Patent Description:
As the gripping portion in the work vehicle described above, for example, there is a handrail for a work vehicle shown in Patent Literature <NUM>. The handrail disclosed in Patent Literature <NUM> is mounted on a frame portion disposed between a rear end of a hood and a front end of a dashboard. The handrail includes a gripping body disposed in a inclined posture positioned further rearward of the vehicle body outward of the vehicle body in a plan view, an outer leg body that continues to an end portion of the gripping body outward of the vehicle body, and an inner leg body that continues to an end portion of the gripping body on the inner side of the vehicle body. The lower end portion of the outer leg body and the lower end portion of the inner leg body of the handrail are fixed to the frame portion. The gripping body of the handrail is configured in a downwardly inclined posture positioned further downward and outward of the vehicle body.

Further, <FIG> of Patent Literature <NUM> showing another configuration in which the gripping body of the handrail is disposed in an orientation oriented in a lateral direction along the left-right direction of vehicle body.

Patent Literature <NUM> discloses a tractor having a gripping portion as an attachment structure of a lamp, and Patent Literature <NUM> discloses a tractor having a gripping portion.

In the configuration in which the gripping body of the handrail is disposed in the inclined posture positioned rearward and outward of the vehicle body, for example, when boarding along the left and right direction from the lateral outward position of the vehicle body with respect to the boarding section of the vehicle body, the gripping body of the handrail is grasped while the left arm, which is positioned on the forward side of the vehicle body, is close to the human body. Therefore, it is difficult to grip the gripping body of the handrail, and it is difficult to apply a force to the gripping body, and there is room for improvement in the gripping operation surface in boarding and deboarding. In particular, there is a disadvantage that the width of the boarding section as a doorway disposed in the forward position of the fender is visually perceived as narrow by the gripping body of the handrail that is inclined toward the rearward side of the vehicle body.

Further, in the case where the gripping body of the handrail is configured in a downwardly inclined posture downward and outward of the vehicle body, when a force is applied to the gripping body, the gripping position tends to be shifted to the downward side, and there is room for improvement in the viewpoint.

Further, in the configuration in which the gripping body of the handrail is disposed in a laterally oriented orientation along the left-right direction of the vehicle body, it is difficult to apply a force when gripping the gripping body of the handrail, and the gripping position tends to be shifted the outward of the vehicle body along the longitudinal direction of the gripping body, and there is room for improvement in the gripping operation when boarding and deboarding.

In consideration of the actual circumstances, the main object of the present invention is to provide a work vehicle capable of easily boarding and deboarding to or from a lateral side of a vehicle body by improving grasping operability during boarding and deboarding and visually improving the width of a boarding section.

The present invention resides in a work vehicle according to claim <NUM>.

With the gripping portion disposed in an inclined posture that is positioned further forward toward the outward side of the vehicle body, in a plan view, for example when boarding along the left-right direction from the lateral outward position of the vehicle body with respect to the boarding section of the vehicle body, it is possible to easily grip the gripping portion with a natural orientation in which the left arm, which is positioned on the forward side of the vehicle body, is slightly opened to the outer side of the human body. Further, in the gripping state, the grip and the left arm have a reasonable intersection angle. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a strain on the left hand gripping the grip when boarding. Further, the grip, which is inclined toward the forward side of the vehicle body, allows the width of the boarding section at the forward side position of the fender to be visually widened.

By improving the grasping operability in boarding and deboarding, and visually improving the width of the boarding section, it is possible to easily board the vehicle from the lateral outward side position of the vehicle body.

The gripping portion extends upward from a foot guard covering the front side of the boarding section.

According to the above configuration, the foot guard disposed on the front side of the boarding section is a rigid structure that has a height for preventing mud from scattering from the front side of the traveling portion, and projects outward of the vehicle body. By providing the gripping portion extending upward from the foot guard, the grip can be attached firmly with high grasping operability and a simple structure.

In addition, the gripping portion includes a horizontal gripping body disposed to be horizontally or substantially horizontally in an inclined posture that is positioned further forward toward the outward side of the vehicle body, in a plan view, and a vertical gripping body which continues to an end portion of the horizontal gripping body outward of the vehicle body, wherein the vertical gripping body is connected to the foot guard in an orientation in which the vertical gripping body extends along a vertical direction.

According to the above configuration, the main part of the gripping portion is configured with a horizontal gripping body disposed to be horizontally or substantially horizontally in an inclined posture that is positioned further forward toward the outward side of the vehicle body, in a plan view. Therefore, it is possible not only to grasp the horizontal gripping body at a substantially right angle in a natural orientation, but also to suppress the slipping movement of the grip position. Further, the vertical gripping body, which is graspable to a driver when boarding and deboarding, continues at the end portion of the horizontal gripping body on the outward of the vehicle body. Further, the vertical gripping body is connected to the foot guard in an orientation along the vertical direction. Therefore, it is possible to assist the up and down movement of the human body up to the height of the driver's step.

