Weeding device for farm fields and farm management method using the same

Abstract

To provide a weeder for fields capable of effectively performing any one or a plurality of weeding, sterilization and insect killing by moist heat in a narrow and long furrow area in a field, and a field management method using the weeder.SOLUTION: A weeder for fields comprises a mobile weeding unit 2 capable of moving a furrow area E in a tea field F, and a moist heat blowout body for blowing out moist heat S toward the furrow area E. The mobile weeding unit 2 includes a moist heat shield 4 for covering the moist heat blowout body, and by the moist heat shield 4, an acting range of the moist heat S is so formed that a dimension of the moving direction along the furrow area E in plan view is made longer than a width-directional dimension. This configuration can blow out the moist heat S widely in the longitudinal direction along the furrow area E so as to perform effective weeding suited to a form of a field such as the tea field F without using chemical agents, etc.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a weeding device for farm fields that performs one or more of weeding, sterilization, and insecticide in farm fields such as tea farms, and a farm management method using the same. [Background technology]

[0002] In agricultural and horticultural fields (tea and mulberry fields, vegetable gardens, etc. collectively referred to as fields), the work of removing weeds that hinder crop growth is constantly being carried out. In many cases, taking into consideration the amount of work involved, the method of killing weeds by spraying herbicides is adopted. Naturally, such herbicides have been improved in accordance with stricter legal regulations than before, and herbicides that are highly diluted and effective with a small amount sprayed are now used. However, even so, it cannot be said that there is no impact on the environment due to herbicides remaining in the ground.

[0003] Naturally, the preparation of such herbicides increases farming costs, and great care must be taken when storing them, placing a heavy burden on farmers. For this reason, a method has been proposed and is already publicly known in which weeds are killed by spraying them with moist heat such as steam or hot water (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0004] However, in order to increase the efficiency of weed control, this method sprays moist heat over a relatively wide area, and while it is effective in fields where no crops have yet been planted, it cannot be used in places such as tea fields where crops are planted throughout the year. Furthermore, when the moist heat injection device described in Patent Document 1 is applied to weeding in fields, etc., the passages between the rows are narrow, so there is a risk that the moist heat generating device itself will come into contact with the tea leaves and damage them, or that the high-temperature steam discharged from the moist heat generating device will come into contact with the tea leaves (which are a product) and cause the tea leaves to wither due to the heat of the steam. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-335344 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention has been made in recognition of this background, and has as its technical objective the development of a weeding device for farm fields that enables effective weeding, sterilization and / or insect killing using moist heat in the narrow and long inter-row areas of farm fields, as well as a farm management method using the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] That is, the weeding device for a farm field according to claim 1 is A mobile weeding unit capable of moving between furrows in a field; and a moist heat blowing body for blowing moist heat toward the furrows. This moist heat blowing body has an upper surface plate, The movable weeding unit includes a moist heat shield that covers the moist heat blowing body, The moist heat shield has a lower periphery formed of a flexible sheet member, The range of action of moist heat The heat and moisture blowing body is configured to be spread around the heat and moisture blowing body. The present invention is characterized by the following points.

[0008] In addition to the above requirements, the weeding device for farm fields described in claim 2 has the following features: The flexible sheet member is configured such that a rear portion in the moving direction of the movable weeding unit is longer rearward than a front portion. The present invention is characterized by the following points.

[0009] Furthermore, the weeding device for farm fields according to claim 3 satisfies the above requirements, in addition to the above requirements. The moist heat blowing body has nozzle holes formed therein for blowing out moist heat, the nozzle holes being arranged substantially parallel to the upper surface plate. The present invention is characterized by the following points.

[0010] Furthermore Also, claims 4 In addition to the above requirements, the described weeding device for farm fields has the following features: The moist heat blowing body is provided in a moving weeding unit, The moist heat supply device that supplies moist heat to the moist heat blowing body is characterized in that it is provided on a cart that incorporates the mobile weeding unit, or on a driving traveling body for moving the mobile weeding unit.

[0011] Furthermore, the weeding device for farm fields according to claim 5 has, in addition to the above requirements, The moist heat shield is characterized in that it is provided with a flow guide for generating a recirculating flow of the moist heat blown out to the inside thereof.

