Agricultural work vehicle

Abstract

To provide an agricultural work vehicle capable of smoothly planting seedlings without leaving part of seedling mats on a seedling table even when seedling mats in which seedlings are raised in high density are used.SOLUTION: An agricultural work vehicle 1 includes a driving source 12, a seedling table 21, a planting part 22, and a transverse feeding mechanism 40. The planting part 22 includes a planting claw 22F and a mounting part 22E. The planting claw 22F scrapes seedlings to be planted on a farm field from a seedling mat. The mounting part 22E is mounted with the planting claw 22F. The transverse feeding mechanism 40 causes the seedling table 21 to be reciprocated in a right-left direction according to the power from the driving source 12. The mounting part 22E is selectively mounted with one of a standard type planting claw 22F1 and a dense seedling type planting claw 22F2. The transverse feeding mechanism 40 changes the dimensions subtracting width dimensions of the planting claw 22F from the action width of the planting claw 22F, of the dimensions on the movement of the seedling table 21 according to the width dimensions of the planting claw 22F.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an agricultural work vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, rice cultivation has been carried out using a seedling mat in which seedlings are grown at a higher density than before. Patent Document 1 discloses an agricultural work vehicle that can use both a seedling mat for standard seedling raising and a seedling mat for high-density seedling raising in which seedlings are grown at a higher density than the seedling mat for standard seedling raising.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When using such dense seedlings, a dense-seedling type planting claw having a width dimension smaller than that of a conventional planting claw may be used. In such a case, due to the difference in the width dimensions of the two types of planting claws, a portion where the seedlings cannot be scraped off by the dense-seedling type planting claws is generated at the left and right ends in the lateral direction of the seedling mat grown at a high density, which may cause clogging of the seedlings on the seedling mounting table.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an agricultural work vehicle capable of smoothly performing planting without leaving a part of the seedling mat on the seedling mounting table even when using a seedling mat raised at a high density.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The agricultural working vehicle according to the present invention includes a drive source, a seedling mounting table, a planting unit, and a lateral feed mechanism. A seedling mat is placed on the seedling mounting table. The planting unit has a planting claw and a mounting portion. The planting claw scrapes seedlings to be planted from the seedling mat into the field. The planting claw is mounted on the mounting portion. The lateral feed mechanism reciprocates the seedling mounting table in the left-right direction according to the power from the drive source. Either a standard type seedling mat or a thick-seedling type seedling mat in which the seedlings grow at a higher density than the standard type seedling mat is selectively placed on the seedling mounting table. The planting claw includes a standard type planting claw or a thick-seedling type planting claw having a smaller dimension in the left-right direction than the standard type planting claw. Either one of the standard type planting claw and the thick-seedling type planting claw is selectively mounted on the mounting portion. The lateral feed mechanism changes a dimension obtained by subtracting the width dimension of the planting claw from the working width of the planting claw among the dimensions related to the movement of the seedling mounting table according to the width dimension of the planting claw.

Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the agricultural working vehicle of the present invention, even when a seedling mat raised at a high density is used, planting can be smoothly performed without leaving a part of the seedling mat on the seedling mounting table.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4A

Figure 4B

Figure 5A

Figure 5B

Figure 6

Figure 7A

Figure 7B

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] <First Embodiment> Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description will not be repeated.

[0010] (1) Overall Configuration Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, the agricultural work vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. First, the overall configuration of the agricultural work vehicle 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a side view of the agricultural work vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the agricultural work vehicle 1 shown in FIG. 1.

[0011] In the following description, based on the operator who drives the agricultural work vehicle 1, the directions of the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction are defined respectively. And in each drawing, the directions are illustrated using front (Fr), rear (Rr), left (L), right (R), up (U), and down (Lo).

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1, the agricultural work vehicle 1 includes a traveling body 10, a field working machine 20, a lifting device 30, and a lateral feeding mechanism 40 (see Fig. 3). The agricultural work vehicle 1 is, for example, a device used for planting rice seedlings, and while traveling in the field by the traveling body 10, the field working machine 20 performs the seedling planting work. Note that the agricultural work vehicle 1 may be a vehicle used for agricultural work different from seedling planting, such as transplanting, sowing, or tilling of vegetables or grains.

[0013] (1-1) Configuration of the traveling body 10 First, the configuration of the traveling body 10 will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, the traveling body 10 is composed of a body capable of traveling in the field. The traveling body 10 includes a vehicle body portion 11, an engine 12, a steering wheel 13, a main transmission lever 14, an accelerator lever 15, and a transmission case 19.

[0014] The vehicle body portion 11 includes front wheels 11A and rear wheels 11B. The front wheels 11A are provided in a pair on the left and right with respect to the vehicle body portion 11. Similarly, the rear wheels 11B are also provided in a pair on the left and right with respect to the vehicle body portion 11.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle body portion 11 includes a bonnet 11C. The bonnet 11C is provided at the front portion of the vehicle body portion 11. The engine 12, which is the driving source of the agricultural work vehicle 1, is provided inside the bonnet 11C. The power generated by the engine 12 is transmitted to the front wheels 11A and the rear wheels 11B via the transmission case 19.

[0016] The transmission case 19 is disposed behind the engine 12. The transmission case 19 has a stepped transmission. The stepped transmission transmits the power generated by the engine 12 to the front wheels 11A and the rear wheels 11B according to the operations of the main transmission lever 14 and the accelerator lever 15 by the operator.

