Patent Description:
A ridable mower machine disclosed in <CIT> (or <CIT> corresponding thereto) includes: a mower; a grass collecting container that collects cut grass from the mower; a linkage mechanism that has a plurality of linkage members and supports the grass collecting container such that the grass collecting container can be lifted and lowered, and opened and closed; and a hydraulic actuator for driving the grass collecting container.

With this configuration, there is the risk of a hydraulic hose that is connected to the hydraulic actuator coming into contact with an obstacle and being damaged during travel or the like. Therefore, there is demand for a ridable mower machine in which the hydraulic hose can be protected.

In a ridable mower machine disclosed in <CIT> (or <CIT> corresponding thereto), a mower-side duct portion that is formed in a mower apparatus, and a container-side duct portion discharge portion that is fixed to the grass collecting container, and the entrance of the grass collecting container-side duct are fitted to and connected to each other. Cut grass is blown and guided to the grass collecting container by conveyance wind generated by the mower apparatus, through a conveyance path that continues from the discharge portion of the mower apparatus to the inside of the grass collecting container-side duct.

The bottom portion of the grass collecting duct is provided so that the orientation thereof can change as the mower apparatus is lifted and lowered, such that the bottom portion of the conveyance path is kept continuous even though the mower apparatus is allowed to be lifted and lowered, where the mower apparatus is supported using a linkage mechanism so as to be able to be lifted and lowered.

In this configuration, the lower surface of the container-side bottom plate is flat, and therefore the contact angle of the container-side bottom plate with respect to the trajectory of a press-up cam that presses and swings the lower surface of the container-side bottom plate upward gradually changes, and there is the risk of the distance between the mower-side bottom plate and the container-side bottom plate being too large, depending on the cutting height. That is to say, there is room for improvement in this regard.

A grass mower disclosed in <CIT> (or <CIT> corresponding thereto) includes a mower that is located in the lower portion of a vehicle body and feeds cut grass outward from a discharge portion, a duct that is connected to and in communication with the discharge portion and guides the cut grass that is fed from the discharge portion, and a grass collecting portion that is located in the rear portion of the vehicle body and collects the cut grass that is guided by the duct.

With this type of grass mower, the discharge portion formed in the mower and the entrance portion of the duct are connected to each other by insertion mating. Conveying wind produced by the mower is used to blow and guide the cut grass to the grass collecting portion via a conveying passage that connects the discharge portion to the interior of the duct. The duct is supported to a frame pertaining to the grass collecting portion. In order to allow the raising and lowering of the mower, which is supported so as to be capable of being raised and lower via a link mechanism, while also maintaining a state of being connected to the bottom portion of the conveying passage, the bottom portion of the duct is provided such that the orientation can be changed relative to the duct main body in accordance with the raising/lowering of the mower.

With the above-described conventional configuration, the discharge portion is supported to the mower, and the duct is supported to the frame pertaining to the grass collecting portion, and therefore there are cases where the grass collecting portion rolls relative to the vehicle body during grass mowing, and the grass collecting portion comes into contact with an object such as a furrow and is subjected to a large amount of force. In such a case, a gap is sometimes formed between the discharge portion and the entrance portion of the duct that is connected to the discharge portion. If this gap increases in size, there is a risk that cut grass passing through the duct due to guiding wind will be discharged to the outside through the gap.

In particular, with the above-described configuration in which the orientation of the bottom portion of the duct can be changed relative to the duct main body, the duct main body is formed with a downward-open U shape including a ceiling face and right and left side faces, and therefore there is a risk of deformation of portions on the lower end side of the duct main body.

In view of this, there is a desire to prevent cut grass conveyed through the duct from being discharged to the outside.

A mower machine disclosed in <CIT> (or <CIT> and <CIT> corresponding thereto) includes: a grass collecting container that collects cut grass; a cut grass amount detection apparatus that measures the weight of grass stored in the grass collecting container; and a full-state alarm apparatus that issues an alarm indicating that the grass collecting container is full of grass.

The cut grass amount detection apparatus includes: a sensor plate that is swingable and comes into contact with cut grass via a detection hole so as to receive the weight of cut grass collected in the grass collecting container; a spring that biases the sensor plate such that the sensor plate swings to be in a reference orientation; and a detection means that detects the swing of the sensor plate from the reference orientation. The cut grass amount detection apparatus detects that the grass collecting container is full of cut grass upon the sensor plate swinging by a predetermined amount and moving away from a detection switch. The full-state alarm apparatus issues an alarm upon the cut grass amount detection apparatus detects a full state. Note that the amount of swing through which the sensor plate presses the detection switch is adjusted using a spring, and thus the weight corresponding to the full state and the sensitivity of the grass amount detection apparatus are adjusted using the spring.

However, for example, due to vibration caused when the mower machine travels over a step upward or downward, the expansion and contraction of the spring varies, the sensor plate of the cut grass amount detection apparatus vibrates, and consequently the detection switch may be unable to accurately detect the full state. As a result, the full-state alarm apparatus may issue an alarm before the full state is reached, or may not issue an alarm despite the full state having been reached. There is room for improvement in this regard.

Documents <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> disclose other known examples of mower machines.

Document <CIT> discloses a cut grass full-state detection apparatus that detects a full state of a grass collecting container that stores cut grass cut by a mower apparatus according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

A cut grass full-state detection apparatus that detects a full state of a grass collecting container that stores cut grass cut by a mower apparatus, comprising:.

With this configuration, an alarm is issued only when it is highly probable that the grass collecting container is full. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an alarm indicating, that the grass collecting container is full, from being erroneously issued, and an alarm indicating that the grass collecting container is full can be more accurately issued. As a result, it is possible to prevent unnecessary work from being performed in response to an erroneous alarm, and it is possible to perform appropriate work in an appropriate situation.

The cut grass full-state detection apparatus further includes:.

With this configuration, it is possible to differently combine the notification units that issue an alarm according to the driving status of the mower apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to perform appropriate work according to the driving status of the mower apparatus. For example, the amount of stored cut grass does not increase while cutting work is not being performed. Therefore, there is often no need to perform work to discharge cut grass, for example. In such a case, there is less need to issue an alarm indicating the full state. It is possible to issue a different alarm at a different importance level according to the driving status of the mower apparatus, and therefore it is possible to issue a more appropriate alarm and realize more appropriate work corresponding to the alarm.

In one preferable embodiment, the control unit is configured to stop the notification unit from issuing an alarm when the cut grass amount detection unit detects that the amount of cut grass has fallen below the predetermined amount while the notification unit issues the alarm.

With this configuration, when the cut grass amount detection unit is no longer detecting the full state, the alarm is immediately stopped. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an erroneous alarm from being continuously issued, and it is possible to issue a more appropriate alarm.

In one preferable embodiment, the control unit is configured to.

With this configuration, when a combination of different alarms are issued according to the driving status of the mower apparatus, each alarm can be stopped according to the detection status of the full state and the driving status of the mower apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to prevent each alarm from being erroneously issued continuously, and it is possible to issue more appropriate alarms.

In one preferable embodiment, the first notification unit is an indicator, and the second notification unit is a buzzer.

During cutting work, it is difficult for the driver to notice a full-state alarm if the alarm needs to be visually checked, such as in the case of an indicator. With the above-described configuration, during cutting work, an alarm is issued from a buzzer in addition to an alarm from the indicator, and thus it is possible to make it easier for the driver to notice the full-state alarm. As a result, it is possible to issue an appropriate alarm that is suitable for the work situation, and it is possible to perform more efficient cutting work.

In the description of each embodiment below, the direction indicated by an arrow F is referred to as "forward", the direction indicated by an arrow B is referred to as "rearward", the direction indicated by an arrow L is referred to as "leftward", and the direction indicated by an arrow R is referred to as "rightward" (see <FIG> and <FIG>, for example).

<FIG> and <FIG> show a ridable mower machine. This ridable mower machine includes a travel machine body <NUM>. The travel machine body <NUM> includes: a machine body frame <NUM>; a pair of right and left front wheels 3F that are steerable; and a pair of right and left rear wheels 3B that are drivable. A prime mover part <NUM> is provided in a front portion of the travel machine body <NUM>. The prime mover part <NUM> includes an engine E and a bonnet <NUM> that houses the engine E and so on. The bonnet <NUM> is configured to be able to swing to open and close about a front pivot S1.

A driver part <NUM> is provided rearward of the prime mover part <NUM>. A mower <NUM> is provided below the travel machine body <NUM>, between the front wheels 3F and the rear wheels 3B. The mower <NUM> is supported by the machine body frame <NUM> so as to be able to be lifted and lowered, using a linkage mechanism <NUM>. A grass collecting container <NUM> that collects cut grass from the mower <NUM> is supported rearward of the travel machine body <NUM>. The grass collecting container <NUM> is supported by the machine body frame <NUM> using a linkage mechanism <NUM>, so as to be able to be lifted and lowered, and opened and closed. A grass collecting duct <NUM> that guides cut grass from the mower <NUM> toward the grass collecting container <NUM> is provided so as to span between the mower <NUM> and the grass collecting container <NUM>.

The driver part <NUM> includes a driver's seat <NUM>, an operation tower <NUM>, and a work lever <NUM>. A ROPS <NUM> is provided around the driver's seat <NUM>. The ROPS <NUM> includes right and left support pillars 15A, and an arch 15B that spans between the right and left support pillars 15A. The arch 15B is supported by the right and left support pillars 15A so as to be foldable. The operation tower <NUM> is provided with a steering handle <NUM>, an indicator panel <NUM>, a key switch <NUM> for inputting an instruction to start the engine E, and a panel <NUM> that covers, for example, a pillar (not shown) that supports the steering handle <NUM>. The work lever <NUM> is a lever that is used to lift and lower the mower <NUM>, lift and lower the grass collecting container <NUM>, and open and close the grass collecting container <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the linkage mechanism <NUM> supports the grass collecting container <NUM> so as to be able to be lifted and lowered, and opened and closed. The linkage mechanism <NUM> is supported by the right and left support pillars 15A, using right and left brackets <NUM>. The linkage mechanism <NUM> includes right and left upper links <NUM>, right and left lower links <NUM>, and right and left link plates <NUM>. The upper links <NUM>, the lower links <NUM>, and the link plates <NUM> each correspond to a linkage member.

