Transplanter

Abstract

To provide a transplanter capable of making a seedling planting posture appropriate and keeping the appropriate seedling planting posture in a stable manner.SOLUTION: A transplanter includes a travelling machine body, a planting part having a seedling planting mechanism for plating seedlings in soil, which is liftably connected to the rear part of the travelling machine body, a groove making device for making a groove for planting seedlings in soil before plating seedlings accompanying the travelling of the travelling machine body, and an earthing up mechanism for earthing up soil in the groove accompanying the travelling of the travelling machine body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a transplanter.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a vegetable transplanter. In the vegetable transplanter, as the traveling machine body advances, the pressing wheel rolls on the field surface, moves the soil on both sides of the planted seedling inward, fills the seedling transplanting hole formed by the soil digging device, and presses the periphery thereof.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, it is pressed by the pressing wheel at a position separated from the planting position by a predetermined distance backward. For this reason, between when the seedling is planted and when it is pressed, the seedling may become unstable and fall in the seedling transplanting hole. That is, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, the planting posture of the seedling cannot be made good, and a good planting posture of the seedling cannot be stably maintained.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a transplanter that can make the planting posture of the seedling good and can stably maintain a good planting posture of the seedling.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The transplanter according to one aspect of the present invention includes a traveling body and a seedling planting mechanism for planting seedlings in the soil, and is provided with a planting part that is liftably connected to the rear of the traveling body. Along with the traveling of the traveling body, a furrow opener that creates a furrow in the soil for planting the seedlings prior to the planting of the seedlings, and a soil heaping mechanism that heaps soil into the furrow along with the traveling of the traveling body.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the above configuration, the planting posture of the seedlings can be made good, and the good planting posture of the seedlings can be stably maintained.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

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Figure 11

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Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] 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 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 body 2 is defined as the left (leftward), and the right side toward the traveling direction is defined as the right (rightward). Further, the gravitational direction is defined as the vertical direction, the upstream side is defined as the upper (upward), and the downstream side is defined as the lower (downward). 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".

[0010] <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 unit 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 of 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 body 2 and a planting unit 3.

[0011] 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 drive source is mounted on the traveling body 2. The power output from the engine 1c is transmitted to the driven part via the transmission part 1d. The driven part includes the front wheels 1a and the rear wheels 1b, as well as the planting unit 3 described later. Therefore, the above transmission part 1d includes a PTO (Power Take Off) shaft 1d1 (see FIG. 2) for driving the planting unit 3.

[0012] 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 handle for operating the traveling direction, a shift lever for operating the traveling speed, and a work lever for operating the planting unit 3.

[0013] The planting unit 3 is connected to the rear of the traveling machine body 2 so as to be vertically movable via a lifting mechanism 4. 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 machine body 2 and the planting unit 3. The lifting cylinder 43 is connected to the lower link 42 via a connection part 44. For example, by operating the lifting cylinder 43 to extend and contract according to the operation of the operation part 2b (working lever), the lower link 42 is rotated via the connection part 44 and the top link 41 is rotated. Thereby, the planting unit 3 can be lifted with respect to the traveling machine body 2.

[0014] The planting unit 3 has a seedling placing 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 placing device 31, and plants the scraped seedling in the soil (ridge) from above the multi-sheet S described later.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the seedling placing device 31 seen from the rear. The seedling placing device 31 conveys the seedling mat MT placed on the seedling placing table 311 downward by driving a vertical feed belt 312 (see FIG. 2). The transplanter 1 of the present embodiment is configured by arranging six one-row seedling placing tables 311 capable of placing one row of the seedling mat 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.

[0016] The vertical feed belt 312 is vertically 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 of the next row from the seedling mat MT. Also, the seedling stage 311 is horizontally driven by a horizontal feed mechanism 314 (see Fig. 2). The horizontal feed mechanism 314 horizontally feeds the seedling stage 311 in one of the left - 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 stage 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 of the next row after the scraping of the seedlings for one row from the seedling mat MT is completed.

[0017] The horizontal feed mechanism 314 has a drive shaft (horizontal feed shaft) for horizontally feeding the seedling stage 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.

[0018] The vertical feed mechanism 313 has a drive shaft (vertical feed shaft) for vertically 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 horizontal 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.

