Riding type seedling planting machine

Abstract

To provide a riding type seedling planting machine of improved seedling supply workability from a ridge and the road to a preliminary seedling-mounting table because in a riding type seedling planting machine equipped with a seedling planting part on a rear side of a traveling vehicle body, a preliminary seedling-mounting table long in a horizontal direction of the machine body is provided at a rear part of the traveling vehicle body but the preliminary seedling-mounting table is fixed to the machine body and the position is fixed, side end parts of the preliminary seedling-mounting table are away from the ridge and the road even when the machine body is laid alongside the ridge and the road, and there is a problem with seedling supply workability.SOLUTION: In a riding type seedling planting machine, a seedling planting part 4 is liftably fitted to a rear side of a traveling vehicle body 2 and a preliminary seedling-mounting table 6 long in the horizontal direction of a machine body is provided at a rear part of the traveling vehicle body 2. The preliminary seedling-mounting table 6 is composed of left and right preliminary seedling-mounting tables 6L, 6R freely rotatably provided in the horizontal direction by left and right link mechanisms 22L, 22R respectively.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a riding seedling planter equipped with a seedling planting unit on the rear side of a traveling body. [Background technology]

[0002] Among riding seedling planters equipped with a seedling planting unit on the rear of the running body, there is known a rice transplanter that has a long spare seedling carrier table on the rear of the running body extending in the left-right direction of the machine body (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-120756 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Because the spare seedling carrier was fixed in a fixed position to the body of the machine, even if the machine was parked next to a ridge or road, the side end of the spare seedling carrier was away from the ridge or road, creating issues with the ease of supplying seedlings.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide a riding seedling planter that improves the ease of supplying seedlings from ridges or roads to a spare seedling carrier. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The invention described in claim 1 is a riding-type seedling planter having a seedling planting section 4 mounted on the rear of the running body 2 so that it can be raised and lowered, and a spare seedling carrier 6 that is long in the left-right direction of the machine body at the rear of the running body 2, in which the spare seedling carrier 6 is composed of left and right spare seedling carriers 6L, 6R that are freely rotatable in the left-right direction by left and right link mechanisms 22L, 22R, respectively.

[0007] According to the invention described in claim 1, the spare seedling carrying platform 6 is composed of left and right spare seedling carrying platforms 6L, 6R which are each freely rotatable in the left and right direction by left and right link mechanisms 22L, 22R. Therefore, when the left and right link mechanisms 22L, 22R are rotated together to the left or right of the body, the left and right seedling rails 24L, 24R protrude largely to one side of the body, becoming connected to the left and right. The side of the left and right seedling rails 24L, 24R which protrudes largely to one side of the body can be placed sideways on a ridge or road, and seedlings can be easily and efficiently loaded from the ridge or road onto the left and right seedling rails 24L, 24R, thereby improving the efficiency of supplying seedlings from the ridge or road to the spare seedling carrying platform 6.

[0008] The invention described in claim 2 is a riding seedling planter as described in claim 1, in which the left and right spare seedling carriers 6L, 6R are composed of left and right seedling rails 24L, 24R that can be rotatable around left and right pivot axes 23L, 23R in the vertical direction on the left and right link mechanisms 22L, 22R, and the left and right seedling rails 24L, 24R are composed of left and right base seedling rails 25L, 25R that can be rotatable around the left and right pivot axes 23L, 23R and left and right tip seedling rails 27L, 27R that can be rotatable around left and right second pivot axes 26L, 26R in the vertical direction provided at the tip side of the left and right base seedling rails 25L, 25R.

[0009] According to the invention described in claim 2, the left and right spare seedling carriers 6L, 6R are composed of left and right seedling rails 24L, 24R that can be freely rotated around the left and right pivot axes 23L, 23R in the vertical direction on the left and right link mechanisms 22L, 22R. Therefore, by rotating the left and right seedling rails 24L, 24R around the left and right pivot axes 23L, 23R to take a long posture in the fore-and-aft direction facing the front of the machine body, the front of the machine body can be placed on a ridge or road, and seedlings can be easily supplied from the ridge or road from both the left and right sides of the machine body using the left and right seedling rails 24L, 24R, making it easy and efficient to load the seedlings into the machine body.

