Transplanter

Abstract

To provide a transplanter that enables the seedling supply work to be easily performed.SOLUTION: A transplanter according to an embodiment includes a travel vehicle body, a planting device, a seedling tank, and an auxiliary seedling tank part. The travel vehicle body is capable of traveling across a field. The planting device plants seedlings in the field. The seedling tank is provided on the rear side of the seedling planting device, stores the seedlings, and supplies the stored seedlings to the seedling planting device. The auxiliary seedling tank part is provided on the rear side of the seedling tank, stores the seedlings, and supplies the stored seedlings to the seedling tank. The auxiliary seedling tank part is configured such that a plurality of auxiliary tanks with the same left-right width is arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The seedling tank has the left-right width equal to that of one auxiliary tank, and is movable for the interval equal to the left-right width of the auxiliary tanks in the left-right direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a transplanter.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a transplanter for planting seedlings in a field, a supply device is provided above a seedling tank so that seedlings can be supplied from the seedling tank to a planting device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the conventional transplanter as described above, since it is necessary for an operator to manually supply seedlings to the transplanter, the seedling supply work is complicated.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a transplanter capable of easily performing seedling supply work.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a transplanter (1) according to an embodiment includes a traveling vehicle body (2) capable of traveling in a field (F), a planting device (5) for planting seedlings in the field (F), a seedling tank (22) provided behind the planting device (5) for storing seedlings and supplying the stored seedlings to the planting device (5), and an auxiliary tank unit (23) provided behind the seedling tank (22) for storing seedlings and supplying the stored seedlings to the seedling tank (22). The auxiliary tank unit (23) includes a plurality of auxiliary tanks (231) having the same left-right width (W1) arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The seedling tank (22) has a left-right width (W2) equal to that of one of the auxiliary tanks (231) and is provided so as to be movable in the left-right direction by a distance equal to the left-right width (W1) of the plurality of auxiliary tanks (231).

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the transplanter according to the embodiment, the seedling replenishment work can be easily performed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the transplanter disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by the embodiments shown below.

[0010] <First Embodiment> The transplanter 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing an example of the transplanter 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing an example of the transplanter 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the seedling tank 22 and the auxiliary tank portion 23.

[0011] In some of the figures, a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system including the Z-axis with the vertically upward (upward) direction as the positive direction may be shown. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the positive direction of the X-axis is defined as the left, the negative direction of the X-axis as the right, the positive direction of the Y-axis as the front, the negative direction of the Y-axis as the rear, and the X-axis direction as the left-right direction, the Y-axis direction as the front-rear direction, and the Z-axis direction as the up-down direction.

[0012] Also, hereinafter, the transplanter 1 or the traveling vehicle body 2 described later may be referred to as the "machine body".

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the transplanter 1 travels on a traveling vehicle body 2 having a pair of left and right front wheels 3 and rear wheels 4 and capable of traveling in a field F in response to a manual operation by an operator, and plants seedlings such as vegetables by a planting device 5 having a planting tool 5a.

[0014] On the traveling vehicle body 2, a transmission case (transmission) 6 is provided at the front part of the body, and a drive source 7 such as an engine or an electric motor (hereinafter referred to as the engine) is provided in front of the transmission case 6. The transmission case 6 and the engine 7 are covered by a bonnet 8.

[0015] Axle covers that cover the axles for transmitting driving force to the rear wheels 4 are respectively connected to the rear parts of the vehicle body on both the left and right sides of the transmission case 6. A traveling transmission case 9 for transmitting driving force to the rear wheels 4 is rotatably mounted on the outer end of the axle cover on the outer side of the vehicle body.

[0016] On the traveling vehicle body 2, a transmission case for branching and supplying driving force from the transmission case 6 to the planting device 5 is provided. That is, the planting device 5 is operated by the driving force transmitted from the engine 7. Note that the planting device 5 may be operated by an electric motor.

