Riding-type seedling planter

Abstract

To address such a problem that the conventional sulky seedling planting machine for planting seedlings while traveling in a field, is equipped with a reserve seedling placement part with two placement trays, on a traveling car body, where the two placement trays are changed over between a state of being connected on the same plane in a longitudinal direction of a machine body and a state of being folded, however, workability and operation efficiency of an operation to take out the empty seedling boxes from the sulky seedling planting machine is still poor; and to provide a sulky seedling planting machine capable of improving the workability and work efficiency of the operation to take out the empty seedling boxes from the sulky seedling planting machine.SOLUTION: A sulky seedling planting machine equipped with a seedling planting part on a rear part of a traveling car body and a reserve seedling placement part 50 with placement trays 51U and 51D on which reserve seedling boxes N are placed, on a front part of the traveling car body, includes an empty box placement part 58 that is long in the longitudinal direction of the machine body for vertically placing empty seedling boxes N on a lateral side of the placement trays 51U and 51D of the reserve seedling placement part 50, and a seedling box collection body 61 for transferring the empty seedling boxes N on the placement tray 51D to the empty box placement part 58.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a riding type seedling transplanter equipped with a spare seedling loading section.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a riding type seedling transplanter that plants seedlings while traveling in a field, there is one equipped with a spare seedling loading section having two loading platforms provided on a traveling vehicle body, and the two loading platforms can be switched between a state where they are connected in the same plane in the front-rear direction of the machine body and a folded state (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] If the front part of the riding type seedling transplanter is placed on a ridge or a road and the two loading platforms of the spare seedling loading section are connected in the same plane in the front-rear direction of the machine body, the work of supplying a seedling box grown in a nursery to the riding type seedling transplanter from the ridge or the road can be easily performed. However, the work of taking out an empty seedling box from the riding type seedling transplanter has poor workability and work efficiency.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a riding type seedling transplanter capable of improving the workability and work efficiency of the work of taking out an empty seedling box from the riding type seedling transplanter.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The first aspect of the present invention relates to a ride-on seedling planter having a seedling planting unit (30) mounted on the rear of a traveling vehicle body (2), and a spare seedling loading unit (50) equipped with loading platforms (51U, 51D) for placing seedling trays (N) on the front of the traveling vehicle body (2), wherein an empty tray loading unit (58) that is long in the front-rear direction of the machine is provided on the side of the loading platform (51U, 51D) of the spare seedling loading unit (50) for vertically loading empty seedling trays (N), and a seedling tray retrieval unit (61) is provided for transferring empty seedling trays (N) from the loading platform (51D) to the empty tray loading unit (58), When the seedling tray retrieval unit (61) is placed on the lower loading platform (51D) and the seedling trays (N) are empty, the biasing device (75) switches the unit from its stored state on the lower loading platform (51D) to a state where it rises above the lower loading platform (51D) and slopes downward toward the rear loading section (58R). The spare seedling loading section (50) is switchable between a stacked state in which multiple upper loading platforms (51U) and lower loading platforms (51D) are arranged in multiple layers vertically and overlapping in a plan view, and a state in which the upper loading platforms (51U) are moved in front of the lower loading platforms (51D) and the upper loading platforms (51U) and lower loading platforms (51D) are deployed in a straight line in the front-to-back direction, and on the outside of the upper loading platforms (51U) and lower loading platforms (51D) 、 The front mounting section (58F) of the empty box mounting section (58) and In the deployed state of the upper loading platform (51U) and lower loading platform (51D), the empty box loading section (58) is connected in series with the front loading section (58F) in the front-to-back direction. Rear loading section (58R) and, We have established When an empty seedling tray (N) is moved to the rear loading section (58R), a seedling tray sensor (65) provided on the rear support base (59R) of the rear loading section (58R) detects the seedling tray (N). Driven by the operation of an electric motor. The belt conveyor (64) is driven, and the seedling trays (N) are transported to the front loading section (58F). Empty box mounting section ( 58 ) This is a ride-on seedling planter characterized by having a width that allows for the placement of multiple empty seedling trays (N). The first invention related to the present invention is a ride-on seedling planter in which a seedling planting unit 30 is attached to the rear of a traveling vehicle body 2, and a spare seedling loading unit 50 equipped with loading platforms 51U and 51D for placing seedling trays N is provided at the front of the traveling vehicle body 2, wherein an empty tray loading unit 58 that is long in the front-rear direction of the machine is provided on the side of the loading platforms 51U and 51D of the spare seedling loading unit 50 for vertically loading empty seedling trays N, and a seedling tray retrieval unit 61 is provided for transferring empty seedling trays N from the loading platform 51D to the empty tray loading unit 58.

[0007] First invention related to the present invention According to the invention, an empty box loading section 58, which is long in the front-to-back direction of the machine body and is used to vertically load empty seedling boxes N, is provided on the side of the loading platforms 51U and 51D of the spare seedling loading section 50, and a seedling box retrieval unit 61 is provided to transfer the empty seedling boxes N from the loading platform 51D to the empty box loading section 58. As a result, the front of the riding-type seedling planter can be placed on a ridge or road, and the operation of supplying seedling boxes grown from the ridge or road to the loading platforms 51U and 51D of the spare seedling loading section 50 can be easily performed. Furthermore, the operation of transferring the empty seedling boxes N from the loading platform 51D to the empty box loading section 58 using the seedling box retrieval unit 61 and removing the empty seedling boxes N from the empty box loading section 58 can be performed with good workability and efficiency.

