Ride-on seedling planter

Abstract

To address a problem of some sulky seedling planting machine equipped with a reserve seedling tray part including two trays that are changed over into a state of being connected on the same plane in a longitudinal direction of a machine body and a folded state, in which although the small-sized sulky seedling planting machine equipped with the reserve seedling tray part including the two trays is inexpensive and easily handled in small fields, the seedling planting machine executes rice transplanting work in a state where the two trays are connected on the same plane in the longitudinal direction of the machine body and the two seedling boxes are placed in the longitudinal direction, accordingly, only two trays can be placed on the reserve seedling tray part and seedling supply work is inefficient; and to provide a sulky seedling planting machine equipped with a reserve seedling tray part executing highly efficient seedling supply work.SOLUTION: A sulky seedling planting machine equipped with, on a traveling vehicle body, a seedling planting part 30 and a reserve seedling tray part 50 including a tray 51 for placing seedling boxes N, comprises, on the tray 51, an auxiliary table 53 that can be freely changed over between a storage state (a) where it is stored in a lower position of the tray 51 and a placement state (b) where it projects from the tray 51 and allowing placement of the seedling boxes N.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a riding seedling planter equipped with a spare seedling carrier. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a riding seedling planter that plants seedlings while traveling in a field is equipped with a spare seedling carrier with two loading platforms on the traveling body, and the two loading platforms can be switched between a state in which they are connected on the same plane in the fore-and-aft direction of the machine body and a state in which they are folded up (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-057556 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] This is a small, ride-on seedling planter equipped with a spare seedling loading section with two loading platforms, and is inexpensive and easy to handle in small fields.

[0005] However, the two loading platforms are connected on the same plane in the fore-and-aft direction of the machine, and two seedling boxes are placed on the front and back to perform rice planting work, but only two seedling boxes can be placed on the spare seedling loading section, making seedling supply work inefficient.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and has as its object to provide a riding seedling planter equipped with a spare seedling carrier that allows for efficient seedling supply work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The first aspect of the present invention is In a riding seedling planting machine equipped with a seedling planting section (30) and a spare seedling loading section (50) having a loading platform (51) on which seedling boxes (N) are placed on a traveling vehicle body (2), an auxiliary platform (53) is provided on the loading platform (51) which can be switched between a stored state (A) in which the loading platform (51) is stored at a position below the loading platform (51) and a loaded state (B) in which the auxiliary platform (53) protrudes from the loading platform (51) and on which seedling boxes (N) can be placed, This riding seedling planter is characterized by having rollers (55) that are positioned below the seedling box (N) placement surface when a seedling box (N) containing seedlings is placed on the loading platform (51) equipped with an auxiliary platform (53), and that are positioned above the seedling box (N) placement surface when an empty seedling box (N) is placed on the loading platform (51). The second aspect of the present invention is This is a first riding seedling planter of the present invention, characterized in that the spare seedling loading section (50) can freely switch between a stacked state in which multiple loading platforms (51) are overlapped in a plan view and an unfolded state in which they are connected in the front-to-back direction, and in that when in the unfolded state, an auxiliary platform (53) is provided on the loading platform (51) located at the rear so as to protrude rearward to switch to a loading state (b). The third aspect of the present invention is This is a riding seedling planter of the first or second invention, characterized in that the rear of the seedling tray (N) placed on the auxiliary stand (53) in the resting state (b) protrudes rearward from the rear of the auxiliary stand (53). The fourth aspect of the present invention is This is a riding seedling planter of the first or second invention, characterized in that the auxiliary table (53) is supported so as to be freely slidable in the forward and backward directions on a slide support stay (54) provided on the underside of the loading table (51). The fifth aspect of the present invention is This is a third riding seedling planter of the present invention, characterized in that the auxiliary table (53) is supported so as to be freely slidable in the forward and backward directions on a slide support stay (54) provided on the underside of the loading table (51). First invention related to the present invention This is a riding seedling planter equipped with a seedling planting section 30 and a spare seedling loading section 50 with a loading platform 51 on which seedling boxes N are placed, on a running vehicle body 2, and an auxiliary platform 53 that can be freely switched between a stored state (a) in which the loading platform 51 is stored at a position below the loading platform 51, and a loaded state (b) in which the loading platform 51 protrudes and on which seedling boxes N can be placed.