Optionally, a lower end portion of the vertical gripping body of the gripping portion is provided on a forward portion of a side edge portion of the foot guard on outward of the vehicle body.

According to the above configuration, since the lower end portion of the vertical gripping body of the gripping portion is disposed forward of the side edge portion of the foot guard, outward of the vehicle body, the width of the boarding section disposed at the forward side position of the fender can be easily visually widened. Further, when boarding to and deboarding from the driver's step, it is possible to avoid the lower end portion of the vertical gripping body of the gripping portion from becoming an obstacle.

An embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> show a tractor <NUM> of a lops type as an example of a work vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the description of the present embodiment, for convenience, in <FIG> showing the side surface of the tractor <NUM>, the left side of the paper surface, which is the forward (front) direction of the tractor <NUM>, is referred to as a forward side of the vehicle body, and the right side of the paper surface is referred to as a rearward (back) side of the vehicle body. Further, in <FIG> showing a plane of the tractor <NUM>, the lower side of the paper surface is referred to as a left side of the vehicle body, and the upper side of the paper surface is referred to as a right side of the vehicle body.

As shown in <FIG>, the tractor <NUM> is provided with an engine portion <NUM> including an engine and the like on the front region of a machine body frame <NUM>, which is framed by being stretched in the front-rear direction. A transmission case <NUM> including a transmission, not shown, for changing the traveling speed of the tractor <NUM>, is disposed in the rear end portion of the machine body frame <NUM>. Left and right front wheels <NUM> are disposed as front traveling units on the front region of the machine body frame <NUM>. Left and right wheels <NUM> are disposed as rear traveling units on the rear region of the machine body frame <NUM>. Fenders <NUM> are provided to cover the left and right wheels <NUM> from the upper side and the inward side of the vehicle body in the left-right direction of the vehicle body, respectively. Note that the tractor <NUM> may be implemented in a form in which a crawler is used as the traveling unit.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the tractor <NUM> includes a driving portion <NUM> on the rearward of a hood <NUM> that covers the engine portion <NUM>. Specifically, in the rear region of the hood <NUM>, a hot air shield plate <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>) is vertically provided from the machine body frame <NUM> in a state in which the engine portion <NUM> and the driving portion <NUM> are shielded from each other. A dashboard <NUM> is provided on the hot air shield plate <NUM>. The dashboard <NUM> is provided with an instrument panel <NUM> serving as a display unit that displays a speed, a remaining amount of fuel, and the like. A steering column cover <NUM> covering a steering column <NUM> is provided on the rearward of the dashboard <NUM>. A steering wheel (steering handle) <NUM> is provided at the upper end of the steering column cover <NUM> so as to project from the steering column cover <NUM>, and be supported by a steering shaft (not shown) of the steering column <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a driver's seat <NUM> is provided on the rearward of the steering column cover <NUM> at a predetermined distance. The driver's seat <NUM> is disposed between the left and right fenders <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a hydraulic work device lifting mechanism <NUM> for lifting and lowering a work device (not shown) such as a rotary tilling device is mounted on the rear upper surface of the transmission case <NUM> disposed below the driver's seat <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the work device is connected to the rearward of the transmission case <NUM> of the tractor <NUM> via a three-point link mechanism including a pair of left and right lower links <NUM>, and a top link <NUM>. The front end portions of the left and right lower links <NUM> are rotatably connected to the left and right side surfaces of the rear region of the transmission case <NUM>, respectively. The front end portion of the top link <NUM> is rotatably connected to a rear region of the work device lifting mechanism <NUM>. A power take-off (PTO) shaft <NUM> for transmitting the driving force of the engine portion <NUM> to the work device is provided on the rear surface of the transmission case <NUM>, so as to project rearward.

As shown in <FIG>, in the driving portion <NUM>, a driver's step <NUM> is provided as a floor surface portion on the machine body frame <NUM> from a position immediately behind the hot air shield plate <NUM> to a position immediately before the transmission case <NUM>. The driver's step <NUM> includes a driving portion floor <NUM>, and left and right side steps <NUM>. The driving portion floor <NUM> is disposed at the left and right central portions in the vehicle body width direction between the steering wheel <NUM> and the driver's seat <NUM>. The left and right side steps <NUM> are continuously disposed on the left and right outward sides of the driving portion floor <NUM> between the front end portions of the left and right fenders <NUM> and left and right foot guards <NUM> described below. The left and right side steps <NUM> constitute boarding sections <NUM> that allow for boarding and deboarding to and from the driver's step <NUM> between the front end portions of the left and right fenders <NUM> and the left and right foot guards <NUM>. Among the left and right boarding sections <NUM>, the boarding section <NUM> located on the left side of the vehicle body is configured as a main doorway. An auxiliary side step <NUM> that assists boarding and deboarding is vertically provided in a U shape in a side view, at the outer end portion of a floor frame <NUM> on the machine body frame <NUM> side that supports the side step <NUM> on the main doorway side, and at a lower position than the side step <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, a forward pedal <NUM> and a reverse pedal <NUM> are disposed on the right foot portion of the driving portion floor <NUM> where the right leg of a driver seated on the driver's seat <NUM> is located. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a brake pedal <NUM> is disposed on the left foot portion where the left foot of a driver seated in the driver's seat <NUM> is located.

