Sugar cane harvester

Abstract

To lower a center of gravity of a sugar cane harvester by installing a fuel tank at a lower position.SOLUTION: A sugar care harvester comprises: a reaping part 3 that is provided in front of front wheels 1 and reaps crops in a field; and a transport device 4 that is provided between a right rear wheel and left rear wheel 2 along a cross direction and transports the crops reaped by the reaping part 3 backward. A fuel tank 21 is installed on the left or right side of the transport device 4 in plane view, between a right or left front wheel 1 and rear wheel 2. A lower part of a lateral outer part 22 of the fuel tank 21 on a side opposite to the transport device 4 is formed on a tilting surface 29 approaching the transport device 4 toward the lower side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fuel tank configuration in a sugarcane harvester. [Background technology]

[0002] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, some sugarcane harvesters have a reaping unit provided in front of the right and left crawler traveling devices, and a transport device provided between the right and left crawler traveling devices along the front-to-rear direction. As the machine body moves forward, crops in the field are harvested by the reaping unit, and the harvested crops are transported rearward from the reaping unit by the transport device.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, the transport device is provided between the right and left crawler traveling devices, and therefore the fuel tank is provided laterally outward on the right side of the transport device and above the right crawler traveling device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-99314 A (see 67 in Figures 2, 5, and 8) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In Patent Document 1, the fuel tank is provided at a relatively high position above the crawler travelling device, and therefore there is a growing demand for a sugarcane harvester with a lower center of gravity by providing the fuel tank at a lower position.

[0006] The present invention aims to lower the center of gravity of a sugarcane harvester by providing a fuel tank at a low position. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The sugarcane harvester of the present invention is equipped with right and left front wheels for driving, right and left rear wheels for driving, a cutting unit that is located forward of the front wheels and cuts crops in the field, and a transport device that is located between the right and left rear wheels in a front-to-back direction in a plan view and transports the crops cut by the cutting unit rearward, and a fuel tank is located on the right or left side of the transport device, between the right or left front wheel and the rear wheel in a plan view, and the lower part of the outer lateral side of the fuel tank opposite the transport device is formed into an inclined surface that approaches the transport device as it goes downward.

[0008] According to the present invention, right and left front wheels and right and left rear wheels are provided, and the conveying device is arranged in the front-to-back direction between the right and left rear wheels in a plan view, so that a space is likely to occur between the right front wheel and the right rear wheel (between the left front wheel and the left rear wheel). According to the present invention, the fuel tank is provided on the right (left) side of the transport device in a plan view, between the right (left) front and rear wheels, and the fuel tank can be provided at a low position overlapping the right (left) front and rear wheels in a front view, thereby achieving a low center of gravity for the sugarcane harvester.

[0009] According to the present invention, the fuel tank is provided behind the front wheels and in front of the rear wheels. This makes it easier for the front wheels (rear wheels) to avoid contact between the fuel tank and obstacles when the sugarcane harvester moves forward (reverse), thereby preventing damage to the fuel tank.

[0010] In fields where sugarcane is grown, hard anthills can form on the field like small hills. As mentioned above, if the fuel tank is installed at a low position behind the right (left) front wheel, when the right (left) front wheel passes near an anthill, the lower part of the outer side of the fuel tank on the side opposite the conveying device may come into contact with the anthill.

[0011] According to the present invention, the lower part of the outer side of the fuel tank opposite the conveying device is formed as an inclined surface that approaches the conveying device as it goes down, so that even if the right (left) front wheel passes near an anthill, the possibility of the lower part (inclined surface) of the outer side of the fuel tank coming into contact with the anthill is reduced, thereby preventing damage to the fuel tank.

[0012] In the present invention, the cutting unit has right and left screws that separate the crops to be cut from the crops to be left in the field, and it is preferable that the screws are set in an inclined position so that the upper part of the screw is positioned laterally outward than the lower part of the screw when viewed from the front, and that the right or left screw and the inclined surface overlap when viewed from the front.

[0013] According to the present invention, right and left screws are provided in the reaping unit, and the screws are set in an inclined position so that the upper part of the screw is positioned laterally outward relative to the lower part of the screw when viewed from the front. As the sugarcane harvester moves forward, the right (left) screw of the reaping unit pushes the crop to be left in the field laterally outward, separating the crop to be reaped from the crop to be left in the field.

