Sugarcane harvester

Abstract

To provide a sugarcane harvester in which hydraulic fluid bubbles are less likely to be ejected from the breather of the transmission case that houses the transmission mechanism that supplies power to the cutting device. [Solution] The system includes a cutting device 43 for cutting the base of a crop plant, power transmission mechanisms 47, 48, and 49 for transmitting power to the cutting device 43, a transmission case 41 for housing the power transmission mechanisms 47, 48, and 49, and the lubricating oil supplied to the power transmission mechanisms 47, 48, and 49, a breather 46 for allowing gas to enter and exit the inside of the transmission case 41, and an extension pipe 45 connected to the transmission case 41 and the breather 46, communicating between the inside of the transmission case 41 and the breather 46. The extension pipe 45 extends upward from the top of the transmission case 41.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sugarcane harvester.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in a conventional sugarcane harvester as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a cutting device for cutting the base of a crop is provided. As the machine body advances, the base of the crop in the field is cut by the cutting device, and the crop is harvested. Also, a transmission mechanism for supplying power to the cutting device is housed in a transmission case (referred to as a "drive case" in the document).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, bubbles tend to be generated in the lubricating oil inside the transmission case along with the driving of the cutting device and the transmission mechanism. Such bubbles continue to accumulate inside the transmission case and may be ejected to the surroundings from the breather of the transmission case. At this time, the lubricating oil scatters around the breather, making cleaning around the breather troublesome. Therefore, there is room for improvement so that the lubricating oil is less likely to be ejected from the breather of the transmission case.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a sugarcane harvester in which lubricating oil is less likely to be ejected from the breather of a transmission case that houses a transmission mechanism for supplying power to a cutting device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The sugarcane harvester of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a cutting device for cutting the base of the crop; a transmission mechanism for transmitting power to the cutting device; a transmission case for housing the transmission mechanism and lubricating oil supplied to the transmission mechanism; a breather for allowing gas to enter and exit the inside of the transmission case; and an extension pipe connected to the transmission case and the breather, communicating between the inside of the transmission case and the breather, wherein the extension pipe extends upward from the top of the transmission case.

[0007] According to the present invention, an extension pipe extends upward from the top of the transmission case. This makes it possible to connect a breather to the top of the extension pipe. Furthermore, because the vertically extending extension pipe is interposed between the transmission case and the breather, the position of the breather is raised. Consequently, even if the number of bubbles in the transmission case increases or the liquid level rises, it becomes difficult for the bubbles and lubricating oil to reach the breather. This results in a sugarcane harvester in which lubricating oil is less likely to spray out from the breather of the transmission case that houses the transmission mechanism supplying power to the cutting device.

[0008] In the present invention, it is preferable that the breather is detachably connected to the extension pipe.

[0009] This configuration improves the efficiency of maintenance and replacement work for the breather.

[0010] In the present invention, it is preferable that a motor is provided which is interlocked with and drives the transmission mechanism, the motor is connected to a portion of the transmission case that is offset to one side of the machine body, and the extension pipe is connected to a portion of the transmission case that is offset to the other side of the machine body.

[0011] While the area around a motor tends to be cluttered with wiring and piping, this configuration allows the extension pipe to be positioned in a location isolated from the motor. This increases the flexibility of the extension pipe's layout.

[0012] In the present invention, it is preferable that the extension tube is bent so that the upper part is located further outward from the side of the aircraft body.

[0013] This configuration allows the breather to be positioned towards the outer side of the machine. This improves work efficiency, for example, when workers perform maintenance or replace the breather.

[0014] In the present invention, a traveling device and a machine frame supporting the traveling device are provided, It is preferable that the tip of the extension tube is supported by the aircraft frame.

[0015] This configuration ensures that the tip of the extension tube is firmly supported by the aircraft frame, thereby reducing vibrations at the tip of the extension tube. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This is a left side view showing the entire sugarcane harvesting machine. [Figure 2] This is a left side view showing the arrangement of the hydraulic oil tank, pump unit, and cooling system. [Figure 3] This is a plan view showing the arrangement of the hydraulic oil tank, pump unit, and cooling system. [Figure 4] This is a rear view showing the main components of the hydraulic fluid tank, extension pipe, and breather. [Figure 5] This is a rear view showing the arrangement of the hydraulic oil tank, pump unit, and cooling system. [Figure 6] This is a front view showing a plant base cutting device. [Figure 7] This is a plan view showing a plant base cutting device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0017] A mode for carrying out the present invention will be described based on the drawings. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the direction in which the body of the work vehicle moves forward is defined as "front", and the direction in which it moves backward is defined as "rear". Hereinafter, descriptions such as "front and rear", "left and right", "front", "right", etc. are based on the front-rear direction of the body. In the figure, the direction of arrow F is "front", the direction of arrow B is "rear", the direction of arrow L is "left", the direction of arrow R is "right", the direction of arrow U is "up", and the direction of arrow D is "down".

