Root vegetable harvester

Abstract

To provide a root crop harvester capable of solving problems for example, when lowering a flexible container bag filled with root crops, to a farm field toward a rear side of a machine body, a flexible container bag lowered to the farm field is near a machine body which advances, when harvesting crops in an adjacent row, therefore, the flexible container bag contacts the machine body and the flexible container bag is torn therefore the root crops are scattered to the farm field therefore proper harvesting work cannot be achieved, and to provide a root crop harvester capable of avoiding contact of the machine body to the flexible container bag lowered to the farm field.SOLUTION: There is provided a root crop harvester comprising: a mounting base 26 which is displaced between, a state in which a storage member is mounted so as to store root crops transported from a harvesting part C in a storage part E, and a state in which a lower place of the storage member is opened so as to lower the storage member to the farm field which is lower the machine body; and a movement device 24 which suspends the storage member and lowers the same to the farm field at outside of a machine body lateral direction, and lowers to the farm field, the storage member in a state in which, the mounting base 26 is displaced and a lower side of the storage member is opened.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a root vegetable harvester that collects crops from a field and stores them in a storage member such as a flexible container bag. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a root vegetable harvester that extracts and transports root vegetables from a farm field using a pulling and transporting device, and stores the root vegetables in a flexible container bag provided at the transport end of a sorting and transporting device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-115069 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, because the FIBC bags full of root vegetables are lowered into the field toward the rear of the machine, when the machine is rotated to harvest crops in an adjacent row, the FIBC bags lowered into the field are located just to the side of the moving machine. If the FIBC bags tilt or the machine meanders slightly, there is a risk that the FIBC bags will come into contact with the machine and break, causing the root vegetables to scatter across the field and making it impossible to carry out proper harvesting operations.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and has an object to provide a root vegetable harvester that prevents the machine body from coming into contact with storage members such as flexi-con bags that have been unloaded into a field. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The first aspect of the present invention is The root vegetable harvesting machine is equipped with a traveling section (A) for traveling the machine body, a steering section (B), a harvesting section (C) for harvesting root vegetables from a farm field, a sorting and conveying section (D) for conveying the root vegetables harvested by the harvesting section (C), and a storage section (E) for storing the root vegetables conveyed by the sorting and conveying section (D), and is provided with a loading platform (26) that moves to take two states in the storage section (E): a state in which a storage member (22) is placed in the storage section (E) to store the root vegetables conveyed from the harvesting section (C), and a state in which the bottom of the storage member (22) is opened so that the storage member (22) can be lowered into the farm field below; and a moving device (24) is provided that suspends the storage member (22) and lowers it into the farm field on the left-right outer side of the machine body, and that moves the loading platform (26) to lower the storage member (22) into the farm field with the bottom open; A pilot's seat (8) and a control panel (9) are provided at the front of the aircraft, The sorting and conveying section (D) is provided with a movable conveyor (21b) whose end on the storage section (E) side moves up and down, and an auxiliary work seat (23) on which an auxiliary worker sits is provided behind the movable conveyor (21b); This root vegetable harvester is characterized in that a platform movement switch for moving the platform (26) is provided near the operation panel (9) and the auxiliary work seat (23), and a single cross-directional operation lever (27) for operating the moving device (24) and the movable transport conveyor (21b) is provided at the end of the operation panel (9) on the storage section (E) side. The second aspect of the present invention is This is a first root vegetable harvester of the present invention, characterized in that the mounting platform (26) is configured to be freely movable between a position for mounting and supporting the storage member (22) suspended from the hanging hanger (25) of the moving device (24), and a position where the lower part of the bottom surface of the storage member (22) suspended from the hanging hanger (25) is opened and the hanging hanger (25) is lowered so that the storage member (22) can be lowered directly into the field without moving left and right or front and back. The third aspect of the present invention is This is a root vegetable harvester of the first or second invention, characterized in that the mounting platform (26) is moved to the rear of the machine body to open the lower part of the bottom surface of the storage member (22) suspended from the hanging hanger (25). The fourth aspect of the present invention is a moving mechanism (26b) for moving the mounting table (26), The moving mechanism (26b) is composed of a drive screw shaft (41) rotatably mounted on a front and rear support arm (40, 40) whose base is fixed to the right end of the machine frame (1), a slide cylinder (42) having an engaging piece that is slidably fitted to the drive screw shaft (41) in the axial direction and engages with the spiral groove of the drive screw shaft (41), a fixed body (43) that fixes the slide cylinder (42) to the inner end of the flat plate (26a), a transmission case (44) that transmits a rotational driving force to the drive screw shaft (41), and an electric motor (45) whose base is fixed to the transmission case (44) and faces inward of the machine body. This is a root vegetable harvester of any of the first to third aspects of the present invention, characterized in that the driving spiral shaft (41) is driven in forward and reverse directions via an electric motor (45) by a platform movement switch, causing a flat plate (26a) of the platform (26) that supports the storage member (22) to slide toward the rear of the body to an open state in which the underside of the bottom of the flexi-con bag (22) is opened, or to slide toward the front of the body to a state in which the bottom of the flexi-con bag (22) suspended from the hanging hanger (25) is supported. The first invention related to the present invention is a root vegetable harvester equipped with a traveling section A for driving the body of the machine, a steering section B, a harvesting section C for harvesting root vegetables from the field, and a storage section E for storing the harvested root vegetables, in which a mounting platform 26 is provided which is displaced between a state in which a storage member 22 is placed in storage section E to store root vegetables transported from the harvesting section C and a state in which the lower side of the storage member 22 is opened so that the storage member 22 can be lowered into the field below, and a moving device 24 is provided which suspends the storage member 22 and lowers it into the field outside the left-right direction of the machine body, and which displaces the mounting platform 26 to lower the storage member 22 into the field with the lower side opened.

