riding lawn mower

Abstract

To provide a sulky lawn mower which can easily perform an operation to a plurality of hydraulic cylinders.SOLUTION: A sulky lawn mower comprises: a mower lifting cylinder 51 which lifts a mower device 2; a mower lifting valve 62 which controls the mower lifting cylinder 51; a collector lifting cylinder 52 which lifts a collector 4; a collector lifting valve 63 which controls the collector lifting cylinder; a dump cylinder 53 which dump-drives the collector 4; a dump valve 64 which controls the dump cylinder; a joystick device 7 which has a first joint 712 that can swing longitudinally and a second joint 736 that can swing longitudinally and laterally; a first link mechanism 723 which is interlocked with an operation using the first joint 712 as a rotation fulcrum; and a second link mechanism 733a and a third link mechanism 733b which are interlocked with an operation using the second joint 736 as the rotation fulcrum. The mower lifting valve 62, the collector lifting valve 63, or the dump valve 64 is connected to any of the first link mechanism 723, the second link mechanism 733a and the third link mechanism 733b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, riding lawn mowers have been known that are equipped with a collector mounted on the running body to store grass cut by a mower device, and that raise and lower the collector and dump the grass accumulated in the collector to a designated discharge location, in which the collector's lifting and dumping operations are performed by operating a switch (Patent Document 1).

[0003] Also, among such riding lawn mowers, there is known one in which the mower device is provided with a switch that operates a cylinder for raising and lowering the mower deck of a mid-mower disposed below the center of the traveling vehicle body (Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-94773 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-65114 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with the above technology, the collector lifting / lowering and dumping operations were performed using switches, which had the drawback of making it prone to operational errors due to pressing the wrong button, etc. Also, the mower deck lifting / lowering operations were also performed using switches, which increased the number of switches and made the operation difficult to understand.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a riding lawnmower that allows easy operation of multiple hydraulic cylinders. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the invention of claim 1 provides a riding lawnmower that has a mower device 2 for cutting grass disposed below a traveling body 11, and that collects the grass cut by the mower device 2 into a collector 4, and that includes a mower lift cylinder 51 that drives the mower device 2 up and down, a mower lift valve 62 that controls the mower lift cylinder 51, a collector lift cylinder 52 that drives the collector 4 up and down, a collector lift valve 63 that controls the collector lift cylinder, a dump cylinder 53 that drives the collector 4 to dump, and a dump valve that controls the dump cylinder. The joystick device 7 includes a first joint 712 that can swing back and forth and a second joint 736 that can swing back and forth and left and right, a first link mechanism 723 that is linked to operations with the first joint 712 as a pivot point, and a second link mechanism 733a and a third link mechanism 733b that are linked to operations with the second joint 736 as a pivot point, and the mower lifting valve 62, the collector lifting valve 63 or the dump valve 64 is connected to either the first link mechanism 723, the second link mechanism 733a or the third link mechanism 733b.

[0008] The invention described in claim 2 is the invention described in claim 1, further comprising an operation object switching unit 74 that is connected to or disconnected from a first link mechanism 723 by sliding a joystick lever 71 of the joystick device 7 up and down, and when the joystick lever 71 is slid up and down, the first joint 712 slides up and down, and when the operation object switching unit 74 is connected to the first link mechanism 723, the rotation fulcrum of the first link mechanism 723 and the rotation fulcrum of the first joint 712 are configured to be approximately on the same line.

[0009] The invention described in claim 3 is configured such that, in the invention described in claim 2, when the connection between the operation object switching unit 74 and the first link mechanism 723 is released, the first joint 725 is fixed and the operation of the joystick lever 71 switches from an operation with the first joint 712 as the pivot point to an operation with the second joint 736 as the pivot point.

[0010] The invention described in claim 4 is the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first joint 712 comprises a lever portion 711 of a joystick lever 71 whose upper portion is directly manually operated, and an operation connecting portion 73 that supports the lever portion 711 so that the lever portion 711 can swing, the operation connecting portion 73 being tubular to insert the lever portion 711 therein and having an elongated hole 731c, a fulcrum pin 712 that serves as a pivot point for the lever portion 711 is inserted into the elongated hole 731c to connect the lever portion 711 so that the lever portion 711 can slide up and down, and a notch 731 that ensures the movement of the lever portion 711 when the fulcrum pin 712 is in the upper part of the elongated hole 731c d Establish a.

[0011] The invention described in claim 5 is configured such that, in the invention described in claim 4, when the fulcrum pin 712, which serves as the pivot point for the lever portion 711, is located at the bottom of the long hole 731c of the operation connecting portion 73, the lower end of the lever portion 711 enters below the lower end of the cutout portion 731d, so that rotation around the fulcrum pin 712 is restricted and the lever portion 711 is fixed to the operation connecting portion 73. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the invention described in claim 1, three operations of raising and lowering the mower device 2, raising and lowering the collector 4, and dumping can be easily performed with a single joystick device 7 by one-way operation with the first joint 712 as the pivot point and two-way operation with the second joint 736 as the pivot point.

