transplant machine

Abstract

To provide a transplanter which can carry out the proper transplantation work even if a worker gets on a boarding step in order to solve a problem that the boarding step is a configuration provided independently in the rear part of the travel device, when the worker gets on the boarding step on one side of a machine body, the weight becomes heavy, a slip is easily generated in the travel device, there is a risk that the planting interval of seedlings becomes unstable, the straight traveling performance of the machine body is hindered and the proper transplantation work may not be performed since the left and right balance of the machine body is biased to one of the left and right sides in a conventional seedling transplanter which includes a boarding step for a worker in a rear part of a traveling crawler being a travel device.SOLUTION: In a transplanter which includes a steering handle 2, left and right travel devices 7L, 7R and a planting device 50, left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R on which each worker gets on are installed in the rear part of the left and right travel devices 7L, 7R, and the left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R are connected by a gate-type connection frame 77 that straddles the upper part of the machine body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a transplanter for transplanting seedlings of bulbs such as potatoes, or vegetable plants such as onions and lettuce, into a farm field. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, there is a seedling transplanter in which a boarding step for an operator is provided at the rear of a traveling crawler, which is a traveling device (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-004776 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, conventional boarding steps are installed independently at the rear of the running gear, and when an operator boards the boarding step on one side of the machine, a large weight is applied, making the running gear more likely to slip, which could result in unstable planting spacing (spaces between plants).The left-right balance of the machine is also biased to one side, which could impair the machine's ability to move in a straight line and make it difficult to carry out transplanting work properly.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and has as its object to provide a transplanter that allows an operator to perform transplanting work appropriately even when the operator stands on the boarding step. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The first invention is a transplanter equipped with a steering handle (2), left and right traveling devices (7L, 7R) and a planting device (50), in which left and right boarding steps (70L, 70R) for an operator to board are provided at the rear of the left and right traveling devices (7L, 7R), and the left and right boarding steps (70L, 70R) are connected by a gate-shaped connecting frame (77) that straddles the top of the machine body, This transplanter is characterized in that left and right running devices (7L, 7R) are provided on the body of the machine so that the left and right spacing can be adjusted, the connecting frame (77) is composed of left and right frames (77L, 77R) each connected at the bottom to the left and right boarding steps (70L, 70R) and connecting members (80) connecting the upper sides of the left and right frames (77L, 77R), and an operator's seat (46) is provided on at least one of the left and right frames (77L, 77R). The second invention is a transplanter equipped with a steering handle (2), left and right traveling devices (7L, 7R) and a planting device (50), in which left and right boarding steps (70L, 70R) for an operator to board are provided at the rear of the left and right traveling devices (7L, 7R), and the left and right boarding steps (70L, 70R) are connected by a gate-shaped connecting frame (77) that straddles the top of the machine body, The upper part of the connecting frame (77) is a left-right shaft (79) extending in the left-right direction, and the left-right shaft (79) is guided by a guide body (82) provided on the rear side of the machine body relative to the supply device (60) that supplies transplanted plants to the planting device (50), allowing it to move up and down freely and with its lowered position restricted.The left and right boarding steps (70L, 70R) are provided with left and right support wheels (74L, 74R) that come into contact with the field surface, and the lower part of the connecting frame (77) is rotatably connected to the left and right boarding steps (70L, 70R).This transplanter is characterized in that First invention related to the present inventionThis transplanter is equipped with a control handle 2, left and right traveling devices 7L, 7R, and a planting device 50, and has left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R at the rear of the left and right traveling devices 7L, 7R for the operator to board, and the left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R are connected by a gate-shaped connecting frame 77 that spans the top of the machine body.

[0007] First invention related to the present invention According to the above, left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R for workers to board are provided at the rear of the left and right traveling devices 7L, 7R, respectively, and the left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R are connected by a gate-shaped connecting frame 77 that straddles the top of the machine body, thereby preventing the left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R from shaking due to unevenness or differences in elevation in the field, and allowing workers to perform appropriate transplanting work even when they board the left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R.

