Rice transplanter

Abstract

To provide a rice transplanter that prevents insufficient fertilization when spreading organic fertilizer. [Solution] A vehicle body 2 that travels in the field, A rice transplanter comprising a fertilizer application device 26 mounted on the aforementioned traveling vehicle body 2 for supplying fertilizer to the field, and a fertilizer application amount control means for controlling the amount of fertilizer applied by the fertilizer application device 26, The fertilizer application device 26 includes a fertilizer hopper 27 for storing fertilizer, The system includes a dispensing device 34 having a dispensing roll that dispenses fertilizer supplied from the fertilizer hopper 27 to a fertilizer hose 62 for applying fertilizer to the field, The aforementioned feed roll consists of a first feed roll and a second feed roll. The first and second feed rolls are arranged in parallel in the front-to-rear direction of the machine body so that their opposing peripheries are in contact with each other, and are configured to rotate synchronously.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rice transplanter, and more particularly to a rice transplanter equipped with a fertilizer application device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, as described in Patent Document 1 below, a rice transplanter equipped with a fertilizer application device for applying fertilizer to a field is known. This fertilizer application device includes a feeding device that takes out fertilizer from a fertilizer hopper (fertilizer storage section) and feeds it into the planting section through a fertilizer hose. As shown in FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b), which are schematic cross-sectional views of a conventional configuration example, this conventional feeding device 34j meshes an input gear 37j that transmits rotational power with a driven gear 38j, and by rotating a feeding roll 33j provided coaxially with the driven gear 38j due to the rotation of the input gear 37j, a predetermined amount of fertilizer is fed out from the fertilizer hopper at a time. The fed-out fertilizer passes through a fertilizer hose 62j and is scattered onto the field, and the fertilizer application amount can be controlled by adjusting the rotational speed of this feeding roll 33j.

[0003] Also, as described in Patent Document 2 below, a rice transplanter capable of performing real-time variable fertilization that automatically adjusts the fertilizer application amount according to the soil fertility measured at each point in the field while performing the planting operation is known.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In recent years, the demand for organic fertilizers, which make a significant contribution to maintaining soil health and sustainable agriculture compared to chemical fertilizers, has been increasing, and the use of organic fertilizers in rice transplanter fertilization is also expected to increase. Generally, organic fertilizers have a lower specific gravity and about half the nitrogen concentration of chemical fertilizers, so in order to obtain the same effect as chemical fertilizers, it is necessary to increase the amount of fertilizer applied by the fertilizer application device. However, conventional fertilizer application devices are designed for chemical fertilizers, so when organic fertilizers are applied, they may not be able to cope with the increased amount of fertilizer applied, potentially leading to insufficient fertilization.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to solve these problems and provide a rice transplanter that prevents insufficient fertilization when spreading organic fertilizer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the first invention is: A vehicle traveling through a field, A rice transplanter comprising a fertilizer application device mounted on the vehicle body and supplying fertilizer to the field, and a fertilizer application amount control means for controlling the amount of fertilizer applied by the fertilizer application device, The fertilizer application device includes a fertilizer hopper for storing fertilizer, The system includes a dispensing device having a dispensing roll that dispenses fertilizer supplied from the fertilizer hopper to a fertilizer hose for applying fertilizer to the field, The aforementioned feed roll consists of a first feed roll 33a and a second feed roll 33b. The present invention provides a rice transplanter characterized in that the first feed roll 33a and the second feed roll 33b are arranged in parallel in the front-rear direction of the machine body so that their opposing peripheral edges are in contact with each other, and are configured to rotate synchronously.

[0008] According to the first invention described above, twice the amount of fertilizer can be dispensed at the conventional roll rotation speed, significantly increasing the amount of fertilizer applied while maintaining stability. As a result, it is possible to prevent fertilizer deficiency when spreading organic fertilizer.

[0009] The second invention is, in the first invention described above, The first and second feed rolls are configured to rotate with a phase shift of half the length of the roll groove.

[0010] According to the second invention described above, in addition to the effects of the first invention described above, variations in fertilizer application amounts are suppressed, and more uniform fertilization becomes possible.

[0011] The third invention is, in the first invention described above, A cleaning brush for removing fertilizer adhering to the surface of the feed rolls is provided above the midpoint between the first and second feed rolls in the front-rear direction of the machine body. The cleaning brush is characterized by having a roof portion with a triangular cross-section formed on the upper part of the brush body.

