hopper 19 are guided to the conveyance start end of the conveyor 8.

[0067] The conveyor 8 is supported by a conveyor support frame 20 provided at the rear of the traveling machine body and extends from the rear of the traveling machine body toward the outside and upward of the machine body. The conveyor 8 is supported so as to be swingable left and right about a vertical axis X1 that passes through the front of the conveyor 8 in the vertical direction, and is supported so as to be swingable up and down with the front of the conveyor 8 as a fulcrum. The conveyor 8 engages and transports the crops toward the rear and upward. A discharge section 8e is provided at the end of the conveyance at the rear upper part of the conveyor 8, and the conveyor 8 discharges the crops outward from the discharge section 8e. The discharged crops are collected onto the loading platform of an accompanying transport vehicle (not shown), such as a truck.

[0068] A guide member 17 is provided at the discharge section 8e of the conveyor 8, and the orientation of the guide member 17 is changed up and down by an electric motor 124 (see Figure 40). By changing the orientation of the guide member 17 up and down, the orientation of the crops discharged from the discharge section 8e can be changed up and down.

[0069] [Regarding the Separation Device] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the separation device 7 includes a case 70, a hood 71, and a fan 72. The fan 72 is configured to be rotatable about a vertical axis X1 by the power of a hydraulic motor 72M. The lower end of the case 70 opens downward. The open portion at the lower end of the case 70 is referred to as the intake section 70h. The fan 72 is sandwiched between the hood 71 and the case 70. The case 70 separates the harvested crops into debris and the harvested product, and guides the debris upward and the harvested product downward. The hood 71 discharges the debris to the side. The hydraulic motor 72M is provided with an electromagnetically operated control valve 170 (see Figure 40) that supplies and discharges hydraulic oil.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 4 , the case 70 is cylindrical in plan view, and the inner surface of the case 70 has a circular cross-sectional shape centered on the vertical axis X1. A connection port connected to the conveying end of the conveying device 6 is formed at the front of the outer periphery of the case 70. This connection port is an input port 70i that accepts crops conveyed from the conveying device 6. That is, the input port 70i is formed at the outer periphery of the case 70, through which crops conveyed by the conveying device 6 are input. The stalks of the crops are cut by cutting rollers 42, 42 (see FIG. 5 ) at the conveying end of the conveying device 6, and then input through the input port 70i into the case 70 at a release angle of approximately 45 degrees. The cutting rollers 42, 42 are input devices that throw the crops into the case 70.

[0071] The fan 72 is installed inside the case 70 and rotates around an up-down axis X1 passing through the center of the circle to generate a sorting wind. The up-down axis X1 is the central axis of the fan 72. An intake section 70h is installed at the bottom of the case 70, allowing the fan 72 to generate the sorting wind. The sorting wind rises while swirling upward. Crops placed inside the case 70 are subjected to the suction action of the fan 72, which sucks up relatively light impurities such as fine stems and culms and leaf fragments. The impurities then pass through the fan 72 and are discharged to the outside through the hood 71. The hood 71 is installed above the case 70 and is rotatable around the up-down axis X1, allowing the direction of impurity discharge to be changed. The up-down axis X1 is the rotation axis of the hood 71. Harvested crops, which are heavier than the impurities, fall downward without being sucked in by the fan 72.

[0072] The case 70 extends downward from the connection between the conveying device 6 and the separating device 7, i.e., the inlet 70i. A scattering prevention chain 70C is connected to the lower end of the case 70, and the scattering prevention chain 70C hangs down to near the upper end of the hopper 19. The scattering prevention chain 70C is connected to the periphery of the rear half of the cylindrical case 70. This reduces the risk of the harvested products fed from the conveying device 6 into the case 70 spilling outside the hopper 19.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 4 , two openings 73 are provided on the outer periphery of the case 70, and the openings 73 are located on either side of the vertical axis X1. In other words, the two openings 73 are arranged in a circumferential direction of the case 70, separated into left and right sides of the input port 70i for crops transported by the transport device 6. As the fan 72 rotates, air inside the case 70 is sucked in by the fan 72. At this time, outside air is sucked in through each of the openings 73, in addition to through the intake port 70h, which is an open portion at the bottom end of the case 70. The openings 73 are formed in a portion of the outer periphery of the case 70 between the fan 72 and the intake port 70h in the extension direction of the vertical axis X1. In addition, the openings 73, 73 are formed on the outer periphery of the case portion 70, at a position on the same side of the upper and lower axis X1 as the side on which the crop insertion port 70i is formed, when viewed in a direction along the extension direction of the upper and lower axis X1.

[0074] A plate member 53 is provided above the cutting rollers 42 and extends to the feed opening 70i on the outer periphery of the case 70. The rear end of the plate member 53 is the upper end of the feed opening 70i of the case 70, and the crops released by the cutting rollers 42 are guided along the plate member 53 into the inside of the case 70. The rear end of the plate member 53 is located at approximately the same height as the upper ends of the openings 73. Therefore, the openings 73 are formed at positions on the outer periphery of the case 70 within a range corresponding to the extent of the feed opening 70i in the direction along the vertical axis X1.

[0075] The case 70 is provided with an air passage 73A, which extends from the cylindrical outer periphery of the case 70 in a direction tangential to the vertical axis X1, with a suction port formed at the extending end of the air passage 73A. The air passage 73A extends from the downstream end of the openings 73, 73 in the swirling direction of the sorting air on the outer periphery of the case 70, along the tangential direction of the downstream end, toward the upstream side in the outside air suction direction. The air passage 73A has a suction port 73h at the end opposite the openings 73, 73, which introduces outside air. The air passage 73A is configured to have a uniform width when viewed in the direction along the vertical axis X1.

[0076] A dustproof member 73B is provided at the intake port 73h (extending end) of the air path portion 73A. The dustproof member 73B is composed of multiple round bars extending from above and below the air path portion 73A. When outside air is drawn in through the opening 73, the outside air flows between the multiple round bars, making it easier for foreign matter to get caught on the multiple round bars. This makes it difficult for foreign matter such as dust to be drawn into the case portion 70 through the opening 73.

[0077] The outside air from each of the openings 73, 73 is drawn into the case 70 while being straightened to flow tangentially to the outer periphery of the case 70, and flows along the cylindrical inner circumferential sidewall of the case 70. In other words, as the fan 72 rotates, an upward swirling flow is likely to occur around the inner periphery of the case 70. However, the configuration in which the tangentially straightened air is drawn through each of the openings 73, 73, makes the swirling flow stronger than in a configuration without openings 73, 73. As a result, even if the impurities form clumps, the swirling flow thoroughly breaks them down into dust. The impurities tend to collect in the inner circumferential region of the case 70, and the harvested product tends to collect in the outer circumferential region of the case 70. As a result, the impurities and the harvested product are thoroughly separated. In this way, openings 73, 73 are formed on the outer periphery of the case 70 to draw in outside air by the swirling of the screening wind.

[0078] The structure of the fan 72 will be described with reference to Figure 5. The fan 72 includes a fan body 72A, a shaft 72S, a cylindrical shaft case 72K, and a hydraulic motor 72M. The hydraulic motor 72M is located above the hood portion 71, and the shaft case 72K extends vertically inside the hood portion 71. The hydraulic motor 72M and the shaft case 72K are each connected to a support portion 70S by bolts. Multiple frames extend from the main body of the case portion 70, passing along the sides of the hood portion 71, to a position above the hood portion 71. The support portion 70S is supported by the multiple frames. A through-hole through which the shaft case 72K passes is formed in the support portion 70S.

[0079] The shaft 72S is inserted into the shaft case 72K. The shaft 72S is supported by the shaft case 72K at its upper and lower ends via ball bearings. This allows the shaft 72S to rotate within the shaft case 72K. A spline portion is formed at the upper end of the shaft 72S, and the upper end of the shaft 72S is spline-coupled to the output shaft of the hydraulic motor 72M. A spline portion is also formed at the lower end of the shaft 72S, and the lower end of the shaft 72S is spline-coupled to the rotation center of the fan main body 72A. A thread groove is formed at the lower end of the shaft 72S, and a nut is fastened to the lower end of the shaft 72S to support the fan main body 72A so that it does not come off the shaft 72S.

[0080] A cylindrical portion 72f is formed at the rotation center of the fan main body 72A, and the lower part of the shaft 72S fits into the cylindrical portion 72f. A flange portion 72D fits onto the shaft case 72K. The flange portion 72D covers the upper end of the cylindrical portion 72f from above and also covers the upper end of the cylindrical portion 72f from the outer periphery. Because the cylindrical portion 72f is part of the fan main body 72A, the cylindrical portion 72f rotates relative to the flange portion 72D. The flange portion 72D and the cylindrical portion 72f are configured so that the lower end of the flange portion 72D and the upper end of the cylindrical portion 72f are close enough to each other but do not come into contact, and the gap between the flange portion 72D and the cylindrical portion 72f is narrow. This makes it difficult for foreign matter to get into the relative rotation portion between the fan main body 72A and the shaft case 72K.

[0081] When performing maintenance on the fan 72, the worker removes the nut at the lower end of the shaft 72S and detaches the fan body 72A from the shaft 72S. The worker then releases the bolt connection of the hydraulic motor 72M to the support part 70S, thereby removing the hydraulic motor 72M from the support part 70S. At this time, the spline connection between the hydraulic motor 72M and the shaft 72S is also released. In addition, the worker releases the bolt connection of the shaft case 72K to the support part 70S and pulls the shaft case 72K upward from the through-hole of the support part 70S, thereby removing the shaft case 72K and the shaft 72S together from the support part 70S.

[0082] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the hood portion 71 includes a hood body 71A and a bottom member 71B, which are bolted together. When the hood portion 71 pivots about the vertical axis X1, the bottom member 71B rotates relative to the case portion 70, which tends to cause wear to the bottom member 71B. In this embodiment, if the bottom member 71B becomes worn, an operator can replace the bottom member 71B by releasing the bolt connection between the hood body 71A and the bottom member 71B. Furthermore, if the hood body 71A becomes worn due to collision with foreign matter, an operator can replace only the hood body 71A.

[0083] [Regarding the Hopper] The hopper 19 will be described with reference to FIG. 6 . The front end of the conveyor 8 enters the area below the separator 7. For this reason, an inlet is provided above the front end of the conveyor 8 to receive the harvested product that has fallen from the separator 7. The hopper 19 is connected to the inlet at the front end of the conveyor 8 while being positioned between the separator 7 and the front end of the conveyor 8. In this embodiment, the hopper 19 is formed in a semicircular shape in a plan view. That is, the hopper 19 is raised from the inlet while surrounding the front, right, and left sides of the inlet. The harvested product that has fallen from the separator 7 is received by the hopper 19 and is then guided directly to the inlet at the front lower part of the conveyor 8.

[0084] The inlet at the front end of the conveyor 8 extends rearward and upward beyond the rear end of the hopper 19. In other words, the inlet of the conveyor 8 is the portion of the conveying path of the conveyor 8 located upstream of the front end of the upper cover portion 88A in the conveying direction. A pair of left and right side covers 19B, 19B is provided behind the hopper 19. The rear end of the hopper 19 is connected to the front ends of the pair of left and right side covers 19B, 19B by bolts. Each of the pair of left and right side covers 19B, 19B is raised from the left and right sides of the inlet at the front end of the conveyor 8 that extends rearward and upward beyond the rear end of the hopper 19. As a result, the hopper 19 and the pair of left and right side covers 19B, 19B are integrally configured to catch harvested produce dropping from the separating device 7. The conveyor 8 rises obliquely upward from the start of the conveying path, and the pair of left and right side cover portions 19B, 19B are inclined upward at the rear along the gradient of the conveyor 8.

[0085] Typically, harvested material is discharged from the discharge section 8e of the conveyor 8 onto, for example, the bed of a transport vehicle. However, as work progresses, if the bed of the accompanying transport vehicle becomes full, the transport vehicle will leave the field and separate from the sugarcane harvester. In this case, the operator of the driving unit 3 may temporarily suspend work and wait for the arrival of the next transport vehicle. The hopper 19 can receive and store the harvested material from the separation device 7. Therefore, it is desirable for the sugarcane harvester to harvest the crops in the field while running with the conveyor 8 stopped, and store the harvested material in the hopper 19. In this embodiment, the inlet at the front end of the conveyor 8 is extended rearward and upward beyond the rear end of the hopper 19. This allows the inlet to receive even more harvested material compared to a configuration in which the inlet is provided only below the hopper 19. The rear end of the hopper 19 is connected to the front end of each of the pair of left and right side cover parts 19B, 19B, so that the hopper 19 and the pair of left and right side cover parts 19B, 19B are integrally configured. This makes it possible to store even more harvested products in the inlet at the front end of the conveyor 8 compared to a configuration that does not include the pair of left and right side cover parts 19B, 19B.

[0086] A plurality of conveying bodies 86 and a bottom member 87 are provided on the conveying path. Each of the plurality of conveying bodies 86 is connected to a pair of left and right endless rotary chains 85, 85. The plurality of conveying bodies 86 are attached across the pair of left and right endless rotary chains 85, 85, and move diagonally upward from the start of the conveying path by rotating integrally with the endless rotary chains 85, 85. As a result, harvested crops dropped from the separating device 7 are guided to the start of the conveying path by the hopper 19 and the pair of left and right side cover portions 19B, 19B. The harvested crops are then placed on the bottom member 87 and conveyed diagonally upward by the plurality of conveying bodies 86.

[0087] [Hydraulic Pipe Support Structure] As shown in Figures 3, 6, and 8, a swivel-side clamp unit 43 is provided below the hopper 19, and the swivel-side clamp unit 43 supports multiple conveyor hydraulic pipes 58. As shown in Figure 7, a transmission unit 51 is provided adjacent to the left of the engine 9, and multiple pump units 32 are connected to the left of the transmission unit 51. The transmission unit 51 transmits power from the engine 9 to the multiple pump units 32. A storage tank 31 for storing hydraulic oil is provided, located at the lower left side of the midpoint between the front and rear of the vehicle body. Each of the multiple pump units 32 supplies hydraulic oil stored in the storage tank 31 to hydraulic equipment. The multiple pump units 32 and the storage tank 31 are located offset to the left side of the vehicle body relative to the center of the traveling vehicle body in the lateral direction. The storage tank 31 corresponds to the "hydraulic source" in this invention. The conveyor hydraulic pipes 58 correspond to the "other hydraulic pipes" in this invention.

[0088] A fixed-side clamp unit 44 is provided on the left side of the rear of the traveling machine body, and the fixed-side clamp unit 44 supports multiple conveyor hydraulic pipes 58. The fixed-side clamp unit 44 is configured to be able to swing left and right. The conveyor hydraulic pipes 58 supply and discharge hydraulic oil from the storage tank 31 and the pump unit 32 to the hydraulic motor 81M, the lifting hydraulic cylinders 24, 24, etc., which will be described later. In other words, the multiple conveyor hydraulic pipes 58 supply and discharge hydraulic oil from the storage tank 31 and the pump unit 32 to the portion of the conveyor 8 that is rearward of the swing hydraulic cylinders 22, 22 (see Figures 3, 5, etc.). The pair of left and right swing hydraulic cylinders 22, 22 will be described later. The swing hydraulic cylinders 22, 22 correspond to the "multiple hydraulic cylinders" in this invention.

[0089] The main pipe 30B and the conveyor hydraulic pipe 58 extend rearward from the pump unit 32. The main pipe 30B is configured to be able to supply and discharge hydraulic oil to each of the pair of left and right swing hydraulic cylinders 22, 22. The main pipe 30B and the conveyor hydraulic pipe 58 are provided in a state where they are biased to the left side of the machine body with respect to the center of the traveling machine body in the left-right direction.

[0090] The portion of the conveyor hydraulic piping 58 located in the gap between the rear of the traveling machine body and the front of the conveyor 8 is supported by the swivel-side clamp 43 and the fixed-side clamp 44. Therefore, the portion of the conveyor hydraulic piping 58 that is displaced as the conveyor 8 swivels is limited to the portion between the swivel-side clamp 43 and the fixed-side clamp 44. This makes it possible to predict in advance the range of displacement of the conveyor hydraulic piping 58, reducing the risk of the conveyor hydraulic piping 58 interfering with other members or being caught on other members unexpectedly.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 3 , round bar members 54 and 55 are provided at the front end of the conveyor 8, and a round bar member 56 is provided at the rear of the traveling machine body. The round bar member 54 is bent into a U-shape as shown in FIG. 6 in a plan view and is supported at both left and right ends of the front end of the conveyor 8. The round bar member 55 is provided on the left side of the front end of the conveyor 8 and is bent so as to extend along the upper and front edges of the left front side wall 80F. The round bar member 56 is fixed to the left part of the rear of the traveling machine body and is located below the fixed side clamp portion 44. The tip of the round bar member 56 extends laterally outward from the machine body (toward the left rear wheel 2) and supports the conveyor hydraulic piping 58 to prevent it from drooping toward the left rear wheel 2. The round bar members 54, 55, and 56 correspond to the "guide portion" of the present invention.

