Seedling transplanter

Abstract

To provide a seedling transplanter in which left and right seedling sandwiching planting claws properly plant a seedling in order to solve such a problem that planting of the seedlings is not properly performed in a case where the opening degree of the left and right seedling sandwiching planting claws is not sufficient and the opening timings dot not match with each other even though the left and right seedling sandwiching planting claws plant the seedlings in the ground by being opened at prescribed timing.SOLUTION: There is provided an extrusion rod 55 equipped with an extrusion part 56 which extrudes a seedling sandwiched by left and right seedling sandwiching planting claws 31 into the ground, an extrusion actuation mechanism 35 of the extrusion rod 55 is constituted by an extrusion cam 41b and two extrusion rod arms 58a, 58b whose ends are pivotally connected to each other, an extrusion follower part 59 which is brought into contact with the extrusion cam 41b is provided in one extrusion rod arm 58a and a base part is pivotally supported by a frame 36a of a seedling planting device 6, the other end of the other extrusion rod arm 58b is connected to the base part of the extrusion rod 55, and there is provided a spring which biases the two extrusion rod arms 58a, 58b in the closing direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a seedling transplanter for transplanting seedlings such as sweet potato seedlings. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a seedling transplanter in which left and right seedling clamping and planting claws clamp and remove seedlings from the planting supply position of the seedling transport section, transport them into the soil of a field, and then separate and plant the seedlings (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-116529 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The left and right seedling clamping planting claws move around a specified trajectory and open at a specified time to place the seedlings in the soil and plant them. However, if the left and right seedling clamping planting claws are not opened enough or the timing of opening them is incorrect, the seedlings may not be planted or the planting depth may differ from the setting, resulting in a reduced crop yield.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide a seedling transplanter in which the left and right seedling clamping and planting claws can plant seedlings properly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The invention described in claim 1 is a seedling transplanter equipped with a traveling device 4, a seedling transport section 5 for transporting seedlings, and a seedling planting device 6 in which the seedlings transported to the planting supply position A by the seedling transport section 5 are clamped by left and right seedling clamping planting claws 31 and planted in the field, and is equipped with a push rod 55 equipped with a push section 56 at its tip that pushes the seedlings clamped by the left and right seedling clamping planting claws 31 into the soil of the field, and a push operating mechanism 35 that moves the push rod 55 forward and backward is composed of a push cam 41b and two push rod arms 58a, 58b whose ends are pivotally connected to each other, one of the push rod arms 58a is equipped with a push follower 59 that abuts the push cam 41b and whose base is pivotally connected to the frame 36a of the seedling planting device 6, the other end of the other push rod arm 58b is connected to the base of the push rod 55, and is equipped with a spring 60 that urges the two push rod arms 58a, 58b in the closing direction.

[0007] According to the invention described in claim 1, a push rod 55 is provided, the tip of which is equipped with a push section 56 that pushes the seedlings clamped by the left and right seedling clamping planting claws 31 into the soil of the field. The push operating mechanism 35 that moves the push rod 55 forward and backward is composed of a push cam 41b and two push rod arms 58a, 58b whose ends are pivotally connected to each other. One of the push rod arms 58a is equipped with a push follower 59 that contacts the push cam 41b and has its base pivoted to the frame 36a of the seedling planting device 6. The other end of the other push rod arm 58b is connected to the base of the push rod 55. Therefore, the push rod 55 moves forward and backward in conjunction with the movement of the left and right seedling clamping planting claws 31 between the planting supply position A and the planting position in the field, and the push section 56 can reliably plant the seedlings in the soil at the planting position. This prevents the seedlings from being released too late, resulting in shallow planting depth, or the seedlings not being released and missing stalks.

[0008] In addition, a spring 60 is provided to urge the two push-out rod arms 58a, 58b in the closing direction, so that the push-out rod 55 is urged in the retreating direction, making it possible to quickly retreat, and preventing the push-out part 56 from lifting up the planted seedlings or from coming into contact with the ground and being damaged.

[0009] The invention described in claim 2 is a seedling transplanter described in claim 1, in which an opening / closing arm 43 that opens and closes the left and right seedling clamping planting claws 31 is operated by an opening / closing cam 41a, and an opening / closing amount adjustment mechanism B is provided that changes the amount of operation of the opening / closing arm 43 to adjust the opening and closing amount of the left and right seedling clamping planting claws 31.

[0010] According to the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the effects of the invention described in claim 1, the opening and closing arm 43 that opens and closes the left and right seedling clamping planting claws 31 is operated by an opening and closing cam 41a, and an opening and closing amount adjustment mechanism B is provided that adjusts the opening and closing amount of the left and right seedling clamping planting claws 31 by changing the amount of operation of the opening and closing arm 43.This means that the opening and closing amount of the left and right seedling clamping planting claws 31 can be finely adjusted, and the seedlings are released at a timing appropriate for the planting depth, thereby optimizing the planting depth.

