combine

Abstract

To provide a combine harvester comprising a grain culm guide that does not obstruct the vision of a worker.SOLUTION: A combine harvester 1 comprises a feed chain 41, a grain culm guide 40, and a first biasing member 40c. The feed chain 41 transports grain culms to a threshing part 4. The grain culm guide 40 can rotate between a separate position separate from the feed chain 41 and a close position close to the feed chain 41, and can change its height from the ground at the separate position. The first biasing member 40c biases the grain culm guide 40 toward the separate position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a combine harvester. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a combine harvester equipped with a stalk guide that holds down stalks from above during manual threshing. The stalk guide is rotatable between a spaced position away from the feed chain and a close position close to the feed chain. The stalk guide is biased toward the spaced position by a biasing member. Therefore, the operator does not need to manually move the stalk guide to the spaced position during manual threshing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-41616 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] During harvesting operation of the combine disclosed in Patent Document 1, the stalk guide is held in the separated position by the action of the biasing member. Therefore, for example, when an operator checks the condition of the stalks on the uncut land side, the stalk guide in the separated position may obstruct the operator's view.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a combine harvester equipped with a stump guide that does not obstruct the operator's field of vision. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The combine harvester according to the present invention includes a feed chain, a stalk guide, and a first biasing member. The feed chain transports stalks to a threshing section. The stalk guide is rotatable between a spaced position away from the feed chain and a close position close to the feed chain, and the height of the stalk guide from the ground surface at the spaced position is changeable. The first biasing member biases the stalk guide toward the spaced position. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, a combine harvester can be provided that is equipped with a stump guide that does not obstruct the operator's field of vision. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is a left side view of the stump guide in the approach position. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a right side view of the stump guide in the approach position. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a plan view of the stump guide in the approach position. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a left side view of the stalk guide in an upright position in the separated position. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a right side view of the stalk guide in an upright position in the separated position. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the stump guide in a folded state in a spaced position. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a right side view of the stump guide in a folded state in the spaced apart position. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a left side view showing a modified example of the stalk guide in an upright position in the separated position. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a left side view showing a modified example of the stump guide in a folded state in the separated position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference characters and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0010] [Overall structure of the combine] The overall structure of a combine harvester 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a left side view of the combine harvester 1 according to this embodiment. In the drawing, the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction of the combine harvester 1 are indicated by arrows. The left-right direction corresponds to the width direction of the machine body.

[0011] The combine harvester 1 comprises a traveling section 2, a reaping section 3, a threshing section 4, a sorting section 5, a storage section 6, a straw waste processing section 7, a power section 8, and a steering section 9. While traveling on the traveling section 2, the combine harvester 1 threshes the stalks harvested by the reaping section 3 in the threshing section 4, and sorts the grains in the sorting section 5 and stores them in the storage section 6. The straw waste after threshing is processed in the straw waste processing section 7. The power section 8 supplies power to the traveling section 2, the reaping section 3, the threshing section 4, the sorting section 5, the storage section 6, and the straw waste processing section 7. An operator operates the combine harvester 1 using the steering section 9.

[0012] The traveling unit 2 is provided below the machine frame 20. The traveling unit 2 is equipped with a pair of left and right crawler-type traveling devices 22. The crawler-type traveling devices 22 are driven by power from the engine 8a of the power unit 8. The crawler-type traveling devices 22 cause the combine 1 to travel in the forward / rearward direction and turn in the left / right direction. In front of the traveling unit 2, the reaping unit 3 is provided.

[0013] The reaping unit 3 includes a divider 31, a raising device 32, a cutting device 33, and a conveying device 34. The divider 31 guides the culms in the field to the raising device 32. The raising device 32 raises the culms guided by the divider 31. The cutting device 33 cuts the culms raised by the raising device 32. The conveying device 34 conveys the culms cut by the cutting device 33 to the threshing unit 4.

[0014] 1 shows a vertical conveying device 134 and an auxiliary conveying device 135 as the conveying device 34. The vertical conveying device 134 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction, and is located at the lowest position in the illustrated state. During operation, the position of the vertical conveying device 134 can be changed according to the length of the stalks to maintain an optimal conveying position. The reaping unit 3 is configured to be freely raised and lowered by a hydraulic cylinder 35 connected to the front end of the machine frame 20.