[0018] 〔Overall Configuration of Sugarcane Harvester〕 As shown in FIG. 1, the body of the sugarcane harvester is supported by the left and right front wheels 1 which are traveling devices and the left and right rear wheels 2 which are traveling devices.

[0019] The sugarcane harvester is equipped with a cutting unit 3, a conveying device 4, a separating device 5, a discharge conveyor 6, an operation unit 7, an engine 8, a topper 9, etc. The conveying device 4 is provided in a rearwardly inclined posture. The separating device 5 is connected to the rear part of the conveying device 4. The discharge conveyor 6 extends upward in an inclined posture from a position below the separating device 5. The operation unit 7 is provided rearward and above the cutting unit 3. The engine 8 is located behind the operation unit 7. The topper 9 is provided above the cutting unit 3.

[0020] As the body moves forward, the upper part of the crop in the field is cut by the cutting blade (not shown) of the topper 9, and the base of the crop in the field is cut by the base cutting unit 40 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) of the cutting unit 3, and the crop is harvested. The crop harvested by the base cutting unit 40 is conveyed by the conveying device 4 toward the rear upper part of the body.

[0021] When the crop reaches the conveyance end portion of the conveyance device 4, the crop is shredded at the conveyance end portion of the conveyance device 4 and supplied to the separating device 5. The shredded crop falls to the front part of the discharge conveyor 6 while passing downward inside the separating device 5. Sorting air is supplied to the crop inside the separating device 5, and the debris is blown off, separated, and discharged.​​​Crops that fall to the front of the discharge conveyor 6 are transported upward and backward by the discharge conveyor 6. The crops are then discharged from the discharge section at the upper rear of the discharge conveyor 6 onto the cargo bed of a transport vehicle (not shown) such as a truck that is running alongside the conveyor for collection.

[0023] A cooling device 10 is provided above the rear of the transport device 4. The cooling device 10 includes a cooling fan 11, a radiator 12, an oil cooler 13, a housing case 14, and a dustproof section 15. The cooling fan 11 generates cooling air for the radiator 12 and the oil cooler 13. The radiator 12 and the oil cooler 13 are cooled by the cooling air. The cooling fan 11, the radiator 12, and the oil cooler 13 are each housed in the housing case 14. A dustproof section 15 is attached to the rear of the housing case 14. The dustproof section 15 protects the rear of the housing case 14 to prevent foreign matter such as dust from entering the inside of the housing case 14 from the outside. The dustproof section 15 also removes dust contained in the cooling air.

[0024] A work step 16 is provided below the dustproof section 15. When the dustproof section 15 is opened, the rear of the housing case 14 is opened, and workers can access the work step 16. With the dustproof section 15 open, workers can perform maintenance work on the cooling fan 11, radiator 12, and oil cooler 13 from the rear.

[0025] [Overview of the hydraulic system in sugarcane harvesters] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, a gear case 20 is connected to the left side of the engine 8, and hydraulic pump units 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 are mounted on the gear case 20. A hydraulic oil tank 30 is also located near the hydraulic pump units 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25.

[0026] The hydraulic fluid tank 30 of this embodiment includes a first tank 31 and a second tank 32. The first tank 31 is located below the gear case 20, and the second tank 32 is located above and rear of the gear case 20.

[0027] The first tank 31 is located on the left side of the front of the conveying device 4 (rear of the harvesting section 3), between the left front wheel 1 and the left rear wheel 2. Hydraulic oil is stored in the first tank 31. The first tank 31 is box-shaped.

[0028] The second tank 32 is located to the left of the rear upper part of the conveying device 4. Hydraulic oil is stored in the second tank 32. The second tank 32 is box-shaped. The volume of the second tank 32 is smaller than the volume of the first tank 31. The second tank 32 is located higher than the ceiling of the first tank 31 and is located behind the first tank 31.

[0029] An oil passage pipe 33 connects the first tank 31 and the second tank 32. The upper end of the oil passage pipe 33 is attached to the left side of the bottom of the second tank 32. The lower end of the oil passage pipe 33 is attached to the upper part of the rear wall of the first tank 31. In this way, the second tank 32 is positioned above the first tank 31 and is connected to the first tank 31 by the oil passage pipe 33 (piping).

