Riding type mower

Abstract

To provide a riding type mower that prevents disorder of a mowing device in movement travel not accompanied by mowing work, and can improve safety.SOLUTION: A riding type mower includes: a traveling machine body 2 including a drive wheel and constituted so as to be able to travel; a mowing device 6 positioned at a front of the traveling machine body 2; a lifting mechanism for lifting the mowing device by the telescopic motion of a mower lifting hydraulic cylinder; a travel detection member S1 for detecting the travel and speed of the traveling machine body 2; height position detection means for detecting a height position of the mowing device 6; and a control section 90 for controlling the telescopic motion of the mower lifting hydraulic cylinder 78. The control section 90 is constituted so as to acquire detection information of the travel detection member S1 and detection information of the height position detection means, and control the mower lifting hydraulic cylinder 78 to automatically lift up the mowing device 6 when a height position of the mowing device 6 is equal to or less than a predetermined set position in a state that the drive of the mowing device 6 is stopped and the traveling machine body 2 travels for a predetermined distance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a riding lawn mower for performing mowing work.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as this type of riding lawn mower, for example, those described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 are known. This conventional riding lawn mower is provided with a mowing device at the front of the traveling body (so-called front mower). Further, the mowing device is configured to be able to move up and down by the expansion and contraction of a hydraulic cylinder, and thereby, it is possible to switch between a working position for performing mowing work and a non-working position retracted upward from the working position.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the case of the conventional riding lawn mower, when moving without performing mowing work, it is desirable to retract the mowing device to the non-working position. However, there is a risk that the operator may forget the operation after the work and drive with the mowing device in the working position. As a result, the mowing device becomes a factor that causes contact with obstacles or steps and leads to failures (such as damage to the blade and damage to the mower deck), and there is also room for improvement in terms of safety.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a riding lawn mower that can prevent failures of the mowing device and improve safety during moving travel without mowing work.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a first invention provides a riding lawn mower comprising: a traveling body configured to be capable of traveling with drive wheels; a grass cutting device located at the front of the traveling body; a lifting mechanism for lifting the grass cutting device by expansion and contraction of a hydraulic cylinder for mower lifting; a traveling detection member for detecting traveling and speed of the traveling body; height position detection means for detecting a height position of the grass cutting device; and a control unit for controlling expansion and contraction of the hydraulic cylinder for mower lifting, wherein the control unit acquires detection information of the traveling detection member and detection information of the height position detection means, and when the height position of the grass cutting device is below a predetermined set position and the traveling body travels a predetermined distance in a state where driving of the grass cutting device has stopped, the control unit controls the hydraulic cylinder for mower lifting to automatically raise the grass cutting device.

[0007] According to the first invention, with the above configuration, when the traveling body travels a distance equal to or more than a predetermined set distance in a state where the grass cutting device has stopped driving, the control unit automatically raises the grass cutting device. As a result, it is possible to preferably prevent a situation where the grass cutting device is driven while being lowered during non-operation due to an oversight of the operator or the like. As a result, it is possible to prevent a situation where the grass cutting device comes into contact with an obstacle or a step, and the safety during traveling without grass cutting work can also be improved. In addition, since the operator is saved the trouble of manually raising the grass cutting device each time work is completed, convenience can be significantly improved.

[0008] A second invention is characterized in that, in addition to the configuration of the first invention, the control unit is further configured to control the hydraulic cylinder for mower lifting to automatically raise the grass cutting device when a predetermined time has elapsed in a state where the height position of the grass cutting device is below a predetermined set position and the driving of the grass cutting device has stopped.

[0009] According to the second invention, in addition to the effects of the first invention, when a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit is configured to control the hydraulic cylinder for raising and lowering the mower to automatically raise the mower. Therefore, when the operator leaves the seat, the mower can be automatically raised, further improving safety.

[0010] According to a third invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second invention, it is provided with a drive switch which is a pressing type switch for driving the grass cutting device, the control unit acquires operation information of the drive switch, when the drive of the grass cutting device is stopped and the grass cutting device is not in the working position, and the drive switch is pressed, the control unit controls the grass cutting device to move to the working position, and when the drive of the grass cutting device is stopped and the grass cutting device is in the working position, and the drive switch is pressed, the control unit controls the start of the drive of the grass cutting device, and when the grass cutting device is driving and the drive switch is pressed, the control unit controls to stop the drive of the grass cutting device.

