Transplanter

Abstract

To facilitate seeding planting even in a farmland where soil is hard in a configuration equipped with a mulch sheet releasing and laying mechanism.SOLUTION: A transplanter includes a travelling machine body, a planting part liftably connected to the rear part of the travelling machine body, and a mulch sheet releasing and laying mechanism for releasing and laying a mulch sheet on the surface of soil. The planting part includes a seedling planting mechanism for planting seedlings in the soil from above the mulch sheet. The transplanter includes an under-sheet action body for making a groove for planting seedlings in the soil under the mulch sheet before planting the seedlings accompanying the travelling of the travelling machine body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a transplanter.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a rice transplanter in which a multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism is provided behind a traveling body, and a planting unit having a seedling planting mechanism is provided so as to be liftable. Further, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses a transplanter in which a film cutting device is attached to a planting rod related to the lifting of transplanting claws. The film cutting device is provided for making holes in a multi-film (hereinafter, uniformly referred to as "multi-sheet"). Planting of seedlings by the transplanting claws is performed through the above-described holes.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In planting seedlings (rice seedlings) by a rice transplanter, since the seedlings are planted in a field that has been weeded, the field (soil) is soft. Therefore, as in Patent Document 1, it is possible to feed out a multi-sheet made of paper sheets and plant the seedlings in the soil by piercing through the multi-sheet with a seedling planting mechanism.

[0005] In contrast, when planting vegetable seedlings, the seedlings are planted in a field with hard soil. Moreover, as the mulch sheet, a vinyl film is used from the viewpoints of heat retention, moisture retention, and weed control. For this reason, it has been difficult to apply the configuration of the rice transplanter of Patent Document 1, in which the seedlings are planted in the soil by piercing the mulch sheet, to a transplanter that plants seedlings from above the mulch sheet in a field with hard soil.

[0006] On the other hand, in the transplanter of Patent Document 2, prior to planting the seedlings with the transplanting claws, holes are made in the mulch sheet by a film cutting device. Therefore, the mulch sheet does not get in the way during the planting of the seedlings. However, Patent Document 2 does not consider any countermeasures when the soil is hard during the planting of the seedlings. That is, with the configuration of Patent Document 2, it was difficult to plant the seedlings in hard soil.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a transplanter that can facilitate the planting of seedlings even in a field with hard soil in a configuration including a mulch sheet feeding and laying mechanism.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] A transplanter according to one aspect of the present invention includes a traveling machine body, a planting unit that is connected to the rear of the traveling machine body so as to be vertically movable, and a mulch sheet feeding and laying mechanism that feeds and lays a mulch sheet on the surface of the soil, and the planting unit has a seedling planting mechanism that plants seedlings in the soil from above the mulch sheet. The transplanter is provided with a sheet-under working body that forms a groove in the soil below the mulch sheet for planting the seedlings prior to the planting of the seedlings as the traveling machine body travels.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the above configuration, even in a field with hard soil in a configuration including a mulch sheet feeding and laying mechanism, the planting of seedlings can be facilitated.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

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Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. For the convenience of the following description, the directions are defined as follows. First, the traveling direction of the traveling machine body 2 (the left direction in FIG. 1) is defined as the front (forward), and the opposite direction is defined as the rear (backward). Also, the left side toward the traveling direction of the traveling machine body 2 is referred to as the left (left side), and the right side toward the traveling direction is referred to as the right (right side). Further, the gravitational direction is defined as the vertical direction, the upstream side is defined as the upper (upper side), and the downstream side is defined as the lower (lower side). In the drawings, if necessary, the front is indicated by the symbol "F", the rear by "B", the left by "L", the right by "R", the upper by "U", and the lower by "D".

[0012] <1. Outline of the Transplanter> FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a transplanter 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of the planting part 3 of the transplanter 1 in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, for convenience, the illustration of the left discharge plate 34L, the left skirt pressing roller 51L, and the left soil gathering disk 52L shown in FIG. 1 is omitted. The transplanter 1 in the present embodiment is a vegetable transplanter for transplanting (planting) seedlings of vegetables such as cabbages into the soil. The transplanter 1 includes a traveling machine body 2 and a planting part 3.

[0013] The traveling body 2 is supported by the left and right front wheels 1a and the left and right rear wheels 1b. An engine 1c as a power source is mounted on the traveling body 2. The power output from the engine 1c is transmitted to the driven part via a transmission part 1d. The driven part includes the front wheels 1a and the rear wheels 1b, as well as a planting part 3 described later. Therefore, the above-mentioned transmission part 1d includes a PTO (Power Take Off) shaft 1d1 (see Fig. 2) for driving the planting part 3.

[0014] The traveling body 2 includes a seat 2a for the operator to sit on, an operation part 2b operated by the operator, and a spare mounting part 2c for mounting a spare seedling mat. The operation part 2b includes a steering wheel for operating the traveling direction, a shift lever for operating the traveling speed, and a working lever for operating the planting part 3.

[0015] The planting part 3 is connected to the rear of the traveling body 2 via a lifting mechanism 4 so as to be liftable. The lifting mechanism 4 includes a top link 41, a lower link 42, and a lifting cylinder 43. The top link 41 and the lower link 42 connect the traveling body 2 and the planting part 3. The lifting cylinder 43 is connected to the lower link 42 via a connecting part 44. For example, by operating the lifting cylinder 43 to expand and contract according to the operation of the operation part 2b (working lever), the lower link 42 is rotated via the connecting part 44 and the top link 41 is rotated. Thereby, the planting part 3 can be lifted with respect to the traveling body 2.

[0016] The planting part 3 has a seedling mounting device 31 and a seedling planting mechanism 32 (see Fig. 2). The seedling planting mechanism 32 scrapes one seedling from the seedling mat MT (see Fig. 3) placed on the seedling mounting device 31, and plants the scraped seedling into the soil (ridge) from above the multi-sheet S described later.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the seedling mounting device 31 as seen from the rear. The seedling mounting device 31 conveys the seedling mat MT placed on the seedling mounting table 311 downward by driving the vertical feed belt 312 (see FIG. 2). The transplanter 1 of the present embodiment is configured by arranging six one-row seedling mounting tables 311 capable of mounting one row of seedling mats MT side by side in the left-right direction, and can plant up to six rows of seedlings. Here, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, a configuration for planting one row of seedlings is shown as an example.