[0013] According to the invention as set forth in claim 2, in addition to the effect of claim 1, the operation of driving the first joint 725 and the first link mechanism 723 can be linked.

[0014] According to the invention described in claim 3, in addition to the effect described in claim 2, by switching the connection of the operation object switching unit 74 with the first link mechanism 723, it is possible to switch the operation objects of the mower lifting / lowering valve, collector lifting / lowering valve, and dump valve, and it is possible to easily operate the collector lifting / dumping and the mower device lifting / lowering with a single joystick lever.

[0015] According to the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the effects of the inventions described in claims 1 to 3, the lever portion 711 of the joystick lever 71 can be slid up and down and operated around the fulcrum pin 712, which serves as a pivot point, when it is in the upper position.

[0016] According to the invention as set forth in claim 5, in addition to the effect as set forth in claim 4, by pushing in the lever portion 711, the first joint 712 can be fixed and the operation target can be switched. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view of a riding lawnmower according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1A is a side view showing a state in which the collector of the riding lawnmower is raised and lowered, and FIG. 1B is a side view showing a state in which the collector is dumped. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the traveling body and peripheral configuration of the riding lawnmower. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a valve drive of the riding lawnmower. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a joystick device of the riding lawnmower. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a joystick device of the riding lawnmower. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the operation target switching unit and its surroundings of the riding lawnmower. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the operation target switching unit and its surroundings. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view showing another example of a joystick device for the riding lawnmower. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a side perspective view showing another example of a joystick device for the riding lawnmower. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a side perspective view showing another example of a joystick device for the riding lawnmower. [Figure 12] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a joystick device for the riding lawnmower. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a riding lawnmower disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0019] First, an overview of the riding lawnmower will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG.

[0020] The riding lawnmower comprises a running body 1, a mower device (hereinafter referred to as mower) 2, a mower lifting mechanism 3, a collector 4 which is a grass collection container, a mower lifting cylinder 51, a collector lifting cylinder 52, a dump cylinder 53, a valve unit 6, and a joystick device 7.

[0021] The traveling vehicle body 1 includes a body frame 11, a pair of left and right front wheels 12, a pair of left and right rear wheels 13, and a steering unit 14. An engine is mounted on the front part of the body frame 11. The body frame 11 supports the front wheels 12 below the engine via a front axle case.

[0022] The body frame 11 also supports a transmission case that houses an HST as a travel transmission, and supports a rear wheel 13 via a chain case that extends rearward.

[0023] In this way, in a riding lawnmower, the rotational power of the engine is appropriately changed via the HST and transmitted to the left and right rear wheels 13 via a transmission mechanism housed in the transmission case and chain case, and power is extracted from the front of the transmission case and transmitted to the left and right front wheels 12.

[0024] The control section 14 includes a cockpit 141, a floor step 142, and a steering wheel 143. The cockpit 141 is a seat for the operator (also referred to as an operator) of the aircraft. On the side (for example, on the right side) of the cockpit 141, a valve unit 6 and a joystick device 7 including a joystick lever 71 (described later) are disposed.

[0025] The floor step 142 is disposed in front of the driver's seat 141, and a steering column 144 supporting a steering wheel 143 is erected in front of the floor step 142. Various operation pedals 145 such as an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal are disposed on the left and right sides of the steering column 144. The steering wheel 143 is disposed on the top of the steering column 144. In addition to the steering wheel 143, an operation panel, various operation levers, various operation switches, etc. are disposed on the steering column 144.

[0026] Additionally, a safety frame 8 having an arch shape when viewed from the front of the aircraft is disposed behind the control section 14 to ensure the safety of the pilot in the event that the aircraft falls over.

[0027] The mower 2 is disposed below the center of the traveling vehicle body 1. In this way, the riding lawnmower is a so-called mid-mower type riding lawnmower with the mower 2 located in the center of the body. However, the riding lawnmower may also be a so-called front-mower type riding lawnmower with the mower 2 located in the front of the body.

[0028] The mower 2 includes a mower deck 21, a motor, and a cutting blade. In this way, the riding lawnmower transports grass cut by the cutting blade to the collector 4, which will be described later, via the duct and chute 22.

[0029] The mower lifting mechanism 3 includes a mower lifting cylinder 51, which is a hydraulic cylinder that drives the mower deck 21 of the mower 2 to lift and lower, and a front lift arm 31 and a rear lift arm 32 that form a front-to-rear parallel link. The mower lifting mechanism 3 transmits power from the mower lifting cylinder 51 to the rear lift arm 32 to drive the front and rear lift arms 31, 32 to lift and lower. The mower lifting mechanism 3 drives the rear lift arm 32 to lift and lower the mower deck 21 of the mower 2.