[0008] Second invention related to the present invention The left and right running devices 7L, 7R are provided on the machine body so that the left and right spacing can be adjusted, the connecting frame 77 is composed of left and right frames 77L, 77R connected at the bottom to the left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R, respectively, and a connecting material 80 connecting the upper sides of the left and right frames 77L, 77R, and an operator seat 46 is provided on at least one of the left and right frames 77L, 77R. First invention related to the present invention It is a transplanter.

[0009] Second invention related to the present invention According to First invention related to the present invention In addition to the above-mentioned effects, the left and right running devices 7L, 7R are mounted on the machine body so that the left-right spacing can be adjusted, and the connecting frame 77 is composed of left and right frames 77L, 77R connected at the bottom to the left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R, respectively, and connecting material 80 connecting the upper sides of the left and right frames 77L, 77R, so that when changing the left-right spacing of the left and right running devices 7L, 7R, the spacing of the left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R can be easily changed.

[0010] Furthermore, since the operator seat 46 is provided on at least one of the left and right frames 77L, 77R, fatigue of the operator can be reduced compared to standing on the left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R.

[0011] The third invention related to the present inventionThe upper part of the connecting frame 77 is a left-right shaft 79 extending in the left-right direction, and the left-right shaft 79 is guided by a guide body 82 provided on the rear side of the machine body relative to the supply device 60 that supplies transplanted plants to the planting device 50, and is provided in a state where it can move up and down freely and its lowering position is restricted, and left and right support wheels 74L, 74R that come into contact with the field surface are provided on the left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R, and the lower part of the connecting frame 77 is rotatably connected to the left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R. The first or second invention related to the present invention It is a transplanter.

[0012] The third invention related to the present invention According to The first or second invention related to the present invention In addition to the above-mentioned effect, the left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R are provided with left and right support wheels 74L, 74R that come into contact with the field surface, so that the rotation of the left and right support wheels 74L, 74R does not cause the machine body to lose its posture or reduce its running speed.

[0013] Furthermore, the upper part of the connecting frame 77 is formed as a left-right shaft 79 extending in the left-right direction, and the left-right shaft 79 is guided by a guide body 82 provided on the rear side of the machine body relative to the supply device 60 that supplies transplanted plants to the planting device 50, so that it can move up and down freely and its lowering position is restricted. Therefore, the worker can use the connecting frame 77 as a handrail to easily get on the left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R.

[0014] Furthermore, since the lower portion of the connecting frame 77 is rotatably connected to the left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R, vibrations caused by traveling are less likely to be transmitted to the connecting frame 77 from the left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of a transplanter according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are side cross-sectional views illustrating the operation of another embodiment of the guide body. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are side cross-sectional views illustrating the operation of another embodiment of the guide body. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] A potato transplanter according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the following description, the side on which the control handle 2 is located will be referred to as the rear, and the opposite side, i.e., the side on which the engine 3 is located, will be referred to as the front. The right-hand side facing the front of the machine will be referred to as the right, and the left-hand side will be referred to as the left.

[0018] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, this transplanter is equipped with a running body 1 that allows the machine to move forward, a control handle 2 for walking and controlling the machine provided at the rear of the running body 1, a planting device 50 that plants potatoes in a field, and a supplying device 60 that supplies potatoes to the planting device 50.

[0019] The traveling vehicle body 1 is equipped with an engine 3, a transmission case 4 that changes the speed of the power of the engine 3 and transmits it to each part, left and right rear wheels 7L, 7R that are drive wheels that are each driven and rotated by the power of the transmission case 4, and left and right front wheels 8L, 8R that are supported in front of the left and right rear wheels 7L, 7R so that they can roll freely.

[0020] Left and right wheel drive shafts 9L, 9R protrude from both the left and right sides of the transmission case 4, left and right sliding bodies 5L, 5R are fitted onto the left and right wheel drive shafts 9L, 9R so as to be movable in the left and right direction, and the front portions of left and right case bodies 10L, 10R, which are long in the front-to-rear direction, are attached to the left and right sliding bodies 5L, 5R so as to be rotatable.