[0018] The vertical feed belt 312 is vertically fed and driven by a vertical feed mechanism 313 (see FIG. 2). The vertical feed mechanism 313 vertically feeds the vertical feed belt 312 by one plant (one row) at the timing when the scraping of the seedlings for one row in the left-right direction from the seedling mat MT is completed. Thereby, the seedling planting mechanism 32 can scrape the seedlings in the next row from the seedling mat MT. Further, the seedling mounting table 311 is horizontally fed and driven by a horizontal feed mechanism 314 (see FIG. 2). The horizontal feed mechanism 314 horizontally feeds the seedling mounting table 311 in one of the left and right directions after the vertical feed belt 312 vertically feeds the seedling mat MT. In particular, the horizontal feed mechanism 314 reverses the horizontal feed direction of the seedling mounting table 311 every time the vertical feed belt 312 vertically feeds the seedling mat MT (every time the scraping of the seedlings for one row from the seedling mat MT is completed). Thereby, the seedling planting mechanism 32 can continuously scrape the seedlings in the next row after the scraping of the seedlings for one row from the seedling mat MT is completed.

[0019] The horizontal feed mechanism 314 has a drive shaft (horizontal feed shaft) for horizontally feeding the seedling mounting table 311. The horizontal feed shaft is driven by the power transmitted from the engine 1c via the PTO shaft 1d1. A drive cam 314a is attached to the horizontal feed shaft. The drive cam 314a rotates as the horizontal feed shaft rotates.

[0020] The vertical feed mechanism 313 has a drive shaft (vertical feed shaft) for driving the vertical feed belt 312 and a pivot shaft for rotating the vertical feed shaft. A driven cam 313a is attached to the pivot shaft. The driven cam 313a contacts the drive cam 314a of the lateral feed mechanism 314 at a predetermined timing. Here, the above-mentioned predetermined timing is the timing when the scraping of the seedlings for one row from the seedling mat MT is completed.

[0021] When the drive cam 314a contacts the driven cam 313a at the above-mentioned predetermined timing due to the rotation of the lateral feed shaft and rotates the pivot shaft by a predetermined angle together with the driven cam 313a, the power generated by the rotation of the pivot shaft is transmitted to the vertical feed shaft via a power transmission mechanism (not shown). As a result, the vertical feed belt 312 is vertically fed and driven at the above-mentioned predetermined timing. When the contact between the drive cam 314a and the driven cam 313a is released, the driven cam 313a rotates in the reverse direction by the biasing force of a biasing member (not shown) and returns to the initial position before rotation. The above-mentioned power transmission mechanism is composed of, for example, gears, belts, chains, etc., but may be provided as necessary. That is, it may be configured to directly transmit the power of the pivot shaft to which the driven cam 313a is attached to the vertical feed shaft (without providing a power transmission mechanism).

[0022] FIG. 4 is a side view of the seedling planting mechanism 32. The seedling planting mechanism 32 has a rotary case 321 and a planting unit 322. The seedling planting mechanism 32 is driven by the power taken out from the PTO shaft 1d1.

[0023] The rotary case 321 is rotatably supported by the planting case 33a of the planting part 3. The planting case 33a is fixed to the planting frame 33 (particularly the rear surface of the post-planting frame 332 (see FIG. 7)). The rotation axis 321a of the rotary case 321 extends in the left-right direction.

[0024] The planting unit 322 has planting claws 322a. The planting unit 322 is supported by the rotary case 321 at two positions. The two planting units 322 are pivotally supported by the rotary case 321 at positions that are point-symmetrical with respect to the rotation axis 321a of the rotary case 321 in a side view. When the rotary case 321 rotates, the planting claws 322a of each planting unit 322 sequentially scrape out the seedlings one by one from the seedling mat MT (see Fig. 3), and the scraped seedlings are sequentially planted in the furrow. Note that the number of planting units 322 supported by the rotary case 321 may be one.

[0025] Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing an enlarged view of one planting unit 322. The planting unit 322 further has a pushing member 322b and a holding member 322c. The pushing member 322b is provided for pushing out the seedlings scraped from the seedling mat MT by the planting claws 322a. The pushing member 322b slides in the direction opposite to the pushing direction at a predetermined timing before scraping. Thereby, it becomes possible to scrape the seedlings from the seedling mat MT by the planting claws 322a. The scraped seedlings are held by the planting claws 322a and the holding member 322c. Then, the pushing member 322b slides in the pushing direction at a predetermined timing before planting. Thereby, the seedlings held by the planting claws 322a and the holding member 322c are pushed out and planted in the furrow.

[0026] The planting unit 322 further includes a cutter 322d. The cutter 322d is located on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the rotary case 321 with respect to the planting claws 322a. That is, when the rotary case 321 rotates, the cutter 322d is in a position ahead of the planting claws 322a. The cutter 322d, due to the rotation of the rotary case 321, makes a rectangular hole in a plan view in the multi-sheet S (see FIGS. 1 and 2) fed out from the multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism 36 described later immediately before the seedlings are planted by the planting claws 322a. Thereby, the seedlings held by the planting claws 322a and the holding member 322c can be planted in the ridge through the above-mentioned hole in the multi-sheet S. Note that the sheet piece that had closed the above-mentioned hole in the multi-sheet S is not completely separated from the multi-sheet S, but is connected to the surrounding sheet through a part of the outer shape of the above-mentioned hole (one side of the rectangle).

[0027] The cutter 322d has a main body portion 322d1 in the shape of a bent flat plate and a protruding claw (key claw) 322d2. The protruding claw 322d2 is provided at the left and right corner portions on the tip side (the contact side with the multi-sheet S) of the main body portion 322d1 and protrudes on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the rotary case 321 with respect to the main body portion 322d1. That is, when the rotary case 321 rotates, the protruding claw 322d2 is in a position ahead of the main body portion 322d1. In such a configuration of the cutter 322d, a sharp claw such as the protruding claw 322d2 contacts the multi-sheet S at an angle (from a direction close to perpendicular to the multi-sheet S). For this reason, the cutter 322d is less likely to slide on the multi-sheet S. That is, the protruding claw 322d2 surely catches on the multi-sheet S and pierces the multi-sheet S. Thereby, a hole can be surely made in the multi-sheet S, and a hole can be made in the multi-sheet S with an accurate size and position. Also, by cutting the multi-sheet S with the two protruding claws 322d2 on both the left and right sides, a hole that allows the seedlings to pass through can be made in the multi-sheet S with the minimum size required.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 2, the planting frame 33 of the planting unit 3 supports a soil discharging plate 34, a planting depth adjusting mechanism 35, a multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism 36, a pressing mechanism 37, and an under-sheet working body 38. Details of the multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism 36, the pressing mechanism 37, and the under-sheet working body 38 will be described later.

