Rice transplanter

Abstract

The invention provides a rice transplanter which can prevent an empty seedling box from falling down and can improve working efficiency. A rice transplanter is provided with: a machine body; the seedling planting device is connected to the machine main body and can plant seedlings in the field; a preliminary seedling placement table (31) on which seedlings can be placed; and an empty box recovery mechanism (70) for recovering empty seedling boxes, the empty box recovery mechanism (70) being disposed below the preliminary seedling loading table (31).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rice transplanter provided with a rice seedling transplanting device capable of transplanting rice seedlings into a field. Background Art

[0002] As a conventional rice transplanter, as described in Patent Document 1, a rice transplanter includes a rice seedling planting device capable of planting rice seedlings in a field and a preliminary seedling placing stand capable of placing rice seedlings.

[0003] However, in the conventional rice transplanter, when the reserve seedlings placed on the reserve seedling placing table are supplied to the rice seedling planting device, an empty seedling box that has been filled with the rice seedlings is placed around the operator's seat or the like.

[0004] In this way, the loaded empty seedling boxes may sometimes scatter or fall to the ground during operation.

[0005] Furthermore, when collecting the empty seedling box thus loaded, it is necessary to perform work of reloading or unloading from the rice transplanter, and there is room for improvement in terms of work efficiency.

[0006] Prior art literature

[0007] Patent Literature

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-097230 Summary of the invention

[0009] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a rice transplanter which can prevent an empty seedling box which has been loaded with rice seedlings from falling and can improve the working efficiency.

[0011] Solutions for solving problems

[0012] The rice transplanter of the present invention comprises: a machine body; a seedling planting device connected to the machine body and capable of planting seedlings in the field; a prepared seedling loading platform capable of loading seedlings; and an empty box recovery mechanism for recovering empty seedling boxes, wherein the empty box recovery mechanism is arranged below the prepared seedling loading platform.

[0013] According to the present invention, the empty seedling box is recovered by the empty box recovery mechanism, so there is no need to load the empty seedling box on the machine body. As a result, the seedling box can be prevented from scattering.

[0014] In addition, since the empty box collecting mechanism is arranged below the preliminary seedling placing platform, the seedling box collected by the empty box collecting mechanism can be easily taken out from, for example, a ridge of a field, etc. As a result, the working efficiency can be improved.

[0015] In the present invention, it is preferred that a loading portion for loading seedlings is provided on the upper surface of the prepared seedling loading platform, and the empty box recovery mechanism comprises: an empty box storage portion for storing empty seedling boxes; and a sliding portion, which is arranged in a manner spanning the loading portion and the empty box storage portion for the empty seedling boxes to slide.

[0016] According to this structure, the seedling box can be stored in the empty box storage part using the sliding part, and the operator can easily store the seedling box in the empty box storage part.

[0017] In the present invention, it is preferred that the placing portion has an opening formed so that an empty seedling box can pass therethrough, and the sliding portion is disposed below the opening.

[0018] According to this structure, as long as the empty seedling box is inserted into the opening, the empty seedling box will be guided to the structure of the sliding part. The operator only needs to insert the empty seedling box into the opening to simply collect the empty seedling box into the empty box collection mechanism.

[0019] In the present invention, it is preferable that the rice transplanter includes a driver's seat on which an operator can sit, and the opening is located on the side of the driver's seat in the left-right direction.

[0020] According to this structure, since the opening is arranged at a position close to the driver's seat, the work efficiency of the recovery work of the empty seedling box can be improved.

[0021] In the present invention, it is preferable that the empty box storage portion is arranged on the side opposite to the rice seedling planting device with respect to the sliding portion.

[0022] According to this structure, the empty seedling box is guided to the side opposite to the seedling planting device by the sliding part. Usually, there are a large number of seedling boxes containing seedlings near the seedling planting device. The empty seedling box is guided to the side opposite to the seedling planting device, so the operator can easily distinguish between the seedling box containing seedlings and the empty seedling box.

[0023] In the present invention, preferably, the front end of the empty box storage portion is located at the front end portion of the machine body.

[0024] According to this structure, since the empty box storage part which stores empty seedling boxes is located at the front end part of the machine body, the seedling boxes stored in the empty box storage part can be easily taken out from the ridge of a field or the like.

[0025] In the present invention, it is preferable that a cover body switchable between a closed state and an open state is provided at a front end portion of the empty box storage portion.

[0026] According to this structure, by making the cover body provided at the front end part of the empty box storage part into an open state, the seedling box stored in the empty box storage part can be taken out from the ridge of a field, etc., for example.

[0027] In the present invention, preferably, the cover body is configured to be rotatable about an axis in a width direction of the empty box storing portion, and an upper surface of the cover body in the open state is continuous with a bottom surface of the empty box storing portion.

[0028] According to this structure, the seedling box pulled out from the empty box storage section can be slid directly on the upper surface of the lid body. Thus, the seedling box stored in the empty box storage section can be easily taken out.

