Agricultural material supply device in agricultural machine

Abstract

Provided is an agricultural material supply device in an agricultural machine, the device being capable of reducing the labor for supplying agricultural material to a work unit of an agricultural machine.　This agricultural material supply device (2) in an agricultural machine (1) comprises a work unit (18) having a plurality of material supply units (24) to which agricultural material (3) is supplied and which are provided side by side in a machine body width direction (K1) of the agricultural machine. The agricultural material supply device comprises: at least one material supply table (117) on which an agricultural material conveyed and supplied by a flying body (31) is placed and which delivers the placed agricultural material to the work unit; and a support body (116) attached to the work unit. The material supply table is supported by the support body to be movable in the machine body width direction so as to align the material supply table relative to the material supply unit, to which the agricultural material is to be supplied, from among the plurality of material supply units.

Description

Agricultural material supply device for agricultural machinery

[0001] The present invention relates to an agricultural material supplying device for an agricultural machine, for example, a seedling supplying device for a rice transplanter.

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, an agricultural machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known.

[0003] The agricultural machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a rice transplanter with a seedling planting device, which is the working part of the agricultural machine, provided at the rear of the machine body. The seedling planting device extracts a predetermined number of seedlings from a mat of seedlings, which is agricultural material, and plants them in a field.

[0004] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-158130

[0005] In the case of agricultural machinery, there is a demand for reducing the labor required to supply agricultural materials to the working section of the machinery.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an agricultural material supplying device for an agricultural machine that can reduce the labor required to supply agricultural materials to a working unit of the agricultural machine.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention provides an agricultural material supplying device for agricultural machinery, which is equipped with a working unit to which agricultural materials are supplied and which has a plurality of material supply units arranged in a line in the width direction of the body of the agricultural machinery, and which comprises at least one material supply table on which the agricultural materials transported and supplied by an aircraft are placed and which sends the placed agricultural materials to the working unit, and a support body attached to the working unit, and the material supply table is supported on the support body so as to be freely movable in the width direction of the body of the agricultural machinery so as to align the material supply table with the material supply unit among the plurality of material supply units to which the agricultural material should be supplied.

[0008] The material supply table may have an adjustment body that adjusts the position of the agricultural material on the material supply table in the width direction of the machine body, and may have an adjustment body that adjusts the position of the agricultural material to a position from which it is sent out relative to the material supply section to which the agricultural material is to be supplied, and a sending body that sends out the agricultural material whose position has been adjusted to the material supply section.

[0009] The material supply table may have a chute section that guides the agricultural material delivered from the material supply table to the material supply section.

[0010] The width of the material supply table in the width direction of the machine body may be larger than the width of one of the material supply sections in the width direction of the machine body, and the width of the chute section in the width direction of the machine body may be a width corresponding to one or two of the seedling loading sections.

[0011] The agricultural material supplying device in the agricultural machine may include a detection unit that detects whether the chute unit is aligned with the material supply unit to which the agricultural material is to be supplied.

[0012] The agricultural material supply device in the agricultural machinery has a chute section that guides the agricultural material sent out from the material supply table to the material supply section, and is provided with a plurality of chute sections that correspond to the plurality of material supply sections, and the plurality of chute sections may be provided in the working section.

[0013] According to the agricultural material supply device in the above-mentioned agricultural machinery, a material supply table is provided on which agricultural materials transported and supplied by an aircraft are placed and which sends the placed agricultural materials to the working section, thereby reducing the effort required to supply agricultural materials to the working section.

[0014] 1 is a side view of a rice transplanter according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a side view of the machine body. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the seedling loading tray and the seedling supply device. FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the seedling supply device. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the seedling supply device and the seedling loading tray. FIG. 5 is a front view of the flying body and the seedling supply table. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the seedling supply table seen from above. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the seedling supply device seen from below. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing the attachment of the seedling supply table main body. FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the seedling supply device. FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the left side of the seedling supply table. FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the right side of the seedling supply table. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the seedling supply table in an inclined position. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing an example in which the movement of the first adjustment body and the movement of the send-out body are performed by an actuator. FIG. 14 is a plan view showing an example in which the movement of the second adjustment body is performed by an actuator. FIG. 15 is a side view showing an example in which the raising and lowering of the seedling supply table is performed by an actuator. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a seedling supply device according to a modified example of the seedling supply device in the first embodiment. FIG. 17 is a side view of a rice transplanter according to a second embodiment. FIG. 18 is a rear view of the seedling loading tray and the seedling supply device. FIG. 19 is a plan view of the seedling loading tray and the seedling supply table. FIG. 19 is a front view of the flying body and the seedling supply table. FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the seedling supply device. FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the support. 1 is a perspective view showing the attachment of the support to the seedling placing tray; FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the attachment of the support to the seedling placing tray; FIG. 3 is a plan view of the seedling supplying tray; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the seedling supplying tray; FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the seedling supplying tray; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the seedling supplying tray main body, the first rail member, the second rail member and the chute section; FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the seedling supplying tray; FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the seedling supplying device seen from below; FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of the seedling supplying device; FIG. 10 is a front view showing an example in which the seedling supplying tray is moved by an actuator; FIG. 11 is a plan view showing an example in which the adjustment body is moved by an actuator; FIG. 12 is a plan view showing an example in which the send-out body is moved by an actuator; FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a seedling supplying device according to a modified example of the seedling supplying device in the second form.

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

[0016] 1 and 18 are side views showing the overall configuration of an agricultural machine (farm machine) 1. In this embodiment, a rice transplanter is exemplified as the agricultural machine 1. The agricultural machine 1 in this embodiment is not limited to a rice transplanter. For example, the agricultural machine 1 can be a vegetable transplanter, a fertilizer applicator, a seed sower, a chemical applicator, a sprayer, or the like.

[0017] 1 to 17 show a first embodiment of the agricultural machine 1.

[0018] 18 to 38 show a second embodiment of the agricultural machine 1. The second embodiment essentially shows an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] To facilitate understanding of the present invention, in the following description, the agricultural machine 1 will be described as a rice transplanter. The agricultural material supply device will be described as a seedling supply device 2. The working section of the agricultural machine 1 will be described as a seedling planting device 18. The agricultural material will be described as mat seedlings 3. The material supply table will be described as a seedling supply table 117. The material supply section will be described as a seedling placement section 24.

[0020] 1 is a side view of a rice transplanter 1 equipped with a seedling supply device 2 that supplies mat seedlings 3 to a seedling planting device 18 (seedling loading table (material loading table) 4). The rice transplanter 1 is a transplanting machine that cuts a predetermined number of seedlings from the mat seedlings 3 placed on the seedling loading table 4 and plants the cut seedlings in a farm field (paddy field).

[0021] The mat seedlings 3 are mat-shaped seedlings grown by sowing rice seeds in a seedbed (such as culture soil or a seedling mat) laid at the bottom of a seedling box, covering the seedlings with soil, and watering the seedlings. The mat seedlings 3 are formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view.

[0022] In this embodiment, the direction of arrow A1 in FIG. 1 will be described as the forward direction (forward of the machine body), the direction of arrow A2 in FIG. 1 as the rearward direction (rear of the machine body), and the direction of arrow A3 in FIG. 1 as the front-to-rear direction (forward-to-rear direction of the machine body). The front side of FIG. 1 will be described as the left side, and the back side of FIG. 1 as the right side. The horizontal direction, which is perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction A3, will be described as the machine body width direction (see arrow K1 in FIG. 3). The direction from the center of the width direction of the rice transplanter 1 toward the right or left side will be described as the machine body width direction outward. In other words, the machine body outward is the direction away from the center of the width direction of the machine body in the machine body width direction K1. The direction opposite to the machine body outward will be described as the machine body inward. In other words, the machine body width direction inward is the direction approaching the center of the width direction of the machine body in the machine body width direction K1.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1 , the rice transplanter 1 has a vehicle body 5. As shown in FIG. 2 , the vehicle body 5 has a front prime mover (engine, electric motor, etc.) 6, a transmission case 7 disposed behind the prime mover 6 and to which power from the prime mover 6 is transmitted, a front frame 8 extending forward from the transmission case 7 and supporting the prime mover 6, front-wheel drive cases 9 provided on both the left and right sides of the transmission case 7, a vehicle frame 10 disposed behind the transmission case 7, and a rear-wheel drive case 12 disposed below the rear of the vehicle frame 10 and connected to the vehicle frame 10 via a connecting mechanism 11. Front wheels 13 are supported at the left and right ends of the front-wheel drive case 9 so as to be steerable and rotatable. Rear wheels 14 are supported at the left and right ends of the rear-wheel drive case 12 so as to be rotatable. Thus, the vehicle body 5 is supported for travel by the left and right front wheels 13 and the left and right rear wheels 14.

[0024] The rice transplanter 1 may be manually driven, automatically driven (automatically operated), or autonomously driven. When manually driven, an operator sits in the driver's seat 15 and steers the vehicle using a steering wheel 16. When autonomously driven, the rice transplanter 1 is equipped with a positioning unit that receives radio waves from Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) satellites to calculate its own vehicle position. A driving route is then set for the rice transplanter 1, and the rice transplanter 1 automatically drives based on its own vehicle position. Automatic driving is also possible by detecting a straight-line direction using a direction sensor (e.g., an inertial measurement unit (IMU), a geomagnetic sensor, etc.) and detecting an end point using a ridge detection sensor (e.g., Lidar). When autonomously driven, the rice transplanter 1 includes, for example, an imaging device (e.g., a camera) that acquires information about the surroundings of the vehicle body 5 and a control device that controls the vehicle body 5 to autonomously drive based on the information acquired by the imaging device. The rice transplanter 1 may also be unmanned, without an operator on board. In this case, the driver's seat 15 and the steering wheel 16 can be omitted.