[0030] Furthermore, a fuel filler port is provided on the upper left side of the rear wall of the second tank 32. Therefore, when hydraulic fluid is supplied through the fuel filler port, the hydraulic fluid flows through both the first tank 31 and the second tank 32, and both the first tank 31 and the second tank 32 are filled with hydraulic fluid.

[0031] The hydraulic pump unit 21 is mounted on the upper part of the front section of the gear case 20. The hydraulic pump unit 22 is located above the hydraulic pump unit 24. The hydraulic pump unit 21 draws hydraulic fluid from the first tank 31 and can pump hydraulic fluid to drive the front wheel 1's pivot actuator (not shown), the topper 9's hydraulic motor (not shown), and the cooling fan 11. The hydraulic fluid used for pivoting the front wheel 1 and the hydraulic fluid used to drive the topper 9's hydraulic motor are returned to the first tank 31. The hydraulic fluid used to drive the cooling fan 11 is returned to the second tank 32.

[0032] The hydraulic pump unit 22 is mounted on the upper part of the front-to-rear center of the gear case 20. The hydraulic pump unit 22 is located between the hydraulic pump unit 21 and the hydraulic pump unit 23, and above the hydraulic pump unit 25. The hydraulic pump unit 22 draws hydraulic fluid from the second tank 32 and can pump hydraulic fluid to drive the hydraulic motor (not shown) of the discharge conveyor 6, the swivel actuator (not shown) of the discharge conveyor 6, the lifting actuator (not shown) of the front wheel 1, the lifting actuator (not shown) of the header of the harvesting unit 3, and the lifting actuator (not shown) of the topper 9. The hydraulic fluid used to drive the hydraulic motor of the discharge conveyor 6 is returned to the second tank 32. The hydraulic fluid used for lifting the front wheel 1, lifting the header of the harvesting unit 3, and lifting the topper 9 is returned to the first tank 31.

[0033] The hydraulic pump unit 23 is mounted on the rear portion of the gear case 20. The hydraulic pump unit 23 is located behind both the hydraulic pump unit 22 and the hydraulic pump unit 25. The hydraulic pump unit 22 can draw hydraulic fluid from the second tank 32 and pump it to a hydrostatic continuously variable transmission (not shown) for driving the rear wheels 2. The hydraulic fluid used for driving in the hydrostatic continuously variable transmission is returned to the second tank 32 via the oil cooler 13. The hydraulic fluid is cooled as it passes through the oil cooler 13.

[0034] The hydraulic pump unit 24 is mounted on the lower part of the front section of the gear case 20. The hydraulic pump unit 24 is located below the hydraulic pump unit 21. The hydraulic pump unit 24 can draw hydraulic fluid from the first tank 31 and pump it to a hydraulic motor (not shown) that drives the fan (not shown) of the separation device 5. The hydraulic fluid used for driving in the separation device 5 is returned to the second tank 32 via the oil cooler 13. The hydraulic fluid is cooled as it passes through the oil cooler 13.

[0035] The hydraulic pump unit 25 is mounted on the lower part of the front-to-rear central section of the gear case 20. The hydraulic pump unit 25 is located between the hydraulic pump unit 24 and the hydraulic pump unit 23, and below the hydraulic pump unit 22. The hydraulic pump unit 25 can draw hydraulic fluid from the first tank 31 and pump it to drive the multiple hydraulic motors in the conveying device 4 and the hydraulic motors (not shown) of the multiple devices in the cutting unit 3. The multiple devices in the cutting unit 3 include the left and right grass dividers, scraping rollers, and the rotating blades 43 (cutting devices) shown in Figures 6 and 7. The hydraulic fluid used to drive the conveying device 4 and the cutting unit 3 is returned to the second tank 32 via the oil cooler 13. The hydraulic fluid is cooled as it passes through the oil cooler 13.

[0036] [Structure of the breather in a hydraulic fluid tank] As shown in Figure 4, a ventilation hole 32h is drilled in the left rear of the upper surface of the second tank 32. The lower end of an extension pipe 34 is connected to this hole 32h. The extension pipe 34 extends upward from the top of the second tank 32. A breather 35 is also connected to the upper end of the extension pipe 34. The breather 35 allows gas to enter and exit the inside of the hydraulic oil tank 30. The extension pipe 34 is connected to the hydraulic oil tank 30 and the breather 35, and also communicates with the inside of the second tank 32 and the breather 35.

