Work vehicle

Abstract

To provide a working vehicle capable of improving efficiency of maintenance work by suppressing accumulation of foreign matter such as dust on an outer surface of a working machine, and capable of maintaining working performance by preventing rotation hindrance of a power transmission part.SOLUTION: The working machine 100 includes a prime mover 10, a traveling part 12 having a front wheel 11A and a rear wheel 11B, a body frame 13 to which the prime mover 10 and the front wheel 11A and the rear wheel 11B of the traveling part 12 are attached, and a working machine 24 mounted on the body frame 13, and further includes a first blowing means 41 for blowing air toward the working machine 24.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a work vehicle, and more particularly to a work vehicle including a driving section including a prime mover and front and rear wheels, a body frame to which the prime mover and the front and rear wheels of the driving section are attached, and a work implement mounted on the body frame. [Background technology]

[0002] Work vehicles equipped with implements used for various tasks have been known for some time. For example, a work vehicle equipped with a mowing device that mows grass with cutter blades as a work device is known (see Patent Document 1). In the work vehicle, a cutter deck, which serves as the outer shell of the mowing device, is attached to the lower center of the vehicle body and can be raised and lowered. The cutter deck houses multiple cutter blades, and a cover is attached to the vehicle frame. The cover is described as having the function of preventing the intrusion of dust such as grass clippings from outside and protecting the belts that drive and connect the cutter blades together. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-273386 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the cutter deck is designed to allow for an adjustable grass cutting height and can be elevated to a non-working position to prevent the cutter blade from colliding with obstacles on the road during travel. Meanwhile, because the cover is fixed to the vehicle frame, the gap between the cutter deck and the cover may widen depending on the cutter deck's height above the ground. Preventing this gap from widening could limit the cutter deck's range of motion above the ground. Furthermore, if grass clippings seep in through the widened gap, they could become caught in the nearby power system belt, damaging the belt or reducing the cutter blade's work efficiency. Furthermore, the cover can easily trap heat inside the cutter deck during long periods of operation, raising the temperature inside the implement and potentially deteriorating work performance.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a work vehicle that can prevent foreign matter such as grass clippings and dust from accumulating on the outer surface of the work equipment, thereby improving the efficiency of maintenance work and promoting heat dissipation from the work equipment, thereby maintaining work performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present invention is as described above, and the means for solving this problem will now be described.

[0007] In other words, the work vehicle disclosed in the present application is a work vehicle comprising a running unit equipped with a prime mover and front and rear wheels, a body frame to which the prime mover and the front and rear wheels of the running unit are attached, and a work implement mounted on the body frame, and is equipped with a first air blowing means for blowing air toward the work implement.

[0008] The work vehicle disclosed in the present application preferably includes a second air blowing means for blowing air toward a work target of the work machine.

[0009] In the work vehicle disclosed in the present application, the first and second air blowing means preferably include an air generating device, first and second air blowing ducts arranged near the work machine and the work object, upstream first and second air blowing passages that communicate with the first and second air blowing ducts and send air generated by the air generating device, and a branching section that branches the air generated by the air generating device toward the first and second air blowing passages, wherein the branching section is configured so that the upstream flow path of the branching section can be changed to connect to both the first and second air blowing passages, to connect only to the first air blowing passage, or to connect only to the second air blowing passage.

[0010] In the work vehicle disclosed in the present application, the traveling unit preferably comprises a power transmission unit that transmits the rotational power of the prime mover to the rear wheels, a transmission that houses the power transmission unit, and an air-blowing power take-off shaft that transmits power from the transmission to the air-blowing device, and the air-blowing device is preferably connected to the air-blowing power take-off shaft and driven by power from the prime mover.

[0011] In the work vehicle disclosed in the present application, the wind generating device preferably includes a detachable mounting stay at the front of the body frame, and also includes an air blower drive unit.