[0017] At the rear part of the traveling vehicle body 2, a steering handle 11 for manual operation is provided. A throttle lever for increasing or decreasing the output of the engine 7 is provided on the steering handle 11. Between the left and right of the steering handle 11, a vehicle height adjustment lever, a main clutch lever, a main shift lever, an engine switch, etc. are provided.

[0018] The vehicle height adjustment lever is a lever for adjusting the vehicle height of the traveling vehicle body 2. The main clutch lever is a lever for turning on and off the transmission of driving force to the left and right traveling transmission cases 9 and the transmission case. The main shift lever is a lever for switching the traveling transmission of the traveling vehicle body 2 to any one of the forward speed, the planting operation, the traveling neutral, and the reverse. The engine switch is a switch for switching the startability of the engine and performing a stop operation.

[0019] Incidentally, the transplanter 1 is provided with a machine body control mechanism. The machine body control mechanism controls the attitude and vehicle height of the transplanter 1 (traveling vehicle body 2). The machine body control mechanism is provided with a hydraulic lifting cylinder that raises and lowers the traveling vehicle body 2 by the up and down movement of the rear wheels 4 between the traveling vehicle body 2 and the traveling transmission case 9, and a horizontal hydraulic cylinder that tilts the traveling vehicle body 2 to the left and right. When the hydraulic lifting cylinder expands and contracts, the left and right rear wheels 4 move up and down with respect to the traveling vehicle body 2 in the same direction and by the same amount, and the traveling vehicle body 2 rises and falls.

[0020] Also, for example, a pendulum-type left and right inclination sensor is provided on the right side of the transmission case 6. By the detection of the left and right inclination sensor, the horizontal hydraulic cylinder operates to move only the left rear wheel 4 up and down, so that the traveling vehicle body 2 can be maintained horizontally regardless of the unevenness of the trough of the ridge.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the transplanter 1 includes a take-out device 21, a seedling tank 22, and an auxiliary tank section 23. The take-out device 21 takes out seedlings from the seedling tank 22 described later and supplies the seedlings taken out to the planters 5a of the planting device 5. The seedling tank 22 is provided behind the planting device 5. The seedling tank 22 stores seedlings. The seedling tank 22 is provided at the upper rear of the take-out device 21. The seedling tank 22 supplies the stored seedlings to the planting device 5.

[0022] In the transplanter 1, the take-out device 21 and the seedling tank 22 constitute a fully automatic supply device that sequentially takes out seedlings from the tray 221 of the seedling tank 22 by the take-out device 21 and supplies them to the planters 5a.

[0023] The auxiliary tank section 23 is provided at the upper rear of the seedling tank 22. The auxiliary tank section 23 stores seedlings. The auxiliary tank section 23 supplies the stored seedlings to the seedling tank 22. The auxiliary tank section 23 has a vertical step S between it and the seedling tank 22. The auxiliary tank section 23 includes a plurality of auxiliary tanks 231. The plurality of auxiliary tanks 231 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction in the direction of the seedling tank 22. The plurality of auxiliary tanks 231 are all formed with the same left-right width W1.

[0024] The auxiliary tank 231 is provided with a first conveyor belt 232. The first conveyor belt is, for example, an endless belt conveyor, and conveys the seedlings in the first supply direction D1 (see FIG. 3) in the seedling supply path. By supplying the seedlings to the seedling tank 22 by the first conveyor belt 232, the time required for supplying the seedlings to the seedling tank 22 can be shortened. Note that the auxiliary tank 231 is supported by a support portion extending from a frame different from the seedling tank 22.

[0025] The seedling tank 22 is formed with a left - right width W2 equal to the left - right width W1 of one auxiliary tank 231. The seedling tank 22 is provided so as to be movable at intervals equal to the left - right width W1 of a plurality of auxiliary tanks 231 in the left - right direction. In the present embodiment, the auxiliary tank portion 23 includes two auxiliary tanks 231. The seedling tank 22 moves in the left - right direction between the two auxiliary tanks 231. Note that the number of the auxiliary tanks 231 is not limited to two, and may be, for example, three or more.

