Seedling transplanter

Abstract

Provided is a seedling transplanter comprising: a traveling body (2); a seedling planting part (4) attached to the traveling body (2); a reserve seedling placement part (52) attached to the traveling body (2) and on which a seedling box can be placed; and a rail provided on a lateral side of the reserve seedling placement part (52) and capable of accommodating an empty seedling box (70). The seedling transplanter includes a moving mechanism for moving, to the rail, the empty seedling box (70) placed on the reserve seedling placement part (52). As a result of this configuration, the seedling transplanter reduces the burden on workers for moving empty seedling boxes (70).

Description

seedling transplanter

[0001] The present invention relates to a seedling transplanter.

[0002] BACKGROUND ART A seedling transplanter having rails for returning seedling boxes containing seedlings that have been replenished in the seedling planting section to an assistant worker on the ridge has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-72873

[0004] However, with the seedling transplanter described above, the operator inside the seedling transplanter must lift the empty seedling trays and move them onto the rails. This increases the operator's workload. Furthermore, we noticed that it is not always easy to transport the empty seedling trays after the seedlings have been removed to the assistant worker who is performing the assistant work on the bank where the seedling trays are being supplied.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide a seedling transplanter that reduces the burden on the worker when moving empty seedling trays and can more efficiently send empty seedling trays to an assistant worker performing assistant work on the bank where seedling trays are supplied.

[0006] The present invention provides a seedling transplanter characterized by comprising a traveling body (2), a seedling planting section (4) attached to the traveling body (2), a spare seedling placing section (52) attached to the traveling body (2) and capable of placing seedling trays, a rail provided on the side of the spare seedling placing section (52) capable of accommodating empty seedling trays, and a moving mechanism for moving the empty seedling trays placed on the spare seedling placing section (52) to the rail.

[0007] According to the present invention, the burden on workers when moving empty seedling trays can be reduced.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a side view of the seedling transplanter. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the seedling transplanter. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the spare seedling frame in the unfolded state. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one spare seedling table. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the rotating unit in the moved state. FIG. 6 is a side view of the spare seedling frame illustrating the electric switching mechanism. FIG. 7 is a partial left side view of the seedling transplanter according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view (part 1) of the vicinity of the lever of the seedling transplanter according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view (part 2) of the vicinity of the lever of the seedling transplanter according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view (part 3) of the vicinity of the lever of the seedling transplanter according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view (part 4) of the vicinity of the lever of the seedling transplanter according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view (part 5) of the vicinity of the lever of the seedling transplanter according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view (part 1) of the vicinity of the seedling box feeding mechanism of the seedling transplanter according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 14 is a partial perspective view (part 2) of the seedling tray feeding mechanism and its vicinity of the seedling transplanter according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 15 is a partial perspective view (part 3) of the seedling tray feeding mechanism and its vicinity of the seedling transplanter according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 16 is a partial left side view of the lever and its vicinity of the seedling transplanter according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] First, an overview of a seedling transplanter (1) according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a side view showing the seedling transplanter (1). Figure 2 is a plan view showing the seedling transplanter (1).

[0010] In the following description, the forward / rearward direction refers to the direction of travel of the seedling transplanter (1) when traveling straight, with the forward side of the traveling direction being defined as "front" and the rear side being defined as "rear." The traveling direction of the seedling transplanter (1) is the direction from the operator's seat toward the handle (35) when traveling straight (see Figures 1 and 2).

[0011] The left-right direction is a direction that is horizontally perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction and defines left and right facing the "front." In other words, when the operator (also called an operator) is seated in the cockpit and facing forward, the left-hand side is the "left" and the right-hand side is the "right."

[0012] The up-down direction is the vertical direction. The front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction are perpendicular to each other. Each direction is defined for the convenience of explanation, and the present invention is not limited to these directions.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the seedling transplanter (1) is provided with a seedling planting section (4) that can be raised and lowered via a lifting link mechanism (3) at the rear of a traveling body (2) to plant seedlings in a field.

[0014] Next, a spare seedling frame (50) according to an embodiment will be described. The spare seedling frame (50) can be switched between a stored state in which spare seedling trays (52), an example of a spare seedling placement unit, are arranged vertically as shown in FIG. 1 and an expanded state in which the spare seedling trays (52) are arranged front-to-back as shown in FIG. 3 . FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the expanded state of the spare seedling frame (50). In the spare seedling frame (50), multiple spare seedling trays (52) are connected by a link mechanism (201). By rotating the link mechanism (201), the spare seedling frame (50) can be switched between the stored state and the expanded state. That is, the link mechanism (201) maintains the multiple spare seedling trays (52) in the stored state and the expanded state. Note that some components, such as the return rail (200), are omitted from FIGS. 1 and 3 .

