Agricultural machinery

Abstract

To provide an agricultural work machine equipped with a tillage depth adjusting part capable of holding the position of a spring even if a spring seat is omitted. [Solution] The agricultural work machine comprises a rotary working unit that tills the soil, and a tilling depth adjustment unit that is provided in front of the rotary working unit and that adjusts the tilling depth of the rotary working unit, the tilling depth adjustment unit having a gauge wheel shaped, a wheel arm that rotatably supports the gauge wheel, a wheel bracket that holds the wheel arm so that it can move up and down, and a spring that is located above the wheel bracket and applies an upward force to the wheel arm, and the upper part of the wheel bracket is provided with at least one protruding piece that is located inside the spring and limits the movement of the spring in the radial direction of the spring.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an agricultural implement, and more particularly to an agricultural implement that has a tilling rotor (also called a "rotary working unit") attached to the rear of a traveling body, a tilling working unit with attached gauge wheels, and that tills the soil of a field while moving forward as the traveling body (tractor) moves forward. [Background technology]

[0002] Gauge wheels that are installed in front of a rotary implement attached to the rear of a tractor and that adjust the tilling depth of the rotary implement have been known for some time. Patent Document 1 also discloses a rotary implement that includes a gauge wheel. The gauge wheel has a wheel arm that is inserted into a wheel arm insertion portion of a wheel bracket that serves as the attachment portion for the rotary implement, and the wheel arm insertion portion and the wheel arm are engaged with a pin, making it possible to adjust the position of the gauge wheel up and down. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3366830 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As shown in Patent Document 1, a conventional gauge wheel is provided with a spring that biases the wheel arm upward to assist the operator in lifting the gauge wheel. A spring retainer is provided at the upper end of the wheel arm and the upper end of the wheel arm insertion portion to hold the spring in an appropriate position, and the spring is interposed between these spring retainers. In other words, in conventional wheel gauges, two spring retainers are provided for each spring, one above and one below. Since two gauge wheels are typically provided per agricultural work machine, four spring retainers are required for each agricultural work machine. Therefore, providing two spring retainers for one spring increases costs in terms of both procurement costs and the number of assembly parts.

[0005] Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide an agricultural work machine equipped with a tillage depth adjustment section that can maintain the position of the spring even if the spring receiver is omitted. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an agricultural work machine is provided, comprising: a rotary working unit for tilling soil; and a tilling depth adjustment unit provided in front of the rotary working unit for adjusting the tilling depth of the rotary working unit, wherein the tilling depth adjustment unit has a gauge wheel having a wheel shape, a wheel arm for rotatably supporting the gauge wheel, a wheel bracket for holding the wheel arm so that it can move in the vertical direction, and a spring arranged above the wheel bracket for applying an upward force to the wheel arm, and wherein the upper part of the wheel bracket is provided with at least one convex piece located inside the spring and limiting the radial movement of the spring.

[0007] In the agricultural work machine, the wheel arm may be inserted through the spring.

[0008] In the agricultural work machine, the convex piece may come into contact with an inner side of the spring.

[0009] In the agricultural work machine, the convex piece may have a curved surface at an end of the upper surface.

[0010] In the agricultural work machine, the height of the upward extension of the convex piece may be equal to or greater than the radius of the wire diameter of the spring.

[0011] The agricultural work machine may further include a spring holding member that is provided on an upper side of the wheel arm, has a recess corresponding to the outer diameter and inner diameter of the spring, and holds the position of the spring.

[0012] In the agricultural machine, the at least one convex piece may include two convex pieces provided on both radial sides of the spring relative to the wheel arm, and the two convex pieces may each contact the inner side of the spring.

[0013] In the agricultural work machine, the at least one protruding piece may be provided on one radial side of the spring with respect to the wheel arm, and the wheel arm and the protruding piece may each contact an inner side of the spring. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide an agricultural work machine equipped with a tillage depth adjustment section that can maintain the position of the spring even if the spring receiver is omitted. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic view of an agricultural work machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention, viewed obliquely from the front. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic top view of an agricultural work machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic front view of an agricultural work machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4]1 is a schematic side view of an agricultural work machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic view of a tillage depth adjusting section according to a first embodiment of the present invention, viewed obliquely from the rear side. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic side view of a tillage depth adjusting section according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic front view of a tillage depth adjusting section according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic view of a wheel bracket according to a first embodiment of the present invention, viewed obliquely from the rear. FIG. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a wheel bracket according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a wheel bracket according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a wheel bracket according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a tillage depth adjusting section according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a tillage depth adjusting section according to a second embodiment of the present invention, seen obliquely from the rear side. [Figure 14] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a tillage depth adjusting section according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a tillage depth adjusting section according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 6 is a schematic front view of a tillage depth adjusting section according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a tillage depth adjusting section according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the agricultural work machine of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the agricultural work machine of the present invention can be embodied in many different forms, and should not be construed as being limited to the description of the examples shown below. In the drawings referred to in this embodiment, the same parts or parts having similar functions are given the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0017] For ease of explanation, terms indicating directions such as up (upper side), down (lower side), forward (front side), backward (rear side), right (right side), and left (left side) are used, but the direction in which gravity acts is downward, and the opposite is upward. Also, the direction in which the traveling machine body moves is forward, and the opposite is backward. Furthermore, when facing forward, the right side is the right side, and the left side is the left side.

[0018] First Embodiment (1-1. Configuration of agricultural machinery) The following describes the configuration of the agricultural work machine 100 of this embodiment. In this embodiment, the agricultural work machine 100 is exemplified as a tillage work machine that is attached to the rear of a traveling body such as a tractor and is towed by the traveling body to till a field.