[0026] According to such a configuration, by providing a plurality of auxiliary tanks 231 with a left - right width W1 equal to the left - right width W2 of the seedling tank 22, a large amount of seedlings can be loaded into the transplanter 1 at one time. Thereby, the number of times of replenishing the seedlings to the transplanter 1 can be reduced, and the seedling replenishing work becomes easy.

[0027] Further, the transplanter 1 is provided with a seedling shortage detection unit 24. The seedling shortage detection unit 24 detects the shortage of seedlings in the seedling tank 22. The seedling shortage detection unit 24 is provided, for example, on the outer portion of the seedling tank 22. When the seedling shortage detection unit 24 detects the shortage of seedlings and the left - right width W2 matches the left - right width W1 of one auxiliary tank 231, the seedlings in the auxiliary tank 231 are supplied by the conveyance of the first conveyor belt 232.

[0028] In addition, protrusions are provided on the seedling conveying surface 232a of the first conveying belt 232. A plurality of protrusions are provided on the conveying surface 232a. In this way, by providing protrusions on the conveying surface 232a of the first conveying belt 232, it is possible to prevent the seedlings from sliding down from the conveying surface 232a downward due to vibrations of the machine or the like. Note that, for example, a stopper for restricting the movement of the seedlings may be provided on the conveying surface 232a of the first conveying belt 232. Even with such a stopper, it is possible to prevent the seedlings from above from sliding down from the conveying surface 232a.

[0029] According to such a configuration, the supply of seedlings from the auxiliary tank 231 to the seedling tank 22 can be automated. In addition, the seedlings can be accurately supplied from the auxiliary tank 231 to the seedling tank 22.

[0030] <Second Embodiment> The transplanter 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 5. FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing an example of the transplanter 1 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view showing an example of the transplanter 1 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 5.

[0031] Note that the second embodiment described below differs in configuration from the above-described first embodiment in the seedling supply mechanism. In addition, in the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the same or equivalent parts as those in the first embodiment, and the description of the same or equivalent parts as those in the first embodiment may be omitted.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the seedling tank 22 is provided behind the planting device 5. The seedling tank 22 stores the seedlings. The seedling tank 22 is provided at the upper rear of the taking-out device 21. The seedling tank 22 supplies the stored seedlings to the planting device 5. In the transplanter 1, the taking-out device 21 and the seedling tank 22 constitute a fully automatic supply device that sequentially takes out seedlings from the tray 221 of the seedling tank 22 by the taking-out device 21 and supplies them to the planting tool 5a.

[0033] The auxiliary tank section 23 is provided on either the left or right side and at the rear of the seedling tank 22. The auxiliary tank section 23 stores the seedlings. The auxiliary tank section 23 supplies the seedlings stored in it to the seedling tank 22. The auxiliary tank section 23 includes an auxiliary tank 231. The auxiliary tank 231 is arranged behind the seedling frame 25, which will be described later.

[0034] The auxiliary tank 231 is provided with a switchback section 233 in the seedling supply path. The switchback section 233 is driven by an electric roller 234 and conveys the seedlings in a predetermined supply direction. The switchback section 233 switches the supply direction of the seedlings to either the forward direction or the direction opposite to the forward direction by changing the rotation of the electric roller 234.

[0035] When the supply direction of the seedlings is switched by the switchback section 233, the seedlings are conveyed rearward when being supplied from the seedling frame 25, and are conveyed forward when supplying the seedlings from the auxiliary tank 231 to the seedling tank 22. In this way, the direction of moving the seedlings can be switched according to the supply direction of the seedlings.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the transplanter 1 further includes a seedling frame 25 and a transfer section 26. The seedling frame 25 supplies the seedlings to the auxiliary tank section 23. The seedling frame 25 is provided at the upper front of the auxiliary tank section 23. A plurality of the seedling frames 25 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction. That is, the seedling frame 25 is composed of multiple stages. In the present embodiment, the seedling frame 25 is composed of two stages. Note that the seedling frame 25 is not limited to two stages and may be composed of three or more stages.