[0092] When the conveyor 8 turns to the left side of the machine body (the side where the left maximum turning position L31 in FIG. 19 is located), the portion of the conveyor hydraulic piping 58 between the turning-side clamp 43 and the fixed-side clamp 44 wraps around the bottom of the hopper 19. However, it is conceivable that the conveyor hydraulic piping 58 will get caught on the front lower end of the conveyor 8 (a portion corresponding to the front edge of the front wall 80F in the side view of FIG. 3) while the conveyor 8 is turning to the left side of the machine body. In this case, there is a risk that the conveyor hydraulic piping 58 will unexpectedly wrap around the front lower end of the conveyor 8 without wrapping around the bottom of the hopper 19. In this embodiment, the portion of the conveyor hydraulic piping 58 between the turning-side clamp 43 and the fixed-side clamp 44 is supported from below by the round bar member 54 to prevent it from falling into the gap between the rear of the traveling machine body and the front of the conveyor 8. This prevents the conveyor hydraulic piping 58 from getting caught on the front lower end of the conveyor 8. In addition, the conveyor hydraulic piping 58 may be configured to be supported by round bar members 54 and 56 so that it does not fall into the gap between the rear of the traveling body and the front of the conveyor 8.

[0093] Furthermore, when the conveyor 8 turns to the right side of the machine body (the side where the right maximum turning position R31 in FIG. 19 is located), the portion of the conveyor hydraulic pipe 58 between the turning-side clamp 43 and the fixed-side clamp 44 may hang down so as to be located to the left and front of the left front side wall 80F. In this case, the conveyor hydraulic pipe 58 is supported by the round bar member 56 so as not to hang down to the side where the left rear wheel 2 is located.

[0094] When the conveyor 8 turns from the right side of the machine body to the left side of the machine body, it is possible that the portion of the conveyor hydraulic piping 58 between the turning-side clamp 43 and the fixed-side clamp 44 may get caught on corners corresponding to the upper and front edges of the left front wall 80F of the conveyor 8. In this embodiment, the round bar member 55 extends along the upper and front edges of the left front wall 80F. Therefore, while the conveyor 8 is turning to the left side of the machine body, the conveyor hydraulic piping 58 is smoothly guided by the round bar member 55 into the space between the front of the hopper 19 and the lower front end of the conveyor 8. As a result, the portion of the conveyor hydraulic piping 58 between the turning-side clamp 43 and the fixed-side clamp 44 wraps around the lower part of the hopper 19 without getting caught on corners corresponding to the upper and front edges of the left front wall 80F of the conveyor 8. In this way, the round bar members 54, 55, 56 prevent the conveyor hydraulic piping 58 from falling into the gap between the rear of the running body and the front of the conveyor 8 at the connection point between the rear of the running body and the conveyor 8.

[0095] [Conveyor Support Structure] The support structure of the conveyor 8 will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 14. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, a swivel frame 21 is swingably connected to a conveyor support frame 20 via pins 35. The swivel frame 21 is swingable about a vertical axis X1, and the conveyor 8 is configured to swing around the vertical axis X1 with its lower end serving as a fulcrum. A pair of hydraulically driven swivel hydraulic cylinders 22, 22 are swingably connected to the conveyor support frame 20 and the swivel frame 21 via pins 36, 36, respectively, and the swivel hydraulic cylinders 22, 22 swing (swing) the conveyor 8 left and right. A control valve 172 (see Figure 40) supplies and discharges hydraulic oil to and from the swivel hydraulic cylinders 22. By swinging the conveyor 8 left and right, the direction of the conveyor 8 and the position of the discharge port 8e of the conveyor 8 can be changed left and right.

[0096] As shown in Figures 3, 8, and 9, a swing support member 21T is provided at the upper rear portion of the revolving frame body 21, and a bearing member 28 is provided at the upper portion of the swing support member 21T. The bearing member 28 supports the swing shaft 23 of the conveyor 8. The swing shaft 23 is connected to the frame body of the conveyor 8. A horizontal axis Y1 is located at the center of the swing shaft 23, and the conveyor 8 is configured to be able to swing up and down around the horizontal axis Y1 with its lower end as a fulcrum. The horizontal axis Y1 is the swing axis of the conveyor 8. A pair of left and right lifting hydraulic cylinders 24, 24 are connected to the rear of the traveling machine body and the conveyor 8, respectively. In other words, a pair of left and right hydraulically driven lifting hydraulic cylinders 24, 24 are connected to the separating device 7 and the conveyor 8, respectively, and the lifting hydraulic cylinders 24, 24 drive (swing) the conveyor 8 to swing up and down. The lifting hydraulic cylinders 24 correspond to the "drive cylinder" in this invention. A control valve 173 (see FIG. 40) supplies and discharges hydraulic oil to and from the lifting hydraulic cylinder 24. By swinging the conveyor 8 up and down, the position of the discharge portion 8e of the conveyor 8 can be changed up and down.

[0097] As shown in Figure 9, the bearing member 28 is provided with a boss portion 28A and a cylindrical portion 28B. The boss portion 28A is supported by the swing support portion 21T of the traveling machine body, i.e., the revolving frame body 21. A flange portion is formed on the boss portion 28A, and bolt holes are drilled at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the flange portion. The flange portion of the boss portion 28A is fixed to the swing support portion 21T with bolts. The cylindrical portion 28B is a so-called copper bushing, and is press-fitted into the boss portion 28A so as not to rotate relative to it. The inner peripheral surface of the boss portion 28A and the outer peripheral surface of the swing shaft 23 are in sliding contact with each other.

[0098] Bolt holes are drilled at equal intervals in the flange portion of boss portion 28A, so that the mounting position of boss portion 28A relative to swing support portion 21T can be reversed upside down. As conveyor 8 swings up and down, swing shaft 23 rotates relative to cylindrical portion 28B, so the portion of cylindrical portion 28B below swing shaft 23 tends to wear. On the other hand, the portion of cylindrical portion 28B located above swing shaft 23 wears less than the portion located below swing shaft 23.

[0099] When the lower portion of the cylindrical portion 28B becomes worn, the worker releases the bolts at the flange portion of the boss portion 28A, rotates the boss portion 28A integrally with the cylindrical portion 28B 180 degrees, and again bolts the flange portion of the boss portion 28A to the swing support portion 21T. This moves the portion of the cylindrical portion 28B that was positioned above the swing shaft 23 to a lower position relative to the swing shaft 23, allowing the cylindrical portion 28B to be used further and reducing the frequency of replacement of the cylindrical portion 28B. In other words, the bearing member 28 is configured so that the support position relative to the swing shaft 23 can be changed by rotating the boss portion 28A and the cylindrical portion 28B about the horizontal axis Y1 of the swing shaft 23.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 8 , a pair of bottom frame portions 80D, 80D are provided on the bottom of the conveyor 8, and the bottom frame portions 80D, 80D extend along the extension direction of the conveyor 8 while being located on the lower side when viewed in the extension direction of the conveyor 8. The bottom frame portions 80D, 80D constitute the bottom of the conveyor 8. Mounting portions 40, 40 are attached to each of the bottom frame portions 80D, 80D. Each of the mounting portions 40, 40 is supported by welding to the bottom frame portions 80D, 80D while being located lower than the bottom frame portions 80D when viewed in the extension direction of the conveyor 8. Each of the mounting portions 40, 40 is formed in a triangular shape when viewed from the side, and the thickness in the extension direction of the conveyor 8 increases toward the side where the bottom frame portion 80D is located.

[0101] As shown in Figure 10, each of the mounting portions 40, 40 is provided with a protrusion 40A, which protrudes laterally when viewed in the extension direction of the conveyor 8. In other words, each of the mounting portions 40, 40 protrudes to the left and right sides of the conveyor 8. The ends of the lifting hydraulic cylinders 24, 24 are connected to the protrusions 40A, 40A. A horizontal frame 41 spans the pair of left and right mounting portions 40, 40 and is connected to each of the left and right mounting portions 40, 40. Both left and right ends of the horizontal frame 41 are welded and fixed to each of the mounting portions 40, 40. In this way, the bottom of the conveyor 8 is provided with the left and right mounting portions 40, 40 and the horizontal frame 41 connected to each of the left and right mounting portions 40, 40.

[0102] This reinforces the rigidity of the mounting portions 40. Furthermore, since the mounting portions 40 receive a downward moment load from the conveyor 8, stress tends to concentrate on the mounting portions 40. In this embodiment, each of the mounting portions 40 is formed in a triangular shape when viewed from the side, which alleviates stress on the mounting portions 40.

[0103] The lifting hydraulic cylinders 24, 24 are connected from the rear of the traveling machine body to the bottom of the conveyor 8, passing along the sides of the conveyor 8. In other words, the lifting hydraulic cylinders 24, 24 extend from the separating device 7, passing along the sides of the conveyor 8, to a pair of left and right mounting portions 40, 40 that are located on the lower side of the conveyor 8 when viewed in the extension direction of the conveyor 8, and are connected to the pair of left and right mounting portions 40, 40. The lifting hydraulic cylinders 24, 24 are connected to the connecting body 26 of the separating device 7. With the above configuration, the conveyor 8 is supported by the conveyor support frame body 20 and the separating device 7.

[0104] The lifting hydraulic cylinders 24, 24 are connected by mounting portions 40, 40, which are located on the lower side as viewed in the extension direction of the conveyor 8. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the lifting hydraulic cylinders 24, 24 are connected at an upper portion as viewed in the extension direction of the conveyor 8, the stroke amount of the lifting hydraulic cylinders 24, 24 is longer, and the amount of lift of the conveyor 8 is greater. In other words, with a configuration in which the lifting hydraulic cylinders 24, 24 are connected at a lower side as viewed in the extension direction of the conveyor 8, the conveyor 8 can be lowered to a greater extent as compared to a configuration in which the lifting hydraulic cylinders 24, 24 are connected at an upper portion as viewed in the extension direction of the conveyor 8.

[0105] As shown in Figure 8, when the conveyor 8 is at its highest position, the longitudinal direction of each of the lifting hydraulic cylinders 24 is horizontal. Also, each of the lifting hydraulic cylinders 24 is arranged to extend and retract along the extension direction of the conveyor 8 in a plan view (see Figure 15). Therefore, no lateral twisting force acts on the conveyor 8, the lifting hydraulic cylinders 24, and the connecting bodies 26.

[0106] The moment load of the conveyor 8 acts on the pair of left and right connecting bodies 26, 26 via the lifting hydraulic cylinders 24, 24. With the configuration of this embodiment, forces in the left and right and up and down directions are less likely to act on the pair of left and right connecting bodies 26, 26, and forces acting on the pair of left and right connecting bodies 26, 26 tend to be concentrated in the front and back directions. This reduces shear stress on the pair of left and right connecting bodies 26, 26, allowing the connecting bodies 26, 26 to firmly support the conveyor 8.

[0107] A pair of left and right chain members 29, 29 are provided, positioned below the lifting hydraulic cylinders 24. The chain members 29, 29 are connected to the rear of the traveling machine body and the conveyor 8, respectively, positioned below the lifting hydraulic cylinders 24, 24 when viewed in the extension direction of the lifting hydraulic cylinders 24. Both ends of the chain member 29 are connected to a portion of the connecting member 26 below the connection portion with the lifting hydraulic cylinder 24 and to one of the multiple diagonal frames 80I provided on the conveyor 8, which is located upstream of the mounting portion 40 in the conveying direction. The chain member 29 is pivotally supported above the diagonal frame 80I within the left and right width of the diagonal frame 80I. In a plan view, the chain member 29 is inclined so that the rearward direction of the conveyor 8 approaches the lateral inner side of the conveyor 8. The diagonal frame 80I is positioned to the left and right of the conveyor 8's conveyance path. When the lifting hydraulic cylinders 24, 24 are contracted and the conveyor 8 is raised, the pair of left and right chain bodies 29, 29 are slack.

[0108] For example, when the lifting hydraulic cylinders 24, 24 are removed from the machine body during maintenance, the chain members 29, 29 restrict downward swing of the conveyor 8. For this reason, the length of the chain members 29, 29 is configured to be longer than the maximum extension length of the lifting hydraulic cylinders 24, 24 so that the stroke amount of the lifting hydraulic cylinders 24, 24 is not restricted during actual field work, for example. Details of the connecting member 26 will be described later.

[0109] [Regarding the Swing Hydraulic Cylinders] As shown in Figures 11 to 14, with the conveyor 8 aligned in the fore-and-aft direction of the machine body, the swing hydraulic cylinders 22, 22 are arranged on either side of the vertical axis X1. The swing hydraulic cylinders 22, 22 are double-acting hydraulic cylinders. The swing hydraulic cylinders 22, 22 are connected to the rear of the traveling machine body and the conveyor 8 with the conveyor 8 swinging left and right with the vertical axis X1 in the state where they are arranged on either side.

[0110] The conveyor support frame 20 is provided with an upper plate 20A and a lower plate 20B, and the swing hydraulic cylinders 22, 22 are located in the space between the upper plate 20A and the lower plate 20B. The swing frame 21 is also provided with a pair of upper and lower upper plate portions 21A, 21B and a pair of upper and lower lower plate portions 21C, 21D. The upper plate portion 20A is inserted between the pair of upper and lower upper plate portions 21A, 21B, and the lower plate portion 20B is inserted between the pair of upper and lower lower plate portions 21C, 21D. The swing hydraulic cylinders 22, 22 are located in the space between the upper plate portion 21B and the lower plate portion 21C.

[0111] As described above, the swivel frame 21 is supported by the conveyor support frame 20 so as to be rotatable about the vertical axis X1. The upper plate 20A and the pair of upper and lower upper plate portions 21A, 21B are rotatably connected by a pin 35. The lower plate 20B and the pair of upper and lower lower plate portions 21C, 21D are rotatably connected by another pin 35. The swivel hydraulic cylinders 22 are located between the upper and lower pins 35. This prevents interference between the swivel hydraulic cylinders 22 and the pins 35.

[0112] Branch pipes 30A, 30A, 30A, 30A are connected to each of the swing hydraulic cylinders 22, 22 as a plurality of hydraulic pipes 30. As shown in Figure 7, a storage tank 31, a pump unit 32, and a directional control valve 33 are provided on the left side of the front of the machine body. The storage tank 31, the pump unit 32, and the directional control valve 33 are configured as a drive source for the swing hydraulic cylinders 22, 22.

[0113] In this embodiment, one hydraulic piping 30 includes one main piping 30B, a branch section 34, and two branch piping 30A. Figures 11 to 14 show the branch piping 30A, 30A, 30A, 30A, 30A, main piping 30B, 30B, and the bifurcated branch sections 34. The main piping 30B is connected to a storage tank 31 and a pump unit 32. The branch section 34 branches the main piping 30B into multiple sections corresponding to the two swing hydraulic cylinders 22, 22, on the forward side of the vertical axis X1 of the hydraulic piping 30. Hydraulic oil is pumped from the storage tank 31 by the pump unit 32 through a directional control valve 33, the main piping 30B, the branch section 34, and the branch piping 30A to each of the swing hydraulic cylinders 22, 22.

[0114] As shown in Figure 7, a travel transmission unit 52 is provided between the left and right rear wheels 2 and located below the rear of the transport device 6. The travel transmission unit 52 transmits the power of the engine 9 to the left and right rear wheels 2. The travel transmission unit 52 is supported by the machine frame 15. The travel transmission unit 52 has a hydrostatic continuously variable transmission mechanism and a gear-type transmission mechanism. The gear-type transmission mechanism is disposed in the center of the left and right of the travel transmission unit 52. Axles extend on both the left and right sides of the gear-type transmission mechanism, and gear-type reduction mechanisms are provided at the extending ends of the axles.

[0115] The branch portions 34, 34 are supported by the machine frame 15 in a state where they are located directly below the travel transmission unit 52. A support member 15A that protrudes upward and swingably supports each of the branch portions 34, 34 is provided on the left side of the machine frame 15, and each of the branch portions 34, 34 is swingably supported by the support member 15A. The main pipes 30B, 30B and the branch portions 34, 34 are provided in a state where they are biased to one side of the machine body, left or right, with respect to the center of the machine body in the left-right direction.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 11 , the vehicle frame 15 includes mounting portions 15B, 15B, a pair of left and right front and rear frame portions 15C, 15C, and a horizontal frame portion 15D. The front and rear frame portions 15C, 15C extend in the front-rear direction, and the horizontal frame portion 15D spans the front and rear frame portions 15C, 15C. The support member 15A is supported by the horizontal frame portion 15D, and a pair of upper and lower branch portions 34, 34 are supported on the support member 15A. Both longitudinal ends of the horizontal frame portion 15D are welded to the front and rear frame portions 15C, 15C. The mounting portions 15B, 15B are located above the connection between the front and rear frame portions 15C and the horizontal frame portion 15D. The travel transmission unit 52 is supported by the pair of left and right mounting portions 15B, 15B. The branch portions 34, 34 are located between the pair of left and right mounting portions 15B, 15B in a plan view.

