Seedling transplanter

Abstract

To provide a seedling transplanter which reduces the burden on a worker when moving empty seedling boxes. [Solution] A seedling transplanter according to one aspect of the embodiment comprises a running body, a seedling planting unit attached to the running body, a spare seedling placing unit attached to the running body and capable of placing seedling trays, a rail provided to the side of the spare seedling placing unit and capable of accommodating empty seedling trays, and a rotating unit that rotates to move the empty seedling trays placed on the spare seedling placing unit onto the rail.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a seedling transplanter. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART There has been known a conventional seedling transplanter having a rail for returning seedling boxes containing seedlings that have been replenished in a seedling planting section to an assistant worker on the ridge (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-72873 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned seedling transplanter, an operator in the seedling transplanter must lift the empty seedling boxes and move them onto the rails, which increases the workload of the operator.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide a seedling transplanter that reduces the burden on an operator when moving empty seedling trays. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, a seedling transplanter according to one aspect of the embodiment includes a traveling body (2), a seedling planting section (4) attached to the traveling body (2), a spare seedling placement section (52) attached to the traveling body (2) and capable of placing seedling trays, a rail (200) provided on the side of the spare seedling placement section (52) and capable of accommodating empty seedling trays, and a rotating section (205) that rotates to move the empty seedling trays placed on the spare seedling placement section (52) to the rail (200). a lever (210) that can operate the rotating part (200); Equipped with. A plurality of spare seedling placing sections (52) are provided. The plurality of spare seedling placing sections (52) can be switched between a stored state in which each spare seedling placing section (52) is arranged vertically and an expanded state in which each spare seedling placing section (52) is lined up in the front-to-back direction. The rotating section (200) is attached to the spare seedling placing section (52) that is the rear end in the expanded state. The lever (210) is provided below the spare seedling placing section (52) that is the front end in the expanded state. The lever (210) and the rotating section (200) are connected by a cable. The cable is routed along a joint section (201a) of a link mechanism (201) that maintains the plurality of spare seedling placing sections (52) in the stored state and the expanded state. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the embodiment, the burden on workers when moving empty seedling trays can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view showing the seedling transplanter. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the seedling transplanter. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system centered on the control device of the seedling transplanter. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the case where the spare seedling frame is in an expanded state. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one spare seedling tray. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a case where the rotating part is in a moving state. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a side view of the spare seedling frame illustrating the electric switching mechanism. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the planting clutch arm. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a partially exploded perspective view of the planting clutch arm. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the pushing of the pin. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state in which the auxiliary speed change operation lever is in the "neutral" or "moving speed" position. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the state in which the auxiliary speed change operation lever is at the "planting speed" position. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram (part 1) illustrating a configuration in which the planting lever is not fixed in the "planting" position. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in which the planting lever is not fixed to the "planting" position (part 2). [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the fixed state of the planting lever by the brake pedal. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the restraint control of the planting lever. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the connection state between the interlock actuator, the hydraulic lock cable, and the planting position restraint cable. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the connection state between the hydraulic lock cable and the planting section lifting / lowering lock arm. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the connection state between the planting position restraint cable and the roller. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] First, an overview of a seedling transplanter 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a side view showing the seedling transplanter 1. Figure 2 is a plan view showing the seedling transplanter 1.

[0010] In the following description, the forward / backward direction refers to the direction of travel of the seedling transplanter 1 when traveling straight, with the forward side of the traveling direction being defined as "front" and the rear side being defined as "rear." The traveling direction of the seedling transplanter 1 is the direction from the operator's seat 41 toward the handlebars 35 when traveling straight (see Figures 1 and 2).

[0011] The left-right direction is a direction that is horizontally perpendicular to the front-rear direction and defines left and right facing the "front." In other words, when the operator (also referred to as an operator) is seated in the operator's seat 41 and facing forward, the left-hand side is the "left" and the right-hand side is the "right."

[0012] The up-down direction is the vertical direction. The front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction are perpendicular to each other. Each direction is defined for the convenience of explanation, and the present invention is not limited to these directions.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the seedling transplanter 1 is provided with a seedling planting unit 4 that can be raised and lowered via a lifting link mechanism 3 at the rear of a traveling body 2 to plant seedlings in a field.

[0014] The main body of the fertilizer applicator 5 is located above the rear of the traveling body 2. The traveling body 2 is a four-wheel drive vehicle equipped with left and right front wheels 10 and rear wheels 11, which are drive wheels. On the front side of the main frame 15 that forms the body framework of the traveling body 2, there are provided a transmission case 13 that transmits driving force to the seedling planting section 4, etc., and a hydraulic continuously variable transmission 14 that outputs driving force supplied from the engine 30, i.e., the rotation generated by the engine 30, to the transmission case 13.

[0015] The continuously variable transmission 14 is a hydrostatic continuously variable transmission known as an HST (Hydro Static Transmission). In the following, a case where the continuously variable transmission is the HST 14 will be described.

[0016] An auxiliary transmission mechanism 16 is provided within the transmission case 13 to switch the driving mode of the traveling vehicle body 2 between high-speed mode for road driving and low-speed mode for planting seedlings, etc. Front wheel final cases 10a are provided on the left and right sides of the transmission case 13, and front wheels 10 are attached to left and right front axles 10b that protrude outward from front wheel support parts that can change the steering direction of the left and right front wheel final cases 10a.

