【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、畝に植えられて育成された葉たばこの幹を切断して収穫するたばこ幹刈機の技術分野に属する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、下記特許文献１〜３に記載されるようなたばこ幹刈機がある。
下記特許文献１に記載されるたばこ幹刈機は、一つの前輪と一つの後輪と歩行操縦用のハンドルを備えた走行機体の側部に、たばこの幹の基部側を切断する切断装置と収穫後に幹を吊下げるときに引っ掛けるための溝を形成する溝切り装置を設けた構成である。
【０００３】
下記特許文献２に記載されるたばこ幹刈機は、左右一対の前輪と左右一対の後輪を備えて畝を跨いで自走する走行機体を設け、該走行機体の後部に歩行操縦用のハンドルを設け、該歩行操縦用のハンドルの前側で機体平面視で左右の車輪の間に、たばこの幹を機体に対し後方に案内する案内装置と、該案内装置により案内されるたばこの幹の基部側を切断する切断装置と、収穫後に幹を吊下げるときに引っ掛けるための溝を形成する溝切り装置とを設け、前記案内装置と切断装置及び溝切り装置は、機体前方に突出した状態に配置した構成である。
【０００４】
下記特許文献３に記載されるたばこ幹刈機は、左右一対の前輪と左右一対の後輪を備えて畝を跨いで自走する乗用型の走行機体を設け、該走行機体上に設けた機体操縦用のハンドルの前側で機体平面視で左右の車輪の間に、たばこの幹を機体に対し後方に挟持搬送する挟持搬送装置と、該挟持搬送装置により挟持搬送されるたばこの幹の基部側を切断する切断装置と、収穫後に幹を吊下げるときに引っ掛けるための溝を形成する溝切り装置とを設けた構成である。
【０００５】
【特許文献１】
実開昭５８−９１２３７号
【０００６】
【特許文献２】
特開昭６２−１１５２０８号
【０００７】
【特許文献３】
実開昭５５−１６２５２２号
【０００８】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
特許文献１に記載のたばこ幹刈機は、機体がコンパクトになる利点があるが、一つの前輪と一つの後輪で自走する走行機体なので、作業走行中、操縦者は、機体が横転しないようハンドルをしっかりと握っていなければならず、操縦が容易ではなかった。また、このたばこ幹刈機は、たばこの幹を切り倒して行くものなので、あとで幹刈りされたたばこを回収するのに案外と手間がかかるものであった。
【０００９】
特許文献２に記載のたばこ幹刈機は、四輪構成の走行機体なので、特許文献１に記載のたばこ幹刈機より機体の操縦が容易である。また、このたばこ幹刈機は、特許文献１に記載のもののようにたばこの幹を切り倒して行くものではなく、幹刈りされたたばこは、作業者が取上げて機体に設けた受け枠に載せて行けるようになっている。しかしながら、案内装置と切断装置が機体前方に突出した位置に配置しているので、機体進行とともに畝間の谷部を歩行しながら作業する作業者は、前輪の前方を歩行しながら、切断装置により切断されたたばこの幹を切断後直ちに取り上げなければならず、従って、作業者は後を向きで歩行しながら作業を行う形態となる。このため、甚だ作業がしにくく、速い速度で作業走行することもできず、よって、作業能率の悪いものであった。また、このものは、切断装置によってたばこの幹が切断された後に直ちにたばこを取上げないと、案内装置の間を落下してしまって容易に取り出せなくなる場合がある。
【００１０】
特許文献３に記載のたばこ幹刈機は、たばこを挟持搬送する装置を設けているので、特許文献２に記載のもののように、切断されたたばこの幹を切断後直ちに取り上げなければならないものではなく、切断されたたばこは挟持搬送装置の搬送終端部から排出されるものとなっている。そして、このたばこ幹刈機は、操縦者が乗車する乗用型の走行機体としたものなので、上記特許文献１及び特許文献２に記載のたばこ幹刈機のようなコンパクトな機体構成とするには限界があり、畝端で機体を旋回させて隣の畝に移動するのが迅速に行い難い。また、幹刈りされたたばこは、非常に嵩張るものなので、一つの畝の作業が終了するまで幹刈りされたたばこを全て積載して移動するには、かなり大きな積載部を設けなければならず、一層、機体が大型になる。
【００１１】
そこで、本発明は、小回り等が容易に行えるコンパクトな機体構成とし、且つ、幹刈りされたたばこを作業者が容易に取上げられて、能率良く作業が行えるようにすることを課題とする。
【００１２】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は、上記課題を解決するために、以下の手段を講じるものである。
請求項１記載の発明は、左右一対の前輪（１）と左右一対の後輪（２）を備えて畝を跨いで自走する走行機体（３）を設け、該走行機体（３）の後部に歩行操縦用のハンドル（４）を設け、該歩行操縦用のハンドル（４）の前側で機体平面視で左右の前輪（１）の間及び左右の後輪（２）の間に、たばこの幹（Ｔ）を機体に対し後方に挟持搬送する挟持搬送装置（５）と該挟持搬送装置（５）により挟持搬送される幹（Ｔ）の基部側を切断する切断装置（６）を設け、該切断装置（６）の後側に挟持搬送中のたばこの幹（Ｔ）の下部を切断する第二切断装置（１９）を設け、前記挟持搬送装置（５）の挟持搬送終端部（５Ｅ）下方に、前記第二切断装置（１９）によって下部を切断され挟持搬送装置（５）の挟持搬送終端部（５Ｅ）から排出される幹（Ｔ）の下端部を下方から支持可能な受け台（３４）を第二切断装置（１９）よりも下側になるように配置し、該受け台（３４）を挟持搬送装置（５）の挟持搬送終端部（５Ｅ）下方から後方に延設すると共に挟持搬送装置（５）の後端部左右両外側部より左右外方に延設し、受け台（３４）の後側に後上り傾斜姿勢で左右方向に幅広の受け面を有するカバー（３５）を設け、挟持搬送装置（５）の後端箇 所と受け台（３４）の後端部からカバー（３５）が上方に立ち上がる個所との前後間に幹（Ｔ）が起立姿勢で左右方向に通過可能な巾の通路を形成したことを特徴とするたばこ幹刈機としたものである。
【００１３】
【００１４】
【作用】
上記のように構成したたばこ幹刈機は、左右一対の前輪（１）と左右一対の後輪（２）を備えた走行機体（３）が畝を跨いで自走し、挟持搬送装置（５）がたばこの幹（Ｔ）を機体に対し後方に挟持搬送する。また、挟持搬送されるたばこの幹（Ｔ）の基部側を切断装置（６）が切断し、挟持搬送中の幹（Ｔ）の下部を第二切断装置（１９）が切断する。切断された幹（Ｔ）は、後輪（２）の前端位置より後側に位置する挟持搬送装置（５）の挟持搬送終端部（５Ｅ）から排出される。作業者は、既に幹刈りされた畝と作業中の畝との間の谷部を歩行し、且つ、後輪（２）の後方寄りを歩行しながら、挟持搬送装置（５）の挟持搬送終端部（５Ｅ）から排出される幹（Ｔ）を掴んで取上げ、複数本づつまとめて圃場に置いていく。また、作業者が、挟持搬送装置（５）の挟持搬送終端部（５Ｅ）から排出される幹（Ｔ）を取上げるとき、幹（Ｔ）を掴むタイミングが遅れても、挟持搬送装置（５）の挟持搬送終端部（５Ｅ）下方から後方に延設すると共に挟持搬送装置（５）の後端部左右両外側部より左右外方に延設した受け台（３４）で第二切断装置（１９）によって下部を切断された幹の下端部が支持され、幹（Ｔ）の下端部を受け台（３４）上を滑らせるようにして機体側方に移動させて幹（Ｔ）を取上げることもできる。そして、受け台（３４）の後側に後上り傾斜姿勢で左右方向に幅広の受け面を有するカバー（３５）を設けたことにより、作業者は幹（Ｔ）を一時的に受け台（３４）とカバー（３５）とに倒伏姿勢で置いておき、別の作業を行うことができると共に、挟持搬送装置（５）の後端箇所と受け台（３４）の後端部からカバー（３５）が上方に立ち上がる個所との前後間にたばこの幹（Ｔ）が起立姿勢で左右方向に通行可能な巾の通路を形成したことにより、作業者は幹（Ｔ）を掴んでこの通路を通過させて左右外側に引き出すことができる。
【００１５】
【発明の効果】
請求項１記載の発明は、歩行型の機体構成となって、コンパクトで小回りがきき、作業性の良好なものとなる。また、挟持搬送終端部（５Ｅ）が後輪（２）前端位置より後側に位置するように設けたので、後輪（２）の後方寄りを前向きに歩行しながら、挟持搬送装置（５）の挟持搬送終端部（５Ｅ）から排出されるたばこの幹（Ｔ）を掴んで取上げ圃場に置いていけるので、作業が容易に行え、能率良く作業が行える。
また、挟持搬送中の幹（Ｔ）の下部を切断する第二切断装置（１９）を設けたことによって、挟持搬送終端部（Ｅ）から排出される幹（Ｔ）の下端部を作業者が掴みやすい長さにすることができるので、作物を圃場に容易に置くことができ、作業能率が向上する。
