transplant machine

Abstract

To provide a transplanting machine that improves worker safety. [Solution] A transplanting machine according to one embodiment comprises a vehicle body, auxiliary steps attached to the rear wheels of the vehicle body, a seat provided above the auxiliary steps, and a planting device provided on the vehicle body for planting vine-like seedlings in the field. The planting device includes a conveyor belt that rotates and transports the vine-like seedlings while holding them with a seedling holding section. The conveyor belt is swingable independently of the main frame of the vehicle body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a transplanting machine.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a transplanting machine for planting a transplant in a field, it is known to provide a boarding and alighting step on one side in the left - right direction of a traveling vehicle body to facilitate work on the transplanting machine (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The field has undulations, and it is predicted that the transplanting machine during travel will sway. In the above - mentioned technology, when performing work on the transplanting machine, there is room for improvement in the safety of the operator.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a transplanting machine that improves the safety of an operator.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above - described problems and achieve the object, a transplanting machine according to one aspect of the embodiment includes a traveling vehicle body, an auxiliary step attached to a rear wheel of the traveling vehicle body, a seat provided above the auxiliary step, and a planting device provided on the traveling vehicle body for planting vine - shaped seedlings in a field. The planting device includes a conveying belt that rotates and conveys vine - shaped seedlings while being held by a seedling holding portion. The conveying belt is swingable independently of the main frame of the traveling vehicle body.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to one embodiment, the transplanting machine can improve worker safety. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the transplanting machine according to the embodiment, taken from a diagonal front view. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a plan view of the transplanting machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a rear view of the transplanting machine according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic side view showing the transplanting machine according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic rear view showing the transplanting machine according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a schematic side view showing the transplanting machine according to a modified example. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a rear view showing a schematic of the transplanting machine according to a modified example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The transplanter 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is a work vehicle for planting vine-like seedlings in a field. The vine-like seedlings are, for example, sweet potatoes. The transplanter 1 plants the seedlings in ridges formed in the field, for example. The components in the embodiments below include those that are easily substituted or substantially identical to those that are equivalent to those of the art. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the core of the invention.

[0010] In the following explanation, the forward / backward and left / right directional references for the transplanter 1 are defined as the direction in which the transplanter 1 moves while transplanting seedlings into the field being forward, with the right hand side of the operator gripping the control handle 11 being the right direction and the left hand side being the left direction when the transplanter 1 is moving forward. Furthermore, the up / down directional references are defined as the vertical direction being downward and the direction opposite to the vertical direction being upward.

[0011] The transplanting machine 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the transplanting machine 1 according to the embodiment, seen from the front at an oblique angle. Figure 2 is a plan view of the transplanting machine 1 according to the embodiment. Figure 3 is a rear view of the transplanting machine 1 according to the embodiment. Figure 4 is a schematic side view of the transplanting machine 1 according to the embodiment. Figure 5 is a schematic rear view of the transplanting machine 1 according to the embodiment. Note that some parts of the transplanting machine 1 are omitted in Figures 1 to 5.

[0012] The transplanting machine 1 moves on a vehicle body 2 having a pair of front wheels 3 and rear wheels 4, according to manual or automatic operation, and plants seedlings using a planting device 5.

[0013] The vehicle body 2 has a transmission case 6 at the front of the body, and an engine is located in front of the transmission case 6. Axle covers 7 that cover the axles that transmit power to the rear wheels 4 are connected to the rear of the vehicle body on both the left and right sides of the transmission case 6. A drive transmission case 8 that transmits power to the rear wheels 4 is rotatably mounted on the outer end of the axle cover 7.

[0014] The vehicle body 2 is provided with a transmission case that branches and supplies driving force from the transmission case 6 to the planting device 5 and other components. In other words, the planting device 5 and other components are operated by the driving force transmitted from the engine. At least one of the planting device 5 and other components may be operated by an electric motor.