[0017] The vehicle body portion 11 includes a driver's seat 11D. An operator can sit on the driver's seat 11D. The driver's seat 11D is disposed between the front wheels 11A and the rear wheels 11B in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body portion 11.

[0018] The steering wheel 13 is a handle for the operator to steer the agricultural work vehicle 1. The steering wheel 13 is disposed in front of the driver's seat 11D in the vehicle body portion 11.

[0019] The main transmission lever 14 is a lever that accepts operations such as "forward", "reverse", and "neutral". The main transmission lever 14 is disposed next to the steering wheel 13 in the vehicle body portion 11.

[0020] When the main transmission lever 14 is operated to the "forward" position, the transmission case 19 transmits power that rotates in the forward direction of the agricultural work vehicle 1 to the front wheels 11A and the rear wheels 11B. On the other hand, when the main transmission lever 14 is operated to the "reverse" position, the transmission case 19 transmits power that rotates in the reverse direction of the agricultural work vehicle 1 to the front wheels 11A and the rear wheels 11B. And when the main transmission lever 14 is operated to the "neutral" position, the transmission case 19 cuts off the transmission of power to the front wheels 11A and the rear wheels 11B.

[0021] The accelerator lever 15 is an operation lever capable of switching between "low speed" and "high speed" among the forward speeds. "Low speed" is used, for example, when traveling while working in the field. "High speed" is used, for example, when traveling on a rural road outside the field.

[0022] (1-2) Configuration of the field working machine 20 Next, the configuration of the field working machine 20 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the field working machine 20 is disposed behind the vehicle body portion 11 and is connected to the traveling body 10 via the lifting device 30. The field working machine 20 is a device for performing work in the field.

[0023] The field working machine 20 includes a seedling mounting table 21, a planting unit 22, an inter-row speed change device 23, and a PTO shaft 24.

[0024] The seedling mounting table 21 is a table on which the seedling mats on which the seedlings are raised are loaded. As shown in FIG. 1, the seedling mounting table 21 is disposed in front of and above the planting unit 22. The mounting surface on which the seedling mat is placed on the seedling mounting table 21 is inclined so as to become lower toward the rear.

[0025] The seedling mounting table 21 supplies the seedlings of the seedling mat loaded on the mounting surface of the seedling mounting table 21 to the planting unit 22. The seedling mounting table 21 reciprocates in the left - right direction by a laterally feeding mechanism 40 described later. In other words, the seedling mounting table 21 is supported so as to be slidable in the left - right direction.

[0026] Also, the seedling mounting table 21 intermittently conveys (vertically feeds) the seedling mat downward at the reciprocating end of the seedling mounting table 21. By the vertical feeding of the seedling mat by the seedling mounting table 21, the seedlings located above the planted portion of the seedling mat are sequentially planted by the transplanting mechanism 22C. In this way, the seedlings are sequentially supplied to the planting unit 22 starting from the seedlings located at the lower end of the seedling mat loaded on the mounting surface of the seedling mounting table 21.

[0027] In this embodiment, either a standard - type seedling mat or a high - density seedling mat is selectively placed on the seedling mounting table 21. Here, the standard - type seedling mat refers to a seedling mat sown at a conventional seeding rate. The conventional seeding rate refers to, for example, a dry paddy - rice seeding rate of 100 - 150 g (125 - 187 g of germinated paddy - rice) per seedling box corresponding to one seedling mat.

[0028] On the other hand, the high - density seedling mat refers to a seedling mat in which the seedlings are grown at a higher density by being sown at a higher density than the standard - type seedling mat. The seeding rate for high - density seeding refers to, for example, a dry paddy - rice seeding rate of 250 - 300 (312 - 375 g of germinated paddy - rice) per seedling box. Note that the specific seeding rate can be arbitrarily adjusted.

[0029] When such a high - density seedling mat is used, for example, the following advantages are expected. · Reduction of material costs required for seeding and raising seedlings by reducing the number of seedling boxes · Reduction of working time and labor associated with the transportation work of the seedling boxes · Space saving of the seedling raising house

[0030] The plant spacing transmission 23 is a device that changes the operating speed of the transplanting mechanism 22C described later with respect to the traveling speed of the traveling body 10 to change the distance between plants of the seedlings. Power from the transmission case 19 is transmitted to the plant spacing transmission 23. The power transmitted from the transmission case 19 is shifted by a gear group built into the plant spacing transmission 23 and transmitted to the planting unit 22 by the PTO shaft 24.

[0031] The PTO shaft 24 is connected to the plant spacing transmission 23 and the planting unit 22 via a universal joint.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the planting unit 22 includes a main frame (not shown), a center case 22B (see FIG. 3), a transplanting mechanism 22C, and a planting transmission case 22D.

[0033] The main frame is a rod-shaped member having the longitudinal direction in the left-right direction. The main frame supports the seedling table 21 so as to be movable in the left-right direction. The main frame is disposed below the seedling table 21 shown in FIG. 2.

