JP7441439B2 - seedling transplanter - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a seedling transplanter.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, some seedling transplanting machines used when performing work such as planting seedlings in a field are equipped with a spare seedling stand equipped with a rotation link mechanism (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Such a conventional preliminary seedling mounting table is configured such that the plurality of seedling tables can be switched between a vertically stacked position and a deployed position in which they are lined up in a substantially straight line in the front-rear direction.

According to this configuration, when it is in the unfolded state, the upper or lower preliminary seedling loading platform moves to the front of the machine and becomes a rail-like structure, which has the advantage of making it easier to load seedlings from outside the machine. .

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-165739

However, although it is true that loading seedlings from the outside of the machine is easy with the spare seedling platform of the above-mentioned conventional configuration, the operator must load the seedlings to the seedling tank in the planting section connected to the rear of the machine. The distance to carry items was not short, and the workload for workers tended to be heavy.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a seedling transplanter that can easily carry out everything from loading seedlings to replenishing a seedling tank.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the purpose, a seedling transplanter (1) according to claim 1 includes a traveling vehicle body (2) provided with a traveling device (3), and a traveling vehicle body (2). A planting section (4) connected to the rear of the vehicle and used to plant seedlings in a field, the traveling vehicle body (2) having a control section (20) and a seedling section for supplying seedlings to the planting section (4). A supply section (5) is provided, and the control section (20) includes a bonnet section (21) disposed toward one side in the width direction of the traveling vehicle body (2), ) is arranged closer to the other side in the width direction of the traveling vehicle body (2), on which the seedling tray (6) can be placed, and the placed seedling tray is placed on the side of the planting section (4). The planting section (4) includes a first transport device (51) capable of transporting seedlings toward the vehicle, and the planting section (4) has a plurality of seedling tanks (41) arranged in a row in the width direction of the traveling vehicle body (2). and a plurality of planting devices (42) provided corresponding to each of the seedling tanks (41), and the seedling supply section (5) is arranged along the plurality of seedling tanks (41). further comprising a second conveying device (52) capable of conveying the seedling tray (6) inherited from the first conveying device (51) to a predetermined loading position of the seedling tank (41); The conveying device (51) and the second conveying device (52) each include rails (510, 520) on which the seedling tray (6) can be placed and moved, and the rails (510, 520) ) are a pair of rod-shaped bodies (511 (521), 512 (522)), in which the rod-shaped body (511 (521)) located on the inside of the traveling vehicle body (2) is located on the outside, and the rod-shaped body (512 (521)) located on the outside (522)).

According to the seedling transplanter according to the first aspect, since the seedlings can be loaded and moved from the time of loading the seedlings to the input position of the seedling tank, it is possible to easily replenish the seedlings to the seedling tank.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a seedling transplanter according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the seedling transplanter according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a seedling supply unit included in the seedling transplanter according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the seedling tray. FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a seedling tray according to a modification. FIG. 6 is a three-sided view of the seedling tray according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a partially omitted plan view showing a state in which the seedling trays according to the embodiment are arranged side by side. FIG. 8 is a schematic explanatory front view of a seedling transplanter including a seedling supply unit according to a first modification. FIG. 9 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the seedling supply unit according to the first modification. FIG. 10 is an explanatory plan view showing a first modified example of the rail body constituting the seedling supply unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory side view showing a first modified example of the rail body constituting the seedling supply unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 12 is an explanatory plan view showing a second modified example of the rail body that constitutes the seedling supply unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 13 is an explanatory side view showing a second modified example of the rail body constituting the seedling supply unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view of a seedling transplanter including a seedling supply unit according to a second modification. FIG. 15 is a schematic side view of a seedling transplanter including a seedling supply unit according to a second modification. FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram centered on the control unit of the seedling transplanter according to the second embodiment. FIG. 17 is a schematic plan view of a seedling transplanter including a seedling supply unit according to the second embodiment. FIG. 18 is a schematic side view of a seedling transplanter including a seedling supply unit according to the second embodiment. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the first drive device in the first conveyance device of the seedling supply unit according to the second embodiment. FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the first drive device in the second conveyance device of the seedling supply unit according to the second embodiment. FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a second drive device of the seedling supply unit according to the second embodiment. FIG. 22 is a schematic plan view of the seedling tank of the seedling transplanter according to the embodiment. FIG. 23 is a schematic side view of the seedling tank of the seedling transplanter according to the embodiment. FIG. 24 is a schematic side view, with some parts omitted, of a seedling transplanter including a seedling supply unit according to the third embodiment. FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing, in plan view, the conveyance state of the seedling tray used in the seedling supply unit according to the third embodiment. FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing, in side view, the conveyance state of the seedling tray used in the seedling supply unit according to the third embodiment. FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram of a seedling tray used in the seedling supply unit according to the third embodiment. FIG. 28 is a schematic plan view of a fertilization device included in a seedling transplanter according to a modification. FIG. 29 is a schematic side view of a fertilization device included in a seedling transplanter according to a modification. FIG. 30 is a schematic side view showing the operation of the sub-hopper of the fertilization device included in the seedling transplanter according to the modification. FIG. 31 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a feeding section of a sub-hopper of a fertilization device included in a seedling transplanter according to a modification. FIG. 32 is a schematic plan view of a seedling transplanter according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 33 is a schematic side view of a seedling transplanter according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 34 is a schematic front view of a seedling transplanter according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram showing a fertilizer storage body of a fertilizer supply unit included in a seedling transplanter according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 36 is an explanatory diagram of a fertilizer supply operation using a fertilizer storage body in a fertilizer supply unit included in a seedling transplanter according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 37 is an explanatory diagram showing a first modification of the fertilizer storage body in the fertilizer supply unit included in the seedling transplanter according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 38 is an explanatory diagram showing a second modification of the fertilizer storage body in the fertilizer supply unit included in the seedling transplanter according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 39 is an explanatory diagram showing a third modification of the fertilizer storage body in the fertilizer supply unit included in the seedling transplanter according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 40 is an explanatory diagram showing a fertilizer replenishment operation using the fertilizer storage body according to the third modification in the fertilizer supply unit included in the seedling transplanter according to the fourth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A seedling transplanter according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below as a riding type with reference to the drawings. Note that the constituent elements in the following embodiments include those that can be easily replaced by those skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same, that is, those that are within the so-called equivalent range. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the gist of the present invention. Furthermore, hereinafter, the entire seedling transplanting machine may be referred to as a machine body.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a seedling transplanter according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the seedling transplanter. In addition, below, the front-back direction of the seedling transplanter 1 refers to the straight direction of the seedling transplanter 1. Further, the forward direction of the seedling transplanter 1 refers to the direction in which the seedling transplanter 1 moves straight from the driver's seat 23 to the steering wheel 22, and the opposite direction is defined as a backward (reverse) direction. Further, the front and back of the seedling transplanter 1 are based on the forward direction.

Furthermore, the left-right direction is a direction horizontally orthogonal to the front-back direction. Here, left and right are defined toward the "front" side in the front-rear direction. That is, when the operator (operator) sits in the cockpit 23 and faces forward, the left hand side is the "left" and the right hand side is the "right". Furthermore, the up-down direction is a direction orthogonal to the front-back direction and the left-right direction. Therefore, the front-back direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction are orthogonal to each other in three dimensions.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the seedling transplanter 1 according to the present embodiment has a planting section 4 connected to the rear of a traveling vehicle body 2 for planting seedlings in a field. The traveling vehicle body 2 includes front wheels 31 and rear wheels 32, as well as a traveling device 3 including a prime mover, a transmission, etc. (not shown) for transmitting power to the front wheels 31 and rear wheels 32.

The planting section 4 is provided corresponding to a plurality of (six in this case) seedling tanks 41 arranged in a row in the width direction of the traveling vehicle body 2, and two seedling tanks 41, 41 adjacent to each other. A planting device 42 for planting 41 seedlings in a field is provided. Furthermore, the planting section 4 includes a float 43 that slides over the field surface and levels the ground as the traveling vehicle body 2 moves.