As shown in <FIG>, each of the left and right foot guards <NUM> includes a guard support member <NUM> having a rectangular tubular shape and formed to be bent in a substantially inverted "L" shape when viewed in the front-rear direction, and a transparent windproof plate <NUM> covering the forward side of the boarding section <NUM> at the front side position of the guard support member <NUM>. The guard support member <NUM> is fixedly connected to the upper portions of the left and right outer end edges of the hot air shield plate <NUM> (see <FIG>) and the front region of the outer end of the floor frame <NUM> in an orientation along the left-right direction. The windproof plate <NUM> is fixedly connected to the guard support member <NUM>, the outer edge of the hot air shield plate <NUM>, and the front end of the floor frame <NUM>. The windproof plate <NUM> covers, in a transparent manner, a vertical window elongated in the up-down direction, which is formed by the guard support member <NUM>, the outer edge of the hot air shield plate <NUM>, and the front end of the floor frame <NUM>.

A mounting portion <NUM> is provided for mounting a support arm <NUM> of a rearview mirror <NUM> for confirming the rearward, on the upper side of a vertical frame portion 41A that constitutes the side edge portion of the foot guard <NUM>, outward of the vehicle body and disposed in the vertical orientation.

As shown in <FIG>, a first gripping portion <NUM> is provided on the top portion of the foot guard <NUM> located in the forward portion of the boarding section <NUM> on the left side of the vehicle, so that a driver can grip with her/his hand on the forward side of the vehicle body when boarding and deboarding. A second gripping portion <NUM> is provided on the upper portion of the fender <NUM> located at the rearward portion of the boarding section <NUM> on the left side of the vehicle, so that a driver can grip with her/his hand on the rearward side of the vehicle body when boarding and deboarding. It is possible to safely and easily board and deboard to and from the boarding section <NUM> on the left side of the vehicle body by gripping the first gripping portion <NUM> and the second gripping portion <NUM> disposed before and after the boarding section <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the first gripping portion <NUM> includes a horizontal gripping body <NUM>, a vertical gripping body <NUM>, and a vertical mounting body <NUM>. The horizontal gripping body <NUM> is horizontally or substantially horizontally disposed in an inclined posture that is positioned further forward toward the outward side of the vehicle body, in a plan view. The vertical gripping body <NUM> is continuous to an end portion of the horizontal gripping body <NUM>, outward of the vehicle body. The vertical mounting body <NUM> is continuous to an end portion of the horizontal gripping body <NUM> on the inner side of the vehicle body. The horizontal gripping body <NUM>, the vertical gripping body <NUM>, and the vertical mounting body <NUM> of the first gripping portion <NUM> are continuously formed by bending a round pipe.

The vertical gripping body <NUM> has a gripping length substantially equal to the gripping length of the horizontal gripping body <NUM>, and extends downward along the vertical frame portion 41A of the foot guard <NUM> in the vertical orientation. Therefore, the overall length of the vertical gripping body <NUM> is configured to be longer than the overall length of the horizontal gripping body <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, a horizontal plate piece 54a of a lower mounting member <NUM>, which is formed to be bent in an L shape as viewed in the front-rear direction, is fixed to a lower end portion of the vertical gripping body <NUM> of the first gripping portion <NUM> so as to project toward the rearward side of the vehicle body. A vertical plate piece 54b, which is continuous to the horizontal plate piece 54a of the lower mounting member <NUM>, is detachably fixed to the outer surface of the vertical frame portion 41A of the guard support member <NUM> with a bolt <NUM>. Therefore, as shown in <FIG>, the lower end portion of the vertical gripping body <NUM> of the first gripping portion <NUM> is disposed in the forward portion of the vertical frame portion 41A of the guard support member <NUM>.

A horizontal plate-shaped upper mounting member <NUM> is fixed to a lower end portion of the vertical mounting body <NUM> of the first gripping portion <NUM>. The upper mounting member <NUM> is detachably fixed to the upper surface of a horizontal frame portion 41B that constitutes the upper edge portion of the foot guard <NUM> with the bolt <NUM>.

Further, as shown in <FIG>, the first gripping portion <NUM> is attached so as to project upward with respect to a bent frame portion 41C that connects the vertical frame portion 41A and the horizontal frame portion 41B of the guard support member <NUM>. Therefore, it is possible to secure a sufficient gripping space between the bent frame portion 41C of the guard support member <NUM>, and the horizontal gripping body <NUM> and the vertical gripping body <NUM> of the first gripping portion <NUM>.

