Stem and leaf processing device

Abstract

To provide a technique for improving suction force in a stem and leaf processing device having rotary blades arranged side by side.SOLUTION: A stem and leaf processing device 1 that cuts stem and leaf portions of root crops planted in rows on a ridge and discharges the cut portions to sides of the ridge while traveling along the ridge, comprises: a first rotary blade 40 disposed on a right side in a chamber 60; a second rotary blade 50 disposed on a left side; a first discharge passage 71 provided on the right side of the chamber; and a second discharge passage 72 provided on the left side of the chamber 60. An airflow generated by rotation of the first rotary blade 40 clockwise as viewed from above and rotation of the second rotary blade 50 counterclockwise as viewed from above raises and cuts the stem and leaf portions, and fragments of the cut stem and leaf portions are discharged to sides of the ridge through the first discharge passage 71 and the second discharge passage 72. Consequently, compared with the case in which the rotary blades arranged side by side rotate in the same direction, the suction force that lifts the stem and leaf portions upward is improved.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a stem and leaf processing device that cuts the stems and leaves of root vegetables planted in rows on ridges while traveling along the ridges and discharges them to the side of the ridges. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are known stem and leaf processing devices that travel along ridges, cut the stems and leaves of root vegetables planted in rows, and discharge the cut stems and leaves to the side of the ridges. This type of stem and leaf processing device is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1. The onion stem and leaf cutting device (stem and leaf processing device) described in Patent Document 1 includes a vertical rotating shaft that rotates around its axis, a cutting blade (rotary blade) that is fixed to the lower end of the rotating shaft and rotates, cutting the stems and leaves that have been erected by the suction force generated by the rotation, a hood (chamber) in which the rotating shaft and cutting blade are arranged and that collects the stems and leaves cut by the cutting blade and blown away by the suction force, and a duct that communicates with the hood and blows out the stems and leaves. In this stem and leaf processing device, the cut stems and leaves are thought to be supplied to the duct via the hood and discharged from the duct to the side of the ridges. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-205077 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a conventional stem and leaf processing device having a pair of left and right cutting blades (rotary blades), similar to the device described in Patent Document 1 shown in FIG. 7, the stems and leaves of root vegetables cut by the pair of left and right cutting blades (10) are discharged from a duct (17) extending from the front of the cutting blades (10) to either the left or right rear. Therefore, both cutting blades (10) rotate in the same direction when viewed from above (or from below). FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the stem and leaf processing device described in Patent Document 1. When the cut stems and leaves are discharged to the rear right (lower left in FIG. 7) as shown in FIG. 7, both cutting blades (10) are rotated counterclockwise when viewed from below, as indicated by the dashed arrows in FIG. 7.

[0005] In this case, between the two cutting blades 10, the left cutting blade 10 generates an air current from front to rear, while the right cutting blade 10 generates an air current from rear to front. As a result, the air currents cancel each other out between the two cutting blades 10, and the suction force for standing the stems and leaves is also weakened.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a technique for improving suction power in a stem and leaf processing device having rotary blades aligned on the left and right. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The first invention of the present application is a stem and leaf processing device that runs along the ridges, cuts the stems and leaves of root vegetables planted in rows in the ridges, and discharges the cut stems and leaves to the side of the ridges. The device comprises a first rotary blade that rotates clockwise when viewed from above around a first rotary shaft that extends vertically, a second rotary blade that rotates counterclockwise when viewed from above around a second rotary shaft that extends vertically to the left of the first rotary shaft, a chamber that houses the first rotary blade and the second rotary blade, a first discharge passage that communicates with the chamber and is located on the right side of the chamber, and a second discharge passage that communicates with the chamber and is located on the left side of the chamber. The air flow generated by the rotation of the first rotary blade and the second rotary blade causes the stems and leaves to stand up and be cut, and the cut pieces of stems and leaves are discharged to the side of the ridges through the first discharge passage and the second discharge passage.