[0021] The left and right sliding bodies 5L, 5R are connected by left and right connecting arms 24L, 24R to left and right cylindrical bodies 20L, 20R which are respectively attached to left and right support rods 11L, 11R extending from the main frame 6 in the left and right direction so as to be movable left and right and fixed by pins 14.

[0022] Therefore, by removing the pin 14 and moving the left and right cylindrical bodies 20L, 20R left and right on the left and right support rods 11L, 11R, the left and right case bodies 10L, 10R can be moved left and right to change the tread width of the left and right rear wheels 7L, 7R.

[0023] The left and right support rods 11L, 11R are provided with a plurality of pin holes 14a in the left and right direction for inserting pins 14, and the left and right movement of the left and right case bodies 10L, 10R can be fixed by the pins 14 after the tread width is changed.

[0024] Left and right rear wheels 7L, 7R are mounted on left and right axles 12L, 12R that protrude laterally rearward from the left and right case bodies 10L, 10R.

[0025] Further, the left and right case bodies 10L, 10R are connected to a driving means that rotates up and down so as to move the left and right rear wheels 7L, 7R up and down around the front sides of the left and right case bodies 10L, 10R as a rotation fulcrum.

[0026] Specifically, left and right arms 13L, 13R extending upward are integrally attached to the front of the left and right case bodies 10L, 10R, and these are connected to the left and right sides of a connecting body attached to the tip of the piston rod of a lifting hydraulic cylinder (not shown) fixed to the transmission case 4. One of the left and right sides (the right side) is connected by a rod, and the other side (the left side) is connected by a left and right tilt control hydraulic cylinder (not shown) that can expand and contract in accordance with the tilt of the aircraft body.

[0027] When the lifting hydraulic cylinder is actuated and its piston rod projects rearward, the left and right arms 13L, 13R rotate rearward, causing the left and right case bodies 10L, 10R to rotate downward, lifting the machine. Conversely, when the piston rod of the lifting hydraulic cylinder moves forward and retracts into the cylinder, the left and right arms 13L, 13R rotate forward, causing the left and right case bodies 10L, 10R to rotate upward, lifting the machine.

[0028] This lifting hydraulic cylinder is operated by a ground sensor that is in contact with the ridge surface and operates in accordance with changes in the vertical distance between the machine body and the ridge surface. The ground sensor operates to detect the height of the ridge top surface relative to the machine body, and the lifting hydraulic cylinder is configured to operate based on the detection action of the ground sensor so that the machine body is at a set height relative to the ridge top surface.

[0029] The machine is also configured so that a hydraulic lifting cylinder is operated to manually raise or lower the machine body by manually operating a planting / lifting operation tool 15 located near the control handle 2. The planting / lifting operation tool 15 is also configured to turn on and off the drive of the planting device 50 and the supply device 60.

[0030] Furthermore, when the hydraulic cylinder for controlling left and right tilt extends and retracts, the left arm 13L connected to the hydraulic cylinder for controlling left and right tilt rotates, moving only the left rear wheel 7 up and down and tilting the machine body left and right. This hydraulic cylinder for controlling left and right tilt operates to keep the machine body horizontal based on the detection results of a left and right tilt sensor installed in the center of the machine body left and right.

[0031] The left and right front wheels 8L, 8R are rotatably attached to axles 18L, 18R fixed to the sides of the lower end of vertically long vertical frames attached to the left and right sides of a horizontal frame 16 that is attached so as to be rotatable about a longitudinal axis at a left-right central position below the engine 3. Therefore, the left and right front wheels 8L, 8R are free to roll about a longitudinal axis at the left-right central position of the vehicle. Vertical frames are attached to the left and right sides of the horizontal frame 16 so as to be vertically adjustable, allowing the height of the left and right front wheels 8L, 8R to be adjusted.

[0032] The steering handle 2 is provided at the rear of the machine body, and is located rearward of the left and right axles 12L, 12R of the left and right rear wheels 7L, 7R.

