Sugar cane harvester

Abstract

The present invention is provided with: a traveling machine body; left and right divider devices that are provided on the traveling machine body so as to be able to move in position independently of each other, and that separate crops to be reaped from crops to be left in a field; and a main gear shift lever 51 that is configured to be able to be operated by an operator with one hand, and that performs a shift operation on the main transmission device. The main gear shift lever 51 has: a first operation tool (71, 72) that is disposed in a range that allows operation by a first finger, and that instructs the movement in position of one of the left and right divider devices; and a second operation tool (71, 72) that is disposed in a range that allows operation by a second finger different from the first finger, and that instructs the movement in position of the other of the left and right divider devices.

Description

sugarcane harvester

[0001] The present invention relates to a sugarcane harvester equipped with left and right divider devices that separate crops to be harvested from crops to be left in a field, and a main speed change lever that operates a main speed change device to change speeds.

[0002] As an example of a sugarcane harvester, as described in Patent Document 1, there is one that is equipped with left and right divider devices that separate the crop to be harvested from the crop to be left in the field.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-101179

[0004] The left and right divider devices of such a sugarcane harvester are configured to be able to be raised and lowered independently, and the driver's section is provided with operating devices for controlling the raising and lowering of the left and right divider devices, respectively.

[0005] In other words, when operating the divider device up and down in a conventional sugarcane harvester, the operator needs to operate a number of operating tools, and there is room for improvement in terms of making these operating tools easier to operate.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a sugarcane harvester that allows the divider device to be easily raised and lowered.

[0007] The sugarcane harvester of the present invention comprises a running body, left and right divider devices that are independently movable on the running body and separate the crops to be harvested from the crops to be left in the field, and a main speed change lever that can be operated by an operator with one hand and changes the speed of the main speed change device, the main speed change lever having a first operating device that is positioned within a range that can be operated by a first finger and that commands the movement of the position of one of the left and right divider devices, and a second operating device that is positioned within a range that can be operated by a second finger that is different from the first finger and that commands the movement of the position of the other of the left and right divider devices.

[0008] According to this invention, the first operating device for instructing the movement of the position of one of the left and right divider devices and the second operating device for instructing the movement of the position of the other of the left and right divider devices are integrated into the main shift lever, so that, for example, after performing an operation to instruct the movement of the position of the right divider device, when performing an operation to instruct the movement of the position of the left divider device, the operator does not need to move his / her hand from the main shift lever.

[0009] In addition, since the first operating tool is arranged within a range operable by a first finger and the second operating tool is arranged within a range operable by a second finger different from the first finger, they are operated with different fingers, making it easy to operate both the first operating tool and the second operating tool simultaneously.

[0010] As described above, in the sugarcane harvester of the present invention, the divider device can be easily raised and lowered.

[0011] In the present invention, the left and right divider devices are each provided on the running body so that they can be raised and lowered independently, and it is preferable that the first operating device instructs one of the left and right divider devices to be raised or lowered, and the second operating device instructs the other of the left and right divider devices to be raised or lowered.

[0012] According to this configuration, the first and second operating devices that issue commands to raise and lower the divider device are arranged together on the main shift lever. Raising and lowering the divider device is an operation that is performed relatively frequently while driving, but because the first and second operating devices that perform these operations are arranged together on the main shift lever, the driver can easily operate the divider device to raise and lower it.

[0013] In the present invention, it is preferable that one of the first operating device and the second operating device is arranged on a side of the main shift lever, and the other of the first operating device and the second operating device is arranged on a front side of the main shift lever.

[0014] With this configuration, the first operating device and the second operating device are arranged separately on the side and front of the main shift lever, which makes it possible to reduce the risk of incorrect operation compared to when they are arranged on the same surface.

[0015] In the present invention, it is preferable that one of the first operating tool and the second operating tool is disposed on one of the side surfaces closer to the operator.

[0016] According to this configuration, the first operating tool or the second operating tool is disposed closer to the operator, making it easier for the operator to visually check these operating tools, thereby further reducing operational errors.

[0017] In the present invention, it is preferable that a lifting device capable of raising and lowering the running machine body is provided, and a machine body lifting operating device that instructs the lifting device to raise and lower the running machine body is arranged within the range of the main shift lever that can be operated by the first finger or the range that can be operated by the second finger.