[0012] In the work vehicle disclosed in the present application, the wind generating device is preferably configured as a serial axial flow fan having two impellers that rotate in opposite directions.

[0013] In addition, in the work vehicle disclosed in the present application, the first air blowing means and second air blowing means may comprise an air generating device having two independently operable first and second air generating sections, a first air supply duct and a second air supply duct arranged near the work machine and the work object, a first air supply passage connected to the first air supply section and guiding the air generated from the first air supply section to the first air supply duct, and a second air supply passage connected to the second air supply section and guiding the air generated from the second air supply section to the second air supply duct. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the accumulation of foreign matter such as dust on the outer surface of the work machine, thereby improving the efficiency of maintenance work, preventing the rotation of the power transmission part from being hindered, and promoting heat dissipation from the work machine, thereby maintaining work performance. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing a work vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the first air blowing means and the second air blowing means. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the first blowing means with the second blowing means removed. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the configuration of a wind generating device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the configuration of a wind generating device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the configuration of the front portion of a work vehicle according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a side view showing the configuration of the front portion of a work vehicle according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the first blowing means with the second blowing means removed. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the first blowing means with the second blowing means removed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] (First embodiment) A work vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following, a case will be described in which the work vehicle is a vehicle for cutting grass or the like, but the work vehicle is not limited to this and may be another work vehicle having a work machine that performs one or more of the following tasks: snow removal, excavation, civil engineering, agricultural work, and cleaning. Furthermore, the shapes, numbers, and relative positions of parts described below are examples for the purpose of explanation and can be changed as appropriate to match the specifications of the work vehicle. In the following, similar elements are designated by the same reference numerals in all drawings, and duplicate explanations will be omitted or simplified.

[0017] 1 and 2, the work vehicle 100 is a self-propelled mowing vehicle suitable for cutting grass. It includes a motor 10, a traveling section 12 with front wheels 11A and rear wheels 11B, a body frame 13 to which the motor 10 and the front wheels 11A and rear wheels 11B of the traveling section 12 are attached, and a work implement 24 mounted on the body frame 13.

[0018] Prime mover 10 is mounted on the front of body frame 13. Prime mover 10 is configured as an engine (internal combustion engine), and transmits power via engine output shaft 21 that protrudes rearward from the rear end of prime mover 10. Note that although the prime mover is configured as an internal combustion engine, it is not limited to this and may be, for example, an electric motor.

[0019] The engine output shaft 21 is connected via a universal joint 22 to a power transmission unit 23 that mainly drives the pair of left and right rear wheels 11B, 11B. The power transmission unit 23 is housed in a transmission 15 that supports left and right axles 23a. A pair of left and right rear axles 23a protrude from the left and right ends of the transmission 15, and their outer ends are fixed to the hubs of the left and right rear wheels 11B, 11B.

[0020] In this embodiment, the power transmission unit 23 includes a hydraulic continuously variable transmission (HST) for setting vehicle speed. As is typical, the HST includes a variable displacement hydraulic pump driven by the engine output shaft 21, a rear hydraulic motor mechanically connected to the rear axle, and a center section that hydraulically connects the hydraulic pump to the rear hydraulic motor. A hydraulic outlet piping (not shown) for driving a front-wheel drive unit 19 (described later) is attached to the center section and extends forward within the body frame 13.

[0021] The body frame 13 is formed into a beam structure or the like from metal such as steel. The body frame 13 includes two side frames 13a on both left and right ends that extend approximately along the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, and multiple connecting frames 13b2 including a front bumper 13b1. The body frame 13 is formed by fastening the front bumper 13b1 and the multiple connecting frames 13b2 across the side frames 13a, 13a, which are positioned on the left and right outer sides of the work vehicle 100. The front bumper 13b1, located at the front end of the work vehicle 100, functions as a mounting section for a front-mounted work machine. A driver's seat 17, in which the driver sits as a user, is fixed to the upper side of the two side frames 13a, approximately in the center in the fore-and-aft and lateral directions.

