Rice transplanter

Abstract

To provide a rice transplanter in which the degree of freedom of the constitution of a gripping part of an operation tool of a preliminary seedling placing table is enhanced, and the movement and rotation of the gripping part are regulated within a prescribed range so that the operation tool can be easily used by an operator.SOLUTION: A vehicle body, a support frame portion fixed to the vehicle body and extending along the up-down direction, a plurality of preliminary seedling placing tables supported by the support frame portion, a state change mechanism capable of changing a state between a first state in which the plurality of preliminary seedling placing tables are arranged in a line in the front-rear direction and a second state in which the plurality of preliminary seedling placing tables are arranged in an arrangement different from that in the first state, and an operation unit 44 configured to change the state between the first state and the second state by a manual operation, the operation portion 44 includes the grip portion 81 that is gripped by the operator, the support portion 80b that rotatably supports the grip portion 81, and the restriction mechanism 55 that restricts rotation of the grip portion 81 about the rotation axis beyond a predetermined rotation range and restricts movement of the grip portion 81 in the direction in which the rotation axis extends.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a rice transplanter equipped with a spare seedling tray. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional rice transplanters include, for example, those described in Patent Document 1, in which the spare seedling trays are supported in a manner that allows them to be changed between a state in which multiple spare seedling trays are arranged at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction, and a state in which multiple spare seedling trays are arranged in a row in the front-to-back direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-099262 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In such a rice transplanter, the state of the spare seedling tray is manually changed using an operating tool (referred to as a "front-rear operating tool" in Patent Document 1).

[0005] In addition, in some rice transplanters, the operating tool is made of a rod-shaped member, and the end is bent to form a gripping portion (referred to as a "handle portion" in Patent Document 1) that the operator holds. In such a configuration, the direction in which the gripping portion extends is limited to a specific direction, for example, because the gripping portion may come into contact with the operator, and so there is room for improvement in terms of making the operating tool easier for the operator to use.

[0006] On the other hand, in order to make the operating tool easy for the worker to use, it is necessary to prevent, for example, the grip portion from moving to a position away from the worker.

[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a rice transplanter that increases the degree of freedom in the configuration of the gripping part of the operating tool for the spare seedling tray, and that can make the operating tool easy for operators to use by regulating the movement and rotation of the gripping part within a predetermined range. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The rice transplanter of the present invention comprises a main body, a support frame fixed to the main body and extending in an up-down direction, a plurality of spare seedling trays supported by the support frame, a state-changing mechanism that enables the plurality of spare seedling trays to be changed between a first state in which they are arranged in a row in the front-to-back direction and a second state in which they are arranged in a different arrangement from the first state, and an operating unit that manually changes the state between the first state and the second state, and the operating unit has a gripping portion that is held by an operator, a support portion that rotatably supports the gripping portion, and a regulating mechanism that restricts the gripping portion from rotating around a rotation axis beyond a predetermined rotation range and restricts movement of the gripping portion in the direction in which the rotation axis extends.

[0009] According to this invention, the grip portion is rotatably supported, and a restricting mechanism can restrict rotation beyond a predetermined rotation range and movement in the direction of the rotation axis of the grip portion. This configuration increases the degree of freedom in the configuration of the grip portion of the operating unit, and by restricting the movement and rotation of the grip portion within a predetermined range, it becomes possible to provide an operating tool that is easy for workers to use.

[0010] In the present invention, it is preferable that the regulating mechanism has a rotation regulating portion provided on the support portion, a first abutment portion provided on the gripping portion and abutting against the rotation regulating portion at a first maximum rotation position on one side of the rotation range, and a second abutment portion provided on the gripping portion and abutting against the rotation regulating portion at a second maximum rotation position on the other side of the rotation range.

[0011] With this configuration, with a simple configuration in which the first abutment portion and the rotation restriction portion abut at the first maximum rotation position and the second abutment portion and the rotation restriction portion abut at the second maximum rotation position, it is possible to restrict rotation beyond the rotation range defined between the first maximum rotation position and the second maximum rotation position.

[0012] In the present invention, the regulating mechanism has a thrust regulating portion that regulates movement of the gripping portion in the direction in which the rotation axis extends, and it is preferable that the rotation regulating portion and the thrust regulating portion are constructed from a single member.

[0013] According to this configuration, by constructing the rotation restriction portion and the thrust restriction portion from a single member, it is possible to restrict the rotation of the gripping portion around the rotation axis beyond a predetermined rotation range and to restrict movement in the direction in which the rotation axis of the gripping portion extends, using fewer members.

[0014] In the present invention, it is preferable that the member is a pin inserted vertically through the support portion.

[0015] According to this configuration, the rotation restricting portion and the thrust restricting portion can be formed using pins that are generally easy to obtain.

[0016] In the present invention, it is preferable that one or both of the first contact portion and the second contact portion have a position holding mechanism that holds the grip portion in position by engaging with the rotation restricting portion.

