[Name of the Document] SPECIFICATION
[Title of the hivention] THRESHING APPARATUS
[Technical Field] [0001]
The present invention relates to a threshing apparatus for use in a combine-harvester, a stationar)' threshing apparatus, etc.. More particularly, the invention relates to improvement of a wiimowing fan included in such threshing apparatus. It is understood, however, that the present invention is not limited thereto.
[Backgroimd Art]
[0002]
For the winnowing fan used in the threshing apparatus described above, there is known a construction wherein a plurahty of blade elements spaced apart from each other in the radial direction are cormected and fixed to a rotational shaft receiving power from the engine, at two positions in the axial direction of this rotational shaft (see Patent Document 1)
[Patent Document I ] Japanese Patent Application "Kokai" No. 11 -18560 (JP11 -018560 A) (paragraph [0030], Fig. 2, Fig. 6)
[Disclosure of the Invention]
[0003] [Problem to be Solved by Invention]
As shown in Patent Document 1, conventionally, between the rotational shaft which receives power from the engine and the blade elements disposed round it, for the purposes of transmission of rotational power of the rotational shaft to the blade elements and enabhng firm support of the blade elements, the rotational shaft and the blade elements are connected integrally with each other, with using support arms at the two positions away from each other in the axial direction of the rotational shaft.
However, the above-described rotational shaft is disposed midway in the power transmission line, so this shaft is often employed as a relay shaft for transmitting the power to a threshing-sorting section, a feed chain, etc.. Therefore, there would occur such inconvenience as contortion of the rotational shaft due to the driving force received, or bending, though small, in the driving shaft as being subjected to tension in a transmission belt wound at and around an end of the rotational shaft.
If such contortion or bending as above occurs in the rotational shaft, this results in

repeated appHcalion of significant external force to the connecting portions between the blade elements and the support arms connected at the two positions away from each other in the axial direction of the rotational shaft. Accordingly, when the rotational shaft and/or the blade elements are formed thinner to meet a desire for weight reduction of the apparatus as a whole, there is higher possibility of occurrence of breakage at the connecting portions.
The object of the present invention is to provide a threshing apparatus which aDows weight reduction of this apparatus as a whole, with minimizing the effect of external force resulting from contortion or bending, if occurred any, in the rotational shaft for transmitting power to the winnowing fan, being extended to the connecting portions to the blade elements.
[0004] [Means to Solve Problem]
For accompHshing the above object, according to the present invention,
a threshing apparatus having a sorting/collecting section and a winnowing fan for feeding sorting air flow for vvind-sorting operation in the sorting/collecting section;
wherein said winnowing fan includes a rotational shaft receiving power from an engine, a plurality of blades spaced from each other radially relative to the rotational shaft, and a blade supporting mechanism for connecting the rotational shaft and the blades for transmitting rotational force therebetween; and
in said blade supporting mechanism, a connecting portion for rotational force transmission to the rotational shaft and one blade is provided only at one position in the axial direction of the rotational shaft. [0005]
This construction is advantageous in the following respect
As described above, according to the present invention, in the blade supporting mechanism for connecting the blades spaced in the radial direction relative to the rotational shaft which receives the power from the engine, a connecting portion for rotational force transmission to the rotational shaft and one blade is provided only at one position in the axial direction of the rotational shaft.
Therefore, even when a contortion or bending occurs in the rotational shaft due to e.g. driving load, since the connecting portion for the rotational force transmission between this rotational shaft and the blade is provided only at one position in the axial direction of the rotational shaft, it is possible to prevent this contortion or bending from affecting the blade. That is to say, when contortion or bending has occurred in the rotational shaft, if the rotational shaft and the blade were interconnected at a plurality of positions in the axial direction of the rotational shaft, there would occur some differences between these positions in the amount of contortion or bending, so that external force corresponding to each difference would be apphed

to each connecting position, which could lead to breakage at each connecting position after use for an extended period of time. On the other hand, according to the present invention, there exists only one connecting portion, so that the occurrence of external force due to such difference per ser can be avoided.
Consequently, according to the present invention, even if contortion or bending has occurred in the rotational shaft for force transmission, it is possible to prevent the detrimental effect thereof from being extended to the blades, so that only the desired rotational force can be transmitted to the blades. Hence, there is obtained advantage of achieving improvement in durability without inviting increase in the total weight of the apparatus which increase would otherwise be required solely for additional reinforcement needed at the connecting positions between the rotational shaft and the blades. [0006]
According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, said blade supporting mechanism includes one connecting portion for rotational force transmission to the rotational shaft, and includes also a plurality of supporting portions for supporting the blades at positions away from the connecting portion in the axial direction of the rotational shaft. [0007]
With the above-described blade supporting mechanism, while there is provided one connecting portion for the force transmission from the rotational shaft to the blades, the supporting portions for supporting the blades are provided at a plurality of positions of the rotational shaft away from this coimecting portion in the axial direction of the rotational shaft. As a result, there is achieved the advantage that the postures of the blades can be maintained in a stable manner over an extended span in the axial direction of the rotational shaft. [0008]
According to a fiirther preferred embodiment of the present invention, said blade supporting mechanism includes a tubular engaging member to be engaged on the rotational shaft, a fixing connecting member for non-rotatably fixing the tubular engaging member on the rotational shaft, and an arm extending from the tubular engaging member to be connected to the blade; and
said tubular engaging member and said fixing connecting member together constitute said connecting portion for the rotational force transmission, whereas said tubular engaging member and said arm together constitute said supporting portions. [0009]
With the above-described blade supporting mechanism, while the above-described construction of only one connecting portion being provided for the force transmission from the rotational shaft to the blade, there is achieved the advantage that tiie supporting portions for

supporting the blades being provided at a plurality of positions can be obtained by simply utilizing such components as the tubular engaging member, the means for preventing rotation of this tubular engaging member, and the arm. [0010] •'
According to a further preferred embodiment of the present iavention, two said tubular engaging members are provided on opposed sides of said fixing connecting member; and between an inner peripheral face of said each tubular engaging member and an outer peripheral face of the rotational shaft, there is formed a gap which allows relative displacement between the tubular engaging member and the rotational shaft within a predetermined range. [0011]
The above construction is advantageous in the following respects.
Namely, as a gap which allows relative displacement between the tubular engaging member and the rotational shaft within a predetermined range is formed between an inner peripheral face of said each tubular engaging member and an outer peripheral face of the rotational shaft, even when a contortion or bending occurs in the rotational shaft, such contortion or benduig is not transmitted to the side of the mbular engaging member, but can be absorbed as an amotint of relative displacement between the rotational shaft and the tubular engaging member within the gap.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent the effect of the contortion or bending in the rotational shaft from being extended to the tubular engaging member side and also by this tubular engaging member hardly affected by the contortion or bending in the rotational shaft and the plurality of supporting portions provided on the tubular engaging member side, the blade can be maintained under the proper posture with a simple construction. [0012]
Further, the present invention has a characterizing feature also in a dust exhausting device incorporated in a conveying passage of a feeder for conveying harvested culms to the threshing apparatus.
As a conventional dust exhausting device of the above-noted type, there is one known from e.g. Japanese Patent AppUcation "Kokai" No. 2002-345320 (JP 2002-345320A) (paragraphs [0006] - [0008], Figs.6 and 7).
This dust exhausting device includes a dustproof hood (corresponding to "dust exhausting hood") attached to an upper face and a left side face of a feeder house (corresponding to a "feeder"), a dust breathing/exhausting fan (corresponding to a "dust exhausting fan"), and an electric motor.
With this type of dust exhausting device, the closer the disposing position of the dust exhausting fan to the feeder, the more effectively the suction force can be applied from the dust

exhausting fan to the feeder. Accordingly, if there is employed a construction wherein the dust exhausting fan is disposed at the dust introducing opening of the dust exhausting hood and a motor mounting member is disposed at this dust introducing opening and the electric motor is supported to this motor mounting member, the electric motor tends to be located deep into the dust exhausting passage inside the dust exhausting hood, so that the mounting of the electric motor tends to be difScult. [0013]
On the other hand, according to the present invention, in order to make it easier to avoid the occurrence of the above-described problem while allowing the suction force from the dust exhausting fan to be appUed effectively to the feeder, there is provided a characterizing construction as follows. Namely;
a dust exhausting device is provided in a convejong passage of a feeder for conveying harvested cuhns to the threshing apparatus;
said dust exhausting device includes a dust exhausting hood which is open to said conveying passage and has a dust introducing opening, and a dust exhausting fan rotatably driven by an electric motor, said dust exhausting hood and said dust exhausting fan cooperating to suck and discharge dust in the conveying passage;
said dust exhausting fan is disposed at said dust introducing opening; and
said electric motor is supported to a wall portion disposed in opposition to said dust introducing opening of the dust exhausting hood. [0014]
The above construction is advantageous in the following respects.
With tbe above construction, as the dust exhausting fan is disposed at the dust introducing opening, the dust exhausting fan is disposed as closely as possible to the feeder, so that the fan can provide effective sucking action to the feeder. As the electric motor is supported to the wall portion of the dust exhausting hood, it is possible to dispose the electric motor on the outer side of the dust exhausting passage or as outwards as possible so that the mounting portion of the electric motor can be readily provided on the outer side of the dust exhausting hood or on the outer side so as to facilitate the assembly of the electric motor.
Therefore, while the dust exhausting device is capable of allowing powerfiil suction to the dust of the feeder, the assembly operation in terms of the assembly of the electric motor can be carried out easily. [0015]
According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, said electric motor is disposed into a motor attaching hole defined in said wall piortion. [0016]

