Rice transplanter

Abstract

To provide a rice transplanter capable of making a preliminary seedling placing table compact when seedlings are not loaded on the preliminary seedling placing table while increasing the number of preliminary seedlings loaded on the preliminary seedling placing table, and, furthermore, capable of taking out or loading preliminary seedlings from or onto the preliminary seedling placing table.SOLUTION: A rice planter includes: a machine body; a first preliminary seedling placing table 31 capable of being switched into a developed state of being stretched in a front-back direction and a folded state of being folded; a second preliminary seedling placing table 33 capable of being changed to a first state in which it is disposed with a predetermined interval in a vertical direction from the first preliminary seedling placing table 31 and a second state in which it is arranged in a row in the front-back direction with the first preliminary seedling placing table; and a position changing mechanism 40 for changing the positions to the first state and the second state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a rice transplanter equipped with a spare seedling tray. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional rice transplanters, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, include a system in which multiple spare seedling trays are supported in such a way that their positions can be changed, with multiple spare seedling trays arranged at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction, and with multiple spare seedling trays arranged in a row in the front-to-back direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-099262 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to increase the number of spare seedlings that can be loaded into such a rice transplanter, it is necessary to increase the number of spare seedling trays or to enlarge the size of the spare seedling trays.

[0005] However, in a conventional rice transplanter, if the number of spare seedling trays is increased, the number of spare seedling trays arranged in the vertical direction increases when the multiple spare seedling trays are arranged at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction, and the height position of the topmost spare seedling tray may become high. If the spare seedling trays are located at a high position, it becomes difficult to load and remove seedlings from the spare seedling trays.

[0006] Furthermore, if the spare seedling tray was made larger, the large spare seedling tray would always be present on the rice transplanter even when there were no seedlings loaded on it, which caused inconveniences such as making it difficult for operators to move around on the rice transplanter.

[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a rice transplanter that can increase the number of spare seedlings that can be loaded onto the spare seedling tray, while remaining compact when no seedlings are loaded onto the spare seedling tray, and that makes it easy to remove and load spare seedlings onto the spare seedling tray. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The rice transplanter of the present invention is equipped with a main body, a first spare seedling tray which can be switched between an unfolded state extended in the fore-and-aft direction and a folded state, a second spare seedling tray which can be changed to a first state in which it is arranged at a predetermined distance in the vertical direction from the first spare seedling tray and a second state in which it is arranged in a row in the fore-and-aft direction with the first spare seedling tray, and a position change mechanism which allows the position to be changed between the first state and the second state.

[0009] According to this invention, by providing a foldable first spare seedling tray, it is possible to increase the number of spare seedlings that can be loaded onto the spare seedling tray in the first state without increasing the vertical arrangement of the spare seedling tray.

[0010] The first spare seedling tray can be extended in the front-to-rear direction to expand it, thereby increasing the number of spare seedlings that can be loaded. In other words, since there is no need to increase the number of spare seedling trays arranged in the vertical direction in order to increase the number of spare seedlings that can be loaded, it is possible to avoid placing the spare seedling trays at a high position. Since the spare seedling trays are not placed at a high position, it is possible to easily load and unload the spare seedlings on the spare seedling trays.

[0011] Furthermore, when there are no more seedlings to be loaded on the spare seedling tray, the first spare seedling tray can be folded up to make the spare seedling tray compact and ensure ample space for workers to board.

[0012] In the present invention, it is preferable that a support frame portion is provided which is fixed to the main body of the machine and extends in the vertical direction, and that the first spare seedling tray has a first portion which is fixed to the support frame portion and a second portion which is rotatably supported on the first portion.

[0013] According to this configuration, since the first portion is fixed to the support frame portion fixed to the aircraft body, the first portion can be firmly supported. Also, since the second portion is supported by the firmly supported first portion, the second portion is supported by the first portion in a stably manner.

[0014] In the present invention, it is preferable that a driver's seat on which an operator can be seated is provided, and when in the deployed state, the rear end of the second portion is located rearward of the front end of the driver's seat.

[0015] According to this configuration, the second portion is disposed in a position close to the driver's seat where the operator sits. As a result, the operator can use the second portion to efficiently perform tasks such as scooping the seedling mat from the seedling box.

[0016] In the present invention, it is preferable to provide a third spare seedling tray which is located within the rotation range of the second part and can be switched between a use state in which seedlings can be placed on it and an avoidance state in which it is located outside the rotation range of the second part.

[0017] According to this configuration, the third spare seedling tray is switchable between a use state in which it is located within the rotation range of the second part of the first spare seedling tray and a avoidance state in which it is located outside the rotation range. As a result, since it is not necessary to place the third spare seedling tray at a position distant from the first spare seedling tray, the third spare seedling tray can be placed with greater freedom, for example, in a location that is easily accessible to workers.

[0018] In the present invention, it is preferable that the third spare seedling tray is rotatably supported by the support frame portion, so that it can be switched between the use state and the avoidance state.

[0019] According to this configuration, the third spare seedling tray is fixed to the support frame portion fixed to the machine body, so that the third spare seedling tray can be firmly supported.