[0008] First invention related to the present invention According to the invention, an auxiliary stand 53 is provided on the loading platform 51, which can be switched between a storage state (a) in which the loading platform 51 is stored at a lower position of the loading platform 51 and a loading state (b) in which the loading platform 51 is protruded and a seedling box N can be placed thereon.By switching the auxiliary stand 53 to the loading state (b), another seedling box N can be placed thereon, improving the efficiency of seedling supply work.

[0009] Second invention related to the present invention The spare seedling loading section 50 can freely switch between a stacked state in which multiple loading tables 51 are overlapped in a plan view and a spread state in which they are connected in the front-to-back direction, and in the spread state, the auxiliary table 53 is protruded backward on the loading table 51 located at the rear, so that it can be switched to a loading state (B). First invention related to the present invention It is a riding seedling planter.

[0010] Third invention related to the present invention 1 shows a state in which the rear part of the seedling tray N placed on the auxiliary stand 53 in the placed state (B) protrudes rearward from the rear of the auxiliary stand 53. The first or second invention related to the present invention It is a riding seedling planter.

[0011] The fourth invention related to the present invention The auxiliary table 53 is supported by a slide support stay 54 provided on the underside of the loading table 51 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. The first or second invention related to the present invention It is a riding seedling planter.

[0012] Fifth Invention Related to the Present Invention The auxiliary table 53 is supported by a slide support stay 54 provided on the underside of the loading table 51 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. Third invention related to the present invention It is a riding seedling planter.

[0013] The sixth invention related to the present invention The loading platform 51 is provided with an auxiliary platform 53, and when a seedling box N containing seedlings is placed on the loading platform 51, the loading platform 51 is provided with a roller 55 which is positioned below the loading surface of the seedling box N, and when an empty seedling box N is placed on the loading platform 51, the roller 55 is positioned above the loading surface of the seedling box N. The first or second invention related to the present invention It is a riding seedling planter.

[0014] Seventh Invention Related to the Present Invention The loading platform 51 is provided with an auxiliary platform 53, and when a seedling box N containing seedlings is placed on the loading platform 51, the loading platform 51 is provided with a roller 55 which is positioned below the loading surface of the seedling box N, and when an empty seedling box N is placed on the loading platform 51, the roller 55 is positioned above the loading surface of the seedling box N. Third invention related to the present invention It is a riding seedling planter.

[0015] Eighth invention related to the present invention The loading platform 51 is provided with an auxiliary platform 53, and when a seedling box N containing seedlings is placed on the loading platform 51, the loading platform 51 is provided with a roller 55 which is positioned below the loading surface of the seedling box N, and when an empty seedling box N is placed on the loading platform 51, the roller 55 is positioned above the loading surface of the seedling box N. The fourth invention related to the present invention It is a riding seedling planter.

[0016] Ninth invention related to the present invention The loading platform 51 is provided with an auxiliary platform 53, and when a seedling box N containing seedlings is placed on the loading platform 51, the loading platform 51 is provided with a roller 55 which is positioned below the loading surface of the seedling box N, and when an empty seedling box N is placed on the loading platform 51, the roller 55 is positioned above the loading surface of the seedling box N. Fifth Invention Related to the Present Invention It is a riding seedling planter. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of a riding rice transplanter according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the spare seedling carrying section of the riding rice transplanter. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side view of the loading platform of the riding rice transplanter. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view of the roller part of the riding rice transplanter. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a side view of the loading platform of the riding rice transplanter. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a side view of a loading platform showing a second embodiment of the riding rice transplanter. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a side view of a roller portion according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a side view for explaining the operation of the line-drawing marker of the riding rice transplanter. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an enlarged side view of the waterwheel-shaped marker of the riding rice transplanter. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an enlarged side view of a waterwheel-shaped marker showing another embodiment of the riding rice transplanter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the riding seedling planter disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown below.

[0019] The overall configuration of a riding rice transplanter 1 as a riding seedling transplanter according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0020] The riding rice transplanter 1 is equipped with a traveling body 2 that can travel in a field. The traveling body 2 is equipped with a pair of left and right front wheels 3 and a pair of left and right rear wheels 4. The traveling body 2 is, for example, a four-wheel drive in which the front wheels 3 and rear wheels 4 are driven. A seedling planting unit 30 that can be raised and lowered by a lifting device 20 is provided at the rear of the traveling body 2.