[0008] A second invention of the present application is the stem and leaf processing device of the first invention, wherein the chamber has a central wall disposed between the first rotary blade and the second rotary blade.

[0009] The third invention of the present application is a stem and leaf processing device of the first invention, wherein the chamber has a front wall that covers the front of the first rotary blade and the second rotary blade, and the front wall includes a right-side central portion that extends forward as it moves from the center to the right, and a left-side central portion that extends forward as it moves from the center to the left.

[0010] The fourth invention of the present application is a stem and leaf processing device of the third invention, wherein the right central portion is arc-shaped along the rotation trajectory of the first rotary blade, and the left central portion is arc-shaped along the rotation trajectory of the second rotary blade.

[0011] The fifth invention of the present application is a stem and leaf processing device according to any one of the first to fourth inventions, further comprising a pair of raking units arranged on the left and right sides in front of the chamber for raking up stems and leaves that have fallen to the sides of the ridges, the raking units having a rotating brush that rotates around a rotation axis extending in the front-to-back direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the first to fifth aspects of the present application, the suction force that pulls up the stems and leaves of root vegetables is improved.

[0013] In particular, according to the second invention of the present application, it is possible to prevent the airflow from being weakened due to interference between the pieces of stems and leaves cut by the first rotary blade and the pieces of stems and leaves cut by the second rotary blade.

[0014] In particular, according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the loss of the airflow caused by the first rotary blade and the second rotary blade.

[0015] In particular, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the stems and leaves of root vegetables that have fallen along the inclined surfaces of the sides of the ridges can be made to stand up more easily, and the stems and leaves can be prevented from remaining uncut. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a side view of the stem and leaf treatment device and the towing vehicle. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the stem and leaf processing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a top view of the stem and leaf treatment device. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a view of the pair of rotating brushes as seen from the rear side. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a bottom view of the device of Cited Document 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] <1. Configuration of foliage treatment device> An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the direction in which the forage-processing device 1 moves forward as towed by the towing vehicle 2 is defined as "forward," the opposite direction as "rearward," the direction to the left of the forage-processing device 1 as viewed in the forward direction as "leftward," the direction to the right of the device as viewed in the forward direction as "rightward," the direction perpendicular to both the front-to-back and left-to-right directions and approaching the ground as "downward," and the opposite direction as "upward," and the shape and positional relationship of each part will be described.

[0018] Fig. 1 is a side view of the stem and leaf processing device 1 and the towing vehicle 2. Fig. 2 is a side view of the stem and leaf processing device 1. Fig. 3 is a top view of the stem and leaf processing device 1. Fig. 4 is a rear view of the stem and leaf processing device 1. Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the stem and leaf processing device 1. Because Fig. 5 is a bottom view, the left and right directions of the figure and the left and right directions of the device are reversed.

[0019] This stem and leaf processing device 1 travels along ridges 9 in a farm field, cutting the stems and leaves of root vegetables planted in rows on the top surface of the ridges 9 and discharging the cut stems and leaves to the side of the ridges 9. The root vegetables processed by the stem and leaf processing device 1 are, for example, onions. That is, the term "root vegetables" in this application includes onions, the underground bulbs of which are edible. However, the root vegetables to be processed by the stem and leaf processing device 1 may be root vegetables other than onions, the bulbs and roots of which are edible. The root vegetables are planted in rows on the ridges 9, for example, in four rows running horizontally.

[0020] The stems and leaves of root vegetables grow upward. The bulbs (corms) of the root vegetables grow in the soil of the ridges 9. When it is time to harvest, the stems and leaves of the root vegetables lie flat along the top surface of the mulch film. Therefore, when harvesting the root vegetables, the stems and leaves that have fallen onto the top surface of the ridges 9 are cut and removed, and then the bulbs are dug up from the ridges 9.