[0015] The threshing section 4 is provided behind the reaping section 3. The threshing section 4 includes a feed chain 41 and a threshing drum 42. The feed chain 41 is provided behind the reaping section 3 and in front of the threshing section 4. The feed chain 41 receives the stew from the conveying device 34 and conveys it from the threshing section 4 to the straw waste processing section 7. The threshing drum 42 threshes the stew conveyed by the feed chain 41. In this embodiment, a transfer conveying device 41a is provided on the right side, which is on the inside in the machine width direction from the feed chain 41. As shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 4 described later, the feed chain 41 and the transfer conveying device 41a are arranged side by side.

[0016] The side cover 43 covers the feed chain 41 from the left side, which is the outer side in the width direction of the combine harvester 1. The straw presser table cover 44 provided above the side cover 43 covers the handling drum 42 and the like from the outer side in the width direction of the machine. An emergency stop switch Sw0 is provided above the straw presser table cover 44. The emergency stop switch Sw0 is a push-type switch that can be switched on and off by the operator pressing it. When the emergency stop switch Sw0 is switched on, the engine 8a is forcibly stopped, and the drive of each part including the feed chain 41 is stopped.

[0017] The sorting section 5 is provided below the threshing section 4. The sorting section 5 includes an oscillating sorting device 51 and a wind sorting device 52. The oscillating sorting device 51 sorts the threshed grains that have fallen from the threshing section 4 into grains, straw chips, etc. The wind sorting device 52 supplies sorting air to the oscillating sorting device 51, and together with the oscillating sorting device 51, sorts the threshed grains into grains, straw chips, etc. The grains sorted by the oscillating sorting device 51 and the wind sorting device 52 are collected by a grain recovery mechanism (not shown) and transported to the storage section 6. The straw chips, etc. sorted by the oscillating sorting device 51 and the wind sorting device 52 are discharged outside the machine via the straw waste processing section 7.

[0018] The storage section 6 is provided to the right of the threshing section 4. The storage section 6 includes a grain tank 61 and a discharge device 62. The grain tank 61 stores the grains transported from the sorting section 5. The discharge device 62 is configured so that its front end (tip end on the downstream side of the grain transport) can rotate freely in all directions, up, down, and left to right, with its rear end (base end on the upstream side of the grain transport) as the center, and the grains stored in the grain tank 61 can be discharged to any desired location.

[0019] The straw waste processing section 7 is provided below the steering section 9 and behind the threshing section 4. The straw waste processing section 7 cuts and discharges the stalks transported by a straw waste conveying chain (not shown) arranged at the rear end of the feed chain 41.

[0020] The power unit 8 is provided to the right of the sorting unit 5. The power unit 8 includes an engine 8a that generates rotational power. The rotational power generated by the engine 8a is transmitted to the reaping unit 3, the threshing unit 4, the sorting unit 5, and the like.

[0021] The control unit 9 is provided above the power unit 8. The control unit 9 includes a driver's seat 91 and a plurality of operating tools including a handle 92. The driver's seat 91 is a seat where an operator sits. The handle 92 is a steering handle that changes the traveling direction of the combine harvester 1. The operator can operate the combine harvester 1 by operating the plurality of operating tools such as the handle 92 while seated in the driver's seat 91.

[0022] The combine harvester 1 also includes a stump guide 40, a guide member 45, and a pressing member 48. The stump guide 40 holds the stump and guides it to the feed chain 41 during manual threshing. The stump guide 40 is provided on the left side of the combine harvester 1. The guide member 45, together with the stump guide 40, guides the stump to the feed chain 41 and the transfer conveying device 41a. The guide member 45 is disposed on the left side of the auxiliary conveying device 135, which is on the outer side in the machine width direction. The pressing member 48 presses the stump against the feed chain 41 during non-manual threshing. That is, the guide member 45 is disposed between the feed chain 41 and the transfer conveying device 41a, and is a member that positions the stump during manual threshing. In contrast, the pressing member 48 is a member that acts on the stalks (presses the stalks against the feed chain 41) during non-manual threshing operations.

