Riding lawnmower

Abstract

To provide a riding type mower that prevents disorder of a mowing device in movement travel not accompanied by mowing work, and can improve safety.SOLUTION: A riding type mower includes: a traveling machine body 2 including a drive wheel and constituted so as to be able to travel; a mowing device 6 positioned at a front of the traveling machine body 2; a lifting mechanism for lifting the mowing device by the telescopic motion of a mower lifting hydraulic cylinder; a travel detection member S1 for detecting the travel and speed of the traveling machine body 2; height position detection means for detecting a height position of the mowing device 6; and a control section 90 for controlling the telescopic motion of the mower lifting hydraulic cylinder 78. The control section 90 is constituted so as to acquire detection information of the travel detection member S1 and detection information of the height position detection means, and control the mower lifting hydraulic cylinder 78 to automatically lift up the mowing device 6 when a height position of the mowing device 6 is equal to or less than a predetermined set position in a state that the drive of the mowing device 6 is stopped and the traveling machine body 2 travels for a predetermined distance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , , ,

[0005] , , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a riding lawn mower that performs mowing work.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as this type of riding lawn mower, for example, those described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 are known. This conventional riding lawn mower includes a mowing device at the front of the traveling body (so-called front mower). Further, the mowing device is configured to be able to move up and down by the expansion and contraction of a hydraulic cylinder, and thereby, it is possible to switch between a working position for performing mowing work and a non-working position retracted upward from the working position.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the case of the conventional riding lawn mower, when moving without performing mowing work, it is desirable to retract the mowing device to the non-working position, but there is a risk that the operator may forget the operation after the work and drive while the mowing device is in the working position. As a result, the mowing device becomes a factor that causes a failure (such as damage to the blade or damage to the mower deck) by contacting an obstacle or a step, and there is also room for improvement in terms of safety.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a riding lawn mower that can prevent a failure of a mowing device and improve safety during moving travel without mowing work.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objective, the first invention is: A mobile body equipped with drive wheels and configured to be able to move, A grass cutting device located at the front of the aforementioned traveling machine, A lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the grass cutting device by extending and retracting a hydraulic cylinder for lifting and lowering the mower, A travel detection member for detecting the movement and speed of the aforementioned mobile body, A height position detection means for detecting the height position of the grass cutting device, The system includes a control unit that controls the extension and retraction of the hydraulic cylinder for lifting and lowering the moor, The present invention provides a riding lawnmower characterized in that the control unit acquires detection information from the travel detection member and detection information from the height position detection means, and when the drive of the lawnmower is stopped, the height position of the lawnmower is below a predetermined set position, and the traveling machine has traveled a predetermined distance, it controls the mower lifting hydraulic cylinder to automatically raise the lawnmower.

[0007] According to the first invention described above, with the above configuration, when the grass cutting device is stopped, if the vehicle travels beyond a predetermined set distance, the control unit automatically raises the grass cutting device. This effectively prevents situations where the grass cutting device is lowered while the vehicle is not in operation due to the operator's forgetfulness or other reasons. As a result, it is possible to prevent the grass cutting device from coming into contact with obstacles or steps, and safety during movement without grass cutting work is also improved. In addition, the operator is saved the trouble of having to raise the grass cutting device each time work is completed, thus greatly improving convenience.

[0008] The second invention, in addition to the configuration of the first invention, The control unit is further configured to control the mower lifting hydraulic cylinder to automatically raise the mower when the drive of the mower is stopped, the height of the mower is below a predetermined set position, and a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0009] According to the second invention, in addition to the effects of the first invention, the control unit is configured to control the hydraulic cylinder for raising and lowering the mower to automatically raise the mower after a predetermined time has elapsed. This allows the mower to be automatically raised when the worker leaves their seat, thus further improving safety.

[0010] The third invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second invention described above, The aforementioned grass cutting device is equipped with a push-type drive switch, which is a drive switch for driving the grass cutting device. The control unit acquires the operation information of the drive switch, When the drive switch is pressed while the grass cutting device is stopped and not in the working position, the system controls the grass cutting device to move to the working position, and also, When the drive switch of the grass cutting device is pressed while the device is stopped and in the working position, the system controls the device to start driving the grass cutting device. The system is characterized in that when the drive switch is pressed while the grass cutting device is in operation, the system controls the operation of the grass cutting device to stop.