[0030] The collector 4 is mounted on the rear of the traveling vehicle body 1 and stores the grass cut by the mower 2. The collector 4 is, for example, a rectangular box, and its front, rear, left and right sides and top are made up of plate members with ventilation holes. A grass intake port that communicates with the chute 22 is formed in the front of the collector 4.

[0031] The collector 4 also includes a lid 41, which is formed by integrating the rear surface and the top surface of the collector 4. The lid 41 is configured to move away from the main body of the collector 4 in conjunction with the dump of the collector 4, thereby opening up the rear of the collector 4 widely (FIG. 2(B)).

[0032] Additionally, parallel link arms 42, 42 extending rearward are rotatably supported in a vertical line on the upper part of the safety frame 8. The link arms 42, 42 have their tips connected to a dump frame 43 in the vertical direction, thereby forming a pair of left and right four-side link mechanisms.

[0033] The collector lifting cylinder 52 is a hydraulic cylinder that drives the collector 4 to lift up and down, and is disposed between the lower link arm 42 and the lower end of the safety frame 8. The dump cylinder 53 is a hydraulic cylinder that drives the collector 4 to dump, and is disposed between the collector 4 and the dump frame 43. The collector 4 is rotatably attached to a left-right rotating shaft 44 provided on the dump frame 43.

[0034] In this way, in a riding lawnmower, when the rod of the collector lifting cylinder 52 is extended, the link arm 42 rotates upward to raise the collector 4, and when the rod of the collector lifting cylinder 52 is shortened, the link arm 42 rotates downward to lower the collector 4.

[0035] In addition, in a riding lawnmower, when the rod of the dump cylinder 53 is extended, the collector 4 rotates rearward from an approximately horizontal position around the pivot shaft 44 to enter a dumped state, and when the rod of the dump cylinder 53 is shortened, the collector 4 returns from the dumped state to an approximately horizontal position.

[0036] The valve unit 6 is disposed, for example, on the right side of the body frame 11. The valve unit 6 includes a valve unit case 61, a mower lifting valve 62, a collector lifting valve 63, and a dump valve 64.

[0037] The valve unit case 61 houses therein a mower lift valve 62, a collector lift valve 63, and a dump valve 64. The mower lift valve 62 drives and controls the mower lift cylinder 51 to raise and lower the mower deck of the mower 3. The collector lift valve 63 drives and controls the collector lift cylinder 52 to raise and lower the collector 4. The dump valve 64 drives and controls the dump cylinder 53 to dump the collector 4.

[0038] The joystick device 7 is disposed near the valve unit 6 (for example, directly above the valve unit 6). The joystick device 7 includes a joystick lever 71, which is an operating lever. The joystick device 7 enables the mower lift / lower valve 62, the collector lift / lower valve 63, and the dump valve 64 to be driven by tilting the joystick lever 71 in the forward / backward and left / right directions.

[0039] Next, an example of the configuration of the valve drive including the mower lift valve 62, the collector lift valve 63, and the dump valve 64 will be described.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the joystick lever 71 of the joystick device 7 is connected to the mower lifting valve 62, the collector lifting valve 63, and the dump valve 64 of the valve unit 6 via link mechanisms 723, 733a, and 733b, respectively.

[0041] In the mower operating state described below, tilting the joystick lever 71, for example, forward or backward, mechanically drives the mower lift valve 62 via the mower lift valve drive unit 724 to drive the mower lift cylinder 51. In this case, tilting the joystick lever 71, for example, forward raises the mower deck 21 of the mower 2, and tilting it, for example, backward lowers the mower deck 21.

[0042] When the joystick lever 71 is operated, the lifting speed of the mower deck 21 varies depending on the amount of operation of the joystick lever 71. That is, the greater the joystick lever 71 is operated forward or backward, the faster the lifting speed of the mower deck 21 increases, and the smaller the joystick lever 71 is operated, the slower the lifting speed of the mower deck 21 decreases.

[0043] In a collector operating state, which will be described later, tilting the joystick lever 71, for example, forward or backward, mechanically drives the collector lift valve 63 via the collector lift valve drive unit 734a, thereby driving the collector lift cylinder 52. In this case, tilting the joystick lever 71, for example, forward causes the collector 4 to rise, and tilting it backward causes the collector 4 to fall.

[0044] In addition, in a collector operating state described below, tilting the joystick lever 71, for example, to the left or right, mechanically drives the dump valve 64 via the dump valve drive unit 734b to drive the dump cylinder 53. In this case, tilting the joystick lever 71, for example, to the left, dumps the collector 4, and tilting it, for example, to the right, returns the collector 4 from the dump state to its original state.

[0045] In this way, the joystick lever 71 is tilted in a direction different from that for lifting and lowering the collector 4 and that for dumping the collector 4.