The upper links <NUM> and the lower links <NUM> are supported by the support pillars 15A, using the brackets <NUM>. Each bracket <NUM> includes an upper support portion 20a that supports an upper link <NUM> so as to be swingable upward and downward, and a lower support portion 20b that supports a lower link <NUM> so as to be swingable upward and downward. Each link plate <NUM> is provided so as to span between a leading end portion of an upper link <NUM> and a leading end portion of a lower link <NUM>. An upper coupling pipe <NUM> that couples the right and left upper links <NUM> to each other is provided so as to span between front portions thereof. A lower coupling pipe <NUM> that couples the right and left lower links <NUM> to each other is provided so as to span between front portions thereof.

The grass collecting container <NUM> is provided with a lid 9b that covers a discharge port 9a thereof, so as to be able to be opened and closed. The grass collecting container <NUM> is supported by the right and left link plates <NUM> so as to be swingable about a swing axis X1, using a support shaft 9c. The swing axis X1 is a swing axis that extends in a right-left direction of the machine body.

Open/close cylinders <NUM> (corresponding to a "hydraulic actuator") for opening and closing the grass collecting container <NUM> are provided on the right and left side. Each open/close cylinder <NUM> is provided so as to span between the grass collecting container <NUM> and a link plate <NUM>. Each open/close cylinder <NUM> includes a cylinder tube 27A and a piston rod 27B. The support shaft 9c is provided with arms 9d to which leading end portions of the piston rods 27B are coupled. A hydraulic hose <NUM> for supplying oil and a hydraulic hose 28D for discharging oil are connected to each cylinder tube 27A.

The hydraulic hoses <NUM> and 28D extend upward along the support pillars 15A so as to be located laterally inward of the brackets <NUM>. The upper support portions 20a and the lower support portion 20b are respectively provided with restriction portions 20c that restrict the hydraulic hoses <NUM> and 28D from swinging. The restriction portions 20c are each formed from a round rod member that is substantially U-shaped, such that the hydraulic hoses <NUM> and 28D can be passed therethrough.

The hydraulic hoses <NUM> and 28D extend along the upper surfaces of the upper links <NUM> toward the open/close cylinders <NUM>. Specifically, the hydraulic hoses <NUM> and 28D are provided along portions that span between bracket <NUM>-side end portions and link plate <NUM>-side portions of the upper surfaces of the upper links <NUM>.

Up/down cylinders <NUM> for lifting and lowering the grass collecting container <NUM> are provided on the right and left side. The up/down cylinders <NUM> are provided so as to span between the lower links <NUM> and the support pillars 15A, respectively. Each up/down cylinder <NUM> includes a cylinder tube 29A and a piston rod 29B. Front portions of the lower links <NUM> are provided with brackets 22a to which leading end portions of the piston rods 29B are coupled. Lower end portions of the support pillars 15A are provided with brackets 15a to which base end portions of the cylinder tubes 29A are coupled. A hydraulic hose <NUM> for supplying oil and a hydraulic hose 30D for discharging oil are connected to each cylinder tube 29A.

With such a configuration, upon the up/down cylinders <NUM> extending, the upper links <NUM> and the lower links <NUM> swing upward, and the grass collecting container <NUM> moves upward. Thereafter, upon the open/close cylinders <NUM> extending with the grass collecting container <NUM> being in a lifted state, the grass collecting container <NUM> swings rearward about the swing axis X1 (a dump operation) and the lid 9b opens. Thus, the grass collecting container <NUM> takes an orientation for discharging grass from the discharge port 9a.

As shown in <FIG>, covers <NUM> that cover portions that extend along the upper surfaces of the upper links <NUM>, of the hydraulic hoses <NUM> and 28D, are provided on the right and left side. The covers <NUM> have a shape that is open downward (substantially an inverted U-shape in a cross-sectional view) so as to cover portions that extend along the upper surfaces of the upper links <NUM>, of the hydraulic hoses <NUM> and 28D. Each cover <NUM> is formed so as to be dividable into portions (two portions, namely a front portion and a rear portion) that extend in the longitudinal direction of an upper link <NUM>, at a position corresponding to a bent portion of the upper link <NUM>. Each cover <NUM> includes a front cover member <NUM> that constitutes a portion that is forward of the bent portion of the upper link <NUM>, of the cover <NUM>, and a rear cover member <NUM> that constitutes a portion that is rearward of the upper link <NUM>, of the cover <NUM>. The front cover member <NUM> and the rear cover member <NUM> are continuous, with the rear end of the front cover member <NUM> and the front end of the rear cover member <NUM> abutting against each other.

Both lateral sides of the front portion of the front cover member <NUM> are provided with a recess 32a that is open downward, in order to avoid interference with, for example, a coupling portion of the upper coupling pipe <NUM> and the upper link <NUM>. The front cover member <NUM> is detachably fixed to the upper link <NUM>, using a plurality of (e.g. three) bolt fixing structures <NUM>, such that the lateral sides of the front cover member <NUM> extend along the side surfaces of the upper link <NUM>. The rear cover member <NUM> is detachably fixed to the upper link <NUM>, using a plurality of (e.g. three) bolt fixing structures <NUM>, such that the lateral sides of the rear cover member <NUM> extend along the side surfaces of the upper link <NUM>.

Each bolt fixing structure <NUM> includes a through shaft <NUM> that penetrates through the lateral sides of the upper link <NUM>, and a bolt <NUM> that is inserted into a screw hole 35a that is formed in the through shaft <NUM>. The through shaft <NUM> is inserted into the cover <NUM> from the inside in a lateral direction. The bolt <NUM> is inserted into the cover <NUM> from the outside in a lateral direction. A head 35b of the through shaft <NUM> and a head 36a of the bolt <NUM> sandwich the cover <NUM> from both lateral sides.

A side plate <NUM> is provided so as to span between the lateral outer portion of the rear portion of the front cover member <NUM> and the lateral outer portion of the front portion of the rear cover member <NUM>. The side plate <NUM> is fixed to the cover <NUM>, using two bolts, namely front and rear bolts <NUM>, with the side plate <NUM> abutting against the front cover member <NUM> and the rear cover member <NUM> from a lateral outer side.

As shown in <FIG>, in the left cover <NUM>, the hydraulic hoses <NUM> and 28D are arranged next to each other in a top-bottom direction. Specifically, the hydraulic hose <NUM> and the hydraulic hose 28D are arranged next to each other in this order from the top.

As shown in <FIG>, a harness <NUM> for a full-state sensor (not shown) that detects that the grass collecting container <NUM> is full of cut grass is provided along the upper surface of the right upper link <NUM>. A portion that extends along the upper surface of the right upper link <NUM>, of the harness <NUM>, is also covered by the right cover <NUM>.

In the right cover <NUM>, the hydraulic hoses <NUM> and 28D and the harness <NUM> are arranged next to each other in a top-bottom direction. Specifically, the hydraulic hose <NUM>, the hydraulic hose 28D, and the harness <NUM> are arranged next to each other in this order from the top.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the mower machine is provided with a pair of right and left front wheels 101F that are steerable, in a front portion of the travel machine body <NUM>, and a pair of right and left rear wheels 101R that are drivable, in a rear portion of the travel machine body <NUM>, and thus the mower machine is configured to be self-propelled. A rear discharge-type mower apparatus <NUM> is supported and suspended below the vehicle body, at a position between the front wheels 101F and the rear wheels 101R, so as to be able to be lifted and lowered. A grass collecting container <NUM>, which serves as a grass collector that stores grass cut by the mower apparatus <NUM>, is provided rearward of the travel machine body <NUM>.

The mower apparatus <NUM> and the grass collecting container <NUM> are in communication with each other via a grass collecting duct <NUM> in which a cut grass conveyance path R1 is provided. The grass collecting duct <NUM> includes: a mower-side duct portion <NUM> that is fixed to the mower apparatus <NUM> described below and moves up and down so as to follow the mower apparatus <NUM> as the mower apparatus <NUM> moves up and down; and a container-side duct portion <NUM> that is fixed to a position on the grass collecting container <NUM>-side.

A prime mover part <NUM> is provided in a front portion of the travel machine body <NUM>, and a ridable driver part <NUM> is provided rearward of the prime mover part <NUM>. In the prime mover part <NUM>, an engine <NUM> is housed in an engine bonnet <NUM>, and is mounted on and supported by the machine body frame <NUM>. Power that is taken out from the rear side of the engine <NUM> is input to a hydraulic static continuously variable transmission apparatus (HST) <NUM> that is located rearward of the engine <NUM>, via a power transmission shaft <NUM> that extends rearward. Output from the hydraulic static continuously variable transmission apparatus <NUM> is transmitted to right and left rear axles via a transmission case <NUM> that is provided in a rear portion and chain-type power transmission mechanisms (not shown) that are housed in right and left power transmission cases <NUM>, and thus the rear wheels 101R are driven. The power transmission cases <NUM> are provided so as to extend obliquely rearward and downward from lateral sides of the transmission case <NUM>.

A power take-off mechanism <NUM> that is constituted by a belt power transmission mechanism is provided forward of the engine <NUM>, and power from the engine <NUM> is transmitted to the mower apparatus <NUM> via a PTO shaft <NUM> that is provided in the power take-off mechanism <NUM> and a power transmission mechanism <NUM> that is provided above the mower apparatus <NUM>.

The ridable driver part <NUM> is provided with an operation panel <NUM> that is continuous with a rear portion of the engine bonnet <NUM>, and an operation unit <NUM> that is provided with, for example, a steering wheel <NUM> that can be operated to steer the front wheels 101F. A driver's seat <NUM> is provided rearward of the operation unit <NUM>, and a ROPS <NUM> is provided rearward of the driver's seat <NUM>.

The mower apparatus <NUM> is configured such that two blades <NUM> are arranged on the right and left side in a cutting blade housing <NUM>. The left blade <NUM> is driven to rotate clockwise, whereas the right blade <NUM> is driven to rotate counterclockwise. In this way, the blades <NUM> are configured to rotate in opposite directions. The mower apparatus <NUM> is configured such that the left blade <NUM> is driven to rotate clockwise, the right blade <NUM> is driven to rotate counterclockwise, and cut grass is conveyed by a conveyance wind generated by the rotation of the blades <NUM> and is discharged rearward from the mower-side duct portion <NUM> provided near the center of a rear portion of the cutting blade housing <NUM>. Cut grass discharged from the mower-side duct portion <NUM> is guided by the container-side duct portion <NUM> for collecting grass connected to the mower-side duct portion <NUM>, and is sent to and stored in the grass collecting container <NUM>.