[0117] As shown in Figures 11 to 14, a pair of branch pipes 30A, 30A are connected to each of the head-side oil chamber and rod-side oil chamber of the cylinder portion of one swing hydraulic cylinder 22. The swing hydraulic cylinder 22 extends and retracts by controlling the supply and discharge of hydraulic oil to the head side and rod side of the cylinder portion of the swing hydraulic cylinder 22. When the swing hydraulic cylinder 22 extends, the head-side oil chamber becomes the extension oil chamber, and the rod-side oil chamber becomes the contraction oil chamber. When the swing hydraulic cylinder 22 contracts, the head-side oil chamber becomes the contraction oil chamber, and the rod-side oil chamber becomes the extension oil chamber.

[0118] One branch section 34 is connected to the storage tank 31, the pump unit 32, and the directional control valve 33 by one main pipe 30B, and branches into two branch pipes 30A, 30A toward each of the pair of swing hydraulic cylinders 22, 22. One of the branch pipes 30A, 30A connected to one branch section 34 is connected to the head-side oil chamber of one of the pair of swing hydraulic cylinders 22, 22. The other of the branch pipes 30A, 30A connected to one branch section 34 is connected to the rod-side oil chamber of one of the pair of swing hydraulic cylinders 22, 22.

[0119] The pair of main pipes 30B, 30B are connected across the directional control valve 33 and the branch sections 34, 34 as extension and retraction pipes for the swing hydraulic cylinders 22, 22. A total of four branch pipes 30A, 30A, 30A, 30A are arranged in accordance with the pair of branch sections 34, 34 and the pair of swing hydraulic cylinders 22, 22. The four branch pipes 30A, 30A, 30A, 30A extend from the branch sections 34, 34, passing below the travel transmission unit 52, to the swing hydraulic cylinders 22, 22.

[0120] One of the main pipes 30B, 30B and the branch pipes 30A, 30A connected to the extension oil chambers of the swing hydraulic cylinders 22, 22 constitute extension pipes. The pump unit 32 pumps hydraulic oil from the storage tank 31 through the extension pipe to the extension oil chambers of the swing hydraulic cylinders 22, 22. The other of the main pipes 30B, 30B and the branch pipes 30A, 30A connected to the contraction oil chambers of the swing hydraulic cylinders 22, 22 constitute contraction pipes. Hydraulic oil from the contraction oil chambers of the swing hydraulic cylinders 22, 22 is returned to the storage tank 31 through the contraction pipe.

[0121] That is, the multiple hydraulic pipes 30 include extension pipes that supply and discharge hydraulic oil to and from extension oil chambers in the pair of swing hydraulic cylinders 22, 22, and contraction pipes that supply and discharge hydraulic oil to and from contraction oil chambers in the pair of swing hydraulic cylinders 22, 22. When the directional control valve 33 is switched, the extension pipes and contraction pipes are interchanged in the pair of main pipes 30B, 30B and the four branch pipes 30A, 30A, 30A, 30A.

[0122] Of the branching portions 34, 34, one corresponding to the extension pipe is an extension branching portion, and the other corresponding to the contraction pipe is a contraction branching portion. In other words, the pair of branching portions 34, 34 includes an extension branching portion that branches the extension pipe in a manner corresponding to the extension oil chambers in the swing hydraulic cylinders 22, 22, and a contraction branching portion that branches the contraction pipe in a manner corresponding to the contraction oil chambers in the swing hydraulic cylinders 22, 22. When the directional control valve 33 is switched, the extension branching portion and the contraction branching portion are interchanged at the branching portions 34, 34.

[0123] The conveyor 8 swings left and right as one of the swing hydraulic cylinders 22, 22 extends and the other swing hydraulic cylinder 22, 22 contracts. When the conveyor 8 is aligned along the fore-and-aft direction of the machine body in a plan view, each of the left and right swing hydraulic cylinders 22, 22 is inclined so that the rear end is positioned closer to the center of the machine body in a plan view. When the conveyor 8 swings left and right, the swing hydraulic cylinder 22 on the right side of the machine body swings about the swing axis X2R, and the swing hydraulic cylinder 22 on the left side of the machine body swings about the swing axis X2L (see Figures 13 and 14).

[0124] The branch pipes 30A, 30A, 30A, 30A are flexible and elastically deform in response to the swinging of the respective swing hydraulic cylinders 22, 22. However, if the degree of deformation of the branch pipes 30A, 30A, 30A, 30A increases, a load is applied to the branch pipes 30A, 30A, 30A, 30A, which may adversely affect the durability of the branch pipes 30A, 30A, 30A, 30A. To resolve this problem, in this embodiment, the bifurcated branch portions 34, 34 are configured to swing freely left and right. That is, each of the branch portions 34, 34 is configured to swing about the vertical axis X3 in response to the swinging of the conveyor 8. The branch portions 34, 34 are located forward of the vertical axis X1. The axis X3 is set at a position forward of the pair of left and right swing hydraulic cylinders 22, 22. In the support member 15A, the branch portions 34, 34 are arranged vertically side by side and are configured to be able to swing freely around the axis X3. The axis X3 corresponds to the "second axis" of the present invention.

[0125] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, when the left and right swivel hydraulic cylinders 22, 22 swing in response to the rotation of the conveyor 8, the branch portions 34, 34 swing around the axis X3 in response to the swing of the swivel hydraulic cylinders 22, 22. Furthermore, the main pipes 30B, 30B are flexible, and as the branch portions 34, 34 swing, the connection portions of the main pipes 30B, 30B to the branch portions 34, 34 elastically deform in the left-right direction. The axis X3 is set at a position on an extension of the main pipe 30B at the branch portion 34 in a plan view. Figures 13 and 14 show an extension line L21 of the main pipe 30B at the branch portion 34. The extension line L21 intersects with the axis X3. Therefore, even when the branch portions 34, 34 swing, excessive elastic deformation of the main pipes 30B, 30B is unlikely to occur.

[0126] With the above configuration, even if a tensile force or a compressive force acts on each of the branch pipes 30A, 30A, 30A, 30A in association with the swing of the swing hydraulic cylinders 22, 22, the tensile force or the compressive force is absorbed by the swing of the branch sections 34, 34 and the elastic deformation of the main pipes 30B, 30B. Therefore, excessive elastic deformation is unlikely to occur in the branch pipes 30A, 30A, 30A, 30A.

[0127] [Regarding the Interlocking Mechanism Between the Conveyor and the Hood Section] In this embodiment, the hood section 71 is configured to be able to rotate in accordance with the rotation of the conveyor 8. As shown in FIGS. 15 to 18 , the outer peripheral portion of the case section 70 of the separation device 7 above the input port 70i is formed in a cylindrical shape with the vertical axis X1 as its central axis. A flange section 70f is formed on the cylindrical outer peripheral portion of the case section 70, and the flange section 70f has a horizontal surface portion along its entire circumference. A cord-like body 25 is wound around the outer peripheral portion of the case section 70 around a semicircular portion on the side opposite to the side where the conveyor 8 is located, and the cord-like body 25 is placed on the flange section 70f.

[0128] The cord-like member 25 is a so-called chain. Connecting members 26, 26 are connected to both left and right ends of the cord-like member 25, and the connecting members 26, 26 are placed on the flange portion 70f. Furthermore, one end of each of the connecting members 26, 26 is connected to one end of the lifting hydraulic cylinders 24, 24, and the other end of each of the lifting hydraulic cylinders 24, 24 is connected to the longitudinal center region of the conveyor 8. In other words, the left and right connecting members 26, 26 connect the left and right sides of the conveyor 8 to both ends of the cord-like member 25.

[0129] A cord-like member 27, separate from the cord-like member 25, is wound around the pair of left and right connecting members 26, 26 along the outer periphery of the case portion 70. The cord-like member 27 is a so-called chain. The cord-like member 27 extends over a semicircle of the outer periphery of the case portion 70 on the side where the conveyor 8 is located. The cord-like member 27 is also placed on the flange portion 70f. That is, the cord-like members 25, 27 are wound around the outer periphery of the case portion 70 while being placed on the flange portion 70f. The cord-like members 25, 27 are connected by the pair of left and right connecting members 26, 26. This prevents the cord-like member 25 from coming off the outer periphery, and allows the cord-like members 25, 27 to rotate along the cylindrical outer periphery of the case portion 70.

[0130] As is well known, the cord-like bodies 25, 27 are composed of a plurality of pins and a pair of plates connecting adjacent pins. A roller is fitted onto each pin of the cord-like bodies 25, 27, and each roller rolls on the cylindrical outer periphery of the case portion 70. As shown in FIG. 18 , each of the connecting bodies 26, 26 is provided with three first roller portions 26A and two second roller portions 26B. The first roller portions 26A rotate about a vertical axis and roll on the cylindrical outer periphery of the case portion 70. The second roller portions 26B rotate about a horizontal axis and roll on the flange portion 70f.

[0131] When the lifting hydraulic cylinders 24, 24 are extended, the conveyor 8 descends while swinging about the horizontal axis Y1, and the lifting hydraulic cylinders 24, 24 swing downward. At this time, a downward force acts on each of the connecting bodies 26, 26, but this downward force is firmly received by the second roller portion 26B of the connecting body 26.

[0132] When the conveyor 8 turns left and right, the lifting hydraulic cylinders 24, 24 turn around the vertical axis X1 following the conveyor 8. As the lifting hydraulic cylinders 24, 24 swing, the cord-like bodies 25, 27 and the connecting bodies 26, 26 rotate integrally around the vertical axis X1 on the flange portion 70f. In this way, the cord-like body 25 turns along the outer periphery of the case portion 70 in conjunction with the turning of the conveyor 8, while being wound around the portion of the outer periphery of the case portion 70 opposite the side where the conveyor 8 is located.

[0133] First locking portions 25H, 25H and second locking portions 71H are provided as an interlocking mechanism between the conveyor 8 and the hood portion 71. The first locking portions 25H, 25H are provided on the cord-like body 25 and protrude radially outward from the rotation path of the cord-like body 25. The first locking portions 25H, 25H rotate about the vertical axis X1 in conjunction with the rotation of the conveyor 8. Therefore, the rotation axis of the conveyor 8 and the rotation axis of the first locking portions 25H, 25H are coaxial. As shown in Figures 15, 17, and 18, each of the first locking portions 25H, 25H is provided with a locking piece 25j. That is, the two locking pieces 25j, 25j are arranged on one side and the other side of the second locking portion 71H in the circumferential direction about the vertical axis X1.

[0134] The second locking portion 71H is fixed to the hood portion 71. The second locking portion 71H is supported by the bottom member 71B in a state in which it extends downward from the bottom member 71B of the hood portion 71. The second locking portion 71H is adjacent to the outer circumferential side of the rotation path of the cord-like body 25 and is located between the pair of first locking portions 25H, 25H in the rotation circumferential direction of the cord-like body 25.

[0135] 17 and 18 , the first locking portion 25H is connected to the cord-like body 25 via a pair of upper and lower mounting plates 25i, 25i. The mounting plate 25i also serves as a plate connecting adjacent pins in the cord-like body 25, and has a different shape from the other plates. In other words, the cord-like body 25 serving as a chain is provided with the mounting plate 25i provided across adjacent pins. The mounting plate 25i extends radially outward from the vertical axis X1 more than the other plates in the cord-like body 25, and bolt insertion holes are formed in the extending portion of the mounting plate 25i. The first locking portion 25H also has bolt insertion holes formed therein that correspond to the bolt insertion holes in the mounting plates 25i.

[0136] The worker aligns the bolt insertion hole of the first locking portion 25H with the bolt insertion hole of the mounting plate 25i, inserts a bolt into the bolt insertion hole, and fastens it with a nut. The worker then releases the bolt and removes it from the bolt insertion hole, which disengages the first locking portion 25H from the mounting plate 25i. This allows the worker to easily replace the first locking portion 25H. In this way, the first locking portion 25H is supported on the mounting plate 25i in a detachable manner.

[0137] An attachment portion 71i is formed on the bottom member 71B of the hood portion 71. In a plan view, the attachment portion 71i extends radially outward relative to the vertical axis X1 beyond the rotational path of the cord-like body 25, and a bolt insertion hole is formed in this extending portion. The second locking portion 71H is fixed to the extending portion of the attachment portion 71i with a bolt. This allows an operator to easily replace the second locking portion 71H.

[0138] That is, the first locking portions 25H, 25H are connected to the cord-like body 25 with bolts, and the second locking portion 71H is connected to the bottom member 71B with bolts. Therefore, the first locking portions 25H, 25H and the second locking portion 71H are configured to be detachable by releasing the bolt connection. This makes it easy to replace the first locking portions 25H, 25H and the second locking portion 71H when they are worn.

[0139] As described above, when the conveyor 8 rotates left and right, the cord-like bodies 25, 27 rotate along the cylindrical outer periphery of the case portion 70 in response to the rotation of the conveyor 8. At this time, the pair of first locking portions 25H, 25H also rotate integrally with the cord-like bodies 25, 27. When one of the pair of first locking portions 25H, 25H abuts against the second locking portion 71H, the hood portion 71 rotates about the vertical axis X1 in response to the rotation of the second locking portion 71H.

[0140] As shown in FIG. 19 , the conveyor 8 can rotate between a left maximum rotation position L31 and a right maximum rotation position R31. The conveyor 8 can rotate left and right up to a maximum rotation angle θ1 around the left-right center position CT. The maximum rotation angle θ1 is set to, for example, 87.5 degrees, but this angle can be changed as needed and may be an angle greater than 90 degrees. The hood portion 71 can rotate between a left maximum rotation position L32 and a right maximum rotation position R32. The hood portion 71 can rotate left and right up to a maximum rotation angle θ2 around the left-right center position CT. The maximum rotation angle θ2 is set to, for example, 60 degrees, but this angle can be changed as needed. Note that the maximum rotation angle θ2 is smaller than the maximum rotation angle θ1.

[0141] When the conveyor 8 turns to the left side of the machine body (the side where the left maximum turning position L31 is located), the cord-like bodies 25, 27 and the first locking portions 25H, 25H turn clockwise in a plan view. At this time, of the first locking portions 25H, 25H shown in Figure 15, the first locking portion 25H on the left side of the machine body becomes the first locking portion 25H on the upstream side in the turning direction, and the first locking portion 25H on the right side of the machine body becomes the first locking portion 25H on the downstream side in the turning direction.

[0142] When the conveyor 8 turns to the right side of the machine body (the side where the right maximum turning position R31 is located), the cord-like bodies 25, 27 and the first locking portions 25H, 25H turn counterclockwise in a plan view. At this time, of the first locking portions 25H, 25H shown in Figure 15, the first locking portion 25H on the right side of the machine body becomes the first locking portion 25H on the upstream side in the turning direction, and the first locking portion 25H on the left side of the machine body becomes the first locking portion 25H on the downstream side in the turning direction.

[0143] When the first locking portions 25H, 25H rotate clockwise or counterclockwise, the locking piece 25j of the first locking portion 25H on the upstream side in the rotation direction relative to the second locking portion 71H approaches and abuts against the second locking portion 71H, and the locking piece 25j of the first locking portion 25H on the downstream side in the rotation direction relative to the second locking portion 71H moves away from the second locking portion 71H. Then, when the cord-like bodies 25, 27 and the first locking portions 25H, 25H rotate clockwise in a state in which the locking piece 25j of the first locking portion 25H on the upstream side in the rotation direction relative to the second locking portion 71H abuts against the second locking portion 71H, the hood portion 71 rotates clockwise. In addition, when the locking piece 25j of the first locking portion 25H on the upstream side of the rotation direction relative to the second locking portion 71H abuts against the second locking portion 71H, the cord-like body 25, 27 and the first locking portions 25H, 25H rotate counterclockwise, causing the hood portion 71 to rotate counterclockwise.

[0144] With the second locking portion 71H spaced equally apart from each of the first locking portions 25H, 25H, the second locking portion 71H is out of phase with each of the first locking portions 25H, 25H by (θ1-θ2). Therefore, when the conveyor 8 rotates left or right by (θ1-θ2), the second locking portion 71H abuts against one of the first locking portions 25H, 25H, and the hood portion 71 rotates out of phase with the conveyor 8 by (θ1-θ2). The specific angle of (θ1-θ2) is set to, for example, 27.5 degrees, but this angle can be changed as appropriate. In this way, the first locking portions 25H, 25H and the second locking portion 71H acting as an interlocking mechanism rotate the hood portion 71 so that the rotational angular position of the conveyor 8 and the rotational angular position of the hood portion 71 have a predetermined phase difference.