そして、挟持搬送装置（５）の挟持搬送終端部（５Ｅ）の下方には、挟持搬送装置（５）の挟持搬送終端部（５Ｅ）から排出される第二切断装置（１９）によって下部を切断された幹（Ｔ）の下端部を下方から支持可能な受け台（３４）を配置しているので、作業者が、挟持搬送装置（５）の挟持搬送終端部（５Ｅ）から排出される幹（Ｔ）を取上げるとき、幹（Ｔ）を掴むタイミングが遅れても、受け台（３４）で幹（Ｔ）の下端部が支持されるので、幹（Ｔ）が落下してしまうことがなく幹（Ｔ）の取上げが適確に行え、高速での作業も良好に行える。
さらに、この受け台（３４）を挟持搬送装置（５）の挟持搬送終端部（５Ｅ）の下方から後方に延設すると共に挟持搬送装置（５）の後端部左右両外側部より左右外方に延設しているので、作業者が挟持搬送装置（５）の挟持搬送終端部（５Ｅ）から排出される幹（Ｔ）を取上げるとき、幹（Ｔ）の下端部を受け台（３４）上を滑らせるようにして機体側方に移動させて幹（Ｔ）を取上げることができるので、重量の重いたばこを繰り返し取上げて圃場に置いていく作業が楽に行えるようになり、労力軽減を図るものとなる。
また、受け台（３４）と後上り傾斜姿勢のカバー（３５）とに幹（Ｔ）を倒伏姿勢で置 いておけるので、作業者は別の作業をすることができ、作業性が向上する。
そして、挟持搬送装置（５）の後端個所と受け台（３４）の後端部からカバー（３５）が上方に立ち上がる個所との前後間に幹（Ｔ）が起立姿勢で左右方向に通行可能な巾の通路を形成したことにより、作業者は幹（Ｔ）を掴んでこの通路を通過させて左右外側に引き出すことができるので、作業能率が向上する。
【００１６】
【００１７】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明の実施の一形態のたばこ幹刈機を以下に説明する。
このたばこ幹刈機は、図１〜３に示すように、左右一対の前輪１，１と左右一対の後輪２，２を備えて畝を跨いで自走する走行機体３を設け、該走行機体３の後部に歩行操縦用のハンドル４を設け、該歩行操縦用のハンドル４の前側で機体平面視で左右の車輪１，１，２，２の間に、たばこの幹Ｔを機体に対し後方に挟持搬送する挟持搬送装置５と該挟持搬送装置５により挟持搬送されるたばこの幹Ｔの基部側を切断する切断装置６を設け、前記挟持搬送装置５は、機体側面視で機体の前輪配置側から後輪配置側にかけて配置するとともに、挟持搬送装置５の挟持搬送終端部５Ｅが後輪前端位置より後側に位置するように設けた構成としている。また、前記歩行操縦用のハンドル４の左右両端部が左右の後輪２，２よりも左右方向内側に位置するように設けた構成としている。
【００１８】
走行機体３は、機体後部にエンジン７を設置し、該エンジン７の前側にミッションケース８を設けている。このミッションケース８の左右両側部に、伝動ケース９，９を横軸心回りに回動可能に取付け、伝動ケース９，９の先端側一側部に後輪車軸１０，１０を突出させてそれに後輪２，２を取付けている。後輪２，２は、エンジン７の動力がミッションケース８内の伝動機構と伝動ケース９，９内の伝動機構を経由して伝達され、駆動回転される構成となっている。
【００１９】
また、左右の後輪２，２は機体に対して上下動できる構成として、挟持搬送装置５と切断装置６を備えた幹刈作業部Ｗの高さを、畝Ｕの高さに対応して適宜修正できるように設けている。本例では、具体的に、後輪２，２を取付けた左右の伝動ケース９，９と昇降用油圧シリンダ１１とを連結し、昇降用油圧シリンダ１１の伸縮動作により左右の伝動ケース９，９が共に回動して後輪２，２が上下する構成としている。具体的な連結構成は、伝動ケース９，９のミッションケース８への回動可能な取付け部にアーム１２，１２を設け、昇降用油圧シリンダ１１のピストン先端部に左右にのびる連結体１３を取付け、連結体１３の左右両側部と前記左右のアーム１２，１２を連結した構成としている。
【００２０】
更に、左右の後輪２，２は互いに異なる高さに設定可能に構成していて、圃場の左右方向の傾斜に対応して、挟持搬送装置５と切断装置６を備えた幹刈作業部Ｗの左右方向の姿勢を適宜修正することができる。本例では、具体的に、前記連結体１３の左側部と左側のアーム１２とをロッド１４で連結し、連結体１３の右側部と右側のアーム１２とを左右傾動用油圧シリンダ１５で連結している。従って、左右傾動用油圧シリンダ１４を伸縮動作することで、左右の後輪２，２を互いに異なる高さに設定できる。
【００２１】
走行機体３の前部には、遊転輪で構成した左右の前輪１，１を機体に対して上下高さ調節可能に取付けている。左右の後輪２，２を上記構成に基づき高さ変更したとき、左右の前輪１，１を適宜上下高さ調節することで、幹刈作業部Ｗを前後方向においても適正な姿勢に修正することができる。
【００２２】
走行機体３には、前輪１側から後輪２側にわたって前後にのびる左右のフレーム１６，１６を設けている。該フレーム１６，１６に対して、挟持搬送装置５と切断装置６を備えた幹刈作業部Ｗの全体が着脱可能に装着された構成としている。また、該フレーム１６，１６の前部に、前輪車軸１ａ，１ａを設けた前輪支持部材１ｂ，１ｂを上下高さ調節可能に取付けて、該前輪車軸１ａ，１ａに左右の前輪１，１を装着している。フレーム１６，１６の後部は、ミッションケース８の前部に固定している。また、ハンドル４の支持フレーム４ａはエンジン７及びミッションケース８の上方を前下り姿勢で前方にのびてその下端部をミッションケース８の前部に固定している。
【００２３】
幹刈作業部Ｗは、本例では、以下のように構成している。前記フレーム１６の左側に作業部伝動ケース１７を着脱自在に装着し、この作業部伝動ケース１７に作業部フレームを固定し、該作業部フレームで挟持搬送装置５を支持させている。又、作業部伝動ケース１７の前部から下方に切断装置６の駆動軸を突出させて、その駆動軸の下端部に円盤状の鋸刃で構成した切断装置６を装着している。作業部伝動ケース１７の前部の上側には、上方に突出する伝動ケース部を形成し、その上端部から右側に傾斜させて駆動軸を突出させ、その駆動軸の上端部に、収穫後にたばこの幹を吊下げるときに引っ掛けるための溝を形成する溝切り装置１８を装着している。この溝切り装置１８は、上下に２枚溝巾に対応した上下間隔で円盤状の鋸刃を前記駆動軸に取付けた構成としている。また、本例では、切断装置６と溝切り装置１８を駆動する前記駆動軸より後側であって作業部伝動ケース１７の上側から上方に駆動軸を突出させて、該駆動軸の上端部に、溝切り装置１８により形成された溝部より設定間隔下方部位を切断する第二切断装置１９を取付けている。
【００２４】
挟持搬送装置５は、左右に且つ上下二段に設けた挟持搬送チェン２０Ｌ，２０Ｒ；２１Ｌ，２１Ｒが、機体の左右中央側部位が機体後方に移動するように駆動回転される構成としたものである。左右の挟持搬送チェン２０Ｌ，２０Ｒ；２１Ｌ，２１Ｒは、機体の左右中央側において、たばこの幹を適宜挟持し得るよう適宜設定した左右間隔をあけて配置されている。なお、本例では、挟持搬送チェン２０Ｌ，２０Ｒ；２１Ｌ，２１Ｒのチェン連結プレートが回転外周方向に山形に突出する突起を有するものに形成しており、機体の左右中央側において左右の挟持搬送チェン２０Ｌ，２０Ｒ；２１Ｌ，２１Ｒのチェン連結プレートの上記突起がたばこの幹を適確に挟持して搬送するようになっている。
【００２５】
挟持搬送装置５を支持する作業部フレームは、本例では、作業部伝動ケース１７に固定して前後にのびる固定フレーム２２と、該固定フレーム２２の前部に固着されて左側の上下の挟持搬送チェン２０Ｌ，２１Ｌの前端部を回転自在に支持するスプロケット２３，２３を回転自在に支持する支持部材２４と、機体左右方向にのびる固定フレーム２２後部に固着されて左右の上下挟持搬送チェンチェン２０Ｌ，２０Ｒ；２１Ｌ，２１Ｒの後端部を回転自在に支持するスプロケット２５，２５；２５，２５を回転自在に支持する左右の支持部材２６，２６と、右側の上下の挟持搬送チェン２０Ｒ，２１Ｒの後端部を回転自在に支持するスプロケット２５，２５を回転自在に支持する上下方向の軸２６ａに後端部を回転自在に取付け前端部に右側の上下の挟持搬送チェン２０Ｒ，２１Ｒの前端部を回転自在に支持するスプロケット２３，２３を回転自在に支持させた左右に回動可能な可動フレーム２７にて構成している。
【００２６】