[0014] According to the present invention, the right (left) screw and the lower part (inclined surface) of the lateral outer part of the fuel tank on the opposite side to the conveying device overlap in a front view. This reduces the possibility of the lower lateral outer surface (inclined surface) of the fuel tank coming into contact with the crop as the crop is pushed outward to the side by the right (left) screws of the cutting unit as the sugarcane harvester moves forward, which is advantageous in terms of preventing damage to the fuel tank.

[0015] In the present invention, it is preferable that the outer lateral surface of the fuel tank opposite the conveying device be located closer to the conveying device than the outer lateral surface of the right or left screw in a front view.

[0016] According to the present invention, as the sugarcane harvester moves forward, the crop is pushed outward and tilted by the right (left) screws of the cutting unit, which reduces the possibility that the outer lateral side of the fuel tank opposite the conveying device (the part above the inclined surface) will come into contact with the crop, which is advantageous in terms of preventing damage to the fuel tank.

[0017] In the present invention, it is preferable that the lateral outer surface of the rear wheel is set laterally outward from the lateral outer surface of the front wheel in a plan view, and that the lateral outer surface of the fuel tank on the opposite side from the transporting device is arranged laterally outward from the lateral outer surface of the front wheel in a plan view, and is arranged closer to the transporting device than the lateral outer surface of the rear wheel.

[0018] In order to increase the capacity of the fuel tank while lowering the center of gravity of the sugarcane harvester, it is conceivable to enlarge the fuel tank laterally and outward. However, if the fuel tank protrudes significantly outward laterally, the lower portion of the outer lateral portion of the fuel tank opposite the conveying device is likely to come into contact with the anthill.

[0019] According to the present invention, the lateral outer side of the fuel tank opposite to the transfer device protrudes laterally outward from the front wheels, but does not protrude laterally outward from the rear wheels. In this configuration, the lower part of the outer lateral side of the fuel tank opposite the conveying device is formed as an inclined surface, thereby increasing the capacity of the fuel tank while reducing the possibility of the lower part (inclined surface) of the outer lateral side of the fuel tank coming into contact with an anthill.

[0020] In the present invention, it is preferable that a front wheel guard is provided laterally outward of the front wheel, and the lower end of the fuel tank is located lower than the lower end of the front wheel guard.

[0021] In order to increase the capacity of the fuel tank while lowering the center of gravity of the sugarcane harvester, it is conceivable to locate the bottom end of the fuel tank at a low position. However, if the bottom end of the fuel tank is located at a low position, there is a high possibility that the lower part of the outer lateral side of the fuel tank opposite the conveying device will come into contact with the anthill.

[0022] According to the present invention, the front wheel guard is provided laterally outward of the front wheel, and the lower end of the fuel tank is provided at a position lower than the lower end of the front wheel guard. In this configuration, the lower part of the outer lateral side of the fuel tank opposite the conveying device is formed as an inclined surface, thereby increasing the capacity of the fuel tank while reducing the possibility of the lower part (inclined surface) of the outer lateral side of the fuel tank coming into contact with an anthill.

[0023] If the front wheels of the sugarcane harvester fall into a depression in the ground while moving forward, there is a concern that the fuel tank may come into contact with the ground. According to the present invention, if the front wheel falls into a depression in the ground when the sugarcane harvester is moving forward, the front wheel guard is likely to come into contact with the ground before the fuel tank, making it easier to avoid contact between the fuel tank and the ground, and even if the fuel tank does come into contact with the ground, the impact of the contact is reduced by the front wheel guard, which is advantageous in terms of preventing damage to the fuel tank.

[0024] In the present invention, it is preferable that the lower end of the front wheel guard is located at a position higher than the center of rotation of the front wheel, and the lower end of the fuel tank is located at a position higher than the center of rotation of the front wheel.

[0025] According to the present invention, when the lower end of the front wheel guard is positioned higher than the center of rotation of the front wheel, the lower end of the fuel tank is positioned lower than the lower end of the front wheel guard and higher than the center of rotation of the front wheel. This prevents the lower end of the fuel tank from being positioned lower than necessary, which is advantageous in terms of increasing the capacity of the fuel tank while reducing the possibility of the lower part (inclined surface) of the fuel tank coming into contact with an anthill.

[0026] In the present invention, it is preferable that a front wheel guard is provided laterally outward of the front wheel, and the upper end of the inclined surface is provided at a position higher than the lower end of the front wheel guard.