[0025] In the rice transplanter 1 of this embodiment, a spare seedling loading table 17 for loading spare mat seedlings 3 is provided, but this is not necessary.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1, a seedling planting device 18 is provided at the rear of the machine body 5. The seedling planting device 18 is connected to the machine body 5 via a link mechanism 19 and a connector 20 so that it can be raised and lowered. The seedling planting device 18 is driven by a hydraulic cylinder 21 so that it can be raised and lowered.

[0027] As shown in Figure 1, the seedling planting device 18 has a seedling tray 4 on which mat seedlings 3 are placed, a planting mechanism 22 that cuts a predetermined number of seedlings from the mat seedlings 3 placed on the seedling tray 4 and plants them in a field (paddy field), and a float 23 that performs ground leveling of the field. As shown in Figure 1, the seedling tray 4 is provided in an inclined shape that transitions forward as it goes upward (a slope that rises in front).

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3 , the seedling loading tray 4 has multiple seedling loading sections 24 on which the mat seedlings 3 are placed. The multiple seedling loading sections 24 are arranged side by side in the width direction K1 of the machine body. The number of seedling loading sections 24 corresponds to the number of rows to be planted. The rice transplanter 1 of this embodiment is an eight-row planting rice transplanter 1 having eight seedling loading sections 24. Partition guides 25 are provided on both sides of the seedling loading sections 24 in the width direction K1 of the machine body. The mat seedlings 3 are placed on each seedling loading section 24 with the long side 3a of the mat seedlings 3 aligned with the inclination direction of the seedling loading tray 4 and the short side 3b of the mat seedlings 3 aligned with the width direction K1 of the machine body. Two mat seedlings 3 can be placed on each seedling loading section 24 side by side in the inclination direction of the seedling loading tray 4. A vertical feed mechanism 26 having a vertical feed belt is provided below each seedling loading section 24. The mat seedlings 3 on the seedling placing section 24 can be fed vertically downward along the seedling placing section 24 by a vertical feeding mechanism 26.

[0029] As shown in Figure 1, the seedling tray 4 is supported on the connecting body 20 so as to be movable in the width direction K1 of the machine body by an upper guide portion 27A and a lower guide portion 27B provided on the connecting body 20. The seedling tray 4 is also driven by a lateral feed mechanism 84 (see Figure 3) provided on the connecting body 20 so as to be movable back and forth in the width direction K1 of the machine body.

[0030] Furthermore, the support structure that supports the seedling carrying tray 4 so that it can be moved in the width direction K1 of the machine body relative to the connecting body 20 is not limited to the structure including the upper guide portion 27A and the lower guide portion 28B described above, and may be any structure that can support the seedling carrying tray 4 so that it can be moved in the width direction K1 of the machine body.

[0031] The planting mechanisms 22 are arranged at intervals in the width direction K1 of the rice transplanter body, in a number corresponding to the number of rows to be planted. In this embodiment, since the rice transplanter 1 plants eight rows, eight planting mechanisms 22 are provided corresponding to the number of seedling loading units 24. The planting mechanisms 22 are supported by the connecting body 20. Therefore, the planting mechanisms 22 move relative to the seedling loading table 4. In other words, the seedling loading table 4 moves in the width direction K1 of the rice transplanter body relative to the planting mechanisms 22. The planting mechanisms 22 pick up and plant a predetermined number of seedlings from the lower end of the mat seedlings 3 placed on the seedling loading table 4 (seedling loading unit 24), which moves back and forth in the width direction K1 of the rice transplanter body. More specifically, the planting mechanism 22 rotates around an axis extending in the width direction K1 of the rice transplanter body, picks up a predetermined number of seedlings from the lower end of the mat seedlings 3 placed on the seedling loading unit 24, and plants them in the field. Then, while the seedling carrying tray 4 is moving in one direction of the machine body width direction K1, the planting mechanism 22 cuts off a horizontal row of seedlings at the bottom end of the mat seedlings 3. Once the horizontal row of seedlings at the bottom end of the mat seedlings 3 has been cut off, the mat seedlings 3 are fed vertically by the vertical feed mechanism 26 by a distance equivalent to the cut horizontal row, and the seedling carrying tray 4 moves in the other direction of the machine body width direction K1 (the opposite direction from the one direction), and the same planting operation as described above is performed. In other words, the seedling carrying tray 4 is driven back and forth in the machine body width direction K1 by the width of the mat seedlings 3, and the mat seedlings 3 are fed vertically each time the seedling carrying tray 4 reaches the end of its reciprocating movement.

[0032] The vertical feed mechanism 26 , the horizontal feed mechanism 84 and the planting mechanism 22 are driven by power from the prime mover 6 .

[0033] As shown in Figures 1 and 4, the seedling supply device 2 that supplies mat seedlings 3 to the seedling tray 4 has a support bracket 91 attached to the top of the seedling tray 4 and a seedling supply tray 92 supported by the support bracket 91.

[0034] In this first form, the seedling supply table 92 is attached to the seedling loading table 4 via a support bracket 91, and by attaching the seedling supply table 92 to the seedling loading table 4, the seedling supply table 92 (seedling supply device 2) moves back and forth in the machine width direction K1 together with the seedling loading table 4.

[0035] As shown in Figure 8, a pair of support brackets 91 are arranged on the left and right at the rear of the underside of the seedling supply table 92. There may be one support bracket 91, or three or more support brackets 91. Furthermore, the support bracket 91 is not limited to the shape (structure) shown in the example.

[0036] 4 and 8, the support bracket 91 has an attachment portion 91a, a pivot portion 91b, and an abutment portion 91c. As shown in Fig. 9, the attachment portion 91a is fixed to a fixing member 93 attached to the upper part of the seedling tray 4 via a bolt or the like.

[0037] As shown in Figure 4, the pivot portion 91b is provided at the rear of the upper part of the support bracket 91. The rear part of the seedling supply tray 92 is pivotally supported on the pivot portion 91b. Specifically, a pair of left and right mounting stays 94 (see Figure 8) are fixed to the underside of the seedling supply tray 92, with the left mounting stay 94 connected to the pivot portion 91b of the left support bracket 91 via a pivot shaft 95 so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the width direction K1 of the machine body, and the right mounting stay 94 connected to the pivot portion 91b of the right support bracket 91 via the pivot shaft 95 so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the width direction K1 of the machine body. As shown in Figure 4, the abutment portion 91c can abut against the underside of the seedling supply tray 92.

[0038] The seedling supply tray 92 can be rotated around the pivot 95 to freely change its position between a horizontal position P1 shown in Fig. 4 and an inclined position P2 shown in Fig. 13. The horizontal position P1 is a position in which the seedling supply tray 92 (the bottom wall 96a of the seedling supply tray main body 96 described below) is approximately horizontal. In this horizontal position P1, the seedling supply tray 92 (seedling supply tray main body 96) abuts against the abutment portion 91c, thereby restricting downward rotation around the pivot 95. In the horizontal position P1, the rear of the seedling supply tray 92 (seedling supply tray main body 96) is located above the top of the seedling loading tray 4.

[0039] The inclined position P2 is a position in which the seedling supply tray 92 (seedling supply tray main body 96) is rotated upward (rearward) from the horizontal position P1 around the pivot 95, and is an inclined position (front-upward inclined) that transitions forward as it moves upward. The inclination angle of the seedling supply tray 92 (seedling supply tray main body 96) in the inclined position P2 corresponds to the inclination angle of the seedling loading tray 4 (substantially the same as the inclination angle of the seedling loading tray 4). Furthermore, the lower part of the inclined direction of the seedling supply tray 92 (seedling supply tray main body 96) in the inclined position P2 (the rear part in the horizontal position P1) is located above the upper part of the seedling loading tray 4.

[0040] As shown in Figures 4 and 13, the support bracket 91 has a regulating portion 91d, and by abutting the mounting stay 94 against this regulating portion 91d, the seedling supply table 92 (seedling supply table main body 96) can be restricted from rotating rearward from the inclined position P2.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 6 , the seedling supply tray 92 is a location where mat seedlings 3 transported and supplied by the aircraft 31 are placed. Specifically, the mat seedlings 3 transported and supplied by the aircraft 31 are placed on the seedling supply tray 92, and the seedling supply tray 92 sends the placed mat seedlings 3 to the seedling loading tray 4. In other words, the seedling supply tray 92 receives the mat seedlings 3 transported by the aircraft 31 and sends the received mat seedlings 3 to the seedling loading tray 4. The aircraft 31 is, for example, an aircraft known as a drone or multicopter. The aircraft 31 may be an unmanned aircraft or a manned aircraft. When supplying the mat seedlings 3 from the aircraft 31 to the seedling supply tray 92, for example, the mat seedlings 3 may be dropped from the aircraft 31 and placed on the seedling supply tray 92. However, this is not limited thereto, and the mat seedlings 3 may be placed on the seedling supply tray 92 after the aircraft 31 lands on the seedling supply tray 92. When dropping mat seedlings 3 from the flying object 31 onto the seedling supply table 92, or when landing the flying object 31 on the seedling supply table 92, the seedling supply table 92 (seedling supply table main body 96) is held in a horizontal position P1.

[0042] As shown in Figure 5, the mat seedlings 3 are placed on the seedling supply table 92 with the long sides 3a of the mat seedlings 3 aligned with the front-to-rear direction A3 and the short sides 3b of the mat seedlings 3 aligned with the machine body width direction K1.

[0043] When the mat seedlings 3 are placed on the placement section 29 by the flying object 31, the rice transplanter 1 and the flying object 31 may each be equipped with a communication unit, and the flying object 31 may be able to grasp the position of the seedling supply table 92 through communication. In addition, when an operator is on board the rice transplanter 1, the flying object 31 holding the mat seedlings 3 may fly around the rice transplanter 1, and the operator may press a switch or the like to place the mat seedlings 3 on the placement section 29 via the flying object 31.

