Rice transplanter

Abstract

To provide a rice transplanter that can prevent empty seedling trays from dropping and the like, and can improve work efficiency.SOLUTION: A rice transplanter comprises: a machine body; a seedling transplanting device which is connected to the machine body and can plant seedlings in a field; a spare seedling platform 31 on which seedlings can be placed; and an empty tray collection mechanism 70 configured to collect empty seedling trays, where the empty tray collection mechanism 70 is disposed below the spare seedling platform 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a rice transplanter equipped with a seedling planting device capable of planting seedlings in a field. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art As described in Patent Document 1, a conventional rice transplanter includes a seedling planting device capable of planting seedlings in a field and a spare seedling stand on which seedlings can be placed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-097230 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with conventional rice transplanters, when spare seedlings placed on a spare seedling tray were replenished to the seedling planting device, the empty seedling boxes that had previously contained the seedlings were piled up around the driver's seat, etc.

[0005] In this way, the empty seedling boxes loaded on the truck could collapse or fall to the ground during work travel.

[0006] In addition, when empty seedling boxes loaded in this way were to be collected, work had to be done to reload them or to unload them from the rice transplanter, leaving room for improvement in terms of work efficiency.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a rice transplanter that can prevent empty seedling boxes containing seedlings from falling and can improve work efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The rice transplanter of the present invention comprises a main body, a seedling planting device that is connected to the main body and is capable of planting seedlings in a field, a spare seedling tray on which seedlings can be placed, and an empty box recovery mechanism that recovers empty seedling boxes, the empty box recovery mechanism being arranged below the spare seedling tray.

[0009] According to this invention, since the empty box collecting mechanism collects empty seedling boxes, it is not necessary to load empty seedling boxes on the main body of the machine, and as a result, it is possible to prevent the seedling boxes from collapsing.

[0010] In addition, since the empty box recovery mechanism is disposed below the spare seedling tray, it is possible to easily remove seedling boxes recovered by the empty box recovery mechanism from, for example, ridges, etc. As a result, it is possible to improve work efficiency.

[0011] In the present invention, it is preferable that the upper surface of the spare seedling tray is provided with a placement section for placing seedlings, and that the empty box recovery mechanism has an empty box storage section for storing empty seedling boxes, and a sliding section that is provided across the placement section and the empty box storage section and along which the empty seedling boxes slide.

[0012] According to this configuration, the seedling boxes can be stored in the empty box storage section by utilizing the sliding portion, and an operator can easily store the seedling boxes in the empty box storage section.

[0013] In the present invention, it is preferable that the placement portion is provided with an opening formed so that an empty seedling tray can pass through, and the sliding portion is disposed below the opening.

[0014] According to this configuration, when an empty seedling box is inserted into the opening, the empty seedling box is guided by the sliding portion. By simply inserting the empty seedling box into the opening, an operator can easily cause the empty box recovery mechanism to recover the empty seedling box.

[0015] In the present invention, it is preferable that a driver's seat on which an operator can be seated is provided, and the opening is located on a lateral side in the left-right direction of the driver's seat.

[0016] According to this configuration, the opening is located close to the driver's seat, which makes it possible to improve the work efficiency of collecting empty seedling trays.

[0017] In the present invention, it is preferable that the empty box storage section is arranged on the opposite side of the seedling planting device with respect to the sliding section.

[0018] According to this configuration, the sliding portion guides the empty seedling box toward the opposite side of the seedling planting device. Generally, there are many seedling boxes containing seedlings near the seedling planting device. Since the empty seedling box is guided toward the opposite side of the seedling planting device, the worker can easily distinguish between the seedling box containing seedlings and the empty seedling box.

[0019] In the present invention, it is preferable that the front end of the empty box storage section is located at the front end portion of the aircraft main body.

[0020] According to this configuration, the empty box storage section in which empty seedling boxes are stored is located at the front end portion of the main body of the machine, making it easy to remove seedling boxes stored in the empty box storage section from ridges, etc.

[0021] In the present invention, it is preferable that a lid capable of being switched between a closed state and an open state is provided at a front end portion of the empty box storage section.

[0022] According to this configuration, by opening the lid provided at the front end portion of the empty box storage section, it is possible to remove the seedling boxes stored in the empty box storage section, for example, from a ridge or the like.

[0023] In the present invention, it is preferable that the lid body is configured to be rotatable around the widthwise axis of the empty box storage section, and that the upper surface of the lid body in the open state is continuous with the bottom surface of the empty box storage section.

[0024] According to this configuration, the seedling box pulled out from the empty box storage section can be slid as it is on the upper surface of the lid body, so that the seedling box stored in the empty box storage section can be easily removed.

[0025] In the present invention, it is preferable that the lid body has a first lid body configured to be rotatable around a widthwise axis of the empty box storage section, and a second lid body configured to be rotatable around an axis perpendicular to the width direction of the empty box storage section.