[0029] The soil discharging plate 34 includes a right soil discharging plate 34R and a left soil discharging plate 34L (see Fig. 1). The right soil discharging plate 34R and the left soil discharging plate 34L form a ridge for planting seedlings by scraping the soil as the traveling body 2 travels. The mounting positions of the right soil discharging plate 34R and the left soil discharging plate 34L on the planting frame 33 in the left-right direction and the up-down direction can be adjusted according to the width and height of the ridge to be formed.

[0030] The planting depth adjusting mechanism 35 is a mechanism for adjusting the planting depth of seedlings with respect to the surface of the soil (here, the upper surface of the ridge). For example, when the planting depth adjusting lever 351 is rotated upward, the position of the lifting sensor 352 that contacts the soil surface moves upward. In this case, the position of the seedling planting mechanism 32 relative to the lifting sensor 352 moves downward. Therefore, the seedlings planted by the seedling planting mechanism 32 are planted deeper. Conversely, when the planting depth adjusting lever 351 is rotated downward, the position of the lifting sensor 352 moves downward. In this case, the position of the seedling planting mechanism 32 relative to the lifting sensor 352 moves upward. Therefore, the seedlings planted by the seedling planting mechanism 32 are planted shallower.

[0031] A trailing edge pressing roller 51, a soil gathering disk 52, and a soil covering wheel 53 are supported on the planting frame 33 via an auxiliary frame (not shown). The trailing edge pressing roller 51 includes a right trailing edge pressing roller 51R and a left trailing edge pressing roller 51L (see Fig. 1). The right trailing edge pressing roller 51R and the left trailing edge pressing roller 51L press both ends (the portions protruding outside the ridge) of the multi-sheet S fed from the multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism 36 and covering the ridge.

[0032] The soil covering disk 52 includes a right soil covering disk 52R and a left soil covering disk 52L (see FIG. 1). The right soil covering disk 52R and the left soil covering disk 52L cover the soil on both ends of the multi-sheet S pressed by the right hem pressing roller 51R and the left hem pressing roller 51L to prevent the multi-sheet S from flying off. The soil covering ring 53 includes a right soil covering ring (not shown) and a left soil covering ring 53L. The right soil covering ring and the left soil covering ring 53L press the soil on the right side and the left side of the seedlings planted in the ridge by the seedling planting mechanism 32 through the multi-sheet S. As a result, the periphery of the planted seedlings is solidified with soil, and seedling lodging is suppressed.

[0033] <2. Details of the multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism> FIG. 6 is a side view showing a part of the planting unit 3. As shown in the figure, the multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism 36 has a roll holding part 361 and a sheet feeding guide part 362. The roll holding part 361 holds the roll body S0 around which the multi-sheet S is wound in a roll shape and feeds out the multi-sheet S on the outermost periphery of the roll body S0. The multi-sheet S is composed of, for example, a vinyl sheet. The sheet feeding guide part 362 guides the multi-sheet S fed out from the roll holding part 361 toward the surface H of the soil (ridge) in front of the seedling planting position by the seedling planting mechanism 32 and lays it on the surface H of the soil. That is, the transplanter 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism 36 that feeds out and lays the multi-sheet S on the surface H of the soil. The roll holding part 361 and the sheet feeding guide part 362 of the multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism 36 are supported by the planting frame 33. That is, the multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism 36 is provided in the planting unit 3.

[0034] Here, the details of the planting frame 33 will be described first. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the planting frame 33 as seen from obliquely behind. The planting frame 33 includes a pre-planting frame 331, a post-planting frame 332, and side pipes 333. The pre-planting frame 331 extends in the left-right direction and is located on the front side of the planting frame 33. The post-planting frame 332 extends in the left-right direction and is located behind the pre-planting frame 331. The post-planting frame 332 is longer in the left-right direction than the pre-planting frame 331.

[0035] The side pipes 333 include a right pipe 333R and a left pipe 333L. The right pipe 333R extends in the front-rear direction and connects the right end portion of the pre-planting frame 331 and the post-planting frame 332. The left pipe 333L extends in the front-rear direction and connects the left end portion of the pre-planting frame 331 and the post-planting frame 332.

[0036] A right side frame 334R is erected at the right end portion of the post-planting frame 332. A left side frame 334L is erected at the left end portion of the post-planting frame 332. The right side frame 334R and the left side frame 334L have a shape that extends upward from the connecting side with the post-planting frame 332 and bends obliquely forward midway. The right side frame 334R and the left side frame 334L are connected by an upper frame 335 and a cross frame 336. The upper frame 335 extends in the left-right direction and connects the upper parts of the right side frame 334R and the left side frame 334L. The cross frame 336 is located behind the upper frame 335 and obliquely downward and extends in the left-right direction to connect the right side frame 334R and the left side frame 334L. The above-described seedling mounting device 31 (see FIG. 1 etc.) is driven to traverse horizontally while maintaining a forward-tilted posture along the upper frame 335 and the cross frame 336.

[0037] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the above-described roll holding portion 361 as viewed from below. As shown in the figure, the roll holding portion 361 has a shaft holding frame 361a. The shaft holding frame 361a extends in the left-right direction and holds both axial ends of the roll body S0. The shaft holding frame 361a is attached to the pre-planting frame 331 via a frame support stay 361b. The frame support stay 361b is connected, for example, by bolt fastening to approximately the central portion in the left-right direction on the rear surface of the pre-planting frame 331.

[0038] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the above-described sheet feeding guide portion 362 as viewed from the front. As shown in the figure, the sheet feeding guide portion 362 has a first guide roller 362a, a second guide roller 362b, and a roller holding frame 362c. The first guide roller 362a is located in front of the second guide roller 362b and guides the multi-sheet S fed out from the shaft holding frame 361a toward the second guide roller 362b. The second guide roller 362b presses the multi-sheet S guided by the first guide roller 362a downward and guides it so as to approach the surface H of the soil.

[0039] The roller holding frame 362c includes a right holding frame 362cR and a left holding frame 362cL. The right holding frame 362cR and the left holding frame 362cL extend from above downward and have a shape that bends obliquely rearward in the middle.