[0029] In the present invention, preferably, the cover body has: a first cover body configured to be rotatable around an axis in the width direction of the empty box storage portion; and a second cover body configured to be rotatable around an axis orthogonal to the width direction of the empty box storage portion.

[0030] According to this configuration, since the empty box storage section is widely opened by opening both the first cover body and the second cover body, the empty box can be easily taken out from the empty box storage section.

[0031] In the present invention, it is preferable that the empty box storing section is inclined so as to be located downward toward the front side.

[0032] According to this structure, the seedling box abuts against the front wall portion of the empty box storage portion due to its own weight. As a result, the seedling box is loaded in an orderly state. The operator can take out the seedling box loaded in an orderly state, so it is easy to take out the seedling box.

[0033] In the present invention, it is preferable that the empty box storing portion is arranged in front of the sliding portion, and the sliding portion is inclined so as to be located downward toward the front side.

[0034] According to this structure, the seedling box can be automatically moved to the empty box storage part by the dead weight of the seedling box.

[0035] In the present invention, it is preferable that the inclination angle of the sliding portion is steeper than the inclination of the empty box storing portion.

[0036] According to this structure, the empty box slides strongly toward the empty box storage section at the sliding section. Moreover, the empty box that has reached the empty box storage section can be prevented from staying at the entrance portion of the empty box storage section by the inclination of the empty box storage section.

[0037] In the present invention, it is preferred that there is a supporting frame portion fixed to the main body of the machine and supporting the seedling loading platform, and the seedling loading platform has: a first part fixed to the supporting frame portion; and a second part rotatably supported on the first part, and the sliding portion is located below the second part.

[0038] According to this structure, in the case of a structure in which the sliding part is supported by the second part by rotating the second part, the sliding part and the second part are rotated together to change the posture of the sliding part, thereby making it easy to perform maintenance work on the sliding part. In addition, in the case of a structure in which the sliding part is not supported by the second part, the upper part of the sliding part can be opened, and in the case of this structure, it is also easy to perform maintenance work on the sliding part. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Figure 1 It is a side view of the rice transplanter.

[0040] Figure 2 It is a top view of the rice transplanter.

[0041] Figure 3 It is the front view of the rice transplanter.

[0042] Figure 4 It is a side view of the stand for placing seedlings.

[0043] Figure 5 It is a front view showing the structure of the receiving portion.

[0044] Figure 6 It is a diagram showing the structure of the human operation unit.

[0045] Figure 7 It is a diagram showing the structure of the locking mechanism.

[0046] Figure 8 It is a perspective view showing the structure of the first anti-fall mechanism.

[0047] Fig. 9 It is a top view showing the structure of the first anti-fall mechanism.

[0048] Fig.10 It is a rear view showing the structure of the second anti-fall mechanism.

[0049] Fig.11 It is a front view showing the structure of the empty box recovery mechanism.

[0050] Fig.12 It is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the empty box recovery mechanism.

[0051] Description of Reference Numerals

[0052] 3: machine body; 6: seedling planting device; 15: driver's seat; 16: pillar (support frame part); 31: lower section of prepared seedling loading platform (prepared seedling loading platform); 31A: first part; 31Ac: loading part; 31B: second part; 70: empty box recovery mechanism; 71: empty box storage part; 72: sliding part; 73: opening; 74: cover body; 74A: first cover body; 74B: second cover body. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] The embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. It should be noted that in the following description, unless otherwise specified, the direction of the arrow F in the drawings is set to "front", the direction of the arrow B is set to "rear", the direction of the arrow L is set to "left", and the direction of the arrow R is set to "right". In addition, the direction of the arrow U in the drawings is set to "upward", and the direction of the arrow D is set to "downward".

[0054] [About the overall structure of the rice transplanter]

[0055] Hereinafter, the riding type rice transplanter (an example of a "rice transplanter") of this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 As shown, the riding type rice transplanter is supported by a link mechanism 4 at the rear of a machine body 3 having right and left front wheels 1 and right and left rear wheels 2. The link mechanism 4 extends rearward and is configured to be able to rotate up and down. A hydraulic cylinder 5 is provided on the link mechanism 4 for lifting and lowering the link mechanism 4.

[0056] The riding rice transplanter is provided with a rice seedling planting device 6 connected to the rear of the machine body 3 and capable of planting rice seedlings in the field. The rice seedling planting device 6 is supported at the rear of the link mechanism 4. A fertilizer application device 7 for supplying fertilizer to the field surface is provided at the rear of the machine body 3. A land preparation device 8 for preparing the field surface is supported at the lower part of the front side of the rice seedling planting device 6.

[0057] A bucket 20 for storing fertilizer is provided on the upper side of the fertilizing device 7. In the present embodiment, a bracket 21 capable of storing the seedling taking plate SB is provided on the left side of the bucket 20.

[0058] like Figure 1 As shown, a transmission case 9 is arranged at the front of the machine body 3. A support frame 10 extending forward is connected to the transmission case 9. An engine (not shown) is supported by the support frame 10. A hood 11 covering the engine is provided at the front of the machine body 3.

