Rice transplanter

Abstract

To provide a clutch operation part that intermittently operates a clutch for a small number of rows.SOLUTION: A rice transplanter comprises: a plurality of planting arms for planting seedlings in a rice field; a plurality of planting transmission cases 14 for transmitting a driving force to the planting arm; a clutch for a small number of rows, which is provided in the planting transmission case 14 and which brings about intermittence of the driving force transmitted to the planting arm; a clutch operation part for intermittently operating the clutch for the small number of rows by oscillating around an operation shaft 44; and a cover 50 for covering the clutch operation part. The cover 50 is supported on the planting transmission case 14 by the operation shaft 44.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for suppressing the adhesion of mud to the vicinity of a planting transmission case that extends rearward of a traveling machine body.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a seedling planting device for a riding type rice transplanter. This seedling planting device includes a chemical supply device at a position higher than the planting transmission case, and a mud removal cover for preventing the scattering of mud splashed up during planting.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] As also described in Patent Document 1, in a rice transplanter equipped with a chemical supply device, the chemical supply device is supported by a support rod whose lower end is fixed to the planting transmission case. Further, the planting transmission case incorporates a small number of row clutch for operating the planting arm driven by the planting transmission case between drive and stop, and has an operation part such as an operation arm for intermittently operating this small number of row clutch on the outer surface of the planting transmission case.

[0005] In addition, the operation arm etc. provided on the outer surface of the planting transmission case in this way are operated for each planting transmission case via a wire or the like.

[0006] Also, since the operation arm etc. for intermittently operating the small number of row clutch are arranged in an exposed state, there is a concern that mud may adhere and smooth operation may become difficult.

[0007] For these reasons, a rice transplanter that can protect the clutch operation part for intermittently operating the small number of row clutch is required.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0008] To achieve the above object, a rice transplanter according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of planting arms for planting seedlings on a paddy field surface, a plurality of planting transmission cases for transmitting a driving force to the planting arms, a few-row clutch provided in the planting transmission case for interrupting the driving force transmitted to the planting arms, a clutch operation portion for intermittently operating the few-row clutch by swinging around an operation shaft, and a cover for covering the clutch operation portion, and the cover is supported by the planting transmission case by the operation shaft.

[0009] According to this configuration, since the cover covers the clutch operation portion, for example, even if mud scatters during the planting operation, it is possible to suppress the mud from adhering to the clutch operation portion. Therefore, the clutch operation portion for intermittently operating the few-row clutch can be protected.

[0010] In addition, by supporting the cover by diverting the operation shaft of the clutch operation portion, the cover can be supported by the planting transmission case with a simple and efficient configuration.

[0011] Further, the planting transmission case has a rib to which a support rod for supporting a device is fixed, and the rib may be exposed from the cover in a state of covering the clutch operation portion.

[0012] The rice transplanter can be equipped with devices such as a chemical spraying device. The device may be supported by a support rod via a planting transmission case or the like. At this time, the support rod is supported by a rib of the planting transmission case.

[0013] According to the above configuration, since the cover does not cover the rib on which the support rod is supported, even if a cover is provided on the planting transmission case, it is possible to prevent the cover from interfering with the support of the device (support rod) on the planting transmission case. As a result, the device can be easily supported on the planting transmission case while protecting the clutch operation portion.

[0014] Further, the operation shaft may have a first fixing portion that supports the cover at one end and a second fixing portion at the other end, penetrate the cover and the clutch operation portion in a state where the clutch operation portion is covered, fix the cover at the first fixing portion, and be fixed to the planting transmission case at the second fixing portion.

[0015] According to this configuration, in a state where the cover is supported by the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion of the operation shaft, by fixing the operation shaft to the rib, the cover can be supported by the planting transmission case. Therefore, the cover can be easily supported by the planting transmission case by the operation shaft.

[0016] Further, the first fixing portion is a male screw, the cover is fixed using a nut, the second fixing portion is a flat washer having a female screw, and the flat washer holds the clutch operation portion in a state of being bolted to the planting transmission case by screwing a bolt into the female screw through the planting transmission case.

