Sugar cane harvester

Abstract

The present invention is provided with: a traveling machine body that can travel; a separation device 5 that is provided on the traveling machine body and separates reaped crops into foreign matter and harvest; a conveyor 6 that discharges the harvest from the separation device 5; and a lifting mechanism LM that supports the conveyor 6 in a liftable manner on the traveling machine body. The lifting mechanism LM raises and lowers the conveyor 6 to a normal lifting range NR that is a lifting range for normal work and a maintenance lifting range MR including a lifting range below the normal lifting range.

Description

sugarcane harvester

[0001] The present invention relates to a sugarcane harvester.

[0002] As an example of a sugarcane harvester, as described in Patent Document 1, there is one that is equipped with a liftable transport conveyor (referred to as a "conveyor" in the document).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-101176

[0004] In such a sugarcane harvester, the transport conveyor is configured to extend obliquely upward, making it difficult to perform maintenance on the downstream portion of the transport conveyor.

[0005] Furthermore, some transport conveyors are equipped with a hydraulic motor or the like for driving the transport conveyor at the discharge section, which is the downstream end of the transport conveyor. Because the discharge section is located at a high position, it is difficult to reach and maintenance is difficult.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a sugarcane harvester that allows easy maintenance work on the transport conveyor.

[0007] The sugarcane harvester of the present invention comprises a traveling body, a separation device mounted on the traveling body for separating the harvested crop into impurities and the harvested product, a transport conveyor for discharging the harvested product from the separation device, and a lifting mechanism for supporting the transport conveyor on the traveling body so that it can be raised and lowered, and the lifting mechanism raises and lowers the transport conveyor between a normal lifting range which is a lifting range for normal work and a maintenance lifting range which includes a lifting range below the normal lifting range.

[0008] According to this invention, when performing maintenance, the transport conveyor can be lowered to a maintenance lifting range that includes a lifting range lower than the normal lifting range. The downstream portion of the transport conveyor in the maintenance lifting range is located in a position that is easier to reach for a maintenance worker than when the transport conveyor is in the normal lifting range. As a result, maintenance work on the transport conveyor can be easily performed.

[0009] In the present invention, a lifting operation device is provided that instructs the lifting mechanism to lift or lower the transport conveyor, and a restriction release operation device that instructs the lifting mechanism to release the restriction on the lifting range of the transport conveyor, and it is preferable that when the restriction release operation device has not received an instruction to release the restriction, the lifting mechanism lifts or lowers the transport conveyor within the normal lifting range in accordance with the instruction received by the lifting operation device, and when the restriction release operation device receives an instruction to release the restriction, the transport conveyor can be raised or lowered within the maintenance lifting range.

[0010] With this configuration, the conveyor can be raised and lowered within the maintenance lifting range only when the restriction release operating device receives an instruction to release the restriction, thereby making it possible to avoid the inconvenience of unintentionally raising and lowering the conveyor within the maintenance lifting range.

[0011] In the present invention, it is preferable that a driver's seat is provided on the running body, and a side panel is provided on the side of the driver's seat, and that the lifting and lowering operating device and the restriction release operating device are arranged on the side panel.

[0012] With this configuration, the lifting / lowering operation device and the limit release operation device are arranged on a side panel that is provided near the driver's seat and generally has many other operation devices arranged on it, so that the operator sitting in the driver's seat can easily and intuitively recognize that the lifting / lowering operation device and the limit release operation device are arranged on the side panel.

[0013] In the present invention, it is preferable that the restriction release operating tool is disposed behind the lifting operating tool.

[0014] This configuration allows the frequently operated lifting / lowering operating device to be located in the front portion of the side panel, which is easily visible to the operator seated in the driver's seat.In contrast, the rear portion of the side panel is difficult to see from the operator seated in the driver's seat, but by locating the lifting / lowering operating device, which is used less frequently and is operated only during maintenance, in such a location, the rear portion of the side panel can be utilized.

[0015] In the present invention, it is preferable that the restriction release operating tool overlaps with the backrest of the driver's seat in a side view.

[0016] According to this configuration, the driver sitting in the driver's seat can operate the restriction release operating device by making a large change in posture. In other words, the driver cannot operate the restriction release operating device unless he or she makes a large change in posture, so it is possible to avoid accidentally operating the restriction release operating device.

[0017] In the present invention, it is preferable that an angle sensor capable of detecting an angle of the transfer conveyor is provided, and the lifting mechanism controls the lifting operation of the transfer conveyor based on the detection result of the angle sensor.