[0059] A floor panel 14 is provided so as to extend from the right and left sides of the hood 11 to the rear side of the hood 11. An operator's seat 15 is arranged on the upper portion of the rear portion of the floor panel 14, where an operator can sit.

[0060] like Figures 1 to 3As shown, a plurality of seedling loading platforms capable of loading seedling boxes (hereinafter referred to as "seedlings" and "seedling boxes") containing seedling mats are arranged on the upper right and left parts of the main body 3. The plurality of seedling loading platforms are fixed to the main body 3 and supported by a pair of front and rear pillars 16 (an example of a "support frame portion") extending in the up-down direction. The front pillar 16 is erected upward from the engine support frame of the main body 3. The rear pillar 16 is erected upward from the portion above the front wheel 1 of the main body 3.

[0061] It should be noted that the pillars 16 are provided on the left and right. The support member 12 is connected so as to span the upper parts of the right and left pillars 16. The antenna unit 13 that can obtain the position information of the body 3 using the satellite positioning system is provided at the portion of the support member 12 located at the left and right center of the body 3. The satellite positioning system (GNSS: Global Navigation Satellite System) can be represented by GPS (Global Positioning System: Global Positioning System).

[0062] [Regarding the structure of the stand for placing seedlings]

[0063] like Figure 4 As shown, on the two lateral sides of the main body 3 of the machine body, there are multiple prepared seedling loading platforms, which include: a lower prepared seedling loading platform 31 (an example of a "prepared seedling loading platform"), located at the lowermost stage; an upper prepared seedling loading platform 32, located at the uppermost stage; and a rotating prepared seedling loading platform 33, which is constructed to be able to change its position to a position between the lower prepared seedling loading platform 31 and the upper prepared seedling loading platform 32 and a position in front of the lower prepared seedling loading platform 31.

[0064] On the bottom plate 14, right and left passages are formed between the hood 11 and the right side multiple seedling preparation loading platforms and between the hood 11 and the left side multiple seedling preparation loading platforms. The operator can move from the machine body 3 to the ridge, or enter the machine body 3 from the ridge, through the right or left passage.

[0065] [About the structure of the lower stage seedling placement platform]

[0066] The lower stage prepared seedling loading platform 31 comprises: a first part 31A fixed to the support column 16; and a second part 31B supported by the first part 31A in a rotatable manner. The first part 31A comprises a lower stage first frame 31Aa and a lower stage first main body 31Ab. The second part 31B comprises a lower stage second frame 31Ba and a lower stage second main body 31Bb. A loading portion 31Ac for loading the seedlings is provided on the upper surface of the first part 31A, and a loading portion 31Bc for loading the seedlings is provided on the upper surface of the second part 31B. It should be noted that the first part 31A and the second part 31B are respectively constructed to be substantially the same size as the seedling box, and are constructed to be able to load the seedling box.

[0067] like Figure 2 and Figure 8 As shown, a plurality of rollers 34 are provided in the loading section 31Ac of the first part 31A and the loading section 31Bc of the second part 31B, and the rollers 34 are configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis along the width direction of the lower stage seedling loading platform 31. The rollers 34 are arranged at intervals in the long side direction of the lower stage seedling loading platform 31. The seedling box loaded on the loading section 31Ac and the loading section 31Bc is loaded on the rollers 34, and can smoothly move on the loading section 31Ac and the loading section 31Bc by the rotation of the rollers 34.

[0068] like Figure 4 As shown, the lower first frame 31Aa is fixed to the support column 16. The lower first body 31Ab is fixed to the lower first frame 31Aa. The lower second frame 31Ba is supported at the rear end of the lower first frame 31Aa in a manner that it can rotate around the rotation axis P1. The rotation axis P1 is configured to extend in the width direction of the lower seedling placement platform 31. The lower second body 31Bb is fixed to the lower second frame 31Ba.

[0069] By this structure, the lower seedling placement platform 31 is configured to be switchable as follows: Figure 4 The expanded state as shown by the solid line in the front-rear direction and the Figure 4 The folded state is as shown by the double-dashed line. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in the unfolded state, the rear end of the second portion 31B is located behind the front end of the driver's seat 15. In the folded state, the placement portion 31Ac of the first portion 31A faces the placement portion 31Bc of the second portion 31B.

[0070] [About the structure of the upper seedling placement platform]

[0071] like Figure 2 As Figure 4As shown, the upper seedling placement platform 32 is supported by the front and rear pillars 16 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis P2 extending in the front-rear direction. A placement portion for placing the seedlings is provided on the upper surface of the upper seedling placement platform 32. Figure 2 As shown, in a plan view, the direction in which the rotation axis P2 of the upper stage reserve seedling placement table 32 extends intersects with the direction in which the rotation axis P1 of the second portion 31B extends.

[0072] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown by the solid line in the middle, the upper stage seedling placement platform 32 is substantially horizontal, and when it is in a state of use for placing seedlings, the upper stage seedling placement platform 32 is located within the rotation range SR of the second portion 31B. Therefore, by manual operation, the upper stage seedling placement platform 32 is rotated upward, thereby Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown by the two-dot chain line, the second portion 31B can be switched to an avoidance state outside the rotation range SR. That is, the upper seedling placement table 32 is supported by the support column 16 in a rotatable manner, and is configured to be switchable between a use state and an avoidance state.