[0044] Furthermore, the timing for supplying the mat seedlings 3 by the flying object 31 can be, for example, when a seedling cut sensor mounted on the rice transplanter 1 detects that mat seedlings 3 should be supplied to the seedling loading table 4. The seedling cut sensor is provided in each seedling loading section 24 of the seedling loading table 4 and detects whether the remaining number of mat seedlings 3 placed on the seedling loading section 24 and to be cut by the planting mechanism 22 has fallen below a predetermined number. Note that the seedling cut sensor is not limited to a contact sensor and can have any configuration as long as it can detect the remaining number of mat seedlings 3 placed on the seedling loading section 24. Furthermore, a detection device composed of a camera and an image diagnostic device may be used to detect whether the remaining number of mat seedlings 3 has fallen below a predetermined number. In this case, the camera photographs the mat seedlings 3 placed on the seedling loading section 24, and the image diagnostic device analyzes the image of the mat seedlings 3 photographed by the camera, thereby detecting the remaining number of mat seedlings 3 placed (planted) on the seedling loading section 24.

[0045] Furthermore, as a simpler method for detecting that the remaining number of seedlings in the mat seedlings 3 has fallen below a predetermined level, it is possible to simply detect whether or not the seedlings in the mat seedlings 3 are present within a specific area of ​​the seedling placement unit 24. By analyzing images to determine that there are no seedlings within the specific area, it may be possible to determine that the remaining number of seedlings is below a certain level and requires replenishment.

[0046] The remaining amount of mat seedlings 3 on the seedling placing section 24 varies depending on the conditions of the field for each seedling placing section 24. Therefore, the timing for supplying (replenishing) mat seedlings 3 differs for each seedling placing section 24.

[0047] Next, the structure of the seedling supply tray 92 will be described with the seedling supply tray 92 in the horizontal position P1.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, the seedling supplying tray 92 has a seedling supplying tray main body 96, a rail member 97, a slider 98, an adjusting body 99, and a sending body 100.

[0049] As shown in Figures 5, 7, and 10, the seedling supply table body 96 is formed from a plate material. The seedling supply table body 96 is the portion onto which the mat seedlings 3 are supplied and placed via the flying body 31. The seedling supply table body 96 has a bottom wall 96a whose plate surface faces up and down, a pair of left and right side walls 96b, 96c extending upward from the left and right ends of the bottom wall 96a, and a front wall 96d extending upward from the front end of the bottom wall 96a. The seedling supply table body 96 is formed with an open rearward opening. This allows the mat seedlings 3 on the seedling supply table body 96 to be sent rearward from the seedling supply table body 96. Handles 101 for the operator to grasp are fixed to the front of the left side wall 96b and the front of the right side wall 96c.

[0050] As shown in Figure 5, the width W1 of the seedling supply table main body 96 (seedling supply table 92) in the machine body width direction K1 is formed to a width corresponding to the width from one seedling placing section 24 on one side to the other seedling placing section 24 on the other side of the multiple seedling placing sections 24 in the machine body width direction K1. In this first embodiment, one side (left part) of the seedling supply table main body 96 (seedling supply table 92) in the machine body width direction K1 protrudes leftward from the seedling placing table 4, and the other side (right part) of the seedling supply table main body 96 (seedling supply table 92) in the machine body width direction K1 protrudes rightward from the seedling placing table 4.

[0051] As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the rail member 97 is disposed behind the front wall 96d of the seedling supply table main body 96. Specifically, the rail member 97 abuts against the rear surface of the front wall 96d. The rail member 97 is formed of an elongated member that is long in the machine body width direction K1 and is provided from the left side wall 96b to the right side wall 96c. The rail member 97 is fixed to the front wall 96d with bolts or the like.

[0052] As shown in Figures 5 and 10, a pair of sliders 98 are provided, one on the left and one on the right. The left slider 98 is referred to as a first slider 98A, and the right slider 98 is referred to as a second slider 98B. The first slider 98A and the second slider 98B are supported by rail members 97 so as to be slidable in the width direction K1 of the machine body. More specifically, each slider 98 is formed in the shape of a rectangular block and has a groove 98a at its front portion extending in the width direction K1 of the machine body. The groove 98a is concave and open toward the front (see Figure 4), and the groove 98a is fitted into the rail members 97 from the rear, thereby slidably supporting each slider 98 on the rail members 97.

[0053] As shown in Figure 5, the adjustment bodies 99 are arranged on one side (left side) and the other side (right side) of the seedling supply table 92 (seedling supply table main body 96) in the machine width direction K1. In other words, a pair of adjustment bodies 99 are provided, one on the left and one on the right. The left adjustment body 99 is also referred to as the first adjustment body 99A, and the right adjustment body 99 is also referred to as the second adjustment body 99B.

[0054] The first and second adjusters 99A and 99B are movable in the machine body width direction K1 and adjust the position of the mat seedlings 3 on the seedling supply table main body 96 (seedling supply table 92) in the machine body width direction K1 by moving in the machine body width direction K1. Specifically, the first adjuster 99A adjusts the position of the mat seedlings 3 in the machine body width direction K1 by moving from one side to the other in the machine body width direction K1, and the second adjuster 99B adjusts the position of the mat seedlings 3 in the machine body width direction K1 by moving from the other side to one side in the machine body width direction K1. The adjustment of the position of the mat seedlings 3 in the machine body width direction K1 by the adjuster 99 is a position adjustment to align them with one of the multiple seedling loading units 24. In other words, the adjustment of the position of the mat seedlings 3 by the adjuster 99 is a position adjustment to align the mat seedlings 3 on the seedling loading table 4 with the seedling loading unit 24 to which the mat seedlings 3 are to be supplied (replenished).

[0055] The left and right adjusters 99 are formed of plate material. As shown in Figures 5, 7, 10, and 11, the first adjuster 99A has a side wall 99Aa and a front wall 99Ab. The side wall 99Aa is a strip-shaped plate that is long in the front-to-rear direction A3, with the plate surface facing the machine body width direction K1. The side wall 99Aa is provided from the front to the rear end of the seedling supply table main body 96. As shown in Figure 11, a guide groove 102 is formed in the side wall 99Aa from near the front end to near the rear end of the side wall 99Aa. A handle 103 that can be gripped by an operator is fixed to the front of the side wall 99Aa.

[0056] The front wall 99Ab extends leftward in the width direction of the machine body from the front end of the side wall 99a. The front wall 99Ab is superimposed on the rear surface of the first slider 98A and is fixed to the first slider 98A with bolts or the like. Therefore, the first adjustment body 99A is movable in the width direction K1 of the machine body together with the first slider 98A. As shown in Figure 5, when the first adjustment body 99A is moved to the left end of its movement range, it is located slightly left of the left end of the seedling loading section 24, which is the leftmost of the multiple seedling loading sections 24.

[0057] As shown in Figures 5, 7, 10, and 12, the second adjustment body 99B has a side wall portion 99Ba and a front wall portion 99Bb. The side wall portion 99Ba is a strip-shaped plate that is long in the front-to-rear direction A3, with its plate surface facing the machine body width direction K1. The side wall portion 99Ba is provided from the front to the rear end of the seedling supply table main body 96. The side wall portion 99Ba is a portion that pushes the mat seedlings 3 on the seedling supply table 92. A handle 104 that can be held by the operator is fixed to the front of the side wall portion 99Ba.

[0058] The front wall 99Bb extends from the front end of the side wall 99Ba to the right in the width direction of the machine body. The front wall 99Bb is superimposed on the rear surface of the second slider 98B and is fixed to the second slider 98B with bolts or the like. Therefore, the second adjustment body 99B can move freely in the width direction K1 of the machine body together with the second slider 98B. As shown in Figure 5, when the second adjustment body 99B is moved to the right end of its movement range, it is located slightly to the right of the right end of the seedling loading section 24, which is the rightmost of the multiple seedling loading sections 24.

[0059] As shown in Figures 5, 7, 10, and 11, the sender 100 has a front wall 100a and side walls 100b. The front wall 100a is arranged so that its plate surface faces the front-to-rear direction A3. The front wall 100a is a portion that pushes the mat seedlings 3 on the seedling supply table 92. The width of the front wall 100a in the machine body width direction K1 is formed to correspond to the length of the short side 3b of the mat seedlings 3. The front wall 100a is provided with a handle 105 that can be gripped by an operator.

[0060] The side wall 100b extends forward from the left end of the front wall 100a. The plate surface of the side wall 100b faces the machine body width direction K1. The sender body 100 is disposed to the right of the first adjuster body 99A. The side wall 100b of the sender body 100 is superimposed on the right side surface of the side wall portion 99Aa of the first adjuster body 99A.

[0061] As shown in Figure 11, the side wall 100b of the sender body 100 is attached to the side wall portion 99Aa of the first adjuster body 99A by a pair of front and rear pins 106. The front and rear pins 106 pass through guide grooves 102. The front and rear pins 106 are also movable in the front-rear direction A3 along the guide grooves 102. Therefore, the sender body 100 is movable in the front-rear direction A3 within a range from the front to the rear of the first adjuster body 99A. The sender body 100 can move the mat seedlings 3, whose width in the machine body direction K1 has been adjusted, rearward, and send the mat seedlings 3 to the seedling loading section 24.

[0062] In the seedling supply device 2, when it is detected that the remaining number of mat seedlings 3 on the seedling placement section 24 has fallen below a predetermined level, the mat seedlings 3 are transported by the flying object 31 and placed on the seedling supply tray 92 (seedling supply tray main body 96) via the flying object 31. At this time, the seedling supply tray 92 is held in a horizontal position P1. Once the mat seedlings 3 are placed on the seedling supply tray main body 96, the adjuster 99 adjusts (corrects) the positional deviation of the mat seedlings 3 in the machine body width direction K1 to align the mat seedlings 3 with the seedling placement section 24 to which they should be supplied. Specifically, the first adjuster 99A adjusts the mat seedlings 3 to the right, and the second adjuster 99B adjusts the mat seedlings 3 to the left. When the second adjuster 99B is used to move the mat seedlings 3, the first adjuster 99A is moved toward the mat seedlings 3, and the sender 100 is positioned in front of the mat seedlings 3.