[0019] When the drive cam 314a contacts the driven cam 313a at the above-mentioned predetermined timing due to the rotation of the cross-feed shaft, and rotates the rotation shaft by a predetermined angle together with the driven cam 313a, the power generated by the rotation of the rotation 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 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 its initial position before rotation. The above-mentioned power transmission mechanism includes, 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 rotation shaft to which the driven cam 313a is attached to the vertical feed shaft (without providing a power transmission mechanism).

[0020] Figure 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.

[0021] 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 (especially the rear surface of the post-planting frame 332 (see FIG. 7)). The rotation shaft 321a of the rotary case 321 extends in the left-right direction.

[0022] The planting unit 322 has planting claws 322a. Two planting units 322 are supported by the rotary case 321. The two planting units 322 are pivotally supported by the rotary case 321 at positions that are point-symmetrical with respect to the rotation shaft 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 seedlings one by one from the seedling mat MT (see FIG. 3) and plant the scraped seedlings in the ridges in order. Note that the number of planting units 322 supported by the rotary case 321 may be one.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an enlarged planting unit 322. The planting unit 322 further includes an extrusion member 322b and a holding member 322c. The extrusion member 322b is provided for extruding the seedlings scraped from the seedling mat MT by the planting claws 322a. The extrusion member 322b slides in a direction opposite to the extrusion 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 extrusion member 322b slides in the extrusion direction at a predetermined timing before planting. Thereby, the seedlings held by the planting claws 322a and the holding member 322c are extruded and planted in the ridge.

[0024] 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, the cutter 322d is in a positional relationship leading with respect to the planting claws 322a when the rotary case 321 rotates. The cutter 322d 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 immediately before the seedlings are planted by the planting claws 322a due to the rotation of the rotary case 321. Thereby, the seedlings held by the planting claws 322a and the holding member 322c can be planted in the ridge through the above holes in the multi-sheet S. Note that the sheet piece that closed the above holes 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 holes (one side of the rectangle).

[0025] The cutter 322d has a main body portion 322d1 in the shape of a bent flat plate and protruding claws (key claws) 322d2. The protruding claws 322d2 are 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 protrude downstream in the rotational direction of the rotary case 321 with respect to the main body portion 322d1. That is, when the rotary case 321 rotates, the protruding claws 322d2 are in a positional relationship ahead of the main body portion 322d1. In such a configuration of the cutter 322d, sharp claws such as the protruding claws 322d2 contact the multi-sheet S at an angle (from a direction close to perpendicular to the multi-sheet S). For this reason, it is reduced that the cutter 322d slides on the multi-sheet S. That is, the protruding claws 322d2 surely catch on the multi-sheet S and pierce the multi-sheet S. Thereby, a hole can be surely formed in the multi-sheet S, and a hole can be formed in the multi-sheet S with an accurate size and position. Further, by cutting the multi-sheet S with the two protruding claws 322d2 on both the left and right sides, a hole with the minimum size through which the seedlings can pass can be formed in the multi-sheet S.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, an earth 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 are supported on the planting frame 33 of the planting unit 3. 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.

[0027] The earth discharging plate 34 includes a right earth discharging plate 34R and a left earth discharging plate 34L (see FIG. 1). The right earth discharging plate 34R and the left earth discharging plate 34L form a ridge for planting seedlings by scraping the soil by the traveling of the traveling machine body 2. The mounting positions of the right earth discharging plate 34R and the left earth discharging plate 34L in the left-right direction and the up-down direction with respect to the planting frame 33 can be adjusted according to the width and height of the ridge to be formed.

[0028] The planting depth adjustment 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 adjustment 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 decreases relatively. Therefore, the seedlings planted by the seedling planting mechanism 32 are planted deeper. Conversely, when the planting depth adjustment 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 increases relatively. Therefore, the seedlings planted by the seedling planting mechanism 32 are planted shallower.

[0029] On the planting frame 33, a trailing roller 51, a soil gathering disk 52, and a soil covering wheel 53 are supported via an auxiliary frame (not shown). The trailing roller 51 includes a right trailing roller 51R and a left trailing roller 51L (see FIG. 1). The right trailing roller 51R and the left trailing roller 51L are fed out from the multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism 36 and press both ends (the portions protruding outside the ridge) of the multi-sheet S covered on the ridge.