[0015] The return rail (200) is attached to the spare seedling tray (52) via a support frame (202), as shown in Figures 2 and 4. Figure 4 is a perspective view of one spare seedling tray (52). The spare seedling tray (52) in Figure 4 is the rearmost spare seedling tray (52) in the unfolded state.

[0016] The support frame (202) is formed to have a substantially J-shape when viewed from the front-rear direction. Multiple support frames (202) are provided lined up in the front-rear direction. For example, two support frames (202) are provided lined up in the front-rear direction. Three or more support frames (202) may be provided lined up in the front-rear direction. One end of the support frame (202) is connected to the spare seedling tray (52) via an attachment member (203). Specifically, the end of the support frame (202) on the center side of the traveling body (2) in the left-right direction is connected to the spare seedling tray (52). The other end of the support frame (202) is connected to a guide member (204) extending in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the end of the support frame (202) on the outer side of the traveling body (2) in the left-right direction is connected to the guide member (204).

[0017] The return rail (200) is supported by the bottom of the support frame (202). The return rail (200) is provided below the spare seedling tray (52). The return rail (200) is provided so as to extend in the front-to-rear direction. The return rail (200) has wall portions (200a) extending upward at the left and right ends. The return rail (200) is provided so that the front-to-rear end portions are open.

[0018] The support frame (202) and return rail (200) are configured so that empty seedling boxes can be placed vertically. Vertical placement means that the bottom of the seedling box is aligned vertically. Vertical placement also includes a state in which the bottom of the seedling box is slightly tilted vertically. The support frame (202) is configured to be, for example, 150 mm high from the spare seedling tray (52).

[0019] When the spare seedling frame (50) is in the unfolded state, the return rails (200) are arranged in a line in the front-to-rear direction, similar to the spare seedling loading platform (52). That is, when the spare seedling frame (50) is in the unfolded state, the return rails (200) are arranged in a line in the front-to-rear direction. Therefore, when the spare seedling frame (50) is in the unfolded state, the operator of the seedling transplanter (1) can feed the seedling boxes placed on the return rails (200) from rear to front in a vertically placed state.

[0020] Of the multiple spare seedling trays (52), the spare seedling tray (52) that is the rearmost in the unfolded state is equipped with a rotating part (205). The rotating part (205) rotates to move empty seedling boxes placed flat on the spare seedling tray (52) to the return rail (200). "Flat" refers to a state in which the bottom of the seedling box is in a substantially horizontal direction. The rotating part (205) is changed to the initial state shown in FIG. 4 or the moving state shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the rotating part (205) in the moving state. The rotating part (205) is equipped with a rotating shaft part (206), a contact part (207), and a connecting part (208).

[0021] The pivot shaft (206) is provided below the bottom of the spare seedling tray (52). The pivot shaft (206) is provided to extend in the front-to-rear direction. The pivot shaft (206) is attached to the attachment member (203) so as to be rotatable. That is, the pivot shaft (206) is rotatably attached to the spare seedling tray (52) via the attachment member (203).

[0022] In the initial state, the contact portion (207) protrudes above the bottom of the spare seedling tray (52) and contacts the bottom surface of the seedling tray when the spare seedling tray is placed on the spare seedling tray (52). Specifically, when the spare seedling tray is placed flat, the contact portion (207) contacts the bottom surface of the seedling tray.

[0023] For example, two abutment portions (207) are provided side by side in the left-right direction. The abutment portions (207) are provided so as to extend in the front-rear direction. The abutment portions (207) are provided so as to protrude diagonally upward from the ends in the front-rear direction. In other words, the abutment portions (207) are formed so as to have an inverted U shape when viewed from the left-right direction. The two abutment portions (207) are connected by a connecting portion (208). When the rotating portion (205) is in the initial state, the end of the abutment portion (207) abuts against the bottom of the spare seedling tray (52), and the rotating portion (205) is supported by the spare seedling tray (52).