[0010] In addition, the left and right seedling rails 24L, 24R are composed of left and right base seedling rails 25L, 25R that can be rotated about left and right pivot shafts 23L, 23R, and left and right front seedling rails 27L, 27R that can be rotated about left and right second pivot shafts 26L, 26R in the vertical direction provided at the tip side of the left and right base seedling rails 25L, 25R. Therefore, when the left and right front seedling rails 27L, 27R are rotated about the left and right second pivot shafts 26L, 26R and the left and right front seedling rails 27L, 27R are connected to the tip ends of the left and right base seedling rails 25L, 25R, the left and right base seedling rails 25L, 25R and the left and right front seedling rails 27L, 27R become a straight, longer seedling rail, so that even if there is a well or obstacle between the field and the ridge or road, the seedlings can reach the ridge or road, and further, seedlings can be easily supplied from the ridge or road.

[0011] The invention described in claim 3 is a riding seedling planter as described in claim 2, in which the base seedling rail 25L, 25R is composed of a pair of inner rails 25LI, 25RI and outer rails 25LO, 25RO arranged at a distance that allows the seedling box N to be placed horizontally, and the front seedling rail 27L, 27R is composed of a pair of inner rails 27LI, 27RI and outer rails 27LO, 27RO arranged at a distance that allows the seedling box N to be placed horizontally, and when the front seedling rail 27L, 27R is folded parallel to the base rail 25L, 25R, the outer rails 25LO, 25RO of the base seedling rails 25L, 25R and the outer rails 27LO, 27RO of the front seedling rails 27L, 27R are positioned higher than the inner rails 25LI, 25RI, 27LI, 27RI, and arranged at a distance that allows the seedling box N to be placed vertically.

[0012] The invention described in claim 4 is a riding seedling planting machine described in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the seedling carrying platform 41 provided in the seedling planting section 4 is divided into a lower seedling carrying platform 41D and an upper seedling carrying platform 41U above and below, a gap 50 is provided between the lower seedling carrying platform 41D and the upper seedling carrying platform 41U and they are connected by a connecting member 51, and the upper seedling carrying platform 41U is freely rotatably attached to the connecting member 51 by a pivot shaft 56 in the left-right direction of the machine body.

[0013] The invention described in claim 5 is the riding type seedling planter described in claim 4, in which the upper fence 60U separating each row of the upper seedling carrier 41U is provided so as to be freely switched between an upright state and a lying state. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of a riding rice transplanter according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a front view of the main parts of the riding rice transplanter. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view for explaining the operation of the main part. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a side view of a riding rice transplanter showing a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the operation of a main part according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating the operation of a main portion of the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating the operation of a main portion of the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating the operation of a main portion of the second embodiment. [Figure 14] A rear view of the seedling carrier showing another embodiment. [Figure 15] This is an enlarged view for explaining the main functions of the upper seedling carrier. [Figure 16] This is an enlarged view for explaining the main functions of the upper seedling carrier. [Figure 17] This is an enlarged view for explaining the main functions of the upper seedling carrier. [Figure 18] This is an enlarged view for explaining the main functions of the upper seedling carrier. [Figure 19] This is an enlarged view for explaining the main functions of the upper seedling carrier. [Figure 20] FIG. 11 is a rear view for explaining the operation of the seedling carrier showing another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0016] <Overall composition> 1 to 3 are a side view, a plan view, and a front view of a riding type rice transplanter with a fertilizer applicator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] In the riding rice transplanter 1 with a fertilizer applicator, the seedling planting unit 4 is mounted on the rear of the traveling body 2 via a lifting link device that is lifted and lowered by a lifting hydraulic cylinder, and the main body of the fertilizer applicator 5, including a fertilizer hopper 47, and a spare seedling carrier 6 are provided on the upper rear of the traveling body 2. The left and right directions of the riding rice transplanter 1 in the forward direction are referred to as left and right, respectively, and the forward and backward directions are referred to as front and rear, respectively.

[0018] <Running vehicle 2> As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the traveling body 2 is a four-wheel drive vehicle equipped with a pair of left and right front wheels 9, 9 and a pair of left and right rear wheels 10, 10 which are drive wheels, in which a transmission case is arranged at the front of the vehicle body, a front wheel final case is provided on the left and right sides of the transmission case with a caster angle, and the left and right front wheels 9, 9 are respectively attached to left and right front wheel axles which protrude outward from each front wheel support part which can change the steering direction of the left and right front wheel final cases.

[0019] In addition, the front end of the main frame is fixed to the back part of the transmission case, and the left and right rear wheel gear cases are supported on the rear end of the main frame via left and right suspensions so that they can move up and down independently, and the rear wheels 10, 10 are attached to the left and right rear wheel axles that protrude outward from the left and right rear wheel gear cases.