[0073] [About the structure of the rotating stand for preparing seedlings]

[0074] The rotating seedling placement platform 33 includes a rotating frame 33a and a rotating seedling placement body 33b. The rotating seedling placement platform 33 is rotatably supported by the lower seedling placement platform 31 via a position changing mechanism 40. The rotating seedling placement platform 33 includes a placement portion 33c on which a rice seedling is placed on its upper surface.

[0075] The placing portion 33c of the rotating seedling placing platform 33 is provided with a plurality of rollers 34, similarly to the lower seedling placing platform 31, and the rollers are configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis along the width direction of the rotating seedling placing platform 33. The rollers 34 are arranged at intervals in the long side direction of the rotating seedling placing platform 33. The seedling box placed on the placing portion 33c is placed on the rollers 34, and can be smoothly moved on the placing portion 33c by the rotation of the rollers 34.

[0076] The position changing mechanism 40 has a link member provided so as to straddle the lower seedling placement platform 31 fixed to the support column 16 and the rotating seedling placement platform 33. Figure 4 As shown by the solid line in the middle, the rotating seedling placement platform 33 is located at a vertical rotation position arranged in the vertical direction with the lower seedling placement platform 31, thereby becoming a first state. Figure 4As shown by the double-dotted line, the rotating stand 33 for preparing seedlings is located in a front-to-back rotation position aligned with the lower stand 31 for preparing seedlings in the front-to-back direction, thereby becoming the second state. That is, the rotating stand 33 for preparing seedlings is configured to be positionally changeable between the first state and the second state through the position changing mechanism 40. It should be noted that when in the up-down rotation position, the rotating stand 33 for preparing seedlings is located above the lower stand 31 for preparing seedlings.

[0077] The link member supports the rotating seedling carrier 33 so that it can rotate between the first state (up and down rotation position) and the second state (front and back rotation position). In this embodiment, three link members are arranged in a manner spanning the rotating frame 33a and the lower first frame 31Aa. Figure 4 As shown, link member 41a, link member 41b and link member 41c are provided.

[0078] The link member 41a is mounted on the lateral outer side of the lower seedling loading platform 31 and the rotating seedling loading platform 33 in the left-right direction of the machine body 3. The link member 41a is provided so as to span a portion of the rotating frame 33a corresponding to the rear portion of the rotating seedling loading platform 33 and a portion of the lower first frame 31Aa corresponding to the front portion of the first portion 31A.

[0079] The link member 41b is mounted on the lateral outer side of the lower seedling loading platform 31 and the rotating seedling loading platform 33 in the left-right direction of the machine body 3, and is mounted behind the link member 41b. The link member 41b is provided so as to span a portion of the rotating frame 33a corresponding to the rear end portion of the rotating seedling loading platform 33 and a portion of the lower first frame 31Aa corresponding to the rear side portion of the first portion 31A.

[0080] The link member 41c is mounted on the machine body 3 side of the lower seedling placement platform 31 and the rotating seedling placement platform 33. The link member 41c is provided so as to span a portion of the rotating frame 33a corresponding to the front-rear center portion of the rotating seedling placement platform 33 and a portion of the lower first frame 31Aa corresponding to the front end portion of the first portion 31A.

[0081] Link member 41a, link member 41b and link member 41c are assembled to be roughly parallel with side view. Through these structures, rotation seedling placement platform 33 is configured to rotate between the upper and lower rotation positions and the front and rear rotation positions in the state of being kept horizontal, in the mode of describing an arc.

[0082] like Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the support 16 is provided with a receiving portion 42 that limits excessive rotation of the rotating seedling placement platform 33 and the three link members in the first state (up and down rotation position). The receiving portion 42 is composed of a rod-shaped member and is rotatably arranged in a manner spanning the front and rear support 16.

[0083] like Figure 5 As shown, the support column 16 is provided with a stopper 43 for supporting the receiving portion 42 at the vertical rotation position. Figure 5 As shown by the solid line, when the receiving portion 42 is supported by the blocking portion 43 , the receiving portion 42 extends laterally outward from the support column 16 .

[0084] When the receiving portion 42 is supported on the blocking portion 43, the receiving portion 42 extends in the left-right direction of the machine body 3 to the outside of the edge of the rotating seedling stand 33 on the machine body 3 side, that is, to a position below the rotating seedling stand 33. With this structure, the receiving portion 42 receives and supports the rotating seedling stand 33 in the vertically rotating position from below.

[0085] like Figure 5 As shown by the middle arrow, the receiving portion 42 is rotated upward by manual operation, and when the receiving portion 42 is rotated so that the receiving portion 42 is located closer to the machine body 3 than the blocking portion 43, the receiving portion 42 becomes a state that does not support the rotating seedling placement platform 33. At this time, even if the second portion 31B is rotated, it will not collide with the receiving portion 42, so the lower seedling placement platform 31 can be switched between the unfolded state and the folded state.