[0040] The right holding frame 362cR is respectively arranged on the right sides of the first guide roller 362a and the second guide roller 362b, and rotatably supports the right ends of the rotation axes of the first guide roller 362a and the second guide roller 362b. The left holding frame 362cL is respectively arranged on the left sides of the first guide roller 362a and the second guide roller 362b, and rotatably supports the left ends of the rotation axes of the first guide roller 362a and the second guide roller 362b. The first guide roller 362a is rotatably supported near the bent portions of the right holding frame 362cR and the left holding frame 362cL. The second guide roller 362b is rotatably supported at the lower ends (rear end portions) of the right holding frame 362cR and the left holding frame 362cL.

[0041] The right holding frame 362cR is attached to the post-planting frame 332 via the right support stay 363R at a position above the first guide roller 362a. The right support stay 363R is connected to the front surface of the post-planting frame 332 by, for example, bolt fastening. Similarly, the left holding frame 362cL is attached to the post-planting frame 332 via the left support stay 363L. The left support stay 363L is connected to the front surface of the post-planting frame 332 by, for example, bolt fastening.

[0042] <3. Details of the pressing mechanism> FIG. 10 is a perspective view when the above-described pressing mechanism 37 is viewed obliquely from the rear. The pressing mechanism 37 is provided to press the multi-sheet S guided by the sheet feeding guide portion 362 of the multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism 36 against the surface H of the soil. Such a pressing mechanism 37 has a pressing roller 371 and a roller holding mechanism 372.

[0043] Two pressing rollers 371 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction (see FIG. 11). The rotation axes of the respective pressing rollers 371 extend in the left-right direction. Each pressing roller 371 is arranged above the groove processing portion 381b of the groove forming tool 381 of the sheet lower working body 38 described later, and is arranged on both the left and right sides of the groove processing portion 381b in plan view (see FIG. 17).

[0044] The roller holding mechanism 372 rotatably holds two pressing rollers 371. Such a roller holding mechanism 372 is configured to include an arm portion 372a, an arm support 372b, and a biasing member 372c.

[0045] Two arm portions 372a are provided corresponding to each pressing roller 371. Each arm portion 372a rotatably supports the rotation shaft of the pressing roller 371. The arm support 372b rotatably supports the two arm portions 372a. The biasing member 372c is composed of, for example, a spring. Two biasing members 372c are provided corresponding to each arm portion 372a. One end portion of the biasing member 372c is fixed to the arm support 372b. The other end portion of the biasing member 372c is connected to the end portion on the side opposite to the support side of the pressing roller 371 with the rotation shaft of the arm portion 372a interposed therebetween. Such a roller holding mechanism 372 is fixed to the left side surface of the planting case 33a, for example, by bolt fastening.

[0046] When the arm portion 372a rotates due to the biasing force of the biasing member 372c, each pressing roller 371 is pressed downward. Then, by each pressing roller 371, the multi-sheet S is pressed against the surface H of the soil. Thereby, tension is applied to the multi-sheet S. Therefore, when a hole is formed in the multi-sheet S by the cutter 322d (see FIG. 5 etc.) of the seedling planting mechanism 32, the cutter 322d easily pierces the multi-sheet S, and it becomes easy to form the hole with a predetermined size.

[0047] <4. Details of the Under-sheet Actuator> FIG. 11 is a perspective view when the under-sheet actuator 38 is viewed obliquely from the rear. The under-sheet actuator 38 forms a groove G (see FIG. 14) in which seedlings are to be planted in the soil below the multi-sheet S fed out by the multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism 36 in advance of the seedling planting as the traveling body 2 travels forward. Such an under-sheet actuator 38 has a furrowing device 381 and a soil gathering mechanism 382.

[0048] The furrow opener 381 forms a furrow G in which seedlings are to be planted in the soil prior to seedling planting by scraping a part of the soil (ridge) as the traveling body 2 of the transplanting machine travels. The furrow opener 381 is attached to the pre-planting frame 331 via the working body support portion 300. The working body support portion 300 is connected, for example, by bolt fastening, to the right side of the frame support stay 361b (see FIG. 8) at the rear surface of the pre-planting frame 331. Thus, the transplanting machine 1 of the present embodiment includes the working body support portion 300 that supports the under-seat working body 38 (particularly the furrow opener 381). Further, since the furrow opener 381 is attached to the pre-planting frame 331 via the working body support portion 300, it can be said that the under-seat working body 38 having the furrow opener 381 is provided in the planting section 3.

[0049] The furrow opener 381 has a main body portion 381a and a groove processing portion 381b. The main body portion 381a extends obliquely downward from the support side by the working body support portion 300 toward the rear, and bends at the bending portion 381a1 and further extends rearward. When seedlings are planted by the seedling planting mechanism 32, the rear side from the bending portion 381a1 in the furrow opener 381 is positioned below the surface H of the soil (ridge) (see FIG. 6).

[0050] The groove processing portion 381b is joined to the rear end of the main body portion 381a by welding, for example. Therefore, when seedlings are planted by the seedling planting mechanism 32, like a part of the main body portion 381a, the groove processing portion 381b is also positioned below the surface H of the soil (ridge) (see FIG. 6).

[0051] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an enlarged rear side of the furrow opener 381. The groove processing portion 381b of the furrow opener 381 has a V shape and is joined to the main body portion 381a at the root portion of the V shape. That is, the width of the groove processing portion 381b in the left-right direction widens from the joining side with the main body portion 381a toward the rear. The maximum width in the left-right direction of the groove processing portion 381b (corresponding to the width W in FIG. 14) is wider than the width of the main body portion 381a in the left-right direction. Thereby, the soil scraping width by the groove processing portion 381b becomes wider than the soil scraping width by the main body portion 381a, and a groove G having an appropriate width for planting seedlings can be formed in the soil.

[0052] The soil pushing mechanism 382 shown in Fig. 11 pushes soil into the groove G as the traveling body 2 travels forward from the side of the groove G formed in the soil by the grooving tool 381. Such a soil pushing mechanism 382 has a backfilling member 383. The backfilling member 383 is a member that pushes soil from the soil into the groove G and backfills it. The backfilling member 383 is attached to the main body portion 381a of the grooving tool 381 via a mounting bracket 382a.

[0053] Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the backfilling member 383 when viewed from the rear. The backfilling member 383 has a pair of rod-shaped portions 3831, a connecting portion 3832, and a pair of clamping portions 3833.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 11, the pair of rod-shaped portions 3831 are respectively located on the left and right sides with respect to the grooving tool 381. That is, the pair of rod-shaped portions 3831 are located on one side and the other side in the width direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the traveling body 2. And in the soil, the pair of rod-shaped portions 3831 extend in the front-rear direction of the traveling body 2.