The mower apparatus <NUM> is supported by the machine body frame <NUM> so as to be able to be lifted and lowered by an up/down linkage mechanism <NUM>. The up/down linkage mechanism <NUM> is provided with a pair of front and rear swing links 137A and 137B on both right and left sides, where upper end portions of the swing links are pivotally coupled to the machine body frame <NUM>, and lower end portions thereof are pivotally coupled to the cutting blade housing <NUM>.

Two pairs of right and left vertical extension portions 131A and 131B that extend upward from the upper surface of the cutting blade housing <NUM> are provided so as to respectively stand upright at front positions and rear positions of an upper portion of the cutting blade housing <NUM>. The front vertical extension portions 131A and the rear vertical extension portions 131B each have a substantially L shape in plan view, which is formed by bending a plate member, and are each welded to and integrated with the upper surface of the cutting blade housing <NUM>.

Ends of the front swing links 137A are coupled to the machine body frame <NUM> of the travel machine body <NUM> so as to be swingable about a lateral axis, and the opposite ends of the front swing links 137A are respectively coupled to upper portions of the front vertical extension portions 131A so as to be swingable about a lateral axis. Ends of the rear swing links 137B are respectively coupled to the machine body frame <NUM> of the travel machine body <NUM> so as to be swingable about a lateral axis, and the opposite ends of the rear swing links 137B are coupled to upper portions of the rear vertical extension portions 131B so as to be swingable about a lateral axis.

The upper ends of the front swing links 137A and the rear swing links 137B are interlocked with each other by coupling rods <NUM>, and ends of hydraulic cylinders <NUM> for lifting and lowering are respectively pivotally coupled to operation portions 137A1 that are formed in the front swing links 137A. The opposite ends of the hydraulic cylinders <NUM> are pivotally coupled to the machine body frame <NUM>. The mower apparatus <NUM> is configured to be able to be lifted and lowered upon the swing links 137A and 137B swinging as a result of the hydraulic cylinders <NUM> expanding and contracting. In a cutting work state, the mower apparatus <NUM> performs reaping travel so as to follow gauge wheels <NUM> that are in a grounded state. The gauge wheels <NUM> are provided on a lower end portion of the cutting blade housing <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the mower-side duct portion <NUM> is formed at the center in the right-left direction of a rear portion of the cutting blade housing <NUM> in the right-left direction, so as to extend rearward and obliquely upward. The mower-side duct portion <NUM> includes a mower-side duct body <NUM> that is provided integrally with the cutting blade housing <NUM>, and a mower-side bottom plate <NUM> with which a bottom portion of the mower-side duct body <NUM> is formed. The mower-side duct body <NUM> includes a top surface 141a and right and left side surfaces 141b, and is formed so as to have an inverted U-shape when seen in a front-rear direction. The mower-side bottom plate <NUM>, which has a plate shape, is provided so as to cover a lower portion of the internal space of the mower-side duct body <NUM>. Therefore, a substantially rectangular tube-shaped conveyance path that extends rearward and obliquely upward is formed by the mower-side duct body <NUM> and the mower-side bottom plate <NUM>. An upward guide surface <NUM> that guides cut grass in an upward direction is formed on the mower-side bottom plate <NUM> in the middle of the conveyance path.

As shown in <FIG>, the mower-side bottom plate <NUM> is supported by a support shaft <NUM> that is provided so as to span between the right and left side surfaces 141b of the mower-side duct body <NUM>, so as to be rotatable upward and downward relative to the cutting blade housing <NUM>. The mower-side bottom plate <NUM> is linked by a first linkage mechanism <NUM> with a first operation lever <NUM> that is provided in the vicinity of the driver's seat <NUM>, and the mower-side bottom plate <NUM> is configured to be able to swing upon the first operation lever <NUM> being manually operated. If cut grass has blocked the mower-side duct portion <NUM> during cutting work, it is possible to clear the block caused by the grass and enable it to be conveyed by operating the first operation lever <NUM> so as to swing back and forth.

As shown in <FIG>, the first linkage mechanism <NUM> includes, for example: the first operation lever <NUM> that has a support shaft portion <NUM> that is orientated in the right-left direction, and is supported on a rear right portion of the cutting blade housing <NUM> so as to be swingable in a top-bottom direction; a first arm <NUM> that is fixed to a left end portion of the support shaft portion <NUM>; a second arm <NUM> that is fixed to a right end portion of the support shaft <NUM>; a push-pull link <NUM> that links the first arm <NUM> and the second arm <NUM> with each other; and a tension spring <NUM>. The first arm <NUM> is biased so as to swing and be inclined downward in a forward direction due to the effect of the tension spring <NUM>, and the movement of the first arm <NUM> is restricted by an abutting portion <NUM>, and thus the mower-side bottom plate <NUM> is held in a guiding orientation in which the mower-side bottom plate <NUM> is inclined upward in a rearward direction. By operating the first operation lever <NUM> so as to swing upward in a rearward direction, it is possible to cause the mower-side bottom plate <NUM> to swing, resisting the biasing force of the tension spring <NUM>, from the guiding orientation in which the mower-side bottom plate <NUM> is inclined upward in a rearward direction, to an orientation in which the mower-side bottom plate <NUM> is inclined upward in a forward direction.

If cut grass has blocked the mower-side duct portion <NUM> by adhering to and being deposited on the mower-side bottom plate <NUM>, the driver can swing the mower-side bottom plate <NUM> in a top-bottom direction by operating the first operation lever <NUM> so as to swing in a top-bottom direction, and thereby remove the cut grass adhering to and deposited on the mower-side bottom plate <NUM>, while sitting on the driver's seat <NUM>.

Next, the container-side duct portion <NUM> for collecting grass will be described.

As shown in <FIG>, the container-side duct portion <NUM> for collecting grass is provided. The container-side duct portion <NUM> is connected to the mower-side duct portion <NUM> formed in the cutting blade housing <NUM>, so as to be in communication with the mower-side duct portion <NUM>, and guides cut grass sent out from the mower-side duct portion <NUM>. The container-side duct portion <NUM> is provided in a space formed between the right and left power transmission cases <NUM>, so as to extend in a front-rear direction.

As shown in <FIG>, the container-side duct portion <NUM> includes a container-side duct body <NUM> and a container-side bottom plate <NUM>. The container-side duct body <NUM> includes a top surface 145a and right and left side surfaces 146b, and is formed so as to have an inverted U-shape when seen in a front-rear direction. The container-side bottom plate <NUM>, which has a plate shape, is provided so as to cover a lower portion of the internal space of the container-side duct body <NUM>. Therefore, as in the case of the mower-side duct portion <NUM> of the mower apparatus <NUM>, a substantially rectangular tube-shaped conveyance path that extends rearward and obliquely upward is formed in the internal space surrounded by container-side duct body <NUM> and the container-side bottom plate <NUM>.

A duct stopper <NUM>, which serves as a right deformation prevention member that abuts against a portion near a rear lower end portion of the right-side side surface 141b, at which the container-side duct body <NUM> is connected to the mower-side duct portion <NUM>, from the outside in a width direction, to restrict the orientation of the container-side duct body <NUM> from changing outward, is provided on the right side of the container-side duct portion <NUM>.

Support members <NUM> that are at fixed positions are provided on the right and left outer sides of the container-side duct portion <NUM>. Although not shown in the figures, the support members <NUM> are coupled to the machine body frame <NUM>, the power transmission cases <NUM>, and so on and are supported at fixed positions. The container-side bottom plate <NUM> of the container-side duct portion <NUM> is supported by the right and left support members <NUM> so as to be swingable in a top-bottom direction about a lateral axis. That is to say, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a rotating support shaft <NUM> is provided so as to span between the right and left support members <NUM>. Right and left support arms <NUM> are connected to the lower surface of the container-side bottom plate <NUM> integrally therewith so as to extend downward in a rearward direction. Bosses 149A that are provided at the extension ends of the right and left support arms <NUM> are fitted onto and supported by the rotating support shaft <NUM> so as to be rotatable relative to the rotating support shaft <NUM>.

The container-side bottom plate <NUM> of the container-side duct portion <NUM> is interlocked by a second linkage mechanism <NUM> with a second operation lever <NUM> that is provided on a side of the driver's seat <NUM>, and the container-side bottom plate <NUM> is configured such that it can be rotated by operating the second operation lever <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the second operation lever <NUM> is supported by a lateral shaft portion 151a so as to be rotatable, and a first arm <NUM> that rotates together with the lateral shaft portion 151a is provided at the left end portion of the lateral shaft portion 151a. The first arm <NUM> is interlocked and linked by a push-pull link <NUM> with a second arm <NUM> that is provided continuous with a rotation boss 149a of a support arm <NUM>. Therefore, upon the second operation lever <NUM> being operated so as to swing, the container-side bottom plate <NUM> is caused to swing by the linkage structure of the second linkage mechanism <NUM>. As a result, as with the mower-side bottom plate <NUM>, if cut grass has blocked the container-side duct portion <NUM> during cutting work, it is possible to clear the block caused by the grass and enable it to be conveyed by operating the second operation lever <NUM> so as to swing back and forth.

The container-side bottom plate <NUM> of the container-side duct portion <NUM> is configured such that its orientation changes in conjunction with the mower apparatus <NUM> being lifted or lowered, in addition to being configured to change the orientation thereof according to an operation performed using the second operation lever <NUM>. More specifically, as shown in <FIG>, a linkage mechanism <NUM> that interlocks and links the mower apparatus <NUM> and the container-side bottom plate <NUM> with each other is provided to change the orientation of the container-side bottom plate <NUM> in conjunction with the mower apparatus <NUM> being lifted and lowered. The linkage mechanism <NUM> is provided so as to be located on the outer left side of the container-side duct portion <NUM>.

The linkage mechanism <NUM> includes: a push-pull link <NUM> whose one end portion is interlocked and linked with a left end portion of the support shaft <NUM> that supports the mower-side bottom plate <NUM>; a fulcrum pin <NUM> that is provided for a support member <NUM>; and a swing arm <NUM> to which the other end portion of the push-pull link <NUM> is pivotally coupled and that is supported by the fulcrum pin <NUM> so as to be swingable. A swingable cam member <NUM> that is supported by the fulcrum pin <NUM> so as to be swingable integrally with the swing arm <NUM>, and whose swingable end abuts against the lower surface of the container-side bottom plate <NUM>, is provided so as to be linked with the operation of the linkage mechanism <NUM>. The push-pull link <NUM> is provided with a turnbuckle portion 154a.