[0017] In addition, rear wheel gear cases 11a are attached to both the left and right sides of a rear frame 22 (see Figure 2) that is arranged laterally on the rear side of the main frame 15, and rear wheels 11 are attached to left and right rear axles 11b that protrude outward from the rear wheel gear cases 11a, respectively.

[0018] Left and right link support frames 23 that support the lifting link mechanism 3 protrude upward from the upper part of the rear frame 22. A pair of left and right lower link arms 24 are provided below and between the left and right link support frames 23. A hydraulically operated lifting cylinder 25 is provided between the left and right lower link arms 24.

[0019] An upper link arm 26 is provided above the lifting cylinder 25, forming a parallel link mechanism, the lifting link mechanism 3. The left and right lower link arms 24, the lifting cylinder 25, and the other end of the upper link arm 26, each of which has one end connected to the traveling vehicle body 2, are attached to the front of the seedling planting section 4.

[0020] An engine 30 is mounted on the main frame 15. Rotational power of the engine 30 is transmitted to the transmission case 13 via the belt transmission device 21 and the HST 14. The rotational power transmitted to the transmission case 13 is changed in speed by the sub-transmission mechanism 16 inside the transmission case 13, and then separated into traveling power and externally extracted power.

[0021] The rotational power of the engine 30 is transmitted to a hydraulic pump (not shown). The hydraulic pressure generated by the hydraulic pump is supplied to the HST 14, a power steering mechanism 88 (see FIG. 3) of the handle 35, the lift cylinder 25, etc.

[0022] The externally extracted power extracted from the rotational power transmitted to the transmission case 13 is transmitted to the planting clutch case 27 provided at the rear of the running body 2, and is transmitted from the planting clutch case 27 to the seedling planting section 4 via the planting transmission shaft 67.

[0023] Meanwhile, left and right drive shafts 42 are provided at the rear of the transmission case 13. Rotational power from the engine 30 is transmitted via the transmission case 13 and the drive shafts 42 to the left and right rear wheel gear cases 11a.

[0024] A side clutch 44 (see FIG. 3) that turns on and off the power transmission to the left and right drive shafts 42 is disposed upstream of the left and right drive shafts 42 in the power transmission direction. As shown in FIG. 1, a side clutch pedal 43a that turns on and off the left and right side clutches 44 is provided at the front lower part of the cockpit 41 and on one of the left and right sides.

[0025] Of the left and right side clutch pedals 43a, when the side clutch pedal 43a on the inside of the turn is depressed to disengage the side clutch 44, and then the steering wheel 35 is operated to make a turn, the drive rotation of the rear wheel 11 on the inside of the turn can be completely cut off.

[0026] A bonnet 39 with an operation panel 38 arranged on top for operating each section is provided on the upper front side of the traveling vehicle body 2. The operation panel 38 is provided with a monitor 86 (see FIG. 3) and the like.

[0027] The hood 39 is also provided with a handlebar 35 for steering the traveling body 2, a speed change operation lever 36 (main speed change lever) for operating the HST 14 and the seedling planting unit 4, and an auxiliary speed change operation lever 37 for operating the auxiliary speed change mechanism 16. By operating the speed change operation lever 36, the traveling body 2 can be switched between forward and reverse.

[0028] An openable front cover 40 is provided in front of the hood 39. Inside the front cover 40, a fuel tank, a battery, and an interlocking mechanism that rotates the left and right front wheels 10 and the lower sides of the left and right front wheel final cases 10a in response to steering of the handlebars 35 are provided. The front wheels 10 are, for example, steerable wheels that turn in response to steering of the handlebars 35.

[0029] An engine cover 30a that covers the top and sides of the engine 30 is provided behind the hood 39 and above the engine 30, and a pilot's seat 41 where the pilot sits is provided above the engine cover 30a.

[0030] The fertilizer applicator 5 is provided behind the driver's seat 41, at the rear end of the main frame 15. The driving force of the fertilizer applicator 5 is transmitted by a fertilizer transmission mechanism provided so as to face the fertilizer applicator 5 from one of the left and right rear wheel gear cases 11a.

[0031] Approximately horizontal floor steps 33 are formed on both the left and right sides of the lower part of the engine cover 30a and the hood 39. As shown in Fig. 2, the floor steps 33 are partially lattice-shaped, so that even if mud on the shoes of an operator walking on the floor steps 33 falls off, the fallen mud will fall into the field.

[0032] 2, a rear step 330 is connected to the rear of the floor step 33. The surface of the rear step 330 is preferably provided with an anti-slip finish, for example, with a pattern of multiple protrusions, to prevent feet from slipping during work.

[0033] In addition, spare seedling frames 50 are provided on both the left and right sides of the front of the traveling body 2, with multiple spare seedling loading trays 52 arranged at intervals in the vertical direction on seedling frame supports 51, allowing seedlings to be replenished in the seedling planting section 4, work materials such as fertilizer bags, and the like to be placed on them. The spare seedling frames 50 are provided with return rails 200 on the sides of the spare seedling loading trays 52. Details of the spare seedling frames 50 will be described later.