[0020] In the present invention, it is preferable that, in a plan view, the direction in which the rotation axis of the third spare seedling tray extends intersects with the direction in which the rotation axis of the second portion extends.

[0021] According to this configuration, the rotation axis of the second part of the first spare seedling stand is not parallel to the rotation axis of the third spare seedling stand. If the rotation axis of the second part and the rotation axis of the third spare seedling stand are parallel, the distance between them needs to be increased to avoid collision between the second part and the second spare seedling stand. By configuring the rotation axis of the second part and the rotation axis of the third spare seedling stand to be not parallel, it is possible to arrange the second part and the third spare seedling stand closer to each other.

[0022] In the present invention, it is preferable that a support frame portion is provided that is fixed to the main body of the machine and extends in the vertical direction, and that the position change mechanism has a link member that is provided across the first spare seedling tray and the second spare seedling tray fixed to the support frame portion and supports the second spare seedling tray rotatably between the first state and the second state.

[0023] According to this configuration, the first spare seedling tray is fixed to the support frame portion fixed to the machine body, so that the first spare seedling tray can be firmly supported. Also, the second spare seedling tray is supported via a link member on the first spare seedling tray supported by the support frame portion. As a result, the first spare seedling tray and the second spare seedling tray can be firmly supported.

[0024] In the present invention, in the first state, it is preferable that the second spare seedling tray is positioned above the first spare seedling tray.

[0025] According to this configuration, when switching from the first state to the second state, the second spare seedling tray moves from a high position to a low position. At this time, the weight of the second spare seedling tray can be utilized, so that the worker can easily change the position.

[0026] In the present invention, it is preferable that the support frame portion is provided with a receiving portion that restricts further rotation of the link member in the first state.

[0027] According to this configuration, since the receiving portion is fixed to the support frame portion which is fixed to the machine body, it is possible to firmly restrict rotation.

[0028] In the present invention, it is preferable that a fall prevention mechanism is provided to prevent seedlings from falling off the first spare seedling stand in the first state.

[0029] According to this configuration, the fall prevention mechanism makes it possible to prevent seedlings from falling off the first spare seedling tray in the first state.

[0030] In the present invention, it is preferable that the fall prevention mechanism releases the seedling fall prevention function by a pressing operation using the second spare seedling stand.

[0031] According to this configuration, for example, by utilizing the movement of the second spare seedling stand accompanying the state change from the second state to the first state, the function for preventing seedlings from falling can be automatically released by pressing the rotating spare seedling stand. As a result, it is possible to configure the system so that there is no need for a separate manual operation to release the function for preventing seedlings from falling.

[0032] In the present invention, it is preferable that the position change mechanism includes an operation unit that changes the position between the first state and the second state by manual operation.

[0033] According to this configuration, the operator can switch the position between the first state and the second state by operating the operating portion.

[0034] In the present invention, it is preferable that the operating portion has a long lever member, and that the lever member can be switched between a fixed state in which the lever member is fixed in position in the first state and the second state, and a released state in which the lever member can be switched between the first state and the second state by rotating the lever member around an axis along the extension direction of the lever member.

[0035] According to this configuration, the operating unit that switches the position between the first state and the second state can be used to switch between a fixed state and a released state, making it possible to configure the configuration such that there is no need to provide a separate operating member for switching between the fixed state and the released state. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0036] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a side view of a spare seedling tray. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a manual operation unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a lock mechanism. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a first fall prevention mechanism. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the configuration of a first fall prevention mechanism. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a rear view showing the configuration of the second fall prevention mechanism. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a front view showing the configuration of the empty box recovery mechanism. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the empty box recovery mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0037] The embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the direction of the arrow F in the drawing is "forward", the direction of the arrow B is "backward", the direction of the arrow L is "left", and the direction of the arrow R is "right". Also, the direction of the arrow U in the drawing is "upward", and the direction of the arrow D is "downward".

[0038] [Overall configuration of the rice transplanter] The riding rice transplanter (one example of a "rice transplanter") of this embodiment will be described below. As shown in Fig. 1, the riding rice transplanter has a link mechanism 4 supported at the rear of a machine body 3 that has right and left front wheels 1 and right and left rear wheels 2. The link mechanism 4 extends rearward and is configured to be rotatable up and down. The link mechanism 4 is provided with a hydraulic cylinder 5 that operates to raise and lower the link mechanism 4.

[0039] The machine is provided with a seedling planting device 6 that is connected to the rear of the main body 3 and is capable of planting seedlings in the field. The seedling planting device 6 is supported at the rear of the link mechanism 4. A fertilizer applicator 7 that supplies fertilizer to the rice field surface is provided at the rear of the main body 3. A soil leveling device 8 that levels the rice field surface is supported below the front side of the seedling planting device 6.

[0040] A hopper 20 for storing fertilizer is provided in an upper portion of the fertilizer applicator 7. In this embodiment, a holder 21 capable of storing a seedling scooping plate SB is provided on the left side of the hopper 20.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 1, a transmission case 9 is disposed at the front of the aircraft body 3. A support frame 10 extending forward is connected to the transmission case 9. An engine (not shown) is supported on the support frame 10. A bonnet 11 covering the engine is provided at the front of the aircraft body 3.