[0011] According to the third invention, in addition to the effects of the first or second invention, by operating the drive switch, it is possible to move the grass cutting device to the working position and start the drive. Thereby, convenience is improved, and when the grass cutting device is in a non-working position, even if the drive switch is operated, the grass cutting device does not drive, so safety can be improved. Furthermore, when the grass cutting device is driving and the drive switch is pressed, the drive of the grass cutting device is configured to be stopped. Thereby, convenience is further improved, and when the drive of the grass cutting device is stopped and a predetermined condition is satisfied, the grass cutting device is automatically raised by the control unit. Therefore, the lifting operation of the grass cutting device, which was conventionally performed by a lever operation or the like, becomes unnecessary, and it can be performed only by pressing the drive switch. Thus, convenience can be greatly improved, and the occurrence of human errors related to the lifting operation can be prevented, significantly improving safety.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a riding lawn mower that can prevent a failure of a mowing device and improve safety during traveling without mowing work.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the work vehicle disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the forward direction of the riding lawn mower 1 is defined as "front", the opposite direction as "rear", the right direction when facing forward as "right", and the left direction as "left". Each direction is defined for the convenience of explanation, and the present invention is not limited by these direction definitions themselves. Hereinafter, 1230. refers to the riding lawn mower 1 and may simply be referred to as the machine body.

[0015] <1. Overall Structure of Riding Lawn Mower 1> Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. A left side view of the main part of the riding lawn mower according to this embodiment is shown in FIG. 1, a front cross-sectional view of the riding lawn mower according to this embodiment is shown in FIG. 2, and a plan view of the mower 6 and the front wheel drive part in FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 3. The riding lawn mower 1 has a traveling body 2 (hereinafter, may simply be referred to as the body 2) provided with a pair of left and right front wheels 3L (3R) and rear wheels 4L (4R), and a mower 6 (lawn mowing device) having a cutter 5 that rotates around a vertical axis is provided below the front part of the body 2.

[0016] A steering column 8 is erected on the floor 7 above the front part of the body 2, and a handle 10 is provided at the upper part of the column 8. Further, a driver's seat 11 is provided behind the handle 10, and an engine 12, a radiator 13, and a bonnet 14 covering them are arranged behind the driver's seat 11. A collector 16 is provided above the bonnet 14, and a fender 22 is provided on the side of the driver's seat 11. Also, an accelerator pedal 7a for performing an accelerator operation by a stepping operation is disposed on the floor 7.

[0017] The mower 6 is rotatably attached to the body 2 by a pair of left and right lift links 71, and the mower 6 can be lifted and lowered as described later by the telescopic operation of a mower lift hydraulic cylinder 78 disposed on one side (for example, the right side) of the left and right sides of the body.

[0018] Also, a blower case 18 with a blower 17 having an axis provided in the front-rear direction is disposed between the left and right front wheel transmission cases 23L and 23R below the driver's seat 11, and the blower 17 is operated by the output of the engine 12. A duct 20 for transporting cut grass, which connects the blower case 18 and the collector 16, is provided at the upper part of the blower case 18. Further, a shooter 21 having a rear-rising shape in side view is disposed between the blower 17 and the mower 6. The cut grass cut by the mower 6 is sent from the discharge port at the center of the rear part of the mower deck 6a to the blower 17 via the short cylindrical guide portion 6b and the shooter 21 whose end portion can be superposed on the guide portion 6b and bent, and is further pneumatically conveyed to the rear collector 16 via the duct 20.

[0019] The output shaft 12a of the engine 12 is extended forward of the engine 12, and power is transmitted from the output shaft 12a to a distribution transmission shaft 51 that transmits power into the transmission case 24 via a universal joint shaft 15. Further, a hydrostatic continuously variable transmission (hereinafter referred to as HST) 40 is mounted on the rear surface side of the transmission case 24, and the blower case 18 is detachably provided on the front surface side of the transmission case 24 via a spacer (not shown) that also serves as a shaft support metal.