[0011] According to the third invention described above, in addition to the effects of the first or second invention described above, the grass cutting device can be moved to the working position and the drive can be started by operating the drive switch. This improves convenience, and when the grass cutting device is not in the working position, the grass cutting device will not be driven even if the drive switch is operated, thus improving safety. Furthermore, when the grass cutting device is in operation, the drive switch is configured to stop the grass cutting device from driving when it is pressed. This further improves convenience, and when the grass cutting device is stopped and predetermined conditions are met, the grass cutting device is automatically raised by the control unit. This eliminates the need for the conventional lifting and lowering operation of the grass cutting device, which was previously performed by lever operation, and can be performed only by pressing the drive switch, thus greatly improving convenience and preventing human error related to lifting and lowering operations, thereby greatly improving safety. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a riding lawn mower that can prevent a failure of a mowing device and improve safety during traveling without mowing work.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a left side view of the main part of the riding lawn mower of the present embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view of the riding lawn mower of the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the mower and the front wheel drive unit of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the main part around the steering column as viewed from the driver's seat. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a transmission line diagram of the riding lawn mower according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a left side view of the main part around the lift link of the mower of FIG. 1. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the attachment part of the mower lift hydraulic cylinder of FIG. 1. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a block diagram centered on the control unit of the riding lawn mower. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the mower drive start process by the control unit. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the mower automatic lift process by the control unit.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] The embodiments of the work vehicle disclosed in this application will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. In the following description, the forward direction of the riding lawnmower 1 will be referred to as "forward," the opposite direction as "rearward," the right direction when facing forward as "right," and the left direction as "left." These directions are defined for the convenience of explanation, and the present invention is not limited by these direction definitions themselves. In the following, 1230. refers to the riding lawnmower 1 and may simply be referred to as the machine body.

[0015] <1. Overall configuration of riding lawnmower 1> The embodiments of this invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 shows a left side view of the main part of the riding lawnmower of this embodiment, Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the riding lawnmower of this embodiment, and Figure 3 shows a plan view of the mower 6 and front wheel drive unit of Figure 1. The riding lawnmower 1 has a frame formed by a running body 2 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as body 2) equipped with a pair of left and right front wheels 3L (3R) and rear wheels 4L (4R), and a mower 6 (grass cutting device) having a cutter 5 that rotates around a vertical axis is provided below the front of the body 2.

[0016] A steering column 8 is erected on the floor 7 at the front upper part of the aircraft body 2, and a steering wheel 10 is provided on top of the column 8. A cockpit 11 is provided behind the steering wheel 10, and behind the cockpit 11 are the engine 12, radiator 13 and a bonnet 14 covering them. A collector 16 is provided above the bonnet 14, and fenders 22 are provided on the sides of the cockpit 11. An accelerator pedal 7a for operating the accelerator by pressing down is also provided on the floor 7.

[0017] The moor 6 is rotatably attached to the machine body 2 by a pair of left and right lift links 71, and the moor 6 can be raised and lowered as described later by the extension and retraction of a hydraulic cylinder 78 for raising and lowering the moor, which is located on one side of the machine body (for example, the right side).

[0018] Furthermore, a blower case 18 containing a blower 17 with an axis in the front-to-rear direction is positioned below the cockpit 11 between the left and right front wheel transmission cases 23L and 23R, and the blower 17 is operated by the output of the engine 12. A duct 20 for transporting cut grass is provided on the top of the blower case 18, connecting the blower case 18 and the collector 16. In addition, a chute 21 with a rearward upward shape when viewed from the side is positioned between the blower 17 and the mower 6, and the cut grass cut by the mower 6 is sent from the discharge port in the rear center of the mower deck 6a, via a short cylindrical guide section 6b and the chute 21 whose end can be bent by overlapping with this guide section 6b, to the blower 17, and then air-transported to the collector 16 at the rear via the duct 20.