[0022] A steering shaft 18a is rotatably supported by a steering column 18b in front of the driver's seat 17, and a steering wheel 18 is fixed to the upper end of the steering shaft 18a. When the steering shaft 18a is rotated, a gear mechanism in a steering gearbox (not shown) is rotated via a link mechanism (not shown) as usual, and this rotation is converted into left and right movement of a tie rod, thereby steering the two front wheels 11A (left and right).

[0023] FIG. 19 shows a front-wheel drive unit. The front-wheel drive unit 19 includes a front hydraulic motor (not shown), a pair of front axles, and a power transmission gear that drivingly connects them. The pair of front axles are differentially connected to each other, and the front wheels 11A, 11A are attached to the outer ends of each axle. A center pin that runs along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is provided at the center of the front-wheel drive unit 19 in the transverse direction of the vehicle, and is suspended from connecting frames 13b2, 13b2 in front and behind the center pin. This allows the front wheels 11A, 11A to be supported vertically in a counter-rotating manner relative to the body frame 13.

[0024] An inlet / outlet port (not shown) of the front hydraulic motor (not shown) opens to the outer surface of the front wheel drive unit 19, and the front end of the hydraulic pressure outlet piping from the hydrostatic continuously variable transmission (HST) is attached to it. This hydraulically connects the front hydraulic motor (not shown) in series with the rear hydraulic motor (not shown), forming a circuit in which the rotational speed of the front axle of the front wheel drive unit 19 is synchronized with the rotational speed of the rear axle.

[0025] A work implement 24 is provided below the center of the vehicle body frame 13 in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the work implement 24 is a mowing device for mowing grass and is suspended from the vehicle body frame 13 so as to be freely raised and lowered. As a result, the work implement 24 is disposed between the front wheels 11A and the rear wheels 11B in the longitudinal direction. The work implement 24 includes multiple (three in this embodiment) cutting blades 31a, which are mowing tools, disposed inside the cutter deck 31, which serves as a cover. Note that an elevation link mechanism that spans between the vehicle body frame 13 and the cutter deck 31 to set the height of the cutting blades 31a above the ground is not shown. Each cutting blade 31a is arranged in the left-right direction of the vehicle body and is covered from above by the cutter deck 31. Each cutting blade 31a is supported rotatably around a vertical axis (the up-and-down direction in FIG. 1). As a result, each cutting blade 31a rotates to cut and mow the grass.

[0026] The power transmission section 23 includes a PTO output shaft 33 that outputs the power rotation of the prime mover 10 forward and is connected to the work implement 24. More specifically, the PTO output shaft 33, which extends along the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, is connected via a universal joint 34, which is connected to a cutting input shaft 35 via a transmission direction-changing bevel gear. The cutting input shaft 35 extends vertically and is equipped with an output pulley 35a at its lower end. The output pulley 35a is connected to input pulleys of left and right cutting blades (not shown) by a belt stored in a belt case 36. The input shaft of the cutting blade 31a, located in the center of the vehicle in the left-right direction, is directly connected to the lower end of the cutting input shaft 35. With this configuration, the power from the cutting input shaft 35 rotates the three cutting blades 31a to cut and mow the grass.

[0027] The cutting blade 31a may be configured as a cutting tool, with a spiral blade arranged on a rotating shaft parallel to the ground surface, having the function of cutting grass, etc., and equipped with a cutting reel driven by a deck motor.

[0028] Next, the first blowing means 41 that blows air toward the work implement 24 and the second blowing means 42 that blows air toward the work target of the work implement 24 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG.

[0029] The first air blowing means 41 that blows air toward the work implement 24 is a means that blows air toward the cutter deck 31 and belt case 36, which are the main parts of the work implement 24, and is fixedly supported above the work implement 24 in the center of the vehicle frame 13 in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body.