[0017] According to this configuration, the cover can be more easily supported by the male screw and the nut, and the operation shaft can be easily fixed to the planting transmission case by screwing the female screw and the rib together. As a result, the cover can be more easily supported by the planting transmission case using the operation shaft.

[0018] Further, the cover may have an insertion opening.

[0019] The device may be supported at a location other than the rib. According to the above configuration, the device can be supported at a location other than the rib in a manner of inserting a support rod through the insertion opening.

[0020] Further, the cover is made of resin and has a first main body portion, a second main body portion, and a connecting portion that connects the first main body portion and the second main body portion. The cover may cover the clutch operation portion in a state where the first main body portion and the second main body portion are in contact with each other after being bent at the connecting portion.

[0021] The cover has a three-dimensional shape that covers the area where the clutch operation part on the surface of the planting transmission case is provided. When integrally molding the cover with resin, it is difficult to mold such a three-dimensional shape.

[0022] According to the above configuration, a three-dimensional cover can be integrally molded in a developed state and then bent to form the three-dimensional shape of the cover. Thereby, the resin cover can be easily integrally molded.

Brief Explanation of Drawings

[0023]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, a riding type rice transplanter A (an example of a rice transplanter) is shown, and a plan view of the seedling planting device 5 is shown in FIG. 2. In these figures, F indicates the forward direction, B indicates the rearward direction, U indicates the upward direction, D indicates the downward direction, R indicates the rightward direction, and L indicates the leftward direction.

[0025] (Overall Configuration of Riding Type Rice Transplanter) As shown in FIG. 1, the riding type rice transplanter A includes a traveling machine body 3 that travels on right and left front wheels 1 and right and left rear wheels 2. A seedling planting device 5 is supported at the rear end of a link mechanism 4 that extends rearward from the rear part of the traveling machine body 3. A fertilizer application device 6 is supported at the rear part of the traveling machine body 3, and a soil preparation device E is arranged in front of the seedling planting device 5.

[0026] A hydraulic cylinder 7 is connected across the rear part of the traveling machine body 3 and the link mechanism 4. The seedling planting device 5 is lifted and lowered by the telescopic drive of the hydraulic cylinder 7.

[0027] A driver's seat 8 and a steering handle 9 for steering the front wheels 1 are provided on the traveling machine body 3. Right and left columnar frames 10 are connected to the right and left parts of the front part of the traveling machine body 3. A spare seedling placing table 11 is provided on this columnar frame 10. The spare seedling placing table 11 has mat-shaped seedlings replenished to the seedling placing table 18 of the seedling planting device 5 placed thereon.

[0028] (Configuration of Seedling Planting Device) As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the seedling planting device 5 includes a feed case 12, a support frame 13, a plurality of planting transmission cases 14, a plurality of rotating cases 15, a plurality of planting arms 16, a plurality of floats 17, and a seedling placing table 18, and is configured in an 8-row planting type.

[0029] The feed case 12 is supported at the rear part of the link mechanism 4. The support frame 13 is in the shape of a square pipe extending in the left - right direction and is connected to the feed case 12. A plurality of (four) planting transmission cases 14 extend rearward of the traveling machine body 3 by connecting the front end of each to the support frame 13.

[0030] The rotary cases 15 are arranged at the right and left parts of the rear part of the planting transmission case 14 and are rotatably supported by the planting transmission case 14 by a left - right rotary drive shaft 35. A pair of planting arms 16 are attached to this rotary case 15.

[0031] The seedling placing table 18 is supported by sliding rails 19 provided on the upper surfaces of a plurality of planting transmission cases 14. The pair of planting arms 16 attached to the rotary case 15 perform an operation of cutting out seedlings from the lower ends of the mat - type bar seedlings placed on the seedling placing table 18 and planting them on the field surface G as the rotary case 15 rotates.

[0032] This riding - type rice transplanter A levels the field surface G with the leveling device E as the traveling machine body 3 moves forward. Also, the seedling planting device 5 reciprocally drives the seedling placing table 18 along the left - right direction as the traveling machine body 3 moves forward. Thereby, the planting arms 16 sequentially cut out seedlings from the lower ends of the mat - type bar seedlings placed on the seedling placing table 18 and plant them on the field surface G.