The traveling vehicle body 2 with the planting section 4 connected to the rear thereof is provided with a control section 20 and a seedling supply section 5 that supplies seedlings to the planting section 4. As shown in the figure, the control section 20 includes a bonnet section 21 provided with a steering wheel 22 for steering the front wheels 31 at the front of the aircraft body, and a pilot's seat 23 disposed opposite to the bonnet section 21. It is being

On the other hand, the seedling supply unit 5 includes a first transport device 51 and a second transport device 52 arranged in a direction perpendicular to the first transport device 51. Both the first transport device 51 and the second transport device 52 include a pair of rail bodies 510 and 520, which will be described later.

Moreover, between the cockpit 23 and the planting section 4, as shown in FIG. 2, a fertilization device 7 is provided. A hopper 70 that constitutes a part of the fertilization device 7 is arranged below the second conveyance device 52 that constitutes the seedling supply section 5.

The bonnet portion 21 is disposed on one side of the vehicle body 2 in the width direction, that is, on the right side in the direction of travel of the vehicle body 2, and the first conveyance device 51 is located on the other side of the vehicle body 2 in the width direction. That is, it is arranged closer to the left side in the traveling direction of the traveling vehicle body 2.

The second conveyance device 52 is close to the terminal end of the first conveyance device 51 and extends in the width direction of the machine body. In this way, the first conveyance device 51 of the seedling supply section 5 is disposed on the left side in the width direction of the traveling vehicle body 2 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, and the second conveyance device 52 is disposed in the width direction of the vehicle body. has been done. Therefore, the first conveyance device 51 and the second conveyance device 52 are arranged in a substantially L-shape, as shown in FIG.

Both the first conveying device 51 and the second conveying device 52 can place a seedling tray 6 on which seedlings are placed, and can slide and convey the placed seedling tray 6. can. Here, as the seedling tray 6, for example, a so-called seedling removal plate is used, which allows the seedling mat to be scooped out from the seedling box.

Further, here, the first conveyance device 51 can convey the placed seedling tray 6 toward the planting section 4 side, that is, toward the second conveyance device 52. The second transport device 52 can transport the seedling tray 6 inherited from the first transport device 51 to a desired position among the plurality of seedling tanks 41 included in the planting section 4. Note that the configuration of the seedling tray 6 will be detailed later.

As described above, by providing the first conveying device 51 that linearly conveys the seedlings toward the planting section 4 on one (left) side in the width direction of the traveling vehicle body 2, a sufficient amount of seedlings can be While placing seedling mats serving as spare seedlings, the burden on the operator required to transport the seedling mats to the planting section 4 can also be greatly reduced.

FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the seedling supply unit 5 included in the seedling transplanter 1 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the seedling tray. Moreover, FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a seedling tray according to a modified example. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a first transport device 51 and a second transport device 52 of the seedling supply unit 5 each have a pair of rails 51 (52) on which a seedling tray 6 can be placed and moved. ).

The rail 51 (52) is composed of a pair of rod-shaped bodies 511 (521) and 512 (522) arranged parallel to each other, with the rod-shaped body 511 (521) located inside the traveling vehicle body 2 being located outside. It is provided at a lower position than the rod-shaped body 512 (522). Note that the height difference between the two rod-shaped bodies 511 (521) and 512 (522) may be set to about the height of a seedling, for example.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the seedling tray 6 placed on the rail 51 (52) is inclined downward toward the inside of the machine body. If the seedling tray 6 is placed with the handle 61 facing inside the machine, the wall plate 610 forming the handle 61 becomes a seedling receiving surface, and the seedling mat ( (not shown) are not likely to slip from the seedling tray 6. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 62 indicates a placement plate having a seedling placement surface.

By the way, the rod-shaped bodies 511 (521) and 512 (522) constituting the rail 51 (52) are formed into a pipe shape, as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, although it is pipe-shaped, it is not a simple cylindrical shape, but is an irregularly shaped pipe having flat parts 53, 53 that intersect perpendicularly, and a curved part 54 that connects the flat parts 53, 53. In order to obtain the rod-shaped bodies 511 (521) and 512 (522) in the shape of irregular pipes, a drawn material such as aluminum (aluminum alloy) is used.

With this configuration, the rails 51 (52) can be easily and inexpensively formed by processing the flat parts 53 and curved parts 54 of the rod-shaped bodies 511 (521) and 512 (522), and the strength can be increased. can be achieved. Furthermore, since the portion of the seedling tray 6 that comes into contact with the placement plate 62 is the curved surface portion 54, the contact area becomes small, and the seedling tray 6 can be moved smoothly.

Here, the seedling tray 6 will be explained. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the seedling tray 6 includes a rectangular placement plate 62 and a handle portion 61 formed at one end of this placement plate 62. As shown in FIGS. The handle portion 61 is formed by being bent approximately parallel to the mounting plate 62 from the upper end of a wall plate portion 610 that stands up substantially perpendicularly from the mounting plate 62 .

Four protrusions 63 are provided on the back surface of the mounting plate 62. These protrusions 63 are provided so as to be located between the pair of rod-shaped bodies 511 (521) and 512 (522) of the rail 51 (52). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the protruding portion 63 is blocked by the rod-shaped bodies 511 (521) and 512 (522), and there is no possibility that the seedling tray 6 will slip off the rail 51 (52).

Note that the protruding portion 63 of the seedling tray 6 does not need to have a cylindrical shape or a rectangular tube shape that has a rectangular shape when viewed from the front. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, it may have a triangular shape when viewed from the front. That is, the protrusion 63 shown in FIG. 5 has front and rear surfaces 631, 631 that face each other perpendicularly to the extending direction of the rail 51 (52), and a thick portion of the protrusion 63, and the rod-shaped bodies 511 (521), 512 (522). ). Note that the slope of the inclined surface 632 is preferably about 30 degrees. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 633 indicates a sharp portion where the two inclined surfaces 632 come into contact with each other.

With such a configuration, even if the seedling tray 6 is placed diagonally on the rail 51 (52) or the protrusion 63 is placed on the rail 51 (52), the inclined surface 632 will not disturb the rod-shaped body 511 (521). ), 512 (522), the attitude of the seedling tray 6 can be easily corrected. Further, for example, when transferring the seedling tray 6 from the first conveying device 51 to the second conveying device 52, the seedling tray 6 is rotated 90 degrees, but at that time, the protruding portion 63 may hit a surrounding member. Also, since the inclined surface 632 hits, it is easy to correct the posture.

Furthermore, a specific configuration of the seedling tray 6 will be explained. FIG. 6 is a three-sided view of the seedling tray 6 according to the embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a partially omitted plan view showing a state in which the seedling trays 6 according to the embodiment are arranged side by side. 6(a) is a plan view of the seedling tray 6, FIG. 6(b) is a side view of the seedling tray 6 placed on the rail 51 (52), and FIG. 6(c) is a plan view of the seedling tray 6. 6 is placed on the rail 51 (52).

As shown in FIG. 6, the seedling tray 6 has a handle part 61 and a mounting plate 62 provided with four protrusions 63 on the back surface. It has side wall parts 64, 64 formed so as to connect the outer parts of the protruding part 63. In this way, the side walls 64, 64 are formed so as to connect the protrusions 63, 63, so that the bottom plate can be prevented from being bent, and they also function as reinforcing members for the seedling tray 6. Become.

Note that the dimensions of the seedling tray 6 are such that the outer width W1 including the outer surface of the side wall portion 64 is 300 to 330 mm as one row spacing, and the inner width W2, which is the width of the mounting plate 62, is adjusted to the width of the seedling mat. It is recommended that the length be approximately 280 mm. Further, it is preferable that the side wall portion 64 is disposed between a position L2 at about 1/3 of the total length L from the front end of the mounting plate 62 and a position L1 at about 1/4 of the total length L from the rear end.

By doing this, wall surfaces are formed on three sides of the placement plate 62 in the seedling tray 6 by the wall plate portion 610 of the handle portion 61 and the side wall portions 64, 64, and the seedling mat can be securely placed. can be retained.

In addition, when the seedling trays 6 are placed on the rails 51 (52) and lined up, the side walls 64, 64 come into contact with each other and are pushed, so even if the seedling trays 6 have a thin mounting plate 62, It can be reliably pushed without derailing from the rails 51 (52). In addition, since there is a portion without a wall surface on the periphery, even if the side wall portions 64, 64 are in contact with each other, as shown in FIG. Since a gap that can be removed is formed, work efficiency is improved.