[0017] According to this configuration, by holding the grip portion at a predetermined rotational position, it is possible to provide an operating tool that is easy for the operator to use.

[0018] In the present invention, the grip portion is changeable between a contact avoidance posture, which is a posture for avoiding contact between the grip portion and an operator, and a usage posture, which is a posture during manual operation, and it is preferable that the grip portion is in the contact avoidance posture when it is in the first maximum rotation position, and is in the usage posture when it is in the second maximum rotation position.

[0019] According to this configuration, by rotating the grip portion, it is possible to easily switch between the contact avoidance posture and the usage posture. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a side view of a spare seedling tray. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a front view showing the configuration of the receiving portion. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a manual operation unit and a locking mechanism. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the configuration of a manual operation unit and a locking mechanism. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a gripping portion. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the grip portion at the first maximum rotation position. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the grip portion at the second maximum rotation position. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a first fall prevention mechanism. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of a first fall prevention mechanism. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a second fall prevention mechanism. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the configuration of the empty box recovery mechanism. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the empty box recovery mechanism. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the grip portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the direction of arrow F in the drawings will be referred to as "front," the direction of arrow B as "rear," the direction of arrow L as "left," and the direction of arrow R as "right." Furthermore, the direction of arrow U in the drawings will be referred to as "up," and the direction of arrow D as "down."

[0022] [Overall configuration of the rice transplanter] The riding rice transplanter (an example of a "rice transplanter") of this embodiment will be described below. As shown in FIG. 1, the riding rice transplanter has a link mechanism 4 supported at the rear of a machine body 3 that has right and left front wheels 1 and right and left rear wheels 2. The link mechanism 4 extends rearward and is configured to be rotatable up and down. The link mechanism 4 is provided with a hydraulic cylinder 5 that operates to raise and lower the link mechanism 4.

[0023] The machine is equipped with a seedling planting device 6 that is connected to the rear of the machine body 3 and is capable of planting seedlings in the field. The seedling planting device 6 is supported at the rear of the link mechanism 4. A fertilizer applicator 7 that supplies fertilizer to the rice field surface is provided at the rear of the machine body 3. A soil leveling device 8 that levels the rice field surface is supported below the front of the seedling planting device 6.

[0024] A hopper 20 for storing fertilizer is provided in an upper portion of the fertilizer applicator 7. In this embodiment, a holder 21 capable of storing a seedling scooping plate SB is provided on the left side of the hopper 20.

[0025] As shown in Figure 1, a transmission case 9 is disposed at the front of the aircraft body 3. A support frame 10 extending forward is connected to the transmission case 9. An engine (not shown) is supported on the support frame 10. A hood 11 covering the engine is provided at the front of the aircraft body 3.

[0026] 1 and 2, a floor 14 is provided from the right and left sides of the hood 11 to the rear side of the hood 11. A driver's seat 15 in which an operator can sit is disposed above the rear part of the floor 14.

[0027] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, a plurality of spare seedling trays capable of holding seedling boxes (hereinafter referred to as "seedlings" and "seedling boxes") containing seedling mats are arranged at the top of the right and left sides of the main body 3. The spare seedling trays are fixed to the main body 3 and supported by a pair of front and rear support pillars 16 (an example of a "support frame portion") that extend vertically. The front support pillar 16 stands upright from the engine support frame of the main body 3. The rear support pillar 16 stands upright from a portion of the main body 3 above the front wheels 1.

[0028] The support columns 16 are provided on the left and right sides. A support member 12 is connected across the top of the right and left support columns 16. An antenna unit 13 capable of acquiring position information of the aircraft body 3 using a satellite positioning system is provided in a portion of the support member 12 located in the center of the aircraft body 3 from left to right. A representative example of a satellite positioning system (GNSS: Global Navigation Satellite System) is the GPS (Global Positioning System).

[0029] [Configuration of spare seedling trays] As shown in Figure 4, on both sides of the main body 3 of the machine, there are provided trays for multiple spare seedlings, including a lower spare seedling tray 31 (an example of a "spare seedling tray") located at the lowest level, an upper spare seedling tray 32 located at the highest level, and a rotatable spare seedling tray 33 (an example of a "spare seedling tray") that is configured to be repositionable and located between the lower spare seedling tray 31 and the upper spare seedling tray 32, and in front of the lower spare seedling tray 31.

[0030] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, on the floor 14, there are right and left aisles between the hood 11 and the multiple spare seedling trays on the right, and between the hood 11 and the multiple spare seedling trays on the left. Workers can move from the machine body 3 to the ridges or get on to the machine body 3 from the ridges by passing through the right or left aisles.