Further, the horizontal gripping body <NUM> of the first gripping portion <NUM> is horizontally or substantially horizontally disposed in an inclined posture that is positioned further forward toward the outward side of the vehicle body in a plan view. Therefore, for example, as shown in <FIG>, when boarding at a right angle along the left-right direction from the lateral outer side position of the vehicle body relative to the boarding section <NUM> on the left side of the vehicle body, it is possible to easily grip the horizontal gripping body <NUM> of the first gripping portion <NUM> in a natural orientation in which the left arm on the forward side of the vehicle body is slightly open toward the outer side of the human body. Moreover, in the gripping state, the horizontal gripping body <NUM> of the first gripping portion <NUM> and the left arm have a reasonable crossing angle. Therefore, in boarding, the left hand gripping the horizontal gripping body <NUM> of the first gripping portion <NUM> is not burdened. Further, by the horizontal gripping body <NUM> of the first gripping portion <NUM> inclined toward the forward side of the vehicle body, the width of the boarding section <NUM> on the left side of the vehicle body can be visually widened. By improving the grasping operability at the time of boarding and deboarding, and visually improving the width of the boarding section <NUM> on the left side of the vehicle body it is possible to easily board from the left-right direction on the lateral outer side of the vehicle body.

Since the horizontal gripping body <NUM> of the first gripping portion <NUM> is disposed horizontally or substantially horizontally, it is possible to suppress the slipping movement of the gripping position. Further, since the vertical gripping body <NUM> of the first gripping portion <NUM> is connected to the foot guard <NUM> in an orientation along the vertical direction, it is possible to assist the up and down movement of a human body up to the height of the driver's step <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the second gripping portion <NUM> is fixed to the upper portion of the fender <NUM> on the left side of the vehicle body and to the outer portion of a left side column <NUM> with a screw <NUM> in an orientation along the front-rear direction. The second gripping portion <NUM> includes a front leg portion 60A, a grip 60B, and a rear leg portion 60C. The front leg portion 60A is fixed to the front region side of the fender <NUM>. The grip 60B extends rearward along the curved upper surface of the fender <NUM> from the upper end of the front leg portion 60A. The rear leg portion 60C extends downward from the rear end of the grip 60B, and is fixed to the rear region side of the fender <NUM>. The front leg portion 60A, the grip 60B, and the rear leg portion 60C of the second gripping portion <NUM> are integrally molded of a resin.

Further, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a PTO on/off switch <NUM> and a lifting operation lever <NUM> are provided as an example of an operation tool for operating a working equipment provided on the vehicle body, at the right side column <NUM> provided in the upper portion of the fender <NUM> on the right side of the vehicle body and its vicinity. The PTO on/off switch <NUM> is a switch for turning on/off the power transmission of a PTO clutch (not shown). The lifting operation lever <NUM> is a lever for lifting the work device lifting mechanism <NUM>.

Further, as shown in <FIG>, a traveling speed change lever <NUM> is disposed on the left side column <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a protection frame <NUM> is vertically provided on a base frame <NUM> extending upward from the rear region of the body frame <NUM> to protect the driver seated on the driver's seat <NUM> when the vehicle body rolls over. The protection frame <NUM> has a lower protection frame <NUM> fixed to the base frame <NUM>, and an upper protection frame <NUM> foldably connected to the lower protection frame <NUM>. The lower protection frame <NUM> has a horizontal frame portion 71A fixed to the upper end of the base frame <NUM> and extending along the left-right direction, and left and right lower prop frame portions 71B which are bolt-connected to both end portions of the horizontal frame portion 71A in an orientation along the up-down direction.