[0033] Specifically, the steering handle 2 is attached to the rear end of an aircraft frame 19, the front end of which is fixed to a main frame 6 on which an engine 3 and a transmission case 4 are mounted.

[0034] The vehicle frame 19 extends rearward from a position offset to the left from the center of the vehicle's left and right sides, and also extends diagonally upward and rearward from the midpoint between the front and rear. The steering handle 2 extends rearward on both sides from the rear end of the vehicle frame 19, with each rear end serving as a left and right grip portion of the steering handle 2.

[0035] The planting device 50 comprises a beak-shaped planting body 21 with its tip pointing downward, a vertical movement mechanism 22 for moving the planting body 21 up and down between a position where the lower end of the planting body 21 is above the field surface and a position where the lower end of the planting body 21 is below the field surface, and an opening / closing mechanism for opening and closing the planting body 21 between a closed state where the lower end of the beak-shaped planting body 21 is closed to receive potatoes from above and store the potatoes inside, and an open state where the lower end of the planting body 21 is open to the left and right so that the potatoes stored inside can be released downward.

[0036] The supply device 60 includes a plurality of containers 23 that receive potatoes from above and store the potatoes inside, a moving mechanism that rotates the containers 23 so that they pass above the planting body 21, and an opening mechanism that serves as a potato drop supply mechanism that opens the bottom of the container 23 above the planting body 21 to drop the potatoes stored inside and supply the potatoes to the planting body 21.

[0037] At the center of the top surface of the supply device 60, a storage section 60a for storing potatoes to be supplied to the container 23 is provided.

[0038] The planting device 50 has a single-row planting configuration in which one planting body 21 is arranged in the center position on the left and right of the machine body.

[0039] The planting body 21 is attached to a vertical movement mechanism 22 provided on the right side of a planting transmission case 26 driven by power from the transmission case 4. The planting transmission case 26 is fixed onto the machine frame 19.

[0040] The vertical movement mechanism 22 has upper and lower lifting links whose front parts are attached to the planting transmission case 26 so as to be freely rotatable up and down, and whose rear parts are connected to the planting body 21. A separately provided drive mechanism uses power from inside the planting transmission case 26 to move the upper and lower lifting links up and down, causing the planting body 21 to move up and down. In the raised position, the lower end of the planting body 21 is located above the field surface, and in the lowered position, the lower end of the planting body 21 is located below the field surface.

[0041] The opening and closing mechanism of the planting body 21 is operated by power from inside the planting transmission case 26, and is linked to the operation of the up-and-down movement mechanism 22, so that when the planting body 21 reaches the lowermost position, the lower side of the planting body 21 opens forward and backward to be in an open state downward, and when the planting body 21 reaches the uppermost position of the rise, the lower side of the planting body 21 closes to be in a closed state.

[0042] The opening mechanism of the supply device 60 is configured so that a support is provided that supports the bottom lid from below to prevent it from rotating downward below the rotation trajectory of the container 23, and this support is not provided in a position above the planting body 21, so that when the container 23 passes above the planting body 21, the bottom lid is released from its support state by the support and rotates downward, opening the container 23 so that the potatoes in the container 23 can fall downward. The timing at which the bottom lid of the container 23 opens is adjusted so that it opens when the planting body 21 has risen to directly below the container 23.

[0043] This transplanter is provided with soil pressing wheels at positions near both the left and right sides of the rear of the planting area of ​​the planting body 21 for pressing down the soil on the potatoes planted by the planting body 21.

[0044] This soil cover roller is freely rotatably mounted on a soil cover roller support frame whose front part is pivotally supported on the main frame 9 so as to be able to rotate freely up and down.

[0045] The rear side of the soil-covering wheel support frame is U-shaped when viewed from above, and is constructed by appropriately bending a pipe frame.

[0046] The lower end of a rod extending in the vertical direction is connected to the rear end of the soil-covering wheel support frame, and the upper part of the rod is passed through the tip of the left and right pipe-shaped frames extending to the right from the machine body frame 19, which is located at a position offset to the left from the center of the machine body, so that it can be supported freely to move up and down.