[0012] Furthermore, the weeding device for farm fields according to claim 6 has, in addition to the above requirements, When the weeding device for a farm field turns, the moist heat is supplied from a vent pipe provided in the middle of the moist heat supply pipe connected to the moist heat blowing body. To expel It is characterized by being composed of:

[0013] Furthermore, the farm management method according to claim 7 comprises: The mobile weeding unit of the weeding device for farm fields described in any one of claims 1 to 6 is characterized in that it moves within the furrows and blows moist heat into the furrows to perform one or more of the following: weeding of weeds that have grown in the furrows, or sterilization or killing of insects on the soil surface or in the soil. Effect of the Invention

[0014] First, according to the invention described in claim 1, The moist heat shield that covers the moist heat blowing body is made of a flexible sheet material at the lower periphery so that it comes into contact with the furrows. Effective weed control suited to the type of field can be carried out without using chemicals.

[0015] According to the invention described in claim 2, Since the rear part of the flexible sheet member is longer rearward than the front part in the moving direction of the mobile weeding unit, effective weeding suited to the shape of the field can be performed.

[0016] According to the invention described in claim 3, The moist heat blowing body is configured to blow moist heat from the nozzle holes in a direction substantially parallel to the upper panel, so that effective weeding suited to the shape of the field can be achieved.

[0017] Also, claims 4According to the described invention, when blowing out moist heat, the moist heat blowing nozzle and the moist heat supply device that supplies moist heat to the nozzle are mounted on a movable cart or a driving body that drives the cart, and since the equipment required for weeding is all integrated, it is easy to handle and work with.

[0018] According to the invention described in claim 5, the moist heat shield is provided with a flow guide, so that a recirculating flow is generated in the moist heat once blown out, and the thermal energy can be effectively directed to the weeding work.

[0019] According to the invention described in claim 6, when the garden weeding device turns, the moist heat is supplied from a vent pipe provided in the middle of the moist heat supply pipe. To expel To be composed, The damp heat does not reach the crops in the fields, Moist heat will not be accidentally applied to the tea ridges, etc.

[0020] According to the invention described in claim 7, it is possible to carry out one or more of weeding, sterilization and / or insecticide in the land between the furrows without using chemicals and without damaging the tea furrows. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view showing a state in which the weeding device for farm fields of the present invention is used. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a mobile weeding unit. [Figure 4] 1A is a cross-sectional view showing a mobile weeding unit; FIG. 1B is a longitudinal-sectional view showing the mobile weeding unit; [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a side view showing another embodiment 1 of the weeding device for use in a farm field according to the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment 2 of the weeding device for use in a farm field according to the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a longitudinal sectional view showing another embodiment 3 of the weeding device for use in a farm field according to the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment 4 of the weeding device for farm fields according to the present invention. [Figure 8]5A and 5B are a cross-sectional view and a plan view showing another embodiment 5 of the weeding device for use in farm fields according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] The best mode of the weeding device for farm fields and the farm management method using the same of the present invention is as shown in the following examples, but it is possible to make appropriate modifications to these examples within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. EXAMPLES

[0023] The present invention will be specifically described below based on the illustrated embodiment. The basic components of the weeding device 1 for farm fields of the present invention are a mobile weeding unit 2 that can move through furrow land E in a tea field F, which is an example of a farm field, and a moist heat blowing body 3 that blows moist heat S toward the furrow land E. The mobile weeding unit 2 is equipped with a moist heat shield 4 that covers the moist heat blowing body 3, and the moist heat shield 4 can set the range of action of the moist heat S supplied by the moist heat supply device 5, and specifically, the dimension L in the moving direction along the furrow land E in a plan view is made longer than the dimension D in the width direction.

[0024] A more detailed description of the structure will be given below, but first, a brief description will be given of the shape of a tea field F, which is an example of a farm field. To briefly explain the shape of a tea field F, a large number of tea ridges T are formed almost parallel to one another in the tea field F, and furrow land E for work management is formed between the ridges. Weeds G, which are the subject of the work of the present invention, tend to grow in the furrow land E.

[0025] In the above-mentioned tea field F, the device of the present invention is used to carry out one or more of the following: weeding, sterilization on the soil surface or in the soil, and / or killing of insects. First, the mobile weeding unit 2 mentioned as a basic component can be constructed by being integrated into a movable cart or the like, but considering the actual conditions of farm management, one of the preferable forms is to move it by a drive traveling machine body 10 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, for example.