[0015] A steering wheel 11 for manual operation is provided at the rear of the vehicle body 2. The steering wheel 11 is attached to the rear end of the main frame 2a of the vehicle body 2. The steering wheel 11 is equipped with a throttle lever 30 for increasing or decreasing the engine output.

[0016] The vehicle body 2 is equipped with auxiliary wheels 12. The auxiliary wheels 12 are attached to the axle of the rear wheels 4 via mounting brackets 13.

[0017] An auxiliary step 15 is attached to the traveling vehicle body 2. The auxiliary step 15 is provided above the auxiliary wheel 12. The auxiliary step 15 is provided above the left auxiliary wheel 12. The auxiliary step 15 is attached to the rear wheel 4. The auxiliary step 15 is attached to the axle of the rear wheel 4. The auxiliary step 15 is attached to the main frame 2a of the traveling vehicle body 2 so that its height can be adjusted. A substantially L-shaped mounting frame 16 is attached to the auxiliary step 15.

[0018] A seat 20 is provided on the traveling vehicle body 2. The seat 20 is provided above the auxiliary step 15. The seat 20 is provided on the left side of the traveling vehicle body 2. The seat 20 is located behind the conveying belt 40 described later and in front of the steering handle 11. The seat 20 is attached to the mounting frame 16. The seat 20 is attached to the mounting frame 16 so that its height can be adjusted.

[0019] The seat 20 is attached to the mounting frame 16 so as to be rotatable. When an operator ascends or descends the auxiliary step 15 and sits on or gets off the seat 20, the seat 20 rotates backward. Also, when the operator performs an operation of holding seedlings by a seedling holding part 40b described later, the seat 20 rotates forward.

[0020] A brake operating device and an accelerator operating device may be provided on the auxiliary step 15. The brake operating device and the accelerator operating device are provided on the auxiliary step 15 so that an operator sitting on the seat 20 can operate them with his / her feet.

[0021] The brake operating device is, for example, a brake pedal provided on the auxiliary step 15. A cable is attached to the brake pedal. When the brake pedal is depressed by the operator, the brake pedal rotates downward and the cable is pulled, so that the brake device operates and the traveling vehicle body 2 decelerates.

[0022] The accelerator control device is, for example, an accelerator pedal located on the auxiliary step 15. The accelerator pedal has a similar configuration to the brake pedal, and when the accelerator pedal is pressed by the operator, the accelerator pedal rotates downward, increasing the engine speed.

[0023] The planting device 5 comprises a conveyor belt 40, a belt guide 41, a drive roller 42, an adjustment roller 43, a belt roller 44, and planting claws 45. The planting device 5 is supported by a planting frame 5a. The planting frame 5a is independently pivotable relative to the main frame 2a of the vehicle body 2. The planting frame 5a is attached, for example, to the engine.

[0024] The conveyor belt 40 is an endless belt conveyor. That is, the conveyor belt 40 is formed in a ring shape. The conveyor belt 40 is formed so that its ends in the front and rear directions are open. The main frame 2a and the planting frame 5a are inserted into the conveyor belt 40. That is, the main frame 2a and the planting frame 5a are provided within the loop of the conveyor belt 40.

[0025] The conveyor belt 40 is wrapped around the drive roller 42, the adjustment roller 43, and the belt roller 44. The conveyor belt 40 is configured such that, when viewed from the front or rear, the upper conveyor belt 40 is longer than the lower conveyor belt 40.

[0026] Specifically, the conveyor belt 40 is installed so that it forms a roughly inverted trapezoid shape when viewed from the front or rear direction. That is, the lateral conveyor belt 40, which connects the upper conveyor belt 40 and the lower conveyor belt 40, is installed so that it is tilted towards the center of the vehicle body 2 in the left-right direction from the upper side to the lower side.