[0007] The first invention related to the present invention According to this, a mounting platform 26 is provided which can be displaced between a state in which the storage member 22 is placed in the storage section E to store root vegetables transported from the harvesting section C and a state in which the bottom of the storage member 22 is opened so that the storage member 22 can be lowered into the field below, and a moving device 24 is provided which hoists the storage member 22 and lowers it into the field outside the left-right direction of the body of the machine, and where the mounting platform 26 is displaced to lower the storage member 22 into the field with the bottom open. Therefore, the storage member 22 placed on the mounting platform 26 can be hoisted by the moving device 24 and lowered into the field at a position outside the left-right direction of the body of the machine, and even if the storage member 22 lowered into the field tilts or the machine meanders slightly, it is possible to prevent the storage member 22 from coming into contact with the body of the machine, and good and appropriate harvesting work can be performed.

[0008] In addition, when the storage member 22 cannot be lowered to the side of the machine body due to an obstacle such as a ridge or wall on the side of the ridge at the edge of the field, the storage member 22 can be suspended by the moving device 24 and, with the mounting platform 26 displaced to a state that opens up the lower side of the storage member 22, the storage member 22 can be lowered into the field with the lower side open.

[0009] The second invention related to the present invention The mounting table 26 is configured to be freely movable between a position where the storage member 22 suspended from the suspension hanger 25 of the moving device 24 is placed and supported, and a position where the lower part of the bottom surface of the storage member 22 suspended from the suspension hanger 25 is opened and the storage member 22 can be lowered directly into the field without moving left and right or front and rear by lowering the suspension hanger 25. The first invention related to the present invention It is a root vegetable harvester.

[0010] The third invention related to the present invention The mounting table 26 is moved to the rear of the machine body to open the lower part of the bottom surface of the storage member 22 suspended from the suspension hanger 25. The first or second invention related to the present invention It is a root vegetable harvester.

[0011] The fourth invention related to the present invention The mounting table 26 moves the flat plate 26a, on which the storage member 22 is mounted, toward the rear of the machine body by a moving mechanism 26b provided on the machine body frame 1. Any of the first to third inventions related to the present invention It is a root vegetable harvester.

[0012] Fifth Invention Related to the Present Invention The moving mechanism is a rotation actuator 53. The fourth invention related to the present invention It is a root vegetable harvester. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a carrot harvester according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a rear view for explaining the operation of the carrot harvester. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view for explaining the operation of a main part of the carrot harvester. [Diagram 5]FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the operation of a main part of the second embodiment of the carrot harvester. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the operation of a main part of the third embodiment of the carrot harvester. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is an enlarged rear view illustrating the operation of a main part of the third embodiment of the carrot harvester. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the operation of a main part of the fourth embodiment of the carrot harvester. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional plan view illustrating the fourth embodiment of the carrot harvester for explaining the operation of a main part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] A carrot harvester, which is a type of root vegetable harvester, will be described as an embodiment of the present invention. In the following, the forward direction of the machine body will be used as a reference to refer to front, rear, left and right.

[0015] <Overall composition> The carrot harvester is composed of a traveling section A that drives the machine, a control section B on which the operator sits, a harvesting section C that pulls out carrots from the field on one side of the machine body and transports them to the upper rear of the machine body, a sorting and transporting section D that takes over carrots from the harvesting section C and transports them to the rear of the machine body in a stem and leaf cutting section where the stems and leaves are cut, a remaining leaf processing section D that receives carrots that fall from the stem and leaf cutting section and processes the stems and leaves remaining on the carrots, a sorting and transporting section D that takes over carrots from the remaining leaf processing section and transports them from one side of the machine body to the other side of the machine body where an assistant operator sorts the carrots during transport, and a storage section E that holds storage materials for the carrots discharged from the sorting and transporting section D.

[0016] <Running section A> Left and right crawlers 6L, 6R are formed by winding left and right belts 5, 5 around left and right driving sprockets 2, 2 on the front side of the machine body and left and right driven wheels 3, 3 on the rear side of the machine body below the machine body frame 1, and multiple wheels 4 attached between the left and right driving sprockets 2, 2 and the left and right driven wheels 3, 3. The left and right driving sprockets 2, 2 of the left and right crawlers 6L, 6R are attached to left and right drive shafts extending to both the left and right sides from a transmission case to which the engine power is transmitted, and the left and right crawlers 6L, 6R are attached to the machine body frame 1 with a certain left-right interval between them.

