Transplanting machine

Abstract

The invention provides a transplanting machine which is provided with a multi-sheet guiding-out and laying mechanism and can easily plant seedlings even in a dry field with hard soil. The transplanter comprises: a traveling machine body; a planting part which is connected to the rear of the traveling machine body in a freely lifting manner; and a multi-sheet guiding-out and laying mechanism for guiding out the plurality of sheets and laying the sheets on the surface of the soil. The planting part is provided with a seedling planting mechanism for planting seedlings in the soil from above the plurality of sheets. The transplanting machine is provided with a sheet lower acting body, and the sheet lower acting body forms furrows for planting seedlings in the soil below the plurality of sheets along with the traveling of the traveling machine body before the seedlings are planted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a transplanter. Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses the following rice transplanter: a multi-sheet export and laying mechanism is provided at the rear of a traveling body, and a planting part having a seedling planting mechanism is provided to be able to move up and down. In addition, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses the following transplanter: a film cutting device is installed on a planting rod related to the lifting of transplanting claws. The film cutting device is provided for making holes in a multi-film (hereinafter uniformly referred to as "multi-sheet"). The seedlings are planted through the above holes by using the transplanting claws.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-147846

[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 7-19249 Summary of the Invention

[0007] Regarding the planting of seedlings (rice seedlings) by a rice transplanter, since the seedlings are planted in a flat paddy field, the field (soil) is soft. Therefore, it is possible to export a multi-sheet made of paper sheets as in Patent Document 1 and use a seedling planting mechanism to pierce the multi-sheet and plant the seedlings in the soil.

[0008] On the other hand, regarding the planting of vegetable seedlings, the seedlings are planted in a dry field with hard soil. Moreover, as the multi-sheet, a plastic film is used from the viewpoints of heat preservation and moisture retention and countermeasures against weeds. Therefore, the structure of the rice transplanter in Patent Document 1 that pierces the multi-sheet and plants the seedlings in the soil is difficult to apply to a transplanter that plants seedlings from above the multi-sheet in a dry field with hard soil.

[0009] On the other hand, regarding the transplanter of Patent Document 2, before planting the seedlings by using the transplanting claws, holes are made in the multi-sheet by using a film cutting device. Therefore, when planting the seedlings, the multi-sheet does not cause any obstruction. However, in Patent Document 2, no research has been conducted on countermeasures in the case of hard soil. That is, regarding the structure of Patent Document 2, it is difficult to plant seedlings in hard soil.

[0010] The present invention has been completed to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a transplanter that is provided with a multi-sheet export and laying mechanism and can easily plant seedlings even in a dry field with hard soil.

[0011] One aspect of the present invention relates to a transplanter including: a traveling body; a planting unit connected to the rear of the traveling body so as to be vertically movable; and a multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism that feeds and lays multiple sheets on the surface of the soil. The planting unit includes a seedling planting mechanism that plants seedlings on the soil from above the multiple sheets. The transplanter includes a sheet lower acting body that forms a ridge for planting seedlings in the soil below the multiple sheets as the traveling body travels before planting the seedlings.

[0012] Advantages of the Invention

[0013] According to the above structure, a multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism is provided, enabling easy planting of seedlings even in dry fields with hard soil. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 FIG. is a side view showing a schematic structure of a transplanter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 FIG. is a side view of the planting unit of the above transplanter.

[0016] Figure 3 FIG. is a rear view of the seedling placement device of the above planting unit as viewed from the rear.

[0017] Figure 4 FIG. is a side view of the seedling planting mechanism of the above planting unit.

[0018] Figure 5 FIG. is an enlarged perspective view showing the planting unit of the above seedling planting mechanism.

[0019] Figure 6 FIG. is a side view showing a part of the above planting unit.

[0020] Figure 7 FIG. is a perspective view of the planting frame of the above planting unit as viewed from an obliquely rearward direction.

[0021] Figure 8 FIG. is a perspective view of the roll holder of the multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism provided in the above transplanter as viewed from below.

[0022] Figure 9 FIG. is a perspective view of the sheet feeding guide of the above multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism as viewed from the front.

[0023] Figure 10 FIG. is a perspective view of the pressing mechanism provided in the above transplanter as viewed from an obliquely rearward direction.

[0024] Figure 11 FIG. is a perspective view of the sheet lower acting body provided in the above transplanter as viewed from an obliquely rearward direction.

[0025] Figure 12 It is a perspective view showing the rear side of the furrow opener that magnifies and shows the under-sheet actuator described above.

[0026] Figure 13 It is a perspective view when observing the backfill member of the soil banking mechanism of the under-sheet actuator from the rear.

[0027] Figure 14 It is a top view of the under-sheet actuator described above.

[0028] Figure 15 It is a cross-sectional view when the backfill member is cut along the line A - A'.

[0029] Figure 16 It is a perspective view showing another structure of the under-sheet actuator described above.

[0030] Figure 17 It is a top view when the pressing roller of the pressing mechanism described above is used as the soil banking mechanism.

[0031] Figure 18 It is a top view schematically showing another structure of the pressing mechanism described above.

[0032] Figure 19 It is a top view schematically showing yet another structure of the pressing mechanism described above.

[0033] Figure 20 It is a perspective view schematically showing the structures of the furrow opener and the soil banking mechanism of a modified example applied to a transplanter not equipped with the multi-sheet export and laying mechanism described above.

[0034] Figure 21 It is a top view of the furrow opener and the soil banking mechanism of the above-mentioned modified example.

[0035] Figure 22 It is a perspective view of the soil banking mechanism of the above-mentioned modified example.

[0036] Figure 23 It is an explanatory view schematically showing the timing of pushing out the seedlings from the planting claws of the seedling planting mechanism described above.

[0037] Explanation of reference numerals

[0038] 1... Transplanter; 2... Traveling body; 3... Planting part; 32... Seedling planting mechanism; 33... Planting frame; 36... Multi-sheet export and laying mechanism; 38... Under-sheet actuator; 300... Actuator support part; 381... Furrow opener; 382... Soil banking mechanism; 383... Backfill member (soil banking mechanism); 384... Sheet support part; E... Seedlings; G... Furrow; H... Surface; S... Multi-sheets. Detailed implementation manners

[0039] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in the following description, for convenience, the directions are defined in advance as follows. First, the traveling direction of the traveling body 2 ( Figure 1 to the left side) is set as the front (front direction), and the opposite direction is set as the rear (rear direction). In addition, the left side is called the left (left side) toward the traveling direction of the traveling body 2, and the right side is called the right (right side) toward the traveling direction. In addition, the direction of gravity is set as the vertical direction, the upstream side is set as the upper (upper side), and the downstream side is set as the lower (lower side). In the drawings, as needed, the front is indicated by the symbol "F", the rear is indicated by the symbol "B", the left side is indicated by the symbol "L", the right side is indicated by the symbol "R", the upper side is indicated by the symbol "U", and the lower side is indicated by the symbol "D".