[0030] The soil gathering disk 52 includes a right soil gathering disk 52R and a left soil gathering disk 52L (see FIG. 1). The right soil gathering disk 52R and the left soil gathering disk 52L cover the soil on both ends of the multi-sheet S pressed by the right trailing roller 51R and the left trailing roller 51L so that the multi-sheet S does not fly off. The soil covering wheel 53 includes a right soil covering wheel (not shown) and a left soil covering wheel 53L. The right soil covering wheel and the left soil covering wheel 53L press the soil on the right and left sides of the seedlings planted in the ridge by the seedling planting mechanism 32 via the multi-sheet S. As a result, the periphery of the planted seedlings is solidified with soil. As a result, seedling lodging is suppressed.

[0031] <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 a roll body S0 around which the multi-sheet S is wound in a roll shape, and feeds out the outermost multi-sheet S 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 includes 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.

[0032] Here, the details of the planting frame 33 will be described first. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the planting frame 33 when viewed obliquely from the rear. The planting frame 33 has 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.

[0033] 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 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 of the pre-planting frame 331 and the post-planting frame 332.

[0034] On the right end of the post-planting frame 332, a right side frame 334R is erected. On the left end of the post-planting frame 332, a left side frame 334L is erected. The right side frame 334R and the left side frame 334L extend upward from the connecting side with the post-planting frame 332 and have a shape that 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, extends in the left-right direction, and connects 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.

[0035] 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 to approximately the center in the left-right direction on the rear surface of the pre-planting frame 331, for example, by bolt fastening.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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 portion of the right holding frame 362cR and the left holding frame 362cL. The second guide roller 362b is rotatably supported at the lower end portion (rear end portion) of the right holding frame 362cR and the left holding frame 362cL.

[0039] The right holding frame 362cR is attached to the post-planting frame 332 via a 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 a 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.

[0040] <3. Details of the pressing mechanism> Figure 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.

[0041] The pressing rollers 371 are arranged in two 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 part 381b of the grooving tool 381 of the sheet - under actuator 38 described later, and is arranged on both the left and right sides of the groove - processing part 381b in plan view (see Fig. 17).

[0042] The roller holding mechanism 372 rotatably holds the two pressing rollers 371. Such a roller holding mechanism 372 is configured to include an arm part 372a, an arm support 372b, and a biasing member 372c.

[0043] Two arm parts 372a are provided corresponding to each pressing roller 371. Each arm part 372a rotatably supports the rotation axis of the pressing roller 371. The arm support 372b rotatably supports the two arm parts 372a. The biasing member 372c is constituted by, for example, a spring. Two biasing members 372c are provided corresponding to each arm part 372a. One end of the biasing member 372c is fixed to the arm support 372b. The other end of the biasing member 372c is connected to the end on the side opposite to the support side of the pressing roller 371 with the rotation axis of the arm part 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.

[0044] When the arm part 372a rotates by 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 the cutter 322d (see Fig. 5 etc.) of the seedling planting mechanism 32 makes a hole in the multi - sheet S, the cutter 322d can easily pierce the multi - sheet S, and it becomes easy to make the hole with a predetermined size.

[0045] <4. Details of the sheet - under actuator> FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the under-sheet working body 38 as seen obliquely from the rear. As the traveling body 2 travels forward, the under-sheet working body 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, prior to the planting of the seedlings. Such an under-sheet working body 38 includes a furrowing device 381 and a soil gathering mechanism 382.

[0046] The furrowing device 381 forms a groove G in which seedlings are to be planted in the soil prior to the planting of the seedlings, by scraping a part of the soil (ridge) as the traveling body 2 travels. The furrowing device 381 is attached to the pre-planting frame 331 via an actuator support portion 300. The actuator 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 transplanter 1 of the present embodiment includes an actuator support portion 300 that supports the under-sheet working body 38 (particularly the furrowing device 381). Further, since the furrowing device 381 is attached to the pre-planting frame 331 via the actuator support portion 300, it can be said that the under-sheet working body 38 having the furrowing device 381 is provided in the planting section 3.

[0047] The furrowing device 381 has a main body portion 381a and a groove processing portion 381b. The main body portion 381a extends obliquely downward as it extends rearward from the supported side by the actuator support portion 300, and bends at a bent portion 381a1 and further extends rearward. When the seedlings are planted by the seedling planting mechanism 32, the rear side from the bent portion 381a1 in the furrowing device 381 is located below the surface H of the soil (ridge) (see FIG. 6).

[0048] The groove processing portion 381b is joined to the rear end of the main body portion 381a by welding, for example. Therefore, when the seedlings are planted by the seedling planting mechanism 32, similar to a part of the main body portion 381a, the groove processing portion 381b is also located below the surface H of the soil (ridge) (see FIG. 6).