[0033] (Fertilizing device) As shown in FIG. 1, the fertilizing device 6 has a hopper 21, a feeding part 22, a blower 23, a furrow opener 24, and a hose 25.

[0034] Fertilizer is stored in the hopper 21 of the fertilizing device 6. Also, as the traveling machine body 3 moves forward, the feeding part 22 feeds the fertilizer stored in the hopper 21 to the hose 25.

[0035] The discharged fertilizer is supplied to the furrow opener 24 by the flow of air supplied from the blower 23. The furrow opener 24 is arranged at a position where the tip penetrates below the field surface G, and the fertilizer is supplied to the furrow formed in the field surface G by the furrow opener 24. The furrow formed in the field surface G by the furrow opener 24 is filled in by a covering member (not shown) as the traveling machine body 3 travels.

[0036] (Drive configuration of the seedling planting device) As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the power of an engine (not shown) mounted on the traveling machine body 3 is transmitted from the transmission shaft 26 to the feed case 12. Input shafts 31 extending in the left - right direction are built into the front - end portions of the plurality of planting transmission cases 14 respectively. Each input shaft 31 is connected to an intermediate drive shaft 32, and each intermediate drive shaft 32 is arranged coaxially with the input shaft 31. The plurality of intermediate drive shafts 32 are respectively housed in corresponding cylindrical cases 37.

[0037] A driven shaft 28 is provided which is connected to the intermediate drive shaft 32 at the center in the left - right direction among the plurality of intermediate drive shafts 32. The driving force transmitted to the feed case 12 is transmitted to this driven shaft 28 via a drive chain 29. Thereby, the driving force transmitted to the feed case 12 is transmitted to the plurality of input shafts 31 and the plurality of intermediate drive shafts 32.

[0038] The planting transmission case 14 is provided with a torque limiter 33 at a position for transmitting the driving force transmitted to the plurality of input shafts 31 to the driving - side sprocket. This torque limiter 33 is provided inside each of the plurality of planting transmission cases 14. The planting transmission case 14 is provided with a transmission chain 34 for transmitting the driving force from the driving - side sprocket to which the driving force is transmitted from the torque limiter 33 to the driven - side sprocket of the rotary drive shaft 35 at the rear of the planting transmission case 14. This transmission chain 34 is housed inside each of the plurality of planting transmission cases 14.

[0039] The planting transmission case 14 is provided with a few - tooth clutch 36 for each of the plurality of rotary drive shafts 35. The few - tooth clutch 36 interrupts the driving force transmitted from the transmission chain 34 to the rotary drive shaft 35.

[0040] The planting transmission case 14 is provided with a clutch operation part that intermittently operates the driving force transmitted from the transmission chain 34 to the rotation drive shaft 35. The clutch operation part includes a clutch operation shaft 41 and a clutch operation lever 42. The clutch operation shaft 41 operates the multi-disc clutch 36 and is supported so as to be able to protrude and retract on the upper surface of the planting transmission case 14. Further, the clutch operation lever 42 is supported on the side surface of the planting transmission case 14 via an operation shaft 44 serving as a swing fulcrum, and pushes in the clutch operation shaft 41. The planting transmission case 14 is provided with two ribs 14a that protrude upward from the upper surface and are arranged in the front-rear direction, and each rib 14a is provided with a hole 14b. Further, the planting transmission case 14 is provided with a rib 14c that protrudes upward from the upper surface and is located between the two ribs 14a, and the rib 14c is provided with a hole 14d.