[0023] [Grain culm guide] Next, the stump guide 40 will be described with reference to Figs. 2 to 8. Fig. 2 is a left side view of the stump guide 40 in the approaching position. Fig. 3 is a right side view of the stump guide 40 in the approaching position. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the stump guide 40 in the approaching position. Fig. 5 is a left side view of the stump guide 40 in the upright position at the separated position. Fig. 6 is a right side view of the stump guide 40 in the upright position at the separated position. Fig. 7 is a left side view of the stump guide 40 in the folded state at the separated position. Fig. 8 is a right side view of the stump guide 40 in the folded state at the separated position.

[0024] The stalk guide 40 rotates around a first rotating shaft 40a as a fulcrum. The first rotating shaft 40a is sandwiched between a first base guide 401a and a second base guide 401b arranged at a distance in the width direction of the machine body, i.e., in the left-right direction, and is fixed integrally therewith. The first base guide 401a and the second base guide 401b constitute a base guide 401. The first base guide 401a and the second base guide 401b have approximately the same shape and approximately the same size.

[0025] The first rotating shaft 40a is inserted into the tubular member 405 so as to be rotatable relative to the frame 114. The tubular member 405 is interposed between the first base guide 401a and the second base guide 401b, and is fixed to the frame 114 of the harvesting unit 3 via a bracket 406. With this configuration, the stalk guide 40 is supported so as to be rotatable relative to the frame 114.

[0026] The folding guide 402 is foldably connected to the base guide 401. The folding guide 402 has a first folding guide 402a and a second folding guide 402b. The length of the second folding guide 402b in the front-rear direction is shorter than the length of the first folding guide 402a in the front-rear direction. The folding guide 402 rotates around a pair of second rotating shafts 40b as a fulcrum. One of the second rotating shafts 40b foldably connects the first base guide 401a and the first folding guide 402a. The other second rotating shaft 40b foldably connects the second base guide 401b and the second folding guide 402b. With this configuration, the folding guide 402 is supported so as to be rotatable relative to the base guide 401.

[0027] The stalk guide 40 includes a first connecting shaft 416 and a second connecting shaft 417. The first connecting shaft 416 connects the first base guide 401a and the second base guide 401b. The first base guide 401a and the second base guide 401b rotate in synchronization with each other due to the connection by the first connecting shaft 416. The second connecting shaft 417 connects the first folding guide 402a and the second folding guide 402b. The first folding guide 402a and the second folding guide 402b rotate in synchronization with each other due to the connection by the second connecting shaft 417.

[0028] The stalk guide 40 is configured to be rotatable between a separated position away from the feed chain 41 and a close position close to the feed chain 41. Arrow R1 indicates the rotation direction of the stalk guide 40. The stalk guide 40 in the separated position is in a position standing upward from the first rotating shaft 40a as shown in FIG. 5, and the longitudinal directions of the base guide 401 and the folding guide 402 are oriented in the up-down direction. In contrast, the stalk guide 40 in the close position is in a position lying backward from the first rotating shaft 40a as shown in FIG. 2, and the folding guide 402 is disposed below the first rotating shaft 40a. The state in which the stalk guide 40 is in a close position to the feed chain 41 is called the "close state", and the state in which the stalk guide 40 is in a separated position to the feed chain 41 is called the "separated state".

[0029] The stalk guide 40 in the separated position is configured to be rotatable between a state in which the folding guide 402 is folded (folded state) and a state in which the folding guide 402 stands (standing state). An arrow R2 indicates the rotation direction of the folding guide 402. In the standing state, the folding guide 402 stands upright upward from the second turning shaft 40b as shown in FIG. 5. In contrast, in the folded state, the folding guide 402 lies backward from the second turning shaft 40b as shown in FIG. 7.

[0030] In the culm guide 40 in the approaching position, the highest point from the ground is the apex of the guide member 45 (height H1 shown in Figure 2). In the culm guide 40 in the upright position at the separated position, the highest point from the ground is the tip of the base guide 403 (height H2 shown in Figure 5). On the other hand, in the culm guide 40 in the folded position at the separated position, the highest point from the ground is the tip of the base guide 401 (height H3 shown in Figure 7). The height H2 in the upright state is the highest, followed by the height H3 in the folded state, and the height H1 in the approaching state is the lowest. In other words, the relationship H2>H3>H1 is established.

