Work equipment

Abstract

To suppress direct contact between deformed crawler belt and a component installed at the periphery of an upper trank roller.SOLUTION: A work machine is given in which: right and left truck frames 20 are connected through a joint frame and a longitudinal frame 10A is installed at a position closer to a machine body central side relative to the truck frame 20 along a machine body longitudinal direction; the joint frame includes an extended transverse frame 32 extending to a lateral outside relative to the longitudinal frame 10A and the extended transverse frame 32 is installed below an upper side path part among a rotation path of a crawler belt; and a plate-like member 33 extends in a longitudinal direction in the side view over the lateral outside portion of the longitudinal frame 10A and the front part of the extended transverse frame 32 and a cover member 5 covering the plate-like member 33 from the front side is given.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] In the present invention, the machine frame on which the prime mover and various working devices are mounted is made of left and right track frames. The work equipment is supported by a crawler travelling device via a horizontal connecting frame that spans the entire system. do. [Background technology]

[0002] The horizontal connecting frame that connects the left and right track frames of the crawler travel device is It is formed in an arch shape facing forward and is integrally connected to the left and right track frames at two separate points in the front and back. This connecting frame is located at the left and right ends connected to the truck frame. The part located in the middle in the left-right direction rises in an arch shape, and the raised middle part It is connected to the bottom of the aircraft frame. In this way, the left and right track frames and the upper machine frame are connected via the connecting frame. In the case of a rigidly integrated structure, the track frame and the machine frame located above it are The vertical distance between the frame and the lifting link is constant. The truck frame and the fuselage frame are connected to the structure, such as a structure with a truck frame. The vertical distance between the two cannot be changed (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-4761 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned conventional configuration, an extended horizontal frame is provided that extends outward laterally along the arch-shaped connecting frame that is located toward the rear of the vehicle, and this extended horizontal frame supports the upper rollers that support the upper path portion of the crawler belt. As a result, the track frame and the extended horizontal frame are positioned within the left and right width on the inner side of the crawler belt supported by the upper rollers, and a space that serves as a passage for the crawler belt is formed between the underside of the body frame and the upper surface of the extended horizontal frame. When a work machine with this structure travels back and forth repeatedly to work on muddy ground such as clay, large amounts of sticky mud or straw may adhere to the upper surface of the crawler belt, forming large lumps that are carried along the belt. When this occurs, the upper path portion of the rubber crawler belt may tend to sag significantly, or the lumps may come into contact with the underside of the machine frame, pushing the crawler belt downward and causing significant deformation. As a result, the inner circumferential surface of the crawler belt may come into contact with the extension horizontal frame or components installed around the upper roller, causing wear on those components or damage to the crawler belt itself, which is a problem that leaves room for improvement.

[0005] The present invention aims to prevent direct contact between the deformed crawler belt and components located around the upper roller when a large lump-shaped object adheres to the upper surface of the crawler belt and is transported. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The characteristic configuration of the work machine according to the present invention is as follows: a machine frame on which a prime mover and a working device are mounted; The vehicle is provided with left and right traveling devices each having a crawler belt disposed below the vehicle body frame and a track frame extending along the front-rear direction, The left and right track frames are connected to each other via a connecting frame that spans the left and right track frames, and a middle portion of the connecting frame in the left-right direction is connected to a lower portion of the vehicle frame, the vehicle frame includes a longitudinal frame extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle at a position closer to the center of the vehicle in the left-right direction than the track frame, The connecting frame is provided with an extended horizontal frame that extends laterally outward from the longitudinal frame, The extension horizontal frame is provided to extend below an upper path portion of the rotation path of the crawler belt, the upper path portion being located above and away from a lower path portion that contacts the travel road surface, A plate-like member extending in the front-rear direction in a side view is provided across the lateral outer portion of the longitudinal frame and the front portion of the extended horizontal frame, A cover member is provided to cover the plate-shaped member from the front. 、 The cover member is provided detachably. It's at the point.

[0007] The above-described characteristic configuration provides the following actions and effects. When traveling through muddy ground while repeatedly moving forward and backward, large lumps of sticky mud, straw, etc. can accumulate on the top surface of the crawler belt. If a large lump like the one mentioned above is placed on the upper path section of the crawler belt that is stretched between the drive wheel and the upper roller, the weight of the object can push down the upper path section, causing it to sag and drive in that state. In addition, if the thickness of the object being transported on the crawler belt becomes larger than the space between the upper path portion of the crawler belt and the body frame located above the crawler belt, the object may be driven while pushing down the upper path portion of the crawler belt. In such cases, the part of the crawler belt that has been pushed down may come into contact with components on the inner periphery of the crawler belt near the location of the extended horizontal frame that supports the upper roller, which may accelerate wear or even damage the crawler belt.

[0008] In a work machine to which the present invention is applied, a plate-like member that extends forward and backward in a side view is provided across the outer lateral portion of the forward-backward frame and the front portion of the extended horizontal frame, thereby increasing the connection strength between the forward-backward frame and the extended horizontal frame. With this structure, even if the upper path portion sags or the inner periphery of the crawler belt, which is driven in a pressed-down state, is about to come into contact with the plate-like member, a cover member is provided that covers the plate-like member from the front, which has the advantage of suppressing wear on the plate-like member and damage to the crawler belt.

[0009] Also, The cover member is provided detachably. do.

[0010] According to this, If the cover member is damaged by contact with the inner surface of the crawler belt, only the cover member can be replaced, thereby avoiding damage to the main components, such as the extension horizontal frame and plate-shaped member.