[0020] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part around the steering column 8 as viewed from the driver's seat 11. As shown in FIG. 4, the steering column 8 is provided with a dial switch 8a (mower lifting operation member) for lifting and lowering the mower 6, a mower drive switch 8b (mower drive switching member) for driving the mower 6, and a key switch 8c for turning the engine 12 on and off. The dial switch 8a is configured such that a control unit 90, which will be described later and acquires the operation information according to the operation amount of the rotation operation, controls the expansion and contraction of the hydraulic cylinder 78 for lifting and lowering the mower. Thereby, the mower 6 can be finely lifted and lowered to enable position adjustment. For example, the neutral position of the dial switch 8a is made to correspond to the lower limit position, which is the lower limit of the lifting and lowering range of the mower 6. When the dial switch 8a is rotated clockwise from the neutral position, the height position of the mower 6 rises according to the amount of rotation, and it can be configured to reach the upper limit position, which is the upper limit of the lifting and lowering range of the mower 6, at the maximum amount of rotation.

[0021] Also, the mower drive switch 8b is a push-type switch. The mower drive switch 8b is a switch that can drive the mower 6 by a pressing operation. However, when the mower 6 is being driven, if a pressing operation is performed, the drive of the mower 6 can be stopped. The mower drive switch 8b may be a switch with a lighting lamp, and the state of the mower 6 may be suggested by the lighting pattern. For example, when the mower 6 is stopped at the upper limit position, it may be in a lit state, when it is stopped at the lower limit position, it may be in a blinking state, and when it is being driven at the lower limit position, it may be in an off state.

[0022] <2. Transmission Configuration of Riding Mower 1> Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the transmission configuration of the riding mower 1 will be briefly described. FIG. 5 is a transmission diagram of the riding mower 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, in the riding mower 1, the power (rotational power) output from the engine 12 is transmitted to a distribution transmission shaft 51 connected to the output shaft 12a of the engine 12 and then transmitted to a blower PTO shaft 52A. The rotational power output from the blower PTO shaft 52A is transmitted to the above-described blower 17 via, for example, a blower transmission device (such as a gear transmission device).

[0023] In addition, the rotational power output from the distribution transmission shaft 51 is transmitted to the drive wheels via the traveling transmission device, and the trunnion shaft is tilted via the hydraulic pump 40a of the HST40 to shift the hydraulic motor 40b. Note that the riding lawn mower 1 is configured to be able to switch between two-wheel drive (2WD) and four-wheel drive (4WD). For this reason, the drive wheels are either the left and right front wheels 3L and 3R or the left and right rear wheels 4L and 4R (for example, the left and right front wheels 3L and 3R) when the riding lawn mower 1 is in 2WD, and the left and right front wheels 3L and 3R and the left and right rear wheels 4L and 4R when the riding lawn mower 1 is in 4WD.

[0024] In the case of 4WD, the rotational power output from the distribution transmission shaft 51 is transmitted to the front wheel 3L (3R) via the hydraulic pump 40a and the hydraulic motor 40b of the HST40 and via the gear transmission device 54a and the differential mechanism 54b in the differential case 54. Also, the rotational power output from the distribution transmission shaft 51 is transmitted to the rear wheel 4L (4R) via the hydraulic pump 40a and the hydraulic motor 40b of the HST40 and via the gear transmission device 55a and the differential mechanism 55b in the differential case 45.

[0025] In addition, the rotational power output from the distribution transmission shaft 51 is transmitted to the mower PTO shaft 28. The rotational power output from the mower PTO shaft 28 is transmitted to the cutter 5 described above via the mower transmission device 6d of the mower input shaft 6c and the mower deck 6a shown in FIG. 1.

[0026] Note that a blower clutch 56A for turning on and off the power transmission from the distribution transmission shaft 51 to the blower PTO shaft 52A and a mower clutch 56B for turning on and off the power transmission from the distribution transmission shaft 51 to the mower PTO shaft 28 are provided, and the blower clutch 56A and the mower clutch 56B are configured to be controlled to be turned on and off (on / off) by a control unit 90 described later.