[0031] The stalk base guide 403 is formed by bending a rod material having a circular cross section. The stalk base guide 403 is fixed integrally to the first folding guide 402a. As shown in FIG. 2, the stalk base guide 403 faces the conveying surface of the feed chain 41 when the stalk guide 40 is in the approaching position close to the feed chain 41.

[0032] The tip guide 404 is formed by bending a rod-shaped elastic member that is thinner than the base guide 403. The tip guide 404 is fixed integrally to the second folding guide 402b. As shown in FIG. 2, the tip guide 404 faces the conveying surface of the relay conveying device 41a when the stalk guide 40 is in a close position to the feed chain 41. The tip guide 404 is disposed on the right side, which is more inward in the width direction of the machine body than the base guide 403.

[0033] With this configuration, when the stump guide 40 is in the approaching position, the tip guide 404 on the right side, which is the inside in the width direction of the machine body, presses the tip of the stump against the relay conveying device 41a, and the base guide 403 on the left side, which is the outside in the width direction of the machine body, presses the base of the stump against the feed chain 41. As a result, the stump guide 40 stabilizes the position of the stump, and the feed chain 41 can feed the stump into the threshing drum 42.

[0034] The stalk guide 40 includes a first biasing member 40c. The first biasing member 40c is, for example, a tension spring. One end of the first biasing member 40c is engaged with a first engagement pin 407. The first engagement pin 407 is provided in the first base guide 401a near the first rotation shaft 40a. The other end of the first biasing member 40c is engaged with an engagement jig 115. The engagement jig 115 is fixed to the frame 114.

[0035] The first biasing member 40c biases the stump guide 40, more specifically the base guide 401, toward the separated position. As a result, when the operator is not operating the stump guide 40, that is, when no external force other than the biasing force of the first biasing member 40c is acting, the stump guide 40 is held at the separated position. With this configuration, the combine harvester 1 is configured so that the stump guide 40 in the approach position is moved to the separated position by the biasing force of the first biasing member 40c. Therefore, during manual threshing, the operator does not need to move the stump guide 40 to the separated position, improving work efficiency.

[0036] The stalk guide 40 also includes a second biasing member 40d. The second biasing member 40d is, for example, a tension spring. One end of the second biasing member 40d engages with a second engagement pin 408. The second engagement pin 408 is provided on the first base guide 401a toward the front. The other end of the second biasing member 40d engages with a third engagement pin 409. The third engagement pin 409 is provided on the first folding guide 402a near the second rotation shaft 40b.

[0037] The third engagement pin 409 is located forward of the second rotation shaft 40b in the upright state shown in FIG. 5. Therefore, the second biasing member 40d pulls the folding guide 402 forward and holds the folding guide 402 in the upright state. On the other hand, in the folded state shown in FIG. 7, the third engagement pin 409 is located rearward of the second rotation shaft 40b. That is, the second biasing member 40d crosses the fulcrum while the folding guide 402 is deformed from the upright state to the folded state. Therefore, the second biasing member 40d pulls the folding guide 402 rearward and holds the folding guide 402 in the folded state. Note that the second biasing member 40d also crosses the fulcrum while the folding guide 402 is deformed from the folded state to the upright state. With this configuration, the stalk guide 40 can be held in an upright state and a folded state by a single second biasing member 40d, making the configuration simple.

[0038] 2 to 4 is the same as the positional relationship between the third engagement pin 409 and the second biasing member 40d in the standing state shown in Figures 5 and 6. Therefore, in the approaching state, the folding guide 402 is held in a posture lying backward from the second rotation shaft 40b by the biasing force of the second biasing member 40d.

[0039] During harvesting operation of the combine harvester 1, when an operator checks the condition of the culms on the uncut land side, the culm guide 40 in the separated position may obstruct the operator's view. There are other situations where the culm guide 40 in the separated position may cause inconvenience, such as when a dust cover is placed over the reaping unit 3 when storing the combine harvester 1. In situations where the culm guide 40 in the separated position may cause inconvenience, the folding guide 402 can be folded to lower the height of the culm guide 40 from height H2 to height H3. When the culm guide 40 is in the folded state and its height is lowered, the culm guide 40 is less likely to obstruct the operator's view. In addition, the dust cover is less likely to get caught on the culm guide 40, making it easier for the operator to place the dust cover over the reaping unit 3 and remove the dust cover.