[0145] Generally, during sugarcane harvesting, a transport vehicle with an open bed runs parallel to the sugarcane harvester, positioned on the already-harvested area side of the sugarcane harvester, and the conveyor 8 turns toward the side where the open bed is located. At this time, the hood section 71 turns with a phase shift of (θ1-θ2) relative to the conveyor 8. Therefore, the impurities separated from the crop by the separator 7 are discharged from the hood section 71 into the already-harvested area diagonally behind the machine body without falling onto the conveyor 8.

[0146] [Conveyor Structure] As shown in Figures 20 to 25, the conveyor 8 is equipped with a driving wheel 81, a driven wheel 82, a pair of left and right endless rotating chains 85, 85, multiple carriers 86, and multiple bottom members 87. The driving wheel 81 is provided at the upper rear portion of the conveyor 8, i.e., the transfer end portion. A hydraulic motor 81M is provided on the driving wheel 81, and the driving wheel 81 is rotated about a horizontal axis Y3 by the rotational drive of the hydraulic motor 81M (see Figure 23). The driven wheel 82 is located at the lower front end portion of the conveyor 8, i.e., the transfer start end portion, and rotates about a horizontal axis Y2. The driven wheel 82 is supported by a pair of left and right front side walls 80F, 80F (see Figures 9, 25, and 26). The front wall 80F on the left side of the machine body is fixed to the frame of the conveyor 8 with bolts, and the front wall 80F on the right side of the machine body is fixed to the frame of the conveyor 8 with welding. An electromagnetically operated control valve 171 (see Figure 40) is provided to supply and discharge hydraulic oil to and from the hydraulic motor 81M.

[0147] A pair of left and right endless rotating chains 85, 85 are wound around the drive wheel 81 and the driven wheel 82, respectively. The pair of left and right endless rotating chains 85, 85 circulate along the conveying path of the conveyor 8 and a return path opposite the conveying path. When viewed from the left side of the machine body as illustrated in Figures 1, 5, 20, 24, etc., the endless rotating chains 85, 85 rotate clockwise around the drive wheel 81 and the driven wheel 82. The return path faces downward relative to the conveying path. In other words, the conveyor 8 is configured so that the conveying path is located above the return path.

[0148] Each of the multiple conveying bodies 86 is attached to a pair of left and right endless rotary chains 85, 85. The multiple conveying bodies 86 rotate integrally with the endless rotary chains 85, 85 to engage and convey the harvested crops along the conveying path. The multiple bottom members 87 are lined up in a row along the extension direction of the conveyor 8 and form the bottom of the conveying path. The bottom members 87 are located in the vertical middle region when viewed in the extension direction of the conveyor 8. Therefore, the area above the rotation path of the endless rotary chains 85, 85 relative to the bottom members 87 is the conveying path, and the area below the rotation path of the endless rotary chains 85, 85 relative to the bottom members 87 is the return path.

[0149] With the harvested product placed on the bottom member 87, the conveying body 86 moves diagonally upward, transporting the harvested product toward the upper rear end (transport terminal) of the conveyor 8. If the spacing between the multiple conveying bodies 86 is too short, the total weight of the conveyor 8, including the harvested product, tends to be heavy. Furthermore, if the spacing between the multiple conveying bodies 86 is too long, the conveying volume of the conveyor 8 may be small relative to the amount of harvested product falling from the separator 7, which may result in the harvested product accumulating in the hopper 19. In this embodiment, the spacing between the multiple conveying bodies 86 is set to a value that takes into account the vehicle speed during harvesting (e.g., 0.6 m / s to 1.0 m / s) and allows the harvested product to be transported reliably without the total weight of the conveyor 8, including the harvested product, becoming too heavy.

[0150] The entire conveyor 8 is supported by a frame structure. As shown in Figures 20, 21, 24, and 25, the frame structure includes left and right upper frame portions 80U, 80U, left and right bottom frame portions 80D, 80D, multiple vertical frame portions 80V, left and right intermediate frames 80C, 80C, and a horizontal frame 80L. The left and right upper frame portions 80U, 80U are positioned above the endless rotating chain 85. The left and right bottom frame portions 80D, 80D are positioned below the endless rotating chain 85. The left and right upper frame portions 80U, 80U and the left and right bottom frame portions 80D, 80D extend parallel to each other. The multiple vertical frame portions 80V are appropriately spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the upper frame portions 80U, 80U and the bottom frame portions 80D, 80D. In other words, the vertical frame portions 80V are spaced apart along the extension direction of the endless rotating chain 85, and connect the upper frame portion 80U to the bottom frame portion 80D, and also connect the upper frame portion 80U to the bottom frame portion 80D. The vertical frame portions 80V connect the upper frame portions 80U, 80U to the bottom frame portions 80D, 80D. The horizontal frame 80L connects the left and right intermediate frames 80C, 80C to each other.

[0151] The frame body of the conveyor 8 is provided with a plurality of diagonal frames 80I that connect adjacent vertical frame portions 80V, 80V. The diagonal frame 80I connects the upper portion of one of two adjacent vertical frame portions 80V, 80V to the lower portion of the other of the two vertical frame portions 80V. An intermediate frame 80C is supported at the vertical center of the vertical frame portions 80V. The intermediate frame 80C has a C-shaped cross section and extends parallel to the extension directions of the upper frame portions 80U, 80U and the bottom frame portions 80D, 80D. The intermediate frame 80C is fixed to the vertical center of the vertical frame portions 80V by welding.

[0152] The multiple horizontal frames 80L are spaced apart appropriately along the longitudinal direction of the left and right intermediate frames 80C. The inner lateral end of the intermediate frame 80C is located laterally inward of the upper frame portions 80U and the bottom frame portions 80D. Thus, the frame of the conveyor 8 is configured as a truss structure by the upper frame portions 80U, the bottom frame portions 80D, the vertical frame portions 80V, the diagonal frames 80I, the intermediate frames 80C, and the horizontal frame 80L. This increases the rigidity of the frame of the conveyor 8.

[0153] Plate-shaped side covers 89 are provided on the left and right sides of the conveyor 8 at the conveyance start end (see FIGS. 3, 8, and 9). The side covers 89 are bolted to the vertical frame portions 80V laterally outward of the machine body than the vertical frame portions 80V, and are located laterally outward of the machine body than the pair of left and right endless rotary chains 85, 85. The upper ends of the side covers 89 are extended to a position higher than the height of an operator standing in the field. The side covers 89 may be configured to be located laterally inward of the machine body than the vertical frame portions 80V, or may be configured to be located laterally inward of the machine body than the upper frame portions 80U, 80U and the bottom frame portions 80D, 80D.

[0154] As shown in Figures 20 and 21, the portion of the endless rotating chain 85 that rotates on the conveying path side is guided by the first upper guide rail portion 83U and the second upper guide rail portion 83D. The first upper guide rail portion 83U is supported by the upper frame portion 80U, and the second upper guide rail portion 83D is supported by the intermediate frame 80C. In other words, the left and right upper frame portions 80U, 80U support the left and right first upper guide rail portions 83U, 83U, and the left and right intermediate frames 80C, 80C support the second upper guide rail portions 83D, 83D. The first upper guide rail portion 83U and the second upper guide rail portion 83D guide the movement of the left and right endless rotating chains 85, 85 on the conveying path. In addition, the portion of the endless rotating chain 85 that rotates on the return path side is guided by the lower guide rail portion 84, and the lower guide rail portion 84 reduces slack in the endless rotating chain 85 on the return path. The first upper guide rail portion 83U, the second upper guide rail portion 83D, and the lower guide rail portion 84 are each detachably supported by the plurality of vertical frame portions 80V.

[0155] 24 and 25 show the conveying start end of the conveyor 8. A vertically inclined portion 83a and a horizontally inclined portion 83b are formed at the conveying direction start end of the second upper guide rail portion 83D. The conveying direction start end of the second upper guide rail portion 83D is located downstream in the conveying direction from the driven wheel 82. The vertically inclined portion 83a and the horizontally inclined portion 83b at the conveying direction start end of the second upper guide rail portion 83D are entrance portions that receive the endless rotary chains 85, 85. The cross-sectional shape of the entrance portions is formed to widen in both the vertical and horizontal directions as they move closer to the conveying direction start end, moving away from the endless rotary chains 85, 85.

[0156] The vertical inclined portion 83a is inclined so as to be positioned lower toward the upstream side in the conveying direction. The left and right inclined portion 83b is inclined so as to be positioned laterally outward toward the upstream side in the conveying direction. As a result, after the endless rotating chain 85 rotates along the outer periphery of the driven wheel 82, the endless rotating chain 85 is guided into the gap region between the first upper guide rail portion 83U and the second upper guide rail portion 83D by the vertical inclined portion 83a and the left and right inclined portion 83b.

[0157] 21 , the left and right intermediate frames 80C, 80C protrude by a width W1 toward the left and right central portion of the conveyor 8 beyond the lateral inner portions of the second upper guide rail portions 83D, 83D. The region of width W1 on the intermediate frames 80C, 80C is the protruding portion of the intermediate frames 80C, 80C. In other words, the lateral inner portions of the left and right intermediate frames 80C, 80C have protruding portions that protrude toward the left and right central portion of the conveyor 8 beyond the lateral inner portions of the second upper guide rail portions 83D, 83D.

[0158] As shown in FIG. 20 , the bottom member 87 is placed and supported on the horizontal frame 80L. The horizontal frame 80L is positioned below the bottom member 87 and spans the left and right intermediate frames 80C. As shown in FIG. 21 , downward bent portions 87a are formed on both left and right ends of the bottom member 87 in the short direction of the conveyor 8. The bent portions 87a protrude downward along the vertical direction and are bolted to the left and right inner lateral portions 80a of the protruding portions of the left and right intermediate frames 80C (regions of width W1 on the intermediate frames 80C). In other words, the bent portions 87a are attachment portions for the protruding portions of the left and right intermediate frames 80C. As a result, the bottom member 87 is supported by the left and right intermediate frames 80C.

[0159] 21, the bottom member 87 spans the lateral inner portions 80a of the protruding portions of the left and right intermediate frames 80C (regions of width W1 on the intermediate frames 80C.) In other words, the bottom member 87 is supported by the left and right intermediate frames 80C and is configured to be narrower than the distance between the left and right first upper guide rail portions 83U and second upper guide rail portions 83D.

[0160] 20, downward bent portions 87b, 87b are formed at both ends of the bottom member 87 in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor 8, and adjacent bottom members 87, 87 are connected with bolts at the bent portions 87b. In other words, the bottom member 87 is connected with bolts on all four sides (front, back, left, and right) in a state where it is placed and supported on the horizontal frame 80L.

[0161] When the harvested products are transported by the conveyor 8, they slide over the bottom member 87, which tends to cause wear to the bottom member 87. Furthermore, the upper and lower first and second upper guide rail portions 83U and 83D, and the lower guide rail portion 84, tend to wear due to contact (sliding contact) with the endless rotating chain 85. For this reason, in this embodiment, the bottom member 87, the first and second upper guide rail portions 83U and 83D, and the lower guide rail portion 84 are each configured to be replaceable.

[0162] An operator can remove the bottom member 87 upward by releasing the bolt connections at the bent portions 87 a, 87 a, 87 b, 87 b of the bottom member 87. In other words, the bottom member 87 is configured so as to be removable upward by passing it between the left and right endless rotating chains 85, 85.

[0163] The conveyor 8 is provided with a cover member 45. As shown in FIG. 21 , the lower part of the cover member 45 is interposed between the lateral inner portions 80a, 80a of the protruding portions of the intermediate frames 80C, 80C (regions of width W1 on the intermediate frames 80C, 80C) and the mounting portion (bent portions 87a, 87a) of the bottom member 87. The cover member 45 is formed in a shape that conforms to the upper part of the protruding portion of the intermediate frame 80C (region of width W1 on the intermediate frame 80C) and the lateral inner portion 80a of the protruding portion, and covers the upper part of the protruding portion and the lateral inner portion 80a of the protruding portion. In this state, the lower part of the cover member 45 and the mounting portion of the bottom member 87 are fastened together to the protruding portion of the intermediate frame 80C by fastening portions (bolts and nuts).

[0164] This configuration prevents the intermediate frame 80C and the carrier 86 from sliding against each other, preventing wear on the intermediate frame 80C. By releasing the bolt connections at the bent portions 87a, 87a, 87b, 87b of the bottom member 87, an operator can remove the bottom member 87 and the cover member 45. This makes the cover member 45 replaceable.

[0165] A buffer member 46 is provided on the conveying body 86 at the attachment portion to the endless rotary chain 85, and the buffer member 46 is interposed between the first upper guide rail portion 83U and the conveying body 86. The buffer member 46 makes sliding contact with the first upper guide rail portion 83U and suppresses lateral movement of the conveying body 86. This configuration prevents sliding contact between the conveying body 86 and the first upper guide rail portion 83U, making the conveying body 86 less susceptible to wear and improving the durability of the conveying body 86.

[0166] 21 and 22, the conveyor 86 is provided with a pair of left and right side plates 86A, 86A and a conveyor plate 86B. The side plates 86A, 86A are welded to both left and right ends of the conveyor plate 86B. A connecting portion for connecting to the endless rotary chain 85 is provided in the vertical center of the side plate 86A, and the connecting portion of the side plate 86A is connected to the endless rotary chain 85 with a bolt. In other words, the side plate 86A, which serves as a lateral side of the conveyor 86, is provided with a connecting portion for connecting to the endless rotary chain 85.

[0167] The conveying plate 86B is formed with flat surface portions 86h, 86i, a pair of upper and lower recesses 86d, 86d, a lower inclined portion 86j, an upper protrusion 86U, and a lower protrusion 86L. Each of the recesses 86d, 86d is formed in a vertically intermediate region of the conveying body 86. Each of the recesses 86d, 86d is recessed from left to right across the conveying body 86 toward the upstream side of the conveying direction of the conveying body 86. The recesses 86d, 86d are provided separately above and below, sandwiching the connection portion with the endless rotating chain 85 therebetween. The recesses 86d, 86d are also distributed above and below, sandwiching the flat surface portion 86i therebetween. The flat surface portion 86h is provided above the upper recessed portion 86d. Each of the flat surface portions 86h, 86i has a surface that is perpendicular to the conveying direction across the left and right sides of the conveying body 86. Therefore, the harvested product being held and conveyed by the conveying body 86 is firmly subjected to force in the conveying direction from the flat surface portions 86h, 86i.

[0168] The lower inclined portion 86j is located below the recessed portion 86d of the conveying body 86 and is inclined so that the lower the lower the portion of the conveying body 86, the more downstream in the conveying direction it is positioned. The lower protrusion 86L is located below the lower inclined portion 86j. The lower protrusion 86L is inclined so that the lower the portion of the conveying body 86, the more downstream in the conveying direction it is positioned. The inclination of the lower protrusion 86L is greater than the inclination of the lower inclined portion 86j. The lower end of the lower protrusion 86L, ​​i.e., the lower end of the conveying plate portion 86B, protrudes furthest downstream in the conveying direction at the bottom of the conveying plate portion 86B. This configuration allows the conveying plate portion 86B to securely scoop up and transport the harvested crops with the lower protrusion 86L.

[0169] The upper protrusion 86U is provided at the upper end of the conveying body 86 and protrudes from both sides of the conveying body 86 toward the downstream side in the conveying direction. The upper protrusion 86U is formed in a mountain-folded shape, so that the upper end of the conveying plate 86B retracts toward the upstream side in the conveying direction relative to the protruding tip of the upper protrusion 86U. In other words, the upper part of the upper protrusion 86U is inclined so that the upper part is positioned upstream in the conveying direction. With this configuration, the conveying plate 86B holds the harvested product with the upper protrusion 86U, reducing the risk of the harvested product climbing over the conveying plate 86B and falling downward.

[0170] With the above configuration, the conveying plate 86B protrudes downstream in the conveying direction at the upper protrusion 86U and the lower protrusion 86L. Furthermore, the portion of the conveying plate 86B between the upper protrusion 86U and the lower protrusion 86L is recessed upstream in the conveying direction by the recesses 86d, 86d. This allows the harvested product to enter each of the recesses 86d, 86d, and the conveying body 86 can hold and convey a larger amount of harvested product, compared to a configuration in which the conveying plate 86B is formed in a flat plate shape.

[0171] [Configuration of the Upper Cover Section of the Conveyor] As shown in Figures 20, 21, and 23, the conveyor 8 is provided with an upper cover section 88, which covers the conveying path from above. The upper cover section 88 extends from the base end portion of the conveyor 8 that rises diagonally upward at the conveying start region to the conveying end region of the conveyor 8. As shown in Figure 21, the upper cover section 88 is inclined left and right with the apex at the center of the left and right. In other words, the upper cover section 88 is configured to bulge upward. Because the conveying path is covered by the upper cover section 88, the upper cover section 88 prevents the harvested product from falling off the conveyor 8. The upper cover section 88A is provided on the inclined section 8A of the conveyor 8, and the upper cover section 88C is provided on the connecting section 8C of the conveyor 8. The upper cover section 88A covers the upper part of the inclined section 8A from above, and the upper cover section 88C covers the upper part of the connecting section 8C from above.