[0024] The connecting portion (208) connects the pivot shaft portion (206) and the abutment portion (207). Two connecting portions (208) are provided, for example, side by side in the front-to-rear direction. The connecting portion (208) has a protruding portion (208a) that protrudes downward from the pivot shaft portion (206). The connecting portion (208) is provided so as to pass through a hole (52a) formed in the bottom of the spare seedling tray (52).

[0025] A plate (208b) is provided on the protruding portion (208a) of at least one of the two connecting portions (208). A cable for moving the rotating portion (205) is connected to the plate (208b).

[0026] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, a lever (210) is provided on the spare seedling tray (52) that is the front end of the multiple spare seedling trays (52) when the trays are unfolded. The lever (210) is provided so that it can be operated by an assistant worker standing on the ridge when the spare seedling frames (50) are unfolded. Specifically, the lever (210) is provided below the spare seedling tray (52). The lever (210) is provided so that it can be easily operated by an assistant worker standing on the ridge, for example.

[0027] The lever (210) and the plate (208b) of the rotating part (205) are connected by a cable. The lever (210) and the plate (208b) of the rotating part (205) may be connected via a cable and a connection mechanism. The cable is routed along the joint part (201a) of the link mechanism (201).

[0028] When the lever (210) is not operated, the rotating unit (205) is in its initial state. When the lever (210) is operated, the connecting unit (208) of the rotating unit (205) is pulled by the cable toward the center of the traveling vehicle body (2) in the left-right direction, and the rotating unit (205) moves toward the center. Specifically, the rotating unit (205) rotates around the axis of the rotating shaft unit (206). As a result, the abutment unit (207) rotates upward, and the rotating unit (205) changes from its initial state to a moving state. That is, when the lever (210) is operated, the rotating unit (205) rotates from the initial state shown in FIG. 4 to the moving state shown in FIG. 5. In addition, in the moving state of the rotating unit (205), for example, the upper surface of the abutment unit (207) is rotated 80 degrees from the initial state.

[0029] When the rotating part (205) is in its initial state and an empty seedling box is placed flat on the spare seedling tray (52), the rotating part (205) rotates, causing the seedling box to be lifted by the rotating part (205) and rotate together with the rotating part (205). When the rotating part (205) moves, the seedling box slides down from the abutment part (207) toward the return rail (200) due to its own weight and is accommodated in the return rail (200) and the support frame (202). In other words, when the rotating part (205) is changed from its initial state to its moving state, the empty seedling box moves to the return rail (200). The seedling box that has moved to the return rail (200) is held in an upright position by the support frame (202) and the return rail (200). In this way, the rotating part (205) changes the empty seedling box from a flat state in which it is placed on the spare seedling loading table (52) to a vertical state in which it is moved to the return rail (200).

[0030] When the lever (210) is no longer operated, the rotating part (205) rotates from the moving state to the initial state due to its own weight. Note that the end of the abutting part (207) abuts against the bottom of the spare seedling tray (52), so that the rotating part (205) is maintained in the initial state.

[0031] The seedling transplanter (1) comprises a traveling body (2), a seedling planting unit (4), a spare seedling loading tray (52), a return rail (200), and a rotating unit (205). The seedling planting unit (4) is attached to the traveling body (2). The spare seedling loading tray (52) is attached to the traveling body (2) and is capable of carrying seedling boxes. The return rail (200) is provided on the side of the spare seedling loading tray (52) and is capable of accommodating empty seedling boxes. The rotating unit (205) moves empty seedling boxes placed on the spare seedling loading tray (52) to the return rail (200) by rotating.

[0032] As a result, the seedling transplanter (1) can move empty seedling boxes from the spare seedling loading table (52) to the return rail (200) by rotating the rotating unit (205). Therefore, the operator of the seedling transplanter (1) does not need to move the empty seedling boxes, which have had seedlings moved to the seedling planting section (4), from the spare seedling loading table (52) to the return rail (200). Therefore, the seedling transplanter (1) can reduce the workload of the operator.

[0033] The rotating portion (205) includes a rotating shaft portion (206) and an abutment portion (207). The rotating shaft portion (206) is provided below the bottom of the spare seedling tray (52). The abutment portion (207) protrudes above the bottom of the spare seedling tray (52) and abuts against the bottom of an empty seedling tray.