[0021] The stem and leaf processing device 1 is connected to the rear of a towing vehicle 2 such as a tractor. Therefore, when the towing vehicle 2 is driven forward, the stem and leaf processing device 1 is also pulled forward by the towing vehicle 2. The towing vehicle 2 and the stem and leaf processing device 1 drive across a single ridge 9 in which root vegetables are planted in four rows. The stem and leaf processing device 1 rotates a first rotary blade 40 and a second rotary blade 50, which will be described later, using power supplied from the towing vehicle 2. This cuts the stems and leaves of the root vegetables planted in rows on the top surface of the ridge 9.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the stem and leaf processing device 1 of this embodiment includes a pair of tail wheels 20, a power transmission unit 30, a first rotary blade 40, a second rotary blade 50, and a chamber 60.

[0023] A pair of tail wheels 20 are disposed at both the left and right ends at the rear of the stem and leaf processing device 1. In Figures 1 to 4, the tail wheels 20 are shown lifted up by solid lines, but when the stem and leaf processing device 1 is in use, the pair of tail wheels 20 descend to the position indicated by the two-dot chain lines in Figures 1 to 4. The pair of tail wheels 20 then make contact with the grooves on both sides of the ridge 9. When the towing vehicle 2 moves forward, the pair of tail wheels 20 rotate, and the stem and leaf processing device 1 also moves forward. In this stem and leaf processing device 1, the vertical height of the tail wheels 20 relative to the main body of the stem and leaf processing device 1 can be adjusted according to the height of the ridge 9.

[0024] The power transmission unit 30 is located above the chamber 60. The power transmission unit 30 has a power transmission mechanism for transmitting power supplied from the towing vehicle 2 to the first rotary blade 40 and the second rotary blade 50. The power transmission mechanism has, for example, an input shaft, pulleys, a belt, gears, and two output shafts. The input shaft of the power transmission unit 30 is connected to a PTO shaft 201 that extends rearward and upward from the rear of the towing vehicle 2. Power supplied from a drive source (e.g., an engine) of the towing vehicle 2 is input to the input shaft of the power transmission unit 30 via the PTO shaft 201. The input power is then output to the two output shafts via belts and gears.

[0025] The first rotary blade 40 and the second rotary blade 50 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction inside the chamber 60. The first rotary blade 40 and the second rotary blade 50 are arranged with a gap between them in the left-right direction. The first rotary blade 40 is arranged to the right of the second rotary blade 50, and the second rotary blade 50 is arranged to the left of the first rotary blade 40.

[0026] The first rotary blade 40 is fixed to the lower end of a first rotating shaft 41 that extends in the vertical direction. The upper end of the first rotating shaft 41 is connected to the right output shaft of the power transmission unit 30. Therefore, the first rotary blade 40 rotates integrally with the first rotating shaft 41 around the first rotating shaft 41 by the power output from the power transmission unit 30.

[0027] The first rotary blade 40 has a plurality of (for example, two) blade plates 42. The plurality of blade plates 42 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction around the first rotary shaft 41. The leading edge of each blade plate 42 in the rotation direction forms a cutting edge capable of cutting the stems and leaves of root vegetables. The upper and lower surfaces of each blade plate 42 are inclined with respect to the rotation direction. Specifically, each blade plate 42 is disposed in an inclined position such that the cutting edge is at the lower end. Therefore, when the first rotary blade 40 rotates, the two blade plates 42 generate an upward airflow.

[0028] The second rotary blade 50 is disposed inside the chamber 60, to the left of the center in the left-right direction. The second rotary blade 50 is fixed to the lower end of a second rotary shaft 51 that extends in the vertical direction. The second rotary shaft 51 extends in the vertical direction on the left side of the first rotary shaft 41. The upper end of the second rotary shaft 51 is connected to the left output shaft of the power transmission unit 30. Therefore, the second rotary blade 50 rotates integrally with the second rotary shaft 51 by the power output from the power transmission unit 30.

[0029] The second rotary blade 50 has a plurality of (for example, two) blade plates 52. The plurality of blade plates 52 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction around the second rotary shaft 51. The leading edge of each blade plate 52 in the rotation direction forms a cutting edge capable of cutting the stems and leaves of root vegetables. The upper and lower surfaces of each blade plate 52 are inclined with respect to the rotation direction. Specifically, each blade plate 52 is disposed in an inclined position such that the cutting edge is at the lower end. Therefore, when the second rotary blade 50 rotates, the two blade plates 52 generate an upward airflow.