[0018] According to this configuration, the machine body lifting / lowering operation device that commands the raising and lowering of the traveling machine body is arranged on the main shift lever. Therefore, after the operator performs an operation to command the movement of the left and right divider devices, the operator can operate the machine body lifting / lowering operation device without moving his / her hand significantly. Therefore, it is possible to easily perform the operation of raising and lowering the traveling machine body, which is relatively frequent while traveling.

[0019] In the present invention, a conveyor is provided on the running body for conveying the harvested material separated from the cut crops, and a guide member is provided at the end of the conveying conveyor in a manner that allows its posture to be changed, and changes the discharge direction of the harvested material discharged from the conveying conveyor.It is preferable that the main speed change lever has a gripping portion that is gripped by the operator and a protruding portion that protrudes from the gripping portion, and that a guide member lifting and lowering operating device that instructs the guide member to change its posture is disposed at the protruding portion.

[0020] According to this configuration, the guide member lifting / lowering operation device that commands the change in the position of the guide member is arranged on the main shift lever. Therefore, after the driver has performed an operation to command the movement of the left and right divider devices, the driver can operate the guide member lifting / lowering operation device without moving his / her hand significantly. Therefore, it is possible to easily perform the operation of changing the position of the guide member, which is relatively frequent while traveling.

[0021] In the present invention, it is preferable that the first operating tool and the second operating tool are disposed in the gripping portion.

[0022] With this configuration, the first operating device and the second operating device are located at gripping portions that are gripped by the operator, allowing the operator to operate the first operating device and the second operating device while gripping the main shift lever, and also allowing the operator to operate the first operating device and the second operating device while operating the main shift lever.

[0023] In the present invention, it is preferable that a topper is provided that can be raised and lowered in front of the traveling body and that cuts the upper leaf portion of the crop, and that a topper raising and lowering operating device that commands the raising and lowering of the topper is arranged within the range that can be operated by the first finger of the main speed change lever.

[0024] With this configuration, the topper lifting / lowering operation tool that commands the raising and lowering of the topper is positioned within a range that can be operated with the first finger, so that the operator can operate the topper lifting / lowering operation tool by simply moving the first finger after performing an operation to command the movement of the positions of the left and right divider devices.

[0025] In the present invention, the machine is provided with a lifting device that can raise and lower the running body, a conveyor that is attached to the running body and transports the harvested material separated from the cut crops, a guide member that is attached to the end of the conveyor in the conveying direction and is capable of changing its position, changing the discharge direction of the harvested material discharged from the conveyor, and a topper that is attached to the front of the running body and is capable of raising and lowering, and cuts the upper leaf portion of the crop, and the main speed change lever has a machine body lifting operating device that instructs the lifting device to raise and lower the running body, a guide member lifting operating device that instructs the guide member to change its position, and a topper lifting operating device that instructs the topper to raise and lower, and it is preferable that the first operating device, the machine body lifting operating device, the guide member lifting operating device, and the topper lifting operating device are arranged on the side of the main speed change lever closer to the operator.

[0026] With this configuration, the machine body lifting / lowering operation device, the guide member lifting / lowering operation device, and the topper lifting / lowering operation device are located on the side of the main speed change lever that is closest to the operator, making it possible to easily visually check these operation devices and reducing the risk of operating them incorrectly.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a side view of a sugarcane harvester. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional plan view of the driving section. FIG. 3 is a side view of the main speed change lever as viewed from the left side. FIG. 4 is a front view of the main speed change lever as viewed from the front side. FIG. 5 is a rear view of the main speed change lever as viewed from the rear side. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the control device and the harvesting device, transport device, separation device, and transport conveyor. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the control device and the driving section, engine, hydrostatic continuously variable transmission, auxiliary transmission, and front wheels.

[0028] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the direction of arrow F in the drawings will be referred to as "front," the direction of arrow B as "rear," the direction of arrow L as "left," and the direction of arrow R as "right." Furthermore, the direction of arrow U in the drawings will be referred to as "up," and the direction of arrow D as "down."

[0029] [Overall configuration of the sugarcane harvester] As shown in Figure 1, the sugarcane harvester comprises a traveling body, and left and right front wheels 1 that are provided on the traveling body and are steerable, and left and right rear wheels 2 that are non-steerable and are driven to rotate. The traveling body can travel by driving the rear wheels 2.