[0172] The conveying path of the bent portion 8B is covered by the upper cover portion 88B. The portion upstream of the bent portion 8B in the conveying direction is covered by the upper cover portion 88A, and the portion downstream of the bent portion 8B in the conveying direction is covered by the upper cover portion 88C. The upper cover portions 88A and 88C are each made of so-called punched metal, making them lightweight. That is, the portions of the upper cover portion 88 corresponding to the inclined portion 8A and the connecting portion 8C are made of porous material. At the bent portion 8B, the harvested product is likely to move violently, making it more likely to come into contact with the upper cover portion 88B. For this reason, the upper cover portion 88C is made of a material without holes, which increases the strength of the upper cover portion 88C. That is, the portion of the upper cover portion 88 corresponding to the bent portion 8B is made of a material without holes.

[0173] [Attachment / detachment structure of bearing of driven wheel at conveyor start end] As shown in Figures 9, 25, and 26, the driven wheel 82 at the conveyor start end of the conveyor 8 is supported by a pair of left and right front side walls 80F, 80F via a pair of left and right ball bearings 48, 48. The attachment / detachment structure of the ball bearing 48 will be described in detail with reference to Figure 26. The ball bearing 48 is fitted into a bearing housing 47. The bearing housing 47 is cylindrical. A stepped portion is formed in the inner cylindrical portion of the bearing housing 47, and this stepped portion receives the ball bearing 48 in the thrust direction. A snap ring 49 is fitted into the inner cylindrical portion of the bearing housing 47 on the side opposite the stepped portion across the ball bearing 48. The snap ring 49 is engaged with the bearing housing 47 to prevent the ball bearing 48 from coming out of the bearing housing 47.

[0174] The driven wheel 82 includes a shaft body 82A, a pair of left and right sprockets 82B, 82B, an external fitting cylindrical portion 82C, a pair of left and right collars 82D, 82D, and a pair of left and right plain washers 82E. Both longitudinal ends of the shaft body 82A are cylindrical when viewed in the longitudinal direction, and the cylindrically formed portions are referred to as cylindrical portions 82i. In other words, cylindrical portions 82i, 82i are formed at both longitudinal ends of the shaft body 82A. Each of the cylindrical portions 82i, 82i is fitted with a respective one of the pair of ball bearings 48, 48. Furthermore, collars 82D, 82D are fitted onto portions of the cylindrical portions 82i, 82i that are longitudinally inward of the fitting portions with the ball bearings 48, 48.

[0175] Threaded holes are drilled in the ends of the cylindrical portions 82i, 82i along the longitudinal direction of the shaft body 82A. Plain washers 82E, 82E are bolted to the ends of the cylindrical portions 82i, 82i, respectively. The plain washers 82E are formed with a larger diameter than the cylindrical portions 82i. The outer periphery of the plain washers 82E engages with the inner ring of the ball bearing 48. This configuration holds the shaft body 82A in place so that it does not come off the ball bearing 48.

[0176] The portion of the shaft body 82A between the cylindrical portions 82i, 82i is hexagonal when viewed in the longitudinal direction, and this hexagonal portion is referred to as the prismatic portion 82h. A hexagonal mating hole is drilled in the rotational axis of each of the sprockets 82B, 82B. The mating holes of the sprockets 82B, 82B are mated with the prismatic portion 82h at both ends. This couples each of the sprockets 82B, 82B to the shaft body 82A so that they cannot rotate relative to the shaft body 82A.

[0177] The outer fitting cylindrical portion 82C fits onto the shaft body 82A between the left and right sprockets 82B, 82B. Both longitudinal ends of the outer fitting cylindrical portion 82C abut against the left and right sprockets 82B, 82B, respectively. Each of the left and right sprockets 82B, 82B abuts against a collar 82D at both longitudinal ends of the shaft body 82A. In other words, the sprocket 82B is sandwiched between the outer fitting cylindrical portion 82C and the collar 82D. Furthermore, the collar 82D is sandwiched between the sprocket 82B and the ball bearing 48. This configuration holds the sprocket 82B in position relative to the shaft body 82A.

[0178] Each of the pair of left and right front walls 80F has an engagement hole 80i that engages with the ball bearing 48, and the lateral inner end of the ball bearing 48 is located laterally inward of the engagement hole 80i. Each of the pair of left and right front walls 80F also has a protruding surface portion 50 that protrudes laterally outward beyond the front walls 80F. The ball bearings 48 are fixed to the protruding surface portion 50 with bolts.

[0179] Replacing the ball bearing 48 will now be described. The worker releases the bolts of the flat washer 82E from the shaft body 82A. This removes the flat washer 82E from the shaft body 82A, allowing the shaft body 82A and the ball bearing 48 to be disengaged. The worker then releases the bolts of the bearing housing 47 from the protruding surface portion 50 and pulls the bearing housing 47 outward laterally. This removes the bearing housing 47 from the front wall 80F, and the ball bearing 48 comes out of the cylindrical portion 82i of the shaft body 82A. The cylindrical portion 82i, now disengaged from the ball bearing 48, is received at the bottom of the engagement hole 80i, preventing the shaft body 82A from falling off.

[0180] The diameter of the engagement hole 80i is larger than the diameter of the shaft body 82A and also larger than the diameter of the collar 82D. This allows an operator to replace the collar 82D through the engagement hole 80i. The diameter of the engagement hole 80i is smaller than the outer diameter of the sprocket 82B. Therefore, when an operator replaces the sprocket 82B, the operator releases the bolt connection of the front wall 80F on the left side of the machine body and removes the front wall 80F on the left side of the machine body from the conveyor 8. This allows the operator to replace the sprocket 82B.

[0181] 27 and 28, a pin 35 is inserted as a rotation fulcrum of the conveyor 8. However, after a sugarcane harvester is used for a long period of time, the pin 35 may become stuck to the conveyor support frame 20 or the revolving frame 21, and the pin 35 may become unable to be removed from the conveyor support frame 20 and the revolving frame 21. To avoid such a problem, in this embodiment, the pin 35 is provided with a detachable portion 37. The pin 35 and the detachable portion 37 are integrally configured.

[0182] 28 , a pair of upper and lower pins 35, 35 are provided, and a detachable portion 37 is provided on each of the pins 35, 35. The upper pin 35 is inserted through the upper plate portion 20A and the pair of upper plate portions 21A, 21B. The lower pin 35 is inserted through the lower plate portion 20B and the pair of lower plate portions 21C, 21D. The detachable portion 37 corresponding to the upper pin 35 is provided at the upper end of the upper pin 35, and the detachable portion 37 corresponding to the lower pin 35 is provided at the lower end of the lower pin 35.

[0183] A bolt insertion hole 37h, 37h is drilled in each of the upper and lower detachable portions 37, 37, and screw holes 21h, 21h corresponding to the bolt insertion holes 37h, 37h are drilled in each of the upper plate portion 21A and the lower plate portion 21D. With the bolt insertion hole 37h and the screw hole 21h aligned, a bolt Bo1 is inserted through the bolt insertion hole 37h and fastened to the screw hole 21h. This fixes the pin 35 and the detachable portion 37 to the revolving frame body 21 so as not to rotate relative to the revolving frame body 21.

[0184] A screw hole 37i, 37i is drilled in each of the upper and lower detachable portions 37, 37. The screw hole 37i has the same diameter as the screw hole 21h. When an operator removes the pin 35 from the conveyor support frame body 20 and the revolving frame body 21, the operator first removes the snap ring wrapped around the pin 35. Next, the operator removes the bolt Bo1 from the bolt insertion hole 37h and the screw hole 21h, and then tightens the bolt Bo1 into the screw hole 37i. When the screw hole 37i is threaded, the threaded tip of the bolt Bo1 presses against the surface of the upper plate portion 21A or the lower plate portion 21D. As the bolt Bo1 is pressed, a reaction force is generated from the upper plate portion 21A or the lower plate portion 21D. At this time, an upward reaction force acts on the upper pin 35, and a downward reaction force acts on the lower pin 35. Even if the pin 35 is fixed to the revolving frame body 21, the reaction force generated as the bolt Bo1 is screwed in displaces the pin 35 relative to the revolving frame body 21. This allows the worker to remove the pin 35 from the conveyor support frame body 20 and the revolving frame body 21.

[0185] As shown in Figures 27 and 28, the pins 36 are connected to the tip ends of the piston rods of the swing hydraulic cylinders 22. A detachable portion 38 is provided at the lower end of each of the pins 36. The pin 36 is inserted through the upper plate portion 21B and the lower plate portion 21C. An opening 21i is formed in the lower plate portion 21D, and an operator can work on the pin 36 and the detachable portion 38 from below through the opening 21i.

[0186] Bolt insertion holes 38h, 38h are drilled in each of the detachable portions 38, 38, and screw holes corresponding to the bolt insertion holes 38h, 38h are drilled in the lower plate portion 21C. With the bolt insertion holes 38h aligned with the screw holes in the lower plate portion 21C, the bolts Bo2 are inserted through the bolt insertion holes 38h and fastened. This fixes the pin 36 and the detachable portion 38 to the revolving frame body 21 so that they cannot rotate relative to the revolving frame body 21.

[0187] A screw hole 38i, 38i is drilled in each of the upper and lower detachable portions 38, 38. The screw hole 38i has the same diameter as the screw hole in the lower plate portion 21C. When an operator removes the pin 36 from the upper plate portion 21B and the lower plate portion 21C, the operator removes the bolt Bo2 from the bolt insertion hole 38h and the screw hole in the lower plate portion 21C, and then tightens the bolt Bo2 into the screw hole 38i. As the screw hole 38i threads, the threaded tip of the bolt Bo2 presses against the surface of the lower plate portion 21C. As the bolt Bo2 presses, a reaction force from the lower plate portion 21C acts downward on the pin 36. Even if the pin 36 is fixed to the upper plate portion 21B and the lower plate portion 21C, the reaction force generated as the bolt Bo2 threads forward displaces the pin 36 relative to the upper plate portion 21B and the lower plate portion 21C. This allows the operator to remove the pin 36 from the upper plate portion 21 B and the lower plate portion 21 C. In this manner, the detachable portions 37 and 38 have the same structure for attaching and detaching the pins 35 and 36, respectively.

[0188] 41 , a hydrostatic continuously variable transmission 126, which is a transmission for traveling, is provided between the engine 9 and the auxiliary transmission 125. The hydrostatic continuously variable transmission 126 has a hydraulic pump 126a connected to the engine 9, a hydraulic motor 126b connected to the auxiliary transmission 125, and a hydraulic hose 126c connected between the hydraulic pump 126a and the hydraulic motor 126b. The hydrostatic continuously variable transmission 126 is configured to be able to change the speed continuously from the neutral position to the forward side or the reverse side by changing the angle of the swash plate of the hydraulic pump 126a.

[0189] The auxiliary transmission 125 is configured as a gear-shift type and is capable of changing speeds between two stages: high speed and low speed. A hydraulic cylinder 127 is provided to operate the auxiliary transmission 125, and an electromagnetically operated control valve 177 is provided to supply and discharge hydraulic oil to and from the hydraulic cylinder 127.

[0190] The engine 9 drives a hydraulic pump 126a of the hydrostatic continuously variable transmission 126, and hydraulic oil from the hydraulic pump 126a is supplied to a hydraulic motor 126b via a hydraulic hose 126c to drive the hydraulic motor 126b. The power of the hydraulic motor 126b of the hydrostatic continuously variable transmission 126 is transmitted to the auxiliary transmission 125 and then to the left and right rear wheels 2. Left and right brakes 128 are provided that can brake the left and right rear wheels 2.

[0191] 41, left and right hydraulic cylinders 129 are arranged vertically on the right and left sides of the front of the machine body, and pistons 129b of the hydraulic cylinders 129 are connected to the machine body. A main body 129a of the hydraulic cylinder 129 is supported rotatably about the axis of the hydraulic cylinder 129 by a support arm 131 that is supported on the machine body so as to be able to swing up and down.

[0192] A hydraulic cylinder 130 that rotates a main body 129a of the hydraulic cylinder 129 is provided relative to the piston 129b of the hydraulic cylinder 129, and the front wheel 1 is rotatably supported by the main body 129a of the hydraulic cylinder 129. An electromagnetically operated control valve 179 that supplies and discharges hydraulic oil to and from the hydraulic cylinder 129 is provided, and a mechanically operated control valve 180 that supplies and discharges hydraulic oil to and from the hydraulic cylinder 130 is provided.

[0193] The front wheels 1 can be raised and lowered relative to the machine body using the hydraulic cylinder 129, with the rear wheels 2 in contact with the field as the fulcrum. The front wheels 1 can be steered by rotating the main body 129a of the hydraulic cylinder 129 using the hydraulic cylinder 130.

[0194] 1, 2, and 29, the driver's unit 3 is covered by the cabin 10. The driver's unit 3 is provided with a driver's seat 142, a handlebar post 143 provided in front of the driver's seat 142, a control handle 144 that is a manual operating tool supported on the upper part of the handlebar post 143 and operated manually, an operation box 145 located on the right side of the driver's seat 142 in the left-right direction, a side panel 154 provided on the upper part of the operation box 145, an LCD monitor 134 supported on the right pillar 132 of the left and right pillars 132 of the cabin 10, and the like.

[0195] On the floor 146 of the driver's section 3, the turning pedal 150 and the locking device 161 are positioned, in a plan view, offset to the left of the center CL of the driver's seat 142, and are positioned to the left of the handle post 143.

[0196] On the floor 146 of the driver's section 3, an accelerator pedal 147, a brake pedal 148, and a lock lever 149 are positioned, in a plan view, offset to the right of the center CL of the driver's seat 142, and are positioned on the right side of the steering post 143. The accelerator pedal 147 is configured to be operated back and forth along a tenth imaginary inclined line L10, which is an imaginary line that extends diagonally forward and to the right from the driver's seat 142 in a plan view.

[0197] As shown in FIG. 41 , the accelerator pedal 147 is biased in the return direction by a spring (not shown), and the operating position of the accelerator pedal 147 is input to the control device 100 provided on the aircraft. An electronically controlled accelerator unit 188 is provided to control the fuel injection amount of the engine 9, and the accelerator unit 188 is operated by the control device 100 based on the operating position of the accelerator pedal 147. The steering handle 144 and the control valve 180 are mechanically connected. An operator seated in the driver's seat 142 operates the steering handle 144 to operate the control valve 180, thereby steer- ing the front wheels 1 via the hydraulic cylinder 130. The brake pedal 148 and the brake 128 are mechanically connected via a linkage mechanism 160. The operator seated in the driver's seat 142 can operate the brake 128 to a braking state by depressing the brake pedal 148.

[0198] 29, an operator seated in the driver's seat 142 can hold the brake pedal 148 in a depressed state by applying a lock lever 149 to the brake pedal 148 while depressing the brake pedal 148. This keeps the brake 128 in a braking state, allowing the brake 128 to be used for parking.

[0199] [Configuration of Side Panel] As shown in Figures 29 to 32, the side panel 154 is provided with an inner operating surface 155 on the side closer to the driver's seat 142 and an outer operating surface 156 on the opposite side of the driver's seat 142 from the inner operating surface 155 (the side farther from the driver's seat 142).

[0200] The inner and outer operation surfaces 155, 156 are formed in a vertically elongated shape along the front-to-rear direction, and the inner operation surface 155 is formed in a surface that is approximately parallel (approximately horizontal) to the floor 146. The outer operation surface 156 is located at a higher position than the inner operation surface 155, and is formed in an inclined surface that faces the driver's seat 142 so that the portion of the outer operation surface 156 farther from the driver's seat 142 is higher than the portion of the outer operation surface 156 closer to the driver's seat 142.

[0201] As shown in FIG. 32, the outer operating surface 156 of the side panel 154 is provided with a first region 156a, which is a front region formed at the front of the outer operating surface 156, a second region 156b formed rearward of the first region 156a, a third region 156c formed rearward of the second region 156b, a fourth region 156d formed rearward of the third region 156c and closer to the armrest 168, and a fifth region 156e formed rearward of the third region 156c and farther from the armrest 168.

[0202] As shown in FIGS. 29 to 32, a support frame 169 extends upward from a portion of the operation box 145 near the driver's seat 142 , and an armrest 168 is supported on the upper part of the support frame 169 .

[0203] The armrest 168 is disposed behind the shift lever 151 and is disposed in the front-to-rear direction above the operating surface 155 on the inside of the side panel 154. The armrest 168 is disposed in a position lower than the upper end of the grip portion 151a of the shift lever 151 and in a position higher than the operating surfaces 155, 156 on the inside and outside of the side panel 154.

[0204] 29 and 32, a rear side panel 157 is provided rearward of the side panel 154. The rear side panel 157 is formed into an inclined surface such that the rear portion of the rear side panel 157 is higher than the front portion of the rear side panel 157. A cup holder 158 and a small item storage compartment 159 are provided on the rear side panel 157.