[0019] The output shaft 12a of the engine 12 is positioned in front of the engine 12, and power is transmitted from the output shaft 12a to a distribution shaft 51 that transmits power into the transmission case 24 via a universal joint shaft 15. A hydrostatic continuously variable transmission (hereinafter referred to as HST) 40 is mounted on the rear side of the transmission case 24, and a blower case 18 is detachably mounted on the front side of the transmission case 24 via a spacer (not shown) that also serves as a shaft support metal.

[0020] Figure 4 is a magnified view of the key parts around the steering column 8 as seen from the cockpit 11. As shown in Figure 4, the steering column 8 is equipped with a dial switch 8a (mower lifting / lowering operating member) for raising and lowering the mower 6, a mower drive switch 8b (mower drive switching member) for driving the mower 6, and a key switch 8c for turning the engine 12 on and off. The dial switch 8a is configured such that, according to the amount of rotational operation, the control unit 90 (described later), which acquires the operation information, controls the extension and retraction of the hydraulic cylinder 78 for raising and lowering the mower. This makes it possible to finely adjust the position of the mower 6 by raising and lowering it. For example, the neutral position of the dial switch 8a can be set to correspond to the lower limit position, which is the lower limit of the mower 6's lifting range. When the dial switch 8a is rotated clockwise from the neutral position, the height of the mower 6 rises according to the amount of rotation, and with the maximum amount of rotation, it can reach the upper limit position, which is the upper limit of the mower 6's lifting range.

[0021] Furthermore, the moor drive switch 8b is a push-type switch. The moor drive switch 8b is a switch that can drive the moor 6 by pressing it, but it is configured so that if the moor 6 is driven, pressing it will stop the driving of the moor 6. The moor drive switch 8b may also be a switch with an indicator light, and the state of the moor 6 may be indicated by the lighting pattern. For example, when the moor 6 is stopped at the upper limit position, it may be lit; when it is stopped at the lower limit position, it may be blinking; and when it is driven at the lower limit position, it may be off.

[0022] <2. Transmission configuration of riding lawnmower 1> Next, with reference to Figure 5, the transmission configuration of the riding lawnmower 1 will be briefly described. Figure 5 is a transmission diagram of the riding lawnmower 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 5, in the riding lawnmower 1, the power (rotational power) output from the engine 12 is transmitted to the distribution transmission shaft 51 connected to the output shaft 12a of the engine 12, and then to the blower PTO shaft 52A. The rotational power output from the blower PTO shaft 52A is transmitted to the blower 17 described above, for example, via a blower transmission device (such as a gear transmission device).

[0023] Furthermore, the rotational power output from the distribution transmission shaft 51 is transmitted to the drive wheels via the travel transmission device, and the trunnion shaft tilts via the hydraulic pump 40a of the HST 40 to change the speed of the hydraulic motor 40b. The riding lawnmower 1 is configured to be switchable between two-wheel drive (2WD) and four-wheel drive (4WD). Therefore, when the riding lawnmower 1 is in 2WD mode, the drive wheels will be either the left and right front wheels 3L, 3R and the left and right rear wheels 4L, 4R (for example, the left and right front wheels 3L, 3R), and when the riding lawnmower 1 is in 4WD mode, the drive wheels will be the left and right front wheels 3L, 3R and the left and right rear wheels 4L, 4R.

[0024] In the case of 4WD, the rotational power output from the distribution shaft 51 is transmitted to the front wheels 3L (3R) via the gear transmission device 54a and differential mechanism 54b in the differential case 54, through the hydraulic pump 40a and hydraulic motor 40b of the HST 40. The rotational power output from the distribution shaft 51 is also transmitted to the rear wheels 4L (4R) via the gear transmission device 55a and differential mechanism 55b in the differential case 45, through the hydraulic pump 40a and hydraulic motor 40b of the HST 40.

[0025] Furthermore, the rotational power output from the distribution transmission shaft 51 is transmitted to the moor PTO shaft 28. The rotational power output from the moor PTO shaft 28 is transmitted to the cutter 5 described above via the moor input shaft 6c and the moor transmission device 6d of the moor deck 6a shown in Figure 1.

[0026] Furthermore, a blower clutch 56A is provided to switch the power transmission from the distribution transmission shaft 51 to the blower PTO shaft 52A on and off, and a moor clutch 56B is provided to switch the power transmission from the distribution transmission shaft 51 to the moor PTO shaft 28 on and off. The blower clutch 56A and the moor clutch 56B are configured to be switched on and off by a control unit 90, which will be described later.