[0017] <Control Unit B> A control frame 7 is attached to the upper right side of the machine frame 1, and a control seat 8 is attached to the control frame 7, and a control panel 9 is attached to the front of the machine. A speed change lever 10 for switching between forward and reverse movement and the traveling speed of the machine is attached to the control panel 9, and a lift control lever 11 for turning the machine left and right and for controlling the working height of the harvesting section C is also attached.

[0018] A radiator cover 12 that protects a radiator (not shown) that cools the engine and takes in cooling air is detachably attached to the other side (right side) of the control unit frame 7, thereby forming a control unit B.

[0019] With the above configuration, by providing a control member such as the gear shift control lever 10 and the lift control lever 11 that can perform multiple operations with one lever, control of the aircraft becomes easier, thereby reducing the workload of the pilot.

[0020] <Harvesting Section C> Left and right driven pulleys 14a, 14a are rotatably attached to the front sides of the left and right pulling-out frames 13, 13, and left and right driving pulleys 14b, 14b are attached to the rear sides of the machine, and left and right clamping conveyor belts 15, 15 for pulling out carrots and transporting them to the rear of the machine are wound around the left and right driven pulleys 14a, 14a and the left and right driving pulleys 14b, 14b. The left and right clamping conveyor belts 15, 15 are tensioned by a plurality of tension rollers 16, and the inside surfaces of the left and right clamping conveyor belts 15, 15 are pressed against each other to form a carrot pulling and transport path R. A rotating frame is attached above the machine frame 1 so as to be vertically rotatable about left and right horizontal axes as rotation fulcrums, and a transmission case for transmitting driving force to the left and right driving pulleys 14b, 14b is attached to the rear end of the rotating frame so as to be vertically rotatable about the rotation fulcrum. The machine frame 1 and the rotating frame are connected by a lifting cylinder, and the lifting cylinder is attached so as to be operable by the control unit B to constitute a drawing and conveying device 17.

[0021] Also provided in front of the pulling-out and conveying device 17 are a vertical raising device 18 for raising the stems and leaves of carrots, a horizontal raising device 19 for scooping up the stems and leaves raised by the vertical raising device 18, a grass separating rod 20 provided in front of the horizontal raising device 19, a rotatable gauge wheel for preventing the pulling-out and conveying device 17 from descending too far, and a left-right vibrating soiler S for loosening the soil on the left and right sides of the carrots buried in the soil by reciprocating vibrations provided by the driving force of the engine.

[0022] A tail cutting device for cutting the roots of carrots being transported by the pulling and conveying device 17 is attached below the pulling and conveying passage R, thereby forming a harvesting section C.

[0023] With the above-mentioned configuration, by providing the horizontal pulling-up device 19 equipped with the grass-dividing rod 20 on the front side of the machine body and the vertical pulling-up device 18, harvesting work can be performed while raking up the stems and leaves of carrots that have fallen in the field, and since visibility of the carrots to be harvested is improved, it is easier to adjust the pulling position and the amount of crop left behind is reduced, improving work efficiency.

[0024] In addition, since the carrots can be prevented from being damaged by contact with the left-right vibrating soy washer S or the like, the commercial value of the carrots is improved.

[0025] The body frame 1 and a rotating frame that can rotate freely up and down around the left and right horizontal axes are connected by a lifting cylinder, and the lifting cylinder is extended and retracted by operating the lifting operation lever 11 of the control unit B. This makes it possible to adjust the vertical height of the entire harvesting unit C by operating the lifting operation lever 11, so that the position of the pulling-out transport starting end of the harvesting unit C can be adjusted up and down and the position of the pulling-out transport starting end can be adjusted to match the appropriate pulling-out height of the carrots growing in the field, preventing any carrots from being left behind and improving work efficiency.

[0026] Furthermore, if the harvesting section C is raised during turning, the lower end of the harvesting section C is less likely to come into contact with the field, so that the turning operation can be performed smoothly and work efficiency is improved.

[0027] <Sorting and conveying section D> The sorting and conveying device 21 for sorting work in the sorting and conveying section D is arranged in the left-right direction of the machine body from the rear lower part of the pulling and conveying device 17 in the harvesting section C toward the storage section E where the flexi-con bags 22, which are storage members for storing carrots, are located, and is composed of a chain conveyor with bars at regular intervals that rotates by the driving force from the engine. The carrots conveyed by the pulling and conveying device 17 with their stems and leaves clamped are cut at the stem and leaf cutting section at their lower ends (slightly above the heads of the carrots) and the carrots fall downward, but the remaining leaf processing section receives the fallen carrots and processes the stems and leaves remaining on the carrots before conveying them to the sorting and conveying section D. The sorting and conveying device 21 in the sorting and conveying section D conveys the carrots from their left ends to the right (storage section E).

[0028] In addition, the sorting and conveying device 21 is composed of a horizontal conveying conveyor 21a that is installed horizontally from the rear below of the extraction and conveying device 17 in the harvesting section C to the right side of the body, and a movable conveying conveyor 21b that takes over the harvested crops from the right end of the horizontal conveying conveyor 21a and conveys them diagonally upward and to the upper right to the storage section E.