The above construction is advantageous in the following respects.
Namel}'^, as the mounting portion for the electric motor and a portion or the entirety of the motor main body are disposed outside the dust exhausting hood, the assembling of the electric motor can be carried out easily. Further, heat generated in the electric motor can be readily discharged to the outside of the dust exhausting hood.
Therefore, while the construction allows powerful introduction of dust of the feeder, the construction allows also efficient assembling operation and makes it easier to avoid occurrence of trouble due to overheating of the electric motor. [0017]
According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dust exhausting device further includes: a rotational shaft for operating said dust exhausting fan and said electric motor in operative association with each other, vsdth said dust exhausting fan and a main body of said electric motor being spaced apart from each other; and a tubular cover accommodating said rotational shaft;
wherein said tubular cover has an outer diameter equal or substantially equal to a boss portion to which a blade of said dust exhausting fan is connected. [0018]
Tbe above construction is advantageous in the following respect
Namely, as the main body of the electric motor and the dust exhausting fan are spaced apart from each other, it becomes easy to dispose the mounting portion for the electric motor on the outer side of the dust exhausting hood and to discharge heat generated in the electric motor to the outside of the dust exhausting hood. Moreover, it is possible to prevent adherence of dust to the rotational shaft, while preventing the dust flowing in the dust exhai:isting hood from entangUng the tubular cover.
Therefore, while the construction allows powerful suction of dust of the feeder, the construction allows the assembling operation to proceed more efficienfly and makes it easier to avoid the trouble due to overheating of the electric motor. Furthermore, as the dust will hardly entangle with the rotational shaft or the tubular cover, it is readily possible to avoid dust exhausting problem or diving problem due to dust entanglement. [0019]
According to a further preferred embodiment the tubular cover includes a sealing tubular portion extending from a cover main body of the tubular cover into the boss portion, thereby to cover the periphery of the rotational shaft. [0020]
This construction is advantageous in the following respect.
Namely, even when dust enters a gap between the cover main body of the tubular

cover and the boss portion of the dust exhausting fan, introduction of this dust farther to the rotational shaft can be readily prevented by the sealing tubular portion.
Therefore, there can be obtained a dust exhausting device which allows powerful suction of dust of the feeder and allows also easy assembling operation and easy avoidance of trouble of the electric motor, the device further allowing easy avoidance of dust exhausting problem or diving problem due to dust entanglement, as entanglement of dust to the rotational shaft or the tubular cover hardly occurs. [0021]
Incidentally, some combine-harvesters include a threshing section or a grain collecting section rearwardly of the driver's section and include also a canopy for covering the driver's section from above.
For example, a combine-harvester disclosed in Japanese Patent AppUcation "Kolcai" No. 2000-4641 (JP2000-004641 A) includes a canopy which covers the upper side of a driver's seat in the operating section (see Fig. 5 and Fig. 6). Further, a combine-harvester disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Apphcation "Kokai" No. 59-141730 (JP 59-141730 U) includes a sunshade device for covering the upper side of a driver's seat in the driver's section (Fig. 1-Fig. 3). [0022]
In the case of the former combine-harvester, the canopy is fixed to the driver's section. So, when the combine-harvester travels at a place where tress are present, the canopy wound tend to interfere with the traveling of the combine-harvester. As a result, there would occur the problem of the canopy tending to be damaged due to contact with the trees or the like or as care is needed in driving of the combine-han'ester so as to avoid contact with the trees, the operational efficiency of traveUng operation of the combine-harvester would be deteriorated. [0023]
In the case of the latter combine-harvester, a roof is supported on the top of posts, so that the sunshade device can be switched over between an erect state of the posts being raised and a collapsed state of the posts being collapsed rearwardly together with the roof However, for switching over the state of the sunshade device, it is needed to lift the posts together with the roof (or pulling them up) and then to collapse the posts together with the roof rearwardly (or forwardly). As a result, the switchover of the state of the sunshade device requires significant trouble, so the efficiency of the state switchover operation of the sunshade device would be poor or the state switchover of the sunshade device would be impossible at a site where height limit is imposed. [0024]
On the other hand, according to the present invention, the canopy includes a roof

member for covering the driver's section from above and a post supported to be rotatable about a vertical axis rearv,'ardly of the driver's section, the roof member being connected to an upper portion of the post
With the above characterizing feature, when the canopy is pivoted rearward about the vertical axis rearwardly of the driver's section, there is provided a condition of the canopy being displaced toward the threshing section or the grain collecting section rearwardly of the driver's section. With this, as the canopy is pivoted rearward, the canopy will hardly interfere with traveling of the combine-harvester at a site of trees being present, so contact between the canopy and the trees or the like can be avoided. Further, at a site of trees or the like being present, the driver can travel the combine-harvester wdthout much care about the trees or the like. As a result, the operational efBciency of the traveling operation of the combine-harvester can be improved.
Further, the position of the canopy can be easily changed by pivoting the canopy about the vertical axis, without lifting up tiie canopy or pulling up the same. As a result, the trouble for position change of the canopy can be alleviated and tiie efBciency of the position change operation of the canopy can be improved. Further, even when the canopy is pivoted about the vertical axis, this does not lead to any significant change in tiie height of the canopy, so that the canopy position can be changed without being limited by the height.
Consequentiy, it is possible to improve the operational efficiency of the canopy, while preventing damage of the canopy due to its contact with trees or the like. [0025]
According to a further preferred embodiment, there is provided storing/supporting means for storing the canopy at a storing position located on the more inner side relative to the transverse direction of the vehicle body than a working position located upwardly of the driver's section.
With this characterizing feature, when tiie canopy is supported by the storing/supporting means, the canopy is supported at the storing position located on the more inner side relative to the transverse direction of the vehicle body than a working position located upwardly of the driver's section. With this, it is possible to restrict or even eliminate projecting of the canopy to the transverse outer side of the vehicle body, compared with the case when the canopy is located at the working position.
Therefore, when the combine-harvester is to be retracted or transported, it is possible to restrict or even eliminate projecting of the canopy to the transverse outer side of the vehicle body, so that the combine-harvester can be readily retracted even within a storage space limited in the transverse direction of the vehicle body. And, as the combine-harvester is stored and transported on a small loading deck or in a small container having storage space limited in the

trans\'erse direction of the vehicle body.
Moreover, as there is no need to prepare some special fixing means such as the case of removing the canopy and fixedly binding it the transportation is possible economically in this respect also. [0026]
Li the above, if the canopy is switchable in position between the working position located upwardly of the driver's section and a "retracted" position where the canopy is retracted under rearward orientation along the upper portion of the threshing section or the grain collecting section, when the canopy is switched over fi-om the working position to the retracted position, the canopy will be oriented rearward along the upper portion of the threshing section or the grain collecting section. With this, with switchover of the position of the canopy to the storing position, the canopy will hardly interfere with traveling of the combine-harvester at a site of trees being present, so contact between the canopy and the trees can be avoided. Further, the driver can travel the combine-harvester where trees are present, without paying much attention to the trees. So, the efficiency of travehng operation of the combine-harvester can be further improved.
Therefore, it becomes possible to avoid more effectively the damage of the canopy due to contact with trees or the like and also to fiorther improve the efficiency of the traveling operation. [0027]
Further, if the height of the canopy at the storing position and the height of the canopy at the retracted position are set lower than the height of the canopy at the working position, this is advantageous in the following respect.
That is to say, by ensuring height for the canopy at the working position, it is possible to ensure large space in the height direction of the driver's section when the position of the canopy is switched over to the working position, and it is possible also to dispose the canopy at a low position when the canopy is switched over to the storing position or the retracted position. With this, it becomes possible to prevent even more effectively the contact between the canopy at the retracted position and frees or the like, and to keep low profile for the combine-harvester with the canopy being at the storing position, while ensuring large space in the driver's section when the position of the canopy is switched over to the working position.
Accordingly, it is possible to prevent fijrther effectively the contact between the canopy and trees or the like and the resultant damage of the canopy, and to fiarther improve the operational efficiency of the traveling operation of the combine-harvester. And even if the storing space is limited in the vertical direction of the vehicle body, the combine-harvester can be easily retracted and can be transported inexpensively due to the compact storage of the

combine-han'ester.
[0028]
Further, if the height of the canopy at the retracted position is set lower than the height of the canopy at the working position and the height of the canopy at the storing position is set lower than the height of the canopy at the retracted position, it is possible to ensuring sufScient height for the canopy at the working position, thus ensuring large space in the height direction in the driver's section, with the canopy being switched OVCT to the working position. Also, the canopy switched over to the retracted position can be disposed at a lower position closer to the threshing section or the grain collecting section, so that the canopy when switched over in position to the storing position can be disposed at an even lower position. With this, while ensuring large space for the driver's section with the canopy being switched over to the working position, it is possible to more effectively prevent contact between the canopy at the retracted position with trees or the like, and the profile or height of the combine-harvester with the canopy being set at the retracted position can be kept low.
Therefore, it become possible to more effectively prevent contact between the canopy and the trees or the like and the resultant damage in the canopy, and to fiirther improve the working efficiency of the traveling work of the combine-harvester. And, even when the retracting or storing space is limited in the vertical direction of the vehicle body, the combine-han'ester can be readily retracted and the combine-harvester can be stored and transported inexpensively.
[0029]
Further, if the height of the canopy at the storing position is set equal or substantially equal to a pre-cleaner of the engine, the canopy can be stored in a simple form without significant change or with less change in the height due to the canopy and the pre-cleaner, and with minimizing the profiles of the canopy and the pre-cleaner. Therefore, even ■v^^en the retracting or storing space is limited in the vertical direction of the vehicle body, it is readily possible to avoid coUision between the canopy or the pre-cleaner and a storage house or a container, so that the retracting or storing operation can be carried out smoothly and efficiently.
[0030]
In the above, if the pre-cleaner is supported to be adjustable up/down and the height of the canopy at the storing position is set equal to or near the pre-cleaner adjusted downward, it becomes possible to store the canopy in the simple form with no or not much change in the height due to the canopy and the pre-cleaner, and with minimizing the profiles of the canopy and the pre-cleaner. Therefore, even when the retracting or storing space is limited in the vertical direction of the vehicle body, it is readily possible to avoid colUsion between the canopy or the pre-cleaner and a warehouse or a container, so that the retracting or storing