[0047] Therefore, the soil-covering and compacting wheels are supported so as to be freely movable up and down on left and right frames extending to the right from the body frame 19, which is located at a position offset to the left from the center of the body, so that they can be supported so as to be able to move up and down along the ridges by utilizing the empty space on the right side of the body frame 19.

[0048] An operating section 43 is provided at the center position of the steering handle 2 in the left-right direction.

[0049] A throttle lever 44 for the engine 3 is provided near the left grip of the steering handle 2.

[0050] Furthermore, left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R are provided behind the left and right rear wheels 7L, 7R, so that workers can board during transplanting work.

[0051] The left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R are made up of left and right flat punched metal plates 72L, 72R made of iron and fixed by welding to the top surfaces of the step frames 71L, 71R.

[0052] The front ends of the step frames 71L, 71R are pivotally supported on pivot pins 73L, 73R that are coaxial with the left and right axles 12L, 12R fixed to the outer surfaces of the rear ends of the left and right case bodies 10L, 10R, respectively, allowing the rear sides to freely rotate up and down.

[0053] Left and right support wheels 74L, 74R are mounted on left and right support wheel axles 75L, 75R on the rear lower sides of the step frames 71L, 71R so as to be freely rotatable.

[0054] The left and right connecting engaging members 76L, 76R provided on the upper surfaces of the left and right flat punched metals 72L, 72R at the rear of the step frames 71L, 71R are configured to rotatably engage with the left and right left shaft portions 78L, 78R at the left and right lower ends of a connecting frame 77 that is gate-shaped when viewed from the front and connects the rear parts of the left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R.

[0055] The connecting frame 77 is configured such that left and right frames 77L, 77R have left and right shafts 79 extending in the left and right direction at the top that are fitted into both left and right sides of a joint pipe 80 serving as a connecting member and fixed with fixing pins 81.

[0056] The left and right shaft portion 79 is provided with a plurality of pin holes in the left and right direction into which fixing pins 81 are inserted, so that the left and right width of the connecting frame 77 can be changed.

[0057] Therefore, when the left and right case bodies 10L, 10R are moved left and right to change the tread width of the left and right rear wheels 7L, 7R, the fixing pin 81 is removed to allow the left and right frames 77L, 77R to move left and right, and the tread width of the left and right rear wheels 7L, 7R can be easily changed, and after the tread width is changed, the fixing pin 81 is inserted into the corresponding pin hole to fix the left and right width of the connecting frame 77.

[0058] The left and right shafts 79 of the connecting frame 77 are located at the rear of the supply device 60 and above the machine frame 19, and the connecting frame 77 has a gate-like configuration that straddles the machine frame 19.

[0059] Additionally, the base of a guide body 82 that is open at the top and has a U-shape in a side view, and that guides the left and right shafts 79 of the connecting frame 77 to move up and down, is welded to the machine body frame 19 .

[0060] Therefore, when the left and right support wheels 74L, 74R move up and down due to the unevenness and elevation of the field surface, the left and right shaft portions 79 of the gate-shaped connecting frame 77 that straddles the body frame 19 are positioned higher than the body frame 19 at the rear of the supply device 60, and the left and right shaft portions 79 of the connecting frame 77 are guided in the up and down direction with their forward and backward movement restricted by the guide body 82, so that the left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R (left and right support wheels 74L, 74R) can move up and down appropriately without rattling left and right.

[0061] Furthermore, when an operator boards the left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R, the left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R are connected by a gate-shaped connecting frame 77 that straddles the machine frame 19, so that the weight of the operator can be supported by the left and right support wheels 74L, 74R, improving riding stability.

[0062] Furthermore, since the connecting frame 77 is located at the rear of the supply device 60, the connecting frame 77 also serves as a handrail when the worker gets on and off the left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R, allowing the worker to get on and off safely.

