Sulky seedling planting machine

Abstract

To address such a problem that among conventional sulky seedling planting machines for planting seedlings while traveling in a field, some of them each comprises, on a traveling car body, a reserve seedling placement part with placement trays switchable between a state of being connected on the same plane in a longitudinal direction of a machine body and a state of being folded, where workability and operation efficiency of an operation to take out the empty seedling boxes from the sulky seedling planting machine is still poor; therefore, to provide a sulky seedling planting machine capable of improving the workability and work efficiency of the operation to take out the empty seedling boxes from the placement trays of the reserve seedling placement part.SOLUTION: A sulky seedling planting machine is equipped with a seedling planting part on a rear part of a traveling car body, and comprises a reserve seedling placement part with placement trays on which reserve seedling boxes (N) are placed. The sulky seedling planting machine is further provided with: an empty box placement part on which empty seedling boxes (N) are placed, below the reserve seedling placement part; and a guide body for guiding the empty seedling boxes (N) to the empty box placement part from the reserve seedling placement part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a riding type seedling planter equipped with a spare seedling carrier. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, some riding seedling planters that plant seedlings while traveling in a field are equipped with a spare seedling carrying section with a loading platform on the traveling body, and the loading platform can be switched between a state in which it is aligned on the same plane in the fore-aft direction of the machine body and a folded-up state (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-000045 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] If the front of the riding-type seedling planter is placed on a ridge or road and the loading platform of the spare seedling carrier is aligned on the same plane in the fore-and-aft direction of the machine body, it is easy to supply trays of grown seedlings from the ridge or road to the riding-type seedling planter, but the task of removing empty seedling trays from the loading platform of the spare seedling carrier is still difficult to work with and is not very efficient.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide a ride-on seedling planting machine that can improve the workability and work efficiency of the operation of removing empty seedling boxes from the loading platform of the spare seedling loading section. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The invention described in claim 1 is a ride-on seedling planter having a seedling planting section 30 attached to the rear of the running body 2 and a spare seedling carrying section 50 equipped with a loading platform for placing seedling boxes N at the front of the running body 2, characterized in that it has an empty box carrying section 58 located below the spare seedling carrying section 50 for placing empty seedling boxes N, and a guide body for guiding empty seedling boxes N from the spare seedling carrying section 50 to the empty box carrying section 58.

[0007] According to the invention described in claim 1, the front part of the riding seedling planter can be placed on a ridge or road, and the work of supplying seedling boxes containing grown seedlings from the ridge or road to the loading platform of the spare seedling carrying section 50 can be easily performed. Furthermore, the empty seedling boxes N can be removed from the spare seedling carrying section 50 and further transferred to the empty box carrying section 58, with good workability and efficiency.

[0008] The invention described in claim 2 is a riding seedling planter as described in claim 1, characterized in that the guide body is placed in an inclined position to guide an empty seedling box N from the spare seedling loading section 50 to the empty box loading section 58 in an inclined position.

[0009] The invention described in claim 3 is a riding seedling planter as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the seedling boxes N placed on the spare seedling loading section 50 and the seedling boxes N placed on the empty box loading section 58 are supported in different postures, and the empty box loading section 58 can support multiple empty seedling boxes N stacked on top of each other.

[0010] The invention described in claim 4 is a ride-on seedling planter having a seedling planting section 30 attached to the rear of the running body 2 and a spare seedling carrying section 50 equipped with a loading platform for placing seedling boxes N on the running body 2, characterized in that the ride-on seedling planter further comprises an empty box carrying section 58 located below the spare seedling carrying section 50 for placing empty seedling boxes N, a guide body for guiding the empty seedling boxes N from the spare seedling carrying section 50 to the empty box carrying section 58, and the guide body slides the empty seedling boxes N toward the outside and downward of the machine body. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [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. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a front view of a main portion showing another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a front view of a main portion showing another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a front view of a main portion showing another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a plan view of a main portion showing another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a side view of the seedling tray according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a side view for explaining the operation of the seedling tray and the seedling removal tool. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a side view for explaining the operation of the seedling tray and the seedling removal tool. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a riding type seedling planter disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below.

[0013] <Overall composition> The overall configuration of a riding-type rice transplanter 1 as a riding-type seedling transplanter according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0014] The riding rice transplanter 1 is equipped with a traveling body 2 capable of traveling in a field. The traveling body 2 is equipped with a pair of left and right front wheels 3 and a pair of left and right rear wheels 4. The traveling body 2 is, for example, a four-wheel drive in which the front wheels 3 and the rear wheels 4 are driven. A seedling planting unit 30 that is raised and lowered by a lifting device 20 is provided at the rear of the traveling body 2.

[0015] A spare seedling carrying section 50 is provided on both the left and right sides of the front of the traveling body 2.