operation can be carried out smoothly and efficiently. [0031]
According to one preferred embodiment, there is provided an assisting mechanism for assisting change of the height of the canopy fi-om the retracted position to the working..position.
With this characterizing feature, in the case of change of the position of the canopy fi-om the retracted position with the height being set low to the working position having the height being set high, it is possible to move the canopy upward with a small force (or without applying any force thereto at all) as being assisted by the assisting mechanism. With this, the position change of the canopy from the retracted position to the working position can be carried out easily, so that the position change of the canopy can be carried out easily and speedily. As a result, the efficiency of the position change operation of the canopy can be further improved and the operational efficiency of the canopy can be further improved. [0032]
According to one preferred .embodiment, the canopy includes an auxiliary post disposed on the inner side of the vehicle body of the post at the working position and fixing means for fixing the auxiliary post to the vehicle body at the working position or the retracted position.
With this characterizing feature, by the fixing means, ttie canopy at the working position or the retracted position can be fixed to the vehicle body at the position of the auxiliary post. With this, at the working position or the retracted position, the canopy can be supported at the two positions, i.e. the position of the post and the position of the auxihary post, so that the canopy can be fixed in a stable manner to the vehicle body. As a result, it is possible to prevent e.g. looseness of the canopy at the working position or the retracted position. [0033]
According to one preferred embodiment, there is provided a restricting member for restricting pivotal movement of the post toward the inner side of the vehicle body.
With this characterizing feature, when an attempt is made to change the position of the canopy by pivoting the post toward the inner side of the vehicle body, the restricting member restricts the pivotal movement of the post toward the inner side of the vehicle body, so it is possible to avoid interference between an instrument disposed on the inner side of the vehicle body (e.g. the pre-cleaner) and the canopy. As a result, it is possible to avoid damage to the canopy and to the instrument disposed on the inner side of the vehicle body, when the canopy is pivoted erroneously toward the inner side of the vehicle body.
Therefore, the canopy can be readily changed in its position, while effectively preventing damage to the canopy and the instrument disposed on the inner side of the vehicle body.

[0034]
According to one preferred embodiment, there is pro\aded a restricting member for restricting pivotal movement of the support toward the inner side of the vehicle body; and said auxiliary post comprises this restricting member.
With this characterizing feature, when an attempt is made to change the position of the canopy by pivoting the post toward the inner side of the vehicle body, the auxiliary post restricts the pivotal movement of the post toward the inner side of the vehicle body, so it is possible to avoid interference between an instrument disposed on the inner side of the vehicle body (e.g. the pre-cleaner) and the canopy. As a result, with simplification of the canopy construction due to the auxiliary post being used also as the restricting member, it is possible to avoid damage to the canopy and to the instrument disposed on the inner side of the vehicle body, when the canopy is pivoted erroneously toward the inner side of the vehicle body. Consequently, it is possible to avoid damage to the canopy and to the instrument disposed on the inner side of the vehicle body, with advantageous reduction in the manufacturing cost of the canopy. [0035]
According to one preferred embodiment, an upper portion of the post is connected to a right/left center portion of said roof member.
With this characterizing feature, when the canopy is pivoted rearward about the vertical axis rearwardly of the driver's section, it is possible to prevent the roof member from being displaced toward the threshing section or the grain collecting section rearwardly thereof while this roof member is offset to the inner or outer side of the vehicle body. Therefore, it is possible to prevent e.g. the roof member from being displaced to the inner side of the vehicle body, thereby to interfere with the instrument disposed on the inner side of the vehicle body and to prevent also the roof member from protmding prominently to the outer side of the vehicle body, thereby to avoid interference of e.g. traveUng of the vehicle. [0036]
According to one preferred embodiment, the post is supported to a front wall of said threshing section or said grain collecting section.
With this characterizing feature, the post can be supported in a stably manner to the front wall of the threshing section or the grain collecting section. In addition, it is possible to avoid apphcation of excessive load due to supporting of the roof member to the post. As a result, it becomes possible to prevent damage to the canopy and also to simplify the construction for supporting the post to the rear portion of the driver's section. Consequently, durability of the canopy can be improved with advantageous reduction in the manufacturing cost of the canopy.

[0037]
Further, if a rear portion of the roof member is supported to be pivotable about a right/left axis of the post and a forward inclination angle of the roof member is adjustable, with change in the forward inchnation angle of the roof member, the level of the ceiling of the. driver's section space can be raised or lowered. With this, the forward inclination angle of the roof member can be changed, depending on such factors as the height of the driver who is driving the combine-harvester, the amount of sunbeam from the forward side, whereby a comfortable driver's section space can be created, whereby the efiSciency of the traveling work of the combine-harvester can be even improved.
[0038]
In the above construction, if the roof member is adjustable to a downwardly oriented use posture where the roof member extends from the post forwardly of the vehicle body and oriented downward relative to the horizontal posture, the roof member when set to the downwardly oriented use posture will push up twigs or leaves of trees, thereby preventing entrance of the twigs or leaves to the driver's section. Hence, even at a site of work near trees, the work can be carried out in a comfortable manner, with using the roof member as a guard means for preventing entrance of twigs or leaves into the driver's section.
[0039]
Further and other characterizing features and advantageous effects resulting from such characterizing features will become apparent upon reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[Brief Description of the Drawings] [0040]
[Fig. 1] an overall side view of a first embodiment of the present invention, showing a culm head charging type combine-harvester as an example of the combine-harvester,
[Fig. 2] an overall plan view of the culm head charging type combine-han'ester,
[Fig. 3] a schematic view showing transmission line,
[Fig. 4] a schematic side view showing a portion of a threshing apparatus,
[Fig. 5] a front view showing a winnowing fan,
[Fig. 6] a section view showing a section taken along VI-VI in Fig. 5 and showing sections taken along an axial direction and a radial direction at a fixing connecting portion,
[Fig. 7] a plan view showing a vehicle body frame portion,
[Fig. 8] a section showing VIII-VIU section in Fig. 7,
[Fig. 9] a front view showing a vehicle body frame portion,
[Fig. 10] a perspective view showing an attaching condition of a reinforcing

connecting member,
[Fig. 11] a schematic explanatory view showing a first alternative embodiment of the winnowing fan portioru
[Fig. 12] a left side view of a second embodiment of the present invention, showing a normal type combine-harvester in its entirety,
[Fig. 13] a right side view of the entire combine-harvester,
[Fig. 14] a plan view of the entire combine-harvester,
[Fig. 15] a side view in vertical section of a dust exhausting device,
[Fig. 16] a front view of the dust exhausting device,
[Fig. 17] a fi-ont view showing a dust exhausting hood under its lifted open condition,
[Fig. 18] a front view in vertical section of the dust exhausting de\dce,
[Fig. 19] a perspective view of the dust exhausting device,
[Fig. 20] a section taken along XX-XX section in Fig. 18,
[Fig. 21 ] a plan view of pivoting means,
[Fig. 22] a section taken along XXII-XXn in Fig. 18,
[Fig. 23] a section showing a tubular cover and a dust exhausting fan,
[Fig. 24] a left side view of a third embodiment of the present invention, showing a normal type combine-harvester in its entirety,
[Fig. 25] an overall right side view of the normal type combme-harvester,
[Fig. 26] an overall plan view of the normal type combine-harvester,
[Fig. 27] a side view showing a driver's section and a periphery of a grain collecting
hopper,
[Fig. 28] a front view showing a periphery of the driver's section,
[Fig. 29] an overall side view of a canopy,
[Fig. 30] an overall plan view of the canopy,
[Fig. 31] a front view in vertical section illustrating a supporting constmction for the
canopy.
[Fig. 32] a plan view illustrating the supporting construction for the canopy,
[Fig. 33] a side view iHusfrating a construction of an inclination angle adjusting mechanism,
[Fig. 34] a front view illustrating the construction of the inclination angle adjusting mechanism,
[Fig. 35] an overall right side view of a normal type combine-harvester according to a first alternative embodiment of a third embodiment,
[Fig. 36] a front view illustrating the supporting constmction for the canopy

according to the first alternative embodiment of the third embodiment,
[Fig. 37] an overall right side view of a normal type combine-han'ester according to a second alternative embodiment of the third embodiment,
[Fig. 38] an ovsrall plan view of a normal type combine-harvester according to the second alternative embodiment of the third embodiment
[Fig. 39] a firont view of a driver's section with the canopy in the second alternative embodiment of the third embodiment being switched over to a working position,
[Fig. 40] a fi-ont view of the driver's section with the canopy in the second alternative embodiment of the third embodiment being switched over to a retracted position,
[Fig. 41] a fi-ont view of the driver' s section with the canopy in the second alternative embodiment of the third embodiment being switched over to a storing position,
[Fig. 42] a side view showing the supporting construction for the canopy according to the second alternative embodiment of the third embodiment,
[Fig. 43] a fi-ont view showing the supporting construction for the canopy according to the second alternative embodiment of the third embodiment,
[Fig. 44] a plan view showing the canopy supporting construction with the canopy according to the second alternative embodiment of the third embodknent being switched over to a working position, and
[Fig. 45] a plan view showing the canopy supporting construction with the canopy according to the second alternative embodiment of the third embodiment being switched over to a storing position.
[Best Mode of Embodying the Invention] [0041]
Next, respective embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the following discussion, unless explicitly indicated otherwise, the direction along which the traveUng body of the combine-harvester travels forward or rearward will be referred to as the fore-and-aft direction and the direction normal thereto will be referred to as the right/left direction. And, the direction normal to the fore-and-aft direction and the right/left direction will be referred to as the vertical direction, respectively.
[0042] [First Embodiment]
First, v>ath reference to Figs. 1 -11, a first embodiment wiU be described. In this embodiment, there is shown a culm head charging type combine-harvester configured such that only culm heads of harvested cukns are charged to a threshing apparatus