[0063] Furthermore, when the left and right rear wheels 7L, 7R are lowered to raise the machine body for turning, as the machine body rises, the guide body 82 lifts the left and right shaft portions 79 of the connecting frame 77, causing the rear portions of the left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R to rotate about the pivot pins 73L, 73R and rise away from the field surface, and the load of the left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R is applied to the rear of the machine body, so that the machine can be easily turned by pushing down the steering handle 2 to lift the left and right front wheels 8L, 8R off the field surface.

[0064] Furthermore, by providing multiple left and right connecting engaging members 76L, 76R in the fore-and-aft direction of the left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R, the lowest possible position of the rear parts of the left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R (left and right support wheels 74L, 74R) can be changed by selecting which of the multiple left and right connecting engaging members 76L, 76R the left and right shaft parts 78L, 78R at the left and right lower ends of the connecting frame 77 will engage with.

[0065] This transplanter is provided with an operator's seat 46 so that an operator can sit on the supply device 60 to supply potatoes and perform the potato supplying work.

[0066] Specifically, the operator seat 46 is arranged above the left boarding step 70L, which is to the left rear of the supply device 60, facing forward or to the front right (towards the supply device 60).

[0067] A seat support frame 83 made of pipe material is welded and fixed to the vertical frame portion of the left frame 77L of the connecting frame 77, and a seat support pillar 84 extending downward from the bottom surface of the worker seat 46 is inserted into the seat support frame 83 to form a support structure for the worker seat 46.

[0068] A compression spring is provided in the insertion hole of the seat support frame 83, and the operator's seat 46 moves up and down by the compression spring, allowing the operator to work in a comfortable seat.

[0069] Therefore, the operator sitting on the seat 46 can face the supply device 60, take out potatoes from the storage section 60a, and supply the potatoes to the left rear side of the supply device 60 easily in a comfortable position.

[0070] Furthermore, since the throttle lever 44 for the engine 3 is provided near the left grip of the operating handle 2, the operator can increase or decrease the speed of the engine 3 while sitting in the operator's seat 46, providing good operability.

[0071] Furthermore, since the operator's seat 46 is attached to the connecting frame 77, the weight of the operator seated on the operator's seat 46 can be supported by the left and right support wheels 74L, 74R, improving riding stability.

[0072] Although an example has been shown in which the operator's seat 46 is provided on the left frame 77L of the connecting frame 77, the operator's seat 46 may also be provided on the right frame 77R of the connecting frame 77, or the left and right operator seats 46 may be provided on both the left and right frames 77L, 77R. In other words, the operator's seat 46 may be provided on either the left or right side of the machine body, or may be provided on both the left and right sides.

[0073] In addition, an operator may board the left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R to remove potatoes from the storage section 60a and supply them to the supply device 60, which improves workability and ease as the operator does not have to walk through the field as the machine moves forward.

[0074] When not in use, the seat support 84 of the operator's seat 46 can be removed from the seat support frame 83, allowing the operator's seat 46 to be stored in a place where it will not get dirty.

[0075] Furthermore, if multiple pin holes are provided in the seat support frame 83 in the vertical direction and pin holes are provided in the seat support pillar 84, the seat support pillar 84 of the worker's seat 46 can be inserted into the seat support frame 83 and fixed by inserting a pin into either the pin hole provided in the seat support pillar 84 or one of the multiple pin holes provided in the seat support frame 83, the worker's seat 46 can be adjusted up and down to suit the worker's physique, improving workability.

[0076] In addition, if a compression spring is installed in the insertion hole of the seat support frame 83 so that the operator seat 46 moves up and down using the compression spring, the multiple pin holes provided in the seat support frame 83 in the vertical direction can be made into long holes in the vertical direction.

[0077] Furthermore, if a pivot shaft in the left-right direction is provided at the connecting position between the bottom of the worker seat 46 and the upper end of the seat support pillar 84 so that the worker seat 46 can be tilted in the front-to-back direction, or if a pivot shaft in the front-to-back direction is provided at the connecting position between the bottom of the worker seat 46 and the upper end of the seat support pillar 84 so that the worker seat 46 can be tilted in the left-to-right direction, when the worker seat 46 is left attached to the machine body, the worker seat 46 can be tilted in the front-to-back direction or left-to-right direction to prevent rainwater and the like from accumulating on the seat.