[0037] The seedling frame 25 includes a second conveyor belt 251. The second conveyor belt 251 is, for example, an endless belt conveyor and conveys the seedlings in the second supply direction D2 in the seedling supply path. By supplying the seedlings to the auxiliary tank 231 by the second conveyor belt 251, the time required for supplying the seedlings to the auxiliary tank 231 can be shortened.

[0038] The auxiliary tank section 23 has a step S that is lower than the seedling supply path of the seedling frame 25 between it and the seedling frame 25. Also, the auxiliary tank section 23 has a step S that becomes lower from the upstream side to the downstream side in the seedling supply direction. That is, the auxiliary tank section 23 has a vertical step S between it and the seedling tank 22.

[0039] According to such a configuration, since seedlings can be stored in the seedling frame 25, a large amount of seedlings can be loaded into the transplanter 1 at one time. Thereby, the number of times of replenishing seedlings to the transplanter 1 can be reduced, and the seedling replenishment work becomes easier. Also, by arranging them stepwise so as to become lower from the seedling frame 25 to the auxiliary tank 231, the seedlings are automatically conveyed from the seedling frame 25 to the auxiliary tank 231. Thereby, the supply of seedlings can be automated.

[0040] The transfer section 26 is provided below the auxiliary tank 231. The transfer section 26 connects between the auxiliary tank 231 and the seedling tank 22. By providing the transfer section 26, the seedling supply path from the seedling frame 25 is configured to become successively lower from the uppermost seedling frame 25 through the auxiliary tank 231 to the seedling tank 22. As shown in FIG. 6, the transfer section 26 is arranged to be lower than the auxiliary tank 231 and higher than the seedling tank 22.

[0041] According to such a configuration, by successively lowering in correspondence with the seedling supply direction, the seedlings are automatically conveyed from the seedling frame 25 through the auxiliary tank 231 to the seedling tank 22. Thereby, the supply of seedlings can be automated.

[0042] Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the seedling frame 25 is provided with guides (upper guide 252a, lower guide 252b) at the end on the auxiliary tank section 23 side, that is, the downstream end in the second supply direction D2. Among these, the lower guide 252b of the lower seedling frame 25 is provided such that the tip side can swing in the vertical direction. The lower guide 252b swings downward due to the weight of the seedlings when seedlings are supplied from the seedling frame 25.

[0043] In addition, a fixed guide 27 is provided on the outer side of the auxiliary tank 231. The fixed guide 27 can regulate the seedlings so that the seedlings supplied to the auxiliary tank 231 do not deviate from the supply path.

[0044] <Battery housing structure> The battery housing structure will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the battery housing structure.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 7, the transplanter 1 includes a battery housing portion 30 (30A, 30B). The battery housing portion 30A according to the first example is provided below the seedling tank 22. The battery housing portion 30A is provided between the seedling tank 22 and the operation frame 12. In the battery housing portion 30A, the battery 31 is disposed above the empty tray discharge. Note that in the battery housing portion 30A, the battery 31 may be disposed below the empty tray discharge.

[0046] In addition, in the battery housing portion 30A, the outlet of the battery 31 is open upward. Also, in the battery housing portion 30A, the outlet of the battery 31 is open rearward.

[0047] Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the battery housing portion 30B according to the second example is provided at an intermediate position in the front-rear direction of the traveling vehicle body 2. The battery housing portion 30B is provided above the hydraulic lifting cylinder 13.