[0041] The operation shaft 44 is provided with a flat washer 44A (an example of a second fixing part) at one end, and a screw 44B (an example of a second fixing part) is provided on the flat washer 44A. The clutch operation part includes a torsion spring 47 and a torsion spring 48. The torsion spring 47 biases the clutch operation shaft 41 to a non-operation state in which it protrudes upward from the planting transmission case 14. The torsion spring 48 biases the clutch operation lever 42 to an operation state before the clutch operation shaft 41 is pushed in (the operation state of making the clutch operation shaft 41 non-operational). The operation shaft 44 is supported by the planting transmission case 14 by screwing a bolt 44C into the rib 14c of the planting transmission case 14 and the screw 44B of the operation shaft 44. Then, the operation shaft 44 supports the torsion spring 48, the clutch operation lever 42, and the torsion spring 47 on the planting transmission case 14 by inserting them in this order through the torsion spring 48, the clutch operation lever 42, and the torsion spring 47. At this time, the flat washer 44A holds the torsion spring 48.

[0042] In the non-operation state of the multi-disc clutch 36, the clutch operation shaft 41 protrudes upward and maintains the transmission state. Further, in the multi-disc clutch 36, when the clutch operation shaft 41 is pushed in, the transmission state is switched to the cut-off state.

[0043] The end of the operating wire 43 is connected to the operating member 42a of the clutch operating lever 42. The number of operating wires 43 is equal to that of the planting transmission cases 14, and the front end positions of these operating wires 43 are connected to a manually operated lever or a mechanism that selectively pulls a plurality of operating wires 43 by the driving force of an electric motor.

[0044] With this configuration, by cutting off the transmission with the few - strip clutch 36 in each of the plurality of planting transmission cases 14, it becomes possible to stop the planting of seedlings for every two planting arms 16 provided in each planting transmission case 14.

[0045] (Chemical spraying device) As shown by the two - dot chain line in FIG. 3, the riding - type rice transplanter A can be equipped with a chemical spraying device C (an example of a device) above the planting transmission case 14 of the seedling planting device 5. When performing this mounting, the lower end of the support rod 45 is supported on the upper surface of the planting transmission case 14. As shown in FIG. 4, the support rod 45 that supports the chemical spraying device C is supported by the rib 14a of the planting transmission case 14.

[0046] Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 9, the support rod 45 that supports the chemical spraying device C has a support plate 46 fixed to its base end. This support plate 46 is in a vertical posture and has a through - hole 46a formed therein. The fixing bolt 56 is inserted through the through - hole 46a of the support plate 46 and the hole portion 14b of the rib 14a, and by fastening the nut 57, the support plate 46 is fixed to the planting transmission case 14. Thereby, the chemical spraying device C is supported by the planting transmission case 14.

[0047] (Cover) The clutch operating portion having the clutch operating shaft 41 and the clutch operating lever 42 described above is arranged at a height close to the field surface G. For this reason, mud adheres, and the clutch operating portion may malfunction. To eliminate such inconveniences, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 9, a cover 50 that covers the clutch operating portion having the clutch operating shaft 41 and the clutch operating lever 42 is provided. In FIG. 3, for the sake of clarity of the configuration, the cover 50 is shown in cross - section.

[0048] By covering the clutch operation part with the cover 50, it is possible to prevent mud from adhering to the clutch operation part even when mud scatters during the planting operation of the seedling planting device 5, and it is possible to protect the clutch operation part that intermittently operates the multi-row clutch 36.

[0049] Hereinafter, the specific configuration of the cover 50 will be described using the drawings as an embodiment.

[0050] 〔Embodiment 1〕 As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the cover 50 in Embodiment 1 is provided on the planting transmission case 14, and the cover 50 is mounted in a state where the chemical spraying device C is mounted.

[0051] The cover 50 is made of resin and includes an upper wall portion 51, a left side wall portion 52 (an example of a side wall portion), a right side wall portion 53 (an example of a side wall portion), a rear wall portion 54, a front wall portion 55, and a lower wall portion 59. The upper wall portion 51, the left side wall portion 52, the right side wall portion 53, the rear wall portion 54, the front wall portion 55, and the lower wall portion 59 are integrally formed.

[0052] The cover 50 includes a bolt insertion hole 52A in the shape of a through hole in the left side wall portion 52 and an opening 53A in the right side wall portion 53.