[0019] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an agricultural work machine 100 according to this embodiment, viewed from the diagonally front left side in the direction of travel. Fig. 2 is a schematic top view of the agricultural work machine 100 according to this embodiment. Fig. 3 is a schematic front view of the agricultural work machine 100 according to this embodiment. Fig. 4 is a schematic side view of the agricultural work machine 100 according to this embodiment, viewed from the left side in the direction of travel. Note that Figs. 1 to 4 show the general configuration of the agricultural work machine 100 according to this embodiment, and for ease of explanation, some parts are not shown.

[0020] The agricultural work machine 100 of this embodiment broadly includes an attachment unit 10, a tilling work unit 20, and a tilling depth adjustment unit 30. Each unit will be described in detail below.

[0021] (1-1-1. Mounting part 10) The mounting portion 10 has a top link pin 11 (top link connecting portion), a pair of lower link connecting portions 12a and 12b, top masts 13a and 13b, and a connecting member 14.

[0022] The top masts 13a and 13b are fixed to a first support frame 21 and a second support frame 22 of the tilling work unit 20 (described later), and support the top link pin 11. The lower link connectors 12a and 12b are fixed to the first support frame 21. The connector 14 is provided on the first support frame 21 and extends forward, connecting the left and right connector holding plates that respectively hold the lower link connectors 12a and 12b, and functions as a reinforcing member (stay).

[0023] The top link pin 11 and the lower link connecting portions 12a and 12b are connected to a three-point linkage mechanism (not shown) provided at the rear of a traveling machine body such as a tractor. The structure of a three-point linkage mechanism is well known, so a description thereof will be omitted here. By connecting the mounting portion 10 to the three-point linkage mechanism of the traveling machine body, the agricultural work machine 100 of one embodiment of the present invention is mounted to the rear of the traveling machine body.

[0024] (1-1-2. Cultivation work department 20) The tilling work unit 20 has a first support frame 21, a second support frame 22, a pair of side plates 23a and 23b, a shield cover 24, a gearbox 25, a chain drive unit 26, a tilling work rotor 27 (also called the "rotary work unit"), and a ground leveling unit 28.

[0025] The first support frame 21 is a square pipe-shaped member extending in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction (left-right direction), and side plates 23a and 23b are connected to both ends of the first support frame 21 to support the side plates 23a and 23b. The top masts 13a and 13b are fixed to the first support frame 21, and left and right connection portion holding plates that hold the lower link connection portions 12a and 12b, respectively, are fixed to the first support frame 21. The second support frame 22 is located rearward and above (at a higher position) the first support frame 21 in a side view, and is disposed (substantially) parallel to the first support frame 21. The second support frame 22 is a round pipe-shaped member extending in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction (left-right direction) with the gearbox 25 at its center. Similar to the first support frame 21, the second support frame 22 is connected to both ends of the side plates 23a and 23b to support the side plates 23a and 23b. The top masts 13a and 13b are fixed to the second support frame 22. A transmission shaft (not shown) that transmits power transmitted from the gearbox 25 to the chain drive unit 26 is disposed inside the second support frame 22, which is disposed to the left of the gearbox 25. The first support frame 21 and the second support frame 22 are structural members of the agricultural work machine 100 and function as a machine body frame. As described above, the first support frame 21 and the second support frame 22 support the top link pin 11 via the top masts 13a and 13b. The first support frame 21 supports the lower link connectors 12a and 12b via a connector holding plate.

[0026] A tillage rotor 27 is installed between the side plates 23a and 23b. A shield cover 24 is installed between the side plates 23a and 23b and covers the upper side of the tillage rotor 27. The shield cover 24 prevents soil clods from flying upward when the tillage rotor 27 is performing tillage work. The side plates 23a and 23b and the shield cover 24 also function as a machine frame.

[0027] The gearbox 25 is provided between the left and right second support frames and is equipped with an input shaft 25a to which power transmitted from the running body (not shown) is input, and a gear that transmits the power input by the input shaft 25a to a power transmission shaft (not shown) arranged inside the left second support frame 22.

[0028] The chain drive unit 26 is connected to the power transmission shaft and transmits the power transmitted via the power transmission shaft to the tillage rotor 27. The chain drive unit 26 in this embodiment is a wrapping transmission device that combines a pair of sprockets and a chain, but is not limited to this example and may be a transmission device that combines multiple gears, or a wrapping transmission device that combines a pair of pulleys and a belt.

[0029] The tillage rotor 27 includes a tine shaft 27a and multiple tines 27b. Multiple tines 27b are arranged around the tine shaft 27a at predetermined mounting positions. Multiple mounting positions for the tines 27b are provided at predetermined intervals along the length of the tine shaft 27a. In Figure 4, a dotted circle 27c represents the rotational path of the tines 27b.

[0030] In one embodiment of the present invention, the tillage tines 27b are mounted on the tine shaft 27a with a phase shift between adjacent mounting positions. In other words, when the tillage rotor 27 is viewed from the direction along the tine shaft 27a (left-right direction), the multiple tillage tines 27b that are adjacently mounted at each mounting position are arranged in a spiral from one side of the tine shaft 27a to the other. This reduces resistance when the tillage rotor 27 tills, and also makes it possible to obtain a uniform field surface with few irregularities. Note that the arrangement of the multiple tillage tines 27b is not limited to a spiral arrangement and can be changed as appropriate.

[0031] Furthermore, the claw shaft 27a is rotatably attached to the side plates 23a and 23b via bearings, etc. In one embodiment of the present invention, power from a traveling machine body such as a tractor is transmitted to the claw shaft 27a via the gearbox 25, a power transmission shaft (not shown) inserted inside the second support frame 22, and the chain drive unit 26, and as the claw shaft 27a rotates, the multiple tillage tines 27b also rotate, causing the tillage rotor 27 to perform tillage work.