[0011] The invention described in claim 3 is a seedling transplanter described in claim 2, in which the tip ends of the swing link R1 and the drive crank R2 are each pivotally supported on the frame 36a of the seedling planting device 6 so that the tip ends of the left and right seedling clamping planting claws 31 move in circles between the planting supply position A and the planting position in the field, a crank side gear 39a is provided on the crank drive shaft 30 of the drive crank R2, and a cam side gear 39b that meshes with the crank side gear 39a is provided on the cam shaft 40 provided at the base end of the frame 36a.

[0012] According to the invention of claim 3, in addition to the advantageous effects of the invention of claim 2, the crank side gear 39a is provided on the crank drive shaft 30 of the drive crank R2, and the cam side gear 39b meshing with the crank side gear 39a is provided on the cam shaft 40 provided at the base end of the frame 36a. Therefore, the opening / closing cam 41a and the push-out cam 41b can be disposed closer to the base end of the claw holder 36a, and the opening / closing cam 41a and the push-out cam 41b can be disposed with a reduced distance from the push-out rod arms 58a, 58b and the opening / closing arm 43, resulting in a compact configuration.

[0013] The invention described in claim 4 is a seedling transplanter described in claim 2 or claim 3, in which a left and right opening and closing plate 37, whose base is pivotally supported on the frame 36a of the seedling planting device 6 and whose tip is provided with left and right seedling clamping and planting claws 31, is opened and closed left and right in conjunction with an interlocking mechanism 37b by operating an opening and closing arm 43, and a spring 51 is provided on the tip side of the left and right opening and closing plate 37 to close the left and right opening and closing plate 37.

[0014] According to the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the effects of the invention described in claim 2 or claim 3, the left and right opening and closing plate 37, which has its base pivoted to the frame 36a of the seedling planting device 6 and has left and right seedling clamping planting claws 31 at its tip, is opened and closed left and right in conjunction with the interlocking mechanism 37b by operating the opening and closing arm 43, thereby optimizing the clamping force of the left and right seedling clamping planting claws 31 and the timing at which the seedlings are released, thereby improving planting accuracy.

[0015] Furthermore, since the spring 51 for closing the left and right opening and closing plate 37 is provided on the tip side of the left and right opening and closing plate 37, the spring 51 can be attached and detached from the space below, improving maintainability.

[0016] The invention described in claim 5 is a seedling transplanter described in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which an extrusion portion 56 extending downward is provided at the tip of the extrusion rod 55, left and right regulating bodies 54b are provided on both the left and right sides of the extrusion rod 55, and an upper regulating body 54c is provided above the left and right regulating bodies 54b.

[0017] According to the invention described in claim 5, in addition to the advantageous effects of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3, an extrusion portion 56 extending downward is provided at the tip of the extrusion rod 55, so that the seedlings can be extruded at an appropriate position.

[0018] Furthermore, left and right regulating bodies 54b are provided on both the left and right sides of the push-out rod 55, and an upper regulating body 54c is provided above the left and right regulating bodies 54b, so that it is possible to prevent the push-out rod 55 from shaking left and right and upward when moving forward and backward, and to prevent the seedlings from failing to be pushed out.

[0019] The invention described in claim 6 is a seedling transplanter described in claim 4, in which an extrusion portion 56 extending downward is provided at the tip of the extrusion rod 55, left and right regulating bodies 54b are provided on both the left and right sides of the extrusion rod 55, and an upper regulating body 54c is provided above the left and right regulating bodies 54b. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view of a seedling transplanter according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a plan view of a seedling transplanter according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the seedling transport unit of the seedling transplanter according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of a seedling planting device of a seedling transplanter according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a side view of a seedling planting device of a seedling transplanter according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the seedling planting device of the seedling transplanter according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the seedling planting device of the seedling transplanter according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 is an enlarged plan view of a main part of a seedling planting device of a seedling transplanter according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] A seedling transplanter 1 for transplanting sweet potato seedlings according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the following description, the side on which the control handle 2 is located will be referred to as the rear, and the opposite side, i.e., the side on which the engine 3 is located, will be referred to as the front. The right-hand side facing the front of the machine body will be referred to as the right, and the left-hand side will be referred to as the left.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the seedling transplanter 1 is equipped with a machine body having a traveling device 4 and a steering handle 2, a seedling transport unit 5 for transporting sweet potato seedlings, and a seedling planting device 6 for planting the seedlings transported by the seedling transport unit 5 in a field. The traveling device 4 is equipped with an engine 3, a pair of left and right rear wheels 7 that are driven and rotated by the power transmitted from the engine 3, and a pair of left and right front wheels 8 that are supported in front of the rear wheels 7 so that they can roll freely.

[0023] A transmission case 9 is disposed at the rear of the engine 3, and the transmission case 9 has a case portion that extends from its left side toward the left side of the engine 3, and this case portion is connected to the left side of the engine 3. The output shaft of the engine 3 enters this case portion, and power is transmitted to a transmission mechanism inside the transmission case 9.

[0024] Transmission cases 10 are rotatably attached to both the left and right sides of the transmission case 9, and the ends of the wheel drive shafts extending outward from the transmission case 9 on both the left and right sides fit into the rotation center of this transmission case 10 to transmit power for running to the transmission mechanism inside the transmission case 10. The power for running is then transmitted via the transmission mechanism inside the transmission case 10 to a rear axle 11 extending toward the rear of the vehicle and protruding laterally inward at its rear end, driving the rear wheels 7 to rotate.