[0031] [Configuration of the lower stage spare seedling tray] As shown in FIG. 4, the lower spare seedling tray 31 comprises a first portion 31A fixed to the support 16 and a second portion 31B rotatably supported by the first portion 31A. The first portion 31A comprises a lower first frame 31Aa and a lower first main body 31Ab. The second portion 31B comprises a lower second frame 31Ba and a lower second main body 31Bb. The upper surface of the first portion 31A is provided with a placement portion 31Ac on which seedlings are placed, and the upper surface of the second portion 31B is provided with a placement portion 31Bc on which seedlings are placed. The first portion 31A and the second portion 31B are each configured to be approximately the same size as a seedling tray and are configured to allow seedling trays to be placed thereon.

[0032] 2 and 11, the placing portion 31Ac of the first section 31A and the placing portion 31Bc of the second section 31B are provided with a plurality of rollers 34 configured to rotate about a rotation axis along the width direction of the lower reserve seedling placing tray 31. The rollers 34 are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the lower reserve seedling placing tray 31. The seedling boxes placed on the placing portions 31Ac and 31Bc are placed on the rollers 34, and the rotation of the rollers 34 allows them to move smoothly on the placing portions 31Ac and 31Bc.

[0033] As shown in Figure 4, the lower first frame 31Aa is fixed to the support 16. The lower first main body 31Ab is fixed to the lower first frame 31Aa. The lower second frame 31Ba is supported at the rear end of the lower first frame 31Aa so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis P1. The rotation axis P1 is configured to extend in the width direction of the lower spare seedling tray 31. The lower second main body 31Bb is fixed to the lower second frame 31Ba.

[0034] With this configuration, the lower spare seedling tray 31 can be switched between an unfolded state in which it is extended in the front-to-rear direction as shown by the solid line in Fig. 4, and a folded state in which it is folded as shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 4. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in the unfolded state, the rear end of the second part 31B is located behind the front end of the driver's seat 15. In the folded state, the placing portion 31Ac of the first part 31A and the placing portion 31Bc of the second part 31B face each other.

[0035] [Configuration of the upper stage spare seedling tray] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the upper spare seedling tray 32 is supported by the front and rear supports 16 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis P2 extending in the front-to-rear direction. A placement section for placing seedlings is provided on the top surface of the upper spare seedling tray 32. As shown in Figure 2, in a plan view, the extension direction of the rotation axis P2 of the upper spare seedling tray 32 intersects with the extension direction of the rotation axis P1 of the second section 31B.

[0036] As shown by the solid lines in Figures 2 and 3, when the upper spare seedling tray 32 is substantially horizontal and in a usable state where seedlings can be placed, the upper spare seedling tray 32 is located within the rotation range SR of the second section 31B. By manually rotating the upper spare seedling tray 32 upward, it can be switched to an avoidance state where it is located outside the rotation range SR of the second section 31B, as shown by the two-dot chain lines in Figures 2 and 3. In other words, the upper spare seedling tray 32 is rotatably supported by the support 16, so that it can be switched between a usable state and an avoidance state.

[0037] [Configuration of the rotating spare seedling tray] The rotating spare seedling tray 33 comprises a rotating frame 33a and a rotating spare seedling tray body 33b. The rotating spare seedling tray 33 is supported by a state change mechanism 40 so that it can rotate relative to the lower spare seedling tray 31. The upper surface of the rotating spare seedling tray 33 is provided with a placement section 33c on which seedlings are placed.

[0038] Similar to the lower spare seedling tray 31, the placing section 33c of the rotating spare seedling tray 33 is provided with a plurality of rollers 34 that are rotatable about a rotation axis that runs along the width direction of the rotating spare seedling tray 33. The rollers 34 are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the rotating spare seedling tray 33. The seedling boxes placed on the placing section 33c are placed on the rollers 34, and the rotation of the rollers 34 allows them to move smoothly across the placing section 33c.

[0039] The state-changing mechanism 40 includes a link member extending between the lower-level spare seedling tray 31, which is fixed to the support 16, and the rotatable spare seedling tray 33. The state-changing mechanism 40 positions the rotatable spare seedling tray 33 in a front-to-back rotation position aligned with the lower-level spare seedling tray 31 in the front-to-back direction, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 4, to assume a first state. The state-changing mechanism 40 positions the rotatable spare seedling tray 33 in a vertical rotation position aligned with the lower-level spare seedling tray 31 in the vertical direction, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 4, to assume a second state. In other words, the state-changing mechanism 40 allows the rotatable spare seedling tray 33 to be switched between the first state and the second state. When in the vertical rotation position, the rotatable spare seedling tray 33 is positioned above the lower-level spare seedling tray 31.

[0040] The link members support the rotatable spare seedling tray 33 rotatably between a first state (front-back rotation position) and a second state (up-down rotation position). In this embodiment, three link members are provided between the rotating frame 33a and the lower first frame 31Aa. As shown in FIG. 4, the three link members are link member 41a, link member 41b, and link member 41c.

[0041] The link member 41a is attached to the outer lateral side of the lower spare seedling tray 31 and the rotatable spare seedling tray 33 in the left-right direction of the machine body 3. The link member 41a is attached across a portion of the rotatable frame 33a corresponding to the rear portion of the rotatable spare seedling tray 33 and a portion of the lower first frame 31Aa corresponding to the front portion of the first part 31A.