[0027] <More 6 lifting configuration> Figure 6 is a left side view of the main parts around the lifting link of the moor 6 in Figure 1. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the mounting part of the hydraulic cylinder 78 for lifting the moor in Figure 1.

[0028] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the moor 6 is rotatably attached to the machine body 2 by a pair of left and right lift links 71. The lift links 71 can raise and lower the moor 6 via the suspension links 72 and brackets 68 by the extension and retraction of a hydraulic cylinder 78 for raising and lowering the moor, which is located on one side of the machine body (for example, the right side). As shown in the perspective view of Figure 6, one end of the hydraulic cylinder 78 is pivotally attached to the machine body 2 as appropriate, and the other end is supported by a cylinder bracket 79 which is integrated with the horizontal axis 2a (rotatably provided on both sides of the machine body 2), which is the frame in the left-right direction of the machine body 2. The suspension links 72 attached to the tip of the bracket 68, which is integrated with the horizontal axis 2a, move up and down to raise or lower the lift links 71.

[0029] The pivot axis 71a of the lift link 71 is supported by a vertical arm 2c whose lower end is supported and fixed to a part 2b of the traveling body 2, and the upper end of the vertical arm 2c is supported and fixed to the side surface of the traveling body 2. The upper end of the suspension link 72 is rotatably supported at the front end of a bracket 68 which is integrally connected to a horizontal shaft 2a that is rotatably pivoted to the traveling body 2. The lower end of the suspension link 72 is rotatably supported in the middle part of the lift link 71. The bracket 68, which is integral to the horizontal shaft 2a, is connected to a hydraulic cylinder 78 via a cylinder bracket 79.

[0030] As the hydraulic cylinder 78 extends and retracts in the front-rear direction with the horizontal axis 2a as the pivot point, the front end of the bracket 68, which is rotatably mounted on the traveling body 2 and is integrated with the horizontal axis 2a, rotates up and down. This causes the lift link 71 to rotate up and down around the pivot point 71a at the rear end of the lift link 71, and in conjunction with this, the moor 6 moves up and down. That is, when the moor lift arm 70 rotates from the position shown in the figure in the direction of arrow C, the moor 6 rises, and when it rotates in the opposite direction of arrow C, the moor 6 lowers. In the illustrated example, the position of the lift link 71 when the moor 6 reaches the upper limit of the lifting range is shown by a dashed line at the upper limit position Pa, and the position of the lift link 71 when the moor 6 reaches the lower limit of the lifting range is also shown by a dashed line at the upper limit position Pa. The lower limit position of the moor 6 is the working position where the moor 6 performs its work, and the moor 6 is in a nearly horizontal position. Furthermore, the upper limit position of the mower 6 is a non-working position (retracted position) where the mower 6 does not perform any work, and the mower 6 is in an inclined position with its tip flipped upward. By setting it to a non-working position, contact between the mower 6 and obstacles is effectively avoided.

[0031] The end of the inner wire 66b, which extends further from the outer wire 66a supported by the support piece 68a of the bracket 68, is connected to the tip of the moor lift arm 70. The base of the lift arm 70 is fixed to the rear end of the lift link 71 for raising and lowering the moor, and the pivot axis 71a of the lift arm 70 and the lift link 71 is supported by a vertical arm 2c whose lower end is supported and fixed to a part 2b of the traveling body 2, and the upper end of the vertical arm 2c is supported and fixed to the side surface of the traveling body 2.

[0032] As the hydraulic cylinder 78 extends and retracts in the forward and backward direction with the horizontal axis 2a as the pivot point, the traveling machine The front end of the bracket 68, which is integrated with the horizontal shaft 2a that is rotatably attached to 2, rotates up and down. Then, the lift link 71 rotates up and down around the pivot point 71a at the rear end of the lift link 71. For example, when the moor lift arm 70 rotates in the direction of arrow D from the position shown in the figure, This configuration involves pulling the Ya66.

