Crop harvesting aids and harvesters

Abstract

To provide a farm crop harvesting assistance device for collecting farm crops present in a farm field and facilitating automated harvesting by a harvesting machine.SOLUTION: A farm crop harvesting assistance device for assisting picking-up of farm crops by a harvesting machine 10 equipped with pick-up means 2 for picking up the farm crops in front of a travelling machine body 1 that travels in a farm field includes: a pair of wheel rakes 20A and 20B, which are arranged bilaterally symmetrically in front of the pick-up means 2; and a support structure 30. Each of the wheel rakes 20A and 20B includes a rotary circular plate 22, rake bars 23, and a connection ring 24. The rake bars 23 are arranged in a radial shape along the rotary plane with respect to the rotary circular plate 22, and the tip parts are bent toward the back in a rotation direction. The connection ring 24 is fixed to halfway parts in a longitudinal direction of the rake bars 23.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a crop harvesting assist device and a harvester for assisting the harvesting of crops present in a farm field. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the aging of the Japanese population has led to a decline in the young workforce, a trend that is expected to intensify in the future. The agricultural workforce is also steadily declining, and the aging of the workforce is also progressing rapidly. In order to ensure a stable supply of food, there is a need to secure and train new farmers, while there is also an urgent need to further mechanize agricultural work itself and promote labor-saving measures.

[0003] For example, tomatoes for processing into juice or ketchup are grown on the ground without supports, unlike greenhouse tomatoes for eating raw, which allows for extremely labor-saving cultivation management. However, when it comes to harvesting crops grown on the ground in open fields, this inevitably requires manual labor, which is a huge workload.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need to develop technology to mechanize the harvesting of agricultural crops grown on the ground in the open field.

[0005] The applicant is aware of the following Patent Documents 1 to 3 as prior art documents relating to the above problem. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 57-764 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 3559521 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 53-44318

[0007] The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 relates to a "tomato harvester for harvesting tomatoes for processing" and includes the following description: [Bulletin page 2, left column, line 30 to right column, line 3] At the front of the mobile body 1 is provided a digging-picking-transporting device A for digging up tomatoes along with their stalks, picking them up, and transporting them while lifting them rearward, and this device A is composed of a transport mechanism 4 set up in a downward-facing position, a feed means 5 which cooperates with this transport mechanism 4 to lift the tomatoes along with their stalks, and a feed roller means 6 which is driven and rotated by this feed means 5, and this device A enables the tomatoes along with their stalks to be transported rearward in a full-scale harvesting manner. After the tomatoes along with their stalks have been transported rearward by device A, a fruit separation device B is provided behind the digging-picking-transporting device A for receiving the tomato fruit, stems, stems, and stalks, separating the fruit from these and throwing the rest rearward. A fruit storage device C is provided below and behind the fruit separation device B for storing only the fruit separated by the separation device B.

[0008] The above-mentioned Patent Document 2 relates to a "spherical vegetable harvester for harvesting spherical vegetables such as lettuce and cabbage" and includes the following description:

[0014] The harvester body 34 includes a frame 37 equipped with a reaping blade 40, a guide disc 38, a transport device 36, etc., which is mounted on the front side of the mounting arm 35 so as to be swingable left and right relative to the traveling means 32.

[0019] The cutting blade 40 can be moved up and down by rotating the handle 54. In this way, by making the vertical position of the reaping blade 40 adjustable, the reaping blade 40 can be reliably positioned in accordance with the position of the roots of the spherical vegetables 22, the roots can be reliably harvested, and the blade can be prevented from hitting the leaves of the spherical vegetables and causing damage.

[0020] The guide discs 38, 38 are freely rotatable disks attached to the lower end of the front vertical member 50a so that the rotation axis 60 faces up and down (which may or may not be vertical). In other words, the guide discs 38 are provided forward of the reaping blade 40, and are provided on both the left and right sides of the spherical vegetable just before it is harvested by the reaping blade 40.