[0042] The link member 41b is attached to the rear of the link member 41b on the outer side in the left-right direction of the machine body 3 of the lower spare seedling tray 31 and the rotatable spare seedling tray 33. It is attached across a portion of the rotatable frame 33a corresponding to the rear end portion of the rotatable spare seedling tray 33 and a portion of the lower first frame 31Aa corresponding to the rear portion of the first part 31A.

[0043] The link member 41c is attached to the machine body 3 side of the lower spare seedling tray 31 and the rotatable spare seedling tray 33. The link member 41c is attached across a portion of the rotatable frame 33a corresponding to the central portion in the front-to-rear direction of the rotatable spare seedling tray 33 and a portion of the lower first frame 31Aa corresponding to the front end portion of the first portion 31A.

[0044] Link members 41a, 41b, and 41c are attached so as to be substantially parallel in a side view. With this configuration, the rotating spare seedling tray 33 is configured to be rotatable in an arc between a vertical rotation position and a front-to-back rotation position while maintaining a horizontal position.

[0045] 4 and 5, the support 16 is provided with a receiving portion 42 that restricts further rotation of the rotating spare seedling tray 33 and the three link members in the second state (vertical rotation position). The receiving portion 42 is made of a rod-shaped member and is rotatably provided across the front and rear support 16.

[0046] As shown in Figure 5, the support pole 16 is provided with a stopper 43 that supports the receiving portion 42 in the vertically pivoted position. As shown by the solid line in Figure 5, when the receiving portion 42 is supported by the stopper 43, the receiving portion 42 extends laterally outward from the support pole 16. When supported by the stopper 43, the receiving portion 42 extends in the left-right direction of the machine body 3 to a position laterally outward beyond the edge of the rotatable spare seedling tray 33 on the machine body 3 side, that is, to a position below the rotatable spare seedling tray 33. With this configuration, the receiving portion 42 receives and supports the rotatable spare seedling tray 33 from below when it is in the vertically pivoted position.

[0047] As shown by the arrow in Figure 5, when the receiving portion 42 is manually rotated upward and further rotated so that the receiving portion 42 is positioned closer to the machine body 3 than the stopper portion 43, the receiving portion 42 no longer supports the rotatable spare seedling tray 33. At this time, even if the second part 31B is rotated, it will not collide with the receiving portion 42, making it possible to switch the lower spare seedling tray 31 between the unfolded state and the folded state.

[0048] With this configuration, in this embodiment, the state-changing mechanism 40 can be changed between a first state in which the lower-level spare seedling tray 31 and the rotating spare seedling tray 33 are arranged in a row in the front-to-back direction, and a second state in which the lower-level spare seedling tray 31, the upper-level spare seedling tray 32, and the rotating spare seedling tray 33 are arranged at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction.

[0049] [Configuration of the manual operation unit] As shown in Figures 4, 6, and 7, the state-changing mechanism 40 includes a manual operation unit 44 (an example of an "operation unit") that manually changes the state between a first state (front-to-back rotation position) and a second state (up-to-down rotation position).

[0050] As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the manual operation unit 44 is provided on the left-right inside of the machine body 3 of the rotating frame 33a, and has a main body 80 made of a rod-shaped member and a gripping part 81 to be gripped by the operator.

[0051] The main body 80 is configured in a U-shape in a plan view, and one straight portion of the U-shape is connected to the inside of the rotating frame 33a in the left-right direction of the aircraft main body 3. This straight portion is hereinafter referred to as the connection portion 80a. The other straight portion of the U-shape of the main body 80 extends rearward, that is, toward the driver's seat 15. A grip portion 81 is provided on this straight portion. This straight portion is hereinafter referred to as the support portion 80b.

[0052] The gripping portion 81 is configured to be able to change its position between a contact avoidance position, which is a position for avoiding contact between the gripping portion 81 and the worker, as shown by the solid line in Figure 6, and a usage position, which is a position during manual operation, as shown by the dotted line in Figure 6.

[0053] The grip portion 81 is configured to be rotatable about a linear portion of the main body 80 where the grip portion 81 is provided, that is, about a rotation axis P4 in the direction in which the support portion 80b extends.

[0054] The gripping portion 81 has a cylindrical portion 81a through which the support portion 80b is inserted. With the cylindrical portion 81a inserted into the support portion 80b, the gripping portion 81 is supported by the support portion 80b so as to be rotatable around the support portion 80b (rotation axis P4).

[0055] The use position is a position in which the grip part 81 extends inward in the left-right direction of the machine body 3, and the contact avoidance position is a position in which the grip part 81 extends downward, approximately at a right angle to the use position. When the grip part 81 is in the use position, it extends inward in the left-right direction of the machine body 3 from the support 16 side, making it easier for an operator to operate it from near the driver's seat 15. In addition, in the contact avoidance position, because it extends downward, it is possible to avoid contact between the grip part 81 and an operator standing on the floor 14 near the support 16 and the manual operation unit 44, for example.

