Ride-type rice transplanter

Abstract

To provide a sulky type rice transplanter in which a travel machine body including front wheels and rear wheels is provided with a fertilization device that applies fertilizer to a seedling planting device and soil, to save labor in supply of fertilizer to a fertilizer tank of the fertilization device when fertilization work is performed according to seedling planting work, and makes fertilizer to be supplied to the fertilizer tank helpful in stabilization of posture when the travel machine body travels.SOLUTION: A sulky type rice transplanter is configured such that a drive device of a fertilization device 48 and a fertilizer tank are provided at a relatively high position near a rear step provided in a rear part of a travel machine body, supply tanks 66, 67 are provided at relatively low position near a front step provided in front of the fertilizer tanks 49, 50 and in a front part of the travel machine body, and fertilizer or water is stored in the supply tanks or the fertilizer or water stored in the supply tank can be supplied to the fertilizer tank in the rear by delivery means 69.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a riding type rice transplanter for planting rice seedlings in paddy fields, and more particularly to a riding type rice transplanter provided with a fertilizer application device for applying fertilizer to the soil together with a seedling planting device.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, a riding type rice transplanter is provided with a planting device at the rear part of a traveling machine body having left and right front wheels and rear wheels, and the planting device is used to plant rice seedlings in paddy fields. In addition, such a riding type rice transplanter is provided with a fertilizer application device on the traveling machine body in order to reduce the amount of fertilizer applied and the labor in the rice cultivation system, and the fertilizer application device can perform a fertilizer application operation simultaneously with the seedling planting operation. As the fertilizer application device, a paste fertilizer applicator for applying a highly viscous liquid paste fertilizer to the soil or a granular fertilizer applicator for applying solid granular fertilizer to the soil is used.

[0003] And when a paste fertilizer applicator or a granular fertilizer applicator is provided in such a riding type rice transplanter, since these fertilizer application devices have a certain weight, the fertilizer application device must be appropriately arranged on the traveling machine body while considering the front-rear balance and left-right balance of the machine body after mounting. Therefore, conventionally, a fertilizer tank that stores fertilizer and becomes a considerable weight is provided by distributing it to the left and right of the front part or the rear part of the traveling machine body, and a driving device such as a pump or a feeding device for sending fertilizer toward the fertilizer discharge port (nozzle) provided in the planting device is provided at the bottom of the traveling machine body or the fertilizer tank (see Patent Document 1).

[0004] When replenishing the fertilizer in the fertilizer tank provided in the traveling machine body, the operator brings the fertilizer contained in a fertilizer bag or the like into the traveling machine body, and then lifts this fertilizer bag to the supply port of the fertilizer tank to supply the fertilizer. Therefore, this fertilizer replenishment work becomes heavy labor. Therefore, it has been proposed to provide a fertilizer replenishment pump on the traveling machine body and drive this fertilizer replenishment pump to replenish the fertilizer tank with fertilizer through a hose (see Patent Document 2).

[0005] In addition, in a fertilizer applicator that performs two types of fertilization, namely, for side strips and deep layers, an auxiliary tank is provided on the traveling machine body, and fertilizer is appropriately supplied from this auxiliary tank to each fertilization path, thereby reducing the number of fertilizer replenishment operations. Alternatively, a pump is provided to supply the fertilizer in the side strip fertilization path to the deep layer fertilization path, or conversely, to supply the fertilizer in the deep layer fertilization path to the side strip fertilization path, thereby reducing the number of fertilizer replenishment operations (see Patent Document 3).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] As described above, when a fertilizer application device is provided on a riding type rice transplanter, fertilizer can be effectively applied to the soil near the seedlings planted at the same time as the seedlings are planted, and it is possible to increase the yield while reducing the amount of fertilizer applied. In addition, the labor can be reduced compared to the case of performing the fertilizer application work alone. However, when planting seedlings and applying fertilizer at the same time in this way, when the seedlings and fertilizer on the traveling machine body side run out during the work travel, the work must be interrupted each time, and these seedlings and fertilizer must be replenished, and the operator will be forced to do heavy labor again.

[0008] Therefore, in order to reduce such labor and improve work efficiency, for example, in the case of seedling replenishment work, measures are taken such as increasing the number of seedling placement positions on the spare seedling platform provided at the front of the traveling body, or providing a sliding-type spare seedling platform to facilitate the replenishment work of spare seedlings from the edge of the ridge. However, in terms of fertilizer replenishment work, although improvements have been made in terms of increasing the size of the fertilizer tank and reducing the number of replenishments by increasing the capacity, further labor reduction is still required.

[0009] Now, the riding type rice transplanter raises the ground clearance to enable working travel in deep fields, so the center of gravity inevitably becomes high. Also, in order to reduce the number of planting rounds on the headland at the end of the planting work, it is necessary to make the overall length of the traveling body as short as possible. Therefore, consideration is required especially in terms of the front-rear balance of the traveling body. That is, when the front wheels climb onto a ridge or the like during the escape from the paddy field or crossing a ridge after the planting work, and the rear balance occurs, the front wheels are likely to lift off and the rear wheels will run, resulting in problems such as the attitude of the traveling body becoming unstable and difficult to escape.