また、左右挟持搬送チェン２０Ｌ，２０Ｒ；２１Ｌ，２１Ｒの左右中央側は、たばこの幹を挟持し搬送するときにチェンが左右外方に逃げないように且つ上下にずれないように支持するチェン支持部材２８，２８；２８，２８をチェンの回動内周側に接するように上記作業部フレームに取付けている。また、挟持搬送チェン２０Ｌ，２０Ｒ；２１Ｌ，２１Ｒのたるみを取るためのテンション用スプロケット２９，２９・・・を複数設けている。また、左右挟持搬送チェン２０Ｌ，２０Ｒ；２１Ｌ，２１Ｒの前部側は、たばこの幹Ｔがスムーズに挟持搬送始端部５Ｓに導かれるよう前側ほど左右に大きく開いた状態となるよう設けている。
【００２７】
そして、上下二段の左右挟持搬送チェン２０Ｌ，２０Ｒ；２１Ｌ，２１Ｒは、前記作業部伝動ケース１７から伝動されて駆動回転する。本例では、作業部伝動ケース１７の後部から上方に突出する駆動軸の上端部に取付けた左側駆動スプロケット３０Ｌが左側の上下二段の挟持搬送チェン２０Ｌ，２１Ｌの外周側に係合して該挟持搬送チェンを駆動させている。また、左側駆動スプロケット３０Ｌの駆動軸の下部に連動用スプロケット３１を取付け、このスプロケット３１から、右側の作業部フレームに回転自在に取付けた右側駆動スプロケット３０Ｒの回転軸に取付けた連動用スプロケット３２に伝動チェン３３を介して伝動し、右側駆動スプロケット３０Ｒを連動回転している。右側駆動スプロケット３０Ｒは、右側の上下二段の挟持搬送チェン２０Ｒ，２１Ｒの内周側に係合して該挟持搬送チェンを駆動させている。
【００２８】
左右一方側（図例では左側）の挟持搬送チェン２０Ｌ，２１Ｌは、走行機体３に対して左右動不能に取付け、左右他方側（図例では右側）の挟持搬送チェン２０Ｒ，２１Ｒは、その挟持搬送チェン２０Ｒ，２１Ｒを支持する可動フレーム２７を左右外方側に回動可能に設けている。図例では、可動フレーム２７が、チェン後端部を回転自在に支持するスプロケット２５，２５の上下方向の軸２６ａに回転自在に取付けられて左右回動可能に設けている。また、可動フレーム２７には、左右方向内側に可動フレーム２７を回動させる方向に付勢するスプリング等の付勢部材を、その付勢作用力を調節可能にして取付けている。これにより、左右挟持搬送チェン２０Ｌ，２０Ｒ；２１Ｌ，２１Ｒの間に入り込んで挟持されるたばこの幹Ｔの太さが太かったり細かったりしても、左右一方側の挟持搬送チェン２０Ｌ，２１Ｌに対して他方側の挟持搬送チェン２０Ｒ，２１Ｒが適宜左右回動して適確に挟持するようになり、挟持する幹Ｔが太いために挟持搬送装置５が挟持しきれずに挟持搬送始端部５Ｓで詰まったり駆動系に過負荷が生じたりすることや、挟持する幹Ｔが細いために搬送中に幹Ｔがずり落ちたりすることを防止できて、適確な幹刈作業が行えるようになる。また、左右動不能に取付けた左右一方側の挟持搬送チェン２０Ｌ，２１Ｌの側に、溝切り装置１８を取り付けて、この側からたばこの幹Ｔに対して溝切り作用するように設けたので、たばこの幹Ｔの径が変わっても設定した溝深さに溝切りできるようになり、作業性能が向上する。
【００２９】
なお、左右に回動可能に取付けた挟持搬送チェン２０Ｌ，２１Ｌは、上下二段が互いに独立して回動可能に設けているので、上側ほど細くなっているたばこの幹Ｔを一層適確に挟持できるものとなって、適確な幹刈作業が行える。また、上下二段の挟持搬送チェン２０Ｌ，２１Ｌの各回動軸を、例えば、上下二段の全体を前後一方側を軸に回動可能に取付け、更に、上段側を下段側に対してその後部側を軸に回動可能に取付ける構成とすることもできる。
【００３０】
上例では、可動フレーム２７を、チェン後端部を回転自在に支持するスプロケット２５，２５の上下方向の軸２６ａを利用してその軸に回転自在に取付けているので、構造が簡略なものとなる。
また、可動フレーム２７を前後方向において切断装置６の切断作用個所付近を支点に左右回動可能に設けると、切断装置６の切断作用個所における挟持搬送装置５の挟持力を強くなって、幹Ｔが太く硬い場合に、切断装置６による幹Ｔの切断時に幹Ｔが左右外側方向に逃げてしまって幹Ｔを完全に切断できなくなることを防止でき、一層、作業性能が向上する。
【００３１】
前記作業部伝動ケース１７への動力の入力は、本例では、前記ミッションケース８の後部から突出させた駆動軸から伝動軸１７ａを介して前記エンジン８の動力を伝動入力している。なお、走行用の車輪１，１；２，２を駆動する前記エンジン７とは別にエンジンを搭載して、そのエンジンにより幹刈作業部Ｗを駆動する構成とすることができる。このように構成すると、走行駆動用に小さなエンジンを用いつつ、大きな負荷がかかるたばこの硬い幹の切断を別途搭載した小さなエンジンで余裕をもって行え、走行駆動と幹刈作業部Ｗの駆動を一つの高馬力エンジンで駆動する構成よりも、低コストで且つ効率良く作業が行えるものとなる。
【００３２】
挟持搬送装置５の挟持搬送終端部５Ｅの下方には、挟持搬送装置５の挟持搬送終端部５Ｅから排出されるたばこの幹Ｔの下端部を下方から支持し得る受け台３４を配置している。これにより、作業者が、挟持搬送装置５の挟持搬送終端部５Ｅから排出されるたばこの幹Ｔを取上げるとき、幹Ｔを掴むタイミングが遅れても、受け台３４で幹Ｔの下端部が支持されるので、幹Ｔが落下してしまうことがなくたばこの幹Ｔの取上げが適確に行え、高速での作業も良好に行える。
【００３３】
また、この受け台３４は、挟持搬送装置５の挟持搬送終端部５Ｅの下方から後方に延設するとともに、挟持搬送装置５の後端部左右両外側部より左右外方に延設している。これにより、作業者が、挟持搬送装置５の挟持搬送終端部５Ｅから排出されるたばこの幹Ｔを取上げるとき、幹Ｔの下端部を受け台３４上を滑らせるようにして機体側方に移動させてたばこの幹Ｔを取上げることができるので、重量の重いたばこを繰り返し取上げて圃場に置いていく作業が楽に行えるようになって、労力軽減を図るものとなる。
【００３４】
受け台３４の高さは、上記のように第二切断装置１９を装備した場合は、第二切断装置１９より下側になるよう設ける。なお、第二切断装置１９を装備しない場合は、切断装置６より下側になるよう設ける。第二切断装置１９の切断刃を挟持搬送装置５の下側で且つ下側の挟持搬送チェンに近づけて配置することで、第二切断装置１９が挟持個所の近くで切断できて切断面が変動し難く作業性能が向上し、また、挟持搬送装置５全体を機体に低く配置でき、機体が低重心でコンパクトなものとなる。また、受け台３４は、油圧シリンダ１１の上方を覆うように設けているので、たばこの幹Ｔが油圧シリンダ１１に絡まったりすることが防止されて油圧シリンダ１１が適確に動作するものとなる。
【００３５】
更に、左右外方に延設した受け台３４の左右端は、左右の後輪２，２より内側に位置するように配置しているので、作業者が、後輪の後側よりに立って挟持搬送装置５の挟持搬送終端部５Ｅから排出されるたばこの幹Ｔを取上げようとして、手を挟持搬送終端部５Ｅに向ってのばすときに体が機体側に寄っても受け台３４が邪魔にならず容易にたばこの幹Ｔを取上げられて作業が能率良く行える。
【００３６】
受け台３４の後ろ側からハンドル４の前下り姿勢の支持フレーム４ａの前側にかけて、後上り姿勢で左右方向に幅広の受け面を有するカバー３５を設けている。これにより、作業者は、挟持搬送装置５の挟持搬送終端部５Ｅから排出されるたばこの幹Ｔを、一時的に受け台３４とカバー３５とに倒伏姿勢で置いておくことができて、別の作業を一時的に行うことができて、作業性が向上する。
【００３７】
挟持搬送装置５の後端後方には、左右両外向に通じる通路を形成している。作業者は、挟持搬送装置５の挟持搬送終端部５Ｅから排出されるたばこの幹Ｔを掴んで上記の通路を通過させて左右外方に引き出せるので、幹刈されたたばこの幹Ｔの取出しが容易に行え、作業が能率良く行える。具体的には、挟持搬送装置５の後端個所と、受け台３４の後端部からカバー３５が上方に立ち上がる個所との前後間の巾をたばこの幹Ｔが起立姿勢で左右方向に通過可能な巾を有するように設ける。また、この間隔部において受け台３４の前後巾も同様な巾を少なくとも有するものとする。なお、上記の前後間の巾は、たばこの幹Ｔ２本相当分（具体的には７〜１０ｃｍ）の巾とすると、一層、たばこの幹Ｔの左右外方への引き出しが容易となる。
【００３８】
延長受け台３５の左右巾は、受け台３４と同様に左右の後輪２，２より内側に位置するように設けることで、作業時に延長受け台３５が邪魔にならず容易にたばこの幹Ｔを取上げられて作業が能率良く行える。
ところで、挟持搬送装置５の挟持搬送終端部５Ｅは、機体の左右中央部側に位置変更不能に設けているが、挟持搬送終端部５Ｅから更に機体後方に搬送する第二搬送装置を設けて、この第二搬送装置を挟持搬送終端部５Ｅ側を支点に左右に回動可能に設けると、挟持搬送装置５から引継いでたばこの幹Ｔを機体の左右一方側まで搬送して排出させることができる。
【００３９】