[0018] According to this configuration, it is possible to accurately detect the elevation position of the transport conveyor using the angle sensor, and it is possible to control the elevation operation of the transport conveyor using the detection result.

[0019] In the present invention, it is preferable that the transport conveyor is configured to be rotatable about a vertical axis, and that the rotating operation of the transport conveyor is prohibited when the transport conveyor is moving up and down within the maintenance lifting range.

[0020] With this configuration, when the transport conveyor is moving up and down within the maintenance lifting range, it is prohibited from rotating around the vertical axis, i.e., from rotating left and right, which makes it possible to prevent the transport conveyor from colliding with nearby trees or other objects due to the transport conveyor rotating left and right while in a low position.

[0021] In the present invention, a speed change device that changes the speed of power from a driving part and a speed change operating device that operates the speed change state of the speed change device are provided, and it is preferable that when the speed change operating device is in a neutral position and when the restriction release operating device receives an instruction to release the restriction, the transport conveyor can be raised and lowered from the normal lifting range to the maintenance lifting range.

[0022] This configuration makes it possible to avoid the inconvenience of the transport conveyor being raised and lowered into the maintenance lifting range while in motion.

[0023] In the present invention, it is preferable that an alarm device for issuing an alarm is provided, and that the alarm device is activated when the transport conveyor moves up and down within the maintenance lifting range.

[0024] According to this configuration, the operator can recognize that the transport conveyor is moving up and down within the maintenance lifting range by the notification from the notification device.

[0025] Fig. 1 is a side view of a sugarcane harvester. Fig. 2 is a side view showing the configuration of a lifting mechanism. Fig. 3 is a side view showing the configuration of a rear part of a transport conveyor. Fig. 4 is a plan view showing the configuration of a driving unit. Fig. 5 is a side view showing the configuration of a driving unit. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between a control device and various switches, sensors, and various hydraulic cylinders.

[0026] 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."

[0027] [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.

[0028] The machine is equipped with a harvesting device 3 mounted on the front lower part of the running body, a conveying device 4 mounted in a rear-upward tilting position, a separating device 5 connected to the rear upper part of the conveying device 4, a conveying conveyor 6 mounted in a rear-upward tilting position, a driving unit 7 mounted on the top of the body, and an engine 8 (corresponding to the "motor unit" of the present invention).

[0029] With the above configuration, as the traveling machine body advances, the harvesting device 3 cuts the base of the crops (sugarcane) in the field and harvests the crops. The crops harvested by the harvesting device 3 are supplied to the transporting device 4, and are transported by the transporting device 4 toward the upper rear part of the traveling machine body.

[0030] 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.

[0031] The separator 5 is located at the rear of the traveling machine body and separates the harvested crops into debris and the harvested product. The separator 5 uses the action of sorting air to separate and discharge debris such as fine stems and culms and leaf fragments contained in the crops discharged from the conveying end of the conveying device 4. The separator 5 is rotatable, allowing the direction in which the debris is discharged to be changed.

[0032] A hopper 13 (see FIG. 1) is provided directly below the separating device 5 and behind and below the rear end of the conveying device 4 to receive the crops discharged downward from the conveying device 4. The crops received in the hopper 13 are guided to the conveying start end of the conveyor 6.

[0033] The harvested product from the separating device 5 is transported upward and rearward by a transport conveyor 6. The harvested product is discharged from a discharge section 6a at the upper rear portion of the transport conveyor 6 onto the loading platform of an accompanying transport vehicle (not shown), such as a truck, for collection.

[0034] [Configuration of the harvesting device] As shown in FIG. 1 , the harvesting device 3 is provided with right and left dividers 9, right and left dividing bodies 10, and a cutting device 11.

[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 the traveling machine body advances, the crops in the field are divided by the right and left dividers 9 and the dividing plants 10 in the harvesting device 3, and one row of crop is introduced between the right and left dividers 9 and the dividing plants 10. As the crops are 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 crops are harvested by the harvesting device 3. The harvested crops are supplied to the conveying device 4.

[0037] [Configuration of the Transport Conveyor] As shown in FIG. 1, the transport conveyor 6 is configured such that a pair of left and right side walls 60 are arranged in a rearward-upward inclined position, and a transport belt (not shown) is rotatably supported between the right and left side plates.

[0038] 1 and 2, a swivel frame body 21 is swingably connected to a conveyor support frame body 20. The swivel frame body 21 is configured to be swingable about a vertical axis X1. A pair of hydraulically driven swing hydraulic cylinders 22S are swingably connected to each of the conveyor support frame body 20 and the swivel frame body 21.