[0032] Ground leveling section 28 (also referred to as "apron") is provided behind tillage rotor 27. The rear tip 28a of ground leveling section 28 comes into contact with the ground at its lowest end, and levels the surface of the field that has been tilled by tillage rotor 27.

[0033] (1-1-3. Tillage depth adjustment unit 30) The tillage depth adjustment unit 30 includes a tillage depth adjustment unit 30a provided on the left side in the direction of travel and a tillage depth adjustment unit 30b provided on the right side in the direction of travel, and is a member that adjusts the tillage depth of the agricultural work machine 100. The tillage depth adjustment units 30a and 30b have (approximately) bilaterally symmetrical structures. The tillage depth adjustment unit 30a will be described using Figures 5 to 7. The structure of the tillage depth adjustment unit 30b is approximately the same as that of the tillage depth adjustment unit 30a, except for the attachment direction of the grip 360, and therefore a description of the tillage depth adjustment unit 30b will be omitted.

[0034] Fig. 5 is a schematic view of the tilling depth adjustment unit 30a as seen from the diagonally rear left side in the traveling direction. Fig. 6 is a schematic side view of the tilling depth adjustment unit 30a as seen from the left side in the traveling direction. Fig. 7 is a schematic front view of the tilling depth adjustment unit 30a. As shown in Figs. 5 to 7, the tilling depth adjustment unit 30a includes a gauge wheel 310, a wheel arm 320, a wheel bracket 330, a spring 340, a spring holding member 350, a grip 360, a scraper 370, a bracket fixing device 380, and a fixing device 390 (pin). The tilling depth adjustment unit 30 is attached to the first support frame 21 and is provided in front of the tilling unit 20 (tilling rotor 27). The tillage depth adjustment unit 30 is configured to be able to adjust the height by fixing the position (height) of the gauge wheel 310 by inserting a fixture 390 through a hole located at a desired position among a plurality of holes 322a (described later) provided in the wheel arm 320 and a plurality of holes (second through-holes 330h2) provided in the wheel bracket 330. Depending on the adjusted position of the gauge wheel 310, the tillage rotor 27 can till at a constant tillage depth.

[0035] (Gauge Wheel 310) The gauge wheel 310 has a wheel shape. The diameter (size) of the gauge wheel 310 can be adjusted as needed.

[0036] (Wheel arm 320) The wheel arm 320 has a gauge wheel support portion 321 and an arm portion 322. The gauge wheel support portion 321 has a horizontal support portion connected to the arm portion 322 and arranged (approximately) horizontally along the circumferential surface of the gauge wheel 310, and vertical support portions connected (approximately) perpendicular to the horizontal support portion, arranged on both sides of the gauge wheel 310 so as to sandwich the gauge wheel 310, and supporting the gauge wheel 310 rotatably at both ends. The arm portion 322 is a square pipe-shaped member having the horizontal support portion of the gauge wheel support portion 321 fixed to its lower end and extending upward. The arm portion 322 has multiple holes 322a arranged vertically, through which a fixing device 390 can be inserted. A spring holding member 350 is attached to the upper portion of the arm portion 322. A spring 340 is inserted into the arm portion 322.

[0037] (Wheel bracket 330) Wheel bracket 330 will be described using Figure 8. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of wheel bracket 330 as seen from the diagonally rear left side. Wheel bracket 330 is a member that holds wheel arm 320 so that it can move up and down. Wheel bracket 330 includes a first plate-shaped member 331, a tubular member 332, a second plate-shaped member 333, a third plate-shaped member 335, and a bracket fixture fixing member 337. Note that first plate-shaped member 331, tubular member 332, second plate-shaped member 333, third plate-shaped member 335, and bracket fixture fixing member 337 may be connected by welding, or may be machined and molded as a single unit.

[0038] The first plate-shaped member 331 and the second plate-shaped member 333 are formed by processing a metal plate. The first plate-shaped member 331 is a member bent at a (substantially) right angle in top view, and a rear end portion 331b is fixed to the bracket fixer fixing member 337 so as to be positioned in front of the bracket fixer fixing member 337. The first plate-shaped member 331 has a first portion 3311 that covers the front of the inserted wheel arm 320 and is arranged to guide the vertical movement of the wheel arm 320, and a second portion 3312 that is connected to the bracket fixer fixing member 337, extends forward, and covers the side of the wheel arm 320. The second plate-shaped member 333 is disposed parallel to the second portion 3312 of the first plate-shaped member 331, and a rear end portion 333b is fixed to the bracket fixer fixing member 337 so as to face the second portion 3312 of the first plate-shaped member 331 at a predetermined distance (corresponding to the thickness of the wheel arm 320 to be inserted). An end portion 3311a of the first portion 3311 of the first plate-shaped member 331 is connected to (contacts or is close to) the second plate-shaped member 333 (front end portion 333a on the front side). The third plate-shaped member 335 is disposed extending in the left-right direction so as to be connected to (contacts or is close to) the first plate-shaped member 331 and the second plate-shaped member 333. In this embodiment, the first plate-shaped member 331, the second plate-shaped member 333, and the third plate-shaped member 335 form a space 330s (wheel arm insertion portion) through which the arm portion 322 of the wheel arm 320 is inserted.