[0034] A seedling tank 53 for carrying seedlings to be planted in the field is attached to the rear end of the lifting link mechanism 3, along with a sliding mechanism for sliding it left and right. Seedling partition fences 54, which are long in the vertical direction, are placed on the seedling tank 53 at predetermined intervals in the horizontal direction. Below the seedling tank 53 is a seedling planting device 55 that picks up the loaded seedlings and plants them in the field.

[0035] The seedling planting device 55 plants eight rows at the same time, the same number as the number of rows to be planted separated by the seedling partition fence 54. Four planting transmission cases 56 are arranged at intervals below the seedling tank 53, and planting rotaries 57 are attached to both the left and right sides of the planting transmission cases 56, which rotate to pick up seedlings using planting rods 58 and plant them in the field.

[0036] In the fertilizer applicator 5, the fertilizer hopper 70 that stores the fertilizer is divided into the same number of sections as the number of working rows in the seedling planting section 4 (eight rows in the example shown in FIG. 2). Note that the eight-row fertilizer hopper 70 is long in the left-right direction, which reduces the convenience of adding fertilizer and attaching and detaching it, so it may have a so-called side fertilizer application structure, in which sections divided into four rows are lined up on each side.

[0037] Below the fertilizer hopper 70, a dispensing device 71 that supplies a set amount of fertilizer is provided for each row. Below the dispensing device 71, a ventilation duct 72 is provided in the left-right direction, through which conveying air passes to move the fertilizer. Below the dispensing device 71, a fertilizer hose 73 is provided that guides fertilizer to the vicinity of the seedling planting position in the seedling planting section 4. Also, at one end of the ventilation duct 72, a blower 74 is provided that is operated by an electric blower motor 76 (blower motor) to generate conveying air.

[0038] 1 and 2, a center float 62C that slides on the field surface and two side floats 62L and 62R are provided rotatably about axes below the seedling planting section 4. The center float 62C and the left and right side floats 62L and 62R are sometimes collectively referred to as floats 62.

[0039] In addition, below the seedling planting section 4, and forward of the float 62, a ground leveling rotor 63 for leveling unevenness in the field is provided. Driving force is transmitted to the ground leveling rotor 63 from the rear wheel gear case 11a on the other left or right side via a rotor transmission shaft 63a.

[0040] 1, line-drawing markers 65 are provided on both the left and right sides of the seedling planting section 4. One of the markers 65 touches the ground on the field surface to form a groove that serves as a guide for traveling in the next work row (next process). When one of the markers 65 touches the ground, the other moves upward, and when the seedling planting section 4 is raised during rotation, both the left and right sides move upward, and when the seedling planting section 4 is lowered after rotation, one of the markers 65 moves upward and the other moves downward.

[0041] 1 and 2, a center mascot 66 that is long in the vertical direction is provided in the center of the left and right of the traveling vehicle body 2, and in front of the hood 39. By aligning the center mascot 66 with the grooves formed in the field by the left and right line markers 65, it becomes possible to travel in accordance with the work position of the previous work row, improving work accuracy and preventing non-working.

[0042] Depending on the soil quality of the field, the guide lines formed by the left and right line-drawing markers 65 may quickly become buried, causing the guide for going straight to disappear. In such cases, it is advisable to use the left and right side markers 19, which are located forward of the left and right line-drawing markers 65. In other words, by moving the left and right side markers 19 outward and positioning them above the planted seedlings, planting work can be performed in accordance with the planting of the seedlings in the previous work row.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 1, the seedling transplanter 1 further includes a position detection device 150 and an antenna 151.

[0044] The antenna 151 receives satellite signals, for example, from GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites. The antenna 151 is attached to the mounting stay 59, for example, and disposed above the traveling vehicle body 2. The antenna 151 is provided with an inertial positioning unit 152 (IMU: Internal Measurement Unit). The inertial positioning unit 152 can detect the acceleration of the traveling vehicle body 2, the inclination of the traveling vehicle body 2, and the like.

[0045] The position detection device 150 detects the current position of the seedling transplanter 1. The position detection device 150 detects the position of the traveling vehicle body 2 based on a satellite signal received by an antenna 151.

[0046] Next, the control system of the seedling transplanter 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the control system centered on the control device 100 of the seedling transplanter 1. The seedling transplanter 1 is capable of controlling each part by electronic control, and is equipped with a control device (hereinafter referred to as a controller) 100 that controls each part.

[0047] The controller 100 is provided with a processing unit having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a storage unit such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an input / output unit, which are interconnected to allow signals to be exchanged between them.

[0048] The storage unit stores a computer program for controlling the seedling transplanter 1. The controller 100 performs each function by reading out the computer program stored in the storage unit.

[0049] The controller 100 is connected to actuators such as a throttle motor 80, hydraulic control valves 81 and 82, a planting clutch actuation solenoid 83, a side clutch actuation solenoid 84, an HST motor 85, a line drawing marker lifting motor 87, a steering motor 95, and a differential lock switching motor 96.

[0050] The throttle motor 80 increases or decreases the rotation speed of the output shaft of the engine 30 by operating a throttle that adjusts the amount of air intake into the engine 30. The hydraulic control valve 81 controls the extension and retraction of the lifting cylinder 25. The hydraulic control valve 82 controls the power steering mechanism 88. The power steering mechanism 88 changes the direction of the front wheels 10, which are the steering wheels of the traveling body 2. The planting clutch operating solenoid 83 operates the planting clutch 27a.