[0040] <1. General situation of the transplanter>

[0041] Figure 1 is a side view showing the schematic structure of the transplanter 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is Figure 1 a side view of the planting part 3 of the transplanter 1. In addition, Figure 2 for convenience, the illustration of the left soil discharging plate 34L, the left lower pressing roller 51L, and the left soil covering plate 52L shown in Figure 1 is omitted. The transplanter 1 of the present embodiment is a vegetable transplanter for transplanting (planting) seedlings of vegetables such as cabbages into the soil. The transplanter 1 includes a traveling body 2 and a planting part 3.

[0042] The traveling body 2 is supported by the left and right front wheels 1a and the left and right rear wheels 1b. An engine 1c as a drive source is mounted on the traveling body 2. The power output from the engine 1c is transmitted to the driven part via the transmission part 1d. In addition to the front wheels 1a and the rear wheels 1b, the driven part also includes the planting part 3 described later. Therefore, the above-mentioned transmission part 1d includes a PTO (Power Take Off) shaft 1d1 for driving the planting part 3 (refer to Figure 2 ).

[0043] The traveling body 2 includes: a seat 2a for the operator to sit on; an operation part 2b operated by the operator; and a preliminary placement part 2c for placing the preliminary seedling mats. The operation part 2b includes: a steering wheel for operating the traveling direction; a gear lever for operating the traveling speed; and an operation lever for operating the planting part 3.

[0044] The planting unit 3 is connected to the rear of the traveling body 2 in a vertically movable manner by means of a lifting mechanism 4. The lifting mechanism 4 includes an upper link 41, a lower link 42, and a lifting cylinder 43. The upper link 41 and the lower link 42 connect the traveling body 2 and the planting unit 3. The lifting cylinder 43 is connected to the lower link 42 by means of a connecting portion 44. For example, by operating the operation unit 2b (operation lever), the lifting cylinder 43 is expanded and contracted, and the lower link 42 is rotated and the upper link 41 is rotated by means of the connecting portion 44. Thereby, the planting unit 3 can be lifted relative to the traveling body 2.

[0045] The planting unit 3 has a seedling placing device 31 and a seedling planting mechanism 32 (see Figure 2 ). The seedling planting mechanism 32 rakes one seedling from the seedling raising mat MT placed on the seedling placing device 31 (see Figure 3 ), and plants the raked seedling on the soil (ridge) from above the plurality of sheets S described later.

[0046] Figure 3 is a rear view of the seedling placing device 31 as viewed from the rear. The seedling placing device 31 conveys the seedling raising mat MT placed on the seedling stage 311 downward by driving a longitudinal conveyor 312 (see Figure 2 ). The transplanting machine 1 of the present embodiment is configured such that six seedling stages 311 for one ridge capable of placing one ridge of the seedling raising mat MT are arranged in the left-right direction, so that seedlings of up to six ridges can be planted. In addition, an example of a structure for planting one ridge of seedlings is shown here for simplicity of explanation.

[0047] The longitudinal conveyor 312 is driven for longitudinal conveyance by a longitudinal conveyance mechanism 313 (see Figure 2 ). The longitudinal conveyance mechanism 313 causes the longitudinal conveyor 312 to perform longitudinal conveyance in units of one plant (one row) at the timing when the raking of the seedlings in one row in the left-right direction from the seedling raising mat MT is completed. Thereby, the seedling planting mechanism 32 can rake the seedlings in the next row from the seedling raising mat MT. In addition, the seedling stage 311 is driven for lateral conveyance by a lateral conveyance mechanism 314 (see Figure 2 ). The lateral conveyance mechanism 314 laterally conveys the seedling stage 311 in either the left or right direction after the longitudinal conveyor 312 longitudinally conveys the seedling raising mat MT. In particular, every time the longitudinal conveyor 312 longitudinally conveys the seedling raising mat MT (every time the raking of the seedlings in one row from the seedling raising mat MT is completed), the lateral conveyance mechanism 314 reverses the lateral conveyance direction of the seedling stage 311. Thereby, the seedling planting mechanism 32 can continuously rake the seedlings in the next row after the raking of the seedlings in one row from the seedling raising mat MT is completed.

[0048] The lateral transfer mechanism 314 has a drive shaft (lateral transfer shaft) for laterally transferring the seedling stage 311. The lateral transfer shaft is driven by the power transmitted from the engine 1c via the PTO shaft 1d1. A drive cam 314a is installed on the lateral transfer shaft. The drive cam 314a rotates together with the rotation of the lateral transfer shaft.

[0049] The longitudinal transfer mechanism 313 has: a drive shaft (longitudinal transfer shaft) for longitudinally driving the longitudinal conveyor belt 312; and a rotating shaft for rotating the longitudinal transfer shaft. A driven cam 313a is installed on the rotating shaft. The driven cam 313a contacts the drive cam 314a of the lateral transfer mechanism 314 at a specified timing. Here, the specified timing refers to the timing when the raking of the seedlings for one row from the seedling-raising mat MT is completed.

[0050] Due to the rotation of the lateral transfer shaft, the drive cam 314a contacts the driven cam 313a at the above-mentioned specified timing. If the rotating shaft is rotated by a specified angle together with the driven cam 313a, the power generated by the rotation of the rotating shaft is transmitted to the longitudinal transfer shaft via a power transmission mechanism (not shown). Thus, the longitudinal conveyor belt 312 is longitudinally driven at the above-mentioned specified timing. When the contact between the drive cam 314a and the driven cam 313a is released, the driven cam 313a rotates in the opposite direction by the action of a biasing member (not shown) and returns to the initial position before rotation. In addition, the above-mentioned power transmission mechanism is configured to include, for example, gears, belts, chains, etc., but it can be provided as needed. That is, it can also be configured to directly transmit the power of the rotating shaft on which the driven cam 313a is installed (without setting a power transmission mechanism) to the longitudinal transfer shaft.

[0051] Figure 4 It is a side view of the seedling planting mechanism 32. The seedling planting mechanism 32 has a rotating box 321 and a planting unit 322. The seedling planting mechanism 32 is driven by the power taken out from the PTO shaft 1d1.

[0052] The rotating box 321 is rotatably supported by the planting box 33a of the planting part 3. The planting box 33a is fixed to the planting frame 33 (especially the rear surface of the post-planting frame 332 (refer to Figure 7 ). The rotation axis 321a of the rotating box 321 extends in the left-right direction.

[0053] The planting unit 322 has planting claws 322a. Two planting units 322 are supported on the rotating box 321. The two planting units 322 are supported on the rotating box 321 at positions that are point-symmetrical with respect to the rotation axis 321a of the rotating box 321 in a side view. When the rotating box 321 rotates, the planting claws 322a of each planting unit 322 are moved from the seedling-raising mat MT (refer to Figure 3)The seedlings are raked one by one in sequence, and the raked seedlings are planted in the ridges in sequence. In addition, the planting unit 322 supported by the rotating box 321 may also be one.

[0054] Figure 5 It is a perspective view showing one planting unit 322 in an enlarged manner. The planting unit 322 also has a pushing member 322b and a holding member 322c. The pushing member 322b is provided to push out the seedlings raked from the seedling raising mat MT by the planting claws 322a. The pushing member 322b slides in the direction opposite to the pushing direction at a prescribed timing before raking. Thereby, the seedlings can be raked from the seedling raising mat MT by the planting claws 322a. The raked seedlings are held by the planting claws 322a and the holding member 322c. Moreover, the pushing member 322b slides in the pushing direction at a prescribed timing before planting. Thereby, the seedlings held by the planting claws 322a and the holding member 322c are pushed out and planted in the ridges.

