Walking-type management machine

Abstract

To provide a walking-type power tiller capable of improving workability.SOLUTION: A walking-type power tiller comprises: a tail wheel 15; and a variable mechanism 200 that is provided for a tilling cover 8b for covering a tilling claw and that moves up and down the tail wheel 15 so as to be capable of switching between a use position in which the tail wheel 15 can be used, and a nonuse position in which the tail wheel cannot be used.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a walk-behind tiller that allows the mounting position of a tail wheel to be switched. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, technology for an attachment mechanism that allows the attachment position of a tail wheel to be changed has been publicly known, as described in Patent Document 1, for example.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that enables the attachment position of the tail wheel to be changed by rotatably attaching a rotating frame that supports the tail wheel to the main body (support part) of the walk-behind tiller. Specifically, the rotating frame is inserted into the support part and rotatably supported by the support part. The attachment position of the tail wheel can be changed by rotating the rotating frame.

[0004] However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, the tail wheel rotates so that it projects significantly to the left and right of the vehicle body as the rotating frame rotates. This means that a large space is required to change the mounting position of the tail wheel, and the work of rotating the rotating frame is complicated, leaving room for improvement in terms of workability. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-90536 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-described situation, and the problem it aims to solve is to provide a walk-behind cultivator that can improve workability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The problem to be solved by one embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, and next, the means for solving this problem will be described.

[0008] A walk-behind cultivator according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a tail wheel and a variable mechanism attached to a tillage cover that covers the tillage tines, which can raise and lower the tail wheel to switch between a use position in which the tail wheel can be used and a non-use position in which the tail wheel cannot be used. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the workability when changing the mounting position of the tail wheel.

[0009] In addition, the variable mechanism according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is equipped with a four-bar link mechanism having a support part that supports the tail wheel and two connecting parts that connect the support part to the tillage cover so that it can be raised and lowered. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the position of the tail wheel can be switched with a simple configuration.

[0010] In addition, in a walk-behind cultivator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, one of the two connecting parts is provided on one left or right side of the resistance rod support part that supports the resistance rod, and the other of the two connecting parts is provided on the other left or right side of the resistance rod support part. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, by making the left and right positions of the connecting portions different, it is possible to save space and easily avoid interference with other components.

[0011] In addition, in a walk-behind cultivator according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the variable mechanism is equipped with a holding mechanism that holds the tail wheel, which is positioned in the use position and the non-use position, in those positions. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent the position of the tail wheel from being unintentionally switched.

[0012] In addition, in a walk-behind cultivator according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the holding mechanism includes a biasing portion that biases the tail wheel located in the use position to hold it in the use position, and biases the tail wheel located in the non-use position to hold it in the non-use position. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the tail wheel can be held in a predetermined position with a simple configuration.

[0013] In addition, in a walk-behind cultivator according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the variable mechanism includes an adjustment mechanism that can adjust the position of the tail wheel at the use position. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the position of the tail wheel can be adjusted depending on the type of work, etc. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the workability when changing the mounting position of the tail wheel. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a left side view showing a walk-behind cultivator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a left side view showing the variable mechanism and the tail wheel switched to the non-use position. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] (a) A rear view showing the connection between the support arm and the support part. (b) A left side view of the same. (c) A rear view showing the support arm being moved to the left. (d) A left side view showing the support arm being rotated. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a left side view showing the tail wheel switched to the use position. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a left side view showing the tail wheel adjusted to the use position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] In the following description, the directions indicated by arrows U, D, F, B, L, and R in the figures are defined as upward, downward, forward, backward, leftward, and rightward, respectively.

[0017] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0018] The walk-behind cultivator 1 comprises a body frame 2, wheels 3, an engine 4, a fuel tank 5, a bonnet 6, a transmission case 7, a rotary tiller 8, a clutch mechanism 9, a handle frame 10, a handle connecting portion 11, a control handle 12, a resistance rod 13, a support portion 14, and a tail wheel 15.

[0019] The vehicle frame 2 is a member formed by appropriately bending a plate material. The vehicle frame 2 is supported by a pair of left and right wheels 3. An engine 4 is mounted on the vehicle frame 2. A fuel tank 5 is disposed behind the engine 4. The engine 4 and fuel tank 5 are covered by a hood 6.

[0020] The transmission case 7 is a case that houses a power transmission mechanism (not shown) that transmits power from the engine 4 to the wheels 3 and the rotary tiller 8. The rotary tiller 8 is provided at the rear of the transmission case 7. The rotary tiller 8 has tiller tines 8a fixed to a rotating shaft. The top of the tiller tines 8a are covered with tiller covers 8b. The clutch mechanism 9 switches between rotating and stopping the wheels 3 and the tiller tines 8a.