[0025] An upwardly extending arm 12 is integrally attached to each of the left and right attachment portions of the left and right transmission cases 10 on the transmission case 9, and the left and right arms 12 are connected via connecting portions to the left and right sides of a balance rod 14 attached to the tip of the piston rod of a lifting hydraulic cylinder 13 fixed to the transmission case 9 so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis. The right connecting portion is made up of a rod, and the left connecting portion is made up of an extendable left and right horizontal control hydraulic cylinder 16.

[0026] When the lifting hydraulic cylinder 13 is actuated and its piston rod projects rearward, the left and right arms 12 rotate rearward, causing the transmission case 10 to rotate downward and the machine to rise. Conversely, when the piston rod of the lifting hydraulic cylinder 13 retracts forward, the left and right arms 12 rotate forward, causing the transmission case 10 to rotate upward and the machine to descend.

[0027] This lifting hydraulic cylinder 13 is configured to operate to raise or lower the machine to a set height relative to the ridge top surface based on the detection results of a sensor 17 that detects the height of the ridge top surface relative to the machine body, and is also configured to operate to raise or lower the machine body by manually operating a planting lifting lever 18 located near the control handle 2. The planting lifting lever 18 can be used to turn on and off the drive of the seedling planting device 6 and the seedling transport unit 5. In addition, a main clutch lever 19 is provided to the side of the planting lifting lever 18, which can operate the main clutch in the transmission case 9 to turn on and off the travel of the traveling device 4.

[0028] Furthermore, when the left-right horizontal control hydraulic cylinder 16 expands and contracts, the left transmission case 10 rotates up and down, causing the left rear wheel 7 to move up and down and tilt the machine body left and right. The left-right horizontal control hydraulic cylinder 16 is configured to operate to keep the machine body left and right level based on the detection results of a pendulum-type left and right inclination sensor that detects the left and right inclination of the machine body relative to the left and right horizon.

[0029] The left and right front wheels 8 are rotatably attached to front axles 22 fixed to the lower ends of arm portions 21 extending downward on both the left and right sides of a front wheel support frame 20 which is attached so as to be rotatable around a longitudinal axis at a central position below the engine 3.

[0030] Therefore, the left and right front wheels 8 are free to roll about an axis in the front-rear direction at the center of the left and right sides of the vehicle body.

[0031] A ridge guide support shaft 62 extending in the left-right direction from the front wheel support frame 20 via a ridge guide support plate is rotatably supported on the front side of the front wheel support frame 20. Left and right ridge guide wheels 64 are supported via left and right ridge guide support frames 63 extending forward from this ridge guide support shaft 62. The ridge guide wheels 64 are idle wheels that are of a well-known configuration that come into contact with the side of the ridge and guide the machine body so that it travels along the ridge.

[0032] An interlocking cable is connected between the piston rod of the lifting hydraulic cylinder 13 and the ridge guide support shaft 62. When the left and right rear wheels 7 are lowered to raise the machine to its highest position, such as when turning the machine, the piston rod of the lifting hydraulic cylinder 13 moves rearward, and the interlocking cable is pulled in tandem, causing the ridge guide support shaft 62 to rotate and the left and right ridge guide support frames 63 to move upward, thereby raising the left and right ridge guide wheels 64 relative to the machine body.

[0033] The steering handle 2 is attached to the rear end of a handle frame 23, the front end of which is fixed to the transmission case 9. The handle frame 23 is positioned off to the right from the center of the vehicle's left and right sides and extends rearward, and also extends diagonally upward and rearward from the middle of the front and rear. The steering handle 2 extends rearward on both sides from the rear end of the handle frame 23, with each rear end serving as a grip portion 2a, 2a of the steering handle 2.

[0034] The left and right grip portions 2a, 2a of the steering handle 2 are set at an appropriate height so that the operator can easily hold the grip portions 2a, 2a with their hands. In the illustrated example, the grip portions 2a, 2a are configured as separate left and right portions, but the left and right rear end portions of the steering handle 2 may be connected to each other and the connected portion may serve as the grip portion.

[0035] As shown in Figure 3, the seedling transport section 5 has a plurality of seedling containers 26 arranged in the seedling transport direction C, which serve as seedling storage sections for storing sweet potato seedlings with their vines facing forward and backward.The seedling transport section 5 is composed of a seedling transport belt that has an upper lateral feed section 5a that transports the seedling containers 26 to the right at the top of the machine body, a descending feed section 5b that transports the seedling containers 26 transported by the upper lateral feed section 5a toward the bottom of the machine body, and an ascending feed section 5c that transports the seedling containers 26 transported by the descending feed section 5b toward the top of the machine body and returns them to the transport starting end of the upper lateral feed section 5a, so that the seedling containers 26 are transported along a single loop-shaped transport path.

[0036] The upper lateral feed section 5a is configured to protrude further to the left than the left front wheel 8 and rear wheel 7, with its left end being the outermost end on the left side of the machine body. A tension roller 111 is provided in the middle of the upward feed section 5c to deflect the seedling transport belt inward in the left-right direction, so that the upward feed section 5c does not interfere with the left rear wheel 7.