[0048] Also, in the battery housing portion 30B as well, the outlet of the battery 31 is open upward. Also, in the battery housing portion 30B as well, the outlet of the battery 31 is open rearward. Note that in the transplanter 1, at least one of the first example and the second example is provided.

[0049] <Modified example of seedling supply mechanism> Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a modified example of the seedling supply mechanism will be described. FIGS. 8 and 9 are explanatory views of a modified example of the seedling supply mechanism. Note that FIG. 8 shows a schematic side view of the modified example of the seedling supply mechanism. Also, FIG. 9 shows a schematic plan view of the modified example of the seedling supply mechanism.

[0050] The transplanter 1 (see FIG. 1) includes a supply device 40 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 above the machine body. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the supply device 40 supplies long seedlings PL such as eggplants to the planting device 5 (see FIG. 1), for example. The supply device 40 includes a conveyor belt 41, rollers 42, a partition member 43, a sorting table 44, and a plate member 45.

[0051] The conveyor belt 41 is wound around a plurality (four) of rollers 42. The conveyor belt 41 circulates in a rotary manner. The rollers 42 include a large roller 42a and a small roller 42b. A plurality of holding members 411 for holding the seedlings PL are provided at equal intervals on the surface 41a that serves as the conveying surface of the seedlings PL of the conveyor belt 41. Also, holes are formed in the surface 41a of the conveyor belt 41 for the partition member 43 described later to protrude.

[0052] The partition member 43 is provided on the back surface 41b of the conveyor belt 41. The partition member 43 protrudes from the surface 41a of the conveyor belt 41 through the holes of the conveyor belt 41 by being pushed by the plate member 45 described later.

[0053] The sorting table 44 is provided upstream of the supply device 40. The sorting table 44 is provided above the conveyor belt 41 upstream of the supply device 40. Note that the surface of the sorting table 44 is flocked. Therefore, it is easy for an operator to sort the seedlings PL.

[0054] The plate member 45 is provided on the back surface 41b of the conveyor belt 41. The plate member 45 has an inclined surface 451 that slopes downward upstream of the supply device 40.

[0055] In the supply device 40, an operator takes out the seedling PL from the storage part 46 such as a cage in which the seedling PL is stored, and places it on the sorting table 44. When the seedling PL is placed by the operator, the supply device 40 allows the operator to lightly brush the seedling PL and flow it downstream, where it is taken over by the conveyor belt 41 and conveyed by the conveyor belt 41.

[0056] Pushed up by the inclined surface 451 of the plate member 45 and partitioned by the partition member 43 protruding from the surface 41a of the conveyor belt 41 for each seedling PL, the seedling PL is held by the holding member 411. As the conveyor belt circulates, the seedling PL is conveyed to a predetermined receiving position.

[0057] <Parking brake mechanism> The parking brake mechanism 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12. FIGS. 10 to 12 are explanatory views of the parking brake mechanism 50. Note that FIGS. 10 to 12 respectively show perspectives of the parking brake mechanism 50.

[0058] The parking brake mechanism 50 operates the parking brake in the transplanter 1. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the parking brake mechanism 50 is provided, for example, on the axle of the rear wheel 4 (see FIG. 1). The parking brake mechanism 50 includes an arm 51, a pin 52, and a cam 53. The arm 51 is biased in the opening direction by a biasing member 54 such as a spring.

[0059] The pin 52 is provided at the tip of the arm 51. A plurality (two) of pins 52 are provided. The pin 52 is pressed against a cam 53 described later by the arm 51. By providing the two pins 52 at the tip of the arm 51, they are arranged oppositely. Thereby, since the pin 52 presses the plate of the cam 53 from both sides, an uneven load is less likely to be applied to the axis of the pin 52 during parking braking.

[0060] The cam 53 is provided to face the arm 51 and the pin 52. In the parking brake mechanism 50, the parking brake is actuated by pressing the pin 52 against the cam 53. In this case, by pressing the pin 52 against the cam 53 via the arm 51, the pressing load of the pin 52 can be increased. As a result, a parking brake with strong braking force becomes possible.