[0086] Through this structure, the position change mechanism 40 in this embodiment realizes the position change as follows: in the first state, the lower section of the seedling carrier 31, the upper section of the seedling carrier 32 and the rotating seedling carrier 33 are configured to be separated by a specified interval in the up and down direction; and in the second state, the lower section of the seedling carrier 31 and the rotating seedling carrier 33 are configured to be in a row in the front and back direction.

[0087] [About the structure of the human operation unit]

[0088] like Figure 3 As shown, the position changing mechanism 40 includes a manual operation unit 44 for switching the vertical rotation position and the front-back rotation position by manual operation. Figure 6 As shown, the manual operation portion 44 includes a long rod member 45 provided at an end portion of the link member 41 c on the lower first frame 31Aa side.

[0089] like Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, the manual operation unit 44 includes a locking mechanism 46 for fixing the position of the rotating seedling placement platform 33 at the vertical rotation position and the front-back rotation position. The locking mechanism 46 includes a locked member 47 fixed to the front side portion of the lower first frame 31Aa of the lower seedling placement platform 31.

[0090] The link member 41c is connected to the locked member 47 in a manner that allows rotation around the rotation axis P3. It should be noted that one end of the link member 41c is rotatably connected to the rotating frame 33a (see Figure 4 ), the other end of the link member 41c is provided with a locking mechanism 46. The link member 41c is supported by a locking member 47 via a rotating shaft at a position away from a predetermined distance from the end of one side of the link member 41c where the locking mechanism 46 is provided.

[0091] Two locking holes 50 through which locking members 49 described later are inserted are formed in the locked member 47 .

[0092] The locking mechanism 46 includes a locking member 49 inserted into the locking hole 50 and an operating member 51 composed of a rod-shaped member provided at the end portion of the rod member 45. The locking member 49 is formed by bending the rod-shaped member into a U-shape. The locking member 49 is configured such that a straight portion on one side of the U-shape is inserted into the locking hole 50. The locking member 49 is provided with a spring 52 for urging the locking member 49 toward the locking hole 50.

[0093] The operation member 51 is provided to extend from the rod member 45 toward the inner side of the U-shaped locking member 49. Figure 7 By rotating the lever member 45 about the axis P4 extending in the extending direction of the lever member 45 as indicated by the arrow, the locking member 49 can be pulled out of the locking hole 50 .

[0094] The rod member 45 is fixed to the end portion of the lower stage seedling placement platform 31 side in the link member 41c via the locking mechanism 46. By manually operating the rod member 45, the link member 41c is rotated to switch the rotation seedling placement platform 33 to the vertical rotation position and the front-back rotation position. Two locking holes 50 are formed in the locked member 47 at the positions corresponding to the positions of the locking member 49 when respectively operated to the vertical rotation position and the front-back rotation position. By inserting the locking member 49 into the locking holes 50, it becomes a fixed state in which the position is fixed to the vertical rotation position and the front-back rotation position.

[0095] As described above, by rotating the rod member 45 around the axis P4 extending in the extending direction of the rod member 45, the locking member 49 can be pulled out from the locking hole 50 by the operating member 51, and the rotating seedling placement platform 33 can be switched to an unlocked state in which the position can be switched to the up-and-down rotation position and the front-and-back rotation position. That is, by manually operating the manual operation part 44, the switching operation of the rotating seedling placement platform 33 to the up-and-down rotation position and the front-and-back rotation position and the switching operation to the fixed state and the unlocked state can be performed.

[0096] The rotated lever member 45 returns to the original position due to the urging force of the spring 52 and the urging force of the spring 53 provided on the lever member 45 , and the locking member 49 is inserted into the locking hole 50 .

[0097] [About the structure of the first anti-fall mechanism]

[0098] like Figure 8 and Fig. 9 As shown, the lower stage seedling placement platform 31 is provided with a first anti-falling mechanism 60 for preventing the seedlings from falling from the lower stage seedling placement platform 31 in the up-down rotation position. The first anti-falling mechanism 60 comprises: an anti-falling portion 61 for preventing the seedlings from falling; a pressing operation portion 62 for operating the anti-falling portion 61 to a preventing state for preventing the seedlings from falling and a non-preventing state for releasing the seedling anti-falling function; and a force applying member 63 for applying force to the anti-falling portion 61 toward the preventing state.

[0099] The anti-falling part 61 and the pressing operation part 62 are composed of an integral rod-shaped member. The anti-falling part 61 and the pressing operation part 62 are arranged at the front side part of the front end of the lower first body 31Ab in the lower first frame 31Aa, and can rotate around the axis extending in the width direction of the lower seedling placement platform 31.

[0100] The anti-fall lower portion 61 is formed in an inverted U shape. In the prevention state, the upper end of the anti-fall lower portion 61 is located above the height corresponding to the loading surface of the seedling box of the lower stage seedling loading platform 31. When the seedlings move forward toward the front end of the lower stage seedling loading platform 31, the seedlings abut against the anti-fall lower portion 61. Thus, the seedlings can be prevented from falling from the front of the lower stage seedling loading platform 31.