[0037] The rear end of the upper lateral feed section 5a is located behind the left front wheel 8 and rear wheel 7. Therefore, the operator supplies seedlings to the upper lateral feed section 5a from behind the left rear wheel 7 and the upper lateral feed section 5a. The transport path is inclined so that the upper lateral feed section 5a is located at the rear in a side view, and the seedling container 26 of the upper lateral feed section 5a is located close to the operator behind the seedling transport section 5, making it easy for the operator to supply seedlings to the seedling container 26 of the upper lateral feed section 5a. In addition, the descending feed section 5b is provided with a seedling fall prevention plate 27 supported at its top by a support member 28 to guide seedlings into the seedling container 26, which serves as the seedling container, to prevent the seedlings from falling.

[0038] The seedling planting device 6 is configured to remove seedlings from the seedling container 26, which serves as the seedling storage section, and which has been transported by the descending feed section 5b to the planting supply position A, which is the lowest position on the transport trajectory of the seedling transport section 5, and plant them in the field.

[0039] The rear end of the surface (outer periphery) of the seedling container 26 is equipped with a clip 26a, which serves as a seedling holder that clamps and holds the rear end of the seedling's vine. The clip 26a consists of a pair of left and right clamping bodies that protrude upward from the receiving plate 26b of the seedling transport belt. One of the pair of left and right clamping bodies is made of an elastic sponge-like resin, and the other is made of a flexible brush, so as not to damage the seedling's vine. When the operator pushes the seedling downward, the seedling is clamped and fixed between the pair of left and right clamping bodies.

[0040] The seedling transport belt is wound around front and rear drive rollers 113 on the upper right side, left and right first driven rollers 114 on the lower side, and a second driven roller 115 on the upper left side, and rotates intermittently by the drive of the drive rollers 113 to which intermittent rotational power is transmitted from the planting transmission case 32. The seedling transport belt transports seedlings slightly horizontally between the left and right first driven rollers 114, and a planting supply position A is set up in this transport section where the seedlings are clamped and removed by the seedling planting device 6.

[0041] The intermittent rotation of the seedling transport belt is configured to stop when the seedling clamping and planting claws 31 of the seedling planting device 6 clamp a seedling and to drive at other times. Therefore, when the seedling clamping and planting claws 31 of the seedling planting device 6 clamp a seedling and descend to plant it in the soil, the seedling container 26 is stopped, so the seedling can be smoothly removed from the seedling container 26 and properly planted in the field.

[0042] A seedling carrier 82 is provided on the front side of the seedling transport section 5, via a seedling carrier support frame 81 from the first case section 32a of the planting transmission case 32. Sweet potato seedlings are placed on this seedling carrier 82 while stored in a storage box or the like, and the operator supplies the seedlings on the seedling carrier 82 to the upper lateral feed section 5a of the seedling transport section 5. The rear end of the seedling carrier 82 is positioned close to the front end of the upper lateral feed section 5a, making it easy to supply seedlings to the upper lateral feed section 5a.

[0043] A basket-shaped spare seedling storage section 118 for storing spare seedlings is provided to the left of the upper horizontal feed section 5a. The spare seedling storage section 118 is supported by front and rear spare seedling storage section support frames 119 that are rotatable around the central axis of a second driven roller 115. Rotating the spare seedling storage section support frame 119 to the inside (right side) of the machine body and moving the spare seedling storage section 118 to a storage position above the upper horizontal feed section 5a reduces the machine body width. Rotating the spare seedling storage section 118 to the right moves it past its dead center, and the spare seedling storage section support frame 119 hits a storage stopper 120 on the machine body, holding it in the storage position. Even in this storage position, the spare seedling storage section 118 does not interfere with the seedling transport belt or clips 26a of the seedling transport section 5, allowing the seedling transport section 5 to be driven.

[0044] As shown in Figures 4 to 8, the seedling planting device 6 is composed of a seedling transplanting section 36 having seedling clamping planting claws 31 and their opening / closing mechanism 33, a seedling pusher body 34 and its push-out operating mechanism 35, and a link mechanism R that operates the seedling transplanting section 36.

[0045] The link mechanism R is composed of a swing link R1 whose base is pivotally supported on the machine frame and swings back and forth, and a drive crank R2 which is driven to rotate intermittently by a rotating crank drive shaft 30 provided on the planting transmission case 32, and the tips of the swing link R1 and the drive crank R2 are pivotally supported on the tip and base ends of the claw holder 36a which constitutes the frame of the seedling transplanting section 36, respectively.

[0046] The crank drive shaft 30 that drives the drive crank R2 of the seedling planting device 6 is mounted in a planting transmission case 32 that houses a transmission mechanism that receives and transmits power from inside the transmission case 9. The planting transmission case 32 has a first case portion 32a whose front portion is connected to the rear portion of the transmission case 9 and extends diagonally upward and rearward from there, a second case portion 32b that is fixed to the upper left portion of the first case portion 32a and extends leftward, and a third case portion 32c that is fixed to the left end of the second case portion 32b and extends diagonally downward and rearward.