[0030] The chamber 60 is a housing that houses the first rotary blade 40 and the second rotary blade 50. The chamber 60 is a housing that is open at the bottom. The chamber 60 has a front wall 61, a rear wall 62, and a top surface 63. The front wall 61 covers the front of the internal space in which the first rotary blade 40 and the second rotary blade 50 are housed. The rear wall 62 covers the rear and rear lateral sides of the internal space in which the first rotary blade 40 and the second rotary blade 50 are housed. The top surface 63 covers the internal space of the chamber 60 surrounded by the front wall 61 and the rear wall 62, and the upper parts of a first discharge path 71 and a second discharge path 72, which will be described later.

[0031] The chamber 60 also has a central wall 64 disposed between the first rotary blade 40 and the second rotary blade 50. The central wall 64 extends perpendicular to the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the front end edge of the central wall 64 is connected to the front wall 61. The rear end edge of the central wall 64 is connected to the rear wall 62. As a result, the central wall 64 divides the internal space of the chamber 60 into left and right sections.

[0032] The chamber 60 has a first opening 601 at the front right side between the front wall 61 and the rear wall 62. The chamber 60 also has a second opening 602 at the front left side between the front wall 61 and the rear wall 62.

[0033] The front wall 61 has a right central portion 611, a right outer portion 612, a left central portion 613, and a left outer portion 614. The right central portion 611 is a portion that extends from the center of the front wall 61 to the right. The right outer portion 612 is a portion that extends from the right end of the right central portion 611 toward the right to the first opening 601. The left central portion 613 is a portion that extends from the center of the front wall 61 to the left. The left outer portion 614 is a portion that extends from the left end of the left central portion 613 toward the left to the second opening 602.

[0034] The right central portion 611 extends forward from the center of the front wall 61 toward the right side. More specifically, the right central portion 611 is arc-shaped along the rotation path of the first rotary blade 40. The right outer portion 612 extends generally straight toward the right side. The left central portion 613 extends forward from the center of the front wall 61 toward the left side. More specifically, the left central portion 613 is arc-shaped along the rotation path of the second rotary blade 50. The left outer portion 614 extends generally straight toward the left side. The front edge of the central wall 63 is connected to the boundary between the right central portion 611 and the left central portion 613.

[0035] The rear wall 62 has a right arcuate portion 621, a right wall portion 622, a left arcuate portion 623, and a left wall portion 624. The right arcuate portion 621 extends from the center of the rear wall 62 to the right and is a portion that covers the rear of the rotation trajectory of the first rotary blade 40. The right arcuate portion 621 has an arc shape that follows the rotation trajectory of the first rotary blade 40. The right wall portion 622 extends forward from the right end of the right arcuate portion 621 to the first opening 601. The right wall portion 622 extends perpendicular to the left-right direction.

[0036] The left arc-shaped portion 623 extends leftward from the center of the rear wall 62 and covers the rear of the rotation path of the second rotary blade 50. The left arc-shaped portion 623 has an arc shape that follows the rotation path of the second rotary blade 50. The left wall portion 624 extends forward from the left end of the left arc-shaped portion 623 to the second opening 602. The left wall portion 624 extends perpendicular to the left-right direction. The rear edge of the central wall 63 is connected to the boundary between the right arc-shaped portion 621 and the left arc-shaped portion 623.

[0037] A first discharge path 71 and a second discharge path 72 are provided on both the left and right sides of the chamber 60. The first discharge path 71 and the second discharge path 72 are open at the bottom and rear. The top sides of the first discharge path 71 and the second discharge path 72 are covered by the top surface 63 of the chamber 60.

[0038] The first discharge path 71 is disposed on the right side of the chamber 60. The first discharge path 71 communicates with the interior space of the chamber 60 via the first opening 601. The first discharge path 71 extends rearward from the first opening 601 along the side of the chamber 60.

