Riding lawn mower

Abstract

To suppress operation mistakes when lifting / lowering a grass container and dumping the grass.SOLUTION: A sulky lawn mower according to an embodiment includes a traveling car body, a lawn mower, a grass container, a lifting / lowering cylinder, a lifting / lowering valve, a dump cylinder, a dump valve and a joystick lever. The lawn mower is disposed on a lower side of the traveling body and mows the grass. The grass container collects the grass mown by the lawn mower. The lifting / lowering cylinder drives to lift / lower the grass container. The lifting / lowering valve controls the lifting / lowering cylinder. The dump cylinder drives the grass container to dump. The dump valve controls the dump cylinder. The joystick lever is connected to the lifting / lowering valve and the dump valve, is operated when lifting / lowering the grass container or causing the grass container to dump, and an inclination direction when lifting / lowering the grass container is different from an inclination direction when causing the grass container to dump.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a riding lawnmower. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, riding lawnmowers are known that cut grass with a lawnmower mounted on the bottom of the machine body, transport the cut grass through a duct, and collect it in a grass collection container mounted on the rear of the machine body. When the grass collection container of such riding lawnmowers becomes full, the riding lawnmowers move to a grass disposal site, for example, and lift and dump the grass collection container to discharge the grass from the grass collection container.

[0003] Furthermore, in such riding lawn mowers, the driver can raise and lower (lift) the grass collection container or dump it by operating a switch disposed near the driver's seat (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-94773 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in conventional riding lawnmowers as described above, the driver operates switches to raise and lower the grass collection container and dump the container, which can lead to operational errors such as pressing the wrong switch.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and has an object to provide a riding lawnmower that can reduce operational errors when raising, lowering, or dumping a grass collection container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, a riding lawnmower (1) according to an embodiment is characterized in that it comprises a traveling body (2), a lawn mower device (3) arranged below the traveling body (2) for cutting grass, a grass collection container (5) for collecting the grass cut by the lawn mower device (3), a lifting cylinder (61) for lifting and lowering the grass collection container (5), a lifting valve (92) for controlling the lifting cylinder (61), a dump cylinder (62) for dumping the grass collection container (5), a dump valve (93) for controlling the dump cylinder (62), and a joystick lever (71) connected to the lifting valve (92) and the dump valve (93), which is operated when lifting and lowering or dumping the grass collection container (5), and which has a tilting direction that is different when lifting and lowering the grass collection container (5) and when dumping the grass collection container (5). Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the riding lawnmower of the embodiment, it is possible to reduce operational errors when lifting, lowering, or dumping the grass collection container. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A is a side view showing a riding lawnmower according to an embodiment. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a plan view showing the riding lawnmower according to the embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a joystick device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a valve driving configuration of a joystick device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism in a locked state. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram (part 1) of the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism in an unlocked state. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is a second explanatory diagram of the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism in an unlocked state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a riding lawnmower disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below.

[0011] <Overview of riding lawn mowers> First, an overview of a riding lawnmower 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1A and 1B. Figure 1A is a side view showing the riding lawnmower 1 according to an embodiment. Figure 1B is a plan view showing the riding lawnmower 1 according to an embodiment.

[0012] 1A and 1B, a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system including a Z-axis with the positive direction being the vertically upward (upward) direction is shown. For ease of explanation, the positive direction of the X-axis is defined as the leftward direction, the negative direction of the X-axis as the rightward direction, the positive direction of the Y-axis as the forward direction, and the negative direction of the Y-axis as the backward direction, and the X-axis direction is defined as the left-right direction, the Y-axis direction as the front-back direction, and the Z-axis direction as the up-down direction.

[0013] In the following description, the riding lawnmower 1 may be referred to as the "machine body."

[0014] As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the riding lawnmower 1 comprises a traveling body 2, a lawnmower (hereinafter referred to as mower) 3, a mower lifting mechanism 4, a grass collection container (hereinafter referred to as collector) 5, a lifting cylinder (hereinafter referred to as collector lifting cylinder) 61, and a dump cylinder 62.

[0015] The traveling vehicle body 2 includes a vehicle body frame 21, a pair of left and right front wheels 22, a pair of left and right rear wheels 23, and a steering unit 24. An engine E is mounted on the front part of the vehicle body frame 21. The vehicle body frame 21 supports the front wheels 22 below the engine E via a front axle case.