[0021] The guide disc 38 is provided to orient the frame 37 in the direction of the bulbous vegetables that are to be planted. In other words, even if the row of spherical vegetables is disordered, if either of the guide discs 38 comes into contact with the outer periphery of a spherical vegetable that is out of line, that guide disc 38 will receive more force from the spherical vegetable, moving the freely rotating pivot 42 so that the entire frame 37 faces the guide disc 38 side. Therefore, even if the rows of spherical vegetables are disorganized, they can be harvested successfully without having to turn the traveling means 32 in the direction of the disturbance each time. The operator can harvest the vegetables reliably by simply driving in a straight line along the rows of spherical vegetables. This is possible in combination with the structure in which the entire frame 37 is freely swingable left and right.

[0009] The above-mentioned Patent Document 3 relates to an "acrobatic trake towed by an agricultural tractor" and includes the following description: [Bulletin page 1, left column, lines 4 to 11] 2. Scope of Claims (1) An acrobatic tray attached to the rear of an agricultural tractor so that it can tow a frame body with axles mounted with acrobatic wheels that have countless grass-collecting claws made of thin wires protruding radially from the outer periphery, and which is towed by an agricultural tractor and has a desired number of ruler wheels that can be adjusted up and down attached to the desired position on the frame body. [Bulletin page 3, left column, line 11 to right column, line 2] Since the present invention has the above-mentioned configuration, by loosening the fixing bolts (12) and adjusting the adjustment rod (11) to the desired height, the tip of the grass collection claws (7) of each acrobatic wheel (6) is adjusted to a height that will scrape out only the grass that has accumulated on top of the dead grass, and then by pulling the frame body (1)(4)(5), the ruler wheels (8)(8) will allow the grass to be collected conveniently. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 discloses a harvester for tomatoes for processing. The harvester is equipped with a digging-picking-transporting device A at the front side of a mobile body 1, which digs up tomatoes along with the stalks, picks them up, and transports them rearward. Tomatoes for processing are generally planted in rows about 90 cm wide and 10-30 cm high, covered with a mulch sheet. After planting, the tomatoes are grown on the ground as described above. At this stage, wind and rain can cause the stems and fruit to slide off the rows and into the walkways before harvest. However, as mentioned above, if the stems and fruits slide down from the furrows into the aisle, the harvester of Patent Document 1 has the problem that the moving body 1 will crush the fruits in the aisle as it moves, making it impossible to harvest them.

[0011] The above-mentioned Patent Document 2 discloses a harvester that cuts and harvests the roots of spherical vegetables planted in rows along ridges. The above-mentioned Patent Document 2 discloses a harvester that can harvest spherical vegetables that are slightly off-center from the ridges by abutting a guide disk 38 against the outer periphery of the rows of spherical vegetables, moving a frame 37 along the rows of spherical vegetables, and guiding a cutting blade 40 to the spherical vegetables. However, the technology of Patent Document 2 is completely inapplicable when the creeping stems and fruits slide down from the ridges into the passages, as described above.

[0012] The above-mentioned Patent Document 3 discloses a grass collector that collects grass by pulling acrobatic wheels (6) with an agricultural tractor. However, the technology of Patent Document 3 involves towing the crops with a tractor, so as mentioned above, if the stems and fruits that have been stretched along the ground slide down from the furrows into the path, the tractor will crush the fruits in the path before the acrobatic wheels (6) can act, making it impossible to harvest them.

[0013] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems and has the following objects. To provide a crop harvesting auxiliary device and a harvester which gathers crops present in a field and makes it easy to automatically harvest them by the harvester. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] In order to achieve the above object, the agricultural crop harvesting assisting device of claim 1 employs the following configuration. A crop harvesting assist device for assisting the pickup of crops in a harvester equipped with a pickup means for picking up crops in front of a traveling machine body traveling in a field, comprising: a pair of wheel rakes arranged symmetrically in front of the pickup means, and a support structure; The wheel rake includes a rotating disc, a rake bar, and a connecting ring. The rake bar is disposed radially along the rotation plane of the rotary disc, and a tip end of the rake bar is bent backward in the rotation direction. The connecting ring is fixed to the middle of the rake bar in the longitudinal direction, The support structure includes: a frame attached to a front end of the pickup means; With an inclination angle to the traveling direction of the running machine body an arm connected to the frame and supporting the wheel rake; The arm is With an inclination angle to the traveling direction of the running machine body A length adjustment mechanism is provided to adjust the distance from the frame to the wheel rake.