[0037] Inside the breather 35, steel wool 35A is arranged as a cotton-like material. As a result, when gas passes through the breather 35, foreign matter such as dust gets entangled in the steel wool 35A, making it difficult for foreign matter to enter the inside of the hydraulic oil tank 30.

[0038] When the hydraulic pump units 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 draw hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic fluid tank 30, the pressure of the hydraulic fluid temporarily drops, making it easier for air bubbles to form in the hydraulic fluid. When the hydraulic fluid containing air bubbles circulates through the hydraulic system of the sugarcane harvester and returns to the hydraulic fluid tank 30, the air bubbles may remain on the surface of the hydraulic fluid and accumulate for several days. With air bubbles accumulated on the surface of the hydraulic fluid tank 30 in this state, if the oil temperature and ambient temperature rise after the sugarcane harvester starts operation, the pressure inside the hydraulic fluid tank 30 increases, and the gas, along with the air bubbles, is released to the outside from the breather 35. At this time, the hydraulic fluid is scattered around the breather 35, making cleaning around the breather 35 troublesome. To mitigate the risk of this happening, the extension pipe 34 is extended vertically, and the breather 35 is positioned higher, so that even if the number of bubbles in the hydraulic oil tank 30 increases or the oil level rises, hydraulic oil is less likely to spray out beyond the breather 35.

[0039] As shown in Figure 4, the extension pipe 34 is provided with two L-shaped pipe bends 34A and 34B at its lower end. Furthermore, a constricted section 34C is provided on the side of the extension pipe 34 closer to the second tank 32 than the pipe bends 34A and 34B. The constricted section 34C is fitted into the hole 32h of the second tank 32 and is narrowed to an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the extension pipe 34. The constricted section 34C is an orifice, but it may also be a venturi tube.

[0040] The configuration with the throttling section 34C restricts the flow rate and velocity of the gas in the extension pipe 34 compared to a configuration without the throttling section 34C. As a result, the internal pressure of the hydraulic oil tank 30 tends to be higher than in a configuration without the throttling section 34C, making it less likely for bubbles to form when the hydraulic pump units 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 draw hydraulic oil from the hydraulic oil tank 30.

[0041] When the gas inside the hydraulic oil tank 30 is released to the outside, the gas passes through the throttling section 34C. Bubbles pass through the throttling section 34C along with the gas. At this time, the amount of oil film on the bubbles that have passed through the throttling section 34C decreases compared to before they passed through the throttling section 34C. This suppresses the momentum of the bubbles as they rise towards the breather 35. At this time, the oil film on the bubbles acts to expand to the size of the inner diameter of the extension pipe 34 immediately after passing through the throttling section 34C, but the bubbles are more likely to burst before they have fully expanded. In addition, the configuration in which the pipe bends 34A and 34B are bent in an L-shape makes it easier for the oil film on the bubbles to become entangled in the pipe bends 34A and 34B, respectively, which promotes the bursting of the bubbles.

[0042] Furthermore, the vertical length of the extension pipe 34 is approximately the same as the vertical length of the second tank 32. Therefore, even if bubbles pass through the constriction section 34C and the pipe bends 34A and 34B and remain inside the extension pipe 34, and rise up inside the extension pipe 34, sufficient distance is ensured for the bubbles to burst before reaching the breather 35. Note that the vertical length of the extension pipe 34 may be the same as the vertical length of the second tank 32, or it may be longer than the vertical length of the second tank 32.

[0043] A return pipe 36 is connected to the top of the second tank 32. The return pipe 36 extends upward from the top of the second tank 32. At least a portion of the hydraulic fluid that has circulated through the hydraulic system of the sugarcane harvester is returned to the second tank 32 through the return pipe 36. A bracket is provided on the top of the return pipe 36. The portion of the extension pipe 34 below the part where the breather 35 is attached is bolted to the bracket of the return pipe 36.

[0044] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, a breather 35 is attached to the upper end of the extension pipe 34. The breather 35 is detachably connected to the extension pipe 34. The breather 35 is located to the left of the cooling device 10. The extension pipe 34 extends upward and to the right from the hole 32h. Therefore, in both plan view and front-to-back view, the extension pipe 34 is bent so that the upper part is closer to the cooling device 10.