[0011] In the present invention, a machine frame on which a prime mover and a working device are mounted; The vehicle is provided with left and right traveling devices each having a crawler belt disposed below the vehicle body frame and a track frame extending along the front-rear direction, The left and right track frames are connected to each other via a connecting frame that spans the left and right track frames, and a middle portion of the connecting frame in the left-right direction is connected to a lower portion of the vehicle frame, the vehicle frame includes a longitudinal frame extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle at a position closer to the center of the vehicle in the left-right direction than the track frame, The connecting frame is provided with an extended horizontal frame that extends laterally outward from the longitudinal frame, The extension horizontal frame is provided to extend below an upper path portion of the rotation path of the crawler belt, the upper path portion being located above and away from a lower path portion that contacts the travel road surface, A plate-like member extending in the front-rear direction in a side view is provided across the lateral outer portion of the longitudinal frame and the front portion of the extended horizontal frame, a cover member that covers the plate-shaped member from the front is provided; Preferably, upper rollers that guide the crawler belts in the upper path portion are supported on the extension horizontal frame.

[0012] According to this configuration, the upper rollers can be stably supported using the extended horizontal frame, which is a member provided on the connecting frame and has excellent strength.

[0013] In the present invention, original a machine frame on which a motor and a working device are mounted; The vehicle is provided with left and right traveling devices each having a crawler belt disposed below the vehicle body frame and a track frame extending along the front-rear direction, The left and right track frames are connected to each other via a connecting frame that spans the left and right track frames, and a middle portion of the connecting frame in the left-right direction is connected to a lower portion of the vehicle frame, the vehicle frame includes a longitudinal frame extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle at a position closer to the center of the vehicle in the left-right direction than the track frame, The connecting frame is provided with an extended horizontal frame that extends laterally outward from the longitudinal frame, The extension horizontal frame is provided to extend below an upper path portion of the rotation path of the crawler belt, the upper path portion being located above and away from a lower path portion that contacts the travel road surface, A plate-like member extending in the front-rear direction in a side view is provided across the lateral outer portion of the longitudinal frame and the front portion of the extended horizontal frame, a cover member that covers the plate-shaped member from the front is provided; The cover member has a flat surface portion that is higher than the plate-shaped member and that is aligned with the direction of movement of the crawler belt in the upper path portion. It is preferable that the plate-like member has a vertical surface portion extending in the up-down direction at a position forward of the front end thereof, and an inclined surface portion that slopes downwards and connects the flat surface portion and the vertical surface portion.

[0014] With this configuration, there is a sloped surface portion with a forward downward position between the flat portion of the cover member that is aligned with the direction of movement of the crawler belt and the vertical surface portion that is aligned with the up-down direction and forward of the front end of the plate-shaped member. Therefore, even if the upper path portion between the drive wheel and the upper roller is driven in a pushed-down, drooping state, the sloped surface portion with a forward downward position that is aligned with the direction of movement of the crawler belt can smoothly guide and push up the crawler belt, making it easier to avoid early damage to the cover member itself and early damage to the crawler belt and improving durability.

[0015] In the present invention, it is preferable that the connection portion between the flat surface portion and the inclined surface portion, and the connection portion between the inclined surface portion and the vertical surface portion are formed into a smoothly continuous curved surface.

[0016] With this configuration, the presence of smoothly connected curved surfaces at both the points where the inner surface of the crawler belt transitions from the vertical surface portion to the inclined surface portion relative to the cover member, and at the points where it transitions from the inclined surface portion to the flat surface portion, makes it even easier to avoid early damage to the cover member itself and to the crawler belt.

[0017] In the present invention, it is preferable that a backing reinforcement plate is fixed to the back side portion of the cover member facing the plate-shaped member, spanning a curved surface that is connected to the flat surface portion above the inclined surface portion and a curved surface that is connected to the vertical surface portion below the inclined surface portion.

[0018] According to this configuration, a backing reinforcement plate is provided on the back side of the upper part of the inclined surface portion that is most likely to come into contact with the inner surface of the crawler belt, and the lower part of the inclined surface portion, so that the cover member can be reinforced with a simple structure.

[0019] In the present invention, a machine frame on which a prime mover and a working device are mounted; The vehicle is provided with left and right traveling devices each having a crawler belt disposed below the vehicle body frame and a track frame extending along the front-rear direction, The left and right track frames are connected to each other via a connecting frame that spans the left and right track frames, and a middle portion of the connecting frame in the left-right direction is connected to a lower portion of the vehicle frame, the vehicle frame includes a longitudinal frame extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle at a position closer to the center of the vehicle in the left-right direction than the track frame, The connecting frame is provided with an extended horizontal frame that extends laterally outward from the longitudinal frame, The extension horizontal frame is provided to extend below an upper path portion of the rotation path of the crawler belt, the upper path portion being located above and away from a lower path portion that contacts the travel road surface, A plate-like member extending in the front-rear direction in a side view is provided across the lateral outer portion of the longitudinal frame and the front portion of the extended horizontal frame, a cover member that covers the plate-shaped member from the front is provided; It is preferable that the cover member is provided with an attachment member having a first connection surface portion for the front portion of the extended horizontal frame and a second connection surface portion for the lateral outward surface portion of the forward / rearward frame.

[0020] According to this configuration, it is easy to firmly fix the cover member to the outwardly facing lateral surface portion of the longitudinal frame and the front surface portion of the extended lateral frame.

[0021] In the present invention, the plate-like member is formed in a triangular shape in a plan view, with a front-to-rear edge that follows the outward lateral surface portion of the front-to-rear frame, a left-to-right edge that follows the front portion of the extended horizontal frame, and a diagonal edge that connects the edges at a point far from the intersection of the front-to-rear frame and the extended horizontal frame, and it is preferable that the cover member is provided at a location that covers the diagonal edge of the plate-like member from the front, and has an inclined guide surface that follows the diagonal edge of the plate-like member in a plan view.