[0042] A floor 14 is provided from the right and left sides of the bonnet 11 to the rear side of the bonnet 11. A driver's seat 15 on which an operator can sit is disposed at an upper rear portion of the floor 14.

[0043] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, multiple spare seedling trays capable of holding seedling boxes containing seedling mats (hereinafter referred to as "seedlings" and "seedling boxes") are arranged at the upper right and left parts of the main body 3. The multiple spare seedling trays are fixed to the main body 3 and supported by a pair of front and rear support pillars 16 (an example of a "support frame portion") that extend vertically. The front support pillar 16 stands upright from the engine support frame of the main body 3. The rear support pillar 16 stands upright from a portion of the main body 3 above the front wheels 1.

[0044] The support pillars 16 are provided on the left and right. A support member 12 is connected across the upper parts of the right and left support pillars 16. An antenna unit 13 capable of acquiring position information of the aircraft body 3 using a satellite positioning system is provided in a portion of the support member 12 located in the left-right center of the aircraft body 3. A representative example of the satellite positioning system (GNSS: Global Navigation Satellite System) is the GPS (Global Positioning System).

[0045] [About the configuration of the spare seedling tray] As shown in Figure 4, both sides of the main body 3 are provided with a number of spare seedling trays, including a lower spare seedling tray 31 (an example of a "first spare seedling tray") located at the lowest tier, an upper spare seedling tray 32 (an example of a "third spare seedling tray") located at the highest tier, and a rotatable spare seedling tray 33 (an example of a "second spare seedling tray") which is configured to be movable between a position between the lower spare seedling tray 31 and the upper spare seedling tray 32, and a position in front of the lower spare seedling tray 31.

[0046] On the floor 14, right and left passages are provided between the bonnet 11 and the multiple spare seedling trays on the right, and between the bonnet 11 and the multiple spare seedling trays on the left. Workers can move from the machine body 3 to the ridge or get on to the machine body 3 from the ridge by passing through the right or left passage.

[0047] [About the configuration of the lower stage spare seedling tray] The lower stage spare seedling stand 31 comprises a first part 31A fixed to the support 16 and a second part 31B rotatably supported by the first part 31A. The first part 31A comprises a lower stage first frame 31Aa and a lower stage first body 31Ab. The second part 31B comprises a lower stage second frame 31Ba and a lower stage second body 31Bb. The upper surface of the first part 31A is provided with a placement part 31Ac on which seedlings are placed, and the upper surface of the second part 31B is provided with a placement part 31Bc on which seedlings are placed. The first part 31A and the second part 31B are each configured to be approximately the same size as a seedling box and are configured to be able to place a seedling box.

[0048] 2 and 8, the placement portion 31Ac of the first portion 31A and the placement portion 31Bc of the second portion 31B are provided with a plurality of rollers 34 configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis along the width direction of the lower-level spare seedling placement table 31. The rollers 34 are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the lower-level spare seedling placement table 31. The seedling boxes placed on the placement portions 31Ac and 31Bc are placed on the rollers 34, and the rotation of the rollers 34 allows the seedling boxes to move smoothly on the placement portions 31Ac and 31Bc.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 4, the lower first frame 31Aa is fixed to the support 16. The lower first body 31Ab is fixed to the lower first frame 31Aa. The lower second frame 31Ba is supported at the rear end of the lower first frame 31Aa so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis P1. The rotation axis P1 is configured to extend in the width direction of the lower spare seedling tray 31. The lower second body 31Bb is fixed to the lower second frame 31Ba.

[0050] With this configuration, the lower spare seedling tray 31 can be switched between an unfolded state in which it is extended in the front-rear direction as shown by the solid line in Fig. 4, and a folded state in which it is folded as shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 4. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in the unfolded state, the rear end of the second part 31B is located rearward of the front end of the operator's seat 15. In the folded state, the placement portion 31Ac of the first part 31A and the placement portion 31Bc of the second part 31B face each other.

[0051] [About the configuration of the upper shelf for spare seedlings] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the upper spare seedling stand 32 is supported by the front and rear supports 16 so as to be rotatable about a pivot axis P2 extending in the front-rear direction. A placement portion for placing seedlings is provided on the upper surface of the upper spare seedling stand 32. As shown in Figure 2, in a plan view, the extension direction of the pivot axis P2 of the upper spare seedling stand 32 intersects with the extension direction of the pivot axis P1 of the second portion 31B.

[0052] As shown by solid lines in Figures 2 and 3, when the upper spare seedling tray 32 is substantially horizontal and in a use state where seedlings can be placed, the upper spare seedling tray 32 is located within the rotation range SR of the second part 31B. By manually rotating the upper spare seedling tray 32 upward, it can be switched to an avoidance state where it is located outside the rotation range SR of the second part 31B, as shown by two-dot chain lines in Figures 2 and 3. In other words, the upper spare seedling tray 32 is supported rotatably on the support 16, and is configured to be switchable between a use state and an avoidance state.

[0053] [About the configuration of the rotating spare seedling rack] The rotating spare seedling stand 33 includes a rotating frame 33a and a rotating spare seedling stand body 33b. The rotating spare seedling stand 33 is supported rotatably relative to the lower spare seedling stand 31 by a position changing mechanism 40. The upper surface of the rotating spare seedling stand 33 is provided with a placement portion 33c on which seedlings are placed.