[0045] [Regarding the placement of the work step and breather] As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 5, the dustproof section 15 is configured to pivot around a pivot axis X that runs in the front-rear direction. The dustproof section 15 is configured to be switchable between a closed state that covers the respective cooling surfaces of the radiator 12 and the oil cooler 13, and an open state that leaves the cooling surfaces open.

[0046] A work step 16 is provided below the dustproof section 15 in the closed state. The dustproof section 15 rests on the work step 16 in the closed state. When the dustproof section 15 swings to the left (counterclockwise in Figure 5) around the swing axis X from the closed state, it is displaced to the left of the work step 16, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 5. The state of the dustproof section 15 at this time is the open state. In the closed state, the dustproof section 15 blocks the work step 16 to prevent workers from entering, and in the open state, it opens the work step 16 to allow workers to enter. When the dustproof section 15 is in the open state, the work step 16 becomes a platform for workers to work on.

[0047] The extension pipe 34 is bent so that the portion opposite to the side where the second tank 32 is located is closer to the work step 16 in the left-right direction of the machine than the portion on the side where the second tank 32 is located. This configuration positions the breather 35 closer to the work step 16 than the second tank 32. Furthermore, the breather 35 is located above the work step 16. That is, the top surface of the second tank 32 is located below the work step 16, and the extension pipe 34 extends above the work step 16. This allows workers to reach out from the left end of the work step 16 to the breather 35 and clean or replace the breather 35.

[0048] [Structure of the breather in a plant base cutting device] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the stem cutting unit 40 includes a transmission case 41, left and right drive shafts 42, left and right rotating blades 43, and a hydraulic motor 44. The left and right drive shafts 42 are supported on the right and left sides of the transmission case 41 so as to be rotatable about an axis Y along the vertical direction, and extend downward from the right and left sides of the transmission case 41. The rotating blades 43 are attached to the lower ends of the drive shafts 42. The hydraulic motor 44 is connected to the upper surface of the transmission case 41.

[0049] Inside the transmission case 41, the drive gear 47 of the hydraulic motor 44 and the gears 48 of the left and right drive shafts 42 engage. The drive gear 47 of the hydraulic motor 44 and the gears 48 of the left and right drive shafts 42 constitute the "transmission mechanism." The transmission mechanism transmits power to the rotating blade 43 of the base cutting unit 40. The transmission case 41 houses the transmission mechanism. The transmission case 41 is also filled with lubricating oil for the transmission mechanism. In other words, the transmission case 41 houses the lubricating oil supplied to the transmission mechanism.

[0050] The hydraulic motor 44 is linked to the transmission mechanism inside the transmission case 41 and drives the transmission mechanism. When hydraulic fluid is pumped from the hydraulic pump unit 25, the hydraulic motor 44 is driven. The power of the hydraulic motor 44 is transmitted to the left drive shaft 42 via the drive gear 47 and gear 48, driving the left rotating blade 43 to rotate clockwise in Figure 7. At the same time, the power of the hydraulic motor 44 is transmitted to the right drive shaft 42 via the drive gear 47, intermediate gear 49 and gear 48, driving the right rotating blade 43 to rotate counterclockwise in Figure 7. In other words, the left and right rotating blades 43 are driven to rotate in opposite directions by a common hydraulic motor 44.

[0051] In addition, hydraulic fluid may leak from the hydraulic motor 44 into the transmission case 41. In this case, the hydraulic fluid that leaks from the hydraulic motor 44 into the transmission case 41 is used as lubricant for the transmission mechanism.

[0052] A ventilation hole 41h is drilled in the upper surface of the transmission case 41, in the portion to the right of the connection point with the hydraulic motor 44. The lower end of the extension pipe 45 is connected to this hole 41h. Thus, the hydraulic motor 44 is connected to the left-biased portion of the transmission case 41, and the extension pipe 45 is connected to the right-biased portion of the transmission case 41.

[0053] The extension pipe 45 extends upward from the top of the transmission case 41. A breather 46 is connected to the upper end of the extension pipe 45. The breather 46 allows gas to enter and exit the inside of the transmission case 41. The extension pipe 45 is connected to the transmission case 41 and the breather 46, and communicates with the inside of the transmission case 41 and the breather 46.

[0054] Inside the breather 46, steel wool 46A is arranged as a cotton-like material. As a result, when gas passes through the breather 46, foreign matter such as dust gets entangled in the steel wool 46A, making it difficult for foreign matter to enter the inside of the transmission case 41.