[0016] <Running vehicle 2> The traveling body 2 includes a machine frame 5, an engine E mounted on the machine frame 5, and a power transmission device 6 that transmits the power generated by the engine E to the drive wheels and the seedling planting unit 30. In other words, the power generated by the engine E, which is the power source, is used not only to move the traveling body 2 forward or backward, but also to drive the seedling planting unit 30.

[0017] The engine E is disposed in the center of the traveling body 2 in the left-right direction, at a position that protrudes above a floor step 7 on which an operator who boards the traveling body 2 places his / her feet. A heat engine such as a diesel engine or a gasoline engine is used as the engine E. The floor step 7 is provided at the front of the traveling body 2 in the front-rear direction. The floor step 7 is provided from the front of the traveling body 2 to the rear of the engine E.

[0018] The floor step 7 is attached onto the aircraft frame 5. Of the floor step 7, for example, a part near the cockpit 9 described below is formed in a lattice shape in a plan view so that mud adhering to the worker's shoes can be removed into the field.

[0019] A front step 7F is provided at the front of the floor step 7, and left and right extended side steps 7S are provided on the left and right outer sides of the floor step 7. A rear step 7R that also serves as a fender for the rear wheel 4 is provided at the rear of the floor step 7, and a boarding and disembarking step 7J for workers to board and disembark from the vehicle body is provided on the outer sides of the left and right extended side steps 7S.

[0020] The engine E is covered by an engine cover 8. A pilot's seat 9 is provided above the engine cover 8. The pilot's seat 9 is a seat where an operator sits when operating the aircraft.

[0021] The power transmission device 6 includes a belt-type power transmission section 6a to which power is transmitted from the engine E, a hydraulic continuously variable transmission which is a transmission device that changes the speed of the power transmitted from the engine E via the belt-type power transmission section, and a transmission case 6b.

[0022] The hydraulic continuously variable transmission is, for example, a hydrostatic continuously variable transmission known as HST. The hydraulic continuously variable transmission can change the output (rotation speed) and output direction (rotation direction) by operating the main shift lever. In other words, the hydraulic continuously variable transmission can change the forward / reverse movement and traveling speed of the traveling vehicle body 2 by changing the rotation speed and rotation direction.

[0023] The transmission case 6b is provided with a transmission device that transmits the power from the engine E, which is changed in speed by the hydraulic continuously variable transmission, to each part. The transmission case 6b is equipped with an auxiliary transmission mechanism that switches the traveling speed during traveling and working. When the auxiliary transmission lever is operated, the transmission case 6b can switch the traveling speed of the traveling body 2, for example, to a traveling speed faster than the traveling speed during planting work, a seedling planting speed during planting work, etc.

[0024] The traveling body 2 is equipped with a steering handle 10, a planting lever, etc., in front of the driver's seat 9. The steering handle 10 is provided on the bonnet 11 of the traveling body 2, and is operated by an operator to steer the traveling body 2. The planting lever is a clutch lever, and is provided on the bonnet 11, and is a lever that is operated to raise and lower the seedling planting unit 30 and to start and stop planting of seedlings by the seedling planting unit 30.

[0025] The traveling body 2 also includes a main speed change lever and an auxiliary speed change lever. The main speed change lever (also called the HST lever) is a lever that is operated when changing the forward / reverse movement and traveling speed of the traveling body 2. The auxiliary speed change lever is a lever that is operated when changing the traveling speed of the traveling body 2 to a speed appropriate for the traveling location (field or road).

[0026] The bonnet 11 is provided so as to protrude upward from the floor step 7, and is covered with a front cover 11a. For example, a display unit (meter panel) is provided on the bonnet 11. The display unit has a display surface that is inclined downward toward the rear so as to face an operator who is seated in the cockpit 9 and faces forward.

[0027] The display unit displays information from various sensors, such as a marker sensor that detects whether line-drawing markers that form a travel reference line serving as a guide for straight-line driving on the field scene are present on the left and right sides of the traveling vehicle body, a planting lever position sensor that detects the operating position of the planting lever, a fertilizer shortage sensor that detects when the amount of fertilizer stored in the storage hopper 41 of the fertilizer application device 40 falls below a predetermined amount, and a fertilizer clogging sensor that detects when fertilizer sent from the storage hopper 41 becomes clogged in the supply path.

[0028] The riding rice transplanter 1 includes a lifting device 20 and a seedling planting unit 30. The lifting device 20 includes a lifting link 21. The lifting link 21 is a parallel link that connects the rear of the traveling body 2 and the seedling planting unit 30, and is connected to the link frame at the rear of the traveling body 2 and the seedling planting unit 30 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction, thereby connecting the seedling planting unit 30 to the traveling body 2 so as to be able to rise and fall.