[0015] In order to achieve the above object, the harvester of claim 2 employs the following configuration. The crop harvesting assist device according to claim 1 is attached. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] The crop harvesting assisting device described in claim 1 assists in the pickup of crops in a harvester equipped with a pickup means for picking up crops in front of a traveling vehicle traveling through a field. To this end, the harvesting assisting device includes a wheel rake and a support structure. A pair of the wheel rakes are arranged symmetrically in front of the pickup means. The wheel rakes include a rotating disk, a rake bar, and a connecting ring. The rake bar is arranged radially along the rotation plane of the rotating disk, and its tip is bent backward in the direction of rotation. As a result, when the left and right wheel rakes rotate as the traveling vehicle travels to rake up the crops, stems and leaves easily come off the rake bar, preventing them from becoming entangled in the wheel rake and causing the harvester to become inoperable. Furthermore, the connecting ring is fixed midway along the length of the rake bar, stabilizing each rake bar. The support structure includes a frame attached to the front end of the pickup means, and an arm connected to the frame to pivotally support the wheel rake. The arm is connected to the frame at an inclination angle relative to the traveling direction of the traveling machine body, and pivotally supports the wheel rake. , the arm is With an inclination angle to the traveling direction of the running machine body The wheel rake has a length adjustment mechanism for adjusting the distance from the frame to the wheel rake. When the pair of wheel rakes are pushed forward by moving the traveling machine body, the crops scattered in the field are raked toward the center by the scraping action of the rotating left and right wheel rakes, and the crops raked toward the center can be picked up by the pickup means as the traveling machine body moves. It is easy to collect crops present in the field and automatically harvest them using a harvester. As described above, the crop harvesting assist device of the present invention makes it easier to gather crops present in a field and automatically harvest them using a harvester.

[0017] The harvester of claim 2 comprises: The rake bars are arranged radially along the plane of rotation of the rotating disc, and their tips are bent backward in the direction of rotation, so they are propelled forward as the traveling body travels. When the left and right wheel rakes rotate to rake crops, stems and leaves easily fall off the rake bars, preventing them from becoming entangled in the wheel rakes and causing inoperability. Furthermore, the connecting rings are fixed midway along the length of the rake bars, stabilizing each rake bar. As described above, the harvester of the present invention makes it easier to gather crops in a field and automatically harvest them using the harvester. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing an example of a harvester to which the present invention can be applied, in which (A) is a plan view and (B) is a side view. [Figure 2]1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an embodiment of a crop harvesting assist device of the present invention, in which (A) is a plan view and (B) is a side view. [Figure 3] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating the wheel rake and the arm of the embodiment, in which FIG. 1A is a plan view of the left wheel rake and the left arm, and FIG. 1B is a side view of the left wheel rake and the left arm as seen from the inside. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a view of the agricultural crop harvesting assist device of the embodiment as viewed from the front of the traveling body. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the present invention is applied to a harvester that harvests tomatoes for processing as an example of agricultural produce.

[0020] [Harvesting machine] FIG. 1 shows an example of a harvester 10 to which the present invention can be applied. (A) is a plan view, and (B) is a side view. The harvester 10 described in this example harvests tomatoes for processing as agricultural produce. This harvester 10 is equipped with a pickup means 2 that picks up agricultural produce in front of a traveling machine body 1 that travels through a farm field. This will be explained in detail below.

[0021] The harvester 10 is equipped with the running body 1 and pickup means 2 described above, as well as a sorting device 3, a stem and leaf discharge outlet 4, a side conveyor 5, a rear conveyor 6, a storage device 7, an operating unit 8, etc.

[0022] The traveling machine body 1 has a traveling device 1A and travels in a farm field.

[0023] The field is provided with ridges 9 in which processing tomatoes are planted. The ridges 9 can be formed, for example, with a bed width of 90 cm and a bed height of 10 to 30 cm. Between the ridges 9 arranged side by side, passages of, for example, 60 cm to 110 cm are provided.

[0024] In the illustrated example, the arrow F indicates the traveling direction of the traveling machine body 1. The traveling direction F is a direction along the ridges 9.

[0025] In this example, the traveling devices 1A are caterpillars arranged on the left and right sides of the traveling body 1. The traveling devices 1A pass through passages 9A (i.e., on the left and right sides of the ridges 9) provided between ridges 9 arranged side by side in the field. In other words, the traveling body 1 travels across the ridges 9.