for threshing operation. However, as the sorting/collection section is often substantially common, the present invention may be apphed to a normal t>pe combine-han,'ester or a whole culm charging type combine-harvester (as for the normal type combine-harvester, see also second and third embodiments). [0043] [General Construction of Combine-Harvester]
First, the general construction of this combine-harvester will be described.
Fig. 1 shows an overall side \dew of the culm head charging type combine-harvester and Fig. 2 shows its overall plan view. This combine-harvester includes a vehicle body frame 1 provided in the form of a frame made of e.g. angular pipe members, and a pair of right and left crawler travehng devices 2 disposed downwardly of the vehicle body fi^me 1. To the front side and left front side of the vehicle body frame 1, there is provided a harvesting/conveying device or harvesting section 3 connected thereto to be pivotable up/down relative thereto. On a left rear portion of the vehicle body fimne 1, there is mounted a threshing device 4 and at a right rear portion of the vehicle body fi^me 1, there is mounted a grain reserving device 5. Further, an engine section 7 is provided at a right front portion of the vehicle body frame 1 and a driver's section 8 is provided upwardly of the engine section 7.
[0044] [Construction of Transmission Lines of Respective Devices]
The transmission lines for the crawler type traveling devices, 2 and for the respective devices mounted on the vehicle body fi^me 1 are constructed as follow.
As shown in Fig. 3, an engine 70 is provided in the engine section 7 mounted on the vehicle body frame 1, with an axis of an ou^jut shaft 70a of the engine 70 being oriented along the right/left direction. Power transmission from the engine 70 to the right and left respective crawler type traveling devices 2 is effected via a traveling transmission line extending from a left end of an output shaft 70a of the engine 70 to drive shafts 2B of the right and left respective crawler type traveling devices 2
The traveling transmission line comprises e.g. a belt type fransmission device 15, a hydrostatic transmission (HST) 16 as a main speed changing device, a gear type speed changing device (not shown) incorporated as an auxihary speed changing device in a transmission case 17, etc. [0045]
Each one of the right and left crawler tjpe travehng devices 2 is capable of effecting a stepless speed changing operation and a pivotal fore-and-aft switching operation by the HST 16, in response to a fore-and-aft pivotal operation of a speed changing lever 80 mounted in the driver's section 8. Further, by right/left pivotal operations of a steering operational lever 81

mounted in the driver's section 8, a switchover between a straight traveling condition, a right/left slow turning condition and a right/left sharp turning condition by the gear tj'pe speed changing device in the transmission case 17 is made possible. [0046]
With the harvesting section 3 in operation, with transmission thereto of the speed-changed power from the HST 16 via a one-way clutch 16a, a belt tension type harvesting clutch 30, etc., a plurahty of raisers 31, a chpper type harvesting de\dce 32, a culm conveying de\dce 33, etc. are driven; and in association with traveling of the vehicle body, a plurality of grass dividers 34 mounted to the front end of the vehicle body divide coUapsed planted culms and each raiser 31 raises the divided planted culms, the harvesting device 32 cuts the roots of the raised planted culms and the cuhn conveying device 33 switches the posture of the harvested culms from the erect posture to horizontally collapsed posture and the conveys them toward the threshing device 4 disposed rearwardly. Further, in response to a front'rear pivotal operation of the steering operational lever 81, a lift cyUnder 35 is operated to lift up/down the harvesting section 3.
If it is desired to change the harvesting speed by the harvesting section 3, not only by the stepless speed changing by the HST 16, but also greatiy depending on e.g. the condition of the field, the collapsed condition of the cukns, high/low speed changing operations, by a harvesting speed changing mechanism 36 comprised of a dedicated gear speed changing mechanism housed in the transmission case 17, is possible by shifting operation of a shift gear. [0047]
The threshing device 4 has a well-known construction wherein a threshing drum 42, etc. is driven by the power from the engine 70 transmitted via a transmission belt 71, and a belt-tension type threshing clutch 18; and wherein spearheads of tiie culms conveyed by a feed chain 41 to be described later, with the roots of the culms being clamped by the feed chain 41. And, grains obtained by sorting are conveyed and fed by e.g. a primary grain collecting screw 46 to a grain tank 51 of the grain reserving device 5. [0048]
The feed chain 41 is configured such that the power from the engine 70 is transmitted thereto via a transmission line branched by a transmission belt 72 from tiie transmission line to the threshing device 4, and via a tension-clutch type feed chain clutch 19. And, by operating the feed chain clutch 19 as desired, the feed chain 41 can be driven with an offset of timing relative to the start or end of driving of the threshing device 4. [0049]
The grain reserving device 5 includes the grain tank 51 and a grain discharging auger 52 and the power of the engine 70 is transmitted to this grain discharging auger 52. That is, a

transmission belt 54 is entrained under tension from a portion of the output shaft 70a of the engine 70 which portion projects from the right lateral side to the outer side of the vehicle body to an input section 53 of the grain reserving device 5, and a belt tension type grain discharging clutch 50 is provided for engaging/disengaging the power transmission by thiF. transmission belt 54. [0050]
The grain tank 51 can be pivotally displaced about a vertical axis (y) provided at a rear portion thereof, between a working position where the entire tank 51 is located rearwardly of the engine 70 and a maintenance position where the front side of the tank 51 projects to the right outer side of the vehicle body I and opens up the rear portion of the engine 70. And. the grain tank 51 can be maintained in position at the working position or the maintenance position by an unillustrated lock mechanism.
The input section 53 for a screw conveyer 55 provided at the bottom of the grain tank 51 pivotally displaceable as described above and the grain discharging auger 52, includes an engaging/disengaging construction for allowing the pivotal movement of the grain tank 51 about the vertical axis (y). [0051]
That is to say, as shown in Fig. 3, an input pulley 56 about which the transmission belt 54 is entrained and a transmission shaft 57 splined to the input pulley 56 to be rotatable therewith and slidable relative thereto is supported to a bearing bracket 10b provided in the vehicle body 1.
hi operation, the power transmitted to the transmission shaft 57 is transmitted to an input transmission shaft 58 having an axial end engageable to and disengageable from this transmission shaft 57 and this power is transmitted to the screw conveyer 55 and the grain discharging auger 52 via a bevel gear 58a of this input transmission shaft 58 and a bevel gear 55a mounted at an axial end of the screw conveyer 55.
The input transmission shaft 58 is supported to the grain tank 51 and includes an intrusive engaging portion 58b which can be inserted to or withdrawn from the transmission shaft 57. Hence, as the rotational power from the transmission shaft 57 can be transmitted and at the same time insertion and withdrawal along the axial direction is made possible, thus allowing engagement/disengagement in association wdth the pivotal movement of the grain tank 51 about the vertical axis (y).
A numeral 59 in the drawing denotes a press spring for pressing/urging the transmission shaft 57 against the input transmission shaft 58.
[0052] [Construction of Threshing Section]

As shown in Fig. 4, the threshing device 4 includes the feed chain 41 disposed on the left outer side of a threshing chamber case 40, a threshing drum 42 disposed inside and at an upper section of the threshing chamber case 40, and a sorting/collecting section 4A disposed at a lower section of the same.
hiside the threshing chamber case 40, the threshing drum 42 is supported to be rotatable about an a?ds (al) oriented along the fore-and-aft direction and a receiving mesh 43 is mounted to cover the lower side of the threshing drum 42 vAth a downward spacing relative thereto. [0053]
hi the sorting/collecting section 4A, upwardly of a pivotal sorting frame 44 formed rectangular in its plan Ndew, a rough sorting grain pan 44a, a rough sorting first chaff sieve 44b, a rough sorting first straw rack 44c, a rough sorting second chaff sieve 44d and a rough sorting second straw rack 44e are provided; and downwardly of the pivotal sorting fiume 44, there are provided a fine sorting grain pan 44f and a fine sorting grain sieve 44g.
The pivotal sorting frame 44 has its front end portion supported to the threshing chamber case 40 via a pair of right and left pivot arms. A rear end portion of the pivotal sorting frame 44 is supported to the threshing chamber case 40 via an eccentric cam type drive mechanism 45. [0054]
Downwardly of the fine sorting grain pan 44f, there is mounted a primary collecting screw 46 for sending collected and separated grains toward the grain tank 7. Downwardly of the terminal end of the rough sorting second chaff sieve 44d, there is mounted a secondary collecting screw 47 for conveying collected secondary products toward a secondary processing passage (not shown). To the primary collecting screw 46 and the secondary collecting screw 47, like the drive mechanism 45, the power transmitted to the winnowing fan 6 is transmitted via beh transmission type transmission mechanisms 73,74. [0055]
Forwardly of the pivotal sorting frame 44 relative to the vehicle body, there is provided the winnowing fan 6 for feeding sorting airflow for wind-sorting operation in the sorting/collecting section 4A. This winnowing fan 6 is supported to a winnowing fan case 6A provided at a front lower portion of the threshing chamber case 40 to be rotatably driven about a right/left axis (a2). [0056]
Cut straws or the like which were not sieved down in the above-described sorting/collecting section 4A are discharged to the outside of the vehicle body through a dust discharging opening 49 formed rearwardly of the pivotal sorting frame 44. The cut straws or