[0039] In this embodiment, a convex piece 331t that protrudes upward is provided on the upper part of the second portion 3312 of the first plate-shaped member 331. Similarly, a convex piece 333t that protrudes upward is also provided on the upper part of the second plate-shaped member 333. The convex pieces 331t and 333t are formed during the process of processing the first plate-shaped member 331 and the second plate-shaped member 333, respectively. Therefore, the convex piece 331t is provided integrally with the first plate-shaped member 331, and the convex piece 333t is provided integrally with the second plate-shaped member 333. The convex pieces 331t and 333t are formed in (substantially) the same shape, and corners 331tk of the convex piece 331t and corners 333tk of the convex piece 333t are formed in a rounded curved shape (R-shape). The protruding pieces 331t and 333t are arranged opposite each other, and when the arm portion 322 of the wheel arm 320 is inserted into the wheel bracket 330, the protruding piece 331t, the arm portion 322, and the protruding piece 333t are arranged adjacent to each other in the left-right direction. Note that the protruding pieces 331t and 333t may be rectangular pillars or circular pins that are not long in the front-rear direction and have similar widths in the front-rear and left-right directions.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 12 (described later), a spring 340 is fitted to the outside of the two protruding pieces 331t and 333t, and the protruding pieces 331t and 333t are positioned inside the spring 340. In this case, the protruding pieces 331t (corner 331tk) and the protruding pieces 333t (corner 333tk) have a size (length in the front-rear direction) that allows them to come into contact with the inside of the spring 340, in other words, to be inscribed in the inside of the spring 340, or to come close enough to come into contact with the inside of the spring 340 that moves due to tilling work or movement, and have the function of limiting the position of the lower end of the spring 340 within a predetermined range so that it does not deviate from the predetermined range. This limits the movement of the spring 340 in the radial direction, making it possible to stabilize the position of the lower end of the spring 340. It is desirable that the height T331t of the upward extension of the protruding piece 331t and the height T333t of the upward extension of the protruding piece 333t are equal to or greater than the radius of the wire diameter of the spring 340.

[0041] The bracket fixture fixing member 337 is connected to the rear end 331b of the first plate-shaped member 331 and the rear end 333b of the second plate-shaped member 333. The bracket fixture fixing member 337 is a member that cooperates with the bracket fixture 380 to attach (fix) the wheel bracket 330 to the first support frame 21, and is provided with holes for attaching the bracket fixture 380. As shown in Fig. 5, two bracket fixtures 380 are attached to the bracket fixture fixing member 337.

[0042] In this embodiment, the bracket fixing device 380 is formed by a U-shaped bolt, and therefore the bracket fixing device fixing member 337 is provided with two sets of upper and lower mounting holes aligned in the left-right direction for attaching the bracket fixing device 380. Note that the first support frames 21 of the agricultural work machine 100 to which the tillage depth adjustment unit 30 is attached vary in thickness depending on the type (model). Therefore, in the bracket fixing device fixing member 337 of this embodiment, the upper mounting hole of the two sets of four mounting holes has a shape in which two holes are overlapping one another (like a pot-shaped hole) so that the tillage depth adjustment unit 30 can be attached to two first support frames 21 of different thicknesses. In other words, when attaching to a thick first support frame 21, the upper side of the vertically connected holes is used to use a bracket fixing device 380 with a wider width (in the vertical direction), and when attaching to a thin first support frame 21, the lower side of the vertically connected holes is used to use a bracket fixing device 380 with a narrower width (in the vertical direction). In this way, first support frames 21 of different models (types) and different thicknesses can be accommodated using a common wheel bracket 330 member, which reduces the manufacturing costs of the agricultural machine.

[0043] The shape of the mounting holes can be changed as desired as long as it allows for the attachment of multiple bracket fasteners 380 with different widths corresponding to the thickness of the first support frame 21. In this embodiment, the upper mounting holes of the two sets of four mounting holes have a shape in which two holes overlap and are connected together, but it is also possible for the lower mounting holes to have a shape in which two holes overlap and are connected together. It is also possible for the mounting holes to be configured as two independent circular holes rather than having a shape in which two holes overlap and are connected together. The mounting holes can also be changed as desired to correspond to the thickness of the first support frame 21 (the widths of the multiple bracket fasteners 380).

[0044] The first plate-shaped member 331 and the second plate-shaped member 333 have a first through-hole 330h1 to which the cylindrical member 332 is fixed, and a second through-hole 330h2 through which the fixture 390 can be inserted. The fixture 390 can be inserted into the cylindrical member 332. Two second through-holes 330h2 are provided in the vertical direction. By providing a plurality of second through-holes 330h2 in the vertical direction, the range of adjustment of the position (height) of the gauge wheel 310 is increased compared to when one second through-hole is provided, i.e., the height of the gauge wheel 310 can be adjusted more finely.

[0045] 9 and 10 are enlarged cross-sectional schematic diagrams showing the wheel bracket 330 and the fixture 390 taken along the line A1-A2 in FIG. 6. Note that the gauge wheel 310, wheel arm 320, scraper 370, and bracket fixture 380 are omitted from FIGS. 9 and 10. In this example, the fixture 390 is inserted through the wheel bracket 330 from its left side. As shown in FIG. 9, a cylindrical member 332 is provided from the first plate-like member 331 to the second plate-like member 333 via a first through-hole 330h1.

[0046] The cylindrical member 332 has a function of holding the fixing device 390. The cylindrical member 332 has a first annular groove portion 332mL and a second annular groove portion 332mR. The first annular groove portion 332mL is a groove provided in an annular shape on the left side of the cylindrical member 332. The second annular groove portion 332mR is a groove provided in an annular shape on the right side of the cylindrical member 332. The first annular groove portion 332mL and the second annular groove portion 332mR are arranged symmetrically on the left and right sides.

[0047] The fixture 390 is a columnar member bent into a substantially U-shape, and one end of the fixture 390 is inserted into the cylindrical member 332, and the other end of the fixture 390 is inserted into the second through-hole 330h2.