[0046] When the joystick lever 71 is operated, the lifting / lowering speed and dumping (or return from dumping) speed of the collector 4 vary depending on the amount of operation of the joystick lever 71. That is, the greater the joystick lever 71 is operated forward, backward, leftward, or rightward, the faster the lifting / lowering speed and dumping (or return from dumping) speed of the collector 4 becomes, and the smaller the joystick lever 71 is operated, the slower the lifting / lowering speed and dumping (or return from dumping) speed of the collector 4 becomes. As shown in FIG. 6 , the joystick device 7 includes the joystick lever 71, a mower operation connecting part 72, a collector operation connecting part 73, and an operation target switching part 74.

[0047] As described above, the joystick lever 71 is an operating lever that is operated, for example, by the operator of the machine when raising and lowering the mower deck 21 of the mower 2 and raising and lowering and dumping the collector 4. As will be described later, the joystick lever 71 can be tilted in the forward / backward and left / right directions and can also be slid in the up / down direction.

[0048] The lever portion 711 of the joystick lever 71 is a rod-shaped member, and a grip (not shown) is provided at the upper end thereof.

[0049] The lever portion 711 is connected to a mower lifting / lowering valve driving portion 724, a collector lifting / lowering valve driving portion 734a, and a dump valve driving portion 734b via link mechanisms 723, 733a, and 733b, which will be described later.

[0050] The mower lift valve driver 724 is connected to the mower lift valve 62 housed in the valve unit case 61 of the valve unit 6 and drives the mower lift valve 62. The collector lift valve driver 734a is connected to the collector lift valve 63 housed in the valve unit case 61 and drives the collector lift valve 63. The dump valve driver 734b is connected to the dump valve 64 housed in the valve unit case 61 and drives the dump valve 64.

[0051] The mower operation connecting part 72 is connected to the mower lifting valve 62 housed in the valve unit case 61, and is a part that tilts when raising or lowering the mower deck 21 of the mower 2. The mower operation connecting part 72 includes a main body part 721, a rotating part 722, a link mechanism 723, and a mower lifting valve driving part 724. The main body part 721 is a plate-like member that is bent so as to form a U-shape when viewed from the front (or from the rear). The main body part 721 has a fitting part 721a that fits with the operation target switching part 74, which will be described later. The fitting part 721a is a hole formed in the top surface of the main body part 721.

[0052] The rotating parts 722 are provided on both the left and right sides of the main body 721. The rotating parts 722 are inserted laterally through the mower operation rotating shaft holes 725, allowing the main body 721 to rotate around the mower operation rotating shaft holes 725, thereby allowing it to rotate (tilt) in the front-to-rear direction.

[0053] One end of the link mechanism 723 is connected to one side plate (for example, the right side plate) of the main body 721, and the other end is connected to the mower lifting valve driving unit 724. The link mechanism 723 transmits the driving force generated by tilting the main body 721 in the front-to-rear direction to the mower lifting valve driving unit 724.

[0054] The collector operation connecting part 73 is connected to the collector lifting valve 63 and the dump valve 64 housed in the valve unit case 61, and is a part that tilts when lifting or dumping the collector 4. The collector operation connecting part 73 includes a main body part 731, stay parts 732a, 732b, link mechanisms 733a, 733b, a collector lifting valve driving part 734a, and a dump valve driving part 734b.

[0055] The main body 731 includes a cylindrical member 731a and a base plate 731b, and the cylindrical member 731a fits into a joystick lever 711 of the operation object switching unit 74, which will be described later.

[0056] The stay portions 732a and 732b are, for example, plate-shaped members and are provided in partial cutouts of the base plate portion 731b of the main body portion 731. The stay portions 732a and 732b have a phase difference of 90°. That is, the stay portions 732a and 732b are arranged so as to be shifted from each other by 90° in a plan view.

[0057] One end of link mechanism 733a is connected to stay portion 732a, and the other end is connected to collector lift valve driver 734a. Link mechanism 733a transmits the driving force generated by tilting main body 731 in the front-to-rear direction to collector lift valve driver 734a. One end of link mechanism 733b is connected to stay portion 732b, and the other end is connected to dump valve driver 734b. Link mechanism 733b transmits the driving force generated by tilting main body 731 in the left-to-right direction to dump valve driver 734b.

[0058] A support shaft 735 having a vertical axis at a position offset from the axis of the joystick lever 711 is provided on the base plate 731b, and a universal joint 736 is provided on this support shaft 735. As will be described later, this universal joint 736 is a movable part of the joystick lever 71, and allows, for example, the lever 711 to tilt 360° from an upright state within the same plane (for example, the XY plane, which is a substantially horizontal plane) around a rotation fulcrum OJ. Note that the tilt direction of the lever 711 of the joystick lever 71 is actually restricted by a mower operation connector 72 and a collector operation connector 73, which will be described later, and the lever 711 can tilt in the forward / backward and left / right directions.

[0059] That is, the collector operation connecting part 73 tilts in the front-to-rear direction when raising or lowering the collector 4, and tilts in the left-to-right direction when dumping the collector 4. In this way, the collector operation connecting part 73 tilts in different directions when raising or lowering the collector 4 and when dumping the collector 4.