[0030] The second air blowing means 42, which blows air toward the grass that is the work target of the work machine 24, is a means for blowing air toward the grass located in front of the front wheel 11A, and is fixedly supported at an appropriate position in the fore-and-aft direction of the body frame 13, including the front bumper 13b1.

[0031] The first air blowing means 41 and the second air blowing means 42 have a common air generating device 43 upstream thereof for generating air to be blown onto the work implement 24 and the work target. The air generating device 43 is provided at the rear of the body frame 13, and is connected to a air generating power take-off shaft 44 that protrudes from the rear end of the transmission 15. More specifically, the air generating power take-off shaft 44 is axially connected to the input shaft on the power transmission unit 23 side, and is bearing-supported by the connecting frames 13b2, 13b2.

[0032] The wind generating device 43 is installed on a wind generating power take-off shaft 44 and is driven by power from the prime mover 10. The wind generating device 43 here is a schematic representation of two well-known centrifugal fans connected in tandem. Each centrifugal fan has an impeller 43a connected to the wind generating power take-off shaft 44 and housed in a case 43b.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, case 43b has an air intake port 43c opened on the rotation center side of impeller 43a, and an air outlet port 43d opened at one location on the outer surface of the case.

[0034] The individual cases 43b, 43b of the centrifugal fan are interconnected back to back and fixed to the body frame 13 so that the air intakes 43c through which the wind-generating power take-off shaft 44 passes face forward and backward, respectively, of the vehicle. Each of the front and rear air intakes 43c is fitted with a filter to prevent dust from being drawn in.

[0035] When each impeller 43a is rotated by the wind-generating power take-off shaft 44, air is introduced through each air inlet 43c and blown out through the air outlets 43d, 43d. The air outlets 43d, 43d are connected to a single collecting passage 51. As described above, the tandemly connected centrifugal fans increase the volume of air flowing through both the first air blowing means 41 and the second air blowing means 42.

[0036] The collecting passage 51 of the wind generating device 43 extends forward of the vehicle, passing through gaps between vehicle components installed within the vehicle frame 13, and is fixedly supported at an appropriate position within the vehicle frame. The collecting passage 51 has a branching section 52 at its end, which has two discharge ports 52a, 52b. The collecting passage 51 is preferably made of a flexible, bendable material.

[0037] The branching section 52 is configured as a flow path switching section equipped with a three-position switching valve (not shown). When the switching valve is set to the first position, the collecting passage 51 is connected to the first air passage 53 via the discharge port 52a and to the second air passage 54 via the discharge port 52b. When the second position is selected, the collecting passage 51 is connected only to the first air passage 53. When the third position is selected, the collecting passage 51 is connected only to the second air passage 54. If a clutch that can be freely operated to cut off power is provided upstream of the drive paths of the impellers 43a, 43a, it can be used when air is not required to be blown through either the first air passage 53 or the second air passage 54, thereby saving energy.

[0038] A first air blowing means 41 is connected to a first discharge port 52a of the branch portion 52. The first air blowing means 41 includes a first air blowing passage 53 extending toward the front of the vehicle, and a first air blowing duct 55 connected to an end of the first air blowing passage 53 and extending in the left-right direction of the vehicle body, and is fixedly supported at an appropriate position within the body frame 13.

[0039] The first air duct 55 is formed to have approximately the same length as the vehicle width dimension of the cutter deck 31. The first air duct 55 is suspended from the vehicle frame 13 at the upper front side of the cutter deck 31, and is provided with a plurality of air holes 55a along its longitudinal direction that spray air toward the cutter deck 31. The sprayed air blows away grass clippings that are about to accumulate on the upper surface of the cutter deck 31.

[0040] As described above, the cutter deck 31 is configured to be able to move up and down relative to the ground, so the first air duct 55 is fixed and supported in a position that does not interfere with the cutter deck 31 when it is in the highest position.