上記のようにこのたばこ幹刈り機は、左右一対の前輪１，１と左右一対の後輪２，２を備えて畝を跨いで自走する走行機体３を設け、該走行機体３の後部に歩行操縦用のハンドル４を設け、該歩行操縦用のハンドル４の前側で機体平面視で左右の車輪１，１，２，２の間に、たばこの幹Ｔを機体に対し後方に挟持搬送する挟持搬送装置５と該挟持搬送装置５により挟持搬送されるたばこの幹Ｔの基部側を切断する切断装置６を設け、前記挟持搬送装置５は、機体側面視で機体の前輪配置側から後輪配置側にかけて配置するとともに、挟持搬送装置５の挟持搬送終端部５Ｅが後輪前端位置より後側に位置するように設けた構成としている。
【００４０】
そして、図４、図５に示すように、このたばこ幹刈機を用いてたばこの幹刈り作業を行う場合、このたばこ幹刈機は、左右一対の前輪１，１と左右一対の後輪２，２を備えた走行機体３が畝Ｕを跨いで自走し、挟持搬送装置５がたばこの幹Ｔを機体に対し後方に挟持搬送し、また、挟持搬送されるたばこの幹Ｔの基部側を切断装置６が切断する。幹が切断されたたばこは、後輪前端位置より後側に位置する挟持搬送装置５の挟持搬送終端部５Ｅから排出される。作業者は、既に幹刈りされた畝Ｕ１と作業中の畝Ｕ２との間の谷部Ｖを歩行し、且つ、左右一方側（図例では右側）の後輪２の後方寄りを歩行しながら、挟持搬送装置５の挟持搬送終端部５Ｅから排出されるたばこの幹Ｔを片手で（図例では左手で）掴んで取上げ、その後、他方側の手（図例では左手）に持ち替えて、既に幹刈りされた畝Ｕ１上に置いていく。このとき、一本一本ばらばらに置いていくと後で幹刈りしたたばこを回収するときに一本一本移動しながら回収しなければならないので、作業能率がわるくなる。しかし、上記のように幹刈りされたたばこを畝Ｕ１上に置いていくとき、図例のように複数本づつまとめて圃場に置いていくと、後で幹刈りしたたばこを回収するのが能率良く行える。上記のようにたばこ幹刈り機を構成したことにより、このような置き方も容易に行えるようになり、たばこの収穫作業が格段に能率良く行えるようになる。なお、次の畝に移って幹刈り作業を行うときには、作業者は、機体後方に移動してハンドル４を手でもって機体を操縦する。機体を旋回させるときには、ハンドル４を押し下げると、前輪１，１を上昇させて左右の後輪２，２のみによる二輪接地状態となり、機体の旋回が容易に行える。また、このとき、左右の後輪２，２を下降させておけば、ハンドル４を押し下げ時のハンドル高さが適当な高さになって楽な姿勢で機体を旋回させる操縦が行える。そして、次の畝に移ったら、上記のような作業を再開する。このとき、作業者は前の畝で作業していたときとは機体の反対側に立って歩行移動しながら上記のような作業を行うことになるが、この場合も上記と同じように能率良く作業が行える。
【００４１】
以上のように、このたばこ幹刈機は、歩行型の機体構成となって、コンパクトで小回りがきき、作業性の良好なものとなる。また、挟持搬送終端部５Ｅが後輪前端位置より後側に位置するように設けたので、後輪の後方寄りを前向きに歩行しながら、挟持搬送装置５の挟持搬送終端部５Ｅから排出されるたばこの幹Ｔを掴んで取上げ圃場に置いていけるので、作業が容易に行え、能率良く作業が行える。
【００４２】
更に、このたばこ幹刈機は、機体後部側に設けたハンドル４の左右両端部が左右の後輪２，２よりも左右方向内側に位置するように設けたものなので、作業中、後輪２，２の後方寄りに立つ作業者にとってハンドル４が邪魔になりにくく、作業が一層容易に行えるものとなる。
【００４３】
また、このたばこ幹刈機は、以下のように構成したものである。即ち、左右一対の前輪１，１と左右一対の後輪２，２を備えて畝Ｕを跨いで自走する走行機体３を設け、該走行機体３の後部に歩行操縦用のハンドル４を設け、該歩行操縦用のハンドル４の前側で機体平面視で左右の車輪１，１，２，２の間に、たばこの幹Ｔを機体に対し後方に挟持搬送する挟持搬送装置５と、該挟持搬送装置５により挟持搬送されるたばこの幹Ｔの基部側を切断する切断装置６を設け、前記挟持搬送装置５は、機体側面視で機体の前輪配置側から後輪配置側にかけて配置するとともに、挟持搬送装置５の挟持搬送終端部５Ｅが後輪前端位置より後側に位置するように設け、エンジン７とミッションケース８を挟持搬送装置５の挟持搬送終端部５Ｅより後側に配置した構成としている。これにより、ミッションケース８の下方の空間と、幹刈作業部Ｗの下方の空間を充分に確保できて、刈取った後に畝Ｕ上に残る残幹が機体に接触することが少なくなり、よって、軽快に作業走行できて、能率良く作業が行える。
【００４４】
また、左右の前輪１，１は、遊転輪で構成するとともに機体に対して上下高さ調節可能に取付け、左右の後輪２，２は、前記ミッションケース８から動力を伝動して駆動回転する構成とするとともに、油圧シリンダ１１によって昇降動可能に構成し、該油圧シリンダ１１は、前記ミッションケース８の前側で挟持搬送装置５の挟持搬送終端部５Ｅの下側に配置した構成としている。これにより、駆動回転する後輪２，２の上下高さ調節が油圧駆動で行えて、畝高さに応じた機体の高さ調節が容易に行え、しかも、そのために設けた油圧シリンダ１１を、ミッションケース８の前側で挟持搬送装置５の挟持搬送終端部５Ｅの下側に配置したので、車輪の駆動昇降機構を設けながらも、機体全体をコンパクトに構成できる。
【００４５】
このたばこ幹刈機は、また、切断装置６は、機体側面視で挟持搬送装置５の挟持搬送始端部５Ｓより後側で挟持搬送終端部５Ｅより前側に配置するとともに、切断装置６の幹刈作用位置が、機体前後方向において、前輪車軸１ａ位置より後側で、後輪車軸１０より前側になるように設けたので、切断装置６の幹刈作用個所が、四つの車輪１，１，２，２でしっかりと支持された状態となるので、機体の直進走行が乱れ難く、そのぶん機体の進路修正操作が少なくて済み、能率良く作業が行える。
【００４６】
また、たばこの幹Ｔの基部側を切断する切断装置６とともに、収穫後に幹を吊下げるときに引っ掛けるための溝を形成する溝切り装置１８を設け、該溝切り装置１８の溝切り作用位置が、機体前後方向において前輪車軸１ａ位置より後側で後輪車軸１０より前側になるように設けたので、幹刈り後に吊下げ乾燥するときに使用する引っ掛け溝を幹刈時に幹に形成でき、しかも、その溝を形成する溝切り装置１８が幹の一側方から溝切り作用する個所が、四つの車輪１，１，２，２でしっかりと支持された状態となるので、機体の直進走行が乱れ難く、そのぶん機体の進路修正操作が少なくて済み、能率良く幹刈収穫作業が行える。
【００４７】
そして、また、前記切断装置６と溝切り装置１８の後側で挟持搬送装置５の挟持搬送終端部５Ｅより前側に、前記切断装置６により切断され挟持搬送装置５により挟持搬送される幹Ｔの下部で前記溝切り装置１８により形成された溝部より設定間隔下方部位を切断する第二切断装置１９を設けたので、刈取った後に畝上に残る残幹Ｔ１が機体下部に接触しないよう残幹Ｔ１が短く形成されるように切断しながらも、幹刈りされたたばこの幹Ｔの下端部が下方になり過ぎない状態で挟持搬送装置５の挟持搬送終端部５Ｅから排出でき、従って、作業者が、挟持搬送装置５の挟持搬送終端部５Ｅから排出されるたばこの幹Ｔを掴んで取上げるとき、できるだけ幹Ｔの下端部側を掴めるので、取上げたたばこを圃場に置く時に、置こうとする個所の遠近にかかわらず容易に置けて作業能率が向上する。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】 たばこ幹刈機の側面図。
【図２】 たばこ幹刈機の平面図。
【図３】 幹刈作業部の一部を示す正面図。
【図４】 幹刈作業状態を示す側面図。
【図５】 幹刈作業状態を示す平面図。
【符号の説明】
１，１ 前輪
２，２ 後輪
２ 走行機体
４ ハンドル
５ 挟持搬送装置
５Ｅ 挟持搬送終端部
６ 切断装置
１８ 溝切り装置
１９ 第二切断装置
３４ 受け台
３５ カバー
Ｕ 畝
Ｔ たばこの幹[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention belongs to the technical field of a tobacco trunk mower that cuts and harvests the trunk of a leaf tobacco planted and grown in a cocoon.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, there is a cigarette trunk mower as described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 below.