[0055] The planting unit 322 also has a cutter 322d. The cutter 322d is located on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the rotating box 321 with respect to the planting claws 322a. That is, the cutter 322d forms a positional relationship of reaching the front position earlier than the planting claws 322a when the rotating box 321 rotates. The cutter 322d forms a hole that is rectangular in plan view in the multi-sheet S (refer to Figure 1 、 Figure 2 ) led out from the multi-sheet lead-out laying mechanism 36 just before planting the seedlings with the planting claws 322a. Thereby, the seedlings held by the planting claws 322a and the holding member 322c can be planted in the ridges through the above-mentioned hole of the multi-sheet S. In addition, the sheet piece that closes the above-mentioned hole of the multi-sheet S is not completely separated from the multi-sheet S, and is connected to the surrounding sheets by a part of the outer shape of the above-mentioned hole (one side of the rectangle).

[0056] The cutter 322d has a main body portion 322d1 shaped to bend the flat sheet, and a protruding claw (locking claw) 322d2. The protruding claw 322d2 is provided at the left and right corner portions on the end side (the side that contacts the multi-sheet S) of the main body portion 322d1, and protrudes toward the downstream side in the rotation direction of the rotary box 321 with respect to the main body portion 322d1. That is, the protruding claw 322d2 is formed in a positional relationship such that it reaches the front position with respect to the main body portion 322d1 when the rotary box 321 rotates. Regarding the structure of such a cutter 322d, the sharp claw such as the protruding claw 322d2 contacts the multi-sheet S at an angle (from a direction close to perpendicular to the multi-sheet S). Therefore, the situation where the cutter 322d slides above the multi-sheet S is reduced. That is, the protruding claw 322d2 reliably catches on the multi-sheet S and penetrates the multi-sheet S. As a result, it is possible to reliably make a hole in the multi-sheet S, and it is possible to make a hole in the multi-sheet S with an accurate size and position. In addition, by cutting the multi-sheet S with the two protruding claws 322d2 on the left and right sides, it is possible to make the minimum holes through which the seedlings can pass in the multi-sheet S.

[0057] As Figure 2 shown, a soil discharging plate 34, a planting depth adjusting mechanism 35, a multi-sheet guiding and laying mechanism 36, a pressing mechanism 37, and a sheet lower acting body 38 are supported by the planting frame 33 of the planting section 3. In addition, the multi-sheet guiding and laying mechanism 36, the pressing mechanism 37, and the sheet lower acting body 38 will be described in detail later.

[0058] The soil discharging plate 34 includes a right soil discharging plate 34R and a left soil discharging plate 34L (refer to Figure 1 ). The right soil discharging plate 34R and the left soil discharging plate 34L excavate the soil due to the traveling of the traveling machine body 2 to form ridges for planting seedlings. The mounting positions of the right soil discharging plate 34R and the left soil discharging plate 34L in the left-right direction and the up-down direction with respect to the planting frame 33 can be adjusted according to the width and height of the formed ridges.

[0059] The planting depth adjusting mechanism 35 is a mechanism for adjusting the planting depth of the seedlings with respect to the surface of the soil (here, the upper surface of the ridge). For example, if the planting depth adjusting rod 351 is rotated upward, the position of the lifting sensor 352 in contact with the surface of the soil moves upward. In this case, the position of the seedling planting mechanism 32 with respect to the lifting sensor 352 relatively decreases. Therefore, the planting of the seedlings by the seedling planting mechanism 32 becomes deep planting. On the contrary, if the planting depth adjusting rod 351 is rotated downward, the position of the lifting sensor 352 moves downward. In this case, the position of the seedling planting mechanism 32 with respect to the lifting sensor 352 relatively increases. Therefore, the planting of the seedlings by the seedling planting mechanism 32 becomes shallow planting.

[0060] The lower pressing rollers 51, the soil covering plates 52, and the soil covering wheels 53 are supported by the planting frame 33 with the aid of an auxiliary frame (not shown). The lower pressing rollers 51 include a right lower pressing roller 51R and a left lower pressing roller 51L (see Figure 1 ). The right lower pressing roller 51R and the left lower pressing roller 51L press both ends (the portions exposed to the outside of the ridge) of the multi-sheet S that is led out from the multi-sheet leading and laying mechanism 36 and covers the ridge.

[0061] The soil covering plates 52 include a right soil covering plate 52R and a left soil covering plate 52L (see Figure 1 ). The right soil covering plate 52R and the left soil covering plate 52L cover the soil on both ends of the multi-sheet S pressed by the right lower pressing roller 51R and the left lower pressing roller 51L so as not to let the multi-sheet S fly up. The soil covering wheels 53 include a right soil covering wheel (not shown) and a left soil covering wheel 53L. The right soil covering wheel and the left soil covering wheel 53L press the soil on the right side and the left side of the seedlings planted in the ridge across the multi-sheet S. Thus, the soil is used to reinforce the periphery of the planted seedlings. As a result, the lodging of the seedlings is suppressed.

[0062] <2. Details of the multi-sheet leading and laying mechanism>

[0063] Figure 6 is a side view showing a part of the planting section 3. As shown in this figure, the multi-sheet leading and laying mechanism 36 has a roll holding portion 361 and a sheet leading and guiding portion 362. The roll holding portion 361 holds the roll body S0 in which the multi-sheet S is wound into a roll shape, and leads out the multi-sheet S on the outermost periphery of the roll body S0. The multi-sheet S is made of, for example, a plastic sheet. The sheet leading and guiding portion 362 guides the multi-sheet S led out from the roll holding portion 361 toward the surface H of the soil (ridge) in front of the planting position of the seedlings by the seedling planting mechanism 32 and lays it on the surface H of the soil. That is, the transplanter 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a multi-sheet leading and laying mechanism 36 that leads out and lays the multi-sheet S on the surface H of the soil. The roll holding portion 361 and the sheet leading and guiding portion 362 of the multi-sheet leading and laying mechanism 36 are supported by the planting frame 33. That is, the multi-sheet leading and laying mechanism 36 is provided in the planting section 3.

[0064] Here, the details of the planting frame 33 will be described in advance. Figure 7 is a perspective view when observing the planting frame 33 from the obliquely rear side. The planting frame 33 has a pre-planting frame 331, a post-planting frame 332, and side pipes 333. The pre-planting frame 331 extends in the left-right direction and is located on the front side of the planting frame 33. The post-planting frame 332 extends in the left-right direction and is located at a position more rearward than the pre-planting frame 331. The post-planting frame 332 is longer than the pre-planting frame 331 in the left-right direction.

[0065] The side pipes 333 include a right pipe 333R and a left pipe 333L. The right pipe 333R is arranged to extend in the front-rear direction and connects the right end portion of the pre-planting frame 331 and the post-planting frame 332. The left pipe 333L is arranged to extend in the front-rear direction and connects the left end portion of the pre-planting frame 331 and the post-planting frame 332.