[0021] A handle frame 10 is disposed above the tillage cover 8b. The handle frame 10 is a frame for supporting a control handle 12. The handle frame 10 is formed so as to extend rearward and upward. The control handle 12 is attached to the upper rear end of the handle frame 10 via a handle connecting portion 11. The control handle 12 is provided with switches, levers, etc. that allow the operator to control the walk-behind cultivator 1.

[0022] Additionally, a resistance rod 13 that provides resistance to the movement of the walk-behind cultivator 1 is arranged behind the transmission case 7 and the tiller tines 8a. The resistance rod 13 is supported by a cylindrical support portion 14 provided on the tiller cover 8b. The support portion 14 is fixed to the tiller cover 8b with its longitudinal direction facing up and down. The resistance rod 13 is fixed in a state where it is inserted through the support portion 14. The vertical position of the resistance rod 13 relative to the support portion 14 can be adjusted as desired.

[0023] A tail wheel 15 can be attached to the tillage cover 8b via a variable mechanism 200. The variable mechanism 200 can change the attachment position of the tail wheel 15 between an in-use position and a non-use position by raising and lowering the tail wheel 15. The in-use position is a position where the tail wheel 15 can be used by touching the ground. The non-use position is a position where the tail wheel 15 is positioned when not in use. Specifically, by lowering the tail wheel 15 (switching to the in-use position), the tail wheel 15 can be used by touching the ground when traveling the walk-behind tiller 1 (see FIGS. 10 and 11). When the tail wheel 15 is not in use, the tail wheel 15 can be raised (switched to the non-use position) to position the tail wheel 15 in a position where it does not touch the ground (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0024] The specific configuration of the variable mechanism 200 will be described below.

[0025] The variable mechanism 200 shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 mainly includes a bracket 210, a support portion 220, a first connecting portion 230, a second connecting portion 240, a support arm 250, a first biasing portion 260, and a second biasing portion 270.

[0026] The bracket 210 shown in Figures 5 to 7 is a member for fixing the support part 220 (described later) and the like to the tillage cover 8b. The bracket 210 is formed in a roughly U-shape in plan view, opening forward. The bracket 210 is formed by bending both ends of a flat plate forward. The bracket 210 is arranged so that both ends of the bracket 210 sandwich the support part 14 from the left and right, and is fixed to the support part 14. The bracket 210 is provided with a use position regulating part 211 and a locking part 212.

[0027] 6 and 7 is formed of a plate-shaped member. The usage position restriction portion 211 is fixed to the left side surface of the bracket 210.

[0028] The locking portion 212 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and is fixed so as to protrude leftward from the left side surface of the bracket 210 with its axis oriented left and right.

[0029] The support part 220 shown in Figures 3 to 5 and 8 is a member for supporting the tail wheel 15. The support part 220 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The support part 220 is disposed with its axis oriented substantially in the vertical direction. The support part 220 is provided with a connecting shaft part 221, a cylindrical part 222, and an engaging shaft 223.

[0030] 8 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The connecting shaft 221 is disposed with its axis oriented substantially in the left-right direction. The connecting shaft 221 is fixed to the support part 220 in a state in which it passes through a middle part of the support part 220 from left to right.

[0031] 8 and 9 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The axial direction of the tubular portion 222 is oriented substantially in the left-right direction. The tubular portion 222 is fixed to the lower end of the support portion 220.

[0032] The engagement shaft 223 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The engagement shaft 223 is arranged with its axial direction facing the same direction (substantially the left-right direction) as the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 222. The engagement shaft 223 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 222. Two engagement shafts 223 are provided at an appropriate interval in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 222. The engagement shaft 223 is provided so as to protrude leftward from the cylindrical portion 222.

[0033] The first connecting portion 230 shown in Figures 3, 5, and 7 is a member for connecting the support portion 220 to the tillage cover 8b. The first connecting portion 230 is formed of a longitudinal plate material. The first connecting portion 230 is disposed with its thickness oriented left and right. One end (lower end) of the first connecting portion 230 is rotatably connected to the left side surface of the bracket 210 via a vehicle body-side connecting shaft 231 whose axial direction is oriented left and right. In this way, the first connecting portion 230 is disposed on the left side of the support portion 14 that supports the resistance rod 13. The other end (upper end) of the first connecting portion 230 is rotatably connected to the upper end of the support portion 220 via a support portion-side connecting shaft 232 whose axial direction is oriented left and right.

