combine

Abstract

To provide a combine harvester with improved operability of the control levers. [Solution] A combine harvester comprising: a seat on which an operator sits; a threshing unit for threshing harvested grain stalks; a straw disposal unit for processing the straw that has passed through the threshing unit; a side panel provided with a plurality of operating tools, positioned downstream of the seat in a predetermined direction, where the direction from the seat toward the threshing unit is defined as a predetermined direction within the machine's width direction; and an operating lever positioned downstream of the side panel in a predetermined direction, which is movable in the machine's front-rear direction and intersects the machine's width direction between a cutter position and a discharge position. The straw disposal unit is capable of performing a cutting process to cut the straw when the operating lever is in the cutter position, and a discharge process to discharge the straw to the field without cutting it when the operating lever is in the discharge position. At least a portion of the movement trajectory of the operating lever when it moves between the cutter position and the discharge position overlaps with the seat when viewed in the machine's width direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a combine that threshes while cutting grain straws during traveling, and more particularly to a combine that processes discharged straws in a discharged straw processing unit.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a combine has been disclosed that includes a pretreatment unit that cuts and conveys grain straws, a driver's seat, a threshing unit that threshes grain straws, and a cutter that can cut the discharged straws after threshing (see Patent Document 1). A side panel provided with a plurality of operation tools is arranged on the side of the driver's seat, and an operation lever for operating a switching plate that can open and close an opening of a cutter case that houses the cutter is arranged behind the side panel.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the combine described in Patent Document 1 above, since the operation lever is arranged behind the driver's seat and the side panel, an operator sitting on the driver's seat has to operate the operation lever by twisting the upper body to the left rear or standing up. Therefore, there was a problem with the operability of the operation lever.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a combine with improved operability of an operation lever.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present invention relates to a combine harvester that cuts and threshes grain stalks while moving, comprising: a seat on which an operator sits; a threshing unit for threshing the cut grain stalks; a straw disposal unit for processing the straw that has passed through the threshing unit; a side panel provided with a plurality of operating tools, positioned downstream of the seat in the predetermined direction, when the direction from the seat toward the threshing unit is defined as a predetermined direction in the machine's width direction; and a mechanism positioned downstream of the side panel in the predetermined direction, between the cutter position and the discharge position, across the machine's width The combine harvester is characterized by comprising an operating lever that is movable in the front-rear direction of the machine and intersects the direction, the straw discharge processing unit being capable of performing a cutting process to cut the straw when the operating lever is in the cutter position, and a discharge process to discharge the straw to the field without cutting it when the operating lever is in the discharge position, and at least a portion of the movement trajectory of the operating lever when it moves between the cutter position and the discharge position overlaps with the seat when viewed in the width direction of the machine. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the operability of the operating lever can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A side view showing a combine harvester according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A plan view showing a combine harvester. [Figure 3] A perspective view showing the control panel. [Figure 4] Front view showing the control panel. [Figure 5] A perspective view showing the operating controls with the straw discharge switching cover removed. [Figure 6] A perspective view showing a dust cover unit that can be attached to a dust cover mounting plate. [Figure 7] A front view showing the surrounding configuration of the straw discharge switching lever. [Figure 8] A plan view showing the surrounding configuration of the straw discharge switching lever. [Figure 9]A side view showing the surrounding configuration of the straw discharge switching lever. [Figure 10] A side view showing the surrounding configuration of the straw discharge switching cover with the straw discharge switching cover and exhaust pipe cover removed. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] [Overall configuration of the combine harvester] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the self-propelled combine harvester 1 comprises a crawler-type running device 2, a running body 5 supported by the crawler-type running device 2, and a pre-processing unit 6 mounted to the front of the running body 5 so as to be able to move up and down. The running body 5 has a machine frame 7 at its lower part, and above the machine frame 7 are an operating unit 9, an engine E (see Figure 3), a threshing unit 11 for threshing grain from harvested stalks, and a grain tank 12 for temporarily storing the threshed grain. A discharge auger 13 for discharging grain from the grain tank 12 to the outside of the machine is located on the upper part of the running body 5.