[0027] Therefore, in front of the seat 20, the lower side of the conveyor belt 40 is positioned closer to the center of the vehicle body 2 in the left-right direction than the upper side. This creates a space outside the conveyor belt 40 in front of the seat 20. This space outside the conveyor belt 40 is provided to prevent the legs of a worker seated in the seat 20 from coming into contact with the conveyor belt 40.

[0028] The conveyor belt 40 comprises partition members 40a and seedling holding sections 40b. The partition members 40a are configured to protrude outward. The partition members 40a are formed to extend along the front-rear direction. Multiple partition members 40a are provided so as to be aligned along the circumferential direction of the conveyor belt 40. The partition members 40a are formed so that seedlings can be placed between adjacent partition members 40a. Note that in Figures 1 to 5, some or all of the partition members 40a are omitted.

[0029] The conveyor belt 40 has holes formed in it for the partition member 40a to protrude, and the partition member 40a may protrude outward from the holes or be housed inward. In this case, the partition member 40a protrudes outward from the holes by being pushed from the back surface of the conveyor belt 40 by a plate member.

[0030] The seedling holding section 40b is provided at the rear end of the conveyor belt 40. Multiple seedling holding sections 40b are provided so as to be arranged along the circumferential direction of the conveyor belt 40. The seedling holding section 40b is configured to hold seedlings placed between adjacent partition members 40a.

[0031] The conveyor belt 40 rotates as the drive roller 42 rotates around an axis that extends in the front-rear direction. The conveyor belt 40 rotates so that the upper conveying surface, where seedlings are placed on the conveyor belt 40, is further away from the seat 20. When viewed from the rear, the conveyor belt 40 rotates clockwise, as indicated by the arrows in Figures 3 and 5.

[0032] The conveyor belt 40 rotates while the seedlings are held in place by the seedling holding section 40b on the upper conveying surface, and conveys the seedlings downward.

[0033] The belt guide 41 is attached to the planting frame 5a. The belt guide 41 is attached to the planting frame 5a by a pivot point 41a at its lower end. The belt guide 41 is pivotably attached to the planting frame 5a. The belt guide 41 supports the upper conveying surface of the conveying belt 40 from below. The belt guide 41 supports the left-right central part of the conveying belt 40 from below. The conveying belt 40 is pivotably attached to the planting frame 5a by the belt guide 41. In other words, the conveying belt 40 is pivotable independently of the main frame 2a of the vehicle body 2.

[0034] The drive roller 42 is installed within the loop of the conveyor belt 40. The drive roller 42 contacts the upper conveyor belt 40 and rotates the conveyor belt 40. Specifically, the drive roller 42 contacts the upper right end of the conveyor belt 40 and rotates the conveyor belt 40. The drive roller 42 rotates due to the driving force transmitted from the engine. The drive roller 42 may also be rotated by an electric motor.

[0035] The adjustment roller 43 is located within the loop of the conveyor belt 40. The adjustment roller 43 contacts the upper side of the conveyor belt 40. The adjustment roller 43 is located on the opposite side of the drive roller 42 in the left-right direction. Specifically, the adjustment roller 43 contacts the upper left end of the conveyor belt 40. The position of the adjustment roller 43 can be changed in the left-right direction. The adjustment roller 43 is a roller that can adjust the tension of the conveyor belt 40. The adjustment roller 43 can be operated, for example, with an operator standing on the auxiliary step 15 or with an operator seated on the seat 20.

[0036] The belt roller 44 is provided within the loop of the conveyor belt 40. The belt roller 44 contacts the lower conveyor belt 40. Multiple belt rollers 44 are provided. For example, four belt rollers 44 are provided. Of the four belt rollers 44, the leftmost belt roller 44 is provided closer to the center of the vehicle body 2 in the left-right direction than the adjustment roller 43. Of the four belt rollers 44, the rightmost belt roller 44 is provided closer to the center of the vehicle body 2 in the left-right direction than the drive roller 42.

[0037] Two adjacent belt rollers 44 are positioned with a predetermined gap between them so that the planting claws 45 can take seedlings from the conveyor belt 40 and plant them in the field.