[0027] According to the present invention, a front wheel guard is provided laterally outward of the front wheel, and the upper end of the inclined surface at the lower outer lateral side of the fuel tank opposite the transporting device is provided at a position higher than the lower end of the front wheel guard. This creates a sloped surface over a relatively wide area, reducing the possibility that the lower outer lateral portion (slope) of the fuel tank will come into contact with crops, which is advantageous in terms of preventing damage to the fuel tank.

[0028] If the front wheels of the sugarcane harvester fall into a depression in the ground while moving forward, there is a concern that the fuel tank may come into contact with the ground. According to the present invention, if the front wheel falls into a depression in the ground when the sugarcane harvester is moving forward, the front wheel guard is likely to come into contact with the ground before the fuel tank, making it easier to avoid contact between the fuel tank and the ground, and even if the fuel tank does come into contact with the ground, the impact of the contact is reduced by the front wheel guard, which is advantageous in terms of preventing damage to the fuel tank.

[0029] In the present invention, it is preferable that a lower end portion of the front wheel guard is provided at a position higher than the center of rotation of the front wheel.

[0030] According to the present invention, the lower end of the front wheel guard is located at a position higher than the center of rotation of the front wheel, and the inclined surfaces on the lateral exterior of the fuel tank are formed downward from a position higher than the lower end of the front wheel guard, which is advantageous in that the inclined surfaces of the fuel tank can be formed over a relatively wide range, and is advantageous in preventing damage to the fuel tank.

[0031] In the present invention, it is preferable that an upper end of the inclined surface is located at a position lower than an upper end of the front wheel.

[0032] As mentioned above, by setting the upper end of the inclined surface on the lateral exterior of the fuel tank at a high position, it is advantageous in that the inclined surface can be formed over a relatively wide range, but it is disadvantageous in terms of ensuring the capacity of the fuel tank.

[0033] According to the present invention, the upper end of the inclined surface on the lateral exterior of the fuel tank is located higher than the lower end of the front wheel guard and lower than the upper end of the front wheel. This prevents the inclined surfaces on the outer sides of the fuel tank from being formed over an area wider than necessary, which is advantageous in terms of ensuring the capacity of the fuel tank while reducing the possibility that the lower parts (inclined surfaces) of the outer sides of the fuel tank will come into contact with an anthill.

[0034] In the present invention, it is preferable that the vehicle is provided with a driving section provided above the front wheels, and a step for getting on and off provided on the fuel tank side of the right or left part of the lower part of the driving section, and that a fuel filler port provided on the top of the fuel tank is provided below the step.

[0035] According to the present invention, the driver's section is provided above the front wheels, and steps for getting on and off are provided below the driver's section. According to the present invention, the fuel tank filler opening is provided below the step, and the step functions as a roof for the fuel tank filler opening, so that when refueling during rainfall, rainwater can be prevented from entering the inside of the fuel tank through the fuel tank filler opening. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0036] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the sugarcane harvester. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a front view of a sugarcane harvester. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6]FIG. 2 is a side view of the vicinity of the cover at the upper end of the exhaust pipe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] Figures 1 to 6 show a sugarcane harvester, and in Figures 1 to 6, F indicates the forward direction, B indicates the backward direction, U indicates the upward direction, D indicates the downward direction, R indicates the rightward direction, and L indicates the leftward direction.

[0038] (Overall configuration of sugarcane harvester) As shown in FIG. 1, a reaping unit 3 and a transport device 4 are connected to form a machine body 5, and the transport device 4 extends obliquely upward and rearward from the rear of the reaping unit 3.

[0039] Right and left front wheels 1 are attached to the right and left parts of the reaping unit 3, and the reaping unit 3 extends forward of the front wheels 1. Right and left rear wheels 2 are provided at the bottom of the rear part of the transport device 4, and the transport device 4 is provided along the front-to-rear direction between the right and left rear wheels 2 in a plan view. The front wheels 1 and rear wheels 2 support the machine body 5.

[0040] The driving unit 6 is provided above the reaping unit 3, and the sorting device 7 is connected to the rear of the transport device 4. The storage unit 8 is provided below the sorting device 7, and the transport device 9 extends diagonally upward and rearward from the storage unit 8.

[0041] (Configuration of the harvesting section) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the reaping unit 3 has right and left screws 10, right and left screws 11, a cutting device 12, an upper cutting device 13, and the like. The cutting device 12 is provided at the lower rear part of the reaping unit 3. The upper cutting device 13 is provided so as to be located above and in front of the reaping unit 3.