[0021] The traveling vehicle body 2 comprises a body frame 5, an engine E mounted on the body frame 5, and a power transmission device 6 that transmits the power generated by the engine E to the drive wheels and the seedling planting unit 30. In other words, the power generated by the engine E, which is the power source, is used not only to move the traveling vehicle body 2 forward or backward, but also to drive the seedling planting unit 30.

[0022] The engine E is disposed in the center of the traveling body 2 in the left-right direction, at a position that protrudes above the floor step 7 on which an operator riding on the traveling body 2 places his or her feet. A heat engine such as a diesel engine or a gasoline engine is used as the engine E. The floor step 7 is provided at the front of the traveling body 2 in the front-to-rear direction. The floor step 7 is provided from the front of the traveling body 2 to the rear of the engine E.

[0023] The floor step 7 is attached to the machine frame 5. Of the floor step 7, for example, a part near the cockpit 9 described below is formed in a grid pattern in a plan view so that mud adhering to the worker's shoes can be washed off into the field.

[0024] A front step 7F is provided at the front of the floor step 7, and left and right extension side steps 7S are provided on the left and right outer sides of the floor step 7. A rear step 7R that also serves as a fender for the rear wheel 4 is provided at the rear of the floor step 7, and boarding and alighting steps 7J for workers to get on and off the vehicle are provided on the outer sides of the left and right extension side steps 7S.

[0025] The engine E is covered by an engine cover 8. A cockpit 9 is provided above the engine cover 8. The power transmission device 6 includes a belt-type power transmission unit 6a to which power is transmitted from the engine E, a hydraulic continuously variable transmission which is a transmission that changes the speed of the power transmitted from the engine E via the belt-type power transmission unit, and a transmission case 6b.

[0026] The hydraulic continuously variable transmission is, for example, a hydrostatic continuously variable transmission known as an HST. The hydraulic continuously variable transmission can change the output (rotation speed) and output direction (rotation direction) by operating the main speed change lever. In other words, the hydraulic continuously variable transmission can change the forward / reverse movement and traveling speed of the traveling vehicle body 2 by changing the rotation speed and rotation direction.

[0027] The transmission case 6b is provided with a transmission device that transmits power from the engine E, which is speed-shifted by the hydraulic continuously variable transmission, to various components. The transmission case 6b is equipped with an auxiliary transmission mechanism that switches the traveling speed during travel and work. When the auxiliary transmission lever of the transmission case 6b is operated, the traveling speed of the traveling vehicle body 2 can be switched, for example, to a traveling speed faster than the traveling speed during planting work, or to a seedling planting speed during planting work.

[0028] The traveling vehicle body 2 is provided with a driver's seat 9 on a floor step 7. The driver's seat 9 is a seat where an operator sits when operating the vehicle.

[0029] The traveling vehicle body 2 is equipped with a steering handle 10, a planting lever, and the like, in front of the driver's seat 9. The steering handle 10 is provided on the hood 11 of the traveling vehicle body 2, and is operated by the operator to steer the traveling vehicle body 2. The planting lever is a clutch lever, and is provided on the hood 11, and is operated to raise and lower the seedling planting unit 30 and to start and stop the seedling planting by the seedling planting unit 30.

[0030] The traveling vehicle body 2 also includes a main speed change lever and an auxiliary speed change lever. The main speed change lever (also called an HST lever) is a lever that is operated to change the forward / reverse movement and traveling speed of the traveling vehicle body 2. The auxiliary speed change lever is a lever that is operated to change the traveling speed of the traveling vehicle body 2 to a speed appropriate for the traveling location (field or road).

[0031] The hood 11 protrudes upward from the floor step 7 and is covered with a front cover 11a. A display unit (meter panel), for example, is provided on the hood 11. The display unit has a display surface that is tilted downward and rearward so as to face an operator seated in the operator's seat 9 and facing forward.

[0032] The display unit displays information from various sensors, such as a marker sensor that detects whether line-drawing markers (described later) that form a travel reference line on the field scene as a guide for straight-line driving are displayed on the left and right sides of the vehicle body, a planting lever position sensor that detects the operating position of the planting lever, a fertilizer shortage sensor that detects when the amount of fertilizer stored in the storage hopper 41 of the fertilizer application device 40 falls below a predetermined amount, and a fertilizer clogging sensor that detects when the fertilizer sent from the storage hopper 41 has clogged the supply path.