[0030] The traveling machine body is provided with a harvesting device 3 provided at the front lower part of the traveling machine body, a conveying device 4 provided in a rear-upward tilted position, a separating device 5 connected to the rear upper part of the conveying device 4, a transport conveyor 6 in a rear-upward tilted position, a driving unit 7 provided at the top of the machine body, and an engine 8.

[0031] 7, the power of the engine 8 is transmitted to a hydrostatic continuously variable transmission 16 (corresponding to the "main transmission" of the present invention) for traveling via a transmission belt 15. The power of the hydrostatic continuously variable transmission 16 is transmitted to an auxiliary transmission 17 and then to the right and left rear wheels 2. Brakes 18 capable of braking the right and left rear wheels 2 are provided.

[0032] The hydrostatic continuously variable transmission 16 is configured to be able to change the speed continuously from a neutral state to the forward and reverse sides. The auxiliary transmission 17 is configured as a gear-shift type and is able to change the speed between two speeds: high and low. A hydraulic cylinder 28 is provided to operate the auxiliary transmission 17. An electromagnetically operated control valve 38 is also provided to supply and discharge hydraulic oil to and from the hydraulic cylinder 28.

[0033] With the above configuration, as the traveling machine body advances, the harvesting device 3 shown in Figure 1 cuts the base of the crop (sugarcane) in the field and harvests the crop. The crop harvested by the harvesting device 3 is supplied to the transporting device 4.

[0034] [Configuration of the harvesting device] As shown in Figure 1, the harvesting device 3 is provided with right and left divider devices 9, right and left dividing bodies 10, and a cutting device 11. Note that Figure 1 shows the left divider device 9 and dividing body 10, but a similar device is provided on the right side.

[0035] The divided plant body 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a spiral portion provided on the outer periphery. The divided plant body 10 is driven to rotate around an axis extending in the vertical direction.

[0036] As shown in Figure 6, a hydraulic motor 68 is provided to rotate the cutting device 11, and a hydraulic motor 69 is provided to rotate the grass cutting body 10, and an electromagnetically operated control valve 70 is provided to supply and discharge hydraulic oil to the hydraulic motor 68 and the hydraulic motor 69.

[0037] As the traveling machine body advances, the right and left divider devices 9 and the plant dividing bodies 10 separate the crops in the field into those to be harvested and those to be left in the field, and one row of crop is introduced between the right and left divider devices 9 and the plant dividing bodies 10. As the crop is toppled forward in the direction of travel of the traveling machine body, the base of the crop is cut by the cutting device 11. The cut crop is supplied to the conveying device 4.

[0038] The right divider device 9 and plant dividing body 10 and the left divider device 9 and plant dividing body 10 can be moved up and down independently of each other. A right hydraulic cylinder 21 is provided which can change the position of the right divider device 9 and plant dividing body 10 up and down, and an electromagnetically operated control valve 31 is provided which supplies and discharges hydraulic oil to the right hydraulic cylinder 21. A left hydraulic cylinder 21 is provided which can change the position of the left divider device 9 and plant dividing body 10 up and down, and an electromagnetically operated control valve 31 is provided which supplies and discharges hydraulic oil to the left hydraulic cylinder 21. With this configuration, the right and left divider devices 9 are mounted on the traveling body so that they can be moved up and down independently of each other (raised and lowered).

[0039] [Configuration of the Conveyor Device] As shown in Figure 6, the conveyor device 4 is provided with hydraulic motors 22 that rotate and drive the upper and lower rotors of the rotor unit. Although only two hydraulic motors 22 are shown in Figure 6 for convenience, multiple hydraulic motors 22 are provided on each of the upper and lower sides. An electromagnetically operated control valve 32 is provided to supply and discharge hydraulic oil to the hydraulic motor 22. The control valve 32 allows the hydraulic motor 22 to operate in forward and reverse directions. The crops are conveyed by the conveyor device 4 toward the upper rear of the traveling body.

[0040] When the crop reaches the end of the conveying device 4, the crop is chopped at the end of the conveying device 4 and fed to the separating device 5.

[0041] [Configuration of Separator] As shown in FIG. 1, the separator 5 is provided at the rear of the traveling machine body, and separates the crops transported by the transport device 4 into impurities and harvested products.