[0047] First, the seedling clamping and planting claws 31 and their opening and closing mechanism 33 will be described.

[0048] The pair of seedling clamping and planting claws 31 have their tips opened and closed in the left and right direction by an opening and closing mechanism 33 to clamp vine-like seedlings.

[0049] The opening and closing mechanism 33 is composed of left and right opening and closing plates 37 to which the bases of a pair of seedling clamping and planting claws 31 are respectively attached, and an opening and closing operating mechanism 38.

[0050] The left and right opening and closing plate 37 is pivotally supported at its base end on the left and right pivot shafts 50 to the claw holder 36a so that it can rotate freely, and left and right fixed plates 31a, to which the bases of a pair of seedling clamping and planting claws 31 are each welded to their tips, are fixed with bolts and nuts.

[0051] A crank side gear 39a is provided on the crank drive shaft 30, and a cam side gear 39b that meshes with the crank side gear 39a is provided on a cam shaft 40 provided at the base end of the claw holder 36a, so that an opening / closing cam 41a and a pushing cam 41b provided on the cam shaft 40 are rotated.

[0052] The claw holder 36a is provided with an arm pivot shaft 42 near the cam shaft 40, and an opening / closing arm 43 and a base of a push-out arm 44 are pivotally supported on the arm pivot shaft 42.

[0053] The opening / closing arm 43 is composed of left and right arms 43 a and 43 b pivotally supported on an arm pivot shaft 42 .

[0054] The left arm 43a has a base pivoted to the arm pivot shaft 42, and has a base of an opening / closing wire 45 attached to its tip.

[0055] The right arm 43b is L-shaped, with one side 43b1 extending parallel to the left arm 43a and the other side 43b2 extending in a direction bent at 90 degrees relative to the side 43b1.

[0056] A long hole is provided in the middle of the left arm 43a, and a bolt 46a fixed to the middle of one piece 43b1 of the right arm 43b is inserted through the long hole in the middle of the left arm 43a and fixed with a nut 46b.

[0057] In addition, an adjustment bolt 47 is threaded onto a nut fixed to the tip of one piece 43b1 of the right arm 43b, and the tip of the adjustment bolt 47 abuts against the left arm 43a. By turning the adjustment bolt 47 and pushing the left arm 43a, the positions of the left arm 43a and the right arm 43b can be changed, and by tightening the nut 46b, the positions of the left arm 43a and the right arm 43b can be fixed at the adjusted positions.

[0058] An opening / closing driven bearing 48 that contacts the opening / closing cam 41a is rotatably provided at the tip of the other piece 43b2 of the right arm 43b.

[0059] On the other hand, between the left and right opening and closing plates 37, an opening and closing drive bearing 49 that rotates the left and right opening and closing plates 37 outwardly around the left and right pivot shafts 50 that pivot the base ends of the plates is rotatably supported at the tip of a pivot arm 49b whose base is pivoted to a pivot shaft 49a provided on the claw holder 36a.

[0060] A cam portion 37a that contacts the opening / closing drive bearing 49 is provided on the inside of the left opening / closing plate 37, and meshes with left and right gears 37b that serve as interlocking mechanisms and are integrally provided on the bases of the left and right opening / closing plates 37, respectively.

[0061] The tip of the rotating arm 49 b is connected to the tip of the opening / closing wire 45 .

[0062] The opening / closing operating mechanism 38 consists of a crank drive shaft 30 that rotates intermittently due to intermittent rotation drive from the planting transmission case 32, a crank side gear 39a, a cam side gear 39b, an opening / closing cam 41a, an opening / closing driven bearing 48, an opening / closing arm 43, an opening / closing wire 45, a rotating arm 49b, an opening / closing drive bearing 49, a cam portion 37a on the inside of the left opening / closing plate 37, and left and right gears 37b.

[0063] Therefore, due to the intermittent rotation of the crank drive shaft 30, the opening / closing cam 41a is rotated by the crank side gear 39a and the cam side gear 39b, the opening / closing cam 41a pushes the opening / closing driven bearing 48, causing the opening / closing arm 43 to rotate and pull the opening / closing wire 45, the rotating arm 49b rotates, and the opening / closing drive bearing 49 pushes the cam portion 37a on the inside of the left opening / closing plate 37 outward, causing the left opening / closing plate 37 to rotate outward and open, and the right opening / closing plate 37 is also rotated outward and open by the left and right gears 37b.

[0064] As a result, the left and right seedling clamping portions 31b that clamp the seedlings at the tips of the left and right seedling clamping and planting claws 31 fixed to the tips of the left and right opening and closing plates 37 open.

[0065] A closing tension spring 51 is hung between the leading ends of the left and right opening / closing plates 37, and the closing tension spring 51 biases the left and right opening / closing plates 37 in the closing direction.

[0066] Therefore, when the opening / closing cam 41a does not press the opening / closing driven bearing 48, the tips of the left and right opening / closing plates 37 are closed, and the left and right seedling clamping portions 31b at the tips of the left and right seedling clamping planting claws 31 are closed with a clamping force that clamps the seedlings.