[0056] As shown in Figures 8 to 10, the manual operation unit 44 has a restriction mechanism 55 that restricts further positional changes of the gripping unit 81 when the gripping unit 81 changes its position from the use position to the contact avoidance position, and that restricts further positional changes of the gripping unit 81 when the gripping unit 81 changes its position from the contact avoidance position to the use position.

[0057] The regulating mechanism 55 has a pin 82 supported by the support portion 80b of the main body portion 80, and a rod holder 83 (corresponding to the "first abutment portion" and "second abutment portion" of the present invention) supported by the gripping portion 81, and a rod-shaped portion 84 (corresponding to the "first abutment portion" and "second abutment portion" of the present invention).

[0058] In this embodiment, the pin 82 is a headed pin. The pin 82 may be any rod-shaped pin, such as a bolt or a cylindrical pin, and is not limited to this embodiment.

[0059] The pin 82 is inserted through the support portion 80b from above toward below, and is attached so as to protrude from both the upper and lower surfaces of the support portion 80b.

[0060] The pin 82 is arranged at a location on the support portion 80b opposite the end of the support portion 80b with respect to the location where the cylindrical portion 81a of the grip portion 81 is located, that is, at a location on the opposite side of the driver's seat 15 with respect to the location where the cylindrical portion 81a of the grip portion 81 is located. With this configuration, the grip portion 81 restricts movement of the support portion 80b in a direction away from the driver's seat 15 (forward). With this configuration, the pin 82 functions as a thrust restricting portion that restricts movement of the grip portion 81 in the direction in which the rotation axis P4 extends. A cap 85 is provided at the end of the support portion 80b located at a location on the opposite side of the pin 82 with respect to the cylindrical portion 81a of the grip portion 81.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 10, when the grip portion 81 is rotated from the contact avoidance position to the use position, the rod-shaped portion 84 of the restriction mechanism 55 abuts against the pin 82, thereby restricting further positional changes of the grip portion 81.

[0062] The rod holder 83 has a clip shape with a clamping portion 83a and a clamping opening 83b. As shown in Fig. 9, when the gripping portion 81 is rotated from the use posture to the contact avoidance posture, the portion of the rod holder 83 on the clamping opening 83b side abuts against the pin 82. When the gripping portion 81 is further rotated toward the contact avoidance posture, it moves from the clamping opening 83b into the clamping portion 83a, and the clamping portion 83a clamps the pin 82.

[0063] When the pin 82 is clamped by the clamping portion 83a of the rod holder 83, the rod holder 83 abuts against the pin 82, and restricts the gripping portion 81 from changing its position any further.

[0064] 9 and 10, the grip portion 81 is configured to be rotatable within a rotation range in which a first maximum rotation position MP1 is reached when the rod holder 83 and the pin 82 come into contact with each other, and a second maximum rotation position MP2 is reached when the rod-shaped portion 84 and the pin 82 come into contact with each other. When the grip portion 81 is in the first maximum rotation position MP1, it is in the contact avoidance posture, and when the grip portion 81 is in the second maximum rotation position MP2, it is in the use posture.

[0065] With the above-described configuration, the restriction mechanism 55 restricts the rotation of the grip portion 81 about the rotation axis P4 beyond the rotation range between the first maximum rotation position MP1 and the second maximum rotation position MP2, and restricts the movement of the grip portion 81 in the direction in which the rotation axis P4 extends. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pin 82 is configured as a rotation restriction portion that restricts the rotation of the grip portion 81, and as described above, is also configured as a thrust restriction portion that restricts the movement of the grip portion 81 in the direction in which the rotation axis P4 extends.

[0066] When the gripping portion 81 is at the second maximum rotation position MP2, the rod holder 83 is locked to the pin 82 by the clamping portion 83a. As a result, the rod holder 83 and the pin 82 function as a position holding mechanism that holds the gripping portion 81 in position.

[0067] [Configuration of the fixing mechanism] 6 and 7, a fixing mechanism 46 is provided to fix the position of the rotatable spare seedling tray 33 at the up-down rotation position and the front-back rotation position. The fixing mechanism 46 includes a locking member 47 fixed to the front part of the lower first frame 31Aa of the lower spare seedling tray 31.

[0068] Link member 41c is connected to locked member 47 so as to be rotatable around rotation axis P3. One end of link member 41c is rotatably connected to rotating frame 33a (see FIG. 4), and the other end of link member 41c is provided with fixing mechanism 46. Link member 41c is supported by locked member 47 via a rotation shaft at a location a predetermined distance away from the end of link member 41c on the side where fixing mechanism 46 is provided.

[0069] The locked member 47 has two locking holes 50 formed therein, through which the locking member 49 described below is inserted. The two locking holes 50 are formed in the locked member 47 at locations that correspond to the positions of the locking member 49 when the locked member 47 is operated to the up-down pivot position and the front-back pivot position, respectively. By inserting the locking members 49 into the locking holes 50, the rotatable spare seedling tray 33 is placed in a fixed state in which it is positioned at the up-down pivot position and the front-back pivot position.