[0053] In Embodiment 1, the operation shaft 44 is provided with a male screw 44D (an example of a first fixing portion) at the other end with respect to one end where the flat washer 44A is provided. That is, the operation shaft 44 includes a flat washer 44A having a female screw 44B and a male screw 44D with the main body portion 44E interposed therebetween.

[0054] In Embodiment 1, the operation shaft 44 supports the cover 50 on the planting transmission case 14 together with the clutch operation part. Specifically, as described above, the operation shaft 44 is supported by the planting transmission case 14 by screwing a bolt 44C onto the rib 14c of the planting transmission case 14 and the female screw 44B of the operation shaft 44. And the operation shaft 44 supports the clutch operation part on the planting transmission case 14 by inserting the torsion spring 48, the clutch operation lever 42, and the torsion spring 47.

[0055] In this state, the cover 50 is placed over the planting transmission case 14 such that the right side wall portion 53 of the cover 50 runs along the rib 14c and the flat washer 44A is positioned at the opening 53A of the cover 50. The male thread 44D of the operating shaft 44 is inserted through the bolt insertion hole 52A of the cover 50. Then, a nut 58 is fastened to the male thread 44D from the outside of the cover 50, whereby the cover 50 is supported by the planting transmission case 14 together with the clutch operating portion.

[0056] The lower end portions of the right side wall portion 53, the rear wall portion 54, and the front wall portion 55 of the cover 50 fixed to the planting transmission case 14 are in contact with or run along the upper surface of the planting transmission case 14, and the right end portion of the lower wall portion 59 is in contact with or runs along the left side surface of the planting transmission case 14. With such a configuration, the cover 50 covers the clutch operating portion having the clutch operating shaft 41 and the clutch operating lever 42, and the clutch operating portion is accommodated inside the cover 50. As a result, even if mud scatters during the planting operation travel, it is possible to suppress the mud from adhering to the clutch operating portion. Therefore, the clutch operating portion that intermittently operates the multi-disc clutch 36 can be protected from mud and the like.

[0057] The cover 50 is integrally formed by die molding. Since the cover 50 has a three-dimensional shape with a hollow portion, in order to be easily and accurately molded, the cover 50 is preferably molded in a developed state. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the cover 50 has a first main body portion 50A and a second main body portion 50B connected with the connecting portion 61 interposed therebetween. Specifically, the cover 50 has a right side wall portion 53 as the first main body portion 50A, and an upper wall portion 51, a left side wall portion 52, a rear wall portion 54, a front wall portion 55, and a lower wall portion 59 as the second main body portion 50B. The cover 50 is integrally molded in a state where the upper wall portion 51 and the right side wall portion 53 are connected at the connecting portion 61 and the right side wall portion 53 is separated from the rear wall portion 54 and the front wall portion 55. When being mounted on the planting transmission case 14, as shown in FIG. 8, it is bent at the connecting portion 61, and the right side wall portion 53 is connected to the upper wall portion 51, the rear wall portion 54, and the front wall portion 55, whereby the cover 50 is made three-dimensional. Incidentally, the first main body portion 50A and the second main body portion 50B may be configured by being assigned to arbitrary wall portions.

[0058] By molding the cover 50 in this way, while facilitating integral molding by the die, the cover 50 can accurately cover the clutch operation portion.

[0059] 〔Embodiment 2〕 The cover 50 in Embodiment 2 is provided on the planting transmission case 14 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, and the chemical spraying device C is mounted in a state where the cover 50 is provided.

[0060] The cover 50 is made of resin and includes an upper wall portion 51, a left side wall portion 52 (an example of a side wall portion), a right side wall portion 53 (an example of a side wall portion), a rear wall portion 54, and a front wall portion 55 (see FIG. 12).

[0061] The upper wall portion 51, the left side wall portion 52, the right side wall portion 53, and the rear wall portion 54 are integrally molded. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, the front wall portion 55 is formed in a posture protruding from the front end of the upper wall portion 51 when the cover 50 is molded. The front wall portion 55 is formed so that the protruding end can be bent downward.