[0039] The first discharge path 71 is defined by a space surrounded by a first outer wall 710 and the right side wall portion 622. The first outer wall 710 has a first bent portion 711 and a first flat plate portion 712. The first bent portion 711 bends rearward as it extends from the right end of the right outer portion 612 toward the right side. The first flat plate portion 712 extends rearward from the right rear end of the first bent portion 711, substantially parallel to the right side wall portion 622.

[0040] The second discharge passage 72 is disposed on the left side of the chamber 60. The second discharge passage 72 communicates with the interior space of the chamber 60 via the second opening 602. The second discharge passage 72 extends rearward from the second opening 602 along the side of the chamber 60.

[0041] The second discharge path 72 is defined by a space surrounded by the second outer wall 720 and the left side wall portion 624. The second outer wall 720 has a second bent portion 721 and a second flat plate portion 722. The second bent portion 721 bends rearward as it extends from the left end of the left outer portion 614 toward the left side, and the second flat plate portion 722 extends rearward from the left rear end of the second bent portion 721 substantially parallel to the left side wall portion 624.

[0042] When cutting and removing the stems and leaves of root vegetables using this stem and leaf processing device 1, the first rotary blade 40, the second rotary blade 50, and a pair of rotary brushes 82 (described below) are rotated while the stem and leaf processing device 1 is moved across the ridges 9 by the towing vehicle 2. As a result, the stems and leaves of root vegetables that have fallen over to the sides of the ridges 9 are scraped up toward the top surface of the ridges 9 by the pair of rotary brushes 82.

[0043] Here, the first rotary blade 40 rotates clockwise as viewed from above. As a result, an airflow that is clockwise as viewed from above and directed upward is generated in the space on the right side of the chamber 60, as indicated by the dashed arrow in FIG. 5. Furthermore, the second rotary blade 50 rotates counterclockwise as viewed from above. As a result, an airflow that is counterclockwise as viewed from above and directed upward is generated in the space on the left side of the chamber 60, as indicated by the dashed arrow in FIG. 5. Note that, because FIG. 5 is a bottom view, the dashed arrow indicating the direction of the airflow generated by the first rotary blade 40 is counterclockwise, and the dashed arrow indicating the direction of the airflow generated by the second rotary blade 50 is clockwise.

[0044] This airflow causes the stems and leaves of the root vegetables located below chamber 60 to stand up from their lying state on the top surface of the ridges. The upright stems and leaves are then cut by first rotary blade 40 and second rotary blade 50. In other words, first rotary blade 40 and second rotary blade 50 perform two roles: to generate an airflow through rotation, and to cut the upright stems and leaves.

[0045] As the first rotary blade 40 rotates, the upright and cut stems and leaves turn into small pieces that rotate clockwise in the space on the right side of the chamber 60, and are discharged by centrifugal force from the first opening 601 through the first discharge path 71 to the rear and below the first discharge path 71. As the second rotary blade 50 rotates, the upright and cut stems and leaves turn into small pieces that rotate counterclockwise in the space on the left side of the chamber 60, and are discharged by centrifugal force from the second opening 602 through the second discharge path 72 to the rear and below the second discharge path 72. As a result, the small pieces of stems and leaves are discharged beside the ridges 9.

[0046] As described above, by using this stem and leaf processing device 1, stems and leaves that have fallen onto the top surface of the ridges 9 can be made to stand up and cut efficiently. Moreover, the small pieces of cut stems and leaves can be discharged to the side of the ridges 9 so that they do not interfere with the subsequent harvesting work. Therefore, root vegetable harvesting work can be carried out efficiently.

[0047] The stem and leaf processing device 1 can be used in both open-field cultivation where no mulch film is laid on the surface of the ridges 9 and when mulch film is laid on the surface of the ridges 9.