[0026] According to this configuration, by opening both the first lid body and the second lid body, the empty box storage section is configured to be widely open, making it easier to remove empty boxes from the empty box storage section.

[0027] In the present invention, it is preferable that the empty box storage section is inclined so that the front side is positioned lower.

[0028] According to this configuration, the seedling boxes come into contact with the front wall of the empty box storage section due to their own weight. As a result, the seedling boxes are stacked in an aligned state. Since the seedling boxes can be removed from the stack in an aligned state, the removal of the seedling boxes is made easier.

[0029] In the present invention, it is preferable that the empty box storage section is disposed in front of the sliding section, and the sliding section is inclined so as to be positioned lower toward the front.

[0030] According to this configuration, the seedling box can be automatically moved toward the empty box storage section by its own weight.

[0031] In the present invention, it is preferable that the inclination angle of the sliding portion is steeper than the inclination of the empty box storage portion.

[0032] According to this configuration, the empty boxes slide vigorously toward the empty box storage section at the sliding section. Furthermore, due to the inclination of the empty box storage section, it is possible to prevent the empty boxes that reach the empty box storage section from being stuck at the entrance of the empty box storage section.

[0033] In the present invention, a support frame part is provided which is fixed to the main body of the machine and supports the spare seedling tray, the spare seedling tray having a first part which is fixed to the support frame part and a second part which is rotatably supported by the first part, and it is preferable that the sliding part is located below the second part.

[0034] According to this configuration, when the sliding part is supported by the second part, the sliding part can be rotated together with the second part to change the position of the sliding part, thereby facilitating the maintenance work of the sliding part. Also, when the sliding part is not supported by the second part, it is possible to open the upper part of the sliding part, and even in this configuration, it is possible to facilitate the maintenance work of the sliding part. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0035] [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

[0036] 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".

[0037] [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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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).

[0044] [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 tier spare seedling tray 31 (an example of a "spare seedling tray") located at the lowest tier, an upper tier spare seedling tray 32 located at the top tier, and a rotatable spare seedling tray 33 which is configured to be movable between a position between the lower tier spare seedling tray 31 and the upper tier spare seedling tray 32, and a position in front of the lower tier spare seedling tray 31.

[0045] 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.

[0046] [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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] [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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] [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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] [About the configuration of the manual operation unit] 3, the position changing mechanism 40 includes a manual operation unit 44 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 the end portion of the link member 41c on the lower first frame 31Aa side.

[0065] 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.

[0066] 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.

[0067] The locked member 47 is formed with two locking holes 50 through which the locking members 49 described below are inserted.

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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.

[0070] 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.

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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 .

[0073] [Configuration of the first fall prevention mechanism] 8 and 9, the lower-level spare seedling tray 31 is provided with a first fall prevention mechanism 60 that prevents seedlings from falling from the lower-level spare seedling tray 31 when in the up-down rotation position. The first fall prevention mechanism 60 has a fall prevention part 61 that prevents seedlings from falling, a push-down 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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.

[0076] 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.

[0077] 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.

[0078] [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.

[0079] 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.

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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.

[0082] [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.

[0083] 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.

[0084] 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.

[0085] 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).

[0086] 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.

[0087] 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.

[0088] 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.

[0089] 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.

[0090] 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.

[0091] [Another embodiment] Hereinafter, another embodiment in which the above embodiment is modified will be described.

[0092] (1) In the above embodiment, the empty box recovery mechanism 70 is described as being arranged below the lower tier spare seedling tray 31, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the empty box recovery mechanism 70 may be arranged below the upper tier spare seedling tray 32 or the rotatable spare seedling tray 33.

[0093] (2) In the above embodiment, the empty box recovery mechanism 70 is described as having an empty box storage section 71 for storing empty seedling boxes, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and for example, empty seedling boxes may be configured to be placed on the floor 14.

[0094] (3) In the above embodiment, the empty box recovery mechanism 70 has been described as having a configuration including the sliding portion 72 along which the empty seedling boxes slide, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the empty box recovery mechanism 70 may have a configuration without the sliding portion 72. In this case, for example, an empty box storage portion 71 may be provided below the lower-level spare seedling stand 31, and the empty seedling boxes may be stored in the empty box storage portion 71 directly from the lower-level spare seedling stand 31. Also, instead of the sliding portion 72, a transport device for transporting the seedling boxes to the empty box storage portion 71 may be provided.

[0095] (4) In the above embodiment, the opening 73 is formed in the lower-level spare seedling tray 31. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the lower-level spare seedling tray 31 may not have the opening 73. In this case, for example, the lower-level spare seedling tray 31 may be provided with a sliding portion 72 that allows an empty seedling box to be inserted from a lower portion of the lower-level spare seedling tray 31.