[0034] The center case 22B shown in FIG. 3 is disposed at the center in the left-right direction of the main frame. The center case 22B is disposed below the seedling table 21 shown in FIG. 2. The PTO shaft 24 is connected to the center case 22B. The center case 22B transmits the power transmitted from the plant spacing transmission 23 via the PTO shaft 24 to the planting transmission case 22D via a planting drive shaft 22G (see FIGS. 1 and 3) extending in the left-right direction.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 2, the planting transmission case 22D is disposed at a plurality of locations in the left-right direction at substantially equal intervals behind the main frame. A planting drive shaft 22G is connected to the planting transmission case 22D as an input shaft. A pair of left and right transplanting mechanisms 22C are provided in the planting transmission case 22D.

[0036] The transplanting mechanism 22C continuously performs the planting of seedlings sequentially supplied from the seedling mounting table 21. The field working machine 20 is provided with a plurality of transplanting mechanisms 22C. The number of the transplanting mechanisms 22C can be arbitrarily selected.

[0037] The transplanting mechanism 22C is driven by the power transmitted from the row spacing speed change device 23 via the PTO shaft 24. Specifically, the rotational force shifted by the row spacing speed change device 23 is transmitted to the transplanting mechanism 22C by the planting transmission case 22D.

[0038] The transplanting mechanism 22C includes a rotating case (mounting part) 22E and a planting claw 22F. The rotating case 22E has a rotating shaft extending in the left - right direction and rotates around the rotating shaft along with the transmission of power.

[0039] The planting claw 22F operates when the rotating case 22E rotates due to the power transmitted from the planting transmission case 22D. Specifically, the planting claw 22F picks up one - row seedlings from the seedling mat along with the rotation of the rotating case 22E and performs the operation of planting them at substantially equal intervals inside the paddy field.

[0040] That is, the planting claw 22F scrapes the seedlings to be planted in the field from the seedling mat placed on the seedling mounting table 21 and plants them in the field. A plurality of planting claws 22F are arranged along the front - rear direction and mounted on the rotating case 22E. In the example of FIG. 1, two planting claws 22F are attached to the rotating case 22E (see FIG. 3).

[0041] In this embodiment, either one of the standard - type planting claw 22F1 and the close - planting - type planting claw 22F2 is selectively mounted on the rotating case 22E. Here, the standard - type planting claw 22F1 refers to the planting claw 22F used together with the standard - type seedling mat.

[0042] On the one hand, the close-seeding type planting claw 22F2 refers to the planting claw 22F used together with the close-seeding type seedling mat. The close-seeding type planting claw 22F2 has smaller dimensions in the left-right direction than the standard type planting claw 22F1. In the close-seeding type seedling mat, since the seedlings are grown at high density, even if seedlings scraped off smaller than the standard type seedling mat are planted, it is possible to sufficiently establish the seedlings in the paddy field. That is, the agricultural work vehicle 1 of the present embodiment can select the planting claw 22F to be used according to the specifications of the seedling mat to be used (standard type seedling mat or close-seeding type seedling mat).

[0043] The field working machine 20 moves the seedling mounting table 21 in the left-right direction along the main frame by the operation of a later-described lateral feed mechanism 40. In conjunction with the reciprocating movement of the seedling mounting table 21 to the left and right, the transplanting mechanism 22C takes out seedlings from the seedling mounting table 21 and plants them in the field. Details of the operation of the lateral feed mechanism 40 at this time will be described later.

[0044] In addition, the traveling body 10 is provided with a spare seedling mounting table 25. The spare seedling mounting table 25 is provided in front of the vehicle body portion 11 in a pair on the left and right with respect to the vehicle body portion 11, and in four stages in the vertical direction. The spare seedling mounting table 25 is arranged outside the vehicle body portion 11C in the left-right direction. A spare seedling mat is loaded on the spare seedling mounting table 25. Note that the number of stages of the spare seedling mounting table 25 can be arbitrarily changed. When the seedling mat on the seedling mounting table 21 is used up by planting, the operator performs an operation of moving the seedling mat on the spare seedling mounting table 25 to the seedling mounting table 21.

[0045] (1 - 3) Configuration of the lifting device 30 Next, the configuration of the lifting device 30 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the lifting device 30 includes a lifting link mechanism 31 and a lifting cylinder 32.

[0046] The lifting link mechanism 31 is constituted by a parallel link including a top link and a lower link. The lifting cylinder 32 is connected to the lifting link mechanism 31.

[0047] The lifting device 30 supports the field working machine 20 in a liftable manner by expanding and contracting the lifting cylinder 32. In the present embodiment, a hydraulic cylinder is adopted for the lifting cylinder 32. Note that the lifting cylinder 32 may be an electric cylinder. Further, the lifting device 30 may lift the field working machine 20 by a driving device other than the cylinder.

[0048] (1-4) Configuration of the lateral feed mechanism 40 Next, the configuration of the lateral feed mechanism 40 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram around the lateral feed mechanism 40. In FIG. 3, only two planting transmission cases 22D are shown, and other illustrations are omitted. Also, the illustration of the seedling stage 21 is omitted in FIG. 3.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 3, the lateral feed mechanism 40 is a device that reciprocally moves the seedling stage 21 in the left-right direction according to the power from the engine 12. The lateral feed mechanism 40 includes a lateral feed shaft 41, a guide portion 42, and a cover member 43.

[0050] The lateral feed shaft 41 is a shaft body having a spiral thread groove G formed on its outer peripheral surface. The lateral feed shaft 41 rotates according to the power from the engine 12. As shown in the enlarged view in the upper right of FIG. 3, two thread grooves G are formed on the lateral feed shaft 41 so as to intersect each other. The two thread grooves G are connected at both axial ends and form one continuous piece. Note that the axial direction of the lateral feed shaft 41 coincides with the left-right direction of the agricultural work vehicle 1.

