Vegetable harvester

Abstract

To provide a vegetable harvester which can reduce the work of removing a foliage part, a clod and the like.SOLUTION: A vegetable harvester comprises: a cutting device 4 which is provided on the lower side of a pullout conveyance device 3 and cuts a crop being conveyed by the pullout conveyance device 3 into a part P2 to be harvested and a foliage part P1; a first conveyance device 5 which is configured to be able to receive the part P2 to be harvested dropped from the cutting device 4 and extends in the inclined posture located at the higher position as being on the machine body outer side toward the machine body outer side in the plan view from the lower side of the cutting device 4; and a second conveyance device 6 which is configured to be able to receive the part P2 to be harvested dropped from the conveyance start end part of the first conveyance device 5 and extends toward the machine body outer side in the plan view from the lower side of the conveyance start end part of the first conveyance device 5. The first conveyance device 5 and the second conveyance device 6 are configured such that the conveyance terminal part of the first conveyance device 5 is different from the conveyance terminal part of the second conveyance device 6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A known example of a conventional vegetable harvesting machine is the vegetable harvesting machine described in Patent Document 1. The vegetable harvesting machine described in Patent Document 1 includes a pulling-out conveying device (referred to in the document as the "pulling-out conveying device [2]") that pulls out crops from a field and conveys the pulled crops backward while clamping the stems and leaves; a cutting device (referred to in the document as the "cutting blade [24b]") that is provided below the pulling-out conveying device and cuts the crops into harvested portions and stems and leaves while being conveyed by the pulling-out conveying device; and a conveying device (referred to in the document as the "intermediate conveying device [5]") that is configured to receive harvested portions that fall from the cutting device and extends from below the cutting device toward the outside of the machine body in a plan view. The harvested portions that fall onto the conveying device are conveyed by the conveying device to a collection section (referred to in the document as the "storage section [1C]") where they are collected. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-63675 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional vegetable harvesters, if stems, leaves, soil clods, etc. fall onto the conveying device, the stems, leaves, soil clods, etc. must be removed from the conveying device. Also, if the stems, leaves, soil clods, etc. are collected together with the harvested part, the stems, leaves, soil clods, etc. must be removed after collection.

[0005] In view of the above situation, there is a demand for a vegetable harvester that can reduce the work of removing stems, leaves, clods of soil, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention is characterized by comprising an extraction and conveying device that extracts crops from a field and conveys the crops extracted from the field rearward while clamping the stems and leaves; a cutting device that is provided below the extraction and conveying device and cuts the crops into harvested parts and stems and leaves while being conveyed by the extraction and conveying device; a first conveying device that is configured to be able to receive harvested parts that fall from the cutting device and extends in an inclined position from below the cutting device toward the outside of the machine body in a planar view, the higher the position is toward the outside of the machine body; and a second conveying device that is configured to be able to receive harvested parts that fall from the conveying starting end of the first conveying device and extends from below the conveying starting end of the first conveying device toward the outside of the machine body in a planar view, and the first conveying device and the second conveying device are configured so that the conveying terminal end of the first conveying device and the conveying terminal end of the second conveying device reach different positions.

[0007] According to this characteristic configuration, when the harvested portion falls from the cutting device and is received by the first conveying device, the harvested portion falls along the slope of the first conveying device. The harvested portion then falls from the conveying start end of the first conveying device, is received by the second conveying device, and is then conveyed by the second conveying device toward the outside of the machine body.

[0008] On the other hand, when the stems, leaves, soil clods, etc. fall onto the first conveying device, they are lighter in weight than the harvested part, so they do not fall along the slope of the first conveying device but are instead conveyed by the first conveying device toward the outside of the machine body, which reduces the work required to remove the stems, leaves, soil clods, etc. on the second conveying device.

[0009] Furthermore, in this characteristic configuration, the first conveying device and the second conveying device are configured so that the conveying terminal end of the first conveying device and the conveying terminal end of the second conveying device reach different positions. Therefore, by configuring the second conveying device to convey the harvested portion toward the collection section and the first conveying device to convey the stems, leaves, soil clods, etc. to a location other than the collection section, the work of removing the stems, leaves, soil clods, etc. after collection can be reduced.

[0010] Furthermore, in the present invention, it is preferable that the conveying direction of the first conveying device and the conveying direction of the second conveying device are set to different directions.