[0041] The first air passage 53 may be made of a lightweight, flexible material. If the first air passage 53 is flexible, the first air duct 55 can be installed along the front edge of the cutter deck 31. The flexible first air passage 53 absorbs and allows for vertical displacement of the first air duct 55 which moves in conjunction with the cutter deck 31. Even if the cutter deck 31 moves up and down, the air blowing distance of the first air duct 55 relative to the upper surface of the cutter deck 31 remains constant, so the wind force blowing away grass clippings that fall onto the upper surface of the cutter deck 31 remains constant.

[0042] The second air blowing means 42 is connected to a second discharge port 52b of the branching portion 52. The second air blowing means 42 includes a second air passage 54 that extends to the vicinity of the vehicle's front bumper 13b1 and is bent toward the ground, and a second air duct 56 that is connected to the end of the second air passage 54 and extends in the left-right direction of the vehicle body. A central portion of the second air duct 56 is attached to the lower end of a detachable gate-shaped mounting stay 57 in front of the front bumper 13b1, and the second air duct 56 is suspended parallel to the ground and spaced a predetermined distance apart. The second air duct 56 also has multiple air holes 56a formed along its length that blow air toward the grass on the ground. The blown air blows away dew and soil from the grass before it is cut.

[0043] With the second air duct 56 in the low position as shown, the work vehicle can only travel on leveled surfaces such as grass. For example, it is not suitable for traveling on rough terrain with exposed rocks. In order to increase the range of movement of a work vehicle equipped with the second air blowing means 42, it is preferable to configure the mounting stay 57 so that its length can be freely adjusted and expanded, allowing the user to set the second air duct 56 to about the height of the front bumper 13b1 as needed.

[0044] Furthermore, it is preferable that the direction of the air holes 56a of the second air duct 56 can be selected to be either forward or backward. For example, if the direction of the air holes 56a is set to the rear when traveling with the second air duct 56 set at a high position, the air blown out therefrom can hit the outer surface of the front wheel drive unit 19, thereby promoting heat dissipation therefrom.

[0045] In dry regions or during certain seasons, there may be situations where dew does not form on the grass before mowing, so it is preferable that the second air blowing duct 56 be attached so that it can be separated from the vehicle body. As shown in Figure 4, the second air blowing duct 56 can be separated and joined from the middle of the second air blowing passage 54, and the main part of the second air blowing means 42 can be removed from the work vehicle 100 by removing the mounting stay 57 from the front bumper 13b1. This allows the second air blowing means 42 to be removed when it is not needed, making mowing easier.

[0046] Next, the reaping operation of the work implement 24 using the first air blowing means 41 and the second air blowing means 42 will be described.

[0047] Before work begins, the second air blowing means 42 blows air onto the grass in front of the work vehicle 100, removing or reducing foreign matter such as dew and soil that has adhered to the grass before cutting. The work machine 24 can process pure grass that is free of any adhering matter.

[0048] Furthermore, when the work implement 24 is in operation, the first air blowing means 41 blows air toward the work implement 24. As the work implement 24 receives the air blown thereto, foreign matter such as grass clippings and dust that have fallen onto the upper surfaces of the cutter deck 31 and the belt case 36 is removed.

[0049] As described above, the work vehicle of the present invention is a work vehicle 100 comprising a prime mover 10, a running section 12 having front wheels 11A and rear wheels 11B, a body frame 13 to which the prime mover 10 and the front wheels 11A and rear wheels 11B of the running section 12 are attached, and a work implement 24 mounted on the body frame 13, and is equipped with a first air blowing means 41 that blows air toward the work implement 24. This configuration helps maintain the work performance of the work implement 24. For example, because foreign matter such as grass clippings that accumulates on the upper surface of the cutter deck 31 of the work implement 24 can be removed by blowing air, the possibility of foreign matter such as grass clippings entering the cutter deck 31 or the belt case 36 can be reduced. This reduces the number of maintenance operations required and improves work efficiency. It also prevents temperature increases inside the cutter deck 31 and the belt case 36, improving the durability of each component. It also reduces the chance of foreign matter such as grass clippings entering the belt case 36, preventing interference with the rotation of the power transmission unit inside the belt case 36.