[0055] The connecting portion 3832 is formed by bending a rod-shaped body into a U shape. Both ends of the connecting portion 3832 are respectively connected to the front end portions 3831a of the pair of rod-shaped portions 3831. Also, a part of the connecting portion 3832 is located above the soil (see Fig. 6).

[0056] The pair of clamping portions 3833 are respectively connected to the rear end portions 3831b of the pair of rod-shaped portions 3831, and the interval in the width direction narrows as it goes rearward. A flat plate 3833a is attached to the rear ends of the pair of clamping portions 3833 (the ends opposite to the connection side with the pair of rod-shaped portions 3831) in order to improve the efficiency of soil pushing (to scrape as much soil as possible).

[0057] FIG. 14 is a plan view of the under-sheet working body 38. In FIG. 14, the groove G formed in the soil by the grooving tool 381 and the state in which soil is piled up in the groove G by the soil piling mechanism 382 (backfilling member 383) are shown together. Note that in FIG. 14, for the sake of convenience, the illustration of the multi-sheet S covering the soil surface is omitted. Similarly, in the following drawings (especially plan views), the illustration of the multi-sheet S may be omitted.

[0058] When the traveling body 2 travels (moves forward) with a part of the grooving tool 381 (especially the groove processing part 381b) and a part of the soil piling mechanism 382 (especially the pair of rod-shaped parts 3831 and the pair of clamping parts 3833) located in the soil, the groove processing part 381b of the grooving tool 381 cuts the soil with a predetermined width W. As a result, a groove G with a width W is formed in the soil below the multi-sheet S. Thereafter, the seedlings E are planted in the groove G by the seedling planting mechanism 32 (see FIG. 4 etc.). Note that when the seedling planting mechanism 32 plants the seedlings E, holes are made in the multi-sheet S prior to planting, and the seedlings E are planted from above the multi-sheet S through the above holes, as described above.

[0059] In the transplanter 1 of the present embodiment, the under-sheet working body 38 (especially the grooving tool 381) forms the groove G in the soil prior to the planting of the seedlings E. Therefore, even in a field with hard soil, the planting of the seedlings E into the soil (groove G) can be facilitated. In particular, in the planting of vegetable seedlings E, from the viewpoint of heat preservation etc., a multi-sheet S made of a vinyl film is covered on the soil. Since the transplanter 1 of the present embodiment further includes a multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism 36, the laying of the multi-sheet S and the formation of the groove G in the soil by the under-sheet working body 38 can be performed in parallel while planting the vegetable seedlings E. Therefore, a transplanter 1 suitable for planting vegetable seedlings E, in which the soil for planting the seedlings E is hard and the laying of the multi-sheet S is necessary, can be realized.

[0060] The under-sheet working body 38 has a grooving tool 381. As the grooving tool 381 cuts a part of the soil as the traveling body 2 travels, the groove G for planting the seedlings E is surely formed in the soil.

[0061] The under-sheet working body 38 has a soil piling mechanism 382. In this configuration, after the seedlings E are planted in the furrows G made in the soil by the furrow maker 381, or almost simultaneously with the planting of the seedlings E, the soil piling mechanism 382 (particularly the pair of clamping parts 3833) backfills soil into the furrows G from the sides. Therefore, the roots of the seedlings E planted in the furrows G are covered with soil, and the seedlings E are stably maintained in a good transplanting position (planting position).

[0062] The soil piling mechanism 382 has a backfilling member 383. In this configuration, the seedlings E planted in the trench G are supported by the soil backfilled in the trench G by the backfilling member 383. Therefore, the seedlings E are held in a stable position in the soil.

[0063] The backfilling member 383 has a pair of rod-shaped parts 3831, a connecting part 3832, and a pair of clamping parts 3833. The pair of rod-shaped parts 3831 extend in the soil in the front-rear direction of the traveling body 2, and do not cross the width direction (left-right direction). Here, FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the backfilling member 383 in FIG. 13 cut along the line A-A'. As shown in the figure, in a configuration in which each rod-shaped part 3831 extends in the front-rear direction in the soil, the projected area in the front-rear direction of each rod-shaped part 3831 is equal to the cross-sectional area (area of ​​the hatched part) of each rod-shaped part 3831, and is certainly smaller than the arrangement in which each rod-shaped part 3831 crosses the width direction. As a result, as the traveling body 2 travels, a groove much wider than the groove G made by the furrow maker 381 is formed by the backfilling member 383, and the risk of the posture of the planted seedling E becoming unstable is reduced. Therefore, even if the seedlings E planted are short, the seedlings E can be grown to pass through the holes in the mulch sheet S, reducing the risk that the seedlings E will not pass through the holes and will remain hidden under the mulch sheet S. In other words, since the backfilling member 383 does not cross the width direction of the traveling body 2 underground and a wide groove is not formed in the soil, even when short seedlings E are planted, the planting posture of the seedlings E can be stabilized and good planting can be achieved.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 14, in the soil banking mechanism 382, the rear ends of the pair of clamping portions 3833 are located behind the planting position of the seedling E. In this configuration, after the seedling E is planted in the groove G, the pair of clamping portions 3833 reliably refill the soil in the groove G. Therefore, the planted seedling E is held in a stable posture.

[0065] The soil banking mechanism 382 performs soil banking on the groove G from below the multi-sheet S. In this configuration, even when the multi-sheet S is laid on the surface H of the soil and the seedling E is planted, the soil banking mechanism 382 performs soil banking from below the multi-sheet S, improving and stabilizing the planting posture of the seedling E.

[0066] In the present embodiment, as described above, the actuator support portion 300 supports the under-sheet actuator 38. As shown in FIG. 11, the actuator support portion 300 is supported by the planting frame 33 (particularly the pre-planting frame 331) of the planting portion 3. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the actuator support portion 300 extends downward from the support side with the planting frame 33 (pre-planting frame 331) toward the multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism 36. As a result, the actuator support portion 300 is disposed below the multi-sheet S fed from the multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism 36.

[0067] In this configuration, the actuator support portion 300 is supported by the planting frame 33 so as not to inhibit the feeding of the multi-sheet S by the multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism 36. Then, the under-sheet actuator 38 supported by the actuator support portion 300 penetrates into the soil below the multi-sheet S. Thereby, the groove G is reliably formed in the soil by the grooving device 381 of the under-sheet actuator 38. Also, the soil in the groove G is reliably refilled by the soil banking mechanism 382 of the under-sheet actuator 38.