[0029] The movable transport conveyor 21b has its left end, which takes over the harvested crops from the right end of the horizontal transport conveyor 21a, supported so as to be freely rotatable on a pivot shaft, and the right end side on the storage section E side can be moved up and down by the extension and contraction operation of the vertical movement electric cylinder 21c, so that the inclination angle can be changed.

[0030] An auxiliary work seat 23 is provided on the rear side of the movable transport conveyor 21b, and a worker seated on the auxiliary work seat 23 removes non-marketable carrots (small carrots or carrots with irregular shapes) from the carrots transported by the movable transport conveyor 21b, and transports only carrots with proper market value to the storage section E.

[0031] Also, an operator seated on the auxiliary work seat 23 operates the foot-operated up switch and down switch to expand and contract the vertical movement electric cylinder 21c, thereby moving the right end side of the movable transfer conveyor 21b up and down.

[0032] <Containment Section E> The storage section E is located to the right of the sorting and conveying device 21, and is composed of a hanging hanger 25 that moves up and down and left and right by an operating arm 24 as a moving device provided at the right end of the movable conveying conveyor 21b of the sorting and conveying device 21, and a loading platform 26 on which the flexi-con bag 22 hung from the hanging hanger 25 is placed.

[0033] The movable transfer conveyor 21b is provided diagonally upward from the base at the left end to the upper right end. That is, it rotates by the driving force from the engine to transfer the carrots diagonally upward and releases them downward from the upper end. The base of the movable transfer conveyor 21b is provided so as to be freely rotatable on a pivot shaft, and the piston tip of the vertical movement electric cylinder 21c, whose base is pivotally supported on the machine frame 1, is connected to the middle part of the movable transfer conveyor 21b.

[0034] That is, while the operator seated on the auxiliary work seat 23 depresses the up switch, the vertical movement electric cylinder 21c extends and rotates around the pivot shaft to rise, and while the operator depresses the down switch, the vertical movement electric cylinder 21c contracts and rotates around the pivot shaft to fall. When the operator descends to the field and operates a cross-directional operation lever 27 provided at the right end of the operation panel 9 (described later) to the right while facing the rear of the machine, the vertical movement electric cylinder 21c extends and rotates around the pivot shaft to rise, and when the operator operates the cross-directional operation lever 27 to the left, the vertical movement electric cylinder 21c contracts and rotates around the pivot shaft to fall.

[0035] The hanging hanger 25 moves up and down and left and right by an operating arm 24 provided at the right end of the movable transfer conveyor 21b.

[0036] The operating arm 24 is composed of a base arm 24a whose base is pivoted to the right end of the movable transport conveyor 21b so that it can rotate counterclockwise when viewed from behind but stops rotating clockwise at a predetermined position and whose tip side extends toward the upper right outside of the body, a rotating arm 24b pivoted to the tip of the base arm 24a so as to be freely rotatable, and a rotating electric cylinder 24c disposed between the base arm 24a and the rotating arm 24b as a rotating actuator.

[0037] The hanging hanger 25 is provided at the tip of the rotating arm 24b. Above the placement table 26, four hooks 25a of the hanging hanger 25 are hooked onto locking holes in the upper edge of the flexible container bag 22, thereby supporting the flexible container bag 22 in a suspending manner.

[0038] A cross-directional operation lever 27 is provided at the right end of the operation panel 9. When the operator descends into the field and faces the rear of the machine body, operating it to the right causes the up-down movement electric cylinder 21c to extend and the movable transport conveyor 21b to rotate about the pivot axis and rise, and when operating it to the left, the up-down movement electric cylinder 21c to retract and the movable transport conveyor 21b to rotate about the pivot axis and descend. When operating it toward the rear of the machine body, the pivoting electric cylinder 24c extends and the pivoting arm 24b rotates about the pivot axis to open outward to the right, and when operating it toward the front of the machine body, the pivoting electric cylinder 24c retracts and the pivoting arm 24b rotates about the pivot axis to close inside the machine body on the left.

[0039] If the movable transport conveyor 21b is not in the uppermost position when the cross-directional operation lever 27 is operated, the electric rotating cylinder 24c will not operate even if the cross-directional operation lever 27 is operated toward the rear of the machine body, and the rotating arm 24b will not rotate about the pivot shaft to open to the right outside. In other words, only when the movable transport conveyor 21b is in the uppermost position, the cross-directional operation lever 27 can be operated toward the rear of the machine body to operate the electric rotating cylinder 24c and rotate the rotating arm 24b about the pivot shaft to open to the right outside.

[0040] In addition, a load sensor 28 is provided on the mounting table 26, and only when the flexi-con bag 22 hung from the hanging hanger 25 is lifted and the bottom of the flexi-con bag 22 separates from the mounting table 26 (only when the load sensor 28 no longer detects the flexi-con bag 22), the cross-directional operating lever 27 is operated toward the rear of the body to activate the rotating electric cylinder 24c, causing the rotating arm 24b to rotate around the pivot axis and open to the right and outward.