[0010] The pre-processing unit 6 includes a divider 15 located at the front for separating grain stalks, a lifting device (not shown) located behind the divider 15 for lifting the separated grain stalks, and a reciprocating cutting blade 16 for cutting the grain stalks. Furthermore, the pre-processing unit 6 includes a conveying device that transports the grain stalks lifted by the lifting device and cut by the cutting blade 16 to the rear for transfer to the feed chain 19 of the threshing unit 11. A narrow guide 21 is provided on the side of the pre-processing unit 6, which is configured to be switchable between a working position that extends forward of the traveling machine 5 to separate grain stalks in the field, and a stowed position that is pulled closer to the traveling machine 5.

[0011] The threshing unit 11 has a threshing chamber (not shown) with a threshing drum built into its upper part, and below the threshing chamber is a sorting chamber (not shown) for separating impurities, including grains that have leaked out of the threshing chamber, by shaking and air. A feed chain 19 is arranged on the outside of the machine body of the threshing chamber, and a clamping rail 20, which is biased downward by a spring, is arranged above the feed chain 19. The feed chain 19 clamps the grain stalks between itself and the clamping rail 20, and transports the grain stalks while passing the ear end of the stalks into the threshing chamber, thereby threshing the grain stalks.

[0012] The grain threshed by the threshing unit 11 is transported to the grain tank 12 and stored in the grain tank 12. A discharge auger 13 is positioned at the top of the grain tank 12, and the grain stored in the grain tank 12 is discharged by the discharge auger 13, for example, onto the bed of a truck stopped outside the field.

[0013] Furthermore, a straw waste processing unit 22 is provided behind the threshing unit 11 and the grain tank 12. The straw waste processing unit 22 is connected to the rear end of the feed chain 19, and the straw waste after threshing in the threshing unit 11 is transported to the straw waste processing unit 22 and processed there. In other words, the straw waste processing unit 22 processes the straw waste that has passed through the threshing unit 11. The straw waste processing unit 22 is configured to perform a cutting process in which the straw waste is cut with a cutter provided in the straw waste processing unit 22, and a discharge process in which the straw waste is discharged to the field without being cut by the cutter. The discharge process can be appropriately selected from a bundling process in which the straw waste is bundled, a dropper process in which a predetermined amount of straw waste is bundled and discharged to the field as is, and a natural discharge process in which the straw waste is discharged continuously without being bundled.

[0014] [Operation Control Unit] Next, the operating controls 9 will be described using Figures 2 to 5. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the operating controls 9, showing a worker model seated on the seat 31. Figure 4 is a front view of the operating controls 9, showing a cross-section including the front end of the side panel 32. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the operating controls 9 with the straw discharge switching cover 33 (see Figure 3) removed.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the operation control unit 9 includes a seat 31 on which an operator sits, a touch panel type liquid crystal monitor 34 disposed in front of the seat 31, and a multi-steering lever 35 disposed on the right side of the liquid crystal monitor 34 and capable of performing lifting operation of the pre-treatment unit 6 and turning operation of the traveling body 5. Further, the operation control unit 9 includes a side panel 32 provided on the left side of the seat 31, a narrow guide changeover lever 36, a straw discharge changeover lever 37 as an operation lever, and a handrail 56.

[0016] The side panel 32 is provided with a main transmission lever 38, a sub-transmission lever 39, a DPF manual regeneration switch 40, a combination switch 41, etc. The main transmission lever 38 can adjust the forward or backward vehicle speed of the crawler traveling device 2 steplessly by being operated forward or backward from the neutral position. The sub-transmission lever 39 switches the gear transmission of the transmission between high speed and low speed by being switched between a low-speed working range and a high-speed working range. The main transmission lever 38 and the sub-transmission lever 39 are movable along a guide groove provided in the side panel 32.