[0016] The vehicle body frame 21 also supports, at its center, a transmission case that houses an HST (Hydro Static Transmission) as a travel transmission, and supports a rear wheel 23 via a chain case that extends rearward.

[0017] In this way, in the riding lawnmower 1, the rotational power of the engine E is appropriately changed in speed via the HST and transmitted to the left and right rear wheels 23 via a transmission mechanism housed in the transmission case and the chain case. Power is also taken out from the front of the transmission case, and the taken out power is It is transmitted to the left and right front wheels 22.

[0018] The control section 24 includes a driver's seat 241, a floor step 242, and a steering wheel (not shown). The driver's seat 241 is a seat for the operator (also called the operator) of the machine to sit in. To the side (right side) of the driver's seat 241, there are disposed a joystick device 7 (joystick lever 71, etc.), a mower lift lever 8, a valve unit 9, etc., which will be described later.

[0019] Floor step 242 is disposed in front of driver's seat 241, and steering column 243 supporting a steering wheel is erected in front of floor step 242. Various operation pedals 244 such as an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal are disposed on the left and right sides of steering column 243. The steering wheel is disposed on the upper part of steering column 243. In addition to the steering wheel, an operation panel, various operation levers, various operation switches, etc. are disposed on steering column 243.

[0020] In addition, an arch-shaped safety frame (also called ROPS) 25 is disposed behind the control unit 24 in front of the aircraft to ensure the safety of the pilot in the event of the aircraft tipping over.

[0021] The mower 3 is disposed below the center of the traveling body 2. In this manner, the riding lawnmower 1 is a so-called mid-mower type riding lawnmower that has the mower 3 in the center of the machine body. Note that the riding lawnmower 1 may also be a so-called front-mower type riding lawnmower that has the mower 3 in the front of the machine body, for example.

[0022] The mower 3 is equipped with a cutting blade (not shown). The mower 3 also includes a deck, a motor, etc. In this manner, the riding lawnmower 1 transports grass cut by the cutting blade to the collector 5 (described later) via a duct (not shown) and a chute (not shown).

[0023] The mower lifting mechanism 4 includes a mower lifting cylinder 41, which is a hydraulic cylinder that drives the mower 3 to lift and lower, and a lift arm 42. The mower lifting mechanism 4 transmits power from the mower lifting cylinder 41 to the lift arm 42 to drive the lift arm 42 to lift and lower. The mower lifting mechanism 4 lifts and lowers the mower 3 by driving the lift arm 42. One end of the lift arm 42 is connected to the traveling body 2, and the other end is connected to the mower 3.

[0024] The collector 5 is mounted on the rear of the traveling body 2 and stores the grass cut by the mower 3. In this way, the collector 5 collects the grass cut by the mower 3. The collector 5 is formed, for example, of a rectangular parallelepiped frame, and its front, back, left, right and top are made up of plate members with ventilation holes. A grass intake (not shown) that communicates with the chute is formed in the front of the collector 5.

[0025] The collector 5 also includes a lid portion 51 that is integrally formed with the rear surface and the upper surface of the collector 5. The lid portion 51 is configured to move away from the main body of the collector 5 in conjunction with the dump of the collector 5, thereby widely opening the rear portion of the collector 5.

[0026] Link arms 52, 53 extending rearward are rotatably supported in a vertical line on the upper portion of the safety frame 25. The link arms 52, 53 have their tips connected to a vertical dump frame 54 to form a pair of left and right four-side link mechanisms.

[0027] The collector lifting cylinder 61 is a hydraulic cylinder that drives the collector 5 to lift and lower, and is disposed between the lower link arm 53 and the lower end of the safety frame 25. The dump cylinder 62 is a hydraulic cylinder that drives the collector 5 to dump, and is disposed between the collector 5 and the dump frame 54. The collector 5 is rotatably attached to a left-right rotating shaft 55 provided on the dump frame 54.

[0028] In this way, in the riding lawnmower 1, when the rod of the collector lifting cylinder 61 is extended, the link arms 52, 53 rotate upward to raise the collector 5, and when the rod of the collector lifting cylinder 61 is shortened, the link arms 52, 53 rotate downward to lower the collector 5.