[0026] The pickup means 2 picks up the agricultural products in front of the traveling body 1. In this example, the pickup means 2 is a pickup conveyor 2A having a width dimension that matches the bed width of the ridges 9. The pickup means 2 picks up the agricultural products planted on the bed surface of the ridges 9. If the agricultural products are tomatoes for processing, the fruits and stems and leaves are picked up together and transported rearward (arrow A1 in the figure).

[0027] The sorting device 3 is disposed behind the pickup means 2, and receives the fruits and stems and leaves transported by the pickup means 2 (arrow A2 in the figure). The sorting device 3 separates the fruits and stems and leaves that have been fed into it. The stems and leaves separated by the sorting device 3 are discharged from the stem and leaf discharge outlet 4 (arrow A3 in the figure). The fruits separated by the sorting device 3 are sent onto the side conveyor 5 (arrow A4 in the figure).

[0028] The side conveyor 5 conveys and delivers the fruit sent out from the sorting device 3 to the rear conveyor 6 (arrow A5 in the figure). The fruit transported on the side conveyor 5 can be sorted manually if necessary.

[0029] The rear conveyor 6 conveys the fruit received from the side conveyor 5 toward the storage device 7 at the rear (arrow A6 in the figure).

[0030] The storage device 7 is disposed behind the rear conveyor 6 and stores the fruit transported by the rear conveyor 6 (arrow A7 in the figure). The storage device 7 includes traveling means 7A and a storage container 7B. The traveling means 7A travels across the ridges 9 on caterpillar tracks 7C. The storage container 7B is a container for storing fruit.

[0031] The driving section 8 is a place where an operator sits and performs operations related to the traveling of the traveling machine body 1, etc.

[0032] [Auxiliary equipment] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the present invention, which is a crop harvesting assist device for assisting the harvester 10 in picking up the crops.

[0033] [Overall structure] The apparatus includes a pair of wheel rakes 20A, 20B and a support structure 30.

[0034] The pair of wheel rakes 20A, 20B are arranged on the left and right sides in front of the pickup means 2. With respect to the traveling direction F of the traveling body 1, the left wheel rake 20A is arranged on the left side and the right wheel rake 20B is arranged on the right side. The left wheel rake 20A and the right wheel rake 20B are arranged on the left and right sides of the furrow 9, respectively.

[0035] [Support structure] The support structure 30 supports the left and right wheel rakes 20A, 20B relative to the traveling machine body 1.

[0036] The support structure 30 includes a left arm 40A, a right arm 40B, and a frame 50. The left arm 40A supports the left wheel rake 20A at its tip end. The right arm 40B supports the right wheel rake 20B at its tip end. The frame 50 is attached to the traveling machine body 1, and the base portions of the left arm 40A and the right arm 40B are connected to the frame 50.

[0037] [Frame] The frame 50 is attached to the front end of the pickup means 2 of the traveling body 1. Specifically, the frame 50 is attached to conveyor frames 2B on the left and right of the pickup conveyor 2A that constitutes the pickup means 2.

[0038] The frame 50 includes an arm connector 51 disposed at the front, a rear member 52 disposed at the rear, and side members 53 disposed on the left and right. The arm connector 51 and the rear member 52 are disposed so as to cross the traveling direction F, and the left and right side members 53 are disposed along the traveling direction F, so that the frame 50 is formed in a substantially frame shape as a whole. The left and right side members 53 are fixed to the conveyor frame 2B via fixing members 54.

[0039] The bases of the left arm 40A and the right arm 40B are connected to an arm connecting portion 51 of the frame 50. The structures of the left arm 40A and the right arm 40B will be described later.

[0040] The rear member 52 of the frame 50 is provided on the left and right sides with hook portions 56 for hanging towing means 55 such as chains for towing the left arm 40A and the right arm 40B, respectively.

[0041] [Wheel rake and arm] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating the wheel rakes and arms of the above embodiment. (A) is a plan view of the left wheel rake 20A and the left arm 40A, and (B) is a side view of the left wheel rake 20A and the left arm 40A as viewed from the inside. The right wheel rake 20B and the right arm 40B are basically configured symmetrically to the left wheel rake 20A and the left arm 40A, so their description is omitted.