[0017] The DPF manual regeneration switch 40 can manually burn and regenerate a DPF 42 described later by being pressed. The combination switch 41 is a switch unit including a light switch for turning on or off a headlight, a direction indicator switch for flashing left and right direction indicators, and a horn / alarm cut button. The horn / alarm cut button can sound a horn by being pressed when the starter switch is in the on position and can cut off the alarm buzzer by being pressed when the alarm buzzer sounds.

[0018] The narrow guide changeover lever 36 is configured to be able to switch the narrow guide 21 between a working posture and a storage posture by being operated back and forth by an operator. The narrow guide changeover lever 36 is aligned with the working position on the rear side during field work and is aligned with the storage position on the front side during normal traveling (traveling on the road).

[0019] The straw discharge switching lever 37 is configured to be switchable between a cutter position on the front side of the machine and a discharge position on the rear side of the machine. By positioning the straw discharge switching lever 37 in the cutter position, the straw discharge processing unit 22 can perform the cutting process described above. By positioning the straw discharge switching lever 37 in the discharge position, the straw discharge processing unit 22 can perform the discharge process described above. The straw discharge switching lever 37 is guided between the cutter position and the discharge position by a guide groove 33a provided in the straw discharge switching cover 33, which serves as a cover.

[0020] The handrail 56 is positioned above the side panel 32 and is configured to be grasped by an operator seated in the seat 31. The handrail 56 is also positioned in the machine width direction between the auxiliary speed lever 39 and the narrow guide switching lever 36 and the straw discharge switching lever 37.

[0021] As shown in Figure 5, the left side of the operating unit 9 is provided with an upper operating frame 43, a lower operating frame 44 positioned below the upper operating frame 43, and a connecting frame 45 that connects the upper operating frame 43 and the lower operating frame 44. The connecting frame 45 improves the overall strength of the frame by connecting the upper operating frame 43 and the lower operating frame 44 vertically. The connecting frame 45 is fixed to the sides of the upper operating frame 43 and the lower operating frame 44, respectively.

[0022] A rotating member 46 is rotatably supported on the connecting frame 45 via a bracket. The rotating member 46 is integrally formed with the straw discharge switching lever 37, and is configured to rotate around a pivot axis 46a when the straw discharge switching lever 37 moves in the front-rear direction of the machine between the cutter position and the discharge position. The rotating member 46 is biased by a spring 47 so that the straw discharge switching lever 37 is biased to the discharge position. Two wires 48a and 48b are connected to the rotating member 46, and the wires 48a and 48b are connected to the straw discharge processing unit 22. The wires 48a and 48b are located on the same side as the spring 47 with respect to the rotating member 46. This reduces the width of the lever assembly in the machine width direction, which consists of the straw discharge switching lever 37, rotating member 46, connecting frame 45, spring 47, wires 48a, 48b and dust cover mounting plate 49 (described later), allowing the lever assembly to be housed inside the straw discharge switching cover 33.

[0023] Then, when the straw discharge switching lever 37 is operated, the state of the straw discharge processing unit 22 is switched via the rotating member 46 and wires 48a and 48b. Specifically, when the straw discharge switching lever 37 is operated, the switching plate that switches the path of the discharged straw in the straw discharge processing unit 22, the position of the straw discharge chain, and the like are switched.

[0024] A dust cover mounting plate 49 is further fixed to the connecting frame 45. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing a dust cover unit 50 that can be attached to the dust cover mounting plate 49. Note that Figure 5 shows the straw discharge switching cover 33 in a removed state, while Figure 6 shows the straw discharge switching cover 33 in a mounted state. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the dust cover mounting plate 49 is provided with multiple screw holes 49a, and the straw discharge switching cover 33 also has holes (not shown) at positions corresponding to the multiple screw holes 49a.

[0025] The dust cover unit 50 is an attachment that can be attached and detached at will by the operator, and includes a support unit 51 including a bracket 51a and a dust cover 52 supported by the support unit 51. The bracket 51a is fixed to the screw holes 49a of the dust cover mounting plate 49 by screws 51b, sandwiching the straw discharge switching cover 33. The dust cover 52 covers the upper part of the inlet side of the threshing unit 11 and suppresses the scattering of straw and dust generated from the grain stalks conveyed by the feed chain 19 to the operation control unit 9.