[0027] <Lifting configuration of the mower 6> FIG. 6 is a left side view of the main part around the lifting link of the mower 6 in FIG. 1. Also, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the attachment portion of the hydraulic cylinder 78 for lifting the mower in FIG. 1.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the mower 6 is rotatably attached to the machine body 2 by a pair of left and right lift links 71, and the lift link 71 can move the mower 6 up and down via the suspension link 72 and the bracket 68 by the telescopic operation of the hydraulic cylinder 78 for raising and lowering the mower disposed on one side (for example, the right side) of the left and right sides of the machine body. Further, as shown in the perspective view of FIG. 6, one end side of the hydraulic cylinder 78 is pivotally attached to the traveling machine body 2 as appropriate, and the other end side is supported by a cylinder bracket 79 integral with the horizontal axis 2a which is a frame in the left - right direction of the machine body of the traveling machine body 2 (rotatably provided on both sides of the traveling machine body 2). The suspension link 72 attached to the tip of the bracket 68 integral with the horizontal axis 2a moves up and down to cause the lift link 71 to move up or down.

[0029] The rotation center axis 71a of the lift link 71 is supported by a vertical arm 2c whose lower end is supported and fixed to a part 2b of the traveling machine body 2, and the upper end of the vertical arm 2c is supported and fixed to the side surface of the traveling machine body 2. Further, the upper end of the suspension link 72 is rotatably supported at the front end of a bracket 68 integrally connected to the horizontal axis 2a rotatably pivotally attached to the traveling machine body 2. The lower end of the suspension link 72 is rotatably supported at an intermediate part of the lift link 71. Also, the bracket 68 integral with the horizontal axis 2a is connected to the hydraulic cylinder 78 via the cylinder bracket 79.

[0030] As the horizontal shaft 2a of the hydraulic cylinder 78 expands and contracts in the front-rear direction with the horizontal shaft 2a as a fulcrum, when the front end of the bracket 68 integrated with the horizontally rotatably attached horizontal shaft 2a to the traveling body 2 rotates up and down, the lift link 71 rotates up and down around the rotation fulcrum 71a at the rear end of the lift link 71, and in conjunction with this, the mower 6 is configured to move up and down. That is, when the mower lift arm 70 rotates in the direction of arrow C from the illustrated position, the mower 6 rises, and when it rotates in the direction opposite to arrow C, the mower 6 descends. In the illustrated example, the position of the lift link 71 when the mower 6 reaches the upper limit of the lifting range is indicated by a broken line at the upper limit position Pa, and the position of the lift link 71 when the mower 6 reaches the lower limit of the lifting range is indicated by a broken line at the upper limit position Pa. Note that the lower limit position of the mower 6 is the working position where the mower 6 performs work, and the mower 6 is in a substantially horizontal posture. Further, the upper limit position of the mower 6 is a non-working position (retracted position) where the mower 6 does not perform work, and the mower 6 is in an inclined posture with the tip side bounced upward. By setting it as the non-working position, contact between the mower 6 and an obstacle is preferably avoided.

[0031] The end of the inner wire 66b extending further from the outer wire 66a supported by the support piece 68a of the bracket 68 is connected to the tip of the mower lift arm 70. The base of the lift arm 70 is fixed to the rear end of the lift link 71 for raising and lowering the mower, and the rotation center axis 71a of the lift arm 70 and the lift link 71 is supported by a vertical arm 2c whose lower end is supported and fixed to a part 2b of the traveling body 2, and the upper end of the vertical arm 2c is supported and fixed to the side surface of the traveling body 2.

[0032] As the horizontal shaft 2a of the hydraulic cylinder 78 expands and contracts in the front-rear direction with the horizontal shaft 2a as a fulcrum, the traveling body 2, the front end of the bracket 68 integrated with the horizontally rotatably attached horizontal shaft 2a rotates up and down and the lift link 71 rotates up and down around the rotation fulcrum 71a at the rear end of the lift link 71 For example, when the mower lift arm 70 rotates in the direction of arrow D from the illustrated position, the wire 66 is configured to be pulled.

[0033] Note that an upper limit limit switch (upper limit position detection member) S3 for detecting that the mower 6 has reached the upper limit of the lifting range by contacting the lift link 71 is provided at an appropriate position of the traveling body 2 at the upper limit position Pa which is the upper limit position of the lifting range of the mower 6. Further, a lower limit limit switch (lower limit position detection member) S4 for detecting that the mower 6 has reached the lower limit of the lifting range by contacting the lift link 71 is provided at an appropriate position of a part 2b of the traveling body 2 at the lower limit position which is the lower limit position of the lifting range of the mower 6. Also, a wire type displacement sensor (height position detection member of the mower 6) S5 is provided on the wire 66, and by detecting the pulling amount of the wire 66, the height position (vertical position) of the mower 6 can be detected well. This upper limit limit switch (upper limit position detection member) S3, lower limit limit switch (lower limit position detection member) S4, and wire type displacement sensor (height position detection member of the mower 6) S5 function as height position detection means which is means for detecting the height position of the mower 6.