As shown in <FIG>, rear composite lamps <NUM> are mounted on the respective rear surface of the left and right lower prop frame portions 71B, to display a deceleration, a stop, a backward movement, a left-right rotation, or the like of the tractor <NUM> for a vehicle or a person behind the tractor <NUM>. Each of the rear composite lamps <NUM> includes a tail lamp, a brake lamp, a reverse lamp, and a direction indicator lamp. Front composite lamps <NUM> for displaying the vehicle width of the tractor <NUM>, the left-right rotation, or the like are mounted on the respective front surface of the left and right lower prop frame portions 71B for a vehicle or a person forward of the tractor <NUM>. Each of the front composite lamps <NUM> includes a direction indicator lamp and a vehicle width lamp.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the upper protection frame <NUM> is formed to be bent in an inverted U shape when viewed in the front-rear direction. The lower end portion of the left and right upper prop frames 72A, which constitute the upper protection frame <NUM>, is connected to a bracket <NUM>, which is fixed to the upper end portion of the left and right lower prop frame portions 71B, so as to be swingable about a pivot pin <NUM> along the left-right direction. A fixing pin <NUM> is provided to the upper protection frame <NUM> so as to be insertable and withdrawable in order to fixedly hold the upper protection frame <NUM> in a protection orientation in which the upper protection frame <NUM> protrudes forward and upward, across the lower end portion of the upper prop frames 72A and the bracket <NUM> of both of the lower prop frame portions 71B. When the fixing pin <NUM> is pulled out, the upper protection frame <NUM> can swing rearward around the pivot pin <NUM>, and the upper protection frame <NUM> can be changed to a folding orientation in which the upper protection frame <NUM> is folded toward the rearward side of the lower protection frame <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in the rearward position of the driver's seat <NUM>, a transparent partition wall <NUM>, which is divided into a front region of the vehicle body defining the forward side thereof and a rear region of the vehicle body defining the rearward side thereof, is provided on the protection frame <NUM>. The partition wall <NUM> includes a partition metal wire net <NUM> formed in a rectangular shape as viewed in the front-rear direction and having transparency and air permeability, and a metal partition holding frame <NUM> that sandwiches and holds the four sides of the partition metal wire net <NUM> with a plurality of holding pieces 82a to prevent the partition metal wire net <NUM> from slipping out.

The lateral width of the partition wall <NUM> in the left-right direction is configured with approximately the lateral width dimension extending from the inner surface inside the vehicle body of the lower prop frame portions 71B disposed on the right side of the vehicle body of the lower protection frame <NUM> to the position near the left end portion of the head portion 17A of the driver's seat <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the height of the partition wall <NUM> is configured with the approximately height dimension, that extends upward from the upper surface of the horizontal frame portion 71A of the lower protection frame <NUM> to a position above the head portion 17A of the driver's seat <NUM>, and to an intermediate position in the up and down direction of the rear composite lamp <NUM> mounted on the lower prop frame portions 71B.

As shown in <FIG>, the partition wall <NUM> is provided so as to be shifted toward the side where the PTO on/off switch <NUM> and the lifting operation lever <NUM> of the work device lifting mechanism <NUM>, which are examples of the operation tool for operating the working equipment, are disposed with respect to the driver's seat <NUM>. Specifically, first mounting members <NUM>, which are formed to be bent in an L-shape, are fixed to upper and lower portions of the vertical holding frame portion 82A on the right side of the vehicle body on the partition holding frame <NUM> of the partition wall <NUM>. Further, a second mounting member <NUM>, which is formed to be bent in an L-shape, is fixed to a position near the left end side of the lower holding frame portion 82B of the partition holding frame <NUM>. Both of the first mounting members <NUM> of the partition wall <NUM> are detachably mounted on the lower prop frame portions 71B on the right side of the vehicle body of the lower protection frame <NUM> with a bolt <NUM>. The second mounting member <NUM> of the partition wall <NUM> is detachably mounted on the horizontal frame portion 71A of the lower protection frame <NUM> with the bolt <NUM>.

As described above, the PTO on/off switch (an example of the operation tool) <NUM> and the lifting operation lever (an example of the operation tool) <NUM> are collectively disposed on the right fender <NUM>. The PTO on/off switch 6is a switch for turning on/off the power transmission of a PTO clutch (an example of a working equipment, not shown) The lifting operation lever <NUM> is a lever for lifting and lowering a work device lifting mechanism (an example of the working equipment) <NUM>. Therefore, at the rearward position of the driver's seat <NUM>, when the partition wall <NUM> is provided to divide the front region of the vehicle body defining the forward side thereof, and the rear region of the vehicle body defining the rearward side thereof, the partition wall <NUM> can be provided so as to be shifted toward the side where the PTO on/off switch <NUM> and the like are provided relative to the driver's seat. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid inadvertent operation of and contact with the PTO on/off switch <NUM> and the lifting operation lever <NUM> while configuring the partition wall <NUM> to be shorter by the amount corresponding to the shift. The inadvertent operation and contact is caused by an operator's hand intruding from the rear region of the vehicle body through the lateral space on the right side of the driver's seat <NUM>. Specifically, the inadvertent operation and contact is caused by an operator's hand intruding through the lateral space between the lower prop frame portion 71B on the right side of the vehicle body of the lower protection frame <NUM> and the right end portion of the driver's seat <NUM>.

Therefore, as a result of the above-mentioned rational placement in which the PTO on/off switch <NUM> and the lifting operation lever <NUM> are collectively disposed on the right fender <NUM>, it is possible to improve the visibility on the rearward side by shortening the partition wall <NUM>, while to avoid the inadvertent operation of and contact with the PTO on/off switch <NUM> and the lifting operation lever <NUM> due to an operator's hand intruding from the rear region of the vehicle body through the lateral space on the right side of the driver's seat <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, a side partition wall <NUM> is disposed so as to incline toward the forward side of the vehicle body in a state where the side partition wall <NUM> projects farther outward of the vehicle body than the position where the PTO on/off switch <NUM> and the like are disposed, on the outer edge side of the partition wall <NUM> on the side where the PTO on/off switch <NUM> and the like are disposed. The side partition wall <NUM> has a side partition metal wire net <NUM> formed in a rectangular shape as viewed in the front-rear direction, and a metal side partition holding frame <NUM> that sandwiches and holds the four sides of the side partition metal wire net <NUM> with a plurality of holding pieces 92a to prevent the side partition metal wire net <NUM> from slipping out.

