Rice transplanter

Abstract

To provide a rice transplanter that has enhanced a degree of configuration freedom of a gripping part pf an operation tool on a preliminary seedling placing table so as to make the operation tool easy to use for an operator.SOLUTION: A rice transplanter includes: a machine body; a support frame part 16 fixed to the machine body, which extends along a vertical direction; a plurality of preliminary seedling placing tables (31 and 33) supported on the support frame part 16; a state changing mechanism for changing the states to a first state in which the plurality of preliminary seedling placing tables (31 and 33) are arranged in a row in a front-back direction and a second state in which they are arranged differently from the first state; and an operation part 44 for changing the states between the first state and the second state by a manual operation. The operation part 44 includes a gripping part 44b gripped by the operator. The gripping part 44b is configured so that its posture can be changed to a contact avoidance posture which is a posture for avoiding the contact between the gripping part 44b and the operator and a use posture which is a posture in the manual operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

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 state in which the spare seedling trays are supported in such a way that they can be changed between a state in which multiple spare seedling trays are arranged at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction, and a state in which multiple spare seedling trays are 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 such a rice transplanter, an operating tool (referred to as a "front-rear operating tool" in Patent Document 1) is used to manually change the state of the spare seedling tray.

[0005] In addition, in some of these rice transplanters, the operating tool is made of a rod-shaped member, and the end is bent to form a gripping part (referred to as a "handle part" in Patent Document 1) that the operator grips. In this configuration, the direction in which the gripping part extends is limited to a specific direction, for example, due to the risk of the gripping part coming into contact with the operator, so there is room for improvement in terms of making the operating tool easier for the operator to use.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a rice transplanter that increases the freedom of configuration of the gripping portion of the operating tool for the spare seedling tray, making it possible to make the operating tool easy for operators to use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The rice transplanter of the present invention comprises a main body, a support frame section fixed to the main body and extending in the vertical direction, a plurality of spare seedling trays supported by the support frame section, a state-changing mechanism that enables the plurality of spare seedling trays to be changed between a first state in which they are arranged in a row in the fore-aft direction and a second state in which they are arranged in an arrangement different from the first state, and an operating unit that changes the state between the first state and the second state by manual operation, wherein the operating unit has a gripping part that is held by an operator, and the gripping part is configured to be able to change its position between a contact avoidance position, which is a position for avoiding contact between the gripping part and the operator, and a usage position, which is a position during manual operation.

[0008] According to the present invention, since the attitude of the grip portion can be changed, the degree of freedom of the configuration of the grip portion during manual operation can be increased. As a result, the operating tool can be configured to be easy for the operator to use while avoiding contact between the grip portion and the operator.

[0009] In the present invention, it is preferable that the operating unit has a restriction mechanism that restricts further positional changes when the gripping portion changes position from the use position to the contact avoidance position, and that restricts further positional changes of the gripping portion when the gripping portion changes position from the contact avoidance position to the use position.

[0010] According to this configuration, when the position is changed to the contact avoidance position and the use position, further position change is restricted, so that it is possible to prevent the grip portion from assuming an unintended position.

[0011] In the present invention, it is preferable that the regulating mechanism has a regulating portion that moves together with a change in posture of the gripping portion, and an abutting portion that abuts against the regulating portion to regulate further movement.

[0012] According to this configuration, with a simple configuration in which the restricting portion and the abutting portion come into contact with each other, when the position is changed to the contact avoidance position and the use position, further position change can be restricted.

[0013] In the present invention, it is preferable that the gripping portion changes its posture by rotating around an axis, the regulating portion and the abutting portion each have an identical outer diameter portion that has the same outer diameter around the axis, and the regulating mechanism regulates the posture change of the gripping portion by abutting the identical outer diameter portion of the regulating portion with the identical outer diameter portion of the abutting portion.

[0014] According to this configuration, the restricting portion and the abutting portion can be configured so that the portions with the same outer diameter rotate about the axis around which the gripping portion rotates, and thus the restricting mechanism can be configured compactly.