[0205] 30, 31, and 32, the shift lever 151, which is a manually operated manual operating tool capable of operating the hydrostatic continuously variable transmission 126, is provided in front of an operating surface 155 on the inside of a side panel 154. As a result, the shift lever 151 is provided in an area on the inside and outside operating surfaces 155, 156 of the side panel 154, adjacent to the driver's seat 142 side with respect to a first area 156a (front area) of the operating surface 156 on the outside of the side panel 154.

[0206] As shown in Figure 41, the speed change lever 151 and the hydraulic pump 126a of the hydrostatic continuously variable transmission 126 are mechanically connected via a linkage mechanism 178. As shown in Figure 32, an operation surface 155 on the inside of the side panel 154 is provided with a neutral path 138 along the left-right direction, a forward path 139 extending forward from the left part of the neutral path 138, and a reverse path 140 extending rearward from the right part of the neutral path 138.

[0207] An operator seated in the driver's seat 142 holds the grip 151a of the shift lever 151 with his right hand and manually operates the shift lever 151 to the neutral path 138, the forward path 139, or the reverse path 140. In this case, the grip 151a of the shift lever 151 is located slightly higher than the operating surface 156 on the outside of the side panel 154 and the armrest 168.

[0208] When the speed change lever 151 is operated to the neutral path 138, the hydraulic pump 126a of the hydrostatic continuously variable transmission 126 is operated to the neutral position, and the machine comes to a stop. When the speed change lever 151 is operated to the forward path 139, the hydraulic pump 126a of the hydrostatic continuously variable transmission 126 is operated to the forward high-speed side. When the speed change lever 151 is operated to the reverse path 140, the hydraulic pump 126a of the hydrostatic continuously variable transmission 126 is operated to the reverse high-speed side.

[0209] [Configuration Related to the First Area on the Operation Surface Outside the Side Panel] As shown in Fig. 32, the main operating device 135, the reaping and transporting device operating device 136, and the conveyor operating device 137 are provided in a first area 156a on the operation surface 156 outside the side panel 154. The main operating device 135 is configured as a dial switch and is operated to an operating position or a stopped position by manually rotating it. The operating position of the main operating device 135 is input to the control device 100 shown in Fig. 41. When the main operating device 135 is operated to the operating position, the operations described in this section (Configuration Related to the First Area on the Operation Surface Outside the Side Panel) to (Operational State of the Swivel Pedal) below are permitted.

[0210] When the main operating device 135 is operated to the stop position, the hydraulic cylinders 22, 24, 112, 113, hydraulic motors 13M, 16M, 18M, 5M, 42M, 72M, 81M, and electric motor 124 shown in FIG. 40 are forcibly stopped, and therefore the operations described in this section (Configuration related to the first area on the operating surface outside the side panel) to the later section (Operation state of the swing pedal) are prohibited.

[0211] The reaping and conveying device operating tool 136 is configured as a seesaw switch type that can be manually operated by pushing the front and rear portions, and can be operated to a stop position, a forward rotation position, and a reverse rotation position. The operating position of the reaping and conveying device operating tool 136 is input to the control device 100 shown in Figure 41, and the reaping and conveying device operating tool 136 operates control valves 162, 164, 165, and 167 shown in Figure 40 to operate the hydraulic motors 13M, 16M, 18M, and 42M. When the reaping and conveying device operating tool 136 is operated to the forward rotation position, the hydraulic motors 13M, 16M, 18M, and 42M operate in the forward rotation position. When the reaping and conveying device operating tool 136 is operated to the reverse rotation position, the hydraulic motors 13M, 16M, 18M, and 42M operate in the reverse rotation position. When the reaping and conveying device operating tool 136 is operated to the stop position, the hydraulic motors 13M, 16M, 18M, and 42M stop.

[0212] In normal operation, the reaping and conveying device operating tool 136 is operated to the forward rotation position. If an abnormality occurs, such as crops or the like clogging the reaping unit 4 or the conveying device 6, the reaping and conveying device operating tool 136 is operated to the reverse rotation position to clear the clogging or the like in the reaping unit 4 or the conveying device 6.

[0213] The conveyor operation device 137 is configured as a seesaw switch type that can be operated by manually pushing the front and rear portions, and can be operated to a stop position, a forward rotation position, and a reverse rotation position. The operation position of the conveyor operation device 137 is input to the control device 100 shown in Figure 41, and the conveyor operation device 137 operates the control valve 171 shown in Figure 40 to operate the hydraulic motor 81M. When the conveyor operation device 137 is operated to the forward rotation position, the hydraulic motor 81M operates in the forward rotation position. When the conveyor operation device 137 is operated to the reverse rotation position, the hydraulic motor 81M operates in the reverse rotation position. When the conveyor operation device 137 is operated to the stop position, the hydraulic motor 81M stops.

[0214] In normal operation, the conveyor operating device 137 is set to the forward rotation position. If an abnormality occurs, such as crops or the like clogging the conveyor 8, the conveyor operating device 137 is set to the reverse rotation position to clear the clogging or the like in the conveyor 8.

[0215] [Arrangement of the main operating device, reaping and transporting device operating device, and conveyor operating device in the first area of ​​the operating surface on the outside of the side panel] As shown in Figures 32 and 33, the dial switch type main operating device 135 and the seesaw switch type reaping and transporting device operating device 136 and conveyor operating device 137 are configured to have different operating modes. On the operating surfaces 155, 156 on the inside and outside of the side panel 154, the speed change lever 151, the main operating device 135, the reaping and transporting device operating device 136, and the conveyor operating device 137 are arranged side by side in this order along the left-right direction.

[0216] In the first region 156a of the operating surface 156 on the outside of the side panel 154, if a first imaginary inclined line L1 is assumed to be located laterally outward and rearward from the driver's seat 142 in a planar view, the main operating tool 135, the harvesting and conveying device operating tool 136, and the conveyor operating tool 137 are arranged side by side along the first imaginary inclined line L1 in a planar view.

[0217] Assuming a second imaginary inclined line L2 perpendicular to the first imaginary inclined line L1 in a plan view, the reaping and transporting device operating tool 136 and the conveyor operating tool 137 are configured in an operating configuration (seesaw switch type) in which they are operated along the second imaginary inclined line L2. When the second imaginary inclined line L2 extends rearward from between the reaping and transporting device operating tool 136 and the conveyor operating tool 137 in a plan view, it intersects with the armrest 168 and reaches the right rear portion of the driver's seat 142. In other words, the second imaginary inclined line L2 extends diagonally from the driver's seat 142 toward the first region 156a of the operating surface 156 outside the side panel 154 in a plan view. The second imaginary inclined line L2 is inclined so that it is positioned more forward and more laterally outward relative to the driver's seat 142 in a plan view.

[0218] [Configuration Related to the Second Area on the Operation Surface Outside the Side Panel] As shown in Figure 32, a separation device operating tool 174 and an upper cutting device operating tool 175 are provided in the second area 156b of the operation surface 156 outside the side panel 154. The separation device operating tool 174 is configured as a dial switch, and is operated to an operating position or a stopped position by manually rotating it. The operating position of the separation device operating tool 174 is input to the control device 100 shown in Figure 41, and the separation device operating tool 174 operates the control valve 170 shown in Figure 40 to operate and stop the hydraulic motor 72M.

[0219] The upper cutting device operating tool 175 is configured as a seesaw switch type that can be operated by manually pressing the right and left parts, and can be operated to a stop position, a forward rotation position, and a reverse rotation position. The operating position of the upper cutting device operating tool 175 is input to the control device 100 shown in Figure 41, and the upper cutting device operating tool 175 operates the control valve 166 shown in Figure 40 to operate the hydraulic motor 5M. When the upper cutting device operating tool 175 is operated to the forward rotation position, the hydraulic motor 5M operates in the forward rotation position. When the upper cutting device operating tool 175 is operated to the reverse position, the hydraulic motor 5M operates in the reverse rotation position. When the upper cutting device operating tool 175 is operated to the stop position, the hydraulic motor 5M stops.

[0220] In normal operation, the upper cutting device operating tool 175 is operated to the forward rotation position. If an abnormality occurs, such as crops or the like getting stuck in the topper 5, the upper cutting device operating tool 175 is operated to the reverse rotation position to clear the topper 5 or the like.

[0221] [Arrangement of Separator Operating Tool and Upper Cutting Device Operating Tool in the Second Region of the Operation Surface Outside the Side Panel] As shown in Figures 32 and 33, the dial switch-type separator operating tool 174 and the seesaw switch-type upper cutting device operating tool 175 are configured to have different operation modes. In the second region 156b of the operation surface 156 outside the side panel 154, assuming a third imaginary inclined line L3 positioned laterally outward and rearward of the driver's seat 142 in a plan view, the upper cutting device operating tool 175 is configured to be operated along the third imaginary inclined line L3 (seesaw switch type). The separator operating tool 174 and the upper cutting device operating tool 175 are arranged side by side in this order along the third imaginary inclined line L3 in a plan view. In this case, the third imaginary inclined line L3 is approximately parallel to the first imaginary inclined line L1.

[0222] An identification line 176 of a different color (e.g., yellow, red, or orange) from the color of the operation surface 156 on the outside of the side panel 154 is drawn to surround the outer periphery of the first area 156a and the second area 156b of the operation surface 156 on the outside of the side panel 154. The main operation tool 135, the reaping and transporting device operation tool 136, the conveyor operation tool 137, the separating device operation tool 174, and the upper cutting device operation tool 175 are arranged inside the identification line 176.

[0223] [Configuration relating to the third area on the operation surface outside the side panel] As shown in Figure 32, a cutting height control operation device 181, a conveyor lifting operation device 182, and an automatic accumulation operation device 183 are provided in the third area 156c of the operation surface 156 outside the side panel 154.

[0224] The cutting height control operating device 181 is configured as a dial switch, and is manually rotated to an active position or a stopped position. The operating position of the cutting height control operating device 181 is input to the control device 100 shown in Figure 41, and the cutting height control (see (Cutting Height Control) described below) is activated and deactivated.

[0225] The conveyor lifting / lowering operating device 182 is configured as a seesaw switch type that can be operated by manually pushing the front and rear portions, and can be operated to a stop position, an up position, and a down position. The operating position of the conveyor lifting / lowering operating device 182 is input to the control device 100 shown in Figure 41, and the conveyor lifting / lowering operating device 182 operates the control valve 173 shown in Figure 40, and the lifting / lowering operation of the conveyor 8 is performed by the lifting / lowering hydraulic cylinder 24.

[0226] The automatic storage operating device 183 is configured as a dial switch, and is operated to an operating position or a stopped position by manually rotating it. The operating position of the automatic storage operating device 183 is input to the control device 100 shown in Figure 41, and the automatic storage control (see (Automatic Storage Control) described later) is activated and stopped.

[0227] [Arrangement of the mowing height control operating device, conveyor lifting operating device, and automatic accumulation operating device in the third area of ​​the operating surface on the outside of the side panel] As shown in Figures 32 and 33, the dial switch type mowing height control operating device 181 and automatic accumulation operating device 183, and the seesaw switch type conveyor lifting operating device 182 are configured to have different operating modes.

[0228] In the third region 156c of the outer operating surface 156 of the side panel 154, assuming a fourth imaginary inclined line L4 positioned laterally outward and rearward from the driver's seat 142 in a plan view, the mowing height control operating device 181 and the conveyor lifting operating device 182 are arranged side by side along the fourth imaginary inclined line L4 in a plan view. In this case, the fourth imaginary inclined line L4 is substantially parallel to the first imaginary inclined line L1 and the third imaginary inclined line L3.

[0229] Assuming that a fifth imaginary inclined line L5 is perpendicular to the fourth imaginary inclined line L4 in a plan view, the conveyor lifting operation device 182 is configured to be operated along the fifth imaginary inclined line L5 (seesaw switch type). When the fifth imaginary inclined line L5 is extended rearward from the conveyor lifting operation device 182 in a plan view, it intersects with the armrest 168 and reaches near the right rear portion of the driver's seat 142.

[0230] In other words, the fifth imaginary inclined line L5 extends obliquely laterally from the driver's seat 142 toward the third region 156c of the operating surface 156 on the outside of the side panel 154 in a plan view. The fifth imaginary inclined line L5 is inclined so as to be positioned more forward as it moves laterally outward relative to the driver's seat 142 in a plan view.

[0231] The automatic storage operating device 183 is disposed behind the mowing height control operating device 181 and slightly behind the conveyor lifting operating device 182. The main operating device 135, the separating device operating device 174, the mowing height control operating device 181, and the automatic storage operating device 183 are disposed in a straight line from the front in this order along a first imaginary front-to-rear line LL1 that extends in the front-to-rear direction.

[0232] [Mowing Height Control] The following operations are performed to control the mowing height. As described above (Front Wheel Support Configuration) and as shown in Figure 41, by operating the front wheels 1 up and down relative to the machine body using the hydraulic cylinders 129, the front part of the machine body (the reaping unit 4) can be raised and lowered using the rear wheels 2 that are in contact with the field as a fulcrum. In the reaping unit 4, the cutting device 18 cuts the part of the crop near the base of the plant, so the load on the cutting device 18 varies depending on the condition of the crop, the condition of the field, the height of the reaping unit 4, etc.

[0233] A load sensor (not shown) is provided that detects the load applied to the hydraulic motor 18M of the cutting device 18, and when the detected value of the load sensor becomes greater than the reference load (when the load applied to the cutting device 18 becomes greater), the hydraulic cylinder 129 is used to raise the front part of the machine body (the reaping unit 4) to reduce the load applied to the cutting device 18. When the detected value of the load sensor returns to the reference load (when the load applied to the cutting device 18 returns to the reference load), the hydraulic cylinder 129 is used to lower the front part of the machine body (the reaping unit 4).

[0234] [Automatic Stockpiling Control] As described above, when the bed of the accompanying transport vehicle becomes full, the transport vehicle leaves the sugarcane harvester, and there may be a period of time before the next transport vehicle arrives. When the operator of the driving unit 3 temporarily suspends work, he or she supplies all of the crops remaining on the conveyor 8 to the transport vehicle, leaving the conveyor 8 clear of crops, and operates the conveyor operating device 137 to the stopped position to wait. On the other hand, before the next transport vehicle is ready to accompany the sugarcane harvester, the operator of the driving unit 3 may resume work with the conveyor 8 stopped. At this time, the state of crops stored in the hopper 19 of the conveyor 8 is photographed by a camera (not shown) and displayed on the LCD monitor 134.

[0235] When the hopper 19 of the conveyor 8 is full, the operator of the operation unit 3 operates the automatic accumulation operating device 183 to the operating position. This causes the conveyor 8 to start operating, and the crops in the hopper 19 of the conveyor 8 are transported by the conveyor 8, allowing the operator to continue work during this time. When the crops reach just before the discharge portion 8e of the conveyor 8, the conveyor 8 automatically stops, so the operator of the operation unit 3 can temporarily suspend work.

[0236] In this case, a timer (not shown) detects the operating time from when the automatic storage operating device 183 is operated to the operating position and the conveyor 8 starts operating, and when the detected time of the timer reaches a set time, it is determined that the crops have reached just before the discharge part 8e of the conveyor 8. Instead of using a timer, the number of rotations of the drive system of the conveyor 8, such as the hydraulic motor 81M, may be detected to determine that the crops have reached just before the discharge part 8e of the conveyor 8.

[0237] [Configuration relating to the fourth area on the operating surface outside the side panel] As shown in Figure 32, a blower rotation speed adjuster 184, which is an adjuster, a reference height adjuster 185, which is an adjuster, and a reference load adjuster 186, which is an adjuster, are provided in the fourth area 156d of the operating surface 156 outside the side panel 154.

[0238] The blower rotation speed adjuster 184 is configured as a dial switch and is manually rotated. The operating position of the blower rotation speed adjuster 184 is input to the control device 100 shown in Figure 41, which operates the control valve 170 shown in Figure 40 to change the rotation speed of the hydraulic motor 72M (fan 72) between high and low.

[0239] The reference height adjuster 185 is configured as a dial switch and is manually rotated. The operating position of the reference height adjuster 185 is input to the control device 100 shown in Figure 41. The reference height adjuster 185 can be used to set the reference height for mowing height control (see (Mowing Height Control) above), and the reference height can be changed between high and low.

[0240] As described above (Cutting height control), when the load sensor detection value returns to the reference load and the hydraulic cylinder 129 lowers the front part of the machine body (cutting unit 4), the limit value at which the lowering of the front part of the machine body (cutting unit 4) is stopped is the above-mentioned reference height.

[0241] The reference load adjuster 186 is configured as a dial switch and is manually rotated. The operating position of the reference load adjuster 186 is input to the control device 100 shown in Figure 41. The reference height adjuster 185 allows the reference load for cutting height control (see (Cutting Height Control) above) to be set, and the reference load can be changed between high and low.