[0070] The fixing mechanism 46 has a locking member 49 that is inserted into the locking hole 50. The locking member 49 is made up of a rod-shaped member that is configured to be inserted into the locking hole 50. Although not shown, the locking member 49 is provided with a spring that biases the locking member 49 toward the locking hole 50.

[0071] [Configuration of the first fall prevention mechanism] 11 and 12, the lower spare seedling tray 31 is provided with a first fall prevention mechanism 60 that prevents seedlings from falling from the lower spare seedling tray 31 when in the up or down rotation position. The first fall prevention mechanism 60 has a fall prevention part 61 that prevents seedlings from falling, a pressing operation part 62 that operates the fall prevention part 61 between a prevention state that prevents seedlings from falling and a non-prevention state that cancels the seedling fall prevention function, and a biasing member 63 that biases the fall prevention part 61 toward the prevention state.

[0072] The fall prevention unit 61 and the pressing operation unit 62 are made of an integral rod-shaped member. The fall prevention unit 61 and the pressing operation unit 62 are provided on the lower first frame 31Aa in a portion forward of the front end of the lower first main body 31Ab, and are rotatable around an axis extending in the width direction of the lower spare seedling tray 31.

[0073] The fall prevention part 61 is formed in an inverted U-shape. When in the prevention state, the upper end of the fall prevention part 61 is located above the height corresponding to the placement surface of the lower tier spare seedling tray 31 on which the seedling boxes are placed. When the seedlings attempt to move further forward than the front end of the lower tier spare seedling tray 31, the seedlings come into contact with the fall prevention part 61. This makes it possible to prevent the seedlings from falling from the front of the lower tier spare seedling tray 31.

[0074] The pressing operation unit 62 is located laterally outward of the drop prevention unit 61. When the rotating spare seedling tray 33 rotates from the up-down rotation position to the front-back rotation position, the rotating frame 33a presses the pressing operation unit 62 downward. When the pressing operation unit 62 is pressed, the pressing operation unit 62 and the drop prevention unit 61 rotate integrally. The drop prevention unit 61 assumes a position in which its upper end is positioned below the height corresponding to the placement surface of the lower spare seedling tray 31. By pressing down using the rotating spare seedling tray 33, the first drop prevention mechanism 60 releases the seedling drop prevention function, allowing the seedlings to slide between the placement portion 31Ac of the lower spare seedling tray 31 and the placement surface of the rotating spare seedling tray 33.

[0075] When the rotating spare seedling tray 33 rotates from the vertical rotation position to the front-rear rotation position, that is, when the rotating frame 33a rotates in a direction away from the pressing operation unit 62, the pressing operation unit 62 and the fall prevention unit 61 rotate due to the biasing force of the biasing member 63. As a result, the upper end of the fall prevention unit 61 returns to its original position, that is, to a position higher than the height corresponding to the mounting surface of the lower spare seedling tray 31, and is able to prevent the seedlings from falling.

[0076] [Configuration of the second fall prevention mechanism] As shown in Figure 13, the rear end of the rotating spare seedling tray 33 is provided with a second fall prevention mechanism 64 that prevents seedlings from falling from the rear end of the rotating spare seedling tray 33 when in the up or down rotation position. The second fall prevention mechanism 64 is made of a rod-shaped member and is provided rotatably around an axis extending in the width direction of the rotating spare seedling tray 33.

[0077] The second fall prevention mechanism 64 includes a main body 64A having a central portion formed in an inverted U shape, and a locking portion 64B formed integrally with the main body 64A.

[0078] Both end portions of the main body 64A are inserted into holes 65 provided in the side walls of the rotating spare seedling rest body 33b, and rotate around an axis centered on the holes 65.

[0079] A locking hole 66 is formed in the rotatable spare seedling holder body 33b at a location above the hole 65 in the side wall. By manually inserting the locking portion 64B into the locking hole 66, the second fall prevention mechanism 64 assumes a position in which the upper end of the inverted U-shape of the main body portion 64A protrudes above the height corresponding to the placement portion 33c of the rotatable spare seedling holder 33. When a seedling placed on the rotatable spare seedling holder 33 moves toward the rear end of the rotatable spare seedling holder 33, it abuts against the upper end of the inverted U-shape of the main body portion 64A, preventing the seedling from falling.

[0080] A locking hole 68 is formed in the side wall of the rotating spare seedling holder body 33b, on the opposite side of the hole 65 from the locking hole 66. When the locking portion 64B is manually disengaged from the locking hole 66 and locked into the locking hole 68, the upper end of the inverted U-shaped body portion 64A assumes a position lower than the height corresponding to the mounting portion 33c of the rotating spare seedling holder 33. This releases the seedling fall prevention function of the second fall prevention mechanism 64, allowing the seedlings to slide across the mounting surfaces of the lower spare seedling holder 31 and the rotating spare seedling holder 33.