[0040] [Hand-operated control device] Next, a description will be given of a manual threshing control device for preventing unintended operations by an operator during manual threshing. The combine harvester 1 is provided with an operating lever 400 as an operating tool for an operator to operate the stump guide 40. The operating lever 400 is a handle for operating the rotation of the stump guide 40.

[0041] In addition to the emergency stop switch Sw0 described above, the combine harvester 1 is also provided with a first switch Sw1 and a second switch Sw2. The first switch Sw1 is a detection member that allows the feed chain 41 to be driven. The first switch Sw1 is switched on and off in response to the operation of the operating lever 400. The second switch Sw2 is switched on and off by the operator's pressing operation. The second switch Sw2 is always off, and is on only while the operator is pressing it. The feed chain 41 and the take-over conveying device 41a are driven when both the first switch Sw1 and the second switch Sw2 are switched on. This makes it possible to prevent the feed chain 41 and the take-over conveying device 41a from being driven against the operator's intention.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 4, the second base guide 401b has a bent surface 401c that is bent toward the first base guide 401a along the axial direction of the first rotating shaft 40a. The first switch Sw1 is attached to the bent surface 401c. The button of the first switch Sw1, which is turned on by a pressing operation, penetrates the bent surface 401c and protrudes downward. With this configuration, the first switch Sw1 rotates relatively together with the base guide 401.

[0043] The operating lever 400 is supported by the first base guide 401a via the second rotation shaft 40b so as to be relatively rotatable. The operating lever 400 is connected to the rotating cylinder 412 via a link mechanism 411. A pivot 47a is inserted into the rotating cylinder 412. The pivot 47a is sandwiched between the first base guide 401a and the second base guide 401b and fixed integrally therewith. A pressing plate 413 is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the rotating cylinder 412. When the operating lever 400 is rotated relative to the base guide 401, the rotating cylinder 412 also rotates relative to the base guide 401 via the link mechanism 411, and the pressing plate 413 rotates around the pivot 47a accordingly.

[0044] 2 to 5, when the operating lever 400 is rotated clockwise as viewed from the left side, the operating lever 400 rotates relative to the base guide 401, and accordingly the pressing plate 413 also rotates. The rotated pressing plate 413 presses the button of the first switch Sw1, switching the first switch Sw1 on.

[0045] When the first switch Sw1 is switched on, the operating lever 400 is biased counterclockwise in a left side view by the coil spring 410a. The operating lever 400 rotated relative to the base guide 401 can be returned to its original position by the biasing force of the coil spring 410a.

[0046] The coil spring 410a is attached to the second rotating shaft 40b, one end of which is fixed to the first base guide 401a, and the other end of which is fixed to the operation lever 400. The biasing force of the coil spring 410a is set to a level such that the operation lever 400 does not rotate around the second rotating shaft 40b when the operation lever 400 is operated to rotate the stump guide 40 from the separated position to the approaching position. In other words, after the stump guide 40 has been rotated to the approaching position, the operation lever 400 rotates around the second rotating shaft 40b by applying a force to the operation lever 400 that is stronger than the force for rotating the stump guide 40 to the approaching position.

[0047] With this configuration, the operator can switch the first switch Sw1 on and off. That is, after operating the operation lever 400 to rotate the stump guide 40 to the approach position, the operator can switch the first switch Sw1 on by further pressing the operation lever 400 down toward the feed chain 41. When the operator releases the operation lever 400, the biasing force of the coil spring 410a rotates the operation lever 400 in a direction away from the feed chain 41, and the first switch Sw1 is switched off.

[0048] The second switch Sw2 is disposed forward of the stalk guide 40. In this embodiment, the second switch Sw2 is supported by the frame 114. The operator can drive the feed chain 41 and the relay conveying device 41a by pressing down the operating lever 400 with the right hand to maintain the first switch Sw1 in the on state, and pressing the second switch Sw2 with the left hand to maintain the second switch Sw2 in the on state.