[0054] The placement section 33c of the rotatable spare seedlings table 33 is provided with a plurality of rollers 34 configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis along the width direction of the rotatable spare seedlings table 33, similar to the lower spare seedlings table 31. The rollers 34 are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the rotatable spare seedlings table 33. The seedling boxes placed on the placement section 33c are placed on the rollers 34, and the rotation of the rollers 34 allows the seedling boxes to move smoothly on the placement section 33c.

[0055] The position change mechanism 40 has a link member provided across the lower spare seedling stand 31 fixed to the support 16 and the rotatable spare seedling stand 33. The position change mechanism 40 causes the rotatable spare seedling stand 33 to be in a first state by being positioned at a vertical rotation position aligned vertically with the lower spare seedling stand 31 as shown by solid lines in FIG. 4, and to be in a second state by being positioned at a front-rear rotation position aligned front-rear with the lower spare seedling stand 31 as shown by two-dot chain lines in FIG. 4. In other words, the position change mechanism 40 causes the rotatable spare seedling stand 33 to be able to change its position between the first state and the second state. Note that when in the vertical rotation position, the rotatable spare seedling stand 33 is located above the lower spare seedling stand 31.

[0056] The link members support the rotatable spare seedling tray 33 rotatably between a first state (up-down rotation position) and a second state (front-rear rotation position). In this embodiment, three link members are provided between the rotating frame 33a and the lower first frame 31Aa. As shown in FIG. 4, the three link members include a link member 41a, a link member 41b, and a link member 41c.

[0057] The link member 41a is attached to the outer lateral side of the lower spare seedling stand 31 and the rotatable spare seedling stand 33 in the left-right direction of the machine body 3. The link member 41a is attached across a portion of the rotatable frame 33a corresponding to the rear portion of the rotatable spare seedling stand 33 and a portion of the lower first frame 31Aa corresponding to the front portion of the first part 31A.

[0058] The link member 41b is attached to the rear of the link member 41b on the outer lateral side in the left-right direction of the machine body 3 of the lower spare seedling stand 31 and the rotatable spare seedling stand 33. It is attached across a portion of the rotatable frame 33a corresponding to the rear end portion of the rotatable spare seedling stand 33 and a portion of the lower first frame 31Aa corresponding to the rear portion of the first part 31A.

[0059] The link member 41c is attached to the machine body 3 side of the lower spare seedling stand 31 and the rotatable spare seedling stand 33. The link member 41c is attached across a portion of the rotatable frame 33a corresponding to the central portion in the front-rear direction of the rotatable spare seedling stand 33 and a portion of the lower first frame 31Aa corresponding to the front end portion of the first portion 31A.

[0060] The link members 41a, 41b, and 41c are attached so as to be substantially parallel to each other in a side view. With this configuration, the rotatable spare seedling stand 33 is configured to be rotatable in an arc between a vertical rotation position and a front-rear rotation position while maintaining a horizontal position.

[0061] 4 and 5, the support 16 is provided with a receiving portion 42 that restricts further rotation of the rotating spare seedling stand 33 and the three link members in the first state (vertical rotation position). The receiving portion 42 is made of a rod-shaped member and is rotatably provided across the front and rear support 16.

[0062] As shown in Fig. 5, the support 16 is provided with a stopper 43 that supports the receiving portion 42 in the vertical rotation position. As shown by a solid line in Fig. 5, when the receiving portion 42 is supported by the stopper 43, the receiving portion 42 extends laterally outward from the support 16. When the receiving portion 42 is supported by the stopper 43, the receiving portion 42 extends in the left-right direction of the machine body 3 to a position laterally outward beyond the edge of the rotatable spare seedling stand 33 on the machine body 3 side, that is, to a position below the rotatable spare seedling stand 33. With this configuration, the receiving portion 42 receives and supports the rotatable spare seedling stand 33 from below when it is in the vertical rotation position.

[0063] 5, when the receiving portion 42 is manually rotated upward and further rotated so that the receiving portion 42 is positioned closer to the machine body 3 than the stopper portion 43, the receiving portion 42 does not support the rotatable spare seedling tray 33. At this time, even if the second part 31B is rotated, it will not collide with the receiving portion 42, so that the lower spare seedling tray 31 can be switched between the unfolded state and the folded state.

[0064] With this configuration, in this embodiment, the position-changing mechanism 40 can change the position between a first state in which the lower tier spare seedling tray 31, the upper tier spare seedling tray 32, and the rotatable spare seedling tray 33 are arranged at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction, and a second state in which the lower tier spare seedling tray 31 and the rotatable spare seedling tray 33 are arranged in a row in the front-to-back direction.

[0065] [About the configuration of the manual operation unit] 3, the position changing mechanism 40 includes a manual operation unit 44 (one example of an "operation unit") that manually switches between a vertical rotation position and a front-rear rotation position. As shown in FIG 6, the manual operation unit 44 has a long lever member 45 provided on an end portion of the link member 41c on the lower first frame 31Aa side.