[0067] The opening / closing drive bearing 49 of the opening / closing operating mechanism 38 pushes the cam portion 37a of the left opening / closing plate 37, one of the left and right opening / closing plates 37, outward, causing the left opening / closing plate 37 to rotate and open outward, and the left and right gears 37b, which act as a linkage mechanism, cause the right opening / closing plate 37 to also rotate and open outward, thereby optimizing the clamping force of the left and right seedling clamping and planting claws 31 and the timing at which the seedlings are released, thereby improving planting accuracy.

[0068] Furthermore, since the closing tension spring 51 is provided between the tip ends of the left and right opening / closing plates 37, the closing tension spring 51 can be attached and detached from the space below, improving maintainability.

[0069] Furthermore, by changing the relative position of the left arm 43a and the right arm 43b using the adjustment bolt 47 on the right arm 43b of the opening / closing arm 43, the amount of rotation of the opening / closing arm 43 when the opening / closing cam 41a presses the opening / closing driven bearing 48 can be changed, and the amount of opening and closing of the left and right seedling clamping portions 31b at the tips of the left and right seedling clamping planting claws 31 can be finely adjusted, so that the seedlings are released at a timing appropriate for the planting depth, thereby optimizing the planting depth.The mechanism that changes the relative position of the left arm 43a and the right arm 43b using the adjustment bolt 47 on the right arm 43b of the opening / closing arm 43 is called the opening / closing amount adjustment mechanism B.

[0070] Next, the seedling pusher 34 and its pusher operating mechanism 35 will be described.

[0071] The seedling pusher 34 has a structure in which a pusher part 56 is provided at the tip of a pusher rod 55 which is provided so as to be freely movable back and forth while being guided by a guide part 54 provided on the upper surface of the claw holder 36a.

[0072] The guide portion 54 has left and right bushings 54b as left and right regulating bodies inserted into left and right bolts 54a provided through the top surface of the claw holder 36a, and a plate 54c as an upper regulating body inserted into the left and right bolts 54a on top of each bushing 54b, and is tightened from above with a nut 54d.

[0073] Therefore, the push rod 55 is inserted between the left and right bushes 54b and is guided vertically by the plate 54c and the upper surface of the claw holder 36a, so that it can move forward and backward appropriately.

[0074] The pusher 56 is formed by welding a V-shaped notch on the top surface of a pusher plate 57a to the tip of a pusher rod 55, and fastening a rubber plate 57b, which is an elastic pusher, to the pusher plate 57a with bolts. The rubber plate 57b pushes the seedlings into the soil and plants them.

[0075] The push-out operating mechanism 35 is composed of a push-out cam 41 b provided on the camshaft 40 and a push-out rod arm 58 .

[0076] As described above, the push cam 41b is rotated by the crank side gear 39a and the cam side gear 39b due to the intermittent rotation of the crank drive shaft 30.

[0077] The push rod arm 58 is made up of a front push rod arm 58a whose base is pivotally supported on the claw holder 36a, and a rear push rod arm 58b whose tip is pivotally supported on the front end of the push rod 55 and the front end of the front push rod arm 58a.

[0078] The front push rod arm 58a is rotatably provided with a push-out driven bearing 59 as a push-out driven part that comes into contact with the push-out cam 41b to rotate the front push rod arm 58a rearward.

[0079] A tension spring 60 is provided between the front push-out rod arm 58a and the rear push-out rod arm 58b to bias them in the folding direction.

[0080] Therefore, the intermittent rotation of the crank drive shaft 30 causes the crank side gear 39a and the cam side gear 39b to rotate the push cam 41b, which pushes the push driven bearing 59 and rotates the front push rod arm 58a rearward, and in conjunction with the rearward rotation of the front push rod arm 58a, the rear push rod arm 58b moves rearward so as to open from the front push rod arm 58a against the biasing force of the tension spring 60, and the push rod 55 slides in the advancing direction. As the push rod 55 slides in the advancing direction, the rubber plate 57b of the pusher portion 56 moves protrudingly in the advancing direction, pushing the seedling into the soil and planting it.

[0081] Then, the seedlings in the seedling container 26, which serves as the seedling storage section and has been transported to the planting supply position A at the lowest position of the transport trajectory of the seedling transport section 5, are clamped and removed by the left and right seedling clamping sections 31b at the tips of the left and right seedling clamping planting claws 31 and thrust into the field.When the left and right seedling clamping sections 31b open to the left and right at the planting position, the rubber plate 57b of the push-out section 56 moves forward in the forward direction to push the seedlings into the soil and plant them.

[0082] Just before the left and right seedling clamping sections 31b at the tips of the left and right seedling clamping planting claws 31 clamp the seedlings at the planting supply position A, which is the lowest position of the transport trajectory of the seedling transport unit 5, the drive crank R2 is at the top position (top dead center) of the rotation trajectory, and the left and right seedling clamping sections 31b are in a maximum open state; then, when they reach the planting supply position A, the left and right seedling clamping sections 31b are completely closed and clamp the seedlings.

[0083] In addition, when the rubber plate 57b of the pushing part 56 moves forward in the forward direction to push the seedlings into the soil and plant them, the rubber plate 57b stops for a required time in the state of moving forward to the maximum extent, and then moves backward rapidly to push the seedlings into the soil and plant them properly.