[0008] A second invention related to the present invention The spare seedling loading section 50 is switchable between a stacked state in which multiple upper loading platforms 51U and lower loading platforms 51D are arranged in multiple layers vertically and overlap in a plan view, and a state in which the upper loading platform 51U moves in front of the lower loading platform 51D, and the upper loading platform 51U and lower loading platform 51D are deployed in a straight line in the front-to-back direction, and a front loading section 58F and a rear loading section 58R of the empty box loading section 58 are provided on the outside of the upper loading platform 51U and lower loading platform 51D. First invention related to the present invention This is a ride-on seedling planter.

[0009] Third invention related to the present invention The seedling tray retrieval unit 61 is switched from a stored state, where it is stored on the lower loading platform 51D, to a state where it rises above the lower loading platform 51D and slopes downwards toward the rear loading section 58R by operating the retrieval pedal 62. First or second invention related to the present invention This is a ride-on seedling planter.

[0010] A fourth invention related to the present invention When the seedling tray collection unit 61 is placed on the lower loading platform 51D and the seedling trays N are empty, the biasing device 75 causes it to rise above the lower loading platform 51D and switch to a state where the outward slope is lower toward the rear loading section 58R. First or second invention related to the present invention This is a ride-on seedling planter.

[0011] Fifth invention related to the present invention The machine is equipped with a transfer device 64 that moves the seedling trays N, which are placed on the empty tray loading section 58, to the front of the machine. First or second invention related to the present invention This is a ride-on seedling planter. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] It is a side view of a riding type rice transplanter according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a front view of the above-mentioned preliminary seedling mounting part. [Figure 3] It is a front view of the left preliminary seedling mounting part of the above. [Figure 4] It is a plan view of the left preliminary seedling mounting part of the above. [Figure 5] It is a front view of a main part showing another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a front view of a main part showing another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] It is a front view of a main part showing another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] It is a plan view of a main part showing another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] It is a side view of a seedling box according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] It is a plan view of the above-mentioned seedling box. [Figure 11] It is a plan view of the above-mentioned seedling picker. [Figure 12] It is a side view for explaining the operation of the above-mentioned seedling box and seedling picker. [Figure 13] It is a side view for explaining the operation of the above-mentioned seedling box and seedling picker.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the riding type seedling planter disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by the embodiments shown below.

[0014] <Overall Configuration> The overall configuration of a riding type rice transplanter 1 as a riding type seedling planter according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0015] The riding-type rice transplanter 1 is equipped with a vehicle body 2 that can travel on a field. The vehicle body 2 is equipped with a pair of front wheels 3 and a pair of rear wheels 4. The vehicle body 2 is, for example, four-wheel drive, with the front wheels 3 and rear wheels 4 being driven. A seedling planting section 30, which is raised and lowered by a lifting device 20, is provided at the rear of the vehicle body 2.

[0016] On both the left and right sides of the front of the vehicle body 2, there are auxiliary seedling loading sections 50.

[0017] <Vehicle in operation 2> The vehicle body 2 comprises a frame 5, an engine E mounted on the 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 vehicle body 2 forward or backward, but also to drive the seedling planting unit 30.

[0018] Engine E is positioned in the center of the vehicle body 2 in the lateral direction, protruding above the floor step 7 on which the worker riding in the vehicle body 2 places their feet. Engine E is a heat engine such as a diesel or gasoline engine. The floor step 7 is located at the front of the vehicle body 2 in the longitudinal direction. The floor step 7 extends from the front of the vehicle body 2 to the rear of the engine E.

[0019] The floor steps 7 are mounted on the aircraft frame 5. Some parts of the floor steps 7, such as a portion near the cockpit 9 (described later), are formed in a grid pattern in a plan view so that mud and other debris attached to workers' shoes can be dropped onto the field.

[0020] Furthermore, a front step 7F is provided at the front of the floor step 7, and left and right extended side steps 7S are provided on the left and right outer sides of the floor step 7. In addition, a rear step 7R, which also serves as a fender for the rear wheel 4, is provided at the rear of the floor step 7, and an entry / exit step 7J for workers to get on and off the vehicle is provided on the outer sides of the left and right extended side steps 7S.

[0021] Engine E is covered by an engine cover 8. Above the engine cover 8 is a cockpit 9. The cockpit 9 is the seat where the operator sits when operating the engine.

[0022] The power transmission device 6 comprises a belt-type power transmission unit 6a that receives power from the engine E, a hydraulic continuously variable transmission (CVT) which is a transmission device that changes the speed of the power transmitted from the engine E via the belt-type power transmission unit, and a transmission case 6b.

[0023] A hydraulic continuously variable transmission (CVT) is, for example, a hydrostatic CVT known as an HST. In a hydraulic CVT, the output (rotational speed) and output direction (rotational direction) can be changed by operating the main shift lever. In other words, by changing the rotational speed and rotational direction, the forward / reverse movement and travel speed of the vehicle 2 can be changed.