[0034] The second connecting portion 240 shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 is a member for connecting the support portion 220 to the tillage cover 8b. The second connecting portion 240 is formed of a longitudinal plate material. The second connecting portion 240 is disposed with its thickness oriented left and right. One end (lower end) of the second connecting portion 240 is rotatably connected to the right side surface of the bracket 210 via a connecting shaft 241 whose axial direction is oriented left and right. In this manner, the second connecting portion 240 is disposed to the right of the support portion 14 that supports the resistance rod 13. The connecting shaft 241 is disposed below the vehicle body-side connecting shaft 231. The other end (upper end) of the second connecting portion 240 is rotatably connected to the right end (portion to the right of the support portion 220) of the connecting shaft portion 221 provided on the support portion 220.

[0035] In this embodiment, a four-joint link mechanism is configured with the bracket 210, the support portion 220, the first connecting portion 230, and the second connecting portion 240 as its nodes. This allows the support portion 220 to be connected to the bracket 210 provided on the tillage cover 8b so that it can be raised and lowered.

[0036] The support arm 250 shown in Figures 8 and 9 is a member for attaching the tail wheel 15 to the support portion 220. The support arm 250 is formed by appropriately bending a cylindrical member. Specifically, the support arm 250 is formed into a substantially U-shape in front view (rear view) by bending both ends of the cylindrical member toward the right. Hereinafter, the bent portions at both ends of the support arm 250 will be referred to as a first bent portion 250a and a second bent portion 250b, respectively.

[0037] An engagement plate 251 is provided in the middle of the first bent portion 250a (near the left end). The engagement plate 251 is formed in a plate shape with its thickness oriented left and right. The engagement plate 251 is fixed in a state where it is inserted into the first bent portion 250a. A plurality of (three) through holes 251a are formed in the engagement plate 251 on the same circumference with the first bent portion 250a as its center. The through holes 251a are formed on the same circumference as the engagement shafts 223 in a side view. The interval between adjacent through holes 251a is formed to be the same as the interval between the engagement shafts 223.

[0038] The first bent portion 250a of the support arm 250 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 222 of the support portion 220, and is thereby rotatably supported relative to the support portion 220. Furthermore, the engagement shafts 223 of the support portion 220 are inserted into two of the three through holes 251a formed in the engagement plate 251, thereby restricting the rotation of the support arm 250.

[0039] The tail wheel 15 is rotatably provided at the second bent portion 250b.

[0040] The first biasing portion 260 is a member for biasing the support arm 250. The first biasing portion 260 is formed of a compression coil spring. The first biasing portion 260 is disposed to the right of the cylindrical portion 222 in a state in which it is inserted into the first bent portion 250a of the support arm 250. The first biasing portion 260 is held in place by an appropriate locking member (such as a retaining ring) fixed to the first bent portion 250a so as not to fall off from the first bent portion 250a.

[0041] The support arm 250 can be constantly biased rightward by the first biasing portion 260. This makes it possible to maintain the engagement shaft 223 inserted into the through-hole 251a of the engagement plate 251.

[0042] The second urging portion 270 shown in Figures 2 and 5 is a member for maintaining the attachment position of the tail wheel 15 in the use position and the non-use position. In this embodiment, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the second urging portion 270 is not shown in Figures 3, 4, etc. In this embodiment, the second urging portion 270 is simply illustrated by a two-dot chain line in Figure 2, etc. The second urging portion 270 is formed by a tension coil spring. One end of the second urging portion 270 is engaged with the engaging portion 212 of the bracket 210. The other end of the second urging portion 270 is engaged with the connecting shaft portion 221 of the support portion 220.

[0043] By using the variable mechanism 200 configured as described above, the mounting position of the tail wheel 15 can be switched between an in-use position and a non-use position. This will be explained in detail below.

[0044] 2 shows the state in which the mounting position of the tail wheel 15 has been switched to the unused position. In this state, the first connecting part 230 and the second connecting part 240 are arranged to extend upward from the bracket 210. This positions the tail wheel 15 at a relatively high position (a position where it does not touch the ground).

[0045] In this state, the second biasing portion 270 is located above the rotation fulcrum (connecting shaft 241) of the second connecting portion 240 in a side view, and therefore the second connecting portion 240 is biased upward (counterclockwise in a side view) by the biasing force of the second biasing portion 270. The second connecting portion 240, which is biased upward, abuts against the vehicle body-side connecting shaft 231 on the right side of the bracket 210, thereby restricting its upward rotation (see FIG. 4). In this way, the biasing force of the second biasing portion 270 can hold the tail wheel 15 in the non-use position.