[0042] The screws 10, 11 are configured with a spiral body attached to the outer periphery of an elongated cylindrical main body, and are provided on the right and left front parts of the cutting part 3, and are driven to rotate around axes P1, P2 along the main body.

[0043] The screw 10 is set in an inclined position in which the upper part of the screw 10 is located further rearward than the lower part of the screw 10 when viewed from the side, and is set in a position close to vertical when viewed from the front. The screw 11 is set in an inclined position in which the upper part of the screw 11 is located further rearward than the lower part of the screw 11 when viewed from the side, and in which the upper part of the screw 11 is set in an inclined position in which the lower part of the screw 11 is located laterally outward to the right (left) when viewed from the front.

[0044] (Sugarcane harvester in operation) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, as the machine body 5 moves forward, the right and left screws 10, 11 separate the crops to be cut from the crops to be left in the field, while the upper leaves of the crops to be cut are cut by the upper cutting device 13, and the crops to be cut are introduced between the right and left screws 10, 11.

[0045] The crop introduced between the right and left screws 10, 11 is turned forward, and the base of the plant is cut by the cutting device 12, and the crop is supplied from the base to the conveying device 4. The crop supplied to the conveying device 4 is transported diagonally backward along the conveying device 4, and is supplied to the top of the sorting device 7 while being cut to a predetermined length at the rear end of the conveying device 4.

[0046] Crops supplied to the top of the sorting device 7 fall into the storage section 8 below. A sorting fan (not shown) is provided at the top of the sorting device 7, and the sorting fan generates a sorting wind directed upward inside the sorting device 7. While the crops fall into the storage section 8 below, impurities are separated by the sorting wind and discharged from the discharge outlet 14 at the top of the sorting device 7. The crops that have fallen into the storage section 8 are transported diagonally upward by the transport device 9, and are supplied from the end of the transport device 9 to the loading platform of a transport vehicle such as a truck that accompanies the sugarcane harvester.

[0047] (Correspondence to claims regarding the overall configuration of the sugarcane harvester) With the above configuration, the vehicle is provided with right and left front wheels 1 for traveling and right and left rear wheels 2 for traveling. A reaping unit 3 is provided in front of the front wheels 1 and is used to reap crops in the field. A conveying device 4 is provided along the front-to-rear direction between the right and left rear wheels 2 in a plan view, and conveys crops cut by the cutting unit 3 rearward.

[0048] The reaping unit 3 has right and left screws 10 and 11 that separate the crops to be reaped from the crops to be left in the field. The screw 11 is set in an inclined position such that the upper part of the screw 11 is positioned laterally outward of the lower part of the screw 11 when viewed from the front.

[0049] (Configuration of the driving section and guard) As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, the driving unit 6 is provided on the upper part of the reaping unit 3, above the front wheels 1. Right and left steps 15 for getting on and off are provided on the lower right and left parts of the driving unit 6, above the front wheels 1.

[0050] As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, the right and left guards 16 (corresponding to the front wheel guards) are connected in the front-to-rear direction between the right (left) part of the cutting unit 3 and the right (left) part of the lower frame (not shown) of the conveying device 4.

[0051] The right and left front wheel guards 17 are connected across the front portion of the right (left) guard 16 and the right portion (left portion) of the cutting unit 3, and are provided below the guard 16. In this case, the front portion of the guard 16 and the front wheel guard 17 form the front wheel guard, and the front wheel guard 17 forms the lower end portion of the front portion of the guard 16 and the front wheel guard 17.

[0052] The right and left frames 18 are connected across the front of the right (left) guard 16 and the rear of the right (left) step 15. The right and left frames 19 are connected across the right (left) frame 18 and the front of the right (left) step 15. The front part of the guard 16, the front wheel guard 17 and the frame 19 are also used as foot rests for getting on and off the vehicle.

[0053] The guard 16 is provided laterally outward to the right of the right (left) outer lateral surface 1a of the front wheel 1, and laterally outward to the right (left) of the right (left) outer lateral surface 2a of the rear wheel 2, and is provided at a position higher than the upper end 1c of the front wheel 1.

[0054] The front wheel guard 17 is located to the right of the right (left) outer lateral side 1a of the front wheel 1, at a position lower than the upper end 1c of the front wheel 1, and at a position higher than the axle 1d (corresponding to the center of rotation) of the front wheel 1.