[0024] The transmission case 6b is equipped with a transmission system that transmits power from the engine E, which is shifted by a hydraulic continuously variable transmission, to various parts. The transmission case 6b is equipped with a sub-transmission mechanism that switches the travel speed during travel and work. When the sub-transmission lever is operated, the transmission case 6b can switch the travel speed of the vehicle body 2 to, for example, a travel speed faster than the travel speed during planting work, or the seedling planting speed during planting work.

[0025] The vehicle body 2 is equipped with a steering wheel 10 and a planting lever in front of the driver's seat 9. The steering wheel 10 is located on the hood 11 of the vehicle body 2 and is operated by the operator to steer the vehicle body 2. The planting lever is a clutch lever located on the hood 11 and is used to raise and lower the seedling planting unit 30 and to start and stop the planting of seedlings by the seedling planting unit 30.

[0026] Furthermore, the vehicle body 2 is equipped with a main gear lever and a sub-gear lever. The main gear lever (also called the HST lever) is operated to change the forward / reverse movement and travel speed of the vehicle body 2. The sub-gear lever is operated to switch the travel speed of the vehicle body 2 to a speed appropriate for the location on which it is traveling (field or road).

[0027] Furthermore, the bonnet 11 is provided to protrude upward from the floor step 7 and is covered by the front cover 11a. The bonnet 11 is provided with, for example, a display unit (meter panel). The display unit has a display surface that is inclined downwards towards the rear so as to face the operator seated in the cockpit 9 and facing forward.

[0028] The display unit displays information from various sensors, such as a marker sensor that detects when line markers forming a guideline for straight-line movement are present on the left and right sides of the vehicle; a planting lever position sensor that detects the operating position of the planting lever; a fertilizer depletion sensor that detects when the amount of fertilizer stored in the storage hopper 41 of the fertilizer applicator 40 falls below a predetermined amount; and a fertilizer blockage sensor that detects when fertilizer sent from the storage hopper 41 is clogged in the supply path.

[0029] The riding-type rice transplanter 1 comprises a lifting device 20 and a seedling planting unit 30. The lifting device 20 comprises a lifting link 21. The lifting link 21 is a parallel link connecting 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 as to be rotatable in the vertical direction, thereby connecting the seedling planting unit 30 to the traveling body 2 so as to be able to move up and down.

[0030] Furthermore, the lifting device 20 is equipped with a hydraulic lifting cylinder 22. The lifting cylinder 22 extends and retracts when the planting lever is operated and a hydraulic valve is switched. The lifting cylinder 22 extends and retracts to drive the lifting link 21, thereby raising and lowering the seedling planting section 30. In other words, when the planting lever is operated, the lifting cylinder 22 switches between a non-working position with the seedling planting section 30 raised and a ground-level working position (planting position) with the seedling planting section 30 lowered.

[0031] <Seedling planting section 30> As described above, the seedling planting unit 30 is attached to the rear of the vehicle body 2 via the lifting link 21. The seedling planting unit 30 can plant seedlings in multiple rows (rows), for example. The seedling planting unit 30 comprises a seedling holder 31, a float 32, and a planting device 33.

[0032] The seedling support platform 31 has seedling support surfaces corresponding to the number of planting rows in the left-right direction of the machine. Each seedling support surface is a downward-sloping surface that can accommodate multiple mat seedlings (soil-covered mat seedlings) in the vertical direction.

[0033] The float 32 levels the field surface of the paddy field as the vehicle body 2 moves. The float 32 comprises a center float located in the center of the machine body and side floats located on the left and right sides of the center float. In the illustrated example, the riding-type rice transplanter 1 is further equipped with a leveling rotor 13, which is a leveling device.

[0034] Each float of the float 32 (center float and side floats) is rotatably mounted on the vehicle body 2 so that its front portion moves up and down in accordance with the unevenness of the field surface.

[0035] During planting, the vertical movement of the front of the center float is detected by a rotation sensor, and the control unit switches a hydraulic valve that controls the extension and retraction of the lifting cylinder 22 according to the detection result of the rotation sensor, thereby raising and lowering the seedling planting unit 30 and adjusting the planting depth of the seedlings.

[0036] The planting device 33 is positioned below the seedling tray 31, supported by the planting support frame of the seedling tray 31. The planting device 33 plants seedlings placed on the seedling tray 31 into the field. The planting device 33 comprises a planting rod 331, a rotary case 332, and a planting case 333. The planting rod 331 takes seedlings from the mat seedlings placed on the seedling tray 31 and plants them in the field.

[0037] The rotary case 332 rotatably supports the planting case 333. The rotary case 332 is provided with an uneven speed transmission mechanism that allows the planting rod 331 to rotate while changing its rotational speed. The planting rod 331 rotates while changing its rotational speed depending on the rotation angle relative to the rotary case 332.

[0038] <Fertilizer 40> The riding-type rice transplanter 1 is equipped with a fertilizer application device 40. The fertilizer application device 40 is a device that spreads fertilizer on the field. In the riding-type rice transplanter 1, seedlings are planted in the field by the seedling planting unit 30 while fertilizer is spread on the field by the fertilizer application device 40.