[0015] In the present invention, it is preferable that the regulating mechanism has an outer cover portion having an outer diameter larger than the same outer diameter portion between the regulating portion and the abutment portion, and that the outer cover portion is configured to cover the same outer diameter portion between the regulating portion and the abutment portion.

[0016] With this configuration, the point where the regulating portion and the abutment portion come into contact is covered by the outer cover portion, making it possible to prevent the worker from being injured by contact between the regulating portion and the abutment portion.

[0017] In the present invention, it is preferable that the operation portion has a biasing mechanism that biases the grip portion toward the contact avoidance posture.

[0018] With this configuration, the operator can simply release the gripping portion, which will take up the contact avoidance posture, making it possible to more reliably avoid the gripping portion coming into contact with the support frame portion due to the operator forgetting to return the gripping portion to the contact avoidance posture.

[0019] In the present invention, it is preferable that a fixing mechanism is provided for fixing the plurality of spare seedling trays in either or both of the first state and the second state.

[0020] According to this configuration, it is possible to fix the spare seedling tray in a first state and a second state, thereby making it possible to prevent the spare seedling tray from being unintentionally changed to the first state or the second state. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [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. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a manual operation unit and a locking mechanism. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a side view showing the configuration of a manual operation unit and a locking mechanism. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a gripping portion. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a first fall prevention mechanism. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the configuration of a first fall prevention mechanism. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a second fall prevention mechanism. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a front view showing the configuration of the empty box recovery mechanism. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the empty box recovery mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] 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".

[0023] [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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 1 and 2, 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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).

[0030] [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 "spare seedling tray") located at the lowest tier, an upper spare seedling tray 32 located at the top tier, and a rotatable spare seedling tray 33 (an example of a "spare seedling tray") which is configured to be movable and located between the lower spare seedling tray 31 and the upper spare seedling tray 32, and in front of the lower spare seedling tray 31.

[0031] 2 and 3, 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.

[0032] [About the configuration of the lower stage spare seedling tray] As shown in FIG. 4, the lower spare seedling stand 31 includes 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 includes a lower first frame 31Aa and a lower first main body 31Ab. The second part 31B includes a lower second frame 31Ba and a lower second main body 31Bb. The upper surface of the first part 31A includes a placement part 31Ac on which seedlings are placed, and the upper surface of the second part 31B includes 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.

[0033] 2 and 9, 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] [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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] [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 by a state change mechanism 40 so as to be rotatable relative to the lower spare seedling stand 31. The upper surface of the rotating spare seedling stand 33 is provided with a placement portion 33c on which seedlings are placed.

[0039] 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.

[0040] The state-changing mechanism 40 has a link member provided across the lower-level spare seedling stand 31 fixed to the support 16 and the rotatable spare seedling stand 33. The state-changing mechanism 40 causes the rotatable spare seedling stand 33 to be in a first state by being positioned at a front-rear rotation position aligned with the lower-level spare seedling stand 31 in the front-rear direction as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 4, and to be in a second state by being positioned at a vertical rotation position aligned with the lower-level spare seedling stand 31 in the vertical direction as shown by the solid line in FIG. 4. In other words, the state-changing mechanism 40 causes the rotatable spare seedling stand 33 to be changed between a first state and a second state. Note that when in the vertical rotation position, the rotatable spare seedling stand 33 is positioned above the lower-level spare seedling stand 31.

[0041] The link members support the rotatable spare seedling tray 33 rotatably between a first state (front-back rotation position) and a second state (up-down 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 4 and 5, the support 16 is provided with a receiving portion 42 that restricts further rotation of the rotatable spare seedling stand 33 and the three link members in the second 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] With this configuration, in this embodiment, the state-change mechanism 40 can be changed between a first 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, and a second 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.

[0050] [About the configuration of the manual operation unit] As shown in Figures 4, 6, and 7, the state-change mechanism 40 has a manual operation unit 44 (an example of an "operation unit") that changes the state between a first state (front-to-back rotation position) and a second state (up-down rotation position) by manual operation.