[0034] This allows the seedling transplanter (1) to suppress the protrusion of the pivot shaft (206) in the left-right direction, for example, and allows the structure for rotating the pivot (205) to be made smaller. Furthermore, the seedling transplanter (1) can be rotated from a state in which the abutment (207) abuts against the bottom surface of the seedling tray, and prevents the seedling tray from jumping up when moving the seedling tray onto the return rail (200). Therefore, the seedling transplanter (1) can reliably move empty seedling trays onto the return rail (200).

[0035] The rotating part (205) has a connecting part (208). The connecting part (208) connects the rotating shaft part (206) and the abutting part (207) and protrudes downward from the rotating shaft part (206). The return rail (200) is provided on the outer side of the traveling body (2) relative to the spare seedling loading platform (52). When the connecting part (208) of the rotating part (205) is moved toward the center of the traveling body (2), the empty seedling box is moved to the return rail (200).

[0036] As a result, the seedling transplanter (1) can suppress the protrusion of the rotating part (205) in the left-right direction, for example, and can reduce the size of the configuration for rotating the rotating part (205). Furthermore, the seedling transplanter (1) can suppress the upward protrusion of the rotating part (205). Therefore, when moving an empty seedling tray from the spare seedling tray (52) to the return rail (200), the seedling transplanter (1) can suppress the seedling tray from hitting the rotating shaft part (206) or the connecting part (208), for example, and can move the seedling tray to the return rail (200).

[0037] The rotating part (205) changes the empty seedling box from a flat state placed on the spare seedling placing table (52) to a vertical state moved onto the return rail (200).

[0038] This allows the seedling transplanter (1) to reduce the space occupied in the left-right direction by the seedling boxes moved to the return rail (200).

[0039] The seedling transplanter (1) includes a lever (210). The lever (210) can operate a rotating unit (205). A plurality of spare seedling trays (52) are provided. The plurality of spare seedling trays (52) can be switched between a stored state in which each spare seedling tray (52) is arranged vertically and an expanded state in which each spare seedling tray (52) is arranged in a front-to-back direction. The rotating unit (205) is attached to the spare seedling tray (52) that is the rear end in the expanded state. The lever (210) is provided below the spare seedling tray (52) that is the front end in the expanded state. The lever (210) and the rotating unit (205) are connected by a cable. The cable is routed along a joint (201a) of a link mechanism (201) that holds the plurality of spare seedling trays (52) in the stored state and the expanded state.

[0040] As a result, the seedling transplanter (1) can move empty seedling boxes from the spare seedling tray (52) to the return rail (200) by, for example, operating the lever (210) by an assistant worker standing on the ridge of the field. Therefore, the seedling transplanter (1) can reduce the workload of the worker standing on the seedling transplanter (1). Furthermore, the seedling transplanter (1) can prevent the cable from sagging, and can prevent people or objects from coming into contact with the cable. Therefore, the seedling transplanter (1) can prevent cable breakage, etc.

[0041] The seedling transplanter (1) may include an electric switching mechanism (220) for switching the multiple spare seedling trays (52) between a stored state and an expanded state, as shown in FIG. 6 . FIG. 6 is a side view of the spare seedling frame (50) illustrating the electric switching mechanism (220). The electric switching mechanism (220) includes a motor (221), a gear (222), and a stopper (223). The motor (221) switches the multiple spare seedling trays (52) between a stored state and an expanded state via the gear (222). The motor (221) is controlled by a controller (not shown). The stopper (223) limits the movement of the link mechanism (201) when the multiple spare seedling trays (52) are in the expanded state.

[0042] The seedlings are sent out toward the front of the vehicle by the operation of the seedling box feed mechanism (500). The distance from the empty seedling box (70) transferred to the seedling box slide rail (30) to the seedling box supply side is not small, and the operator who is busy supplying seedlings to the seedling planting unit is often unable to push the empty seedling box (70) toward the seedling box supply side. The seedling box transfer mechanism (40) and seedling box feed mechanism (500) reduce the workload on the assistant operator, thereby promoting efficiency through work sharing.

[0043] The spare seedling loading table (52) is a table on which empty seedling boxes (70) supplied from the front side of the vehicle body are placed.

[0044] Typically, the spare seedling tray (52) is a lower spare seedling frame, as will be described later, but it is also possible for the spare seedling tray (52) to be another spare seedling frame or a dedicated tray.

[0045] The seedling box slide rail (30) is a rail arranged on the side of the spare seedling loading table (52) along which the empty seedling box (70) after the seedlings have been taken out is slid toward the seedling box supply side.