[0050] In addition, a second air blowing means 42 may be provided to blow air onto the grass before cutting, which is the work target of the work implement 24. This configuration disperses the dew that has adhered to the grass before it is cut, reducing the chance of the cut grass sticking to or clogging the inside of the work machine 24 and improving work efficiency. In addition, because the air blowing direction is toward the ground, it can also function as a blower to blow away fallen leaves and the like.

[0051] The first and second air blowing means 41, 42 also include a wind generating device 43, first and second air blowing ducts 55, 56 arranged near the work machine 24 and the work object, first and second air blowing passages 53, 54 on the upstream side that communicate with the first and second air blowing ducts 55, 56 and blow air from the wind generating device 43, and a branching section 52 that branches the air generated by the wind generating device 43 toward the first air blowing passage 53 and the second air blowing passage 54, and the branching section 52 is configured so that the collecting passage 51 on the upstream side of the branching section 52 can be changed to connect to both the first and second air blowing passages 53, 54, or to connect only the first air blowing passage 53, or to connect only the second air blowing passage 54.

[0052] In the air generating device 43, which has an air volume set to satisfy the required volume for both blowing air onto the turfgrass before cutting and blowing air onto the work implement 24 when the device is simultaneously used, the branching section 52 can increase the volume of air blown onto the work implement 24 when blowing air onto the turfgrass is not required. For example, if the second air blowing means 42 is removed and only the first air blowing means 41 is attached to the work vehicle, the branching section 52 can be connected only to the first air blowing passage 53 to increase the volume of air blown onto the work implement 24. Furthermore, when blowing air onto the work implement 24 is not required, the volume of air blown onto the turfgrass can be increased. This allows the air to be used efficiently without waste.

[0053] The running unit 12 also includes a power transmission unit 23 that transmits the rotational power of the prime mover 10 to the rear wheels, a transmission 15 that houses the power transmission unit 23, and a wind-generating power take-off shaft 44 that transmits power from the transmission 15 to the wind-generating device 43, and the wind-generating device 43 is connected to the wind-generating power take-off shaft 44 and is driven by power from the prime mover 10. By configuring it in this way, the wind generating device 43 can be driven using the power of the prime mover 10 that drives the running part 12, and since the wind generating device 43 does not require a dedicated drive part, it can be configured to be inexpensive and small, and can be stored easily within the body frame 13.

[0054] (Second embodiment) 5, the wind generating device 43 can also be configured as a serial axial flow fan equipped with two impellers 43a, 43a that rotate in different directions. In this embodiment, the configuration other than the wind generating device 43 is the same as in the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0055] As shown in Fig. 5, a counter-rotating fan is constructed by using a coaxial rotation-reversing mechanism 62 with bevel gears to reverse the rotation directions of the impellers 43a, 43a using the power output from the wind-generating power take-off shaft 44. An air inlet 43c is opened concentrically with the wind-generating power take-off shaft 44 on the front surface of the case 43b of the wind generating device 43, and an air outlet 43d is opened concentrically with the wind-generating power take-off shaft 44 on the rear surface.

[0056] With this configuration, the air volume of the air generating device 43 can be increased without increasing the size of the air generating device 43. In other words, by combining two impellers 43a of the same size but rotating in different directions, the static pressure increases, and a larger wind force can be generated so that the air can reach the end of a long ventilation path. Even when air is sent from both the first air supply duct 55 and the second air supply duct 56, the air volume can be secured.