[0012] According to the third invention described above, in addition to the effects of the first invention described above, The brush body interferes with the upper parts of the first and second feed rolls, enabling efficient removal of fertilizer, while the roof prevents fertilizer from accumulating on the cleaning brush, thus stabilizing fertilizer application.

[0013] The fourth invention is, in the first invention described above, The fertilizer application device is equipped with a speed control mechanism that changes the rotational speed of the input shaft that transmits rotational power to the dispensing roll. The aforementioned transmission mechanism comprises a transmission gear that rotates by the driving force of the engine, a driven gear connected to the input shaft, and a shift mechanism that changes the position of the transmission gear. The shift mechanism is characterized in that the position of the transmission gear can be changed to three positions: a normal speed position in which the input shaft rotates at a normal speed, a power cut-off position in which rotation is stopped, and a speed-increasing position in which rotation is increased relative to the normal speed.

[0014] According to the fourth invention described above, in addition to the effects of the first invention described above, For a set normal rotation speed, it rotates at an increased speed (for example, a speed about twice the set normal rotation speed), and accordingly, the rotation speed of the pay-out roll is increased, and the pay-out amount of the pay-out device can be significantly increased. Thereby, the maximum fertilization amount of the fertilization device can be significantly improved, and the lack of fertilization when spreading organic fertilizer can be prevented.

[0015] The fifth invention is the same as the fourth invention described above, When performing real-time variable fertilization, if a section where a position change by the speed change mechanism is required due to the fertilization reduction rate can be formed, it is configured to reject the fertilization reduction rate setting.

[0016] According to the fifth invention described above, in addition to the effects of the first invention, This can prevent the occurrence of a non-fertilization section due to a shift change when the fertilization amount changes during work.

[0017] The sixth invention is the same as the first invention described above, The fertilization device is characterized in that it blows air into the air chamber by an electric blower and a mechanical blower driven via a belt from a hydrostatic continuously variable transmission input pulley section.

[0018] According to the sixth invention, in addition to the effects of the first invention, The blower flow rate can be increased to prevent fertilizer clogging.

Effects of the Invention

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a rice transplanter that prevents insufficient fertilization when spreading organic fertilizer.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic left side view of a rice transplanter according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view thereof. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the rice transplanter shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the fertilizer hopper of the rice transplanter 1 shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figures 5(a) and 5(b) are schematic cross-sectional views showing the configuration of the feeding device. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the speed control mechanism of the feeder. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the same figure. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the same figure. [Figure 9] Figures 9(a) and 9(b) are schematic cross-sectional views showing the configuration of a conventional feeding device. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a schematic plan view of a rice transplanter in another embodiment. [Figure 11] Figures 11(a) and 11(b) are explanatory diagrams of the seedling planting section of a rice transplanter in another embodiment. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the funnel of a rice transplanter in another embodiment. [Figure 13] Figures 13(a) and 13(b) are right side views of the area around the fertilizer application device of a rice transplanter in another embodiment. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is an explanatory diagram of the area around the feed rod of a rice transplanter in another embodiment. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is an explanatory diagram of the area around the feed roll of a rice transplanter in another embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0021] <1. Basic configuration of a rice transplanter> Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic left side view of a rice transplanter 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a schematic top view thereof. Figure 3 is a control block diagram of the rice transplanter shown in Figure 1.

[0022] In this specification, unless otherwise specified, the direction of travel of the rice transplanter 1 is defined as "forward" and the opposite side as "rear," based on the direction of the arrows shown in Figures 1 and 2. Also, the left side in the direction of travel is defined as "left" and the opposite side as "right."

[0023] The rice transplanter 1 comprises a vehicle body 2 that travels across the field, a seedling planting unit 63 attached to the rear of the vehicle body 2, a spare seedling frame 74 for storing spare seedlings supplied to the seedling planting unit 63, a fertilizer applicator 26 for supplying fertilizer to the field, a control device 87 for controlling the entire vehicle, and a GNSS receiver 32 that receives GNSS signals and acquires position information of the vehicle body 2. Hereafter, the vehicle body 2 will also be simply referred to as the "vehicle body".