[0039] The fertilizer application device 40 includes a storage hopper 41 for storing fertilizer located above the rear of the vehicle body 2 and behind the driver's seat 9, a dispensing unit 42 for dispensing fertilizer from the storage hopper 41, a fertilizer pipe 44 for transporting the fertilizer dispensed from the dispensing unit 42 using the wind power of an electric blower 43, and a furrow maker 45 for distributing the fertilizer transported by the fertilizer pipe 44 into a furrow to the side of the seedling planting position.

[0040] <Reserve seedling loading section 50> The riding-type rice transplanter 1 is equipped with spare seedling loading sections 50 on the left and right sides of the front of the traveling body 2. Each spare seedling loading section 50 is equipped with two loading platforms 51.

[0041] Here, the detailed configuration of the reserve seedling holder 50 will be explained based on Figures 2 to 4.

[0042] The riding-type rice transplanter 1 is equipped with spare seedling holders 50 on both the left and right sides of the front of the traveling body 2, consisting of a right spare seedling holder 50R and a left spare seedling holder 50L.

[0043] The left reserve seedling storage section 50L is equipped with two upper stacking platforms 51U and a lower stacking platform 51D. The upper stacking platform 51U and the lower stacking platform 51D are pallet-shaped and are equipped with side walls 51a, a bottom surface 51b, and a rear wall 51c.

[0044] Furthermore, the left spare seedling tray 50L is configured to be switchable between a stacked state in which the upper tray 51U and the lower tray 51D are arranged in two layers, overlapping in a plan view, and an unfolded state in which the upper tray 51U and the lower tray 51D are extended linearly in the front-to-back direction.

[0045] Specifically, the lower loading platform frame 53D is fixed to the upper end of the left seedling stand frame 52L, which has its base fixed to the machine frame 5 of the vehicle body 2, and the lower loading platform 51D is fixed to the lower loading platform frame 53D.

[0046] Then, the upper mounting frame 53U is pivotally supported on the upper ends of the front and rear parallel links 54F and 54R, whose bases are pivotally supported on the lower mounting frame 53D, and the upper stacking platform 51U is fixed to the upper mounting frame 53U.

[0047] Therefore, by gripping the gripping part 55 fixed to the front of the upper mounting frame 53U and rotating the front and rear parallel links 54F and 54R to move the upper loading platform 51U in parallel, it is possible to switch between a stacked state where the upper and lower loading platforms are stacked in two layers and overlap in a plan view, and an unfolded state where the upper loading platform 51U and the lower loading platform 51D are unfolded linearly in the front and rear direction.

[0048] The support frames 57 of the empty box platform 56 are welded and fixed to the upper platform frame 53U and the lower platform frame 53D.

[0049] The empty box stand 56 is supported by a support frame 57 and is equipped with an empty box support section 58 for storing one empty seedling box N horizontally and vertically.

[0050] The empty box mounting section 58 consists of a front mounting section 58F and a rear mounting section 58R.

[0051] The front support section 58F and the rear support section 58R are each composed of rail-shaped resin front support bases 59F and 59R that receive the lower end of an empty seedling tray N placed vertically in a horizontal orientation, and a rod-shaped front support frame 60F and a rear support frame 60R that rise diagonally outward and upward from the front support bases 59F and 59R and receive the top surface of the empty seedling tray N.

[0052] Furthermore, the front support frame 60F and the rear support frame 60R are designed to be tall enough to support more than half of the seedling tray N on which it is placed.

[0053] Furthermore, the front loading section 58F and rear loading section 58R of the empty box loading section 58 are configured to be approximately the same length as the front-to-back length of the upper loading platform 51U and the lower loading platform 51D.

[0054] In other words, when the upper loading platform 51U and the lower loading platform 51D are deployed in a straight line in the front-to-back direction, the front loading section 58F and the rear loading section 58R of the empty box loading section 58 are in a series configuration that communicates in the front-to-back direction, and the front-to-back length of the front loading section 58F and the rear loading section 58R of the empty box loading section 58 is approximately the same as the length of the upper loading platform 51U and the lower loading platform 51D when they are deployed in a straight line in the front-to-back direction.

[0055] Furthermore, since the front support frame 60F of the front mounting section 58F and the rear support frame 60R of the rear mounting section 58R are provided in an outward-sloping manner so as to rise diagonally outward and upward from the front support base 59F and the rear support base 59R, the empty seedling trays N placed on the front mounting section 58F and the rear mounting section 58R are supported in an outward-sloping manner, so they are placed on the front mounting section 58F and the rear mounting section 58R in a stable state and can be moved stably in the forward direction.

[0056] Furthermore, the lower loading platform 51D is provided with a seedling tray retrieval arm 61, which serves as a seedling tray retrieval unit that raises empty seedling trays N placed on its upper surface and moves them into the rear loading section 58R of the empty tray loading section 58.

[0057] In other words, the seedling tray retrieval arm 61 consists of a pivot shaft 61a that is pivotally supported at the outer end of the lower loading platform 51D, and a U-shaped arm 61b whose base is welded and fixed to the pivot shaft 61a.