[0066] A right frame 334R is erected at the right end portion of the post-planting frame 332. A left frame 334L is erected at the left end portion of the post-planting frame 332. The right frame 334R and the left frame 334L have a shape that extends upward from the connecting side with the post-planting frame 332 and bends obliquely forward midway. The right frame 334R and the left frame 334L are connected by an upper frame 335 and a cross frame 336. The upper frame 335 extends in the left-right direction and connects the upper portions of the right frame 334R and the left frame 334L to each other. The cross frame 336 is located at a position that is more rearward and more obliquely downward than the upper frame 335 and extends in the left-right direction, and connects the right frame 334R and the left frame 334L. The above-mentioned seedling placing device 31 (refer to Figure 1 etc.) is driven for lateral transfer while maintaining the forward-leaning posture along the upper frame 335 and the cross frame 336.

[0067] Figure 8 It is a perspective view when observing the above-mentioned roll holding portion 361 from below. As shown in this figure, the roll holding portion 361 has a shaft holding frame 361a. The shaft holding frame 361a extends in the left-right direction and holds the axial end portions of the roll body S0. The shaft holding frame 361a is mounted on the pre-planting frame 331 by means of a frame support brace 361b. The frame support brace 361b is connected to the substantially central portion in the left-right direction of the rear surface of the pre-planting frame 331 by, for example, bolt fastening.

[0068] Figure 9 It is a perspective view when observing the above-mentioned sheet discharging guide portion 362 from the front. As shown in this figure, the sheet discharging guide portion 362 has a first guide roller 362a, a second guide roller 362b, and a roller holding frame 362c. The first guide roller 362a is located at a position more forward than the second guide roller 362b and guides the multiple sheets S discharged from the shaft holding frame 361a toward the second guide roller 362b. The second guide roller 362b presses the multiple sheets S guided by the first guide roller 362a downward and guides them in a manner close to the surface H of the soil.

[0069] The roller holding frame 362c includes a right holding frame 362cR and a left holding frame 362cL. The right holding frame 362cR and the left holding frame 362cL have a shape that extends downward from above and bends obliquely backward midway.

[0070] The right holding frame 362cR is respectively disposed on the right sides of the first guide roller 362a and the second guide roller 362b, and supports the right ends of the respective rotating shafts of the first guide roller 362a and the second guide roller 362b so as to be rotatable. The left holding frame 362cL is respectively disposed on the left sides of the first guide roller 362a and the second guide roller 362b, and supports the left ends of the respective rotating shafts of the first guide roller 362a and the second guide roller 362b so as to be rotatable. The first guide roller 362a is supported in a rotatable manner near the bent portions of the right holding frame 362cR and the left holding frame 362cL. The second guide roller 362b is supported in a rotatable manner at the lower ends (rear end portions) of the right holding frame 362cR and the left holding frame 362cL.

[0071] The right holding frame 362cR is mounted on the post-planting frame 332 by means of a right support bar 363R at a position above the first guide roller 362a. The right support bar 363R is connected to the front surface of the post-planting frame 332 by, for example, bolt fastening. Similarly, the left holding frame 362cL is mounted on the post-planting frame 332 by means of a left support bar 363L. The left support bar 363L is connected to the front surface of the post-planting frame 332 by, for example, bolt fastening.

[0072] <3. Details of the pressing mechanism>

[0073] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the pressing mechanism 37 when viewed from obliquely rearward. The pressing mechanism 37 is provided for pressing the multi-sheet S guided by the sheet guiding portion 362 of the multi-sheet export laying mechanism 36 against the surface H of the soil. Such a pressing mechanism 37 has a pressing roller 371 and a roller holding mechanism 372.

[0074] Two pressing rollers 371 are arranged and disposed in the left-right direction (refer to Figure 11 ). The rotating shafts of the respective pressing rollers 371 extend in the left-right direction. Each pressing roller 371 is disposed above a ridge groove processing portion 381b of a furrow opener 381 of a sheet lower acting body 38 to be described later, and is disposed on the left and right sides of the ridge groove processing portion 381b in a plan view (refer to Figure 17 ).

[0075] The roller holding mechanism 372 holds the two pressing rollers 371 so as to be rotatable. Such a roller holding mechanism 372 is configured to have an arm portion 372a, an arm support body 372b, and a biasing member 372c.

[0076] There are two arm portions 372a provided corresponding to each pressing roller 371. Each arm portion 372a supports the rotation shaft of the pressing roller 371 so as to be rotatable. The arm support 372b supports the two arm portions 372a so as to be rotatable. The biasing member 372c is constituted by a spring, for example. There are two biasing members 372c provided corresponding to each arm portion 372a. One end portion of the biasing member 372c is fixed to the arm support 372b. The other end portion of the biasing member 372c is connected to the end portion on the opposite side of the supporting side of the pressing roller 371 across the rotation shaft of the arm portion 372a. Such a roller holding mechanism 372 is fixed to the left side surface of the planting box 33a by, for example, bolt fastening connection.

[0077] If the arm portion 372a is rotated by the acting force of the biasing member 372c, each pressing roller 371 is pressed downward. Moreover, the plurality of sheets S are pressed against the surface H of the soil by each pressing roller 371. Thereby, tension is applied to the plurality of sheets S. Therefore, when the cutter 322d (refer to Figure 5 etc.) of the seedling planting mechanism 32 makes an opening in the plurality of sheets S, the cutter 322d easily penetrates into the plurality of sheets S, and thus an opening can be easily made in a specified size.

[0078] <4. Details of the sheet lower acting body>

[0079] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the sheet lower acting body 38 when viewed obliquely from the rear. The sheet lower acting body 38 forms a ridge G for planting seedlings in the soil below the plurality of sheets S led out by the plurality of sheet leading and laying mechanism 36 as the traveling body 2 travels forward before planting the seedlings (refer to Figure 14 ). Such a sheet lower acting body 38 has a furrow opener 381 and a soil banking mechanism 382.

[0080] The furrow opener 381 forms a ridge G for planting seedlings by excavating a part of the soil (ridge) as the traveling body 2 travels before planting the seedlings. The furrow opener 381 is attached to the pre-planting frame 331 via the acting body support portion 300. The acting body support portion 300 is connected to the right side of the frame support brace 361b (refer to Figure 8 ) on the rear surface of the pre-planting frame 331 by, for example, bolt fastening connection. Thus, the transplanter 1 of the present embodiment includes the acting body support portion 300 that supports the sheet lower acting body 38 (particularly the furrow opener 381). In addition, since the furrow opener 381 is attached to the pre-planting frame 331 via the acting body support portion 300, it can be said that the sheet lower acting body 38 having the furrow opener 381 is provided in the planting portion 3.

[0081] The furrow opener 381 has a main body portion 381a and a furrow processing portion 381b. The main body portion 381a extends obliquely downward as it moves rearward from the support side of the acting body support portion 300, bends at the bending portion 381a1, and further extends rearward. When transplanting seedlings using the seedling transplanting mechanism 32, the rear side of the furrow opener 381 that is posterior to the bending portion 381a1 is located at a position lower than the surface H of the soil (ridge) (see Figure 6 ).