[0051] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the manual operation unit 44 is provided on the inside of the left-right direction of the machine body 3 of the rotating frame 33a, and has a main body portion 44a consisting of a rod-shaped member, and a gripping portion 44b to be gripped by an operator.

[0052] The main body 44a is configured to be U-shaped in a plan view, and one straight portion of the U-shape is connected to the inside of the rotating frame 33a in the left-right direction of the aircraft main body 3. The other straight portion of the U-shape of the main body 44a extends rearward, that is, toward the driver's seat 15, and a grip portion 44b is provided on the driver's seat 15 side.

[0053] The grip portion 44b is configured to be able to change its posture between a contact avoidance posture, which is a posture for avoiding contact between the grip portion 44b and an operator, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 6, and a use posture, which is a posture during manual operation, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 6. Specifically, the grip portion 44b is configured to be able to rotate around an axis in the direction in which a straight portion of the main body portion 44a where the grip portion 44b is provided extends. With this configuration, the grip portion 44b is configured to be able to change its posture. The use posture is a posture in which the grip portion 44b extends toward the inside in the left-right direction of the machine body 3, and the contact avoidance posture is a posture in which the grip portion 44b extends downward and is approximately perpendicular to the use posture. When the grip portion 44b is in the use posture, it is in a posture in which it extends toward the inside in the left-right direction of the machine body 3 from the support 16 side, so that the operator can easily operate it from near the driver's seat 15. In addition, in the contact avoidance posture, since the posture extends downward, contact between the gripping portion 44b and, for example, a worker standing on the floor 14 near the support 16 and the manual operation portion 44 can be avoided.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 8, the manual operation unit 44 has a restriction mechanism 55 that restricts further positional change of the gripping portion 44b when the gripping portion 44b changes its position from the use position to the contact avoidance position, and restricts further positional change of the gripping portion 44b when the gripping portion 44b changes its position from the contact avoidance position to the use position.

[0055] The regulating mechanism 55 includes a regulating member 56 which is configured in a cylindrical shape through which the main body portion 44a is inserted, rotates integrally with the gripping portion 44b, and moves together with changes in the position of the gripping portion 44b, and a contact member 57 which is configured in a cylindrical shape through which the end portion of the main body portion 44a is inserted and against which the regulating member 56 abuts.

[0056] The grip portion 44b is connected to the restricting member 56. The restricting member 56 has a restricting portion 56a formed in a convex shape extending toward the restricting member 56. The abutting member 57 has an abutting portion 57a ​​formed in a concave shape so that the restricting portion 56a fits in. The restricting portion 56a and the abutting portion 57a ​​are configured to have the same outer diameter centered on the axis in the direction in which the straight portion of the portion where the grip portion 44b of the main body portion 44a is provided extends. The restricting mechanism 55 restricts further rotation, that is, movement of the grip portion 44b, by the restricting portion 56a abutting against the abutting portion 57a. Here, FIG. 8 shows only the portions of the restricting portion 56a and the abutting portion 57a ​​that abut when the grip portion 44b changes its position from the contact avoidance position to the use position, but the portions that abut when the grip portion 44b changes its position from the use position to the contact avoidance position are configured in the same way.

[0057] The restricting member 56 is configured not to rotate with respect to the main body portion 44a by a screw 56b that passes through the main body portion 44a and the restricting member 56.

[0058] The restriction mechanism 55 has an outer cover portion 58 configured to have an outer diameter larger than the restriction portion 56a and the abutment portion 57a. The outer cover portion 58 is configured to cover the restriction portion 56a and the abutment portion 57a.

[0059] In this embodiment, the restricting member 56 and the abutting member 57 are configured as cylindrical members having the same outer diameter, but it is sufficient that at least the restricting portion 56a and the abutting portion 57a ​​are configured to have the same outer diameter portion. The restricting mechanism 55 is configured to restrict the change in position of the gripping portion 44b by the abutment of the same outer diameter portion of the restricting portion 56a and the same outer diameter portion of the abutting portion 57a. At this time, the outer cover portion 58 is configured to have an outer diameter larger than the same outer diameter portion of the restricting portion 56a and the abutting portion 57a, and is configured to cover at least the same outer diameter portion where the restricting portion 56a and the abutting portion 57a ​​abut.