[0066] 6 and 7, the manual operation unit 44 includes a locking mechanism 46 that fixes the position of the rotatable spare seedling tray 33 at the up-down rotation position and the front-rear rotation position. The locking mechanism 46 includes a locking member 47 fixed to the front part of the lower first frame 31Aa of the lower spare seedling tray 31.

[0067] Link member 41c is connected to locked member 47 so as to be rotatable around rotation axis P3. One end of link member 41c is rotatably connected to rotating frame 33a (see FIG. 4), and the other end of link member 41c is provided with locking mechanism 46. Link member 41c is supported by locked member 47 via a rotation shaft at a location a predetermined distance away from the end of link member 41c on the side where locking mechanism 46 is provided.

[0068] The locked member 47 is formed with two locking holes 50 through which the locking members 49 described below are inserted.

[0069] The locking mechanism 46 has a locking member 49 that is inserted into the locking hole 50, and an operating member 51 that is a rod-shaped member provided at an end portion of the lever member 45. The locking member 49 is formed by bending a rod-shaped member into a U-shape. The locking member 49 is configured so that one straight portion of the U-shape is inserted into the locking hole 50. The locking member 49 is provided with a spring 52 that biases the locking member 49 toward the locking hole 50.

[0070] Operating member 51 is provided to extend from lever member 45 toward a location inside the U-shape of locking member 49. As indicated by the arrow in FIG. 7, by rotating lever member 45 about axis P4 extending in the extension direction of lever member 45, locking member 49 can be operated to be pulled out of locking hole 50.

[0071] The lever member 45 is fixed to the end portion of the link member 41c on the lower spare seedling tray 31 side via a locking mechanism 46. By manually operating the lever member 45 and rotating the link member 41c, the rotatable spare seedling tray 33 can be switched between a vertical rotation position and a front-to-rear rotation position. The two locking holes 50 are formed in the locked member 47 at locations corresponding to the positions of the locking member 49 when the locked member 47 is operated to the vertical rotation position and the front-to-rear rotation position, respectively. By inserting the locking member 49 through the locking holes 50, the locking member 49 is fixed in position at the vertical rotation position and the front-to-rear rotation position.

[0072] As described above, by rotating the lever member 45 around the axis P4 extending in the extension direction of the lever member 45, the locking member 49 is pulled out of the locking hole 50 by the operating member 51, and the rotatable spare seedling stand 33 can be switched to a release state in which the position can be switched between a vertical rotation position and a front-rear rotation position. In other words, by manually operating the manual operating unit 44, the rotatable spare seedling stand 33 can be switched to the vertical rotation position and the front-rear rotation position and between the fixed state and the released state.

[0073] The lever member 45 that has been rotated is returned to its original position by the biasing force of the spring 52 and the biasing force of the spring 53 provided on the lever member 45 , and the locking member 49 is inserted into the locking hole 50 .

[0074] [Configuration of the first fall prevention mechanism] 8 and 9, the lower spare seedling tray 31 is provided with a first fall prevention mechanism 60 (one example of a "fall prevention mechanism") that prevents seedlings from falling from the lower spare seedling tray 31 when in the up or down rotation position. The first fall prevention mechanism 60 has a fall prevention part 61 that prevents seedlings from falling, a pressing operation part 62 that operates the fall prevention part 61 between a prevention state that prevents seedlings from falling and a non-prevention state that releases the seedling fall prevention function, and a biasing member 63 that biases the fall prevention part 61 toward the prevention state.

[0075] The fall prevention unit 61 and the pressing operation unit 62 are formed of an integral rod-shaped member. The fall prevention unit 61 and the pressing operation unit 62 are provided in a portion of the lower first frame 31Aa that is forward of the front end of the lower first main body 31Ab and are rotatable about an axis extending in the width direction of the lower spare seedling tray 31.

[0076] The fall prevention part 61 is formed in an inverted U-shape. In the prevention state, the upper end of the fall prevention part 61 is located above the height corresponding to the placement surface on which the seedling boxes are placed in the lower-level spare seedling tray 31. When the seedlings attempt to move further forward than the front end of the lower-level spare seedling tray 31, the seedlings come into contact with the fall prevention part 61. This makes it possible to prevent the seedlings from falling from the front of the lower-level spare seedling tray 31.

[0077] The pressing operation part 62 is located laterally outward of the drop prevention part 61. When the rotating spare seedling stand 33 rotates from the up-down rotation position to the front-back rotation position, the rotating frame 33a presses the pressing operation part 62 downward. When the pressing operation part 62 is pressed, the pressing operation part 62 and the drop prevention part 61 rotate integrally. The drop prevention part 61 assumes a position in which the upper end of the drop prevention part 61 is positioned below the height corresponding to the placement surface of the lower spare seedling stand 31. By the pressing operation by the rotating spare seedling stand 33, the first drop prevention mechanism 60 releases the seedling drop prevention function, and the seedlings can be slid between the placement part 31Ac of the lower spare seedling stand 31 and the placement surface of the rotating spare seedling stand 33.