Furthermore, as also shown in FIG. 7, when the seedling trays 6 are arranged on the second conveying device 52 without any gaps so that the side walls 64, 64 are in contact with each other, the seedling mats are placed one-on-one with each seedling tank 41. Since the seedlings can be easily moved to a positional relationship corresponding to

(Modified example of seedling supply section 5)
FIG. 8 is a schematic explanatory front view of the seedling transplanter 1 including the seedling supply section 5 according to the first modification, and FIG. 9 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the seedling supply section 5 according to the first modification. It is. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, in the seedling supply unit 5 according to the first modification, the rail body 510 of the first conveyance device 51 is provided so as to be movable in the width direction of the traveling vehicle body 2.

That is, as shown in the figure, an inner rod-shaped body 511 and an outer rod-shaped body 512 constituting a rail body 510 are connected by a connecting rod 513, and this connecting rod 513 is connected to a cylindrical body provided at the upper end of a support rod 55. 514 so that it can slide freely.

The connecting rod 513 has both ends of the horizontal portion raised vertically, with a difference in height, the lower tip is connected to the inner rod-shaped body 511, and the higher tip is connected to the outer rod-shaped body 512. It is connected. Therefore, also here, the inner rod-shaped body 511 located inside the traveling vehicle body 2 is at a lower position than the outer rod-shaped body 512 located outside.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of connecting rods 513 are provided at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the fuselage body, and a supporting rod 55 and a cylinder 514 corresponding to each connecting rod 513 are provided. Note that the base end of each support rod 55 is preferably fixed to a main frame (not shown) of the traveling vehicle body 2 or the like.

By the way, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the seedling supply section 5 can also be configured to be movable in the front-back direction. FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view of a seedling transplanter 1 including a seedling supply section 5 according to a second modification, and FIG. 15 is a schematic side view thereof.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the seedling supply unit 5 according to the second modification is configured such that the first transport device 51 moves entirely forward and downward of the machine body. That is, a joint part 551 is provided in the middle of the support rod 55 that supports the connecting rod 513 that connects the inner rod-shaped body 511 and the outer rod-shaped body 512 that constitute the rail body 510, and the support is provided around this joint part 551. The rod 55 rotates forward.

With this configuration, the first conveyance device 51 can be brought into a state of protruding forward of the machine body, so the tip of the first conveyance device 51 can be brought closer to the ridge. Moreover, at that time, the rail body 510 is at a lower position than usual, so it becomes easier to supply seedlings from outside the field.

Furthermore, when the first conveyance device 51 moves forward, the gap between the first conveyance device 51 and the second conveyance device 52 widens, so the range of movement of the worker M (see FIG. 36) also expands. This improves work efficiency. Furthermore, when replenishing the seedling tank 41 with seedlings after placing the seedlings on the first conveying device 51, if the first conveying device 51 is moved forward, the left end of the second conveying device 52 can be moved forward. Since the worker M can easily reach the seedling tank 41, the workability of replenishing the seedling tank 41 is also improved.

(Modified example of rail body 510 constituting seedling supply section 5)
Next, a modification of the rail body 510 constituting the seedling supply section 5 will be described. FIG. 10 is an explanatory plan view showing a first modification of the rail body 510 constituting the seedling supply unit 5 according to the embodiment, and FIG. 11 is an explanatory view from the same side. Further, FIG. 12 is an explanatory plan view showing a second modified example of the rail body 510 constituting the seedling supply unit 5 according to the embodiment, and FIG. 13 is an explanatory view from the same side. Moreover, FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view of the seedling transplanter 1 provided with the seedling supply part 5 which has the rail body 510 based on the 3rd modification, and FIG. 15 is the same schematic side view.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in the first modification, the rail body 510 of the first conveyance device 51 is higher than the rail body 520 of the second conveyance device 52 by about the height of the seedling. It is located in Then, the rail body 510 of the first conveyance device 51 is extended to a length that overlaps with the second conveyance device 52, and the outer rod-shaped body 512 of the rail body 510 is removed at a position in front of the second conveyance device 52. The rear end portion of the rail body 510 is widened by bending it toward a substantially crank shape to form a widened portion 512a.

That is, while the interval between the unwidened rail bodies 510 is such that there is almost no gap between the protruding part 63 of the seedling tray 6 and the rod-like bodies 511, 512, and horizontal rotation is not possible, the widened part 512a Here, even if the seedling tray 6 is rotated 90 degrees in a substantially horizontal direction, the protrusion 63 of the seedling tray 6 and the rod-shaped bodies 511, 512 are spaced so that they do not interfere with each other. Therefore, on the rail body 510, the seedling tray 6 can be horizontally rotated only at the widened portion 512a.

With such a configuration, for example, when the seedling tray 6 placed on the first conveying device 51 is moved toward the rear of the machine, the seedling tray 6 can be easily moved at the widened portion 512a in front of the second conveying device 52. You can change the orientation by rotating it. Therefore, if the seedling tray 6 is rotated by 90 degrees, the seedling tray 6 can be moved downwardly below the rail body 510 without any trouble at the widened portion 512a, as shown in FIG. can be passed on to the second conveyance device 52. In this way, by using the first modified example of the rail body 510, the seedling tray 6 can be moved and inherited smoothly, and workability can be further improved.

Next, a second modification of the rail body 510 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, also in the second modification, the rail body 510 of the first conveyance device 51 is higher than the rail body 520 of the second conveyance device 52 by about the height of the seedling. It is arranged like this. Then, the rail body 510 of the first conveyance device 51 is bent approximately 90 degrees while forming an R shape from this side of the second conveyance device 52, so that the tip portion of the rail body 510 is connected to the rail body 520 of the second conveyance device 52. It is arranged so that it overlaps the upper position of .

With this configuration, for example, when the seedling tray 6 placed on the first transport device 51 is moved toward the rear of the machine, it is moved to the rail of the second transport device 52 while changing direction by 90 degrees on the rail body 510. to a position above the body 520. Then, the seedling tray 6 can be easily moved downward from the tip of the rail body 510 and transferred to the second conveyance device 52. In this way, even when the second modification of the rail body 510 is used, the seedling tray 6 can be moved and handed over smoothly, and workability can be further improved.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a seedling transplanter 1 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 to 21. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the seedling supply unit 5 manually moves the seedling tray 6 in the first embodiment, whereas in the second embodiment, the seedling supply unit 5 manually moves the seedling tray 6. In this case, it is possible to move the seedling tray 6 automatically.

First, the control section 9 provided in the seedling transplanter 1 to automate the seedling supply section 5 will be explained. FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram centered on the control unit 9 of the seedling transplanter 1 according to the second embodiment. Further, FIG. 17 is a schematic plan view of a seedling transplanter 1 including a seedling supply section 5 according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 18 is a schematic side view of the same seedling transplanter 1.

As shown in FIG. 16, the control unit 9 includes a control device 91 and a storage device 92. The control device 91 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like. The storage device 92 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and stores a computer program for controlling the entire operation of the seedling transplanter 1 including driving the seedling supply section 5. There is. By reading such a computer program, the control device 91 performs predetermined processing.

The control unit 9 can control the operation of the traveling device 3 and the planting unit 4 which serves as a working machine. For example, the operation of various operating tools in the control unit 20 is detected, and the traveling device 3 is driven according to the content of the operation, and the planting unit 4 is driven. Although not shown, the control unit 9 can control not only the traveling device 3 and the planting unit 4 but also various electrically driven devices included in the seedling transplanter 1. In addition, the control part 9 in this embodiment is trying to perform drive control of the seedling supply part 5 on condition that each apparatus of the traveling device 3 and the planting part 4 is stopped. Therefore, there is no fear that the seedlings will fall off from the seedling supply section 5 due to vibrations of the traveling vehicle body 2 or the like.