[0024] The vehicle body 2 includes a main frame 3 located approximately in the center of the vehicle body 2, a rear frame 6 attached to the rear end of the main frame 3 and extending in the width direction of the rice transplanter 1, a link base frame 10 fixed to the rear frame 6, a floor step 60 located above the main frame 3, a driver's seat 48 installed above the floor step 60, a control unit 49 for operating the rice transplanter 1, an engine 7 which is the power source of the rice transplanter 1, a pair of front wheels 8 and rear wheels 9, a power transmission mechanism 15 that transmits the rotational power of the engine 7 to the front wheels 8 and rear wheels 9, and a front cover 47 that covers the control device 87.

[0025] The control unit 49 includes a main gear lever 35 for changing the forward and reverse movement and vehicle speed of the vehicle body 2, and a steering mechanism 28 for steering a pair of front wheels 8. The steering mechanism 28 includes a steering wheel 55, a steering shaft 83, a pitman arm, a tie rod, and a knuckle arm.

[0026] The power transmission mechanism 15 includes a belt-type power transmission mechanism 4 installed below the floor step 60, a hydrostatic continuously variable transmission 25 that receives power from the belt-type power transmission mechanism 4, and a transmission case 30 that distributes the power from the hydrostatic continuously variable transmission 25 to the running wheels and the seedling planting section 63. The hydrostatic continuously variable transmission 25 is also called an HST.

[0027] The transmission case 30 distributes driving power to drive the front wheels 8 and rear wheels 9, and working power to drive the seedling planting unit 63. The driving power is transmitted to the front wheels 8 via the front final case 13 and front axle 31, and to the rear wheels 9 via the rear transmission shaft 14, rear gear case 51, and axle 82. On the other hand, the working power is transmitted to the seedling planting unit 63 via the planting clutch. The planting clutch is switched on and off by the control device 87 driving the planting clutch motor 81 when the planting on / off switch 19 installed on the main shift lever 35 is pressed.

[0028] The control device 87 comprises a processing unit 91 equipped with a central processing unit (CPU), a storage unit 92 equipped with read-only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM), and a communication unit 93 capable of wireless communication with an external server or tablet terminal. The storage unit 92 stores various programs and data for controlling the entire rice transplanter 1.

[0029] The input side of the control device 87 is connected to a GNSS receiver 32 that acquires position information of the rice transplanter 1, a steering sensor 53 that detects the steering angle of the steering wheel 55, a rear wheel rotation sensor 29 built into the rear wheel gear case 51 that counts the number of rotations of the rear wheels 9, a feed detection sensor 107 that detects the amount of rotation of the feed roll 33, and a ridge clutch mechanism 79 which is a mechanism that temporarily stops or restarts the operation of the seedling planting unit 63 at the edge of the ridge.

[0030] Furthermore, a depth sensor 152 for detecting the depth of the field, an electrical conductivity sensor 151 for detecting the electrical conductivity of the field soil, and a temperature sensor 153 for detecting the temperature of the field soil are connected. The electrical conductivity sensor 151, depth sensor 152, and temperature sensor 153 are examples of "soil fertility sensors," and the rice transplanter 1 can perform real-time variable fertilization based on the detected soil fertility values ​​by detecting the soil fertility level at various points in the field while it is moving. The monitor 54 is located in the control unit 49.

[0031] The output side of the control device 87 is connected to a throttle motor 46 that adjusts the intake volume of the engine 7, an electronic hydraulic valve 88 that operates the lifting hydraulic cylinder 12 that controls the raising and lowering of the seedling planting unit 63, an HST servo motor 150 that adjusts the opening of the trunnion shaft in the hydrostatic continuously variable transmission 25 to change the forward and reverse movement and vehicle speed of the rice transplanter 1, a steering motor 45 that rotates the steering shaft 83 and steering wheel 55, a planting clutch motor 81 that operates the planting clutch, a fertilizer amount adjustment motor 78 that adjusts the amount of fertilizer applied by the fertilizer application device 26, and a position switching motor 80.

[0032] In this embodiment, the control device 87 is configured to enable both automatic and manual operation. In automatic operation, the control device 87 controls the HST servo motor 150 based on the detection signal from the rear wheel rotation sensor 29 to automatically drive the rice transplanter 1. It also controls the steering motor 45 based on the detection signal from the steering sensor 53 to perform automatic steering.

[0033] The control device 87 includes a processing unit 91 containing a CPU, a storage unit 92 containing ROM and RAM, and a communication unit 93 capable of wireless communication with an external server and a tablet terminal. The storage unit 92 stores programs and data for controlling the entire rice transplanter 1.