[0042] As shown in Figure 6, the separator 5 includes a blower 13 that generates a screening wind. A hydraulic motor 23 is also provided to rotate the blower 13. An electromagnetically operated control valve 33 is also provided to supply and discharge hydraulic oil to the hydraulic motor 23. The control valve 33 can activate and stop the hydraulic motor 23, thereby changing the rotation speed of the hydraulic motor 23. The separator 5 uses the action of the screening wind to separate impurities such as fine stems and culms and leaf fragments contained in the crops discharged from the conveying end of the conveying device 4, and discharges the impurities to the outside.

[0043] The separator 5 is provided with a hydraulic cylinder 24 that can be rotated about an axis that extends in the vertical direction, and an electromagnetically operated control valve 34 that supplies and discharges hydraulic oil to and from the hydraulic cylinder 24. By rotating the separator 5 with the hydraulic cylinder 24, the orientation of the discharge port 5a of the separator 5 (the direction in which debris is discharged) can be changed left and right.

[0044] The transport conveyor 6 receives the harvested material separated from the harvested crops from the separator 5 and transports the received harvested material rearward and upward. The transported harvested material is discharged from a discharge section 6a at the top of the rear of the transport conveyor 6 onto the loading platform of an accompanying transport vehicle (not shown), such as a truck, for collection.

[0045] [Configuration of the Conveyor] The conveyor 6 is configured such that right and left side plates are arranged in a rear-upward tilted position, and a conveyor belt (not shown) is rotatably supported between the right and left side plates. A hydraulic motor 25 is provided to rotate the conveyor belt, and an electromagnetically operated control valve 35 is provided to supply and discharge hydraulic oil to the hydraulic motor 25. The control valve 35 allows the hydraulic motor 25 to operate in the forward and reverse directions, and the rotation speed of the hydraulic motor 25 can be changed.

[0046] The front portion of the conveyor 6 is supported rotatably about an axis aligned in the vertical direction of the traveling body. A hydraulic cylinder 26S is provided to change the direction of the conveyor 6 (the position of the discharge portion 6a of the conveyor 6) in the left-right direction, and an electromagnetically operated control valve 36S is provided to supply and discharge hydraulic oil to the hydraulic cylinder 26S. By rotating the conveyor 6 in the left-right direction, the direction of the conveyor 6 and the position of the discharge portion 6a of the conveyor 6 can be changed in the left-right direction.

[0047] 1, a hydraulic cylinder 26V is provided from the separating device 5 to the transport conveyor 6 to change the angle of the transport conveyor 6. As shown in Fig. 6, an electromagnetically operated control valve 36V is provided to the hydraulic cylinder 26V to supply and discharge hydraulic oil. By changing the angle of the transport conveyor 6, the height position of the discharge portion 6a of the transport conveyor 6 can be changed.

[0048] As shown in Figure 1, a guide member 14 for changing the discharge direction of the harvested crops discharged from the transport conveyor 6 is provided at the discharge section 6a, which is the end of the transport conveyor 6 in the transport direction. An electric motor 20 is also provided that can change the orientation of the guide member 14 in the vertical direction. By changing the orientation of the guide member 14 in the vertical direction, the discharge direction of the crops discharged from the discharge section 6a of the transport conveyor 6 can be changed up or down.

[0049] [Support structure of front wheels] As shown in Fig. 1, right and left hydraulic cylinders 29 (corresponding to the "lifting device" of the present invention) are arranged vertically on the right and left sides of the front of the traveling machine body. As shown in Fig. 7, the pistons 29b of the hydraulic cylinders 29 are connected to the traveling machine body. The main body 29a of the hydraulic cylinder 29 is supported rotatably about the axis of the hydraulic cylinder 29 by the support arm 19, which is supported on the machine body so as to be able to swing up and down. An electromagnetically operated control valve 39 is provided to supply and discharge hydraulic oil to and from the hydraulic cylinder 29.

[0050] The front wheels 1 are rotatably supported at the lower end of a hydraulic cylinder 29. By raising and lowering the front wheels 1 relative to the machine body using the hydraulic cylinder 29, the front of the machine body can be raised and lowered with the rear wheels 2 that are in contact with the field as a fulcrum.

[0051] A hydraulic cylinder 30 is provided to steer the front wheels 1. A mechanically operated control valve 40 is provided to supply and discharge hydraulic oil to and from the hydraulic cylinder 30.

[0052] [Configuration of Topper] As shown in FIG. 1, a topper 91 for cutting the upper leaf portion of a crop is provided in a liftable manner in front of the traveling machine body.