[0084] Then, immediately after the rubber plate 57b of the push-out portion 56 moves forward in the forward direction and pushes the seedling into the soil to plant it, the push-out cam 41b separates from the push-out driven bearing 59, causing the front push-out rod arm 58a to rotate forward, and in conjunction with the forward rotation of the front push-out rod arm 58a, the rear push-out rod arm 58b is forced by the tension spring 60 to move forward so as to close toward the front push-out rod arm 58a, causing the push-out rod 55 to slide backward at rapid speed.

[0085] Therefore, after the rubber plate 57b of the extrusion part 56 moves forward in the forward direction to push the seedlings into the soil and plant them, the rubber plate 57b of the extrusion part 56 moves backward at a rapid speed due to the rapid sliding movement of the extrusion rod 55 in the backward direction, so that the rubber plate 57b of the extrusion part 56 does not carry the seedlings back and the seedlings can be planted at an appropriate depth.

[0086] The front push rod arm 58a is curved so as not to interfere with the camshaft 40 etc. when it rotates forward.

[0087] As described above, the push rod 55 moves back and forth in conjunction with the left and right seedling clamping planting claws 31 moving between the planting supply position A and the planting position, so that the rubber plate 57b of the push-out section 56 can reliably plant the seedlings in the soil at the planting position, thereby preventing the timing of releasing the seedlings being delayed, resulting in shallow planting depth, or the seedlings not being released and missing plants.

[0088] In addition, by urging the front push rod arm 58a and the rear push rod arm 58b in the direction in which they close using the tension spring 60, the push rod 55 is urged in the retracting direction, which speeds up retraction and prevents the rubber plate 57b of the push-out portion 56 from lifting up the planted seedlings or from coming into contact with the ground and being damaged.

[0089] Furthermore, the crank drive shaft 30 is provided with the crank side gear 39a, and the cam side gear 39b that meshes with the crank side gear 39a is provided on the cam shaft 40 that is provided at the base end of the claw holder 36a. Therefore, the opening / closing cam 41a and the push-out cam 41b can be disposed closer to the base end of the claw holder 36a, and the opening / closing cam 41a and the push-out cam 41b can be disposed with reduced separation distance from the front push-out rod arm 58a on which the push-out driven bearing 59 of the push-out rod arm 58 is provided, and the right arm 43b on which the opening / closing driven bearing 48 of the opening / closing arm 43 is provided, resulting in a compact configuration.

[0090] Furthermore, by providing a rubber plate 57b, which is an elastic pusher extending downward, on a push plate 57a provided at the tip of the push rod 55, the seedlings can be pushed out at an appropriate position.

[0091] In addition, left and right bushes 54b, which act as left and right regulating bodies, are provided on both the left and right sides of the push-out rod 55, and the top of the left and right bushes 54b are connected with a plate 54c, which acts as an upper regulating body. This prevents the push-out rod 55 from shaking left and right and upward when it moves back and forth, preventing the seedlings from being pushed out.

[0092] A pair of left and right soil covering wheels 92 are provided behind the seedling planting device 6. These soil covering wheels 92 are free-wheeling wheels that are designed to rest on the soil surface and compact the soil on the left and right sides of the planted seedlings while covering them with soil. They are attached to the rear end of a support frame 93, the front of which is fixed to the handle frame 23, via a soil covering wheel support frame 94.

[0093] A crushing wheel 100 is provided between the left and right soil covering wheels 92, which moves down to crush the soil above the planted seedlings. The crushing wheel 100 has a smaller diameter than the soil covering wheels 92, and when in the crushed state after moving down, it fits within the left and right soil covering wheels 92 when viewed from the side of the machine body, and is positioned rearwardly of the rotation axis of the soil covering wheel 92, which acts as the soil covering tool.

[0094] The suppressing wheel 100 is mounted on a suppressing frame 101 that rotates up and down around a fulcrum shaft provided on the support frame 93, and is moved up and down by a drive mechanism.

[0095] A scraper 108 made of a rubber plate, which is an elastic body, is provided at the lower end of a scraper arm 107 provided on the lower side of the support frame 93 .

[0096] The scraper 108 has two notches on the left and right sides made from the front side, and the left and right seedling clamping and planting claws 31 are inserted into the left and right notches to remove soil adhering to both the left and right surfaces of the left and right seedling clamping and planting claws 31.

[0097] On the other hand, a water tank 124 for storing water for irrigation is disposed in front of and on the outer side (right side) of the seedling transport section 5. The water tank 124 is disposed on the right side of the seedling carrier 82.

[0098] A pump 127 mounted on the machine body draws water from a water tank 124 via a supply pipe 128, and when the left and right seedling clamping portions 31b at the tips of the seedling clamping and planting claws 31 penetrate into the field to plant the seedlings, water is ejected onto the inner surface to irrigate the field.

[0099] The left and right seedling clamping planting claws 31 are made of pipe material, and a supply pipe 128 is connected to the base side. Water is irrigated by discharging water from the discharge hole at the tip toward the inside of the left and right seedling clamping parts 31b.