[0038] The planting claws 45 are attached to the planting frame 5a via planting links 46. The planting claws 45 take seedlings transported by the conveyor belt 40 from the seedling holding section 40b and plant the extracted seedlings in the field. The drive roller 42 of the planting claws 45 moves up and down by the driving force transmitted from the engine, and as it moves downward, it takes seedlings from the seedling holding section 40b, and as it moves further downward, it plants the extracted seedlings in the field. Two planting claws 45 are provided in the left-right direction. That is, the transplanter 1 is a transplanter 1 that plants seedlings in two rows of ridges. The two planting links 46 can each be driven independently, and the two planting claws 45 can each plant seedlings independently. Note that the transplanter 1 may have one planting claw 45 and be a transplanter 1 that plants seedlings in one row of ridges.

[0039] The transplanter 1 is equipped with a seedling tray 48 on which seedlings are placed. The seedling tray 48 is positioned in front of the conveyor belt 40. The seedling tray 48 is positioned above the transmission case 6 and the engine. The transplanter 1 is equipped with a soil covering wheel 49 for covering seedlings planted in the field with soil.

[0040] The transplanter 1 plants seedlings in a field, for example, in ridges formed in the field, while moving. Seedlings placed on the seedling tray 48 are held by the operator in the seedling holder 40b of the conveyor belt 40. The seedling holder 40b, holding the seedlings, moves downward as the conveyor belt 40 rotates, and the seedlings are planted in the field by the planting claws 45.

[0041] The transplanter 1 comprises a vehicle body 2, an auxiliary step 15 attached to the rear wheels 4 of the vehicle body 2, a seat 20 provided above the auxiliary step 15, and a planting device 5 provided on the vehicle body 2 for planting vine-like seedlings in the field. The planting device 5 includes a conveyor belt 40 that rotates and transports the vine-like seedlings while holding them with a seedling holding section 40b. The conveyor belt 40 is swingable independently of the main frame 2a of the vehicle body 2.

[0042] This allows the operator to sit in the seat 20 and hold the vine-like seedlings in the seedling holding section 40b. Therefore, the transplanter 1 can improve operator safety. In addition, since the conveyor belt 40 swings independently of the main frame 2a of the vehicle body 2, when the transplanter 1 travels through the field, the shaking and vibration of the main frame 2a are not directly transmitted to the conveyor belt 40. For example, if the main frame 2a shakes due to unevenness in the field, the shaking is not transmitted to the conveyor belt 40. Therefore, the operator can easily hold the seedlings in the seedling holding section 40b.

[0043] Furthermore, the transplanting machine 1 includes a planting frame 5a that supports the planting device 5, and a belt guide 41 that is supported by the planting frame 5a and supports the upper conveyor belt 40. The main frame 2a and the planting frame 5a are installed within the loop of the conveyor belt 40.

[0044] As a result, the transplanter 1 can prevent sagging of the upper conveying surface of the conveying belt 40. Therefore, the operator can easily hold the seedlings in the seedling holding section 40b. In addition, the transplanter 1 can smoothly rotate (convey) the conveying belt 40. Furthermore, by arranging the main frame 2a and the planting frame 5a within the loop of the conveying belt 40, the transplanter 1 can effectively utilize the space within the loop of the conveying belt 40 and be made more compact.

[0045] Furthermore, the transplanter 1 is equipped with multiple belt rollers 44 that contact the lower conveyor belt 40. The planting device 5 is equipped with planting claws 45 that take seedlings from the conveyor belt 40 and plant them in the field. Two adjacent belt rollers 44 are arranged with a gap between them so that the planting claws 45 take seedlings from the conveyor belt 40 and plant them in the field.

[0046] As a result, the transplanting machine 1 can stabilize the movement of the lower conveyor belt 40, and the planting claws 45 can stably remove seedlings from the conveyor belt 40.