[0026] First, the driving and traveling machine body 10 will be described. This machine travels across tea ridges T and has a configuration similar to that of riding tea plantation management devices that have already become widespread, and it is possible to attach the mobile weeding unit 2 to an existing device as an attachment. That is, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the driving and traveling machine body 10 is provided with a traveling device 12, such as a crawler, below a leg frame 11A in a rear-view gate-type frame 11, and travels across tea ridges T with this. The upper frame 11B of the frame 11 is configured like a deck, so to speak, on which a prime mover 13 serving as a driving source is mounted, a driver's seat 14, an operating handle 15, etc. are provided, and further, a moist heat supplying device 5 is mounted. The moist heat supplying device 5 will be described later.

[0027] The mobile weeding unit 2 is attached to the rear leg frame 11A so as to be pulled by such a drive-traveling body 10. That is, the subframe 16 provided along the leg frame 11A serves as a support member to support the mobile weeding unit 2 so as to be pulled upward and rotatable. In this embodiment, the mobile weeding unit 2 is attached to the rear leg frame 11A. However, they may be attached to the front leg frame 11A, or to both the rear leg frame 11A and the front leg frame 11A.

[0028] The mobile weeding unit 2 and the moist heat blowing body 3 and moist heat shield 4 attached thereto will be described below. First, the mobile weeding unit 2 has as its main component a hood body 21 that can be expressed as a rectangular lid shape in plan view, for example, and a moist heat blowing body 3 that is, for example, a square frame shape in plan view is formed around the lower surface of the upper plate 21a of the hood body 21. The lower surface of this hood body 21 is formed in an open state, and a shift receiving bracket 22 is formed to protrude from the upper surface of the upper plate 21a. This shift receiving bracket 22 is supported rotatably on the subframe 16 at a rotating shaft 22a at its front end, and the mobile weeding unit 2 is pulled up rearward by a shift cylinder 23. That is, the upper end of the shift cylinder 23 is pin-connected to the upper part of the subframe 16, and the lower end of the slider of the shift cylinder 23 is connected to the shift receiving bracket 22a. B It is connected with a pin to the racket 22. The subframe 16 that supports these members may be fixedly attached to the frame 11, i.e., the leg frame 11A, or may be designed so that its vertical position can be freely changed.

[0029] Furthermore, the hood body 21 is provided with a connection pipe 24 for connecting a moist heat supply pipe 57 near the shift receiving bracket 22. The lower end side of this connection pipe 24 opens to the inside of the hood body 21, and a moist heat receiving chamber 31 communicating with the moist heat blowing body 3 is provided here. Moist heat S is introduced into this moist heat receiving chamber 31 from the lower end open part of the connection pipe 24, and the moist heat S is introduced into the square frame-shaped moist heat blowing body 3 from a moist heat receiving port 30 opening on the inside surface of the moist heat blowing body 3. The side of the moist heat blowing body 3 21b A large number of nozzle holes 32 are formed on the inside.

[0030] Furthermore, the mobile weeding unit 2 is provided with a moist heat shield 4 for applying the moist heat S from the moist heat blowing body 3 to a certain range. Since the moist heat shield 4 acts as described above, the hood body 21 in the mobile weeding unit 2 already described also substantially constitutes a part of the moist heat shield 4. Considering that the wet heat shield 4 will come into contact with the furrow E, at least the lower portion is made of a flexible cover sheet 41. It is somethingThe shape in plan view can be expressed as a rectangle or ellipse with the length along the furrow E being longer. That is, the moist heat shield 4 has a moving direction dimension L set longer than the width direction dimension D, and the range of action of the moist heat S substantially restricted by this shield is also the same range. With this configuration, it is possible to weed within the action range suitable for the furrow land E, and suppress the regrowth of grass. Furthermore, it is possible to kill and sterilize insects or insect eggs that live on the soil surface or in the soil within the action range.

[0031] Next, the moist heat supplying device 5 that supplies the moist heat S for such a weeding action will be described. In this embodiment, the weeding device 1 for farm fields is configured by incorporating the mobile weeding unit 2 into the driving and traveling body 10, and the moist heat supplying device 5 is also mounted on the upper frame 11B of the driving and traveling body 10. That is, its main component is a moist heat generator, which is a general term for devices that generate thermal energy (moist heat S) in a moist state such as steam or hot water, and is a concept that includes so-called boilers that burn fuel and heat water or the like in a closed container with the thermal energy to obtain high-temperature, high-pressure steam. Therefore, detailed explanations and illustrations will be omitted, and the moist heat generator, which is the main component, will be generally described.

[0032] The moist heat generator may be a moist heat box. Main unit A burner 52 is provided on the side of the fuel tank 51 to burn fuel (such as diesel fuel) supplied from the fuel tank 56. Water in the water supply tank 55 is fed from the water supply pipe to the heat and humidity box. Main unit The water is supplied to the burner 51, and the supplied water is used to generate moist heat S by utilizing the combustion heat of the burner 52. An exhaust pipe 54 is connected to the burner 52.