[0033] The riding rice transplanter 1 is equipped with a lifting device 20 and a seedling planting unit 30. The lifting device 20 is equipped with a lifting link 21. The lifting link 21 is a parallel link that connects the rear of the traveling body 2 and the seedling planting unit 30, and is connected to the link frame at the rear of the traveling body 2 and the seedling planting unit 30 so that it can rotate freely in the vertical direction, thereby connecting the seedling planting unit 30 to the traveling body 2 so that it can be raised and lowered.

[0034] The lifting device 20 also includes a hydraulic lifting cylinder 22. The lifting cylinder 22 extends and retracts when the planting lever is operated and the hydraulic valve is switched. The lifting cylinder 22 extends and retracts to drive the lifting link 21, raising and lowering the seedling planting unit 30. That is, when the planting lever is operated, the lifting cylinder 22 switches between a non-working position where the seedling planting unit 30 is raised and a ground work position (planting position) where the seedling planting unit 30 is lowered.

[0035] As described above, the seedling planting unit 30 is attached to the rear of the traveling vehicle body 2 via the lifting link 21. The seedling planting unit 30 is capable of planting seedlings in multiple rows (rows), for example. The seedling planting unit 30 includes a seedling placement table 31, a float 32, and a planting device 33.

[0036] The seedling placing table 31 has seedling placing surfaces in the left-right direction of the machine body, the number of which corresponds to the number of planting rows. Each seedling placing surface is a downward-sloping inclined surface that can vertically place multiple mat seedlings (mat seedlings with soil).

[0037] The floats 32 level the ground while gliding over the farmland (paddy field) as the traveling body 2 moves. The floats 32 are equipped with a center float located in the center of the machine body in the left-right direction, and side floats located on the outside in the left-right direction, sandwiching the center float. In the illustrated example, the riding rice transplanter 1 further includes a soil leveling rotor 13, which is a soil leveling device.

[0038] Each float (center float and side float) of the float 32 is rotatably attached to the traveling vehicle body 2 so that the front portion moves up and down in response to the unevenness of the field surface.

[0039] During planting work, the up and down movement of the front part of the center float is detected by a rotation sensor, and depending on the detection result of the rotation sensor, the control unit switches the hydraulic valve that controls the extension and contraction movement of the lifting cylinder 22 to raise and lower the seedling planting section 30, thereby adjusting the seedling planting depth.

[0040] The planting device 33 is supported by the planting support frame of the seedling placing table 31 and is positioned below the seedling placing table 31. The planting device 33 plants the seedlings placed on the seedling placing table 31 in the field. The planting device 33 comprises a planting rod 331, a rotary case 332, and a planting case 333. The planting rod 331 picks the seedlings from the mat seedlings placed on the seedling placing table 31 and plants them in the field.

[0041] The rotary case 332 rotatably supports the planting case 333. The rotary case 332 is provided with a variable speed transmission mechanism that can rotate the planting rod 331 while changing the rotation speed of the planting rod 331. The planting rod 331 rotates while changing its rotation speed depending on the rotation angle relative to the rotary case 332.

[0042] The riding rice transplanter 1 is equipped with a fertilizer applicator 40. The fertilizer applicator 40 is a device that spreads fertilizer over a field. In the riding rice transplanter 1, the seedling planting unit 30 plants seedlings in the field, while the fertilizer applicator 40 spreads fertilizer over the field. The fertilizer applicator 40 is provided, for example, above the rear of the traveling body 2 and behind the driver's seat 9. The fertilizer applicator 40 is equipped with a storage hopper 41 that stores fertilizer.

[0043] The riding rice transplanter 1 is provided with spare seedling carrying sections 50 on the left and right sides at the front of the traveling body 2. The spare seedling carrying sections 50 are provided with two loading platforms 51.

[0044] Here, the detailed configuration of the spare seedling carrying section 50 will be described with reference to Figs.

[0045] The loading platform 51 of the spare seedling loading section 50 is pallet-shaped and has a pair of left and right side walls 51a, a bottom surface 51b, and a rear wall 51c.

[0046] The spare seedling loading section 50 has a lower loading platform 51 fixed to the machine body, and an upper loading platform 51 that is rotatable via a link mechanism 52.