[0029] The lifting device 20 also includes a hydraulic lifting cylinder 22. The lifting cylinder 22 extends and retracts when the planting lever is operated to switch the hydraulic valve. The lifting cylinder 22 extends and retracts to drive the lifting link 21 and raise and lower the seedling planting unit 30. That is, when the planting lever is operated, the lifting cylinder 22 switches between a non-working position where the seedling planting unit 30 is raised and a ground work position (planting position) where the seedling planting unit 30 is lowered.

[0030] <Seedling planting section 30> As described above, the seedling planting unit 30 is attached to the rear of the traveling body 2 via the lifting link 21. The seedling planting unit 30 can plant seedlings in multiple rows (rows), for example. The seedling planting unit 30 includes a seedling placement table 31, a float 32, and a planting device 33.

[0031] The seedling placement table 31 has seedling placement surfaces in the left-right direction of the machine body, the number of which corresponds to the number of planting rows. Each seedling placement surface is a downwardly sloping surface on which multiple mat seedlings (mat seedlings with soil) can be placed in the vertical direction.

[0032] The float 32 levels the field (paddy field) while gliding over the field surface in accordance with the movement of the traveling vehicle body 2. The float 32 includes a center float arranged in the center of the machine body in the left-right direction of the machine body, and side floats arranged on the outside in the left-right direction with the center float in between. In the illustrated example, the riding rice transplanter 1 further includes a soil leveling rotor 13, which is a soil leveling device.

[0033] Each float (center float and side float) of the float 32 is rotatably attached to the traveling body 2 so that the front portion can move up and down in response to the unevenness of the field surface.

[0034] During planting work, the up and down movement of the front part of the center float is detected by a rotation sensor, and in accordance with the detection results of the rotation sensor, the control unit switches the hydraulic valve that controls the extension and contraction movement of the lifting cylinder 22 to raise and lower the seedling planting section 30, thereby adjusting the planting depth of the seedlings.

[0035] The planting device 33 is supported by the planting support frame of the seedling placing table 31 and is disposed below the seedling placing table 31. The planting device 33 plants the seedlings placed on the seedling placing table 31 in the field. The planting device 33 includes a planting rod 331, a rotary case 332, and a planting case 333. The planting rod 331 picks the seedlings from the mat seedlings placed on the seedling placing table 31 and plants them in the field.

[0036] The rotary case 332 rotatably supports the planting case 333. The rotary case 332 is provided with a variable speed transmission mechanism capable of rotating the planting rod 331 while changing the rotation speed of the planting rod 331. The planting rod 331 rotates while changing the rotation speed depending on the rotation angle relative to the rotary case 332.

[0037] <Fertilization equipment 40> The riding rice transplanter 1 includes a fertilizer applicator 40. The fertilizer applicator 40 is an apparatus for spreading fertilizer in a field. In the riding rice transplanter 1, the seedling planting unit 30 plants seedlings in the field while the fertilizer applicator 40 spreads fertilizer in the field.

[0038] The fertilizer application device 40 comprises a storage hopper 41 for storing fertilizer located above the rear of the running body 2 and behind the driver's seat 9, a delivery section 42 for delivering fertilizer from the storage hopper 41, a fertilizer pipe 44 for transporting the fertilizer delivered from the delivery section 42 using the wind power of an electric blower 43, and a furrow maker 45 for creating furrows to the side of the seedling planting position and spreading the fertilizer delivered by the fertilizer pipe 44 into the furrows.

[0039] <50 spare seedlings> The riding rice transplanter 1 is provided with a spare seedling carrying section 50 on each of the left and right sides at the front of the traveling body 2. The spare seedling carrying section 50 is provided with two loading platforms 51.

[0040] Here, a detailed configuration of the spare seedling carrying section 50 will be described with reference to Figs.

[0041] The riding rice transplanter 1 is equipped with a spare seedling carrying section 50 on both the left and right sides in front of the traveling body 2, the spare seedling carrying section 50 consisting of a right spare seedling carrying section 50R and a left spare seedling carrying section 50L.

[0042] The left spare seedling loading section 50L includes two loading tables, an upper loading table 51U and a lower loading table 51D. The upper loading table 51U and the lower loading table 51D are pallet-shaped and include a side wall 51a, a bottom surface 51b, and a rear wall 51c.

[0043] The left spare seedling loading section 50L is configured to be switchable between a stacked state in which the upper loading platform 51U and the lower loading platform 51D are stacked in two levels, one above the other, when viewed from above, and an expanded state in which the upper loading platform 51U and the lower loading platform 51D are expanded in a straight line in the front-to-rear direction.

[0044] That is, a lower platform frame 53D is fixed to the upper end of the left seedling platform frame 52L, the base of which is fixed to the body frame 5 of the traveling vehicle body 2, and a lower loading platform 51D is fixed to the lower platform frame 53D.