[0033] Furthermore, an upper limit switch (upper limit position detection member) S3 is provided at an appropriate position on the traveling body 2, which contacts the lift link 71 at the upper limit position Pa, the upper limit of the moor's lifting range, to detect when the moor 6 has reached the upper limit of its lifting range. In addition, a lower limit switch (lower limit position detection member) S4 is provided at an appropriate position on a part 2b of the traveling body 2, which contacts the lift link 71 at the lower limit position, the lower limit of the moor's lifting range, to detect when the moor 6 has reached the lower limit of its lifting range. Moreover, a wire-type displacement sensor (moor 6 height position detection member) S5 is provided on the wire 66, and by detecting the amount of wire 66 pulled, the height position (vertical position) of the moor 6 can be accurately detected. The upper limit switch (upper limit position detection member) S3, the lower limit switch (lower limit position detection member) S4, and the wire-type displacement sensor (moor 6 height position detection member) S5 function as height position detection means, which are means for detecting the height position of the moor 6.

[0034] <3. Control system for riding lawnmower 1> Here, with reference to Figure 8, the control system of the riding lawnmower 1, centered on the control unit 90, will be described. Figure 8 is a block diagram of the riding lawnmower 1, centered on the control unit 90.

[0035] The control unit 90 is capable of controlling each part of the riding lawnmower 1 by electronic control and includes a processing unit with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and more specifically, an engine ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 91, a driving system ECU 92, and a work equipment system ECU 93. The control unit 90 also includes a storage unit 94 in which programs and data for controlling each part are stored. The storage unit 94 is composed of a hard disk, ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc.

[0036] The engine ECU 92 controls the output of the engine 12, and the drive system ECU 93 controls the HST 40 and other components to control the overall movement of the machine. The work equipment system ECU 93 controls the overall drive of the mower 6, controlling solenoid valves that switch the blower clutch 56A and mower clutch 56B (see Figure 5) on and off, as well as controlling the hydraulic cylinder 78 for lifting and lowering the mower 6.

[0037] Furthermore, various sensors such as a vehicle speed sensor S1, a PTO sensor S2, an upper limit switch S3, a lower limit switch S4, and a wire-type displacement sensor S5 are connected to the input side of the control unit 90, as well as a dial switch 8a, a mower drive switch 8b, and a key switch 8c.

[0038] The vehicle speed sensor S1 is used to calculate the travel speed (vehicle speed) of the machine 2, and derives the actual vehicle speed from the rotational speeds of the front wheels 3L, 3R and the rear wheels 4L, 4R. In this way, the vehicle speed sensor S1 functions as a travel detection member that detects the movement of the riding lawnmower 1 (machine 2), and the control unit 90, which has acquired the detection result of the vehicle speed sensor S1, can calculate the travel distance. The PTO sensor S2 detects the rotation of the blower PTO shaft 52A and the mower PTO shaft 28 (see Figure 5).

[0039] The control unit 90, configured in this way, acquires various data from each part and controls the operation of each part of the aircraft based on that data and the results calculated from that data. An example of the control of the control unit 90 will be described below.

[0040] <4. Control Example 1 of the Control Unit 90 (Moor Drive Start Process)> Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the mower drive start process by the control unit 90. Here, the mower drive start process is the process of starting the mower 6 from a state where the engine 12 is running and the mower 6 is stopped (the mower clutch 56B is in the "disengaged" state) to start the mower 6 (the mower clutch 56B is turned "on").

[0041] When the engine 12 is running and the mower 6 is stopped, the control unit 90 starts the mower drive start process. As shown in Figure 9, in the mower drive start process, it is first determined whether the mower drive switch 8b has been pressed by the operator (step #1).

[0042] When the mower drive switch 8b is pressed (Y in step #1), it is determined whether the mower 6 is in the lower limit position (whether the position of the lift link 71 is in the upper limit position Pa) (step #2). If the mower 6 is in the lower limit position (Y in step #2), the control unit 90 starts driving the mower 6 (the mower clutch 56B is turned "on") (step #3).

[0043] When the moor 6 is not in the lower limit position (N in step #2), the control unit 90 moves the moor 6 to the lower limit position (the position of the lift link 71 moves to the lower limit position Pb) by controlling the moor lifting hydraulic cylinder 78 (step #4), and returns to step #1.