[0026] Below the control panel 9, as shown in Figures 3 to 6, is the engine E, which is connected to the DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) 42 via a connecting pipe. The DPF 42 is a particulate matter removal device that removes particulate matter contained in the exhaust gas discharged from the engine. Specifically, the DPF 42 collects particulate matter with a filter and then removes (cleans) the particulate matter from the filter by combustion regeneration.

[0027] Because the DPF42 becomes hot during combustion regeneration, the top of the DPF42 is covered by a DPF cover 53 and a straw exhaust switching cover 33. As shown in Figure 5, an exhaust pipe 54 is connected to the DPF42, and the exhaust gas discharged from the DPF42 passes through the exhaust pipe 54 and is discharged from the exhaust port 54a. The exhaust pipe 54 extends diagonally upward and rearward, and the exhaust port 54a is located behind and above the seat 31. Also, the exhaust port 54a faces backward. This prevents the exhaust gas discharged from the exhaust port 54a from being discharged towards the worker seated in the seat 31.

[0028] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, an exhaust pipe cover 55 is fixed to the rear end of the straw discharge switching cover 33. The exhaust pipe cover 55 is formed in a roughly U-shape in cross-section and covers the upper surface and both sides of the rear end of the exhaust pipe 54. In other words, the area above the DPF 42 and the exhaust pipe 54 is continuously covered by the DPF cover 53, the straw discharge switching cover 33, and the exhaust pipe cover 55. This prevents workers from touching the high-temperature DPF 42 and exhaust pipe 54.

[0029] Furthermore, the DPF cover 53, the straw discharge switching cover 33, and the exhaust pipe cover 55 are positioned with a gap between them and the DPF 42 and the exhaust pipe 54. This prevents the DPF cover 53, the straw discharge switching cover 33, and the exhaust pipe cover 55 from becoming too hot due to the heat from the DPF 42 and the exhaust pipe 54, and prevents problems even if straw debris accumulates on the DPF cover 53, the straw discharge switching cover 33, and the exhaust pipe cover 55.

[0030] [Placement of the straw discharge switching lever] Next, the arrangement of the straw discharge switching lever 37 will be described with reference to Figures 3, 4, 7 to 10. Figure 7 is a front view showing the surrounding configuration of the straw discharge switching lever 37. Figure 8 is a top view showing the surrounding configuration of the straw discharge switching lever 37. Figure 9 is a side view showing the surrounding configuration of the straw discharge switching lever 37. Figure 10 is a side view showing the surrounding configuration of the straw discharge switching cover 33 with the straw discharge switching cover 33 and exhaust pipe cover 55 removed. In Figures 8 and 9, the discharge position of the straw discharge switching lever 37 is shown by a solid line, and the cutter position of the straw discharge switching lever 37 is shown by a dashed line.

[0031] As shown in Figures 3, 4, 7 to 10, in the following, the front-rear direction of the combine harvester 1 will be referred to as the machine body front-rear direction X, and the width direction (left-right direction) of the combine harvester 1 will be referred to as the machine body width direction Y. The machine body front-rear direction X is the direction that intersects the machine body width direction Y, and in this embodiment, it includes the direction perpendicular to the machine body width direction Y. More specifically, the machine body front-rear direction X is the direction perpendicular to the machine body width direction Y and the direction of gravity (vertical direction). Furthermore, within the machine body width direction Y, the direction from the seat 31 toward the threshing unit 11 will be referred to as the predetermined direction Y1.

[0032] In a predetermined direction Y1, the side panel 32 is positioned downstream of the seat 31, and the narrow guide switching lever 36 and the straw discharge switching lever 37 are positioned downstream of the side panel 32. Furthermore, a handrail 56 is positioned above the side panel 32, and the narrow guide switching lever 36 and the straw discharge switching lever 37 are positioned downstream of the handrail 56 in the predetermined direction Y1.