[0041] In addition, a photosensor 29 is provided at the right outer end of the platform 26 for detecting the presence of an object above, and when the FIBC bag 22 hung from the hanging hanger 25 is lifted and the rotating arm 24b rotates about the pivot shaft by the operation of the rotating electric cylinder 24c to open to the right outer side and move to the right outer side of the machine body, if it is not detected that the FIBC bag 22 is not above the right outer end of the platform 26 (the FIBC bag 22 has moved to the right outer side beyond the right outer end of the platform 26), even if the cross-directional operation lever 27 is operated to the left to rotate the movable transport conveyor 21b about the pivot shaft to lower it, the vertical movement electric cylinder 21c will not operate and the movable transport conveyor 21b will not move downward. Therefore, when the FIBC bag 22 hung from the hanging hanger 25 is lowered into the field, it is possible to avoid the FIBC bag 22 accidentally coming into contact with the right outer end of the platform 26.

[0042] Further, at the upper end of the cross-directional operation lever 27, a hook opening / closing switch 30 for opening and closing the four hooks 25a of the suspension hanger 25 is provided.

[0043] When the hook opening / closing switch 30 is pressed once, it activates the electromagnetic solenoid 31 provided at the pivot point of each hook 25a to close each hook 25a, and when pressed again, it activates the electromagnetic solenoid 31 to open each hook 25a. Note that when opening each hook 25a, in order to prevent erroneous operation, if the hook opening / closing switch 30 is not pressed for 0.5 seconds or more, the electromagnetic solenoid 31 will not be activated and each hook 25a will not be opened.

[0044] Furthermore, in the case where a string hook for fastening the string of the flexible container bag 22 is provided at the upper end of the movable transfer conveyor 21b, the string hook is opened and closed in the same manner by the hook opening / closing switch 30.

[0045] A red rotating light 33, which is an example of a warning light serving as a notification means, is provided at the highest position of the operating arm 24, that is, at the upper end of the base arm 24a.

[0046] The red rotating light 33 turns on and rotates when the load sensor 28 provided on the mounting table 26 detects that the FIBC bag 22 hung from the hanging hanger 25 has been lifted and the bottom of the FIBC bag 22 has left the mounting table 26 and when the rotating arm 24b pivoted to the tip of the base arm 24a of the operating arm 24 begins to open outward to the right by the electric rotating cylinder 24c, thereby notifying those in the vicinity that the operating arm 24 has operated to lower the FIBC bag 22 into the field. A potentiometer 34 is provided at the base of the rotating arm 24b pivoted to the tip of the base arm 24a and detects that the rotating arm 24b begins to open outward to the right by the electric rotating cylinder 24c.

[0047] For added safety, a horn can be sounded to warn drivers when the red rotating light 33 starts rotating. The horn sound is an intermittent sound that differs from the sound of a reversing buzzer or a warning sound sounded by the driver.

[0048] Therefore, when the operating arm 24 is operated to lower the flexible container bag 22 into the field, the red rotating light 33 rotates and lights up at the highest position of the operating arm 24, so that it is noticeable even in the evening and can properly notify the surroundings.

[0049] Here, the configuration of the mounting table 26 will be described in detail.

[0050] The loading platform 26 is composed of a flat plate 26a for supporting the flexi-con bag 22, and a moving mechanism 26b for moving the flat plate 26a in the fore-and-aft direction of the body to switch between a state in which the flexi-con bag 22 suspended from the hanging hanger 25 is supported and an open state in which the lower side of the bottom surface of the flexi-con bag 22 is open.

[0051] The moving mechanism 26b is composed of a drive spiral shaft 41 rotatably mounted on front and rear support arms 40, 40 whose bases are fixed to the right end of the body frame 1, a slide tube 42 which is fitted externally to the drive spiral shaft 41 so as to be slidable in the axial direction and has an engaging element which engages with the spiral groove of the drive spiral shaft 41, a fixed body 43 which fixes the slide tube 42 to the inner end of the flat plate 26a, a transmission case 44 which transmits rotational driving force to the drive spiral shaft 41, and an electric motor 45 whose base is fixed to the transmission case 44 and faces inward of the body.

[0052] A drive gear provided on the drive shaft of the electric motor 45 and a driven gear provided on the drive spiral shaft 41 are built into the transmission case 44, and when the electric motor 45 is driven forward or reverse, the drive spiral shaft 41 is driven forward or reverse via the drive gear and driven gear inside the transmission case 44.

[0053] The electric motor 45 is driven in the forward and reverse directions by a platform movement switch provided in the vicinity of the operation panel 9 and the auxiliary work seat 23.

[0054] When the electric motor 45 is driven in the forward direction by the platform movement switch, the drive spiral shaft 41 is driven in the forward direction, and the slide tube 42, which has an engaging element that engages with the spiral groove of the drive spiral shaft 41, slides toward the front of the body, causing the flat plate 26a to slide toward the front of the body and support the flexi-con bag 22 hung from the hanging hanger 25.

[0055] When the electric motor 45 is driven in reverse by the platform movement switch, the drive spiral shaft 41 is driven in reverse and the slide tube 42, which has an engaging element that engages with the spiral groove of the drive spiral shaft 41, slides toward the rear of the machine body, causing the flat plate 26a to slide toward the rear of the machine body and open the underside of the bottom of the FIBC bag 22 hung from the hanging hanger 25, creating an open state. By lowering the hanging hanger 25, the FIBC bag 22 can be lowered into the field as is without moving it left and right or front and back.