[0057] (Third embodiment) 6, the wind generating device 43 may be configured as an orthogonal axial flow fan equipped with two impellers 43a, 43a that rotate in different directions, and the rotation axis of the wind generating device 43 may be oriented in the left-right direction of the vehicle body. In this embodiment, the configuration other than the wind generating device 43 is the same as in the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0058] As shown in Figure 6, when the power output from the wind-generating power take-off shaft 44 is reversed using a rotation direction changing mechanism 63 that uses a bevel gear, the rotation axes of the impellers 43a, 43a are changed in the left-right direction of the vehicle body. An air intake 43c is opened on one side of the case 43b of the wind generating device 43, and an air outlet 43d is opened on the other side.

[0059] Due to its structure, a counter-rotating fan is long in the direction of its rotation axis, but when it is installed inside a vehicle body, a counter-rotating fan can be used for the wind generating device 43 even if the installation space is wider in the left-right direction than in the front-to-back direction.

[0060] (Fourth embodiment) In another embodiment, the air generating device 43 may be driven by a driving force other than that of the internal combustion engine. In this embodiment, the configuration other than the air generating device 43, the first air blowing means 41, and the second air blowing means 42 is the same as in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0061] As shown in Figure 7, the wind generating device 43 is attached to a mounting stay 57 that is detachably provided at the front end of the body frame 13. The wind generating device 43 is equipped with a wind generating drive unit 65. The wind generating drive unit 65 is a drive device that rotates the impellers 43a, 43a of the wind generating device 43, and is composed of, for example, an electric motor driven by a battery mounted on the vehicle. Note that the wind generating drive unit 65 is not limited to being composed of an electric motor, and may be, for example, a hydraulic motor driven by a hydraulic pump equipped on the engine when the prime mover 10 is composed of an engine.

[0062] With this configuration, by disposing the wind generating device 43 in front of the body frame 13, there is no need to ensure installation space for the wind generating device 43 within the body frame 13. In addition, there is no need to pass the second air blowing passage 54 connecting to the second air blowing duct 56 through the body frame 13, or this can be made short, simplifying the air blowing configuration. Therefore, the wind generating device 43 according to this embodiment can be easily applied to small vehicles.

[0063] (Fifth embodiment) In another embodiment, the first air blowing means 41 and the second air blowing means 42 can also be configured to include an air generating device 43 having two independently drivable first and second air generating sections 71 and 72, a first air supply duct 55 and a second air supply duct 56 arranged near the work implement 24 and the work target, a first air supply passage 53 connected to the first air supply section 71 and guiding the air generated from the first air supply section 71 to the first air supply duct 55, and a second air supply passage 54 connected to the second air supply section 72 and guiding the air generated from the second air supply section 72 to the second air supply duct 56. In this embodiment, the configuration other than the air supply device 43, the first air supplying means 41, and the second air supplying means 42 is the same as in the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0064] The air creation device 43 has two independently drivable air creation units, a first air creation unit 71 and a second air creation unit 72. The first air creation unit 71 is a centrifugal fan that houses an impeller therein. The first air creation unit 71 has an air outlet 71a for sending air from the impeller to the first air blowing means 41, and the air outlet 71a is connected to the first air blowing passage 53. The second air creation unit 72 is also a centrifugal fan that houses an impeller therein. The second air creation unit 72 has an air outlet 72a for sending air from the impeller to the first air blowing means 41. The air outlet 72a is directly connected to the second air blowing duct 56.

[0065] With this configuration, the paths from the first blower section 71 and the second blower section 72 to the first blower duct 55 and the second blower duct 56 can be shortened.

[0066] Furthermore, because the first air blowing means 41 and the second air blowing means 42 are configured to be driven independently, the second air blowing means 42 can be made into an attachment. That is, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, the mounting stay 57 can be removed from the front bumper 13b1 of the body frame 13. In this way, when the second air blowing means 42 is not required for work, it can be completely removed from the work vehicle 100, including its drive source.

[0067] As a first specification, in seasons when dew does not form on the grass, only the first air blowing means 41 comprising the first air raising section 71, the first air blowing passage 53 and the first air blowing duct 55 is equipped, thereby reducing the weight of the work vehicle in those seasons and achieving energy savings in mowing work.