[0051] The guide portion 42 is a roller member slidably fitted into the thread groove G of the lateral feed shaft 41 and is attached thereto. The guide portion 42 is connected to the seedling stage 21. The guide portion 42 is displaced in the left-right direction as the lateral feed shaft 41 rotates.

[0052] The guide portion 42 guides the lateral movement of the seedling mounting table 21 by displacing in the left - right direction. Since the thread grooves G of the cross - feed shaft 41 are continuous, the guide portion 42 enables the cross - feed shaft 41 to be displaced in both the left and right directions with respect to the rotation of the cross - feed shaft 41 in one direction. That is, the guide portion 42 can reverse the direction of displacement on both sides of the cross - feed shaft 41 in the left - right direction.

[0053] Here, the axial distance between the thread grooves G facing the same direction as each other is called the pitch of the thread groove G. The two intersecting thread grooves G have the same pitch (see Fig. 5). The cross - feed shaft 41 displaces the guide portion 42 in the left - right direction by a distance corresponding to the pitch of the thread groove G in one rotation. The cross - feed amount per rotation is called the lead length of the cross - feed shaft 41. In this embodiment, the lead length of the cross - feed shaft 41 is equal to the pitch.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 3, the cover member 43 has a bellows shape and covers the portion of the outer surface of the cross - feed shaft 41 that does not overlap with the guide portion 42. The cover member 43 has a dust - proof function and suppresses the adhesion of field soil to the cross - feed shaft 41.

[0055] In this embodiment, the cross - feed shaft 41 includes a standard - type cross - feed shaft 41A used together with the standard - type planting claws 22F1 and a close - planting - type cross - feed shaft 41B used together with the close - planting - type planting claws 22F2. These differences will be described later.

[0056] (2) Lateral movement operation of the seedling mounting table 21 Next, the lateral movement operation of the seedling mounting table 21 by such a cross - feed mechanism 40 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4A is a diagram showing the lateral movement operation of the standard - type seedling mat M1. Fig. 4B is a diagram showing the lateral movement operation of the close - planting - type seedling mat M2. In actuality, the seedling mat M moves together with the seedling mounting table 21, but for the convenience of explanation, in Fig. 4, the planting claws 22F that are displaced relative to the seedling mounting table 21 are shown as moving. Also, in Fig. 4, the rib 21A that partitions the seedling mat M on the seedling mounting table 21 is shown.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 4A, when using the standard-type seedling mat M1, a standard-type planting claw 22F1 is attached to the rotating case 22E in the transplanting mechanism 22C. In the illustrated example, the lateral dimension of the standard-type planting claw 22F1 is 13 mm. At this time, as the lateral feed shaft 41, a standard-type lateral feed shaft 41A is mounted on the agricultural work vehicle 1.

[0058] Then, along with the displacement of the seedling stage 21 accompanying the rotation of the standard-type lateral feed shaft 41A, the standard-type planting claw 22F1 is displaced relative to the seedling stage 21. Specifically, the standard-type planting claw 22F1 is displaced from one end in the lateral direction to the other end between the ribs 21A adjacent to each other in the lateral direction on the seedling stage 21. The total relative feed amount (hereinafter simply referred to as the total feed amount) of the standard-type planting claw 22F1 at this time is 268 mm as shown in the figure.

[0059] In this case, the range (hereinafter referred to as the working width) in which the standard-type planting claw 22F1 can scrape seedlings from the standard-type seedling mat M1 is 281 mm, which is the sum of the dimension of the standard-type planting claw 22F1 (13 mm) and the total feed amount (268 mm) by the standard-type lateral feed shaft 41A. Also, in the illustrated example, the working width coincides with the dimension between the ribs 21A and the dimension of the standard-type seedling mat M1.

[0060] Next, as shown in Fig. 4B, when using the close-seeding type seedling mat M2, a close-seeding type planting claw 22F2 is attached to the rotating case 22E in the transplanting mechanism 22C. In the illustrated example, the lateral dimension of the close-seeding type planting claw 22F2 is 10 mm.

[0061] In this case, if the lateral feed of the seedling stage 21 is performed using the standard-type lateral feed shaft 41A, the working width of the close-seeding type planting claw 22F2 is 278 mm, which is the sum of the dimension of the close-seeding type planting claw 22F2 (10 mm) and the total feed amount (268 mm) by the standard-type lateral feed shaft 41A. This is about 3 mm smaller than the dimension of the seedling mat M (281 mm).

[0062] That is, if the lateral feeding operation of the seedling stage 21 is performed using the close-planting type planting claws 22F2 and the standard type lateral feed shaft 41A, there will remain areas of about 3 mm that cannot be scraped off at the left and right ends of the close-planting type seedling mat M2, which has the same dimensions as the standard type seedling mat M1. Generally, when an unscraped area is formed at the end of the seedling mat M, during the planting operation, the seedlings remaining at the end accumulate on the seedling stage 21. As a result, there is a risk that the seedling mat remaining on the seedling stage 21 will curl, causing a problem of so-called "dumpling seedlings" to occur.