[0048] An internal spring 334 is disposed inside the cylindrical member 332. The internal spring 334 is a compression spring. The first annular groove 332mL has a hole through which one end of the fixture 390 that is inserted into the cylindrical member 332 can be inserted, and a spring catcher 332k is fitted into the first annular groove 332mL to which the left end of the internal spring 334 can abut and which prevents the internal spring 334 from falling off to the left. In addition, a fixture support portion 391 (washer) is fitted into the tip of the one end of the fixture 390 that is inserted into the cylindrical member 332. The fixture support portion 391 (washer) is circular (disk-shaped) and fits to the diameter of the cylindrical member 332 so that it does not fit into the second annular groove 332mR. The internal spring 334 is sandwiched between a spring fastener 332k fitted into the first annular groove 332mL and a fixture support portion 391 (washer) inside the tubular member 332. In addition, a pin 392 that can come into contact with the left end of the tubular member 332 is attached to the fixture 390. This prevents the fixture 390 from moving too far to the right and causing the fixture support portion 391 to move out of the tubular member 332. With this structure, as shown in FIG. 10 , when the fixture 390 is pulled to the left, the left side of the internal spring 334 abuts against the spring fastener 332k, and the fixture support portion 391 (washer) abuts against the internal spring 334, pressing the internal spring 334 to the left. Because the left side of the internal spring 334 abuts against the spring fastener 332k, the internal spring 334 elastically deforms and contracts. This allows the internal spring 334 to exert a rightward biasing force (a restoring force that attempts to restore the internal spring 334 to its original state), while preventing the internal spring 334 and the fixing device 390 from falling out of the tubular member 332. As a result, one end of the U-shaped fixing device 390 that is inserted into the tubular member 332 can be left inside the tubular member 332, while the other end that is inserted into the second through-hole 330h2 can be removed from the wheel bracket 330 and the wheel arm 320. Furthermore, when the pulling of the fixing device 390 to the left is stopped, the fixing device 390 moves rightward due to the biasing force of the internal spring 334 (a restoring force that attempts to restore the internal spring 334 to its original state).

[0049] In this embodiment, the portion of the wheel bracket 330 involved in inserting and removing the fastener 390 has a symmetrical structure. As shown in FIG. 9 , the first annular groove 332mL and the second annular groove 332mR have the same shape. Therefore, using the same wheel bracket 330, the fastener 390 can be inserted from either the right or left side. In other words, the wheel bracket 330 can be used as a common wheel bracket for both left and right sides, regardless of whether it is left or right. For example, when assembling the wheel bracket 330 for the right tillage depth adjustment unit 30b, the spring fastener 332k of the tubular member 332 is fitted into the second annular groove 332mR and the fastener 390 is inserted from the right side, as shown in FIG. 11 . In other words, the left and right tillage depth adjustment units 30 can be constructed using the same wheel bracket 330 components, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the agricultural implement.

[0050] In this embodiment, the first plate-shaped member 331 and the second plate-shaped member 333 are provided separately, but they may be formed as a single unit, in which case the resulting plate-shaped member will be U-shaped.

[0051] (Spring 340) The spring 340 is disposed between the upper side of the wheel bracket 330 and the spring holding member 350. The lower end of the spring 340 abuts against the upper surfaces of the first plate-shaped member 331 (second portion 3312) and the second plate-shaped member 333 of the wheel bracket 330. That is, the height position of the lower end of the spring 340 is limited by the first plate-shaped member 331 (second portion 3312) and the second plate-shaped member 333. The spring 340 is disposed outside the protruding pieces 331t and 333t of the wheel bracket 330 described above. When the arm portion 322 of the wheel arm 320 is inserted into the space 330s of the wheel bracket 330, the arm portion 322 is inserted into the spring 340. The spring 340 is a compression spring and is provided with an urging force (restoring force) in the extension direction, i.e., in the upward direction. As a result, the spring 340 applies an upward force to the wheel arm 320 via the spring holding member 350. The wire diameter of the spring 340 is set appropriately. In this example, the wire diameter of the spring 340 is 10 mm.

[0052] (Spring holding member 350) The spring holding member 350 is provided on the upper side of the wheel arm 320. The spring holding member 350 is fixed to the upper end of the arm portion 322 of the wheel arm 320 via fasteners (bolts and nuts in this example). The spring holding member 350 is formed by combining two plate-shaped members 351 (plate-shaped members 351-1 and 351-2) that are configured symmetrically. Specifically, the plate-shaped members 351-1 and 351-2 have two bent portions 351c and are configured by bending them. More specifically, the plate-shaped members 351-1 and 351-2 each have an upper portion 351u that extends (approximately) vertically, a horizontal portion that is bent (approximately) horizontally from the lower end of the upper portion 351u outward at (approximately) a right angle when the center of the gauge wheel 310 in the left-right (width) direction is taken as the center (inside), and a lower portion that is bent (approximately) at a right angle from the outer end of the horizontal portion downward and extends (approximately) vertically downward. The upper portions 351u of the plate-like members 351-1 and 351-2 are fixed back to back. A grip 360 is fixed to the left side of the spring holding member 350 (upper portion 351u).

[0053] Plate-shaped members 351 of spring holding member 350 function to hold the upper end position of spring 340. Each plate-shaped member 351 has two recesses 350a formed corresponding to the portion that contacts spring 340. Recesses 350a are shaped according to the outer and inner diameters of spring 340, and the upper end of spring 340 engages with each recess. This limits radial movement of spring 340, stabilizing the position of the upper end of spring 340. Note that, to prevent disengagement with spring 340, the depth of recesses 350a is preferably equal to or greater than the linear radius of spring 340. Instead of recesses 350a, plate-shaped members 351 of spring holding member 350 may be provided with convex portions such as convex pieces 331t and 333t, or may be provided with pins positioned inside spring 340.