[0049] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an enlarged rear side of the furrow opener 381. The groove forming 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 forming portion 381b in the left-right direction widens as it goes rearward from the joining side with the main body portion 381a. The maximum width in the left-right direction of the groove forming 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 width of the soil cut by the groove forming portion 381b becomes wider than the width of the soil cut by the main body portion 381a, and a groove G with an appropriate width for planting seedlings can be formed in the soil.

[0050] The soil pushing mechanism 382 shown in FIG. 11 pushes soil into the groove G as the traveling body 2 travels from the side of the groove G formed in the soil by the furrow opener 381. Such a soil pushing mechanism 382 has a backfilling member 383. The backfilling member 383 is a member that pushes and backfills soil into the groove G from the soil. The backfilling member 383 is attached to the main body portion 381a of the furrow opener 381 via a mounting bracket 382a.

[0051] 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.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 11, the pair of rod-shaped portions 3831 are respectively located on the left side and the right side with respect to the furrow opener 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 the pair of rod-shaped portions 3831 are located extending in the front-rear direction of the traveling body 2 in the soil.

[0053] 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).

[0054] 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 on the side opposite to the connection side with the pair of rod-shaped portions 3831) in order to enhance the efficiency of soil accumulation (in order to scrape as much soil as possible).

[0055] 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 device 381 and the state in which soil is accumulated in the groove G by the soil accumulation mechanism 382 (the backfilling member 383) are shown together. In FIG. 14, for the sake of convenience, the illustration of the multi-sheet S covering the surface of the soil is omitted. Similarly, in the following drawings (especially plan views), the illustration of the multi-sheet S may be omitted.

[0056] When the traveling machine body 2 travels (moves forward) with a part of the grooving device 381 (especially the groove processing part 381b) and a part of the soil accumulation 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 device 381 scrapes 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. Then, the seedlings E are planted in the groove G by the seedling planting mechanism 32 (see FIG. 4 etc.). It should be noted 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 through the above holes from above the multi-sheet S, as described above.

[0057] In the transplanter 1 of this embodiment, the under-sheet working body 38 (particularly the furrow opener 381) forms a furrow G in the soil prior to the planting of the seedling E. Therefore, even in a field with hard soil, the planting of the seedling E into the soil (furrow G) can be facilitated. Particularly, in the planting of vegetable seedlings E, from the viewpoint of heat preservation and the like, a multi-sheet S made of a vinyl film is covered on the soil. Since the transplanter 1 of this embodiment further includes a multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism 36, the laying of the multi-sheet S and the formation of the furrow G in the soil by the under-sheet working body 38 can be carried out in parallel while planting the vegetable seedlings E. Therefore, it is possible to realize 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.

[0058] The under-sheet working body 38 has a furrow opener 381. As the furrow opener 381 scrapes a part of the soil as the traveling body 2 travels, the furrow G for planting the seedling E is surely formed in the soil.

[0059] The under-sheet working body 38 has a soil banking mechanism 382. In this configuration, after the seedling E is planted in the furrow G formed in the soil by the furrow opener 381, or almost simultaneously with the planting of the seedling E, the soil is filled back into the furrow G from the side by the soil banking mechanism 382 (particularly a pair of clamping portions 3833). Therefore, the root of the seedling E planted in the furrow G is covered with soil, and a good transplanting posture (planting posture) of the seedling E is stably maintained.

[0060] The soil banking mechanism 382 has a filling-back member 383. In this configuration, the seedling E planted in the furrow G is supported by the soil filled back into the furrow G by the filling-back member 383. Therefore, the seedling E is held in a stable posture in the soil.

[0061] The above-mentioned backfilling member 383 has a pair of rod-shaped portions 3831, a connecting portion 3832, and a pair of clamping portions 3833. The pair of rod-shaped portions 3831 extend in the front-rear direction of the traveling body 2 in the soil and do not cross the width direction (left-right direction). Here, Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view when the backfilling member 383 in Fig. 13 is cut along the line A-A'. As shown in the figure, in the configuration where each rod-shaped portion 3831 extends in the front-rear direction in the soil, the projected area of each rod-shaped portion 3831 in the front-rear direction is equal to the cross-sectional area (the area of the hatched portion) of each rod-shaped portion 3831, and is significantly less than the arrangement where each rod-shaped portion 3831 crosses the width direction. As a result, as the traveling body 2 travels, a groove much wider than the groove G formed by the furrowing device 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 when the plant height of the planted seedling E is low, it is possible to grow the seedling E so as to pass through the holes opened in the multi-sheet S, and the risk of the seedling E diving under the multi-sheet S without passing through the holes is reduced. That is, since the backfilling member 383 does not cross the width direction of the traveling body 2 in the ground and a wide groove is not formed in the soil, even when planting a seedling E with a low plant height, it is possible to stabilize the planting posture of the seedling E and achieve good planting.