[0082] The furrow processing portion 381b is joined to the rear end of the main body portion 381a by welding, for example. Therefore, when transplanting seedlings using the seedling transplanting mechanism 32, like a part of the main body portion 381a, the furrow processing portion 381b is also located at a position lower than the surface H of the soil (ridge) (see Figure 6 ).

[0083] Figure 12 is a perspective view showing an enlarged rear side of the furrow opener 381. The furrow processing portion 381b of the furrow opener 381 has a V shape and is joined to the main body portion 381a at the root of the V. That is, the width of the furrow processing portion 381b in the left - right direction increases as it moves rearward from the joining side with the main body portion 381a. The maximum width of the furrow processing portion 381b in the left - right direction (corresponding to the width W in Figure 14 ) is greater than the width of the main body portion 381a in the left - right direction. Thus, the width of the soil excavation by the furrow processing portion 381b is greater than the width of the soil excavation by the main body portion 381a, enabling a furrow G of an appropriate width for transplanting seedlings to be formed in the soil.

[0084] Figure 11 The soil covering mechanism 382 shown in

[0085] Figure 13 covers the furrow G formed in the soil by the furrow opener 381 as the traveling body 2 moves forward. Such a soil covering mechanism 382 has a backfill member 383. The backfill member 383 is a member for backfilling and covering the furrow G with soil from the soil. The backfill member 383 is mounted on the main body portion 381a of the furrow opener 381 by means of a mounting bracket 382a.

[0086] As shown in Figure 11 , the pair of rod - shaped portions 3831 are located on the left and right sides of the furrow opener 381, respectively. That is, the pair of rod - shaped portions 3831 are located on one side and the other side in the width direction perpendicular to the front - rear direction of the traveling body 2. Moreover, the pair of rod - shaped portions 3831 are arranged to extend in the front - rear direction of the traveling body 2 in the soil.

[0087] The rod-shaped body is bent into a U shape to form a connecting portion 3832. Both end portions of the connecting portion 3832 are respectively connected to the front end portions 3831a of a pair of rod-shaped portions 3831. In addition, a part of the connecting portion 3832 is located above the soil (refer to Figure 6 ).

[0088] A pair of clamping portions 3833 are respectively connected to the rear end portions 3831b of the pair of rod-shaped portions 3831, and the interval in the width direction is reduced as it goes toward the rear. In order to improve the soil banking efficiency (in order to bank as much soil as possible), a flat plate 3833a is installed at the rear ends of the pair of clamping portions 3833 (the end portions on the side opposite to the connecting side connected to the pair of rod-shaped portions 3831).

[0089] Figure 14 It is a top view of the sheet-under action body 38. Figure 14 The ridge groove G formed in the soil by the furrow opener 381 and the situation of banking the ridge groove G by the soil banking mechanism 382 (backfilling member 383) are shown together in Figure 14 . In addition, for convenience, the illustration of the multiple sheets S covering the soil surface is omitted in

[0090] . The same applies to the following drawings (especially the top view), and sometimes the illustration of the multiple sheets S is omitted. Figure 4

[0091] When a part of the furrow opener 381 (especially the ridge groove processing portion 381b) and a part of the soil banking mechanism 382 (especially the pair of rod-shaped portions 3831 and the pair of clamping portions 3833) are in the state of being located in the soil, if the traveling body 2 travels (advances), the ridge groove processing portion 381b of the furrow opener 381 excavates the soil with a prescribed width W. Thus, a ridge groove G with a width W is formed in the soil below the multiple sheets S. Then, the seedlings E are planted in the ridge groove G by the seedling planting mechanism 32 (refer to Figure 4 etc.). In addition, when the seedling planting mechanism 32 plants the seedlings E, the same as described above, the multiple sheets S are perforated before the planting and the seedlings E are planted through the above-mentioned holes from above the multiple sheets S.

[0092] The under-sheet working body 38 has a furrow opener 381. As the traveling machine body 2 travels, the furrow opener 381 excavates a part of the soil, so that a ridge G for planting seedlings E is reliably formed in the soil.

[0093] The under-sheet working body 38 has a soil covering mechanism 382. Regarding this structure, after the seedling E is planted in the ridge G formed in the soil by the furrow opener 381, or almost simultaneously with the planting of the seedling E, the soil covering mechanism 382 (especially a pair of clamping parts 3833) backfills the soil into the ridge G from the side. Therefore, the soil covers the roots of the seedling E planted in the ridge G, thereby stably maintaining the good transplanting posture (planting posture) of the seedling E.

[0094] The soil covering mechanism 382 has a backfilling member 383. Regarding this structure, the soil backfilled into the ridge G by the backfilling member 383 supports the seedling E planted in the ridge G. Therefore, the seedling E can be held in a stable posture in the soil.

[0095] The above-mentioned backfilling member 383 has a pair of rod-shaped parts 3831, a connecting part 3832, and a pair of clamping parts 3833. The pair of rod-shaped parts 3831 extend in the front-rear direction of the traveling machine body 2 in the soil and do not cross in the width direction (left-right direction). Here, Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view when the backfilling member 383 in Figure 13 is sectioned along the line A-A'. As shown in this figure, regarding the structure in which each rod-shaped part 3831 extends in the front-rear direction in the soil, the projected area of each rod-shaped part 3831 in the front-rear direction is equal to the cross-sectional area (the area of the shaded part) of each rod-shaped part 3831, and is reliably reduced compared with the configuration in which each rod-shaped part 3831 crosses in the width direction. Thereby, as the traveling machine body 2 travels, the backfilling member 383 forms a ridge far larger than the ridge G formed by the furrow opener 381, thereby reducing the concern that the posture of the planted seedling E becomes unstable. Therefore, even when the height of the planted seedling E is relatively low, the seedling E can grow through the holes provided in the multi-sheet S, thereby reducing the concern that the seedling E does not pass through the above-mentioned holes and gets into the lower part of the multi-sheet S. That is, since the backfilling member 383 does not cross in the width direction of the traveling machine body 2 in the field and does not form a ridge with a large width in the soil, even when planting a seedling E with a low planting height, the planting posture of the seedling E can be stabilized to achieve good planting.

[0096] As Figure 14As shown, regarding the soil covering mechanism 382, the rear ends of a pair of clamping portions 3833 are located at positions further rearward than the planting position of the seedlings E. Regarding this structure, after planting the seedlings E in the furrow G, the furrow G is reliably backfilled with soil using the pair of clamping portions 3833. Therefore, the planted seedlings E can be held in a stable posture.

[0097] The soil covering mechanism 382 covers the furrow G with soil from below the multi-sheet S. Regarding this structure, even when the multi-sheet S is laid on the surface H of the soil and the seedlings E are planted, the soil covering mechanism 382 can cover the soil from below the multi-sheet S to maintain and stabilize the planting posture of the seedlings E well.