[0055] The right and left rear wheel guards 20 are connected to the rear of the right (left) guard 16 along the front-to-rear direction, and are provided above and below the guard 16. The lower rear wheel guard 20 is provided at the same height as the front wheel guard 17. The rear wheel guard 20 is provided laterally outward to the right (left) of the right (left) outer lateral surface 2a of the rear wheel 2.

[0056] (Correspondence to claims regarding the configuration of the driver and guard) With the above-mentioned configuration, a driving section 6 is provided above the front wheels 1. A front wheel guard (guard 16 and front wheel guard 17) is provided laterally outward of the front wheel 1. The lower end portion (front wheel guard 17) of the front wheel guard (guard 16 and front wheel guard 17) is provided at a position higher than the rotation center of the front wheel 1 (axle 1d).

[0057] (Fuel tank configuration) 2, 3, and 4, the fuel tank 21 is provided between the right front wheel 1 and the right rear wheel 2, between the right part of the front part of the transport device 4 (rear part of the reaping unit 3) and the right guard 16. The fuel tank 21 is provided forward of the center between the right front wheel 1 and the right rear wheel 2 (closer to the right front wheel 1).

[0058] Fuel tank 21 is formed in a box shape and includes a lateral outer portion 22, a lateral inner portion 23, a ceiling portion 24, a bottom portion 25 (corresponding to the lower end portion), a front portion 26, a rear portion 27, and a fuel filler port 28. The lateral outer portion 22 of fuel tank 21 is located on the opposite side from the front portion of transport device 4 (rear portion of reaping unit 3), and the lateral inner portion 23 of fuel tank 21 is located on the side of the front portion of transport device 4 (rear portion of reaping unit 3).

[0059] The lower part of the outer lateral surface 22 of the fuel tank 21 is formed as an inclined surface 29 that approaches the front part of the conveying device 4 (the rear part of the reaping unit 3) as it goes downward. A fuel filler opening 28 is provided on the right side of the front part of the ceiling portion 24 of the fuel tank 21.

[0060] (Correspondence to claims regarding fuel tank configuration) With the above-described configuration, the fuel tank 21 is provided between the right or left front wheel 1 and the rear wheel 2 on the right or left side of the transport device 4 in a plan view. The lower part of the lateral outer part 22 of the fuel tank 21 on the side opposite to the transfer device 4 is formed as an inclined surface 29 that approaches the transfer device 4 as it goes downward.

[0061] (Fuel tank and relative positions of each part) - 1 2, 3, and 4, the rear wheels 2 have a larger diameter and a larger width than the front wheels 1. The outer lateral surface 2a of the rear wheels 2 is located laterally outward to the right (left) of the outer lateral surface 1a of the front wheels 1 in plan and front views. The inner lateral surface 2b of the rear wheels 2 is located closer to the reaping unit 3 and the transport device 4 than the inner lateral surface 1b of the front wheels 1 in plan and front views.

[0062] 4, in a plan view, it is assumed that an imaginary line L11 extends in the longitudinal direction from the outer lateral surface 1a of the right front wheel 1. It is assumed that an imaginary line L12 extends in the longitudinal direction from the inner lateral surface 1b of the right front wheel 1. In a plan view, it is assumed that an imaginary line L21 extends in the longitudinal direction from the outer lateral surface 2a of the right rear wheel 2. It is assumed that an imaginary line L22 extends in the longitudinal direction from the inner lateral surface 2b of the right rear wheel 2.

[0063] The lateral outer portion 22 of the fuel tank 21 is located laterally outward to the right of the imaginary line L11 (lateral outer portion 1a of the right front wheel 1), and is located closer to the front right part of the conveying device 4 (rear right part of the cutting unit 3) than the imaginary line L21 (lateral outer portion 2a of the right rear wheel 2).

[0064] In a plan view, the lateral interior 23 of the fuel tank 21 is located closer to the front right part of the conveying device 4 (the rear right part of the cutting unit 3) than the imaginary line L12 (the lateral interior 1b of the right front wheel 1), and is located at approximately the same position as the imaginary line L22 (the lateral interior 2b of the right rear wheel 2).