[0048] <2. About the fried part> When it is time to harvest, the stems and leaves of root vegetables fall along the top surface of the ridges 9. At this time, the stems and leaves of root vegetables planted near the left and right ends of the ridges 9 may fall outward in the left-right direction along the inclined sides of the ridges 9. In this way, the suction force generated by the rotation of the first rotary blade 40 and the second rotary blade 50 is unlikely to reach the stems and leaves that have fallen outward from the ridges 9. Therefore, the suction force of the first rotary blade 40 and the second rotary blade 50 alone may not be enough to raise the stems and leaves, and the stems and leaves may not be able to be cut. In this case, after processing by the stem and leaf processing device 1, an operator must manually cut off the remaining stems and leaves one by one.

[0049] To solve this problem, the stems and leaves processing device 1 is provided with a pair of scraping units 80. The pair of scraping units 80 are provided on both the left and right ends of the stems and leaves processing device 1, forward of the chamber 60.

[0050] As shown in Figure 2, the scraping unit 80 has an arm 81 and a rotating brush 82 attached to the tip of the arm 81. The upper end of the arm 81 is attached to the main body of the stem and leaf processing device 1 so as to be able to swing freely around a swing shaft 81A extending in the front-to-rear direction. The rotating brush 82 is attached to the lower end of the arm 81.

[0051] When the stem and leaf processing device 1 is in use, the angle of the arm portion 81 changes around the swing axis 81A depending on the shape of the ridges 9 and the running state of the device. This causes the arm portion 81 to swing left and right, and the rotating brush 82 follows the inclined surfaces on the sides of the ridges 9. As a result, the rotating brush 82 can be kept in appropriate contact with the inclined surfaces on the sides of the ridges 9. However, the arm portion 81 does not have to be able to swing.

[0052] FIG. 6 is a view of a pair of rotating brushes 82 as seen from the rear side. The rotating brush 82 has a rotating member 821 and multiple brush portions 822. The rotating member 821 rotates around a rotation shaft 821A that extends in the front-to-rear direction at the lower end of the arm portion 81. The multiple brush portions 822 are attached to the outer end of the rotating member 821. Each brush portion 822 has a number of wires that extend substantially radially from the rotation shaft 82A. In the example of FIG. 6, one rotating brush 82 is provided with three brush portions 822, but the number of brush portions 822 may be one to two, or may be four or more.

[0053] The rotating brushes 82 are connected to the PTO shaft of the towing vehicle 2 via a power transmission mechanism including pulleys, belts, etc. Therefore, power supplied from a drive source (e.g., an engine) of the towing vehicle 2 is transmitted to the rotating brushes 82 via the PTO shaft and the power transmission mechanism. This causes each of the pair of rotating brushes 82 to rotate about the rotation shaft 82A. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the right rotating brush 82 rotates clockwise when viewed from the rear, and the left rotating brush 82 rotates counterclockwise when viewed from the rear.

[0054] When the stem and leaf processing device 1 is in use, the tip of the brush portion 822 of the scraping unit 80 rotates so that it moves upward from the side of the ridge 9 toward the top of the ridge 9 while contacting the sloped surface of the side of the ridge 9. As a result, stems and leaves that have fallen toward the outside of the ridge 9 are held by the tip of the brush portion 822 and scraped up to the top of the ridge 9. Furthermore, the stems and leaves that have moved to the top of the ridge 9 are subjected to the suction force caused by the rotation of the first rotary blade 40 and the second rotary blade 50, causing them to stand up. The standing stems and leaves are then cut by the first rotary blade 40 and the second rotary blade 50. As a result, stems and leaves that have fallen toward the outside of the ridge 9 can also be effectively cut and removed.

[0055] Furthermore, the scraping unit 80 of this embodiment has a height adjustment mechanism (not shown) that adjusts the height of the rotating brush 82. Even if the height or shape of the ridges 9 varies, by adjusting the height of the rotating brush 82, the rotating brush 82 can be brought into appropriate contact with the inclined surfaces of the sides of the ridges 9.