[0056] <Carrot harvesting work> First, the electric motor 45 is driven in the forward direction by the platform movement switch, which drives the drive spiral shaft 41 in the forward direction and slides the flat plate 26a of the platform 26 toward the front of the machine body, placing the bottom of the flexi-con bag 22 suspended from the hanging hanger 25 in a position to be supported.

[0057] Then, the cross-directional operation lever 27 is operated to move the movable transfer conveyor 21b to its lowest position with the rotating arm 24b closed inside the left machine body.

[0058] The flexi-con bag 22 is suspended by hooking the locking holes at the upper edge of the flexi-con bag 22 onto each of the hooks 25a of the hanging hanger 25, and the hook opening / closing switch 30 of the cross-directional operating lever 27 is pressed to close each of the hooks 25a, so that the bottom of the flexi-con bag 22 is supported on the mounting table 26.

[0059] The operator seated in the driver's seat 8 then advances the carrot harvester, aligning the front end of the pulling-out conveying path R of the pulling-out conveying device 17 of the harvesting section C with the carrot rows in the field, then operates the lifting operation lever 11 to lower the harvesting section C, and turns the digging clutch "on" to drive each section to move forward. Then, the grazing rod 20, vertical lifting device 18 and horizontal lifting device 19 rake up the carrot stems and leaves, which are then clamped on the pulling-out conveying path R of the pulling-out conveying device 17, the left and right vibrating soiler S loosens the soil to the sides and below the carrots, and the carrots are clamped and pulled out by the pulling-out conveying device 17 and conveyed upward and rearward.

[0060] Then, carrots that have been transported with their stems and leaves clamped by pulling and transporting device 17 have their lower ends (slightly above the top of the carrot) cut in the stem and leaf cutting section and the carrots fall downward, but the falling carrots are received by the remaining leaf processing section, which processes the stems and leaves remaining on the carrots and then transports them to the sorting and transporting section D. The carrots are then transported from the left end to the right (storage section E) by the movable transport conveyor 21b of sorting and transporting section D.

[0061] Then, a worker seated on an auxiliary work seat 23 on the rear side of the movable transport conveyor 21b removes non-marketable carrots (small carrots or carrots with irregular shapes) from the carrots conveyed by the movable transport conveyor 21b, and only the carrots with market value are sent to the storage section E.

[0062] The carrots sent to the right end by the movable transfer conveyor 21b drop and are stored in the flexible container bags 22 hung from the hooks 25a of the hanging hangers 25 at the right end of the movable transfer conveyor 21b.

[0063] As the amount of carrots stored in the flexi-con bag 22 increases, the worker seated on the auxiliary work seat 23 depresses the lift switch to extend the vertical movement electric cylinder 21c, causing the movable transport conveyor 21b to rotate about its pivot shaft and gradually rise.

[0064] Then, the movable transfer conveyor 21b is rotated about the pivot shaft and raised until the flexible container bag 22 is filled with carrots, and then the operator stops driving the machine and stops the vehicle.

[0065] The operator seated in the auxiliary work seat 23 leaves the auxiliary work seat 23, descends into the field, stands near the right end of the control panel 9, and operates the cross-directional control lever 27 while facing toward the rear of the machine body.

[0066] First, the cross-directional control lever 27 is operated to the right to extend the vertical movement electric cylinder 21c, thereby raising the movable transfer conveyor 21b to its uppermost position, and lifting the flexible container bag 22 above the placement table 26.

[0067] Then, the cross-directional operating lever 27 is operated toward the rear of the machine body to extend the rotating electric cylinder 24c, causing the rotating arm 24b to rotate about the pivot shaft and open to the right outside, and the flexi-con bag 22 is moved to the right outside of the mounting table 26.

[0068] Then, the cross-directional control lever 27 is operated to the left to contract the vertical movement electric cylinder 21c, lowering the movable transfer conveyor 21b to its lowest position, and the flexible container bag 22 is lowered into the field.

[0069] Then, the hook opening / closing switch 30 of the cross-directional operation lever 27 is pressed to open each hook 25a, and each hook 25a of the hanging hanger 25 is released from the locking hole at the upper end edge of the FIBC bag 22, and the cross-directional operation lever 27 is operated to return the movable transport conveyor 21b to the lowest position with the first rotating arm 24b closed inside the left machine body, and the locking holes at the upper end edge of the empty FIBC bag 22 are respectively hooked onto each hook 25a of the hanging hanger 25 to hang the FIBC bag 22 so that the bottom of the FIBC bag 22 is supported on the mounting table 26, and then the operator sits on the auxiliary work seat 23. Then, each section is driven to move the machine forward and the harvesting work is resumed.

[0070] Therefore, the hanging hanger 25 moves up and down and left and right by the operating arm 24 provided at the right end of the movable transport conveyor 21b, so that the flexi-con bag 22 placed on the mounting table 26 while hung from the hanging hanger 25 can be lifted above the mounting table 26 by the operating arm 24 and lowered into the field at a position on the right outer side of the mounting table 26.Even if the flexi-con bag 22 lowered into the field tilts or the body of the machine meanders slightly, it is possible to prevent the flexi-con bag 22 from coming into contact with the body of the machine, and good and appropriate harvesting work can be carried out.