A receiver member <NUM> that is formed in a substantially U-like shape by bending both end portions of a strip-shaped member in the same direction is attached to the outer side of the turnbuckle portion 154a so as to be integrally coupled with the turnbuckle portion 154a. The receiver member <NUM> is provided near a left side surface 145b of the container-side duct body <NUM> with a narrow gap therebetween, which helps prevent the left side surface 145b of the container-side duct body <NUM> from deforming.

Upon the mower apparatus <NUM> being lifted, the support shaft <NUM> is accordingly lifted and pushes the push-pull link <NUM>, and the swing arm <NUM> and the cam member <NUM> swing and change the orientation of the container-side bottom plate <NUM> such that the container-side bottom plate <NUM> is inclined upward in a forward direction. Upon the mower apparatus <NUM> being lowered, the support shaft <NUM> is lowered and pulls the push-pull link <NUM>, and the swing arm <NUM> and the cam member <NUM> swing and change the orientation of the container-side bottom plate <NUM> such that the container-side bottom plate <NUM> is inclined downward in a forward direction. As a result, it is possible to prevent the container-side bottom plate <NUM> from being damaged due to the lifting and lowering of the mower apparatus <NUM> and prevent cut grass from being discharged from a gap between the mower-side bottom plate <NUM> and the container-side bottom plate <NUM>, for example.

A portion of the push-pull link <NUM> where it is linked with the support shaft <NUM> is formed as an elongated hole. Even if the orientation of the support shaft <NUM> is changed by operating the second operation lever <NUM>, the mower-side bottom plate <NUM> does not swing in conjunction therewith, and even if the mower-side bottom plate <NUM> is operated so as to swing, the container-side bottom plate <NUM> does not swing in conjunction therewith.

As shown in <FIG>, a guide plate <NUM> is provided on the lower surface of the container-side bottom plate <NUM>.

This guide plate <NUM> is formed by bending a strip-shaped member that is elongated in a front-rear direction, so as to have a V shape, and is provided near one end portion of the container-side bottom plate <NUM> in a right-left direction.

The guide plate <NUM> is located at a position that overlaps the swing trajectory of the cam member <NUM> that is provided continuous with the linkage mechanism <NUM>. Therefore, upon the linkage mechanism <NUM> operating as the mower apparatus <NUM> is lifted, the support shaft <NUM> is lifted and presses the push-pull link <NUM>, and the swing arm <NUM> and the cam member <NUM> swing and change the orientation of the container-side bottom plate <NUM> such that the container-side bottom plate <NUM> is inclined upward in a forward direction.

At this time, if the cam member <NUM> moves up the guide plate <NUM>, the orientation of the container-side bottom plate <NUM> is changed so as to be more inclined upward in a forward direction than when the cam member <NUM> abuts against the lower surface of the container-side bottom plate <NUM>.

That is to say, as shown in <FIG>, the container-side bottom plate <NUM> swings up and down about the axis of the rotating support shaft <NUM>. Here, the front end of the container-side bottom plate <NUM> travels along a swing trajectory r2.

The cam member <NUM> swings about the axis of the fulcrum pin <NUM> in conjunction with the movement of the swing arm <NUM>. The point at which the cam member <NUM> comes into contact with the lower surface of the container-side bottom plate <NUM> moves along a swing trajectory r1.

In <FIG>, the reference numeral <NUM> indicates the guide plate.

When the contact point at which the cam member <NUM> comes into contact with the lower surface of the container-side bottom plate <NUM> is located at t0, the front end of the container-side bottom plate <NUM> is located at a position a0. At this time, the cam member <NUM> is in contact with the lower surface of the container-side bottom plate <NUM>, and is not in contact with the guide plate <NUM>.

When the contact point at which the cam member <NUM> comes into contact with the lower surface of the container-side bottom plate <NUM> moves to a position t1, the container-side bottom plate <NUM> is slightly lifted to a position a1. At this time, the cam member <NUM> is in contact with the lower surface of the container-side bottom plate <NUM>, and is not in contact with the guide plate <NUM>.

When the contact point at which the cam member <NUM> comes into contact with the lower surface of the container-side bottom plate <NUM> moves to a position t2, the container-side bottom plate <NUM> is further lifted to a position a2. At this time, the cam member <NUM> is in contact with the lower surface of the container-side bottom plate <NUM>, and is located very close to the guide plate <NUM>, but has not come in contact with the guide plate <NUM> yet.

When the contact point at which the cam member <NUM> comes into contact with the lower surface of the container-side bottom plate <NUM> moves to a position t3, the container-side bottom plate <NUM> is further lifted to a position a3. At this time, the cam member <NUM> moves up the guide plate <NUM>, and lifts the container-side bottom plate <NUM> higher than when the guide plate <NUM> is not present.

An imaginary line b3 shows a state in which the lower surface of the container-side bottom plate <NUM> is lifted at the same position t3, without the guide plate <NUM>. In this way, if the guide plate <NUM> is not provided, the position of the contact point of the cam member <NUM> is almost the same as the position t2. By lifting the container-side bottom plate <NUM> in a state in which the cam member <NUM> is in contact with the guide plate <NUM>, it is possible to lift the container-side bottom plate <NUM> to the position a3.

In this way, the guide plate <NUM> is used to make it possible to lift the container-side bottom plate <NUM> in a swing area in which the amount of lift performed by the cam member <NUM> is insufficient, by an amount that is close to the insufficient amount. As a result, it is possible to change the amount of rise of the front end of the container-side bottom plate <NUM> so as to match the amount of rise of the mower apparatus <NUM>. Therefore, it is easier to reduce a change in the interval between the mower-side bottom plate <NUM> and the container-side bottom plate <NUM>, and reduce the amount of grass falling out.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a grass mower has a self-propelled configuration including a pair of right and left steerable front wheels <NUM> on the front side of a traveling vehicle body <NUM>, and including a pair of right and left drivable rear wheel <NUM> on the rear side. A rear discharge type of mower <NUM> is attached by suspension so as to be capable of being raised and lowered, at a location between the front wheels <NUM> and the rear wheel <NUM> in the front-rear direction underneath the vehicle body. A grass collecting device <NUM>, which is provided a grass collecting portion that stores grass cut by the mower <NUM>, is arranged on the rear side of the traveling vehicle body <NUM>.

A prime mover section <NUM> is provided in the front portion of the traveling vehicle body <NUM>, and a boarding driving section <NUM> is provided behind the prime mover section <NUM>. In the prime mover section <NUM>, an engine <NUM> is mounted and supported to a vehicle body frame <NUM> in a state of being enclosed under an engine hood <NUM>. Motive power output from the rear side of the engine <NUM> is input to a hydrostatic continuously variable transmission device (HST) <NUM> at a rearward position via a transmission shaft <NUM> that extends rearward. Output from the hydrostatic continuously variable transmission device <NUM> passes through a transmission case <NUM> provided in a rear portion and chain-type transmission mechanisms (not shown) that are included in right and left transmission cases <NUM>, and is then transmitted to right and left rear wheel shafts 203a, thus driving the rear wheel <NUM>. The transmission cases <NUM> are arranged extending rearward and diagonally downward from lateral side portions of the transmission case <NUM>.

A power takeoff mechanism <NUM> constituted by a belt transmission mechanism is provided on the front side of the engine <NUM>, and motive power from the engine <NUM> is transmitted to the mower <NUM> via a power takeoff (PTO) shaft <NUM> provided in the power takeoff mechanism <NUM> and a transmission mechanism <NUM> provided above the mower <NUM>.

The boarding driving section <NUM> is provided with a steering panel <NUM> that is continuous with the rear side of an engine hood <NUM>, a steering portion <NUM> that includes a steering wheel <NUM> that enables steering the front wheels <NUM>, and the like. A driver seat <NUM> is disposed behind the steering portion <NUM>, and a ROPS (rollover protection structure) <NUM> is provided behind the driver seat <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the grass mower is provided with a battery <NUM>, and electrical power is supplied to multiple electrical power loads <NUM>. Fuses <NUM> are individually provided in power supply circuits <NUM> for supplying power to the electrical power loads <NUM>, thus preventing abnormalities caused by overcurrent. The fuses <NUM> are collectively accommodated in a fuse box <NUM>. The grass mower includes an abnormality detection device <NUM> according to which, when one of the fuses <NUM> breaks during an operation, it is possible to immediately learn which of the fuses <NUM> melted.

The electrical power loads <NUM> include an electrical power load 223B that receives power when a key switch <NUM> is turned on, and an electrical power load 223A that receives power regardless of the on/off state of the key switch <NUM>. Each of the electrical power loads <NUM> receives electrical power via a fuse <NUM>. A control device <NUM> is provided for identifying an abnormality, and a plurality of LED (light emitting diode) lamps <NUM> are provided in one-to-one correspondence with the fuses <NUM>. The control device <NUM> receives information regarding the power supply circuits <NUM> at locations upstream and downstream of the fuses <NUM> in the power supply direction. Based on the information regarding the power supply circuits <NUM> at upstream and downstream locations, the control device <NUM> lights the LED lamp <NUM> that corresponds to the fuse <NUM> that melted. According to this configuration, a worker can immediately identify which fuse <NUM> has melted. Note that although four electrical power loads <NUM> are shown in <FIG>, there is no limitation to four electrical power loads, and five or more electrical power loads <NUM> may be provided, and in this configuration as well, a fuse <NUM> and an LED lamp <NUM> are provided for each of the electrical power loads <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the mower <NUM> has a structure including two blades <NUM> that are arranged side-by-side in the right-left direction in a mowing blade housing <NUM>, and the left blade <NUM> is driven to rotate clockwise, whereas the right blade <NUM> is driven to rotate counter-clockwise. In this way, in this configuration, the blades <NUM> are driven to rotate in mutually opposite directions. When the left blade <NUM> is driven to rotate clockwise and the right blade <NUM> is driven to rotate counter-clockwise, cut grass is carried by conveying wind generated by the rotation of the two blades <NUM> and is discharged rearward from a discharge portion <NUM> that is formed in the vicinity of the center of the rear portion of the mowing blade housing <NUM>. The cut grass discharged from the discharge portion <NUM> is guided by a grass collection duct <NUM> that is connected to the discharge portion <NUM>, and fed to and stored in the grass collecting container <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the mower <NUM> is supported to the vehicle body frame <NUM> so as to be capable of being raised and lowered via an elevation link mechanism <NUM>. The elevation link mechanism <NUM> includes one pair of front and rear swing links 237A and 237B on each of the right and left sides, and the upper end sides of the swing links are pivotably coupled to the vehicle body frame <NUM>, whereas the lower end sides are pivotably coupled to the mowing blade housing <NUM>.