[0062] The front wall portion 55 has protrusions 55a formed at both ends in the left - right direction. At the ends of the left side wall portion 52 and the right side wall portion 53 of the cover 50, engaging recesses 49 into which the protrusions 55a engage are formed. Thus, when the front wall portion 55 is bent downward, the front wall portion 55 fits inside the left side wall portion 52 and the right side wall portion 53, and the protrusions 55a and the engaging recesses 49 engage with each other. As a result, the position of the front wall portion 55 is fixed.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 9, the planting transmission case 14 includes a rib 14a protruding upward from the upper surface, and the rib 14a includes a hole portion 14b. The cover 50 includes a pair of bolt insertion holes 53a in the form of through - holes in the right side wall portion 53.

[0064] With this configuration, the support plate 46 is arranged on the inner surface of the right side wall portion 53, and the fixing bolt 56 is inserted through the bolt insertion hole 53a of the cover 50, the through - hole 46a of the support plate 46, and the hole portion 14b of the rib 14a respectively. By tightening the nut 57, the cover 50 together with the support plate 46 is fixed to the planting transmission case 14. In this way, by connecting and fixing the cover 50 to the planting transmission case 14, the upper wall portion 51, the left side wall portion 52, the right side wall portion 53, and the rear wall portion 54 of the cover 50 are arranged at positions covering the clutch operation shaft 41 (clutch operation portion) and the clutch operation lever 42 (clutch operation portion). As a result, even when mud scatters during the planting operation, the mud does not adhere to the clutch operation shaft 41 or the clutch operation lever 42, and their smooth operation is maintained.

[0065] The cover 50 is manufactured by die - casting, and the bolt insertion hole 53a is formed as a cut - out hole by the cut - out portion of the die. As shown in FIG. 10, a recess 53b is formed on the inner surface of the right side wall portion 53 as a space where the cut - out portion of the die is arranged.

[0066] 〔Alternative Embodiment〕 In addition to the above - described embodiments, the present invention may be configured as follows (those having the same functions as Embodiments 1 and 2 are given the same numbers and reference signs as the embodiments).

[0067] (a) The support rod 45 that supports devices such as the chemical spraying device C is fixed to the planting transmission case 14. When the cover 50 is attached to the planting transmission case 14, the support rod 45 may overlap with the cover 50, and in some cases, the cover 50 or the support rod 45 may not be attached to the planting transmission case 14. Therefore, the cover 50 of the above-described Embodiments 1 and 2 may be provided with an insertion opening 50H. In the following description, the insertion opening 50H provided in the cover 50 of Embodiment 1 will be mainly described as an example, but the insertion opening 50H may be provided in the cover 50 of Embodiment 2.

[0068] For example, the rear wall portion 54 of the cover 50 can be provided with an insertion opening 50H through which the base end portion of the support rod 45 is inserted. This insertion opening 50H is formed by artificially cutting out a region extending upward from the lower end of the rear wall portion 54.

[0069] That is, as shown in FIG. 10, in the cover 50, an opening planned region N is set in a region extending from the rear wall portion 54 to the upper wall portion 51. In this opening planned region N, a first opening region Na, a second opening region Nb, and a third opening region Nc are preset.

[0070] The first opening region Na is formed in a region of the rear wall portion 54 from the lower end of the rear wall portion 54 with a first opening width Wa. The second opening region Nb is formed in a region reaching from the lower end of the rear wall portion 54 to the upper wall portion 51 with a second opening width Wb. The third opening region Nc is formed in a region reaching from the lower end of the rear wall portion 54 to the front side of the second opening region Nb in the upper wall portion 51 with the second opening width Wb.

[0071] To facilitate the artificial cutting of these first opening region Na, second opening region Nb, and third opening region Nc, the wall thicknesses of the respective regions are configured to be different. As a specific form, taking the overall wall thickness of the cover 50 as the reference thickness, the wall thickness of the third opening region Nc is made thinner than the reference thickness, the wall thickness of the second opening region Nb is made thinner than this, and the wall thickness of the first opening region Na is made thinner than this.