[0055] When the transmission mechanism inside the transmission case 41 is driven, bubbles are generated in the lubricating oil inside the transmission case 41. When bubbles accumulate inside the transmission case 41 and the pressure inside the transmission case 41 rises, the gas is released from the transmission case 41 to the outside along with the bubbles. At this time, the lubricating oil is scattered around the breather 46, making cleaning around the breather 46 troublesome. To mitigate this risk, the extension pipe 45 is extended vertically, and the breather 46 is positioned higher, so that even if the number of bubbles inside the transmission case 41 increases or the oil level rises, the lubricating oil is less likely to spray out beyond the breather 46.

[0056] Furthermore, the vertical length of the extension pipe 45 is longer than the vertical length of the hydraulic motor 44. Therefore, even if a bubble rises inside the extension pipe 45, there is enough distance for the bubble to burst before it reaches the breather 46.

[0057] A support frame 50 (machine frame) is provided on the side of the sugarcane harvester's body. The support frame 50 supports the front wheel 1. A bracket is provided on the support frame 50. The portion of the extension pipe 45 below the part where the breather 46 is attached is bolted to the bracket of the support frame 50. In this way, the tip of the extension pipe 45 is supported by the support frame 50. The bracket of the support frame 50 is located above the upper end of the hydraulic motor 44.

[0058] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, a breather 46 is attached to the upper end of the extension pipe 45. The breather 46 is detachably connected to the extension pipe 45. The extension pipe 45 extends upward and to the right from the hole 41h. Therefore, in a plan view and a front-to-back view, the extension pipe 45 is bent so that the upper part is located further outward from the side of the machine. This allows workers to reach the breather 46 from near the rear of the right front wheel 1 and replenish the lubricating oil inside the transmission case 41, clean the breather 46, or replace the breather 46.

[0059] [Another embodiment] The present invention is not limited to the configurations exemplified in the embodiments described above, and other representative embodiments of the present invention are described below.

[0060] (1) The hydraulic motor 44 may be connected to the portion of the transmission case 41 that is biased to the right side of the machine, and the extension pipe 45 may be connected to the portion of the transmission case 41 that is biased to the left side of the machine. In other words, the hydraulic motor 44 may be connected to the portion of the transmission case 41 that is biased to one side of the machine, and the extension pipe 45 may be connected to the portion of the transmission case 41 that is biased to the other side of the machine.

[0061] (2) Steel wool 46A is arranged inside the breather 46 as a cotton-like material. The embodiment is not limited to this one, and other materials such as rock wool, glass wool, or nonwoven fabric may be arranged inside the breather 46 as a cotton-like material.

[0062] (3) The hydraulic motor 44 may be, for example, an electric motor, or a hybrid motor of electric and hydraulic. In other words, it is sufficient to have a motor that is linked to and drives the transmission mechanism.

[0063] (4) In the above-described embodiment, the breather 46 is detachably connected to the extension pipe 45. The breather 46 may be non-detachably connected to the extension pipe 45.

[0064] Furthermore, the configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments (including other embodiments, the same applies hereinafter) can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no inconsistencies arise. In addition, the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the object of the present invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0065] The present invention is applicable to sugarcane harvesters. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 41: Transmission case 43: Rotary blade (cutting device) 44: Hydraulic motor (motor) 45: Extension tube 46: Breeza 47: Drive gear (transmission mechanism) 48: Gears (transmission mechanism) 49: Relay gear (transmission mechanism) 50: Support frame (aircraft frame)

Claims

1. A cutting device for cutting the base of crop plants, A power transmission mechanism for transmitting power to the cutting device, The transmission mechanism and the transmission case that houses the lubricating oil supplied to the transmission mechanism, A breather that allows gas to enter and exit the inside of the transmission case, An extension pipe is provided, which is connected to the transmission case and the breather, and which communicates between the inside of the transmission case and the breather. The extension pipe is a sugarcane harvester that extends upward from the top of the transmission case.

2. The sugarcane harvester according to claim 1, wherein the breather is detachably connected to the extension pipe.

3. A motor is provided that is interlocked with the aforementioned transmission mechanism and drives the aforementioned transmission mechanism. The motor is connected to a portion of the transmission case that is offset to one side of the machine body, The sugarcane harvester according to claim 1, wherein the extension pipe is connected to a portion of the transmission case that is offset to the left or right side of the machine body.

4. The sugarcane harvester according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the extension pipe is bent so that the upper part is located further outward from the side of the machine body.

5. Traveling device and The machine is equipped with a frame that supports the aforementioned traveling device, The sugarcane harvester according to claim 4, wherein the tip of the extension pipe is supported by the machine frame.

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