[0042] [Wheel rake] The left wheel rake 20A is a wheel-shaped rake that includes a central shaft 21, a rotating disc 22, a rake bar 23, and a connecting ring 24, and rotates around the central shaft 21.

[0043] The central axis 21 is the axis that serves as the rotation center of the left wheel rake 20A. The rotary disk 22 is disposed with the central shaft 21 at its center, and rotates around the central shaft 21 as its axis.

[0044] The rake bars 23 constitute the left wheel rake 20A and are arranged radially along the plane of rotation of the rotating disk 22. The base of each rake bar 23 is fixed to the surface of the rotating disk 22, and the tip extends radially outward. In this state, the tip of each rake bar 23 is bent backward in the direction of rotation (arrow R in the figure). The rake bars 23 are arranged at regular intervals around the entire circumference of the rotating disk 22, spaced a predetermined rotational angle apart. In the illustrated example, 24 rake bars 23 are arranged.

[0045] The connecting ring 24 is fixed to the middle of each rake bar 23 in the longitudinal direction to stabilize each rake bar 23. In this example, it is fixed slightly inward from the bent portion of each rake bar 23. The connecting ring 24 is concentric with the rotating disk 22. In other words, the connecting ring 24 is arranged so that its center is on the central axis 21.

[0046] 〔arm〕 The left arm 40A includes a first pipe arm 41, a second pipe arm 42, a bearing unit 43, and an arm mounting unit 44. The left wheel rake 20A is journaled at the tip of the left arm 40A. The base of the left arm 40A is attached to an arm connecting portion 51 of the frame 50.

[0047] The first pipe arm 41 and the second pipe arm 42 are both square pipes, and are connected by inserting the base side of the second pipe arm 42 from the tip of the first pipe arm 41. A fixing mechanism 41A that fixes the sliding of the inserted second pipe arm 42 is provided at the tip of the first pipe arm 41. The second pipe arm 42 can be slid longitudinally relative to the first pipe arm 41 and fixed at any position. The above structure including the fixing mechanism 41A functions as the length adjustment mechanism for the left arm 40A.

[0048] The bearing unit 43 is attached to the tip of the second pipe arm 42. The bearing unit 43 rotatably supports the center shaft 21 of the left wheel rake 20A. In this example, the bearing unit 43 is configured to attach the left wheel rake 20A to the right side of the left arm 40A (i.e., inside the left and right sides of the traveling body 1).

[0049] The arm mounting unit 44 is attached to the base of the first pipe arm 41. The arm mounting unit 44 is configured to include a shaft 44A, a bearing 44B, and a mounting bracket 44C. The shaft 44A is journaled by the bearing 44B, and also journals the base portion of the first pipe arm 41 so that it can rotate. The mounting bracket 44C is used to attach the shaft 44A and bearing 44B to the arm connecting portion 51 of the frame 50.

[0050] By attaching the mounting bracket 44C to the arm connecting portion 51, the base of the left arm 40A is attached to the frame 50. In this state, the left arm 40A can swing up and down around the base shaft 44A. Therefore, the left wheel rake 20A can move up and down in conjunction with the up and down swing of the left arm 40A. In addition, by adjusting the length of the left arm 40A using the length adjustment mechanism, the distance from the frame 50 to the left wheel rake 20A can be adjusted.

[0051] A plurality of eyebolts 41B (three in this example) are attached to the upper side of the first pipe arm 41 along the longitudinal direction. The eyebolts 41B function as hooks for hanging the traction means 55 such as the chain, thereby connecting the hook portion 56 of the frame 50 and the eyebolts 41B via the traction means 55. With this lifting structure, the left arm 40A is pulled relative to the frame 50 and supported so as to be lifted up.

[0052] FIG. 4 is a view of the agricultural crop harvesting assist device of the embodiment as viewed from the front of the traveling body 1. As shown in FIG.

[0053] As described above, the left and right wheel rakes 20A, 20B and the left and right arms 40A, 40B are configured symmetrically.

[0054] 2(A), the left and right wheel rakes 20A, 20B are arranged to widen forward in the direction of travel of the traveling machine body 1. In other words, the left and right arms 40A, 40B are attached to the arm connecting portion 51 of the frame 50 so as to incline to widen forward.