A pair of right and left vertical extension portions 231A and 231B, which extend upward from the upper surface of the mowing blade housing <NUM>, are provided upright on the upper portion of the mowing blade housing <NUM> at both locations on the front portion side and locations on the rear portion side. As shown in <FIG>, the vertical extension portion 231A on the front portion side and the vertical extension portion 231B on the rear portion side are each constituted by a plate body that is bent into an "L" shape in a plan view, and are integrally coupled to the upper surface of the mowing blade housing <NUM> by welding.

The front swing link 237A has one end that is coupled to the vehicle body frame <NUM> of the traveling vehicle body <NUM> so as to be capable of swinging about a lateral axis, and has another end that is coupled to the upper portion of the vertical extension portion 231A on the front portion side so as to be capable of swinging about a lateral axis. The rear swing link 237B has one end that is coupled to the vehicle body frame <NUM> of the traveling vehicle body <NUM> so as to be capable of swinging about a lateral axis, and has another end that is coupled to the upper portion of the vertical extension portion 231B on the rear portion side so as to be capable of swinging about a lateral axis.

Upper end sides of the front swing link 237A and the rear swing link 237B are interlockingly coupled by a coupling rod <NUM>, and a first end portion of an elevation hydraulic cylinder <NUM> is pivotably coupled to an operation portion 237A1 formed in the front swing link 237A. A second end portion of the hydraulic cylinder <NUM> is pivotably coupled to the vehicle body frame <NUM>. When the hydraulic cylinder <NUM> extends and retracts, the swing links 237A and 237B also extend and retract, thus raising and lowering the mower <NUM>. When mowing is performed, gauge wheels <NUM> provided on the lower end portion of the mowing blade housing <NUM> come into contact with the ground, and thus the mower <NUM> follows the ground while performing mowing.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the discharge portion <NUM> is formed so as to extend rearward and diagonally upward from the rear portion of the mowing blade housing <NUM> in the center in the right-left direction. The discharge portion <NUM> includes a discharge portion main body <NUM> that is integrally coupled to the mowing blade housing <NUM>, and a guide member <NUM> that forms the bottom portion of the discharge portion main body <NUM>. The discharge portion main body <NUM> has a ceiling surface 241a and right and left side surfaces 241b, and is shaped as an inverted "U" in a view along the front-rear direction. Also, the plate-shaped guide member <NUM> is provided so as to cover the lower side of an interior space formed by the discharge portion main body <NUM>. Accordingly, the discharge portion main body <NUM> and the guide member <NUM> form an approximately rectangular tube-shaped conveying passage that extends rearward and diagonally upward. An upward guiding surface <NUM> that guides cut grass upward is formed at an intermediate point along the conveying path of the guide member <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the guide member <NUM> is supported by a pivot shaft <NUM> that extends between the right and left side surfaces 241b of the discharge portion main body <NUM>, so as to be capable of pivoting upward and downward relative to the mowing blade housing <NUM>. The guide member <NUM> is linked to a first operation lever <NUM> that is provided in the vicinity of the driver seat <NUM> via a first linking mechanism <NUM>, and the guide member <NUM> is configured to be capable of being swung by manually operating the first operation lever <NUM>. If the discharge portion <NUM> becomes clogged with cut grass during mowing, the cut grass clog can be loosened and conveyed by swinging the first operation lever <NUM> upward and downward.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the first linking mechanism <NUM> includes the first operation lever <NUM> that has a pivot shaft portion <NUM> extending in the right-left direction and can swing upward and downward in the right-side rear portion of the mowing blade housing <NUM>, a first arm <NUM> that is fixed to a left end portion of the pivot shaft portion <NUM>, a second arm <NUM> that is fixed to a right end portion of the pivot shaft <NUM>, a push-pull link <NUM> and a tension spring <NUM> that are linked to the first arm <NUM> and the second arm <NUM>, and the like. Due to the action of the tension spring <NUM>, the first arm <NUM> is biased so as to swing diagonally forward while also being restricted by an abutting portion <NUM>, thus holding the guide member <NUM> in a backward inclined guiding orientation. When the first operation lever <NUM> is pulled and swung backward and upward, the guide member <NUM> can be swung against the biasing force of the tension spring <NUM> in the forward and upward direction from the backward inclined guiding orientation.

During mowing, if cut grass becomes affixed to the guide member <NUM> and accumulates so as to cause a clog in the discharge portion <NUM>, the operator can, while sitting in the driver seat <NUM>, swing the guide member <NUM> in the up-down direction by swinging the first operation lever <NUM> in the up-down direction, thus eliminating the affixed and accumulated cut grass.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the grass collection duct <NUM> is connected to and in communication with the discharge portion <NUM> formed in the mowing blade housing <NUM>, and guides cut grass that is fed from the discharge portion <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the duct <NUM> is provided so as to extend in the front-rear direction in a space formed between the right and left transmission cases <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the duct <NUM> includes a duct main body <NUM> and a bottom plate <NUM>. The duct main body <NUM> has a ceiling surface 245a and right and left side surfaces 245b, and is shaped as an inverted "U" in a view along the front-rear direction. Also, the plate-shaped bottom plate <NUM> is provided so as to cover the lower side of an interior space formed by the duct main body <NUM>. Accordingly, similarly to the discharge portion <NUM> of the mower <NUM>, an approximately rectangular tube-shaped conveying passage that extends rearward and diagonally upward is formed in an interior region that is enclosed by the duct main body <NUM> and the bottom plate <NUM>.

Support members <NUM> are provided at fixed positions on the right and left outer sides of the duct <NUM>. Although not shown, the support members <NUM> are supported at the fixed positions by being coupled to the vehicle body frame <NUM>, the transmission cases <NUM>, and the like. The bottom plate <NUM> of the duct <NUM> is supported by the right and left support members <NUM> so as to be capable of swinging upward and downward about a lateral axis. Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, a pivot shaft <NUM> is provided extending between the right and left support members <NUM>. Right and left support arms <NUM> are integrally coupled to the lower surface of the bottom plate <NUM> and extend backward and downward therefrom. Boss portions 249A are respectively provided on extending end portions of the right and left support arms <NUM>, and are rotatably fitted around and supported to the pivot shaft <NUM>.

The bottom plate <NUM> of the duct <NUM> is interlockingly coupled to a second operation lever <NUM>, which is provided on one lateral side of the driver seat <NUM>, via a second linking mechanism <NUM>, and is configured to be rotated by operation of the second operation lever <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the second operation lever <NUM> is rotatably supported by a lateral shaft portion 251a, and a first arm <NUM> is provided so as to integrally rotate with the left end portion of the lateral shaft portion 251a. The second operation lever <NUM> is interlockingly linked to the second arm <NUM>, which is coupled to the rotation boss portion 249a of the support arm <NUM>, via a push-pull link <NUM>. Accordingly, when the second operation lever <NUM> is swung, the bottom plate <NUM> also swings due to the interlocking structure of the second linking mechanism <NUM>. As a result, similarly to the guide member <NUM>, if the duct <NUM> becomes clogged with cut grass during mowing, the cut grass clog can be loosened and conveyed by swinging the second operation lever <NUM> upward and downward.

The bottom plate <NUM> of the duct <NUM> is configured so as to be able to change orientation in coordination with elevation of the mower <NUM> separately from the switch in orientation performed by operation of the second operation lever <NUM>. Specifically, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a mower linking mechanism <NUM> that interlockingly links the mower <NUM> and the bottom plate <NUM> is provided so as to change the orientation of the bottom plate <NUM> in coordination with elevation of the mower <NUM>. The mower linking mechanism <NUM> is provided at a position on the left outer side of the duct <NUM>.

The mower linking mechanism <NUM> includes a push-pull link <NUM> having one end that is interlockingly linked to the left end portion of the pivot shaft <NUM> that supports the guide member <NUM>, a pivot pin <NUM> provided in the support member <NUM>, a first swing arm <NUM> that is pivotably connected to the other end portion of the push-pull link <NUM> and is swingably supported by the pivot pin <NUM>, and a second swing arm <NUM> that is supported by the pivot pin <NUM> so as to be capable of swinging integrally with the first swing arm <NUM> and that has a swing end that abuts against the lower surface of the bottom plate <NUM>. The push-pull link <NUM> includes a turn buckle portion 254a.

When the mower <NUM> is raised, the pivot shaft <NUM> is also raised and pushes the push-pull link <NUM>, and thus the first swing arm <NUM> and the second swing arm <NUM> swing to change to an orientation in which front end of the bottom plate <NUM> rises (see <FIG>). When the mower <NUM> is lowered, the pivot shaft <NUM> is also lowered and pulls the push-pull link <NUM>, and thus the first swing arm <NUM> and the second swing arm <NUM> swing to change to an orientation in which front end of the bottom plate <NUM> descends (see <FIG>). As a result, it is possible to prevent cases where the raising/lowering of the mower <NUM> causes damage to the bottom plate <NUM>, causes cut grass to be discharged through a gap between the guide member <NUM> and the bottom plate <NUM>, and the like.

The portion of the push-pull link <NUM> that is linked to the pivot shaft <NUM> is formed as an elongated hole, and even if an orientation switch is performed by operating the second operation lever <NUM>, the guide member <NUM> does not swing in coordination, and even if the guide member <NUM> is swing, the bottom plate <NUM> does not swing in coordination.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, a duct stopper <NUM> is provided on the right side of the duct <NUM> and serves as a right-side deformation prevention member H that suppresses an outward change in orientation of the duct main body <NUM> by abutting against, from the laterally outward side, the duct main body <NUM> at the location of connection to the discharge portion <NUM> in the vicinity of the rear lower end portion of the right side surface 241b. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the duct stopper <NUM> is formed by a plate body that is bent so as to be approximately Z-shaped, and includes an upper attachment plate portion 258a, an intermediate portion 258b that is continuous with the lower portion of the attachment plate portion 258a and extends diagonally outward and downward, and an abutting portion 258c that is continuous with the lower portion of the intermediate portion 258b and extends along the right side surface of the duct main body <NUM>. Also, a reinforcing rib 258d is integrally provided extending between the outer surface of the intermediate portion 258b and the outer surface of the abutting portion 258c.