[0039] The left and right turning hydraulic cylinders 22S are controlled by a control device 70 (see FIG. 6). The turning hydraulic cylinders 22S turn the transport conveyor 6 left and right. With this configuration, the transport conveyor 6 can turn around the vertical axis X1 with its lower end serving as a fulcrum.

[0040] [Configuration of Lifting Mechanism] The sugarcane harvester is provided with a lifting mechanism LM that supports the transport conveyor 6 on the traveling machine body so that it can be raised and lowered.

[0041] The lifting mechanism LM includes a swing support part 21T at the upper rear part of the revolving frame body 21, and a swing shaft 23 supported by the swing support part 21T. The swing shaft 23 is connected to the frame body of the transport conveyor 6. The transport conveyor 6 is configured to be swingable up and down around an axis Y1 that extends along the width direction of the transport conveyor 6, with the center of the swing shaft 23 serving as a fulcrum at its lower end. When the transport conveyor 6 swings, the hopper 13 also swings together with the transport conveyor 6.

[0042] Furthermore, the lifting mechanism LM includes a pair of left and right lifting hydraulic cylinders 22H. The pair of left and right lifting hydraulic cylinders 22H are controlled by a control device 70 (see FIG. 6). The pair of left and right lifting hydraulic cylinders 22H are connected to the rear of the separating device 5 (traveling body) and the transfer conveyor 6, respectively. The lifting hydraulic cylinders 22H drive the transfer conveyor 6 to swing up and down. Hereinafter, the upward swinging of the transfer conveyor 6 will be referred to as "the transfer conveyor 6 rises," and the downward swinging of the transfer conveyor 6 will be referred to as "the transfer conveyor 6 descends."

[0043] The control device 70 includes a processor such as an ECU or a CPU, and each functional unit included in the control device 70 is controlled by the processor.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the transport conveyor 6 is provided with a driving wheel 81, a driven wheel 82, a pair of left and right endless rotating chains 85, and a plurality of transport bodies 86.

[0045] The drive wheel 81 is provided at the upper rear portion of the transport conveyor 6, i.e., at the end of the transport path. A hydraulic motor 81M is provided on the drive wheel 81. The drive wheel 81 rotates around a horizontal axis Y2 by the rotational drive of the hydraulic motor 81M.

[0046] The drive wheels 81 are supported by rear portions 60B of a pair of left and right side walls 60 of the transport conveyor 6. An open portion 61 that is open toward the discharge portion 6a of the transport conveyor 6 is formed in the rear portions 60B of the side walls 60.

[0047] The drive wheel 81 is fastened and fixed with bolts 63 inserted into elongated holes 62 formed above and below the open portion 61. By releasing the fastening of the bolts 63, the drive wheel 81 becomes slidable in the direction along which the transport conveyor 6 extends.

[0048] When the discharge portion 6a is removed for maintenance or the like, the rear portion 60B is opened by the opening portion 61 toward the end of the conveyor 6 in the conveying direction. When the bolt 63 is removed from the long hole 62, the hydraulic motor 81M can be removed from the drive wheel 81 via the opening portion 61.

[0049] The driven wheel 82 is located at the lower front end of the transport conveyor 6, that is, at the transport start end, and rotates around a horizontal axis Y3.

[0050] A pair of left and right endless rotary chains 85 are wound around the drive wheels 81 and the driven wheels 82. The pair of left and right endless rotary chains 85 circulate along the transport path of the transport conveyor 6 and a return path opposite to the transport path.

[0051] Each of the plurality of conveying bodies 86 is attached to a pair of left and right endless rotating chains 85. The plurality of conveying bodies 86 rotate integrally with the endless rotating chains 85, thereby conveying the harvested crops diagonally upward along the conveying path.

[0052] A guide member 14 is provided at the discharge section 6a of the transport conveyor 6. By changing the orientation of the guide member 14 in the vertical direction, the orientation of the crops discharged from the discharge section 6a of the transport conveyor 6 can be changed up or down.

[0053] [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. 4 and Fig. 5, the driver's section 7 is provided with a driver's seat 42, a handle post 43 provided in front of the driver's seat 42, a control handle 44 supported on the upper part of the handle 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 50 provided on the upper part of the operation box 45, etc.

[0054] On the floor 46 of the driver's section 7, a discharge pedal 47 for instructing the discharge of the transport conveyor 6, a brake pedal 48, and a lock lever 49 are provided at a position to the right of the handle post 43.