[0020] The engine 12 is mounted at the front of the vehicle body, and the rotational power of the engine 12 is transmitted to the transmission case via a belt transmission and an HST. The rotational power transmitted to the transmission case is changed in speed by a transmission inside the transmission case, and then separated into driving power and external take-off power, which are then taken out.

[0021] A portion of the running power is transmitted to the left and right front wheel final cases to drive the left and right front wheels 9,9, and the remainder is transmitted via the left and right rear wheel drive shafts to the left and right rear wheel gear cases to drive the left and right rear wheels 10,10.

[0022] In addition, the externally taken power is transmitted to a planting clutch case provided at the rear of the traveling body 2, and then transmitted to the seedling planting section 4 by a planting transmission shaft, and also transmitted to the fertilizer application device 5 by a fertilizer application transmission mechanism.

[0023] The engine 12 is covered by a bonnet 13, which houses various operating mechanisms, with an operation panel 13a at the upper rear portion and a handle 14 for steering the front wheels 9,9 provided above that.

[0024] A seat 15 is provided behind the handlebars 14.

[0025] The left and right sides and rear of the lower end of the bonnet 13 form a horizontal floor step 17. Part of the floor step 17 is shaped like a lattice so that mud on the shoes of an operator walking on the floor step 17 falls into the field. The rear part above the floor step 17 forms a rear step 18 that also serves as a rear wheel fender.

[0026] On both the left and right outer sides of the floor step 17, extension steps 19 are provided which are flush with the floor step 17.

[0027] The extended step 19 is composed of an extended floor step 19a which is in the same plane as the floor step 17 and an extended rear step 19b which is in the same plane as the rear step 18.

[0028] <Seedling planting section 4> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the seedling planting section 4 has an 8-row planting configuration and is equipped with a transmission case that also serves as a frame, a seedling carrier 41 that carries mat seedlings and moves back and forth from side to side to supply seedlings one by one to the seedling outlet of each row, and transports the seedlings downward by a seedling feed belt that supplies all of the seedlings in a horizontal row to each seedling outlet, and a seedling planting device that plants the seedlings supplied to the seedling outlet in the field.

[0029] At the bottom of the seedling planting section 4, two center leveling floats 43 are provided in the center, and side leveling floats 44 are provided on both the left and right sides of the center leveling floats 43.

[0030] When the vehicle is advanced with these ground leveling floats 43, 44 in contact with the muddy surface of the field, the ground leveling floats 43, 44 glide while leveling the muddy surface, and seedlings are planted in the leveled area by the seedling planting device.

[0031] Each ground leveling float 43, 44 is attached so that it can rotate freely so that its front end moves up and down in response to the unevenness of the field topsoil surface. During planting work, the up and down movement of the front of the center ground leveling float 43 is detected by an angle of attack control sensor. In response to the detection result, a hydraulic valve that controls a lifting hydraulic cylinder that moves the lifting link device up and down is switched to raise and lower the seedling planting section 4, thereby maintaining a constant planting depth for the seedlings.

[0032] <Fertilizer 5> The fertilizer application device 5 delivers a fixed amount of granular fertilizer stored in the fertilizer hopper 47 using a delivery section, guides the fertilizer using a fertilizer hose to fertilizer application guides attached to the left and right sides of the floats 43, 44, and drops the fertilizer into a fertilizer area formed near the side of the seedling planting row by a furrow making body provided in front of the fertilizer guide.

[0033] Air generated by a blower driven by an electric blower motor is blown into the fertilizer hose via an air chamber that is long in the left-right direction, and the fertilizer in the fertilizer hose is forcibly transported by the wind pressure.

[0034] <Spare seedling tray 6> As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the spare seedling carrier 6 is composed of left and right spare seedling carriers 6L, 6R which are rotatable and fixed in the left and right directions by left and right parallel link mechanisms 22L, 22R whose bases are pivotally supported on the main frame at the rear of the traveling body 2.

[0035] The left and right spare seedling carriers 6L, 6R are equipped with left and right seedling rails 24L, 24R which can be rotated forward, left and right and backward on left and right pivot shafts 23L, 23R in the vertical direction provided at the upper ends of the left and right parallel link mechanisms 22L, 22R, respectively.

[0036] The length of the left and right parallel link mechanisms 22L, 22R is set so that the left and right seedling rails 24L, 24R are positioned higher than the fertilizer hopper 47 of the fertilizer application device 5, and the left and right parallel link mechanisms 22L, 22R are rotated to move left and right above the fertilizer hopper 47.

[0037] In addition, the left parallel link mechanism 22L and the left pivot shaft 23L are disposed rearward of the right parallel link mechanism 22R and the right pivot shaft 23R in a side view so that the left and right parallel link mechanisms 22L, 22R and the left and right pivot shafts 23L, 23R do not interfere with each other.