[0078] When the rotatable spare seedling stand 33 rotates from the up-down rotation position to the front-back rotation position, that is, when the rotating frame 33a rotates in a direction away from the pressing operation unit 62, the pressing operation unit 62 and the drop prevention unit 61 rotate due to the biasing force of the biasing member 63. As a result, the upper end of the drop prevention unit 61 returns to its original position, that is, to a position higher than the height corresponding to the placement surface of the lower spare seedling stand 31, and capable of preventing the seedlings from falling.

[0079] [Configuration of the second fall prevention mechanism] 10, the rear end portion of the rotatable spare seedling stand 33 is provided with a second fall prevention mechanism 64 that prevents seedlings from falling from the rear end portion of the rotatable spare seedling stand 33 in the up or down rotation position. The second fall prevention mechanism 64 is made of a rod-shaped member and is provided rotatably around an axis extending in the width direction of the rotatable spare seedling stand 33.

[0080] The second fall prevention mechanism 64 comprises a main body portion 64A having a central portion formed in an inverted U-shape, and an operating portion 64B which extends downward from the main body portion 64A and is integrally formed with the main body portion 64A in a prevention state in which the seedlings are prevented from falling.

[0081] In the vertical rotation position, the weight of the operating part 64B causes the upper end of the inverted U-shape of the main body 64A of the second fall prevention mechanism 64 to protrude upward from the height corresponding to the placement part 33c of the rotatable spare seedling stand 33. Furthermore, when a seedling abuts against the main body 64A, the second fall prevention mechanism 64 rotates, but the operating part 64B abuts against the rotatable spare seedling stand main body 33b, etc., thereby preventing further rotation. This prevents the seedling from falling off the rotatable spare seedling stand 33.

[0082] When the rotatable spare seedling stand 33 is switched from the up-down rotation position to the front-back rotation position, the operating part 64B abuts against the first part 31A and rotates upward. By rotating the operating part 64B, the main body 64A assumes a position in which the upper end of the inverted U-shape of the main body 64A is positioned below the height corresponding to the placement part 33c of the rotatable spare seedling stand 33. This causes the second drop prevention mechanism 64 to release the seedling drop prevention function, and allows the seedlings to slide across the placement surfaces of the lower spare seedling stand 31 and the rotatable spare seedling stand 33.

[0083] [Configuration of the empty box collection mechanism] As shown in Figures 1 and 4, the machine body 3 is provided with an empty box recovery mechanism 70 that recovers empty seedling boxes. The empty box recovery mechanism 70 is disposed below the lower spare seedling stand 31. The empty box recovery mechanism 70 has an empty box storage section 71 that stores empty seedling boxes, and a sliding section 72 along which the empty seedling boxes slide.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 2, an opening 73 through which an empty seedling box can pass is formed in the front part of the placement part 31Bc of the second part 31B. The opening 73 is located on the left-right side of the driver's seat 15. The length of the opening 73 in the longitudinal direction of the second part 31B is smaller than the distance between the rollers 34. The width of the opening 73 is the same as the width of the placement part 31Bc, and the opening 73 is formed in a rectangular shape. Here, the placement part 31Bc is configured to be approximately the same size as the seedling box and is configured to be able to place the seedling box. The distance from the rear end of the second part 31B to the opening 73 is configured to be shorter than the length of the long side of the seedling box.

[0085] A sliding part 72 fixed to the lower second frame 31Ba of the second part 31B is disposed below the opening 73. The sliding part 72 is configured by combining rod-shaped members. The sliding part 72 is located below the second part 31B, and is provided across the placement part 31Bc of the second part 31B and the empty box storage part 71. The sliding part 72 extends forward from a rear part of the opening 73 in the second part 31B, and is inclined so as to be positioned lower toward the front.

[0086] 4 and 11, an empty box storage section 71 fixed to the support 16 is disposed in front of the sliding section 72. Specifically, the rear end portion of the empty box storage section 71 is disposed so as to be located below the front end portion of the sliding section 72. With this configuration, the empty box storage section 71 is disposed on the opposite side of the sliding section 72 from the seedling planting device 6 (see FIG. 1).

[0087] The empty box storage section 71 is configured by combining rod-shaped members, and is configured as a box body with an open top. The front wall of the empty box storage section 71 is configured to be manually openable and closable. In other words, the front end portion of the empty box storage section 71 is provided with a lid body 74 that can be switched between a closed state and an open state. The empty box storage section 71 is also inclined so that the front side is positioned lower. The inclination of the sliding portion 72 is configured to be steeper than the inclination of the empty box storage section 71. The front end of the empty box storage section 71 is located at the front end portion of the main body 3 of the machine.

[0088] The lid body 74 is configured to be rotatable about an axis in the width direction of the empty box storage section 71. As shown by a solid line in Fig. 4, in a side view, the lid body 74 in the closed state extends upward from the front end portion of the empty box storage section 71 and then curves and extends toward the rear.

[0089] As shown in Fig. 11, a contact member 75 that contacts the lid body 74 in the closed state and the open state is provided at the front end portion of the empty box storage section 71. The contact member 75 is made of a rod-shaped member and is formed in a C-shape. A portion of the right side portion of the lid body 74 near the rotation axis is located inside the C-shape of the contact member 75. With this configuration, when the lid body 74 is in the closed state, the lid body 74 contacts the upper part of the C-shape of the contact member 75, and when the lid body 74 is in the open state, the lid body 74 contacts the lower part of the C-shape of the contact member 75.