[0054] (Grip 360) One end of the grip 360 is inserted into holes provided in the upper parts of the plate-like members 351-1 and 351-2 of the spring holding member 350, and is fixed via a fixing device (a nut in this example). This integrates the two plate-like members 351-1 and 351-2 of the spring holding member 350, and also fixes the grip 360. The grip 360 is a member that is held by an operator. The operator can change the hole 322a of the wheel arm 320 through which the fixing device 390 is to be inserted by grasping the grip 360 and moving it up and down to move the wheel arm 320 up and down. In this manner, in this embodiment, the spring holding member 350 also serves as a member for fixing the grip 360, so that a simple configuration can be realized.

[0055] (Scraper 370) The scraper 370 is fixed to the rear of the wheel arm 320 via a bolt. The scraper 370 may be welded to the wheel arm 320 without a bolt. The scraper 370 covers the upper part of the gauge wheel 310 and is provided to fit the width of the gauge wheel 310 so as to fit along the circumferential surface of the gauge wheel 310. In this case, the scraper 370 may be partially bent to fit the shape of the gauge wheel 310. By using the scraper 370 of this embodiment, the amount of soil adhering to the upper part of the gauge wheel 310 is reduced, preventing resistance during travel and enabling soil adhering to the gauge wheel 310 to be scraped off in accordance with the rotation of the gauge wheel 310. In this embodiment, the tip 370a of the scraper 370 may be modified to fit the shape of the gauge wheel 310. In this example, the tip 370a of the scraper 370 has an arc shape that is slightly concave toward the center in the width direction. The tip 370a of the scraper 370 is not limited to an arc shape, but may be provided in a straight line or may have an uneven shape (serrated shape).

[0056] The bracket fasteners 380 are U-shaped bolts that fasten the wheel bracket 330 to the first support frame 21, and are fastened to bracket fastener fastening members 337 of the wheel bracket 330 so as to sandwich the first support frame 21. In this example, the two bracket fasteners 380 have threads at their tips, and the tips are inserted into holes in the bracket fastener fastening members 337 and nuts are fastened to the tips, thereby fastening the bracket fasteners 380 to the bracket fastener fastening members 337. The vertical width of the bracket fasteners 380 (the distance between the upper end and the lower end) is approximately the same as the vertical width of the first support frame 21. In this embodiment, the first support frame 21 is made of a square pipe, so the bracket fasteners 380 are made of U-shaped bolts. However, if the first support frame 21 is made of a round pipe, the bracket fasteners 380 may be made of U-bolts.

[0057] (Positional relationship between the protrusion and the wheel arm) FIG. 12 is a schematic enlarged view of the cross section taken along the line B1-B2 in the front view of FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 12, two protruding pieces 331t and 333t are provided facing each other in the left-right direction. When the wheel arm 320 (arm portion 322) is inserted into the wheel bracket 330, the protruding piece 331t, the arm portion 322, and the protruding piece 333t are arranged adjacent to each other in the left-right direction. In this case, the protruding pieces 331t and 333t are located on both sides of the wheel arm 320 (arm portion 322). In this example, the central axis 322c of the arm portion 322 and the central axis 340c of the spring 340 coincide with each other. Furthermore, the protruding pieces 331t and 333t are located inside the spring 340. At this time, the corners 331tk of the protruding piece 331t and the corners 333tk of the protruding piece 333t contact or are close to the inside of the spring 340. As a result, the radial movement of the spring 340 is limited by the convex pieces 331t and 333t. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8, the corners 331tk of the convex pieces 331t and the corners 333tk of the convex pieces 333t have an R-shape (curved surface) at the ends of their upper surfaces when viewed from the side. In this example, the radius of curvature of the corners 331tk of the convex pieces 331t and the corners 333tk of the convex pieces 333t is 5 mm. As a result, even if the spring 340 moves upward, the spring 340 can return to its original position without remaining at the top of the convex pieces 331t and 333t. Therefore, even if a spring receiver is omitted, the position of the lower end of the spring 340 can be stabilized. That is, in this embodiment, some of the members constituting the wheel bracket 330 (more specifically, the first plate-shaped member 331 and the second plate-shaped member 333, which are members that contact the lower end of the spring 340) are provided with convex pieces (convex portions) that limit the radial movement of the lower end of the spring 340, thereby giving the members that contact the lower end of the spring 340 the function of a spring receiver. Therefore, by using this embodiment, it is possible to provide an agricultural work machine that is equipped with a tillage depth adjustment unit that can hold the position of the spring with a simple configuration, without the need to provide a separate spring receiver.

[0058] In the present embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the convex pieces 331t and 333t are provided on the upper parts of the second portions 3312 of the first plate-shaped member 331 located on both sides of the wheel arm 320 (arm portion 322) in the left-right direction, and the convex piece 333t is provided on the upper part of the second plate-shaped member 333. However, the locations where the convex pieces are provided are not limited to this configuration, and they may be provided anywhere as long as they can limit the radial movement of the spring 340. For example, they may be provided on the upper parts of the first portions 3311 of the first plate-shaped member 331 located on both sides of the front-rear direction, and on the upper part of the third plate-shaped member 335. In other words, it is sufficient that the convex pieces are provided on both sides of the wheel arm 320 (arm portion 322) in the radial direction of the spring 340.