[0063] Next, the seedling supply table 92 is changed in position from the horizontal position P1 to the inclined position P2, and the sending body 100 is moved toward the seedling loading section 24, so that the mat seedlings 3 are moved toward the seedling loading section 24 and the mat seedlings 3 are supplied to the seedling loading section 24.

[0064] In addition, when moving the mat seedlings 3 from the seedling supply table 92 to the seedling placement section 24, the seedling supply table 92 may be tilted to the inclined position P2 so that the mat seedlings 3 slide down due to the inclination of the seedling supply table 92. In this case, the sending body 100 can be omitted.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the seedling supply tray 92 is provided on the seedling loading tray 4, and therefore moves in the width direction K1 of the vehicle body together with the seedling loading tray 4. Because the seedling supply tray 92 moves in the width direction K1 of the vehicle body together with the seedling loading tray 4, the mat seedlings 3 can be easily positioned relative to the seedling loading section 24. The structure can also be simplified. Furthermore, the seedling supply tray 92 is in an inclined position P2 to send the mat seedlings 3 to the seedling loading section 24, so the mat seedlings 3 can be sent smoothly to the seedling loading section 24. Furthermore, when the seedling supply tray 92 receives the mat seedlings 3 from the flying vehicle 31, the seedling supply tray 92 is in a horizontal position P1, so the mat seedlings 3 can be received stably.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the movement of the first adjusting body 99A in the width direction K1 of the machine body, the movement of the second adjusting body 99B in the width direction K1 of the machine body, the movement of the sending body 100 in the front-rear direction A3, and the movement of the seedling supply table 92 between the horizontal position P1 and the inclined position P2 are performed manually, but this is not limited to this. For example, the movement of the first adjusting body 99A in the width direction K1 of the machine body, the movement of the second adjusting body 99B in the width direction K1 of the machine body, the movement of the sending body 100 in the front-rear direction A3, and the movement of the seedling supply table 92 between the horizontal position P1 and the inclined position P2 may be performed by actuators.

[0067] 14 to 16 show an example in which the movement of the first adjustment body 99A, the second adjustment body 99B, and the sending body 100, and the change in the position of the seedling supply table 92 can be performed by an actuator 107. Note that Figs. 14 to 16 show only one example, and the present invention is not limited to the structures shown in Figs. 14 to 16.

[0068] FIG. 14 shows a transfer device 108A in which the first adjustment body 99A can be moved by an actuator 107, and a transfer device 108B in which the send body 100 can be moved by an actuator 107.

[0069] The transfer device 108A includes a reversible motor 107A as an actuator 107, a screw shaft 109A, and a nut body 110A. The motor 107A is fixedly attached to the seedling supply table main body 96, and the screw shaft 109A has an axis extending in the machine body width direction K1 and is driven to rotate about the axis by the power of the motor 107A. The nut body 110A is attached to the first slider 98A and threadedly fitted onto the screw shaft 109A. In this transfer device 108A, the nut body 110A moves in the machine body width direction K1 by rotating the motor 107A forward or backward to rotate the screw shaft 109A about its axis. As the nut body 110A moves in the machine body width direction K1, the first slider 98A moves in the machine body width direction K1 together with the nut body 110A. This causes the first adjustment body 99A to move in the machine body width direction K1. Furthermore, the sending body 100 moves together with the first adjusting body 99A.

[0070] The transfer device 108B has a motor 107B that can rotate forward and backward as an actuator 107, a screw shaft 109B, and a nut body 110B. The motor 107B is fixedly attached to the first slider 98A, and the screw shaft 109B has an axis extending in the front-rear direction A3 and is driven to rotate about the axis by the power of the motor 107B. The nut body 110B is attached to the feed body 100 and threadedly fitted onto the screw shaft 109B. In this transfer device 108B, the nut body 110B moves in the front-rear direction A3 by rotating the motor 107B forward and backward to rotate the screw shaft 109B about its axis. As the nut body 110B moves in the front-rear direction A3, the feed body 100 moves in the front-rear direction A3 together with the nut body 110B relative to the first adjustment body 99A.

[0071] Figure 15 shows a transfer device 108C in which the second adjustment body 99B can be moved by an actuator 107. The transfer device 108C includes a reversible motor 107C as the actuator 107, a screw shaft 109C, and a nut body 110C. The motor 107C is fixedly attached to the seedling supply table main body 96, and the screw shaft 109C has an axis extending in the width direction K1 of the machine body and is driven to rotate about the axis by the power of the motor 107C. The nut body 110C is attached to the second slider 98B and threadedly fitted onto the screw shaft 109C. In this transfer device, the nut body 110C moves in the width direction K1 of the machine body by rotating the motor 107C forward and backward to rotate the screw shaft 109C about its axis. As the nut body 110C moves in the machine body width direction K1, the second slider 98B moves in the machine body width direction K1 together with the nut body 110C, thereby moving the second adjustment body 99B in the machine body width direction K1.

[0072] The screw shaft 109A of the transfer device 108A and the screw shaft 109C of the transfer device 108C are positioned with a displacement in the front-to-back and up-down directions so as not to interfere with each other. Furthermore, in the transfer devices 108A, 108B, and 108C, the screw shafts 109A, 109B, and 109C and the nut bodies 110A, 110B, and 110C may constitute a ball screw. A ball screw is a mechanical component having a structure in which a screw shaft is threaded on the outer periphery of a rod member, a nut body screwed onto the screw shaft, and balls are inserted between the screw shaft and the nut body.

[0073] Each of the above transfer devices may be an electrically driven transfer device in which an actuator (electric actuator) is electrically controlled by a control device, or a hydraulically driven transfer device in which a hydraulic valve is controlled by a control device to hydraulically control an actuator (hydraulic actuator). Also, each of the transfer devices may be a pneumatically driven transfer device in which a pneumatic actuator is controlled as the actuator.

[0074] FIG. 16 shows a drive unit 111 that uses an actuator 107 to move the seedling supply table 92 between a horizontal position P1 and an inclined position P2. The drive unit 111 shown in FIG. 16 employs a telescopic drive cylinder 107D, such as an electric or air cylinder, as the actuator 107. The bottom 107Da of the drive cylinder 107D is pivotally supported on the support bracket 91, and the tip of the piston rod 107Db of the drive cylinder 107D is pivotally supported on the seedling supply table main body 96. In this drive unit 111, extending or retracting the drive cylinder 107D rotates the seedling supply table main body 96 about the pivot 95 to raise or lower it. However, this structure is not limited to this. For example, the drive unit 111 may be hydraulically driven.

[0075] In the first embodiment, there is one seedling supply tray 92, but this is not limited to this. Multiple seedling supply trays 92 may be provided in the width direction K1 of the airframe. In other words, at least one seedling supply tray 92 is required. Multiple seedling supply trays 92 are provided side by side in the width direction K1 of the airframe. In this case, the width of one seedling supply tray 92 in the width direction K1 of the airframe should be set to a width corresponding to at least two seedling placement sections 24, taking into account the supply of mat seedlings 3 by the flying vehicle 31. Furthermore, when multiple seedling supply trays 92 are provided, each of the multiple seedling supply trays 92 may be able to change its position between a horizontal position P1 and an inclined position P2, or the multiple seedling supply trays 92 may be able to change their position between a horizontal position P1 and an inclined position P2 as a unit.

[0076] Furthermore, the sending body 100 may be formed by a vertical feed mechanism configured by a belt conveyor or the like, and the vertical feed mechanism may send the mat seedlings 3 from the seedling supply table 92 to the seedling loading section 24. When the sending body 100 is configured by a belt conveyor, the projection shape of the belt of the belt conveyor is not stud-shaped but horizontal linear projections extending in the machine body width direction K1 so that the mat seedlings 3 can be moved in the machine body width direction K1 by the adjustment body 99 on the seedling supply table 92.

[0077] By using the actuator 107 to move the adjustment body 99 (first adjustment body 99A, second adjustment body 99B), the movement of the delivery body 100, and the movement of the seedling supply table main body 96 between the horizontal position P1 and the inclined position P2, the movement of the mat seedlings 3 can be performed automatically from the time the mat seedlings 3 are supplied to the seedling supply table 92 by the flying body 31 until the mat seedlings 3 are supplied to the seedling loading section 24.

[0078] FIG. 17 shows a modified example of the seedling supplying device 2 in the first embodiment.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 17, the seedling supplying device 2 has a plurality of seedling supply tables 92 arranged in the machine body width direction K1.

[0080] In the modified example shown in Figure 17, the seedling supply tray 92 is provided on the seedling tray 4 by being formed integrally with the seedling tray 4. However, this is not limited to this. Even in the seedling supply device 2 according to this modified example, the seedling supply tray 92 may be formed separately from the seedling tray 4 and attached to the seedling tray 4 via a bracket or the like, so that it is provided on the seedling tray 4.

[0081] The width of the seedling supply tray 92 (seedling supply tray main body 96) in the machine width direction K1 corresponds to the width of two seedling loading sections 24. In other words, in this modified example, one seedling supply tray 92 is provided for two seedling loading sections 24.

[0082] Each seedling supply tray 92 (seedling supply tray body 96) is fixedly mounted on the seedling loading tray 4 in a sloping shape that slopes upward and transitions forward as it goes upward.

[0083] Each seedling supply tray 92 has one adjustment body 99 that can be moved freely from one end side to the other end side of the seedling supply tray main body 96 in the machine body width direction K1.

[0084] In this modified example, each seedling supply table 92 has a restriction gate 112 that restricts the movement of the mat seedlings 3 on the seedling supply table 92 to the seedling loading table 4. The restriction gate 112 is vertically movable relative to the seedling supply table 92 and the seedling loading table 4, and can be switched from a closed state that restricts the movement of the mat seedlings 3 to the seedling planting device 18 (seedling loading table 4) to an open state that releases the restriction on the movement of the mat seedlings 3 to the seedling planting device 18 (allowing the mat seedlings 3 to move to the seedling planting device 18) by lowering the restriction gate 112. In other words, by lowering the restriction gate 112, the restriction on the movement of the mat seedlings 3 on the seedling supply table 92 to the seedling loading table 4 is released.