[0098] In the present embodiment, as described above, the actuator support portion 300 supports the sheet-under actuator 38. As Figure 11 shown, the actuator support portion 300 is supported by the planting frame 33 (specifically, the pre-planting frame 331) of the planting portion 3. Moreover, as Figure 6 shown, the actuator support portion 300 extends downward from the support side with respect to the planting frame 33 (pre-planting frame 331) toward the multi-sheet lead-out laying mechanism 36. As a result, the actuator support portion 300 is disposed below the multi-sheet S led out from the multi-sheet lead-out laying mechanism 36.

[0099] Regarding this structure, the actuator support portion 300 is supported by the planting frame 33 in such a way as not to interfere with the leading-out of the multi-sheet S by the multi-sheet lead-out laying mechanism 36. Moreover, the sheet-under actuator 38 supported by the actuator support portion 300 is inserted into the soil below the multi-sheet S. Thereby, the furrow G can be reliably formed in the soil using the furrow opener 381 of the sheet-under actuator 38. In addition, the soil can be reliably backfilled into the furrow G using the soil covering mechanism 382 of the sheet-under actuator 38.

[0100] In the present embodiment, the multi-sheet lead-out laying mechanism 36 and the sheet-under actuator 38 are provided in the planting portion 3. Regarding this structure, the multi-sheet lead-out laying mechanism 36 and the sheet-under actuator 38 can be lifted and lowered while being lifted and lowered relative to the traveling body 2 in the planting portion 3 using the lifting mechanism 4. Therefore, there is no need to separately provide a dedicated lifting mechanism for lifting and lowering the multi-sheet lead-out laying mechanism 36 and the sheet-under actuator 38 different from the lifting mechanism 4 and perform lifting and lowering control different from that of the planting portion 3. This simplifies the structure of the transplanter 1.

[0101] In addition, since the under-sheet actuator 38 is provided in the planting section 3, it can be said that the soil covering mechanism 382 of the under-sheet actuator 38 is also provided in the planting section 3. Regarding this structure, even when the height of the planting section 3 is adjusted by the lifting mechanism 4 according to the height of the soil ridges, the position (height) of the soil covering mechanism 382 can follow the change of the planting section 3, so that the position of the soil covering mechanism 382 relative to the ridge surface (especially the position in the height direction) can be kept constant. Thus, even if the height of the planting section 3 changes according to the height of the ridges, the soil can be properly covered by the soil covering mechanism 382 at a constant position relative to the ridge surface.

[0102] Figure 16 FIG. is a perspective view showing another structure of the under-sheet actuator 38. In addition, Figure 16 For convenience, the illustration of the soil covering mechanism 382 and the multiple sheets S is omitted in the figure. The under-sheet actuator 38 may further include a sheet support portion 384. The sheet support portion 384 supports the multiple sheets S that are led out from the multiple-sheet laying mechanism 36 and laid on the surface H of the soil from below.

[0103] Such a sheet support portion 384 is configured to include a right sheet support plate 384R and a left sheet support plate 384L. The right sheet support plate 384R and the left sheet support plate 384L are mounted on the right side and the left side of the main body portion 381a of the furrow opener 381 by bolts Bo and nuts N.

[0104] More specifically, support-side through holes 384P penetrating in the left-right direction are formed in three upper and lower stages in the right sheet support plate 384R and the left sheet support plate 384L. Two support-side through holes 384P are formed in the front-rear direction in the upper, middle, and lower stages, respectively. The main body portion 381a of the furrow opener 381 is clamped from the left and right directions by the right sheet support plate 384R and the left sheet support plate 384L, and two support-side through holes 384P in each of the upper, middle, and lower stages of the right sheet support plate 384R and the left sheet support plate 384L and two main-body-side through holes 381P provided in the main body portion 381a (refer to Figure 12 ) are aligned. Then, bolts Bo are inserted into the two sets of support-side through holes 384P and main-body-side through holes 381P and fixed with nuts N, thereby mounting the right sheet support plate 384R and the left sheet support plate 384L on the furrow opener 381. By selecting the support-side through holes 384P in any one of the upper, middle, and lower stages, the mounting height of the right sheet support plate 384R and the left sheet support plate 384L relative to the main body portion 381a can be adjusted.

[0105] The right sheet support plate 384R and the left sheet support plate 384L are each formed by bending a single flat plate, but they can also be formed by connecting multiple flat plates. The right sheet support plate 384R and the left sheet support plate 384L extend rearward from the part fixed to the main body 381a of the furrow opener 381 while expanding the lateral interval between them, and pass by the side of the furrow forming part 381b of the furrow opener 381 and further extend rearward. At the rear behind the side of the furrow forming part 381b, the interval between the right sheet support plate 384R and the left sheet support plate 384L is constant. As a result, the interval between the right sheet support plate 384R and the left sheet support plate 384L is the smallest on the fixed side fixed to the furrow opener 381 (main body 381a) and the largest at the part behind the side of the furrow forming part 381b. In addition, the shapes of the above-mentioned right sheet support plate 384R and left sheet support plate 384L are for example only and are not limited to these shapes. For example, the right sheet support plate 384R and the left sheet support plate 384L may have the following shapes: having an arc part at a position further rearward than the fixed side fixed to the furrow opener 381, and the interval between them expands toward the rear.

[0106] As described above, regarding the structure in which the interval between the right sheet support plate 384R and the left sheet support plate 384L expands at the side of the furrow forming part 381b of the furrow opener 381, the multiple sheets S led out from the multi-sheet lead-out laying mechanism 36 and laid on the surface H of the soil are stably supported from below by the right sheet support plate 384R and the left sheet support plate 384L near the side of the furrow forming part 381b.

[0107] In this way, by supporting the multiple sheets S from below by the sheet support part 384, when punching holes in the multiple sheets S using the cutter 322d (refer to Figure 4 ) at a position further rearward than the furrow forming part 381b, it is difficult for the multiple sheets S to be deflected. Thereby, it is easy to punch holes in the multiple sheets S using the cutter 322d. In addition, since it is difficult for the multiple sheets S to be deflected, when punching holes in the multiple sheets S, the situation where the multiple sheets S come into contact with the furrows G formed in the soil by the furrow forming part 381b is also reduced. As a result, the concern about the collapse of the furrows G due to contact with the multiple sheets S is also alleviated.

[0108] In addition, the interval between the right sheet support plate 384R and the left sheet support plate 384L expands laterally of the furrow processing portion 381b of the furrow opener 381. As a result, as the traveling body 2 travels, the right sheet support plate 384R and the left sheet support plate 384L excavate the soil, and as a result, a furrow wider than the furrow G formed by the furrow processing portion 381b is formed. Therefore, regarding the structure of the sheet lower acting body 38 having the sheet support portion 384, it is preferable that the interval between the right sheet support plate 384R and the left sheet support plate 384L is as small as possible within the range capable of supporting multiple sheets S.

[0109] <5. Other examples of the soil banking mechanism>

[0110] Figure 10 The pressing mechanism 37 shown in etc. can also be used as the soil banking mechanism 382. For example, by making the acting force of the force applying member 372c of the pressing mechanism 37 higher than the reference acting force, the pressing force can be made higher than the reference acting force toward the lower side of the pressing roller 371. Thereby, the pressing roller 371 can be pressed against the soil from above the multiple sheets S to bank the furrow G. In this case, the pressing roller 371 can be used alone (without providing the above-mentioned backfilling member 383) as the soil banking mechanism 382, or can be used together with the backfilling member 383.