A switch group 5500 consisting of a plurality of switches appropriately provided in the seedling supply section 5, a first drive device 5600, a second drive device 5620, and a third drive device 5630 are connected to the control section 9. . Each switch in the switch group 5500 can detect the position of the seedling tray 6 in the seedling supply unit 5 or the seedling tank 41, as described later. Further, the first drive device 5600 and the second drive device 5620 are motors that drive the rails, belts, etc. on which the seedling tray 6 is placed in the seedling supply section 5. The first drive device 5600 can transport the seedling tray 6 by a predetermined distance, and the second drive device 5620 can send the seedling tray 6 to the seedling tank 41. Note that the third drive device 5630 is provided in the fertilizer supply section 8, which will be described later, and is composed of a motor or the like used when conveying the fertilizer to the fertilizer application device 7.

The seedling transplanter 1 according to the second embodiment has the same basic configuration as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, except that it includes a seedling supply unit 5 that can automatically move the seedling tray 6. . That is, the seedling transplanter 1 according to the present embodiment includes a first conveying device 5100 disposed toward the left side in the traveling direction of the traveling vehicle body 2, and a direction perpendicular to the first conveying device 5100, that is, a plurality of A second transport device 5200 is provided along the seedling tank 41.

A first drive device 5600 is provided in the first transport path 5101 and the second transport path 5102, and a second drive device 5620 is further provided in the second transport path 5102. With this configuration, the second transport device 5200 takes over the seedling tray 6 that has been sent from the front to the rear of the machine by the first transport device 5100, and transports it in the lateral direction of the machine to a predetermined position of the seedling tank 41.

As shown in FIG. 17, the first transport device 5100 has two rails 5110, 5110 that constitute two transport paths arranged next to each other, and can transport two seedling trays 6 at the same time. Note that although the two rails 5110, 5110 are provided here to form two transport paths, a single transport path may be used.

Further, the second transport device 5200 includes a tray frame 5220 on which two seedling trays 6 can be placed simultaneously. The tray frame 5220 includes an endless belt 5401 that is driven by a motor 5602 (see FIG. 20) to be described later and conveys the seedling tray 6.

Further, as shown in FIG. 18, the seedling tank 41 of the planting section 4 is configured to be able to rise to a seedling inheritance position where its upper end is close to the second transport device 5200. The raising operation of the seedling tank 41 may be performed by a predetermined switch operation by the operator M, or, for example, may be performed by the control unit 9 in accordance with a program of "automatic seedling supply mode" set in the seedling transplanter 1. In some cases, the operation is controlled in conjunction with the operation of the seedling supply section 5.

It is preferable that a switch for activating the "automatic seedling supply mode" be provided at an appropriate location on the control section 20 so that the "automatic seedling supply mode" can be selected by the operator M by operating the switch. In the "automatic seedling supply mode", the driving of the traveling device 3 is naturally stopped, and the driving of each device in the planting section 4 is also controlled to be stopped. Note that the control unit 20 may be provided with a seedling out alarm device such as a buzzer or a lamp for notifying the out of seedlings in the seedling tank 41 or the out of seedlings in the seedling supply unit 5. In addition, at this time, the location where seedlings have run out can be identified by the buzzer sound of the seedling outage alarm or the difference in the color of the lamp.

By the way, in the second embodiment, the first conveying device 5100 may be referred to as a front seedling tank having the function of a belt conveyor, and similarly, the second conveying device 5200 may be referred to as a connected seedling tank having the function of a belt conveyor. .

The seedling supply unit 5 according to this embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 19 to 21. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the first drive device in the first transport device 5100 of the seedling supply unit 5 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the first drive device in the second transport device 5200 of the seedling supply unit 5 according to the second embodiment. Moreover, FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing the second drive device of the seedling supply section 5 according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 19, the first conveyance device 5100, which is a front seedling tank, has two conveyance paths 5101 and 5102 arranged in parallel, each of which is formed by a plurality of endless belts 5400. Note that here, the conveyance paths 5201 and 5202 configured by belt drive may be referred to as rails 5110 (see FIG. 17).

As shown in FIG. 19, detection switches 5501 to 5504 forming a switch group 5500 are appropriately arranged on the transport paths 5201 and 5202 to detect passage of the seedling tray 6. Based on the detection results of the switches 5501 to 5504, the control unit 9 can drive and control the first drive device 5600, that is, the motors 5601 to 5603, to send the seedling tray 6 backward by a required distance. Note that the rotating shafts of the motors 5601 to 5603 mesh with a sprocket 5700 attached to a belt drive shaft 5701. In the figure, reference numeral 5702 indicates a support shaft disposed opposite to the belt drive shaft 5701, and rotatably supports the belt 5400 together with the belt drive shaft 5701.

Further, as shown in FIG. 20, the second conveyance device 5200, which is a connected seedling tank, includes a frame that serves as a rail constituting a conveyance path 5201, and a tray frame 5220 is movably supported on this frame. There is. A roller 5221 rotatably driven by a motor 5602, which is an example of a first drive device, is attached to the lower surface of the tray frame 5220, and the roller 5221 moves the frame.

Further, switches 5506 are provided on the rear end of the frame body at appropriate intervals (for example, every two strips). That is, if there are six stripes, two switches 5506 (see FIG. 20b) are provided. Based on the detection result of the switch 5506, the control unit 9 controls the drive of the motor 5602 to stop the tray frame 5220 at a desired position. In other words, when it stops at the 1st and 2nd strips on the left, the left switch 5506 switches, when it stops at the 3rd and 4th strips in the center, both switches 5506 and 5506, and when it stops at the 5th and 6th strips on the right, the right switch 5506 switches. When it is detected that the switch 5506 has been pressed, the control unit 9 stops the motor 5602. In this way, the control unit 9 can stop the tray frame 5220 at a position where the seedlings can be placed into the seedling tank 41 accurately. Note that, as shown in FIG. 20a, the switch 5506 can also be provided on the terminal side for a total of three switches. In this case, for example, when the end switch 5506 is pressed, the control unit 9 can control the frame to return to the initial position (left side).

Further, the second transport device 5200 includes a motor 5621 that is a second drive device that moves the seedling tray toward the seedling tank 41 that has risen to the seedling inheritance position. That is, as shown in FIG. 21, a motor 5621, which is an example of a second drive device 5620, is attached to a tray frame 5220 provided in a second conveyance device 5200, and endless belts 5401, 5401 rotated by this motor 5621. has been established. That is, two belts 5401 of two strips are arranged in parallel on the tray frame 5220, and these two belts 5401, 5401 are also driven simultaneously by one motor 5621 in the same way as the first conveyance device 5100. . Note that the rotating shaft of the motor 5621 meshes with a sprocket 5610 attached to a belt drive shaft 5615. In the figure, reference numeral 5616 indicates a support shaft that is provided opposite to the belt drive shaft 5615 and supports the belt 5401.

Further, a switch 5505 is provided at the bottom of the back side of the second transport device 5200 (see FIG. 23), and when the switch 5505 is turned on, the control unit 5505 indicates that the seedling tank 41 has risen to a predetermined seedling inheritance position. is detected, the tray frame 5220 is moved in the width direction of the machine by driving the motor 5621, and the seedling trays 6 in the tray frame 5220 are supplied so as to naturally fall into a predetermined seedling tank 41.

Here, the seedling tank 41 included in the planting section 4 of the seedling transplanter 1 will be briefly described. FIG. 22 is a schematic plan view of the seedling tank 41 of the seedling transplanter 1 according to the embodiment, and FIG. 23 is a schematic side view of the seedling tank 41. In addition, in FIG. 22, the upper part of the drawing corresponds to the upper part of the seedling tank 41 in FIG. 18.

As shown in FIG. 22, in the seedling tank 41, an endless conveyor belt 413 is arranged in a region divided for each row so that the seedling mat can be conveyed downward (backward). The conveyor belt 413 has a starting end position and a terminal end position so that the seedling tray 6 sent from the second conveying device 5200 can be reliably received and can be reliably conveyed downward. Further, in each area divided for each row of the seedling tank 41, a first seedling detection switch 411 is provided near the lower end, and a second seedling detection switch 412 is provided approximately at the center position, and these switches 411, 412 Based on the detection results, the control unit 9 can determine whether the seedlings are exhausted. In particular, the switch 412 can also detect that there is space for one seedling mat within one partitioned area of the seedling tank 41.

The control unit 9 appropriately drives the first drive device 5600 and the second drive device 5620, each of which is a motor, so that the partitioned area of the seedling tank determined to be out of seedlings is replenished with seedlings.