[0060] 8, the manual operation unit 44 has a biasing mechanism 59 that biases the gripping portion 44b toward the contact avoidance posture. The biasing mechanism 59 has an outer diameter larger than that of the restricting member 56, and has a coil spring 59a through which the main body 44a and the restricting member 56 are inserted. One end of the coil spring 59a is engaged with a screw 59b fixed to the main body 44a, and the other end of the coil spring 59a is engaged with the gripping portion 44b fixed to the restricting member 56.

[0061] Further, the manual operation unit 44 includes an end cover portion 67 that covers an end portion of the manual operation unit 44 .

[0062] [About the configuration of the fixing mechanism] 6 and 7, a fixing mechanism 46 is provided for fixing the rotatable spare seedling stand 33 at the up-down rotation position and the front-rear rotation position. The fixing mechanism 46 includes a locking member 47 fixed to the front part of the lower first frame 31Aa of the lower spare seedling stand 31.

[0063] 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 pivot frame 33a (see FIG. 4), and the other end of link member 41c is provided with fixing 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 fixing mechanism 46 is provided.

[0064] The locked member 47 has two locking holes 50 through which a locking member 49, described later, is inserted. The two locking holes 50 are formed at locations on the locked member 47 that correspond to the positions of the locking member 49 when the locked member 47 is operated to the up-down rotation position and the front-back rotation position, respectively. By inserting the locking member 49 into the locking holes 50, the rotatable spare seedling stand 33 is brought into a fixed state in which it is fixed in position at the up-down rotation position and the front-back rotation position.

[0065] The fixing mechanism 46 has a locking member 49 that is inserted into the locking hole 50. The locking member 49 is made of a rod-shaped member, and is configured so that the rod-shaped member is inserted into the locking hole 50. Although not shown, the locking member 49 is provided with a spring that biases the locking member 49 toward the locking hole 50.

[0066] [Configuration of the first fall prevention mechanism] 9 and 10, 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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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.

[0070] 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.

[0071] [Configuration of the second fall prevention mechanism] 11, 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.

[0072] The second fall prevention mechanism 64 includes a main body portion 64A having a central portion formed in an inverted U-shape, and a locking portion 64B formed integrally with the main body portion 64A.

[0073] Both end portions of the main body 64A are inserted into holes 65 provided in the side walls of the rotatable spare seedling rest body 33b, and rotate around the axis centered on the holes 65.

[0074] A locking hole 66 is formed in the rotatable spare seedling platform body 33b at a location above the hole 65 in the side wall. By manually inserting the locking portion 64B into the locking hole 66, the second fall prevention mechanism 64 assumes a position in which the upper end of the inverted U-shape of the body portion 64A protrudes above the height corresponding to the placement portion 33c of the rotatable spare seedling platform 33. When the seedlings placed on the rotatable spare seedling platform 33 move toward the rear end of the rotatable spare seedling platform 33, they come into contact with the upper end of the inverted U-shape of the body portion 64A, preventing the seedlings from falling.

[0075] A locking hole 68 is formed on the side wall of the rotatable spare seedling stand body 33b on the opposite side of the locking hole 66 with respect to the hole 65. When the locking portion 64B is manually disengaged from the locking hole 66 and locked into the locking hole 68, the upper end of the inverted U-shaped main body portion 64A assumes a position lower than the height corresponding to the placement portion 33c of the rotatable spare seedling stand 33. This releases the second fall prevention mechanism 64 from the seedling fall 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.

[0076] [About the 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.

[0077] 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.

[0078] 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.

[0079] 4 and 12, 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).

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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.

[0082] As shown in Fig. 12, 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.

[0083] 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.

[0084] 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.

[0085] [Another embodiment] Hereinafter, another embodiment in which the above embodiment is modified will be described.