[0011] According to this characteristic configuration, the first conveying device can transport stems, leaves, clods of soil, etc. that have fallen onto the first conveying device to a location far away from the transport location (collection area) by the second conveying device.

[0012] Furthermore, in the present invention, it is preferable that a conveyance start end of the first conveyance device and a conveyance start end of the second conveyance device overlap in a plan view.

[0013] According to this characteristic configuration, the harvest target portion that falls from the conveyance start end of the first conveying device can be reliably received by the conveyance start end of the second conveying device.

[0014] Furthermore, in the present invention, it is preferable that the first conveying device is provided with a cover that is provided outside the body of the machine relative to the conveying terminal end and extends in the vertical direction, and that a passage is formed between the conveying terminal end of the first conveying device and the cover to allow objects that have fallen from the conveying terminal end of the first conveying device to pass through.

[0015] According to this characteristic configuration, when stems and leaves, clods of soil, etc. fall from the end of the conveying section of the first conveying device, they pass through the passage and fall, which makes it possible to reliably guide the fallen objects from the end of the conveying section of the first conveying device downward.

[0016] Furthermore, in the present invention, it is preferable that a guide member be provided below the passage in an inclined position that is positioned lower toward the inside of the machine body, and that guides objects that have passed through the passage toward the field.

[0017] According to this characteristic configuration, fallen objects that pass through the passage fall along the slope of the guide member, which makes it possible to reliably guide the fallen objects that pass through the passage toward the field on the already-cut land side.

[0018] Furthermore, in the present invention, it is preferable that the pulling-out conveying device is provided with left and right crawler running devices, the pulling-out conveying device has left and right conveying belts that clamp and convey the crops, the pulling-out conveying device is arranged so that the center of the left conveying belt and the right conveying belt in the left-right direction of the machine body is located outside the machine body relative to one of the left and right crawler running devices, and the first conveying device extends from a position inside the machine body relative to the center to a position outside the machine body relative to the center in the left-right direction of the machine body.

[0019] According to this characteristic configuration, the centers of the left and right conveyor belts in the left-right direction of the machine body are located farther outward from one of the left and right crawler travelling devices. This prevents the crawler travelling device from trampling on crops that have not been pulled out. Furthermore, the first conveyor device extends from a position inside the machine body relative to the center between the left and right conveyor belts in the left-right direction of the machine body to a position outside the machine body relative to the center between the left and right conveyor belts. This ensures that the first conveyor device can reliably catch stems, leaves, soil clods, etc., and can reliably transport stems, leaves, soil clods, etc. that fall onto the first conveyor device toward the outside of the machine body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a left side view showing the carrot harvester. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a first conveying device, a second conveying device, and their peripheral structures. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a first conveying device, a second conveying device, and their peripheral structures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the direction of arrow F is the "front side of the aircraft body," the direction of arrow B is the "rear side of the aircraft body," the direction of arrow L is the "left side of the aircraft body," and the direction of arrow R is the "right side of the aircraft body."

[0022] FIG. 1 shows a carrot harvester (corresponding to the "vegetable harvester" according to the present invention). In this embodiment, the crop refers to carrots. The harvester includes a traveling body 1, a driving unit 2, a pulling and conveying device 3, a cutting device 4, a collecting unit (not shown), a first conveying device 5, and a second conveying device 6.

[0023] The traveling vehicle body 1 includes left and right crawler traveling devices 7 and a vehicle body frame 8 supported by the left and right crawler traveling devices 7. The driver's section 2 is provided on one side (right side) in the left-right direction of the vehicle body at the front of the traveling vehicle body 1. The driver's section 2 includes a driver's seat 2a.

[0024] The extraction conveying device 3 is configured to extract crops from the field and to transport the crops extracted from the field rearward while clamping the stems and leaves. The extraction conveying device 3 is provided at the front of the traveling body 1 on the other side (left side) in the left-right direction of the machine body. The extraction conveying device 3 is provided in a state where it is inclined downward toward the front. The extraction conveying device 3 is configured to be able to swing up and down about a swing axis X1 extending along the left-right direction of the machine body. A hydraulic cylinder 9 is provided between the extraction conveying device 3 and the machine body frame 8 to swing the extraction conveying device 3 up and down. The extraction conveying device 3 is equipped with a soil loosening blade 10 that loosens the soil around the crops in the field, and left and right conveying belts 11 that clamp and transport the crops.