[0055] Further, right and left direction change pedals 72 for instructing the left and right direction change of the transport conveyor 6 are provided at a position to the left of the handle post 43. By stepping on the direction change pedals 72, an instruction is given to the turning hydraulic cylinder 22S, and the transport conveyor 6 is turned left and right.

[0056] 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.

[0057] A speed change lever 51 and a lift operation switch 52 (corresponding to the "lift operation tool" of the present invention) are provided on the side panel 50. The lift operation switch 52 is located on the outer side of the side panel 50 in the left-right direction of the vehicle body (on the "right side" in this embodiment).

[0058] A shift lever 51 (corresponding to the "shift operating device" of the present invention) is disposed in the front portion of the side panel 50. The side panel 50 is provided with a neutral path 56 (corresponding to the "neutral position" of the present invention) extending along the left-right direction, a forward path 57 extending forward from the left portion of the neutral path 56, and a reverse path 58 extending rearward from the right portion of the neutral path 56.

[0059] Here, a hydrostatic continuously variable transmission 16 (see FIG. 6) is provided as a transmission that changes the speed of power from the engine 8 (see FIG. 1). A speed change lever 51 operates the speed change state of the continuously variable transmission 16.

[0060] The operator seated in the driver's seat 42 holds the shift lever 51 with his right hand and manually operates the shift lever 51 along a neutral path 56, a forward path 57, and a reverse path 58. When the shift lever 51 is operated to the neutral path 56, the continuously variable transmission 16 (see FIG. 6) is operated to the neutral state, and the traveling vehicle stops. When the shift lever 51 is operated to the forward path 57, the continuously variable transmission 16 is operated to the forward high-speed side, and when the shift lever 51 is operated to the reverse path 58, the continuously variable transmission 16 is operated to the reverse high-speed side.

[0061] The lifting / lowering operation switch 52 is a seesaw switch that instructs the pair of left and right lifting hydraulic cylinders 22H to lift or lower the transport conveyor 6 (discharge section 6a). By pressing the front portion of the lifting / lowering operation switch 52, the discharge section 6a of the transport conveyor 6 rises. By pressing the rear portion of the lifting / lowering operation switch 52, the discharge section 6a of the transport conveyor 6 descends.

[0062] The side panel 50 is also provided with a restriction release operation switch 53 (corresponding to the "restriction release operation tool" of the present invention).

[0063] As will be described later, the limit release operation switch 53 issues an instruction to release the limit on the lifting range of the transport conveyor 6. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the limit release operation switch 53 is disposed on the side panel 50 behind the lifting operation switch 52. Also, as shown in Figure 5, the limit release operation switch 53 is disposed in a position overlapping with the backrest 42A of the driver's seat 42 in a side view.

[0064] 6, the control device 70 controls the pair of left and right lifting hydraulic cylinders 22H in response to the operation of the lifting operation switch 52. When the lifting operation switch 52 is operated, the control device 70 controls the pair of left and right lifting hydraulic cylinders 22H to raise and lower the transport conveyor 6.

[0065] 2, a potentiometer-type angle sensor 71 is provided that can detect the angle of the transport conveyor 6. The angle sensor 71 is provided across the swivel frame body 21 and the transport conveyor 6, and is covered with a cover 71C.

[0066] 6, the control device 70 is configured to be able to receive the detection result of the angle sensor 71. The control device 70 controls the lifting and lowering operation of the transport conveyor 6 based on the detection result of the angle sensor 71.

[0067] When the angle sensor 71 detects that the transport conveyor 6 is at the highest position NU during normal operation as shown in Figure 1, the control device 70 prohibits further lifting. Also, when the angle sensor 71 detects that the transport conveyor 6 is at the lowest position ND during normal operation as shown in Figure 1, the control device 70 prohibits further lowering. In other words, during normal operation, the transport conveyor 6 can be raised and lowered from the highest position NU to the lowest position ND. Hereinafter, this lifting range for normal operation will be referred to as the "normal lifting range NR."

[0068] Here, when maintenance or the like is performed, the operator can perform a predetermined operation to lower the transport conveyor 6 below the lowest position ND.

[0069] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, when the shift lever sensor 51S, which detects the position of the shift lever 51, detects that the shift lever 51 is positioned in the neutral path 56 and the restriction release operation switch 53 (see FIG. 3) is pressed and an instruction to release the restriction is received, the control device 70 permits the lowering operation below the lowest position ND.