[0063] Therefore, in the agricultural work vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment, when using the close-planting type seedling mat M2, the lateral feeding operation of the seedling stage 21 is performed using the close-planting type lateral feed shaft 41B. Here, with reference to FIG. 5, the differences between the standard type lateral feed shaft 41A and the close-planting type lateral feed shaft 41B will be described.

[0064] FIG. 5A is an enlarged view of the thread groove G of the standard type lateral feed shaft 41A. FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of the thread groove G of the close-planting type lateral feed shaft 41B. These figures both illustrate the thread groove G at the axial end.

[0065] As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the lead length of the thread groove G in the close-planting type lateral feed shaft 41B is larger than the lead length of the standard type lateral feed shaft 41A, except at the axial ends. Specifically, the lead length of the close-planting type lateral feed shaft 41B is formed larger than the lead length of the standard type lateral feed shaft 41A for the value (0.2 mm) obtained by dividing 3 mm, which corresponds to the lateral dimension difference between the two planting claws 22F, by the number of turns (15 turns) of the thread groove G.

[0066] And since the number of turns in the two lateral feed shafts 41 is the same, the total lateral feed amount in the close-planting type lateral feed shaft 41B is larger than the total lateral feed amount in the standard type lateral feed shaft 41A. Therefore, the difference in the appropriate total feed amount due to the dimensional difference between the close-planting type planting claws 22F2 and the standard type planting claws 22F1 can be adjusted using the two types of lateral feed shafts 41.

[0067] Thus, the difference between the total feed amount in the left-right direction of the standard-type lateral feed shaft 41A and the total feed amount in the left-right direction of the close-seeding-type lateral feed shaft 41B matches the dimensional difference in the left-right direction between the standard-type planting claws 22F1 and the close-seeding-type planting claws 22F2.

[0068] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the close-seeding-type lateral feed shaft 41B is used, by setting the total feed amount of the close-seeding-type planting claws 22F2 to 271 mm, the working width of the close-seeding-type planting claws 22F2 can be made to match the dimensional width of the seedling mat M in the left-right direction, which is 281 mm.

[0069] That is, the lateral feed mechanism 40 in the present embodiment changes the total feed amount of the planting claws 22F corresponding to the dimension obtained by subtracting the width dimension of the planting claws 22F from the working width of the planting claws 22F among the dimensions related to the movement of the seedling mounting table 21 according to the width dimension of the used planting claws 22F. Thereby, even when performing the planting operation using the close-seeding-type seedling mat M2 and the close-seeding-type planting claws 22F2, the close-seeding-type lateral feed shaft 41B can achieve an appropriate total feed amount, and the planting can be smoothly performed without leaving a part of the seedling mat M on the seedling mounting table 21.

[0070] <Second Embodiment> Next, with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8, the agricultural work vehicle 1 according to the second embodiment will be described. In this description, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0071] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram around the lateral feed mechanism 40 in the agricultural work vehicle 1 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7A is a diagram showing the lateral feed operation of the close-seeding-type seedling mat M2 in the second embodiment. FIG. 7B is a diagram showing the lateral feed state of the standard-type seedling mat M1 in the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the change in the rotational speed of the lateral feed shaft 41 according to the second embodiment.

[0072] In the second embodiment, different from the first embodiment, while using the common lateral feed shaft 41, the lateral feed of the seedling mounting table 21 suitable for the close-seeding-type seedling mat M2 is performed by controlling the rotation of the lateral feed shaft 41, which is different from the first embodiment.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 6, the agricultural work vehicle 1 according to the second embodiment further includes a transmission control device 44 that transmits the power from the engine 12 after shifting it to the lateral feed shaft 41. The transmission control device 44 is housed inside the center case 22B.

[0074] The transmission control device 44 includes a rotation speed sensor (not shown), a motor drive unit, and a motor. The rotation speed sensor detects the rotation speed of the power transmitted from the engine 12. The motor drives the motor based on the rotation speed of the power transmitted from the engine 12 detected by the rotation speed sensor. The motor rotates based on a command from the motor drive unit and rotates the lateral feed shaft 41.

[0075] In the second embodiment, the close-seeding type lateral feed shaft 41B is always used as the lateral feed shaft 41. First, as shown in FIG. 7A, when using the close-seeding type seedling mat M2, the close-seeding type planting claws 22F2 are attached to the rotating case 22E of the transplanting mechanism 22C. And, similar to the first embodiment, the close-seeding type planting claws 22F2 are displaced relatively in the left-right direction with respect to the seedling mounting table 21. The total feed amount of the close-seeding type planting claws 22F2 at this time is 271 mm. Also, the working width of the close-seeding type planting claws 22F2 is 281 mm, which is equal to the left-right dimension of the standard type seedling mat M1.

[0076] Next, when using the standard type seedling mat M1, as shown in FIG. 7B, the standard type planting claws 22F1 with a left-right dimension of 13 mm are attached to the rotating case 22E. Also in this case, the close-seeding type lateral feed shaft 41B is used as the lateral feed shaft 41.

[0077] Then, the speed change control device 44 decelerates the power transmitted from the engine 12. Specifically, the motor drive unit of the speed change control device 44 decelerates the power from the PTO shaft 24 to about 98.9% and transmits it to the close-planting type lateral feed shaft 41B so that the original total feed amount of the close-planting type lateral feed shaft 41B is 271 mm and the total feed amount becomes 268 mm. As a result, the working width of the standard type planting claw 22F1 becomes 281 mm, which is the sum of 268 mm, the total feed amount, and 13 mm, the dimension of the standard type planting claw 22F1, and matches the left-right dimension of the standard type seedling mat M1.