[0071] If there is an obstacle such as a ridge or wall on the side of the ridge at the edge of the field and the flexi-con bag 22 cannot be lowered to the side of the machine body, the cross-directional operating lever 27 is operated to the right to extend the vertical movement electric cylinder 21c and raise the movable transport conveyor 21b to its uppermost position, thereby lifting the flexi-con bag 22 above the flat plate 26a of the loading platform 26.

[0072] Then, the electric motor 45 is driven in reverse by the platform movement switch, which drives the drive spiral shaft 41 in reverse and moves the flat plate 26a of the platform 26 toward the rear of the machine body, thereby opening up the lower part of the bottom surface of the flexi-con bag 22 suspended from the hanging hanger 25.

[0073] Then, the cross-directional control lever 27 is operated to the left to contract the vertical movement electric cylinder 21c, lowering the movable transfer conveyor 21b to its lowest position, and the flexible container bag 22 is lowered into the field.

[0074] Then, the hook opening / closing switch 30 of the cross-directional operation lever 27 is pressed to open each hook 25 a and release each hook 25 a of the hanging hanger 25 from the locking hole at the upper edge of the flexible container bag 22 .

[0075] In summary, when there is an obstacle such as a ridge or wall on the side of a ridge at the edge of a field and the FIBC bag 22 cannot be lowered to the side of the machine, the electric motor 45 is driven in reverse by the platform movement switch, the drive spiral shaft 41 is driven in reverse, the flat plate 26a of the platform 26 is moved to the rear of the machine, and the underside of the bottom of the FIBC bag 22 hung from the hanging hanger 25 is opened, so that the FIBC bag 22 can be lowered directly into the field without moving left and right or front and rear.

[0076] In addition, when the operating arm 24 is operated to lower the flexible container bag 22 into the field, the red rotating light 33 rotates and lights up at the highest position of the operating arm 24, so that it is noticeable even in the evening and can properly notify the surroundings, ensuring safety.

[0077] <Other embodiments> (1) FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the mounting table 26.

[0078] That is, the base of a rotating support arm 50 is fixed to the rear position of the right end of the body frame 1, and a pivot shaft 51 provided at the tip of the rotating support arm 50 rotatably supports the rear end of a frame 26a' fixed to the inner end of the flat plate 26a.

[0079] The base of a rotating electric cylinder 53 serving as a moving mechanism is pivoted to the tip of a cylinder support arm 52, the base of which is fixed to the rear end of the body frame 1, and the piston tip of the rotating electric cylinder 53 is connected to a connecting arm 54 protruding from the pivot part at the rear end of the frame 26a'.

[0080] The electric rotating cylinder 53 is extended and retracted by a platform movement switch provided near the operation panel 9 and the auxiliary work seat 23.

[0081] Therefore, by operating the platform movement switch, the flat plate 26a of the platform 26 can be changed in position between a loading position (solid line position) for loading and supporting the flexi-con bag 22 hung from the hanging hanger 25, and a rearward rotated position (imaginary line position) for opening the lower bottom surface of the flexi-con bag 22 hung from the hanging hanger 25.

[0082] (2) FIGS. 6 and 7 show a third embodiment of the mounting table 26. FIG.

[0083] That is, the mounting table 26 has a concave central shape so that the flexcon bag 22 can be placed even in a small mounting area, and is provided with engaging protrusions 62, 62 that engage with guide grooves 61, 61 of front and rear guides 60F, 60R provided at the rear right side of the body frame 1 and slide left and right along the guide grooves 61, 61. In addition, a gripping portion 63 is provided on the right end of the mounting table 26.

[0084] In addition, a protrusion 64 is provided on the inner bottom surface of the mounting table 26, and when the mounting table 26 is pulled out to the right and outward to place the flexi-con bag 22 on it, the protrusion 64 comes into contact with the side surface of the right end of the body frame 1, restricting the mounting table 26 from moving inwardly inside the body of the machine.

[0085] When the mounting table 26 is pulled out to the outside right and ready to place the flexi-con bag 22 on it, and is to be stored inside the body of the machine, as shown in FIG. 7, by lifting it upward by holding the gripping portion 63, the mounting table 26 rotates upward about the engaging protrusions 62, 62 so that the protrusions 64 are positioned higher than the body frame 1, and by pushing it into the body of the machine while still holding the gripping portion 63, the engaging protrusions 62, 62 slide along the guide grooves 61, 61, and the mounting table 26 can be stored inside the body of the machine.

[0086] In addition, a space 64 is provided between the front and rear guides 60F, 60R, and during harvesting work when the loading platform 26 is pulled out to the right and the flexi-con bag 22 is placed on it, garbage and the like falling from the upper movable transport conveyor 21b falls and is discharged onto the running section A.

[0087] Therefore, the mounting platform 26 can be changed in position between a state in which it is pulled out to the right and outward by holding the gripping portion 63 to mount and support the flexi-con bag 22 hung from the hanging hanger 25, and a state in which it is stored inside the machine body to open the lower bottom surface of the flexi-con bag 22 hung from the hanging hanger 25.