[0047] In other words, the two loading platforms 51 can be freely switched between a stacked state in which they are arranged in two layers, one above the other, and an expanded state in which the upper loading platform 51 rotates forward and lowers via the link mechanism 52, spreading out in a straight line (a state in which the two loading platforms 51 are connected in the front-to-back direction and are on the same plane).

[0048] A grip is provided on the outer side of the upper loading platform 51, and the worker grasps the grip and moves the upper loading platform 51 forward and downward to switch it to the unfolded state.

[0049] The lower loading platform 51 is provided with an auxiliary platform 53 that can be freely stored and on which seedling trays N can be placed.

[0050] The auxiliary stand 53 is mainly used to place empty seedling trays N thereon, but may also be used to place seedling trays N containing seedlings with mat-like soil thereon.

[0051] The auxiliary stand 53 is formed by a frame made of stainless steel rods, that is, the rear ends of the five bottom rods 53a that form the bottom surface are connected by left and right rods 53b, left and right side frames 53c are provided on the left and right rear sides to regulate the left and right side walls of the seedling box, and a mounting frame 53d is provided at the rear that is inclined higher towards the rear.

[0052] The bottom rod 53a of the auxiliary table 53 is supported by a slide support stay 54 provided on the back surface of the bottom surface 51b of the loading table 51 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction.

[0053] That is, the auxiliary stand 53 can be changed between a storage state (a) in which it is stored below the bottom surface 51b of the loading stand 51 and a loading state (b) in which seedling boxes N are placed protruding rearward from the rear of the loading stand 51.

[0054] When the auxiliary stand 53 is slid backward to the loading state (b), the seedling box N is supported at its front by the bottom rod 53a and at its rear by the loading frame 53d, and is placed with its rear protruding rearward from the auxiliary stand 53 and tilted upward.

[0055] Therefore, the spare seedling loading section 50 can load three seedling boxes N onto the two loading tables 51 and the auxiliary table 53.

[0056] Furthermore, the rear part of the seedling box N placed on the auxiliary stand 53 in the placed state (b) protrudes rearward from the auxiliary stand 53, so the worker can easily take out the seedling box N from the auxiliary stand 53 by holding the rearward protruding part without the auxiliary stand 53 getting in the way.

[0057] Furthermore, the slide support stays 54 of the auxiliary stand 53 are provided on the reverse side of the bottom surface 51b of the loading stand 51, so they do not get in the way when transferring seedling boxes N on the loading stand 51 to the auxiliary stand 53, improving workability.

[0058] In addition, the seedling box placing surface of the bottom rod 53a of the auxiliary stand 53 is located lower than the seedling box placing surface of the bottom surface 51b of the loading stand 51, so it does not interfere with the work of removing seedlings with mat-like soil from the seedling boxes N placed on the loading stand 51 using a seedling scooping board (seedling removal board), making the work easier.

[0059] Furthermore, when the auxiliary stand 53 is stored below the bottom surface 51b of the loading stand 51 in the storage state (a), it fits below the loading stand 51 in a plan view, so it does not get in the way of placing, moving or removing seedling boxes N on the loading stand 51, improving workability.

[0060] Furthermore, since people board and disembark from the rear position of the spare seedling loading section 50 (the rear position of the lower loading platform 51 fixed to the machine body), when the auxiliary platform 53 is stored (a), it is easy to board and disembark from the machine body, making it easier to work.

[0061] The tip (front end) of the bottom rod 53a of the auxiliary base 53 is bent downward to form a bent portion 53a', and when the auxiliary base 53 is pulled rearward from the storage state (a) to the loading state (b), the bent portion 53a' comes into contact with the front end of the roller support piece 56 described below, which is provided in front of the slide support stay 54, and functions as a stopper.

[0062] Further, at the rear center position of the bottom surface 51b of the loading platform 51, a roller 55 which is a freely rotating body is provided.

[0063] The roller 55 is provided so as to be freely rotatable at the tip of a roller support rod 57 whose base is pivotally supported by a roller support piece 56 provided on the reverse side of the bottom surface 51 b of the loading platform 51 .

[0064] The tip of the roller support rod 57 is bent to form a support shaft 57a facing in the left-right direction of the machine body, and the roller 55 is supported on the support shaft 57a so as to be freely rotatable.

[0065] The base of the roller support rod 57 is bent to form a pivot 57b facing in the left-right direction of the machine body, and the roller support rod 57 can swing up and down on the pivot 57b.