[0096] (5) In the above embodiment, the opening 73 is formed in a rectangular shape, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the opening 73 may be formed in an elliptical shape, for example. Also, the opening 73 may be formed in a shape in which the opening on the back surface of the lower spare seedling tray 31 is located forward of the opening on the placement portion 31Bc side of the lower spare seedling tray 31, that is, in which the opening has an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the front.

[0097] (6) In the above embodiment, the opening 73 is described as being 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 opening 73 may be located to the left-right side of the bonnet 11.

[0098] (7) In the above embodiment, the empty box storage section 71 is configured to be positioned on the opposite side of the seedling planting device 6 relative to the sliding section 72. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the empty box storage section 71 may be configured to be positioned on the same side as the seedling planting device 6 relative to the sliding section 72.

[0099] (8) In the above embodiment, the front end of the empty box storage section 71 is located at the front end portion of the aircraft main body 3. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the front end of the empty box storage section 71 may be located to the left-right side of the driver's seat 15.

[0100] (9) In the above embodiment, a configuration in which a lid body 74 is provided at the front end portion of the empty box storage section 71 is described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the empty box storage section 71 may be configured to have a lid body 74 at the rear end portion thereof, or may not be configured to have a lid body 74.

[0101] (10) 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 addition, 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 and closing operation on either the first lid body 74A or the second lid body 74B.

[0102] (11) In the above embodiment, the lid body 74 is described as being configured to be manually opened and closed. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the lid body 74 may be configured to be switchable between a closed state and an open state by the drive of a motor or the like.

[0103] (12) In the above embodiment, the empty box storage section 71 and the sliding section 72 are described as being inclined so that they are positioned downward as they approach the front. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the empty box storage section 71 and the sliding section 72 may also be inclined so that they are positioned downward as they approach the rear.

[0104] (13) In the above embodiment, the sliding portion 72 is described as being located below the second portion 31B. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The sliding portion 72 may be located below the first portion 31A, not below the second portion 31B.

[0105] (14) The first fall prevention mechanism 60 and the second fall prevention mechanism 64 may be configured to be operated directly manually between a prevention state in which seedlings are prevented from falling and a non-prevention state in which the seedling fall prevention function is released.

[0106] 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]

[0107] The present invention can be used in a rice transplanter equipped with multiple spare seedling trays. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 3: Aircraft body 6: Seedling planting device 15: Driver's seat 16: Support (support frame) 31: Lower shelf for spare seedlings (for spare seedlings) 31A:First part 31Ac: Placement section 31B:Second part 70: Empty Box Collection Organization 71: Empty box storage area 72: Sliding part 73 :Aperture 74: Lid 74A: First lid body 74B:Second lid body

Claims

1. The aircraft body, A seedling planting device that is connected to the machine body and is capable of planting seedlings in a field; A spare seedling stand on which seedlings can be placed; An empty box recovery mechanism for recovering empty seedling boxes is provided. The empty box recovery mechanism is arranged below the spare seedling tray of the rice transplanter.

2. The upper surface of the spare seedling tray is provided with a placement portion for placing seedlings, The rice transplanter described in claim 1, wherein the empty box recovery mechanism has an empty box storage section for storing empty seedling boxes, and a sliding section provided between the placement section and the empty box storage section, along which the empty seedling boxes slide.

3. The placement portion is provided with an opening formed so that an empty seedling box can pass through, The rice transplanter according to claim 2 , wherein the sliding portion is disposed below the opening.

4. It is equipped with a driver's seat where an operator can sit, The rice transplanter according to claim 3 , wherein the opening is located on a left-right side of the operator's seat.

5. The rice transplanter according to claim 2 , wherein the empty box storage section is arranged on the opposite side of the seedling planting device with respect to the sliding section.

6. The rice transplanter according to claim 2, wherein a front end of the empty box storage section is located at a front end portion of the machine body.

7. The rice transplanter according to claim 6, wherein a lid body switchable between a closed state and an open state is provided at a front end portion of the empty box storage section.

8. The lid body is configured to be rotatable around a width direction axis of the empty box storage section, The rice transplanter according to claim 7, wherein an upper surface of the lid body in the open state is continuous with a bottom surface of the empty box storage section.

9. The lid body includes a first lid body configured to be rotatable around a widthwise axis of the empty box storage section, and a second lid body configured to be rotatable around an axis perpendicular to the width direction of the empty box storage section. The rice transplanter described in claim 7.

10. The rice transplanter according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the empty box storage section is inclined so that the front side is positioned lower.

11. The empty box storage section is disposed in front of the sliding section, The rice transplanter according to claim 10, wherein the sliding portion is inclined so as to be positioned downward toward the front.

12. The rice transplanter according to claim 11, wherein the inclination of the sliding portion is steeper than the inclination of the empty box storage portion.

13. A support frame part is provided which is fixed to the machine body and supports the spare seedling tray, The spare seedling tray has a first portion fixed to the support frame portion and a second portion rotatably supported on the first portion, The rice transplanter according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the sliding portion is located below the second portion.

Images