[0072] It is also possible to make the wall thickness of the first opening region Na, the second opening region Nb, and the third opening region Nc thicker than the reference thickness in the order of the third opening region Nc, the second opening region Nb, and the first opening region Na. Further, depending on the type of the retrofit kit (applicator, rear fertilizer applicator, seeder, etc.), which is an optionally adopted device, the opening region corresponding to the kit with a high retrofit frequency is one of the first opening region Na, the second opening region Nb, and the third opening region Nc, and it is also possible to make the wall thickness of the opening region with a high opening frequency thinner than that of the other opening regions.

[0073] In the cover 50 of FIG. 9, an insertion opening 50H is formed by cutting out the first opening region Na, and the proximal end portion of the support rod 45 is inserted rearward into the insertion opening 50H.

[0074] In order to attach the chemical spraying device C to the seedling planting device 5, the lower end of the support rod 45 is connected and fixed to the planting transmission case 14. In order to enable this connection and fixing, an insertion opening 50H corresponding to the form of the lower end of the support rod 45 is formed in the rear wall portion 54 of the cover 50. As a result, without removing the cover 50, the proximal end of the support rod 45 is supported by the planting transmission case 14, and the chemical spraying device C is attached together with the cover 50.

[0075] The cover 50 is preset with a plurality of planned opening regions N corresponding to the form of the proximal end of the support rod 45, and the wall thicknesses of the plurality of planned opening regions N are made different. Thereby, when one of the plurality of planned opening regions N is selected to form the insertion opening 50H, the position portion of the cover 50 can be cut out based on the wall thickness to form the insertion opening 50H of the required size.

[0076] (b) As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the support rod 45 may be connected to the support plate 46 with the posture set so as to protrude obliquely upward rearward in a state where the support plate 46 is connected to the rib 14a on the upper surface of the planting transmission case 14.

[0077] In this way, in the configuration where the support rod 45 protrudes obliquely upward to the rear, the support rod 45 is in a positional relationship of passing through the region of the upper wall portion 51 of the cover 50. For this reason, by cutting out the region of the second opening region Nb shown in FIG. 10 from the cover 50, the insertion opening 50H is formed in a region extending from the upper wall portion 51 to the rear wall portion 54.

[0078] In this alternative embodiment (b), a spraying device having the same configuration as the chemical spraying device C described in Embodiments 1 and 2 is the object to be supported, and the chemical spraying device C is connected to the upper end portion of the support rod 45.

[0079] (c) As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the support plate 46 may extend above the upper wall portion 51 of the cover 50 in a state of being connected to the rib 14a on the upper surface of the planting transmission case 14. When the support plate 46 is formed in this way, a plurality of rod-shaped support rods 45 are supported near the upper end of the support plate 46.

[0080] In the configuration of this alternative embodiment (c), the support plate 46 is arranged in a state of passing through the upper wall portion 51 upward. For this reason, by cutting out the region of the second opening region Nb shown in FIG. 10 from the cover 50, the insertion opening 50H is formed in a region extending from the upper wall portion 51 to the rear wall portion 54.

[0081] In the configuration of this alternative embodiment (c), as an example of the device, the plurality of support rods 45 can support a scattering prevention cover (not shown) for preventing the scattering of soil, apart from the chemical spraying device C and the like. The scattering prevention cover is supported in a horizontal posture at the upper ends of the plurality of support rods 45.

[0082] (d) The chemical spraying device C described in Embodiments 1 and 2 and the scattering prevention cover described in alternative embodiment (c) may both be supported by the seedling planting device 5. To enable such a form of support, the support plate 46 described in Embodiments 1 and 2 and the support plate 46 described in alternative embodiment (c) are fixed to the planting transmission case 14 in a stacked state.

[0083] (e) Minute dotted-line-shaped micro-openings along the opening shape may be formed between the planned opening areas N or between the planned opening area N and other areas of the cover 50. By doing so, it becomes possible to easily form the insertion opening 50H by applying the extrusion force to the necessary areas with a tool-less or minimal tool.

[0084] (f) The insertion opening 50H is formed in a manner that enables the insertion of the lower end of the support rod 45 or the support rod 45 and the support plate 46 into the insertion opening 50H. This insertion opening 50H can be set in advance as the planned opening area N, or it may be formed by cutting out the corresponding part of the cover 50 without setting the planned opening area N.