By the way, as described above, the control unit 9 raises the seedling tank 41 by a predetermined operation by the operator M or according to the program of the "automatic seedling supply mode", but as shown in FIG. A switch 5505 is provided at the lower end of the back side of the transport device 5200, and when the switch 5505 is turned on, the control unit 9 stops the raising operation of the seedling tank 41.

Note that, as shown in the figure, the tip (lower end) side of the second conveyance device 5200 is gently curved, so that when the seedling tank 41 is raised, it can be connected without a step. Therefore, seedlings can be smoothly supplied to the seedling tank 41.

As described above, the seedling transplanting machine 1 according to the second embodiment is capable of automatically transporting seedlings from the front side of the machine body to the planting section 4 connected to the rear part of the machine body. In this embodiment, two seedling mats are lined up in the first conveying device 5100, and three seedling mats are lined up in front and behind, so that a total of six seedling mats can be conveyed, but the number of seedling mats that can be conveyed can be set as appropriate. .

In addition, there is no large step formed between the first transport device 5100 and the second transport device 5200, and further between the second transport device 5200 and the seedling tank 4100, and they overlap each other with a slight step. It is desirable that the With this configuration, the seedling tray 6 and the seedling mat are smoothly transported.

Further, it is desirable that the belt 5400 of the first conveying device 5100 is set to approximately half the length of the seedling tray 6, or slightly longer than that, and that adjacent belts 5400 are arranged at the same position. With this configuration, at least 1/4 of the length of the seedling tray 6 is covered by the belt 5400, so that each seedling can be transported smoothly.

Further, the first conveying device 5100 is provided with a plurality of switches 5501 to 5504, but for example, if the switch of the seedling tray 6 next to the seedling tray 6 that is pressed is not pressed, the two seedlings are The belt 5400 that conveys the tray 6 is driven to feed the tray 6 to the next seedling tray 6. On the other hand, if the switch of the seedling tray 6 next to the seedling tray 6 whose switch was pressed is pressed, the belt 5400 that conveys the two seedling trays 6 is not driven. By doing so, the seedling trays 6 are transported in an orderly manner so that they are lined up in a packed state, and work efficiency is improved.

Further, in this embodiment, four switches 5501 to 5504 are arranged, with the one located at the forefront located on the left and right conveyance paths 5101 and 5102, as shown in FIG. Therefore, the motor 5601 of the two seedling trays 6 located at the frontmost position of the first conveyance device 5100 can be set not to be driven unless the two switches 5501 and 5502 are turned on. With this configuration, in subsequent operations, seedlings can be reliably sent in units of two rows, with two seedling trays 6 as one unit. That is, it is possible to avoid a situation where there are no seedlings on one side of the conveyance path.

Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19, three motors are provided in the transport direction of the first transport device 5100, but three motors are arranged for each transport path 01, 5102, respectively. It is also possible to make it possible to transport each strip individually.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the second conveying device 5200 is provided with a tray frame 5220 on which two seedling trays 6 can be placed, but the tray frame 5220 is The transport timing is determined by the control unit 9 based on the detection of the switch.

In each of the embodiments described above, the seedling transplanter 1 is used for planting 6 rows, but it is possible to support any number of rows such as 4 rows, 8 rows, etc. At this time, the position on the second transport device 5200, which is the connected seedling tank, at which the tray frame 5220 is positioned can be appropriately set in consideration of convenience and the like. In addition to the number of strips, the number and arrangement of switches for detecting the position of the tray frame 5220 can be determined as appropriate.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a seedling transplanter 1 according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 24 to 27. FIG. 24 is a schematic side view with some parts omitted of a seedling transplanter 1 including a seedling supply section 5 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing, in plan view, the conveyance state of the seedling tray 6 used in the seedling supply unit 5 according to the third embodiment. Moreover, FIG. 26 is an explanatory view showing the transportation state of the seedling tray 6 used in the same seedling supply section 5 in a side view. FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram of the seedling tray 6 used in the seedling supply section 5. Note that, like the first embodiment, this embodiment is an example of a type in which the worker M manually transports the seedling tray 6.

As shown in FIGS. 24 to 26, in this embodiment, the first conveying device 57 is placed in an obliquely upright state so that more seedling trays 6 can be conveyed.

As shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, the seedling tray 6 according to the present embodiment is provided with fence bodies 640 at approximately the center of the left and right side edges of the rectangular placement plate 62, respectively. A holding part 66 formed in a rectangular tube shape is provided with a slight gap from each of the left and right fence bodies 640 to the handle part 61 side.

In order to fix the holding part 66 to the thin mounting plate 62, a plate body 67 is provided to connect the left and right holding parts 66, 66. Then, this plate body 67 is curved near the holding part 66, and the curved part is used as a mounting part 662, and the mounting part 662 and the connecting part 663 formed on the left and right edges of the mounting plate 62 are connected at two places. The holding part 66 and the mounting plate 62 are connected (see FIG. 26 and FIG. 27(b)). In this way, since the holding part 66 is supported at two places, unlike cantilever support, there is no risk that the holding part 66 will bend, the connection force will be weak, and it will come off from the mounting plate 62.

The pair of rails of the first conveying device 57 are formed in a U-shape in cross section, and are placed on the left side in the width direction of the traveling vehicle body 2, just before the second conveying device 52 from the front to the rear, with the open portions facing each other. It extends to By inserting the holding portion 66 of the seedling tray 6 into the rail, the seedling tray 6 can be placed side by side between the pair of rails.

According to this configuration, more seedling trays 6 can be placed than in the first conveyance device 51 in the first embodiment. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, when the seedling trays 6 are lined up, the ends of the holding parts 66 come into contact with each other, so while maintaining an appropriate distance between adjacent seedling trays 6, It becomes possible to push and move smoothly from the front to the rear. Therefore, while a large number of seedlings can be transported, there is no fear of crushing the seedlings.

Furthermore, when the seedling tray 6 is placed on the rail at an angle of 60 degrees, a gap is provided between the holding part 66 and the handle part 61, and a drainage hole is provided in the handle part 61. It is preferable to keep it. Even when water is poured onto seedling mats, the water drains smoothly, eliminating the risk of water accumulating and damaging the bed soil.

Since the second transport device 52 has the same configuration as in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 24, the seedling tray 6 that has reached the end of the first transport device 51 is can be easily moved. Then, the moved seedling tray 6 is stably held at a gentle angle by the two rod-shaped bodies 521 and 522 of the second transport device 52.

(Modified example of seedling transplanter 1)
Here, a modification of the seedling transplanter 1 will be described. The seedling transplanter 1 has a sub-hopper 71 disposed below the seedling supply section 5 described above, in which a hopper 70 constituting a part of the fertilization device 7 stores replenishing fertilizer. Therefore, the seedling transplanter 1 according to the modified example has the same configuration as the seedling transplanter 1 according to the first to third embodiments, except that it includes a sub-hopper 71 and devices related to the sub-hopper 71. For convenience, in FIG. 29, the seedling supply section 5 has the configuration in the first embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a schematic plan view of the fertilizing device 7 included in the seedling transplanter 1 according to the modified example, and FIG. 29 is a schematic side view of the fertilizing device 7 included in the seedling transplanter 1 according to the modified example. Moreover, FIG. 30 is a schematic side view showing the operation of the sub-hopper 71 of the fertilization device 7 included in the seedling transplanter 1 according to the modification, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a feeding section 710 of a sub-hopper 71 of FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the sub-hopper 71 and the main hopper 70 are connected by a plurality of hoses 711. The fertilizer in the sub-hopper 71 can be transferred to the hopper 70 by a feeding section 710 that is a fertilizer feeding device connected to the lower part of the sub-hopper 71. Note that the hose 711 may have a slightly larger diameter than the hose (not shown) routed from the main hopper 70 to the planting section 4.

This configuration greatly reduces the burden on the operator M compared to replenishing fertilizer to the hopper 70 while carrying a heavy fertilizer bag.