[0101] The pressing operation part 62 is located on the lateral outer side of the anti-falling part 61. When the rotating seedling-preparation loading platform 33 is rotated from the up-down rotating position to the front-back rotating position, the rotating frame 33a presses the pressing operation part 62 downward. When the pressing operation part 62 is pressed, the pressing operation part 62 and the anti-falling part 61 rotate integrally. The anti-falling part 61 is in a posture in which the upper end of the anti-falling part 61 is located below the height corresponding to the loading surface of the lower section seedling-preparation loading platform 31. By the pressing operation of the rotating seedling-preparation loading platform 33, the first anti-falling mechanism 60 can release the seedling anti-falling function, so that the seedlings can slide over the loading part 31Ac of the lower section seedling-preparation loading platform 31 and the loading surface of the rotating seedling-preparation loading platform 33.

[0102] When the rotating seedling placement platform 33 is rotated from the vertical rotation position to the front-back rotation position, that is, when the rotating frame 33a is rotated in the direction away from the pressing operation part 62, the pressing operation part 62 and the anti-falling part 61 are rotated by the force applied by the force applying member 63. As a result, the upper end of the anti-falling part 61 returns to the original position, that is, it is located above the height corresponding to the loading surface of the lower stage seedling placement platform 31, and can prevent the seedlings from falling.

[0103] [About the structure of the second anti-fall mechanism]

[0104] like Fig.10 As shown, the rear end portion of the rotating seedling loading platform 33 is provided with a second anti-falling mechanism 64 for preventing the seedlings from falling from the rear end of the rotating seedling loading platform 33 in the up and down rotation position. The second anti-falling mechanism 64 is composed of a rod-shaped member and is set to be rotatable around an axis extending in the width direction of the rotating seedling loading platform 33.

[0105] The second fall prevention mechanism 64 includes a main body 64A whose central portion is formed in an inverted U shape, and an operating portion 64B extending downward from the main body 64A and integrally formed with the main body 64A in a state of preventing the seedling from falling.

[0106] In the vertical rotation position, the second anti-falling mechanism 64 is in a posture where the upper end of the inverted U-shape of the main body 64A protrudes upwards by the weight of the operating part 64B, which is higher than the height corresponding to the loading part 33c of the rotating seedling loading platform 33. Moreover, when the seedlings abut against the main body 64A, the second anti-falling mechanism 64 rotates, but the operating part 64B abuts against the rotating seedling loading body 33b, etc., thereby preventing excessive rotation. In this way, the seedlings are prevented from falling from the rotating seedling loading platform 33.

[0107] When the rotating seedling stand 33 rotates from the vertical rotation position to the front-back rotation position, the operating part 64B abuts against the first part 31A, and thus rotates upward. By rotating the operating part 64B, the main body 64A is in a posture where the upper end of the inverted U-shape of the main body 64A is located below the height corresponding to the loading part 33c of the rotating seedling stand 33. As a result, the second anti-falling mechanism 64 can release the seedling anti-falling function, allowing the seedlings to slide over the loading surfaces of the lower seedling stand 31 and the rotating seedling stand 33.

[0108] [About the structure of the empty container collection mechanism]

[0109] like Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the machine body 3 is provided with an empty box recovery mechanism 70 for recovering an empty seedling box. The empty box recovery mechanism 70 is arranged below the lower stage reserve seedling loading platform 31. The empty box recovery mechanism 70 has: an empty box storage part 71 for storing an empty seedling box; and a sliding part 72 for sliding the empty seedling box.

[0110] like Figure 2 As shown, an opening 73 through which an empty seedling box can pass is formed in the front part of the loading portion 31Bc of the second part 31B. The opening 73 is located to the side of the left-right direction of the driver's seat 15. The length of the opening 73 in the long side direction of the second part 31B is smaller than the interval between the rollers 34. In addition, the width of the opening 73 is the same size as the width of the loading portion 31Bc, and the opening 73 is formed in a rectangular shape. Here, the loading portion 31Bc is configured to be approximately the same size as the seedling box, and is configured to be able to load the seedling box. The distance from the rear end of the second part 31B to the opening 73 is configured to be shorter than the length of the long side of the seedling box.

[0111] The sliding portion 72 fixed to the lower second frame 31Ba of the second portion 31B is arranged below the opening 73. The sliding portion 72 is formed by combining rod-shaped members. The sliding portion 72 is located below the second portion 31B and is provided so as to straddle the loading portion 31Bc and the empty box storage portion 71 of the second portion 31B. The sliding portion 72 extends from the rear side of the opening 73 in the second portion 31B toward the front, and is inclined so as to be located downward as it approaches the front side.

[0112] like Figure 4 and Fig.11 As shown in the figure, the empty box storage part 71 fixed to the support 16 is arranged in front of the sliding part 72. Specifically, the empty box storage part 71 is arranged in a manner such that the rear end portion of the empty box storage part 71 is located below the front end portion of the sliding part 72. With this structure, the empty box storage part 71 is arranged in a position relative to the sliding part 72 and in contact with the rice seedling planting device 6 (see Figure 1 ) structure on the opposite side.