[0090] A spring 76 is provided between the bottom of empty box storage section 71 and lid body 74. In both the closed state and the open state, spring 76 biases lid body 74 toward the side where lid body 74 abuts against the inside of the C-shape of abutting member 75. With this configuration, lid body 74 is configured to be manually opened and closed, and is configured to be maintained in both the closed state and the open state.

[0091] As indicated by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 4, the rear (axial core side) part of the upper surface of the lid body 74 in the open state is continuous with the bottom surface of the empty box storage section 71. With this configuration, it is possible for the seedling box pulled out of the empty box storage section 71 to slide directly on the upper surface of the lid body. In a side view, the lid body 74 in the open state extends forward and then curves and extends upward.

[0092] [Another embodiment] Hereinafter, another embodiment in which the above embodiment is modified will be described.

[0093] (1) In the above embodiment, the configuration including the lower spare seedling tray 31, the upper spare seedling tray 32, and the rotatable spare seedling tray 33 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the configuration may include spare seedling trays other than these. In this case, the configuration may further include a spare seedling tray that can be switched between an unfolded state and a folded state, or a spare seedling tray that is supported on another spare seedling tray via a position change mechanism 40.

[0094] (2) In the above embodiment, the lower-level spare seedling tray 31 is described as being foldable about a single pivot axis, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the tray may be configured to be foldable about two or more pivot axes.

[0095] (3) In the above embodiment, the lower tier spare seedling tray 31 has been described based on an example in which it is configured to be foldable, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Instead of the lower tier spare seedling tray 31, the rotatable spare seedling tray 33 may be configured to be switchable between an unfolded state and a folded state, or both the lower tier spare seedling tray 31 and the rotatable spare seedling tray 33 may be configured to be switchable between an unfolded state and a folded state.

[0096] (4) In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the first portion 31A is fixed to the support 16 and the second portion 31B is supported by the first portion 31A is described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the second portion 31B may be fixed to the support 16 and the first portion 31A may be rotatably supported by the second portion 31B.

[0097] (5) In the above embodiment, the second part 31B is located to the left-right side of the driver's seat 15. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the first part 31A may be located to the left-right side of the driver's seat 15.

[0098] (6) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the multiple spare seedling trays include an upper spare seedling tray 32 that is supported so as to be rotatable around a pivot axis P2 that extends in the front-to-rear direction. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the configuration may not include a spare seedling tray that is supported so as to be rotatable around a pivot axis P2 that extends in the front-to-rear direction, such as the upper spare seedling tray 32.

[0099] (7) In the above embodiment, the upper tier spare seedling tray 32 is supported so as to be rotatable around a pivot axis P2 extending in the front-to-rear direction. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the upper tier spare seedling tray 32 may be configured so as to be rotatable around a pivot axis that is parallel to the pivot axis P1 of the first part 31A.

[0100] (8) In the above embodiment, the position change mechanism 40 has been described as having three link members. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The position change mechanism 40 may have one or two link members, or may have four or more link members.

[0101] (9) In the above embodiment, an example was given of a configuration in which, when in the up-down rotation position, the rotatable spare seedling platform 33 is located above the lower-tier spare seedling platform 31, and when in the front-to-back rotation position, the rotatable spare seedling platform 33 is located in front of the lower-tier spare seedling platform 31. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and, when in the up-down rotation position, the rotatable spare seedling platform 33 may be located below the lower-tier spare seedling platform 31, or, when in the front-to-back rotation position, the rotatable spare seedling platform 33 may be located behind the lower-tier spare seedling platform 31.

[0102] (10) In the above embodiment, a configuration is described in which a receiving portion 42 is provided to restrict further rotation of the rotatable spare seedling tray 33 and the link member in the first rotation position. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and a configuration in which, for example, a member that restricts the movement of the link member is provided instead of the receiving portion 42 may be used.

[0103] (11) In the above embodiment, the receiving portion 42 is described as being configured to receive and support the rotatable spare seedling tray 33 from below in the first state (upward / downward rotation position), thereby restricting further rotation of the link member. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be configured, for example, to directly abut against the link member, thereby restricting further rotation of the link member.

[0104] (12) Either or both of the first fall prevention mechanism 60 and the second fall prevention mechanism 64 may be omitted.

[0105] (13) In the above embodiment, the second fall prevention mechanism 64 has been described as an example of a configuration in which the operating part 64B abuts against the rotatable spare seedling holder main body 33b to prevent further rotation. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the second fall prevention mechanism 64 may be configured to prevent further rotation by abutting against the rotatable frame 33a or other member.

[0106] (14) The manual operation unit 44 may not be provided.

[0107] (15) In the above embodiment, the manual operation unit 44 has the lever member 45. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the manual operation unit 44 may have a configuration without the lever member 45. In this case, the manual operation unit 44 may be configured to directly pull the locking member 49 out of the locking hole 50 by manual operation.