[0029] In addition, in the riding lawnmower 1, when the rod of the dump cylinder 62 is extended, the collector 5 rotates rearward from an approximately horizontal state around the pivot shaft 55 to a dump state, and when the rod of the dump cylinder 62 is shortened, the collector 5 returns from the dump state to an approximately horizontal state.

[0030] In addition, in the riding lawnmower 1, for example, a lifting position sensor such as a potentiometer that detects the lifting position of the collector 5 may be provided at the base of the lower link arm 53 that constitutes the above-mentioned four-side link mechanism, and the lifting position sensor may be configured to output lifting position information of the collector 5 to a control device (not shown) that is provided, for example, near the steering unit 24.

[0031] As described above, the riding lawnmower 1 also includes the joystick device 7, the mower lifting lever 8, and the valve unit 9 (see FIG. 2).

[0032] <Joystick device> Next, the joystick device 7 will be described with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the joystick device 7. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a valve drive configuration of the joystick device 7.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, the joystick device 7 includes a joystick lever 71, a sliding portion 72, a biasing member 73, a first locking mechanism 74, and a second locking mechanism 75.

[0034] The joystick lever 71 includes a lever portion 711, a grip portion 712, and a movable portion 713. The lever portion 711 is a rod-shaped member. The grip portion 712 is provided at the upper end portion of the lever portion 711, and is the portion that the operator holds with his / her hand when operating the joystick lever 71.

[0035] Movable portion 713 is provided at the lower end of lever portion 711, and enables tilting of lever portion 711, for example, via a universal joint. Therefore, joystick lever 71 can be tilted in radial directions (360 degrees within the same plane) with the lower end of lever portion 711 in an upright state as the center point.

[0036] The lower end of the lever portion 711 is connected to a collector lift valve drive portion 92a that drives a collector lift valve 92 (see FIG. 3) described later via a movable portion 713. In addition, the lower end of the lever portion 711 is connected to a dump valve drive portion 93a that drives a dump valve 93 (see FIG. 3) described later via a movable portion 713.

[0037] The sliding portion 72 is provided on the lever portion 711 of the joystick lever 71. The sliding portion 72 is a pipe-shaped member, and is disposed on the outer periphery of the lever portion 711 by inserting the lever portion 711 therethrough.

[0038] The sliding portion 72 includes a guide hole 721 and a guide pin 722. The guide hole 721 is an elongated hole that is long in the axial direction of the sliding portion 72. The guide pin 722 is inserted through the guide hole 721 and a guide hole (not shown) of the lever portion 711 that is formed in the same manner as the guide hole 721. In this manner, the sliding portion 72 is guided by the guide hole 721 and the guide pin 722 inserted through the guide hole 721, and is able to slide relative to the lever portion 711 in the axial direction (up and down direction) of the lever portion 711.

[0039] The biasing member 73 biases the sliding portion 72 upward. The biasing member 73 is, for example, a compression coil spring, and is disposed on the outer periphery of the lever portion 711 of the joystick lever 71 by inserting the lever portion 711 therethrough, and is disposed below the sliding portion 72.

[0040] For example, when the operator presses the grip portion 712 , the joystick lever 71 is pushed downward against the biasing force of the biasing member 73 .

[0041] The first locking mechanism 74 includes a lock pin mounting plate 741, a lock pin 743 (see FIG. 4), a lower plate 744, and a fitting portion 745 (see FIG. 4).

[0042] The lock pin mounting plate 741 is a plate-shaped member, and is disposed near the lever portion 711 of the joystick lever 71 (for example, at a position in front of and close to the lever portion 711) via a support portion 742 (see FIG. 4) formed integrally with the lock pin mounting plate 741. The lock pin mounting plate 741 is disposed above a lower plate 744, which will be described later.

[0043] Lock pin 743 is disposed on the lower surface of lock pin mounting plate 741 and is provided so as to protrude downward from lock pin mounting plate 741. In addition, as shown in Fig. 4 etc., the tip of lock pin 743 is formed in a conical shape. By forming the tip of lock pin 743 in this way into a conical shape, the lock pin is guided by the tapered surface of the tip when fitting with fitting portion 745 described later.

[0044] The lower plate 744 is provided at the lower end of the sliding portion 72. The lower plate 744 moves in the axial direction (up and down direction) of the lever portion 711 of the joystick lever 71 as the sliding portion 72 slides. The lower plate 744 is disposed below the lock pin mounting plate 741.