[0049] The second switch Sw2 may be disposed behind the stalk guide 40, and may be supported, for example, on the straw presser cover 44. In this case, the operator can operate the operation lever 400 with the left hand while pressing the second switch Sw2 with the right hand to drive the feed chain 41 and the relay conveying device 41a. Furthermore, if the second switch Sw2 is disposed both in front of and behind the stalk guide 40 and configured to be selectively used, it can be used regardless of whether the operator is left-handed or right-handed.

[0050] However, if there is an excess of stumps during manual threshing, the stump guide 40 will not fully descend due to the bulk of the stumps, and the stump guide 40 will not approach the feed chain 41 sufficiently. Even in such a state, the first switch Sw1 can be switched on, so the feed chain 41 can be driven to perform manual threshing, but this may cause problems such as the stumps not being properly taken into the threshing section 4. In order to avoid manual threshing in such an inappropriate state, the combine harvester 1 of this embodiment detects the position (rotation amount) of the stump guide 40, and performs a predetermined control based on the detection result.

[0051] The position (rotation amount) of the stalk guide 40 is detected, for example, by a potentiometer (not shown) that detects the rotation angle of the stalk guide 40. When both the first switch Sw1 and the second switch Sw2 are switched on, if the position of the stalk guide 40 is higher than a predetermined position, i.e., if the rotation amount of the stalk guide 40 is smaller than a predetermined rotation amount, a predetermined control such as outputting an alarm or stopping or decelerating the feed chain 41 and the relay conveying device 41a is performed. This notifies the operator that the stalk guide 40 is not close enough to the feed chain 41, and makes it possible to avoid manual threshing work in an inappropriate state.

[0052] The stump guide 40 is provided with an engagement hook 47 (e.g., a lock hook) capable of fixing the stump guide 40 in the separated position. The engagement hook 47 is rotatable integrally with the stump guide 40. More specifically, the engagement hook 47 is configured to be rotatable between a fixed position (see Figs. 5 to 8) in which the stump guide 40 can be fixed in the separated position, and an unfixed position (see Figs. 2 to 4) in which the rotation of the stump guide 40 is not hindered. An engagement portion 415 is fixed to the bracket 406 of the frame 114. When the stump guide 40 rotates to the separated position, the engagement hook 47 rotated integrally with the stump guide 40 engages with the engagement portion 415.

[0053] The engagement hook 47 has a pivot 47a and a hook 47b that can engage with the engagement portion 415. The engagement hook 47 is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the rotating cylinder 412. As described above, the pivot 47a is inserted into the rotating cylinder 412. The pivot 47a is sandwiched between the first base guide 401a and the second base guide 401b and fixed integrally therewith. When the operating lever 400 is rotated relative to the base guide 401, the rotating cylinder 412 also rotates relative to the base guide 401 via the link mechanism 411, and the engagement hook 47 rotates around the pivot 47a accordingly.

[0054] When the stump guide 40 is in the approach position, the engagement hook 47 is in the non-fixed position, and the hook 47b is not engaged with the engagement portion 415. When the operator rotates the stump guide 40 from the approach position to the separated position, the engagement hook 47 also rotates together with the stump guide 40. When the stump guide 40 reaches the separated position, the hook 47b of the engagement hook 47 engages with the engagement portion 415. The engagement of the hook 47b with the engagement portion 415 fixes the stump guide 40 in the separated position.

[0055] When the engagement hook 47 is in the fixed position and the hook 47b is engaged with the engagement portion 415, the engagement hook 47 is biased counterclockwise in a left side view by the coil spring 410b. The biasing force of the coil spring 410b biases the engagement hook 47 to the fixed position, and the engaged state between the hook 47b and the engagement portion 415 is maintained. The coil spring 410b is attached to the pivot 47a, and one end is fixed to the first base guide 401a and the other end is fixed to the engagement hook 47.

[0056] When the operator pulls the operating lever 400 upward in a state in which the hook 47b and the engaging portion 415 are engaged, the operating lever 400 rotates relative to the base guide 401. When the base guide 401 rotates relative to the base guide 401, the engaging hook 47 rotates integrally with the rotating cylinder 412 via the link mechanism 411. When the engaging hook 47 rotates, the hook 47b is disengaged from the engaging portion 415, and the stalk guide 40 can rotate to the approaching position.