[0045] An upper platform frame 53U is pivotally supported on the upper ends of front and rear parallel links 54F, 54R whose bases are pivotally supported on the lower platform frame 53D, and an upper loading platform 51U is fixed to the upper platform frame 53U.

[0046] Therefore, by grasping the gripping portion 55 fixed to the front of the upper loading platform frame 53U and rotating the front and rear parallel links 54F, 54R to move the upper loading platform 51U in parallel, it is possible to switch between a stacked state in which the upper and lower stages overlap in a planar view, and an expanded state in which the upper loading platform 51U and the lower loading platform 51D are expanded in a straight line in the front-to-rear direction.

[0047] A support frame 57 of an empty box platform 56 is fixed to the upper platform frame 53U and the lower platform frame 53D by welding.

[0048] The empty box carrier 56 is supported by a support frame 57 and includes an empty box carrier 58 for storing one empty seedling box N in a horizontally long and vertical position.

[0049] The empty box loading section 58 is composed of a front loading section 58F and a rear loading section 58R.

[0050] The front and rear loading sections 58F and 58R are each composed of a front support stand 59F and a rear support stand 59R made of rail-shaped resin that are long and extend horizontally to support the lower end of an empty seedling box N placed vertically, and a front support frame 60F and a rear support frame 60R made of rods that rise diagonally upward and outward from the front support stand 59F and the rear support stand 59R to support the upper surface of the empty seedling box N.

[0051] The front support frame 60F and the rear support frame 60R are designed to have a height capable of supporting more than half of the seedling tray N placed thereon.

[0052] The front and rear portions 58F, 58R of the empty box loading section 58 are configured to have substantially the same length as the front-rear length of the upper loading platform 51U and the lower loading platform 51D.

[0053] In other words, when the upper loading platform 51U and the lower loading platform 51D are spread out in a straight line in the fore-and-aft direction, the front loading portion 58F and the rear loading portion 58R of the empty box loading portion 58 are in a serial line connected in the fore-and-aft direction, and the fore-and-aft length of the front loading portion 58F and the rear loading portion 58R of the empty box loading portion 58 is approximately the same as the length of the upper loading platform 51U and the lower loading platform 51D in the spread out state in a straight line in the fore-and-aft direction.

[0054] Furthermore, the front receiving frame 60F of the front loading portion 58F and the rear receiving frame 60R of the rear loading portion 58R are arranged at an outward incline so as to rise diagonally upward from the front receiving stand 59F and the rear receiving stand 59R, respectively, so that the empty seedling boxes N placed on the front loading portion 58F and the rear loading portion 58R are supported at an outward incline and are therefore placed in a stably position on the front loading portion 58F and the rear loading portion 58R and can also be moved forward stably.

[0055] The lower loading platform 51D is provided with a seedling box recovery arm 61 as a seedling box recovery body that lifts up an empty seedling box N placed on the upper surface and moves it into the rear loading section 58R of the empty box loading section 58.

[0056] That is, the seedling tray collecting arm 61 is composed of a pivot shaft 61a rotatably supported on the outer end of the lower loading platform 51D, and a U-shaped arm 61b having a base welded and fixed to the pivot shaft 61a.

[0057] By rotating the pivot shaft 61a, the U-shaped arm 61b can be freely switched between a stored state in which it is stored in a groove provided in the lower loading platform 51D and is flush with the upper surface of the lower loading platform 51D, and a state in which it stands above the lower loading platform 51D and is inclined downward toward the rear loading section 58R.

[0058] The left seedling stand frame 52L is pivotally supported at its base a recovery pedal 62 which is located on the inside of the body near the top surface of the front step 7F.

[0059] The recovery pedal 62 is biased upward by a spring, and one end of a connecting wire 63 is connected thereto.

[0060] On the other hand, the other end of the connecting wire 63 is connected to the tip of a rotating arm 61c whose base is fixed by welding to one end of the pivot shaft 61a of the seedling tray collecting arm 61.

[0061] Therefore, when the operator depresses the recovery pedal 62, the rotating arm 61c, whose base is welded to one end of the pivot shaft 61a of the seedling box recovery arm 61, is pulled by the connecting wire 63, causing the pivot shaft 61a to rotate, and the U-shaped arm 61b of the seedling box recovery arm 61 is stored in a groove provided in the lower loading platform 51D and is switched from a stored state where it is flush with the top surface of the lower loading platform 51D to a stored state where it rises above the lower loading platform 51D and is inclined downward toward the rear loading section 58R.

[0062] When the operator stops pressing the recovery pedal 62, the recovery pedal 62 rotates upward due to the spring force, the connecting wire 63 loosens, and the C-shaped arm 61b of the seedling box recovery arm 61 rises above the lower loading platform 51D and switches from a low inclined state with the outward side toward the rear loading section 58R to a stored state where it is stored in a groove provided in the lower loading platform 51D and is flush with the top surface of the lower loading platform 51D.