[0045] 4 and other figures, the fitting portion 745 is provided on the lower plate 744. The fitting portion 745 is a hole portion (hereinafter, the fitting portion is referred to as hole portion 745) formed in the lower plate 744, and when the lower plate 744 moves upward, the lock pin 743 is inserted through the fitting portion 745. That is, the lock pin 743 fits into the hole portion 745. As will be described later, the hole portion 745 fits into the lock pin 743, thereby locking the tilt of the lever portion 711 of the joystick lever 71.

[0046] In this way, the first locking mechanism 74 locks the tilting operation of the joystick lever 71 by fitting the hole portion 745 with the lock pin 743. When the joystick lever 71 is pushed downward, the sliding portion 72 of the first locking mechanism 74 slides downward to release the fitting of the hole portion 745 with the lock pin 743, thereby unlocking the joystick lever 71.

[0047] The second locking mechanism 75 includes a cylinder portion 751, a pin 752 (see FIG. 5B), a spring 753 (see FIG. 5B), an operating lever 754, and a locking lever 755 (see FIG. 5B).

[0048] Cylinder portion 751 is disposed near lock pin 743, and is disposed with one end face facing lock pin 743. Cylinder portion 751 is disposed, for example, on the lower surface of lock pin mounting plate 741. Pin 752 is housed within cylinder portion 751, and its tip portion is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat from one end face of cylinder portion 751 toward lock pin 743. In addition, a guide groove 751a (see FIG. 5B) that guides lock lever 755, which will be described later, is formed on the side peripheral surface of cylinder portion 751.

[0049] Spring 753 is, for example, a compression coil spring, and is disposed on the other end face side of cylinder portion 751. Operating lever 754 is provided on the base end side of pin 752. Operating lever 754 advances the tip end of pin 752 toward lock pin 743 by being pressed against the biasing force of spring 753. In the advanced state, pin 752 sandwiches lower plate 744 between itself and lock pin mounting plate 741.

[0050] Lock lever 755 is provided on pin 752. Lock lever 755 is provided to protrude from pin 752, perpendicular to the axial direction of pin 752. Lock lever 755 is guided by guide groove 751a of cylinder portion 751, so that it can hold pin 752 in an advanced state and can transition pin 752 from the advanced state to a retracted state.

[0051] In this way, when the hole 745 of the first locking mechanism 74 engages with the lock pin 743 to lock the tilt of the joystick lever 71, the pin 752 advances and clamps the lower plate 744 between itself and the lock pin mounting plate 741, thereby locking the downward movement of the joystick lever 71.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 2, a mower lifting lever 8 is disposed to the side (right side) of the joystick lever 71. The mower lifting lever 8 is operated by the operator when raising or lowering the mower 3 (see FIG. 1). The mower lifting lever 8 comprises a lever portion 81 and a grip portion 82. The lower end portion of the lever portion 81 is connected to a mower lifting valve driving portion 94a which drives a mower lifting valve 94 (see FIG. 3) which will be described later. The grip portion 82 is provided at the upper end portion of the lever portion 81, and is the portion which the operator holds with his or her hand when operating the mower lifting lever 8.

[0053] 2, a valve unit 9 is disposed below the joystick device 7. The valve unit 9 includes a valve unit case 91. The valve unit 9 accommodates a collector lifting valve 92, a dump valve 93, and a mower lifting valve 94 (all of which are shown in FIG. 3) inside the valve unit case 91.

[0054] The collector lift valve 92 drives and controls the collector lift cylinder 61 (see FIG. 1) to lift and lower the collector 5 (see FIG. 1). The dump valve 93 drives and controls the dump cylinder 62 (see FIG. 1) to dump the collector 5. The mower lift valve 94 drives and controls the mower lift cylinder 41 (see FIG. 1) to lift and lower the mower 3 (see FIG. 1).

[0055] As shown in FIG. 3, the joystick lever 71 of the joystick device 7 is connected to each of the collector lift valve 92 and the dump valve 93 of the valve unit 9 via a link mechanism (see FIG. 2).

[0056] By tilting the joystick lever 71, for example, in the forward / backward direction, the collector lift valve 92 is mechanically driven via a collector lift valve drive unit 92a (see FIG. 2) to drive the collector lift cylinder 61. In this case, when the joystick lever 71 is tilted, for example, forward, the collector 5 (see FIG. 1) rises, and when tilted backward, the collector 5 descends.