[0053] The topper 91 is disposed in a tilted position with its front raised from the front of the driving unit 7. A hydraulic cylinder 27 is provided to change the angle of the topper 91. As shown in FIG. 6 , an electromagnetically operated control valve 37 is provided to supply and discharge hydraulic oil to the hydraulic cylinder 27. By adjusting the angle of the topper 91, the height position of the front end portion of the topper 91 can be changed. Hereinafter, raising the height position of the front end portion of the topper 91 will be referred to as "raising the topper 91" and the like, and lowering the height position of the front end portion of the topper 91 will be referred to as "lowering the topper 91" and the like.

[0054] [Configuration of Driver's Section] As shown in Fig. 1, the driver's section 7 is covered by a cabin 41. As shown in Fig. 2, the driver's section 7 is provided with a driver's seat 42, a handlebar post 43 provided in front of the driver's seat 42, a control handle 44 supported on the upper part of the handlebar post 43, an operation box 45 located on the right side of the driver's seat 42 in the left-right direction, a side panel 54 provided on the upper part of the operation box 45, etc.

[0055] On the floor 46 of the driving unit 7, a discharge pedal 47 for supporting discharge of the transport conveyor 6, a brake pedal 48, and a lock lever 49 are provided to the right of the handle post 43. On the floor 46 of the driving unit 7, right and left direction change pedals 50 for instructing changes in the left and right direction of the transport conveyor 6 are provided to the left of the handle post 43.

[0056] The brake pedal 48 and the brake 18 are mechanically connected via a linkage mechanism 60. An operator seated in the driver's seat 42 can operate the brake 18 to a braking state by stepping on the brake pedal 48.

[0057] A driver seated in a driver's seat 42 can hold the brake pedal 48 in a depressed state by applying a lock lever 49 to the brake pedal 48 while the brake pedal 48 is depressed.

[0058] A switch area 52 is provided on the outer side of the side panel 54 in the left-right direction of the machine body (on the "right side" in this embodiment), where operating tools for changing the rotation speed of the blower 13 and operating tools for instructing changes to the tilt angle of the transport conveyor 6 are arranged. The operating positions of the switches provided in the switch area 52 are input to a control device 90 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) provided on the traveling machine body.

[0059] The control device 90 includes a processor such as an ECU or a CPU, and each functional unit included in the control device 90 is controlled by the processor.

[0060] 2, a main shift lever 51 configured to be operable by a driver with one hand and used to change the speed of the hydrostatic continuously variable transmission 16 is provided in front of the side panel 54 and closer to the driver's seat 42 than the switch area 52. The side panel 54 is provided with a neutral path 56 extending in the left-right direction, a forward path 57 extending forward from the left side of the neutral path 56, and a reverse path 58 extending rearward from the right side of the neutral path 56. The driver seated in the driver's seat 42 holds the main shift lever 51 in his right hand and manually operates the main shift lever 51 along the neutral path 56, the forward path 57, and the reverse path 58.

[0061] [Configuration of Main Shift Lever] As shown in Figure 7, the main shift lever 51 and the hydrostatic continuously variable transmission 16 are mechanically connected via a linkage mechanism 55. When the main shift lever 51 is operated to the neutral path 56, the hydrostatic continuously variable transmission 16 is operated to the neutral state, and the vehicle stops. When the main shift lever 51 is operated to the forward path 57, the hydrostatic continuously variable transmission 16 is operated to the forward high-speed side. When the main shift lever 51 is operated to the reverse path 58, the hydrostatic continuously variable transmission 16 is operated to the reverse high-speed side.

[0062] 3 to 5, a grip portion 61 is provided on the upper part of the main shift lever 51. A driver seated in the driver's seat 42 grasps the grip portion 61 of the main shift lever 51 with one hand (the right hand in this embodiment). A protruding portion 62 protrudes downward from the lower portion of the grip portion 61. The main shift lever 51 has a lever portion 51a extending upward from the side panel 54, and the upper end portion of the lever portion 51a is inserted into the protruding portion 62 from below.

[0063] [Arrangement of Operating Tools in Grip Portion] In this embodiment, a plurality of switch arrangement areas, which are areas where switches are arranged, are provided in the grip portion 61. The grip portion 61 has, as the plurality of switch arrangement areas, an inner area 61A located in the portion on the driver's seat 42 side (the portion on the pilot's side), a lower area 61B located below the inner area 61A, and a front area 61C located in the front portion.