[0010] On the other hand, if the traveling body is pre-balanced to the front using a balance weight or the like, the above-mentioned problems will be solved. However, in this case, for example, when the operator tries to suddenly brake and stop while the traveling body is running at a relatively high speed, due to the reaction, the front will dip and the rear wheels will lift off, making the traveling body unstable, and in the worst case, there is a risk of falling. Therefore, the balance weight provided to stabilize the attitude of the traveling body may, conversely, act on the side of disrupting the balance of the traveling body, and it is also desired to solve the problem in this regard.

[0011] Therefore, in view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a riding type rice transplanter provided with a seedling planting device and a fertilizer application device for applying fertilizer to the soil on a traveling body equipped with front wheels and rear wheels. When performing a fertilizer application work in accordance with the seedling planting work, it is an object of the present invention to achieve labor saving in replenishing fertilizer to the fertilizer tank of this fertilizer application device and to be able to utilize the fertilizer to be replenished to the fertilizer tank to contribute to the stability of the attitude when the traveling body is running.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0012] In order to solve the above problems, the riding type rice transplanter of the present invention is a riding type rice transplanter provided with a seedling planting device and a fertilizer application device for applying fertilizer to the soil on a traveling machine body having front wheels and rear wheels. A drive device for the fertilizer application device and a fertilizer tank are provided at a relatively high position near the rear step provided at the rear part of the traveling machine body. A replenishment tank is provided at a relatively low position near the front step provided at the front part of the traveling machine body in front of this fertilizer tank. Further, the replenishment tank is configured to store fertilizer or water, or the fertilizer or water stored in the replenishment tank can be supplied to the rear fertilizer tank by a delivery means. Moreover, the fertilizer or water stored in the fertilizer tank can be reversely transferred to the forward supply tank by the transfer means To do.

[0013] Also, The riding type rice transplanter of the present invention is configured by an electric replenishment pump provided in a flow path connecting the replenishment tank and the fertilizer tank as the delivery means. Furthermore, The riding type rice transplanter of the present invention is configured by an electric replenishment pump or a stop valve provided in a flow path connecting the fertilizer tank and the replenishment tank as the transfer means.

Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the riding type rice transplanter of the present invention, in a riding type rice transplanter provided with a seedling planting device and a fertilizer application device for applying fertilizer to the soil of a paddy field on a traveling machine body having front wheels and rear wheels, a drive device for the fertilizer application device and a fertilizer tank are provided at a relatively high position near the rear step provided at the rear part of the traveling machine body. A replenishment tank is provided at a relatively low position near the front step provided at the front part of the traveling machine body in front of this fertilizer tank. Further, the replenishment tank is configured to store fertilizer or water, or the fertilizer or water stored in the replenishment tank can be supplied to the rear fertilizer tank by a delivery means. Therefore, fertilizer can be effectively applied to the soil of the paddy field simultaneously with the planting of seedlings.

[0015] And in this case, since the drive device of the fertilizer applicator and the fertilizer tank are provided at a relatively high position near the rear step provided at the rear of the traveling body, unlike the case where the drive device was provided at a low position of the traveling body close to the field surface, the drive device can move to a high position at the rear of the traveling body close to the planting device, escaping from the environment where it is exposed to muddy water splashed by wheels or the like. Therefore, the maintainability of the fertilizer pump or the fertilizer feeding device as the drive device and its power transmission device is improved, and the occurrence of rust and failures can be reduced, improving durability.

[0016] Also, a replenishment tank is provided at a relatively low position near the front step provided at the front of the traveling body, instead of the fertilizer tank that was provided previously. So, when supplying fertilizer to the fertilizer tank and the replenishment tank before starting the planting and fertilizing operation, as before, lift the fertilizer bag from the edge of the ridge to the front of the traveling body, and then put the fertilizer stored in the fertilizer bag into the replenishment tank. Also, the fertilizer put into the replenishment tank can be supplied to the fertilizer tank by the feeding means without much effort.

[0017] Furthermore, when the fertilizer stored in the fertilizer tank decreases as the planting and fertilizing operation progresses, the fertilizer stored in the replenishment tank can be replenished to the fertilizer tank by the feeding means with almost no interruption of the planting and fertilizing operation. Therefore, in such a fertilizer replenishment operation, the operator does not need to lift and carry a heavy fertilizer bag to the fertilizer tank provided at the rear of the traveling body, so the fertilizer replenishment operation can be easily performed without burdening the operator, and moreover, the number of times of fertilizer supply from the edge of the ridge can be reduced to improve work efficiency.

[0018] On the one hand, when the traveling machine body travels relatively fast on an agricultural road for moving to a paddy field for transplanting, after previously charging fertilizer or water into the supply tank and then transferring the fertilizer or water to the fertilizer tank by the transfer means, the traveling machine body can change its rear balance according to the weight of this fertilizer or water. Therefore, even when an operator tries to suddenly brake and stop during traveling, the traveling machine body can be safely stopped by suppressing the behavior of tipping forward due to the front balance.