[0057] Moreover, by tilting the joystick lever 71, for example, to the left or right, the dump valve 93 is mechanically driven via a dump valve drive unit 93a (see FIG. 2) to drive the dump cylinder 62. In this case, when the joystick lever 71 is tilted, for example, to the left, the collector 5 is dumped, and when the joystick lever 71 is tilted, for example, to the right, the collector 5 returns from the dumped state to its original state.

[0058] In this way, the joystick lever 71 is tilted in a direction different from the direction in which the collector 5 is tilted when it is moved up or down and the direction in which the collector 5 is tilted when it is dumped.

[0059] When the joystick lever 71 is operated, the lifting / lowering speed and dumping (or return) speed of the collector 5 vary according to the amount of operation of the joystick lever 71. That is, the greater the joystick lever 71 is operated forward, backward, left or right, the faster the lifting / lowering speed and dumping (or return from dumping) speed of the collector 5 becomes, and the smaller the joystick lever 71 is operated, the slower the lifting / lowering speed and dumping (or return from dumping) speed of the collector 5 becomes.

[0060] Furthermore, the mower lift lever 8 is connected to a mower lift valve 94 of the valve unit 9 via a link mechanism (see FIG. 2). By tilting the mower lift lever 8 in the front-to-rear direction, the mower lift valve 94 is mechanically driven via a mower lift valve drive section 94a (see FIG. 2) to drive the mower lift cylinder 41. In this case, when the mower lift lever 8 is tilted, for example, forward, the mower 3 (see FIG. 1) is raised, and when it is tilted, for example, backward, the mower 3 is lowered.

[0061] In the case of the mower lifting lever 8 as well, the lifting speed of the mower 3 varies depending on the amount of operation of the mower lifting lever 8. That is, the greater the amount of operation of the mower lifting lever 8 forward or backward, the faster the lifting speed of the mower 3 becomes, and the smaller the operation of the mower lifting lever 8, the slower the lifting speed of the mower 3 becomes.

[0062] <Joystick lever lock> Next, locking of the joystick lever 71 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the locked state of the first locking mechanism 74 and the second locking mechanism 75. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the first locking mechanism 74 and the second locking mechanism 75 as viewed diagonally from below and to the left.

[0063] 4, in the first locking mechanism 74, the joystick lever 71 is urged upward by the urging member 73 of the lower plate 744, so that the hole 745 fits into the lock pin 743 and the lower plate 744 abuts against the lock pin mounting plate 741. In this way, the joystick lever 71 is locked against tilting by the first locking mechanism 74.

[0064] Furthermore, in the second lock mechanism 75, with hole 745 of the first lock mechanism 74 fitted onto lock pin 743 and lower plate 744 abutting against lock pin mounting plate 741, pin 752 protruding from cylinder portion 751 sandwiches lower plate 744 together with lock pin mounting plate 741. In this way, the second lock mechanism 75 locks the joystick lever 71 against downward movement due to the operator's downward force F.

[0065] <Unlocking the joystick lever> Next, locking of the joystick lever 71 will be described with reference to Figures 5A and 5B. Figures 5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams of the unlocked state of the first locking mechanism 74 and the second locking mechanism 75. Note that Figure 5A is a perspective view of the first locking mechanism 74 and the second locking mechanism 75 as seen from diagonally below and to the left, and Figure 5B is a perspective view of the first locking mechanism 74 and the second locking mechanism 75 as seen from diagonally above and to the right.

[0066] 5A and 5B, when the operator rotates the operating lever 754 of the joystick lever 71 in the second lock mechanism 75, the engagement between the lock lever 755 and the engagement portion of the guide groove 751a is released, and the pin 752 is automatically retracted by the biasing force of the spring 753. In this way, the lock of the lower plate 744 is released by the retraction of the pin 752, and the joystick lever 71 can be pushed downward.

[0067] In addition, when the joystick lever 71 is pushed down by the operator, the hole portion 745 that engages with the lock pin 743 in the first lock mechanism 74 moves downward, releasing the engagement with the lock pin 743, making it possible to tilt the joystick lever 71.