[0022] With this configuration, the cover member has an inclined guide surface that follows the diagonal edge of the plate-shaped member in a plan view, so it can reliably cover the entire plate-shaped member. When the cover member comes into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the crawler belt, it can be guided along the inclined guide surface while dissipating the contact pressure of the crawler belt slightly outward to the side, reducing the degree of contact and making it even easier to avoid early damage to the cover member and the crawler belt.

[0023] In the present invention, it is preferable that the inclined guide surface has a left-right length approximately equal to that of the diagonal edge, and that the laterally outer end of the inclined guide surface is located further forward in the front-to-rear direction than the laterally outer end of the diagonal edge, and is located at approximately the same position as the laterally outer end of the diagonal edge in the left-to-right direction.

[0024] This configuration allows a relatively compact cover member to cover the entire plate-shaped member in a front-to-rear view. The cover member is formed so that the laterally outer end of the inclined guide surface that aligns with the diagonal edge of the plate-shaped member in a plan view is located at approximately the same position as the laterally outer end of the diagonal edge of the plate-shaped member. This creates a guiding effect that appropriately releases the contact pressure of the crawler belt when it abuts against the cover member along the inclined guide surface, but the limit of this guiding effect is set to the laterally outer end of the inclined guide surface, which is located at approximately the same position as the diagonal edge of the plate-shaped member. This prevents the guiding effect from extending further laterally outward beyond the limit position, thereby preventing the entire crawler belt from being strongly pushed toward the upper rollers, and making it easier to avoid problems such as the crawler belt becoming dislodged from the upper rollers.

[0025] In the present invention, it is preferable that the cover member extends beyond an upper portion of the extended horizontal frame to a position rearward of the extended horizontal frame.

[0026] According to this configuration, the cover member is provided across the front and rear of the extension horizontal frame, so that the cover member can be easily and stably and firmly fixed.

[0027] In the present invention, it is preferable that the cover member be configured to be removable from the vehicle frame by moving away from the lateral outer portion of the longitudinal frame in a direction along the extension direction of the extended lateral frame.

[0028] According to this configuration, the cover member can be removed from the body frame by moving it away from the body frame in a direction along the extension direction of the extended horizontal frame, so the cover member can be replaced simply by removing the upper roller without having to remove the crawler belt.

[0029] In the present invention, it is preferable that the cover member is connected and fixed to the aircraft frame via a first connecting bolt that can be fastened at a lateral outer portion of the longitudinal frame along a left-right direction that intersects with the lateral outer portion of the longitudinal frame, a second connecting bolt that can be fastened at a front portion of the extended horizontal frame along a front-to-rear direction, and a third connecting bolt that can be fastened at a lower portion of the extended horizontal frame along a vertical direction.

[0030] With this configuration, the cover member can be stably fixed using connecting bolts with different fastening directions in three directions: a first connecting bolt that runs in the left-right direction intersecting the lateral outer portion of the forward-backward frame; a second connecting bolt that runs in the front-back direction at the front of the extended horizontal frame; and a third connecting bolt that runs in the up-down direction at the lower part of the extended horizontal frame. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a left side view showing the left side of the crawler traveling device and illustrating a deformed state of the crawler belt. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a front view of the crawler travel device with a portion of the crawler belt cut away. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a side view showing the attachment location of the cover member in the crawler traveling device. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the attachment location of the cover member in the crawler traveling device. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the crawler travel device with a portion of the crawler belt cut away. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an attachment location of a cover member in the crawler traveling device, as viewed from the upper left front direction. [Figure 11]FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an attachment location of a cover member in the crawler traveling device, as viewed from the lower rear left direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of this embodiment, the front-rear direction and the left-right direction are described as follows unless otherwise specified: In other words, in a standard combine harvester to which the present invention is applied, the forward traveling direction of the traveling body when traveling for work (see arrow F in FIGS. 1 and 2) is "forward," the backward traveling direction (see arrow B in FIGS. 1 and 2) is "rear," the direction corresponding to the right side of the forward posture in the front-rear direction (see arrow R in FIG. 3) is "right," and similarly, the direction corresponding to the left side (see arrow L in FIG. 3) is "left."

[0033] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, in which the embodiment is applied to a normal combine harvester, which is an example of a working machine.

[0034] [Overall structure] The traveling machine body 1 of the standard combine harvester shown in Figure 1 is equipped with a crawler traveling device and is configured to be self-propelled. The left and right traveling devices 2 of the crawler traveling device are driven by driving force transmitted to a transmission 12 from an engine 11 (corresponding to a prime mover) mounted on a machine body frame 10. The left and right traveling devices 2 support the machine body frame 10 from below via a connecting frame 3, which will be described later.

[0035] The traveling machine body 1 is equipped with various working devices, such as a driving unit 13 for operating the machine, a harvesting and conveying device 14 for harvesting and processing the stalks planted in the field, a threshing device 15 for threshing the harvested stalks, a grain storage unit 16 consisting of a grain storage tank for storing the grains after threshing, and a grain discharge device 17 that can discharge the grains stored in the grain storage unit 16 to the outside.

[0036] The driver's section 13 is located on the right side of the front of the traveling vehicle body. The driver's section 13 is provided with a driver's seat 13a where the operator can sit, an operation lever 13b for performing various operation inputs, and a canopy-like eaves 13c that covers the upper part of the boarding space. The driver's seat 13a is located above the engine 11.