[0019] Also, when finishing the transplanting and fertilizing operation and escaping from the paddy field or when crossing a ridge to go to an adjacent paddy field, if fertilizer or water is previously charged into the supply tank, the traveling machine body can change the front balance of the traveling machine body according to the weight of this fertilizer or water. Therefore, even if the front wheels ride over a ridge or the like and the traveling machine body tilts, it is possible to prevent the front wheels from lifting up and the traveling becoming rear-wheel traveling, so that such ridge crossing and escaping from the paddy field can be safely performed.

[0020] Moreover, according to the riding-type transplanter of the present invention, the fertilizer or water stored in the fertilizer tank can be reversely returned to the front supply tank by the transfer means. Therefore, when finishing the transplanting and fertilizing operation and escaping from the paddy field or when crossing a ridge to go to an adjacent paddy field, if there is still a considerable amount of fertilizer or water remaining in the fertilizer tank, instead of charging the fertilizer or water from the ridge edge into the supply tank, this fertilizer or water is reversely returned to the supply tank by the transfer means.

[0021] Therefore, the weight of the fertilizer or water stored in the fertilizer tank at the rear of the traveling machine body will decrease, and conversely, the weight of the fertilizer or water stored in the supply tank at the front of the traveling machine body will increase. Thus, the traveling machine body can be effectively changed to the front balance, and the ridge crossing and escaping from the paddy field can be safely performed.

[0022] Furthermore, according to the riding rice transplanter of the present invention, the sending means is constituted by an electric supply pump provided in the flow path connecting the supply tank and the fertilizer tank. Therefore, it is possible to operate the supply pump from a battery power source without providing a new power transmission device or the like on the traveling body side for driving the supply pump from the engine power, and it can be installed on the traveling body relatively simply and inexpensively. In addition, since this electric supply pump is a self-priming type and is used in a suction form, it can be installed at a relatively high position on the traveling body away from the environment where it is exposed to muddy water splashed by the wheels, etc.

[0023] According to the riding rice transplanter of the present invention, the transfer means is configured by an electric supply pump or a stop valve provided in the flow path connecting the fertilizer tank and the supply tank. Therefore, an electric supply pump can be provided to serve both as the sending means and the transfer means, which is less expensive and requires less installation space than providing separate pumps for the sending means and the transfer means. Also, if the transfer means is configured to flow fertilizer or water down and return it when the stop valve is opened, the transfer means can be configured at a much lower cost than providing a supply pump or the like. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

[0025] A mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a riding type rice transplanter 1 is connected in a rollable manner to a planting device 6 as a working device via a link mechanism 5 at the rear part of a traveling machine body 4 having left and right front wheels 2 and rear wheels 3. And this planting device 6 is provided so as to be freely elevable between a working posture lowered by a hydraulic cylinder 7 attached across the rear part of the traveling machine body 4 and the rear part of the link mechanism 5 and a non-working posture raised.

[0026] Note that, between the rear wheel 3 and the planting device 6, a leveling rotor 8 for leveling the ridged paddy field roughened by the turning of the traveling machine body 4 is provided, and this leveling rotor 8 is provided so as to be elevated and lowered together with the planting device 6. On the other hand, the traveling machine body 4 is integrally configured by attaching a transmission case 10, left and right front axle cases 11, a rear axle case 12, etc. to a chassis frame 9 configured by fixing a plurality of cross members to left and right side members.

[0027] Also, an engine frame is attached near the front part of the transmission case 10, and an engine 13 is mounted on this engine frame. Further, a torque generator constituting a power steering device is attached to the upper surface of the transmission case 10 attached to the chassis frame 9 behind the engine 13. And a steering shaft 14 extending upward and a steering column 15 enclosing this steering shaft 14 are erected on this torque generator. Also, a steering handle 16 for steering the front wheel 2 is attached to the upper end part of the steering shaft 14.

[0028] On one side, a bracket is fixed to the middle part of the aforementioned steering column 15, and the main shift lever 17, the sub-shift lever 18, and the engine control lever 19 are rotatably attached to the left and right sides of this bracket. A panel cover 22 that covers the base sides of these and is provided with a quick-up lever 20 and a monitor panel 21 is provided. Also, a rear cover 24 for attaching a starter switch 23 and the like is provided below the panel cover 22, and a bonnet 25 that is provided with a headlight and covers the engine 13 except for the rear side and the lower side is provided on the front side of the panel cover 22 and the rear cover 24.

[0029] Furthermore, a front step 26 and a rear step 27 made of synthetic resin are provided on the chassis frame 9. Among these, the front step 26 includes left and right front step portions 26a that are on the left and right sides of the bonnet 25, and a floor step portion 26b that is subsequent to this and is behind the rear cover 24. On the other hand, the rear step 27 rises stepwise from near the rear part of the floor step portion 26b and is attached to a seat frame provided at the rear part of the chassis frame 9.