[0046] When switching the tail wheel 15 from the non-use position to the use position, the operator pushes the tail wheel 15, the support portion 220, etc. downward, which causes the first connecting portion 230 and the second connecting portion 240 to rotate downward against the biasing force of the second biasing portion 270.

[0047] As shown in Figure 10, when the first connecting portion 230 and the like rotate downward to a certain extent, the second biasing portion 270 is positioned below the rotation fulcrum (connecting shaft 241) of the second connecting portion 240 in a side view. In this state, the first connecting portion 230 and the second connecting portion 240 are biased downward (clockwise in a side view) by the biasing force of the second biasing portion 270. The downwardly biased first connecting portion 230 abuts against the use position restricting portion 211 on the left side of the bracket 210, thereby restricting its downward rotation. In this way, the biasing force of the second biasing portion 270 can hold the tail wheel 15 in the use position.

[0048] As shown in Figure 10, when the tail wheel 15 is switched to the use position, the tail wheel 15 is located in a relatively low position (a position where it can touch the ground). In this state, the tail wheel 15 can be used by touching the ground when traveling the walk-behind tiller 1. The operator can switch the position of the tail wheel 15 back to the non-use position by pushing the tail wheel 15 upward.

[0049] In this way, in this embodiment, the attachment position of tail wheel 15 can be easily changed by raising and lowering tail wheel 15 up and down using variable mechanism 200. Furthermore, when changing the attachment position of tail wheel 15, the tail wheel 15 simply moves up and down without any action that changes the attitude of tail wheel 15 (the orientation of the rotation axis (second bent portion 250b) of tail wheel 15). Therefore, there is no need to secure a large working space to change the attachment position of tail wheel 15. In this way, in this embodiment, the workability when changing the attachment position of tail wheel 15 can be improved.

[0050] In this embodiment, the support portion 220, the support arm 250, and the first biasing portion 260 constitute an adjustment mechanism that can adjust the position of the tail wheel 15. By using this adjustment mechanism, the position of the tail wheel 15 that has been switched to the use position can be further adjusted.

[0051] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9(c), the operator slides the support arm 250 to the left. This disengages the engagement plate 251 from the engagement shaft 223, allowing the support arm 250 to rotate. In this state, as shown in FIG. 9(d), the operator rotates the support arm 250 (engagement plate 251) clockwise in a side view, causing the engagement shaft 223 to engage with a through-hole 251a different from the through-hole 251a (see FIG. 9(b)) with which it was originally engaged. This makes it possible to restrict the rotation of the support arm 250 again.

[0052] By rotating the support arm 250 clockwise in a side view in this manner, the position of the tail wheel 15 switched to the use position can be adjusted further downward, as shown in Figure 11. In this way, the worker can further adjust the position of the tail wheel 15 switched to the use position depending on the type of work.

[0053] As described above, the walk-behind cultivator 1 according to this embodiment has the following features: Tail wheel 15 and A variable mechanism 200 is provided on the tillage cover 8b that covers the tillage tines 8a, and can switch between a use position in which the tail wheel 15 can be used and a non-use position in which the tail wheel cannot be used by raising and lowering the tail wheel 15 up and down; It is equipped with the following. This configuration improves the ease of operation when changing the mounting position of the tail wheel 15. Specifically, the mounting position of the tail wheel 15 can be changed by the simple action of raising and lowering the tail wheel 15. Furthermore, there is no need to secure a large working space when changing the mounting position of the tail wheel 15.

[0054] Moreover, the variable mechanism 200 is It is equipped with a four-bar link mechanism having a support part 220 that supports the tail wheel 15 and two connecting parts (a first connecting part 230 and a second connecting part 240) that connect the support part 220 to the tillage cover 8b so that it can be raised and lowered. By configuring in this way, the position of the tail wheel 15 can be switched with a simple configuration.

[0055] In addition, in the walking type cultivation machine 1 according to this embodiment, One of the two connecting portions (first connecting portion 230) is It is provided on the left side (one of the left and right sides) of the support part 14 (resistance rod support part) that supports the resistance rod 13, The other of the two connecting portions (second connecting portion 240) is It is provided on the right side (the other side of the left and right) of the support portion 14. With this configuration, the left and right positions of the connecting portions are different, which makes it possible to save space and to easily avoid interference with other components.

[0056] Moreover, the variable mechanism 200 is The tail wheel 15 is provided with a holding mechanism (second biasing portion 270) that holds the tail wheel 15 in the use position and the non-use position. By configuring in this way, it is possible to prevent the position of the tail wheel 15 from being unintentionally switched.