[0081] [Configuration of empty box collection mechanism] As shown in Figures 1 and 4, the machine body 3 is provided with an empty box recovery mechanism 70 that recovers empty seedling boxes. The empty box recovery mechanism 70 is disposed below the lower spare seedling tray 31. The empty box recovery mechanism 70 has an empty box storage section 71 that stores empty seedling boxes, and a sliding section 72 along which the empty seedling boxes slide.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 2, an opening 73 through which empty seedling boxes can pass is formed in the front portion of the mounting portion 31Bc of the second part 31B. The opening 73 is located to the left-right side of the driver's seat 15. The length of the opening 73 in the longitudinal direction of the second part 31B is smaller than the distance between the rollers 34. The width of the opening 73 is the same as the width of the mounting portion 31Bc, and the opening 73 is formed in a rectangular shape. Here, the mounting portion 31Bc is configured to be approximately the same size as the seedling box and is configured to allow the seedling box to be placed thereon. The distance from the rear end of the second part 31B to the opening 73 is configured to be shorter than the length of the long side of the seedling box.

[0083] A sliding part 72 fixed to the lower second frame 31Ba of the second part 31B is disposed below the opening 73. The sliding part 72 is configured by combining rod-shaped members. The sliding part 72 is located below the second part 31B and is provided across the placement part 31Bc of the second part 31B and the empty box storage part 71. The sliding part 72 extends forward from a location of the second part 31B behind the opening 73 and is inclined so that the sliding part 72 is positioned lower towards the front.

[0084] As shown in Figures 4 and 14, an empty box storage section 71 fixed to the support 16 is disposed in front of the sliding section 72. Specifically, the rear end portion of the empty box storage section 71 is disposed below the front end portion of the sliding section 72. With this configuration, the empty box storage section 71 is disposed on the opposite side of the sliding section 72 from the seedling planting device 6 (see Figure 1).

[0085] The empty box storage section 71 is constructed by combining rod-shaped members and is configured as a box body with an open top. The front wall of the empty box storage section 71 is configured to be manually openable and closable. In other words, the front end portion of the empty box storage section 71 is provided with a lid 74 that can be switched between a closed state and an open state. The empty box storage section 71 is also inclined so that the front side is positioned lower. The inclination of the sliding section 72 is configured to be steeper than the inclination of the empty box storage section 71. The front end of the empty box storage section 71 is located at the front end portion of the main body 3 of the machine.

[0086] The lid body 74 is configured to be rotatable around an axis in the width direction of the empty box storage section 71. As shown by the solid line in Figure 4, in a side view, in the closed state, the lid body 74 extends upward from the front end portion of the empty box storage section 71 and then curves and extends rearward.

[0087] As shown in Figure 14, the front end portion of the empty box storage section 71 is provided with an abutment member 75 that abuts against the lid body 74 in the closed state and the open state. The abutment member 75 is made of a rod-like member and is formed in a C-shape. A portion of the right side of the lid body 74 near the pivot axis is located inside the C-shape of the abutment member 75. With this configuration, when the lid body 74 is in the closed state, the lid body 74 abuts against the upper part of the C-shape of the abutment member 75, and when the lid body 74 is in the open state, the lid body 74 abuts against the lower part of the C-shape of the abutment member 75.

[0088] A spring 76 is provided between the bottom of empty box storage section 71 and lid 74. Spring 76 biases lid 74 in the closed state and the open state toward the side where lid 74 abuts against the inside of the C-shape of abutting member 75. With this configuration, lid 74 can be opened and closed manually, and is maintained in both the closed state and the open state.

[0089] As shown by the two-dot chain line in Figure 4, the rear (axial core side) portion of the upper surface of the lid body 74 in the open state is continuous with the bottom surface of the empty box storage section 71. With this configuration, seedling boxes pulled out of the empty box storage section 71 can be slid as they are on the upper surface of the lid body. In a side view, in the open state, the lid body 74 extends forward and then curves and extends upward.

[0090] [Another embodiment] Hereinafter, another embodiment in which the above embodiment is modified will be exemplified.

[0091] (1) In the above embodiment, the restriction mechanism 55 is described as having a configuration including a pin 82, a rod holder 83, and a rod-shaped portion 84, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the restriction mechanism 55 may be configured to have a second rod-shaped portion 84 instead of the rod holder 83, that is, a configuration including one pin 82 and two rod-shaped portions 84. Furthermore, the restriction mechanism 55 may be configured to have a second rod holder 83 instead of the rod-shaped portion 84, that is, a configuration including one pin 82 and two rod holders 83.

[0092] (2) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which a single component (pin 82) is configured as both a rotation regulating portion and a thrust regulating portion. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the rotation regulating portion and the thrust regulating portion may be configured as separate components.

[0093] (3) The grip portion 81 may be configured to include a biasing mechanism that biases it toward the contact avoidance posture and the use posture.