[0060] The operation object switching unit 74 is disposed between the main body 721 of the mower operation connecting unit 72 and the main body 731 of the collector operation connecting unit 73. The operation object switching unit 74 is provided between the lever portion 711 of the joystick lever 71 and the cylindrical member 731a of the main body 731. The operation object switching unit 74 includes a first fitting portion 741 and a second fitting portion 742.

[0061] The first fitting portion 741 is a flange-shaped member with a different diameter that can fit into the fitting portion 721a of the mower operation linkage 72. The second fitting portion 742 is provided below the first fitting portion 741, and is configured so that the lower end side of the lever portion 711 of the joystick lever 71 can fit into the cylindrical member 731a of the collector operation linkage 73. The first fitting portion 741 and the second fitting portion 742 are provided coaxially, and the first fitting portion 741 is formed integrally with the lever portion 711 of the joystick lever 71. The upper edge of the first fitting portion 741 is tapered to allow it to fit smoothly into the fitting portion 721a.

[0062] 5 and 7, the operation object switching unit 74 enables the drive operation of the mower operation linkage 72 by engaging the first fitting portion 741 with the fitting portion 721a of the mower operation linkage 72. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the operation object switching unit 74 enables the drive operation of the collector operation linkage 73 by engaging the second fitting portion 742 with the cylindrical member 731a of the collector operation linkage 73. In this way, the operation object switching unit 74 switches the operation object between the mower 3 and the collector 4.

[0063] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the second fitting portion 742 has a detailed configuration. The fulcrum pin 712, which serves as a first joint and penetrates the lower end of the lever portion 711 of the joystick lever 71, is provided through a pair of elongated holes 731c, 731c formed in the cylindrical member 731a of the collector operation linkage 73. When the first fitting portion 741 is fitted with the fitting portion 721a of the mower operation linkage 72, the lower end of the lever portion 711 of the joystick lever 71 is pulled up and reaches the upper end of the elongated hole 731c (FIG. 7). In this case, the axis of the fulcrum pin 712 coincides with the axis of the mower operation pivot shaft 725. This allows the joystick lever 71 to be tilted forward and backward. The cylindrical member 731a of the collector operation linkage 73 has a notch 731d formed therein to allow movement of the lever portion 711 of the joystick lever 71 when tilted.

[0064] In addition, in the mower operating state, the operation object switching unit 74 is disengaged from the collector operation connecting unit 73 , and therefore does not transmit the operation of the lever unit 711 to the collector operation connecting unit 73 .

[0065] 8, operation object switching unit 74 enters a collector operation state when lever unit 711 is pressed down by the operator with a predetermined downward force F. That is, fulcrum pin 712 at the lower end of lever unit 711 can fit along elongated hole 731c, so the lower end of lever unit 711 slides downward and fits into cylindrical member 731a of collector operation connecting unit 73 to become one body, allowing tilting around the universal joint, i.e., tilting of collector operation connecting unit 73 in the front-rear and left-right directions.

[0066] At this time, when fulcrum pin 712, which serves as the pivot point for lever portion 711, reaches the bottom of elongated hole 731c of collector operation linkage 73, the lower end of lever portion 711 enters below the lower end of notch 731d, restricting rotation about fulcrum pin 712 and fixing it integrally to collector operation linkage 73. Therefore, by operating lever portion 711, it can be rotated around universal joint 736, which serves as the second joint, as a fulcrum, allowing collector operation linkage 73 to tilt in the front-rear and left-right directions. In this case, the presence of a gap (play) between lever portion 711 and fitting portion 721a of mower operation linkage 72 enables lever portion 711 to tilt.

[0067] Furthermore, in the collector operating state, operation target switching unit 74 is disengaged from mower operation connecting unit 72 , and therefore does not transmit the operation of lever unit 711 to mower operation connecting unit 72 .

[0068] In the collector operation state, the operation target switching unit 74 enables the collector operation connecting unit 73 to tilt in the front-rear direction in conjunction with the front-rear tilting operation of the lever unit 711. When the collector operation connecting unit 73 tilts in the front-rear direction, the collector lifting valve 63 is actuated to drive the collector lifting cylinder 52, and the collector 4 is raised and lowered.

[0069] In addition, in the collector operating state, the operation target switching unit 74 enables the collector operation connecting unit 73 to tilt left and right in conjunction with the left and right tilting operation of the lever unit 711. When the collector operation connecting unit 73 tilts left and right, the dump valve 64 is actuated to drive the dump cylinder 53, and the collector 4 is raised and lowered.