[0068] As a second specification, as shown in Figure 9, when the season comes when dew is likely to form on the grass, the user can install the second air blowing means 42 at their discretion, and by using the first air blowing means 41 and the second air blowing means 42 simultaneously, mowing work can be carried out efficiently without interruptions or stagnation.

[0069] As a third specification, when no grass cutting work is to be performed and only blower work is to be performed to blow away fallen leaves, etc., only the second air blowing means 42 equipped with the second air raising section 72, second air blowing passage 54 and second air blowing duct 56 needs to be operated. In this way, three specifications can be offered to suit the intended use of the work vehicle.

[0070] In this embodiment, the rear wheels 11B are used as the main drive wheels, but the front wheels may be used as the main drive wheels, and the rear wheels may be driven as needed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 10 Prime Mover 11A front wheel 11B rear wheel 12 Running part 13 Body frame 13a Side frame 13b1 Front bumper 13b2 Connecting Frame 15 Transmission 17 Driver's seat 18 Handle 18a Steering shaft 18b steering column 19 Front-wheel drive 21 Output shaft 22 Universal joint 23 Power transmission section 24 Work equipment 31 Cutter deck 31a Cutting Blade 33 PTO output shaft 34 Universal joint 35 Mowing input shaft 35a input pulley 36 Belt Case 41 First ventilation means 42 Secondary ventilation means 43 Wind raising device 43a Impeller 44 Wind power extraction shaft 51 Gathering aisle 52 Branch 53 First ventilation passage 53a Slope 54 Second ventilation passage 54a Slope 55 First ventilation duct 55a Ventilation hole 56 Second ventilation duct 56a Air vent 57 Mounting stay 62 Coaxial rotation and reversal mechanism 63 Rotation direction change mechanism 65 Wind generating drive unit 71 First wind raising part 71a Air outlet 72 Second wind raising part 72a Air outlet 100 Work Vehicles

Claims

1. a running unit including a prime mover and front and rear wheels; a vehicle body frame to which the prime mover and the front and rear wheels of the traveling unit are attached; A work vehicle comprising: a work implement mounted on the body frame, A work vehicle comprising a first air blowing means for blowing air toward the work implement.

2. A second blowing means is provided to blow air to a work target of the work machine.

2. The work vehicle according to claim 1.

3. The first and second blowing means are A wind generator; a first air duct and a second air duct arranged near the work machine and the work target; a first air passage and a second air passage on the upstream side that communicate with the first air duct and the second air duct and send air from the air generating device; a branching section that branches the airflow generated by the air generating device toward a first air passage and a second air passage, the branching section being configured so that an upstream flow path of the branching section can be changed to be connected to both the first air passage and the second air passage, to be connected only to the first air passage, or to be connected only to the second air passage; 3. The work vehicle according to claim 2.

4. the driving unit includes a power transmission unit that transmits rotational power of the prime mover to a rear wheel; a transmission that houses the power transmission unit; a blowing power take-off shaft that transmits power from the transmission to the wind generating device, the wind generating device is connected to the air blowing power take-off shaft and is driven by power from the prime mover; 4. The work vehicle according to claim 3.

5. The wind generating device is composed of a serial axial flow fan having two impellers rotating in different directions.

5. The work vehicle according to claim 4,

6. The wind generating device includes a detachable mounting stay at the front of the vehicle body frame and includes a blower drive unit.

4. The work vehicle according to claim 3.

7. The first blowing means and the second blowing means are a wind generating device having two independently drivable first and second wind generating units; a first air duct and a second air duct arranged near the work machine and the work target; a first air passage connected to the first air raising section and guiding the air raised from the first air raising section to the first air duct; and a second air passage connected to the second air raising section and guiding the air raised from the second air raising section to the second air duct.

3. The work vehicle according to claim 2.

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