[0057] With this configuration, the stump guide 40 can be fixed in the separated position during manual threshing. The stump guide 40 can be fixed in the separated position simply by rotating the stump guide 40, and can be easily performed. The stump guide 40 can be fixed in the separated position by the biasing force of the first biasing member 40c and the engagement of the engagement hook 47. Therefore, it is not necessary to fix the stump guide 40 in the separated position only by the biasing force of the first biasing member 40c, and the biasing force of the first biasing member 40c can be weakened. By weakening the biasing force of the first biasing member 40c, the operator's operation when rotating the stump guide 40 from the separated position to the approach position becomes lighter, and operability is improved.

[0058] A fixed plate 414 is provided on the bracket 406 of the frame 114. The fixed plate 414 is a wall extending upward from the bracket 406. When the operator rotates the stalk guide 40 from the close position to the separated position, the rotating cylinder 412, which rotates integrally with the stalk guide 40, abuts against the fixed plate 414. The abutment of the rotating cylinder 412 and the fixed plate 414 restricts the rotation of the stalk guide 40 at the separated position.

[0059] [Worker's actions during manual handling] Next, the actions of the operator during the hand threshing operation will be briefly described. The hand threshing operation starts when the combine harvester 1 is stopped, that is, when the crawler-type traveling device 22 and the feed chain 41 are stopped.

[0060] The worker performing the manual threshing operation moves to a position on the left side of the combine harvester 1 where the stump guide 40 can be operated (hereinafter referred to as the "manual threshing operation position"), and places the harvested stumps in a predetermined location. The "predetermined location" refers to a location where the stump guide 40 can be held by the base guide 403 and the ear tip guide 404 when the stump guide 40 is moved to the approaching position, and is an area formed by the guide member 45 and the conveying surface of the feed chain 41. In this embodiment, the stump guide 40 is in advance in the separated position by the biasing force of the first biasing member 40c, so there is no need to rotate the stump guide 40 to the separated position before placing the stumps in the predetermined location, and work efficiency is improved.

[0061] When the reaping unit 3 is raised, the above-mentioned predetermined space becomes narrow and it becomes difficult to place the stalks, so it is preferable to perform the manual threshing work with the reaping unit 3 lowered. The reaping unit 3 is usually configured to be raised and lowered by an operating tool provided on the control unit 9. Therefore, if the worker forgets to lower the reaping unit 3 and moves to the manual threshing work position with the reaping unit 3 raised, the worker must go back and forth between the control unit 9 and the reaping unit 3 to lower it, which makes the work complicated.

[0062] In order to eliminate such inconvenience, an operating tool for raising and lowering the reaping unit 3 may be disposed near the manual reaping position. For example, as in this embodiment, it is possible to install the switch 36 capable of operating the raising and lowering of the reaping unit 3 on the straw presser cover 44. The location of the switch 36 is not limited to the straw presser cover 44, and it may be on the side cover 43 or its vicinity. The switch 36 may be capable of operating only the lowering of the reaping unit 3. Alternatively, the reaping unit 3 may be configured to automatically lower to a predetermined position when both the first switch Sw1 and the second switch Sw2 are switched on.

[0063] After placing the stumps in a predetermined location, the worker pushes the operating lever 400 downward to release the engagement between the hook 47b of the engagement hook 47 and the engagement portion 415. The worker then rotates the stump guide 40 so that it approaches the feed chain 41 to hold the stumps. From that state, the worker pushes the operating lever 400 down toward the feed chain 41 to switch the first switch Sw1 on. While keeping the operating lever 400 pressed down, the worker presses the second switch Sw2. This causes both the first switch Sw1 and the second switch Sw2 to be switched on, driving the feed chain 41 and the relay conveying device 41a to perform the manual threshing operation.

[0064] The present embodiment has been described above with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 1 to 8). However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Modifications are described below.

[0065] A modified example of the stump guide 40 will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. Figure 9 is a left side view showing a modified example of the stump guide 40 in an upright state at the separated position. Figure 10 is a left side view showing a modified example of the stump guide 40 in a folded state at the separated position.

[0066] In the stump guide 40 shown in Figures 1 to 8, the folding guide 402 is held in an upright state or a folded state by the biasing force of the second biasing member 40d. In contrast, in the stump guide 40 shown in Figures 9 and 10, the folding guide 402 is held in an upright state or a folded state by the fastener 40e.