[0062] As shown in Fig. 14, in the soil-accumulating 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 backfill the soil in the groove G. Therefore, the planted seedling E is held in a stable posture.

[0063] The soil-accumulating mechanism 382 performs soil accumulation 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-accumulating mechanism 382 can perform soil accumulation from below the multi-sheet S to improve and stabilize the planting posture of the seedling E.

[0064] In this 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 lower side of the multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism 36. As a result, the actuator support portion 300 is disposed below the multi-sheet S fed out from the multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism 36.

[0065] 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 surely formed in the soil by the grooving device 381 of the under-sheet actuator 38. Also, the soil return mechanism 382 of the under-sheet actuator 38 surely returns the soil to the groove G.

[0066] In this embodiment, the multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism 36 and the under-sheet actuator 38 are provided in the planting portion 3. In this configuration, by the lifting mechanism 4, the multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism 36 and the under-sheet actuator 38 can be lifted and lowered simultaneously with the lifting and lowering of the planting portion 3 with respect to the traveling machine body 2. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated lifting mechanism for lifting and lowering the multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism 36 and the under-sheet actuator 38 separately from the lifting mechanism 4 and perform lifting and lowering control different from that of the planting portion 3. This leads to simplification of the configuration of the transplanter 1.

[0067] In addition, since the under-sheet actuator 38 is provided in the planting unit 3, it can be said that the soil gathering mechanism 382 of the under-sheet actuator 38 is also provided in the planting unit 3. In this configuration, even when the height of the planting unit 3 is adjusted according to the height of the soil ridge by the lifting mechanism 4, the position (height) of the soil gathering mechanism 382 is changed following the planting unit 3, so that 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.

[0068] FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing another configuration of the under-sheet actuator 38. In FIG. 16, for convenience, the illustration of the soil gathering mechanism 382 and the multi-sheet S is omitted. The under-sheet actuator 38 may further include a sheet support portion 384. The sheet support portion 384 supports the multi-sheet S laid on the surface H of the soil from below, which is fed out from the multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism 36.

[0069] Such a sheet support portion 384 is configured to include 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.

[0070] 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 provided in the main body portion 381a (see FIG. 12). Then, by inserting 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.

[0071] 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 distance between them in the left - right direction from the portion fixed to the main body portion 381a of the grooving device 381, and pass through the side of the grooving portion 381b of the grooving device 381 and further extend rearward. From the side to the rear of the grooving portion 381b, the distance between the right seat support plate 384R and the left seat support plate 384L is constant. As a result, the distance 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 above - described shapes of the right seat support plate 384R and the left seat support plate 384L 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 distance between them widens rearward.

[0072] 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 in the vicinity of the side of the groove processing portion 381b.

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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, the 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.

[0075] <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.

[0076] 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 machine body 2 travels (moves forward), the pressing roller 371 rotates as the traveling machine 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 furrowing device 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 machine 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 furrowing device 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 seedlings E are planted by the seedling planting mechanism 32, the soil can be backfilled into the groove G, and the posture of the seedlings E planted in the groove G can be stabilized immediately.

[0077] Since the pressing roller 371 rotates, it is difficult to sink into the soil, and gentle soil gathering is possible. Also, even when the multi-sheet S is laid on the soil surface and holes are opened in the multi-sheet S to plant the seedlings E as in this embodiment, it is possible to apply the pressing roller 371 from above the multi-sheet S to gather the soil.

[0078] Since the pressing rollers 371 are arranged on both the left and right sides of the furrow opener 381, each pressing roller 371 can push soil from both the left and right sides of the furrow G formed in the soil by the furrow opener 381, that is, from both sides in the width direction of the traveling machine body 2 (= both sides in the width direction of the furrow G). Also, since soil is pushed by each pressing roller 371 simultaneously with the planting of the seedlings E or immediately before the planting of the seedlings E, the inclination of the seedlings E during planting is reduced, and the planting posture of the seedlings E becomes good.