[0051] The side clutch actuation solenoid 84 actuates the side clutch 44, which switches the state of power transmission to the rear wheels 11 (see FIG. 1). The side clutch 44 is provided on each of the left and right rear wheels 11, and two side clutch actuation solenoids 84 are provided corresponding to each side clutch 44.

[0052] The HST motor 85 changes the rotation angle of the trunnion of the HST 14, thereby changing the tilt angle of the swash plate of the HST 14. The steering motor 95 is a motor that drives the handle 35, which is a steering device that adjusts the steering amount (steering angle) of the front wheels 10 (see Figure 1) when automatic turning control is performed. The steering motor 95 rotates the handle 35. The line drawing marker lifting motor 87 lifts and lowers the line drawing marker 65.

[0053] The controller 100 is connected to detection devices such as a rotation speed sensor 90, a steering amount sensor 91, a position detection device 150, an inertial positioning unit 152, and a seedling frame detection sensor 45 (detection section). Two rotation speed sensors 90 are provided corresponding to the left and right rear wheels 11, and detect the rotation speeds of the left and right rear wheels 11, respectively. The rotation speed sensors 90 may also detect the rotation speeds of the left and right front wheels 10.

[0054] The steering amount sensor 91 detects the steering angle of the steering wheel 35, which is a steering device. In other words, the steering amount sensor 91 detects the operating position of the steering wheel 35, i.e., the steering amount (steering angle) of the front wheels 10. The steering amount sensor 91 is provided, for example, on a shaft connected to a pitman arm. The steering angle is detected in both the left and right directions, with the value when the steering wheel 35 is in a preset straight-ahead position being set as a reference value (0 degrees). For example, the steering angle is detected in conjunction with the turning direction of the steering wheel 35.

[0055] The seedling frame detection sensor 45 detects whether the spare seedling trays 52 are in an expanded state, as described below. For example, the seedling frame detection sensor 45 is a sensor that is "ON" when the spare seedling trays 52 are in an expanded state, and is "OFF" when the spare seedling trays 52 are not in an expanded state.

[0056] Furthermore, signals are input to the controller 100 as operation signals from the speed change operation lever 36, the auxiliary speed change operation lever 37, the planting section lifting / lowering switch 47, etc. At least one of the switches may be a button.

[0057] The planting section lifting / lowering switch 47 is a switch that switches whether to lift or lower the seedling planting section 4. The planting section lifting / lowering switch 47 can be changed to the "up" and "down" positions.

[0058] When the planting unit lift switch 47 is in the "up" position, the seedling planting unit 4 enters a non-working state in which the seedling planting device 55 stops and the seedling planting unit 4 rises to a predetermined non-working position. When the planting unit lift switch 47 is in the "down" position, the seedling planting unit 4 descends to a predetermined working position (predetermined planting work position) and enters a working state in which the seedling planting device 55 operates.

[0059] Next, a spare seedling frame 50 according to an embodiment will be described. The spare seedling frame 50 can be switched between a stored state in which the spare seedling trays 52 are arranged vertically as shown in FIG. 1 and an expanded state in which the spare seedling trays 52 are lined up in the front-to-back direction as shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the expanded state of the spare seedling frame 50. In the spare seedling frame 50, multiple spare seedling trays 52 are connected by a link mechanism 201. By rotating the link mechanism 201, the spare seedling frame 50 can be switched between the stored state and the expanded state. In other words, the link mechanism 201 maintains the multiple spare seedling trays 52 in the stored state and the expanded state. Note that some components, such as the return rail 200, are omitted from FIGS. 1 and 4.

[0060] As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the return rail 200 is attached to the spare seedling tray 52 via a support frame 202. Figure 5 is a perspective view of one spare seedling tray 52. ​​The spare seedling tray 52 in Figure 5 is the rearmost spare seedling tray 52 in the unfolded state.

[0061] The support frame 202 is formed so as to have a substantially J-shape when viewed from the front-rear direction. A plurality of support frames 202 are provided lined up in the front-rear direction. For example, two support frames 202 are provided lined up in the front-rear direction. Note that three or more support frames 202 may be provided lined up in the front-rear direction. One end of the support frame 202 is connected to the spare seedling placing tray 52 via an attachment member 203. Specifically, the end of the support frame 202 on the center side of the traveling body 2 in the left-right direction is connected to the spare seedling placing tray 52. ​​The other end of the support frame 202 is connected to a guide member 204 extending in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the end of the support frame 202 on the outer side of the traveling body 2 in the left-right direction is connected to the guide member 204.

[0062] The return rail 200 is supported by the bottom of the support frame 202. The return rail 200 is provided below the spare seedling loading table 52. The return rail 200 is provided so as to extend in the front-to-rear direction. The return rail 200 has wall portions 200a extending upward at the left and right ends. The return rail 200 is provided so that the front-to-rear end portions are open.

[0063] The support frame 202 and return rail 200 are configured so that empty seedling boxes can be placed vertically. Vertical placement means that the bottom of the seedling box is aligned vertically. Vertical placement also includes a state in which the bottom of the seedling box is slightly tilted vertically. The height of the support frame 202 is configured to be, for example, 150 mm above the spare seedling tray 52.