The duct stopper <NUM> is provided in a manner in which the attachment plate portion 258a is coupled to the transmission case <NUM>, and the abutting portion 258c abuts against or is in the vicinity of the right side surface 245b of the duct main body <NUM>. The transmission case <NUM> is configured with a two-piece structure including two divided case portions 214A and 214B that are flange-coupled in order to facilitate the assembly of the chain-type transmission mechanism and the like. As shown in <FIG>, the right and left divided case portions 214A and 214B are arranged such that flange portions formed at the division surfaces abut against each other, and are then coupled using a plurality of bolts Bo.

The attachment plate portion 258a of the duct stopper <NUM> is also fastened together by taking advantage of the flange coupling bolts Bo of the transmission case <NUM>. Washers <NUM> are arranged between the duct stopper <NUM> and the transmission case <NUM> such that the abutting portion 258c is pressed against the right side surface 245b of the duct <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, a U-shaped receiving member <NUM> is provided on the left side of the duct <NUM> and serves as a left-side deformation prevention member H that suppresses an outward change in orientation of the duct main body <NUM> by abutting against, from the laterally outward side, the duct main body <NUM> at the location of connection to the discharge portion <NUM> in the vicinity of the rear lower end portion of the left side surface 245b.

As described above, the mower linking mechanism <NUM> is provided on the left side of the duct <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the receiving member <NUM> is provided so as to be fixed to the push-pull link <NUM> of the mower linking mechanism <NUM>. The receiving member <NUM> is constituted by an elongated plate-shaped member that includes bent portions <NUM> that are bent in the same direction at two end portions in the lengthwise direction, and has an approximately U-shaped structure overall. The push-pull link <NUM> is passed through insertion holes <NUM> (see <FIG>) that are formed in the two bent portions <NUM>, and the receiving member <NUM> is attached in a state of being integrally coupled to the outer side of the turn buckle portion 254a. The receiving member <NUM> is provided in the vicinity of the left side surface 245b of the duct main body <NUM>. A slight gap is formed between the receiving member <NUM> and the side surface 245b so as to avoid interference with the side plate when the bottom plate <NUM> swings.

With the above configuration, an outward change in the orientation of the duct main body <NUM> can be suppressed by the duct stopper <NUM> abutting against the right side of the duct <NUM>. An outward change in the orientation of the duct main body <NUM> can be suppressed by the receiving member <NUM> abutting against the left side of the duct <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, a mower linking mechanism <NUM> according to one variation includes a first swing arm <NUM>, a second swing arm <NUM>, and a linking member <NUM> that is configured to link a free end of the first swing arm <NUM> to a left end portion of a pivot shaft <NUM> of a guide member <NUM>. The linking member <NUM> includes: a front link portion <NUM> having a front end portion thereof connected to the pivot shaft <NUM>; a rear link portion <NUM> having a rear end portion thereof connected to the free end of the first swing arm <NUM>; and an intermediate link portion <NUM> connected to a front end portion 302a of the rear link portion <NUM> and a rear end portion 301a of the front link portion <NUM>. The front link portion <NUM> is connected to the pivot shaft <NUM> through an elongated slot <NUM> that is formed in the front link portion <NUM>, while the pivot shaft <NUM> being slidably engaged within the slot <NUM>. Whereby, even when the bottom plate <NUM> is swung by the second operation lever <NUM>, the guide member <NUM> will not swing in association therewith; and even when the guide member <NUM> is swung by the first operation lever <NUM>, the bottom plate <NUM> will not swing in association therewith. The intermediate link portion <NUM> comprises a screw shaft that is configured to change in connection position of the intermediate link portion <NUM> with the rear link portion <NUM>. In response to change in connection position of the intermediate link portion <NUM> with the rear link portion <NUM>, the linking member <NUM> may be changed in its length. A reinforcement member <NUM> is connected between and across the front link portion <NUM> and the rear link portion <NUM>. The reinforcement member <NUM> is connected to the rear link portion <NUM> by welding. The reinforcement member <NUM> is connected to the front link portion <NUM> by a connecting bolt <NUM>. A bolt hole <NUM>, formed in the reinforcement member <NUM> to be engaged with the connecting bolt <NUM>, comprises an elongated slot that allows adjustment of length of the linking member <NUM> by the intermediate link portion <NUM>. Each of the front link portion <NUM>, the rear link portion <NUM> and the reinforcement member <NUM> is formed of a plate-like member.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, a deformation prevention member HL according to another variation is provided by the rear link portion <NUM>. The rear link portion <NUM> is formed of a plate-like member. The deformation prevention member HL includes a support surface <NUM> extending along a lateral side of the duct <NUM>. The deformation prevention member HL is configured to prevent change in orientation of the duct <NUM> by contact with the duct <NUM> on the support surface <NUM>.

<FIG> is an overall side view of a mower machine. As shown in this figure, the mower machine is configured to be self-propelled, using a pair of right and left front wheels <NUM> and a pair of right and left drivable rear wheels <NUM>. Also, the mower machine is provided with a self-propelled vehicle that has a driver part that is equipped with a driver's seat <NUM> that is provided in a rear portion of the vehicle body. Furthermore, the mower machine is provided with a mower apparatus <NUM> that is coupled to a position between the front and rear wheels of a vehicle body frame <NUM> of the self-propelled vehicle, using a linkage mechanism <NUM>, and the mower machine is also provided with a cut grass collecting apparatus <NUM> that is provided with a grass collecting container <NUM> that is supported by a support frame <NUM> on a rear portion of the vehicle body frame <NUM> of the self-propelled vehicle. The mower apparatus <NUM> is lifted and lowered by the linkage mechanism <NUM> so as to be in a lowered working state and a lifted non-working state.

The mower machine performs mowing work to mow lawns and grass. Specifically, the self-propelled vehicle is provided with an engine <NUM> in a front portion of the vehicle body, and a power take-off mechanism <NUM> below the engine <NUM>. The power take-off mechanism <NUM> inputs output power from the engine <NUM> to an input shaft <NUM> via a power transmission belt <NUM>, transmits the driving force of the input shaft <NUM> to a power take-off shaft <NUM> via a hydraulic working clutch <NUM>, and transmits the drive force of the power take-off shaft <NUM> to a cutting blade drive mechanism <NUM> of the mower apparatus <NUM> via a rotation shaft <NUM> that is a PTO shaft or the like.

The mower apparatus <NUM> is provided with two cutting blades <NUM> that are arranged next to each other in a lateral direction in a cutting blade housing <NUM>. The cutting blades <NUM> are driven by the cutting blade drive mechanism <NUM>, and rotate about an axis that is orientated in a top-bottom direction, to perform cutting. Cut grass is conveyed by wind generated through the rotation of the cutting blades <NUM>, and is discharged from a cut grass discharging duct <NUM> that is located above the cutting blade housing <NUM>.

The cut grass discharged from the cut grass discharging duct <NUM> is sent to the grass collecting container <NUM> due to the conveyance effect of wind from the cutting blades <NUM> and the guiding effect of a conveyance duct <NUM> that is provided in the self-propelled vehicle so as to pass between the pair of right and left rear wheels <NUM> in a front-rear direction of the vehicle body, and such grass is collected and stored in the grass collecting container <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in the cut grass collecting apparatus <NUM>, an upper end portion of the support frame <NUM> and a rear end portion of the grass collecting container <NUM> are coupled to each other by a linkage mechanism <NUM> that includes: a pair of upper and lower up/down links 433a and 433b that extend from the left side and the right side of the support frame <NUM> in a rearward direction of the vehicle body so as to be swingable in a top-bottom direction; and a container supporting member 433c that is coupled to free end portions of the up/down links 433a and 433b. The cut grass collecting apparatus <NUM> is provided with up/down cylinders <NUM> that are provided on two sides of the grass collecting container <NUM>, and one dump cylinder <NUM> that is provided below a rear portion of the grass collecting container <NUM>.

<FIG> is a side view of the grass collecting container <NUM> in a lowered collecting state. As shown in this figure, the cut grass collecting apparatus <NUM> lowers the linkage mechanism <NUM>, using the pair of right and left up/down cylinders <NUM>, and lowers the grass collecting container <NUM> so as to swing about the axis of a rotation support shaft <NUM>, using the dump cylinder <NUM>, and thus the grass collecting container <NUM> is operated so as to enter a lowered collecting state.

In a lowered collecting state, a cut grass input port 432c that is provided in a front portion of the grass collecting container <NUM> faces forward of the vehicle body and comes into communication with the conveyance duct <NUM>, and cut grass guided in the conveyance duct <NUM> is input to the grass collecting container <NUM> through the cut grass input port 432c. An open/close link <NUM> that includes a support arm <NUM> and a container frame 432f is provided in a rear portion of the grass collecting container <NUM>. The support arm <NUM> and the container frame 432f are coupled to each other by a coupling pin 439a, and a lid 432a for a cut grass discharge port 432b is supported by the support arm <NUM>. The support arm <NUM> is operated so as to swing about the axis of the coupling pin 439a toward the closing side, and thus the lid 432a is operated so as to close. As a result, the cut grass discharge port 432b is closed, and conveyance wind that has flowed into the grass collecting container <NUM> together with cut grass flows out from the grass collecting container <NUM> through mesh in a wall of the grass collecting container <NUM>. In such a sate, the grass collecting container <NUM> collects and stores cut grass from the conveyance duct <NUM>.

<FIG> is a side view of the grass collecting container <NUM> in a lifted discharging state. As shown in this figure, the cut grass collecting apparatus <NUM> lifts the linkage mechanism <NUM>, using the pair of right and left up/down cylinders <NUM>, rotates the grass collecting container <NUM> upward about the axis of the rotation support shaft <NUM>, using the dump cylinder <NUM>, and thus the grass collecting container <NUM> is operated so as to be in the lifted discharging state.

In the lifted discharging state, the cut grass input port 432c of the grass collecting container <NUM> faces upward relative to the vehicle body, and the cut grass discharge port 432b faces downward relative to the vehicle body. The open/close link <NUM> swings about the rotation support shaft <NUM> of the grass collecting container <NUM>, and accordingly the support arm <NUM> swings to the opening side, and thus the lid 432a is operated so as to open and the cut grass discharge port 432b opens. In such a state, the grass collecting container <NUM> discharges the stored cut grass from the cut grass discharge port 432b using free fall.