[0078] In this way, when the speed change control device 44 plants seedlings using the standard type planting claw 22F1, it decelerates the power from the engine 12 based on the left-right dimension difference between the standard type planting claw 22F1 and the close-planting type planting claw 22F2 with respect to the total left-right feed amount of the lateral feed shaft 41. Thereby, even when planting seedlings using the standard type planting claw 22F1, the seedling stage 21 can be moved by an appropriate distance by the close-planting type lateral feed shaft 41B.

[0079] On the other hand, the speed change control device 44 decelerates the power transmitted from the engine 12 and displaces it by 268 mm. For this reason, when the standard type planting claw 22F1 reaches the left-right end of the standard type seedling mat M1, the close-planting type lateral feed shaft 41B is in a state where there is a surplus of 3 mm in the movement amount of the standard type planting claw 22F1. This is because the close-planting type lateral feed shaft 41B is originally designed to displace the close-planting type planting claw 22F2 by 271 mm.

[0080] And since all the seedlings at the same height of the standard type seedling mat M1 have already been planted, when moving this part, the standard type planting claw 22F1 does not need to plant. For this reason, the motor of the speed change control device 44 drives the close-planting type lateral feed shaft 41B independently of the power from the engine 12 to further laterally feed the seedling stage 21.

[0081] That is, the shift control device 44 drives the motor to rotate the dense-seedling type lateral feed shaft 41B so as to move from the position of the standard type planting claw 22F1 where the planting has been completed to the position where the reciprocating reverse movement starts to initiate new planting. This control will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 8.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 8, when the planting claw 22F is positioned at the end of the seedling mat M, the seedling stage 21 performs vertical feeding that conveys the seedling mat M downward. That is, the vertical feeding of the seedling mat M is performed at both the timing of switching from the forward stroke to the return stroke and the timing of starting the next forward stroke in the reciprocating movement of the planting claw 22F with respect to the seedling stage 21.

[0083] Then, at the timing when the standard type planting claw 22F1 switches from the forward stroke to the return stroke with respect to the standard type seedling mat M1, the shift control device 44 temporarily rotates the motor at high speed by the motor drive unit. As a result, the seedling stage 21 moves horizontally (reciprocates) in both the left and right directions at high speed (reference symbol R in FIG. 7B). That is, with respect to the remaining portion of the movement allowance of the standard type planting claw 22F1 on the dense-seedling type lateral feed shaft 41B, the standard type planting claw 22F1 can be reciprocated at high speed.

[0084] In this way, when performing seedling planting using the standard type planting claw 22F1, the shift control device 44 increases the speed with respect to the power from the engine 12 so that the seedling stage 21 reciprocates at a distance based on the dimensional difference between the standard type planting claw 22F1 and the dense-seedling type planting claw 22F2 at the left and right ends of the lateral feed shaft 41. For this reason, the remaining movement allowance of the standard type planting claw 22F1 caused by using the dense-seedling type lateral feed shaft 41B for the standard type planting claw 22F1 can be appropriately absorbed.

[0085] That is, in the second embodiment, the shift control device 44 shifts the power from the engine 12 according to the width dimension of the planting claw 22F and transmits it to the lateral feed shaft 41. Thereby, by using only the dense-seedling type lateral feed shaft 41B, the seedling stage 21 can be appropriately laterally fed when using each of the standard type planting claw 22F1 and the dense-seedling type planting claw 22F2.

[0086] <Third Embodiment> Next, the agricultural work vehicle 1 according to the third embodiment will be described. In this description, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 9 is a schematic view around the lateral feed mechanism 40 in the agricultural work vehicle 1 according to the third embodiment.

[0087] In the third embodiment, different from the first and second embodiments, the lateral feed of the seedling mounting table 21 suitable for the dense-seedling type seedling mat M2 is performed using an actuator 60 capable of arbitrarily changing the lateral feed amount of the seedling mounting table 21, which is different from the first and second embodiments.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 9, the agricultural work vehicle 1 according to the third embodiment includes an actuator 60 that drives as the lateral feed mechanism 40. The structure of the actuator 60 will be described with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of the actuator 60.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 10, the actuator 60 includes a wire 91, a driven pulley 92, a tension pulley 93, a drive pulley 94, and a lateral feed motor 72.

[0090] The wire 91 is stretched in the left - right direction on the side opposite to the seedling mounting surface. The driven pulley 92 is a pair of rotating bodies that wind the wire 91. Both the left and right ends of the wire 91 are wound around the driven pulley 92. The tension pulley 93 is provided in the middle of the wire 91.

[0091] The drive pulley 94 is fixed by the output shaft 72a of the lateral feed motor 72. The wire 91 is wound around the drive pulley 94. A connecting member (guide portion) 96 is provided on a part of the wire 91. The connecting member 96 is connected to the seedling mounting table 21.

[0092] The actuator 60 can reciprocate the seedling mounting table 21 in the left - right direction by circulating the wire 91 by rotating the cross - feed motor 72 in the forward or reverse direction. In the third embodiment, the actuator 60 varies the amount of movement of the seedling mounting table 21 in the left - right direction according to the width dimension of the planting claw 22F. Thereby, according to the specifications of the planting claw 22F used, the cross - feed of the seedling mounting table 21 can be performed with an appropriate cross - feed amount.