[0038] Therefore, when the left and right parallel link mechanisms 22L, 22R are rotated and fixed to the central position of the body, the left and right seedling rails 24L, 24R are connected to each other at a high position away from the top surface of the fertilizer hopper 47, and fertilizer can be easily supplied by opening the upper lid 47a of the fertilizer hopper 47.

[0039] In addition, since the left and right seedling rails 24L, 24R are located at the center of the machine body, the width of the machine body from left to right is narrow, and it is easy to drive on the road, load onto a truck, or store in a shed or the like.

[0040] When the left and right parallel link mechanisms 22L, 22R are rotated together to the left or right side of the body and fixed, the left and right seedling rails 24L, 24R protrude significantly to one side of the body and become connected to the left and right.The side of the left and right seedling rails 24L, 24R that protrudes significantly to the left or right side of the body can be parked sideways on a ridge or road, and seedlings can be easily supplied from the ridge or road to the left and right seedling rails 24L, 24R, allowing the seedlings to be loaded onto the body easily and with good workability.

[0041] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2, 5 and 6, the left and right seedling rails 24L, 24R are composed of left and right base seedling rails 25L, 25R that can be freely rotatable about left and right pivot shafts 23L, 23R, and left and right tip seedling rails 27L, 27R that are freely rotatable about left and right second pivot shafts 26L, 26R in the vertical direction provided on the tip side of the left and right base seedling rails 25L, 25R.

[0042] Then, by rotating the left and right front seedling rails 27L, 27R around the left and right second pivot axes 26L, 26R and connecting the left and right front seedling rails 27L, 27R to the tips of the left and right base seedling rails 25L, 25R, the left and right base seedling rails 25L, 25R and the left and right front seedling rails 27L, 27R become a straight, longer seedling rail.

[0043] Therefore, when the left and right parallel link mechanisms 22L, 22R are both rotated to the left or right side of the machine body and fixed, for example, when they are rotated to the right side, the right front seedling rail 27R is rotated about the right second pivot shaft 26R to connect the right front seedling rail 27R to the front end of the right base seedling rail 25R, and the right base seedling rail 25R and the right front seedling rail 27R are made into a straight, longer seedling rail. Even if there is a well or obstacle between the field and the ridge or road, the machine can be parked sideways on the ridge or road and the front end of the right seedling rail 24R can reach the ridge or road. Furthermore, by rotating the left front seedling rail 27L around the left second pivot shaft 26L and connecting the left front seedling rail 27L to the tip of the left base seedling rail 25L, so that the left base seedling rail 25L and the left front seedling rail 27L are aligned as a longer seedling rail, the left and right spare seedling carriers 6L, 6R will be positioned opposite each other within the overall left and right width of the seedling carrier 41 (eight rows) of the seedling planting section 4, so that seedlings can be easily and efficiently loaded into the machine from the ridges or roads, and can also be easily and efficiently supplied to the seedling carrier 41.

[0044] In addition, the left parallel link mechanism 22L is rotated to the left of the body and fixed, the right parallel link mechanism 22R is rotated to the right of the body and fixed, the left and right seedling rails 24L, 24R are rotated 90 degrees around the left and right pivot shafts 23L, 23R and fixed in a direction facing the front of the body, and the left and right front seedling rails 27L, 27R are rotated around the left and right second pivot shafts 26L, 26R to align the left and right front seedling rails 27L, 27R with the left and right base seedling rails 25L, 25R. If the left and right base seedling rails 25L, 25R and the left and right front seedling rails 27L, 27R are connected to the tips of the left and right seedling rails 24L, 24R so that they are connected to the tips of the left and right seedling rails 24L, 24R and the left and right front seedling rails 27L, 27R in a straight line, the tips of the left and right seedling rails 24L, 24R will protrude significantly forward of the machine body.This means that by placing the front of the machine body on a ridge or road, seedlings can be easily supplied from the ridge or road from the left and right sides of the machine body using the left and right seedling rails 24L, 24R, and the seedlings can be loaded into the machine easily and with good workability.

[0045] In addition, the left and right front seedling rails 27L, 27R may be folded parallel to the left and right base seedling rails 25L, 25R, the front of the machine may be placed on a ridge or road, and seedlings may be supplied from the ridge or road from both the left and right sides of the machine using the left and right seedling rails 24L, 24R.