[0044] According to the above configuration, when the moor 6 is not in the lower limit position, if the operator presses the moor drive switch 8b, the moor 6 moves to the lower limit position, and if the moor drive switch 8b is pressed again, the moor 6 starts to drive. With this configuration, the moor 6 can be started to drive by operating only the moor drive switch 8b, without requiring conventional lever operation, etc., thus improving convenience. In addition, since it is prevented from driving the moor 6 while it is in the raised position, failure of the moor 6 is prevented, and safety is improved. Furthermore, when the drive of the moor 6 is stopped and predetermined conditions are met, the moor 6 is automatically raised by the control unit 90 as described later, so the raising and lowering operation of the moor 6 that was conventionally performed by lever operation, etc., becomes unnecessary, greatly improving convenience and greatly improving safety by preventing human error related to the raising and lowering operation.

[0045] <5. Control Example 2 of the Control Unit 90 (Automatic Mooring Process)> Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the automatic moor raising process by the control unit 90. The automatic moor raising process is initiated when moor 6 enters a driving state (moor clutch 56B is in the "on" state), and automatically raises moor 6 (to its height).

[0046] When the mower 6 is in operation (when the mower 6 starts to operate), the control unit 90 starts the automatic mower raising process. As shown in Figure 9, once the automatic mower raising process starts, it is determined whether the mower 6 has stopped operating (step #11). If it is determined that the mower 6 has stopped operating (Y in step #11), it is determined whether the height position of the mower 6 is below the set position (or below the set position) (step #12). Here, the set position is the height position of the mower 6 that can be set in advance by the operator through a predetermined operation, and is set to be above the lower limit position Pb and below the upper limit position Pa. It may also be set to the lower limit position Pb. The information related to the set position is stored in the storage unit 94.

[0047] If it is determined that the height of the mower 6 is below the set position (Y in step #12), the counting of the mower 6's stop time begins (step #13), and the counting of the distance traveled by the riding lawnmower 1 begins (step #14). Here, the distance traveled may be calculated by multiplying the detected value of the vehicle speed sensor S1 by the time, or the vehicle speed may be calculated considering the gear ratio and tire diameter.

[0048] Next, it is determined whether the mower 6 is driven (step #15). If the mower 6 is not driven (N in step #15), it is determined whether the mower 6 has been moved to a height greater than or equal to the set position (step #16). If the mower 6 has not been moved to a height greater than or equal to the set position (N in step #16), it is determined whether the stop time count is greater than or equal to the set time (step #17) and whether the travel distance count is greater than or equal to the set distance (step #18). Here, the set time and set distance can be set in advance by the operator, and it is desirable to set the set time to, for example, 30 seconds and the set distance to, for example, about 3 m (meters). The information related to the set time and set distance is stored in the storage unit 94.

[0049] If the mower 6 is driven (Y in step #15) or if the mower 6 is moved above the set position (Y in step #16), the stop time and distance traveled counts are reset, and the process returns to step #11.

[0050] If the stop time count is less than the set time (N in step #16) and the distance traveled is also less than the set distance (N in step #17), return to step #15.

[0051] On the other hand, if the stop time count exceeds the set time (Y in step #16) or if the travel distance count exceeds the set distance (Y in step #17), the control unit 90 raises the height of the moor 6 by controlling the moor lifting hydraulic cylinder 78 (step #19). Here, it is desirable that the height of the moor 6 to be raised is set to the upper limit position Pa, which is a non-working position, but it may also be set so that the operator can set the desired height position when raised in advance. When the height of the moor 6 is raised, the stop time and travel distance counts are reset (step #20), and the process ends.

[0052] According to the above configuration, when the mower 6 is stopped, if a predetermined set time has elapsed while the mower 6 is in the lowered position (working position), or if the riding lawnmower 1 has traveled a predetermined set distance or more, the control unit 90 automatically raises the mower 6. This effectively prevents situations where the mower 6 is lowered and the machine is driven while not in operation due to the operator's forgetfulness, etc. As a result, it is possible to prevent the mower 6 from coming into contact with obstacles or steps, and safety during movement without mowing work is also improved. In addition, convenience is greatly improved as the operator is not required to raise the mower 6 each time work is completed. Furthermore, since the system is configured to automatically raise the mower 6 by controlling the mower lifting hydraulic cylinder 78 after a predetermined time has elapsed, the mower 6 can be automatically raised when the operator leaves their seat, thus improving safety.