[0061] Also, as shown in FIG. 11, the arm 51 is arranged to be line-symmetric with respect to the plate of the cam 53. For this reason, the arm 51 abuts against the cam 53 at line-symmetric positions, and the contact angle of the cam 53 remains the same even when the transplanter 1 moves forward and backward. As a result, the braking force when the transplanter moves forward and backward becomes the same.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 12, the parking brake mechanism 50 includes a cable 55 for actuating the arm 51. A spring 56 is provided on the cable 55. When the spring 56 expands, the cable 55 can release the pin 52 that actuates the parking brake in case of overload.

[0063] According to the above-described embodiments, the following transplanter 1 is realized.

[0064] (1) A transplanter 1 comprising a traveling vehicle body 2 capable of traveling in a field F, a planting device 5 for planting seedlings in the field F, a seedling tank 22 provided behind the planting device 5 for storing seedlings and supplying the stored seedlings to the planting device 5, and an auxiliary tank unit 23 provided behind the seedling tank 22 for storing seedlings and supplying the stored seedlings to the seedling tank 22. The auxiliary tank unit 23 has a plurality of auxiliary tanks 231 of the same left-right width W1 arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The seedling tank 22 has the same left-right width W2 as one auxiliary tank 231 and is provided so as to be movable at intervals equal to the left-right width W1 of the plurality of auxiliary tanks 231 in the left-right direction.

[0065] According to such a transplanter 1, by providing a plurality of auxiliary tanks 231 with a left - right width W1 equivalent to the left - right width W2 of the seedling tank 22, a large amount of seedlings can be loaded onto the transplanter 1 at one time. Thereby, the number of times of replenishing the seedlings to the transplanter 1 can be reduced, and the seedling replenishment work becomes easier.

[0066] (2) In the above (1), a seedling shortage detection unit 24 for detecting a shortage of seedlings in the seedling tank 22 is provided. The auxiliary tank 231 has a first conveyor belt 232 for conveying seedlings in the first supply direction D1 in the seedling supply path. The seedling tank 22 is such that when the seedling shortage detection unit 24 detects a shortage of seedlings and the left - right width W2 matches the left - right width W1 of one auxiliary tank 231, the seedlings in the auxiliary tank 231 are supplied by the first conveyor belt 232. The transplanter 1.

[0067] According to such a transplanter 1, in addition to the effect of the above (1), the supply of seedlings from the auxiliary tank 231 to the seedling tank 22 can be automated. Also, the seedlings can be accurately supplied from the auxiliary tank 231 to the seedling tank 22.

[0068] (3) In the above (2), the first conveyor belt has protrusions on the seedling conveying surface. The transplanter 1.

[0069] According to such a transplanter 1, in addition to the effect of the above (2), it is possible to suppress the seedlings from slipping downward from the conveying surface 232a due to vibrations of the machine or the like.

[0070] (4) A traveling vehicle body 2 capable of traveling in the field F, a planting device 5 for planting seedlings in the field F, a seedling tank 22 provided behind the planting device 5 for storing seedlings and supplying the stored seedlings to the planting device 5, an auxiliary tank unit 23 provided on either the left or right side and behind the seedling tank 22 for storing seedlings and supplying the stored seedlings to the seedling tank 22, and a seedling frame 25 provided in front of the auxiliary tank unit 23 and arranged in a plurality in the vertical direction for supplying seedlings to the auxiliary tank unit 23. The seedling frame 25 has a second conveyor belt 251 for conveying seedlings in the second supply direction D2 in the seedling supply path. The auxiliary tank unit 23 has an auxiliary tank 231 and has a vertical step S between the auxiliary tank 231 and the seedling tank 22. The transplanter 1.