[0056] The brush portions 822 of the rotating brush 82 may be planted around the entire circumference of the rotating member 821. However, if the brush portions 822 are provided around the entire circumference of the rotating member 821, the scraped-up stems and leaves may not separate from the brush portions 822 and may move outward along with the brush portions 822. In contrast, if the brush portions 822 are provided around the rotating member 821 at intervals in the circumferential direction, as shown in Figure 4, the scraped-up stems and leaves can be easily separated from the brush portions 822 and placed on the top surface of the ridges 9.

[0057] Furthermore, the brush part 822 of this embodiment has an inclination adjustment mechanism (not shown) that adjusts the inclination of the brush part 822 relative to the rotating brush 82. This inclination adjustment mechanism allows the brush part 822 to be tilted slightly backward in the direction of rotation, rather than strictly facing outward in the radial direction. This makes it easier to separate the raked stems and leaves from the brush part 822. It also makes it less likely that the tip of the brush part 822 will pierce the inclined surface on the side of the ridge 9. This allows the operation of raking the stems and leaves to be performed more smoothly.

[0058] As described above, the scraper unit 80 of this embodiment rotates the rotating brush 82 using power supplied from the PTO shaft 201. However, the rotating brush 82 may be separated from the PTO shaft 201, and the scraper unit 80 may be provided with its own motor for rotating the rotating brush 82.

[0059] The stem and leaf processing device 1 of this embodiment also has a guard 85 that covers the upper part of the rotating brush 82. The guard 85 is made of, for example, a rubber plate. This guard 85 can prevent stems and leaves, gravel, and pebbles from being scattered by the rotating brush 82.

[0060] <3. Comparison with conventional devices and effects> In conventional stem and leaf processing devices, as in the above-mentioned prior art documents, multiple rotary blades housed in a single chamber rotate in the same direction when viewed from above, and the cut stem and leaf pieces are discharged from either the left or right side. This creates a problem in the space between the rotary blades, where one rotary blade generates an airflow from front to rear, while the other generates an airflow from rear to front, resulting in a cancellation of the airflows. This cancellation weakens the upward airflow in that area, weakening the suction force that stands the stem and leaf.

[0061] In contrast, in this stem and leaf processing device 1, the two rotary blades 40, 50 housed in the chamber 60 rotate in different directions, and the cut pieces of stem and leaf parts are discharged from both the left and right sides.

[0062] In this way, by rotating the first rotary blade 40 and the second rotary blade 50 in different directions, the air currents between the first rotary blade 40 and the second rotary blade 50 are not canceled out. This improves the suction force that draws the stems and leaves upward. Therefore, even when the first rotary blade 40 and the second rotary blade 50 are rotated at a lower rotation speed than conventionally, the same suction force as conventionally can be generated.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the chamber 60 has a central wall 64 that separates the space housing the first rotary blade 40 from the space housing the second rotary blade 50. This prevents the small pieces of stems and leaves cut by the first rotary blade 40 from interfering with the second rotary blade 50. In addition, the small pieces of stems and leaves cut by the second rotary blade 50 do not interfere with the first rotary blade 40. This prevents the small pieces of stems and leaves from interfering with each other and falling onto the ridges 9.

[0064] Furthermore, the right central portion 611 of the front wall 61, the central wall 64, and the rear wall 62, which cover the side of the space in the chamber 60 in which the first rotary blade 40 is housed, are shaped to generally follow the rotation path of the first rotary blade 40. This reduces the loss of airflow caused by the rotation of the first rotary blade 40. Also, the first bent portion 711 that constitutes the first discharge path 71 is bent along the rotation direction of the first rotary blade 40. This allows the small pieces of stem and leaf material that are carried by the airflow caused by the rotation of the first rotary blade 40 and discharged from the first opening 601 into the first discharge path 71 to move smoothly backward within the first discharge path 71.