[0067] Fastener 40e is, for example, a U-shaped pin. One end 40f of the U-shaped pin passes through a through hole (not shown) formed in first folding guide 402a and fits into either through hole 421 or through hole 422 of first base guide 401a. The other end 40g of the U-shaped pin fits into a through hole (not shown) in first folding guide 402a.

[0068] The first base guide 401a has two through holes 421 and 422. As shown in FIG. 9, when the stalk guide 40 is in an upright state at the separated position, one end 40f of the fastener 40e penetrates the first folding guide 402a and fits into the through hole 421 (see FIG. 10) of the first base guide 401a. The folding guide 402 is held in an upright state by the fastener 40e in this state. As shown in FIG. 10, when the stalk guide 40 is in a folded state at the separated position, one end 40f of the fastener 40e penetrates the first folding guide 402a and fits into the through hole 422 (see FIG. 9) of the first base guide 401a. The folding guide 402 is held in a folded state by the fastener 40e in this state.

[0069] When transforming the stalk guide 40 from the upright state to the folded state, the worker removes the fastener 40e from the upright stalk guide 40. Then, the folding guide 402 is folded, and the fastener 40e is attached again. At this time, the worker fits one end 40f of the fastener 40e into the through hole 422. When transforming the stalk guide 40 from the folded state to the upright state, the worker removes the fastener 40e from the folded stalk guide 40. Then, the folding guide 402 is erected, and the fastener 40e is attached again. At this time, the worker fits one end 40f of the fastener 40e into the through hole 421. With this configuration, the stalk guide 40 can be held in the upright state and the folded state by one fastener 40e, and the configuration is simplified.

[0070] In addition, the drawings are mainly schematic illustrations of the respective components for ease of understanding, and therefore the thickness, shape, length, etc. of each illustrated component may differ from the actual ones for the sake of convenience in creating the drawings.

[0071] In addition, in the illustrated example, the folding guide 402 is configured to change to two height levels, an upright state and a folded state, but it may change to three or more height levels. [Industrial Applicability]

[0072] The present invention is suitable for use in a head-feeding combine harvester that allows manual threshing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1. Combine Harvester 4. Threshing Department 40 Grain culm guide 40a First rotation axis 40b Second rotation axis 40c First biasing member 40d second biasing member 41 Feed Chain 41a Transfer device 47 Engagement hook 400 Control lever 401 Base Guide 402 Folding Guide 403 Stockholder Guide 404 Tip Guide 415 Engagement part H1~H3 Height Sw1 First switch (detection element)

Claims

1. a feed chain for transporting the stalks to the threshing section; A stalk guide that is rotatable between a spaced position away from the feed chain and a close position close to the feed chain and that is capable of changing its height from the ground at the spaced position; A first biasing member that biases the stalk guide toward the separated position; Equipped with The stump guide is deformed between a folded state and an upright state at the separated position.

2. The culm guide is A base guide provided with a first rotation shaft for rotating the stalk guide between the separated position and the approach position; Folding guide and a second rotation shaft that foldably connects the base guide and the folding guide; The combine according to claim 1 ,

3. a second biasing member having one end side held by the base guide and the other end side held by the folding guide for biasing the folding guide to the upright state; 3. The combine harvester according to claim 2, wherein the second biasing member moves from a position forward of the second pivot shaft to a position rearward of the second pivot shaft while the folding guide is deformed to the folded state, thereby maintaining the folding guide in the folded state.

4. A relay conveying device is provided in parallel with the feed chain, The folding guide is A stalk guide that presses a stalk side of the stalk against the feed chain when the stalk guide is in the approach position; a tip guide that presses the tip side of the stalk against the transfer conveying device when the stalk guide is in the approach position; The combine according to claim 2 or claim 3, comprising:

5. a detection member that allows the feed chain to be driven; an operating lever that is rotatable together with the stalk guide and that operates the detection member to switch to a state in which driving of the feed chain is permitted when the stalk guide is in the approach position; The combine harvester according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising:

6. An engagement hook that can rotate integrally with the stalk guide; an engagement portion that engages with the engagement hook when the stalk guide is in the separated position; The combine harvester according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising:

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