[0046] In addition, the left and right parallel link mechanisms 22L, 22R are rotated and fixed to the left and right central portions of the body, the left seedling rail 24L is rotated 90 degrees around the left pivot shaft 23L and fixed in a direction facing the rear of the body, the right seedling rail 24R is rotated 90 degrees around the right pivot shaft 23R and fixed in a direction facing the front of the body, and the left and right leading seedling rails 27L, 27R are rotated around the left and right second pivot shafts 26L, 26R to connect the left and right leading seedling rails 27L, 27R to the tips of the left and right base seedling rails 25L, 25R. If the left and right base seedling rails 25L, 25R and the left and right front seedling rails 27L, 27R are made into a straight, longer seedling rail, the tips of the left and right seedling rails 24L, 24R will protrude significantly to the front and rear of the machine body, and depending on the field conditions and working conditions, either the front or rear of the machine body, whichever is more workable, can be placed on the ridge or road, and seedlings can be easily supplied from the ridge or road to the center of the left and right sides of the machine body using the left and right seedling rails 24L, 24R, making it easy and efficient to load the seedlings into the machine body.

[0047] In addition, the left and right front seedling rails 27L, 27R can be folded parallel to the left and right base seedling rails 25L, 25R, and the front or rear of the machine can be placed on a ridge or road, and seedlings can be supplied from the ridge or road to the center of the left or right side of the machine using the left and right seedling rails 24L, 24R.

[0048] In addition, if the left and right front seedling rails 27L, 27R, which extend long toward the front of the machine body, are supported by support members with bases fixed to the arms of the left and right line-drawing markers when they are stored vertically inside the machine body, the left and right spare seedling carriers 6L, 6R can be supported using the existing left and right line-drawing markers. In addition, the support members fixed to the arms of the left and right line-drawing markers disappear from the operator's forward field of view when the left and right line-drawing markers are lowered to the line-drawing operating state, which improves the maneuverability of the machine during rice planting work.

[0049] Here, the detailed configuration of the left and right seed rails 24L, 24R will be described.

[0050] Since the left and right seedling rails 24L, 24R have a symmetrical configuration, the left seedling rail 24L will be described as a representative with reference to Figs.

[0051] 7 and 8 show a state in which the left front seedling rail 27L of the left seedling rail 24L is folded in parallel with the left base seedling rail 25L.

[0052] The left base seedling rail 25L is composed of a pair of inner rails 25LI and outer rails 25LO made of L-shaped steel connected by connecting material 28, and the inner rail 25LI is configured to be slightly lower than the outer rail 25LO.As shown in Figures 7(B) and 8(B), the distance between the seedling box mounting portions of the inner rail 25LI and outer rail 25LO is wide enough to allow a seedling box N to be placed horizontally, and the length of the inner rail 25LI and outer rail 25LO is long enough to allow two seedling boxes N to be placed horizontally.

[0053] The left front seedling rail 27L is formed by connecting a pair of inner rails 27LI and outer rails 27LO made of L-shaped steel with connecting material 28, and the inner rail 27LI is configured to be slightly lower than the outer rail 27LO. As shown in Figures 7(B) and 8(B), the distance between the seedling box mounting portions of the inner rail 27LI and outer rail 27LO is wide enough to allow a seedling box N to be placed horizontally, and the length of the inner rail 27LI and outer rail 27LO is long enough to carry two seedling boxes N placed horizontally.

[0054] 7(B) and 8(B), the left seedling rail 24L can carry two rows (four seedling boxes N) of two seedling boxes N placed horizontally. The riding rice transplanter 1 is designed for planting eight rows, but a total of eight seedling boxes N can be placed, four on the left seedling rail 24L and four on the right seedling rail 24R.

[0055] As shown in Figures 7(A) and 8(A), the distance between the seedling box mounting portions of the outer rail 25LO of the left base seedling rail 25L and the outer rail 27LO of the left front seedling rail 27L is wide enough to allow seedling boxes N to be placed vertically, and the line connecting the seedling box mounting portions of the outer rail 25LO of the left base seedling rail 25L and the outer rail 27LO of the left front seedling rail 27L is higher than the inner rail 25LI of the left base seedling rail 25L and the inner rail 27LI of the left front seedling rail 27L, and the length of the outer rail 25LO of the left base seedling rail 25L and the outer rail 27LO of the left front seedling rail 27L is long enough to carry four seedling boxes N vertically.

[0056] 7(A) and 8(A), the left seedling rail 24L can carry four seedling boxes N vertically on the outer rail 25LO of the left base seedling rail 25L and the outer rail 27LO of the left front seedling rail 27L. The riding rice transplanter 1 is designed for planting eight rows, but a total of eight seedling boxes N can be placed on the left seedling rail 24L and four on the right seedling rail 24R.