the Hke which were blown to the upper and rear side of the pivotal sorting fi-ame 44 are discharged to the outside of the vehicle body by the fimction of a dust discharging fan 48 disposed rearwardly and upwardly of the pivotal sorting frame 44. Though not shown, to this dust discharging fan 48, like the drive mechanism 45, the power transmitted to the winnowing fan 6 is transmitted via the belt transmission type transmission mechanisms 73, 74. [0057]
As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, at a rear portion of the threshing device 4, there is mounted a waste straw treating device 76 which can be switched over between a long straw discharging state for directly discharging waste straws conveyed by a waste straw conveying device 75 to the outside of the vehicle body and a mincing discharging state for mincing them and then discharging them to the outside of the vehicle body. To this waste straw treating device 76, like the drive mechanism 45, the power transmitted to the winnowing fan 6 is ti-ansmitted via the belt ti-ansmission type transmission mechanisms 73, 74.
[0058] [Construction of Winnowing Fan]
Next, the construction of the winnowing fan 6 will be described in details.
To this winnowing fan 6, the power from the engine 70 is transmitted via the threshing clutch 18 and the belt transmission type transmission mechanism 72. The power transmitted to the winnowing fan 6 is then transmitted to the drive mechanism 45 via the belt transmission type transmission mechanisms 73, 74 each disposed on a left side of the threshing device 4. With this power, the drive mechanism 45 drives and pivots the pivotal sorting fiame 44 along the fore-and-aft direction. With this pivotal drive, the pivotal sorting frame 44 effects a sifting sorting treatment on the threshed products. [0059]
The winnowing fan 6, as shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, includes an input pulley 60A mounted on an end of the rotational shaft 60 (the end on the center side of the vehicle body) receiving the power from the engine 70, and an output pulley 60B mounted on the other end of the rotational shaft 60 (the left side end of the vehicle body). The belt type transmission mechanism 72 is disposed under tension so as to ti-ansmit the power from the engine 70 side to the input pulley 60A. Further, on the output pulley 60B, as shown in Fig. 3, there are mounted the transmission belt type transmission mechanisms 73, 74 for power transmission to the primary collecting screw 46, the secondary collecting screw 47 and the drive mechanism 45. [0060]
Further, the waste straw treating device 76 and the feed chain 41 are operably connected to the drive mechanism 45 so that the transmission belt type transmission mechanisms 73, 74 mounted under tension on the output pulley 60B may receive the drive

force applied to the waste straw treating device 76 and the feed chain 41, which waste straw treating device 76 can be switched over between the long straw discharging state for directly discharging waste straws to the outside of the vehicle body and lie mincing discharging state for mincing them and then discharging them to the outside of the vehicle body. [0061]
To the rotational shaft 60 to which the power is transmitted in the manner described above, blades 61 of the winnoviong fan 6 are mounted \ia a blade supporting mechanism 62 as will be described next
As shown in Fig. 6 (a), (b) and (c), at the axial center of the rotational shaft 60, there is mounted a fixing connecting member 63 in the form of a short tube to be engaged with the rotational shaft 60 in a gapless manner, with the axial displacement and relative rotation thereof being prevented by means of fastening bolts 64. On the opposed sides across this short tubular fixing connecting member 63, there are disposed tubular engaging members 65, each having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the rotational shaft 60. The tubular engaging members 65 are fixedly welded to tiie opposed ends of the fixing connecting member 63, each with a small gap (s) relative to the outer peripheral face of the rotational shaft 60.
To an end of the tubular engaging member 65 remote fi"om the side connected to the fixing connecting member 63, there is integrally welded an arm 66 in the form of a flat plate for connecting this tubular engaging member 65 to the blades 61. As shown in Fig. 6 (a), this arm 66 is formed like a cross in the side view thereof and the tubular engaging member 65 is inserted at its center portion, and the portions of the flat plate member to be connected to the blades 61 are partially bent along the direction normal to the flat-plate portion thereof And, tbis bent portion 66a is detachably bolt-connected to the back face of the blade 61 in abutment therewith. [0062]
That is to say, the blade supporting mechanism 62 comprises a combination of the fixing connecting member 63, the tubular engaging member 65 and the arm 66. The tubular engaging member 65 and the fixing connecting member 63 together constitute a connecting portion A for rotational power transmission, whereas the tubular engaging member 65 and the arm 66 together constitute a supporting portion B for maintaining tiie posture of the blade 61 with the tubular engaging member 65 and the arm 66.
Further, the small gap (s) formed between the outer peripheral face of the rotational shaft 60 and the inner peripheral face of the tubular engaging member 65 having an inner diameter sHghtly larger than the outer diameter of the rotational shaft 60 constitutes a "gap (s)" which allows relative displacement between the rotational shaft 60 and the tubular engaging

member 65 due to contortion or twisting of the rotational shaft 60. [0063]
The fidng connecting member 63 can be connected/disconnected to/from the rotational shaft 60, by- being sHd along the axial direction of the rotational shaft 60, with the fastening bolts 64 being loosened. But, the fixing connecting member 63 is engaged with the rotational shaft 60 in a relatively gapless manner in the radial direction, so that the blades 61 can be arranged in axial sjinmetry about the axis of the rotational shaft 60. [0064]
The fixing connecting member 63 has a certain length in the axial direction of the rotational shaft 60. As shown in Fig. 5 and Figs. 6 (b) and (c), the fastening bolts 64 for fixing the member 63 in position are provided at two positions shghtly spaced apart from each other in the axial and peripheral directions of the fixing connecting member 63. However, in Fig. 5 and Figs. 6 (b) and (c), for the purpose of convenience of illustration, the fastening bolts 64 are shown at the two positions (Fig. 6 (b)) spaced apart in the peripheral direction and at two positions (Fig. 6 (c)) spaced apart in the axial direction.
In this way, this fixing connecting member 63 per se has a certain length in the axial direction and the two fastening bolts 64 are disposed with a certain spacing therebetween. Therefore, if contortion or twisting occurs in the rotational shaft 60, it cannot be said that there is no possibiUty of occurrence of very small contortion or twisting, strictly speaking. However, the amount of such contortion or twisting occurring within the range of this length or the spacing is not an amount which is detected as a distortion that strongly affects the strength of the blade supporting mechanism 62, hence being negUgible.
Therefore, in the present invention, even if there exists a certain axial length or inter-bolt spacing, if the amount thereof is negligible as above, such length or spacing is defined herein as "one position" in the axial direction as the portion to be connected to the rotational shaft 60. [0065] [Construction of Vehicle Body Frame]
As shown in Figs. 7-10, the vehicle body fimne 1 includes a pair of right and left main frames 10, 10 formed hke angular pipes elongated in tiie fore-and-aft direction, a number of transverse frames 11 disposed to intersect the main fi-ames 10, 10 in the right/left direction, and a pair of side fi-ames 12 disposed on the outer sides of the vehicle body relative to the transverse frames 11, 11, with these fimnes together forming a grating fimne. Further, between the right and left main frames 10, ]0, there are connected and supported a pair of front and rear arch-like fi-ames 13,13. [0066]

At front ends of the right and left main frames 10, 10, there are provided attaching bosses 10a for attaching shafts for link members (not shown) for lifting up/down the track fi^me 2A of each right/left crawler type traveling device 2. Between each attaching boss^lOa and the arch-Hke frame 13, there is provided a reinforcing connecting member 14 for integrally connecting each of the main frames 10, 10 with the portion where the attaching boss 10a and the arch-like frame 13 are present
[0067] [First Alternative Embodiment of First Embodiment]
As shown in Fig. 11, the blade supporting mechanism 62 used in the winnowing fan 6 relating to the present invention is not limited to the one shown in the best mode of embodiment, wherein the blade supporting mechanism 62 is provided only at one position in the axial direction of the rotational shaft 60. Alternatively, the blade 61 can be divided into a plurality of parts in the axial direction of the rotational shaft 60. With the blade supporting mechanisms 62 corresponding to the number of the parts of the blades 61, each blade 61 part can be supported by each individual blade supporting mechanism 62.
[0068] [Second Alternative Embodiment of First Embodiment]
In the best mode of embodiment, there has been shown an example wherein the fixing connecting member 63 and the tubular engaging member 65 are provided as separate members and these members are integrated with each other by welding. The invention is not limited thereto. Instead, these members can be engaging components, so that the members are engaged and bolt-connected with each other. Or, the fixing connecting member 63 and the tubular engaging member 65 can be configured to be engaged with each other via abutment of terminal ends thereof for rotational power transmissioa And, to the inner peripheral side of the tubular engaging member 65, a soft material capable of elastic deformation to a certain degree is provided; and between the outer peripheral face of the rotational shaft 60 and the inner peripheral face of the tubular engaging member 65, there is provided a portion capable of relative deformation, which portion corresponds to the gap (s).
[0069] [Third Alternative Embodiment of First Embodiment]
Instead of forming the fixing connecting member 63 and the tubular engaging member 65 as separate members, the fixing connecting member 63 and the tubular engaging member 65 can be formed of an integral component having dififerent inner diameters.
[0070] [Fourth Alternative Embodiment of First Embodiment]
The inner diameter of the fixing connecting member 63 and the inner diameter of the

tubular engaging member 65 can be same, whereas the outer diameter of tiie rotational shaft 60 can be made different at the positions thereof corresponding respectively to the fixing connecting member 63 and the tubular engaging member 65, thereby to form a gap (s) between the inner peripheral face of the tubular engaging member 65 and the outer peripheral face of the rotational shaft 60.
[0071] pFifth Alternative Embodiment of First Embodiment]
The rotational shat 60 of the winnowing fan 6 is not limited to the one mounting the input pulley 60A and the output pulley 60B on the opposed ends thereof in distribution. Instead, the rotational shaft 60 can mount the input pulley 60A and the output pulley 60B on one end thereof Or, the shaft 60 can include only the input pulley 60A, not including the output pulley 60B.
[0072] [Second Embodiment]
Next, with reference to Figs. 12-23, there will be described a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0073]
Fig. 12 is a left side view of a normal type combine-harvester having a dust exhausting device 130 relating to this embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 13 is a right side view showing the entire combine-harvester having the dust exhausting device 130 relating to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 14 is a plan view showing the entire combine-harvester mounting the dust exhausting device 130 relating to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in these fugires, the combine-harvester includes a vehicle body which is self-propelled by means of a pair of right and left crawler type ti^vehng devices 101, 101 and which includes a driver's section 102 having a driver's seat 102a and a sunshade canopy 102b; a threshing apparatus 104 provided on the rear side of a vehicle body frame 103 of this traveling vehicle body; a grain bag charging section 110 provided on a lateral side of this threshing apparatus 104 and mounting a bag charging tank 111; and a harvesting section 120 having a feeder 121 connected to the front portion of the threshing apparatus 104.
[0074]
This combine-harvester effects a harvesting operation of rice, wheat, etc.. That is to say, the harvesting section 120 includes, in addition to the feeder 121, a harvesting frame 122 connected to the front end of the feeder 121, dividers 123 provided on the opposed lateral sides of the front end of the feeder 121, a chpper type harvesting device 124 drivingly attached to the front end portion of a platform portion 122a, an auger 125 provided to the harvesting frame 122 to be rotatably driven adjacent behind the harvesting device 124 and