The cigarette trunk mower described in the following Patent Document 1 includes a cutting device that cuts the base side of the trunk of the cigarette at the side of a traveling machine body having one front wheel, one rear wheel, and a steering wheel handle. It is the structure which provided the grooving apparatus which forms the groove | channel for hooking, when hanging a trunk after harvesting.
[0003]
The cigarette trunk mower described in the following Patent Document 2 includes a pair of left and right front wheels and a pair of left and right rear wheels, and a traveling body that self-travels across a fence, and a steering handle for walking at the rear of the traveling body A guide device that guides the trunk of the cigarette backward with respect to the fuselage between the left and right wheels in plan view of the aircraft on the front side of the steering wheel for walking control, and the base of the trunk of the cigarette guided by the guidance device A cutting device for cutting the side and a grooving device for forming a groove for hooking the trunk after harvesting, and the guide device, the cutting device and the grooving device are arranged in a state of protruding in front of the machine body This is the configuration.
[0004]
The cigarette trunk mower described in the following Patent Document 3 is provided with a riding-type traveling machine body that is provided with a pair of left and right front wheels and a pair of left and right rear wheels and that self-travels across a fence, and is provided on the traveling machine body A sandwiching and transporting device that sandwiches and transports the trunk of the cigarette to the rear of the aircraft between the left and right wheels in front of the steering wheel on the front side of the steering handle, and a base side of the tobacco trunk that is sandwiched and transported by the sandwiching and transporting device And a grooving device for forming a groove to be hooked when the trunk is suspended after harvesting.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Shokai 58-91237
[0006]
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-115208
[0007]
[Patent Document 3]
Shokai Sho 55-162522
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The cigarette trunk mower described in Patent Document 1 has the advantage that the fuselage is compact, but since it is a traveling aircraft that is self-propelled with one front wheel and one rear wheel, the pilot does not roll over during work traveling The handle had to be held firmly, and it was not easy to control. In addition, since this cigarette trunk mower cuts down the trunk of the cigarette, it would take much time and effort to collect the tobacco that was later harvested.
[0009]
The cigarette trunk mower described in Patent Document 2 is a four-wheeled traveling machine body, and therefore, it is easier to control the airframe than the cigarette trunk mower described in Patent Document 1. Further, the tobacco trunk mower does not cut down the trunk of the cigarette like the one described in Patent Document 1, and the tobacco that has been trimmed is placed on a receiving frame provided by the operator and provided on the fuselage. You can go. However, since the guide device and the cutting device are arranged at a position protruding in front of the fuselage, an operator who works while walking in the trough between the furrows as the aircraft moves, cuts with the cutting device while walking in front of the front wheels. The cut tobacco trunk must be picked up immediately after cutting, so that the worker can work while walking backwards. For this reason, it is difficult to carry out a heavy work, and it is not possible to work at a high speed, so that the work efficiency is poor. In addition, if the cigarette is not picked up immediately after the trunk of the cigarette is cut by the cutting device, it may fall between the guide devices and cannot be easily taken out.
[0010]
The cigarette trunk mower described in Patent Document 3 is provided with a device for holding and transporting cigarettes. Therefore, like the one described in Patent Document 2, a cigarette trunk that has been cut must be taken up immediately after cutting. Instead, the cut cigarette is discharged from the conveyance terminal portion of the nipping and conveying apparatus. And since this cigarette trunk mower is a riding-type traveling machine body on which a driver gets, a compact body configuration like the cigarette trunk mower described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above is used. There is a limit, and it is difficult to move quickly to the next ridge by turning the aircraft at the heel. In addition, since the tobacco that has been mowed is very bulky, in order to load and move all of the mowed tobacco until the work of one bag is completed, it is necessary to provide a considerably large loading part, The aircraft will be larger.
[0011]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a compact body structure that can be easily turned and the like, and an operator can easily pick up the tobacco that has been trimmed so that the work can be performed efficiently.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention takes the following measures.
The invention according to claim 1 is a pair of left and right front wheels.(1)And a pair of left and right rear wheels(2)A self-propelled vehicle that crosses the fence(3)The traveling aircraft body(3)Steering handle at the rear(4)A handle for the walking operation(4)On the front side of the aircraftBetween the front wheels (1) and the left and right rear wheels (2)Tobacco trunk(T)Sandwiching and transporting device(5)And the holding and conveying device(5)Nipped and conveyed byRu (T)Cutting device for cutting the base side of the(6)Provided,A second cutting device (19) for cutting the lower part of the trunk (T) of the cigarette being clamped and conveyed is provided on the rear side of the cutting device (6),The holding and conveying device(5)Nipping and conveying terminal(5E)Down,The lower part is cut by the second cutting device (19).Nipping and conveying device(5)Nipping and conveying terminal(5E)Discharged fromRu (T)A cradle that can support the lower end of(34)TheTo be lower than the second cutting device (19)PlaceThe cradle (34) extends from the lower side of the holding and conveying terminal (5E) of the holding and conveying device (5) to the rear and extends from the left and right outer sides of the rear end of the holding and conveying device (5) to the left and right. And a cover (35) having a rearwardly inclined posture and a wide receiving surface in the left-right direction is provided on the rear side of the cradle (34). A passage with a width that allows the trunk (T) to pass in the left-right direction in an upright position is formed between the place and the place where the cover (35) rises upward from the rear end of the cradle (34).This is a tobacco trunk mower characterized by this.
[0013]
[0014]
[Action]
The cigarette trunk mower configured as described above has a pair of left and right front wheels.(1)And a pair of left and right rear wheels(2)Aircraft equipped with(3)Is self-propelled across the fence and pinching and conveying device(5)Trunk of tobacco(T)Nipping and transportingThe MaCigarette trunk(T)Cutting device on the base side of(6)DisconnectedThe second cutting device (19) cuts the lower part of the trunk (T) that is being nipped and conveyed.. disconnectedTrunk (T)The rear wheel(2)Nipping and conveying device located on the rear side from the front end position(5)Nipping and conveying terminal(5E)Discharged from. The worker walks in the valley between the trunk that has already been mowed and the fence that is working, and the rear wheel(2)Nipping and conveying device while walking near the back(5)Nipping and conveying terminal(5E)Discharged fromRu (T)Grab and pick up, and put multiple pieces together in the field. Also, the operator can hold and transport(5)Nipping and conveying terminal(5E)Discharged fromRu (T)When picking upTrunk (T)Even if the timing to grab is delayed,The holding and conveying device (5) extends from the lower side of the holding and conveying terminal (5E) to the rear and extends from the left and right outer sides of the rear end of the holding and conveying device (5) to the left and right.Cradle(34)soThe lower part was cut by the second cutting device (19)The lower end of the trunk is supported, Trunk (T)The lower end of the cradle(34)Slide it up and move it to the side of the aircraft.Stem (T)Can also be taken up.Then, by providing a cover (35) having a laterally wide receiving surface in a rear-upward inclined posture on the rear side of the cradle (34), the operator temporarily holds the trunk (T) on the cradle (34). ) And the cover (35) in a lying position and can be used for other operations, and the cover (35) from the rear end portion of the holding and conveying device (5) and the rear end of the cradle (34). Since the trunk of the cigarette (T) has a width that allows the cigarette trunk (T) to pass in the left-right direction in a standing posture, the operator grasps the trunk (T) and passes the passage through the passage. Can be pulled out to the left and right outside.
[0015]
【The invention's effect】
The invention according to claim 1 has a walking type body structure, is compact, has a small turn, and has good workability. Also, the end of the nipping conveyance(5E)Rear wheel(2)The rear wheel is located on the rear side of the front end position.(2)Nipping and conveying device while walking forward near the back(5)Nipping and conveying terminal(5E)Tobacco trunk discharged from(T)Since it can be grabbed and placed on the picked-up field, the work can be performed easily and efficiently.