[0242] [Arrangement of the blower rotation speed adjuster, reference height adjuster, and reference load adjuster in the fourth area of ​​the operating surface on the outside of the side panel] As shown in Figures 32 and 33, the dial switch type blower rotation speed adjuster 184, reference height adjuster 185, and reference load adjuster 186 are configured to have the same operating form.

[0243] A blower rotation speed adjuster 184, a reference height adjuster 185, and a reference load adjuster 186 are arranged in this order in a straight line from the front along a second imaginary front-to-rear line LL2 that extends in the front-to-rear direction.

[0244] A blower speed adjuster 184, a reference height adjuster 185, and a reference load adjuster 186 are provided on the outer operating surface 156 of the side panel 154, in a fourth area 156d rearward of the first area 156a (front area) and on the opposite side (right side) of the driver's seat 142 from the armrest 168.

[0245] The second imaginary front-rear line LL2 of the blower speed adjuster 184, the reference height adjuster 185 and the reference load adjuster 186 is positioned slightly toward the armrest 168 (toward the driver's seat 142) in a plan view relative to the first imaginary front-rear line LL1 of the main operating device 135, the separation device operating device 174, the cutting height control operating device 181 and the automatic storage operating device 183.

[0246] [Configuration Related to Fifth Area on Operation Surface Outside Side Panel] As shown in Fig. 32 , an accelerator lever 152, which is a separate operation tool, and an auxiliary speed change lever 153, which is another operation tool, are provided in a fifth area 156e of an operation surface 156 outside the side panel 154. The accelerator lever 152 is configured to be able to be held in any position by friction, and as shown in Fig. 41 , the operation position of the accelerator lever 152 is input to the control device 100. The accelerator unit 188 is operated by the control device 100 based on the operation position of either the accelerator pedal 147 or the accelerator lever 152, whichever is operated to the high-speed side.

[0247] When traveling at a constant speed, as during normal work, the operator seated in the driver's seat 142 can operate the accelerator unit 188 by manually operating the accelerator lever 152 while holding the accelerator lever 152 with his right hand. In this state, when temporarily operating the accelerator unit 188 to the high-speed side, the operator seated in the driver's seat 142 can operate it by depressing the accelerator pedal 147.

[0248] 41, the operational position of the sub-speed change lever 153 is input to the control device 100. Based on the operational position of the sub-speed change lever 153, the control valve 177 is operated by the control device 100, and the hydraulic cylinder 127 operates the sub-speed change device 125 to the low speed position or the high speed position.

[0249] [Arrangement of accelerator lever and auxiliary shift lever in fifth area of ​​outer operating surface of side panel] As shown in Figures 32 and 33, in the fifth area 156e of the outer operating surface 156 of the side panel 154, the accelerator lever 152 and the auxiliary shift lever 153 are arranged in a straight line along the front-to-rear direction so that the accelerator lever 152 is at the front and the auxiliary shift lever 153 is at the rear.

[0250] 30 and 31 , the accelerator lever 152 and the sub-speed change lever 153 are positioned higher than the main operating device 135, the reaping and conveying device operating device 136, the conveyor operating device 137, the separating device operating device 174, the upper cutting device operating device 175, the mowing height control operating device 181, the conveyor lifting operating device 182, the automatic accumulation operating device 183, the blower rotation speed adjusting device 184, the reference height adjusting device 185, and the reference load adjusting device 186. The upper end of the accelerator lever 152 and the upper end of the sub-speed change lever 153 are positioned at approximately the same height as the armrest 168.

[0251] 32 and 33 , in the fifth region 156e of the operating surface 156 on the outside of the side panel 154, assuming a sixth imaginary inclined line L6 and a seventh imaginary inclined line L7, which are imaginary lines positioned laterally outward and forward of the driver's seat 142 in a plan view, the accelerator lever 152 is configured to be operated along the sixth imaginary inclined line L6, and the sub-shift lever 153 is configured to be operated along the seventh imaginary inclined line L7. In this case, the sixth imaginary inclined line L6 and the seventh imaginary inclined line L7 are approximately parallel to each other.

[0252] In other words, in the fifth region 156e of the outer operating surface 156 of the side panel 154, if we imagine the eighth imaginary inclined line L8 and the ninth imaginary inclined line L9, which are imaginary lines extending diagonally laterally from the driver's seat 142 toward the fifth region 156e of the side panel in a plan view, the accelerator lever 152 is configured to be operated along the eighth imaginary inclined line L8, and the sub-transmission lever 153 is configured to be operated along the ninth imaginary inclined line L9.

[0253] 30 and 31 , a wide grip 151a is provided at the top of the shift lever 151, and an operator seated in the driver's seat 142 holds the grip 151a of the shift lever 151 with his right hand to operate the shift lever 151. Raising controls 189, 191, 193, 195 and lowering controls 190, 192, 194, 196 are provided on a rear surface 151b, which is the portion above the grip 151a of the shift lever 151 that faces the driver's seat 142. A raising control 197 and a lowering control 198 are provided on a front surface 151c, which is the portion above the grip 151a of the shift lever 151 that faces the opposite side from the driver's seat 142.

[0254] The raising operating devices 189, 191, 193, 195, 197 and the lowering operating devices 190, 192, 194, 196, 198 are resettable push buttons, and the operating positions of the raising operating devices 189, 191, 193, 195, 197 and the lowering operating devices 190, 192, 194, 196, 198 are input to the control device 100 shown in FIG.

[0255] A horn operating device 199, which can be manually operated to operate a horn (not shown), is provided on the grip portion 151a of the speed change lever 151 at a portion lower than the raising operating devices 189, 191, 193, 195, 197 and the lowering operating devices 190, 192, 194, 196, 198, and at a portion 151d facing the opposite side of the driver's seat 142.

[0256] The horn operating device 199 is a resettable push button, and the operating position of the horn operating device 199 is input to the control device 100 shown in Fig. 41. When the horn operating device 199 is pressed, the horn is activated, and when the horn operating device 199 is released, the horn is stopped.

[0257] [Configuration of the raising and lowering operating devices at the grip portion of the speed change lever] Based on the operating positions of the raising operating devices 189, 191, 193, 195, 197 and the lowering operating devices 190, 192, 194, 196, 198 shown in Figures 30 and 31, the control device 100 operates the control valves 102, 163, 179 shown in Figures 40 and 41, and the hydraulic cylinders 112, 113, 129 and the electric motor 124 are operated as described below.

[0258] As shown in Figures 30 and 31, when the raising operation device 189 is pushed while the mowing height control operation device 181 is in the stopped position, the front of the machine body is raised by the hydraulic cylinder 129. When the lowering operation device 190 is pushed, the front of the machine body is lowered by the hydraulic cylinder 129. When the raising operation device 189 and the lowering operation device 190 are not pushed, the hydraulic cylinder 129 stops.

[0259] When the raising operation tool 191 is pushed, the topper 5 is raised by the hydraulic cylinder 112. When the lowering operation tool 192 is pushed, the topper 5 is lowered by the hydraulic cylinder 112. When the raising operation tool 191 and the lowering operation tool 192 are not pushed, the hydraulic cylinder 112 stops.

[0260] When the raising operation device 193 is pushed, the left grass dividing rotor 13 is raised by the left hydraulic cylinder 113. When the lowering operation device 194 is pushed, the left grass dividing rotor 13 is lowered by the left hydraulic cylinder 113. When the raising operation device 193 and the lowering operation device 194 are not pushed, the left hydraulic cylinder 113 stops.

[0261] When the raising operation tool 195 is pushed, the guide member 17 is raised by the electric motor 124. When the lowering operation tool 196 is pushed, the guide member 17 is lowered by the electric motor 124. When the raising operation tool 195 and the lowering operation tool 196 are not pushed, the electric motor 124 stops.

[0262] When the lifting operation device 197 is pushed, the right grass dividing rotor 13 is lifted by the right hydraulic cylinder 113. When the lowering operation device 198 is pushed, the right grass dividing rotor 13 is lowered by the right hydraulic cylinder 113. When the lifting operation device 197 and the lowering operation device 198 are not pushed, the right hydraulic cylinder 113 stops.

[0263] [Configuration of Swivel Pedal] As shown in Figure 29, a swing pedal 150 and a locking device 161 are provided on the floor 146 of the driving unit 3. As shown in Figures 34, 35, and 36, a support bracket 103 is connected to the floor 146. The support bracket 103 has front and rear support plates 103a, 103b, and pin-shaped left and right stopper portions 103c are connected to the support plates 103a, 103b.

[0264] As shown in Figure 29, when an eleventh imaginary inclined line L11 is assumed to be an imaginary line extending diagonally forward to the left from the driver's seat 142 in a plan view, as shown in Figures 34, 35, and 36, the fulcrum shaft 104 is connected to the support plates 103a and 103b of the support bracket 103 so as to be aligned with the horizontal axis P2 along the eleventh imaginary inclined line L11.

[0265] A boss portion 105 is supported by the fulcrum shaft 104 so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis P2. An operation plate 106 is connected to the boss portion 105 so as to be rotatable integrally with the boss portion 105, and the operation plate 106 is disposed between the left and right stopper portions 103c of the support bracket 103. The operation plate 106 passes through an opening 146a in the floor 146 and extends downward relative to the floor 146, and an operation pin 106a is connected to the lower portion of the operation plate 106.

[0266] The footboard 107 is connected to the upper part of the operation plate 106. The footboard 107 is provided with a flat tread surface portion 107a, with left and right end portions 107b of the tread surface portion 107a formed upward, and left and right recesses 107c formed in the tread surface portion 107a.

[0267] As described above, the swing pedal 150 is provided, which has the boss portion 105, the operation plate 106, the operation pin 106a, and the footplate 107 (tread surface portion 107a and end portion 107b). As shown in Fig. 29, the swing pedal 150 is disposed offset to one side of the left or right with respect to the left-right center CL of the driver's seat 142 in a plan view, and is configured to be swingable about a horizontal axis P2 along an eleventh imaginary inclined line L11 extending diagonally forward from the driver's seat 142, so that an operator seated in the driver's seat 142 can manually operate the swing pedal 150 to the left or right with his or her left foot.

[0268] 34 and 35 , a receiving member 108 is connected to the end of the fulcrum shaft 104 and passes through an opening 146a in the floor 146 to extend below the floor 146. A coil-shaped neutral spring 109 is attached to the boss portion 105, and a right end 109a and a left end 109b of the neutral spring 109 pass through the opening 146a in the floor 146 to extend below the floor 146, with the operating pin 106a of the operating plate 106 (swing pedal 150) and the receiving member 108 extending between the right end 109a and the left end 109b.

[0269] A channel-shaped support bracket 110 is connected to the underside of the floor 146, and a potentiometer-type position sensor 111 is attached to the support bracket 110. The position sensor 111 is provided with a detection arm 111a that can swing around an axis P3 that is parallel to the horizontal axis P2, and a spring (not shown) provided inside the position sensor 111 urges the detection arm 111a in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 35, causing the detection arm 111a to come into contact with the operation pin 106a of the operation plate 106 (swing pedal 150). The detection value of the position sensor 111 is input to the control device 100 shown in FIG. 41.

[0270] 34, 35, and 36, the locking device 161 is supported on the upper part of the support bracket 103 so as to be swingable about an axis P4 perpendicular to the horizontal axis P2. The locking device 161 is integrally formed from hard rubber and has a flat tread portion 161a, a horizontally elongated convex portion 161b formed on the underside of the tread portion 161a along the axis P4 and protruding downward, and left and right fulcrum portions 161c supported on the upper part of the support bracket 103 so as to be swingable about the axis P4.

[0271] As shown in Figure 29, the locking device 161 is configured in an operating form that allows it to be operated back and forth along an eleventh imaginary inclined line L11, which is an imaginary line that extends diagonally forward to the right from the driver's seat 142 in a plan view, and is switchable between a restricted state A1 and an unrestricted state A2.

[0272] 34, 35, and 36 show the state in which the locking device 161 is operated to the restricted state A1. When the locking device 161 is operated to the restricted state A1, the tread surface 161a of the locking device 161 enters between the left and right ends 107b of the swing pedal 150 (step plate 107), and the convex portion 161b of the locking device 161 contacts the tread surface 107a of the swing pedal 150 (step plate 107) from above. The fulcrum portion 161c of the locking device 161 enters the concave portion 107c of the swing pedal 150 (step plate 107).

[0273] As a result, the point where the convex portion 161b of the locking device 161 contacts the tread surface portion 107a of the swing pedal 150 (tread plate 107) from above, and the point where the fulcrum portion 161c of the locking device 161 fits into the concave portion 107c of the swing pedal 150 (tread plate 107), holds the swing pedal 150 in a neutral position and restricts the operation of stepping on the swing pedal 150. An operator seated in the driver's seat 142 can place his or her left foot on the locking device 161, which functions as a footrest.

[0274] When switching the locking device 161 to the non-restricted state A2, the locking device 161 is swung upward about the axis P4 until the end 161d of the fulcrum portion 161c of the locking device 161 abuts the upper end of the support plate 103b of the support bracket 103. As a result, the center of gravity of the locking device 161 passes over the axis P4 to the opposite side of the swing pedal 150, so that the locking device 161 is maintained in the non-restricted state A2.

[0275] As shown in Figures 34 and 36, in the restricted state A1, the rear end of the tread portion 161a of the locking device 161 extends rearward (toward the driver's seat 142) from the turning pedal 150 (tread plate 107), so an operator sitting in the driver's seat 142 can switch the locking device 161 to the unrestricted state A2 by lifting the rear end of the tread portion 161a of the locking device 161 upward with the toes of his left foot.

[0276] When the locking device 161 is switched to the non-restricted state A2, the convex portion 161b of the locking device 161 moves upward away from the tread surface portion 107a of the rotation pedal 150 (step plate 107), and the fulcrum portion 161c of the locking device 161 moves upward away from the recessed portion 107c of the rotation pedal 150 (step plate 107), allowing the rotation pedal 150 to be stepped on.

[0277] 37 shows a state in which the locking device 161 is switched to the non-restricted state A2 and the swing pedal 150 is held in the neutral position by the neutral spring 109. The position sensor 111 detects the operating position of the swing pedal 150, and when the swing pedal 150 is operated to the neutral position, the swing operation of the conveyor 8 is stopped.

[0278] When the swing pedal 150 is depressed to the right from the state shown in Fig. 37 as shown in Fig. 38, the operation plate 106 swings clockwise in Fig. 38. With the right end 109a of the neutral spring 109 stopped by the receiving member 108, the operation pin 106a of the operation plate 106 pushes the left end 109b of the neutral spring 109 in the clockwise direction in Fig. 38. Then, the detection arm 111a of the position sensor 111 swings counterclockwise in Fig. 38 to follow the operation pin 106a of the operation plate 106. When the operation plate 106 hits the stopper portion 103c of the support bracket 103, the depression of the swing pedal 150 to the right is stopped.

[0279] The position sensor 111 detects the depression of the swing pedal 150 to the right, and the control valve 172 shown in Fig. 40 is operated by the control device 100 shown in Fig. 41, and the conveyor 8 is swung in the counterclockwise direction B1 in plan view by the swing hydraulic cylinder 22, as shown in Fig. 2. When the depression of the swing pedal 150 to the right is stopped, the biasing force of the neutral spring 109 returns the swing pedal 150 to the neutral position shown in Fig. 37, and the swinging operation of the conveyor 8 is stopped.

[0280] When the swing pedal 150 is depressed to the left from the state shown in Fig. 37 as shown in Fig. 39, the operation plate 106 swings counterclockwise in Fig. 39. With the left end 109b of the neutral spring 109 stopped by the receiving member 108, the operation pin 106a of the operation plate 106 pushes the right end 109a of the neutral spring 109 counterclockwise in Fig. 39. Then, the detection arm 111a of the position sensor 111 is swung clockwise in Fig. 39 by the operation pin 106a of the operation plate 106. When the operation plate 106 hits the stopper portion 103c of the support bracket 103, the left depression of the swing pedal 150 is stopped.

[0281] The left depression of the swing pedal 150 is detected by the position sensor 111, the control valve 172 shown in Fig. 40 is operated by the control device 100 shown in Fig. 41, and the conveyor 8 is swung in the clockwise direction B2 in plan view by the swing hydraulic cylinder 22, as shown in Fig. 2. When the left depression of the swing pedal 150 is stopped, the biasing force of the neutral spring 109 returns the swing pedal 150 to the neutral position shown in Fig. 37, and the swinging of the conveyor 8 is stopped.

[0282] The sugarcane harvester repeats this operation of working along one side of the field, and when it reaches the edge of the field, making a 180-degree turn at the edge and traveling in the opposite direction along the side of the field to continue working. In this case, if, for example, the transporter travels on the right side of the sugarcane harvester and the conveyor 8 is facing right when working along one side of the field, then when the sugarcane harvester turns at the edge of the field and travels in the opposite direction along the side of the field, the transporter will be traveling on the left side of the sugarcane harvester, so the conveyor 8 must be facing left.