[0064] When the spare seedling frame 50 is in the unfolded state, the return rails 200 are arranged in a line in the front-to-back direction, similar to the spare seedling loading platform 52. That is, when the spare seedling frame 50 is in the unfolded state, the return rails 200 are arranged in a line in the front-to-back direction. Therefore, when the spare seedling frame 50 is in the unfolded state, the operator of the seedling transplanter 1 can feed the seedling boxes placed on the return rails 200 from the rear to the front in a vertical position.

[0065] Of the multiple spare seedling trays 52, the spare seedling tray 52 that is the rearmost in the unfolded state is equipped with a rotating part 205. By rotating, the rotating part 205 moves empty seedling boxes that are placed flat on the spare seedling tray 52 onto the return rail 200. "Flat" means that the bottom of the seedling box is in a substantially horizontal position. The rotating part 205 can be changed to the initial state shown in FIG. 5 or the moving state shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the rotating part 205 in the moving state. The rotating part 205 is equipped with a rotating shaft part 206, an abutment part 207, and a connection part 208.

[0066] The rotating shaft 206 is provided below the bottom of the spare seedling placing tray 52. ​​The rotating shaft 206 is provided so as to extend in the front-to-rear direction. The rotating shaft 206 is attached to the mounting member 203 so as to be rotatable. In other words, the rotating shaft 206 is rotatably attached to the spare seedling placing tray 52 via the mounting member 203.

[0067] In the initial state, the contact portion 207 protrudes above the bottom of the spare seedling placing table 52 and contacts the bottom surface of the seedling tray when the seedling tray is placed on the spare seedling placing table 52. Specifically, when the tray is placed flat, the contact portion 207 contacts the bottom surface of the seedling tray.

[0068] For example, two abutment portions 207 are provided side by side in the left-right direction. The abutment portions 207 are provided so as to extend in the front-rear direction. The abutment portions 207 are provided so as to protrude diagonally upward from the ends in the front-rear direction. In other words, the abutment portions 207 are formed so as to have an inverted U shape when viewed from the left-right direction. The two abutment portions 207 are connected by a connecting portion 208. When the rotating portion 205 is in the initial state, the ends of the abutment portions 207 abut against the bottom of the spare seedling placing tray 52, and the rotating portion 205 is supported by the spare seedling placing tray 52.

[0069] The connecting portion 208 connects the pivot shaft portion 206 and the abutment portion 207. For example, two connecting portions 208 are provided side by side in the front-to-rear direction. The connecting portion 208 has a protruding portion 208a that protrudes downward from the pivot shaft portion 206. The connecting portion 208 is provided so as to pass through a hole 52a formed in the bottom of the spare seedling placing table 52.

[0070] A plate 208b is provided on a protruding portion 208a of at least one of the two connecting portions 208. A cable for moving the rotating portion 205 is connected to the plate 208b.

[0071] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, a lever 210 is provided on the spare seedling placing tray 52 that is the front end in the unfolded state among the multiple spare seedling placing trays 52. The lever 210 is provided so that it can be operated by an assistant worker standing on the ridge when the spare seedling frames 50 are in the unfolded state. Specifically, the lever 210 is provided below the spare seedling placing tray 52. ​​The lever 210 is provided so that it can be easily operated by an assistant worker standing on the ridge, for example.

[0072] Lever 210 and plate 208b of rotating portion 205 are connected by a cable. Lever 210 and plate 208b of rotating portion 205 may also be connected via a cable and a connection mechanism. The cable is routed along node 201a of link mechanism 201.

[0073] When the lever 210 is not operated, the rotating unit 205 is in its initial state. When the lever 210 is operated, the connecting portion 208 of the rotating unit 205 is pulled by the cable toward the center of the traveling vehicle body 2 in the left-right direction, and the rotating unit 205 moves toward the center. Specifically, the rotating unit 205 rotates around the axis of the rotating shaft portion 206. Therefore, the abutting portion 207 rotates upward, and the rotating unit 205 changes from its initial state to a moving state. That is, when the lever 210 is operated, the rotating unit 205 rotates from the initial state shown in FIG. 5 to the moving state shown in FIG. 6. Note that, in the moving state, the rotating unit 205 is in a state in which, for example, the upper surface of the abutting portion 207 is rotated 80 degrees with respect to the initial state.

[0074] When the rotating unit 205 is in the initial state and an empty seedling box is placed flat on the spare seedling tray 52, the rotating unit 205 rotates, causing the seedling box to be lifted by the rotating unit 205 and rotate together with the rotating unit 205. When the rotating unit 205 moves to the moving state, the seedling box slides down from the contact portion 207 toward the return rail 200 due to its own weight and is received by the return rail 200 and the support frame 202. In other words, when the rotating unit 205 is changed from the initial state to the moving state, the empty seedling box moves to the return rail 200. The seedling box that has moved to the return rail 200 is held in a vertical position by the support frame 202 and the return rail 200. In this way, the rotating unit 205 changes the empty seedling box from a flat position, in which it is placed on the spare seedling tray 52, to a vertical position, in which it has been moved to the return rail 200.

[0075] When the lever 210 is no longer operated, the rotating part 205 rotates from the moving state to the initial state due to its own weight. Note that the end of the abutting part 207 abuts against the bottom of the spare seedling loading table 52, so that the rotating part 205 is maintained in the initial state.