[0108] (16) In the above embodiment, the pressing operation unit 62 is described as being located laterally outboard of the fall prevention unit 61. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The pressing operation unit 62 may be located at a position different from the fall prevention unit 61. For example, the pressing operation unit 62 may be located laterally inward, forward, or rearward of the fall prevention unit 61.

[0109] (17) In the above embodiment, the first fall prevention mechanism 60 is configured to enter a non-prevention state in which the seedling fall prevention function is released when the pressing operation unit 62 is pressed downward by the rotating frame 33a. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the present invention may be configured to include a sensor that detects that the rotatable spare seedling stand 33 is in the up / down rotation position, and an actuator that rotates the first fall prevention mechanism 60 so that the upper end of the fall prevention unit 61 is positioned below the height corresponding to the loading surface of the lower spare seedling stand 31, and to control the attitude of the first fall prevention mechanism 60 by controlling the actuator when detected by the sensor.

[0110] (18) In the above embodiment, the lid body 74 is described based on an example in which it is configured to be rotatable around the width-direction axis of the empty box storage section 71, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the lid body 74 may be configured to be rotatable around an axis extending in the front-rear direction of the main body 3. Also, as shown in FIG. 12, the lid body 74 may be configured to be provided at both the front end portion of the empty box storage section 71 and the lateral outer side in the width direction of the empty box storage section 71, that is, the lid body 74 may be configured to have a first lid body 74A configured to be rotatable around the width-direction axis of the empty box storage section 71 and a second lid body 74B configured to be rotatable around an axis perpendicular to the width direction of the empty box storage section 71. In this case, the first lid body 74A and the second lid body 74B may be configured to be connected by a spring or the like so that both lid bodies 74 can be opened by performing an opening / closing operation on either the first lid body 74A or the second lid body 74B.

[0111] (19) The empty box recovery mechanism 70 need not be provided.

[0112] The configurations disclosed in the above embodiments (including other embodiments, the same applies below) can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, unless a contradiction occurs. In addition, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be appropriately modified within the scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0113] The present invention can be used in a rice transplanter equipped with multiple spare seedling trays. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 3: Aircraft body 15: Driver's seat 16: Support (support frame) 31: Lower spare seedling tray (first spare seedling tray) 31A:First part 31B:Second part 32: Upper spare seedling tray (third spare seedling tray) 33: Rotating spare seedling stand (second spare seedling stand) 40: Position change mechanism 41a: Link member 41b: Link member 41c: Link member 42: Receiving part 44:Human operation section (operation section) 45: Lever component 60:First fall prevention mechanism (fall prevention mechanism) P1: Rotation axis P2: Rotation axis P4: Axis core SR: Rotation range

Claims

1. The aircraft body, A first spare seedling tray that can be switched between an expanded state in the front-rear direction and a folded state; A second preliminary seedling tray that can be changed between a first state in which the first preliminary seedling tray is arranged at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction and a second state in which the first preliminary seedling tray is arranged in a line in the front-back direction, The rice transplanter is provided with a position change mechanism that enables the position to be changed between the first state and the second state.

2. A support frame portion is provided which is fixed to the aircraft body and extends along the vertical direction, The rice transplanter according to claim 1, wherein the first spare seedling tray has a first portion fixed to the support frame portion and a second portion rotatably supported on the first portion.

3. It is equipped with a driver's seat where an operator can sit, The rice transplanter according to claim 2, wherein, in the unfolded state, a rear end of the second portion is located rearward of a front end of the driver's seat.

4. The rice transplanter according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising a third spare seedling tray which is located within the rotation range of the second part and can be switched between a use state in which seedlings can be placed and an avoidance state in which the third spare seedling tray is located outside the rotation range of the second part.

5. The rice transplanter according to claim 4, wherein the third spare seedling tray is rotatably supported by the support frame portion, thereby enabling switching between the use state and the avoidance state.

6. The rice transplanter according to claim 5, wherein, in a plan view, the direction in which the rotation axis of the third spare seedling tray extends intersects with the direction in which the rotation axis of the second portion extends.

7. A support frame portion is provided which is fixed to the aircraft body and extends along the vertical direction, The rice transplanter described in claim 1, wherein the position change mechanism is provided across the first spare seedling tray and the second spare seedling tray fixed to the support frame portion, and has a link member that supports the second spare seedling tray rotatably between the first state and the second state.

8. The rice transplanter according to claim 7, wherein in the first state, the second spare seedling tray is positioned above the first spare seedling tray.

9. The rice transplanter according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the support frame portion is provided with a receiving portion that restricts further rotation of the link member in the first state.

10. The rice transplanter according to claim 7, further comprising a fall prevention mechanism for preventing seedlings from falling off the first spare seedling tray in the first state.

11. The rice transplanter according to claim 10, wherein the fall prevention mechanism releases the seedling fall prevention function by a pressing operation using the second spare seedling tray.

12. The rice transplanter according to claim 7, wherein the position change mechanism includes an operating unit that manually changes between the first state and the second state.

13. The operating portion has an elongated lever member, The rice transplanter described in claim 12, wherein the lever member can be switched between a fixed state in which the lever member is fixed in position in the first state and the second state, and a released state in which the lever member can be switched between the first state and the second state by rotating the lever member around an axis along the extension direction of the lever member.

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