[0068] In this embodiment, the multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism 36 and the under-sheet working body 38 are provided in the planting unit 3. With this configuration, the lifting mechanism 4 can lift the multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism 36 and the under-sheet working body 38 simultaneously with the lifting of the planting unit 3 with respect to the traveling body 2. Therefore, there is no need to provide a dedicated lifting mechanism for lifting the multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism 36 and the under-sheet working body 38 separately from the lifting mechanism 4, and separate lifting control from the planting unit 3 is not required. This leads to simplification of the configuration of the transplanter 1.

[0069] Also, since the under-sheet working body 38 is provided in the planting unit 3, it can be said that the soil gathering mechanism 382 of the under-sheet working body 38 is also provided in the planting unit 3. With this configuration, even when the height of the planting unit 3 is adjusted according to the height of the ridge of the soil by the lifting mechanism 4, the position (height) of the soil gathering mechanism 382 can be changed following the planting unit 3, and the position of the soil gathering mechanism 382 with respect to the ridge surface (particularly the position in the height direction) can be kept constant. Thereby, even if the height of the planting unit 3 changes according to the height of the ridge, the soil gathering by the soil gathering mechanism 382 is appropriately performed at a constant position with respect to the ridge surface.

[0070] FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing another configuration of the under-sheet working body 38. In FIG. 16, for convenience, the illustration of the soil gathering mechanism 382 and the multi-sheet S is omitted. The under-sheet working body 38 may further have a sheet support portion 384. The sheet support portion 384 supports the multi-sheet S fed out from the multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism 36 and laid on the surface H of the soil from below.

[0071] Such a sheet support portion 384 is configured to have a right sheet support plate 384R and a left sheet support plate 384L. The right sheet support plate 384R and the left sheet support plate 384L are attached to the right side and the left side of the main body portion 381a of the furrow opener 381 using bolts Bo and nuts N.

[0072] More specifically, on the right seat support plate 384R and the left seat support plate 384L, support side through holes 384P penetrating in the left - right direction are formed in three upper - lower stages. In each of the upper, middle, and lower stages of the support side through holes 384P, two are formed in the front - rear direction. The right seat support plate 384R and the left seat support plate 384L sandwich the main body portion 381a of the grooving device 381 from the left - right direction, and align two support side through holes 384P in any one of the upper, middle, and lower stages of the right seat support plate 384R and the left seat support plate 384L with two main body side through holes 381P (see FIG. 12) provided in the main body portion 381a. Then, by piercing bolts Bo through the two sets of support side through holes 384P and main body side through holes 381P and fixing them with nuts N, the right seat support plate 384R and the left seat support plate 384L are attached to the grooving device 381. By selecting the support side through holes 384P in any one of the upper, middle, and lower stages, the attachment height of the right seat support plate 384R and the left seat support plate 384L with respect to the main body portion 381a can be adjusted.

[0073] The right seat support plate 384R and the left seat support plate 384L are each formed by bending a single flat plate, but may also be formed by connecting a plurality of flat plates. The right seat support plate 384R and the left seat support plate 384L extend rearward while widening the left - right interval between each other from the portion fixed to the main body portion 381a of the grooving device 381, and extend further rearward through the side of the grooving portion 381b of the grooving device 381. From the side to the rear of the grooving portion 381b, the interval between the right seat support plate 384R and the left seat support plate 384L is constant. As a result, the interval between the right seat support plate 384R and the left seat support plate 384L is the narrowest at the fixed side with the grooving device 381 (main body portion 381a) and the widest at the portion from the side to the rear of the grooving portion 381b. Note that the shapes of the right seat support plate 384R and the left seat support plate 384L described above are examples and are not necessarily limited to this shape. For example, the right seat support plate 384R and the left seat support plate 384L may have an arc portion behind the fixed side with the grooving device 381 and have a shape in which the interval between them widens rearward.

[0074] As described above, in the configuration where the distance between the right seat support plate 384R and the left seat support plate 384L widens on the side of the groove processing portion 381b of the grooving device 381, the multi-sheet S fed out from the multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism 36 and laid on the surface H of the soil is stably supported from below by the right seat support plate 384R and the left seat support plate 384L near the side of the groove processing portion 381b.

[0075] In this way, since the multi-sheet S is supported from below by the seat support portion 384, when a hole is formed in the multi-sheet S by the cutter 322d (see FIG. 4) behind the groove processing portion 381b, the multi-sheet S is less likely to bend. As a result, it becomes easier to form a hole in the multi-sheet S by the cutter 322d. Further, since the multi-sheet S is less likely to bend, when a hole is formed in the multi-sheet S, the contact between the multi-sheet S and the groove G formed in the soil by the groove processing portion 381b is also reduced. As a result, the possibility of the groove G collapsing due to contact with the multi-sheet S is also reduced.

[0076] Note that, since the distance between the right seat support plate 384R and the left seat support plate 384L widens on the side of the groove processing portion 381b of the grooving device 381, as the traveling body 2 travels, soil is scraped by the right seat support plate 384R and the left seat support plate 384L, and as a result, a groove wider than the groove G formed by the groove processing portion 381b is formed. For this reason, in the configuration where the under-seat working body 38 has the seat support portion 384, it is desirable that the distance between the right seat support plate 384R and the left seat support plate 384L be as narrow as possible within the range where the multi-sheet S can be supported.

[0077] <5. Another example of the soil gathering mechanism> The pressing mechanism 37 shown in Fig. 10 etc. can also be used as the soil gathering mechanism 382. For example, by increasing the biasing force of the biasing member 372c of the pressing mechanism 37 above the reference level, the pressing force of the pressing roller 371 downward can be increased above the reference level. Thereby, the pressing roller 371 can be pressed against the soil from above the multi-sheet S to gather soil into the groove G. In this case, the pressing roller 371 may be used alone (without installing the above-described backfilling member 383) as the soil gathering mechanism 382, or may be used in combination with the backfilling member 383.

[0078] Fig. 17 is a plan view when the pressing roller 371 is used as the soil gathering mechanism 382 in combination with the backfilling member 383. When the traveling body 2 travels (moves forward), the pressing roller 371 rotates as the traveling body 2 travels and presses the surface H of the soil to gather soil into the groove G. As shown in the figure, the pressing rollers 371 are arranged on both the left and right sides with respect to the furrow opener 381. In other words, the pressing rollers 371 are arranged on one side and the other side in the width direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the traveling body 2. In particular, the pressing rollers 371 are located on both the left and right sides of the groove processing portion 381b of the furrow opener 381 and are located in front of the clamping portion 3833 of the backfilling member 383. For this reason, the soil can be backfilled into the groove G by the pressing of the pressing roller 371 before the backfilling of the soil into the groove G by the backfilling member 383. Thereby, at the same time as the planting of the seedling E by the seedling planting mechanism 32, the soil can be backfilled into the groove G, and the posture of the seedling E planted in the groove G can be stabilized immediately.