[0070] Specifically, when the operator operates the speed change lever 51 so that the speed change lever 51 is positioned on the neutral path 56, and then, while holding down the limit release operation switch 53, operates the conveyor 6 to lower using the lift operation switch 52, the control device 70 allows the conveyor 6 to be lowered below the lowest position ND.

[0071] After the transport conveyor 6 has descended from the lowest position ND, if the lifting / lowering operation switch 52 is used to further lower the transport conveyor 6, the transport conveyor 6 can continue to descend.

[0072] As the transport conveyor 6 continues to descend, when it reaches the lowest position MD for maintenance shown in FIG. 1, the angle sensor 71 detects that the transport conveyor 6 is at the lowest position MD. The control device 70 then prohibits any further lowering of the transport conveyor 6. In other words, during maintenance, the transport conveyor 6 can be raised and lowered from the lowest position ND to the lowest position MD. Hereinafter, this maintenance lifting range will be referred to as the "maintenance lifting range MR."

[0073] When the transport conveyor 6 is moving up and down within the maintenance lifting range MR, the control device 70 prohibits the transport conveyor 6 from turning.

[0074] With the above-described configuration, when the limit release operation switch 53 has not received an instruction to release the limit, the lifting mechanism LM can raise and lower the transport conveyor 6 in the normal lifting range NR in accordance with the instruction received by the lifting operation switch 52, and when the limit release operation switch 53 receives an instruction to release the limit, the lifting mechanism LM can raise and lower the transport conveyor 6 in the maintenance lifting range MR.

[0075] In this embodiment, when the lifting operation switch 52 is used to further lift the transport conveyor 6 and the transport conveyor 6 rises to the normal lifting range NR, the control device 70 again prohibits the transport conveyor 6 from being lowered below the lowest position ND. As described above, by pressing the restriction release operation switch 53, the transport conveyor 6 can again be lowered to the maintenance lifting range MR.

[0076] Other Embodiments Hereinafter, other embodiments in which the above-described embodiment is modified will be described.

[0077] (1) In the above embodiment, the side panel 50 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 50 may be disposed on the left side of the driver's seat 42 in the left-right direction, and the side panel 50 may be disposed on the left side of the driver's seat 42 in the left-right direction.

[0078] (2) In the above embodiment, the maintenance lifting range MR is located below the normal lifting range NR. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the lower portion of the normal lifting range NR and the upper portion of the maintenance lifting range MR may overlap. In this case, when the transport conveyor 6 descends to the range where only the maintenance lifting range MR is present and then ascends to the range where the normal lifting range NR and the maintenance lifting range MR overlap, the transport conveyor 6 may be permitted to descend again to the range where only the maintenance lifting range MR is present without pressing the restriction release operation switch 53.

[0079] (3) In the above embodiment, the lift operation switch 52 and the limit release operation switch 53 are disposed on the side panel 50. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, either or both of the lift operation switch 52 and the limit release operation switch 53 may be disposed on the handle post 43.

[0080] (4) In the above embodiment, the restriction release operation switch 53 is disposed in a position overlapping the backrest 42A of the driver's seat 42 in a side view. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the restriction release operation switch 53 may be disposed in a position rearward of the backrest 42A of the driver's seat 42 in a side view.

[0081] (5) In the above embodiment, the angle sensor 71 is described as being of a potentiometer type. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and other types of sensors capable of detecting the angle of the transport conveyor 6 may be used.

[0082] (6) In the above embodiment, the control device 70 is configured to prohibit the rotation of the conveyor 6 when the conveyor 6 is moving up or down in the maintenance lifting range MR. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the conveyor 6 may be configured to allow rotation of the conveyor 6 even when the conveyor 6 is moving up or down in the maintenance lifting range MR.

[0083] (7) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the transport conveyor 6 is permitted to move up and down into the maintenance lifting range MR when the shift lever sensor 51S, which detects the position of the shift lever 51, detects that the shift lever 51 is located in the neutral path 56 and the limit release operation switch 53 receives an instruction to release the limit. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the transport conveyor 6 may be permitted to move up and down into the maintenance lifting range MR when only the limit release operation switch 53 is operated.

[0084] (8) A configuration may be provided in which an alarm device is activated to issue an alarm when the transport conveyor 6 moves up and down in the maintenance lifting range MR.

[0085] (9) When the transport conveyor 6 moves up and down within the maintenance lifting range MR, the traveling machine body may be stopped by forcibly operating the continuously variable transmission 16 (see FIG. 6) to a neutral state.