[0034] <3. Control System of Riding Mower 1> Here, with reference to FIG. 8, the control system of the riding mower 1 centered on the control unit 90 will be described. FIG. 8 is a block diagram centered on the control unit 90 of the riding mower 1.

[0035] The control unit 90 can control each part provided in the riding mower 1 by electronic control, and includes a processing unit having a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like. More specifically, it includes an engine ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 91, a traveling system ECU 92, and a working machine system ECU 93. Also, the control unit 90 includes a storage unit 94 in which programs and data for controlling each part are stored. The storage unit 94 is composed of a hard disk, ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like.

[0036] The engine ECU 92 controls the output of the engine 12 and the like, and the traveling system ECU 93 controls the HST 40 and the like to control the overall traveling of the machine body. The work implement system ECU 93 controls the overall driving of the mower 6, controls solenoid valves that turn on and off (on and off) the blower clutch 56A and the mower clutch 56B (see Fig. 5), and controls the lift hydraulic cylinder 78 of the mower 6 to perform lift control of the mower 6.

[0037] Also, various sensors such as a vehicle speed sensor S1, a PTO sensor S2, an upper limit limit switch S3, a lower limit limit switch S4, and a wire type displacement sensor S5, as well as a dial switch 8a, a mower drive switch 8b, and a key switch 8c are connected to the input side of the control unit 90.

[0038] The vehicle speed sensor S1 is for calculating the traveling speed (vehicle speed) of the machine body 2, and derives the measured value of the vehicle speed from the rotational speeds of the front wheels 3L, 3R and the rear wheels 4L, 4R. Thereby, the vehicle speed sensor S1 functions as a traveling detection member that detects the traveling of the riding lawn mower 1 (machine body 2), and the control unit 90 that has acquired the detection result of the vehicle speed sensor S1 can calculate the traveling distance. The PTO sensor S2 detects the rotation of the blower PTO shaft 52A and the mower PTO shaft 28 (see Fig. 5).

[0039] The control unit 90 configured as described above acquires various data in each part, and controls the operations of each part of the machine body based on the data and the results calculated from the data. The control example of the control unit 90 will be described below.

[0040] <4. Control Example 1 of Control Unit 90 (Mower Drive Start Processing)> Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the mower drive start processing by the control unit 90. Here, the mower drive start processing is a process of driving the mower 6 (turning on the mower clutch 56B) from a state where the engine 12 is driving and the mower 6 is stopped (the mower clutch 56B is in the "off" state).

[0041] When the engine 12 is driving and the mower 6 is in a state of being stopped, the control unit 90 starts the mower drive start process. As shown in FIG. 9, in the mower drive start process, first, it is determined whether the mower drive switch 8b has been pressed by the operator (step #1).

[0042] When the mower drive switch 8b is pressed (Y in step #1), it is determined whether the mower 6 is at the lower limit position (whether the position of the lift link 71 is at the upper limit position Pa) (step #2). When the mower 6 is at the lower limit position (Y in step #2), the control unit 90 starts driving the mower 6 (the mower clutch 56B is set to "engaged") (step #3).

[0043] When the mower 6 is not at the lower limit position (N in step #2), the control unit 90 moves the mower 6 to the lower limit position (the position of the lift link 71 is moved to the lower limit position Pb) by controlling the mower lifting hydraulic cylinder 78 (step #4), and returns to step #1.