[0057] Then, when the left and right parallel link mechanisms 22L, 22R are rotated and fixed to either the left or right side of the body, and the left and right leading seedling rails 27L, 27R are rotated about the left and right second pivot shafts 26L, 26R to connect the left and right leading seedling rails 27L, 27R to the tips of the left and right base seedling rails 25L, 25R, making the left and right base seedling rails 25L, 25R and the left and right leading seedling rails 27L, 27R into a straight, longer seedling rail, the inner rails 25LI, 27LI, 25RI and 27RI are located on the front side of the body, and the placed seedling box N is inclined inward toward the worker riding on the vehicle, making it easy to handle the seedling box N.

[0058] In addition, the left parallel link mechanism 22L is rotated to the left of the body and fixed, the right parallel link mechanism 22R is rotated to the right of the body and fixed, the left and right seedling rails 24L, 24R are rotated 90 degrees around the left and right pivot shafts 23L, 23R and fixed in a direction facing the front of the body, and the left and right leading seedling rails 27L, 27R are rotated around the left and right second pivot shafts 26L, 26R to connect the left and right leading seedling rails 27L, 27R to the tips of the left and right base seedling rails 25L, 25R. When the left and right base seedling rails 25L, 25R and the left and right tip seedling rails 27L, 27R are made into a straight, longer seedling rail, the left and right sides of the floor step 17 are opened widely, making it easy for workers to move around, and since the inner rails 25LI, 27LI, 25RI and 27RI are located on the inside of the machine body and the placed seedling boxes N are inclined inward toward the workers riding on the vehicle body, the seedling boxes N can be easily handled.

[0059] <Another embodiment>

[0060] (1) Figures 9 to 13 show a second embodiment of the seedling carrier 41 in a riding rice transplanter 1 equipped with the above-mentioned spare seedling carrier 6. The seedling carrier 41 of the second embodiment may be applied to a riding rice transplanter 1 that is not equipped with the above-mentioned spare seedling carrier 6.

[0061] That is, the seedling carrier 41 is divided into two parts, a lower seedling carrier 41D and an upper seedling carrier 41U.

[0062] The lower seedling platform 41D and the upper seedling platform 41U are connected by a frame 51 as a connecting member with a gap 50 formed between the upper end of the lower seedling platform 41D and the lower end of the upper seedling platform 41U, and move back and forth in unison.

[0063] The upper seedling platform 41U is provided with a rotatable lower fence 53D whose base is pivoted at its lower end by a left-right lower pivot 52D, and a rotatable upper fence 53U whose base is pivoted at its upper end by a left-right upper pivot 52U.

[0064] When the lower fence 53D of the upper seedling carrier 41U is raised (opened), it receives the lower end of the mat-like seedlings N' with soil placed on the upper seedling carrier 41U and opens a gap 50.When the operator seated in the seat 15 lowers the seedling planting unit 4 to the field for rice planting work, he or she can use the gap 50 to check the seedlings Na that have been planted in the field immediately after planting, and when the operator is driving with the seedling planting unit 4 raised to the highest position, he or she can check the rear through the gap 50.

[0065] In addition, when the lower fence 53D of the upper seedling carrier 41U is placed in a laid-down state (closed state), the lower fence 53D is configured to be long enough to close the gap 50 and reach the upper end of the lower seedling carrier 41D, so that the mat-like seedlings N' with soil placed on the upper seedling carrier 41U can be slid onto the lower seedling carrier 41D.

[0066] Here, the operation of the lower fence 53D and the upper fence 53U of the upper seedling platform 41U will be described with reference to FIG.

[0067] That is, a lower arm 54D is attached to a lower pivot 52D at the base of a lower fence 53D, and an upper arm 54U is attached to an upper pivot 52U at the base of an upper fence 53U.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 10(A), when the upper fence 53U is laid down so as to be flush with the placement surface of the upper seedling placement platform 41U, the lower fence 53D is brought into an upright position.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 10(B), when the upper fence 53U is raised, the lower fence 53D is lowered via the upper arm 54U, the connecting rod 55 and the lower arm 54D so as to be flush with the placement surface of the upper seedling placement platform 41U.

[0070] Therefore, there is no need to provide special operating levers for rotating the lower fence 53D and the upper fence 53U; simply holding and rotating either the lower fence 53D or the upper fence 53U will cause the other to rotate in conjunction, resulting in a simple configuration with good operability and workability.