[0085] (g) The insertion opening 50H may be formed only in the upper wall portion 51 of the cover 50 or in an area extending from the upper wall portion 51 to the side wall portion. Also, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the insertion opening 50H may be provided in the front wall portion 55 instead of or together with the rear wall portion 54. The cover 50 of the second embodiment can be configured to cover a part of the left side portion of the planting transmission case 14. In that case, the cover 50 obstructs the operation wire 43. By providing the insertion opening 50H in the front wall portion 55, the operation wire 43 can be provided by inserting it through the insertion opening 50H.

[0086] (h) It is also conceivable to provide the planting transmission case 14 with a cover 50 in which the insertion opening 50H is not formed. By configuring it in this way, the clutch operation lever 42 that intermittently operates the multi-disc clutch 36 is protected.

[0087] (i) In Embodiment 2, the configuration of the operation shaft 44 of the clutch operation unit is arbitrary. That is, in Embodiment 2, the cover 50 is supported by the rib 14a of the planting transmission case 14 using the fixing bolt 56, and the operation shaft 44 is not used for the support of the cover 50. Therefore, the clutch operation unit is supported by the rib 14c of the planting transmission case 14 by an arbitrary operation shaft 44. Further, as described above, the cover 50 may be supported by the planting transmission case 14 together with the support rod 45 or the clutch operation unit, but may be supported by the planting transmission case 14 separately from the support rod 45 and the clutch operation unit.

[0088] (j) The cover 50 is not limited to being made of resin and may be made of any material such as metal. Further, the cover 50 is not limited to die molding and may be manufactured by any method.

[0089] In addition, the configurations disclosed in the above embodiments (including other embodiments, the same applies hereinafter) can be applied in combination with the configurations disclosed in other embodiments as long as there is no contradiction. Further, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are examples, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto, and can be appropriately modified within the scope not departing from the object of the present invention.

Industrial Applicability

[0090] The present invention can be used for a riding type rice transplanter having a planting transmission case incorporating each clutch.

Explanation of Signs

[0091] 14 Planting transmission case 14a Rib 16 Planting arm 36 Few - row clutch 44 Operation shaft 44A Flat washer (second fixing part) 44B Female screw (second fixing part) 44C Bolt 44D Male screw (first fixing part) 45 Support rod 50 Cover 50A First main body part Second body part of 50B Insertion opening of 50H Nut of 58 Connection part of 61 Chemical spraying device (equipment) of C Field surface of G

Claims

1. A plurality of planting arms for planting seedlings on a paddy field surface, A plurality of planting transmission cases for transmitting driving force to the planting arms, A few-row clutch provided in the planting transmission case for interrupting the driving force transmitted to the planting arms, A clutch operation part for intermittently operating the few-row clutch by swinging around an operation shaft, A cover covering the clutch operation part, The cover is supported by the planting transmission case by the operation shaft, and the rice transplanter.

2. The planting transmission case has ribs to which support rods for supporting equipment are fixed, The rib is exposed from the cover in a state of covering the clutch operation part, and the rice transplanter according to claim 1.

3. The operation shaft has a first fixing part for supporting the cover at one end and a second fixing part at the other end, penetrates the cover in a state of covering the clutch operation part and the clutch operation part, fixes the cover with the first fixing part, and is fixed to the planting transmission case with the second fixing part, and the rice transplanter according to claim 2.

4. The first fixing part is a male screw, and the cover is fixed using a nut, The second fixing part is a flat washer having a female screw, and in a state of being bolted to the planting transmission case by screwing a bolt into the female screw through the planting transmission case, the flat washer holds the clutch operation part, and the rice transplanter according to claim 3.

5. The cover has an insertion opening, and the rice transplanter according to claim 1.

6. The cover is made of resin and has a first main body part, a second main body part, and a connecting part connecting the first main body part and the second main body part, The cover is bent at the connecting part, and in a state where the first main body part and the second main body part are in contact, the cover covers the clutch operation part, and the rice transplanter according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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