[0066] Therefore, the roller 55 provided at the tip of the roller support rod 57 can move freely up and down, and when moved up, it is located above the seedling tray N placement surface on the bottom surface 51b of the loading platform 51 (see Figure 3), and when moved down, it is located below the seedling tray N placement surface on the bottom surface 51b of the loading platform 51.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 4, a coil spring 58 is provided around the pivot 57b of the roller support rod 57.

[0068] One end of the coil spring 58 is engaged with the roller support rod 57, and the other end is bent in the left-right direction of the body and engaged with the roller support piece 56, giving the coil spring 58 a biasing force in the direction of arrow (C) that swings the roller support rod 57 upward.

[0069] The force of the coil spring 58 in the direction of arrow (C) that swings the roller support rod 57 upward is such that when a seedling box N containing seedlings with a mat of soil is placed on the roller 55, the weight of the seedling box causes the roller 55 to be positioned below the seedling box N's placement surface on the bottom surface 51b of the loading platform 51, and when an empty seedling box N without a mat of soil is placed on the roller 55, the seedling box N is lifted up and the roller 55 is positioned above the seedling box N's placement surface on the bottom surface 51b of the loading platform 51.

[0070] During seedling supply work, the link mechanism 52 rotates the upper loading platform 51 forward and lowers it to switch to a linearly deployed state (a state in which the two loading platforms 51 are connected in the front-to-rear direction and are on the same plane), and with seedling boxes N containing seedlings with mat-like soil placed on the front and rear loading platforms 51, the auxiliary platform 53 is slid backward to enter the loading state (b).

[0071] At this time, the roller 55 is positioned below the surface of the bottom surface 51b on which the seedling boxes N are placed due to the weight of the seedling boxes N containing seedlings with mat-like soil placed on the rear loading platform 51.

[0072] Then, when the worker uses a seedling scooping board to scoop up the seedlings with mat-like soil from the seedling box N containing the seedlings with mat-like soil placed on the rear loading platform 51 to supply the seedlings with mat-like soil to the seedling placing platform 31 of the seedling planting section 30, the seedling box N becomes empty and the roller 55 pushes up the empty seedling box N with the biasing force of the coil spring 58.

[0073] As a result, as shown in Figure 5, the rear end of the empty seedling box N pushed up by the rollers 55 becomes higher than the rear wall 51c of the loading platform 51, so the worker can easily slide the bottom of the empty seedling box N over the freely rotating rollers 55 and transfer it to the auxiliary platform 53.

[0074] Then, the seedling box N containing the seedlings with mat-like soil placed on the front loading stand 51 is slid to the rear loading stand 51, and the seedlings with mat-like soil are scooped out of the seedling box N with a seedling scooping board and supplied to the seedling placing stand 31 of the seedling planting section 30.

[0075] 6 and 7 show a second embodiment of the roller 55 portion.

[0076] That is, one end of the coil spring 58 is engaged with the roller support rod 57, and the other end is bent in the left-right direction of the machine body and inserted into an arc-shaped notch 56a provided in the roller support piece 56.

[0077] The other end of the coil spring 58 inserted into the arc-shaped cutout 56a is movable along the arc-shaped cutout 56a.

[0078] In the stored state (a) in which the auxiliary table 53 is stored below the bottom surface 51b of the loading table 51, as shown in Figure 7(B), the other end of the coil spring 58 inserted into the arc-shaped notch 56a becomes free within the arc-shaped notch 56a, and the coil spring 58 no longer has any biasing force, so the roller support rod 57 swings downward due to the weight of the roller 55, and the roller 55 is positioned below the surface on the bottom surface 51b of the loading table 51 where the seedling tray N is placed.

[0079] Then, when the auxiliary base 53 is slid backward to the placed state (b), as shown in Figure 7 (A), the bent portion 53a' of the shortest bottom rod 53a of the auxiliary base 53 engages with the other end inserted into the arc-shaped notch 56a of the coil spring 58, moving it backward within the arc-shaped notch 56a, and giving the coil spring 58 a urging force in the direction of arrow (c) that swings the roller support rod 57 upward.

[0080] The force of the coil spring 58 in the direction of arrow (C) that swings the roller support rod 57 upward is such that when a seedling box N containing seedlings with a mat of soil is placed on the roller 55, the weight of the seedling box causes the roller 55 to be positioned below the seedling box N's placement surface on the bottom surface 51b of the loading platform 51, and when an empty seedling box N without a mat of soil is placed on the roller 55, the seedling box N is lifted up and the roller 55 is positioned above the seedling box N's placement surface on the bottom surface 51b of the loading platform 51.