[0100] That is, the pump 127 draws water from the water tank 124, and discharges the water through the supply pipe 128 through the internal space of the left and right seedling clamping parts 31b from the discharge hole at the tip toward the inside of the seedling clamping parts 31b to irrigate the plants.

[0101] The tips of the left and right seedling clamping planting claws 31 are shaped like flattened pipes, and the bases of the left and right seedling clamping sections 31b are welded and fixed. Therefore, the flattened pipe shape makes it easy to weld the seedling clamping sections 31b. Also, because the tips of the left and right seedling clamping planting claws 31 are shaped like flattened pipes, interference between the tips of the left and right seedling clamping planting claws 31 is prevented when the left and right seedling clamping sections 31b are closed.

[0102] Also, a case where the seedling transplanter 1 is provided with a seat and configured as a riding type will be described.

[0103] The seat is made hollow by blow molding of resin and serves as both a seat and a water tank in place of the water tank 124.

[0104] The seat is located at the center of gravity in the center of the aircraft between the front wheel 8 and the rear wheel 7 so that the increase or decrease in water does not affect the aircraft balance.

[0105] The seat is configured with a water inlet and lid at the top of the backrest, a supply pipe 128 connected to the bottom of the seat, and water is sucked in by a pump 127. The entire seat is semi-transparent so that the amount of water can be seen from the outside.

[0106] The seat doubles as a water tank, allowing workers to work in a cool and comfortable environment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0107] 4 Running gear 5 Seedling transport section 6. Seedling planting device 30 Crank drive shaft 31 Planting claws holding left and right seedlings 35 Extrusion actuation mechanism 36a Frame (jaw holder) 37 Left and right opening plate 37b Interlocking mechanism (left and right gears) 39a Crank side gear 39b Cam side gear 40 Camshaft 41a Opening and closing cam 41b Push-out cam 43 Opening and closing arm 51 Spring (closing tension spring) 54b Left and right restrictors (left and right bushings) 54c Upper regulator (plate) 55 Extrusion Rod 56 Extrusion section 58a Extrusion rod arm (front extrusion rod arm) 58b Extrusion rod arm (rear extrusion rod arm) 59 Extrusion follower (extrusion follower bearing) 60 spring (tension spring) A Planting supply position B Opening / closing amount adjustment mechanism R1 Swing Link R2 drive crank

Claims

1. In the seedling transplanter provided with a traveling device (4), a seedling transport section (5) for transporting seedlings, and a seedling planting device (6) for planting the seedlings transported to the planting supply position (A) by the seedling transport section (5) with left and right seedling clamping planting claws (31) by clamping them in the field, a push-out rod (55) is provided with a push-out section (56) at its tip for pushing the seedlings clamped by the left and right seedling clamping planting claws (31) into the soil of the field, and a push-out operating mechanism (35) for moving the push-out rod (55) forward and backward is connected to a push-out cam (41b) and the end of each other. The seedling transplanter is characterized in that it is composed of two push rod arms (58a, 58b) pivotally connected at their ends, one of the push rod arms (58a) is provided with a push follower part (59) that abuts against a push cam (41b), and its base is pivotally supported on a frame (36a) of the seedling planting device (6), the other end of the other push rod arm (58b) is connected to the base of a push rod (55), and a spring (60) is provided to bias the two push rod arms (58a, 58b) in a direction to close them.

2. A seedling transplanter as described in claim 1, characterized in that an opening / closing arm (43) that opens and closes the left and right seedling clamping planting claws (31) is operated by an opening / closing cam (41a), and an opening / closing amount adjustment mechanism (B) is provided that changes the operating amount of the opening / closing arm (43) to adjust the opening amount of the left and right seedling clamping planting claws (31).

3. The seedling transplanter according to claim 2, characterized in that the tip ends of the swing link (R1) and the drive crank (R2) are each pivotally supported on the frame (36a) of the seedling planting device (6) so that the tip ends of the left and right seedling clamping planting claws (31) move in circles between the planting supply position (A) and the planting position in the field, and a crank side gear (39a) is provided on the crank drive shaft (30) of the drive crank (R2), and a cam side gear (39b) meshing with the crank side gear (39a) is provided on a cam shaft (40) provided at the base end of the frame (36a).

4. A seedling transplanter as described in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that a left and right opening and closing plate (37) having a base pivotally supported on a frame (36a) of the seedling planting device (6) and left and right seedling clamping and planting claws (31) at its tip is opened and closed left and right in conjunction with an interlocking mechanism (37b) by operating an opening and closing arm (43), and a spring (51) for closing the left and right opening and closing plate (37) is provided on the tip side of the left and right opening and closing plate (37).

5. A seedling transplanter as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a push-out portion (56) extending downward is provided at the tip of the push-out rod (55), left and right regulating bodies (54b) are provided on both the left and right sides of the push-out rod (55), and an upper regulating body (54c) is provided above the left and right regulating bodies (54b).

6. A seedling transplanter as described in claim 4, characterized in that a push-out portion (56) extending downward is provided at the tip of the push-out rod (55), left and right regulating bodies (54b) are provided on both the left and right sides of the push-out rod (55), and an upper regulating body (54c) is provided above the left and right regulating bodies (54b).

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