[0071] The upper seedling carrier 41U is provided on the upper end of the frame 51 so as to be rotatable about a pivot shaft 56 in the left-right direction and to be fixed at a predetermined angle.

[0072] Therefore, as shown in Figure 11, when the upper seedling carrier 41U, with the lower fence 53D in an upright position and the upper fence 53U in a laid-down position, is rotated about the pivot shaft 56 to a gentle incline, the upper end of the upper seedling carrier 41U becomes closer to the worker riding on the traveling body 2 and at a lower position, making it easy and efficient to supply mat-like seedlings N' with soil to the upper seedling carrier 41U.

[0073] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12, if the upper seedling carrier 41U is further rotated around the pivot shaft 56 so that the rear end is tilted lower, a fertilizer bag can be placed on the upper seedling carrier 41U and the upper lid 47a of the fertilizer hopper 47 can be opened to supply fertilizer easily and with good workability.

[0074] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 13, when the upper seedling carrier 41U, with the lower fence 53D in a laid-down position and the upper fence 53U in an upright position, is rotated about the pivot shaft 56 to make it horizontal, the machine body can be reversed so that the rear of the seedling planting unit 4 is on a ridge or road, and the seedling planting unit 4 can be lowered until it touches the ground in the field, allowing an operator on the ridge or road to directly supply seedlings to the upper seedling carrier 41U, improving workability.

[0075] Since the lower fence 53D and the upper fence 53U are connected as described above, a worker standing on a ridge or road can grasp the lower fence 53D and rotate the lower fence 53D and the upper fence 53U.

[0076] 14 and 15 show an embodiment in which an upper fence 60U separating each row of the upper seedling carrier 41U is provided so as to be freely switched between an upright state and a lying state.

[0077] The upper fences 60U that separate each row of the upper seedling carrier 41U are provided in the same left-right position (opposite position) as the lower fence 60D of the lower seedling carrier 41D, but each upper fence 60U is freely rotatable on a pivot shaft 61, and the tip of an operating arm 61a extending downward from each pivot shaft 61 is connected to a rod 62a that is operated by an operating lever 62 provided on both the left and right sides of the upper seedling carrier 41U.

[0078] Therefore, by operating the operating lever 62, the upper fence 60U can be switched between an upright state and a laid state.

[0079] When the upper fence 60U is in an upright position, mat-like seedlings with soil can be placed on the seedling placement sections of each row of the upper seedling placement stand 41U, and when the upper fence 60U is in a laid-down position, seedling boxes placed on the upper seedling placement stand 41U for supplying seedlings can be moved left and right, making seedling supply work easy and efficient.

[0080] After moving left and right, the mat-like seedlings with soil are scooped up from the seedling boxes using a seedling removal board and placed on the seedling placement section.

[0081] FIG. 16 shows another embodiment in which a biasing force is applied to a pivot shaft 61 by a torque spring 63 so that the upper fence 60U is maintained in an upright state.

[0082] Therefore, when the upper seedling carrier 41U is moved left and right with seedling boxes placed thereon for seedling supply, the upper fence 60U falls down against the urging force of the torque spring 63 and automatically returns to the upright state after the left and right movement, so that the seedling supply operation can be easily and efficiently performed.

[0083] 17 and 18 show another embodiment in which, when the upper fence 60U is rotated about the pivot shaft 61 to be in a lying position, it becomes flush with the seedling placement portion.

[0084] Therefore, seedling boxes or mat-like seedlings with soil can be placed on the upper seedling carrier 41U for supply and moved to the left and right, making the seedling supply operation easy and efficient.

[0085] FIG. 19 shows still another embodiment in which, when the upper fence 60U is rotated about the pivot shaft 61 to be in a lying position, it becomes flush with the seedling placement portion.

[0086] That is, a recess 64 is provided in the seedling placement portion where the upper fence 60U and the pivot shaft 61 are located, and when the upper fence 60U is rotated about the pivot shaft 61 to lay down, the upper fence 60U fits within the recess 64 and falls down.

[0087] FIG. 20 shows another embodiment in which the upper seedling carrier 41U and the lower seedling carrier 41D are connected by a left and right expandable link 65 instead of the frame 51 connecting the upper seedling carrier 41U and the lower seedling carrier 41D.

[0088] That is, as shown in FIG. 20(A), when both the left and right telescopic links 65 are contracted, the upper seedling carrier 41U and the lower seedling carrier 41D are parallel to each other, which is the state for rice planting work.