[0071] According to such a transplanter 1, since seedlings can be stored in the seedling frame 25, a large amount of seedlings can be loaded into the transplanter 1 at one time. Thereby, the number of times of replenishing the seedlings to the transplanter 1 can be reduced, and the seedling replenishing work becomes easy. Further, the seedlings are sequentially arranged in steps so as to be lower from the seedling frame 25 to the auxiliary tank 231, and the seedlings are automatically conveyed from the seedling frame 25 to the auxiliary tank 231. Thereby, the supply of seedlings can be automated.

[0072] (5) In the above (4), a transfer portion 26 connecting between the auxiliary tank 231 and the seedling tank 22 is provided, and it is configured to be sequentially lower from the uppermost seedling frame 25 through the auxiliary tank 231 to the seedling tank 22, and the transfer portion 26 is arranged to be lower than the auxiliary tank 231 and higher than the seedling tank 22, the transplanter 1.

[0073] According to such a transplanter 1, in addition to the effect of the above (4), by sequentially lowering so as to correspond to the seedling supply direction, the seedlings are automatically conveyed from the seedling frame 25 through the auxiliary tank 231 to the seedling tank 22. Thereby, the supply of seedlings can be automated.

[0074] Further effects and modifications can be easily derived by those skilled in the art. For this reason, the broader aspects of the present invention are not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments represented and described as above. Therefore, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0075] 1 Transplanter 2 Traveling vehicle body 5 Planting device 22 Seedling tank 23 Auxiliary tank portion 24 Seedling shortage detection unit 25 Seedling frame 231 Auxiliary tank 232 First conveyor belt 251 Second conveyor belt D1 First supply direction D2 Second supply direction F Field S Step W1 Left - right width W2 Left - right width

Claims

1. A traveling vehicle body capable of traveling in a field, A planting device for planting seedlings in a field, A seedling tank provided behind the planting device for storing seedlings and supplying the stored seedlings to the planting device, An auxiliary tank unit provided behind the seedling tank for storing seedlings and supplying the stored seedlings to the seedling tank and comprising In the auxiliary tank unit, a plurality of auxiliary tanks having the same left - right width are arranged side by side in the left - right direction, The seedling tank has the same left - right width as one of the auxiliary tanks and is provided so as to be movable at intervals equal to the left - right width of a plurality of the auxiliary tanks in the left - right direction A transplanter, characterized in that.

2. A seedling shortage detection unit for detecting a shortage of seedlings in the seedling tank and comprising The auxiliary tank has a first conveyor belt for conveying seedlings in a first supply direction in a seedling supply path, When the seedling shortage detection unit detects a shortage of seedlings and the left - right width of the seedling tank matches the left - right width of one of the auxiliary tanks, the seedlings in the auxiliary tank are supplied by the first conveyor belt in the seedling tank The transplanter according to claim 1, characterized in that.

3. The first conveyor belt has protrusions on the seedling conveying surface The transplanter according to claim 2, characterized in that.

4. A traveling vehicle body capable of traveling in a field, A planting device for planting seedlings in a field, A seedling tank provided behind the planting device for storing seedlings and supplying the stored seedlings to the planting device, An auxiliary tank unit provided on either the left or right side and behind the seedling tank for storing seedlings and supplying the stored seedlings to the seedling tank, A seedling frame provided in front of the auxiliary tank unit, arranged in a plurality in the vertical direction, and supplying seedlings to the auxiliary tank unit and comprising The seedling frame has a second conveyor belt for conveying seedlings in a second supply direction in a seedling supply path, The auxiliary tank unit has an auxiliary tank and has a vertical step between the auxiliary tank and the seedling tank A transplanter, characterized in that.

5. A transfer part connecting between the auxiliary tank and the seedling tank and comprising It is configured to become lower in order from the uppermost seedling frame through the auxiliary tank to the seedling tank, The transfer part is arranged to be lower than the auxiliary tank and higher than the seedling tank The transplanter according to claim 4, characterized in that.

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