[0113] The empty box storage section 71 is formed by combining rod-shaped members and is formed as a box body with an open top. The front wall of the empty box storage section 71 is formed so as to be manually openable and closable. That is, the front end portion of the empty box storage section 71 is provided with a cover body 74 that can be switched between a closed state and an open state. In addition, the empty box storage section 71 is inclined in a manner that the closer to the front side, the lower it is. The inclination of the sliding portion 72 is formed so as to be steeper than the inclination of the empty box storage section 71. The front end of the empty box storage section 71 is located at the front end portion of the machine body 3.

[0114] The cover 74 is configured to be rotatable about the axis in the width direction of the empty box storage portion 71. Figure 4 As shown by the solid line, the cover body 74 extends upward from the front end portion of the empty box storage portion 71 in the closed state when viewed from the side, and then bends and extends toward the rear.

[0115] like Fig.11 As shown, an abutting member 75 is provided at the front end portion of the empty box storage portion 71, which abuts against the cover body 74 in the closed state and the open state. The abutting member 75 is composed of a rod-shaped member and is formed into a C-shape. The portion near the rotation axis in the right side portion of the cover body 74 is located on the inner side of the C-shape of the abutting member 75. With this structure, when the cover body 74 is in the closed state, the cover body 74 abuts against the upper side portion of the C-shape of the abutting member 75, and when the cover body 74 is in the open state, the cover body 74 abuts against the lower side portion of the C-shape of the abutting member 75.

[0116] A spring 76 is provided so as to straddle the bottom of the empty box storage section 71 and the cover 74. The spring 76 applies force to the side of the C-shaped inner side of the contact member 75 that the cover 74 contacts when the cover 74 is in the closed state and the open state. With this structure, the cover 74 is configured to be manually opened and closed, and is a structure that is maintained in the closed state and the open state.

[0117] like Figure 4 As shown by the double-dotted line, the rear side (axial side) of the upper surface of the cover body 74 in the open state is continuous with the bottom surface of the empty box storage section 71. According to this structure, the seedling box pulled out from the empty box storage section 71 can slide directly on the upper surface of the cover body. When the cover body 74 is in the open state, it extends forward, then bends and extends upward.

[0118] [Another embodiment]

[0119] Hereinafter, another embodiment obtained by modifying the above-described embodiment will be described as an example.

[0120] (1) In the above embodiment, the empty box recovery mechanism 70 is configured to be arranged below the lower stage seedling placement platform 31, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can also be arranged below the upper stage seedling placement platform 32 and the rotating seedling placement platform 33.

[0121] (2) In the above embodiment, the empty box recovery mechanism 70 is described as having an empty box storage section 71 for storing empty seedling boxes. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the empty seedling boxes may be placed on the bottom plate 14.

[0122] (3) In the above embodiment, the empty box recovery mechanism 70 is described as having a sliding portion 72 for sliding the empty seedling box, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be configured without the sliding portion 72. In this case, for example, the empty box recovery mechanism 70 may be configured to have an empty box storage portion 71 below the lower stage reserve seedling placement table 31, and the empty seedling box is directly stored in the empty box storage portion 71 from the lower stage reserve seedling placement table 31. In addition, a conveying device for conveying the seedling box to the empty box storage portion 71 may be provided instead of the sliding portion 72.

[0123] (4) In the above embodiment, the structure in which the opening 73 is formed in the lower stage reserve seedling placement table 31 is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and a structure in which the opening 73 is not formed in the lower stage reserve seedling placement table 31 may be adopted. In this case, for example, a structure including a slide portion 72 configured to allow an empty seedling box to be dropped from a lower portion of the lower stage reserve seedling placement table 31 may be adopted.

[0124] (5) In the above embodiment, the opening 73 is formed in a rectangular shape as an example, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be formed in an elliptical shape, for example. In addition, the opening 73 may be formed so that the opening on the back of the lower stage seedling placement table 31 is located in front of the opening on the placement portion 31Bc side of the lower stage seedling placement table 31, that is, the opening has an inclined surface that is inclined downward as it approaches the front side.

[0125] (6) In the above embodiment, the structure in which the opening 73 is located on the left and right sides of the driver's seat 15 is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, a structure in which the opening 73 is located on the left and right sides of the hood 11 may also be adopted.

[0126] (7) In the above-mentioned embodiment, the structure in which the empty box storage portion 71 is arranged on the side opposite to the seedling planting device 6 relative to the sliding portion 72 is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, a structure in which the empty box storage portion 71 is located on the same side as the seedling planting device 6 relative to the sliding portion 72 may also be adopted.

[0127] (8) In the above-mentioned embodiment, the structure in which the front end of the empty box storage section 71 is located at the front end part of the main body 3 of the machine body is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, a structure in which the front end of the empty box storage section 71 is located on the left and right side of the driver's seat 15 may also be adopted.