As shown in FIG. 29, the feeding section 710 is provided at the bottom of the bottom with a long slope in the front-rear direction, and has a smaller roll diameter and roll volume than the fertilizer feeding device 720 provided in the main hopper 70. The first priority is Note that the roll drive is performed by a motor 715, as shown in FIG.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 31(a) and 31(b), each roll 716 of the feeding section 710 is arranged to face each hose 711, and is rotated by one motor 715 so that the rolls 716 are supplied from the sub-hopper 71. The falling fertilizer is sent to a hose 711, and the hose 711 is sent to the hopper 70 by the suction force of a blower device (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 28, the blower device can also be used as a blower device 77 of the hopper 70. In this case, it is preferable that the air path of the blower device 77 is bifurcated and one side is connected to the lower part of the feeding section 710 of the sub-hopper 71. Note that it is of course possible to provide a dedicated blower device for the sub-hopper 71.

Note that FIGS. 31 (C1) and (C2) are modified examples of the feeding unit 710, and as shown in the figure, a diagonal groove 7101 is formed in the roll 7100, while a scraping part 7102 for scraping off the fertilizer on the outside of the roll is It's straight. With this configuration, the fertilizer is not rubbed off in a wide width at once, and a portion can be formed where the fertilizer being rubbed off escapes. Therefore, the load for driving the roll can be reduced, and the motor 715 can be made smaller and cheaper. In addition, since the fertilizer particles are hard to break, it is thought that fertilizer powder is less likely to be generated, and clogging and staining due to fertilizer powder can be prevented.

Note that it is preferable to provide a fertilizer sensor (not shown) not only in the hopper 70 but also in the sub-hopper 71. The fertilizer sensor shall be provided with a sensor that can detect when the fertilizer is out of fertilizer and when the fertilizer is full.

Incidentally, the drive of the motor 715 may also be controlled by the control section 9, but at this time, it can be linked with a planting clutch (not shown) of the planting section 4. That is, when the planting clutch is in the disengaged state, the motor 715 of the feeding section 710 of the sub-hopper 71 is driven. In addition, an air passage switching shutter (not shown) is provided at the bifurcated part of the air passage of the blower device 77, so that when the planting clutch is engaged, the shutter is placed on the fertilizing device 7 side, and when the planting clutch is disengaged, the air passage switching shutter is placed on the sub-hopper 71 side. Shutter switching may also be controlled by the control unit 9 so that wind is sent to the area.

As shown in FIG. 30, the sub-hopper 71 configured as described above is configured to be rotatable in two stages toward the front side of the traveling vehicle body 2. In the first stage shown in FIG. 30(a), the front end of the sub-hopper 71 is located slightly above the top surface (for example, the step surface) of the traveling vehicle body 2, and the fertilizer is transferred from the bucket B1 etc. at this position. can be accommodated.

Further, in the second stage shown in FIG. 30(b), the front end of the sub-hopper 71 is located close to the upper surface (for example, the step surface) of the traveling vehicle body 2, and in this position, the remaining fertilizer in the sub-hopper 71, etc. can be transferred to bucket B2 and collected.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a seedling transplanter 1 according to a fourth embodiment will be described. 32 is a schematic plan view of the seedling transplanter 1 according to the fourth embodiment, FIG. 32 is a schematic side view of the seedling transplanter 1, and FIG. 34 is a schematic front view of the seedling transplanter 1. It is a diagram. Note that in FIG. 34, the hopper 70 that constitutes a part of the fertilization device 7 is omitted.

As shown in the figure, the seedling transplanter 1 according to the fourth embodiment has basically the same configuration as the seedling transplanter 1 according to the first to third embodiments, and the difference is that the seedling transplanter 1 has a seedling supply section 5. Instead, it includes a fertilizer supply section 8 that conveys fertilizer to be supplied to the fertilization device 7. Moreover, the basic structure of the fertilizer supply section 8 is similar to the structure of the seedling supply section 5, and the first conveyance section has a pair of rod-shaped bodies 811 and 812, which serve as a rail body 810, and which are arranged on the left side of the traveling vehicle body 2. It includes a device 81 and a second transport device 82 having a pair of rod-like bodies 821 and 822 which also serve as rail bodies 820.

That is, the seedling transplanter 1 according to the fourth embodiment includes a traveling vehicle body 2 including a traveling device 3, and a fertilizing device 7 that is disposed at the rear of the traveling vehicle body 2 and applies fertilizer to a field. The traveling vehicle body 2 is provided with a control section 20 and a fertilizer supply section 8 that supplies fertilizer to the fertilizer application device 7.

In such a configuration, the control section 20 includes a bonnet section 21 disposed closer to one side in the width direction of the traveling vehicle body 2, that is, on the right side, and the fertilizer supply section 8 is provided on the other side in the width direction of the traveling vehicle body 2, that is, on the right side. It is provided with a first conveying device 81 which is arranged on the left side and can place a fertilizer storage body 83 and can convey the placed fertilizer storage body 83 to the hopper 70 of the fertilizer application device 7. . Note that, also in this embodiment, a plurality of hoppers 70 are provided in a row in the width direction of the traveling vehicle body 2, and are located below the second conveyance device 82.

Further, the fertilizer supply unit 8 includes a second conveying device 82 that is arranged along the plurality of hoppers 70 and can convey the fertilizer storage body 83 inherited from the first conveying device 81 to a predetermined hopper 70 position. It also has more.

In this way, the first conveyance device 81 is arranged toward the left side in the traveling direction of the traveling vehicle body 2, and extends from the front side of the vehicle body toward the fertilization device at the rear of the vehicle body. The device 82 is close to the terminal end of the first conveying device 81 and extends in the width direction of the machine body. Therefore, with the first conveyance device 81 and the second conveyance device 82, the fertilizer supply section 8 is arranged in a substantially L-shape, as shown in FIG. 32.

The first conveyance device 81 and the second conveyance device 82 can move the fertilizer storage body 83 by placing it on a pair of rod-shaped bodies 811, 812, 821, 822 that become rail bodies 810, 820. , these pair of rod-shaped bodies 811 (821) and 812 (822) are similar to the rod-shaped bodies 511 (521) and 512 (522) of the seedling supply section 5 described above, and the rod-shaped bodies 811 (822) located inside the traveling vehicle body 2. 821) is provided at a lower position than the rod-shaped body 812 (822) located on the outside.

Here, the fertilizer storage body 83 transported by the first transport device 81 and the second transport device 82 will be explained. FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram showing the fertilizer storage body 83 of the fertilizer supply unit 8 included in the seedling transplanter 1 according to the fourth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 35, the fertilizer storage body 83 is composed of a rectangular box with an opening at the top, and four side walls have rod-shaped bodies 811 (821), 812 (822) that constitute the rail body 810 (820). ) are provided with first to fourth engaging portions 831, 832, 833, and 834 that engage with each other. Although not shown in the drawings, a lid body that can be slid open and closed is attached to the upper opening of the fertilizer storage body 83.

As shown in FIG. 34, the third engaging part 833 and the fourth engaging part 834 engage with the rod-shaped bodies 811 and 812 of the first conveying device 81, and move in a suspended state. . Therefore, the third engaging part 833 and the fourth engaging part 834 have shapes having upwardly convex curved surfaces.

Here, the third engaging portion 833 engages with the inner rod-shaped body 811 of the first conveyance device 81, and the fourth engaging portion 834 engages with the outer rod-shaped body 812. Therefore, the fourth engaging part 834 provided on one side wall is arranged close to the upper edge of the fertilizer storage body 83, and the third engaging part 833 provided on the opposite side wall is arranged close to the upper edge of the fertilizer storage body 83. It is located below 834.

Further, as shown in FIG. 33, the first engaging portion 831 and the second engaging portion 832 have a downwardly convex curved surface. He is trying to engage with a pair of rod-shaped bodies 821 and 822 of the second conveyance device 82.

That is, when the fertilizer storage body 83 is positioned in front of the first conveyance device 81, the seedling transplanter 1 is operated by filling it with fertilizer, and the fertilization device 7 is fertilizing the field, the hopper 70 is When the fertilizer runs out, the operator M stops the machine and then slides the fertilizer storage body 83 suspended from the first transport device 81 backward.

Then, as shown in FIG. 33, near the end of the first conveying device 81, the fertilizer storage body 83 is reversed, and the first engaging portion 831 is connected to the outer rod-shaped body 822 of the second conveying device 82. Then, the second engaging portion 832 is engaged with the inner rod-shaped body 821. Then, the second conveying device 82 is slid to a desired position of the hopper 70, the lid (not shown) is opened, and the fertilizer in the fertilizer storage body 83 is replenished.