[0063] Further, the rear receiving stand 59R of the rear loading section 58R is provided with a belt conveyor 64 as a transfer device for transferring the seedling boxes N placed on the rear loading section 58R to the front receiving stand 59F in the front.

[0064] The belt conveyor 64 is driven by an electric motor when a seedling box sensor 65 for detecting the seedling box N provided on the rear receiving stand 59R detects the seedling box N, and transfers the seedling box N to the front receiving stand 59F in front.

[0065] The right spare seedling loading section 50R is provided with two upper loading platforms 51U and a lower loading platform 51D on the top of the right seedling tray frame 52R, the base of which is fixed to the machine body frame 5 of the traveling body 2. The upper loading platform 51U and the lower loading platform 51D are pallet-shaped and have side walls 51a, a bottom surface 51b, and front and rear walls 51c, and each can carry a seedling box N containing grown seedlings.

[0066] <Planting seedlings> The left spare seedling loading section 50L is switched to the open state. That is, the gripping section 55 fixed to the front part of the upper loading frame 53U is gripped, the front and rear parallel links 54F, 54R are rotated, and the upper loading platform 51U is moved forward in parallel, so that the upper loading platform 51U and the lower loading platform 51D are switched to the open state in which they are linearly opened in the front and rear direction.

[0067] Then, the rear loading portion 58R and the front loading portion 58F of the empty box loading platform 56 are aligned in series and communicated in the front-rear direction.

[0068] An operator seated in the operator's seat 9 of the riding rice transplanter 1 operates the machine to place the front of the riding rice transplanter 1 on a ridge or a road.

[0069] An operator on a ridge or road unfolds the seedling boxes N containing raised seedlings placed on the ridge or road, places them on the upper loading platform 51U at the front, pushes them toward the rear of the machine body, and slides them to the lower loading platform 51D at the rear.

[0070] An operator aboard the machine takes out mat-like seedlings from the seedling box N that has been slid to the lower loading platform 51D and supplies them to the seedling placement platform 31 of the seedling planting section 30.

[0071] Then, the worker depresses the recovery pedal 62, switching the U-shaped arm 61b of the seedling box recovery arm 61 from a stored state in which it is stored in a groove provided in the lower loading platform 51D and is flush with the upper surface of the lower loading platform 51D to a state in which it rises above the lower loading platform 51D and is inclined downward toward the rear loading section 58R.

[0072] Then, the empty seedling box N on the lower loading platform 51D is lifted by the U-shaped arm 61b of the seedling box collecting arm 61, and slides down the U-shaped arm 61b to move to the rear loading section 58R.

[0073] When an empty seedling box N moves to the rear loading section 58R, the seedling box sensor 65 provided on the rear receiving stand 59R detects the seedling box N, causing the electric motor to operate and the belt conveyor 64 to be driven, thereby transporting the seedling box N to the front receiving stand 59F of the front loading section 58F.

[0074] An operator standing on the ridge or road removes the empty seedling boxes N that have been transferred to the front loading section 58F of the empty box loading section 58 and places them on the ridge or road, then unfolds the seedling boxes N filled with seedlings that have been placed on the ridge or road and places them on the upper loading platform 51U at the front, and pushes the seedling boxes N on the upper loading platform 51U toward the rear of the machine body, and slides them to the lower loading platform 51D at the rear.

[0075] In this way, seedling boxes N filled with seedlings placed on the ridges or roads can be supplied efficiently, easily and with good workability to the seedling placement table 31 of the seedling planting section 30 using the unfolded upper loading platform 51U and lower loading platform 51D, and by stepping on the recovery pedal 62, the seedling box recovery arm 61 can be operated to transfer the empty seedling boxes N on the lower loading platform 51D to the rear loading section 58R of the empty box loading section 58, allowing the work of removing empty seedling boxes N from the empty box loading section 58 to be carried out with good workability and efficiency.

[0076] Then, when the seedling supply work to the seedling placement table 31 of the seedling planting section 30 is completed, the worker on the ridge or road spreads out the seedling boxes N placed on the ridge or road, places them on the upper loading table 51U at the front, pushes them toward the rear of the machine body, slides them to the lower loading table 51D at the rear, and then places the seedling boxes N on the upper loading table 51U. Also, seedling boxes N are placed on the upper loading table 51U and the lower loading table 51D of the right spare seedling placement section 50R.

[0077] Also, the fertilizer bag placed on the ridge or road is picked up and carried to the storage hopper 41 of the fertilizer applicator 40 to supply fertilizer.

[0078] An operator seated in the operator's seat 9 of the riding rice transplanter 1 operates the machine to move along a predetermined route within the field, and drives each part to perform seedling planting and fertilizing operations.