[0037] The reaping and conveying device 14 is located at the front end of the traveling machine body. The reaping and conveying device 14 is supported on the machine body frame 10 by a lifting cylinder (not shown) so that it can be raised and lowered about a horizontal axis between a lowered working position and an elevated non-working position. The reaping and conveying device 14 is equipped with a raking reel 14a that rotates to rake in the planted stumps, a cutting device 14b that cuts the base of the planted stumps raked in by the raking reel 14a, a lateral feed auger 14c that gathers the reaped stumps left and right while conveying them rearward, and a feeder 14d that conveys the reaped stumps conveyed from the lateral feed auger 14c diagonally upward and rearward toward the entrance of the threshing device 15.

[0038] The threshing device 15 is located at the rear left side of the traveling machine body. The threshing device 15 threshes all the culms of the harvested grain sent from the feeder 14d. The grains threshed by the threshing device 15 are transported to the grain storage section 16 by a lifting device 15a capable of lifting and transporting the grains.

[0039] The grain storage section 16 is equipped with a storage hopper (not shown) used as a storage space for storing threshed grains, and a recovery section (not shown) for recovering the grains discharged from the storage hopper into chaff bags or the like.

[0040] The full-type combine harvester configured in this manner drives the traveling device 2 to move the traveling body 1, and harvests the planted culms planted in the field using the harvesting and conveying device 14, which is in the lowered operating position. The harvested whole culms are transported backward by the feeder 14d toward the threshing device 15, where they are threshed. The threshed grains are transported to and stored in the grain storage section 16. The grains stored in the grain storage section 16 are collected by being dumped into chaff bags in a collection section not shown. In other words, the full-type combine harvester is a whole-culm input type combine harvester that harvests crops such as rice, wheat, and soybeans planted in the field and threshes the whole culms of the crops.

[0041] The machine body frame 10 supported by the traveling units 2 is formed in a lattice shape in a plan view, and includes longitudinal frames 10A, 10A extending along the longitudinal direction of the machine body, and a plurality of left-right frames 10B extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal frames 10A, 10A. The left and right ends of the machine body frame 10 are located above the locations of the crawler belts 25 of the left and right traveling units 2, and are spaced a predetermined distance up and down from the top surfaces of the crawler belts 25.

[0042] Of the longitudinal frames 10A, 10A provided on the body frame 10, the pair of longitudinal frames 10A, 10A located between the left and right track frames 20, 20, inside the body of the body frame 10 from the outer lateral end, are made up of rectangular cylindrical members stacked in two layers, one above the other, with the overlapping parts welded and fixed, as shown in Figure 3, and are composed of a combination of an upper frame 10Aa in an upper position and a lower frame 10Ab in a lower position. The left-right frame 10B is composed of a combination of an upper horizontal frame 10Ba that sits on top of the front-to-back frame 10A, and a lower horizontal frame 10Bb that is welded and fixed perpendicular to the lower frame 10Ab of the front-to-back frame 10A at the same height.

[0043] [Crawler traveling device] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the crawler traveling device comprises a pair of left and right track frames 20, 20 connected by a connecting frame 3, a belt winding drive unit 2A supported by the track frames 20, and a crawler belt 25 wound around the belt winding drive unit 2A. That is, the left and right traveling devices 2 are configured by winding the crawler belts 25 around the belt winding drive units 2A. The track frames 20, 20 of the left and right traveling devices 2 are connected to each other by the connecting frame 3, thereby configuring a crawler traveling device that integrates the left and right traveling devices 2, 2.

[0044] Each track frame 20 supports a driving wheel 21 at its front and a tensioning wheel 22 at its rear. A plurality of ground contact rollers 23 are provided at intervals in the front-to-rear direction below (on the ground contact side) of the track frame 20 between the driving wheel 21 and the tensioning wheel 22, and upper rollers 24 are provided above (on the non-ground contact side) the track frame 20 near the rear. A rubber crawler belt 25 is wound around each of the above-mentioned drive wheels 21, tension wheels 22, multiple ground contact rollers 23, and upper rollers 24. These drive wheels 21, tension wheels 22, ground contact rollers 23, and upper rollers 24 correspond to the belt winding drive unit 2A supported by the track frame 20.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 2, the power of the engine 11 is transmitted to the drive wheels 21 via drive shafts 12a extending to both the left and right sides from a transmission 12 supported at the front of the vehicle frame 10. The forward rotation of the drive wheels 21 (counterclockwise rotation in Fig. 2) drives the traveling vehicle body 1 to move forward, and the reverse rotation of the drive wheels 21 (clockwise rotation in Fig. 2) drives the traveling vehicle body 1 to move backward. The tension rings 22 are attached to slide frames 20a that are supported so as to be able to move forward and backward relative to the rear of the track frame 20. The tension of the crawler belt 25 can be changed and adjusted by adjusting the amount of extension and retraction of the slide frames 20a from the rear end of the track frame 20.

[0046] The left and right track frames 20, 20 are connected via connecting frames 3, 3 at two locations, the front and rear, in the longitudinal direction of the track frames 20, 20. The front and rear connecting frames 3, 3 have intermediate frame portions 30 located in the left-right middle portion supported by left and right outer end frame portions 31, 31, which rise in an arch shape, and the raised intermediate frame portion 30 is connected to the lower part of the vehicle frame 10. The left and right ends of the front and rear connecting frames 3, 3 are fixed by welding to the left and right track frames 20, 20, respectively.

[0047] [Connecting frame] The front and rear connecting frames 3, 3 are configured as follows. Each connecting frame 3 has an intermediate frame portion 30 that is positioned higher than the left and right track frames 20, 20 and runs horizontally, and outer end frame portions 31 on both the left and right sides that are laterally lower than the intermediate frame portion 30. These intermediate frame portions 30 and outer end frame portions 31 are integrally formed by welding metal rectangular tubular members or bent plate material. The intermediate frame portion 30 and the left and right outer end frame portions 31 are formed in an arch shape when viewed in the front-to-rear direction.