Further, as a modification of the fertilizer storage body 83, the second engaging portion 832 described above can have a semicircular shape in cross section. If the fertilizer storage body 83 has such a second engagement part 832, as shown in FIG. It can be easily engaged with the rod-shaped body 821 on the lower side of the second conveying device 82. Note that in this case, the first engaging portion 831 may be eliminated.

Once the second engaging portion 832 is engaged with the rod-shaped body 821, the operator M can easily move the second conveyance device 82 with a small load. After moving the fertilizer storage body 83 to the desired position of the hopper 70, the operator M holds the fertilizer storage body 83 and rotates it upward using the rod-shaped body 821 as a fulcrum to transfer the fertilizer from the fertilizer storage body 83 to the hopper 70. can be replenished. With the fertilizer storage body 83 according to this modification, the lid of the fertilizer storage body 83 may be removed during sunny weather.

Hereinafter, a fertilizer storage body according to a modified example will be explained. FIG. 37 is an explanatory diagram showing a modification of the fertilizer storage body in the fertilizer supply unit 8 included in the seedling transplanter 1 according to the fourth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 37(a), the fertilizer storage body 84 according to the modified example is formed in a box shape, and a lid body 840 having a large opening is attached to the upper part. A shutter 841 is attached to close the large opening. In addition, although the shape of the fertilizer storage body 84 is made into a square in a horizontal cross-sectional view here, other polygons may be sufficient and it may be circular.

The shutter 841 is slidably attached to the lid 840, and furthermore, the shutter 841 is provided with a plurality of openings 8410 smaller than the large opening of the lid 840. Therefore, when necessary, by sliding the shutter 841 so that the opening 8410 overlaps the large opening of the lid 840, the amount of fertilizer corresponding to the opening 8410 can be discharged. Note that the opening areas of the plurality of openings 8410 can be set as appropriate.

When using such a fertilizer storage body 84, as shown in FIG. 37(b), after moving the fertilizer storage body 84 upside down to the second conveyance device 82, it is moved to the desired position of the hopper 70. Then, the shutter 841 is slid to fill the hopper 70 with fertilizer through an appropriate opening 8410.

FIG. 38 is an explanatory diagram showing a second modification of the fertilizer storage body in the fertilizer supply unit 8 included in the seedling transplanter 1 according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in the figure, the fertilizer storage body 85 according to the second modified example has a box-shaped main body side with a large opening, and a large lid part 852 is detachably attached to this opening. The shape of the fertilizer storage body 85 may be polygonal or circular in horizontal cross-section.

The fertilizer bag 86 can be taken in and taken out directly from the opening of the fertilizer storage body 85. That is, the fertilizer storage body 85 can accommodate, for example, a commercially available fertilizer bag 86 containing 20 kg. With such a configuration, there is no need to transfer the fertilizer from the fertilizer bag 86 to the fertilizer storage body 85, which improves work efficiency and reduces the amount of fertilizer used by the worker M.

FIG. 39 is an explanatory diagram showing a third modification of the fertilizer storage body in the fertilizer supply unit 8 included in the seedling transplanter 1 according to the fourth embodiment. Moreover, FIG. 40 is an explanatory diagram showing a fertilizer replenishment operation using the fertilizer storage body according to the third modification.

As shown in FIG. 39, the fertilizer storage body 87 according to the third modification has a main body formed in a rectangular box shape with an upper opening, and a lid 870 that covers the upper opening. A bellows-shaped hose 88 is attached to 870. As shown in FIG. 39(b), a cap 881 is provided at the opening at the distal end of the hose 88.

When using the fertilizer storage body 87 having such a configuration, as shown in FIG. It is engaged with and held by a rod-shaped body 821 inside the device 82. The operator M can then insert the hose 88 with the cap 881 removed into the desired hopper 70 to replenish fertilizer. In this case, if the length of the hose 88 is set to extend to the right end of the hopper 70, there is no need to move the fertilizer storage body 87 on the second conveyance device 82, and work efficiency is improved.

By the way, the hopper 70 shown in FIG. 40 is formed so that its upper surface is substantially parallel to a line connecting the pair of rod-shaped bodies 821 and 822 of the second conveying device 82, and slopes downward from the rear to the front. When the lid of the hopper 70 is opened, the angle α1 from the horizontal when it is closed is the same as the angle α2 from the horizontal when it is opened.

With this configuration, the space between the pair of rod-shaped bodies 821 and 822 of different heights and the fertilizer storage body 87 whose upper surface is slanted can be used more widely as the volume of the hopper 70, and the hopper 70 can be made larger. In addition, by regulating the opening degree of the lid of the hopper 70, it becomes possible to replenish fertilizer using the fertilizer supply section 8 in a state where the fertilizer is difficult to get wet even in rainy weather, improving work efficiency. .

The fertilizer supply unit 8 in the fourth embodiment described above can also perform automatic conveyance by the control unit 9 using, for example, a plurality of motors serving as a third drive device 5630 (see FIG. 16). For example, the operation of the fertilizer supply section 8 is controlled by the control section 9 in accordance with a program of "automatic fertilizer supply mode" set in the seedling transplanter 1.

For example, it is preferable that a switch for starting the "automatic fertilizer supply mode" be provided at an appropriate location on the control section 20 so that the "automatic fertilizer supply mode" can be selected by the operator M by operating the switch. In the "automatic fertilizer supply mode", the driving of the traveling device 3 is stopped, and the driving of each device of the fertilizing device 7 and the planting section 4 is also controlled to be stopped. Note that the control unit 20 may be provided with a fertilizer out-of-fertilizer alarm such as a buzzer or a lamp to notify when the hopper 70 is out of fertilizer.

The fertilizer supply unit 8 in the fourth embodiment described above is arranged in place of the seedling supply unit 5 in the first to third embodiments described above, but for example, the fertilizer supply unit 8 is arranged as a seedling supply unit. The seedling transplanter 1 can also be provided with both the seedling supply section 5 and the fertilizer supply section 8 by disposing it below the seedling supply section 5. Moreover, when replacing with the seedling supply part 5 and arranging the fertilizer supply part 8, it is also possible to divert the rail body 510,520 of the seedling supply part 5.

The following seedling transplanting machine 1 is realized from the above-described embodiment.

(1) The traveling vehicle body 2 includes a traveling vehicle body 2 equipped with a traveling device 3, and a planting section 4 connected to the rear of the traveling vehicle body 2 for planting seedlings in a field. The section 4 is provided with a seedling supply section 5 for supplying seedlings, the control section 20 includes a bonnet section 21 disposed toward one side in the width direction of the traveling vehicle body 2, and the seedling supply section 5 is provided with a seedling supply section 5 that supplies seedlings. A first conveying device 51 is disposed closer to the other side in the width direction of the seedling tray 6 and is capable of placing the seedling tray 6 thereon and conveying the placed seedling tray 6 toward the planting section 4. A seedling transplanter 1 comprising:

According to this configuration, a wide working space adjacent to the control section 20 can be secured on the traveling vehicle body 2, and the process from loading seedlings to replenishing the seedling tank 41 can be easily performed. Therefore, workability is improved and the burden on the worker M can be reduced.

(2) In (1) above, the planting section 4 includes a plurality of seedling tanks 41 provided in a row in the width direction of the traveling vehicle body 2, and a plurality of planting portions provided corresponding to each seedling tank 41. The seedling supply unit 5 is provided with a device 42, which is arranged along the plurality of seedling tanks 41, and is capable of transporting the seedling tray 6 inherited from the first transport device 51 to a predetermined position in the seedling tank 41. The seedling transplanting machine 1 further includes a conveying device 52 of No. 2.

According to this configuration, it is possible to adapt to a plurality of seedling tanks 41 and to smoothly supply seedlings to a desired seedling tank 41.

(3) In the above (2), the first conveyance device 51 and the second conveyance device 52 are the seedling transplanting machine 1 provided with rail bodies 510 and 520 on which the seedling tray 6 can be placed and moved, respectively.

According to this configuration, the seedling supply section 5 can be configured simply, and an increase in cost can be suppressed.