[0034] The control device 87 of this embodiment is capable of both automatic and manual driving. In automatic driving mode, it controls the HST servo motor 150 based on the detection signal from the rear wheel rotation sensor 29 to automatically drive the vehicle, and also controls the steering motor 45 based on the detection signal from the steering sensor 53 to perform automatic steering.

[0035] As shown in Figure 1, the seedling planting unit 63 is attached to the rear of the rice transplanter 1 in a manner that allows it to rotate up and down by a lifting link device 5. The lifting link device 5 comprises an upper link arm 85 and a pair of left and right lower link arms 86. The front ends of the upper link arm 85 and the lower link arms 86 are attached to the link base frame 10 of the rice transplanter 1, and their rear ends are connected to upper and lower link arms 11 located below the seedling planting unit 63.

[0036] When the control device 87 controls the electronic hydraulic valve 88 (see Figure 3) and the lifting hydraulic cylinder 12 shown in Figure 1 is hydraulically retracted, the upper link arm 85 is lifted backward, and the seedling planting unit 63 rises to a non-working position. When the seedling planting unit 63 is in a non-working position, its lower end is at approximately the same height as the bottom of the main frame 3. Conversely, when the control device 87 controls the electronic hydraulic valve 88 and the lifting hydraulic cylinder 12 is hydraulically extended, the upper link arm 85 moves backward, and the seedling planting unit 63 lowers to a working position where seedlings can be planted.

[0037] The fertilizer application device 26 includes an air chamber 42 extending in the left-right direction, a blower 41 that pumps air from left to right through the air chamber 42, a fertilizer hopper 27 for storing fertilizer to be supplied to the field, a plurality of dispensing devices 34 located below the fertilizer hopper 27, and a plurality of fertilizer hoses 62 located below each dispensing device 34 and extending to the lower part of the seedling planting section 63. The air chamber 42 and each fertilizer hose 62 are connected by connecting pipes (not shown). The blower 41 includes a blower motor 43 and an intake duct 40. When the blower motor 43 is driven based on a control signal from the control device 87, air drawn in through the intake duct 40 is supplied into the air chamber 42. The air supplied into the air chamber 42 is pumped to the right and supplied to each fertilizer hose 62 through connecting pipes (not shown).

[0038] <Configuration of the fertilizer hopper> Figure 4 is a perspective view of the fertilizer hopper 27 of the rice transplanter 1 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 4, the fertilizer hopper 27 has a downward-facing arm 27c biased by a spring 27b inside the hopper body 27a, and a pressing plate 27d attached to the lower end of the downward-facing arm 27c that presses against the upper part of the dispensing device 34. This improves the fertilizer filling rate compared to conventional configurations where the fertilizer is filled into the dispensing device 34 solely by its own weight.

[0039] <Configuration of the feed roll> Figures 5(a) and 5(b) are schematic cross-sectional views showing the configuration of the feeding device 34. As shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), the dispensing device 34 includes a first driven gear 38a that meshes with an input gear 37 provided on an input shaft 36 to which the driving force of the engine 7 is input from outside the device, and a second driven gear 38b that meshes with the first driven gear 38a. The rotational drive of the input gear 37 rotates the first driven gear 38a and the second driven gear 38b. A first dispensing roll 33a is provided coaxially with the first driven gear 38a, and a second dispensing roll 33b is provided coaxially with the second driven gear 38b. The first dispensing roll 33a and the second dispensing roll 33b are arranged in parallel in the front-rear direction of the machine so that their opposing peripheries are in contact when viewed from the side. As a result, when the input gear 37 is driven to rotate, the first dispensing roll 33a and the second dispensing roll 33b rotate synchronously, dispensing the fertilizer. As a result, compared to the conventional configuration shown in Figures 9(a) and 9(b), twice the amount of fertilizer can be dispensed at the conventional roll rotation speed, significantly increasing the amount of fertilizer applied while maintaining stability. Consequently, insufficient fertilizer application when spreading organic fertilizer can be prevented.

[0040] Furthermore, the first dispensing roll 33a and the second dispensing roll 33b are configured to rotate with a phase difference of half the roll groove (a groove for filling with fertilizer to be dispensed), thereby suppressing variations in the amount of fertilizer applied and enabling more uniform fertilization.