[0283] In the above-described working configuration, when turning at the end of the field, the direction of the conveyor 8 is changed using the turning pedal 150, and the conveyor 8 is raised and lowered using the conveyor lifting operating device 182 to adjust the height of the discharge section 8e of the conveyor 8 to match the height of the transport vehicle.

[0284] Other Embodiments The present invention is not limited to the configurations exemplified in the above-described embodiments, and other representative embodiments of the present invention will be exemplified below.

[0285] (1) In the above embodiment, the branch section 34 is connected to a pair of swing hydraulic cylinders 22, 22 by two branch pipes 30A, 30A, but this is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the branch section 34 may be connected to three or more swing hydraulic cylinders 22 by three or more branch pipes 30A. That is, it is sufficient that a configuration is provided with a plurality of hydraulic pipes 30 and a plurality of branch sections 34 corresponding to the plurality of hydraulic pipes 30. It is sufficient that the branch section 34 is connected to a storage tank 31 as a hydraulic source by one main pipe 30B, and that the main pipe 30B branches out into a plurality of parts toward each of the plurality of swing hydraulic cylinders 22.

[0286] (2) In the above-described embodiment, the support member 15A is supported by the horizontal frame portion 15D, and the pair of upper and lower branch portions 34, 34 is supported on the support member 15A. However, this is not limiting. For example, the support member 15A may be supported on the front end of the conveyor support frame body 20, and the pair of upper and lower branch portions 34, 34 may be supported on the support member 15A. In other words, it is sufficient that the branch portion 34 is provided in a portion of the hydraulic piping 30 that is closer to the front of the machine body than the vertical axis X1.

[0287] (3) In the above embodiment, the branch portions 34, 34 are arranged vertically side by side. However, the branch portions 34, 34 may not be arranged vertically side by side, and may each swing around a separate axis.

[0288] (4) In the above-described embodiment, one of the branches 34, 34 corresponding to the extension pipe is an extension branch, and the other corresponding to the contraction pipe is a contraction branch, but this is not limiting. For example, a configuration in which only one of the extension branch and the contraction branch is provided may also be used.

[0289] (5) Although the storage tank 31 and the pump unit 32 are provided in a state where they are biased to the left side of the traveling machine body with respect to the center of the traveling machine body in the left-right direction, this is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the storage tank 31 and the pump unit 32 may be provided in a state where they are biased to the right side of the traveling machine body with respect to the center of the traveling machine body in the left-right direction. In other words, the storage tank 31 and the pump unit 32 may be configured to be provided in a state where they are biased to one of the left and right sides of the traveling machine body with respect to the center of the traveling machine body in the left-right direction.

[0290] (6) Although the main pipe 30B and the branching portion 34 are provided in a state in which they are biased to the left side of the machine body with respect to the center of the machine body in the left-right direction, this is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the main pipe 30B and the branching portion 34 may be provided in a state in which they are biased to the right side of the machine body with respect to the center of the machine body in the left-right direction, or may be provided in a state in which they are located between the swing hydraulic cylinders 22, 22 in the left-right direction.

[0291] (7) In the above embodiment, the lifting hydraulic cylinders 24, 24 are shown as the drive cylinders, but the drive cylinders may be pneumatic cylinders or electric cylinders.

[0292] (8) In the above-described embodiment, a pair of left and right lifting hydraulic cylinders 24, 24 are provided, but three or more lifting hydraulic cylinders 24 may be provided, or only one lifting hydraulic cylinder 24 may be provided.

[0293] (9) In the above embodiment, the lifting hydraulic cylinders 24, 24 are arranged to extend and retract along the extension direction of the conveyor 8 in a plan view, but this is not limiting. For example, the lifting hydraulic cylinders 24, 24 may be configured to be slightly inclined to the left or right when viewed in the extension direction of the conveyor 8 in a plan view, and to be generally aligned with the extension direction of the conveyor 8 in a plan view.

[0294] (10) In the above embodiment, the horizontal frame 41 is connected to each of the left and right mounting portions 40, 40, but the horizontal frame 41 may not be provided.

[0295] (11) In the above embodiment, the lifting hydraulic cylinders 24 are supported by the mounting portions 40, which are in turn supported by the bottom frame portions 80D, but this is not limiting. For example, the lifting hydraulic cylinders 24 may be supported by the bottom frame portions 80D.

[0296] (12) In the above embodiment, the chain 29 is configured to be longer than the maximum extension length of the lifting hydraulic cylinder 24, but this is not limiting. The chain 29 may also be configured to be shorter than the maximum extension length of the lifting hydraulic cylinder 24. Also, a storage section capable of storing the chain 29 may be provided between the diagonal frame 80I and the side cover 89. In this case, when the conveyor 8 swings upward, the chain 29 becomes loose, and the loosened chain 29 may be stored in the storage section.

[0297] (13) The operation state of the turning pedal has been explained based on Figures 37 to 39, but in addition to this, the conveyor 8 may be provided with the functions of automatic turning and automatic raising and lowering, which will be explained below.

[0298] The conveyor 8 may be configured to have three positions: a center position (see FIG. 2) where the conveyor 8 faces directly backward; a right-facing position where the conveyor 8 is turned to the right by a predetermined angle (e.g., 45 degrees) from the center position in a plan view; and a left-facing position where the conveyor 8 is turned to the left by a predetermined angle (e.g., 45 degrees) from the center position in a plan view; and may be configured to have a "direction selection operation device" (not shown) that can select the center position, the right-facing position, or the left-facing position. Also, the conveyor 8 may be configured to have a height sensor (not shown) such as an ultrasonic type that detects the height of the transport vehicle relative to the discharge portion 8e of the conveyor 8, and to have a "height selection operation device" (not shown) that can select the storage position or the working position.

[0299] When the worker operates the orientation selection tool to select the right-facing position (left-facing position) (neutral position), the conveyor 8 is automatically rotated and automatically stopped at the right-facing position (left-facing position) (neutral position). When the worker operates the height selection tool to select the work position, the conveyor 8 is automatically raised or lowered based on the detection value of the height sensor, and the conveyor 8 automatically stops when the discharge portion 8e of the conveyor 8 is at a height that matches the height of the transport vehicle. When the worker operates the height selection tool to select the storage position, the conveyor 8 is automatically raised and automatically stops at the upper limit position. This state can be set when moving from one field to the next.

[0300] (14) In the driver's unit 3, the operation box 145, the side panel 154, and the armrest 168 may be disposed on the left side of the driver's seat 142. The swivel pedal 150 and the locking device 161 may be disposed, in a plan view, offset to the right side of the center CL of the driver's seat 142. In this configuration, the swivel pedal 150 and the locking device 161 may be disposed to the right of the accelerator pedal 147.

[0301] (15) On the inner and outer operation surfaces 155, 156 of the side panel 154, the positions of the reaping and transporting device operating tool 136 and the conveyor operating tool 137 may be reversed left and right so that the speed change lever 151, the main operating tool 135, the conveyor operating tool 137, and the reaping and transporting device operating tool 136 are arranged side by side in this order along the left and right direction. On the outer operation surface 156 of the side panel 154, the first area 156a and the second area 156b may be the front area.

[0302] (16) The main operating device 135 may be configured to have two push buttons: an actuation position button that can be manually pressed, and a stop position button that can be manually pressed. In this configuration, the actuation position button and the stop position button may be arranged along the second imaginary inclined line L2.

[0303] (17) The harvesting and transporting device operating tool 136 and the conveyor operating tool 137 may be configured to have three push buttons: a stop position button that can be manually pressed, a forward rotation position button that can be manually pressed, and a reverse rotation position button that can be manually pressed. In this configuration, the stop position button, the forward rotation position button, and the reverse rotation position button may be arranged along the second imaginary inclined line L2.

[0304] (18) All of the main operating tool 135, the reaping and conveying device operating tool 136, and the conveyor operating tool 137 may be configured to be operated along the second imaginary inclined line L2. Of the main operating tool 135, the reaping and conveying device operating tool 136, and the conveyor operating tool 137, only the main operating tool 135, only the reaping and conveying device operating tool 136, or only the conveyor operating tool 137 may be configured to be operated along the second imaginary inclined line L2. Of the main operating tool 135, the reaping and conveying device operating tool 136, and the conveyor operating tool 137, only the main operating tool 135 and the reaping and conveying device operating tool 136 may be configured to be operated along the second imaginary inclined line L2. The main operating tool 135, the reaping and transporting device operating tool 136, and the conveyor operating tool 137 may be configured in an operating form in which the main operating tool 135 and the conveyor operating tool 137 are operated along the second imaginary inclined line L2.

[0305] (19) Instead of the hydrostatic continuously variable transmission 126, a gear-type transmission (not shown) that can be changed into multiple speeds or a belt-type continuously variable transmission (not shown) may be provided as a transmission for traveling.

[0306] The configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments (including other embodiments, the same applies hereinafter) can be applied in combination with the configurations disclosed in other embodiments, unless a contradiction occurs. Furthermore, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the purpose of the present invention.

[0307] The present invention is applicable to sugarcane harvesters.

[0308] 3: Driving unit 4: Reaping unit (reap and conveying device) 6: Conveying device (reap and conveying device) 7: Separating device 8: Conveyor 22: Swing hydraulic cylinder (multiple hydraulic cylinders) 23: Oscillating shaft 24: Lifting hydraulic cylinder (drive cylinder) 28: Bearing member 28A: Boss portion 28B: Cylindrical portion 29: Chain body 30: Hydraulic piping 30A: Branch piping (extension piping, contraction piping) 30B: Main piping 31: Storage tank (hydraulic source) 32: Pump unit 34: Branch portion (extension branch portion, contraction branch portion) 40: Mounting portion 41: Horizontal frame 54: Round bar member (guide portion) 55: Round bar member (guide portion) 56: Round bar member (guide portion) 58: Conveyor hydraulic piping (separate hydraulic piping) 80D: Bottom frame portion (conveyor bottom portion) 107a: Tread portion 142: Driver's seat 144: Control handle (manual operation device) 150: Swivel pedal 151: Speed ​​change lever (manual operation device) 161: Locking device A1: Restricted state A2: Unrestricted state B1: Counterclockwise direction B2: Clockwise direction CL: Left-right center P2: Horizontal axis L11: Eleventh imaginary inclined line (imaginary line) X1: Up-down axis (first axis, vertical axis) X3: Axis (second axis) Y1: Horizontal axis (swing axis)

Claims

1. The sugarcane harvester consists of a conveyor belt for cutting sugarcane in the planting area and conveying it to the rear; a sugarcane sheath separating fan system, installed on the conveyor belt, which separates the sugarcane into stalks and husks; a conveyor bridge assembly, connected to the rear of the conveyor belt in a way that allows it to rotate around the primary shaft, which is tilted up and down using its lower end as a support point. This bridge receives the sugarcane from the sheath separating fan system, conveys it upwards at an incline, and discharges it outside. Numerous hydraulic cylinders are connected to the rear of the conveyor belt assembly and arranged separately on the left and right sides of the primary shaft, driving the conveyor bridge assembly left and right. Hydraulic pipes are connected to the hydraulic power source and can supply / drain hydraulic oil to each of the numerous hydraulic cylinders. A main pipe and several smaller pipes are assembled on the hydraulic system, with the main pipe connected to the hydraulic power source.The sub-sections separate the main pipe into numerous pipes to accommodate individual hydraulic cylinders at the front of the machine rather than the first-order shaft among the hydraulic pipes, and the sub-sections are designed to vibrate around a second-order shaft that is turned upside down according to the rotation of the bridge assembly.

2. The cane cutter as described in Claim 1 consists of numerous hydraulic pipes, numerous sub-sections corresponding to the numerous hydraulic pipes, and numerous sub-sections arranged upside down and designed to vibrate around a second-order shaft.

3. The cane cutter as described in Claim 2, where numerous hydraulic cylinders are designed to be dual-acting, and the extension pipes that feed / drain the hydraulic oil of the extension oil chambers of the numerous hydraulic cylinders, and the retraction pipes that feed / drain the hydraulic oil of the retraction oil chambers of the numerous hydraulic cylinders, comprising numerous hydraulic pipes, and extension sub-sections that separate the extension pipes to accommodate the extension oil chambers of the numerous hydraulic cylinders,4. A cane harvester as described in any one of Claims 1 through 3 where the secondary shaft is mounted forward rather than forward than the multi-cylinder hydraulic cylinder.

5. A cane harvester as described in any one of Claims 1 through 4 where the secondary shaft is mounted on the main shaft extension of the separate section when viewed horizontally.

6. A cane harvester as described in any one of Claims 1 through 5 where the hydraulic oil reservoir is incorporated as the hydraulic power source, and the pump for delivering hydraulic oil to each of the multi-cylinder hydraulic cylinders is incorporated via hydraulic lines from the reservoir, and the pump is mounted offset to one side of the left-right of the machine from the center in the left-right direction of the machine's running surface.

7. The main and branch pipes are mounted offset to one side of the left-right of the machine from the center in the left-right direction of the machine.

8. The sugarcane harvester, as described in any one of the claims 1 through 6, has other hydraulic pipes for feeding / draining hydraulic oil from the hydraulic power source mounted on the rear side rather than the hydraulic cylinders of the conveyor assembly, and guides to prevent other hydraulic pipes from falling into the gap between the rear of the runway and the front of the conveyor assembly are mounted at the connection point between the rear of the runway and the front of the conveyor assembly.

9. The sugarcane harvester consists of a runway with a cutting device for cutting sugarcane in the field and conveying it to the rear, a sugarcane sheathing fan system mounted on the runway that separates the sugarcane into chips and stalks, and a conveyor assembly connected to the rear of the runway in a manner that allows it to rotate around a horizontally oriented vibrating shaft using lower end supports, and receives sugarcane from the sheathing fan system and conveys it upwards at an incline and discharges it outwards.Each drive cylinder is connected between the rear of the runner and the conveyor assembly, and drives the conveyor assembly vibrating in the up-down direction, and the drive cylinder is connected to the lower part of the conveyor assembly through the side of the conveyor assembly from the rear of the runner.

9. The sugarcane cutter as described in claim 8 consists of lateral mounting sections of the conveyor assembly at the lower part, and the drive cylinders are connected to the extenders and are positioned to extend in the extension direction of the conveyor assembly when viewed horizontally.

10. The sugarcane cutter as described in claim 8 or 9 consists of left and right drive cylinders, and left and right lateral mounting sections of the conveyor assembly connected to each left and right drive cylinder, and transverse bars connected to each left and right mounting section are assembled at the lower part.

11. The sugarcane cutter as described in claim 9 or 10 consists of a lower frame that extends in the extension direction of the conveyor assembly is assembled at the lower part.

12. The sugarcane cutter as described in one of the claims of claims 8 through 11 consists of a chain which is connected between the rear of the runway and each conveyor assembly at the bottom rather than the drive cylinder when viewed in the extension direction of the drive cylinder and forces the vibration downward of the conveyor assembly, and the length of the chain is made longer than the maximum length of the drive cylinder when extended.

13. The sugarcane cutter as described in one of the claims of claims 8 through 12, where the bearings for supporting the vibrating shaft of the conveyor assembly are mounted at the support points, and the connecting part which is fastened to the runway, the cylindrical part which is fitted into the connecting part and slides in contact with the vibrating shaft is mounted at the bearings,And the bearings are designed to allow the vibration shaft support to be changed by the connection to the cylindrical part rotating around the shaft axis of the vibration shaft.

14. The sugarcane harvester consists of a conveyor for cutting sugarcane in the field and conveying it to the rear, a fan system which is connected to the rear of the conveyor and separates the debris from the sugarcane conveyed by the conveyor, a belt which is stretched up and down from the bottom of the fan system and conveys the sugarcane separated by the fan system, a drive unit which is mounted on top of the conveyor and has a driver's seat and hand controls which are operated by a person, and a conveyor bridge assembly which is supported to allow the front of the conveyor bridge assembly to vibrate left and right around the vertical shaft in the up and down directions. And a pedal which is designed to control the left and right vibration of the conveyor bridge assembly by being pressed left and right is assembled on the drive unit.

15. The sugarcane harvester as described in claim 14, where when the rotating pedal is pressed to the right, the conveyor bridge assembly is ordered to vibrate counterclockwise when viewed in the horizontal plane.And when the rotary pedal is pressed to the left, the conveyor assembly is ordered to vibrate clockwise when viewed in the horizontal plane.

16. The cane cutter as described in Claims 14 or 15, the pedal is positioned tilted to one side left-right from the left-right center of the driver's seat when viewed in the horizontal plane, and is made to vibrate around a horizontal shaft along an imaginary line which is extended forward at a right or left tilt from the driver's seat.

17. The cane cutter as described in one of Claims 14 through 16, a locking device capable of switching between forced and optional states is fitted to the drive section, and the locking device forces the rotary pedal to be pressed, keeping the rotary pedal in the center position where the vibration of the conveyor assembly is stopped by contact from the top side of the rotary pedal, and allows the rotary pedal to be pressed away from the pedal side in the optional state;