[0047] Furthermore, the transplanting machine 1 is equipped with an adjustment roller 43 that contacts the upper conveyor belt 40 and adjusts the tension of the conveyor belt 40.

[0048] As a result, the transplanter 1 can prevent the conveyor belt 40 from sagging by adjusting the tension of the conveyor belt 40 with the adjustment roller 43. Therefore, the operator can easily hold the seedlings in the seedling holding section 40b. In addition, the transplanter 1 can stably remove the seedlings from the conveyor belt 40 with the planting claws 45. Furthermore, if the adjustment roller 43 is positioned to contact the lower conveyor belt 40, there is a risk that the adjustment roller 43 will come into contact with the ridges or the rear wheels 4. The transplanter 1 can prevent the adjustment roller 43 from coming into contact with the ridges or other objects by positioning the adjustment roller 43 to contact the upper conveyor belt 40.

[0049] Furthermore, the seat 20 is located behind the transport belt 40 and in front of the control handle 11 provided on the main frame 2a.

[0050] This makes it easier for the worker to hold the vine-like seedlings in the seedling holding section 40b when sitting on the seat 20.

[0051] Furthermore, the transport belt 40 is installed in front of the seat 20 such that its lower side is located closer to the center of the vehicle body 2 in the left-right direction than its upper side.

[0052] This allows the transplanting machine 1 to prevent the legs of the worker seated in the seat 20 from coming into contact with the conveyor belt 40.

[0053] Furthermore, the conveyor belt 40 rotates so that the upper conveying surface, where the seedlings are placed on the conveyor belt 40, is further away from the seat 20.

[0054] This allows the transplanter 1 to widen the area over which the operator can check whether the seedlings are properly held in the seedling holding section 40b of the conveyor belt 40. Furthermore, for example, if the conveying surface of the upper conveyor belt 40, where the operation of placing seedlings onto the conveyor belt 40 is performed, rotates so that it is closer to the seat 20, the conveyor belt 40, with the seedlings held by the seedling holding section 40b, will pass in front of the seat 20. In this case, if the legs of the operator seated in the seat 20 come into contact with the conveyor belt 40, there is a risk that the seedlings will fall from the conveyor belt 40. In contrast, the transplanter 1 rotates so that the upper conveying surface of the conveyor belt 40 is further away from the seat 20, thereby preventing the seedlings from falling from the conveyor belt 40 even if the legs of the operator seated in the seat 20 come into contact with the conveyor belt 40.

[0055] The transplanter 50 may be mounted at the rear of the tractor 100, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. Figure 6 is a schematic side view of the transplanter 50 according to a modified example. Figure 7 is a schematic rear view of the transplanter 50 according to a modified example. The transplanter 50 according to the modified example is towed by the tractor 100. Note that parts of the transplanter 50 are omitted in Figures 6 and 7.

[0056] The planting device 51 of the transplanter 50 is powered by the PTO shaft of the tractor 100, which drives two planting tines 52. The power from the PTO shaft is input to, for example, the planting unit case, where it is divided to drive each planting tine 52. The two planting tines 52 are driven, for example, synchronously to plant seedlings in two rows.

[0057] The transplanter 50 has a gauge wheel 53. The gauge wheel 53 is located in the center of the transplanter 50 in the left-right direction. The gauge wheel 53 is positioned to pass between two furrows. The lower end of the gauge wheel 53 is formed to be in the shape of an arc. This allows the transplanter 50 to stabilize against tilting caused by rolling. The planting device 51 is supported by the gauge wheel 53.

[0058] The seat 54 of the transplanter 50 is positioned so that when the transplanter 50 plants seedlings in a furrow, it passes over one of the furrows. For example, the seat 54 is positioned so that it passes directly over one of the furrows. The tilt of the seat 54 is suppressed by aligning the position of the pivot axis of the seat 54 with the pivot point of the planting device 51, specifically, the pivot axis P of the rolling of the planting device 51.