[0057] The holding mechanism includes: The tail wheel 15 is provided with a second biasing portion 270 (biasing portion) that biases the tail wheel 15 located in the use position to maintain it in the use position, and biases the tail wheel 15 located in the non-use position to maintain it in the non-use position. By configuring in this way, the tail wheel 15 can be held in a predetermined position with a simple configuration.

[0058] Moreover, the variable mechanism 200 is The tail wheel 15 is provided with an adjustment mechanism (support portion 220, support arm 250, and first biasing portion 260) that can adjust the position of the tail wheel 15 at the use position. By configuring it in this way, the position of the tail wheel 15 can be adjusted depending on the type of work being done, etc.

[0059] The first connecting portion 230 and the second connecting portion 240 according to this embodiment are one embodiment of the connecting portion. The support portion 14 according to this embodiment is one embodiment of a resistance rod support portion. The second biasing portion 270 according to this embodiment is an embodiment of a holding mechanism and a biasing portion. Furthermore, the support portion 220, the support arm 250, and the first biasing portion 260 according to this embodiment are one embodiment of the adjustment mechanism.

[0060] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above configuration, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims.

[0061] For example, the variable mechanism 200 may be any mechanism capable of raising and lowering the tail wheel 15 up and down, and the specific configuration thereof is not particularly limited.

[0062] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example has been shown in which the variable mechanism 200 is fixed to the support part 14 via the bracket 210, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to attach the variable mechanism 200 (the first connecting part 230 and the second connecting part 240) directly to the support part 14 without using the bracket 210. Furthermore, the variable mechanism 200 may be attached to another part of the tillage cover 8b instead of the support part 14.

[0063] In addition, in this embodiment, a configuration in which the tail wheel 15 is raised and lowered using a four-bar link mechanism has been exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the tail wheel 15 can be raised and lowered using various other configurations. For example, the tail wheel 15 can be raised and lowered using a slide mechanism, an extension mechanism, or the like.

[0064] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second biasing portion 270 is exemplified as a holding mechanism that holds the tail wheel 15 in the use position and the non-use position, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the tail wheel 15 can be held by various other configurations. For example, the position of the tail wheel 15 can be held by engaging an engaging member with the tail wheel 15, or the position of the tail wheel 15 can be held by using magnetic force.

[0065] In addition, in this embodiment, an example has been shown in which the position of the tail wheel 15 switched to the use position is adjusted by an adjustment mechanism, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to adjust the position of the tail wheel 15 in the non-use position, for example.

[0066] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example has been shown in which the position of the tail wheel 15 is adjusted in two stages (see FIGS. 10 and 11) by the adjustment mechanism, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the adjustable position of the tail wheel 15 can be set as desired. For example, the position of the tail wheel 15 may be adjustable in three or more stages. In this case, it is also possible to arbitrarily change the through holes 251a of the engagement plate 251 and the number of engagement shafts 223 that engage with the through holes 251a. Furthermore, the position of the tail wheel 15 may be continuously adjustable.

[0067] Furthermore, the adjustment mechanism (support portion 220, support arm 250, and first biasing portion 260) illustrated in this embodiment is merely an example, and the configuration of the adjustment mechanism can be changed as desired. For example, it is also possible to adjust the position of the tail wheel 15 using a slide mechanism, an extension mechanism, or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1. Walk-behind cultivator 8a Cultivating claw 8b Tillage cover 14 Support part 15 tail wheel 200 variable mechanism 220 Support part 230 First connection part 240 Second connection part 250 support arm 260 First biasing section 270 Second biasing section

Claims

1. The tail wheel and A variable mechanism is provided on a tillage cover that covers the tillage tines, and is capable of switching between a use position in which the tail wheel can be used and a non-use position in which the tail wheel cannot be used by raising and lowering the tail wheel; A walking-type cultivator equipped with the above.

2. The variable mechanism is A four-bar link mechanism is provided, the four-bar link mechanism having a support part that supports the tail wheel and two connecting parts that connect the support part to the tillage cover so that it can be raised and lowered. The walk-behind cultivator according to claim 1.

3. One of the two connecting portions is The resistor rod support portion is provided on one side of the resistor rod support portion, The other of the two connecting portions is Provided on the other left or right side of the resistance rod support portion, The walk-behind cultivator according to claim 2.

4. The variable mechanism is a retaining mechanism for retaining the tail wheel in the use position and the non-use position, The walk-behind cultivator according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The holding mechanism includes: a biasing portion that biases the tail wheel located at the use position to maintain it at the use position, and biases the tail wheel located at the non-use position to maintain it at the non-use position, The walk-behind cultivator according to claim 4.

6. The variable mechanism is an adjustment mechanism that can adjust the position of the tail wheel at the use position; The walk-behind cultivator according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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