[0053] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. It goes without saying that modifications can be made as appropriate within the scope of the technical idea.

[0054] For example, in the automatic mower raising process by the control unit 90 shown in Figure 10, the mower 6 drive stop time and the riding lawnmower 1 travel distance were adopted as conditions for raising the mower 6. However, it is also possible to configure the system to adopt only one of these conditions, or, to reflect the needs of the operator, the system can be configured so that the operator can pre-set whether or not to adopt the conditions related to the mower 6 drive stop time and the riding lawnmower 1 travel distance before starting work (that is, for example, in the flowchart of Figure 10, steps #13 and #17 can be omitted, or steps #14 and #18 can be omitted, or all steps can be appropriately selected and set).

[0055] Furthermore, for example, in the automatic mower raising process, the control unit 90 can be configured to automatically raise the mower 6 by determining whether or not the riding lawnmower 1 is moving using the vehicle speed sensor S1, and by controlling the mower lifting hydraulic cylinder 48 to automatically raise the mower 6 if the riding lawnmower 1 (traveling body 2) continues to move for a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds) while the mower 6 is stopped.

[0056] Furthermore, the determination of whether or not the vehicle 2 is moving may be made by providing an analog output accelerator pedal sensor on the accelerator pedal 7a and determining whether the accelerator pedal 7a opening degree has reached a certain level for both forward and reverse movement.

[0057] The dial switch 8a may be provided so that it can be pressed, and the height position of the moor 6 can be set in the memory unit 94 by pressing the dial switch 8a at the desired height position of the moor 6. In this case, the height position of the moor 6 may be visually displayed on the monitor on the machine body 2. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0058] 1. Riding lawnmower 2. Mobile Unit 2a Horizontal axis Part of the 2b aircraft 2c vertical arm 3 Front wheels 4 Rear wheels 5 cutters 6 Moore 6a Moa Deck 6b Information and Guide Section 6c Mohr input axis 6d Mohr transmission 7 floors 8 Steering column 8a Dial switch 8b Mower drive switch 8c key switches 10 handles 11. Cockpit 12 Engines 12a Engine output shaft 13 Radiator 14. Hood 15 Universal joint shaft 16 Collector 17 Blower 18 Blower Case 20 ducts 21 Shooter 22 Fender 23 Front wheel transmission case 24 Mission Case 40. Hydrostatic continuously variable transmission (HST) 66 wires 66a Outer wire 66b Inner Wire 68 brackets 70 Mower Lift Arm 71 Liftlink 71a Rotation center axis 72 Suspension Links 90 Control Unit

Claims

1. A mobile body equipped with drive wheels and configured to be able to move, A grass cutting device located at the front of the aforementioned traveling machine, A drive switch, which is a push-type switch for driving the aforementioned grass cutting device, A lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the grass cutting device by extending and retracting a hydraulic cylinder for lifting and lowering the mower, A travel detection member for detecting the movement and speed of the aforementioned mobile body, A height position detection means for detecting the height position of the grass cutting device, The system includes a control unit that controls the extension and retraction of the hydraulic cylinder for lifting and lowering the moor, The control unit acquires detection information from the travel detection member and the height position detection means, and when the drive of the grass cutting device is stopped, the height position of the grass cutting device is below a predetermined set position, and the traveling body has traveled a predetermined distance, it controls the mower lifting hydraulic cylinder to automatically raise the grass cutting device, and further, The control unit is configured to acquire operation information of the drive switch, and when the drive switch is pressed while the grass cutting device is stopped and the grass cutting device is not in the working position, it moves the grass cutting device to the working position. The system is configured such that when the drive switch is pressed while the grass cutting device is stopped and in the working position, the drive of the grass cutting device is started. A riding lawnmower characterized in that, when the drive switch is pressed while the lawnmower is in operation, the drive of the lawnmower is stopped.

2. The riding lawnmower according to claim 1, further characterized in that the control unit is configured to control the mower lifting hydraulic cylinder to automatically raise the mower when the drive of the mower is stopped, the height position of the mower is below a predetermined set position, and a predetermined time has elapsed.

Images