[0048] The intermediate frame portions 30 of the front and rear connecting frames 3, 3 are located closer to the center of the machine body in the left-right direction than the left and right track frames 20, 20, and are located between a pair of left and right longitudinal frames 10A, 10A located between the left and right track frames 20, 20, and are welded and fixed to the longitudinal frames 10A, 10A. The outer end frame portion 31 extends diagonally downward and laterally outward from the intermediate frame portion 30 located below the longitudinal frames 10A, 10A, and has its lower end fixed to the truck frame 20 by welding.

[0049] The intermediate frame portion 30 is provided with an extended horizontal frame 32 that extends laterally outward in the extension direction of the intermediate frame portion 30, laterally outward from the locations of the longitudinal frames 10A, 10A located between the left and right track frames 20, 20. The extended horizontal frame 32 is formed by a portion of the rectangular tubular member that constitutes the intermediate frame portion 30 that extends further laterally outward beyond the locations of the longitudinal frames 10A, 10A. The extension horizontal frame 32 extends to a position where it fits under the upper path portion of the crawler belt 25. The portion of this extension horizontal frame 32 that overlaps with the crawler belt 25 in the left-right direction is the location where the guide cover 4 and cover member 5, which will be described later, are to be attached.

[0050] The outer end frame portions 31 extend obliquely downward from both the left and right sides of the intermediate frame portion 30 in an inclined position that becomes lower toward the lateral outside, and the lowered outer end portions are fixed to the truck frame 20 by welding. To explain further, the outer end frame portion 31 comprises a front support plate 31a that abuts the forward-facing surface at the end of the intermediate frame portion 30 including the extended horizontal frame 32, a rear support plate 31b (see Figure 6) that abuts the rear-facing surface at the end of the intermediate frame portion 30 including the extended horizontal frame 32, and a horizontal support plate 31c that is welded and fixed in a state in which it abuts the outward lateral edges of the front support plate 31a and rear support plate 31b.

[0051] [Induction cover] As shown in FIG. 2, of the front and rear connecting frames 3, 3, the front connecting frame 3 has a guide cover 4 provided to cover the front and rear of the extended horizontal frame 32 where it overlaps with the crawler belt 25 in the left-right direction. The guide cover 4 includes a front cover portion 40 that covers the extended horizontal frame 32, which is the portion that overlaps with the crawler belt 25 in the left-right direction, from the front, and a rear cover portion 41 that covers it from the rear. The guide cover 4 has a trapezoidal shape with a flattened top when viewed from the left and right, and a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the front and back. The bottom side is open and not covered.

[0052] In this structure, as shown by the imaginary lines in Figure 2, large lump-like objects m1 such as sticky mud or straw may be carried forward on the upper surface of the crawler belt 25. In this case, the upper path portion of the crawler belt 25 is supported from below by the guide cover 4, so that the crawler belt 25 is prevented from deforming significantly, and the lump-like object m1 can be sent out forward and discharged.

[0053] [Upper roller support] At the location where the rear connecting frame 3 of the front and rear connecting frames 3, 3 is installed, as shown in Figures 6 to 11, an upper roller support portion 26 for supporting the upper roller 24 is provided at the rear side of the aircraft of the extended horizontal frame 32 that extends laterally outward along the extension direction of the intermediate frame portion 30. 6 to 8 and 11, the upper roller support portion 26 includes a pair of left and right mounting plates 26a, 26b welded to the rear surface 32r and the lower surface 32b of the extension horizontal frame 32, and a connecting plate 26c welded to cover the upper and rear of the mounting plates 26a, 26b. A cylindrical boss portion 26d that supports the support shaft 24a of the upper roller 24 is integrally attached to the mounting plates 26a, 26b and the connecting plate 26c, thereby rotatably supporting the upper roller 24.

[0054] The upper roller support 26 is not provided in a location separate from the connecting frame 3, but instead effectively utilizes the extended horizontal frame 32 portion of the connecting frame 3 as a support means for supporting the upper roller 24. In other words, there is a risk that a fairly large load will act on the upper roller 24. By having the upper roller support 26 for supporting the upper roller 24 supported by the extended horizontal frame 32, the structure can be simplified compared to when a separate mounting structure is provided to firmly support the upper roller 24.

[0055] [Plate-shaped member] A plate-like member 33 extending in the front-to-rear direction in a side view is provided across the lateral outer portions of the longitudinal frames 10A, 10A provided on the aircraft frame 10 and the front portion of the extended horizontal frame 32 provided on the connecting frame 3 on the rear side. The plate-like member 33 is welded and fixed in a state of contact with the lateral outer portions of the longitudinal frames 10A, 10A and the upper surface 32t of the extended lateral frame 32, and serves as a reinforcing plate.

[0056] The plate-like member 33 has a front-to-rear edge 33b that runs along the outward lateral surface portion of the front-to-rear frames 10A, 10A, a left-to-right edge 33c that runs along the front surface 32f portion of the extended horizontal frame 32, and a diagonal edge 33a that connects the edges at a point far from the intersection of the front-to-rear frames 10A, 10A and the extended horizontal frame 32, and is formed in a triangular shape when viewed in a plane. The diagonal edge 33a is located on the front of the plate-like member 33 and is a location that is likely to come into contact with other objects, but the edge is angled so that it points more rearward as it moves outward laterally from the fuselage and intersects the fore-and-aft direction of the fuselage at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. Round pipe-shaped edge members 34 are welded along the inclined edge, further reinforcing the diagonal edge 33a of the plate-like member 33.