[0076] The seedling transplanter 1 comprises a traveling body 2, a seedling planting unit 4, a spare seedling loading platform 52, a return rail 200, and a rotating unit 205. The seedling planting unit 4 is attached to the traveling body 2. The spare seedling loading platform 52 is attached to the traveling body 2 and is capable of placing seedling boxes thereon. The return rail 200 is provided on the side of the spare seedling loading platform 52 and is capable of accommodating empty seedling boxes. The rotating unit 205 rotates to move empty seedling boxes placed on the spare seedling loading platform 52 to the return rail 200.

[0077] As a result, by rotating the rotating part 205, the seedling transplanter 1 can move empty seedling boxes from the spare seedling loading table 52 to the return rail 200. Therefore, the operator of the seedling transplanter 1 does not need to move the empty seedling boxes, which have had seedlings moved to the seedling planting section 4, from the spare seedling loading table 52 to the return rail 200. Therefore, the seedling transplanter 1 can reduce the workload of the operator.

[0078] The rotating part 205 includes a rotating shaft part 206 and an abutment part 207. The rotating shaft part 206 is provided below the bottom of the spare seedling placing table 52. The abutment part 207 protrudes above the bottom of the spare seedling placing table 52 and abuts against the bottom surface of an empty seedling tray.

[0079] This allows the seedling transplanter 1 to suppress the protrusion of the rotating shaft 206 in the left-right direction, for example, and to reduce the size of the structure for rotating the rotating part 205. Furthermore, the seedling transplanter 1 can be rotated from a state in which the abutting part 207 abuts against the bottom surface of the seedling box, and prevents the seedling box from jumping up when moving the seedling box onto the return rail 200. Therefore, the seedling transplanter 1 can reliably move an empty seedling box onto the return rail 200.

[0080] The rotating part 205 has a connecting part 208. The connecting part 208 connects the rotating shaft part 206 and the abutting part 207, and protrudes downward from the rotating shaft part 206. The return rail 200 is provided on the outer side of the traveling body 2 relative to the spare seedling loading platform 52. When the connecting part 208 of the rotating part 205 is moved toward the center of the traveling body 2, the empty seedling box is moved to the return rail 200.

[0081] As a result, the seedling transplanter 1 can prevent the rotating part 205 from protruding in the left-right direction, for example, and can reduce the size of the configuration for rotating the rotating part 205. Furthermore, the seedling transplanter 1 can prevent the rotating part 205 from protruding upward. Therefore, when moving an empty seedling tray from the spare seedling tray 52 to the return rail 200, the seedling transplanter 1 can prevent the seedling tray from hitting, for example, the rotating shaft part 206 or the connecting part 208, and can move the seedling tray to the return rail 200.

[0082] The rotating unit 205 changes the empty seedling tray from a flat state placed on the spare seedling-placing table 52 to a vertical state moved onto the return rail 200.

[0083] This allows the seedling transplanter 1 to reduce the space occupied in the left-right direction by the seedling boxes moved to the return rail 200.

[0084] The seedling transplanter 1 is equipped with a lever 210. The lever 210 can operate a rotating unit 205. A plurality of spare seedling trays 52 are provided. The plurality of spare seedling trays 52 can be changed between a stored state in which each spare seedling tray 52 is arranged vertically and an expanded state in which each spare seedling tray 52 is lined up in the front-to-back direction. The rotating unit 205 is attached to the spare seedling tray 52 that is the rear end in the expanded state. The lever 210 is provided below the spare seedling tray 52 that is the front end in the expanded state. The lever 210 and the rotating unit 205 are connected by a cable. The cable is routed along a joint 201a of a link mechanism 201 that holds the plurality of spare seedling trays 52 in the stored state and the expanded state.

[0085] As a result, the seedling transplanter 1 can move empty seedling boxes from the spare seedling tray 52 to the return rail 200 by, for example, operating the lever 210 by an assistant worker standing on the ridge in the field. Therefore, the seedling transplanter 1 can reduce the workload of the worker standing on the seedling transplanter 1. Furthermore, the seedling transplanter 1 can prevent the cable from sagging, and can prevent people or objects from coming into contact with the cable. Therefore, the seedling transplanter 1 can prevent cable breakage, etc.

[0086] The seedling transplanter 1 may include an electric switching mechanism 220 for switching the spare seedling trays 52 between a stored state and an expanded state, as shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a side view of the spare seedling frame 50 illustrating the electric switching mechanism 220. The electric switching mechanism 220 includes a motor 221, a gear 222, and a stopper 223. The motor 221 switches the spare seedling trays 52 between a stored state and an expanded state via the gear 222. The motor 221 is controlled by the controller 100. The stopper 223 limits the movement of the link mechanism 201 when the spare seedling trays 52 are expanded.

[0087] When the seedling frame detection sensor 45 detects that the spare seedling trays 52 are in the unfolded state, the controller 100 reduces the engine 30 rotation speed. Specifically, the controller 100 reduces the engine 30 rotation speed below that before the spare seedling trays 52 were in the unfolded state. For example, the controller 100 sets the engine 30 rotation speed to a predetermined rotation speed. The predetermined rotation speed is, for example, a lower rotation speed than the rotation speed when the seedling transplanter 1 performs planting work in a field. The seedling frame detection sensor 45 is located below the rotation axis of the gear 222. The seedling frame detection sensor 45 is housed in a resin cover that covers the gear 222.