[0128] (9) In the above-mentioned embodiment, the structure in which the front end portion of the empty box storage portion 71 has a cover body 74 is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and a structure in which the rear end portion of the empty box storage portion 71 has a cover body 74, or a structure without a cover body 74 may also be adopted.

[0129] (10) In the above embodiment, the cover 74 is configured to be rotatable around the axis in the width direction of the empty box storage portion 71. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the cover 74 may be configured to be rotatable around an axis extending in the front-rear direction of the machine body 3. Fig.12 As shown, a structure may be adopted in which the cover body 74 is provided at two locations, namely, the front end portion of the empty box storage portion 71 and the lateral outer side in the width direction of the empty box storage portion 71. That is, a structure may be adopted in which the cover body 74 has a first cover body 74A and a second cover body 74B, wherein the first cover body 74A is configured to be rotatable around the axis in the width direction of the empty box storage portion 71, and the second cover body 74B is configured to be rotatable around the axis orthogonal to the width direction of the empty box storage portion 71. In addition, in this case, the first cover body 74A and the second cover body 74B are connected by a spring or the like, so that the cover bodies 74 at both locations may be opened by opening and closing either one of the first cover body 74A and the second cover body 74B.

[0130] (11) In the above embodiment, the cover body 74 is constructed as a structure that can be opened and closed manually. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the cover body 74 can also be constructed to be switchable between a closed state and an open state by driving a motor or the like.

[0131] (12) In the above-mentioned embodiment, the structure in which the empty box storage portion 71 and the sliding portion 72 are inclined in a manner that they are located downward as they are closer to the front side is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and a structure in which the empty box storage portion 71 and the sliding portion 72 are inclined in a manner that they are located downward as they are closer to the rear side may also be adopted.

[0132] (13) In the above embodiment, the structure in which the sliding portion 72 is located below the second portion 31B is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and a structure in which the sliding portion 72 is not located below the second portion 31B but is located below the first portion 31A may also be adopted.

[0133] (14) The first and second anti-falling mechanisms 60 and 64 may be configured to be operated by a direct human operator to be in a prevention state for preventing the seedlings from falling and a non-prevention state for releasing the seedling anti-falling function.

[0134] It should be noted that the structure disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiment (including another embodiment, the same below) can be combined and applied with the structure disclosed in other embodiments as long as no contradiction occurs. In addition, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are examples, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto, and can be appropriately changed within the scope of the purpose of the present invention.

[0135] Industrial Applicability

[0136] The present invention can be applied to a rice transplanter provided with a plurality of standby seedling placement tables.

Claims

1. A rice transplanter, characterized in that: have: The main body of the machine; A rice seedling planting device, connected to the main body of the machine and capable of planting rice seedlings in the field; A seedling loading platform is provided to load the seedlings; and Empty box recycling mechanism, recycling empty seedling boxes, The empty box recovery mechanism is arranged below the reserve seedling placement platform.

2. The rice transplanter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper surface of the standby seedling placement platform is provided with a placement portion for placing the seedlings. The empty box collection mechanism comprises: an empty box storage portion for storing an empty seedling box; and a sliding portion, which is arranged to straddle the placement portion and the empty box storage portion, and allows the empty seedling box to slide.

3. The rice transplanter according to claim 2, characterized in that: The placing portion is provided with an opening formed in a manner that an empty seedling box can pass through. The sliding portion is arranged below the opening.

4. The rice transplanter according to claim 3, characterized in that: The rice transplanter is provided with a driver's seat on which an operator can sit. The opening is located on the side of the driver's seat in the left-right direction.

5. The rice transplanter according to claim 2, characterized in that: The empty box storage portion is arranged on the side opposite to the rice seedling planting device with respect to the sliding portion.

6. The rice transplanter according to claim 2, characterized in that: The front end of the empty box storage portion is located at the front end portion of the machine body.

7. The rice transplanter according to claim 6, characterized in that: A cover body switchable between a closed state and an open state is provided at a front end portion of the empty box storage portion.

8. The rice transplanter according to claim 7, characterized in that: The cover body is configured to be rotatable about the axis in the width direction of the empty box storage portion. The upper surface of the cover body in the open state is continuous with the bottom surface of the empty box storing portion.

9. The rice transplanter according to claim 7, characterized in that: The cover body includes: a first cover body configured to be rotatable around an axis in the width direction of the empty box storage portion; and a second cover body configured to be rotatable around an axis orthogonal to the width direction of the empty box storage portion.

10. The rice transplanter according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that: The empty box storage portion is inclined so as to be located downward toward the front side.

11. The rice transplanter according to claim 10, characterized in that: The empty box storage portion is arranged in front of the sliding portion. The sliding portion is inclined so as to be positioned downward as it moves toward the front side.

12. The rice transplanter according to claim 11, characterized in that: The inclination of the sliding portion is steeper than the inclination of the empty box storing portion.

13. The rice transplanter according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that: A supporting frame portion is provided which is fixed to the machine body and supports the seedling placement platform. The seedling placement platform includes: a first portion fixed to the support frame portion; and a second portion rotatably supported by the first portion. The sliding portion is located below the second portion.

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