[0057] The edge member 34 has an end facing the lateral outer portion of the longitudinal frame 10A, which is welded to the lateral outer portion of the longitudinal frame 10A. The end away from the lateral outer portion of the longitudinal frame 10A is bent downward in a direction along the diagonal edge 33a of the plate-like member 33 at a position where it reaches the lateral outer end, and is welded to the front surface 32f of the extended horizontal frame 32.

[0058] [Cover member] As shown in Figures 6 to 11, a cover member 5 that covers the plate-like member 33 is attached to the lateral outer portions of the forward / rearward frames 10A, 10A and the extended horizontal frame 32 provided on the rear connecting frame 3. The cover member 5 includes a cover body 50 that covers the upper and front surfaces of the plate-like member 33, an attachment member 51 that is detachable integrally with the cover body 50, and a fixing member 52 that detachably connects the attachment member 51 with a bolt. The fixing member 52 is welded to the lateral outer portions of the longitudinal frames 10A, 10A and the extended horizontal frame 32, and fixed integrally thereto.

[0059] 4 and 5 show the cover body 50 and the attachment member 51 of the cover member 5, which are integrally configured as a single item. FIG. 4 shows the cover member 5 as seen from the left side, and FIG. 5 shows the cover member 5 as seen from the bottom side. The cover body 50 comprises a flat portion 50a that is arranged to overlap the upper surface of the plate-shaped member 33 at a position higher than the upper surface of the plate-shaped member 33 that is aligned with the movement direction of the crawler belt 25 in the upper path portion, a vertical surface portion 50b that is aligned in the vertical direction at a position forward of the front end of the plate-shaped member 33, and an inclined surface portion 50c that is in a forward-sloping position and connects the flat portion 50a and the vertical surface portion 50b. The connection between the flat surface portion 50a and the inclined surface portion 50c, and the connection between the inclined surface portion 50c and the vertical surface portion 50b are formed into a smoothly continuous curved surface 50r.

[0060] The cover member 5 is provided at a position that covers the oblique edge 33a of the plate-like member 33 from the front, and in a plan view, as shown in Figure 7, it is provided with a vertical surface portion 50b and an inclined surface portion 50c that slopes downward toward the front, which serve as an inclined guide surface that follows the oblique edge 33a of the plate-like member 33.

[0061] The cover main body 50 covers not only the front side of the extended horizontal frame 32, but also the rear side of the extended horizontal frame 32. That is, it has a rear inclined surface portion 50d extending diagonally downward and rearward from the rear end side of the flat surface portion 50a, and a rear vertical surface portion 50e extending downward from the rear end of the rear inclined surface portion 50d, and further has a locking piece portion 50f for connection and fixation at the rear end of the rear vertical surface portion 50e.

[0062] The locking piece 50f has a through hole 54a for inserting a locking bolt 54 (corresponding to the third connecting bolt). As shown in Figures 6, 9, and 11, a rear fixing bracket 53 is attached to a member that is integral with the longitudinal frame 10A, which is a part of the vehicle frame 10. A weld nut 54b is welded and fixed to the upper surface of the rear fixing bracket 53. As shown in Figures 6, 9, and 11, with the locking piece 50f abutting the lower surface of the rear fixing bracket 53, the locking bolt 54 is inserted through the through hole 54a and screwed into the weld nut 54b, thereby connecting and fixing the rear end of the cover body 50 in the vertical direction.

[0063] A backing reinforcement plate 55 thicker than the cover body 50 is welded and fixed to the back side (lower side) of the cover body 50, over the range from the curved surface 50r above the inclined surface portion 50c where it joins the flat surface portion, to the curved surface 50r below the inclined surface portion 50c where it joins the vertical surface portion 50b.

[0064] A round bar-shaped side reinforcing bar 56a having a diameter larger than the plate thickness of the cover body 50 is provided at the outer lateral edge portion of the cover body 50 on the side farther from the longitudinal frame 10A. A round bar-shaped lower reinforcing bar 56b having a diameter larger than the plate thickness of the cover body 50 is provided at the lower end of the portion of the lower end of the cover body 50 that is located forward of the extended horizontal frame 32.

[0065] The left-right width of the cover main body 50 is set to be approximately the same for the flat surface portion 50a, the inclined surface portion 50c, the vertical surface portion 50b, the rear inclined surface portion 50d, and the rear vertical surface portion 50e. This width dimension is set to be approximately the same as the left-right width of the plate-like member 33, and the left-right ends of the cover main body 50 are located at approximately the same positions as the left-right ends of the plate-like member 33. This position is set to be slightly closer to the inside of the aircraft than the left-right ends of the extended horizontal frames 32, and is set to be shorter than the length of the extended horizontal frames 32 that protrude laterally outward from the longitudinal frame 10A.

[0066] The mounting member 51 has a first connection surface portion 51a that is connected to the front surface 32f portion of the extended horizontal frame 32, and a second connection surface portion 51b that is connected to the lateral outward surface portion of the forward / rearward frame 10A. The mounting member 51 also includes an outer end member 51c that is arranged perpendicular to the outward protruding end of the first connecting surface portion 51a in the left-right direction, and an inner end member 51d that is connected from the front end portion of the second connecting surface portion 51b to the inner end portion in the left-right direction of the vertical surface portion 50b of the cover main body 50.

[0067] A connecting hole 51e is formed in the first connection surface portion 51a of the mounting member 51 for connection with a single connecting bolt 57 (corresponding to the second connecting bolt) while abutting against the first fixing portion 52a of the fixing member 52 described later. Two weld nuts 51f are provided on the surface facing outward laterally of the second connection surface portion 51b of the mounting member 51 so that two connecting bolts 58 can be screwed and unscrewed from inside the aircraft when the second connection surface portion 51b is in contact with the second fixing portion 52b of the fixing member 52 described later.