[0058] The U-shaped arm 61b can be easily switched between a stored state, where it is housed in a groove provided in the lower loading platform 51D and flush with the upper surface of the lower loading platform 51D, and a state where it rises above the lower loading platform 51D and slopes outward toward the rear loading section 58R, by the rotation of the pivot shaft 61a.

[0059] Furthermore, the base of the retrieval pedal 62, which is located on the inner side of the machine near the upper surface of the front step 7F, is pivotally supported on the left seedling tray frame 52L.

[0060] The retrieval pedal 62 is biased upward by a spring, and one end of the connecting wire 63 is connected to it.

[0061] On the other hand, the other end of the connecting wire 63 is connected to the tip of a rotating arm 61c, the base of which is welded and fixed to one end of the pivot shaft 61a of the seedling tray retrieval arm 61.

[0062] Therefore, when an operator presses down on the retrieval pedal 62, the connecting wire 63 pulls the rotating arm 61c, whose base is welded and fixed to one end of the pivot shaft 61a of the seedling tray retrieval arm 61, causing the pivot shaft 61a to rotate. The U-shaped arm 61b of the seedling tray retrieval arm 61 is then stored in a groove provided in the lower loading platform 51D, switching from a stored state flush with the upper surface of the lower loading platform 51D to a state where it rises above the lower loading platform 51D and slopes downwards toward the rear loading section 58R.

[0063] When the operator stops pressing the retrieval pedal 62, the retrieval pedal 62 rotates upward due to the biasing force of the spring, loosening the connecting wire 63, and the U-shaped arm 61b of the seedling tray retrieval arm 61 rises above the lower loading platform 51D and switches from a state where the outward slope is lower toward the rear loading section 58R to a stored state where it is stored in a groove provided in the lower loading platform 51D and becomes flush with the upper surface of the lower loading platform 51D.

[0064] Furthermore, the rear support platform 59R of the rear loading section 58R is equipped with a belt conveyor 64, which serves as a transfer device for moving the seedling trays N placed on the rear loading section 58R to the front support platform 59F.

[0065] The belt conveyor 64 is driven by an electric motor when a seedling tray sensor 65, which detects seedling trays N, is installed on the rear support platform 59R, detects seedling trays N, and transports the seedling trays N to the front support platform 59F.

[0066] The right spare seedling loading section 50R is equipped with two upper loading platforms 51U and a lower loading platform 51D on top of the right seedling stand frame 52R, which has its base fixed to the machine frame 5 of the traveling vehicle body 2. The upper loading platform 51U and the lower loading platform 51D are pallet-shaped and are equipped with side walls 51a, a bottom surface 51b, and front and rear walls 51c, and each can hold a seedling tray N on which seedlings have been grown.

[0067] <Seedling planting work> The left spare seedling tray 50L is switched to the deployed state. That is, the gripping part 55 fixed to the front of the upper tray frame 53U is gripped and the front and rear parallel links 54F and 54R are rotated to move the upper tray 51U forward in parallel, switching to a deployed state in which the upper tray 51U and the lower tray 51D are deployed in a straight line in the front and rear direction.

[0068] As a result, the rear mounting section 58R and the front mounting section 58F of the empty box mounting platform 56 are connected in series in the front-to-back direction.

[0069] The operator seated in the driver's seat 9 of the riding-type rice transplanter 1 steers the machine to bring the front of the riding-type rice transplanter 1 to the ridge or road.

[0070] Workers on the ridge or road unfold the seedling trays N containing the seedlings that are placed on the ridge or road, place them on the upper loading platform 51U located at the front, push the machine to the rear, and slide them down to the lower loading platform 51D located at the rear.

[0071] The operator on board the machine removes the mat-shaped seedlings from the seedling trays N, which have been slid down to the lower loading platform 51D, and supplies them to the seedling placement platform 31 of the seedling planting section 30.

[0072] Then, the worker presses down on the retrieval pedal 62 to operate the U-shaped arm 61b of the seedling tray retrieval arm 61, which is stored in a groove provided in the lower loading platform 51D and is flush with the upper surface of the lower loading platform 51D. This switches the arm from a stored state to a state where it rises above the lower loading platform 51D and slopes downwards toward the rear loading section 58R.

[0073] Then, the empty seedling trays N on the lower loading platform 51D are lifted by the U-shaped arm 61b of the seedling tray retrieval arm 61, and slide down along the U-shaped arm 61b to move to the rear loading section 58R.

[0074] Then, when the empty seedling tray N moves to the rear loading section 58R, the seedling tray sensor 65 installed on the rear support stand 59R detects the seedling tray N, the electric motor is activated and the belt conveyor 64 is driven, and the seedling tray N is transferred to the front support stand 59F of the front loading section 58F.

[0075] A worker on the ridge or road takes out the empty seedling trays N that have been transferred to the front loading section 58F of the empty tray loading section 58 and places them on the ridge or road, unfolds the seedling trays N that have been raised on the ridge or road and places them on the upper loading platform 51U located in front, pushes the seedling trays N on the upper loading platform 51U toward the rear of the machine to move them and slides them toward the lower loading platform 51D located behind.