[0064] In this embodiment, the inner area 61A of the gripping portion 61 is arranged with a left divider raising operation device 71 (corresponding to the ``first operation device'' or ``second operation device'' of the present invention), a left divider lowering operation device 72 (corresponding to the ``first operation device'' or ``second operation device'' of the present invention), a machine body raising operation device 73 (corresponding to the ``machine body raising / lowering operation device'' of the present invention), a machine body lowering operation device 74 (corresponding to the ``machine body raising / lowering operation device'' of the present invention), and a topper raising operation device 75 (corresponding to the ``topper raising / lowering operation device'' of the present invention).

[0065] The inner area 61A is located on a side of the main shift lever 51. Specifically, the inner area 61A is located on the side of the main shift lever 51 that is closer to the operator seated in the driver's seat 42. The inner area 61A is a range that can be operated by the operator seated in the driver's seat 42 with the thumb of the right hand (corresponding to the "first finger" of the present invention) while holding the grip portion 61 with the right hand.

[0066] The left divider raising operation device 71 and the left divider lowering operation device 72, etc., arranged in the inner area 61A are configured to be arranged on the side of the main shift lever 51 closest to the operator seated in the driver's seat 42.

[0067] The left divider raising operation device 71 and the left divider lowering operation device 72 instruct the movement of the position of the left divider device 9. Specifically, the left divider raising operation device 71 instructs the raising of the left divider device 9, and the left divider lowering operation device 72 instructs the lowering of the left divider device 9. When the left divider raising operation device 71 is pressed down, the left hydraulic cylinder 21 is driven to raise the left divider device 9. When the left divider lowering operation device 72 is pressed down, the left hydraulic cylinder 21 is driven to lower the left divider device 9.

[0068] The machine body raising operation device 73 commands the raising of the front part of the traveling machine body, and the machine body lowering operation device 74 commands the lowering of the front part of the traveling machine body. When the machine body raising operation device 73 is pressed down, the right and left hydraulic cylinders 29 are driven to raise and lower the front part of the traveling machine body. When the machine body lowering operation device 74 is pressed down, the right and left hydraulic cylinders 29 are driven to lower the front part of the traveling machine body.

[0069] The topper raising operation tool 75 commands the raising of the topper 91. When the topper raising operation tool 75 is pressed down, the hydraulic cylinder 27 is driven to raise the topper 91.

[0070] 5, the lower region 61B is formed so as to extend diagonally downward from the lower end of the inner region 61A to the outside of the left and right sides of the aircraft. The lower region 61B is the range that can be operated by the thumb of the right hand when the operator seated in the driver's seat 42 holds the grip portion 61 with his / her right hand.

[0071] In this embodiment, a topper lowering operation tool 76 (corresponding to the "topper raising / lowering operation tool" of the present invention) is disposed in the lower area 61B.

[0072] The topper lowering operation tool 76 commands the lowering of the topper 91. When the topper lowering operation tool 76 is pressed down, the hydraulic cylinder 27 is driven to lower the topper 91.

[0073] The front range 61C is located in front of the main shift lever 51. Specifically, the front range 61C is located on the driver's seat 42 side of the front portion of the gripping portion 61. The front range 61C is a range that can be operated by the operator seated in the driver's seat 42 with the index finger (corresponding to the "second finger" of the present invention) or middle finger (corresponding to the "second finger" of the present invention) of the right hand, while gripping the gripping portion 61 with the right hand.

[0074] In this embodiment, a right divider raising operating device 77 (corresponding to the "first operating device" or "second operating device" of the present invention) and a right divider lowering operating device 78 (corresponding to the "first operating device" or "second operating device" of the present invention) are arranged in the front area 61C.

[0075] The right divider raising operation device 77 and the right divider lowering operation device 78 instruct the movement of the position of the right divider device 9. Specifically, the right divider raising operation device 77 instructs the right divider device 9 to be raised, and the right divider lowering operation device 78 instructs the right divider device 9 to be lowered. When the right divider raising operation device 77 is pressed down, the right hydraulic cylinder 21 is driven to raise the right divider device 9. When the right divider lowering operation device 78 is pressed down, the right hydraulic cylinder 21 is driven to lower the right divider device 9.

[0076] [Arrangement of Operating Tools in Protruding Portion] In the present embodiment, one switch arrangement range, which is a range in which a switch is arranged, is provided in the protruding portion 62. The protruding portion 62 has, as the switch arrangement range, a rear range 62A located in the rear portion.