[0085] The restricting gate 112 is not limited to the above structure. The restricting gate 112 may have any structure as long as it can restrict the mat seedlings 3 on the seedling supply table 92 from moving to the seedling planting device 18 (seedling loading table 4) and can release the restriction on the movement of the mat seedlings 3 to the seedling planting device 18 (allow the mat seedlings 3 to move to the seedling planting device 18).

[0086] For example, the regulating gate 112 may be configured to open and close in a direction along the plane of the seedling supply table 92 or the seedling planting device 18 (seedling loading table 4), and be switchable between a closed state that regulates the movement of the mat seedlings 3 to the seedling planting device 18 and an open state that releases the regulation of the movement of the mat seedlings 3 to the seedling planting device 18.

[0087] As an example, the regulating gate 112 may be configured to open and close in a direction along the plane (plane along the upper surface) of the seedling supply table 92 or the seedling planting device 18 (seedling carrying table 4) in a direction perpendicular to the tilt direction of the seedling supply table 92 and the width direction K1 of the machine body. Also, the regulating gate 112 may be configured to open and close in the width direction K1 of the machine body, or in the tilt direction of the seedling supply table 92 or the seedling planting device 18 (seedling carrying table 4).

[0088] As a specific example of the above-mentioned regulating gate 112, for example, the regulating gate 112 has a pair of left and right door elements movable in the machine body width direction K1, and is configured to be switchable between a closed state in which the pair of door elements abut in the machine body width direction K1 (left-right direction) and an open state in which the pair of door elements move away from each other in the machine body width direction K1 from the closed state. Another example of the regulating gate 112 has a pair of left and right door elements, and the left and right door elements are configured to swing (rotate) to switch between a closed state and an open state. Specifically, the regulating gate 112 is configured so that, from a closed state in which the left and right door elements abut against each other in the machine body width direction K1, the butted sides of the left and right door elements swing (rotate) downward in the inclination direction of the seedling supply table 92, etc., to open (so that the left and right door elements open like so-called "double doors").

[0089] 17, the restriction gate 112 is provided for each of the seedling loading sections 24. In other words, the restriction gate 112 can be switched between the closed state and the open state for each seedling loading section 24.

[0090] In the seedling supply device 2 according to this modification, when the mat seedlings 3 are supplied from the flying object 31 to the seedling supply table main body 96, the adjuster 99 is placed on a seedling loading section 24 different from the seedling loading section 24 to which the mat seedlings 3 are to be supplied. When the mat seedlings 3 are placed on the seedling supply table main body 96, the adjuster 99 aligns the mat seedlings 3 with the seedling loading section 24 to which the mat seedlings 3 are to be supplied. The restricting gate 112 is then lowered, and the mat seedlings 3 are slid down from the seedling supply table main body 96 to the seedling loading section 24 for supply.

[0091] As in the first embodiment, the mat seedlings 3 may be supplied to the seedling placement section 24 by a sender 100. The sender 100 may be a sender movable in the inclined direction of the seedling supply table main body 96 (see reference numeral 100A in FIG. 17 ), or may be a sender configured as a belt conveyor (see reference numeral 100B in FIG. 17 ). Although not shown, a sender 100 is provided for each seedling supply table 92. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 16 , two adjusters 99 are provided for each seedling supply table 92, while in the modified example shown in FIG. 17 , one adjuster 99 is provided for each seedling supply table 92. In other words, in the first embodiment, at least one adjuster 99 is provided for each seedling supply table 92.

[0092] Incidentally, the planting mechanism 22 is a set unit for two rows, and the degree of wear of the mat seedlings 3 (the degree of reduction of the seedlings in the mat seedlings 3) varies for each set of two rows (the degree of wear of the seedlings in the set of two rows is the same). Correspondingly, in the above-mentioned modified example, the width in the machine body width direction K1 of the seedling supply table 92 (seedling supply table main body 96) is set to a width corresponding to two seedling placement sections 24.

[0093] 18 to 38 show the rice transplanter 1 of the second embodiment.

[0094] In this second embodiment, the rice transplanter 1 represents a machine that travels automatically (automatically) or autonomously. As shown in FIG. 18, the rice transplanter 1 does not have a driver's seat or a steering wheel. The seedling supply device 2 of the second embodiment may be mounted on a rice transplanter 1 that travels manually. The configuration of the main body of the rice transplanter 1 (the configuration of the rice transplanter itself) other than the configuration of the seedling supply device 2, etc. is configured substantially the same as in the first embodiment, so a description of the rice transplanter itself will be omitted.

[0095] As shown in Fig. 18, the seedling supplying device 2 is provided on the seedling tray 4. That is, even in the second mode, the seedling supplying device 2 moves back and forth together with the seedling tray 4 in the machine body width direction K1.

[0096] 1, 19, and 22, the seedling supplying device 2 has a support 116 attached to the seedling tray 4 and a seedling supply tray 117 supported by the support 116. In the second embodiment, the seedling supply tray 117 is provided on the seedling tray 4 via the support 116.

[0097] 21, even in the second configuration, the mat seedlings 3 transported and supplied by the flying body 31 are placed on the seedling supply table 117. Also, in the second configuration, the seedling supply table 117 is supported on the support body 116 so as to be movable in the width direction K1 of the machine body in order to supply the mat seedlings 3 on the seedling supply table 117 to any one of the plurality of seedling placing sections 24. In other words, the seedling supply table 117 is movable in the width direction K1 of the machine body in order to align the seedling supply table 117 with the seedling placing section 24 to which the mat seedlings 3 should be supplied.

[0098] In the second mode, the seedling supply tray 117 moves back and forth together with the seedling loading tray 4 in the machine width direction K1, and is also movable relative to the seedling loading tray 4 in the machine width direction K1.

[0099] In this second form, the seedling supply table 117 is configured to be freely movable in the width direction K1 of the machine body so as to supply mat seedlings 3 to the seedling loading section 24, thereby making it possible to make the seedling supply table 117 smaller and reducing the overall weight of the seedling supply device 2.

[0100] As shown in Figures 23 and 24, the support body 116 has a main frame 118 and an attachment frame 119. As shown in Figure 19, the main frame 118 is provided from one end (left end) to the other end (right end) of the seedling loading tray 4, and the other end (right end) of the main frame 118 protrudes rightward from the right end of the seedling loading tray 4. The right end of the main frame 118 protrudes rightward from the right end of the seedling loading tray 4 in order to align the chute section 137, which will be described later, with the seedling loading section 24 at the right end.

[0101] 24, the main frame 118 has a pair of left and right side frame members 120 and a plurality of horizontal frame members 121 provided between the left and right side frame members 120. The main frame 118 has an outer shape formed into a rectangle that is long in the fuselage width direction K1 in a plan view. The left and right side frame members 120 are arranged at intervals in the fuselage width direction K1 and extend in the front-to-rear direction A3.

[0102] The horizontal frame members 121 extend in the fuselage width direction K1. The multiple horizontal frame members 121 include three horizontal frame members arranged side by side at intervals in the front-to-rear direction A3. Specifically, the multiple horizontal frame members 121 include a first horizontal frame member 121A connecting the front portions (front ends) of the left and right side frame members 120, a second horizontal frame member 121B connecting the middle portions of the left and right side frame members 120, and a third horizontal frame member 121C connecting the rear portions (rear ends) of the left and right side frame members 120. The second horizontal frame member 121B is positioned closer to the rear (closer to the third horizontal frame member 121C) than the center between the first horizontal frame member 121A and the third horizontal frame member 121C.

[0103] 23 , the mounting frame 119 includes a first frame 122 and a pair of left and right second frames 123. The first frame 122 has a pair of left and right first members 124, a second member 125, a pair of left and right third members 126, and a fourth member 127.

[0104] Each first member 124 is formed by combining multiple frame members. The left first member 124 has its upper part attached to the lower part of the left side frame member 120. The right first member 124 has its upper part attached to the lower part of the right side frame member 120.

[0105] The second member 125 connects the lower ends of the left and right first members 124 together. The right portion of the second member 125 is connected to the right portion of the second horizontal frame member 121B via a connecting member 128. The left third member 126 protrudes rearward from the left end of the second member 125. The right third member 126 protrudes rearward from a position corresponding to the connecting member 128 on the right portion of the second member 125. The fourth member 127 connects the rear portions (rear ends) of the left and right third members 126 together.

[0106] The left second frame 123A has a first section 123a and a second section 123b. The first section 123a is connected to the rear surface of the left part of the main frame 118 and protrudes rearward from the main frame 118. The second section 123b extends in an inclined direction that becomes downward as it moves rearward from the rear end of the first section 123a.

[0107] The right second frame 123B has a first section 123c and a second section 123e. The first section 123c is connected to the rear surface of the right part of the main frame 118 and protrudes rearward from the main frame 118. The second section 123e extends in an inclined direction that becomes downward as it moves rearward from the rear end of the first section 123c.

[0108] As shown in Figure 25, the fourth member 127 is fixed via bolts or the like to a fixing member 129 attached to the upper front part of the seedling tray 4. As shown in Figure 26, the second portion 123b of the left second frame 123A is attached to the left end side of the seedling tray 4. As shown in Figure 27, the second portion 123e of the right second frame 123B is attached to the left end side of the seedling tray 4. In this manner, the support body 116 is attached to the seedling tray 4.

[0109] As shown in Figures 28, 29, and 30, the seedling supply table 117 includes a seedling supply table main body 130, a first rail member 131, a first slider 132, an adjustment body 133, a second rail member 134, a second slider 135, a delivery body 136, and a chute section 137. As shown in Figure 20, the width W2 of the seedling supply table 117 (seedling supply table main body 130) in the body width direction K1 is larger than the width W4 of one seedling placement section 24 in the body width direction K1. This allows for positional deviation of the mat seedlings 3 from the target placement position when the mat seedlings 3 are dropped from the flying object 31 and placed on the seedling supply table 117. Note that the seedling supply table 117 (seedling supply table main body 130) may be sized to allow the flying object 31 to land on the seedling supply table 117. In addition, in the illustrated example, the width W2 of the seedling supply table 117 (seedling supply table main body 130) is greater than the width of three seedling placement sections 24, but is not limited to this.