As shown in <FIG>, the self-propelled vehicle includes a full-state alarm apparatus (an example of a notification unit) <NUM> that is provided in an operation panel <NUM>. Upon the full state of the grass collecting container <NUM> being detected by a cut grass amount detection apparatus (an example of a cut grass amount detection unit) <NUM> that is provided in a front portion of the grass collecting container <NUM>, the full-state alarm apparatus <NUM> is operated based on the detected information. As described below, the full-state alarm apparatus <NUM> includes an indicator 451a (see <FIG>), a buzzer 451b (see <FIG>), and so on, and issues a warning (an alarm) indicating that the grass collecting container <NUM> is full, by lighting the indicator 451a (see <FIG>) or sounding the buzzer 451b.

<FIG> is a vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of the grass collecting container <NUM> in which the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> is provided. <FIG> is a front view of the portion of the grass collecting container <NUM> in which the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> is provided. <FIG> is a perspective view of the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM>. As shown in these figures, the cut grass input port 432c of the grass collecting container <NUM> is formed by a pair of right and left lateral plates 452a and a bottom plate 452b of a sheet metal member <NUM> that is attached so as to span a pair of right and left front container frames 432d of the grass collecting container <NUM>.

The cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> includes: a detection hole <NUM> that is provided in a front portion of the grass collecting container <NUM> below the cut grass input port 432c; a sensor plate <NUM> that is located on the sensor arrangement port-side of the detection hole <NUM>; a bent sheet metal <NUM>; a spring <NUM>; and a detection means <NUM>. A spring coupling arm <NUM> is provided at a lower end of a lateral end portion of the sensor plate <NUM>. The spring <NUM> is coupled to one end of the spring coupling arm <NUM> using an adjustment screw-type coupling part <NUM>. The sensor plate <NUM> includes a switch operation portion 462c and a pressure sensitive portion 462a that comes into contact with cut grass in the grass collecting container.

The bent sheet metal <NUM> includes a pair of right and left lateral plates 467b and a front plate 467a that is continuous with front end portions of the pair of right and left lateral plates 467b and is provided below the sheet metal member <NUM>. The bent sheet metal <NUM> is supported by the grass collecting container <NUM>, using coupling members <NUM> that couple the lateral plates 467b and the front container frames 432d to each other on the right and left side.

The sensor plate <NUM> is supported by a pair of right and left supporting portions 467c, using a pivot shaft <NUM> that is attached to a pair of right and left coupling plates <NUM> that are provided on a lower end side of the sensor plate <NUM> and the pair of right and left supporting portions 467c that are provided at a lower end of the bent sheet metal <NUM>, and the sensor plate <NUM> rotates about the axis of the pivot shaft <NUM> that extends in a lateral direction of the grass collecting container. The pressure sensitive portion 462a of the sensor plate <NUM> comes into contact with cut grass in the grass collecting container, and the weight of the cut grass stored in the grass collecting container <NUM> is applied to the sensor plate <NUM>.

An end portion of the spring <NUM> opposite to the end portion that is coupled to the spring coupling arm <NUM> is coupled to a spring hook <NUM> that is provided on the bottom plate 452b of the sheet metal member <NUM>. The spring <NUM> biases the spring coupling arm <NUM> so as to swing upward about the axis of the pivot shaft <NUM>, with the spring hook <NUM> serving as a reaction force member, and thus the spring <NUM> biases the sensor plate <NUM> so as to swing to a reference orientation A, in which a pair of right and left positioning pieces 462b that are located on the upper end of the sensor plate <NUM> abut against, and are received and supported by, the front plate 467a of the bent sheet metal <NUM>.

Upon the amount of cut grass in the grass collecting container <NUM> reaching a preset full amount, the spring <NUM> expands due to the weight of the cut grass affecting it via the sensor plate <NUM>, and allows the sensor plate <NUM> to swing outward of the grass collecting container from the reference orientation A so that the swing angle of the sensor plate <NUM> relative to the reference orientation A will be a preset full-state swing angle.

The detection means <NUM> is fixed to the lateral plates 467b of the bent sheet metal <NUM>, and is provided with an operation piece 466a that detects that the grass collecting container <NUM> has entered a full state upon the sensor plate <NUM> entering a non-contact state, as described below. As described below, the operation piece 466a detects whether or not the grass collecting container <NUM> is full based on the state of contact between the sensor plate <NUM> and the switch operation portion 462c.

The detection hole <NUM> is constituted by a sensor arrangement port 461a that is a rectangular through hole provided in the front plate 467a of the bent sheet metal <NUM>, and a detection hole body 461b that extends from the sensor arrangement portion 461a to the pair of right and left front container frames 432d. The detection hole body 461b is defined by the right and left lateral plates 467b of the bent sheet metal <NUM>, the bottom plate 452b of the sheet metal member <NUM>, and the pair of right and left coupling members <NUM>. The detection hole <NUM> allows the pressure sensitive portion 462a that bulges from the rear surface of the sensor plate <NUM> to enter therein.

A dimension W1 of the detection hole <NUM> in the lateral direction of the grass collecting container is close to a dimension W2 of the cut grass input port 432c of the grass collecting container <NUM> in the lateral direction of the grass collecting container. The dimension W1 of the detection hole <NUM> in the lateral direction of the grass collecting container may be set to be the same as the dimension W2 of the cut grass input port 432c of the grass collecting container <NUM> in the lateral direction of the grass collecting container. Even in this case, as in the case in which the dimension W1 of the detection hole <NUM> is close to the dimension W2 of the cut grass input port 432c, the area of the sensor plate <NUM> that comes into contact with cut grass is large, and the sensor plate <NUM> is more likely to be accurately affected by the weight of cut grass.

Both in the case in which the sensor plate <NUM> is in the reference orientation A and in the case in which the sensor plate <NUM> has swung to the preset full-state swing angle, the sensor plate <NUM> is kept in an attachment orientation in which the pressure sensitive portion 462a is in the detection hole body 461b of the detection hole <NUM>, and a gap from which cut grass may fall out is not formed between the sensor arrangement port 461a of the detection hole <NUM> and the sensor plate <NUM>.

<FIG> is a side view of the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> in a non-detection state. <FIG> is a side view of the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> in a full-state detection state. As shown in these figures, when the sensor plate <NUM> is in the reference orientation A, the switch operation portion 462c provided on the sensor plate <NUM> presses the operation piece 466a and the detection means <NUM> enters an OFF state. On the other hand, upon the swing angle of the sensor plate <NUM> relative to the reference orientation A reaching the preset full-state swing angle, the operation piece 466a is released from the state of being pressed by the switch operation portion 462c, and the detection means <NUM> switches to an ON state due to the self-resilience force of the operation piece 466a.

That is to say, as shown in <FIG>, when no cut grass is stored in the grass collecting container <NUM>, no weight is applied to the sensor plate <NUM>, and the sensor plate <NUM> is in the reference orientation A. As shown in <FIG>, upon cut grass being collected to the grass collecting container <NUM>, the cut grass enters the detection hole <NUM> and comes into contact with the pressure sensitive portion 462a of the sensor plate <NUM>, and the weight of the cut grass is applied to the sensor plate <NUM>. Upon the weight of cut grass being applied to the sensor plate <NUM>, the sensor plate <NUM> swings from the reference orientation A resisting the spring <NUM>. As the amount of cut grass increases, the weight of the cut grass increases, and the swing angle of the sensor plate <NUM> increases. Until the swing angle of the sensor plate <NUM> reaches the preset full-state swing angle, the detection means <NUM> is pressed by the sensor plate <NUM> and is in OFF state, and when the swing angle of the sensor plate <NUM> reaches the preset full-state swing angle, the sensor plate <NUM> moves away from the detection means <NUM> and the detection means <NUM> switches to the ON state. In this way, upon the swing angle of the sensor plate <NUM> relative to the reference orientation A reaching the preset full-state swing angle, the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> detects that the amount of cut grass stored in the grass collecting container <NUM> has reached the full state, and converts this detection result into an electrical signal and outputs it.

Next, with reference to <FIG>, a configuration of a cut grass full-state detection apparatus that detects that the grass collecting container <NUM> is full of cut grass, and issues an alarm will be described. The cut grass full-state detection apparatus includes a control unit <NUM> and the full-state alarm apparatus <NUM>, and is provided in the operation panel <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the control unit <NUM> acquires information from the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> and the power take-off mechanism <NUM>, and issues an alarm indicating that the grass collecting container <NUM> is full, using an indicator (a first notification unit) 451a, which is a full-state alarm apparatus <NUM>, and a buzzer (a second notification unit) 451b, which is a full-state alarm apparatus <NUM>. The indicator 451a turns on a lamp under the control of the control unit <NUM>. The buzzer 451b emits an alarm sound under the control of the control unit <NUM>.

The control unit <NUM> includes a processor such as a microcomputer, and includes a full-state detector <NUM>, a drive detector <NUM>, and an alarm controller <NUM>.

The full-state detector <NUM> receives an electrical signal that is output by the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> when the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> detects that the amount of cut grass stored in the grass collecting container <NUM> is the full amount. The full-state detector <NUM> includes a timer <NUM>. Upon receiving an electrical signal, the timer <NUM> measures the time period that has elapsed from when the timer <NUM> received the electrical signal. The full-state detector <NUM> transmits the measured time to the alarm controller <NUM> to notify the alarm controller <NUM> of the fact that the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> has detected that the grass collecting container <NUM> is full, and the duration of the full state that has been detected by the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM>.

The drive detector <NUM> receives a signal that indicates whether or not the mower apparatus <NUM> is being driven. Here, the mower apparatus <NUM> is driven by a drive force that has been taken off by the power take-off mechanism <NUM> and has been transmitted to the mower apparatus <NUM> via the rotation shaft <NUM>. Therefore, whether or not the mower apparatus <NUM> is being driven can be determined based on whether or not the power take-off mechanism <NUM> is in operation and transmitting a drive force to the rotation shaft <NUM>. Therefore, while the power take-off mechanism <NUM> is in operation and transmitting a drive force to the rotation shaft <NUM>, the power take-off mechanism <NUM> outputs a signal indicating such to the drive detector <NUM>. Upon receiving this signal, the drive detector <NUM> transmits a signal indicating that the mower apparatus <NUM> is in operation (is being driven) to the alarm controller <NUM>.

The alarm controller <NUM> receives, from the full-state detector <NUM>, the duration of the full state that has been detected by the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> as measured time. The alarm controller <NUM> also receives a signal indicating that the mower apparatus <NUM> is in operation. Furthermore, while receiving the measured time, the alarm controller <NUM> controls the operations of the indicator 451a and the buzzer 451b based on the operation state of the mower apparatus <NUM>.