[0046] Typically, the seedling tray slide rail (30) is configured to be joined together from multiple return rails (200), as will be described later, but it is also possible for the seedling tray slide rail (30) to be configured from a single member attached to a vehicle body or the like.

[0047] The seedling box transfer mechanism (40) is a mechanism for transferring an empty seedling box (70) from the spare seedling loading table (52) to the seedling box slide rail (30).

[0048] As will be explained later, the empty seedling boxes (70) are transported by pushing up the empty seedling boxes (70), but it is also possible to transport the empty seedling boxes (70) by, for example, pushing them away.

[0049] The seedling box feeding mechanism (500) is a mechanism for sending the empty seedling box (70) transferred onto the seedling box slide rail (30) toward the seedling box supply side.

[0050] The empty seedling box (70) is sent out by pushing the empty seedling box (70), as will be described later, but it is also possible to think of a form in which the empty seedling box (70) is sent out by, for example, pushing the empty seedling box (70).

[0051] The transfer of empty seedling boxes (70) by the seedling box transfer mechanism (40) and the delivery of empty seedling boxes (70) by the seedling box feeding mechanism (500) are carried out by using cable pulling from the seedling box supply side.

[0052] It is also possible to consider a mode in which the seedling box transfer mechanism (40) transfers the empty seedling boxes (70) and the seedling box feeding mechanism (500) sends out the empty seedling boxes (70) using a chain drive or a rod rotation.

[0053] The lever (210) is a mechanism arranged on the seedling tray supply side, which is rotated around the lever rotation fulcrum member (61).

[0054] It is also possible to consider a mode in which the lever (210) is attached not only to the seedling tray slide rail (30) but also to a spare seedling loading stand (52) or the like.

[0055] The empty seedling trays (70) are transported out and the empty seedling trays (70) are sent out in response to the operation of the lever (210).

[0056] As will be explained later, the lever operation of the lever (210) for transporting empty seedling trays (70) and sending out empty seedling trays (70) is performed by lever operation around a common lever pivot fulcrum member (61), but it is also possible to consider a configuration in which the lever operation of such lever (210) is performed by lever operation around different lever pivot fulcrum members (61).

[0057] The seedling tray slide rail (30) has a plurality of return rails (200).

[0058] Typically, the return rails (200) are three members attached to the upper, middle, and lower spare seedling crates of a deployable spare seedling tray loading unit with a so-called three-tier spare seedling crate configuration attached to at least one of the left and right sides of the vehicle body. The flexible structure utilizing the bending of the seedling tray transfer cable (42) and the seedling tray feeding cable (520) as well as the joints of the return rails (200) does not hinder the transition of the spare seedling tray loading unit between the stacked state and the deployed state.

[0059] When an empty seedling tray (70) is slid toward the seedling tray supply side, the plurality of return rails (200) are aligned in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body.

[0060] As the state of the spare seedling box placing unit changes from a stacked state to an expanded state, the return rails (200) attached to the upper spare seedling frame, the return rails (200) attached to the middle spare seedling frame, and the return rails (200) attached to the lower spare seedling frame are aligned in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body from the front side to the rear side of the vehicle body.

[0061] The height of the aligned return rails (200) decreases toward the seedling tray supply side.

[0062] Such a reduction in the height of the return rail (200), even if not so great, is expected to effectively assist the seedling tray feeding mechanism (500) in smoothly sending out the empty seedling trays (70).

[0063] In addition, the lower end of the empty seedling tray (70) transferred onto the seedling tray slide rail (30) on the rear side of the vehicle body may be recessed toward the front side of the vehicle body.

[0064] Since the lower end of the empty seedling box (70) on the rear side of the vehicle body is formed so as to be concave toward the front of the vehicle body by machining the seedling box portion (70p) or the like, the upper end (51u) of the rod, as will be described later, abuts against the empty seedling box (70) at a sufficient height, thereby ensuring a component of the abutment force that pushes the empty seedling box (70) toward the front of the vehicle body, and is expected to effectively assist the seedling box feeding mechanism (500) in smoothly sending out the empty seedling box (70).

[0065] Next, the configuration and operation of the seedling transplanter (1) according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to mainly FIGS.