[0025] As the traveling machine body 1 moves forward, the soil-loosening blade 10 vibrates while submerged in the field, loosening the soil around the crops with the soil-loosening blade 10, while the crops are pulled out of the field and transported rearward by the left and right conveyor belts 11. Then, after the crops are cut into harvested parts and stems and leaves by the cutting device 4, the harvested parts fall downward, while the stems and leaves are ejected from the rear end of the pulling-out and transporting device 3 and fall into the field.

[0026] The collecting unit is configured to collect the harvested parts. The collecting unit is provided behind the driving unit 2. In the collecting unit, the harvested parts are collected into a collection bag (flexible container bag) not shown.

[0027] A support frame 12 is erected on the machine frame 8. The support frame 12 supports the extraction conveying device 3 and the like. The support frame 12 is provided with left and right support columns 13 on the front side and left and right support columns 13 on the rear side. A cover 14 extending in the vertical direction is provided between the front left support column 13 and the rear left support column 13. The cover 14 is configured to be openable and closable. By opening the cover 14, the inside of the machine can be accessed from the outside to perform maintenance work (for example, maintenance work on the extraction conveying device 3, cutting device 4, first conveying device 5, second conveying device 6, etc.).

[0028] 2 and 3, the center of the extraction and conveying device 3 (left and right conveying belts 11) in the left-right direction of the machine body is indicated by C1. Crops extracted from the field are conveyed rearward through the center C1. The extraction and conveying device 3 is arranged so that the center C1 between the left conveying belt 11 and the right conveying belt 11 in the left-right direction of the machine body is located outside the machine body (on the left side in this embodiment) with respect to one of the left and right crawler traveling devices 7 (the left crawler traveling device 7 in this embodiment).

[0029] The cutting device 4 is configured to cut the crop being transported by the pulling-out and transporting device 3 into a harvest portion P2 and a stem and leaf portion P1. The cutting device 4 is provided below the rear of the left and right transport belts 11. The cutting device 4 is configured to be rotatable around a rotation axis Z1 that extends in the vertical direction when viewed from the front. The rotation axis Z1 is located at a position that coincides with the center C1 when viewed from the front and in a plan view.

[0030] The first conveying device 5 is configured to be able to receive the harvested parts P2 that have fallen from the cutting device 4, and is configured to extend in an inclined position from below the cutting device 4 toward the outside of the machine body (the left side in this embodiment) in a plan view, with the left side positioned higher. In this embodiment, the conveying direction D1 of the first conveying device 5 is set to the left. The first conveying device 5 extends from a position inside the machine body (the right side in this embodiment) relative to the center C1 in the left-right direction of the machine body to a position outside the machine body (the left side in this embodiment) relative to the center C1. In this embodiment, the first conveying device 5 extends to a position overlapping with the left support column 13 in a front view. The first conveying device 5 may be supported by a support frame 12 (for example, the front left support column 13 and the rear left support column 13).

[0031] A rubber hanging 15 hanging down from the rear of the cutting device 4 is provided above the first conveying device 5. The rubber hanging 15 can block the harvested parts P2 that fall from the cutting device 4 so that they do not fall from the first conveying device 5.

[0032] The second conveying device 6 is configured to be able to receive the harvest target parts P2 that have fallen from the conveying start end of the first conveying device 5, and is configured to extend in an inclined position from below the conveying start end of the first conveying device 5 toward the outside of the body (the right side in this embodiment) in a plan view, with the right side positioned higher. In this embodiment, the conveying direction D2 of the second conveying device 6 is set to the right. As the harvest target parts P2 are conveyed by the second conveying device 6 to the collection section, they are sorted by an assistant.

[0033] The conveying direction D1 of the first conveying device 5 and the conveying direction D2 of the second conveying device 6 are set in different directions. In other words, the first conveying device 5 and the second conveying device 6 are configured so that the conveying terminal end of the first conveying device 5 and the conveying terminal end of the second conveying device 6 reach different positions. The conveying start end of the first conveying device 5 and the conveying start end of the second conveying device 6 overlap with the rotation axis Z1 and the center C1 in a plan view. In other words, the conveying start end of the first conveying device 5 and the conveying start end of the second conveying device 6 overlap in a plan view.