[0088] (3) FIGS. 8 and 9 show a fourth embodiment of the mounting table 26. FIG.

[0089] That is, the mounting base 26 is composed of a mounting frame 70 having a handle portion 70a made of a round iron bar raised upward on the outer right side and sliding portions 70b, 70b on the front and rear, and front and rear pipe members 71, 71 fixed to the rear of the right end of the body frame 1 and having the sliding portions 70b, 70b disposed internally so as to be able to slide freely left and right.

[0090] A notched hole 72 is formed in the pipe material 71, and an engagement piece 74 is rotatably supported by a pivot pin 73 on the slide portion 70b and is biased by a coil spring 75 so as to protrude outward.

[0091] That is, when the loading frame 70 is pulled out to the right and outward to place the flexi-con bag 22 on it, the engagement piece 74 engages with the notched hole 72 of the pipe material 71 by the biasing force of the coil spring 75, thereby holding the flexi-con bag 22 in a loaded state. To store the loading frame 70 inside the aircraft from a state in which the flexi-con bag 22 is loaded after being pulled out to the right and outward, the engagement piece 74 is pushed in by hand against the biasing force of the coil spring 75, and the sliding portions 70b, 70b are slid into the front and rear pipe materials 71, 71.

[0092] Therefore, the mounting frame 70 of the mounting table 26 can be pulled out to the right side by holding the gripping portion 70a to change its position to a state in which it supports the flexi-con bag 22 hung from the hanging hanger 25, or to a state in which it is stored inside the machine body to open the lower bottom surface of the flexi-con bag 22 hung from the hanging hanger 25. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 1 Aircraft frame 22 Storage material (flexible container bag) 24 Moving device (operating arm) 25 Hanging Hanger 26 Placement table 26a flat plate 26b Moving mechanism 53 Rotation actuator A Running Part B. Control Unit C. Harvesting Section E Storage section

Claims

1. The root vegetable harvesting machine is equipped with a traveling section (A) for traveling the machine body, a steering section (B), a harvesting section (C) for harvesting root vegetables from a farm field, a sorting and conveying section (D) for conveying the root vegetables harvested by the harvesting section (C), and a storage section (E) for storing the root vegetables conveyed by the sorting and conveying section (D), and is provided with a loading platform (26) that moves to take two states: a state in which a storage member (22) is placed in the storage section (E) to store the root vegetables conveyed from the harvesting section (C), and a state in which the bottom of the storage member (22) is opened so that the storage member (22) can be lowered into the farm field below, and a moving device (24) is provided that suspends the storage member (22) and lowers it into the farm field on the left-right side of the machine body and moves the loading platform (26) to lower the storage member (22) into the farm field with the bottom open; A pilot's seat (8) and a control panel (9) are provided at the front of the aircraft, The sorting and conveying section (D) is provided with a movable conveyor (21b) whose end on the storage section (E) side moves up and down, and an auxiliary work seat (23) on which an auxiliary worker sits is provided behind the movable conveyor (21b); This root vegetable harvester is characterized in that a platform movement switch for moving the platform (26) is provided near the operation panel (9) and the auxiliary work seat (23), and a single cross-directional operation lever (27) for operating the moving device (24) and the movable transport conveyor (21b) is provided at the end of the operation panel (9) on the storage section (E) side.

2. 2. A root vegetable harvester as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the mounting platform (26) is configured to be freely movable between a position for mounting and supporting the storage member (22) suspended from the hanging hanger (25) of the moving device (24) and a position where the lower part of the bottom surface of the storage member (22) suspended from the hanging hanger (25) is opened and the hanging hanger (25) is lowered so that the storage member (22) can be lowered directly into the field without moving left and right or front and rear.

3. 3. A root vegetable harvester according to claim 1, wherein the platform (26) is moved toward the rear of the machine body to open a lower portion of the bottom surface of the storage member (22) suspended from the suspension hanger (25).

4. A moving mechanism (26b) for moving the mounting table (26), The moving mechanism (26b) is composed of a drive screw shaft (41) rotatably mounted on a front and rear support arm (40, 40) whose base is fixed to the right end of the machine frame (1), a slide tube (42) provided with an engaging piece that is slidably fitted to the drive screw shaft (41) in the axial direction and engages with the spiral groove of the drive screw shaft (41), a fixed body (43) that fixes the slide tube (42) to the inner end of the flat plate (26a), a transmission case (44) that transmits a rotational driving force to the drive screw shaft (41), and an electric motor (45) whose base is fixed to the transmission case (44) and faces inward of the machine body.

4. The root vegetable harvester according to claim 1, wherein the driving spiral shaft (41) is driven in forward and reverse directions via an electric motor (45) by a platform movement switch, so that a flat plate (26a) of the platform (26) that supports the storage member (22) is slid toward the rear of the body to an open state in which the lower part of the bottom of the flexi-con bag (22) is opened, or slid toward the front of the body to a state in which the bottom of the flexi-con bag (22) hung from the hanging hanger (25) is supported on the platform.

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