[0070] With this configuration, the joystick lever 71 can be switched between a mower operation state in which it is connected to the mower operation connector 72 and a collector operation state in which it is connected to the collector operation connector 73, and the operation of lifting and lowering the collector 4, the dumping operation, and the operation of lifting and lowering the mower device 3 can be distinguished depending on the operation (tilting) direction of the joystick lever 71, so that the lifting and lowering of the collector 4, the dumping operation, and the lifting and lowering of the mower device 3 can be controlled with a single joystick lever 71. This makes it possible to easily perform the lifting and lowering operations of the collector 4, the dumping operation, and the lifting and lowering operations of the mower deck of the mower 3, and reduces operational errors.

[0071] Furthermore, in the mower operation state, the operation target switching unit 74 engages with the mower operation coupling unit 72, allowing the mower operation coupling unit 72 to be tilted by operating the joystick lever 71, and in the collector operation state, the operation target switching unit 74 engages with the collector operation coupling unit 73, allowing the collector operation coupling unit 73 to be tilted by operating the joystick lever 71, making it possible to operate the collector 4 up and down, and the dump and mower device 3 up and down with a single joystick lever 71. This makes it possible to easily perform operations to raise and lower the collector 4, perform dumping, and raise and lower the mower deck of the mower 3, and reduces operational errors.

[0072] In addition, in the mower operation state, the operation of the joystick lever 71 is not transmitted to the collector operation connector 73, making it possible to switch the operation target using the operation target switching unit 74. This also makes it possible to prevent malfunction of the mower deck 21 of the mower 3. In addition, in the collector operation state, the operation of the joystick lever 71 is not transmitted to the mower operation connector 72, making it possible to prevent malfunction of the collector 4.

[0073] An elastic member (not shown) of a compression coil spring is inserted into the lever portion 711 of the joystick lever 71 and is disposed around the axis of the lever portion 711 to urge the lever portion 711 upward. Therefore, when applying a downward force F to the lever portion 711, the operator is configured to push the lever portion 711 downward while resisting the urging force of the elastic member.

[0074] Next, different configuration examples will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0075] The joystick device 8 of another embodiment shown in FIG. 9 includes a joystick lever 81, a mower operation connecting portion 82, a collector operation connecting portion 83, an operation object switching portion 84, and a locking mechanism 85.

[0076] A lever portion 811 of the joystick lever 81 is connected to a mower lifting / lowering valve driving portion 824, a collector lifting / lowering valve driving portion 834a, and a dump valve driving portion 834b via link mechanisms 823, 833a, and 833b, which will be described later.

[0077] The mower lift valve driver 824 drives the mower lift valve 62, the collector lift valve driver 834a drives the collector lift valve 63, and the dump valve driver 834b drives the dump valve 64.

[0078] The mower operation connecting part 82 includes a main body 821, a rotating part 822, a link mechanism 823, and a mower lifting valve driving part 824. The main body 821 is a plate-like member bent so as to be U-shaped when viewed from the front (or from the rear), and has curved upright edge parts 821a, 821a integrally formed at the front and rear parts, and a cross guide hole 821b for guiding the lever part 811 formed in the center.

[0079] The rotating parts 822 are provided on both the left and right sides of the main body 821 and are inserted left and right into the mower operation rotating shaft hole 825 on the fixed support member side, allowing the main body 821 to rotate around the mower operation rotating shaft hole 825 and thereby allowing it to rotate (tilt) in the forward and backward directions.

[0080] The link mechanism 823 has one end connected to the inside of one side plate (for example, the right side plate) of the main body 821, and the other end connected to the mower lifting valve drive unit 824, and transmits the driving force caused by tilting the main body 821 in the forward / backward direction to the mower lifting valve drive unit 824.

[0081] The collector operation connecting part 83 is connected to the collector lifting valve 63 and the dump valve 64 housed in the valve unit case 61, and is a part that tilts when the collector 4 is lifted or lowered or when the collector 4 is dumped, and comprises a main body part 831, stay parts 832a, 832b, link mechanisms 833a, 833b, a collector lifting valve driving part 834a, and a dump valve driving part 834b.

[0082] The main body 831 includes a member 831a formed on a spline shaft and a base plate 831b, and the spline member 831a fits into a spline cylindrical member 812 of the operation object switching unit 84, which will be described later.

[0083] The stay portions 832a and 832b are, for example, plate-shaped members, and are provided in partial cutouts of the base plate portion 831b of the main body portion 831. The stay portions 832a and 832b have a phase difference of 90° and are arranged so as to be shifted from each other by 90° in a plan view.

[0084] Link mechanism 833a has one end connected to stay portion 832a and the other end connected to collector lift valve drive portion 834a, and link mechanism 833a transmits to collector lift valve drive portion 834a the driving force generated by tilting main body portion 831 in the front-to-rear direction. Similarly, link mechanism 833b has one end connected to stay portion 832b and the other end connected to dump valve drive portion 834b, and link mechanism 833b transmits to dump valve drive portion 834b the driving force generated by tilting main body portion 831 in the left-to-right direction.