[0111] Figure 17 is a top view in the case where the pressing roller 371 and the backfilling member 383 are used together as the soil banking mechanism 382. When the traveling body 2 travels (advances), the pressing roller 371 rotates as the traveling body 2 travels and presses the surface H of the soil to bank the furrow G. As shown in this figure, the pressing roller 371 is arranged on the left and right sides with respect to the furrow opener 381. In other words, the pressing roller 371 is arranged on one side and the other side in the width direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the traveling body 2. In particular, the pressing roller 371 is located on the left and right sides of the furrow processing portion 381b of the furrow opener 381 and at a position more forward than the clamping portion 3833 of the backfilling member 383. Therefore, the furrow G can be backfilled by the pressing of the pressing roller 371 before the backfilling member 383 backfills the soil into the furrow G. Thereby, the furrow G can be backfilled while the seedling planting mechanism 32 plants the seedlings E, and immediately the posture of the seedlings E planted in the furrow G can be made stable.

[0112] Since the pressing roller 371 rotates, it is difficult to sink into the soil and the soil banking can be performed smoothly. In addition, as in the present embodiment, even when multiple sheets S are laid on the soil surface and the seedlings E are planted through holes in the multiple sheets S, the pressing roller 371 can be brought into contact with the multiple sheets S from above to perform soil banking.

[0113] The pressing rollers 371 are arranged on the left and right sides with respect to the furrow opener 381. Therefore, it is possible to use each pressing roller 371 to mound soil on the ridge furrow G formed by the furrow opener 381 from the left and right sides, that is, from both sides in the width direction of the traveling body 2 (=both sides in the width direction of the ridge furrow G). In addition, since each pressing roller 371 mounds soil while or immediately before planting the seedlings E, it is possible to reduce the situation where the seedlings E tilt during planting, and the planting posture of the seedlings E becomes good.

[0114] In Figure 17 the example of, the rotation axis of the pressing roller 371 extends in the left-right direction. That is, the rotation axis of the pressing roller 371 extends in the width direction of the traveling body 2 in a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction of the traveling body 2. Regarding this structure, each pressing roller 371 rotates reliably as the traveling body 2 travels, and it is possible to use each pressing roller 371 to reliably mound soil on the ridge furrow G from both sides in the width direction of the ridge furrow G.

[0115] Figure 18 is a top view schematically showing another structure of the pressing mechanism 37 as the soil mounding mechanism 38. As shown in this figure, the pressing mechanism 37 can support the left and right pressing rollers 371 respectively so as to be position-adjustable in the direction along the rotation axis ( Figure 18 in the example is the left-right direction). In this case, since the interval between the left and right pressing rollers 371 is adjusted, it is possible to finely adjust the amount of soil mounded on the ridge furrow G by each pressing roller 371 and the timing of soil mounding.

[0116] Figure 19 is a top view schematically showing still another structure of the pressing mechanism 37. As shown in this figure, the pressing mechanism 37 can support the left and right pressing rollers 371 respectively so that the orientation of the rotation axis changes. For example, the pressing mechanism 37 can change (rotate) the orientation of the rotation axes of the left and right pressing rollers 371 in a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction. Even when the rotation axis of the pressing roller 371 extends in a direction intersecting the width direction of the traveling body 2 in a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction of the traveling body 2, each pressing roller 371 rotates as the traveling body 2 travels, so that it is possible to use each pressing roller 371 to mound soil on the ridge furrow G from both sides in the width direction of the ridge furrow G. In addition, by adjusting the orientation of the rotation axes of each pressing roller 371 in the above-mentioned plane, it is also possible to finely adjust the amount of soil mounded on the ridge furrow G by each pressing roller 371 and the timing of soil mounding.

[0117] As described above, the pressing mechanism 37 of the soil banking mechanism 382 has a biasing member 372c. The biasing member 372c biases the pressing roller 371 downward. If the pressing roller 371 is pressed against the surface H of the soil by the relatively high biasing force of the biasing member 372c, the soil exposed from the pressing roller 371 is pushed toward the furrow G. Thereby, soil banking into the furrow G is reliably performed.

[0118] In addition, the pressing mechanism 37 (particularly the pressing roller 371) of the soil banking mechanism 382 banks the furrow G from above the multiple sheets S. Even when the multiple sheets S are laid on the surface H of the soil and the seedlings E are planted, the soil banking mechanism 382 banks the soil from above the multiple sheets S, so that the planting posture of the seedlings E can be made good and stable.

[0119] <6. Deformation Examples of the Furrow Opener and the Soil Banking Mechanism>

[0120] The structure in which the furrow opener 381 and the soil banking mechanism 382 are provided in the transplanter 1 having the multiple sheet guiding and laying mechanism 36 has been described above, but the furrow opener 381 and the soil banking mechanism 382 may be provided in the transplanter 1 not having the multiple sheet guiding and laying mechanism 36.

[0121] Figure 20 and Figure 21 are a perspective view and a top view schematically showing the structure (deformation example) of the furrow opener 381 and the soil banking mechanism 382 applied to the transplanter 1 not having the multiple sheet guiding and laying mechanism 36. In addition, Figure 22 is a perspective view of the soil banking mechanism 382 of the deformation example.

[0122] The furrow opener 381 of the deformation example is configured such that a pair of flat plates 381c are joined to the upper part (outer peripheral surface) of a pipe 381d by welding or the like. The pipe 381d extends from the front toward the rear and obliquely downward, and is bent so as to protrude downward. As Figure 21 shown, the width W1 in the left-right direction of the furrow opener 381 is smaller than the width W2 of the soil-root part of the seedling E. Here, the width W1 of the furrow opener 381 is equal to the outer diameter of the pipe 381d, and is also equal to the interval in the left-right direction of the pair of flat plates 381c.

[0123] For example, when the seedling E planted in the furrow G is an onion seedling, since the onion seedling is smaller than the cabbage seedling, in order to suppress the lodging of the seedling E planted in the furrow G, it is necessary to form a narrow furrow G in the soil by the furrow opener 381. When the width W1 of the furrow opener 381 is smaller than the width W2 of the soil-root part of the seedling E, the seedling E is planted so as to be sandwiched in the furrow G formed by the furrow opener 381, and thus, lodging of the planted seedling E is suppressed.

[0124] AsFigure 22 As shown in Figure 22 , the soil banking mechanism 382 of the modified example has: a shaft portion 385 extending in the left - right direction; and a fixing plate 386 vertically fixed to the shaft portion 385. The fixing plate 386 is fixed to the central portion in the left - right direction with respect to the shaft portion 385. On the left and right side surfaces of the fixing plate 386, locking portions 386a for engaging one end portions of the left and right biasing springs 387 are provided at three positions. One end portions of the left and right biasing springs 387 are engaged with any one of the locking portions 386a at the three positions.