[0065] In a plan view, the fuel filler opening 28 of the fuel tank 21 is located at approximately the same position as the imaginary line L11 (the outer lateral side 1a of the right front wheel 1), and is located below the step 15 on the right side of the driver's section 6, as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0066] (Fuel tank and relative positions of each part) - 2 As shown in Fig. 3, in a side view, it is assumed that an imaginary line L13 extends in the longitudinal direction from the upper end 1c of the right front wheel 1. It is assumed that an imaginary line L14 extends in the longitudinal direction from the axle 1d of the right front wheel 1. It is assumed that an imaginary line L23 extends in the longitudinal direction from the upper end 2c of the right rear wheel 2.

[0067] In a side view, it is assumed that an imaginary line L31 extends in the front-to-rear direction from the right front wheel guard 17 and the lower right rear wheel guard 20. In this case, the imaginary line L31 (the right front wheel guard 17 and the lower right rear wheel guard 20) is located at a position lower than the imaginary line L13 (the upper end portion 1c of the right front wheel 1) and at a position higher than the imaginary line L14 (the axle 1d of the right front wheel 1).

[0068] In a side view, the ceiling portion 24 of the fuel tank 21 is located at a position lower than the imaginary line L23 (the upper end portion 2c of the right rear wheel 2) and higher than the guard 16 and the imaginary line L13 (the upper end portion 1c of the right front wheel 1).

[0069] In a side view, the bottom 25 of the fuel tank 21 (the lower end of the inclined surface 29) is located lower than the imaginary line L31 (the right front wheel guard 17 and the lower right rear wheel guard 20) and higher than the imaginary line L14 (the axle 1d of the right front wheel 1).

[0070] In a side view, the upper end 29a of the inclined surface 29 of the fuel tank 21 is located at a position lower than the guard 16 and the imaginary line L13 (the upper end 1c of the right front wheel 1), and is located at a position higher than the imaginary line L31 (the right front wheel guard 17 and the lower right rear wheel guard 20).

[0071] As a result, the guard 16 is located between the ceiling 24 of the fuel tank 21 and the upper end 29a of the inclined surface 29 of the fuel tank 21 in a side view, and the guard 16 and the outer lateral surface 22 of the fuel tank 21 overlap in a side view.

[0072] (The positional relationship between the fuel tank and each part) - 3 2 and 3, the upper half of the right front wheel 1 and the lower half of the fuel tank 21 overlap in a front view. The right screw 11, the right front wheel 1, the front portion of the right guard 16, the front portion of the right front wheel guard 17, and the front portion 26 of the fuel tank 21 overlap in a front view.

[0073] The right screw 11, the outer lateral surface 22 of the fuel tank 21, and the inclined surface 29 overlap in a front view. As a result, the outer lateral surface 22 of the fuel tank 21 is located closer to the conveying device 4 than the right outer lateral surface of the outer periphery of the right screw 11 in a front view.

[0074] (Correspondence to claims regarding the relative positions of the fuel tank and each part) With the above configuration, the right or left screw 11 and the inclined surface 29 overlap in a front view. The outer lateral surface 22 of the fuel tank 21 opposite to the conveying device 4 is provided closer to the conveying device 4 than the outer lateral surface of the right or left screw 11 in a front view.

[0075] The lower end (bottom 25) of the fuel tank 21 is located at a position lower than the lower end (front wheel guard 17) of the front wheel guard (guard 16 and front wheel guard 17). The lower end (bottom 25) of the fuel tank 21 is provided at a position higher than the rotation center of the front wheel 1 (axle 1d).

[0076] A driving section 6 is provided above the front wheels 1. The lateral outer portion 22 of the fuel tank 21 on the opposite side to the transport device 4 is provided laterally outward from the lateral outer portion 1a of the front wheel 1 in a plan view, and is provided closer to the transport device 4 than the lateral outer portion 2a of the rear wheel 2.

[0077] An upper end 29 a of the inclined surface 29 is provided at a position lower than an upper end 1 c of the front wheel 1 . An upper end 29a of the inclined surface 29 is provided at a position higher than a lower end (front wheel guard 17) of the front wheel guard (guard 16 and front wheel guard 17).

[0078] A step 15 for getting on and off is provided on the side of the fuel tank 21 in the right or left part of the lower part of the driver's section 6. A fuel filler port 28 provided on the top of the fuel tank 21 is provided below the step 15.