[0110] As shown in Figures 28 and 30, the seedling supply table main body 130 has a bottom wall 130a whose plate surface faces in the vertical direction, left and right side walls 130b and 130c extending upward from the left and right ends of the bottom wall 130a, a front wall 130d extending upward from the front end of the bottom wall 130a, and a rear wall 130e extending upward from the rear end of the bottom wall 130a.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 31 , the bottom wall 130a has an extension 130f at its left portion, which extends rearward beyond the rear end (rear wall 130e) of the bottom wall 130a. The rear portion of the left side wall 130b extends to the rear end of the extension 130f. Handles 138 for operator gripping are provided on the left and right side walls 130b, 130c. The front wall 130d extends from the front end of the left side wall 130b to the front end of the right side wall 130c. The rear wall 130e extends from the rear end of the right side wall 130c to the middle of the bottom wall 130a in the width direction K1 of the machine body (left of the center of the bottom wall 130a in the width direction K1 of the machine body). Therefore, a gap is provided between the left end of the rear wall 130e and the side wall 130b. The seedling supply table main body 130 is open rearward between the left end of the rear wall 130e and the side wall 130b. The section between the left end of the rear wall 130e and the extension 130f of the seedling supply table main body 130 is a delivery section 139 (see Figure 31) that delivers the mat seedlings 3 on the seedling supply table 117 (seedling supply table main body 130) rearward (to the seedling loading section 24).

[0112] 32, 33 and 34, a plurality of guide roller units 140 are provided on the underside of the seedling supply table main body 130. The plurality of guide roller units 140 are provided in pairs at the front and rear of the underside of the bottom wall 130a of the seedling supply table main body 130.

[0113] As shown in Figures 32 and 33, each front guide roller unit 140A includes a bracket member 141A, an upper roller 142A, and a lower roller 143A. The bracket member 141A includes an upper wall 141Aa fixed to the underside of the bottom wall 130a, a front wall 141Ab extending downward from the front end of the upper wall 141Aa, and a rear wall 141Ac extending downward from the rear end of the upper wall 141Aa. The rear wall 141Ac protrudes downward beyond the front wall 141Ab. The upper roller 142A is disposed between the upper portions of the front wall 141Ab and the rear wall 141Ac and is supported by the front wall 141Ab and the rear wall 141Ac so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the front-to-rear direction A3. The upper roller 142A is disposed so as to roll on the upper surface of the first horizontal frame member 121A. The lower roller 143A is cantilevered on the lower part of the rear wall 141Ac so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the front-rear direction A3. The lower roller 143A is disposed so as to roll on the lower surface of the first horizontal frame member 121A.

[0114] Each rear guide roller unit 140 includes a bracket member 141B, an upper roller 142B, and a lower roller 143B. The bracket member 141B includes an upper wall 141Ba fixed to the underside of the bottom wall 130a, a front wall 141Bb extending downward from the front end of the upper wall 141Ba, and a rear wall 141Bc extending downward from the rear end of the upper wall 141Ba. The front wall 141Bb protrudes downward beyond the rear wall 141Bc. The upper roller 142B is disposed between the upper portions of the front wall 141Bb and the rear wall 141Bc and is supported by the front wall 141Bb and the rear wall 141Bc so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the front-to-rear direction A3. The upper roller 142B is disposed so as to roll on the upper surface of the third horizontal frame member 121C. The lower roller 143B is cantilevered on the lower part of the front wall 141Bb so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the front-rear direction A3. The lower roller 143B is disposed so as to roll on the lower surface of the third horizontal frame member 121C.

[0115] The seedling supply table main body 130 (seedling supply table 117) is supported on the support body 116 via a plurality of guide roller units 140 so as to be freely movable in the machine body width direction K1.

[0116] As shown in Figure 31, the first rail member 131 is formed of an elongated member that is long in the machine body width direction K1, and is disposed behind the front wall 130d of the seedling supply table main body 130. The first rail member 131 is provided from the left part of the front wall 130d to near the right end of the front wall 130d. The first rail member 131 is fixed to the front wall 130d via bolts or the like.

[0117] 28 and 29, the first slider 132 is supported by the first rail member 131 so as to be slidable in the width direction K1 of the machine body (the longitudinal direction of the first rail member 131). More specifically, as shown in Fig. 30, the first slider 132 is formed in the shape of a rectangular block, and has a groove 132a at the front that extends in the width direction K1 of the machine body. The groove 132a is concave and open toward the front, and the first slider 132 is slidably supported by the first rail member 131 by fitting the groove 132a into the first rail member 131 from the rear.

[0118] As shown in Figures 29 and 30, the adjuster 133 is formed from a plate material. The adjuster 133 is located above the bottom wall 130a of the seedling supply table main body 130 and behind the first slider 132 (see Figure 29). The adjuster 133 has a vertical wall portion 133a, a front wall portion 133b, and a reinforcing wall 133c. The vertical wall portion 133a is a strip-like plate that is long in the front-to-rear direction A3, with the plate surface facing the machine body width direction K1. The vertical wall portion 133a is provided from the first slider 132 to the vicinity of the rear wall 130e of the seedling supply table main body 130. The vertical wall portion 133a is the portion that pushes the mat seedlings 3 on the seedling supply table 117.

[0119] The front wall portion 133b extends rightward from the front end of the vertical wall portion 133a. The front wall portion 133b is placed on the rear surface of the first slider 132 and fixed to the first slider 132 with bolts or the like. Therefore, the adjustment body 133 is movable in the machine body width direction K1 together with the first slider 132. The reinforcing wall 133c is located to the right of the vertical wall portion 133a and behind the front wall portion 133b. The reinforcing wall is fixed to the vertical midpoint of the vertical wall portion 133a and the front wall portion 133b. A handle 144 that can be gripped by an operator is provided at the front of the adjustment body 133.

[0120] As shown in Figure 31, the second rail member 134 is formed of an elongated member that is long in the front-to-rear direction A3 and is disposed on the left side of the bottom wall 130a of the seedling supply table main body 130. The second rail member 134 is provided between the left end of the first rail member 131 and the left side wall 130b of the seedling supply table main body 130, extending to the extension portion 130f. The second rail member 134 is fixed to the bottom wall 130a via bolts or the like.

[0121] As shown in Fig. 28 , the second slider 135 is supported by the second rail member 134 so as to be slidable in the front-to-rear direction A3 (the longitudinal direction of the second rail member 134). More specifically, as shown in Fig. 30 , the second slider 135 is formed in the shape of a rectangular block, and has a groove 135a at its bottom that extends in the front-to-rear direction A3. The groove 135a is concave and open downward, and the second slider 135 is slidably supported by the second rail member 134 by fitting the groove 135a into the second rail member 134 from above.

[0122] 28 and 29, the sending body 136 is formed of a plate material. The sending body 136 is disposed on the left side of the seedling supply table main body 130. The sending body 136 is attached to the second slider 135 and moves together with the second slider 135 in the front-rear direction A3.

[0123] 28 and 29 show the state in which the sender 136 is positioned at the front end of its movement range. As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the sender 136 has a first member 145, a second member 146, and a third member 147. The first member 145 has an upper wall 145a and a vertical wall 145b. The upper wall 145a is located above the first rail member 131. The vertical wall 145b extends downward from the rear end of the upper wall 145a and is located in front of the first rail member 131. The vertical wall 145b is a portion that pushes the mat seedlings 3 on the seedling supply table 117. A handle 148 that an operator can grip is provided on the upper wall 145a.

[0124] The second member 146 has an upper wall 146a and a vertical wall 146b. The upper wall 146a is disposed above the second rail member 134 and the second slider 135. The front portion of the upper wall 146a is fixed to the second slider 135 via bolts or the like. This allows the sender 136 to move freely in the front-to-rear direction A3 together with the second slider 135. The vertical wall 146b extends downward from the right end of the upper wall 146a and forward from the left end of the vertical wall 145b of the first member 145. The third member 147 is disposed to the left of the first member 145 and in front of the second member 146, and is connected to the first member 145 and the second member 146.

[0125] In the second form of seedling supply table 117, the position of the mat seedlings 3 on the seedling supply table 117 (seedling supply table main body 130) can be adjusted in the machine body width direction K1 by the adjustment body 133. Specifically, when placing mat seedlings 3 on the seedling supply table 117, the adjustment body 133 is positioned in a standby position at the right end of its movement range. Then, by moving the adjustment body 133 from the standby position in the machine body width direction K1 (leftward), the position can be adjusted to the sending-out position X1 (see the two-dot chain line in Figure 28) where the mat seedlings 3 are sent from the seedling supply table 117. In other words, by moving the adjustment body 133 leftward, the position of the mat seedlings 3 can be adjusted to the sending-out position X1 where the mat seedlings 3 are sent from the seedling supply table 117 with respect to the seedling loading section 24 to which the mat seedlings 3 are to be supplied.

[0126] The sending-out position X1 is a position where the mat seedlings 3 abut against the vertical wall 146b of the second member 146 of the sending-out body 136. Then, by moving the sending-out body 136 backward while the mat seedlings 3 are positioned at this sending-out position X1, the mat seedlings 3 whose position has been adjusted (mat seedlings 3 at the sending-out position X1) can be sent out to the seedling loading section 24.

[0127] In addition, the seedling supply table 117 can hold multiple mat seedlings 3 (in this embodiment, two mat seedlings 3) in the width direction K1 of the machine body between the vertical wall portion 133a of the adjustment body 133 and the vertical wall 146b of the second member 146 of the delivery body 136.