[0030] And, a driver's seat 28 is provided at the upper center of this rear step 27, and rear side step portions 27a are provided on the left and right of the driver's seat 28. An opening for passing a crotch adjustment lever is provided near the front center of the floor step portion 26b, and an opening for passing a brake pedal 29 is provided near the front right. Note that 30 is an extension step provided on the left and right of the floor step portion 26b, and a fuel tank for the engine 13 is provided below the right extension step 30 and the right rear side step portion 27a.

[0031] Here, the power transmission system of the riding type rice transplanter 1 will be briefly described. The engine 13 drives an HST (hydrostatic continuously variable transmission: main transmission) attached to the transmission case 10 via a transmission belt. Also, the power transmitted from the HST into the transmission case 10 is transmitted to the left and right front axle cases 11 and the drive shafts provided in the kingpin cases via a sub-transmission constituted by a gear transmission provided in the transmission case 10 and a differential gear device of the front wheels 2, thereby driving the left and right front wheels 2. Further, the rear wheels 3 are driven via left and right wet disk type side clutches provided in the rear axle case 12 from the sub-transmission.

[0032] Note that a disk brake is provided on the drive shaft that transmits power from the sub-transmission to the left and right side clutches. When the aforementioned brake pedal 29 is depressed, the main transmission lever 17 returns to the neutral position and the HST becomes neutral. Also, the disk brake operates and four-wheel brakes are applied to the front wheels 2 and the rear wheels 3. Further, when the steering handle 16 is turned more than a predetermined amount when turning the rice transplanter 1 on the ground, the side clutch on the turning side is disengaged and the rear wheel 3 on that side becomes free to rotate.

[0033] Also, the transmission to the planting device 6 drives a second inter-row transmission provided in the gear case via a first inter-row transmission, a torque limiter, and a planting clutch provided in the transmission case 10. Then, the planting input shaft provided in the drive case of the planting device 6 is driven from the second inter-row transmission via the drive shaft 31. Note that the tilling rotor 8 is driven by a drive shaft provided in the rotor drive case 33 via a rotor clutch and a rotor drive shaft 32 with power branched from between the disk brake of the traveling system and the left and right side clutches.

[0034] Here, the structure of the planting device 6 will be briefly described. This planting device 6 is an eight-row planter and includes a planting frame that is rollably connected to the rear part of the traveling machine body 4. The planting frame is provided with a seedling placing table 34 that is inclined with the front high and the rear low and on which a plurality of mat seedlings are placed, a rotary planting mechanism 36 that scrapes seedlings one by one from the lower end of the seedling placing table 34 by planting claws 35 and plants them on the field surface, a float 37 that levels the planting location while leveling the traveling track and turning track, and the like.

[0035] Then, the power that has entered the aforementioned drive case rotates the screw shaft to move the seedling placing table 34 in a left-right reciprocating sliding motion. Also, the power that has entered the drive case transmits the power to the planter case 38 that constitutes the rotary planting mechanism 36 to rotationally drive the rotary case 39. Further, the planting claws 35 attached to the planter arms 40 attached to the rotary case 39 scrape seedlings one by one from the lower end of the seedling placing table 34 and extrude the scraped seedlings with a fork to plant the seedlings on the field surface.

[0036] Incidentally, the left and right markers 41 that mark the working travel in the next process on the field surface are rotatably attached to the tip of a support rod 42 whose base is rotatably supported on the planting frame of the planting device 6. By the marker drive motor 43 operating the support rod 42, the marker 41 can be switched between an operating position where it touches the field surface for marking and a non-operating position where it retracts above the planting device 6. Also, a center pole 44 is provided rotatably in the front-rear direction at the front part of the chassis frame 9, and trace markers 45 are provided on the left and right of the chassis frame 9.

[0037] In addition, the riding type rice transplanter 1 is provided with a slide-type spare seedling table 46 that supplies mat seedlings to the seedling placing table 34 of the planting device 6 by placing a seedling box containing mat seedlings on a roller that is rotatably provided thereon and sliding it from the front to the rear of the traveling machine body 4. Incidentally, this spare seedling table 46 is foldably provided at the upper part of a mounting frame 47 that is erected on the outer side beyond the front step parts 26a provided on the left and right at the front part of the traveling machine body 4.

[0038] Therefore, when replenishing seedlings from a rural road or the like, after deploying the front and rear seedling trays 46b and 46c with respect to the central seedling tray 46a, if the seedlings to be replenished are supplied from the rural road or the like to the tip of the seedling tray 46b, they can be moved along the downwardly inclined conveying surface to near the seedling mounting table 34, and the seedling replenishment can be performed easily. Further, when performing the planting operation while stocking the seedlings on the slide-type spare seedling tray 46, the stocked seedlings can be replenished to the seedling mounting table 34 during the operation.