The lateral width of the side partition wall <NUM> in the left-right direction is configured with a substantially lateral width dimension that extends from the outer surface on the outer side of the vehicle body of the lower prop frame portion 71B, which is disposed on the right side of the vehicle body of the lower protection frame <NUM>, to a position near the outer end portion of the right fender <NUM>, or a lateral width dimension that is slightly smaller than the substantially lateral width dimension. Therefore, in a state in which the side partition wall <NUM> is mounted on the lower prop frame portion 71B provided on the right side of the vehicle body, the side partition wall <NUM> largely extends outward from the outer surface of the lower prop frame portion 71B to a position near the outer end of the right fender <NUM> outward of the vehicle body.

Further, the height of the side partition wall <NUM> is configured with a height dimension, which is slightly smaller than the distance between the upper surface of the right fender <NUM> and the lower end of the rear composite lamp <NUM> mounted on the right lower prop frame portions 71B. Therefore, in a state where the side partition wall <NUM> is mounted on the lower prop frame portions 71B disposed on the right side of the vehicle body, the upper end of the side partition wall <NUM> is close to the lower end of the rear composite lamp <NUM>, and the space between the side partition wall <NUM> and the rear composite lamp <NUM> is small. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an operator's hand from intruding through the gap between the upper end of the side partition wall <NUM> and the lower end of the rear composite lamp <NUM> from the rear region of the vehicle body to the PTO on/off switch <NUM> or the like.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, on the upper surface of the right fender <NUM>, the highest position is the upper surface 7a of a ridge 7A that is bulged upward at the center in the width direction and on the outer side of the lower prop frame portions 71B on the right side of the vehicle body in the lower protection frame <NUM>. Further, the upper surface 7b of an outer fender portion 7B located on the outward of the vehicle body with respect to the ridge 7Ais located at a position lower than the upper surface 7a of the ridge 7A. Therefore, the gap between the lower holding frame portion 92B of the side partition holding frame <NUM> and the upper surface 7b of the outer fender portion 7B of the right fender <NUM> becomes large. Therefore, there is a possibility that an operator's hand intrudes through the gap from the rear region of the vehicle body to the PTO on/off switch <NUM> or the like.

In order to prevent such intrusion, as shown in <FIG>, a protrusion portion <NUM> is provided on the lower holding frame portion 92B of the side partition holding frame <NUM> in order to reduce the gap with the upper surface 7b of the outer fender portion 7B of the right fender <NUM>. The protrusion portion <NUM> is formed of a rod-shaped or pipe-shaped partition frame formed to be bent in a flat "U" shape in a rear view.

As described above, the gap is provided between the side partition wall <NUM> and the upper surface of the right fender <NUM>, and noise and deformation due to the contact between the side partition walls <NUM> and the fender <NUM> having different vibration characteristics are suppressed. Further, the protrusion portion <NUM> provided at the lower end portion of the side partition wall <NUM> reduces the gap between the lower holding frame portion 92B of the side partition holding frame <NUM> in the side partition wall <NUM>, and the upper surface 7b of the outer fender portion 7B in the right fender <NUM>. As a result, it is possible to suppress the intrusion into the PTO on/off switch <NUM> and the like, which uses the gap on the lower side of the side partition wall <NUM> as a bypass passage.

As shown in <FIG>, a third mounting member <NUM> is fixed so as to formed to be bent in a substantially "V" shape (see <FIG>) in a plan view, on the upper portion of the vertical holding frame portion 92A on the inner side of the vehicle body in the side partition holding frame <NUM> of the side partition wall <NUM>. The third mounting member <NUM> is formed to be bent at an obtuse angle by an angle at which the side partition wall <NUM> inclines forward and toward the outward side of the vehicle body of the vehicle body.

The third mounting member <NUM> of the side partition wall <NUM> is detachably mounted on the outward side surface on the outer side of the vehicle body of the lower prop frame portion 71B, which is disposed on the right side of the vehicle body of the lower protection frame <NUM>, with the bolt <NUM>. The third mounting member <NUM> of the side partition wall <NUM> and the first mounting member <NUM> on the lower side of the partition wall <NUM> are fastened and fixed with the bolt <NUM>. Further, the first mounting member <NUM> on the upper side of the partition wall <NUM> is fastened and fixed with the rear composite lamp <NUM> with the bolt <NUM>.