[0128] 31 and 32, the chute section 137 is a section that guides the mat seedlings 3 pushed out by the send-out body 136 to the seedling loading section 24. The width W3 of the chute section 137 in the machine body width direction K1 corresponds to the width of one seedling loading section 24. In other words, the width W3 of the chute section 137 in the machine body width direction K1 is a width that allows the mat seedlings 3 pushed out by the send-out body 136 to pass through.

[0129] However, this is not limited thereto, and the width W3 of the chute portion 137 may be formed to correspond to two seedling placement sections 24. As described above, the planting mechanism 22 is formed into a set of two rows of seedlings, and the degree of seedling wear (the degree of reduction in seedlings of the mat seedlings 3) of the two rows of seedlings in the set is the same. By forming the width W3 of the chute portion 137 to correspond to two seedling placement sections 24, mat seedlings 3 can be simultaneously supplied to adjacent seedling placement sections 24 in the machine body width direction K1, corresponding to the two rows of seedlings in the set. In this case, the width W2 in the machine body width direction K1 of the seedling supply table 117 (seedling supply table main body 130) is formed to be at least twice the width W4 in the machine body width direction K1 of the seedling placement section 24.

[0130] The chute section 137 has a bottom wall 137a and a pair of left and right guide walls 137b, 137c. The bottom wall 137a forms a guide surface 137d that guides the mat seedlings 3 pushed out by the send-out body 136 to the seedling loading section 24.

[0131] As shown in Figure 32, the bottom wall 137a of the chute section 137 has a fixing portion 137a1 and a guide portion 137a2. The fixing portion 137a1 is superimposed on and fixed to the underside of the rear portion of the bottom wall 137a of the seedling supply table main body 130. As shown in Figure 31, the fixing portion 137a1 protrudes rearward beyond the left and right guide walls 137b and 137c.

[0132] As shown in Figure 32, the upper part of the guide portion 137a2 has a curved inclination that transitions downward as it moves from the fixed portion 137a1 to the rear, and the lower part of the guide portion 137a2 has a linear inclination that transitions downward as it moves from the lower end of the upper part of the guide portion 137a2 to the rear.

[0133] The left and right guide walls 137b, 137c are formed along the shape of the upper surface of the guide portion 137a2. The left guide wall 137b is fixed to the left end of the bottom wall 137a, and the right guide wall 137c is fixed to the right end of the bottom wall 137a. The upper part of the left guide wall 137b is located to the left of the vertical wall 146b of the second member 146 of the sender body 136 so that the sender body 136 can move in the front-to-rear direction A3. The upper part of the right guide wall 137c is connected to the left end of the rear wall 130e of the seedling supply table main body 130.

[0134] 28, the upper portion of the right guide wall 137c is formed in an inclined shape that slopes rightward as it moves forward in a plan view, thereby widening the opening (entrance) of the chute section 137.

[0135] In the second form of seedling supply device 2, when it is detected that the remaining number of mat seedlings 3 on the seedling loading section 24 has fallen below a predetermined level, the mat seedlings 3 are transported by the flying object 31 and placed on the seedling supply table 117 (seedling supply table main body 130) via the flying object 31. As described above, the adjustment body 133 is positioned at the right end of its movement range, and the sending body 136 is positioned at the front end of its movement range.

[0136] When the mat seedlings 3 are placed on the seedling supply table main body 130, the adjustment body 133 moves the mat seedlings 3 to the feed position X1, and moves the seedling supply table 117 to the seedling loading section 24 to which the mat seedlings 3 are to be supplied. When moving the seedling supply table 117 to the seedling loading section 24 that requires the supply (replenishment) of mat seedlings 3, the seedling supply table 117 is moved to a position where the chute section 137 corresponds to the seedling loading section 24. Either the operation of moving the mat seedlings 3 to the feed position X1 or the operation of moving the seedling supply table 117 to the seedling loading section 24 to which the mat seedlings 3 are to be supplied can be performed first. Furthermore, if the operation of moving the mat seedlings 3 to the feed position X1 and the operation of moving the seedling supply table 117 to the seedling loading section 24 that requires the replenishment of mat seedlings 3 are performed by an actuator as described below, these operations can be performed simultaneously.

[0137] After the seedling supply table 117 is moved to the seedling placing section 24 where the mat seedlings 3 need to be replenished, the mat seedlings 3 are pushed out from the seedling supply table 117 by a sending body 136 and supplied to the seedling placing section 24 through a chute section 137.

[0138] In the second embodiment, the seedling supply device 2 has one seedling supply table 117, but multiple seedling supply tables 117 (for example, two) may be provided. In other words, it is sufficient to provide at least one seedling supply table 117. Also, in the second embodiment, the sender 136 may be formed by a belt conveyor.

[0139] In the second embodiment, the movement of the seedling supply table 117 in the width direction K1 of the machine body, the movement of the adjustment body 133 in the width direction K1 of the machine body, and the movement of the send-out body 136 in the front-to-rear direction A3 are performed manually, but this is not limited to this. The movement of the seedling supply table 117 in the width direction K1 of the machine body, the movement of the adjustment body 133 in the width direction K1 of the machine body, and the movement of the send-out body 136 in the front-to-rear direction A3 may also be configured to be performed by actuators.

[0140] Figures 35 to 37 show an example in which the seedling supply table 117, the adjustment body 133, and the sending body 136 can be moved by an actuator 149. Note that Figures 35 to 37 show only one example, and the present invention is not limited to the structures shown in Figures 35 to 37.

[0141] Figure 35 shows a transfer device 150A in which the seedling supply table 117 can be moved by an actuator 149. The transfer device 150A has a motor 149A that can rotate forward and backward as the actuator 149, a screw shaft 151A, and a nut body 152A. The motor 149A is fixedly attached to the support body 116, and the screw shaft 151A has an axis extending in the machine body width direction K1 and is driven to rotate about its axis by the power of the motor 149A. The nut body 152A is attached to the seedling supply table 117 and is threaded onto the screw shaft 151A.

[0142] In this transfer device 150A, the motor 149A is rotated forward and backward to rotate the screw shaft 151A about its axis, thereby moving the nut body 152A in the width direction K1 of the machine body. As the nut body 152A moves in the width direction K1 of the machine body, the seedling supply table 117 moves in the width direction K1 of the machine body together with the nut body 152A.

[0143] Figure 36 shows a transfer device 150B in which the adjustment body 133 can be moved by an actuator 149. The transfer device 150B has a motor 149B that can rotate forward and backward as the actuator 149, a screw shaft 151B, and a nut body 152B. The motor 149B is fixedly attached to the seedling supply table main body 130, and the screw shaft 151B has an axis extending in the machine body width direction K1 and is driven to rotate about the axis by the power of the motor 149B. The nut body 152B is attached to the first slider 132 and is threadedly fitted onto the screw shaft 151B.

[0144] In this transfer device 150B, the nut body 152B moves in the machine body width direction K1 by rotating the screw shaft 151B about its axis by rotating the motor 149B forward and backward. As the nut body 152B moves in the machine body width direction K1, the first slider 132 moves in the machine body width direction K1 together with the nut body 152B. As a result, the adjustment body 133 moves in the machine body width direction K1.

[0145] Figure 37 shows a transfer device 150C in which the movement of the sender body 136 can be performed by an actuator 149. The transfer device 150C has a motor 149C that can be rotated forward and backward as the actuator 149, a screw shaft 151C, and a nut body 152C. The motor 149C is fixedly attached to the seedling supply table main body 130, and the screw shaft 151C has an axis extending in the front-to-rear direction A3 and is driven to rotate about the axis by the power of the motor 149C. The nut body 152C is attached to the sender body 136 and threadedly fitted onto the screw shaft 151C. In this transfer device 150C, the nut body 152C moves in the front-to-rear direction A3 by rotating the motor 149C forward and backward to rotate the screw shaft 151C about its axis. As the nut body 152C moves in the front-rear direction A3, the sending body 136 moves in the front-rear direction A3 together with the nut body 152C.

[0146] In the transfer device 150A, the transfer device 150B, and the transfer device 150C, the screw shafts 151A, 151B, and 151C and the nut bodies 152A, 152B, and 152C may form ball screws.

[0147] By using the actuator 149 to move the seedling supply table 117, the adjustment body 133, and the sending body 136, the movement of the mat seedlings 3 can be automatically performed from the time the mat seedlings 3 are supplied to the seedling supply table 117 by the flying body 31 until the time the mat seedlings 3 are supplied to the seedling loading section 24.

[0148] Each of the above transfer devices may be an electrically driven transfer device in which an actuator (electric actuator) is electrically controlled by a control device, or a hydraulically driven transfer device in which a hydraulic valve is controlled by a control device to hydraulically control an actuator (hydraulic actuator). Also, each of the transfer devices may be a pneumatically driven transfer device in which a pneumatic actuator is controlled as the actuator.

[0149] The seedling supplying device 2 of the second embodiment may also include a detection unit 160 that detects whether the chute unit 137 is aligned with the seedling loading unit 24 to which the mat seedlings 3 should be supplied. The detection unit 160 may be attached to the chute unit 137, for example, as shown in Fig. 20. Also, a detected unit 161 to be detected by the detection unit 160 may be provided on each of the multiple seedling loading units 24.

[0150] As a result, when the seedling supply table 117 is moved relative to the seedling loading table 4 in the width direction K1 of the machine body and the seedling supply table 117 is moved to the seedling loading section 24 where it has been detected that a mat seedling 3 should be supplied, the detection section 160 is made to detect the detectable section 161 provided on the seedling loading section 24 where the mat seedling 3 should be supplied, thereby ensuring that the chute section 137 is aligned with the seedling loading section 24 where the mat seedling 3 should be supplied.

[0151] The method for detecting whether the chute section 137 is aligned with the seedling loading section 24 to which the mat seedlings 3 should be supplied is not limited to the above example. For example, the detection section may be configured to be a camera (image capture device), and based on image data of the chute section 137, seedling loading section 24, mat seedlings 3, etc. captured by the camera, it may be configured to detect whether the chute section 137 is aligned with the seedling loading section 24 to which the mat seedlings 3 should be supplied.