[0081] During seedling supply work, the link mechanism 52 rotates the upper loading platform 51 forward and lowers it to switch to a linearly deployed state (a state in which the two loading platforms 51 are connected in the front-to-rear direction and are on the same plane), and with seedling boxes N containing seedlings with mat-like soil placed on the front and rear loading platforms 51, the auxiliary platform 53 is slid backward to enter the loading state (b).

[0082] At this time, the roller 55 is positioned below the surface of the bottom surface 51b on which the seedling boxes N are placed due to the weight of the seedling boxes N containing seedlings with mat-like soil placed on the rear loading platform 51.

[0083] Then, as shown in Figure 6, when an operator uses a seedling scooping board to scoop up seedlings with mat-like soil from a seedling box N containing seedlings with mat-like soil placed on the rear loading platform 51 in order to supply the seedlings with mat-like soil to the seedling placing platform 31 of the seedling planting section 30, the seedling box N becomes empty and the roller 55 pushes up the empty seedling box N with the force of the coil spring 58.

[0084] Then, the rear end of the empty seedling box N pushed up by the rollers 55 becomes higher than the rear wall 51c of the loading table 51, so the worker can easily transfer the empty seedling box N to the auxiliary table 53 by sliding the bottom surface of the empty seedling box N on the freely rotating rollers 55.

[0085] Then, the seedling box N containing the seedlings with mat-like soil placed on the front loading stand 51 is slid to the rear loading stand 51, and the seedlings with mat-like soil are scooped out of the seedling box N with a seedling scooping board and supplied to the seedling placing stand 31 of the seedling planting section 30.

[0086] The riding rice transplanter 1 is equipped with left and right line drawing markers 60 that draw lines on both the left and right sides of the seedling planting section 30 to indicate the center position of the machine body in the next process.

[0087] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the left and right line-drawing markers 60 are each composed of a line-drawing marker support rod 61 whose base is pivotally supported on the left and right frames of the seedling planting section 30, and a waterwheel-shaped marker 62 that is freely rotatable at the tip of the support rod.The markers can be freely switched between a stored state (d) in which they are raised inside the machine body and a line-drawing state (e) in which the waterwheel-shaped marker 62 is placed on the field and draws lines in the field.

[0088] A mud guard plate 63 is attached to cover the entire outer surface of the waterwheel-shaped marker 62 to prevent mud from scattering on the outer surface.

[0089] Therefore, when the seedling planting section 30 is lowered in the field and moved forward to perform rice planting work, one of the left and right line-drawing markers 60 on the next process side is set to the line-drawing active state (E) to draw a line indicating the center position of the machine body in the next process, but when turning at the edge of the paddy field, the line-drawing marker 60 in the line-drawing active state (E) is switched to a stored state (D) in which it is raised inside the machine body as the seedling planting section 30 rises.

[0090] When switching from the line-drawing state (E) to the stored state (D) toward the inside of the aircraft, there was a problem that the mud held by the waterwheel-shaped marker 62 or the mud attached to it would fly into the inside of the aircraft and fall on the operator sitting in the cockpit 9 while operating it.

[0091] In this embodiment, a mud guard plate 63 that prevents mud from scattering on the outer surface of the waterwheel-shaped marker 62 is attached so as to cover the entire outer surface. This prevents the mud held by or attached to the waterwheel-shaped marker 62 from scattering inside the aircraft, preventing the operator seated in the cockpit 9 and operating the aircraft from getting splashed with mud, improving workability.

[0092] FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of a mud guard plate 63 attached to the outer surface side of a waterwheel-shaped marker 62.

[0093] That is, the mud guard plate 63 has a truncated cone shape, which makes it difficult for mud to adhere to it and also reduces the amount of mud that is lifted up, thereby further preventing mud from scattering inside the aircraft.

[0094] The riding rice transplanter 1 has a center mascot support rod 70 that protrudes upward and forward at the front end of the running body 2, a center mascot 71 that indicates the center position of the left and right of the machine body at the upper end of the center mascot support rod 70, and a monitor 72 that is located above the middle part of the center mascot support rod 70 and at the center position of the left and right of the machine body.