[0076] In this way, seedling trays N that have been grown on a ridge or road can be efficiently and easily supplied to the seedling tray 31 of the seedling planting unit 30 using the upper stacking platform 51U and lower stacking platform 51D, and by pressing the recovery pedal 62, the seedling tray recovery arm 61 can be activated to transfer the empty seedling trays N on the lower stacking platform 51D to the rear loading platform 58R of the empty tray loading unit 58, and the work of removing the empty seedling trays N from the empty tray loading unit 58 can be performed with ease and efficiency.

[0077] After the seedling supply operation to the seedling tray 31 of the seedling planting unit 30 is completed, the worker on the ridge or road unfolds the seedling trays N that have been raised on the ridge or road, places them on the upper tray 51U at the front, pushes the machine to the rear, slides them to the lower tray 51D at the rear, and then places the seedling trays N on the upper tray 51U as well. In addition, seedling trays N are placed on the upper tray 51U and lower tray 51D of the right spare seedling tray 50R.

[0078] Furthermore, fertilizer bags placed on the ridge or road are picked up and carried to the storage hopper 41 of the fertilizer application device 40 to supply fertilizer.

[0079] The operator, seated in the driver's seat 9 of the riding-type rice transplanter 1, steers the machine to move along a predetermined route in the field and drives its various parts to perform seedling planting and fertilization work.

[0080] When the number of seedlings in the mat form on the seedling tray 31 of the seedling planting unit 30 decreases, the machine stops, picks up seedling trays N from the left spare seedling tray 50L and the right spare seedling tray 50R, removes the seedlings in the mat form from the seedling trays N and supplies them to the seedling tray 31 of the seedling planting unit 30, and places the empty seedling trays N on the empty tray tray 58. Then, the machine moves forward again and drives each part to perform seedling planting and fertilization work.

[0081] Then, when the mat-shaped seedlings on the seedling tray 31 of the seedling planting unit 30 become scarce, and the spare seedlings in the left reserve seedling tray 50L and the right reserve seedling tray 50R are also depleted, the front of the riding-type rice transplanter 1 is placed on the ridge or road, and mat-shaped seedlings are supplied to the seedling tray 31 of the seedling planting unit 30 in the manner described above, and seedling trays N that have been grown are placed in the left reserve seedling tray 50L and the right reserve seedling tray 50R. Also, if the amount of fertilizer in the storage hopper 41 of the fertilizer applicator 40 is low, fertilizer is supplied to the storage hopper 41.

[0082] Then, when work in the field is finished and the equipment is to be loaded onto a truck or stored in a barn, the gripping part 55 fixed to the front of the upper platform frame 53U is grasped, and the front and rear parallel links 54F and 54R are rotated to move the upper loading platform 51U backward in parallel, switching to a stacked state in plan view where the upper loading platform 51U and the lower loading platform 51D are stacked in two layers, one above the other.

[0083] In short, the left spare seedling tray section 50L is equipped with multiple (two) upper trays 51U and lower trays 51D, and is configured to switch between a stacked state in which the upper trays 51U and lower trays 51D are stacked in two layers, overlapping in a plan view, and a state in which the upper trays 51U are moved in front of the lower trays 51D, and the upper trays 51U and lower trays 51D are deployed in a straight line in the front-to-back direction, and the empty tray section 58 has a front tray section 58F and a rear tray section for placing empty seedling trays N on the outside of the upper trays 51U and lower trays 51D. Since a loading section 58R is provided, when the front of the riding-type rice transplanter 1 is placed on a ridge or road, and the upper loading platform 51U is moved in front of the lower loading platform 51D, the upper loading platform 51U and the lower loading platform 51D are deployed in a straight line in the front-to-back direction, the front loading section 58F and the rear loading section 58R of the empty box loading section 58 are connected in series in the front-to-back direction, allowing for efficient and easy supply of seedling trays N from the ridge or road to the riding-type rice transplanter 1 and removal of empty seedling trays N from the riding-type rice transplanter 1.

[0084] Furthermore, when the retrieval pedal 62 is pressed, the U-shaped arm 61b of the seedling tray retrieval arm 61 is stored in a groove provided in the lower loading platform 51D, and switches from a stored state flush with the upper surface of the lower loading platform 51D to a state where it rises above the lower loading platform 51D and slopes downward toward the rear loading section 58R. The U-shaped arm 61b of the seedling tray retrieval arm 61 lifts the empty seedling trays N on the lower loading platform 51D in an inclined manner, and the empty seedling trays N slide down on the U-shaped arm 61b to the rear loading section 58R. Thus, the empty seedling trays N on the lower loading platform 51D can be easily and efficiently moved to the rear loading section 58R.

[0085] Furthermore, when an empty seedling tray N moves to the rear loading section 58R, a seedling tray sensor 65 installed on the rear support base 59R of the rear loading section 58R detects the seedling tray N, which activates the electric motor and drives the belt conveyor 64, transporting the seedling tray N to the front loading section 58F. This eliminates the need to transport the empty seedling tray N from the rear loading section 58R to the front loading section 58F, thus improving work efficiency.

[0086] Furthermore, when the front loading section 58F and rear loading section 58R of the empty box loading section 58 are connected in series in the front-to-back direction, if the rear support base 59R of the rear loading section 58R and the front support base 59F of the front loading section 58F are configured to be lower towards the front, then even without the seedling box sensor 65 and the belt conveyor 64, the empty seedling boxes N can be freely slid or moved with light force from the rear support base 59R of the rear loading section 58R to the front support base 59F of the front loading section 58F, making it easy to move the empty seedling boxes N from the rear loading section 58R to the front loading section 58F and improving work efficiency.