[0059] Second Embodiment In this embodiment, an agricultural work machine different from that of the first embodiment will be described. Specifically, a case will be described in which a wheel bracket 330 of the tillage depth adjustment unit has one protruding piece. Note that descriptions of parts that overlap with the first embodiment will be omitted where appropriate. Also, in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the left-side tillage depth adjustment unit and the right-side tillage depth adjustment unit have substantially the same configuration and are symmetrical, so only the left-side tillage depth adjustment unit 30Aa will be described, and a description of the right-side tillage depth adjustment unit will be omitted.

[0060] Fig. 13 is a schematic view of the tillage depth adjusting unit 30Aa of this embodiment as seen from the diagonally rear left side in the traveling direction. Fig. 14 is a schematic side view of the tillage depth adjusting unit 30Aa of this embodiment as seen from the left side in the traveling direction. Fig. 15 is a schematic side view of the tillage depth adjusting unit 30Aa of this embodiment as seen from the right side in the traveling direction. Fig. 16 is a schematic front view of the tillage depth adjusting unit 30Aa of this embodiment. Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the tillage depth adjusting unit 30Aa of this embodiment taken along the line A1-A2.

[0061] As shown in FIGS. 13 to 16, the tillage depth adjustment unit 30Aa includes a gauge wheel 310, a wheel arm 320A, a wheel bracket 330A, a spring 340, a spring holding member 350, a grip 360, a scraper 370A, and a fixture 390 (pin).

[0062] (Wheel arm 320A) Unlike the first embodiment, the wheel arm 320A is provided by extending a single plate-like member. The lower part of the wheel arm 320A is disposed on one side of the gauge wheel 310 (on the right side in the traveling direction in FIG. 13) and rotatably supports the gauge wheel 310. The wheel arm 320A has a plurality of holes 320Aa through which the fixing devices 390 can be inserted.

[0063] (Wheel bracket 330A) Wheel bracket 330A holds wheel arm 320A so that it can move up and down. Wheel bracket 330A includes a first plate-shaped member 331A, a tubular member 332, and a second plate-shaped member 333A. Wheel bracket 330A may be fixed to first support frame 21 by welding, without including bracket fixture fixing member 337 as in the first embodiment.

[0064] The first plate-shaped member 331A and the second plate-shaped member 333A are formed by processing a metal plate. The first plate-shaped member 331A and the second plate-shaped member 333A are disposed opposite each other, as shown in FIG. 17. The first plate-shaped member 331A is bent so as to cover the front side of the inserted wheel arm 320A. The first plate-shaped member 331A is connected to a front end 333Aa of the second plate-shaped member 333A. The first plate-shaped member 331A is also bent so as to cover the rear upper surface of the wheel bracket 330A. In this embodiment, a space (wheel arm insertion portion) for inserting the wheel arm 320A is formed by the first plate-shaped member 331A and the second plate-shaped member 333A.

[0065] In this embodiment, the thickness of the first plate-shaped member 331A is preferably smaller than the thickness of the second plate-shaped member 333A. In this example, the thickness of the first plate-shaped member 331A is 6 mm, and the thickness of the second plate-shaped member 333A is 9 mm. Reducing the thickness of the first plate-shaped member 331A makes it easier to bend (facilitates manufacturing). Furthermore, by providing the convex piece 333At only on the second plate-shaped member 333A, the thickness of the second plate-shaped member 333A is large, thereby widening the seating range of the spring 340. As a result, it is possible to prevent the spring 340 from falling off (derailing), and to stabilize the position of the spring 340.

[0066] In this embodiment, a convex piece 333At is provided on the upper portion of the second plate-shaped member 333A. The convex piece 333At is formed during the processing of the second plate-shaped member 333A. Therefore, the convex piece 333At is provided integrally with the second plate-shaped member 333A. When the wheel arm 320A is inserted into the wheel bracket 330A, the arm portion 322 and the convex piece 333t are arranged adjacent to each other in the left-right direction, as shown in FIG. 17 . The convex piece 333At is positioned inside the spring 340. At this time, the convex piece 333At has a size sufficient to contact or be close to the inside of the spring 340. This restricts radial movement of the spring 340 by the convex piece 333At. Therefore, the position of the lower end of the spring 340 can be stabilized. The height of the convex piece 333At is preferably greater than the radius of the wire diameter of the spring 340.

[0067] (Scraper 370A) The scraper 370A is fixed to the wheel arm 320A via a bolt. The scraper 370A is provided to match the width of the gauge wheel 310 so as to cover the top of the gauge wheel 310. By using the scraper 370A of this embodiment, the amount of soil adhering to the top of the gauge wheel 310 is reduced, preventing resistance during travel, and soil adhering to the gauge wheel 310 can be scraped off in accordance with the rotation of the gauge wheel 310. Note that in this embodiment, the tip 370Aa of the scraper 370A may be changed to match the shape of the gauge wheel 310. In this example, the tip 370Aa of the scraper 370A is provided linearly in the width direction.

[0068] (Positional relationship between the protrusion and the wheel arm) As shown in FIG. 17, when the wheel arm 320A is inserted into the wheel bracket 330A, the convex piece 333At is disposed adjacent to one side (the right side in this example) of the wheel arm A 320 in the left-right direction. Although the central axis 320Ac of the wheel arm 320A and the central axis 340c of the spring 340 are misaligned, the convex piece 333At and the wheel arm 320A are positioned inside the spring 340. At this time, the corner 333Atk of the convex piece 333At and the corner 320Ak of ​​the wheel arm 320A contact or are close to the inside of the spring 340. This limits the radial movement of the spring 340 by the convex piece 333At and the wheel arm 320A. Furthermore, although not shown, the corner 333Atk of the convex piece 333At has an R-shape (curved surface) when viewed from the side, similar to the convex piece 333At of the first embodiment. In this example, the radius of curvature of the corner 333Atk of the convex piece 333At is 5 mm. This allows the spring 340 to return to its original position even if it moves upward, without remaining on top of the convex piece 333At. Therefore, even if the spring receiver is omitted, the position of the lower end of the spring 340 can be stabilized. In other words, by using this embodiment, it is possible to provide an agricultural work machine equipped with a tillage depth adjustment unit that can maintain the position of the spring even if the spring receiver is omitted.