[0079] When there are only a few mat-shaped seedlings remaining on the seedling placement table 31 of the seedling planting section 30, the machine stops, picks up the seedling boxes N placed on the left spare seedling placement section 50L or the right spare seedling placement section 50R, removes the mat-shaped seedlings from the seedling boxes N and supplies them to the seedling placement table 31 of the seedling planting section 30, and places the empty seedling boxes N on the empty box placement section 58. Then, the machine is advanced again to drive each section and perform seedling planting and fertilizing work.

[0080] Then, when the mat-like seedlings remaining on the seedling placement table 31 of the seedling planting section 30 become scarce and the spare seedlings on the left spare seedling placement section 50L and the right spare seedling placement section 50R also run out, the front of the riding rice transplanter 1 is placed on the ridge or road, mat-like seedlings are supplied to the seedling placement table 31 of the seedling planting section 30 in the manner described above, and seedling boxes N with grown seedlings are placed on the left spare seedling placement section 50L and the right spare seedling placement section 50R. Also, if the fertilizer in the storage hopper 41 of the fertilizer applicator 40 is running low, fertilizer is also supplied to the storage hopper 41.

[0081] Then, when work in the field is finished and the work is to be loaded onto a truck or stored in a barn, etc., the gripping portion 55 fixed to the front of the upper loading platform frame 53U is gripped and the front and rear parallel links 54F, 54R are rotated to move the upper loading platform 51U in parallel to the rear, switching the upper loading platform 51U and the lower loading platform 51D to a stacked state in which they overlap in a plan view, forming two tiers, one above the other.

[0082] In summary, the left spare seedling loading section 50L is provided with a plurality (two) upper loading tables 51U and lower loading tables 51D, and is configured to be switchable between a stacked state in which the upper loading table 51U and the lower loading table 51D are stacked in two levels, one above the other, in a plan view, and a deployed state in which the upper loading table 51U moves forward of the lower loading table 51D and the upper loading table 51U and the lower loading table 51D are deployed linearly in the front-to-rear direction. The front loading section 58F and the rear loading section 58 of the empty box loading section 58 for loading empty seedling boxes N at the outer positions of the upper loading table 51U and the lower loading table 51D are configured to be switchable between a stacked state in which the upper loading table 51U and the lower loading table 51D are stacked in two levels, one above the other, in a plan view, and a deployed state in which the upper loading table 51U moves forward of the lower loading table 51D and the upper loading table 51U and the lower loading table 51D are deployed linearly in the front-to-rear direction. Since the loading section 58R is provided, when the front of the riding rice transplanter 1 is placed on the ridge or road and the upper loading platform 51U is moved forward of the lower loading platform 51D, and the upper loading platform 51U and the lower loading platform 51D are expanded in a linear manner in the front-to-back direction, the front loading section 58F and the rear loading section 58R of the empty box loading section 58 are arranged in series and connected in the front-to-back direction, allowing the supply of raised seedling boxes N from the ridge or road to the riding rice transplanter 1 and the removal of empty seedling boxes N from the riding rice transplanter 1 to be performed efficiently and with good workability.

[0083] In addition, when the recovery pedal 62 is depressed, the U-shaped arm 61b of the seedling box recovery arm 61 is stored in a groove provided in the lower loading platform 51D and is switched from a stored state where it is flush with the upper surface of the lower loading platform 51D to a state where it rises above the lower loading platform 51D and is inclined with the outwardly lower side toward the rear loading section 58R, so that the U-shaped arm 61b of the seedling box recovery arm 61 lifts the empty seedling box N on the lower loading platform 51D at an angle, and the empty seedling box N slides down the U-shaped arm 61b and moves to the rear loading section 58R, allowing the empty seedling box N on the lower loading platform 51D to be moved easily and with good workability to the rear loading section 58R.

[0084] Furthermore, when an empty seedling box N moves to the rear loading section 58R, a seedling box sensor 65 provided on the rear receiving stand 59R of the rear loading section 58R detects the seedling box N, causing the electric motor to operate and the belt conveyor 64 to be driven, thereby transporting the seedling box N to the front loading section 58F. This eliminates the need to transport the empty seedling box N from the rear loading section 58R to the front loading section 58F, improving work efficiency.

[0085] Furthermore, when the front loading section 58F and the rear loading section 58R of the empty box loading section 58 are in a linear state communicating in the fore-and-aft direction, if the rear receiving stand 59R of the rear loading section 58R and the front receiving stand 59F of the front loading section 58F are configured to have a forward inclination that is lower toward the front, even if the seedling box sensor 65 and the belt conveyor 64 are omitted, the empty seedling box N can slide freely or be transferred with light force from the rear receiving stand 59R of the rear loading section 58R to the front receiving stand 59F of the front loading section 58F, making it easy to transfer the empty seedling box N from the rear loading section 58R to the front loading section 58F and improving work efficiency.