[0079] 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 machine body 2 within a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction of the traveling machine body 2. In this configuration, as the traveling machine body 2 travels, each pressing roller 371 rotates reliably, and each pressing roller 371 can reliably push soil from both sides in the width direction of the furrow G toward the furrow G.

[0080] 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 that their positions can be adjusted 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 becomes possible to finely adjust the amount of soil pushed toward the furrow G by each pressing roller 371 and the timing of soil pushing.

[0081] 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 so 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, each pressing roller 371 rotates as the traveling body 2 travels, and each pressing roller 371 can push the 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-described 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.

[0082] As described above, the pressing mechanism 37 as the soil pushing mechanism 382 has the 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.

[0083] Further, the pressing mechanism 37 (particularly the pressing roller 371) as the soil pushing mechanism 382 pushes the 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 the soil from above the multi-sheet S to improve and stabilize the planting posture of the seedlings E.

[0084] <6. Modification Examples of the Furrow Opener 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 furrow opener 381 and the soil pushing mechanism 382 are provided has been described. However, the furrow opener 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.

[0085] 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 gathering mechanism 382 applied to the transplanter 1 not equipped with the multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism 36. Further, Fig. 22 is a perspective view of the soil gathering mechanism 382 of the modification example.

[0086] 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.

[0087] 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.

[0088] As shown in Fig. 22, the soil gathering 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. On the left and right side surfaces of the fixing plate 386, three locking portions 386a for hooking one end portions of the left and right biasing springs 387 are provided. One end portions of the left and right biasing springs 387 are hooked to any one of the three locking portions 386a.

[0089] 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 toward the rear. 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 sides of the planting position of the seedling E behind the furrow opener 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.

[0090] 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 furrow opener 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 the seedling E is held by the surrounding soil, and the planting posture is also 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 furrow opener 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.

[0091] 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 the ridge height, lifting and lowering control of the planting part 3, etc., the soil gathering is surely performed.

[0092] 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.

[0093] 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.

[0094] 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 tends 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.

[0095] <7. Supplementary Note> The transplanter described in this embodiment can also be expressed as the transplanter shown in the following supplementary note.

[0096] The transplanter of Supplementary Note (1) is a traveling machine body, a transplanter having a seedling planting mechanism for planting seedlings in the soil, and a planting part that is vertically movably connected to the rear of the traveling machine body, a furrow opener that creates a furrow in which the seedlings are to be planted in the soil prior to the planting of the seedlings as the traveling machine body travels, and a soil heaping mechanism that heaps soil into the furrow as the traveling machine body travels.

[0097] The transplanter of Supplementary Note (2) is the transplanter according to Supplementary Note (1), wherein the soil heaping mechanism is provided on the planting part.

[0098] The transplanter according to supplementary note (3) is the transplanter according to supplementary note (1) or (2), The soil gathering mechanism has a pressing roller that presses the surface of the soil while rotating as the traveling body travels, thereby gathering soil into the groove.

[0099] The transplanter according to supplementary note (4) is the transplanter according to supplementary note (3), The pressing roller is disposed on one side and the other side in the width direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the traveling body with respect to the furrow opener.

[0100] The transplanter according to supplementary note (5) is the transplanter according to supplementary note (4), The rotation axis of the pressing roller extends in the width direction of the traveling body or a direction intersecting the width direction in a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction of the traveling body.

[0101] The transplanter according to supplementary note (6) is the transplanter according to any one of supplementary notes (3) to (5), The soil gathering mechanism further has a biasing member that biases the pressing roller downward.

[0102] The transplanter according to supplementary note (7) is the transplanter according to any one of supplementary notes (1) to (6), further includes a multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism that feeds out and lays a multi-sheet on the surface of the soil, The soil gathering mechanism performs soil gathering with respect to the groove from above the multi-sheet.

[0103] The transplanter according to supplementary note (8) is the transplanter according to any one of supplementary notes (1) to (6), The soil gathering mechanism has a filling-back member that gathers soil from the soil and fills it back into the groove.