[0079] Since the pressing roller 371 rotates, it is difficult to sink into the soil, and gentle soil gathering is possible. Also, even when a multi-sheet S is laid on the soil surface and holes are opened in the multi-sheet S to plant the seedling E as in the present embodiment, it is possible to apply the pressing roller 371 from above the multi-sheet S to gather the soil.

[0080] Since the pressing rollers 371 are arranged on both the left and right sides with respect to the furrowing tool 381, each pressing roller 371 can push the soil from both the left and right sides of the furrow G formed in the soil by the furrowing tool 381, that is, from both sides in the width direction of the traveling body 2 (= both sides in the width direction of the furrow G). Further, since the soil is pushed by each pressing roller 371 simultaneously with the planting of the seedling E or immediately before the planting of the seedling E, the inclination of the seedling E during planting is reduced, and the planting posture of the seedling E is improved.

[0081] In the example of FIG. 17, the rotation axis of the pressing roller 371 extends in the left - right direction. That is, the rotation axis of the pressing roller 371 extends in the width direction of the traveling body 2 within a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction of the traveling body 2. In this configuration, as the traveling body 2 travels, each pressing roller 371 rotates reliably, and each pressing roller 371 can reliably push the soil from both sides in the width direction of the furrow G toward the furrow G.

[0082] FIG. 18 is a plan view schematically showing another configuration of the pressing mechanism 37 as the soil - pushing mechanism 38. As shown in the figure, the pressing mechanism 37 may support the left and right pressing rollers 371 so as to be position - adjustable in the direction along the rotation axis (the left - right direction in the example of FIG. 18). In this case, since the interval between the left and right pressing rollers 371 is adjusted, it is possible to finely adjust the amount of soil pushed toward the furrow G by each pressing roller 371 and the timing of soil pushing.

[0083] FIG. 19 is a plan view schematically showing still another configuration of the pressing mechanism 37. As shown in the figure, the pressing mechanism 37 may support the left and right pressing rollers 371 such that the directions of their rotation axes change. For example, the pressing mechanism 37 may change (rotate) the directions of the rotation axes of the left and right pressing rollers 371 within a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. Even when the rotation axes of the pressing rollers 371 extend in a direction intersecting the width direction of the traveling body 2 within a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction of the traveling body 2, as the traveling body 2 travels, each pressing roller 371 rotates, and each pressing roller 371 can push soil toward the groove G from both sides in the width direction of the groove G. Further, by adjusting the directions of the rotation axes of the respective pressing rollers 371 within the above-mentioned plane, it is also possible to finely adjust the amount of soil pushed toward the groove G and the timing of soil pushing by each pressing roller 371.

[0084] As described above, the pressing mechanism 37 as the soil pushing mechanism 382 has a biasing member 372c. The biasing member 372c biases the pressing roller 371 downward. When the pressing roller 371 is pressed against the surface H of the soil by the high biasing force of the biasing member 372c, the soil protruding from the pressing roller 371 is pushed out toward the groove G. Thereby, the soil is surely pushed toward the groove G.

[0085] Further, the pressing mechanism 37 (particularly the pressing roller 371) as the soil pushing mechanism 382 pushes soil toward the groove G from above the multi-sheet S. Even when the multi-sheet S is laid on the surface H of the soil and the seedlings E are planted, the soil pushing mechanism 382 can push soil from above the multi-sheet S to improve and stabilize the planting posture of the seedlings E.

[0086] <6. Modification Examples of the Furrowing Device and the Soil Pushing Mechanism> In the above, in the transplanter 1 provided with the multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism 36, the configuration in which the furrowing device 381 and the soil pushing mechanism 382 are provided has been described. However, the furrowing device 381 and the soil pushing mechanism 382 can also be provided in a transplanter 1 not provided with the multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism 36.

[0087] Figs. 20 and 21 are a perspective view and a plan view schematically showing the configurations (modification example) of the furrow opener 381 and the soil banking mechanism 382 applied to the transplanter 1 not provided with the multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism 36. Further, Fig. 22 is a perspective view of the soil banking mechanism 382 of the modification example.

[0088] The furrow opener 381 of the modification example is configured by joining a pair of flat plates 381c to the upper part (outer peripheral surface) of the pipe 381d by welding or the like. The pipe 381d extends obliquely downward from the front to the rear and is curved so as to be convex downward. As shown in Fig. 21, the width W1 in the left-right direction of the furrow opener 381 is smaller than the width W2 of the root ball of the seedling E. Here, the width W1 of the furrow opener 381 is equal to the outer diameter of the pipe 381d and is also equal to the interval in the left-right direction between the pair of flat plates 381c.

[0089] For example, when the seedling E to be planted in the furrow G is an onion seedling, since the onion seedling is smaller than the cabbage seedling, in order to suppress the falling of the seedling planted in the furrow G, it is necessary to form a narrow furrow G in the soil by the furrow opener 381. When the width W1 of the furrow opener 381 is smaller than the width W2 of the root ball of the seedling E, the seedling E is planted so as to be sandwiched by the furrow G formed by the furrow opener 381, so that the falling of the seedling E after planting is suppressed.

[0090] As shown in Fig. 22, the soil banking mechanism 382 of the modification example has a shaft portion 385 extending in the left-right direction and a fixing plate 386 fixed perpendicular to the shaft portion 385. The fixing plate 386 is fixed to the central portion in the left-right direction with respect to the shaft portion 385. Locking portions 386a for hooking one ends of the left and right biasing springs 387 are provided at three positions on the left side surface and the right side surface of the fixing plate 386. One ends of the left and right biasing springs 387 are hooked on any one of the three locking portions 386a.