[0089] As shown in Figure 20 (B), when the upper fence 60U is rotated around the pivot shaft 61 to lay it down, one of the telescopic links 65 (the left telescopic link 65 in the figure) is extended, and the other telescopic link 65 (the right telescopic link 65 in the figure) is contracted, the upper seedling carrier 41U becomes inclined (inclined downward to the right in the figure). When seedlings are placed on the higher side of the upper seedling carrier 41U (the left side position), the seedlings slide to the lower side (the right side position) under their own weight, making the seedling supply operation easier and more efficient.

[0090] Also, for example, when all the upper fences 60U are rotated around the pivot shaft 61 to be in a lying state and the first seedling is placed on the left side of the upper seedling platform 41U, which is the higher position, the seedling slides to the lower rightmost position by its own weight. Then, when the first upper fence 60U from the right side is placed in an upright state and the second seedling is placed on the left side of the upper seedling platform 41U, which is the higher position, the seedling slides from the right side of the upright state to the position of the first upper fence 60U by its own weight. Next, when the second upper fence 60U from the right side is placed in an upright state and the third seedling is placed on the left side of the upper seedling platform 41U, which is the higher position, the seedling slides from the right side of the upright state to the position of the second upper fence 60U by its own weight. If seedlings are supplied in the same manner, the seedling supply operation can be performed easily and with good workability. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 2 Running vehicle 4 Seedling planting department 6 Spare seedling tray 6L Left spare seedling tray 6R Right spare seedling stand 22L Left link mechanism 22R Right link mechanism 23L left pivot shaft 23R Right pivot shaft 24L Left seedling rail 24R Right rail 25L Left base rail 25LI inner rail 25LO outer rail 25R Right base rail 25RI inner rail 25RO outer rail 26L 2nd left pivot shaft 26R 2nd right pivot shaft 27L Left front rail 27LI Inner rail 27LO outer rail 27R Right end rail 27RI inner rail 27RO outer rail 41 Seedling stand 41D Lower seedling tray 41U upper seedling stand 50 Gap 51 Connecting member (frame) 56 Pivot axis 60U Upper fence N seedling box

Claims

1. This riding seedling planting machine has a seedling planting section (4) mounted on the rear side of a traveling body (2) so that it can be raised and lowered, and a spare seedling carrier (6) that is long in the left-right direction of the machine body is provided at the rear of the traveling body (2), and is characterized in that the spare seedling carrier (6) is composed of left and right spare seedling carriers (6L, 6R) that are each freely rotatable in the left-right direction by left and right link mechanisms (22L, 22R).

2. The riding seedling planter according to claim 1, characterized in that the left and right spare seedling carriers (6L, 6R) are composed of left and right seedling rails (24L, 24R) that can be rotated around left and right pivot shafts (23L, 23R) in the vertical direction on the left and right link mechanisms (22L, 22R), and the left and right seedling rails (24L, 24R) are composed of left and right base seedling rails (25L, 25R) that can be rotated around the left and right pivot shafts (23L, 23R) and left and right tip seedling rails (27L, 27R) that can be rotated around left and right second pivot shafts (26L, 26R) in the vertical direction provided at the tip sides of the left and right base seedling rails (25L, 25R).

3. The base seedling rail (25L, 25R) is composed of a pair of inner rails (25LI, 25RI) and outer rails (25LO, 25RO) arranged at an interval so that the seedling boxes (N) can be placed horizontally, and the front seedling rail (27L, 27R) is composed of a pair of inner rails (27LI, 27RI) and outer rails (27LO, 27RO) arranged at an interval so that the seedling boxes (N) can be placed horizontally. The riding seedling planter according to claim 2, characterized in that, when folded parallel to the seedling rails (25L, 25R), the outer rails (25LO, 25RO) of the base seedling rails (25L, 25R) and the outer rails (27LO, 27RO) of the front seedling rails (27L, 27R) are positioned higher than the inner rails (25LI, 25RI, 27LI, 27RI) and at a distance that allows seedling boxes (N) to be placed vertically.

4. The riding seedling planting machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the seedling carrying platform (41) provided in the seedling planting section (4) is divided into a lower seedling carrying platform (41D) and an upper seedling carrying platform (41U) above and below, a gap (50) is provided between the lower seedling carrying platform (41D) and the upper seedling carrying platform (41U) and they are connected by a connecting member (51), and the upper seedling carrying platform (41U) is attached to the connecting member (51) so as to be freely rotatable by a pivot shaft (56) in the left-right direction of the machine body.

5. 5. The riding seedling planter according to claim 4, characterized in that an upper fence (60U) separating each row of the upper seedling carrier (41U) is provided so as to be freely switched between an upright position and a lying position.

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