[0033] Thus, in the machine width direction Y, the straw discharge switching lever 37 is positioned outside the seat 31, beyond the side panel 32 and handrail 56, i.e., on the threshing unit 11 side. Therefore, the straw discharge switching lever 37 does not get in the way when operating multiple controls provided on the side panel 32, such as the main speed lever 38, sub-speed lever 39, DPF manual regeneration switch 40 and combination switch 41. This improves the operability of the multiple controls provided on the side panel 32. In addition, the straw discharge switching lever 37 does not get in the way when the operator grips the handrail 56, making it easier to grip the handrail 56.

[0034] Furthermore, the straw discharge switching lever 37 is positioned below the handrail 56 and above the DPF 42. The handrail 56 is positioned at a height that allows the entrance to the threshing unit 11 to be visible from the viewpoint of a worker seated in the seat 31. In other words, the handrail 56 is positioned below the field of view between the viewpoint of a worker seated in the seat 31 and the entrance to the threshing unit 11. Since the straw discharge switching lever 37 is positioned below the handrail 56, the straw discharge switching lever 37 does not obstruct the field of view between the viewpoint of a worker and the entrance to the threshing unit 11, allowing the worker to easily see the entrance to the threshing unit 11 during threshing.

[0035] Furthermore, since the straw discharge switching cover 33, which guides the straw discharge switching lever 37, is positioned above the DPF 42 and exhaust pipe 54, the straw discharge switching cover 33 can guide the hot air from the DPF 42 and exhaust pipe 54 upward and rearward. This prevents the hot air from hitting the worker seated in the seat 31. In addition, by positioning the straw discharge switching lever 37 and the straw discharge switching cover 33 downstream of the side panel 32 in a predetermined direction Y1, space can be secured for routing the exhaust pipe 54, and the exhaust port 54a of the exhaust pipe 54 can be provided to the left rear of the seat 31.

[0036] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the straw discharge switching lever 37 is positioned within a width L1 in the machine width direction Y of the DPF 42 when viewed in the machine front-rear direction X. In other words, the straw discharge switching lever 37 is positioned between the upstream end 42a and the downstream end 42b in a predetermined direction Y1 of the DPF 42 when viewed in the machine front-rear direction X. This allows the straw discharge switching lever 37 to be positioned within reach of an operator seated in the seat 31, and prevents the straw discharge switching lever 37 from obstructing the flow of grain stalks being transported to the threshing unit 11 by the feed chain 19.

[0037] Furthermore, in Figure 9, the movement trajectory ML of the straw discharge switching lever 37 when it moves between the cutter position and the discharge position is shown by a diagonal line. The movement trajectory ML is the rotation trajectory of the straw discharge switching lever 37 around the pivot axis 46a. As shown in Figure 9, at least a portion of the movement trajectory ML of the straw discharge switching lever 37 overlaps with the seat 31 when viewed in the machine width direction Y. Also, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the discharge position, which is the rear position of the straw discharge switching lever 37, overlaps with the seat 31 when viewed in the machine width direction Y. Note that if the straw discharge switching lever 37 is to be positioned further forward, the straw discharge switching lever 37 or the straw discharge switching cover 33 will interfere with the wire of the narrow guide switching lever 36.

[0038] As described above, since the straw ejection switching lever 37 is positioned close to the seat 31 in the front-rear direction X of the machine, a worker seated in the seat 31 can operate the straw ejection switching lever 37 without twisting their body to the left and rear, or without standing up from the seat 31. Therefore, the operability of the straw ejection switching lever 37 can be improved.