[0066] Figures 8 to 12 are partial perspective views (parts 1 to 5) of the vicinity of the lever (210) of the seedling transplanter (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figures 13 to 15 are partial perspective views (parts 1 to 3) of the vicinity of the seedling box feeding mechanism (500) of the seedling transplanter (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 16 is a partial left side view of the vicinity of the lever (210) of the seedling transplanter (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] The lever (210) has a rod-shaped lever main body member (62). A seedling box transfer cable (42) for transporting empty seedling boxes (70) and a seedling box feeding cable (520) for sending out empty seedling boxes (70) are provided. The lever pivot point member (61) is disposed midway along the rod length of the lever main body member (62). The seedling box transfer cable (42) is connected to one rod end of the lever main body member (62) relative to the lever pivot point member (61). The seedling box feeding cable (520) is connected to the other rod end of the lever main body member (62) relative to the lever pivot point member (61).

[0068] As shown in Figure 7, the front ends of the seedling box transfer cable (42) and the seedling box feed cable (520) are connected to a lever body member (62) located at the front of the vehicle, and the lever pivot point member (61) is located between the seedling box transfer cable (42) and the seedling box feed cable (520). The seedling box transfer mechanism (40) transfers empty seedling boxes (70), and the seedling box feed mechanism (500) sends empty seedling boxes (70) out by using the cable pulling force of the single lever body member (62). This versatile lever configuration, which utilizes two lever rotation directions corresponding to the lever pushing and pulling by the assistant operator, not only contributes to cost reduction, but also reduces operational errors that are prone to occur due to an excessive number of operating parts. This is because the cable pulling of the seedling box transfer cable (42) and the cable pulling of the seedling box feeding cable (520) are not performed simultaneously, so the operation of transporting the empty seedling box (70) by the seedling box transfer mechanism (40) and the operation of sending out the empty seedling box (70) by the seedling box feeding mechanism (500) are not performed simultaneously.

[0069] The seedling box transfer mechanism (40) has a seedling box transfer arm member that slides down the empty seedling boxes (70) to transfer the empty seedling boxes (70). The seedling box transfer arm member has a connection part (208) in the left-right direction of the vehicle body that abuts against the empty seedling boxes (70) from below when the seedling box feed cable (520) is pulled, thereby pushing up the empty seedling boxes (70), and a pivot shaft part (206) in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body that is journaled so as to be pivoted when the seedling box transfer cable (42) is pulled.

[0070] As shown in Figures 7 to 9, the lever main body member (62) is attached to the upper spare seedling frame, etc., and when the lever gripping member (64) attached to the lever main body member (62) is pushed by an assistant worker from the neutral position of the lever against the weight of the seedling box transfer arm member, etc., the seedling box transfer cable (42) is pulled and the empty seedling box (70) is pushed up.

[0071] It is preferable to insert a cable pulley or the like as needed to adjust the cable routing direction for transporting empty seedling trays (70) so that the pivoting shaft portion (206) can be rotated by cable traction of the seedling tray transfer cable (42).

[0072] The seedling box transfer arm member has a bent linear seedling box feed rod member (51) that abuts against an empty seedling box (70) to feed the empty seedling box (70). The seedling box feed rod member (51) has an upper rod end (51u) in the left-right direction of the vehicle body that abuts against the empty seedling box (70) from behind when pulled by the seedling box feed cable (520) to push the empty seedling box (70) in, and a lower rod end (51d) in the left-right direction of the vehicle body that is journaled so as to be rotated when pulled by the seedling box feed cable (520).

[0073] As shown in Figures 10 to 15, when the lever gripping member (64) is pulled by an assistant worker from the lever neutral position against the return force of the lever return spring (65), the seedling box feed cable (520) is pulled and the empty seedling box (70) is pushed toward the front of the vehicle body.

[0074] When the lower end (51d) of the rod, which is rotatably mounted on the seedling box slide rail (30), is rotated, the upper end (51u) of the rod pushes the lower end of the empty seedling box (70) on the rear side of the vehicle body, pushing the empty seedling box (70) toward the front side of the vehicle body. When the lower end (51d) of the rod is not rotated in this manner, the lower end (51d) of the rod is sunk so as to contact the bottom of the seedling box slide rail (30), so it does not interfere with the transport of the empty seedling box (70).

[0075] In order to push the empty seedling trays 70 without knocking them away, it is preferable that the length of the rod arm 51 a, which is rotated in a vertical plane from the front side of the vehicle body to the rear side of the vehicle body, be sufficiently long. This is because the pushing distance of the empty seedling trays 70 is approximately twice the length of the rod arm 51 a. However, it is preferable that the length of the rod arm 51 a does not exceed the height of the empty seedling trays 70 transferred to the seedling tray slide rail 30 so that the pushing is performed reliably without the rod upper end 51 u coming off the empty seedling trays 70 during the rotation.