on the upper face side of the platform portion 122a, and a rotary reel 127 supported to a pair of right and left supporting arms 126, 126 extending fonvardly from the upper portion of the base end side of the han^esting frame 122 to be rotatably driven.
[0075]
As the feeder 121 is pivoted by a hydraulic cylinder 128 up/down relative to the threshing apparatus 104 about a hft axis P oriented along the transverse direction of the vehicle body, the harvesting section 120 is selectively lifted up/down between a lowered working state wherein the platform portion 122a of the harvesting frame 122 is lowered to the \ncimty of the ground surface and a frfted non-working state wherein the harvesting frame 122 is Hfted high above the ground surface. When the traveling vehicle body is caused to travel with the harvesting section 120 being set to the lowered working state, the harvesting section 120 effects a harvesting operation of planted cukns and feeding of harvested cukns to the threshing apparatus 104.
[0076]
More particularly, the planted cukns are divided into culms to be harvested and cukns not to be harvested, by the pair of right and left dividers 123, 123, then, the culms to be harvested are raked into the harvesting device 124 by the rotary reel 127 to be harvested or cut by this harvesting device 124. Then, the harvested culms are fed in transverse by spiral plates 125a disposed on opposed end sides of the auger 125 to the front of the feeder 121 along the platform portion 122a. And, the harvested culms arrived at the front of the feeder 121 are sent into an inlet 121a (see Fig. 15) of the feeder 121 disposed rearwardly of the auger 125, by a raking action of a conveying arm 125a provided at an intermediate portion of the auger 125 to be rotatable therewith. The harvested cukns sent into the feeder 121 are conveyed to behind the feeder 121 by a conveying passage 121d disposed inside the feeder 121 and a conveyer 129. Then, the harvested cukns arrived at the rear end of the feeder 121, m thek entirety from the roots to the spearheads thereof, are charged kito a threshing chamber (not shown) of the threshkig apparatus 104 by the raking action of the conveyer 129.
[0077]
The threshkig apparatus 104 effects threshing operation on the harvested culms charged into the threshing chamber by the threshing drum 104a being rotated.
[0078]
As shown in Fig. 13, the grain bag chargmg section 110 kicludes, in addition to the bag charging tank 111, a bag supportmg portion configured such that an upper end portion of a grain bag mounted on a discharging tube 112 disposed at the lower portion of this bag charging tank 111 is supported by a bag supporting rod 113 and the lower end portion of this grain bag is supported by a bag receiving deck 114.

[0079]
The bag charging tank 111 is configured such that threshed grains fi-om the sorting collecting section (not shown) of the threshing apparatus 104 are fed by an elevating device
115 (see Fig. 14) are fed to the tank 111 to be reserved therein and the tank 111 discharges the
reserved threshed grains into a grain bag fi-om the discharging tube 112.
[0080]
As shown in Fig. 13 and Fig. 14, the grain bag charging section 110 includes a pair of front and rear work assisting tools 116, 116. Each work assisting tool 116 is supported to be pivotally switchable between a lowered use posture shown by sohd lines in Figs. 13 and 14 wherein the tool 116 projects from the bag supporting portion to the lateral outer side of the vehicle body and a raised retracted posture shown by two-dot line in Fig. 13 wherein the tool
116 is positioned upwardly of the bag charging tank 111. When each work assisting tool 116
is switched over to the lowered use posture, the tool 116 is located at a height of 1.0 to 1.1 m
from the top face of the bag receiving deck 114, so that a worker mounted on the grain bag
charging section 110 for a bag charging operation can use this tool 116 as a waist supporting
member.
[0081]
As shown in Fig. 12 and Fig. 14, the harvesting section 120 includes the dust exhausting device 13 0 mounting the dust exhausting hood 131 provided in the feeder 121.
[0082]
Fig. 15 is a side view in vertical section showing the dust exhausting device 130. Fig. 16 is a front view of the dust exhausting device 130. Fig. 18 is a front view in vertical section of the dust exhausting device 130. Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the dust exhai^ting device 130. As shown in these figures, the dust exhatisting device 130 includes, in addition to the dust exhausting hood 131, a dust exhausting fan 140 disposed inside of this dust exhausting hood 131 on one end side in the transverse direction of traveling vehicle body, and an electric motor 141 mounted upwardly of the dust exhausting fan 140.
[0083]
The dust exhatisting hood 131 includes a lower wall portion 131a, an upper wall portion 131b, and a lateral wall portion 131c extending along the entire peripheries of tiie lower wall portion 131a and the upper wall portion 131b. This dust exhausting hood 131 further includes a blower guide 132 connected to and between one-end portions of the lower wall portion 131a and the lateral wall portion 131c. The dust exhausting hood 131 defines a dust introducing opening 133 oriented by the blower guide 132 toward a top plate 121b of the feeder 121, and a dust exhausting opening 134 oriented toward the ground by a tubular member connected to the other end of the lower waU portion 131a. The dust exhausting hood 131

further defines therein a dust exhausting passage 135 communicating the dust introducing opening 133 and the dust exhausting opening 134.
[0084]
The dust introducing opening 133 of the dust exhausting hood 131 is opf^n into a conveying passage 121d formed inside the feeder 121, via a communication opening 150 provided in the top plate 121b of the feeder 121. The communicating opening 150 of the feeder 121 is comprised of through holes provided in the top plate 121b and a plate metal member 152 (see Fig. 19) provided on the side of the upper face of this top plate 121b.
[0085]
As shown in Fig. 18, the dust exhausting fan 140 is disposed at the dust introducing opening 133. This dust exhausting fan 140 is rotatably supported via a rotational shaft 161 to a tabular cover 160 supported to the upper wall portion 131b of the dust exhausting hood 131 and is operably coupled via the rotational shaft 161 to an output shaft 141a of the electric motor 141.
[0086]
That is to say, vsith the dust exhausting device 130 in operation, in response to an ON operation on a switch 144 (see Fig. 14) disposed at a lateral end of the front end side of the feeder 121 to be operable from the driver's section 102, the electric motor 141 is driven and by this electric motor 141, the dust exhausting fan 140 is rotatably driven, so that dust introduced through the inlet 121a into the conveying passage 12Id of the feeder 121 or dust generated within the conveying passage 121 d is drawn in or exhausted by the dust exhausting fan 140 and the dust exhausting hood 131.
[0087]
More particularly, the suction force of the dust exhausting fan 140 is caused to a£Fect, through the communicating opening 150, the conveying passage 12Id of the feeder 121, thereby to draw the dust in this conveying passage 121d toward the one end side of the dust exhausting food 131 through the communicating opening 150 of the feeder 121 and the dust introducing opening 133 of the dust exhausting hood 131; and the dust introduced into the dust exhausting hood 131 is caused to flow, by the air flow from the dust exhausting fan 140, along the dust exhausting passage 135 toward the dust exhausting opening 134, to be exhausted eventually from this dust exhausting opening 134 downwardly of the vehicle body. In the course of this, scattering of the dust is prevented by a rubber-made, dust-preventive cover 136 suspended from the dust exhausting opening 134.
[0088]
As shown in Fig. 18 and Fig. 23, the dust exhausting fan 140 includes a boss portion 143 having a cylindrical portion 143a formed of resin and a disc portion 143b formed

continuous with and inside this cylindrical portion 143a, and a plurality of blades 142 formed of resin and connected radially and formed integrally with the cylindrical portion 143 a on the outer peripheral side of the cylindrical portion 143a.
[0089]
As shown in Fig. 18, Fig. 19 and Fig. 23, the electric motor 141 is fitted into a motor attaching hole 138 provided in the upper wall portion 131b of the dust exhausting hood 131, thus being supported to the upper wall portion 131b. More particularly, the electric motor 141 includes a motor body 141b fitted within the motor attaching hole 138 and attaching portions 141c provided at three positions in the periphery of the motor body 141b on the outer side of the upper wall portion 131b, so that the motor 141 is connected at each attaching portion 141c to the upper wall portion 131b.
[0090]
As shown in Fig. 18 and Fig. 23, the upper end side of the rotational shaft 161 is connected, via a connecting member 162, to the output shaft 141a of the electric motor 141 to be rotatable therewith, and the lower end side of the rotational shaft 161 is connected, via a connecting member 163, to a disc portion 143b of the dust exhausting fan 140 to be rotatable therewith.
That is to say, the rotational shaft 161 operably couples the dust exhausting fan 140 and the electric motor 141, with spacing the dust exhausting fan 140 and the motor body 141b apart fi-om each other and the electric motor 141 is positioned adjacent the outside of the dust exhausting passage 135.
[0091]
As shown in Fig. 23, the tubular cover 160 includes a cover body 160a accommodating therein the rotational shaft 161 and a sealing tubular portion 160b extending downwardly from a bottom plate portion 164 of this cover body 160a, with this extending side extending into the periphery of the rotational shaft 161 accommodated inside the cylindrical portion 143a of the boss portion 143 of the dust exhausting fan 140. The cover body 160a includes a tubular shaft supporting portion 165 supporting the rotational shaft 161 via a pair of upper and lower bearings, with this shaft supporting portion 165 being coimected via a connecting plate 166 and the bottom plate portion 164 to the inner face side of the cover body 160a, so that this cover body 160a acts as a member for supporting the rotational shaft 161.
[0092]
More particularly, the tubular cover 160 is configured such that adhesive entanglement of dust to the cover body 160a is prevented by the size of the outer diameter D2 of the cover body 160a and at the same time, the cover body 160a covers the rotational shaft 161, thereby to prevent adhesive entanglement of dust to the rotational shaft 161. Further, the