[0086] (10) A rotation detection device that detects the rotation position of the transport conveyor 6 may be provided, and the control device 70 may be configured to perform control to permit or prohibit operation of the transport conveyor 6 into the maintenance lifting range MR based on the detection result of the rotation detection device. In this case, the control device 70 may be configured to perform control to permit operation of the transport conveyor 6 into the maintenance lifting range MR only when the transport conveyor 6 reaches a rotation position extending rearward along the fore-and-aft direction of the machine body in a plan view.

[0087] (11) In the above embodiment, the control device 70 is used to allow or prohibit operation of the transport conveyor 6 into the maintenance lifting range MR. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the transport conveyor 6 may be configured to include a stopper made of a metal member that prevents the transport conveyor 6 from moving up or down from the normal lifting range NR to the maintenance lifting range MR. In this case, the stopper may be detachable, and the transport conveyor 6 may be configured to prohibit movement into the maintenance lifting range MR by attaching the stopper and to allow movement into the maintenance lifting range MR by detaching the stopper.

[0088] (12) When the transport conveyor 6 moves up and down from the normal lifting range NR to the maintenance lifting range MR, the separating device 5 may be configured to rotate so as to prevent the hopper 13, which swings together with the transport conveyor 6, from colliding with the separating device 5. In this case, the separating device 5 may be configured to rotate based on the detection result of the rotation detection device, with a rotation detection device being provided that detects the rotation position of the transport conveyor 6.

[0089] 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.

[0090] The present invention can be used in sugarcane harvesters.

[0091] 5: Separation device 6: Transfer conveyor 8: Engine (motor part) 42: Driver's seat 42A: Backrest 50: Side panel 51: Speed ​​change lever (speed change operation device) 52: Lifting operation switch (lifting operation device) 53: Restriction release operation switch (restriction release operation device) 56: Neutral path (neutral position) 71: Angle sensor LM: Lifting mechanism MR: Maintenance lifting range NR: Normal lifting range X1: Vertical axis

Claims

1. A sugarcane harvester comprising: a travelling machine body; a separation device mounted on the travelling machine body for separating harvested crops into debris and harvested material; a transport conveyor for discharging the harvested material from the separation device; and a lifting mechanism for supporting the transport conveyor so that it can be raised and lowered on the travelling machine body, wherein the lifting mechanism raises and lowers the transport conveyor between a normal lifting range which is a lifting range for normal work, and a maintenance lifting range which includes a lifting range below the normal lifting range.

2. A sugarcane harvester as described in claim 1, further comprising: a lifting operation device that instructs the lifting mechanism to lift or lower the transport conveyor; and a restriction release operation device that instructs the lifting mechanism to release the restriction on the lifting range of the transport conveyor, wherein when the restriction release operation device has not received an instruction to release the restriction, the lifting mechanism lifts or lowers the transport conveyor within the normal lifting range in accordance with the instruction received by the lifting operation device, and when the restriction release operation device receives an instruction to release the restriction, the lifting mechanism is able to lift or lower the transport conveyor within the maintenance lifting range.

3. A sugarcane harvester as described in claim 2, comprising: a driver's seat provided on the traveling body; and a side panel provided on the side of the driver's seat, and the lifting operation device and the limit release operation device are arranged on the side panel.

4. A sugarcane harvester according to claim 3, wherein the restriction release operating device is disposed behind the lifting operating device.

5. A sugarcane harvester according to claim 4, wherein the restriction release operating device overlaps with the backrest of the driver's seat in a side view.

6. A sugarcane harvester as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an angle sensor capable of detecting the angle of the transport conveyor, and the lifting mechanism controls the lifting operation of the transport conveyor based on the detection result of the angle sensor.

7. A sugarcane harvester as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the transport conveyor is configured to be rotatable about an upper and lower axis, and when the transport conveyor is moving up and down within the maintenance lifting range, the rotation of the transport conveyor is prohibited.

8. A sugarcane harvester as described in any one of claims 2 to 5, comprising: a speed change device that changes the speed of power from a driving unit; and a speed change operating device that operates the speed change state of the speed change device, wherein when the speed change operating device is in a neutral position and when the restriction release operating device receives an instruction to release the restriction, the transport conveyor can be raised and lowered from the normal lifting range to the maintenance lifting range.

9. A sugarcane harvester according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising an alarm device that issues an alarm, and that is activated when the transport conveyor moves up and down within the maintenance lifting range.

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