[0079] (Battery configuration) As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the battery 30 is provided between the fuel tank 21 and the right rear wheel 2. In a plan view, the lateral outer portion 30a of the battery 30 is located closer to the front right part of the conveying device 4 (the rear right part of the cutting unit 3) than the imaginary line L21 (the lateral outer portion 2a of the right rear wheel 2) and the lateral outer portion 22 of the fuel tank 21, and is located at approximately the same position as the imaginary line L11 (the lateral outer portion 1a of the right front wheel 1).

[0080] In a plan view, the lateral interior 30b of the battery 30 is located closer to the front right part of the conveying device 4 (the rear right part of the cutting unit 3) than the imaginary line L12 (the lateral interior 1b of the right front wheel 1), and is located laterally outward to the right of the imaginary line L22 (the lateral interior 2b of the right rear wheel 2) and the lateral interior 23 of the fuel tank 21.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 3, the ceiling 30c of the battery 30 is located lower than the imaginary line L23 (the upper end 2c of the right rear wheel 2) and higher than the ceiling 24 of the fuel tank 21 in a side view.

[0082] The bottom 30d of the battery 30 is located higher than the guard 16 and the imaginary line L13 (the upper end 1c of the right front wheel 1) and lower than the ceiling 24 of the fuel tank 21 in a side view.

[0083] (Engine configuration)-1 1, 3, and 5, an engine 31 is provided above the front of the transport device 4, and a turbocharger 32 is provided in front of the engine 31. An intercooler 33 and a fan 34 are provided to the right of the engine 31, and an air cleaner 35 and a pre-cleaner 36 are provided above the intercooler 33 and the fan 34.

[0084] A relatively large radiator 37, oil cooler 38, and fan 39 are provided above the middle part between the front and rear of the transport device 4. A guide duct 40 extends obliquely downward and forward from the radiator 37, oil cooler 38, and fan 39 toward the engine 31 area.

[0085] The radiator 37, the oil cooler 38, and the fan 39 are provided at a position rearward and higher than the engine 31, and are provided away from the engine 31, which is a heat source. A muffler 41 is provided on the left side of the engine 31, and an exhaust pipe 42 extends upward from the muffler 41.

[0086] As shown in Fig. 6, the lid portion 43 is attached to the upper end of the exhaust pipe 42 so as to be able to swing about an axis P1, and the lid portion 43 swings to a closed position (see the solid line in Fig. 6) under its own weight. A stopper portion 43a is provided on the lid portion 43, and the position where the stopper portion 43a of the lid portion 43 abuts the side surface of the exhaust pipe 42 is the fully open position of the lid portion 43 (see the dotted line in Fig. 6). The axis P1 is provided on the right side of the front of the upper end of the exhaust pipe 42, and extends diagonally forward left and diagonally backward right of the exhaust pipe 42 in a plan view.

[0087] (Engine configuration)-2 6, when the engine 31 is stopped, the cover 43 swings to the closed position due to its own weight, thereby preventing rainwater, leaf debris, and the like from entering the exhaust pipe . As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5, when the engine 31 is operating, air passes from the pre-cleaner 36 through the air cleaner 35 and the intercooler 33 to the turbocharger 32 and is then supplied to the engine 31.

[0088] The exhaust gas from the engine 31 is supplied to the exhaust pipe 42 through the muffler 41, and the lid 43 is operated to the fully open position by the exhaust gas from the engine 31. The exhaust gas from the engine 31 is guided by the lid 43 and discharged diagonally upward from the exhaust pipe 42 diagonally rearward and to the left.

[0089] As shown in Figure 6, the stopper portion 43a of the lid portion 43 sets the fully open position of the lid portion 43 in an orientation facing diagonally upward, so when the engine 31 stops, the lid portion 43 swings from the fully open position to the closed position smoothly under its own weight.

[0090] When the fan 39 is driven to rotate, air that is relatively cool and contains little dust above the aircraft body 5 is introduced into the radiator 37 and oil cooler 38, passes through the radiator 37 and oil cooler 38, and flows through the guide duct 40 to the area of ​​the engine 31. When the fan 34 is driven to rotate, air on the outer right side of the aircraft body 5 is introduced into the intercooler 33, and flows from the intercooler 33 to the area of ​​the engine 31.

[0091] The air from the radiator 37 and oil cooler 38 and the air from the intercooler 33 join together in the area of ​​the engine 31 and are discharged from the area of ​​the engine 31 outward to the left of the fuselage 5. This promotes cooling of the engine 31, and also cools electrical equipment (not shown) provided near the engine 31.