[0078] In the figure, 88L and 88R are wheel covers that cover the rear of the left and right rear wheels 7L and 7R, respectively, provided at the front ends of the left and right boarding steps 70L and 70R, to prevent soil and the like from getting on the left and right boarding steps 70L and 70R.

[0079] An auxiliary platform 85 for placing containers filled with potatoes is provided above the front of the aircraft.

[0080] <Other embodiments>

[0081] (1) FIGS. 4A and 4B are side cross-sectional views illustrating the operation of another embodiment of the guide body 82.

[0082] That is, a locking pin 86 that operates in the forward and backward directions is provided on the U-shaped guide body 82, and when the locking pin 86 protrudes inward from the guide body 82, it restricts the downward movement of the left and right shaft portions 79 of the connecting frame 77, and when the locking pin 86 retracts from the inside of the guide body 82, the left and right shaft portions 79 of the connecting frame 77 can move freely up and down.

[0083] The locking pin 86 is biased by a spring in a direction that causes it to protrude inward into the guide body 82, and when the planting / lifting operating tool 15 is operated to drive the planting device 50 and the supply device 60, it is pulled by the operating wire 87 and retracts from the inside of the guide body 82, and when the planting / lifting operating tool 15 is operated to drive the planting device 50 and the supply device 60, the operating wire 87 loosens and the locking pin 86 protrudes inward into the guide body 82 due to the biasing force of the spring.

[0084] Therefore, during planting work in which the planting / lifting operating tool 15 is operated to drive the planting device 50 and the supply device 60, the locking pin 86 retreats from the inside of the guide body 82, allowing the left and right shaft portions 79 of the connecting frame 77 to move up and down freely, and the left and right support wheels 74L, 74R (left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R) move up and down appropriately following the unevenness and height of the field surface, allowing for good and appropriate transplanting work.

[0085] Furthermore, when the planting / lifting operating tool 15 is operated to cut off the drive of the planting device 50 and the supply device 60 and the machine is turning, the locking pin 86 protrudes inward of the guide body 82 and restricts the downward movement of the left and right shaft portions 79 of the connecting frame 77, increasing the downward limit of the left and right support wheels 74L, 74R (left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R), allowing for smooth turning.

[0086] 5(A) and (B) show a modified example in which a locking member 86' having multiple stages of locking portions 86a, 86b (two stages in the embodiment, but three or more stages are also acceptable) is used instead of the locking pin 86.

[0087] In other words, when the planting / lifting operating tool 15 is operated to cut off the drive of the planting device 50 and the supply device 60 and the machine is turning, the locking member 86' protrudes inward from the guide body 82 and one of the multiple stages of locking parts 86a, 86b locks the left and right shaft parts 79 of the connecting frame 77, restricting up and down movement, and the up and down positions of the left and right support wheels 74L, 74R (left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R) can be fixed at the desired height, allowing for efficient and good turning.

[0088] When the left and right shaft portions 79 are fixed by the upper locking portion 86a, the left and right support wheels 74L, 74R (left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R) are fixed at a high position, and when the left and right shaft portions 79 are fixed by the lower locking portion 86b, the left and right support wheels 74L, 74R (left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R) are fixed at a slightly higher position.

[0089] In addition, instead of the locking pin 86 or locking member 86', a stopper may be provided to receive from below the left and right shaft portions 79 of the frame 77 that move up and down in the U-shaped inner space of the guide body 82, and the up and down movement of the stopper may be linked to the planting / lifting operating tool 15 by a link mechanism.

[0090] In other words, when the planting / lifting operating tool 15 is operated to drive the planting device 50 and the supply device 60, the stopper is moved to the lowest position by the link mechanism, and the left and right shaft portions 79 of the connecting frame 77 can move up and down freely, and the left and right support wheels 74L, 74R (left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R) move up and down appropriately following the unevenness and height of the field surface, allowing for good and appropriate transplanting work.