[0044] According to the above configuration, when the mower 6 is not at the lower limit position and the operator presses the mower drive switch 8b, the mower 6 moves to the lower limit position. Further, when the mower drive switch 8b is pressed again, the mower 6 starts driving. According to this configuration, it is not necessary to perform conventional lever operations or the like, and the mower 6 can be started only by operating the mower drive switch 8b, so the convenience can be improved. Also, since driving the mower 6 is prevented when the mower 6 is rising, breakdown of the mower 6 is prevented and the safety is improved. Further, when the driving of the mower 6 is stopped and a predetermined condition is satisfied, the mower 6 is automatically lifted by the control unit 90 as described later. Thus, the lifting operation of the mower 6 that was conventionally performed by lever operation or the like becomes unnecessary, the convenience can be greatly improved, and the occurrence of human errors related to the lifting operation can be prevented, thereby greatly improving the safety.

[0045] <5. Control Example 2 of Control Unit 90 (Mower Automatic Lifting Process)> Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the mower automatic lifting process by the control unit 90. The mower automatic lifting process is a process that starts when the mower 6 is in the driving state (the mower clutch 56B is "engaged") and automatically raises the height position of the mower 6.

[0046] When the mower 6 is in the driving state (when the mower 6 starts driving), the control unit 90 starts the mower automatic lifting process. As shown in FIG. 9, when the mower automatic lifting process is started, it is determined whether the mower 6 has stopped driving (step #11). If it is determined that the mower 6 has stopped driving (Y in step #11), it is determined whether the height position of the mower 6 is below the set position (it may be below or equal to the set position) (step #12). Here, the set position is the height position of the mower 6 that can be set in advance by the operator through a predetermined operation, is equal to or higher than the lower limit position Pb, and is set below the upper limit position Pa. It may be set to the lower limit position Pb. Note that the information related to the set position is stored in the storage unit 94.

[0047] If it is determined that the height position of the mower 6 is below the set position (Y in step #12), the counting of the stop time of the mower 6 is started (step #13), and the counting of the travel distance of the riding lawn mower 1 is started (step #14). Here, the travel distance may be calculated by multiplying the detected value of the vehicle speed sensor S1 by time, or the vehicle speed may be calculated considering the gear ratio and tire diameter.

[0048] Subsequently, it is determined whether the mower 6 has been driven (step #15). If the mower 6 has not been driven (N in step #15), it is determined whether the mower 6 has been moved to a height equal to or greater than the set position (step #16). If the mower 6 has not been moved to a height equal to or greater than the set position (N in step #16), it is determined whether the count of the stop time is equal to or greater than the set time (step #17), and it is determined whether the count of the travel distance is equal to or greater than the set distance (step #18). Here, the set values of the set time and the set distance can be set in advance by the operator, and it is desirable that the set time be set to, for example, 30 seconds and the set distance be set to, for example, about 3 m (meters). Note that the information related to the set time and the set distance is stored in the storage unit 94.

[0049] Here, if the mower 6 has been driven (Y in step #15) or if the mower 6 has been moved above the set position (Y in step #16), the counts of the stop time and the travel distance are reset, and the process returns to step #11.

[0050] If the count of the stop time is less than the set time (N in step #16) and the count of the travel distance is also less than the set distance (N in step #17), the process returns to step #15.

[0051] On the other hand, if the count of the stop time becomes equal to or greater than the set time (Y in step #16) or if the count of the travel distance becomes equal to or greater than the set distance (Y in step #17), the control unit 90 raises the height position of the mower 6 by controlling the mower lifting hydraulic cylinder 78 (step #19). Here, it is desirable that the height position of the mower 6 to be raised is configured to be raised to the upper limit position Pa which is the non-working position, but it may also be configured such that the operator can set in advance the desired height position during raising. When the height position of the mower 6 is raised, the counts of the stop time and the travel distance are reset (step #20), and the process ends.

[0052] According to the above configuration, when the mower 6 stops driving and a predetermined set time elapses in the state where the mower 6 has descended (working position), or when the riding lawn mower 1 travels a distance equal to or greater than a predetermined set distance, the control unit 90 automatically raises the mower 6. As a result, it is possible to effectively prevent a situation where the operator forgets and the mower 6 is driven while being lowered during non-working hours. As a result, it is possible to prevent the mower 6 from coming into contact with obstacles or steps, and the safety during moving travel without grass cutting work can also be improved. In addition, since the operator is saved the trouble of manually raising the mower 6 each time work is completed, convenience can be greatly improved. Note that since the mower lift hydraulic cylinder 78 is controlled to automatically raise the mower 6 when a predetermined time has elapsed, the mower 6 can be automatically raised when the operator leaves the seat, thereby improving safety.