[0085] A support shaft 835 having a vertical axis at a position offset from the axis of the joystick lever 811 is provided on the base plate 831b, and a universal joint 836 is provided on this support shaft 835. As will be described later, this universal joint 836 is a movable part of the joystick lever 81, and allows, for example, the lever 811 to tilt 360° around a pivot point OJ from an upright state. The lever 811 can tilt in the front-rear and left-right directions along the cross guide hole 821b.

[0086] The operation object switching unit 84 is disposed between the main body 821 of the mower operation coupling unit 82 and the main body 831 of the collector operation coupling unit 83. The operation object switching unit 84 includes a first engagement portion 841 that engages the main body 821 of the mower operation coupling unit 82, and a second engagement portion 842 that disengages the first engagement portion 841 and engages the collector operation coupling unit 83.

[0087] The first engagement portion 841 is configured to be able to interlock with the main body 821 of the mower operation connecting part 82 by joining with the engagement plate 813 that is integral with the lever 811. That is, the engagement plate 813 is formed with curved up edges 813a, 813a that are similar to the curved up edges 821a, 821a at the front and rear of the main body 821. Furthermore, downward bent pieces 813b, 813b are formed on the left and right sides of the engagement plate 813, through which a fulcrum pin 813c is fixed, and this fulcrum pin 813c is configured to pass through the upper part of the splined cylindrical member 812. In other words, when the lever 811 is operated in the pulled-up position, the curved up edges 821a, 821a at the front and rear of the main body 821 are joined to the curved up edges 813a, 813a of the engagement plate 813, and they are arranged in a relationship where they move in conjunction with the tilting operation of the lever 811 in the front-to-rear direction. The axial direction of the fulcrum pin 813c coincides with the axial center of the rotating part 822 of the mower operation linkage 82. Therefore, when the joystick lever 81 is operated in the front-to-rear direction, it tilts about the fulcrum pin 813c, moving the mower operation linkage 82.

[0088] On the other hand, the second engagement portion 842 is formed by the engagement between the spline member 831a of the main body 831 of the collector operation linkage 83 and the spline tubular member 812 of the operation object switching portion 84. When the lever portion 811 is pushed down, the spline tubular member 812, which is integral with this lever portion 811, moves downward via the engagement plate portion 813 and the fulcrum pin 813c, and is engaged with and integrated with the lower spline member 831a, enabling tilting about the universal joint 836, i.e., tilting of the collector operation linkage 83 in the front-rear and left-right directions.

[0089] In this case, plate portion 813 of lever portion 811 moves downward away from main body portion 821 of mower operation linkage 82, so main body portion 821 of mower operation linkage 82 cannot follow the tilting operation of lever portion 811. In other words, in the collector operation state, operation target switching portion 84 is disengaged from mower operation linkage 82, so the operation of lever portion 811 is not transmitted to mower operation linkage 82.

[0090] Furthermore, when the lever 811 is operated in the pulled-up position, the lever 81 can be tilted back and forth around the fulcrum pin 813c to link the mower operating connector 82, but the upwardly moving splined cylindrical member 812 maintains a shallow engagement with the lower splined member 831a. Even with this shallow engagement, however, the lever 811 can still tilt about the fulcrum pin 813c as a pivot axis, as described above.

[0091] In the collector operation state, the operation target switching unit 84 enables the collector operation connecting unit 83 to tilt in the front-rear direction in conjunction with the front-rear tilting operation of the lever unit 811. When the collector operation connecting unit 83 tilts in the front-rear direction, the collector lifting valve 63 is actuated to drive the collector lifting cylinder 52, and the collector 4 is raised and lowered.

[0092] In addition, in the collector operating state, the operation target switching unit 84 enables the collector operation connecting unit 83 to tilt left and right in conjunction with the left and right tilting operation of the lever unit 811. When the collector operation connecting unit 73 tilts left and right, the dump valve 64 is actuated to drive the dump cylinder 53, and the collector 4 is raised and lowered.

[0093] The above-described configuration has the following advantages: In the mower operation connecting portion 82, the raised edges 821a, 821a at the front and rear of the main body 821 are joined to the raised edges 813a, 813a of the engaging plate 813, and the two are interlocked with the tilting operation of the lever 811 in the front-to-rear direction, which ensures smooth engagement and disengagement and eliminates gouging.

[0094] Furthermore, the second engagement portion 842 is formed by fitting the spline member 831a of the main body portion 831 of the collector operation connecting portion 83 with the spline cylindrical member 812 of the operation object switching portion 84, and therefore, smooth operation can be obtained.

[0095] Next, the lock mechanism 85 will be described. The operator operates the joystick lever 81 up and down to select the mower operation coupling part 82 or the collector operation coupling part 83 via the operation counter switch part 84, and then operates the joystick lever 81 forward and backward or left and right to interlock the link mechanisms 823, 833a, 833b. When the link mechanism 823 is interlocked by the mower operation coupling part 82, a collector lock mechanism 851 is provided to lock the interlocking of the link mechanism 833a or 833b by the collector operation coupling part 83.