[0069] In the present embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the convex piece 333At is provided on the upper part of the second plate-shaped member 333A located on one side (right side) of the wheel arm 320A in the left-right direction, but the location where the convex piece is provided is not limited to this configuration and may be any location that can cooperate with the wheel arm 320A to limit the radial movement of the spring 340. For example, the convex piece may be provided on a location on the left side of the wheel arm 320A of the first plate-shaped member 331A, a location on the front side of the wheel arm 320A of the first plate-shaped member 331A, or a location on the front side of the wheel arm 320A of the first plate-shaped member 331A. In other words, it is sufficient that the convex piece is provided on one side of the spring 340 in the radial direction with respect to the wheel arm 320A.

[0070] <Modification> The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes various other modified examples.

[0071] For example, the present invention includes any configuration in which a convex piece (convex portion) is provided on (at least a part of) a member constituting wheel bracket 330, and the member also functions as a spring receiver for a spring that assists the up and down movement of wheel arm 320 (gauge wheel 310), and is not limited to the configuration in which wheel arm 320 (arm portion 322) is inserted into spring 340 as described above. Furthermore, for example, the shape of the convex piece (convex portion) can be changed as appropriate as long as it can limit the movement of the spring.

[0072] As described above, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present disclosure, and are not necessarily limited to those including all of the described configurations. Furthermore, a portion of the configuration of one embodiment may be replaced with a configuration of another embodiment, and a portion of the configuration of one embodiment may be added to a configuration of another embodiment. Furthermore, a portion of the configuration of each embodiment may be added to, deleted from, or replaced with another configuration. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 10···Mounting portion, 11···Top link pin, 12a··Lower link connecting portion, 13a··Top mast, 14···Connecting member, 20···Tillage working portion, 21···First support frame, 22···Second support frame, 23a···Side plate, 24···Shield cover, 25···Gear box, 25a···Input shaft, 26···Chain drive portion, 27···Tillage working rotor, 27a···Tip shaft, 27b···Tillage tines, 27c···Circle, 28···Soil leveling portion, 28a···Tip portion, 30···Tillage depth adjustment portion, 30a···Tillage depth adjustment portion, 30 Aa···Tillage depth adjustment portion, 30b···Tillage depth adjustment portion, 100···Agricultural implement, 310···Gauge wheel, 320···Wheel arm, 320A···Wheel arm, 320Aa···Hole, 320Ac···Central axis, 320Ak···Corner portion, 321···Gauge wheel support portion, 322···Arm portion, 322a···Hole, 322c···Central axis, 330···Wheel bracket, 330A···Wheel bracket, 330h1···First through hole, 330h2···Second through hole, 330s···Space, 331···First plate-shaped member, 331A· First plate-shaped member, 331b, end portion, 331t, convex piece, 331tk, corner portion, 332, cylindrical member, 332k, spring fastener, 332mL, first annular groove, 332mR, second annular groove, 333, second plate-shaped member, 333a, end portion, 333A, second plate-shaped member, 333Aa, end portion, 333At, convex piece, 333Atk, corner portion, 333b, end portion, 333t, convex piece, 333tA, convex piece, 333tk, corner portion, 334, internal spring, 335, third plate-shaped member, 337, bracket Fixing member for bracket fixture, 340...spring, 340c...center axis, 350...spring holding member, 350a...recess, 351...plate-shaped member, 351-1...plate-shaped member, 351-2...plate-shaped member, 351c...bending portion, 351u...upper portion, 360...grip, 370...scraper, 370a...tip portion, 370A...scraper, 380...bracket fixture, 390...fixing member, 391...fixing device support portion, 392...pin, 3311...first portion, 3311a...end portion, 3312...second portion

Claims

1. a rotary working unit that cultivates the soil; A tilling depth adjustment unit is provided in front of the rotary working unit and adjusts the tilling depth of the rotary working unit, The tillage depth adjustment unit is a gauge wheel having a wheel shape; a wheel arm that rotatably supports the gauge wheel; a wheel bracket that holds the wheel arm so that the wheel arm can move up and down; a spring disposed above the wheel bracket and applying an upward force to the wheel arm; At least one protrusion is provided on the upper portion of the wheel bracket, the protrusion being located inside the spring and restricting the radial movement of the spring. Agricultural machinery.

2. The wheel arm is inserted through the spring. The agricultural implement according to claim 1.

3. The protruding piece contacts the inside of the spring. The agricultural machine according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The protruding piece has a curved surface at the end of the upper surface. The agricultural machine according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The height of the upward extension of the convex piece is equal to or greater than the radius of the wire diameter of the spring. The agricultural machine according to claim 1 or 2.

6. a spring holding member provided on an upper side of the wheel arm and having a recess corresponding to an outer diameter and an inner diameter of the spring, for holding the position of the spring; The agricultural machine according to claim 1 or 2.

7. the at least one protruding piece includes two protruding pieces provided on both sides of the wheel arm in a radial direction of the spring, The two protruding pieces each come into contact with the inside of the spring. The agricultural machine according to claim 1 or 2.

8. the at least one protruding piece is provided on one side of the spring in a radial direction with respect to the wheel arm, The wheel arm and the protruding piece are in contact with the inner side of the spring, respectively. The agricultural machine according to claim 1 or 2.

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