[0091] In addition, when the planting / lifting operating tool 15 is operated to cut off the drive of the planting device 50 and the supply device 60, the stopper is moved to the uppermost position by the link mechanism, restricting the downward movement of the left and right shaft portions 79 of the connecting frame 77, and the downward limit of the left and right support wheels 74L, 74R (left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R) becomes higher, allowing for smooth turning.

[0092] In the above embodiments, examples have been shown in which the locking pin 86, the locking member 86', and the stopper are actuated by operating the planting / lifting operating tool 15, but a dedicated operating lever may be provided to actuate the locking pin 86, the locking member 86', and the stopper.

[0093] (2) The left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R may be configured to move up and down using parallel links whose bases are pivoted to the main frame 6, and when the left and right support wheels 74L, 74R move up and down to follow the unevenness and height of the field surface, the left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R may move up and down while maintaining a horizontal position using the parallel links.

[0094] The left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R are moved up and down by parallel links while maintaining a horizontal state with respect to the ground, so that workers standing on the left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R can work safely and in a stable posture.

[0095] The parallel link is configured to be moved up and down by an actuator operated by a vertical operation switch provided on an operation section 43 located at the center of the left and right sides of the steering handle 2.

[0096] Therefore, when turning the vehicle, if the parallel link is raised by the actuator using the up / down operation switch, the left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R will rise while maintaining a horizontal state, making turning easy.

[0097] As in the previous embodiment, the left and right support wheels 74L, 74R move up and down behind the left and right traveling devices 7L, 7R, respectively.

[0098] Furthermore, when the machine is being moved, the parallel links are raised by an actuator operated by an up / down operation switch provided on the operating unit 43, thereby raising the left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R while maintaining them in a horizontal position, which makes it easy to move the machine and also makes it convenient to use the raised, horizontal left and right boarding steps 70L, 70R as storage platforms. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 2 Control handle 7L Left running gear 7R Right running device 46 Operator seat 50 Planting equipment 60 Feeding device 70L Left boarding step 70R Right boarding step 74L left support wheel 74R Right support wheel 77 Connecting Frame 77L left frame 77R Right Frame 79 Left and right shaft section 80 Connecting material (joint pipe) 82 Guide

Claims

1. A transplanter equipped with a steering handle (2), left and right running devices (7L, 7R), and a planting device (50), in which left and right boarding steps (70L, 70R) for an operator to board are provided at the rear of the left and right running devices (7L, 7R), and the left and right boarding steps (70L, 70R) are connected by a gate-shaped connecting frame (77) that straddles the top of the machine body, This transplanter is characterized in that left and right running devices (7L, 7R) are provided on the machine body so that the left and right intervals can be adjusted, the connecting frame (77) is composed of left and right frames (77L, 77R) connected at the bottom to left and right boarding steps (70L, 70R), respectively, and connecting members (80) connecting the upper sides of the left and right frames (77L, 77R), and an operator's seat (46) is provided on at least one of the left and right frames (77L, 77R).

2. A transplanter equipped with a steering handle (2), left and right running devices (7L, 7R) and a planting device (50), in which left and right boarding steps (70L, 70R) for an operator to board are provided at the rear of the left and right running devices (7L, 7R), and the left and right boarding steps (70L, 70R) are connected by a gate-shaped connecting frame (77) that straddles the top of the machine body, The upper part of the connecting frame (77) is a left-right shaft (79) extending in the left-right direction, and the left-right shaft (79) is guided by a guide body (82) provided on the rear side of the machine body relative to a supply device (60) that supplies transplanted plants to the planting device (50), so that it is movable up and down freely and its lowering position is restricted, and left and right support wheels (74L, 74R) that come into contact with the field surface are provided on the left and right boarding steps (70L, 70R), and the lower part of the connecting frame (77) is rotatably connected to the left and right boarding steps (70L, 70R).

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