[0096] The collector lock mechanism 851 is provided on the side of the splined cylindrical member 812. A stay 851a is provided on the side of the splined cylindrical member 812, and a lock pin 851c is supported via an arm member 851b. The lock pin 851c is provided to penetrate the base plate portion 831b of the main body portion 831 of the collector operation connecting portion 83, and is provided so as to be insertable and removable in a locking cylindrical portion 851d that is appropriately supported and fixed. When the lock pin 851c is inserted into the cylindrical portion 851d, the splined cylindrical member 812 is locked, and operation around the universal joint 836 can be restricted. Note that the lock pin 851c is configured to move up and down in conjunction with the up and down movement of the splined cylindrical member 812, and therefore switches between a locked state and an unlocked state in conjunction with the operation of the lever portion 811.

[0097] Furthermore, because the splined tubular member 812 is locked by the collector lock mechanism 851, even if the splined tubular member 812 is shallowly fitted into the lower splined member 831a by the mower operation connecting portion 83 when the lever portion 811 is pulled up as described above, the splined tubular member 812 is locked and does not unexpectedly move with the lever portion 811. Maintaining a shallowly fitted state in advance facilitates the initial operation when the lever portion 811 is pressed down to deeply fit the splined tubular member 812 into the splined member 831a.

[0098] The lever portion 811 of the joystick lever 81 is biased upward by an elastic member (not shown) such as a compression coil spring. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 2 Mower device 4 Collector 7 Joystick Device 11 Running vehicle 51 Mower lifting cylinder 52 Collector lifting cylinder 53 Dump cylinder 62 Mower lift valve 63 Collector lift valve 64 Dump valve 71 Joystick lever 712 Fulcrum pin (first joint) 723 Link mechanism (first link mechanism) 73 Collector operating connection (operating connection) 731c long hole 731d Notch 733a Link mechanism (second link mechanism) 733b Link mechanism (third link mechanism) 736 Universal Joint (Second Joint) 74 Operation target switching section

Claims

1. A riding lawnmower having a mower device (2) for cutting grass disposed below a traveling body (11) and collecting the grass cut by the mower device (2) in a collector (4) includes a mower lift cylinder (51) for driving the mower device (2) up and down, a mower lift valve (62) for controlling the mower lift cylinder (51), a collector lift cylinder (52) for driving the collector (4) up and down, a collector lift valve (63) for controlling the collector lift cylinder (52), a dump cylinder (53) for driving the collector (4) to dump, and a dump valve (64) for controlling the dump cylinder (53), which can swing back and forth. a joystick device (7) having a first joint (712) that pivots about the first joint (712) and a second joint (736) that pivots about the left and right, a first link mechanism (723) that is interlocked with operations that use the first joint (712) as a pivot point, a second link mechanism (733a) and a third link mechanism (733b) that are interlocked with operations that use the second joint (736) as a pivot point, and a mower lifting valve (62), a collector lifting valve (63) or a dump valve (64) connected to either the first link mechanism (723), the second link mechanism (733a) or the third link mechanism (733b).

2. 2. The riding lawnmower according to claim 1, further comprising an operation object switching unit (74) that is connected to or disconnected from the first link mechanism (723) by sliding a joystick lever (71) of the joystick device (7) up and down, wherein when the joystick lever (71) is slid up and down, the first joint (725) slides up and down, and when the operation object switching unit (74) is connected to the first link mechanism (723), the rotation fulcrum of the first link mechanism (723) and the rotation fulcrum of the first joint (712) are configured to be substantially on the same line.

3. 3. The riding lawnmower according to claim 2, wherein when the connection between the operation target switching unit (74) and the first link mechanism (723) is released, the first joint (725) is fixed and the operation of the joystick lever (71) is switched from an operation with the first joint (712) as the pivot point to an operation with the second joint (736) as the pivot point.

4. 4. A riding lawnmower according to claim 1, wherein the first joint (712) comprises a lever portion (711) of a joystick lever (71) whose upper portion is directly manually operated, and an operation connecting portion (73) that supports the lever portion (711) so that it can swing, the operation connecting portion (73) being tubular so that the lever portion (711) can be inserted therein and having an elongated hole (731c), a fulcrum pin (712) that serves as a pivot point for the lever portion (711) is inserted into the elongated hole (731c) to connect the lever portion (711) so that it can slide up and down, and a notch (731d) is provided to ensure that the lever portion (711) can move when the fulcrum pin (712) is in the upper part of the elongated hole (731c).

5. 5. A riding lawnmower according to claim 4, wherein when the fulcrum pin (712), which serves as the pivot point for the lever portion (711), is located at the bottom of the elongated hole (731c) of the operating connector (73), the lower end of the lever portion (711) enters below the lower end of the notch (731d), so that rotation around the fulcrum pin (712) is restricted and the lever portion (711) is fixed to the operating connector (73).

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