[0039] As described above, the outline of the riding type rice transplanter 1 has been explained. Next, the fertilizer applicator provided on the traveling machine body 4 together with the planting device 6 will be explained. As shown in FIG. 5, this fertilizer applicator uses a two-stage paste fertilizer applicator 48 that applies a highly viscous liquid paste fertilizer to the shallow and deep soil near the planted seedlings. And this paste fertilizer applicator 48 is provided with left and right fertilizer tanks 49, 50 for storing the paste fertilizer behind the driver's seat 28, and these fertilizer tanks 49, 50 are arranged side by side on the fertilizer frame 51 provided at the rear of the traveling machine body 4 with their longitudinal directions being the left-right direction.

[0040] Also, at the lower part of the fertilizer frame 51 below the left and right fertilizer tanks 49, 50, there are a fertilizer clutch that intermittently transmits the power transmitted from the PTO shaft of the front transmission case 10 to the fertilizer applicator 48 via a transmission shaft, a gear transmission device for changing the fertilizer application amount, and a drive device 53 including drive parts such as a sprocket, a chain, or a gear for driving the fertilizer pump 52 of the fertilizer applicator 48 from the output shaft of the gear transmission device, which is covered and provided by a cover or the like.

[0041] Therefore, since this drive device 53 is provided at a relatively high position at the rear of the traveling machine body 4 behind the rear side step portion 27a, it can be provided in a place that is shielded from the environment of being splashed with muddy water or the like by the front wheels 2, the rear wheels 3, etc., and it also has excellent maintainability. Note that the fertilizer pump 52 of the fertilizer applicator 48 uses a positive displacement screw pump in order to accurately discharge the paste fertilizer based on the determined fertilizer application amount. This screw pump is provided as three pump assemblies 54 to 56 grouped into four in a case, together with the drive device 53 of the fertilizer applicator 48, below the left and right fertilizer tanks 49, 50.

[0042] Furthermore, the paste fertilizer applicator 48 is provided with eight nozzles 57 for shallow layer for injecting the paste fertilizer into the soil and four nozzles 58 for deep layer on the float 37 of the planting device 6 so that the depth can be adjusted. Also, the discharge ports provided at the bottoms of the left and right fertilizer tanks 49 and 50 and the suction ports of the left and right shallow layer pump assemblies 54 and 56 are communicated with each other by hoses 59 and 60, and the two suction ports of the deep layer pump assembly 55 are also communicated with the discharge ports of the left and right fertilizer tanks 49 and 50 by hoses 61 and 62 branched from the middle of the hoses 59 and 60.

[0043] Then, the four pump discharge ports of each of the left and right shallow layer pump assemblies 54 and 56 and the base ends of the eight nozzles 57 for shallow layer are connected by respective pipes 63, and the four pump discharge ports of the deep layer pump assembly 55 and the base ends of the four nozzles 58 for deep layer are connected by respective pipes 64. Therefore, when performing the fertilization operation on the soil in combination with the seedling planting operation, when the planting clutch is engaged by operating the quick-up lever 20 provided at the control section, the fertilization clutch is also engaged in conjunction, and the pump assemblies 54 to 56 are driven by the drive device 53 of the fertilizer applicator 48.

[0044] Also, when each of the fertilizer pumps 52 of the pump assemblies 54 to 56 is driven, the paste fertilizer stored in the fertilizer tanks 49 and 50 is sucked through the suction flow path formed by the hoses 59 to 62, and the paste fertilizer pumped into the discharge flow path formed by the pipes 63 and 64 is injected into the soil near the seedlings planted from the tips of the nozzles 57 and 58. And in this case, since the pump assemblies 54 to 56 are driven by the power taken out from the traveling system shifted by the main speed change lever 17, the paste fertilizer can be applied to the soil in proportion to the vehicle speed without excess or deficiency.

[0045] The above is the outline of the paste fertilizer applicator 48. Next, an explanation will be given of a fertilizer replenishing device newly provided in such a paste fertilizer applicator 48. The left and right replenishing tanks 66 and 67 are provided on a mounting frame 65 erected on the outside beyond the front step portions 26a provided on the left and right of the front portion of the traveling body 4 so as to overlap below the slide-type spare seedling table 46 with their longitudinal directions being the front-rear direction. Further, a replenishing pump 69 integrally provided with an electric motor is provided in a lower cover 68 covering a seat frame for mounting the driver's seat 28.

[0046] Note that this replenishing pump 69 is a positive and negative rotation-capable positive displacement pump. For example, a flexible impeller type self-priming pump (monoflex pump) is adopted. Further, the discharge ports provided at the bottoms of the left and right replenishing tanks 66 and 67 and the suction port that becomes the suction side when the replenishing pump 69 is driven in the forward rotation direction are communicated by a hose 70. Furthermore, the discharge port that becomes the discharge side when the replenishing pump 69 is driven in the forward rotation direction and the discharge ports provided at the bottoms of the left and right fertilizer tanks 49 and 50 are communicated by a hose 71. Then, the base end portion of a drain hose 73 provided with a stop valve 72 near the discharge port that is the tip end portion thereof is branched and communicated to the middle of the above-described two hoses 70 and 71.