sealing tubular portion 160b of the tubular cover 160 provides a sealing effect between the cover body 160a and the boss portion 143. As a result, even when dust has entered the. gap between the cover body 160a and the cylindrical portion 143 a of the boss portion 143, this dust is prevented froiri-reaching the rotational shaft 161.
[0093]
As shown in Fig. 18, the dust exhausting hood 131 is supported to the top plate 121b of the feeder 121 via pivoting means 151 provided at the lateral end opposite to the side where the dust exhausting opening 134 is located, so that the hood 131 is pivoted up/down relative to the feeder 121 about a dust exhausting hood opening/closing axis (X) oriented along the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body and provided in the pivoting means 151. . [0094]
Fig. 16 and Fig. 18 show the lowered closed state of the dust exhausting hood 131. As shown in these fiigires, as the dust exhausting hood 131 is lowered about the dust exhausting hood opening/closing axis (X), the sealing member 137 attached to the lower end of the blower guide 132 comes into contact with the plate metaJ member 152, thus realizing the closed state. With tiiis, communication is established between the dust introducing opening 133 of the dust exhausting hood 131 and the conveying passage 12Id of the feeder 121. In this, between the feeder 121 and the dust exhausting hood 131, the sealing member 137 provides the sealing around the dust introducing opening 133. Further, by activating locking means 170 (see Fig. 22) provided between and across the dust exhausting hood 131 and the top plate 121b of the feeder 121, the dust exhausting hood 131 can be fixed under the lowered closed state.
[0095]
Fig. 17 is a fi"ont view showing the dust exhausting hood 131 under a hfted opened state. As shown in this figure, when the dust exhausting hood 131 is hfted up about the dust exhausting hood opening/closing axis (X), the blower guide 132 is lifted up off the top plate 121b of the feeder 121 to be opened. With this, the dust exhausting fan 140 is lifted up as following the dust exhausting hood 131, thereby opening up tiie dust inti-oducing opening 133 for facihtating checking and cleaning. In this, a supporting rod 157 supported to the upper face side of the feeder 121 by a support bracket 156 formed by the plate metal member 152 is pivotally lifted up and a free end of this supporting rod 157 is fitted in an engaging hole 158 (see Fig. 19) provided in the dust exhausting hood 131, whereby the supporting rod 157 functions as a strut to support the dust exhausting hood 131 to maintain this hood 131 under the lifted opened state.
[0096]
Fig. 21 is a plan view of the pivoting means 151. As shown in this figure and in Figs.

18 and 19, the pivoting means 151 comprises a pivot bracket 153 formed by a part of the plate metal member 152, and a pair of front and rear connecting pins 155, 155 provided on the dust exhausting hood 131 so as to be rotatably engaged within a pair of front and rear pin holders 154, 54 provided in this pivot bracket 153.
[0097]
Fig. 22 shows the locking means 170 in its side view. As shown in this figure and Fig. 18, the locking means 170 are provided on the front and rear sides of the dust exhausting hood 131. Each locking means 170 is configured to fix the dust exhausting hood 131 under the lowered closed state as a locking bolt 176 is fitted between and across the dust exhausting hood 131 and a fixing piece 175 provided in the top plate 121b of the feeder 121. This locking means 170 is configured also to release the closed state of the dust exhausting hood 131 when the locking bolt 176 is removed from the fixing piece 175.
[0098]
As shown in Fig. 12, Fig. 14 and Fig. 15, the dust exhausting device 130 includes a rubber made cover 180 which extends from the dust exhausting hood 131 toward the upper portion of the harvesting frame 122. This cover 180 covers the upper side of the portion where the supporting rod 157 and the front side locking means 170 are located, so as to prevent intrusion of dust to this portion.
[0099] [Further Embodiment of Second Embodiment]
In place of the dust exhausting device 130 in the above-described embodiment, the present invention can be applied also to a dust exhausting device adopting a construction wherein a communication opening is provided in the lateral plate 121c of the feeder 121 and through this communication opening, communication is established between the dust introducing opening 133 of the dust exhausting hood 131 and the conveying passage 12Id of the feeder 121. In this case, the electric motor 141 is supported to the lateral wall portion of the dust exhausting hood 131. Therefore, the upper wall portion 131b and the lateral wall portion are generically referred to as "wall portion 131b" disposed in opposition to the dust infroducing opening 133.
[0100]
In place of the tubular cover 160 used in the foregoing embodiment, the present invention may be embodied with adopting a tubular cover having an outer diameter same as the outer diameter of the boss portion 143 of the dust exhausting fan 140. In this case too, the object of the present invention can be achieved.
[0101] [Third Embodiment]

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 24 through 45.
[0102] [General Construction of Normal Type Combine-Harvester]
With reference to Figs. 24 through 26, the general construction of the normal type combine-harvester haviag a canopy 210 relating to the present invention will be described. Fig. 24 is an overall left side view of the normal type combine-harvester. Fig. 25 is a overall right side view of the normal type combine-harvester. Fig. 26 is an overall plan view of the normal type combine-harvester. [0103]
As shown in Figs. 24 through 26, on top of a vehicle body 202 having a pair of right and left crawler traveling devices 201, there are mounted such devices as an axial flow type threshing apparatus 203 (corresponding to the "threshing section"), a grain collecting hopper 204 (corresponding to the "grain collecting section"), a driver's section 205, etc.. The driver's section 205 is disposed on the right side of the front portion of the vehicle body 202 and the grain collecting hopper 204 is disposed at a rear portion of the vehicle body 202 and rearwardly of the driver's section 205. At a rear portion of the vehicle body 202 and on the left side of the grain collecting hopper 204, the threshing apparatus 203 is disposed in right/left juxtaposition with the grain collecting hopper 204. [0104]
To the front portion of the threshing apparatus 203, there is cormected a cukn conveying feeder 206 to be vertically pivotable about a pivot (P). To the front end of this feeder 206, there is connected a harvesting section 207 having a harvesting width approximately corresponding to the lateral width of the vehicle body. [0105]
The harvesting section 207 comprises a cUpper type harvesting device 212 disposed between and across a pair of right and left dividing frames 211 and an auger 213 mounted between and across the right and left dividing frames 211. In operation, cukns cut and harvested by the harvesting device 212 are transversely conveyed to the right^eft center by the auger 213 to be fed to the feeder 206. [0106]
The feeder 206 includes a raking-up conveyer 214 having a conveying bar 214b supported and connected to and between right and left chains 214a wound around and mounted under tension, so that the conveyer 214 can convey the culms fed from the auger 213 along the bottom face of the feeder 206 to feed them to the threshing apparatus 203. The grains which have been threshed by the threshing apparatus 203 are suppUed to the grain collecting hopper

204 via a grain conveying mechanism 209 provided between the threshing apparatus 203 and the grain collecting hopper 204.
[0107]
Between the front portion of the vehicle body frame 208 of the vehicle body 202 and the lower portion of the feeder 206, a hydraulic cylinder 215 is disposed. As this hydraulic cyhnder 215 is extended or contracted, the harvesting section 207 and the feeder 206 can be pivotally driven about the pivot (P).
[0108]
At a front upper portion of the harvesting section 207, there is mounted a raking reel 216 for raking planted culms to the rear and lifting them up. To rear end portions of the right and left dividing frames 211, there are pivotally connected right and left support arms 217 which can be vertically pivoted about a pivot (Y). And, to the front portions of the support arms 217, the raking reel 216 is pivotally connected via a support bracket 218.
[0109]
Between the dividing frame 211 and the support frame 217, there is mounted a hydrauhc cyhnder 219. As the supporting arms 217 are pivoted iip/down by this hydraulic cylinder 219, the raking height of the raking reel 216 can be adjusted. Also, as the support bracket 218 is sUdably adjusted along the support aims 217, the raking position can be adjusted in the fore-and-aft direction also.
[0110]
Referring to the grain collecting hopper 204, its upper portion is formed, in its plan view, like an angular tube in the form of a rectangle elongate in the fore-and-aft direction and each of front and rear portions of its lower portion is formed hke an inverted square pyramid with tapered lower portion; and downwardly of these downwardly tapered portions, the front/rear grain outiets 221 are formed. Downwardly of the grain outiets 221, tiiere are mounted sliding type shutter devices. In operation, as grain bags are attached downwardly of the grain outiets 221 and then the shutter devices are operated, grains from the grain collecting hopper 204 can be charged into the bags.
[0111]
To a front portion and a rear portion of the deck face of the vehicle body fi-ame 208, front and rear supporting frames 222, 223 formed like angular pipes are fastened and fixed. And, by these front and rear support frames 222, 223, tiie front portion and the rear portion of the grain collecting hopper 204 are supported. Between the front and rear support frames 222, 223, there is connected a round-pipe like hand grip 224. This hand grip 224 functions as a reinforcing frame.
[0112]