[0086] <Another embodiment> (1) FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the lower loading platform 51D of the left spare seedling loading section 50L.

[0087] That is, the U-shaped arm 61b of the seedling tray collecting arm 61 is provided with a rotating roller 70 which is rotatably supported on a rod portion in the left-right direction of the machine body.

[0088] Therefore, when the U-shaped arm 61b of the seedling box recovery arm 61 is stored in a groove provided in the lower loading platform 51D, the upper end of the rotating roller 70 protrudes slightly from the upper surface of the lower loading platform 51D, allowing the seedling box N to move smoothly back and forth on the lower loading platform 51D.

[0089] In other words, when the upper loading platform 51U and the lower loading platform 51D are spread out in a linear manner in the fore-and-aft direction, the seedling boxes N can be moved smoothly when placed on the front upper loading platform 51U from the front of the body and then moved to the rear lower loading platform 51D.

[0090] Further, a rotating roller 71 is provided which is rotatably supported on the vertical rod portions of the front receiving frame 60F and the rear receiving frame 60R of the empty box mounting portion 58 (the front mounting portion 58F and the rear mounting portion 58R).

[0091] Therefore, the empty seedling box N placed on the empty box placement section 58 (the front placement section 58F and the rear placement section 58R) is smoothly moved forward. (2) FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the left spare seedling carrying section 50L.

[0092] That is, the width is set so that a plurality of empty seedling boxes N (three in FIG. 6, but two or four or more may be used) can be placed on the empty box loading section 58 (front loading section 58F and rear loading section 58R). (3) FIGS. 7 and 8 show another embodiment of the left spare seedling carrying section 50L.

[0093] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which, by stepping on the recovery pedal 62, the U-shaped arm 61b of the seedling box recovery arm 61 is stored in a groove provided in the lower loading platform 51D via the connecting wire 63, and is switched from a stored state where it is flush with the upper surface of the lower loading platform 51D to a state where it rises above the lower loading platform 51D and is inclined with its outward side lower toward the rear loading section 58R.However, in the embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8, the U-shaped arm 61b of the seedling box recovery arm 61 is automatically switched from a stored state to a state where it rises above the lower loading platform 51D and is inclined with its outward side lower toward the rear loading section 58R.

[0094] That is, the base of a hydraulic damper (or spring damper or spring) 75 serving as a biasing device is pivoted to the rear of the lower loading platform 51D, and the tip of the hydraulic damper (or spring damper or spring) 75 is connected to the tip of a rotating arm 61c whose base is welded to one end of the pivot shaft 61a of the seedling box recovery arm 61.

[0095] In addition, the hydraulic damper (or spring damper or spring) 75 is set to a hydraulic pressure (or spring pressure) that does not extend under the weight of the seedling box N containing mat-shaped seedlings when a seedling box N containing mat-shaped seedlings is placed on the U-shaped arm 61b, but extends when an empty seedling box N is placed on the U-shaped arm 61b.

[0096] Therefore, when an operator removes a mat-shaped seedling from a seedling box N containing mat-shaped seedlings on the lower loading platform 51D and supplies it to the seedling placement platform 31 of the seedling planting section 30, the seedling box N on the lower loading platform 51D becomes an empty seedling box N, so the hydraulic damper (or spring damper) 75 extends, and the U-shaped arm 61b of the seedling box recovery arm 61 is stored in a groove provided in the lower loading platform 51D and switches from a stored state where it is flush with the top surface of the lower loading platform 51D to a state where it rises above the lower loading platform 51D and is inclined with a low outward angle toward the rear loading section 58R, and the empty seedling box N is automatically transferred to the rear loading section 58R.

[0097] This allows for easier and more efficient operation. (4) If the empty box loading section 58 (front loading section 58F) is configured to be freely extendable toward the front of the machine body, it becomes easier for workers on the ridge or road to remove seedling boxes N from the empty box loading section 58 (front loading section 58F), improving workability and work efficiency.

[0098] The empty box carrying section 58 (front carrying section 58F) may be extended toward the front of the machine body by operating an operating lever, or may be automatically extended when the seedling box sensor 65 detects a seedling box N.

[0099] In addition, the upper part of the left seedling table frame 52L and the upper part of the right seedling table frame 52R can be connected above the bonnet 11 by a connecting frame, and a camera for monitoring the spare seedling loading section 50 can be provided in the left and right center of the connecting frame (the left and right center of the body) so that the camera can determine whether or not a seedling box N is placed on the empty box loading section 58, and when the camera determines that a seedling box N is placed on the empty box loading section 58, the empty box loading section 58 (front loading section 58F) can be extended toward the front of the body. (5) FIGS. 9 to 13 show an embodiment in which a mat-like seedling is taken out of a seedling tray N by a seedling picker 95. FIG.