[0068] As described above, with the riding lawnmower 1 according to the embodiment, the operation of raising and lowering the collector 5 can be distinguished from the operation of dumping depending on the tilt direction of the joystick lever 71, thereby making it possible to reduce operational errors when raising and lowering or dumping the collector 5.

[0069] Furthermore, in order to tilt (operate) the joystick lever 71, it is necessary to release the lock provided by the first lock mechanism 74, so that erroneous operation of the collector 5 due to accidental contact with the joystick lever 71, etc., can be prevented.

[0070] In addition, since the joystick lever 71 is also locked when pressed downward, i.e., the joystick lever 71 is doubly locked, it is possible to more reliably prevent erroneous operation of the collector 5 due to accidental contact with the joystick lever 71, etc.

[0071] Moreover, in the first locking mechanism 74, the hole 745 fits over the lock pin 743 and the lower plate 744 abuts against the lock pin mounting plate 741, thereby locking the tilt of the joystick lever 71. Moreover, in the second locking mechanism 75, with the hole 745 fitting over the lock pin 743 and the lower plate 744 abutting against the lock pin mounting plate 741, the lower plate 744 is sandwiched together with the lock pin mounting plate 741, thereby locking the joystick lever 71 from being pushed down downward.

[0072] According to the embodiment described above, the riding lawnmower 1 described below is realized.

[0073] (1) A riding lawnmower 1 comprising: a traveling body 2; a lawnmower (mower) 3 disposed below the traveling body 2 and used to cut grass; a grass collection container (collector) 5 for collecting the grass cut by the lawnmower (mower) 3; a lifting cylinder (collector lifting cylinder) 61 for driving the grass collection container (collector) 5 to rise and fall; a lifting valve (collector lifting valve) 92 for controlling the lifting cylinder (collector lifting cylinder) 61; a dump cylinder 62 for driving the grass collection container (collector) 5 to dump; a dump valve 93 for controlling the dump cylinder 62; and a joystick lever 71 connected to the lifting valve (collector lifting cylinder) 61 and the dump valve 62, which is operated when raising and lowering or dumping the grass collection container (collector) 5, and which has a tilting direction that is different when raising and lowering the grass collection container (collector) 5 and when dumping the grass collection container (collector) 5.

[0074] With such a riding lawnmower 1, the operation of raising and lowering the grass collection bin (collector) 5 can be distinguished from the operation of dumping it depending on the tilt direction of the joystick lever 71, thereby making it possible to reduce operational errors when raising and lowering or dumping the grass collection bin (collector) 5.

[0075] (2) In the above (1), a riding lawnmower 1 is provided with a joystick device 7 including a joystick lever 71, the joystick device 7 being provided on the joystick lever 71 and including a sliding portion 72 that is slidable in the vertical direction, a biasing member 73 that biases the sliding portion 72 upward, and a first locking mechanism 74 that locks the tilt of the joystick lever 71, the first locking mechanism 74 having a locking pin 743 and an engagement portion (hole) 745 that moves in the vertical direction as the sliding portion 72 slides and engages with the locking pin 743 to lock the tilt of the joystick lever 71, and when the joystick lever 71 is pushed downward, the sliding portion (hole) 745 slides downward to release the engagement of the engagement portion (hole) 745 with the locking pin 743, thereby unlocking the lock of the tilt of the joystick lever 71.

[0076] According to such a riding lawnmower 1, in addition to the effect (1) described above, since the lock provided by the first locking mechanism 74 must be released in order to tilt (operate) the joystick lever 71, it is possible to prevent erroneous operation of the grass collection container (collector) 5 due to accidental contact with the joystick lever 71, etc.

[0077] (3) In the riding lawnmower 1 described above in (2), the joystick device 7 further includes a second locking mechanism 75 that locks the joystick lever 71 against being pushed down downward.

[0078] With such a riding lawnmower 1, in addition to the effect of (2) above, the joystick lever 71 is also locked when pressed downward, i.e., the joystick lever 71 is doubly locked, making it possible to more reliably prevent erroneous operation of the grass collection container (collector) 5 due to accidental contact with the joystick lever 71, for example.