[0034] The cover 14 is provided on the outside of the machine body (on the left side in this embodiment) with respect to the conveying terminal end of the first conveying device 5 and the conveying starting end of the second conveying device 6. A passage 16 is formed between the cover 14 and the conveying terminal end of the first conveying device 5 and the conveying starting end of the second conveying device 6, allowing fallen objects (stems and leaves P1, clods of soil, etc.) that have fallen from the conveying terminal end of the first conveying device 5 to pass through. Below the passage 16, a guide member 17 is provided in an inclined position that is lower towards the inside of the machine body (on the right side in this embodiment), and guides the fallen objects that have passed through the passage 16 towards the field.

[0035] When the harvested part P2 that has fallen from the cutting device 4 is received by the first conveying device 5, the harvested part P2 falls along the slope of the first conveying device 5. The harvested part P2 then falls from the conveyance starting end of the first conveying device 5, is received by the second conveying device 6, and is then conveyed to the right by the second conveying device 6.

[0036] On the other hand, when the stems and leaves P1, clods of soil, etc. fall onto the first conveying device 5, they are comparatively lighter in weight than the harvest target part P2, and therefore do not fall along the slope of the first conveying device 5, but are instead conveyed to the left by the first conveying device 5. Then, when the stems and leaves P1, clods of soil, etc. fall from the conveying end of the first conveying device 5, they pass through the passage 16 and fall.

[0037] [Another embodiment] (1) In the above embodiment, the conveying direction D1 of the first conveying device 5 and the conveying direction D2 of the second conveying device 6 are set in different directions. However, as long as the first conveying device 5 and the second conveying device 6 are configured so that the conveying terminal end of the first conveying device 5 and the conveying terminal end of the second conveying device 6 reach different positions, the conveying direction D1 of the first conveying device 5 and the conveying direction D2 of the second conveying device 6 may be set in the same direction.

[0038] (2) In the above embodiment, the conveying start end of the first conveying device 5 and the conveying start end of the second conveying device 6 overlap in a plan view. However, the conveying start end of the first conveying device 5 and the conveying start end of the second conveying device 6 do not have to overlap in a plan view.

[0039] (3) In the above embodiment, the guide member 17 is provided below the passage 16. However, the guide member 17 does not necessarily have to be provided below the passage 16. [Industrial Applicability]

[0040] The present invention can be used not only for carrot harvesters but also for radish harvesters. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 3. Extraction and transport device 5 First conveying device 6 Second conveying device 7 Crawler running device 11 Conveyor belt 14 Cover 16 aisles 17 Guide member C1 center D1 Conveying direction of the first conveying device D2 Conveying direction of the second conveying device P1 Stem and leaf part P2 Harvested area

Claims

1. an extraction and transport device that extracts crops from a field and transports the extracted crops backward while holding the stems and leaves of the crops; a cutting device provided below the pulling-out and conveying device, which cuts the crop into a harvested portion and a stem and leaf portion while being conveyed by the pulling-out and conveying device; A first conveying device configured to be able to receive the harvested portion that has fallen from the cutting device and extending from below the cutting device toward the outside of the machine body in a plan view in an inclined posture positioned higher toward the outside of the machine body; A second conveying device configured to be able to receive the harvested portion that has fallen from the conveying start end of the first conveying device and extending from below the conveying start end of the first conveying device toward the outside of the machine body in a plan view, A vegetable harvester in which the first conveying device and the second conveying device are configured so that the conveying terminal end of the first conveying device and the conveying terminal end of the second conveying device reach different positions.

2. The vegetable harvester according to claim 1 , wherein the conveying direction of the first conveying device and the conveying direction of the second conveying device are set to be different directions.

3. The vegetable harvester according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a conveyance start end of the first conveying device and a conveyance start end of the second conveying device overlap each other in a plan view.

4. a cover provided on the outer side of the machine body relative to the conveyance terminal end of the first conveyance device and extending along the vertical direction; A vegetable harvester as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein a passage is formed between the conveying terminal end of the first conveying device and the cover to allow objects that fall from the conveying terminal end of the first conveying device to pass through.

5. 5. The vegetable harvester according to claim 4, further comprising a guide member disposed below the passage in an inclined position that is lower toward the center of the machine body, for guiding objects that have passed through the passage toward the field.

6. Equipped with left and right crawler running devices, The pulling and conveying device has left and right conveying belts that clamp and convey the crops, The pulling-out conveying device is arranged such that the center of the left conveying belt and the right conveying belt in the left-right direction of the machine body is located outside the machine body with respect to one of the left and right crawler traveling devices, The vegetable harvester according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first conveying device extends from a position inside the center of the machine body in the left-right direction of the machine body to a position outside the center of the machine body.

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