[0059] The transplanter 50 fixes the height of one ridge by adjusting the height of the gauge wheel 53, based on one ridge. The transplanter 50 adjusts the height of the other ridge by the rolling of the planting device 51. The transplanter 50 sets the rotation of the conveyor belt 55 to the rotation corresponding to the interval at which seedlings are planted in the two ridges. The transplanter 50 adjusts the row spacing based on the gauge wheel 53. In a series of operations, the transplanter 50 moves the space between two rows and adjusts the row spacing.

[0060] The transplanting machine 50 may be equipped with a clutch that switches the driving state of each of the two planting claws 52. This allows the transplanting machine 50 to drive only one of the planting claws 52.

[0061] The transplanting machine 50 positions the support section that supports the planting device 51 in the center of the conveyor belt 40. This allows the transplanting machine 50 to have equal vertical oscillation.

[0062] In the lifting and lowering control of the transplanting machine 50, the height of the planting device 51 is controlled in conjunction with the height of the gauge wheel 53. The transplanting machine 50 may also control the rolling of the planting device 51 by controlling the pressure resistance of the soil covering wheel 56.

[0063] In areas where the conveyor belt 55, with seedlings held by the seedling holding section 57, curves, for example, in areas where the conveying direction is changed by the drive roller 59 or the belt roller 60, the drive roller 59 and the belt roller 60 may be arranged such that the shape of the conveyor belt 55 becomes a large radius shape.

[0064] Furthermore, the adjustment roller 61 and belt roller 62 may be positioned so that the conveyor belt 55 moves upward along the shortest distance after the seedlings have been removed by the planting claws 52.

[0065] Further effects and modifications can be readily derived by those skilled in the art. Therefore, broader aspects of the present invention are not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments expressed and described above. Accordingly, various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the overall concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0066] 1 transplanter 2. Running vehicle 2a Mainframe 3 Front wheels 4 Rear wheels 5 Planting equipment 5a Planting frame 11. Control Steering Wheel 12 training wheels 15 Auxiliary Steps 20 seats 40 Conveyor belts 40a Partition Member 40b Seedling holding part 41 Belt Guide 42 Drive rollers 43 Adjustment roller 44 Belt Rollers 45 Planting claws 48 Seedling stand 49 Covering ring

Claims

1. The vehicle body and An auxiliary step attached to the rear wheel of the vehicle body, A seat provided above the aforementioned auxiliary step, The aforementioned vehicle body is equipped with a planting device for planting vine-like seedlings in a field. Equipped with, The planting device includes a conveyor belt that rotates and transports the vine-like seedlings while they are held in place by a seedling holding unit. The aforementioned conveyor belt is capable of swinging independently with respect to the main frame of the vehicle body of the transplanting machine.

2. A planting frame that supports the aforementioned planting device, A belt guide supported by the planting frame and supporting the upper conveyor belt, Equipped with, The transplanting machine according to claim 1, wherein the main frame and the planting frame are provided within the loop of the conveyor belt.

3. It is equipped with a plurality of belt rollers that contact the lower conveyor belt, The planting device is equipped with planting claws that take the seedlings from the conveyor belt and plant the seedlings in the field. The transplanter according to claim 1, wherein two adjacent belt rollers are arranged with a gap between them so that the planting claws can take the seedlings from the conveyor belt and plant them in the field.

4. The transplanting machine according to claim 1, further comprising an adjustment roller that contacts the upper conveyor belt and adjusts the tension of the conveyor belt.

5. The transplanting machine according to claim 1, wherein the seat is located behind the conveyor belt and in front of the handle provided on the main frame.

6. The transplanting machine according to claim 1, wherein the conveyor belt is provided in front of the seat such that its lower side is located closer to the center of the vehicle body in the left-right direction than its upper side.

7. The transplanting machine according to claim 1, wherein the conveying belt rotates such that the upper conveying surface on which seedlings are placed on the conveying belt is moved away from the seat.

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