[0087] <Another Embodiment>

[0088] (1) Figure 5 shows another embodiment of the lower loading platform 51D of the left reserve seedling loading section 50L.

[0089] Specifically, the U-shaped arm 61b of the seedling tray retrieval arm 61 is equipped with a rotating roller 70 that is pivotally supported on a rod-shaped section in the left-right direction of the machine body.

[0090] Therefore, when the U-shaped arm 61b of the seedling tray retrieval arm 61 is stored in the groove provided in the lower stacking platform 51D, the upper end of the rotating roller 70 protrudes slightly from the upper surface of the lower stacking platform 51D, allowing the seedling trays N to move smoothly back and forth on the lower stacking platform 51D.

[0091] In other words, when the upper loading platform 51U and the lower loading platform 51D are deployed in a straight line in the front-rear direction, and the seedling trays are placed on the front upper loading platform 51U from the front of the machine and then moved to the rear lower loading platform 51D, the seedling trays N can be moved smoothly.

[0092] Furthermore, a rotating roller 71 is provided that is rotatably pivoted on the vertical rod portions of the front support frame 60F and rear support frame 60R of the empty box mounting section 58 (front mounting section 58F and rear mounting section 58R).

[0093] Therefore, the empty seedling trays N placed on the empty tray mounting section 58 (front mounting section 58F and rear mounting section 58R) are smoothly moved forward.

[0094] (2) Figure 6 shows another embodiment of the left reserve seedling holder 50L.

[0095] In other words, the empty box mounting section 58 (front mounting section 58F and rear mounting section 58R) has a width that allows multiple empty seedling trays N to be placed on it (three in Figure 6, but two or four or more are also acceptable).

[0096] (3) Figures 7 and 8 show other embodiments of the left reserve seedling holder 50L.

[0097] In the above embodiment, the U-shaped arm 61b of the seedling tray retrieval arm 61 is shown to be stored in a groove provided in the lower loading platform 51D via the connecting wire 63 when the retrieval pedal 62 is pressed, switching from a stored state where it is flush with the upper surface of the lower loading platform 51D to a state where it rises above the lower loading platform 51D and slopes downward toward the rear loading section 58R. However, in the embodiments shown in Figures 7 and 8, the U-shaped arm 61b of the seedling tray retrieval arm 61 is automatically switched from a stored state to a state where it rises above the lower loading platform 51D and slopes downward toward the rear loading section 58R.

[0098] Specifically, the base of a hydraulic damper (or spring damper or spring) 75, which serves as a biasing device, is pivotally mounted on the rear of the lower loading platform 51D, and the tip of the hydraulic damper (or spring damper or spring) 75 is connected to the tip of a rotating arm 61c, the base of which is welded and fixed to one end of the pivot shaft 61a of the seedling tray retrieval arm 61.

[0099] Furthermore, the hydraulic damper (or spring damper or spring) 75 is set to a hydraulic pressure (or spring pressure) such that it does not extend when a seedling tray N containing mat-shaped seedlings is placed on the U-shaped arm 61b, but extends when an empty seedling tray N is placed on the U-shaped arm 61b.

[0100] Therefore, when an operator removes a mat-shaped seedling from the seedling tray N containing the mat-shaped seedling on the lower loading platform 51D and supplies it to the seedling tray 31 of the seedling planting unit 30, the seedling tray N on the lower loading platform 51D becomes an empty seedling tray N. As a result, the hydraulic damper (or spring damper) 75 extends, and the U-shaped arm 61b of the seedling tray retrieval arm 61 is stored in a groove provided in the lower loading platform 51D, becoming flush with the upper surface of the lower loading platform 51D. From this stored state, the arm rises above the lower loading platform 51D and switches to a state where the outward slope is lower toward the rear loading unit 58R, and the empty seedling tray N is automatically transferred to the rear loading unit 58R.

[0101] Therefore, work can be performed with even better work efficiency and productivity.

[0102] (4) If the empty box loading section 58 (front loading section 58F) is configured to be extendable toward the front of the machine, it becomes easier for workers on the ridge or road to remove the seedling trays N from the empty box loading section 58 (front loading section 58F), improving workability and work efficiency.

[0103] The empty box mounting section 58 (front mounting section 58F) can be extended towards the front of the machine by operating the control lever, or it can be automatically extended by the detection of the seedling box N by the seedling box sensor 65.

[0104] Alternatively, the upper part of the left seedling tray frame 52L and the upper part of the right seedling tray frame 52R may be connected above the bonnet 11 with a connecting frame, and a camera to monitor the spare seedling tray 50 may be installed in the left and right center of the connecting frame (the left and right center of the machine), and the camera may recognize whether or not a seedling tray N is placed on the empty tray tray 58, and when the camera recognizes that a seedling tray N is placed on the empty tray tray 58, the empty tray tray 58 (front tray 58F) may be extended toward the front of the machine.