[0041] A cleaning brush 39 is provided above (intermediately above) the space between the first and second dispensing rolls 33a and 33b in the front-to-back direction of the machine, to remove fertilizer adhering to the surfaces of each dispensing roll 33a and 33b. This cleaning brush 39 serves to ensure uniform fertilizer supply and prevent clogging. Furthermore, the cleaning brush 39 has a triangular cross-section roof portion 39b formed on the upper part of the brush body 39a. This roof portion 39b prevents fertilizer from accumulating on the cleaning brush 39, thereby stabilizing fertilizer application. The brush body 39a interferes with the upper parts of the first and second dispensing rolls 33a and 33b, enabling efficient removal of fertilizer.

[0042] <Configuration of the input gear shifting mechanism> Figures 6 to 8 are perspective views of the gear shift mechanism of the feed-out device 34. As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the gear shift mechanism 94 includes a gear shift gear 95, a driven gear 96, and a shift mechanism 97.

[0043] The transmission gear 95 functions to change the rotational speed of the input shaft 36 and is mounted on a roll drive shaft 98 that is rotationally driven by the power of the engine 7. This roll drive shaft 98 is mounted so as to be able to move back and forth along the axial direction, so that the transmission gear 95 can be switched between the first position shown in Figure 6, the second position shown in Figure 7, and the third position shown in Figure 8 by a shift mechanism 97 that performs gear changes. The shift mechanism 97 is configured to move a forward / backward rod 97a forward and back by the drive control of a position switching motor 80 (see Figure 3), and in response, the tip of a rotating arm 97b that is rotatably connected to the forward / backward rod 97a swings. The tip of this rotating arm 97b interferes with the transmission gear 95 and changes its position, thereby enabling switching between each position. The position switching motor 80 is, for example, a stepping motor. Although not shown in the diagram, the driven gear 96 is connected coaxially to the input shaft 36 and, by meshing with the variable gear 95 and rotating, performs the function of transmitting rotational power to the input shaft 36.

[0044] The transmission gear 95 comprises a large-diameter drive gear 95a and a small-diameter drive gear 95b. The large-diameter drive gear 95a has a larger diameter than the small-diameter drive gear 95b. The driven gear 96 comprises a large-diameter driven gear 96a and a small-diameter driven gear 96b, with an intermediate shaft 96c provided between the large-diameter driven gear 96a and the small-diameter driven gear 96b. The large-diameter driven gear 96a has a larger diameter than the small-diameter driven gear 96b. The intermediate shaft 96c has a smaller diameter than both the large-diameter driven gear 96a and the small-diameter driven gear 96b.

[0045] In the first position (also called the normal speed position), the small-diameter drive gear 95b and the large-diameter driven gear 96a mesh, as shown in Figure 6. As a result, the input shaft 36 rotates at the set normal rotational speed, and accordingly, the feed roll 33 rotates at the set normal speed, driving the feed device 34.

[0046] In the second position (also called the power cut-off position), as shown in Figure 7, the large-diameter drive gear 95a and small-diameter drive gear 95b of the transmission gear 95 are configured to rotate freely without interfering with the driven gear 96 due to the recess formed by the intermediate shaft 96c in the driven gear 96. As a result, the power is cut off (clutch disengaged), and the drive of the feed roll 33 stops.

[0047] In the third position (also called the speed-increasing position), as shown in Figure 8, the large-diameter drive gear 95a and the small-diameter driven gear 96b mesh. As a result, the input shaft 36 rotates at a speed increased from the set normal rotational speed (for example, about twice the set normal rotational speed), and accordingly, the rotational speed of the feed roll 33 is increased, and the amount of feed dispensed by the feed device 34 can be greatly increased. This greatly improves the maximum amount of fertilizer that can be applied by the fertilizer applicator 26 and prevents insufficient fertilizer application when spreading organic fertilizer.

[0048] <Regarding the control of fertilizer application rates> The control device 87 may adjust the amount of fertilizer applied as follows: The system may be configured to automatically shift gears by controlling the shift mechanism 97 based on a pre-entered fertilizer application rate setting and the specific gravity of the fertilizer. Furthermore, the shift mechanism 97 may utilize a bifurcated cable and a ridge clutch mechanism 79, with each ridge clutch mechanism 79 having a different cam ratio and different cable pull amounts, allowing for separate control of the clutch disengaged state and the speed-increasing state. Since the amount of fertilizer applied changes depending on the position of the fertilizer application adjustment balance pivot point, the system may be configured to automatically adjust based on the position of the fertilizer application adjustment balance and the position of the electric fertilizer application adjustment balance. Additionally, the system may be configured to restrict position changes by the shift mechanism 97 during fertilization work.