[0077] In this embodiment, the rear range 62A is a range that can be operated with the thumb of the right hand while the operator seated in the driver's seat 42 is holding the gripping portion 61 with his / her right hand and moving the thumb of the right hand far away from the inner range 61A or the lower range 61B, or by releasing the right hand from the gripping portion 61 and holding the protruding portion 62 so that the thumb of the right hand is positioned at the rear part of the gripping portion 61.

[0078] In this embodiment, a guide position opening side operating unit 79 (corresponding to the "guide member lifting and lowering operating tool" of the present invention) and a guide position closing side operating unit 80 (corresponding to the "guide member lifting and lowering operating tool" of the present invention) are arranged in the rear range 62A of the protruding portion 62.

[0079] The guide position open side operation unit 79 and the guide position close side operation unit 80 instruct a change in the position of the guide member 14 provided at the discharge section 6a of the transport conveyor 6. When the guide position open side operation unit 79 is pressed, the electric motor 20 is driven to change the position of the guide member 14 to the side that opens the discharge section 6a. When the guide position close side operation unit 80 is pressed, the electric motor 20 is driven to change the position of the guide member 14 to the side that closes the discharge section 6a.

[0080] Other Embodiments Hereinafter, other embodiments in which the above-described embodiment is modified will be described.

[0081] (1) In the above embodiment, the side panel 54 is disposed on the right side of the driver's seat 42 in the left-right direction, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the side panel 54 may be disposed on the left side of the driver's seat 42 in the left-right direction, and the side panel 54 may be disposed on the left side of the driver's seat 42 in the left-right direction.

[0082] (2) In the above embodiment, the left divider raising operation tool 71, the left divider lowering operation tool 72, the machine body raising operation tool 73, the machine body lowering operation tool 74, and the topper raising operation tool 75 are arranged in the inner area 61A of the gripping portion 61. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, one or more of these operation tools may be arranged in the lower area 61B, the front area 61C, or the rear area 62A of the protruding portion 62 of the gripping portion 61.

[0083] In addition to or instead of these operating tools, an operating tool for changing the rotation speed of the blower 13 or an operating tool for instructing a change in the inclination angle of the conveyor 6 may be arranged in the inner area 61A of the gripping portion 61.

[0084] (3) In the above embodiment, the topper lowering operation tool 76 is disposed in the lower area 61B of the gripping portion 61. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the topper lowering operation tool 76 may be disposed in the inner area 61A, the front area 61C, or the rear area 62A of the protruding portion 62 of the gripping portion 61.

[0085] In addition to or instead of these operating tools, an operating tool for changing the rotation speed of the blower 13 or an operating tool for instructing a change in the inclination angle of the conveyor 6 may be arranged in the lower area 61B of the gripping portion 61.

[0086] (4) In the above embodiment, the right divider raising operation tool 77 and the right divider lowering operation tool 78 are disposed in the front area 61C of the grip portion 61. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, one or more of these operation tools may be disposed in the inner area 61A, the lower area 61B, or the rear area 62A of the protruding portion 62 of the grip portion 61.

[0087] In addition to or instead of these operating tools, an operating tool for changing the rotation speed of the blower 13 or an operating tool for instructing a change in the inclination angle of the conveyor 6 may be arranged in the front area 61C of the gripping portion 61.

[0088] (5) In the above embodiment, the guide position opening operation unit 79 and the guide position closing operation unit 80 are disposed in the rear region 62A of the protruding portion 62. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the guide position opening operation unit 79 and the guide position closing operation unit 80 may be disposed in the inner region 61A, the lower region 61B, or the front region 61C of the grip portion 61.

[0089] In addition to or instead of these operating tools, an operating tool for changing the rotation speed of the blower 13 or an operating tool for instructing a change in the inclination angle of the conveying conveyor 6 may be arranged in the rear area 62A of the protruding portion 62.

[0090] (6) In the above embodiment, the left divider raising operation device 71, the left divider lowering operation device 72, the machine body raising operation device 73, the machine body lowering operation device 74, the topper raising operation device 75, the topper lowering operation device 76, the right divider raising operation device 77, and the right divider lowering operation device 78 are each configured as different operation devices. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the left divider raising operation device 71 and the left divider lowering operation device 72 may be configured as a single seesaw switch.