[0093] Specifically, when the working width of the planting claw 22F is 281 mm, when using the dense - seedling type planting claw 22F2 with a width dimension of 10 mm, the cross - feed amount of the seedling mounting table 21 can be set to 271 mm. On the other hand, when using the standard - type planting claw 22F1 with a width dimension of 13 mm, the cross - feed amount of the seedling mounting table 21 can be set to 268 mm.

[0094] Note that the actuator 60 may be provided with a chain and sprockets instead of a motor and pulleys, or may be provided with a rack and pinion. Also, the actuator 60 may be provided with a rail and rollers.

[0095] <Modification example> In each of the above - described embodiments, a configuration in which the left - right dimensions of the standard - type seedling mat M1 and the dense - seedling type seedling mat M2 are the same is shown, but this is not the limit. The left - right dimensions of the standard - type seedling mat M1 and the dense - seedling type seedling mat M2 may be different. That is, even when the desired working widths of the planting claws 22F are different in the standard - type seedling mat M1 and the dense - seedling type seedling mat M2 respectively, by adjusting the desired total feed amount resulting from the dimensional difference of the planting claws 22F, it is possible to prevent seedlings from remaining on the seedling mat M.

[0096] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist thereof. Further, the plurality of components disclosed in the above embodiments can be modified as appropriate. For example, a component among all the components shown in a certain embodiment may be added to the components of another embodiment, or some of the components among all the components shown in a certain embodiment may be deleted from the embodiment.

[0097] In addition, the drawings schematically show each component mainly for facilitating the understanding of the invention, and the thickness, length, number, interval, etc. of each illustrated component may be different from the actual ones for convenience in drawing preparation. Also, the configuration of each component shown in the above embodiments is an example and is not particularly limited, and it goes without saying that various changes can be made without substantially departing from the effects of the present invention.

[0098] This application discloses the following appendices. The following appendices do not limit the present invention.

[0099] (Appendix 1) A drive source, A seedling placement table on which a seedling mat is placed, A planting part having planting claws for scraping seedlings planted from the seedling mat into the field and a mounting part to which the planting claws are attached, A lateral feeding mechanism that reciprocates the seedling placement table in the left - right direction according to the power from the drive source and comprising, Either a standard - type seedling mat or a dense - seedling - type seedling mat in which the seedlings are grown at a higher density than the standard - type seedling mat is selectively placed on the seedling placement table, The planting claws include standard - type planting claws or dense - seedling - type planting claws having a smaller dimension in the left - right direction than the standard - type planting claws, Either one of the standard - type planting claws and the dense - seedling - type planting claws is selectively attached to the mounting part, The lateral feed mechanism is an agricultural work vehicle that changes a dimension obtained by subtracting the width dimension of the planting claw from the working width of the planting claw among the dimensions related to the movement of the seedling mounting table according to the width dimension of the planting claw.

[0100] (Appendix 2) The lateral feed mechanism A lateral feed shaft having a helical thread groove formed on its outer peripheral surface and rotating according to the power, and A guide portion that is attached to the thread groove of the lateral feed shaft and is displaced in the left - right direction as the lateral feed shaft rotates to guide the left - right movement of the seedling mounting table are provided, The lateral feed shaft includes a standard - type lateral feed shaft used together with the standard - type planting claw and a close - planting - type lateral feed shaft used together with the close - planting - type planting claw. The agricultural work vehicle according to Appendix 1, wherein the left - right dimension difference between the standard - type planting claw and the close - planting - type planting claw corresponds to the difference between the total left - right feed amount in the standard - type lateral feed shaft and the total left - right feed amount in the close - planting - type lateral feed shaft.

[0101] (Appendix 3) The standard - type planting claw is larger in the left - right direction than the close - planting - type planting claw. The agricultural work vehicle according to Appendix 1 or 2, wherein the total left - right feed amount in the close - planting - type lateral feed shaft is larger than the total left - right feed amount in the standard - type lateral feed shaft.

[0102] (Appendix 4) The agricultural work vehicle according to any one of Appendices 1 to 3, wherein the left - right feed amount per rotation of the close - planting - type lateral feed shaft is larger than the left - right feed amount per rotation of the standard - type lateral feed shaft by a value obtained by dividing the left - right dimension difference between the standard - type planting claw and the close - planting - type planting claw by the number of turns of the thread groove.

[0103] (Appendix 5) The lateral feed mechanism A lateral feed shaft having a helical thread groove formed on its outer peripheral surface and rotating according to the power, and A guide part that is attached to the screw groove of the lateral feed shaft and is displaced in the left - right direction as the lateral feed shaft rotates to guide the movement of the seedling mounting table in the left - right direction; A speed - change control device that changes the power from the drive source and transmits it to the lateral feed shaft; and is provided with; The speed - change control device changes the power from the drive source according to the width dimension of the planting claws and transmits it to the lateral feed shaft. The agricultural work vehicle according to Supplementary Note 1.

[0104] (Supplementary Note 6) When the seedling is planted using the standard - type planting claws, the speed - change control device decelerates the power from the drive source based on the difference in the left - right dimensions between the standard - type planting claws and the close - seedling - type planting claws with respect to the total feed amount in the left - right direction of the lateral feed shaft. The agricultural work vehicle according to Supplementary Note 5.