[0068] 7 and 10, the fixing member 52 is configured with a plate-like member bent into an L-shape in a plan view. Of this fixing member 52, the first fixing portion 52a for fixing the fixing member 52 to face the first connecting surface portion 51a of the mounting member 51 has an end portion on the side that protrudes laterally outward away from the lateral outer portion of the longitudinal frames 10A, 10A, welded and fixed to the front edge portion of the lateral support plate 31c of the outer end frame portion 31 (see reference symbol w1 in FIG. 10). The second fixing portion 52b for fixing opposite to the second connection surface portion 51b of the mounting member 51 is welded and fixed in a state where it is abutted against a member integral with the lateral outer portion of the forward / rearward frames 10A, 10A.

[0069] The first fixing portion 52a of the fixing member 52 has a weld nut 52e on the surface opposite to the side facing the mounting member 51, which is threaded onto a single connecting bolt 57 inserted through a connecting hole 51e formed in the first connecting surface portion 51a of the mounting member 51. The second fixing portion 52b of the fixing member 52 has two connecting holes 52f formed in a lower portion thereof, into which two connecting bolts 58 (corresponding to first connecting bolts) can be inserted and removed.

[0070] As described above, the cover member 5 can be stably fixed from three directions using the connecting bolt 58 as a first connecting bolt that can be fastened at a lateral outer portion of the forward / backward frame 10A along the left-right direction that intersects with the lateral outer portion of the forward / backward frame 10A, the connecting bolt 57 as a second connecting bolt that can be fastened at a front portion of the extended horizontal frame 32 along the forward / backward direction, and the locking bolt 54 as a third connecting bolt that can be fastened at a lower portion of the extended horizontal frame 32 along the up-down direction.

[0071] By removing all of the connecting bolts 57, 58 and locking bolts 54 fastened from the three directions, the entire cover member 5 can be moved laterally outward along the longitudinal direction of the extension horizontal frame 32, except for the rigidly fixed fixing member 52, and removed without removing the crawler belt 25. At this time, the upper roller 24 must be removed from the support shaft 24a in advance.

[0072] [Another embodiment] (1) In the above embodiment, the cover member 5 covers both the front and rear portions of the extension horizontal frame 32, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to this structure. For example, the cover member may be configured to cover only the members present at the front portion of the extension horizontal frame 32. The other configurations may be the same as those of the above-described embodiment.

[0073] (2) In the above embodiment, the reinforcing plate-like member 33 is given as an example of the target member to be covered by the cover member 5, but this is not necessarily limited to this. The cover member 5 may cover a member provided separately from the reinforcing plate-like member 33, or may cover a member other than a reinforcing member. The other configurations may be the same as those of the above-described embodiment.

[0074] (3) In the above embodiment, an example was given in which a plate-like member 33 extending in the front-to-rear direction in a side view is provided across the lateral outer portion of the front-to-rear frame 10A and the upper surface 32t of the extended horizontal frame 32, but this structure is not necessarily limited to this. For example, a plate-like member 33 extending in the front-to-rear direction in a side view may be provided across the front surface 32f of the extended horizontal frame 32 and the lateral outer portion of the longitudinal frame 10A. In other words, the front portion of the extended horizontal frame 32 refers to the forward portion including the front surface 32f and the like, and is not limited to the top surface 32t of the extended horizontal frame 32. The other configurations may be the same as those of the above-described embodiment.

[0075] (4) In the above embodiment, the backing reinforcement plate 55 provided on the back side of the cover body 50 is provided over a range extending from the curved surface 50r above the inclined surface portion 50c where it joins the flat surface portion to the curved surface 50r below the inclined surface portion 50c where it joins the vertical surface portion 50b. However, the present invention is not limited to this structure, and the range over which the backing reinforcement plate 55 is provided may be set as appropriate. The other configurations may be the same as those of the above-described embodiment. [Industrial Applicability]

[0076] The present invention can be applied to various types of work machines equipped with crawler travel devices, such as head-feeding combines and brush cutters, in addition to conventional combines. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 3 Connecting Frame 4 Cover (Induction Cover) 5 Cover member 10 Aircraft Frame 10A Front and rear frame 11 Prime Mover 20 Truck Frame 24 Upper roller 25 Crawler Belt 32 Extended horizontal frame 32f front 33 Plate-shaped members 33a Diagonal edge 33b Anteroposterior edge 33c Left and right edges 50a flat part 50b Vertical section (inclined guide surface) 50c Inclined surface section (inclined guide surface) 50r curved surface 51 Mounting material 51a First connection surface part 51b Second connection surface 54 Third connecting bolt 55 Backing reinforcement plate 57 Second connecting bolt 58 First connecting bolt

Claims

1. a machine frame on which a prime mover and a working device are mounted; The vehicle is provided with left and right traveling devices each having a crawler belt disposed below the vehicle body frame and a track frame extending along the front-rear direction, The left and right track frames are connected to each other via a connecting frame that spans the left and right track frames, and a middle portion of the connecting frame in the left-right direction is connected to a lower portion of the vehicle frame, the vehicle frame includes a longitudinal frame extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle at a position closer to the center of the vehicle in the left-right direction than the track frame, The connecting frame is provided with an extended horizontal frame that extends laterally outward from the longitudinal frame, The extension horizontal frame is provided to extend below an upper path portion of the rotation path of the crawler belt, the upper path portion being located above and away from a lower path portion that contacts the travel road surface, A plate-like member extending in the front-rear direction in a side view is provided across the lateral outer portion of the longitudinal frame and the front portion of the extended horizontal frame, a cover member that covers the plate-shaped member from the front is provided; The cover member is provided in a detachable manner.