[0047] On the other hand, fertilizer supply ports 49a, 50a, 66a, and 67 capable of supplying paste fertilizer are formed on the upper surfaces of the above-described fertilizer tanks 49 and 50 and the replenishing tanks 66 and 67, and lids 49b, 50b, 66b, and 67 for closing these supply ports 49a, 50a, 66a, and 67 are provided. Therefore, when supplying (replenishing) paste fertilizer to the fertilizer tanks 49 and 50 provided at a relatively high position at the rear portion of the traveling body 4, for example, an operator standing on the front step portion 26a at the front portion of the traveling body 4 receives a fertilizer bag filled with paste fertilizer from an assistant standing at the edge of the ridge, and carries this to the rear side step portion 27a at the rear portion of the traveling body 4.

[0048] Then, with the lids 49b and 50b of the fertilizer tanks 49 and 50 opened, the outlet of the fertilizer bag with the cap removed is faced towards the fertilizer supply ports 49a and 50a of the fertilizer tanks 49 and 50, and the paste fertilizer contained in the fertilizer bag is allowed to flow out from the outlet into the fertilizer tanks 49 and 50 for charging. However, the work of replenishing the fertilizer into such fertilizer tanks 49 and 50 is laborious for the operator because the fertilizer bag is made of a flexible material such as vinyl and is difficult to carry, and the frequent transportation of the fertilizer bag containing the paste fertilizer with a considerable weight is heavy labor for the operator.

[0049] Therefore, the method of replenishing the paste fertilizer into the new fertilizer tanks 49 and 50, which is an alternative to the above-described replenishing method, is the same until the operator stands on the front step portion 26a at the front of the traveling machine body 4 and receives the fertilizer bag from the assistant. Next, however, the operator faces the outlet of the fertilizer bag with the cap removed towards the fertilizer supply ports 66a and 67a of the replenishment tanks 66 and 67 provided at a relatively low position of the nearby traveling machine body 4, and allows the paste fertilizer contained in the fertilizer bag to flow out from the outlet into the replenishment tanks 66 and 67 for charging. Also, this operation is repeated several times to fill the replenishment tanks 66 and 67.

[0050] Then, when the operation switch 74 provided on the panel cover 22 of the control unit is tilted forward, the replenishment pump 69 is driven to rotate forward by the battery power supply, and the paste fertilizer stored in the replenishment tanks 66 and 67 is pressure-fed (sent out) to the fertilizer tanks 49 and 50. Also, thereby, when the fertilizer tanks 49 and 50 are full, the remaining amount level gauge provided on the fertilizer tanks 49 and 50 issues a full-tank alarm, or the full-tank display of the fertilizer remaining amount monitor of the fertilizer tanks 49 and 50 provided on the monitor panel 21 is confirmed, and the operation of the operation switch 74 is stopped to stop the pressure-feeding of the fertilizer to the fertilizer tanks 49 and 50.

[0051] Furthermore, when the fertilizer tanks 49 and 50 are filled to capacity by the above operations, the supply tanks 66 and 67 will be emptied. Therefore, the operator should continue the supply operation of the paste fertilizer to the supply tanks 66 and 67. Thus, when the remaining amount of fertilizer in the fertilizer tanks 49 and 50 decreases during the subsequent planting and fertilizing operation, the operation switch 74 can be operated in the same manner to supply the fertilizer stored in the supply tanks 66 and 67 to the fertilizer tanks 49 and 50. As a result, the planting and fertilizing operation can be efficiently continued with little interruption, and the number of times of the series of fertilizer replenishment operations from the edge of the ridge can be reduced.

[0052] Note that since the supply pump 69 used here is a self-priming pump, even if it is provided inside the lower cover 68 that covers the seat frame at a position higher than the supply tanks 66 and 67, the paste fertilizer can be sucked up without much effort and sent to the fertilizer tanks 49 and 50 at a higher position. Therefore, the electric supply pump 69 can be provided at a relatively high position of the traveling machine body 4 away from the environment where it is exposed to muddy water splashed by wheels or the like, and the failure of the supply pump 69 itself can be reduced.

[0053] Also, since the supply pump 69 employs a flexible impeller type pump, even if the drive of the supply pump 69 is stopped, the fertilizer will not flow down from the fertilizer tanks 49 and 50 at a high position to the supply tanks 66 and 67 at a low position. For example, it is not necessary to provide a backflow prevention means such as a check valve in the discharge flow path of the supply pump 69, so the device can be installed at low cost.

[0054] Furthermore, when recovering the fertilizer remaining in the fertilizer tanks 49 and 50 and the supply tanks 66 and 67 after the planting and fertilizing operation, the discharge port at the tip of the drain hose 73 can be placed in an empty fertilizer bag or facing a bucket, and by opening the stop valve 72, the fertilizer can be discharged and recovered at once. Also, when cleaning the fertilizer application device, after water such as from a water supply channel is poured into the supply tanks 66 and 67 using a bucket or the like, and the supply pump 69 is operated in the same manner, the cleaning water can be supplied to the fertilizer tanks 49 and 50 without much effort, and the inside of the tanks can be cleaned using this.