[0125] In addition, in the soil banking mechanism 382, a pair of cylindrical portions 388, soil banking members 389, and flat plate portions 390 are provided in the left - right direction. The left and right cylindrical portions 388 are respectively inserted through the shaft portion 385 and are located on the left and right sides of the fixing plate 386. By sliding each cylindrical portion 388 relative to the shaft portion 385 in the left - right direction, the position of each cylindrical portion 388 can be adjusted in the left - right direction. The left and right soil banking members 389 are connected to the respective cylindrical portions 388, extend rearward and obliquely downward. The rear end sides of the left and right soil banking members 389 are slightly bent so that the distance between them is reduced. A soil banking plate 389a is fixed to the rear end of the soil banking member 389. The left and right soil banking members 389 are formed to have a length such that the left and right soil banking plates 389a are located on the sides of the planting position of the seedling E that is more rearward than the furrow opener 381. The left and right flat plate portions 390 are connected to the cylindrical portions 388 and extend forward. The other end portions of the left and right biasing springs 387 are engaged with the holes 390a of the left and right flat plate portions 390.

[0126] According to the above - described structure of the soil banking mechanism 382, it is possible to perform planting while back - filling the furrow G formed by the furrow opener 381 with the soil banking plate 389a. That is, the seedling E can be released into the soft soil back - filled into the furrow G. Therefore, it is also easy to ensure the planting depth of the seedling E. In addition, the seedling E is held by the surrounding soil, so the planting posture is also stable. Also, the amount of soil covering the seedling E is ensured. In addition, since the width of the furrow G formed by the furrow opener 381 is narrow, it is also possible to immediately perform soil banking for the planting of the seedling E, making the planting posture of the seedling E immediately stable.

[0127] In addition, by replacing the biasing spring 387 or replacing it with a spring having a different acting force, the load pressing the left and right soil banking members 389 against the soil can be adjusted. Thus, even if the planting position changes relative to the ridge height due to the deviation of the ridge height, the lifting control of the planting unit 3, etc., reliable soil banking can be performed.

[0128] By adjusting the position of each cylindrical portion 388 in the left - right direction, the left - right interval of the left and right soil banking members 389 can be adjusted. Thus, it is easy to cope with different soil qualities and easy to adjust the planting posture.

[0129] Figure 23 This is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the timing at which the seedling E is pushed out from the planting claw 322a by the pushing member 322b when the seedling planting mechanism 32 plants the seedling E. Preferably, the timing of pushing the seedling E into the soil (furrow G) is earlier than the bottom dead center D0 of the rotation locus T of the planting claw 322a caused by the rotation of the rotary box 321 (refer to Figure 4 ). More specifically, preferably, the pushing timing of the seedling E is set during the period when the end of the planting claw 322a reaches the bottom dead center D0 from the surface H of the soil.

[0130] The seedling E raked by the planting claw 322a from the seedling raising mat MT (refer to Figure 3 ) swings as the rotary box 321 rotates until it contacts the bottom of the furrow G formed in the soil. Due to the swing of the seedling E, an inertial force that tends to fall forward acts on the seedling E, and this inertial force reaches a peak at the position of the bottom dead center D0. By setting the pushing timing of the seedling E earlier than the bottom dead center D0, the seedling E is pushed out from the planting claw 322a before the inertial force reaches the peak. Therefore, (compared with the case where the seedling E is pushed out at the bottom dead center D0), the situation where the seedling E falls forward due to the inertial force can be reduced, and thus seedling lodging can be suppressed.

[0131] <7. Supplementary Note>

[0132] The transplanter described in this embodiment can also be expressed as the transplanter shown in the following supplementary note.

[0133] The transplanter of Supplementary Note (1) includes:

[0134] A traveling body;

[0135] A planting unit that is connected to the rear of the traveling body in a vertically movable manner; and

[0136] A multi-sheet material guiding and laying mechanism that guides and lays a multi-sheet material on the surface of the soil,

[0137] The planting unit has: a seedling planting mechanism that plants seedlings from above the multi-sheet material into the soil,

[0138] wherein,

[0139] The transplanter includes a sheet lower acting body that forms a furrow for planting the seedlings in the soil below the multi-sheet material as the traveling body travels before planting the seedlings.

[0140] The transplanter of Supplementary Note (2) is based on the transplanter described in Supplementary Note (1), wherein,

[0141] The multi-sheet material guiding and laying mechanism and the sheet lower acting body are provided on the planting unit.

[0142] The transplanter according to Supplementary Note (3) is based on the transplanter described in Supplementary Note (1) or (2), wherein,

[0143] The sheet lower acting body has: a sheet support portion that supports the plurality of sheets laid on the surface of the soil from below.

[0144] The transplanter according to Supplementary Note (4) is based on the transplanter described in any one of Supplementary Notes (1) to (3), wherein,

[0145] The sheet lower acting body has a furrow opener that excavates a part of the soil as the traveling body travels to form the ridge furrow.

[0146] The transplanter according to Supplementary Note (5) is based on the transplanter described in any one of Supplementary Notes (1) to (4), wherein,

[0147] The transplanter further includes: an acting body support portion that supports the sheet lower acting body,

[0148] The acting body support portion is supported by the planting frame of the planting portion and is disposed below the plurality of sheets led out from the sheet laying mechanism.

[0149] The transplanter according to Supplementary Note (6) is based on the transplanter described in any one of Supplementary Notes (1) to (5), wherein,

[0150] The sheet lower acting body has a soil banking mechanism that banks the ridge furrow from the side of the ridge furrow formed in the soil.

[0151] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and it can be implemented by expanding or changing within the scope not departing from the gist of the invention.

[0152] Industrial Applicability

[0153] The transplanter of the present invention can be used, for example, as a transplanter for planting vegetable seedlings in soil (ridge).

Claims

1. A transplanter comprising: Traveling body; A planting part connected to the rear of the traveling body in a manner that allows it to be raised and lowered; and A multi-sheet material leading out and laying mechanism is used to lead out the multi-sheet material and lay it on the soil surface. The planting section includes a seedling planting mechanism for planting seedlings in the soil from above the plurality of sheets. in, The transplanter includes an under-sheet acting body that forms furrows for planting the seedlings in the soil below the plurality of sheets as the traveling body travels before the seedlings are planted.

2. The transplanter according to claim 1, wherein: The multi-sheet material leading-out and laying mechanism and the sheet material lower acting body are arranged in the planting part.

3. The transplanter according to claim 1, wherein: The sheet lower acting body includes a sheet support portion that supports the plurality of sheets laid on the surface of the soil from below.

4. The transplanter according to claim 1, wherein: The lower acting body of the sheet material has a furrow opener, and the furrow opener forms the furrow by excavating a part of the soil as the traveling body travels.

5. The transplanter according to claim 1, wherein: The transplanter further comprises: an acting body support portion for supporting the acting body under the sheet, The actuator support portion is supported by the planting frame of the planting portion and is arranged below the plurality of sheets led out from the plurality of sheet lead-out and laying mechanism.

6. The transplanter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The sheet lower acting body includes a soil raising mechanism for raising soil to the ridge formed in the soil from the side of the ridge.

7. The transplanter according to claim 6, wherein: The soil-raising mechanism includes a backfilling member for backfilling the ridge ditch with the soil.

8. The transplanter according to claim 7, wherein: The rear end of the backfill component is further rearward than the planting position of the seedlings.

Images