[0079] (4) In the above (3), the first locking mechanism 74 is provided on the sliding portion 72 and has a lower plate 744 in which a hole portion 745 serving as a fitting portion is formed, and a lock pin mounting plate 741 that is disposed above the lower plate 744 and has a lock pin 743 attached so as to protrude downward, and when the lower plate 744 is forced upward, the hole portion 745 fits into the lock pin 743 and the lower plate 744 abuts against the lock pin mounting plate 741, thereby locking the tilt of the joystick lever 71. The second locking mechanism 75, with the hole portion 745 fitting into the lock pin 743 and the lower plate 744 abutting against the lock pin mounting plate 741, clamps the lower plate 744 together with the lock pin mounting plate 741, thereby locking the downward movement of the joystick lever 71.

[0080] With such a riding lawnmower 1, in addition to the effect of (3) above, in the first locking mechanism 74, the hole 745 fits over the lock pin 743 and the lower plate 744 abuts against the lock pin mounting plate 741, thereby locking the tilt of the joystick lever 71. Also, in the second locking mechanism 75, with the hole 745 fitting over the lock pin 743 and the lower plate 744 abutting against the lock pin mounting plate 741, the lower plate 744 is sandwiched together with the lock pin mounting plate 741, thereby locking the joystick lever 71 from being pushed down downward.

[0081] Further advantages and modifications may readily occur to those skilled in the art. Thus, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described above. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1. Riding lawn mower 2 Running vehicle 3. Lawn mowers 4 Mower lifting mechanism 5 Grass collector 7 Joystick Device 8 Mower lift lever 9 Valve Unit 21 Body frame 22 Front wheel 23 Rear wheel 24 Control Unit 25 Safety Frame 41 Mower lifting cylinder 42 Lift arm 51 Lid 52 Link arm 53 Link arm 54 Dump frame 55 Rotating shaft 61 Lifting cylinder (collector lifting cylinder) 62 Dump cylinder 71 Joystick Lever 72 Sliding part 73 Pressing member 74 First locking mechanism 75 Second locking mechanism 81 Lever section 82 Grip section 91 Valve unit case 92 Collector lift valve 92a Collector lift valve drive unit 93 Dump valve 93a Dump valve actuator 94 Mower lift valve 94a Mower lift valve drive 241 Driver's seat 242 Floor Step 243 Steering column 244 Operation pedal 711 Lever part 712 Grip 713 Moving parts 721 Guide hole 722 Guide pin 741 Lock pin mounting plate 742 Support part 743 Lock Pin 744 Lower Plate 745 Fitting part (hole) 751 Cylinder section 751a Guide groove 752 Pins 753 Spring 754 Operating lever 755 Lock lever E-Engine

Claims

1. A running vehicle body, a lawnmower disposed under the traveling vehicle body and configured to cut grass; A grass collection container that collects grass cut by the lawnmower; A lifting cylinder that lifts and lowers the grass collection container; A lift valve for controlling the lift cylinder; A dump cylinder for dumping the grass collection container; a dump valve for controlling the dump cylinder; A joystick lever connected to the lift valve and the dump valve, which is operated when lifting or dumping the grass collection container, and whose tilt direction when lifting or dumping the grass collection container is different from that when dumping the grass collection container; a joystick device including the joystick lever; Equipped with The joystick device comprises: a sliding portion provided on the joystick lever and capable of sliding in an up and down direction; A biasing member that biases the sliding portion upward; a first lock mechanism that locks the joystick lever against tilt; Equipped with The first locking mechanism is A lock pin and a fitting portion that moves up and down in accordance with the sliding of the sliding portion and that locks the tilt of the joystick lever by fitting into the lock pin; When the joystick lever is pushed downward, the sliding portion slides downward to release the engagement of the engagement portion with the lock pin, thereby unlocking the tilt of the joystick lever. A riding lawn mower characterized by:

2. The joystick device comprises: A second lock mechanism that locks the joystick lever from being pushed downward. Further, 2. The riding lawn mower according to claim 1 .

3. The first locking mechanism is a lower plate provided at the sliding portion and having a hole portion serving as the fitting portion; a lock pin mounting plate disposed above the lower plate and to which the lock pin is attached so as to protrude downward; an upward bias of the lower plate causes the hole to fit over the lock pin and the lower plate to abut against the lock pin mounting plate, thereby locking the joystick lever from being tilted; The second locking mechanism is With the hole portion fitted with the lock pin and the lower plate in contact with the lock pin mounting plate, the lower plate is sandwiched together with the lock pin mounting plate to lock the joystick lever from being pushed down downward.

3. The riding lawn mower according to claim 2.

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