[0065] Similarly, the left central portion 613 of the front wall 61, the central wall 64, and the rear wall 62, which cover the side of the space in the chamber 60 in which the second rotary blade 50 is housed, are shaped to generally follow the rotation path of the second rotary blade 50. This reduces the loss of airflow caused by the rotation of the second rotary blade 50. In addition, the second bent portion 721 that constitutes the second discharge path 72 is bent along the rotation direction of the second rotary blade 50. This allows the small pieces of stem and leaf material that are carried by the airflow caused by the rotation of the second rotary blade 50 and discharged from the second opening 602 into the second discharge path 72 to move smoothly backward within the second discharge path 72.

[0066] <4. Modifications> Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0067] The forage processing device 1 in the above embodiment is connected to the rear of the towing vehicle 2 such as a tractor. However, the forage processing device 1 may also be connected to the front of the towing vehicle 2.

[0068] The stem and leaf processing device 1 in the above embodiment is provided at its rear end with a pair of tail wheels 20. In addition to this, the stem and leaf processing device 1 may be provided at its front end with a pair of auxiliary wheels.

[0069] In the stem and leaf processing device 1 of the above embodiment, the first rotary blade 40 and the second rotary blade 50 are rotated by receiving power from the towing vehicle 2. However, the stem and leaf processing device 1 may have its own drive source for rotating the first rotary blade 40 and the second rotary blade 50.

[0070] Furthermore, the detailed configuration of the stem and leaf processing device 1 and the shape of each part may differ from the specific example shown in the present application. Furthermore, the elements appearing in the above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate within the scope of not causing any contradiction. Alternatively, some of the elements appearing in the above-described embodiments and modifications may be omitted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1: Stem and leaf treatment device 9: ridge 40: First rotary blade 41: First rotation axis 50: Rotary blade 50: Second rotary blade 51: Second rotation axis 60: Chamber 61: Front wall 62: Back wall 64: Central wall 71: 1st discharge path 72:Second discharge path 80: Tempura section 82: Rotating brush 82A: Rotating shaft 601: First opening 602: Second opening 611: Right center part 612:Right side outer part 613: Left center part 614: Left outer side 621: Right arc section 622: Right side wall 623: Left arc 624: Left side wall 710: 1st outer wall 711: 1st bending part 712: 1st flat plate part 720: 2nd outer wall 721: Second flexion 722: Second flat plate

Claims

1. A stem and leaf processing device that cuts the stems and leaves of root vegetables planted in rows on a ridge while traveling along the ridge and discharges them to the side of the ridge, a first rotary blade that rotates clockwise as viewed from above about a first rotation axis that extends in the vertical direction; a second rotary blade that rotates counterclockwise as viewed from above about a second rotary shaft that extends vertically on the left side of the first rotary shaft; a chamber that accommodates the first rotary blade and the second rotary blade; a first discharge passage communicating with the chamber and provided on the right side of the chamber; a second discharge channel communicating with the chamber and provided on the left side of the chamber; Equipped with The air flow generated by the rotation of the first rotary blade and the second rotary blade causes the stems and leaves to stand up and be cut, and the cut pieces of the stems and leaves are discharged to the side of the ridges through the first discharge path and the second discharge path.

2. The stem and leaf treatment device according to claim 1, The chamber comprises: a central wall disposed between the first rotary blade and the second rotary blade; A foliage treatment device comprising:

3. The stem and leaf treatment device according to claim 1, The chamber comprises: a front wall covering the front of the first rotary blade and the front of the second rotary blade; and The front wall is The center of the right side moves forward as it moves from the center to the right, The left center section moves forward as it moves from the center to the left, A foliage treatment device comprising:

4. The stem and leaf treatment device according to claim 3, the right-side central portion has an arc shape that follows the rotation locus of the first rotary blade, The stem and leaf processing device, wherein the left central portion is arc-shaped along the rotation trajectory of the second rotary blade.

5. The stem and leaf processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A pair of left and right raking sections are arranged in front of the chamber and raking up the stems and leaves that have fallen to the sides of the furrows. Furthermore, The scooping section is A rotating brush that rotates around a rotation axis extending in the front-to-rear direction A foliage treatment device comprising:

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