[0053] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. The present invention is not limited only to the aspects of the above-described embodiments. Needless to say, it can be appropriately changed within the scope of the technical idea.

[0054] For example, in the mower automatic lift process by the control unit 90 shown in FIG. 10, the driving stop time of the mower 6 and the travel distance of the riding lawn mower 1 are adopted as conditions for raising the mower 6. However, it is also possible to configure to adopt only one of the conditions. In order to reflect the needs of the operator, it is also possible to configure such that the operator can preset whether to adopt the conditions related to the driving stop time of the mower 6 and the travel distance of the riding lawn mower 1 before the start of work (that is, for example, in the flowchart of FIG. 10, a configuration in which step #13 and step #17 are omitted, a configuration in which step #14 and step #18 are omitted, or whether to omit them can be appropriately selected and set).

[0055] Also, for example, in the mower automatic raising process, as a condition for automatically raising the mower 6, the control unit 90 determines whether the riding lawn mower 1 is running by the vehicle speed sensor S1, and with the mower 6 in a drive-stop state, controls the mower lifting hydraulic cylinder 48 on the condition that the riding lawn mower 1 (traveling body 2) has continued to run for a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds), and is configured to automatically raise the mower 6.

[0056] Note that the determination of whether the traveling body 2 is running may be made by providing an analog-output accelerator pedal sensor to the accelerator pedal 7a and determining that the opening degree of the accelerator pedal 7a has become a certain value or more both in forward and reverse travel.

[0057] The dial switch 8a may be provided so as to be press-operable, and at the height position of the mower 6 to be set, by pressing the dial switch 8a, the height position of the mower 6 can be set in the storage unit 94. At that time, the height position of the mower 6 may be visually displayed on the monitor on the body 2.

Explanation of Signs

[0058] 1 Riding lawn mower 2 Traveling body 2a Horizontal axis 2b Part of the body 2c Vertical arm 3 Front wheel 4 Rear wheel 5 Cutter 6 Mower 6a Mower deck 6b Guide guide part 6c Mower input shaft 6d Mower transmission 7 Floor 8 Steering column 8a Dial switch 8b Mower drive switch 8c Key switch 10 Handle 11 Operator's seat 12 Engine 12a engine output shaft 13 radiator 14 bonnet 15 universal joint shaft 16 collector 17 blower 18 blower case 20 duct 21 shooter 22 fender 23 front wheel drive case 24 transmission case 40 hydrostatic continuously variable transmission (HST) 66 wire 66a outer wire 66b inner wire 68 bracket 70 more lift arm 71 lift link 71a pivot center shaft 72 suspension link 90 control unit

Claims

1. A traveling machine body configured to be able to travel with drive wheels, A mowing device located at the front part of the traveling machine body, A lifting mechanism for lifting the mowing device by the expansion and contraction of a hydraulic cylinder for mower lifting, A traveling detection member for detecting the traveling and speed of the traveling machine body, Height position detection means for detecting the height position of the mowing device, And a control unit for controlling the expansion and contraction of the hydraulic cylinder for mower lifting, The control unit acquires the detection information of the traveling detection member and the detection information of the height position detection means, and when the height position of the mowing device is below a predetermined set position and the traveling machine body travels a predetermined distance in a state where the drive of the mowing device is stopped, the control unit is configured to control the hydraulic cylinder for mower lifting to automatically raise the mowing device. A riding mower characterized by this.

2. The control unit is further configured to control the hydraulic cylinder for mower lifting to automatically raise the mowing device when the height position of the mowing device is below a predetermined set position and a predetermined time has elapsed in a state where the drive of the mowing device is stopped. The riding mower according to Claim 1, characterized by this.

3. Equipped with a drive switch which is a pressing type switch for driving the mowing device, The control unit acquires the operation information of the drive switch, When the drive of the mowing device is stopped and the drive switch is pressed when the mowing device is not in the working position, it controls to move the mowing device to the working position, and also, When the drive of the mowing device is stopped and the drive switch is pressed when the mowing device is in the working position, it controls to start the drive of the mowing device, and also, When the drive switch is pressed while the mowing device is driving, it controls to stop the drive of the mowing device. The riding mower according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized by this.

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