[0091] In addition, the soil gathering mechanism 382 has a pair of cylinder parts 388, soil gathering members 389, and flat plate parts 390 on the left and right. The left and right cylinder parts 388 are respectively inserted into the shaft part 385 and are located on the left side and the right side of the fixed plate 386. By sliding each cylinder part 388 in the left - right direction with respect to the shaft part 385, the position of each cylinder part 388 can be adjusted in the left - right direction. The left and right soil gathering members 389 are connected to the respective cylinder parts 388 and extend obliquely downward rearward. The rear - end sides of the left and right soil gathering members 389 are slightly bent so that the distance between them narrows. A soil gathering plate 389a is fixed to the rear - end of the soil gathering member 389. The left and right soil gathering members 389 are formed to have a length such that the left and right soil gathering plates 389a are located on the side of the planting position of the seedling E behind the furrowing device 381. The left and right flat plate parts 390 are connected to the cylinder parts 388 and extend forward. The other ends of the left and right biasing springs 387 are hooked on the holes 390a of the left and right flat plate parts 390.

[0092] According to the above - described configuration of the soil gathering mechanism 382, it is possible to refill the soil in the groove G formed by the furrowing device 381 with the soil gathering plate 389a and at the same time perform planting. That is, the seedling E can be released into the soft soil refilled in the groove G. For this reason, it is easier to ensure the planting depth of the seedling E, and also the seedling E is held by the surrounding soil and the planting posture is stabilized. Furthermore, the amount of soil covering the seedling E is also ensured. In addition, since the width of the groove G formed by the furrowing device 381 is narrow, it is also possible to immediately perform soil gathering for the planting of the seedling E and immediately stabilize the planting posture of the seedling E.

[0093] Also, the load for pressing the left and right soil gathering members 389 against the soil can be adjusted by changing the biasing spring 387 or replacing it with a spring having a different biasing force. Thereby, even if the planting position changes relatively with respect to the ridge height due to variations in ridge height, elevation control of the planting part 3, etc., the soil gathering is surely performed.

[0094] By adjusting the position of each cylinder part 388 in the left - right direction, the left - right interval of the left and right soil gathering members 389 can be adjusted. Thereby, it becomes easy to cope with different soil qualities and adjust the planting posture.

[0095] FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the timing at which the seedling E is pushed out from the planting claw 322a by the pushing member 322b during the planting of the seedling E by the seedling planting mechanism 32. The timing of pushing the seedling E into the soil (groove G) is preferably earlier than the bottom dead center D0 of the rotation locus T of the planting claw 322a caused by the rotation of the rotary case 321 (see FIG. 4). More specifically, the pushing timing of the seedling E is preferably set while the tip of the planting claw 322a reaches the bottom dead center D0 from the surface H of the soil.

[0096] The seedling E scraped from the seedling mat MT (see FIG. 3) by the planting claw 322a is swung around by the rotation of the rotary case 321 until it lands on the bottom of the groove G formed in the soil. By swinging the seedling E, an inertial force that tries to fall forward acts on the seedling E, and the inertial force peaks at the position of the bottom dead center D0. By setting the pushing timing of the seedling E earlier than the bottom dead center D0, the seedling E is pushed out from the planting claw 322a before the inertial force peaks. Therefore, it is possible to reduce (compared to the case where the seedling E is pushed out at the bottom dead center D0) the forward fall of the seedling E due to the inertial force and suppress the seedling fall.

[0097] <7. Supplementary Note> The transplanter described in this embodiment can also be expressed as the transplanter shown in the following supplementary note.

[0098] The transplanter of Supplementary Note (1) is a traveling machine body, a planting part that is vertically movably connected to the rear of the traveling machine body, a multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism that feeds out and lays a multi-sheet on the surface of the soil, and the planting part has a seedling planting mechanism for planting seedlings into the soil from above the multi-sheet, and is a transplanter, A sheet-under working body is provided that forms a groove in the soil below the multi-sheet for planting the seedlings in advance before the seedlings are planted as the traveling machine body travels.

[0099] The transplanter of Supplementary Note (2) is the transplanter described in Supplementary Note (1), wherein the multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism and the under-sheet working body are provided in the planting section.

[0100] The transplanter of Supplementary Note (3) is the transplanter described in Supplementary Note (1) or (2), wherein the under-sheet working body has a sheet support portion that supports the multi-sheet laid on the surface of the soil from below.

[0101] The transplanter of Supplementary Note (4) is the transplanter described in any one of Supplementary Notes (1) to (3), wherein the under-sheet working body has a furrow-forming device that forms the furrow by scraping a part of the soil as the traveling body travels.

[0102] The transplanter of Supplementary Note (5) is the transplanter described in any one of Supplementary Notes (1) to (4), further comprising a working body support portion that supports the under-sheet working body, wherein the working body support portion is supported by a planting frame of the planting section and is disposed below the multi-sheet fed out from the multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism.

[0103] The transplanter of Supplementary Note (6) is the transplanter described in any one of Supplementary Notes (1) to (5), wherein the under-sheet working body has a soil banking mechanism that banks soil into the furrow from the side of the furrow formed in the soil.

[0104] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and it can be implemented by expanding or changing without departing from the gist of the invention.

Industrial Applicability

[0105] The transplanter of the present invention can be used, for example, as a transplanter for planting vegetable seedlings in soil (ridges).

Explanation of Signs

[0106] 1 Transplanter 2 Traveling body 3 Planting part 32 Seedling planting mechanism 33 Planting frame 36 Multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism 38 Sheet lower working body 300 Working body support part 381 Furrow opener 382 Soil gathering mechanism 383 Backfilling member (soil gathering mechanism) 384 Sheet support part E Seedling G Furrow H Surface S Multi-sheet

Claims

1. A traveling body, a planting unit that is vertically movably connected to the rear of the traveling body, and a multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism that feeds out and lays a multi-sheet on the surface of the soil, and the planting unit has a seedling planting mechanism that plants seedlings in the soil from above the multi-sheet, and is a transplanter, a transplanter comprising a sheet-under working body that forms a groove in the soil below the multi-sheet in advance of the planting of the seedlings as the traveling body travels.

2. The multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism and the sheet-under working body are provided on the planting unit. The transplanter according to claim 1.

3. The sheet-under working body has a sheet support portion that supports the multi-sheet laid on the surface of the soil from below. The transplanter according to claim 1.

4. The sheet-under working body has a furrow opener that forms the groove by scraping a part of the soil as the traveling body travels. The transplanter according to claim 1.

5. further comprising a working body support portion that supports the sheet-under working body, wherein the working body support portion is supported by a planting frame of the planting unit and is disposed below the multi-sheet fed out from the multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism. The transplanter according to claim 1.

6. The sheet-under working body has a soil banking mechanism that banks soil into the groove from the side of the groove formed in the soil. The transplanter according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

Images