[0033] And the heat and humidity chamber Main unit The moist heat S stored in the 51 is led to the connecting pipe 24 in the mobile weeding unit 2 by the moist heat supply pipe 57. Of course, an appropriate automatic or manual valve or the like is provided on the way. Furthermore, in the present invention, the moist heat supply pipe 57 is partially branched on the way to provide a vent. tube Provide 57A.

[0034] The present invention has the basic configuration as described above, and the operation of the weeding device for farm fields 1 will be described below by following the working mode, and also a substantial method will be described. 1. Preparation The main part of the preparation work is the generation of moist heat S. This work is carried out in the usual way by supplying sufficient water from the water supply tank 55 to the moist heat pipe body 51, and then starting the burner. - 52 is ignited to boil the water in the moist heat box body 51, and sufficient moist heat S such as steam is stored in the gas-liquid separation tank 53 or an appropriate surge tank. In addition, a start-up inspection of related equipment including the drive and traveling machine body 10 is of course performed.

[0035] [2. Entry of the mobile weeding unit into the furrows] The entry into the furrow land E itself is the same as in a typical riding tea field management device, in which the driving body 10 enters by straddling the tea ridges T. In this embodiment, the mobile weeding unit 2 is attached in a towing state to both the left and right leg frames 11A of the driving body 10, so that the mobile weeding unit 2 is led to the furrow land E on both sides of a single tea ridge T.

[0036] [3. Weeding work] In this way, when the mobile weeding unit 2 enters the furrow land E, the moist heat S from the moist heat supplying device 5 is guided through the moist heat supply pipe 57 to the moist heat receiving chamber 31 of the moist heat blowing body 3, and is then blown out from the nozzle hole 32 onto the furrow land E. At this time, since the mobile weeding unit 2 is equipped with the moist heat shield 4, the moist heat S is prevented from radiating to the outside by this moist heat shield 4, and acts on the weeds G in the area covered by the moist heat shield 4, so that the weeds G are killed by the thermal energy. At this time, the action range of the moist heat S is set so that the moving direction dimension L is larger than the width direction dimension D, so that the working range can be sufficiently secured, and the moist heat S is not applied to the tea ridges T formed on both sides, and no adverse effects are caused to the tea ridges T.

[0037] [4. Turning operations] When the weeding work for the entire length of one ridge is completed in this way, the weeder turns around at the so-called pillow area at the end of the tea ridge T toward the next ridge to be worked on. At this time, a vent provided in the middle of the moist heat supply pipe 57 is provided to prevent the moist heat S from being applied to the tea ridge T inadvertently. tube Switch the moist heat S outlet to 57A.

[0038] Other Examples The embodiment described above is one basic and preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the following embodiment can also be mentioned within the technical concept of the present invention. In the above-described embodiment, tea ridges T are given as an example of ridges, but this is not limited to tea ridges T, and it is also suitable for mulberry fields and the like as long as the driving body 10 straddles the crops.

[0039] [Another Example 1] This is what is called a simple structure, and as shown in Fig. 5, a relatively simple cart 10A is used as the means for moving the mobile weeding unit 2. The width of the cart 10A may be narrowed sufficiently to enable it to move between one row of furrows E, or it may be configured to move across tea furrows T to perform weeding work in two rows of furrows E. The cart 10A can be moved by pushing it manually, or it can be driven by a small prime mover or motor. The necessary moist heat supply device 5 is mounted on the cart 10A, and the mobile weeding unit 2 equipped with the moist heat shield 4 and moist heat blowing body 3 is provided below, and weeding is performed by blowing out moist heat S from here.

[0040] [Another Example 2] This embodiment is shown in Fig. 6(a) and is intended to more actively avoid adverse effects of the blowing out of the moist heat S on the tea ridges T. That is, the blowing range of the moist heat S is restricted by the moist heat shield 4 so that the moist heat S does not adversely affect the tea ridges T, and to further ensure this, for example, a water spray nozzle 25 is provided on the outside of the hood body 21. As a result, when the moist heat S is blown out from below to perform weeding work, a cold water mist M is sprayed toward the outside of the mobile weeding unit 2, creating a cool air atmosphere around the tea ridges T, particularly around the lower stems.