Also,By providing the second cutting device (19) that cuts the lower part of the trunk (T) during nipping and conveying, the operator can easily grasp the lower end of the trunk (T) discharged from the nipping and conveying terminal end (E). Since the length can be increased, the crop can be easily placed on the field, and the work efficiency is improved.
AndNipping and conveying device(5)Nipping and conveying terminal(5E)Below, is a nipping and conveying device(5) Nipping and conveying terminal portion (5E)Discharged fromThe trunk (T) whose lower part is cut by the second cutting device (19)A cradle that can support the lower end of(34)So that the operator can hold and transport(5)Nipping and conveying terminal(5E)Stem discharged from(T)When picking up the trunk(T)Even if the timing to grab is delayed,(34)Trunk(T)The lower end of the is supported, so the trunk(T)Never fallTrunk (T)Can be picked up accurately and work at high speed can be performed well.
Further, this cradle (34) extends rearward from the lower side of the clamping conveyance terminal portion (5E) of the clamping conveyance device (5), and laterally outward from the left and right outer sides of the rear end portion of the clamping conveyance device (5). When the operator picks up the trunk (T) discharged from the nipping and conveying terminal part (5E) of the nipping and conveying apparatus (5), the lower end of the trunk (T) is received by the cradle (34). Since the trunk (T) can be picked up by moving it to the side of the aircraft as if sliding on the top, it becomes possible to easily pick up heavy cigarettes and place them on the field, thereby reducing labor. It will be a thing.
In addition, the trunk (T) is placed in a lying position on the cradle (34) and the cover (35) in a rearwardly inclined posture. Therefore, the worker can perform another work, and the workability is improved.
And, the trunk (T) can pass in the left-right direction in a standing posture between the rear end portion of the nipping and conveying device (5) and the portion where the cover (35) rises upward from the rear end portion of the cradle (34). By forming a passage with a wide width, the operator can grasp the trunk (T) and pass it through the passage and pull it out to the left and right sides, so that the work efficiency is improved.
[0016]
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A cigarette trunk mower according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the cigarette trunk mower includes a pair of left and right front wheels 1 and 1 and a pair of left and right rear wheels 2 and 2, and is provided with a traveling machine body 3 that is self-propelled across a kite. A handle 4 for walking maneuvering is provided at the rear of the airframe 3, and a cigarette trunk T is placed between the left and right wheels 1, 1, 2 and 2 in front of the walking maneuvering handle 4 in plan view of the airframe. A nipping / conveying device 5 for nipping and conveying to the rear and a cutting device 6 for cutting the base side of the trunk T of cigarettes nipped / conveyed by the nipping / conveying device 5 are provided. In addition to the arrangement from the arrangement side to the rear wheel arrangement side, the nipping / conveying terminal portion 5E of the nipping / conveying device 5 is provided so as to be located behind the front end position of the rear wheel. The left and right ends of the walking steering handle 4 are provided so as to be positioned on the inner side in the left-right direction with respect to the left and right rear wheels 2 and 2.
[0018]
The traveling machine body 3 has an engine 7 installed at the rear of the machine body, and a transmission case 8 provided on the front side of the engine 7. The transmission cases 9 and 9 are attached to the left and right sides of the transmission case 8 so as to be rotatable around the horizontal axis, and the rear wheel axles 10 and 10 are projected from one side of the front end side of the transmission cases 9 and 9 Rear wheels 2 and 2 are attached. The rear wheels 2 and 2 are configured such that the power of the engine 7 is transmitted via the transmission mechanism in the transmission case 8 and the transmission mechanism in the transmission cases 9 and 9 and is driven to rotate.
[0019]
In addition, the left and right rear wheels 2 and 2 can be moved up and down with respect to the machine body, and the height of the stem cutting work unit W including the sandwiching and conveying device 5 and the cutting device 6 is set to correspond to the height of the ridge U. It is provided so that it can be modified appropriately. In this example, specifically, the left and right transmission cases 9, 9 to which the rear wheels 2, 2 are attached are connected to the lifting hydraulic cylinder 11, and the left and right transmission cases 9, 9 are expanded and contracted by the lifting hydraulic cylinder 11. And the rear wheels 2 and 2 move up and down. Specifically, the connecting structure is provided with arms 12, 12 at the mounting portion of the transmission cases 9, 9 that can be rotated to the transmission case 8, and the connecting body 13 that extends to the left and right is attached to the tip of the piston of the lifting hydraulic cylinder 11. The left and right sides of the connecting body 13 and the left and right arms 12 and 12 are connected.
[0020]
Further, the left and right rear wheels 2 and 2 are configured to be set at different heights, and a stem cutting work unit W provided with a holding and conveying device 5 and a cutting device 6 corresponding to the inclination in the horizontal direction of the field. The posture in the left-right direction can be corrected as appropriate. In this example, specifically, the left side of the connecting body 13 and the left arm 12 are connected by a rod 14, and the right side of the connecting body 13 and the right arm 12 are connected by a left / right tilt hydraulic cylinder 15. ing. Therefore, the left and right rear wheels 2 and 2 can be set at different heights by extending and contracting the right and left tilting hydraulic cylinder 14.
[0021]
On the front part of the traveling machine body 3, left and right front wheels 1, 1 formed of idle wheels are attached to the machine body so that the height can be adjusted. When the left and right rear wheels 2 and 2 are changed in height based on the above-described configuration, the right and left front wheels 1 and 1 are appropriately adjusted in vertical height to correct the stem cutting work part W to an appropriate posture in the front-rear direction. be able to.
[0022]
The traveling machine body 3 is provided with left and right frames 16 extending in the front-rear direction from the front wheel 1 side to the rear wheel 2 side. The whole trunk cutting operation part W provided with the holding conveyance device 5 and the cutting device 6 is detachably attached to the frames 16 and 16. Further, front wheel support members 1b and 1b provided with front wheel axles 1a and 1a are attached to the front portions of the frames 16 and 16 so that the vertical height can be adjusted, and the left and right front wheels 1 and 1 are attached to the front wheel axles 1a and 1a. Wearing. The rear portions of the frames 16 and 16 are fixed to the front portion of the mission case 8. Further, the support frame 4 a of the handle 4 extends forward from above the engine 7 and the mission case 8 in a forward-downward posture, and a lower end portion thereof is fixed to the front portion of the mission case 8.
[0023]
The stem cutting work part W is configured as follows in this example. A working unit transmission case 17 is detachably attached to the left side of the frame 16, and the working unit frame is fixed to the working unit transmission case 17, and the holding and conveying device 5 is supported by the working unit frame. Further, the drive shaft of the cutting device 6 is protruded downward from the front portion of the working unit transmission case 17, and the cutting device 6 constituted by a disk-shaped saw blade is mounted on the lower end portion of the drive shaft. A transmission case portion that protrudes upward is formed on the upper side of the front portion of the working portion transmission case 17, and the drive shaft protrudes from the upper end portion of the transmission case portion to the right. A grooving device 18 is mounted to form a groove to be hooked when the trunk is suspended. This grooving device 18 has a configuration in which a disk-shaped saw blade is attached to the drive shaft at a vertical interval corresponding to the groove width of two pieces vertically. Further, in this example, the drive shaft is protruded upward from the upper side of the working unit transmission case 17 behind the drive shaft that drives the cutting device 6 and the groove cutting device 18, and is formed at the upper end of the drive shaft. A second cutting device 19 for cutting a portion below the set interval from the groove formed by the groove cutting device 18 is attached.
[0024]
The sandwiching and transporting device 5 is configured such that sandwiching and transporting chains 20L and 20R; 21L and 21R provided on the left and right and in two upper and lower stages are driven and rotated so that the left and right central portions of the body move to the rear of the body. is there. The left and right nipping and conveying chains 20L and 20R; 21L and 21R are arranged on the left and right center sides of the machine body with a right and left interval appropriately set so that the trunk of the cigarette can be appropriately nipped. In this example, the chain connection plates of the clamping transport chains 20L, 20R; 21L, 21R are formed to have projections protruding in a mountain shape in the rotational outer peripheral direction, and the left and right clamping transport chains are formed at the left and right center sides of the machine body. 20L, 20R; 21L, 21R of the chain connecting plate, the projections of the cigarettes are properly sandwiched and conveyed.
[0025]
In this example, the working unit frame that supports the holding and conveying device 5 is fixed to the working unit transmission case 17 and extends forward and backward, and is fixed to the front part of the fixed frame 22 and is held up and down on the left side. A support member 24 that rotatably supports sprockets 23 and 23 that rotatably supports front ends of the chains 20L and 21L, and a fixed frame 22 that extends in the left-right direction of the machine body, and is fixed to the left and right upper and lower nipping conveying chain 20L, 20R; sprockets 25, 25 for rotatably supporting rear ends of 21L, 21R; left and right support members 26, 26 for rotatably supporting 25, 25; and right upper and lower holding conveyance chains 20R, 21R The rear end is rotatably mounted on the vertical shaft 26a that rotatably supports the sprockets 25, 25 that rotatably support the end, and the right end is attached to the front end. Nipped and conveyed chain 20R of the lower, are constituted by pivotable movable frame 27 a sprocket 23 that rotatably supports the front end portion of the 21R to the left and right which freely is supported rotating.