[0105] (5) Figures 9 to 13 show an embodiment in which mat-shaped seedlings are removed from seedling tray N using a seedling removal tool 95.

[0106] In other words, the seedling tray N has a general rectangular shape in plan view and is composed of two opposing long side walls 80, 80, two short side walls 81, 82, and a bottom surface 83, the bottom surface 83 extending outward from the long side walls 80, 80 to form rib-like portions 84, 84.

[0107] One of the short side walls 82 is pivotally supported at its base by two long side walls 80, 80 via pivots 85, 85, and can rotate between an upright position (a) and an open position tilted outward (b).

[0108] Furthermore, a support 86 that stands upright is integrally formed on the rib-like portion 84 near the short side wall 82 on one side, and an operating piece 88 is provided between the support 86 and the short side wall 82 on one side, with its central part pivotally supported by a pivot 87 on the long side wall 80.

[0109] The lower end of the operating piece 88 and the short side wall 82 on one side are connected by a link 89.

[0110] The support body 86 and the actuating piece 88 are connected by a leaf spring 90, and one of the short side walls 82 is supported to maintain an upright position (a).

[0111] The seedling picking tool 95 has a seedling picking plate 97 cantilevered to the lower side of a frame-shaped gripping portion 96.

[0112] Next, we will explain the process of removing the mat-like seedlings from the seedling tray N using the seedling removal tool 95.

[0113] As shown in Figure 12, when the seedling picker 95 is brought closer to the seedling box N from the short side wall 82 side by holding the gripping portion 96 of the seedling picker 95, the lower end of the gripping portion 96 comes into contact with the operating piece 88, and as shown in Figure 13, the operating piece 88 is rotated against the biasing force of the leaf spring 90, causing the short side wall 82 on one side to be rotated outward to an open state (b) via the link 89.

[0114] Then, by holding the gripping part 96 of the seedling picking tool 95 and inserting the tip of the seedling picking plate 97 along the bottom surface 83 of the seedling box N, the mat-like seedlings can be scooped up onto the seedling picking plate 97 of the seedling picking tool 95.

[0115] In the example above, the support 86, operating piece 88, leaf spring 90, and link 89, which form the opening and closing mechanism for one of the short side walls 82, are shown to be provided only on one side of the seedling box N. However, they may also be provided symmetrically on both sides of the seedling box N. Providing them on both sides will make the opening and closing operation of one of the short side walls 82 more stable.

[0116] Alternatively, an electric motor may be provided to rotate the pivot 85 of one of the short side walls 82, and a sensor may be provided near one of the short side walls 82 of the seedling tray N to detect when the seedling picking tool 95 approaches. When the sensor detects that the seedling picking tool 95 is approaching, the electric motor will activate and automatically rotate one of the short side walls 82 from an upright position (a) to an open position (b) tilted outwards. [Explanation of symbols]

[0117] 2. Running vehicle 30 Seedling planting department 50 Reserve seedling loading section 51U Loading Platform (Upper Loading Platform) 51D Loading platform (lower loading platform) 58 Empty box loading section 58F Front page 58R Rear loading section 61 Seedling tray retrieval unit (seedling tray retrieval arm) 62 Recovery pedal 64 Transfer device (belt conveyor) 75. Biasing devices (hydraulic dampers, spring dampers, springs) N seedling box

Claims

[Claim 1] In a ride-on seedling planter, a seedling planting unit (30) is attached to the rear of a traveling vehicle body (2), and a spare seedling loading unit (50) equipped with loading platforms (51U, 51D) for placing seedling trays (N) is provided at the front of the traveling vehicle body (2), and an empty tray loading unit (58) that is long in the front-to-rear direction of the machine is provided on the side of the loading platforms (51U, 51D) of the spare seedling loading unit (50) for vertically loading empty seedling trays (N), and a seedling tray retrieval unit (61) is provided for transferring empty seedling trays (N) from the loading platform (51D) to the empty tray loading unit (58), When the seedling tray retrieval unit (61) is empty and placed on the lower loading platform (51D), the biasing device (75) switches the unit from its stored state on the lower loading platform (51D) to a state where it rises above the lower loading platform (51D) and slopes outward toward the rear loading section (58R). The spare seedling loading section (50) is switchable between a stacked state in which multiple upper loading platforms (51U) and lower loading platforms (51D) are arranged in multiple layers vertically and overlapping in a plan view, and an unfolded state in which the upper loading platforms (51U) and lower loading platforms (51D) are unfolded linearly in the front-to-back direction, and on the outside of the upper loading platforms (51U) and lower loading platforms (51D) are provided a front loading section (58F) of the empty box loading section (58) and a rear loading section (58R) of the empty box loading section (58) which is in series and communicates with the front loading section (58F) in the front-to-back direction when the upper loading platforms (51U) and lower loading platforms (51D) are unfolded. When an empty seedling tray (N) moves to the rear loading section (58R), a seedling tray sensor (65) provided on the rear support base (59R) of the rear loading section (58R) detects the seedling tray (N), and an electric motor is activated, driving a belt conveyor (64) which then moves the seedling tray (N) to the front loading section (58F). A ride-on seedling planter characterized in that the width of the empty box loading section (58) is wide enough to accommodate multiple empty seedling trays (N).

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