[0049] The control device 87 may be configured to reject setting a fertilizer reduction rate if the reduction rate would create a section requiring a shifter change during real-time variable fertilization. For specific details on the processing of real-time variable fertilization by the control device 87, please refer to, for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-24916. This prevents the occurrence of no-fertilization sections due to shifter changes when the amount of fertilizer applied changes during operation.

[0050] The system may be configured to change the regulated vehicle speed in conjunction with the set fertilizer application rate. For example, if the application rate is 80 kg / 10a and the maximum vehicle speed is 1.86 m / s, and the fertilizer application rate is 100 g / s per second, the vehicle speed is regulated to reach this upper limit. When the application rate is 100 kg / 10a, the speed is regulated to 1.86 x (80 / 100) = 1.488 m / s.

[0051] 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.

[0052] Figure 10 is a schematic plan view of the rice transplanter 1 in another embodiment. In another embodiment, the rice transplanter 1, as shown in Figure 10, has a configuration that adds a mechanical blower 102 driven via a belt 101 from the HST input pulley section (hydrostatic continuously variable transmission input pulley section) in addition to the conventional electric blower 100. Although not shown in detail, the mechanical blower 102 is configured to blow air into the air chamber 42 in the same way as the electric blower 100. This increases the blower flow rate and prevents fertilizer clogging. In the above configuration, it is preferable that the air is guided to the transport duct 103 from a bifurcated introduction guide. In the above configuration, the air guided from the mechanical blower may be assisted by a bifurcated joint section provided in the middle of the transport hose, using a dedicated transport duct. In the above configuration, the air guided from the mechanical blower may be configured to be guided from the transport duct on the opposite side of the electric blower.

[0053] Figures 11(a) and 11(b) are explanatory diagrams of the seedling planting section 63 of the rice transplanter 1 in another embodiment. As shown in Figure 11, the base of the fertilizer application device 26 may be provided on the planting rod indicator frame of the seedling planting section 63. This improves convenience by making the fertilizer application device 26 rotatable.

[0054] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the funnel 104 of the rice transplanter 1 in another embodiment. As shown in Figure 12, a spiral 104a may be provided along the inside of the funnel 104. The funnel 104 is a tubular body interposed between the dispensing device 34 and the fertilizer hose 62. By providing the spiral 104a, the air swirls, improving the flow and preventing fertilizer clogging. It is also preferable that the discharge direction of the funnel 104 be horizontal to the ground.

[0055] Figure 13 is a right side view of the area around the fertilizer applicator 26 of the rice transplanter 1 in another embodiment. As shown in Figure 13, the fertilizer applicator 26 may be configured to dispense fertilizer downwards (by gravity) from the fertilizer roll (feed-out roll 33). This eliminates the need for blower transport, thus reducing costs. It also prevents clogging during transport. Furthermore, a guide may be provided below the fertilizer roll to prevent the fertilizer from coming into contact with the tires (rear wheels 9).

[0056] Figure 14 is an explanatory diagram of the area around the feed rod 105 of the rice transplanter 1 in another embodiment. As shown in Figure 14, the rotation of the rear wheel feed rod 105 may be driven by a non-circular gear, and the rotation of the feed roll may be configured to return quickly and feed slowly.

[0057] Figure 15 is an explanatory diagram of the area around the feed roll 33A of the rice transplanter 1 in another embodiment. As shown in Figure 15, the dispensing roll 33A may be configured such that the hardness of the roll brush 39A (cleaning brush 39) is hard at the beginning of leveling and soft at the end of leveling. This allows for stable filling and reduced brush wear by performing the initial leveling, which is subject to heavy load, on the hard side and just before discharge on the soft side.