[0026]
The left and right nipping and conveying chains 20L, 20R; 21L, 21R have a chain support that supports the chain so that the chain does not escape to the left and right and does not shift up and down when the cigarette trunk is nipped and conveyed. The members 28, 28; 28, 28 are attached to the working unit frame so as to be in contact with the rotation inner peripheral side of the chain. Further, a plurality of tension sprockets 29, 29,... For removing the slack of the nipping and conveying chains 20L, 20R; 21L, 21R are provided. Further, the front side of the left and right nipping and conveying chains 20L and 20R; 21L and 21R are provided so that the front side of the cigarette trunk T is smoothly opened to the left and right so that it is smoothly guided to the nipping and conveying start end 5S.
[0027]
Then, the upper and lower left and right nipping and conveying chains 20L and 20R; 21L and 21R are transmitted from the working unit transmission case 17 and rotated. In this example, the left drive sprocket 30L attached to the upper end portion of the drive shaft that protrudes upward from the rear portion of the working portion transmission case 17 engages with the outer peripheral side of the left and right two-stage nipping and conveying chains 20L and 21L. The nipping and conveying chain is driven. Also, an interlocking sprocket 31 is attached to the lower part of the drive shaft of the left drive sprocket 30L, and from this sprocket 31 to an interlocking sprocket 32 attached to the rotation shaft of the right drive sprocket 30R rotatably attached to the right working unit frame. The power is transmitted via the transmission chain 33, and the right drive sprocket 30R is rotated in an interlocking manner. The right drive sprocket 30R is engaged with the inner peripheral side of the right and left two-stage nipping and conveying chains 20R and 21R to drive the nipping and conveying chain.
[0028]
The clamping conveyance chains 20L and 21L on one side of the left and right sides (left side in the illustrated example) are attached to the traveling machine body 3 so that they cannot move left and right, and the clamping conveyance chains 20R and 21R on the left and right other side (right side in the illustrated example) A movable frame 27 that supports the transport chains 20R and 21R is provided to be rotatable left and right outward. In the illustrated example, the movable frame 27 is rotatably attached to the vertical shaft 26a of the sprockets 25, 25 that rotatably supports the rear end of the chain, and is provided so as to be able to turn left and right. Further, an urging member such as a spring that urges the movable frame 27 in the direction in which the movable frame 27 is rotated is attached to the inner side in the left-right direction so that the urging force can be adjusted. As a result, even if the thickness of the trunk T of the cigarette T that enters and is sandwiched between the left and right nipping and transporting chains 20L and 20R; 21L and 21R is thick or thin, the right and left nipping and conveying chains 20L and 21L Thus, the other holding / carrying chains 20R, 21R are appropriately rotated to the right and left so as to be pinched properly, and the holding / carrying device 5 is not fully pinched because the stem T to be held is thick, and is jammed at the holding / carrying start end 5S. In addition, it is possible to prevent an overload from being generated in the drive system, and the stem T to be sandwiched from being thin, so that the stem T can be prevented from slipping down during conveyance, so that an accurate stem cutting operation can be performed. In addition, since the grooving device 18 is mounted on the side of the left and right holding conveyance chains 20L and 21L that are mounted so as not to be movable left and right, and provided so as to perform grooving action on the trunk T of the cigarette from this side. Even if the diameter of the trunk T of the cigarette changes, it becomes possible to cut the groove to the set groove depth, and the work performance is improved.
[0029]
In addition, since the holding and conveying chains 20L and 21L attached to the left and right to be pivotable are provided so that the upper and lower two stages can be pivoted independently of each other, the cigarette trunk T that is thinner toward the upper side is more accurately arranged. It can be pinched and can perform proper stem cutting work. Further, each of the upper and lower two stages of the nipping and conveying chains 20L and 21L is attached to the upper and lower stages so that the entire upper and lower stages are rotatable about one side of the front and rear. It can also be set as the structure attached to the axis | shaft so that rotation is possible.
[0030]
In the above example, the movable frame 27 is rotatably attached to the shaft by using the vertical shaft 26a of the sprockets 25 and 25 that rotatably support the rear end of the chain. Become.
Further, when the movable frame 27 is provided so as to be able to turn left and right around the cutting action portion of the cutting device 6 in the front-rear direction, the holding force of the holding and conveying device 5 at the cutting action portion of the cutting device 6 is increased, and the trunk T Is thicker and harder, it is possible to prevent the stem T from escaping in the lateral direction when the stem T is cut by the cutting device 6, thereby preventing the stem T from being completely cut, and the work performance is further improved.
[0031]
In this example, power is input to the working unit transmission case 17 from the drive shaft protruding from the rear portion of the transmission case 8 through the transmission shaft 17a. In addition, it can be set as the structure which mounts an engine separately from the said engine 7 which drives the wheel 1,1; 2,2 for driving | running | working, and drives the stem cutting work part W with the engine. With such a configuration, while using a small engine for driving and driving, it is possible to perform cutting of the hard stem of a cigarette with a large load with a small engine separately provided, and driving and driving of the stem cutting work unit W can be performed in one. Compared to a configuration driven by a high horsepower engine, the work can be performed at low cost and efficiently.
[0032]
A cradle 34 that can support the lower end portion of the trunk T of the cigarette T discharged from the nipping and conveying terminal portion 5E of the nipping and conveying apparatus 5 from below is disposed below the nipping and conveying terminal portion 5E of the nipping and conveying device 5. . As a result, when the operator picks up the trunk T of the tobacco discharged from the nipping / conveying terminal portion 5E of the nipping / conveying device 5, the cradle 34 supports the lower end of the trunk T even if the timing of grasping the trunk T is delayed. Therefore, the trunk T is not dropped, and the tobacco T can be picked up accurately, and the work at high speed can be performed well.
[0033]
Further, the cradle 34 extends rearward from the lower side of the nipping / conveying terminal portion 5E of the nipping / conveying device 5 and extends outwardly from the left and right outer sides of the rear end portion of the nipping / conveying device 5. . Thereby, when the operator picks up the trunk T of the tobacco discharged from the sandwiching and conveying terminal portion 5E of the sandwiching and conveying apparatus 5, the operator moves to the side of the machine body so that the lower end of the trunk T slides on the receiving base 34. Since the stem T of the cigarette can be picked up, the work of repeatedly picking up a heavy cigarette and placing it on the field can be easily performed, thereby reducing labor.
[0034]
The height of the cradle 34 is provided to be lower than the second cutting device 19 when the second cutting device 19 is equipped as described above. In addition, when not equipped with the 2nd cutting device 19, it provides so that it may become below the cutting device 6. FIG. By disposing the cutting blade of the second cutting device 19 on the lower side of the holding and conveying device 5 and close to the lower holding and conveying chain, the second cutting device 19 can cut near the holding point and the cutting surface fluctuates. It is difficult to improve the work performance, and the entire nipping and conveying apparatus 5 can be arranged low on the machine body, which makes the machine body compact with a low center of gravity. Further, since the cradle 34 is provided so as to cover the upper side of the hydraulic cylinder 11, the trunk T of the cigarette is prevented from being entangled with the hydraulic cylinder 11, and the hydraulic cylinder 11 operates properly. .
[0035]
Further, the left and right ends of the cradle 34 extending outwardly from the left and right are arranged so as to be located inside the left and right rear wheels 2 and 2, so that the operator can stand from the rear side of the rear wheels. In order to pick up the trunk T of the tobacco discharged from the nipping / conveying terminal portion 5E of the nipping / conveying device 5, the cradle 34 is obstructed even if the body approaches the body side when the hand is extended toward the nipping / conveying terminal portion 5E. However, the trunk T of the cigarette can be easily picked up and work can be performed efficiently.
[0036]
From the rear side of the cradle 34 to the front side of the support frame 4a in the forward and downward posture of the handle 4, a cover 35 having a laterally wide receiving surface in the rearward upward posture is provided. Thus, the operator can temporarily place the tobacco trunk T discharged from the nipping and conveying terminal portion 5E of the nipping and conveying apparatus 5 on the cradle 34 and the cover 35 in a lying posture. This work can be temporarily performed and workability is improved.
[0037]
On the rear side of the rear end of the nipping / conveying device 5, a passage leading to both left and right outwards is formed. The operator can grab the tobacco stem T discharged from the sandwiching and conveying terminal portion 5E of the sandwiching and conveying device 5 and pass it through the passage, so that it can be pulled out to the left and right. It can be done easily and work efficiently. Specifically, the trunk T of the cigarette can pass in the left-right direction in the upright position between the rear end portion of the nipping and conveying apparatus 5 and the portion where the cover 35 rises upward from the rear end portion of the cradle 34. Provide a wide width. In addition, the front-rear width of the cradle 34 in this interval portion has at least the same width. If the width between the front and rear is the width corresponding to two cigarette stems T (specifically, 7 to 10 cm), the cigarette stem T can be more easily pulled out to the left and right.