[0055] As can be seen from Fig. 3(A), the first pipe arm 41 is pivotally supported at a predetermined angle relative to the shaft 44A of the arm mounting unit 44. As a result, the left arm 40A is attached at an inclination angle β to the arm connecting part 51. Fig. 3(A) shows the left arm 40A, but as described above, the left and right arms 40A, 40B have a symmetrical structure.

[0056] As can be seen from Fig. 4, the left and right wheel rakes 20A, 20B are preferably arranged so that the camber angle α is positive. In other words, the left and right wheel rakes 20A, 20B are arranged so that their upper portions are inclined outward by the angle α from being perpendicular to the ground.

[0057] In the above structure, the harvesting assist device of this embodiment is configured so that, as the traveling body 1 travels, the left and right wheel rakes 20A, 20B are pushed forward in the direction F of travel of the traveling body 1. As the traveling body 1 travels, the support structure 30 and the left and right wheel rakes 20A, 20B are pushed forward accordingly. At this time, the rake bars 23 of the left and right wheel rakes 20A, 20B come into contact with the crops in the field, and the resistance causes the left and right wheel rakes 20A, 20B to rotate. The direction of rotation is indicated by arrow R.

[0058] At this time, due to the lifting structure of the left and right arms 40A, 40B relative to the frame 50, the support structure 30 supports the left and right wheel rakes 20A, 20B to an extent that the rake rods 23 do not interfere with the ground when the left and right wheel rakes 20A, 20B are pushed forward and rotated as the traveling machine body 1 travels. For example, when the left and right wheel rakes 20A, 20B are pushed forward and rotated, the tips of the rake rods 23 can be supported so as not to pierce the side of the ridge 9 or the surface of the passage 9A (see FIG. 2).

[0059] The degree of lifting of the left and right arms 40A, 40B relative to the frame 50 in the above-mentioned lifting structure can be adjusted, for example, by changing the length of the traction means 55 such as a chain, or by changing the eye bolt 41B to which the traction means 55 is attached and changing the position of the hook.

[0060] [Harvesting operation] By moving the traveling machine body 1 equipped with the harvesting device of this embodiment, the pair of wheel rakes 20A, 20B are pushed forward, and the crops scattered in the field are raked toward the center by the raking action of the rotating left and right wheel rakes 20A, 20B. The crops raked toward the center can be picked up by the pickup means 2 as the traveling machine body 1 moves.

[0061] [Harvesting machine] The harvesting assist device described in the above embodiment can be attached to the harvesting machine shown in FIG. 1, for example, to form the harvesting machine of the present invention.

[0062] [Effects of the embodiment] The above embodiment has the following advantages.

[0063] The above embodiment is This harvester (10) is equipped with a pickup means (2) that picks up crops in front of a traveling machine body (1) traveling through a field. This harvest assist device assists in the pickup of the crops. To this end, the harvest assist device includes wheel rakes (20A, 20B) and a support structure (30). A pair of the wheel rakes (20A, 20B) are arranged symmetrically in front of the pickup means (2). The wheel rakes (20A, 20B) each include a rotating disk (22), a rake bar (23), and a connecting ring (24). The rake bar (23) is arranged radially along the plane of rotation of the rotating disk (22), with its tip bent backward in the direction of rotation. As a result, when the left and right wheel rakes (20A, 20B) rotate as the traveling machine body (1) travels to rake up the crops, stems and leaves easily come off the rake bar (23), preventing them from becoming entangled in the wheel rakes (20A, 20B) and becoming inoperable. Furthermore, the connecting ring 24 is fixed to the middle of the longitudinal direction of the rake bars 23, thereby stabilizing each rake bar 23. As described above, according to this embodiment, agricultural products present in a field can be gathered, making it easier to automatically harvest them using a harvester.