[0058] <Other> In a rice transplanter equipped with an electric accelerator and a granular fertilizer applicator, the type of fertilizer to be applied can be selected on a monitor, and if organic fertilizer is selected, control may be added to increase the engine speed by a certain amount. In a rice transplanter equipped with an electric accelerator and a granular fertilizer applicator, if the specific gravity measured during a test feed is below a certain value, it may be recognized as organic fertilizer, and control may be added to increase the engine speed by a certain amount. In a rice transplanter equipped with an electric accelerator and a granular fertilizer applicator, if the specific gravity measured during a test feed is below a certain value, it may be recognized as organic fertilizer, and control may be applied to the monitor display when fertilizer depletion is detected, with the display being more emphasized than when normal fertilizer is used. In a rice transplanter equipped with a 10-row fertilizer applicator on a 6-row transplanter, the 6 rows may be used for side-dressing fertilization, and the 4 rows may be configured to apply fertilizer to the rear wheels and the wheel grooves behind the internal auxiliary wheels. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0059] 1. Rice transplanter 2. Running vehicle 3 Mainframe 4. Belt-type power transmission mechanism 5. Lifting linkage device 6. Rear frame 7 Engine 8 Front wheels 9 Rear wheels 10-link base frame 12. Lifting hydraulic cylinder 13 Front wheel final case 14 Rear wheel drive shaft 15 Power transmission mechanism 19. Planting On / Off Switch 25. Hydrostatic continuously variable transmission (HST) 26 Fertilizer application equipment 27 Fertilizer hopper 27a Hopper body 27b Spring 27c Hanging Arm 27d Pressing plate 28 Steering mechanism 29 Rear wheel rotation sensor 30 Mission Case 31 Front axle 32 GNSS receivers 33 Feed Roll 34. Feeding device 35 Main gear lever 36 Input axes 37 Input Gear 38a First driven gear 38b Second Driven Gear 39 Cleaning brush 39a Brush body 39b Roof section 40 Intake duct 41 Blower 42 Air Chamber 43 Blower motor 45 Steering motor 46 Throttle motor 47 Front cover 48 Cockpit 49. Control Unit 51 Rear wheel gear case 53 Steering Sensor 54 monitors 55 Steering Wheel 60 Floor Steps 62 Fertilizer hose 63 Seedling Planting Department 74 Reserve seedling slots 78 Fertilizer application rate adjustment motor 79 Ridge clutch mechanism 80-Position Switching Motor 81 Planting clutch motor 82 axles 83 Steering shaft 85 Upper link arm 86 Lower link arm 87 Control device 88 Electronic Hydraulic Valve 91 Processing Unit 92 Memory section 93 Communications Department 95 gears 95a Large diameter drive gear 95b Small diameter drive gear 96 Driven gear 96a Large diameter driven gear 96b Small diameter driven gear 96c intermediate shaft 97 Shift mechanism 97a Retreat Rod 97b Rotating Arm 107 Dispensing detection sensor 150 HST servo motor 151 Electrical conductivity sensor 152 Depth Sensor 153 Temperature sensor

Claims

1. A vehicle traveling through a field, A rice transplanter comprising a fertilizer application device mounted on the vehicle body and supplying fertilizer to the field, and a fertilizer application amount control means for controlling the amount of fertilizer applied by the fertilizer application device, The fertilizer application device includes a fertilizer hopper for storing fertilizer, The system includes a dispensing device having a dispensing roll that dispenses fertilizer supplied from the fertilizer hopper to a fertilizer hose for applying fertilizer to the field, The aforementioned feed roll consists of a first feed roll and a second feed roll. A rice transplanter characterized in that the first and second feed rolls are arranged in parallel in the front-rear direction of the traveling vehicle body so that their opposing peripheral edges are in contact with each other, and are configured to rotate synchronously.

2. The rice transplanter according to claim 1, characterized in that the first feed roll and the second feed roll are configured to rotate with a phase shift of half the length of the roll groove.

3. A cleaning brush for removing fertilizer adhering to the surface of the dispensing roll is provided above the midpoint between the first dispensing roll and the second dispensing roll in the front-rear direction of the traveling vehicle body, The rice transplanter according to claim 1, characterized in that the cleaning brush has a roof portion with a triangular cross-section formed on the upper part of the brush body.

4. The fertilizer application device is equipped with a speed control mechanism that changes the rotational speed of the input shaft that transmits rotational power to the dispensing roll. The aforementioned transmission mechanism comprises a transmission gear that rotates by the driving force of the engine, a driven gear connected to the input shaft, and a shift mechanism that changes the position of the transmission gear. The rice transplanter according to claim 1, characterized in that the shift mechanism is configured to change the position of the transmission gear to three positions: a normal speed position in which the input shaft rotates at a normal speed, a power cut-off position in which the rotation is stopped, and a speed-increasing position in which the rotation is increased relative to the normal speed.

5. The rice transplanter according to claim 1, characterized in that the fertilizer application device blows air into the air chamber using an electric blower and a mechanical blower driven via a belt from the input pulley section of a hydrostatic continuously variable transmission.

Images