[0055] The above described the new method for replenishing fertilizers. Next, a method for stabilizing the traveling attitude of the traveling machine body 4 using this replenishing device will be described. First, in order to drive the riding type rice transplanter 1 and move to a paddy field for rice planting, when shifting to the road speed by the sub-shift lever 18 and traveling on the farm road at a relatively high speed, after previously charging the paste fertilizer or water into the replenishing tanks 66 and 67, the replenishing pump 69 is operated in the same manner as the fertilizer replenishing operation for the normal fertilizer tanks 49 and 50 to transfer the paste fertilizer or water to the fertilizer tanks 49 and 50.

[0056] And when the paste fertilizer or water is stored in the fertilizer tanks 49 and 50 in this way, the traveling machine body 4 can change the traveling machine body 4 to the rear balance by the weight of this fertilizer or water (see Fig. 4(a)). Therefore, even when the operator tries to suddenly stop by stepping on the brake pedal 29 during traveling, the behavior such as the front end dipping and the rear wheels 3 lifting up as in the case where the traveling machine body 4 was in the front balance can be suppressed, and the riding type rice transplanter 1 can be safely stopped.

[0057] Also, when finishing the planting and fertilizing work and escaping from the paddy field, or when crossing a ridge or the like to move to an adjacent paddy field, the paste fertilizer or water is previously charged into the replenishing tanks 66 and 67 (see Fig. 4(b)). And when the paste fertilizer or water is stored in the replenishing tanks 66 and 67 in this way, the traveling machine body 4 can change the traveling machine body 4 to the front balance by the weight of this fertilizer or water. Therefore, even when the front wheels 2 ride over a ridge or the like and the traveling machine body 4 tilts, it is possible to prevent the front wheels 2 from lifting up and the rear wheels from traveling (see Fig. 4), so that such ridge crossing and escaping from the paddy field can be safely performed.

[0058] In this case, if there is still paste fertilizer or water remaining in the fertilizer tanks 49 and 50, it is more advantageous to transfer this fertilizer or water to the replenishment tanks 66 and 67 in advance when changing the front balance of the traveling body 4. Therefore, in this case, the operation switch 74 provided on the panel cover 22 of the control unit is tilted backward, and the replenishment pump 69 is driven to rotate reversely by the battery power supply to reverse the paste fertilizer or water remaining in the fertilizer tanks 49 and 50 to the replenishment tanks 66 and 67. Also, if there is still not enough paste fertilizer or water in the replenishment tanks 66 and 67 even after the reverse transfer, the operator can add it later himself.

[0059] Furthermore, when traveling on a slope at the entrance or exit of a paddy field and the road surface is rough, if there is a risk that the traveling body 4 may tilt to the valley side or the like and roll over, it is easier to prevent rolling by shifting the center of gravity of the traveling body 4 to the mountain side or the like. Therefore, in the fertilizer replenishment device, stop valves 75 to 78 are provided in the middle of the hoses 71a and 70a that connect the left and right fertilizer tanks 49 and 50 and the left and right replenishment tanks 66 and 67, respectively.

[0060] Normally, by opening all of these stop valves 75 to 78, the remaining amounts of fertilizer in the left and right tanks 49, 50, 66, and 67 are made equal, and the left and right balance of the traveling body 4 is made unbiased. However, for example, when the traveling body 4 tilts to the right side, the risk of rolling can be reduced by moving the center of gravity to the opposite left side. In this case, the amount of fertilizer or water stored in the fertilizer tank 49 and the replenishment tank 66 provided on the left side may be made more than the amount of fertilizer or water stored in the fertilizer tank 50 and the replenishment tank 67 provided on the right side.

[0061] Therefore, before entering the slope, for example, operate the supply pump 69 to transfer the paste fertilizer or water stored in the left and right supply tanks 66 and 67 to the left and right fertilizer tanks 49 and 50. Next, close the stop valve 75 provided on the left fertilizer tank 49 side and the stop valve 78 provided on the right supply tank 67 side. Then, if the supply pump 69 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction to transfer the paste fertilizer or water stored in the right fertilizer tank 50 to the left supply tank 66, the center of gravity of the traveling body 4 can be moved to the left, and then, when entering the slope and traveling, the risk of tipping can be reduced.

[0062] As described above, in the fertilizer supply device, the supply pump 69 is driven to rotate forward as the delivery means for supplying the fertilizer or water stored in the supply tanks 66 and 67 to the fertilizer tanks 49 and 50, and the supply pump 69 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction as the transfer means for returning the fertilizer or water stored in the fertilizer tanks 49 and 50 to the supply tanks 66 and 67. Next, a second embodiment in which these delivery means and transfer means are changed will be described.