[0041] [Another Example 3] Furthermore, the embodiment shown in FIG. 6(b) is an improvement that enables the movement of the mobile weeding unit 2 to be made smoother. That is, the furrow ground E is inevitably uneven, even if not extremely so. In order to enable smooth movement on such a ground surface, a sled-shaped skid plate 26 is provided below the hood body 21. Specifically, the skid plate 26 is rotatably supported below the hood body 21 at the longitudinal center, and balance springs 27 are provided at the front and rear, enabling the hood body 21 to smoothly follow the unevenness of the furrow ground E.

[0042] [Another Example 4] 7 is an improvement to more effectively use the thermal energy of the moist heat S blown into the hood body 21 or moist heat shield 4. That is, a flow guide 28 is provided on the inside of the hood body 21, so that the moist heat S remains within the hood body 21 and moist heat shield 4 as much as possible, allowing the high-temperature moist heat S to act on the weeds G for a long period of time.

[0043] [Another Example 5] In this embodiment, the moist heat blowing body 3 and the mobile weeding unit 2 are configured completely separately. That is, in the already described embodiment, the moist heat blowing body 3 is provided in the mobile weeding unit 2, but in this embodiment, moist heat pipes 33 are installed as equipment on both sides of the furrow land E in advance as the moist heat blowing body 3, and moist heat S is blown out from them. Specifically, automatic return type cocks 34 are provided at regular intervals in the moist heat pipes 33, and when the mobile weeding unit 2 moves, a part of them is pushed from the closed state to the open state. As a result, moist heat S is supplied from the moist heat pipes 33 to the blowing state into the mobile weeding unit 2 at the part of the cock 34 that is pushed out, thereby aiming to wither the nearby weeds G. As can be understood from this embodiment, the claims and claim 1 do not limit the mobile weeding unit 2 and the moist heat blowing body 3 to being integrated. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1 Weeding equipment for fields 10 Drive and running body 10A Cart 11 Frame 11A Leg frame 11B Upper frame 12 Running gear (crawler) 13 Prime Mover 14 Cockpit 15 Operating handle 16 Subframe 2 Mobile weeding unit 21 Hooded Body 21a Top plate 21b side 22 Shifter bracket 22a Rotating shaft 23 Shift cylinder 24 Connecting pipe 25 (Water) Spray Nozzle 26 Skid plate 27 Balance Spring 28 Current Conduction Guide 3. Moisture and heat outlet 30 Humid heat intake 31 Moist heat reception room 32 Nozzle hole 33. Hot and humid piping 34 Cook 4. Moisture Heat Shield 41 Cover Sheet 5 Moist heat supply device 51 Moist heat box body 52 Burner - 53 Gas-liquid separation tank 54 Exhaust stack 55 Water Tank 56 Fuel Tank 57 Moist heat supply pipe 57A Vent tube D Width dimension E Furrow land F Tea garden G. Weeds L Moving direction dimension M Cold Water Mist S. Damp heat T Tea ridge

Claims

1. A mobile weeding unit capable of moving between furrows in a field; and a moist heat blowing body for blowing moist heat toward the furrows, the moist heat blowing body having an upper surface plate, This weeding device for fields is characterized in that the mobile weeding unit is equipped with a moist heat shield that covers the moist heat blowing body, and the moist heat shield has a lower peripheral edge that is made of a flexible sheet material and is configured to expand the range of action of the moist heat around the moist heat blowing body.

2. A weeding device for use in a field as described in claim 1, characterized in that the rear part of the flexible sheet member in the direction of movement of the movable weeding unit is longer toward the rear than the front part.

3. A weeding device for use in a field as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the moist heat blowing body has a nozzle hole for blowing out moist heat formed approximately parallel to the upper panel.

4. The moist heat blowing body is provided in a moving weeding unit, A weeding device for use in a field according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that a moist heat supplying device for supplying moist heat to the moist heat blowing body is provided on a carriage incorporating the mobile weeding unit, or on a driving traveling body for moving the mobile weeding unit.

5. 5. A weeding device for use in a field according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the moist heat shield is provided with a flow guide for generating a recirculating flow of the moist heat blown out to the inside thereof.

6. A weeding device for use in a farm field according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, characterized in that when the weeding device for use in a farm field turns, the wet heat is discharged from a vent pipe provided midway in a wet heat supply pipe connected to the wet heat blowing body.

7. A method for managing a field, comprising the steps of: moving a mobile weeding unit of a field weeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 within a furrow; and blowing moist heat into the furrow to perform one or more of the following: weeding of weeds that have grown in the furrows; or sterilizing or killing insects on the soil surface or in the soil.

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