As described above, the side partition wall <NUM>, which is disposed on the outer edge side of the partition wall <NUM> on the side where the PTO on/off switch <NUM> and the like are disposed, protrudes farther outward of the vehicle body than the arrangement position of the PTO on/off switch <NUM> and the like, and is inclined toward the forward side of the vehicle body. Therefore, in order to reroute an operator's hand intruding to the lateral outward side of the vehicle body from the rear region of the vehicle body to the PTO on/off switch <NUM> or the like, it is necessary for the operator's hand to be rerouted largely forward and toward the outward side of the vehicle body. As a result, it is possible to effectively prevent the operator's hand from intruding from the rear region of the vehicle body by detouring the lateral outward side of the vehicle body.

In particular, the side partition wall <NUM> protrudes more outward from the side of the vehicle body than the lower prop frame portion 71B of the lower protection frame <NUM>. In order to reroute an operator's hand from intruding to the lateral outward side of the vehicle body from the rear region of the vehicle body of the driver's seat <NUM>, and to the PTO on/off switch <NUM> or the like, it is necessary to reroute the operator's hand largely farther toward the outward side of the vehicle body of the vehicle body than the lower prop frame portions 71B by the amount that the side partition wall <NUM> projects. Accordingly, it is possible to effectively prevent an operator's hand from detouring the lateral outward side of the vehicle body from the rear region of the vehicle body for the intrusion.

Further, as described above, the partition wall <NUM> and the side partition wall <NUM> are configured to be detachable. Therefore, it is possible to easily perform maintenance for the partition wall <NUM> and the side partition wall <NUM> themselves, and maintenance for the vehicle body side on which the partition wall <NUM> and the side partition wall <NUM> are disposed.

The above-described partition wall <NUM> and the side partition wall <NUM> are made of a metal mesh, but may be made of a porous plate such as expanded metal, a resin plate such as a transparent acrylic plate, or the like.

In the tractor <NUM> which is an example of the work vehicle shown in <FIG>, the first gripping portions <NUM>, which a driver can grip with her/his hand on the forward side of the vehicle body when boarding and deboarding, and the rearview mirrors <NUM> for confirming the rearward side are provided on both left and right sides of the steering column cover <NUM> disposed forward of the driver's seat <NUM>. Although not shown, second gripping portions, which a driver can grip with her/his hand on the rearward side of the vehicle body when boarding and deboarding, are provided on the upper portions of the fenders <NUM> located on the rearward portion of the left and right boarding sections <NUM>.

The tractor <NUM> is not provided with the left and right foot guards <NUM> described in the first embodiment described above.

As shown in <FIG>, each of the left and right first gripping portions <NUM> includes a base end side support body <NUM>, a second horizontal gripping body <NUM>, and a front end side support body <NUM>. The base end side support body <NUM> extends upward along the vertical direction. The second horizontal gripping body <NUM> extends horizontally or substantially horizontally in an inclined posture that is positioned further forward toward the outward side from the upper end portion of the base end side support body <NUM> in a plan view. The front end side support body <NUM> extends downward in an inclined posture from the distal end of the second horizontal gripping body <NUM> toward the inner side in the vehicle body. The base end side support body <NUM>, the second horizontal gripping body <NUM>, and the front end side support body <NUM> of each of the first gripping portions <NUM> are continuously formed by bending a round pipe.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a mounting bracket <NUM> is fixed to a mounting seat <NUM> provided on a column frame <NUM> in the steering column cover <NUM> so as to be detachably connected with a bolt <NUM>, at the lower end portion of the base end side support body <NUM> of each of the first gripping portions <NUM>. Openings <NUM>, through which the mounting bracket <NUM> of each of the first gripping portions <NUM> can be inserted from the left and right directions, are formed on both left and right sides of the steering column cover <NUM>. Bolt insertion holes for the mounting seat <NUM> of the column frame <NUM> and the mounting bracket <NUM> of the first gripping portion <NUM> are disposed in the opening <NUM> so as to be exposed to the outward side. Therefore, it is possible to easily perform a bolt operation for tightening and fixing the mounting bracket <NUM> of the first gripping portion <NUM> to the mounting seat <NUM> of the column frame <NUM>, and releasing the fixing, from the outside of the opening <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, an auxiliary grip <NUM>, which is formed to be bent in a substantially "U" shape in a front view, is provided on the base end side support body <NUM> of the first gripping portion <NUM> located on the left side of the vehicle body so as to protrude outward of the vehicle body in an orientation along the left-right direction. A mounting portion <NUM> for mounting a support arm <NUM> of the rearview mirror <NUM> is provided on the front end side support body <NUM> of each of the first gripping portions <NUM>.