[0152] FIG. 38 shows a modified example of the seedling supplying device 2 in the second embodiment.

[0153] In this modified example, a plurality of chutes 153 are provided to guide the mat seedlings 3 sent out from the seedling supply table 117 to the seedling loading sections 24, corresponding to the plurality of seedling loading sections 24. More specifically, one chute 153 is provided for each seedling loading section 24. The plurality of chutes 153 are also integrally provided on the seedling loading table 4. Each chute 153 is provided with a feed device 154 consisting of a belt conveyor. Note that each chute 153 may be formed separately from the seedling loading table 4 and fixedly attached to the seedling loading table 4 via a bracket or the like.

[0154] The seedling supply tray 117 is supported by a support 155 attached to the seedling loading tray 4 so as to be movable in the width direction K1 of the machine body. More specifically, the support 155 has a frame member 157 attached to the seedling loading tray 4 and a pair of front and rear rail members 156, and the seedling supply tray 117 is supported by the front and rear rail members 156 so as to be movable in the width direction K1 of the machine body. The frame members 157 are attached to the left and right of the seedling loading tray 4. The front and rear rail members 156 are provided across the left and right frame members 157.

[0155] Even in this modified example, the seedling supply table 117 has an adjustment body 158 that adjusts the position of the mat seedlings 3 by moving in the width direction K1 of the machine body, and a sending body 159 that sends the mat seedlings 3 whose position has been adjusted to the seedling loading section 24.

[0156] As described above, the number of seedling supply tables 92, 117 in this embodiment may be one or more. In other words, it is sufficient that at least one seedling supply table 92, 117 is provided.

[0157] A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an agricultural material supplying device 2 for an agricultural machine 1 as described in the following items: (Item 1) An agricultural material supplying device (seedling supplying device 2) for an agricultural machine (rice transplanter 1) equipped with a working unit (seedling planting device 18) to which agricultural material (mat seedlings 3) is supplied and which has a plurality of material supply units (seedling placing units 24) arranged side by side in the width direction K1 of the machine body of the agricultural machine (rice transplanter 1), wherein the agricultural material (mat seedlings 3) transported and supplied by an aircraft 31 is placed on at least one of the seedling placing units 24 and which sends out the placed agricultural material (mat seedlings 3) to the working unit (seedling planting device 18). An agricultural material supply device 2 in an agricultural machine 1 comprising a material supply table (seedling supply table 117) and a support 116 attached to the working unit (seedling planting device 18), wherein the material supply table (seedling supply table 117) is supported on the support 116 so as to be freely movable in the machine body width direction K1 so as to align the material supply table (seedling supply table 117) with the material supply unit (seedling loading unit 24) to which the agricultural material (mat seedlings 3) should be supplied, among the multiple material supply units (seedling loading units 24).

[0158] According to the agricultural material supplying device 2 in the agricultural machine 1 relating to this item 1, the overall weight of the agricultural material supplying device (seedling supplying device 2) can be reduced.

[0159] (Item 2) The material supply table (seedling supply table 117) has an adjustment body 133 that adjusts the position of the agricultural material (mat seedling 3) on the material supply table (seedling supply table 117) in the machine width direction K1, and adjusts the position of the agricultural material (mat seedling 3) to a position from which it is sent out relative to the material supply section (seedling loading section 24) to which the agricultural material (mat seedling 3) should be supplied, and a sending body 136 that sends out the agricultural material (mat seedling 3) whose position has been adjusted to the material supply section (seedling loading section 24).

[0160] According to the agricultural material supply device 2 in the agricultural machine 1 relating to this item 2, agricultural materials (mat seedlings 3) can be smoothly sent out from the material supply table (seedling supply table 117).

[0161] (Item 3) The material supply table (seedling supply table 117) has a chute section 137 that guides the agricultural material (mat seedlings 3) sent out from the material supply table (seedling supply table 117) to the material supply section (seedling loading section 24).

[0162] According to the agricultural material supply device 2 in the agricultural machine 1 relating to this item 3, agricultural materials (mat seedlings 3) sent out from the material supply table (seedling supply table 117) can be smoothly sent to the material supply section (seedling loading section 24).

[0163] (Item 4) The width W2 of the material supply table (seedling supply table 117) in the machine width direction K1 is larger than the width W4 of one of the material supply sections (seedling loading sections 24) in the machine width direction K1, and the width W3 of the chute section 137 in the machine width direction K1 corresponds to the width of one or two of the material supply sections (seedling loading sections 24).

[0164] According to the agricultural material supply device 2 in the agricultural machinery 1 relating to this item 4, it is possible to tolerate positional deviation of the agricultural material (mat seedlings 3) from the target placement position when the agricultural material (mat seedlings 3) is dropped from the flying object 31 and placed on the material supply table (seedling supply table 117).

[0165] (Item 5) An agricultural material supplying device 2 in an agricultural machine 1 described in item 3 or 4, which is equipped with a detection unit 160 that detects whether the chute unit 137 is aligned with the material supply unit (seedling loading unit 24) to which the agricultural material (mat seedlings 3) should be supplied.

[0166] According to the agricultural material supplying device 2 in the agricultural machine 1 relating to this item 5, the chute section 137 can be aligned with the material supply section (seedling loading section 24) to which the agricultural material (mat seedlings 3) should be supplied.

[0167] (Item 6) An agricultural material supply device 2 in an agricultural machine 1 described in any one of items 1 to 5, which includes a chute section 153 that guides the agricultural material (mat seedlings 3) sent out from the material supply table to the material supply section (seedling loading section 24), and which is provided with a plurality of chute sections 153 that correspond to the plurality of material supply sections (seedling loading sections 24), and the plurality of chute sections 153 are provided in the working section (seedling planting device 18).

[0168] The agricultural material supply device 2 in the agricultural machine 1 related to this item 6 also enables agricultural materials (mat seedlings 3) sent out from the material supply table (seedling supply table 117) to be smoothly sent to the material supply section (seedling loading section 24).

[0169] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the embodiment disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive.

[0170] For example, the agricultural material supply device that supplies agricultural materials to the working section of the agricultural machine of the above-mentioned embodiment can be used in other agricultural machines (vegetable transplanters, fertilizer applicators, seed sowing machines, pesticide applicators, sprayers, etc.).

[0171] When this embodiment is applied to a fertilizer applicator, fertilizer, which is an agricultural material, is loaded onto the aircraft 31, and the fertilizer is supplied to a material supply table 92 via the aircraft 31. The supplied fertilizer is then supplied to the fertilizer applicator, which is the working part of the fertilizer applicator, by the material supply table 92.

[0172] In addition, in the case of a vegetable transplanter, seedling trays (agricultural materials) on which seedlings are grown are supplied to a material supply table 92 by an aircraft 31, and the seedling trays are then supplied to the seedling planting device (working section) of the vegetable transplanter by the material supply table 92.

[0173] In the case of a seed drill, seeds (agricultural materials) are supplied to a material supply table 92 by the flying object 31, and the seeds are supplied to a seeding device (working unit) of the seed drill by the material supply table 92.

[0174] In addition, in the case of a pesticide applicator, the pesticide (agricultural material) is supplied to the material supply table 92 by the flying object 31, and the pesticide is supplied to the pesticide applicator device (working unit) of the pesticide applicator by the material supply table 92.

[0175] In addition, in the case of a sprayer, the spray material (fertilizer, pesticide, etc.) to be sprayed is supplied to the material supply table 92 by the flying object 31, and the spray material is supplied to the spraying device (working part) of the sprayer by the material supply table 92.

[0176] It should be noted that other agricultural machines to which this embodiment can be applied are not limited to the above-mentioned agricultural machines.

[0177] The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, rather than the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0178] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Agricultural machine (rice transplanter) 2 Agricultural material supply device (seedling supply device) 3 Agricultural material (mat seedlings) 18 Working unit (seedling planting device) 24 Material supply unit (seedling loading unit) 31 Flying vehicle 116 Support body 117 Material supply table (seedling supply table) 133 Adjustment body 136 Discharge body 137 Chute unit 153 Chute unit 160 Detection unit K1 Machine body width direction W2 Width W3 Width W4 Width

Claims

1. An agricultural material supplying device for an agricultural machine having a working section to which agricultural materials are supplied and which has a plurality of material supplying sections arranged in a line in the width direction of the body of the agricultural machine, comprising: at least one material supplying table on which the agricultural materials transported and supplied by an aircraft are placed and which sends the placed agricultural materials to the working section; and a support body attached to the working section, wherein the material supplying table is supported on the support body so as to be freely movable in the width direction of the body so as to align the material supplying table with the material supplying section among the plurality of material supplying sections to which the agricultural materials should be supplied.

2. The agricultural material supply device for an agricultural machine as described in claim 1, wherein the material supply table has an adjustment body which adjusts the position of the agricultural material on the material supply table in the width direction of the machine body, the adjustment body adjusting the position of the agricultural material to a position from which it is to be sent out relative to the material supply section to which the agricultural material is to be supplied, and a sending body which sends out the agricultural material whose position has been adjusted to the material supply section.

3. An agricultural material supplying device for agricultural machinery as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the material supplying table has a chute section that guides the agricultural material sent out from the material supplying table to the material supplying section.

4. An agricultural material supplying device for an agricultural machinery as described in claim 3, wherein the width of the material supply table in the width direction of the machine body is greater than the width of one of the material supplying sections in the width direction of the machine body, and the width of the chute section in the width direction of the machine body corresponds to the width of one or two of the material supplying sections.

5. An agricultural material supplying device for an agricultural machine as described in claim 3, further comprising a detection section for detecting whether or not said chute section is aligned with said material supplying section to which said agricultural material is to be supplied.

6. An agricultural material supplying device for agricultural machinery as described in claim 1 or 2, comprising a chute section for guiding the agricultural material sent out from the material supply table to the material supply section, the chute section being provided corresponding to the plurality of material supply sections, the plurality of chute sections being provided in the working section.

Images