The cut grass full-state detection apparatus with such a configuration uses the alarm controller <NUM> of the control unit <NUM> to control the operations of the full-state alarm apparatus <NUM> including the indicator 451a and the buzzer 451b, based on the duration of the full state of the grass collecting container <NUM> and the operation state (the driving state) of the mower apparatus <NUM>.

Specifically, as shown in <FIG> (see <FIG> also), if the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> does not detect the full state (detection means SW = OFF), the alarm controller <NUM> turns off the indicator 451a, and brings the buzzer 451b into a non-sounding state (State (<NUM>)). Even if the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> has detected the full state (detection means SW = ON), the alarm controller <NUM> keeps the indicator 451a off and the buzzer 451b in the non-sounding state until the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> continuously detects the full state for a predetermined period of time, e.g. three seconds, regardless of whether the mower apparatus <NUM> is in operation (is not driven: PTO = OFF (a state in which the rotation shaft <NUM> corresponding to the PTO shaft is not rotating)) (State (<NUM>)) or the mower apparatus <NUM> is in operation (is being driven: PTO = ON (a state in which the rotation shaft <NUM> corresponding to the PTO shaft is rotating)) (State (<NUM>)). If the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> continuously detects the full state for three seconds, the alarm controller <NUM> turns on the indicator 451a. At this time, if the mower apparatus <NUM> is not in operation, the alarm controller <NUM> does not sound the buzzer 451b (State (<NUM>)), and sounds the buzzer 451b only when the mower apparatus <NUM> is in operation (State (<NUM>)).

An example of a time chart showing such control will be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

The indicator 451a is kept off and the buzzer 451b is kept in the non-sounding state until the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> detects a full state. At time T1, upon the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> detecting a full state, the timer <NUM> of the full-state detector <NUM> starts time measurement. Note that if the full state becomes undetectable during the time measurement, the timer <NUM> stops the time measurement and resets the time under the control of the full-state detector <NUM> (time T6). If the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> has continuously detected the full state for three seconds at time T2, the indicator 451a is turned on in response to a request from the alarm controller <NUM>. If the mower apparatus <NUM> is not in operation at time T2, the buzzer 451b is not sounded. Thereafter, at time T3, if the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> is continuously detecting the full state and the mower apparatus <NUM> is in operation, the buzzer 451b is sounded in response to a request from the alarm controller <NUM>. If the mower apparatus <NUM> stops operating at time T4, the buzzer 451b stops sounding in response to a request from the alarm controller <NUM>. At this time, if the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> is continuously detecting the full state, the indicator 451a is kept on. Although not shown in the drawing, the buzzer 451b also stops sounding if the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> stops detecting the full state. Thereafter, if the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> stops detecting the full state at time T5, the indicator 451a is turned off.

Next, the flow of control through which the state in which the grass collecting container <NUM> is full of cut grass is detected and an alarm is issued will be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG> (see steps #<NUM> to #<NUM> in <FIG>).

First, the full-state detector <NUM> of the control unit <NUM> continuously determines whether or not the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> has detected that the grass collecting container <NUM> is full of cut grass (#<NUM>). Here, the sensor plate <NUM> of the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> swings due to the weight of the cut grass stored in the grass collecting container <NUM>. If the grass collecting container <NUM> is not full, the sensor plate <NUM> does not largely swing from the reference orientation A, and the switch operation portion 462c of the sensor plate <NUM> presses the operation piece 466a of the detection means <NUM>. In this state, the detection means <NUM> of the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> does not transmit any signal, and the full-state detector <NUM> determines that the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> has not detected the full state. Thereafter, the full-state detector <NUM> keeps this state without transmitting a signal until the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> detects the full state (#<NUM> = No).

If the grass collecting container <NUM> is full, the sensor plate <NUM> largely swings from the reference orientation A, and the switch operation portion 462c of the sensor plate <NUM> moves away from the operation piece 466a of the detection means <NUM>. In this state, the detection means <NUM> of the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> outputs a signal indicating that the grass collecting container <NUM> is full of cut grass. If the full-state detector <NUM> receives this signal from the detection means <NUM> (#<NUM> = Yes), the full-state detector <NUM> may continuously transmit a signal indicating that the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> has detected the full state, to the alarm controller <NUM>, while receiving the aforementioned signal (#<NUM>).

Upon receiving the signal indicating that the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> has detected the full state, the alarm controller <NUM> instructs the timer <NUM> to measure the duration of reception (the duration of detection) from when the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> detected the full state, and transmits the duration of detection to the alarm controller <NUM> (#<NUM>). If the alarm controller <NUM> becomes unable to receive the signal indicating that the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> has detected the full state, the alarm controller <NUM> instructs the timer <NUM> to stop counting and reset the time.

Next, the alarm controller <NUM> continuously receives the duration of reception from the timer <NUM>, and determines whether or not the duration of reception has reached a predetermined period of time, e.g. three seconds (#<NUM>). If the duration of reception is less than three seconds, the above-described processing is repeated until the duration of reception reaches three seconds (#<NUM> = No).

If the duration of reception has reached three seconds, the alarm controller <NUM> turns on the indicator 451a (#<NUM>).

Here, the drive detector <NUM> continuously determines whether or not the mower apparatus <NUM> is in operation (is being driven). Specifically, while driving the rotation shaft <NUM> that drives the mower apparatus <NUM>, the power take-off mechanism <NUM> continuously transmits a signal indicating that the power take-off mechanism <NUM> is in operation, to the drive detector <NUM>.

Thereafter, in a state in which it has been detected that the duration of reception has reached three seconds (#<NUM>), the alarm controller <NUM> determines whether or not the mower apparatus <NUM> is in operation, based on a signal from the power take-off mechanism <NUM> (#<NUM>).

If it is determined that the mower apparatus <NUM> is in operation (#<NUM> = Yes), the drive detector <NUM> sounds the buzzer 451b (#<NUM>).

If it is determined that the mower apparatus <NUM> is not in operation (#<NUM> = No), the drive detector <NUM> does not sound the buzzer 451b. Then, in order to thereafter continuously determine whether or not to keep the indicator 451a on, the alarm controller <NUM> determines whether or not the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> is continuously detecting the full state (#<NUM>). If the alarm controller <NUM> determines that the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> is continuously detecting the full state (#<NUM> = Yes), the alarm controller <NUM> keeps the indicator 451a on (#<NUM>), and if the alarm controller <NUM> determines that the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> no longer continuously detects the full state (#<NUM> = No), the alarm controller <NUM> turns off the indicator 451a (#<NUM>).

Also, in a state in which the buzzer 451b is sounded (#<NUM>), the alarm controller <NUM> determines whether or not the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> is continuously detecting the full state (#<NUM>). If the alarm controller <NUM> determines that the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> is no longer continuously detecting the full state (#<NUM> = No), the alarm controller <NUM> turns off the indicator 451a and stops sounding the buzzer 451b. Thereafter, processing is returned to step #<NUM>, and the detection of a full state is placed on standby (#<NUM>).

If it is determined that the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> continuously detects the full state (#<NUM> = Yes), the alarm controller <NUM> determines whether the mower apparatus <NUM> is continuously operating (#<NUM>). If the mower apparatus <NUM> is not in operation (#<NUM> = No), the alarm controller <NUM> stops sounding the buzzer 451b (#<NUM>). At the same time, the alarm controller <NUM> keeps the indicator 451a on (#<NUM>).

If the mower apparatus <NUM> is in operation (#<NUM> = Yes), the alarm controller <NUM> keeps sounding the buzzer 451b, returns to step #<NUM>, and continuously monitors whether or not the full state is continuing, and whether or not the mower apparatus <NUM> is continuously operating (#<NUM>).

With such a cut grass full-state detection apparatus, even if the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> detects that the grass collecting container <NUM> is full of cut grass, the control unit <NUM> does not immediately activate the full-state alarm apparatus <NUM>, and activates the full-state alarm apparatus <NUM> only while the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> is continuously detecting the full state for a predetermined period or longer. Therefore, even if the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> erroneously detects the full state due to vibration or the like, the full-state alarm apparatus <NUM> does not immediately operate. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the driver from performing unnecessary work in response to a full-state alarm that is based on an erroneous detection. The control unit <NUM> activates the full-state alarm apparatus <NUM> only if the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> continuously detects the full state for a predetermined period. The predetermined period is set to be long enough such that the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> does not detect the full state only due to the influence of vibration or the like. Therefore, the full-state alarm apparatus <NUM> issues a full-state alarm only when it is highly probable that the collection container <NUM> is full, and the driver is prompted to perform work only when it is more certain that a situation in which the grass collecting container <NUM> is full and the driver needs to perform work has occurred. The driver can perform appropriate work in an appropriate situation. Also, it is possible to efficiently and accurately detect that the grass collecting container is full, without adjusting the sensitivity of the cut grass amount detection apparatus <NUM> by changing the spring <NUM> (see <FIG>). As a result, it is possible to accurately detect that the grass collecting container is full, and efficiently perform cutting work.

Claim 1:
A cut grass full-state detection apparatus that detects a full state of a grass collecting container (<NUM>) that stores cut grass cut by a mower apparatus, comprising:
a cut grass amount detection unit (<NUM>) configured to detect the amount of cut grass stored in the grass collecting container;
a notification unit (<NUM>, 451a, 451b), wherein the notification unit (<NUM>) includes a first notification unit (451a) and a second notification unit (451b);
a timer (<NUM>);
a control unit (<NUM>), the control unit being configured to instruct the timer to measure a time period that has elapsed from when the cut grass amount detection unit detected a predetermined amount of cut grass, and instruct the notification unit to issue an alarm when the cut grass amount detection unit continuously detects the predetermined amount of cut grass for a predetermined period;
characterized in that it further comprises a drive detection unit (<NUM>) configured to detect that the mower apparatus is being driven,
the control unit is configured such that
if the drive detection unit (<NUM>) has not detected that the mower apparatus is being driven, the control unit (<NUM>) instructs the first notification unit (451a) to issue an alarm when the cut grass amount detection unit has continuously detected the predetermined amount of cut grass for the predetermined period, and
if the drive detection unit (<NUM>) has detected that the mower apparatus is being driven, the control unit instructs the first notification unit (451a) and the second notification unit (451b) to issue an alarm when the cut grass amount detection unit has continuously detected the predetermined amount of cut grass for the predetermined period.