As described above, the mounting bracket <NUM> of the first gripping portion <NUM> is mounted on the mounting seat <NUM> provided on the column frame <NUM>. Therefore, compared with the case where the mounting bracket of the first gripping portion <NUM> extends from the boarding section <NUM> side of the driver's step <NUM>, it is possible to secure a large space for boarding and deboarding to and from the driver's step <NUM>. Further, it is possible to perform the attachment and detachment operation of the mounting seat <NUM> of the column frame <NUM> and the mounting bracket <NUM> of the first gripping portion <NUM>, through the opening <NUM> formed in the steering column cover <NUM> from the outside. Therefore, it is possible to easily attach and detach the first gripping portion <NUM> to and from the mounting seat <NUM> of the column frame <NUM>, without removing the steering column cover <NUM>. Further, the first gripping portion <NUM>, which is sturdy and can be mounted on the column frame <NUM>, can also be used as the mounting stay for the rearview mirror <NUM>. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the mounting structure of the first gripping portion <NUM> and the rearview mirror <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the tractor <NUM> is provided with a battery cut switch <NUM> capable of manually cutting off the power supply from the battery. This aims to prevent spontaneous discharge of a battery (not shown) installed inside the hood <NUM>, and shutting off the power during maintenance, and the like.

The battery cut switch <NUM> is positioned with an orientation so as to appropriately guard the gap portion A between the machine body frame <NUM> and the hood <NUM> above the machine body frame <NUM> on the right and forward side of the vehicle body. In such an orientation, the battery cut switch <NUM> is fixed to the upper surface of the machine body frame <NUM> below the gap portion A via a mounting bracket <NUM>. The mounting bracket <NUM> includes a base plate portion 121a along the upper surface of the machine body frame <NUM>, and a mounting plate portion 121b that bends upward from an outward edge portion of the base plate portion 121a and extends upward. Further, the base plate portion 121a is fixed to the upper surface of the machine body frame <NUM> with a bolt <NUM>, and the battery cut switch <NUM> is fixed to the mounting plate portion 121b with a bolt <NUM>.

With such a configuration, it is possible to appropriately prevent an operator's hand or the like from intruding into the inside of the hood <NUM> through the gap portion A, and touching a radiator fan <NUM> or the like inside the hood <NUM>. This effect is obtained by the battery cut switch <NUM> and the mounting bracket <NUM> provided in the orientation that covers the gap portion A.

Further, the mounting structure of the battery cut switch <NUM> has a configuration in which the battery cut switch <NUM> can be mounted on the machine body frame <NUM> without being affected by the open/closed state of the hood <NUM> and the specification or the like. As a result, it is possible to easily perform maintenance work to replace parts, and share parts by a plurality of kinds of tractors.

Further, as shown in <FIG>, a guard plate portion 121c may be provided on the mounting bracket <NUM> so as to be bent inward from the rearward edge portion of the mounting plate portion 121b and extend toward the inside of the hood <NUM>. By providing the guard plate portion 121c on the mounting bracket <NUM> as described above, it is possible to appropriately guard the gap portion A with a wide range, and to further prevent an operator's hand from intruding into the inside of the hood <NUM> through the gap portion A. Further, the guard plate portion 121c is formed with a slit port S through which air can pass. Thereby, the airflow passing through the gap portion A generated by the radiator fan <NUM> is maintained in a good state.

The gap portion A between the hood <NUM> and the machine body frame <NUM> is appropriately guarded by the battery cut switch <NUM> or the mounting bracket <NUM> to prevent intrusion by an operator's hand or the like. However, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the battery cut switch <NUM> is installed at another location, and the gap portion A is guarded by another member.

Claim 1:
A work vehicle comprising:
a driver's step (<NUM>);
a driver's seat (<NUM>) disposed further rearward than the driver's step (<NUM>) and between rear traveling units (<NUM>) on left and right sides;
a steering wheel (<NUM>) disposed in front of the driver's seat (<NUM>);
fenders (<NUM>) on the left and right sides that cover upper portions of both the rear traveling units (<NUM>);
a boarding section (<NUM>) that enables boarding to and deboarding from the driver's step (<NUM>) at a position on a front side of at least one of the fenders (<NUM>); and
a gripping portion (<NUM>) that is provided on a forward portion of the boarding section (<NUM>) and is graspable to a driver when boarding and deboarding,
characterized in that
the gripping portion (<NUM>) extends upward from a foot guard (<NUM>) covering the front side of the boarding section (<NUM>), wherein the gripping portion (<NUM>) includes:
a horizontal gripping body (<NUM>) horizontally or substantially horizontally disposed in an inclined posture that is positioned further forward toward the outward side of the vehicle body in a plan view; and
a vertical gripping body (<NUM>) which continues to an end portion of the horizontal gripping body (<NUM>) on the outward side of the vehicle body, and
wherein the vertical gripping body (<NUM>) is connected to the foot guard (<NUM>) in a position, where the vertical gripping body (<NUM>) extends along a vertical direction.