[0038]
The left and right widths of the extension cradle 35 are provided so as to be positioned on the inner side of the left and right rear wheels 2 and 2 in the same manner as the cradle 34, so that the extension cradle 35 does not get in the way during work and the trunk T Work can be done efficiently.
By the way, the nipping and conveying terminal part 5E of the nipping and conveying apparatus 5 is provided on the left and right center side of the machine body so that the position cannot be changed, but a second conveying apparatus that conveys further from the holding and conveying terminal part 5E to the rear of the machine body is provided. If this second transport device is provided so as to be pivotable to the left and right with the sandwiching and conveying terminal end 5E side as a fulcrum, the tobacco T taken over from the sandwiching and transporting device 5 can be transported to the left and right sides of the machine body and discharged. .
[0039]
As described above, this cigarette trunk mower has a pair of left and right front wheels 1, 1 and a pair of left and right rear wheels 2, 2. A steering handle 4 is provided, and the trunk T of the cigarette is sandwiched and conveyed rearwardly with respect to the fuselage between the left and right wheels 1, 1, 2, 2 in plan view of the fuselage in front of the steering handle 4 A sandwiching and transporting device 5 and a cutting device 6 for cutting the base side of the trunk T of the cigarette that is sandwiched and transported by the sandwiching and transporting device 5 are provided. While being arranged over the arrangement side, the nipping / conveying terminal portion 5E of the nipping / conveying device 5 is provided so as to be located rearward of the rear wheel front end position.
[0040]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when the tobacco stem mowing operation is performed using the tobacco stem mower, the cigarette stem mower has a pair of left and right front wheels 1 and 1 and a pair of left and right rear wheels 2. , 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2 Is cut by the cutting device 6. The tobacco from which the trunk has been cut is discharged from the nipping / conveying terminal portion 5E of the nipping / conveying device 5 located behind the front end position of the rear wheel. The worker walks in the valley V between the trunk U1 that has already been trimmed and the fence U2 that is currently working, and while walking near the rear of the rear wheel 2 on the left and right sides (right side in the example). The cigarette trunk T discharged from the nipping / conveying terminal 5E of the nipping / conveying device 5 is grasped and picked up by one hand (with the left hand in the illustrated example), and then transferred to the other hand (the left hand in the illustrated example). Place it on the stem U1 that has been mowed. At this time, if the cigarettes are placed separately one by one, when collecting the tobacco that has been mowed later, it is necessary to collect the cigarettes while moving them one by one. However, when placing the tobacco that has been mowed as described above on the ridge U1, it is efficient to collect the mowed tobacco later if it is placed in the field together as shown in the figure. Can do well. By configuring the tobacco trunk mower as described above, it is possible to easily perform such placement, and tobacco harvesting operations can be performed much more efficiently. In addition, when moving to the next rod and performing a stem cutting operation, the operator moves to the rear of the aircraft and operates the aircraft with the handle 4 by hand. When turning the airframe, if the handle 4 is pushed down, the front wheels 1 and 1 are raised, and the two-wheel grounding state is established by only the left and right rear wheels 2 and 2 so that the airframe can be turned easily. At this time, if the left and right rear wheels 2 and 2 are lowered, the handle height when the handle 4 is pushed down becomes an appropriate height so that the aircraft can be turned in an easy posture. And when it moves to the next bag, the above work is resumed. At this time, the worker will perform the above-mentioned work while walking while standing on the opposite side of the aircraft from the time when he was working with the previous saddle. Work can be done.
[0041]
As described above, the cigarette trunk mower has a walking type body structure, is compact, has a small turn, and has good workability. Further, since the nipping / conveying terminal portion 5E is provided so as to be located behind the front end position of the rear wheel, the nipping / conveying terminal portion 5E of the nipping / conveying device 5 is discharged while walking forward near the rear wheel. Since the trunk T of the cigarette can be grabbed and placed on the field, the work can be performed easily and efficiently.
[0042]
Further, since this tobacco trunk mower is provided so that the left and right ends of the handle 4 provided on the rear side of the fuselage are positioned on the inner side in the left and right direction with respect to the left and right rear wheels 2 and 2, , 2, the handle 4 is less likely to get in the way for the operator standing near the rear, and the work can be performed more easily.
[0043]
Further, the tobacco trunk mower is configured as follows. That is, a traveling machine body 3 that includes a pair of left and right front wheels 1 and 1 and a pair of left and right rear wheels 2 and 2 that self-travels across the eaves U is provided, and a steering wheel handle 4 is provided at the rear of the traveling machine body 3. A sandwiching / conveying device 5 for sandwiching and transporting a cigarette trunk T backward with respect to the fuselage between the left and right wheels 1, 1, 2, 2 in a plan view of the aircraft on the front side of the steering wheel 4, and the clamping A cutting device 6 that cuts the base side of the trunk T of the cigarette that is nipped and conveyed by the conveying device 5 is provided, and the nipping and conveying device 5 is arranged from the front wheel arrangement side to the rear wheel arrangement side of the machine body in a side view, The sandwiching and conveying terminal 5 of the sandwiching and conveying apparatus 5 is provided so that it is located on the rear side of the front end position of the rear wheel, and the engine 7 and the transmission case 8 are disposed on the rear side of the sandwiching and conveying terminal part 5E of the sandwiching and conveying apparatus 5. Yes. As a result, the space below the mission case 8 and the space below the trunk cutting work part W can be sufficiently secured, and the remaining trunk remaining on the ridge U after cutting is less likely to come into contact with the aircraft. , You can work lightly and work efficiently.
[0044]
In addition, the left and right front wheels 1 and 1 are configured as idle wheels and are attached to the airframe so that the vertical height can be adjusted. The left and right rear wheels 2 and 2 are driven to rotate by transmitting power from the transmission case 8. In addition, the hydraulic cylinder 11 is configured to be movable up and down, and the hydraulic cylinder 11 is disposed on the front side of the transmission case 8 and below the clamping conveyance terminal portion 5E of the clamping conveyance device 5. Thereby, the vertical height adjustment of the rear wheels 2 and 2 that are driven and rotated can be performed by hydraulic drive, and the height adjustment of the airframe according to the height of the saddle can be easily performed. Since the front side of the mission case 8 is disposed below the pinching and conveying terminal portion 5E of the pinching and conveying device 5, the entire machine body can be configured compactly while providing a wheel drive lifting mechanism.
[0045]
In the cigarette trunk mower, the cutting device 6 is disposed rearward of the nipping / conveying start end portion 5S of the nipping / conveying device 5 and in front of the nipping / conveying terminal end portion 5E as viewed from the side of the machine body. Since the action position is provided so that it is located behind the front wheel axle 1a and in front of the rear wheel axle 10 in the longitudinal direction of the machine body, the stem cutting action portion of the cutting device 6 has four wheels 1, 1, 2. , 2 is in a state of being firmly supported, so that the straight running of the aircraft is hardly disturbed, and it is possible to reduce the course correction operation of the aircraft and work efficiently.
[0046]
In addition to the cutting device 6 for cutting the base side of the trunk T of the cigarette, a grooving device 18 for forming a groove for hooking the trunk after harvesting is provided, and the grooving position of the grooving device 18 is In the longitudinal direction of the fuselage, it is provided so as to be behind the front wheel axle 1a and the front wheel axle 10 so that the hook groove used for hanging and drying after stem cutting can be formed in the trunk during stem cutting. The part where the grooving device 18 that forms the groove grooving from one side of the trunk is firmly supported by the four wheels 1, 1, 2, 2 so that the aircraft can travel straight ahead. It is difficult to disturb, and it is possible to reduce the course of the aircraft and correct the harvesting work efficiently.
[0047]
Further, the trunk T cut by the cutting device 6 and sandwiched and transported by the sandwiching and transporting device 5 is disposed behind the cutting device 6 and the grooving device 18 and in front of the sandwiching and transporting terminal portion 5E of the sandwiching and transporting device 5. Since the second cutting device 19 that cuts the lower portion of the set interval from the groove portion formed by the grooving device 18 is provided at the lower portion, the remaining trunk T1 remaining on the ridge after cutting is not contacted with the lower portion of the body. While cutting so that T1 is shortened, it is possible to eject from the nipping and conveying terminal portion 5E of the nipping and conveying apparatus 5 in a state where the lower end portion of the trunk T of the tobacco that has been trimmed is not too downward, so that the operator However, when grasping and picking up the trunk T of the tobacco discharged from the sandwiching and conveying terminal part 5E of the sandwiching and conveying apparatus 5, the lower end part side of the trunk T can be grasped as much as possible. Private Work efficiency is improved easily put regardless of the near.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view of a tobacco trunk mower.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of a tobacco trunk mower.
FIG. 3 is a front view showing a part of a stem cutting work unit.
FIG. 4 is a side view showing a stem cutting operation state.
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a stem cutting operation state.
[Explanation of symbols]
1,1 front wheel
2,2 Rear wheel
2 traveling aircraft
4 Handle
5 Nipping and conveying device
5E Nipping and conveying terminal
6 Cutting device
18 Grooving device
19 Second cutting device
34 Cradle
35 cover
U 畝
T tobacco trunk