[0091] The configurations disclosed in the above embodiments (including other embodiments, the same applies hereinafter) can be applied in combination with the configurations disclosed in other embodiments, unless a contradiction occurs. Furthermore, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the purpose of the present invention.

[0092] The present invention can be used in a sugarcane harvester that is equipped with left and right divider devices that separate the crop to be harvested from the crop to be left in the field, and a main speed change lever that changes the speed of the main speed change device.

[0093] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 6: Conveyor conveyor 9: Divider device 14: Guide member 51: Main speed change lever 61: Grip portion 62: Protruding portion 71: Left divider raising operation device (first operation device, second operation device) 72: Left divider lowering operation device (first operation device, second operation device) 73: Machine body raising operation device (machine body lifting / lowering operation device) 74: Machine body lowering operation device (machine body lifting / lowering operation device) 75: Topper raising operation device (topper lifting / lowering operation device) 76: Topper lowering operation device (topper lifting / lowering operation device) 77: Right divider raising operation device (first operation device, second operation device) 78: Right divider lowering operation device (first operation device, second operation device) 79: Guide position open side operation unit (guide member lifting / lowering operation device) 80: Guide position close side operation unit (guide member lifting / lowering operation device) 90: Control device 91: Topper

Claims

1. A sugarcane harvester comprising: a traveling body; left and right divider devices that are independently movable on the traveling body and separate the crops to be harvested from the crops to be left in the field; and a main speed change lever that can be operated by an operator with one hand and that changes the speed of the main speed change lever, wherein the main speed change lever has: a first operating device that is positioned within a range that can be operated by a first finger and that commands the movement of the position of one of the left and right divider devices; and a second operating device that is positioned within a range that can be operated by a second finger that is different from the first finger and that commands the movement of the position of the other of the left and right divider devices.

2. A sugarcane harvester as described in claim 1, wherein the left and right divider devices are each mounted on the traveling body so that they can be raised and lowered independently, the first operating device commands the raising or lowering of one of the left and right divider devices, and the second operating device commands the raising or lowering of the other of the left and right divider devices.

3. A sugarcane harvester as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein one of the first operating device and the second operating device is arranged on a side of the main shift lever, and the other of the first operating device and the second operating device is arranged in front of the main shift lever.

4. A sugarcane harvester as described in claim 3, wherein one of the first operating device and the second operating device is disposed on the side closest to the operator.

5. A sugarcane harvester as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, which is provided with a lifting device that can raise and lower the traveling body, and a machine body lifting operating device that instructs the lifting device to raise and lower the traveling body is arranged within the range of the main speed change lever that can be operated by the first finger or the range that can be operated by the second finger.

6. A sugarcane harvester as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising: a transport conveyor attached to the running body for transporting harvested material separated from the harvested crops; and a guide member attached to the end of the transport conveyor in the transport direction so as to be able to change its position and for changing the direction in which the harvested material is discharged from the transport conveyor; wherein the main speed change lever has a gripping portion which is gripped by the operator and a protruding portion which protrudes from the gripping portion, and a guide member lifting / lowering operating device for instructing the guide member to change its position is disposed on the protruding portion.

7. A sugarcane harvester according to claim 6, wherein the first operating device and the second operating device are disposed in the gripping portion.

8. A sugarcane harvester as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, which is provided with a topper that can be raised and lowered in front of the traveling body and that cuts the upper leaf portion of the crop, and a topper raising and lowering operating device that commands the raising and lowering of the topper is located within the range of the main speed change lever that can be operated by the first finger.

9. A sugarcane harvester as described in claim 1, comprising: a lifting device that can raise and lower the traveling body; a transport conveyor that is attached to the traveling body and transports harvested material separated from the cut crops; a guide member that is attached to the end of the transport conveyor in a manner that allows its position to be changed and that changes the discharge direction of the harvested material discharged from the transport conveyor; and a topper that is attached to the front of the traveling body and can be raised and lowered, and cuts the upper leaf portion of the crop; and the main speed change lever has a machine body lifting operating device that instructs the lifting device to raise and lower the traveling body, a guide member lifting operating device that instructs the guide member to change its position, and a topper lifting operating device that instructs the topper to raise and lower, and the first operating device, the machine body lifting operating device, the guide member lifting operating device and the topper lifting operating device are arranged on the side of the main speed change lever that is closer to the operator.

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