[0092] The fans 34, 39 are periodically driven in reverse for a set time, so that leaf dust adhering to the radiator 37 and oil cooler 38 is blown rearward, and leaf dust adhering to the intercooler 33 is blown outward to the right.

[0093] (First Alternative Embodiment of the Invention) The fuel tank 21 may be provided between the left front wheel 1 and the left rear wheel 2, between the left part of the front part of the transport device 4 (the rear part of the reaping unit 3) and the left guard 16. The inner lateral portion 23 of the fuel tank 21 may be located between the imaginary line L12 (the inner lateral portion 1b of the right front wheel 1) and the imaginary line L22 (the inner lateral portion 2b of the right rear wheel 2) in a plan view.

[0094] (Second Alternative Embodiment of the Invention) The step 15 does not have to be provided on both the right and left parts of the lower part of the driving section 6, but may be provided only on the side of the right and left parts of the lower part of the driving section 6 where the fuel tank 21 is provided.

[0095] (Third Alternative Embodiment of the Invention) The front wheel guard 17 may be formed in a flat plate shape instead of a pipe shape. According to this configuration, the upper end of the front wheel guard 17 is connected to the front part of the guard 16, the front wheel guard 17 is configured to extend downward from the guard 16, and the lower end of the front wheel guard 17 is configured to be positioned on the imaginary line L31. [Industrial Applicability]

[0096] The present invention is applicable to sugarcane harvesters. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 1 front wheel 1a Lateral outer 1c Upper end 1d Axle (center of rotation) 2 rear wheels 2a Lateral outer 3 Reaping section 4. Conveyor equipment 6. Driving section 11 Screw 15 steps 16 Guard (front wheel guard) 17 Front wheel guard (lower end) 21 Fuel tank 22 Lateral outer 25 Bottom (lower end) 28 Fuel filler 29 Slope 29a Upper end

Claims

1. Right and left front wheels for driving; Right and left rear wheels for driving; a reaping unit provided forward of the front wheels and configured to reap crops in a field; a conveying device that is provided between the right and left rear wheels in a front-to-rear direction in a plan view and conveys the crops cut by the cutting unit rearward; a fuel tank is provided between the right or left front wheel and the rear wheel on the right or left side of the transport device in a plan view, A sugarcane harvester, wherein a lower portion of a lateral exterior of the fuel tank opposite to the transport device is formed as an inclined surface that approaches the transport device as it goes downward.

2. The reaping unit has right and left screws that separate the crops to be reaped from the crops to be left in the field, The screw is set in an inclined position in which an upper portion of the screw is positioned laterally outward relative to a lower portion of the screw when viewed from the front, The sugarcane harvester according to claim 1 , wherein the right or left screw and the inclined surface overlap each other in a front view.

3. The sugarcane harvester according to claim 2, wherein the outer lateral surface of the fuel tank opposite the conveying device is located closer to the conveying device than the outer lateral surface of the right or left screw when viewed from the front.

4. The lateral outer sides of the rear wheels are set laterally outward from the lateral outer sides of the front wheels in a plan view, 2. The sugarcane harvester according to claim 1, wherein the outer lateral surface of the fuel tank opposite the transport device is located laterally outward from the outer lateral surface of the front wheels in a plan view, and closer to the transport device than the outer lateral surface of the rear wheels.

5. A front wheel guard is provided laterally outward of the front wheel, 2. The sugarcane harvester according to claim 1, wherein a lower end of the fuel tank is located lower than a lower end of the front wheel guard.

6. a lower end of the front wheel guard is provided at a position higher than the rotation center of the front wheel, 6. The sugarcane harvester according to claim 5, wherein a lower end of the fuel tank is provided at a position higher than a center of rotation of the front wheels.

7. A front wheel guard is provided laterally outward of the front wheel, The sugarcane harvester according to claim 1, wherein an upper end of the inclined surface is located higher than a lower end of the front wheel guard.

8. The sugarcane harvester according to claim 7, wherein a lower end of the front wheel guard is provided at a position higher than a center of rotation of the front wheel.

9. 9. The sugarcane harvester according to claim 7, wherein an upper end of the inclined surface is located at a position lower than an upper end of the front wheel.

10. A driving section provided above the front wheels; a step for getting on and off provided on the fuel tank side of either the right or left part of the lower part of the driving section, 2. The sugarcane harvester according to claim 1, wherein a fuel filler port provided on an upper portion of the fuel tank is provided below the step.

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