[0095] The center mascot 71 is used by the operator seated in the cockpit 9 to operate the machine in a straight line, aligning it with the line indicating the center of the machine that was drawn in the field in the previous process using the left-right line drawing marker 60. The cockpit 9 is located at the left-right center of the machine, and therefore the operator seated in the cockpit 9 to operate the machine is also located at the left-right center of the machine.

[0096] The monitor 72 displays the detection results of various sensors such as a seedling shortage sensor and a fertilizer shortage sensor, and also displays the rows of seedlings already planted on the side of the vehicle body as photographed by left and right cameras 81 installed at the top ends of left and right camera supports 80 installed on both the left and right sides of the traveling body 2.

[0097] When the field is soft or the water is deep and it is not possible to draw a line in the field with the left and right line drawing markers 60, the rows of planted seedlings on the sides of the machine body photographed by the left and right cameras 81 are displayed on the monitor 72, and a center line is displayed in the lower half of the screen at the left and right center position of the monitor 72.

[0098] The operator seated in the cockpit 9 and operating the vehicle watches the monitor 72 in front while driving the vehicle, and by steering the vehicle forward so that the rows of already planted seedlings displayed on the monitor 72 coincide with the center line displayed on the monitor 72, the vehicle can move straight along the rows of already planted seedlings, allowing rice planting work to be carried out properly.

[0099] In addition, the monitor 72 is provided with a canopy (sunshade and rain cover) 75 that covers both the left and right sides and the top, so that the monitor 72 can be seen well even on sunny or rainy days, improving workability.

[0100] Furthermore, if the left and right cameras 81 can be switched from a state in which they photograph the front of the machine to a state in which they photograph the area near the sides of the machine, the planted seedlings can be displayed large on the monitor 72, and can also be used to check the planting posture of the seedlings.

[0101] The riding rice transplanter 1 is provided with a rear camera 91 on the top of a rear support 90 erected at the rear of the traveling body 2, and when the machine is turned at the edge of the paddy field, the monitor 72 is switched to an image of the seedlings placed on the seedling placing table 31 photographed by the rear camera 91.

[0102] Therefore, the operator seated in the operator's seat 9 can visually check the remaining number of seedlings on the seedling tray 31 when turning the machine at the edge of the field, and if there are only a few seedlings, he can stop the machine at the edge of the field and properly replenish the seedlings. In this case, it is also possible to eliminate the seedling remaining number sensor on the seedling tray 31. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 2 Running vehicle 30 Seedling planting department 50 Spare seedling storage section 51 Loading platform 53 Auxiliary stand 54 Slide support stay 55 Laura N seedling box (a) Storage state (b) Placed state

Claims

1. In a riding seedling planting machine equipped with a spare seedling loading section (50) having a seedling planting section (30) and a loading platform (51) for loading seedling boxes (N) on a traveling vehicle body (2), an auxiliary platform (53) is provided on the loading platform (51) which can be switched between a stored state (A) in which the platform is stored at a position below the loading platform (51) and a loaded state (B) in which the platform protrudes from the loading platform (51) and the seedling boxes (N) can be loaded thereon, This riding seedling planting machine is characterized by being provided with rollers (55) that are positioned below the seedling box (N) placement surface when a seedling box (N) containing seedlings is placed on a loading stand (51) provided with an auxiliary stand (53), and that are positioned above the seedling box (N) placement surface when an empty seedling box (N) is placed on the loading stand (51).

2. The riding seedling planter of claim 1, characterized in that the spare seedling loading section (50) can freely switch between a stacked state in which multiple loading platforms (51) are overlapped in a plan view and an unfolded state in which they are connected in the front-to-back direction, and in the unfolded state, an auxiliary platform (53) is provided on the loading platform (51) located at the rear so as to protrude rearward to switch to a loading state (b).

3. A riding seedling planter as described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the rear part of the seedling box (N) placed on the auxiliary stand (53) in the placed state (b) protrudes rearward from the rear of the auxiliary stand (53).

4. 3. A riding seedling planter according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the auxiliary platform (53) is supported so as to be freely slidable in the forward and backward directions on a slide support stay (54) provided on the underside of the loading platform (51).

5. 4. A riding seedling planter according to claim 3, wherein the auxiliary platform (53) is supported by a slide support stay (54) provided on the underside of the loading platform (51) so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction.

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