[0094] (4) In the above embodiment, the grip portion 81 is configured to be changeable between a contact avoidance position, which is a position for avoiding contact between the grip portion 81 and an operator, and a usage position, which is a position during manual operation. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 16 , the first and second contact portions may be configured to be fixed in positions other than the usage position and the contact avoidance position. Furthermore, for example, the support portion 80b may be configured to have a plurality of holes, and the pin 82 may be configured to be inserted into and removed from the plurality of holes, thereby fixing the grip portion 81 at a plurality of positions. Furthermore, the plurality of holes may be formed in a continuous series, and the insertion position of the pin 82 may be changed by applying force to the pin 82.

[0095] In addition, by forming multiple holes through which the pins 82 are inserted so that they are aligned in the direction in which the rotation axis P4 extends, the movement of the gripping portion 81 in the direction in which the rotation axis P4 extends can be restricted at multiple locations.

[0096] (5) In the above embodiment, the pin 82 is supported by the support portion 80b of the main body 80 as the first contact portion and the second contact portion. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and a configuration in which a protrusion that protrudes toward a hole formed in the support portion 80b is provided on the cylindrical portion 81a may be used. Furthermore, instead of the pin 82, a configuration in which a protrusion is formed on the support portion 80b as the thrust restricting portion may be used, and the protrusion may come into contact with the cylindrical portion 81a to restrict movement of the grip portion 81 in the direction in which the rotation axis P4 extends.

[0097] (6) In the above embodiment, the lid body 74 is configured to be rotatable about an axis extending in the width direction of the empty box storage section 71. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the lid body 74 may be configured to be rotatable about an axis extending in the front-rear direction of the main body 3. Also, as shown in FIG. 15 , the lid body 74 may be configured to be provided at both the front end portion of the empty box storage section 71 and on the outer lateral side in the width direction of the empty box storage section 71. In other words, the lid body 74 may be configured to have a first lid body 74A configured to be rotatable about an axis in the width direction of the empty box storage section 71 and a second lid body 74B configured to be rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the width direction of the empty box storage section 71. In this case, the first lid body 74A and the second lid body 74B may be connected by a spring or the like, so that both lid bodies 74 can be opened by opening or closing either the first lid body 74A or the second lid body 74B.

[0098] The configurations disclosed in the above embodiments (including other embodiments, the same applies hereinafter) can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, unless a contradiction arises. Furthermore, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the purpose of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0099] The present invention can be used in a rice transplanter equipped with multiple spare seedling trays. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 3: Aircraft body 16: Support column (support frame) 31: Lower spare seedling tray (spare seedling tray) 33: Rotating spare seedling stand (spare seedling stand) 40: State change mechanism 44:Human operation section (operation section) 55: Regulatory Organization 80b: Support part 81: Grip part 82: Pin (rotation restriction part, thrust restriction part) 83: Rod holder (first contact part, second contact part) 84: Rod-shaped part (first contact part, second contact part) MP1: First maximum rotation position MP2: Second maximum rotation position P4: Rotation axis

Claims

1. The aircraft body and a support frame portion fixed to the aircraft main body and extending in the vertical direction; A plurality of spare seedling trays supported by the support frame portion; A state change mechanism that can change between a first state in which the plurality of spare seedling trays are arranged in a row in the front-to-back direction and a second state in which the spare seedling trays are arranged in a different arrangement from the first state; an operation unit that manually changes the state between the first state and the second state, The operating unit of the rice transplanter has a gripping portion that is gripped by an operator, a support portion that rotatably supports the gripping portion, and a regulating mechanism that restricts the gripping portion from rotating around a rotation axis beyond a predetermined rotation range and restricts movement of the gripping portion in the direction in which the rotation axis extends.

2. The rice transplanter described in claim 1, wherein the regulating mechanism has a rotation regulating portion provided on the support portion, a first abutment portion provided on the gripping portion and abutting the rotation regulating portion at a first maximum rotation position on one side of the rotation range, and a second abutment portion provided on the gripping portion and abutting the rotation regulating portion at a second maximum rotation position on the other side of the rotation range.

3. the restriction mechanism has a thrust restriction portion that restricts movement of the grip portion in a direction in which the rotation axis extends, The rice transplanter according to claim 2, wherein the rotation restricting portion and the thrust restricting portion are configured as a single member.

4. The rice transplanter according to claim 3, wherein the member is a pin inserted vertically through the support portion.

5. The rice transplanter according to claim 2, wherein either one or both of the first contact portion and the second contact portion has a position retention mechanism that retains the position of the gripping portion by engaging with the rotation restriction portion.

6. the gripping portion is changeable between a contact avoidance posture, which is a posture for avoiding contact between the gripping portion and an operator, and a use posture, which is a posture during manual operation, The rice transplanter according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the gripping portion is in the contact avoidance posture when in the first maximum rotation position, and in the use posture when in the second maximum rotation position.

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