[0105] (Supplementary Note 7) When the seedling is planted using the standard - type planting claws, the speed - change control device accelerates the power from the drive source so that the seedling mounting table reciprocates at a distance based on the difference in the left - right dimensions between the standard - type planting claws and the close - seedling - type planting claws at the left - right end of the lateral feed shaft. The agricultural work vehicle according to Supplementary Note 5 or 6.

[0106] (Supplementary Note 8) It is provided with an actuator for driving the lateral feed mechanism; The actuator varies the amount of movement of the seedling mounting table in the left - right direction according to the width dimension of the planting claws. The agricultural work vehicle according to Supplementary Note 1.

Industrial Applicability

[0107] The present invention can be used in the field of agricultural machinery.

Explanation of Signs

[0108] 1: Agricultural work vehicle 10: Traveling body 11: Vehicle body part 11A: Front wheel 11B: Rear wheel 12: Engine (driving source) 20: Field working machine 21: Seedling stage 22: Planting part 22C: Transplanting mechanism 22E: Rotating case (mounting part) 22F: Planting claw 22F1: Standard planting claw 22F2: Dense seedling planting claw 40: Cross-feed mechanism 41: Cross-feed shaft 41A: Standard cross-feed shaft 41B: Dense seedling cross-feed shaft 42: Guide 44: Shift control device 60: Actuator M: Seedling mat M1: Standard seedling mat M2: Dense seedling mat G: Thread groove

Claims

1. A driving source, a seedling placing table on which a seedling mat is placed, a planting part having planting claws for scraping seedlings to be planted from the seedling mat into the field and a mounting part to which the planting claws are attached, a lateral feed mechanism that reciprocates the seedling placing table in the left - right direction according to the power from the driving source and is provided with, either a standard - type seedling mat or a thick - seedling - type seedling mat in which the seedlings grow at a higher density than the standard - type seedling mat is selectively placed on the seedling placing table, the planting claws include standard - type planting claws or thick - seedling - type planting claws whose dimensions in the left - right direction are smaller than those of the standard - type planting claws, either one of the standard - type planting claws and the thick - seedling - type planting claws is selectively attached to the mounting part, the lateral feed mechanism changes a dimension obtained by subtracting the width dimension of the planting claws from the working width of the planting claws among the dimensions related to the movement of the seedling placing table according to the width dimension of the planting claws, an agricultural work vehicle.

2. The lateral feed mechanism includes a lateral feed shaft whose outer peripheral surface is formed with a spiral screw groove and that rotates according to the power, and a guiding part that is attached to the screw groove of the lateral feed shaft and is displaced in the left - right direction as the lateral feed shaft rotates to guide the left - right movement of the seedling placing table and is provided with, the lateral feed shaft includes a standard - type lateral feed shaft used together with the standard - type planting claws and a thick - seedling - type lateral feed shaft used together with the thick - seedling - type planting claws, The difference in the dimensions in the left - right direction between the standard - type planting claws and the thick - seedling - type planting claws corresponds to the difference between the total feed amount in the left - right direction in the standard - type lateral feed shaft and the total feed amount in the left - right direction in the thick - seedling - type lateral feed shaft. The agricultural work vehicle according to Claim 1.

3. The standard - type planting claws are larger in the left - right direction than the thick - seedling - type planting claws, The total feed amount in the left - right direction in the thick - seedling - type lateral feed shaft is larger than the total feed amount in the left - right direction in the standard - type lateral feed shaft. The agricultural work vehicle according to Claim 2.

4. The feed amount in the left - right direction per rotation of the thick - seedling - type lateral feed shaft is larger than the feed amount in the left - right direction per rotation of the standard - type lateral feed shaft by a value obtained by dividing the difference in the dimensions in the left - right direction between the standard - type planting claws and the thick - seedling - type planting claws by the number of turns of the screw groove. The agricultural work vehicle according to Claim 2.

5. The lateral feed mechanism includes a lateral feed shaft whose outer peripheral surface is formed with a spiral screw groove and that rotates according to the power, A guide part that is mounted on the screw groove of the lateral feed shaft and is displaced in the left-right direction as the lateral feed shaft rotates to guide the movement of the seedling mounting table in the left-right direction; A speed change control device that changes the power from the drive source and transmits it to the lateral feed shaft The agricultural work vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising: The speed change control device changes the power from the drive source according to the width dimension of the planting claws and transmits it to the lateral feed shaft.

6. When the seedlings are planted using the standard planting claws, the speed change control device decelerates the power from the drive source based on the difference in the left-right dimensions between the standard planting claws and the close-planting claws with respect to the total feed amount in the left-right direction of the lateral feed shaft. The agricultural work vehicle according to claim 5.

7. When the seedlings are planted using the standard planting claws, the speed change control device increases the speed of the power from the drive source so that the seedling mounting table reciprocates at a distance based on the difference in the left-right dimensions between the standard planting claws and the close-planting claws at the left-right end of the lateral feed shaft. The agricultural work vehicle according to claim 5 or 6.

8. An actuator that drives as the lateral feed mechanism is provided, The actuator varies the amount of movement of the seedling mounting table in the left-right direction according to the width dimension of the planting claws. The agricultural work vehicle according to claim 1.

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