[0088] The controller 100 may reduce the rotation speed of the engine 30 when at least one of the following conditions is met: the gear shift lever 36 is in the neutral position, the parking brake is engaged, or information from the position detection device 150 determines that the traveling vehicle body 2 is stopped at the edge of a field, and multiple spare seedling trays 52 are in an unfolded state.

[0089] The controller 100 may reduce the rotation speed of the engine 30 when the seedling frame detection sensor 45 indicates that multiple spare seedling loading trays 52 are in an unfolded state and the speed change operation lever 36 is in the neutral position (parking position).

[0090] This allows the seedling transplanter 1 to reduce fuel consumption when seedlings are replenished. Also, the seedling transplanter 1 can reduce noise when seedlings are replenished.

[0091] When the controller 100 detects that the multiple spare seedling trays 52 are in the deployed state and reduces the rotation speed of the engine 30, the controller 100 may stop the blower 74 of the fertilizer application device 5. That is, the controller 100 stops the electric motor 76 for the blower.

[0092] This makes it possible to prevent other functions of the seedling transplanter 1 from being restricted when the rotation speed of the engine 30 is reduced.

[0093] The seedling transplanter 1 may detect that the multiple spare seedling trays 52 have been deployed when the current flowing through the motor 221 exceeds a predetermined overcurrent after the multiple spare seedling trays 52 have been deployed and their rotation has been restricted by the stopper 223.

[0094] The seedling transplanter 1 may use an inclination sensor to detect the inclination of the traveling body 2. When the detected inclination of the traveling body 2 is equal to or greater than a predetermined angle, the seedling transplanter 1 may disable the control of the seat switch that detects seating.

[0095] The seedling transplanter 1 may be equipped with a planting clutch arm 230 as shown in Figure 8. Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the planting clutch arm 230. As shown in Figure 9, the planting clutch arm 230 is equipped with a first arm 231 and a second arm 232. In other words, the planting clutch arm 230 is a split clutch arm. Figure 9 is an oblique view of a portion of the planting clutch arm 230 disassembled. The first arm 231 and the second arm 232 are integrated by an elastic body such as a spring 233.

[0096] The planting clutch arm 230 can set planting to the "off" state even when the planting lever is in the "planting" position by rotating the first arm 231 by a cable or the like, as shown by the arrow in Figure 8. The planting clutch arm 230 can push in the pin 234 by rotating the first arm 231. Pushing in of the pin 234 is performed by the pin 235 of the second arm 232 pushing the first arm 231, as shown in Figure 10. Figure 10 is a diagram explaining the pushing in of the pin 234. The pin 234 is pulled up by the first arm 231 being pulled by the spring 233.

[0097] This allows the seedling transplanter 1 to disengage the planting clutch 27a via the cable even when the planting lever is in the "planting" position.

[0098] When the sub-speed change lever 37 is in the "neutral" or "traveling speed" position as shown in FIG. 11, the seedling transplanter 1 may be pulled by the cable to the "planting speed" as shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the state in which the sub-speed change lever 37 is in the "neutral" or "traveling speed" position. In FIG. 11, the sub-speed change lever 37 is shown in the "neutral" position with a solid line, and the sub-speed change lever 37 is shown in the "traveling speed" position with a dotted line. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the state in which the sub-speed change lever 37 is in the "planting speed" position. In other words, when the operator releases the sub-speed change lever 37 while the sub-speed change lever 37 is in the "neutral" or "traveling speed" position, the sub-speed change lever 37 will move to the "planting speed" position.

[0099] As a result, when the operator releases the sub-speed change control lever 37 while the sub-speed change control lever 37 is in the "neutral" or "travel speed" position, the seedling transplanter 1 can prevent the planting lever from entering the "planting" position.

[0100] In the seedling transplanter 1, as shown in FIG. 13, when the cable 237 is pulled, the roller 238 disengages from the guide of the cam 239, causing the cam control arm 240 to rotate. Then, in the seedling transplanter 1, as shown in FIG. 14, when the roller 238 lowers, the cam 239 attempts to return to its original position due to the force of the spring 241. At this time, the cam control arm 240 controls the "up" position. When the cable 237 is pulled, the seedling transplanter 1 does not move to the "planting" position, and even if it does, it returns to the "neutral" position. FIG. 13 is a diagram (part 1) illustrating a configuration in which the planting lever is not fixed in the "planting" position. FIG. 14 is a diagram (part 2) illustrating a configuration in which the planting lever is not fixed in the "planting" position. The "planting" position can be maintained by manual operation by the operator.

[0101] In the seedling transplanter 1, when the planting lever is in the "planting" position and the brake pedal 242 is in the brake lock position, the stopper 243 of the brake pedal 242 may lock the planting lever 244 and hold it in the "planting" position, as shown in FIG. 15 . FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the locked state of the planting lever 244 by the brake pedal 242. Note that when the brake pedal 242 is unlocked, the planting lever 244 is also released from its locked state. Also, if the brake pedal 242 is in the brake lock position when the planting lever 244 is in a position other than "planting," the stopper 243 does not lock the planting lever 244. When the brake pedal 242 is in the brake lock position, the speed change lever 36 is in the neutral position, so the planting rod 58 does not move even if the planting lever 244 is in the "planting" position.