[0100] That is, the seedling tray N has a typical rectangular shape when viewed in a plane, and is composed of two opposing long side walls 80,80, two short side walls 81,82, and a bottom surface 83, and the bottom surface 83 extends outward from the long side walls 80,80 to form rib-shaped portions 84,84.

[0101] The short side wall 82 on one side is pivotally supported at its base by the two long side walls 80, 80 via pivots 85, 85, and can rotate between an upright position (A) and an open position (B) in which it is tilted outward.

[0102] An upwardly rising support body 86 is integrally formed with the rib-shaped portion 84 near one of the short side walls 82, and an operating piece 88 is provided between the support body 86 and one of the short side walls 82, the central portion of which is pivoted to the long side wall 80 by a pivot 87.

[0103] The lower end of the operating piece 88 and one of the short side walls 82 are connected by a link 89 .

[0104] The support body 86 and the operating piece 88 are connected by a leaf spring 90, and are supported so that one short side wall 82 is maintained in an upright position (A).

[0105] The seedling removal tool 95 has a seedling removal plate 97 that is cantilevered on the lower side of a frame-shaped gripping portion 96 .

[0106] Next, the operation of removing mat-like seedlings from the seedling box N using the seedling removal tool 95 will be described.

[0107] As shown in Figure 12, when the seedling removal tool 95 is held by holding the gripping portion 96 and brought closer to one of the short side walls 82 of the seedling box N, the lower end of the gripping portion 96 comes into contact with the operating piece 88, causing the operating piece 88 to rotate against the biasing force of the leaf spring 90, as shown in Figure 13, and causing the one of the short side walls 82 to rotate outwardly to an open position (b) via the link 89.

[0108] Then, by holding the gripping portion 96 of the seedling removal tool 95 and inserting the tip of the seedling removal plate 97 along the bottom surface 83 of the seedling box N, the mat-like seedlings can be scooped up onto the seedling removal plate 97 of the seedling removal tool 95.

[0109] In the above example, the support 86, the operating piece 88, the leaf spring 90 and the link 89, which constitute the opening and closing mechanism of the short side wall 82 on one side, are provided only on one side of the seedling box N, but they may be provided symmetrically on both sides of the seedling box N. Providing them on both sides makes the opening and closing operation of the short side wall 82 on one side more stable.

[0110] In addition, an electric motor may be provided to rotate the pivot 85 of one of the short side walls 82, and a sensor may be provided to detect when a seedling removal tool 95 is approaching near one of the short side walls 82 of the seedling box N. When the sensor detects that the seedling removal tool 95 is approaching, the electric motor may be activated to automatically rotate one of the short side walls 82 from an upright position (a) to an open position (b) in which the short side wall 82 is tilted outward. [Explanation of symbols]

[0111] 2 Running vehicle 30 Seedling planting department 50 Spare seedling carrier 51U Loading platform (upper loading platform) 51D Loading platform (lower loading platform) 58 Empty box loading section 58F Front page 58R Rear loading section 61 Seedling box recovery body (seedling box recovery arm) 62 Recovery Pedal 64 Transport equipment (conveyor belt) 75 Actuating device (hydraulic damper, spring damper, spring) N seedling box

Claims

1. This riding seedling planter has a seedling planting section (30) attached to the rear of a traveling body (2) and a spare seedling carrying section (50) equipped with a loading platform for placing seedling boxes (N) at the front of the traveling body (2), and is characterized in that it is provided with an empty box placing section (58) located below the spare seedling carrying section (50) and for placing empty seedling boxes (N), and a guide body for guiding the empty seedling boxes (N) from the spare seedling carrying section (50) to the empty box placing section (58).

2. The riding seedling planter according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide body is placed in an inclined position to guide an empty seedling box (N) from the spare seedling loading section (50) to the empty box loading section (58) in an inclined position.

3. The riding seedling planting machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the seedling boxes (N) placed on the spare seedling loading section (50) and the seedling boxes (N) placed on the empty box loading section (58) are supported in different postures, and the empty box loading section (58) can support multiple empty seedling boxes (N) stacked on top of each other.

4. In a riding seedling planting machine having a seedling planting section (30) attached to the rear of a traveling body (2) and a spare seedling carrying section (50) equipped with a loading platform for placing seedling boxes (N) on the traveling body (2), an empty box placing section (58) is provided below the spare seedling carrying section (50) and for placing empty seedling boxes (N), and a guide body is provided for guiding the empty seedling boxes (N) from the spare seedling carrying section (50) to the empty box placing section (58), A riding seedling planting machine characterized in that the guide body slides an empty seedling box (N) toward the outside and downward of the machine body.

Images