[0086] (1) In the above embodiment, the regulating mechanism 55 has been described as having a configuration including regulating portion 56a and abutment portion 57a. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the regulating mechanism 55 may be configured to apply a biasing force in the direction opposite to the rotation associated with a change in posture of the gripping portion 44b.

[0087] (2) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the regulating portion 56a and the abutting portion 57a ​​were configured as tubular members having the same outer diameter. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. In addition, it is sufficient that at least the regulating portion 56a and the abutting portion 57a ​​are configured to have identical outer diameter portions having the same outer diameter, and the regulating portion 56a and the abutting portion 57a ​​may each be configured as tubular members having different outer diameters.

[0088] (3) In the above embodiment, an example configuration including the outer cover portion 58 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the outer cover portion 58 may not be included.

[0089] (4) In the above embodiment, a configuration including the biasing mechanism 59 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the biasing mechanism 59 may not be provided.

[0090] (5) In the above embodiment, a configuration including the fixing mechanism 46 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and a configuration not including the fixing mechanism 46 may be used.

[0091] (6) In the above embodiment, the fixing mechanism 46 is described as being configured to fix the position of the rotatable spare seedling tray 33 in either the up-down rotation position or the front-back rotation position. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the fixing mechanism 46 may be configured to fix the position of the rotatable spare seedling tray 33 in either the up-down rotation position or the front-back rotation position.

[0092] (7) 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. 13, 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 and closing operation on either the first lid body 74A or the second lid body 74B.

[0093] 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]

[0094] The present invention can be used in a rice transplanter equipped with multiple spare seedling trays. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 3: Aircraft body 16: Support (support frame) 31: Lower shelf for spare seedlings (for spare seedlings) 33: Rotating spare seedling stand (spare seedling stand) 40: State change mechanism 44:Human operation section (operation section) 44b: Grip part 46:Fixing mechanism 55: Regulatory Organization 56a: Regulation Department 57a: Contact part 58: Outer cover part 59: Biasing mechanism

Claims

1. The aircraft body, A support frame portion fixed to the aircraft body and extending along the up-down direction; A plurality of spare seedling trays supported by the support frame portion; A state change mechanism that can change between a first state in which the plurality of spare seedling trays are arranged in a row in the front-rear direction and a second state in which the trays are arranged in a different arrangement from the first state; an operation unit that changes the state between the first state and the second state by a manual operation, The operation unit has a gripping portion that is gripped by an operator, The rice transplanter is configured so that the gripping portion can be changed between a contact avoidance posture, which is a posture for avoiding contact between the gripping portion and an operator, and a use posture, which is a posture during manual operation.

2. The rice transplanter according to claim 1, wherein the operating unit has a restriction mechanism that restricts further positional changes when the gripping unit changes position from the use position to the contact avoidance position, and restricts further positional changes of the gripping unit when the gripping unit changes position from the contact avoidance position to the use position.

3. The rice transplanter according to claim 2 , wherein the regulating mechanism has a regulating portion that moves together with the change in posture of the gripping portion, and an abutting portion that abuts against the regulating portion to regulate further movement.

4. The gripping portion changes its position by rotating about an axis, the restricting portion and the contact portion each have an identical outer diameter portion having an equal outer diameter about the axis, The rice transplanter according to claim 3 , wherein the regulating mechanism regulates a change in posture of the gripping portion by abutting the constant outer diameter portion of the regulating portion and the constant outer diameter portion of the abutting portion.

5. The restriction mechanism includes an outer cover portion having an outer diameter larger than the same outer diameter portion of the restriction portion and the abutment portion, The rice transplanter according to claim 4 , wherein the outer cover portion is configured to cover the same outer diameter portion of the regulating portion and the abutting portion.

6. The rice transplanter according to claim 1 , wherein the operating portion has a biasing mechanism that biases the gripping portion toward the contact avoidance posture.

7. The rice transplanter according to claim 1, further comprising a fixing mechanism for fixing the plurality of spare seedling trays in either or both of the first state and the second state.

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