[0104] The transplanter according to supplementary note (9) is the transplanter according to any one of supplementary notes (1) to (8), The filling-back member is A pair of rod-shaped parts that are located on one side and the other side in the width direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the traveling body with respect to the groove-forming device, and extend in the front-rear direction of the traveling body in the soil. A connecting part that is respectively connected to the front end parts of the pair of rod-shaped parts and partially located above the soil. A pair of clamping parts that are respectively connected to the rear end parts of the pair of rod-shaped parts and the interval in the width direction narrows as it goes backward.

[0105] The transplanter according to supplementary note (10) is the transplanter according to supplementary note (9), wherein The rear ends of the pair of clamping parts are located behind the seedling planting position.

[0106] The transplanter according to supplementary note (11) is the transplanter according to any one of supplementary notes (8) to (10), wherein It further includes a multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism for feeding out and laying a multi-sheet on the surface of the soil. The soil banking mechanism banks soil against the groove from below the multi-sheet.

[0107] The transplanter according to supplementary note (12) is the transplanter according to supplementary note (7) or (11), wherein It further includes an actuator support part for supporting a sheet-under actuator including the groove-forming device and the soil banking mechanism. The actuator support part is supported by the planting frame of the planting part and is arranged below the multi-sheet fed out from the multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism.

[0108] 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 with expansion or modification without departing from the gist of the invention.

Industrial Applicability

[0109] The transplanter of the present invention can be used for, for example, a transplanter for planting vegetable seedlings in soil (ridges).

Explanation of Signs

[0110] 1 Transplanter 2 Traveling body 3 Planting part 32 Seedling planting mechanism 33 Planting frame 36 Multi - sheet feeding and laying mechanism 37 Pressing mechanism (soil - gathering mechanism) 38 Under - sheet working body 300 Working - body support part 371 Pressing roller (soil - gathering mechanism) 372c Biasing member 381 Furrow opener 383 Back - filling member (soil - gathering mechanism) 3831 Rod - shaped part 3831a Front - side end part 3831b Rear - side end part 3832 Connecting part 3833 Clamping part E Seedling G Furrow H Surface S Multi - sheet

Claims

1. A transplanter comprising a traveling body, a planting unit having a seedling planting mechanism for planting seedlings in soil and being vertically movably connected to the rear of the traveling body, a furrow opener for creating a furrow in the soil for planting the seedlings prior to planting the seedlings as the traveling body travels, and a soil banking mechanism for banking soil into the furrow as the traveling body travels.

2. The transplanter according to claim 1, wherein the soil banking mechanism is provided in the planting unit.

3. The transplanter according to claim 1, wherein the soil banking mechanism has a pressing roller that banks soil into the furrow by pressing the surface of the soil while rotating as the traveling body travels.

4. The transplanter according to claim 3, wherein the pressing roller is disposed on one side and the other side in the width direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the traveling body with respect to the furrow opener.

5. The transplanter according to claim 4, wherein the rotation axis of the pressing roller extends in the width direction of the traveling body or in a direction intersecting the width direction in a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction of the traveling body.

6. The transplanter according to claim 3, wherein the soil banking mechanism further has a biasing member that biases the pressing roller downward.

7. further comprising a multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism for feeding and laying a multi-sheet on the surface of the soil, wherein the soil banking mechanism banks soil into the furrow from above the multi-sheet, the transplanter according to claim 1.

8. The transplanter according to claim 1, wherein the soil banking mechanism has a filling-back member that banks soil from the soil into the furrow and fills it back.

9. The filling-back member includes a pair of rod-shaped portions that are located on one side and the other side in the width direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the traveling body with respect to the furrow opener and extend in the front-rear direction of the traveling body in the soil, a connecting portion that is respectively connected to the front end portions of the pair of rod-shaped portions and a part of which is located above the soil, and a pair of clamping portions that are respectively connected to the rear end portions of the pair of rod-shaped portions and the distance between which in the width direction narrows toward the rear, the transplanter according to claim 8.

10. The transplanter according to claim 9, wherein the rear ends of the pair of clamping portions are located behind the seedling planting position.

11. further comprising a multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism for feeding and laying a multi-sheet on the surface of the soil, wherein the soil banking mechanism banks soil into the furrow from below the multi-sheet, the transplanter according to claim 8.

12. The transplanting machine further comprises a working body support portion that supports a sheet-under working body including the furrow-forming device and the soil-accumulating mechanism, wherein the working body support portion is supported by a planting frame of the planting portion and is disposed below the multi-sheet that is fed out from the multi-sheet feeding and laying mechanism, according to the transplanting machine of Claim 7 or 11.

Images