[0063] That is, in the piping system diagram shown in FIG. 6, the supply pump 79 used as the delivery means for supplying the fertilizer or water stored in the supply tanks 66 and 67 to the fertilizer tanks 49 and 50 uses a self-priming pump similar to the supply pump 69 shown in the first embodiment, but it does not have to be a pump that can rotate in both forward and reverse directions or a positive displacement pump. An inexpensive non-positive displacement electric pump with a relatively large liquid delivery volume is desirable. Also, even if the supply pump 79 cannot prevent the backflow of the fluid by itself when its operation is stopped, the other end of the hose 80 connected to the discharge port of the supply pump 79 is provided in communication with the upper space of the fertilizer tanks 49 and 50 so that there is no problem.

[0064] On one hand, as a transfer means for returning the fertilizer or water stored in the fertilizer tanks 49 and 50 to the supply tanks 66 and 67, a hose 81 is provided to connect the discharge port provided at the bottom of the fertilizer tanks 49 and 50 and the discharge port provided at the bottom or upper part of the supply tanks 66 and 67, etc. A stop valve 82 is provided in the return flow path of the fertilizer or water constituted by this hose 81. Therefore, when the supply pump 79 is operated using the operation switch 74 as in the first embodiment, the fertilizer or water stored in the supply tanks 66 and 67 can be pumped to the fertilizer tanks 49 and 50 through the supply flow path constituted by the hose 80 (see Fig. 6(a)).

[0065] Also, when returning the fertilizer or water stored in the fertilizer tanks 49 and 50 to the supply tanks 66 and 67, when the stop valve 82 whose operating tool faces the floor step portion 26b etc. is operated to open the return flow path, the fertilizer or water stored in the fertilizer tanks 49 and 50 can flow down to the supply tanks 66 and 67 and return (see Fig. 6(b)). If this stop valve 82 is changed to an electromagnetic valve, the operation of the supply pump 79 and the opening and closing of the stop valve 82 can be electrically remotely controlled by the operation switch 74.

[0066] As described above, the fertilizer supply device of the second embodiment has been explained. However, instead of the electric type driven by an electric motor for the aforementioned supply pumps 69 and 79, it may be mechanically driven by the power of the engine 13. In that case, for the supply pump 69 of the first embodiment, a speed change device that enables forward and reverse rotation switching needs to be provided to cope with it. Also, when controlling the left - right balance of the aforementioned traveling body 4 in the fertilizer supply device, after changing each stop valve 75 - 78 to an electromagnetic valve, the procedure of left - right center of gravity movement may be programmed and automatically performed based on the command of the operation switch.

[0067] Furthermore, the replenishment of fertilizer to the fertilizer tanks 49 and 50 may be automatically controlled by operating the replenishment pumps 69 and 79 when the remaining amount of fertilizer in the fertilizer tank decreases as indicated by the level gauge, or the movement of fertilizer or water for stabilizing the posture of the traveling machine body 4 in the front-rear balance or left-right balance may also be automatically controlled using an inclination sensor that detects the pitching or rolling of the traveling machine body 4 and a pickup sensor that detects the vehicle speed.

[0068] In the embodiment, a fertilizer application device using a paste fertilizer applicator has been described. However, in the case of a granular fertilizer applicator that applies granular fertilizer stored in a fertilizer tank to the soil by a feeding device provided below the fertilizer tank, it is naturally conceivable to supply the granular fertilizer from a supply tank provided at the front of the traveling machine body to a fertilizer tank provided at the rear of the traveling machine body using similar means. The present invention should not necessarily be construed as being limited to the foregoing embodiments.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0069] 1 Riding type rice transplanter 4 Traveling machine body 6 Planting device 26a Front step part (front step) 27a Rear side step part (rear step) 48 Paste fertilizer applicator (fertilizer application device) 49 Left fertilizer tank 50 Right fertilizer tank 53 Driving device 66 Left supply tank 67 Right supply tank 69 Fertilizer pump (delivery means, transfer means)

Claims

**Claim 1** In a riding type rice transplanter provided with a seedling planting device and a fertilizer application device for applying fertilizer to the soil on a traveling body equipped with front wheels and rear wheels, a drive device for the fertilizer application device and a fertilizer tank are provided at a relatively high position near the rear step provided at the rear of the traveling body, and a supply tank is provided at a relatively low position near the front step provided at the front of the traveling body in front of this fertilizer tank. Further, the supply tank is configured to store fertilizer or water, or the fertilizer or water stored in the supply tank can be supplied to the rear fertilizer tank by a delivery means. Furthermore, the riding type rice transplanter is configured such that the fertilizer or water stored in the fertilizer tank can be reversely returned to the front supply tank by a transfer means. **Claim 2** The riding type rice transplanter according to claim 1, wherein the delivery means is constituted by an electric supply pump provided in a flow path connecting the supply tank and the fertilizer tank. **Claim 3** The riding type rice transplanter according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the transfer means is constituted by an electric supply pump or a stop valve provided in a flow path connecting the fertilizer tank and the supply tank.

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