[0064] The above embodiment assists in the pickup of agricultural products in a harvester 10 equipped with pickup means 2 that picks up agricultural products in front of a traveling machine body 1 traveling in a field. To this end, the harvest assist device includes wheel rakes 20A, 20B and a support structure 30. The wheel rakes 20A, 20B are arranged in pairs on the left and right in front of the pickup means 2. The support structure 30 supports the left and right wheel rakes 20A, 20B relative to the traveling machine body 1. The wheel rakes 20A, 20B are configured to be pushed forward as the traveling machine body 1 travels. By moving the traveling machine body 1, the pair of wheel rakes 20A, 20B are pushed forward, and agricultural products scattered in the field are raked to the center by the left and right wheel rakes 20A, 20B. The agricultural products raked to the center can be picked up by the pickup means 2 as the traveling machine body 1 moves. For example, when applied to tomatoes for processing as the agricultural product, even if the stems and fruits that have been stretched along the ground slide down from the ridges 9 into the aisle 9A, they can be raked onto the central ridge 9 by the left and right wheel rakes 20A, 20B. The stems and fruits raked onto the ridges 9 can be picked up by the pickup means 2. After the wheel rakes 20A, 20B in front of the traveling body 1 rake the fruits onto the ridges 9, the wheels of the traveling body 1 travel along the aisle 9A, so the fruits on the aisle 9A are not crushed and lost. As described above, according to this embodiment, agricultural products present in a field can be collected and automatically harvested by the harvester 10 with ease.

[0065] In the embodiment, the left and right wheel rakes 20A, 20B are arranged to widen forward in the traveling direction of the traveling machine body 1. The left and right wheel rakes 20A, 20B arranged in a forward spreading pattern effectively rake crops scattered across the field into the center.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the left and right wheel rakes 20A, 20B are arranged so that the camber angle α is positive. In other words, the left and right wheel rakes 20A, 20B are rotated with their upper portions tilted outward rather than perpendicular to the ground. This allows leaves and stems that have become tangled around the rake rods 23 of the wheel rakes 20A, 20B near the ground to be easily released toward the outside of the left and right sides when they are lifted upward as the wheel rakes 20A, 20B rotate. This prevents leaves and stems from becoming tangled around the wheel rakes 20A, 20B and causing the rakes to become inoperable.

[0067] In the above embodiment, the support structure 30 supports the left and right wheel rakes 20A, 20B to the extent that each rake rod 23 does not interfere with the ground when the left and right wheel rakes 20A, 20B are pushed forward and rotated as the traveling body 1 travels. Therefore, when the left and right wheel rakes 20A, 20B rotate as the traveling machine body 1 travels to rake up the crops, each rake rod 23 is prevented from sticking into the ground and becoming inoperable.

[0068] ◆Variations The above describes a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and is intended to include various modified embodiments based on the technical concept of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1: Running body 1A: Running gear 2: Pick-up method 2A: Pickup conveyor 2B: Conveyor frame 3: Separation device 4: Stem and leaf outlet 5: Side conveyor 6: Rear conveyor 7: Containment device 7A: Traveling means 7B: Storage container 7C: Endless track 8: Driving department 9: ridge 9A:Aisle 10: Harvester 20A: Left wheel rake 20B: Right wheel rake 21: Central axis 22: Rotating disc 23: Rake stick 24: Connecting ring 30: Support structure 40A: Left arm 40B: Right arm 41: First pipe arm 41A:Fixing mechanism 41B: Eye bolt 42: Second pipe arm 43: Bearing unit 44: Arm mounting unit 44A: Shaft 44B: Bearing 44C: Mounting bracket 50: Frame 51: Arm connection part 52: Rear member 53: Side member 54: Fixing member 55: Traction means 56: Hook part

Claims

1. A crop harvesting assist device for assisting the pickup of crops in a harvester equipped with a pickup means for picking up crops in front of a traveling machine body traveling in a field, comprising: a pair of wheel rakes arranged symmetrically in front of the pickup means, and a support structure; The wheel rake includes a rotating disc, a rake bar, and a connecting ring. The rake bar is disposed radially along the rotation plane of the rotary disc, and a tip end of the rake bar is bent backward in the rotation direction. The connecting ring is fixed to the middle of the rake bar in the longitudinal direction, The support structure includes: a frame attached to a front end of the pickup means; The arm is connected to the frame in a state where it has an inclination angle with respect to the traveling direction of the traveling machine body and pivotally supports the wheel rake, The arm has a length adjustment mechanism that adjusts the distance from the frame to the wheel rake while maintaining an inclination angle with respect to the traveling direction of the traveling machine body. A crop harvesting assist device characterized by:

2. A crop harvesting assist device according to claim 1 is attached A harvester characterized by:

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