2. A machine frame on which a prime mover and a working device are mounted, The vehicle is provided with left and right traveling devices each having a crawler belt disposed below the vehicle body frame and a track frame extending along the front-rear direction, The left and right track frames are connected to each other via a connecting frame that spans the left and right track frames, and a middle portion of the connecting frame in the left-right direction is connected to a lower portion of the vehicle frame, the vehicle frame includes a longitudinal frame extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle at a position closer to the center of the vehicle in the left-right direction than the track frame, The connecting frame is provided with an extended horizontal frame that extends laterally outward from the longitudinal frame, The extension horizontal frame is provided to extend below an upper path portion of the rotation path of the crawler belt, the upper path portion being located above and away from a lower path portion that contacts the travel road surface, A plate-like member extending in the front-rear direction in a side view is provided across the lateral outer portion of the longitudinal frame and the front portion of the extended horizontal frame, a cover member that covers the plate-shaped member from the front is provided; An operating machine in which upper rollers that guide the crawler belt in the upper path portion are supported on the extended horizontal frame.

3. A machine frame on which a prime mover and a working device are mounted, The vehicle is provided with left and right traveling devices each having a crawler belt disposed below the vehicle body frame and a track frame extending along the front-rear direction, The left and right track frames are connected to each other via a connecting frame that spans the left and right track frames, and a middle portion of the connecting frame in the left-right direction is connected to a lower portion of the vehicle frame, the vehicle frame includes a longitudinal frame extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle at a position closer to the center of the vehicle in the left-right direction than the track frame, The connecting frame is provided with an extended horizontal frame that extends laterally outward from the longitudinal frame, The extension horizontal frame is provided to extend below an upper path portion of the rotation path of the crawler belt, the upper path portion being located above and away from a lower path portion that contacts the travel road surface, A plate-like member extending in the front-rear direction in a side view is provided across the lateral outer portion of the longitudinal frame and the front portion of the extended horizontal frame, a cover member that covers the plate-shaped member from the front is provided; The cover member has: a flat surface portion that is located higher than the plate-shaped member and that is aligned with the direction of movement of the crawler belt in the upper path portion; a vertical surface portion extending in the up-down direction at a position forward of the front end of the plate-like member; a front-down inclined surface portion that connects the flat surface portion and the vertical surface portion, and the work machine is provided with the inclined surface portion.

4. 4. The work machine according to claim 3, wherein the connection points between the flat surface portion and the inclined surface portion and the connection points between the inclined surface portion and the vertical surface portion are formed into smoothly continuous curved surfaces.

5. A work machine as described in claim 4, wherein a backing reinforcement plate is fixed to the back side portion of the cover member facing the plate-shaped member, the backing reinforcement plate extending from a curved surface that connects to the flat surface portion above the inclined surface portion to a curved surface that connects to the vertical surface portion below the inclined surface portion.

6. A machine frame on which a prime mover and a working device are mounted, The vehicle is provided with left and right traveling devices each having a crawler belt disposed below the vehicle body frame and a track frame extending along the front-rear direction, The left and right track frames are connected to each other via a connecting frame that spans the left and right track frames, and a middle portion of the connecting frame in the left-right direction is connected to a lower portion of the vehicle frame, the vehicle frame includes a longitudinal frame extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle at a position closer to the center of the vehicle in the left-right direction than the track frame, The connecting frame is provided with an extended horizontal frame that extends laterally outward from the longitudinal frame, The extension horizontal frame is provided to extend below an upper path portion of the rotation path of the crawler belt, the upper path portion being located above and away from a lower path portion that contacts the travel road surface, A plate-like member extending in the front-rear direction in a side view is provided across the lateral outer portion of the longitudinal frame and the front portion of the extended horizontal frame, a cover member that covers the plate-shaped member from the front is provided; The cover member is provided with an attachment member having a first connection surface portion for the front portion of the extended horizontal frame and a second connection surface portion for the lateral outward surface portion of the forward / rearward frame.

7. the plate-like member is formed in a triangular shape in a plan view, and includes a front-rear edge along a lateral outward surface portion of the front-rear frame, a left-right edge along a front surface portion of the extended horizontal frame, and a diagonal edge connecting the edges at a location far from the intersection of the front-rear frame and the extended horizontal frame; A work machine as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cover member is provided at a location that covers the diagonal edge of the plate-shaped member from the front, and has an inclined guide surface that follows the diagonal edge of the plate-shaped member in a plan view.

8. the inclined guide surface has a length in the left-right direction that is approximately the same as that of the oblique edge, The lateral outer end of the inclined guide surface is In the front-rear direction, the oblique edge is located forward of the laterally outer end portion of the oblique edge, 8. The work machine according to claim 7, wherein the position in the left-right direction is substantially the same as the position of the laterally outer end of the oblique edge.

9. 2. The work machine according to claim 1, wherein the cover member extends beyond an upper portion of the extension horizontal frame to a position rearward of the extension horizontal frame.

10. The work machine according to claim 9, wherein the cover member is configured to be removable from the machine frame by moving away from the lateral outer portion of the longitudinal frame in a direction along the extending direction of the extended lateral frame.

11. the cover member includes a first connecting bolt that can be fastened at a lateral outer portion of the longitudinal frame along a left-right direction that intersects with the lateral outer portion of the longitudinal frame; a second connecting bolt that can be fastened along the front-rear direction at a front portion of the extension horizontal frame; 10. The work machine according to claim 9, wherein the extension horizontal frame is connected and fixed to the machine body frame at a lower portion thereof via a third connecting bolt that can be fastened along the vertical direction.

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