[0076] The lever (210) may have a grip lever member (63) rotatably attached to the lever body member (62). One of the seedling box transfer cable (42) and the seedling box feeding cable (520) is connected to the lever body member (62). The other of the seedling box transfer cable (42) and the seedling box feeding cable (520) is connected to the grip lever member (63).

[0077] As shown in Figure 16, when the lever gripping member (64) is pressed, the seedling box transfer cable (42) is pulled and the empty seedling box (70) is pushed up, but when the gripping lever member (63) is gripped by an assistant worker against the return force of the lever return spring (65), the seedling box feed cable (520) is pulled and the empty seedling box (70) is pushed toward the front of the vehicle body.

[0078] One of the seedling box transfer cable (42) and the seedling box feeding cable (520) is connected to one rod end of the lever body member (62) relative to the lever pivot point member (61). The grip lever member (63) is attached to the other rod end of the lever body member (62) relative to the lever pivot point member (61).

[0079] As described above, the seedling box transfer mechanism (40) transfers empty seedling boxes (70) by using the cable pull of the lever body member (62), and the seedling box feed mechanism (500) delivers empty seedling boxes (70) by using the cable pull of the grip lever member (63). Such a multi-lever configuration promotes user-friendly separation of component functions and contributes to reducing operational errors caused by sharing of components.

[0080] One of the seedling box transfer cable (42) and the seedling box feeding cable (520) is the seedling box transfer cable (42). The other of the seedling box transfer cable (42) and the seedling box feeding cable (520) is the seedling box feeding cable (520).

[0081] The lever return spring (65) is inserted, for example, at a position between the hole position (Ph) of the cable inner fixing part of the seedling box feeding cable (520) and the notch position (Pn) of the cable outer fixing part of the seedling box feeding cable (520). The insertion of the lever return spring (65) realizes the return rotation of the rod lower end part (51d) toward the rear side of the vehicle body without requiring manual operation, and therefore, a smooth transition to the operation of transporting the next empty seedling box (70) is expected.

[0082] It is also conceivable that one of the seedling box transfer cable (42) and the seedling box feed cable (520) is the seedling box feed cable (520), and the other of the seedling box transfer cable (42) and the seedling box feed cable (520) is the seedling box transfer cable (42). However, it is preferable that the seedling box transfer cable (42) is pulled firmly by the assistant worker in a comfortable position sufficiently pushing the lever gripping member (64) from the neutral lever position against the weight of the seedling box transfer arm member, so that the relatively heavy connecting portion (208) abuts against the empty seedling box (70) from below and firmly pushes up the empty seedling box (70).

Claims

1. A seedling transplanter comprising: a traveling body (2); a seedling planting section (4) attached to the traveling body (2); a spare seedling placing section (52) attached to the traveling body (2) and capable of placing seedling trays; a rail provided on the side of the spare seedling placing section (52) and capable of accommodating empty seedling trays; and a moving mechanism for moving the empty seedling trays placed on the spare seedling placing section (52) to the rail.

2. A seedling transplanter as described in claim 1, characterized in that it is provided with an abutment part (207) that protrudes above the bottom of the spare seedling placing part (52) and abuts against the bottom surface of an empty seedling box, and the moving mechanism causes the abutment part (207) to rise and the empty seedling box to assume an inclined position, thereby moving the empty seedling box to the rail.

3. The seedling transplanter described in claim 2, characterized in that the moving mechanism comprises a rotating shaft portion (206) located below the bottom of the spare seedling placing portion (52), connects the rotating shaft portion (206) to the abutment portion (207), and comprises a connecting portion (208) protruding downward from the rotating shaft portion (206), and by moving the connecting portion (208), the seedling tray is moved to the rail.

4. A seedling transplanter as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the rail is a slide rail that can move empty seedling boxes toward the empty box recovery side at the front of the machine body, and is equipped with a seedling box feeding mechanism (500) that sends empty seedling boxes moved to the rail toward the empty box recovery side.

5. A seedling transplanter as described in claim 4, characterized in that the movement of the empty seedling tray by the moving mechanism and the delivery of the empty seedling tray by the seedling tray feeding mechanism (500) can be performed from the empty tray collection side.

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