[0102] The seedling transplanter 1 may prevent the planting lever from entering the "planting" position based on the flowchart shown in Figure 16. Figure 16 is a flowchart showing check control of the planting lever.

[0103] The controller 100 activates the interlock actuator 250 shown in Fig. 17 (S100). Specifically, the controller 100 sets the interlock state. Fig. 17 is a diagram showing the connection state between the interlock actuator 250, the hydraulic lock cable 253, and the planting position restraint cable 254.

[0104] Next, the controller 100 locks the hydraulic valve 251 (see FIG. 18) (S101). The controller 100 activates the interlock actuator 250 to pull the hydraulic lock cable 253 connected to the round hole 252, as shown in FIG. 17, and locks the hydraulic valve 251. The hydraulic lock cable 253 is connected to the planting unit lifting / lowering lock arm 255, as shown in FIG. 18. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the connection state between the hydraulic lock cable 253 and the planting unit lifting / lowering lock arm 255.

[0105] Next, the controller 100 places the planting position in a restrained state (S102). The controller 100 further operates the interlock actuator 250 to pull the planting position restraint cable 254 connected to the elongated hole 256, as shown in FIG. 17, preventing the planting lever from entering the "planting" position. The planting position restraint cable 254 is connected to a roller 238 that can engage with a cam 239, as shown in FIG. 19. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the connection state between the planting position restraint cable 254 and the roller 238.

[0106] Next, the controller 100 determines whether the auxiliary transmission control lever 37 is in the "neutral" position (S103). If the auxiliary transmission control lever 37 is in the "neutral" position (S103: Yes), the controller 100 repeats the process of step S103. If the auxiliary transmission control lever 37 is not in the "neutral" position (S103: No), for example, if the auxiliary transmission control lever 37 is at the "transport speed" or "planting speed", the controller 100 activates the interlock actuator 250 (S104).

[0107] Next, the controller 100 releases the hydraulic valve 251 from the locked state (S105). Next, the controller 100 releases the planting position from the restrained state (S106).

[0108] Further advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described above. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0109] 1 Seedling transplanter 2 Running vehicle 4 Seedling planting department 5 Fertilizer application equipment 30 Engine 36 Shift lever (main shift lever) 37 Sub-transmission control lever 45 Seedling frame detection sensor (detection unit) 50 spare seedling frames 52 Spare seedling stand (spare seedling placement area) 74 Blower 76 Electric motor for blower (blower motor) 100 Controller (control device) 150 Position detection device 200 Return rail (rail) 201 Link mechanism 201a Node 205 Rotating part 206 Rotating shaft 207 Contact part 208 Connection 208a Protrusion 208b Plate

Claims

1. A running vehicle body, A seedling planting unit attached to the traveling vehicle body; A spare seedling placement unit attached to the traveling vehicle body and capable of placing seedling trays thereon; A rail provided on the side of the spare seedling placement section that can accommodate empty seedling boxes; A rotating unit that rotates to move an empty seedling box placed on the spare seedling placement unit to the rail; a lever capable of operating the rotating part; Equipped with The spare seedling placing section is provided in plurality, The plurality of spare seedling placing sections are changeable between a stored state in which the spare seedling placing sections are arranged vertically and an expanded state in which the spare seedling placing sections are arranged in a front-to-rear direction, The rotating part is attached to the spare seedling placing part which is the rear end in the unfolded state, The lever is provided below the spare seedling placing section which is the front end in the unfolded state, The lever and the rotating part are connected by a cable, A seedling transplanter, wherein the cable is routed along the nodes of a link mechanism that holds the multiple spare seedling placing sections in the stored state and the deployed state.

2. The rotating portion is A rotating shaft portion provided below the bottom of the spare seedling placing portion; a contact portion that protrudes above the bottom and contacts the bottom surface of an empty seedling tray; 2. The seedling transplanter of claim 1, comprising:

3. the rotating portion includes a connection portion that connects the rotating shaft portion and the abutment portion and protrudes downward from the rotating shaft portion, the connecting portion includes a protruding portion that protrudes downward from the pivot shaft portion, The rail is provided on the outer side of the traveling body relative to the spare seedling placing section, The seedling transplanter according to claim 2 , wherein the rotating part moves the empty seedling tray onto the rail by moving the protruding part toward the center of the traveling body.

4. The seedling transplanter according to claim 1 , wherein the rotating unit changes the empty seedling tray from a flat state placed on the spare seedling placing unit to a vertical state moved onto the rail.

5. A detection unit that detects that the plurality of spare seedling placement units are in the expanded state; a control device that reduces the number of revolutions of the engine when the detection unit detects that the plurality of spare seedling placement units are in the deployed state; 2. The seedling transplanter of claim 1, comprising:

6. The seedling transplanter described in claim 5, wherein the control device stops the blower motor of the fertilizer application device when the detection unit detects that the multiple spare seedling placing units are in the expanded state and the engine speed is reduced.

7. The seedling transplanter described in claim 5, wherein the control device reduces the engine speed when at least one of the following conditions is met: the main shift lever is in the neutral position, the parking brake is engaged, or information from the position detection device determines that the traveling vehicle body is stopped at the edge of a field, and when multiple spare seedling placing sections are in the deployed state.

Images