(4) In (3) above, the pair of rod-like bodies 511 (521) and 512 (522) constituting the rail bodies 510 and 520 are such that the rod-like body 511 (521) located inside the traveling vehicle body 2 is located on the outside. The seedling transplanter 1 is provided at a lower position than the rod-shaped body 512 (522).

According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the seedling tray 6 from falling into the field with a simple configuration, and it is possible to improve workability.

(5) In (3) or (4) above, the first transport device 51 and the second transport device 52 are seedlings equipped with a first drive device 5600 that moves the seedling tray 6 on the rail bodies 510, 520. Transplant machine 1.

According to this configuration, the first transport device 51 can be used as a front seedling tank, and the second transport device 52 can be used as a relay seedling tank, and more seedlings can be loaded and the seedlings can be transported automatically. Workability is improved and the burden on the worker M can be significantly reduced.

(6) In any of (2) to (5) above, the planting unit 4 can be raised to a seedling inheritance position where the upper end of the seedling tank 41 is close to the second transport device 52, and the second transport The device 52 is a seedling transplanter 1 that includes a second drive device 5620 that moves the seedling tray 6 toward the seedling tank 41 that has risen to the seedling inheritance position.

According to this configuration, the effect of (5) above can be further enhanced.

(7) In any one of (3) to (6) above, the seedling transplanter 1 is provided in which the rail body 510 of the first conveyance device 51 is movably provided in the width direction of the traveling vehicle body 2.

According to this configuration, the worker M can use the machine properly depending on whether he needs a work space or when he does not want to increase the width of the machine, thereby improving work efficiency and convenience.

(8) In any one of (3) to (6) above, the seedling transplanter 1 has a plurality of rail bodies 510 of the first conveying device 51 arranged in a plurality of rows in the width direction of the traveling vehicle body 2.

According to this configuration, the amount of preliminary seedlings placed can be doubled.

(9) In any of (2) to (8) above, the traveling vehicle body 2 is equipped with a fertilization device 7 that applies fertilizer to the field, and the fertilization device 7 is located in front of the planting section 4 and A seedling transplanter 1 including a hopper 70 disposed below the device 52 and a sub-hopper 71 disposed below the first conveyance device 51 for storing fertilizer to be replenished into the hopper 70.

According to this configuration, work efficiency is improved not only in the work of replenishing seedlings but also in the work of replenishing fertilizer, and the burden on the worker M can be further reduced.

(10) A traveling vehicle body 2 equipped with a traveling device 3 and a fertilizing device 7 disposed at the rear of the traveling vehicle body 2 to fertilize a field. The operating section 20 includes a bonnet section 21 disposed toward one side of the vehicle body 2 in the width direction, and the fertilizer supply section 8 supplies fertilizer to the vehicle body 2 . A third section is arranged near the other side in the width direction, on which the fertilizer storage bodies 83, 85, and 87 can be placed, and on which the placed fertilizer storage bodies 83, 85, and 87 can be conveyed to the fertilizer application device 7. A seedling transplanting machine 1 comprising one conveying device 81.

According to this configuration, it is possible to secure a wide working space adjacent to the control section 20 on the traveling vehicle body 2, and it is possible to easily perform operations from loading replenishment fertilizer to replenishing the hopper 70 of the fertilization device 7. Can be done. Therefore, workability is improved and the burden on the worker M can be reduced.

(11) In (10) above, the fertilizer application device 7 includes a plurality of hoppers 70 arranged in a row in the width direction of the traveling vehicle body 2, and the fertilizer supply section 8 is arranged along the plurality of hoppers 70, The seedling transplanter 1 further includes a second transport device 82 that can transport the fertilizer storage bodies 83, 85, 87 inherited from the first transport device 81 to a predetermined hopper 70 position.

According to this configuration, it is possible to adapt to a plurality of hoppers 70 and to smoothly supply fertilizer to a desired hopper 70.

(12) In the above (11), the first conveyance device 81 and the second conveyance device 82 are provided with rail bodies 810, 820 on which fertilizer storage bodies 83, 85, 87 can be placed and moved, respectively. Seedling transplanter 1.

According to this configuration, the fertilizer supply section 8 can be configured simply, and an increase in cost can be suppressed.

(13) In (12) above, the pair of rod-like bodies 811, 812 (821, 822) constituting the rail bodies 810, 820 is such that the rod-like body 811 (821) located on the inside of the traveling vehicle body 2 is located on the outside. The seedling transplanter 1 is provided at a lower position than the rod-shaped body 812 (822).

According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the fertilizer storage bodies 83, 85, 87 from falling with a simple configuration, and it is also possible to improve workability.

(14) In (12) or (13) above, the first conveyance device 81 and the second conveyance device 82 are driven by a third motor that moves the fertilizer storage bodies 83, 85, 87 on the rail bodies 810, 820. Seedling transplanter 1 equipped with 5630.

According to this configuration, the fertilizer replenishment work can be automated, so work efficiency can be improved and the burden on the worker M can be significantly reduced.

(15) In the seedling transplanter 1 in (12) or (13) above, the rail body 810 of the first conveying device 81 is provided movably in the width direction of the traveling vehicle body 2.

According to this configuration, the worker M can use the machine properly depending on whether he needs a work space or when he does not want to increase the width of the machine, thereby improving work efficiency and convenience.

(16) In the seedling transplanter 1 in (12) or (13) above, the rail bodies 810 of the first conveying device 81 are arranged in multiple rows in the width direction of the traveling vehicle body 2.

According to this configuration, the amount of reserve fertilizer placed can be doubled.

(17) In any one of (12) to (16) above, the fertilizer storage bodies 83, 85, 87 include an engaging portion 831 that engages with the rail body 810, 820 on the peripheral wall of the casing that accommodates the fertilizer bag 86. , 832, 833, 834.

According to this configuration, there is no need to hold the heavy fertilizer storage bodies 83, 85, 87, and the burden on the worker M can be further reduced and work efficiency can be further improved.

The embodiments described above are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, combinations, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. In addition, specifications such as each configuration, shape, and display element (structure, type, direction, shape, size, length, width, thickness, height, number, arrangement, position, material, etc.) may be changed as appropriate. It can be implemented by

1 Seedling transplanter 2 Traveling vehicle body 3 Traveling device 4 Planting section 5 Seedling supply section 6 Seedling tray 7 Fertilizer application device 8 Fertilizer supply section 9 Control section 20 Control section 21 Bonnet section 41 Seedling tank 42 Planting device 51 First conveyance device 52 Second conveyance device 70 Hopper 71 Sub-hopper 81 First conveyance device 82 Second conveyance device 83 Fertilizer storage body 85 Fertilizer storage body 87 Fertilizer storage body 510 Rail body (rail)
511 Rod-shaped body 512 Rod-shaped body 520 Rail body (rail)
521 Rod-shaped body 522 Rod-shaped body 810 Rail body (rail)
811 Rod-shaped body 812 Rod-shaped body 820 Rail body (rail)
821 Rod-shaped body 822 Rod-shaped body 5600 First drive device 5620 Second drive device M Operator

Claims (1)

a traveling vehicle body equipped with a traveling device;
a planting part connected to the rear part of the traveling vehicle body and planting seedlings in the field,
The running vehicle body includes:
A control unit and a seedling supply unit that supplies seedlings to the planting unit are provided,
The control section is
comprising a bonnet portion disposed toward one side in the width direction of the traveling vehicle body,
The seedling supply section includes:
a first conveying device that is disposed closer to the other side in the width direction of the traveling vehicle body, is capable of placing a seedling tray thereon, and is capable of conveying the placed seedling tray toward the planting section side; Equipped with
The planting section is
a plurality of seedling tanks arranged in a row in the width direction of the traveling vehicle body;
a plurality of planting devices provided corresponding to each of the seedling tanks;
The seedling supply section includes:
Further comprising a second transport device arranged along the plurality of seedling tanks and capable of transporting the seedling tray inherited from the first transport device to a predetermined seedling tank loading position,
The first transport device and the second transport device are
each having a rail on which the seedling tray can be placed and moved;
A pair of rod-shaped bodies constituting the rail,
A seedling transplanter characterized in that a rod-shaped body located inside the traveling vehicle body is provided at a lower position than a rod-shaped body located outside.

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