[0039] As described above, the straw discharge switching lever 37 is positioned in a location that does not interfere with the operation of the multiple control devices on the side panel 32 or gripping the handrail 56, is within reach of the worker seated in the seat 31, does not obstruct the view toward the entrance of the threshing unit 11, and does not interfere with the conveyed grain stalks. In particular, since the movement trajectory ML of the straw discharge switching lever 37 is positioned to overlap with the seat 31 when viewed in the machine width direction Y, the straw discharge switching lever 37 can be positioned close to the seat 31, and the worker can operate the straw discharge switching lever 37 without changing their posture while seated in the seat 31. Therefore, the operability of the straw discharge switching lever 37 can be improved.

[0040] <Other embodiments> In this embodiment, the cutter position of the straw discharge switching lever 37 was in front of the discharge position, but this is not limited to this. For example, the cutter position and discharge position of the straw discharge switching lever 37 may be swapped, so that the discharge position is in front of the cutter position.

[0041] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the straw discharge switching lever 37 is provided within the width L1 of the DPF 42 in the width direction Y of the machine body when viewed in the longitudinal direction X of the machine body, but it is not limited to this. For example, the straw discharge switching lever 37 may be positioned upstream of the upstream end 42a of the DPF 42 in a predetermined direction Y1 when viewed in the longitudinal direction X of the machine body, or downstream of the downstream end 42b of the DPF 42 in a predetermined direction Y1.

[0042] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the straw discharge switching lever 37 was positioned below the handrail 56 and downstream in a predetermined direction Y1, but it is not limited to this. For example, the straw discharge switching lever 37 may protrude above the handrail 56, or it may be positioned in a location that overlaps with the handrail 56 in the machine width direction Y, or upstream of the handrail 56 in a predetermined direction Y1.

[0043] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment describes a self-propelled combine harvester, it is also applicable to a general-purpose combine harvester. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1: Combine harvester 5: Driving vehicle 6: Pre-processing section 11: Threshing section 22: Straw Removal Processing Unit 31: Seat 32: Side Panel 33: Cover (straw discharge switching cover) 33a: Guide groove 37: Operating lever (straw ejection switching lever) 38, 39, 40, 41: Multiple operating devices (main transmission lever, sub-transmission lever, DPF manual regeneration switch, combination switch) 42: Particulate matter removal device (DPF) 56: Handrail E: Engine L1: Width ML: Movement trajectory X: Front and rear direction of the aircraft Y: Aircraft width direction Y1:Predetermined direction

Claims

1. In a combine harvester that cuts and threshes grain while moving, The seats where the workers sit, The threshing section where the harvested grain stalks are threshed, A straw waste processing unit for processing the straw waste that has passed through the threshing unit, When the direction from the seat toward the threshing section is defined as a predetermined direction within the width direction of the machine body, a side panel is positioned downstream of the seat in the predetermined direction and is provided with a plurality of operating devices, The machine is equipped with an operating lever positioned downstream of the side panel in the predetermined direction and movable in the front-rear direction of the machine, intersecting the machine width direction between the cutter position and the discharge position, The straw discharge processing unit is capable of performing a cutting process to cut the straw when the operating lever is in the cutter position, and is capable of performing a discharge process to discharge the straw to the field without cutting it when the operating lever is in the discharge position. At least a portion of the movement trajectory of the operating lever as it moves between the cutter position and the discharge position overlaps with the seat when viewed in the width direction of the machine. A combine harvester characterized by the following features.

2. The engine and A particulate matter removal device is positioned below the side panel and removes particulate matter contained in the exhaust gas discharged from the engine, The device further comprises a cover that covers the top of the particulate matter removal device, and a guide groove that guides the operating lever so as to move between the cutter position and the discharge position. The combine harvester as described in feature 1.

3. The aforementioned operating lever is positioned within the width of the particulate matter removal device in the width direction of the machine body, when viewed in the front-to-rear direction of the machine body. The combine harvester according to feature 2.

4. The handrail is further provided, positioned above the side panel and downstream of the seat in the predetermined direction, and is capable of being grasped by the worker. The operating lever is positioned downstream of the handrail in the predetermined direction. A combine harvester according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The aforementioned operating lever is positioned below the handrail. The combine harvester described in feature 4.

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