To the right end portion of the vehicle body frame 208, there is pivotally supported an assisting deck 225 which can be changed in its posture between a working posture where the deck 225 projects from the right outer side from the vehicle body frame 208 and a non-working posture where the deck 225 is pivoted upward to be erect and retracted. The assisting deck 225 is configured such that the floor face thereof under the working posture may be substantially level with the floor face of the vehicle body frame 208 and the floor face of the deck under the non-working posture may be substantially perpendicular to the floor face of the vehicle body frame 208.
[0113]
At the end upper portions on the laterally outer side of the vehicle body of the front and rear support frames 222, 223, there are mounted front and rear assisting tools 226. The front and rear assisting tools 226 are individually and pivotally supported to the front and rear support frames 222, 223, with each one of the front and rear assisting tools 226 being switchable in its posture between a use posture where the tool 226 projects to the laterally outer side of the vehicle body and a retracted posture where the tool 226 is erected and retracted to the inner side of the vehicle body. With this, when a worker is to carry out a bag charging operation of grains on the assisting deck 225, the assisting tool 226 is changed to the use posture, so that the worker can carry out the bag charging operation of the grains with stabilizing his/her body by this assisting tool 226.
[0114] [Detailed Constructions of Driver's Section and Grain Collecting Hopper, etc.]
With reference to Figs. 25 through 28, the detailed constructions of the driver's section 205 and the grain collecting hopper 204 and their vicinity will be explained. Fig. 27 is a side view showing the driver's section 205 and periphery of the grain collecting hopper 204. Fig. 28 is a front view showing the periphery of the driver's section 205.
[0115]
As shown in Fig. 25 and Fig. 26, at the front portion of the vehicle body frame 208, tiiere are vertically mounted a driver's section frame 227 and a seat supporting fi^me 228. Upwardly from the front portion and the left side portion of the driver' section frame 227, front and side confrol panels 229, 230 are vertically mounted. And, on the top of the front and side control panels 229, 230, a plurality of confrol levers or the like such as a steering control lever, are mounted.
[0116]
As shown in Fig. 27 and Fig. 28, at an upper portion of the seat supporting frame 228, a driver's seat 231 is mounted to be shdably adjustable in the fore-and-aft direction And, to the upper face of the seat supporting frame 228 located rearwardly of the driver's seat 231, a

fuel tank 232 is fixed, hiside the seat supporting frame 228, there is mounted an engine E acting as a power source for the combine-harvester (see Fig. 25). And, an air intake duct (not shown) connected to this engine E is connected to an air cleaner 233 mounted on the laterally inner side of the fuel tank 23 2.
[0117]
To the air cleaner 233, there is connected a cylindrical intake duct 234 elongate in the vertical direction. To the upper portion of this intake duct 234, a pre-cleaner 235 is connected. The intake duct 234 extends upward along the inner side of the grain collecting hopper 204 and its vertical center portion is fixed to the face of the inner side of the grain collecting hopper 204. With this, ambient air present above the vehicle body and low in dust content is cleaned through the pre-cleaner 235 and the air cleaner 233 to be fed as a combustion air to the engine E.
[0118] [Detailed Construction of Canopy]
With reference to Fig. 26 and Figs. 29-34, there will be described the detailed construction of the canopy 210. Fig. 29 is an overall side view of the canopy 210. Fig. 30 is an overall plan view of the canopy 210. Fig. 31 is a front view in vertical section for illustrating the support construction of the canopy 210. Fig. 32 is a plan view illustrating the support construction of the canopy 210. Fig. 33 is a side view illustrating the construction of an inclmation angle adjusting mechanism 280. Fig. 34 is a front view illusfrating the construction of the inclination angle adjusting mechanism 280.
[0119]
As shown in Fig. 26, Fig. 29 and Fig. 30, the canopy 210 includes a post 240 supported to be pivotable about a vertical axis PI rearwardly of the driver's section 205, and a roof member 270 for covering the driver's section 205 from above. The roof member 270 is connected to an upper portion of the post 240. With this, as the post 240 is pivoted about the vertical axis PI to pivot the roof member 270, the canopy 210 can be changed in its position between a working position (the position shown by the solid line in Fig. 26) where the canopy 210 is located above the driver's section 205 and a retracted position (the position shown by the two-dot line in Fig. 26) where the canopy 210 is located above the grain collecting hopper 204.
[0120]
As shown in Figs. 29 through 32, the post 240 is formed of a round pipe member with its upper portion bent or curved upward on the front side. To the upper end of the post 240, there is fixedly attached a connecting frame 241 formed of an angular pipe elongate in the transverse direction. At within the lower end of the post 240, there is fitted and fixedly attached a spring pressing member 242.

[0121]
At a vertical halfway portion of the post 240, a stopper portion 240a is formed. On the lower side of this stopper portion 240a, an upper positioning fixing hole 240b extends through the post 240 laterally. On the lower side of this upper positioning fixing hole 240b with a predetermined distance therefi-om, a lower positioning fixing hole 240c extends through the post 240 laterally. [0122]
To one end of the connecting fi^me 241, there is fixedly attached an auxiliary post
243 formed of a round pipe and ha^^ng a substantially same shape as the post 240 in the side view. And between and across this auxiliary post 243 and the post 240, a reinforcing fi-ame
244 is fixedly attached. From the connecting fi-ame 241, a pair or right and left support fi^mes 241a extend obliquely forwardly and upwardly and at leading ends of the right and left support fi-ames 241a, there are formed laterally oriented through holes through which a support shaft 278 to be described later extends.
[0123]
As shown in Fig. 31 and Fig. 32, to an upper portion of the fi-ont wall 204A of the grain collecting hopper 204, a bracket 246 having an inverse L-shaped vertical section in its side view is fastened and fixed fi-om its fi-ont side with a plurality of bolts. To this bracket 246, an upper portion of a post supporting member 247 is fixedly attached. The vertical center portion of this post supporting member 247 is fastened and fixed via a bracket 245 to the fi-ont wall 204A of the grain collecting hopper 204.
[0124]
The canopy 210 is fixed via the brackets 245,246, to the fi-ont wall 204 A of the grain collecting hopper 204. Therefore, when the assembled canopy 210 is attached to or detached fi-om the vehicle body, by fastening and fixing the portions of the brackets 245,246 to the fi-ont wall 204A, the canopy 210 can be readily attached to the vehicle body; and by e.g. loosening bolts to remove the brackets 245, 246, the entire canopy 210 can be readily detached from the vehicle body (i.e. the canopy 210 can be attached or detached as a unit).
[0125]
Further, as the attachment of the brackets 245, 246 requires little working to be done on the side of the front wall 204A of the grain collecting hopper 204, the attachment of the canopy 201 is possible without significantly changing the construction on the side of the vehicle body. Consequentiy, the supporting portion of the canopy 210 can be formed compact and also the designing and manufacturing of the canopy 210 can be simple, thus allowing manufacturing cost reduction.
[0126]

The post supporting member 247 is formed of a vertically elongate round pipe member; and has at its upper portion a post fixing hole 247a oriented laterally and at its lower portions a plurality of spring force adjusting holes 247b oriented laterally.
[0127]-
Under the post supporting member 247, a spring supporting member 248 is incorporated. And, this spring supporting member 248 is fixed to the lower portion of the post supporting member 247 by means of an adjusting bolt 249 inserted into one of the plurality of spring force adjusting holes 247b.
[0128]
Inside the post supporting member 247 on the upper side of the spring supporting member 248, an elastic spring 250 is incorporated. This elastic spring 250 comprises a compression spring and the lower portion thereof is supported by the spring supporting member 248 and the upper portion thereof is fitted in the spring pressing member 242 fixed to the lower end of the post 240. In this way, the elastic spring 250, etc. together constitute an assisting mechanism for assisting the change of height of the canopy 210 from the retracted position to the working position.
[0129]
As the plurality of spring force adjustuig holes 247b are formed downwardly of the post supporting member 247, by varying the position of the adjusting bolt 249 for fixing the spring supporting member 248, the length between the spring pressing member 242 and the spring supporting member 248 is varied, thereby to vary the attaching length of the elastic spring 250. As a result, the magnitude of the spring resihence of the elastic spring 250 (i.e. the assisting force for assisting the upward movement of the canopy 210 by the elastic spring 250) can be greater or smaller in steps. Incidentally, instead of the plurahty of spring force adjusting holes 247b, an elongate hole or the like can be formed downwardly of the post supporting member 247, so as to allow stepless increase or decrease of the magnitude of the spring resihence of the elastic spring 250.
[0130]
The post 240 is fitted into the post supporting member 247 from above and attached to the upper portion of the post supporting member 247 by the connecting member 251. With this, the post 240 is supported to the post supporting member 247 to be vertically shdable and also pivotable about the vertical axis P1.
[0131]
To the bracket 246, there is fixedly attached a control tool supporting member 253 in the form of a vertical plate extending forwardly. The control tool supporting member 253 defines a through hole oriented along the right/left direction and in this through hole, a control

tool 254 is inserted. On this control tool 254, a disc-like stopper tool 255 is fitted And, between and across this stopper tool 255 and the control tool supporting member 253, an elastic spring 256 is fitted as engaged on the control tool 254.
[0132]
The elastic spring 256 comprises a compression spring and is configured so as to apply an urging force for urging the control tool 254 toward the post supporting member 247 (toward the left side). With this, if the control tool 254 is pulled against the urging force of the elastic spring 256 to a released position on the right side (the position shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 31), the leading ends of the control tool 254 are drav^Ti out of the respective fixing holes 240b, 240c of the post 240, thereby to allow a pivotal operation and a vertical movement of the post 240. On the other hand, when the pulling operation of the control tool 254 to the right side is stopped, due to the urging force of the elastic spring 256, the control tool 254 is moved to the fixed position (the position shown by the solid line in Fig. 31), and the leading ends of the control tool 254 enter the respective positioning fixing holes 240b, 240c of the post 240, thereby to disable the pivotal operation and the vertical movement of the post 240.
[0133]
On the right side of the control tool supporting member 253, a control tool retaining member 257 extending forwardly fi-om the bracket 246 is fixedly attached with a predetermined spacing from the control tool supporting member 253. With this, due to the urging force of the elastic spring 256, if the control tool 254 is pivoted downwards to bring its control portion 254a downward, with the leading ends of the control tool 254 being held within the positioning fixing holes 240b, 240c of the post 240, the control tool retaining member 257 prevents movement of the control tool 254 to the right side, thereby to retain (lock) the condition of the leading ends of the control tool 254 being held within the positioning fixing holes 240b, 240c of the post 240.
[0134]
If the control tool 254 is pivoted upward fi-om the above condition of the control tool 254 wherein its movement to the right side is inhibited by the control tool retaining member 257, the control tool 254 is changed in its position to the released position due to the urging force of the elastic spring 256, thereby to allow a pivotal operation of the post 240. With this, the post 240 can be fixed to the post supporting member 247 with one step operation, and the fixing of the post 240 to the post supporting member 247 can be released with one step operation.
[0135]
On the left side of the bracket 246, there is fixedly attached a fi-ame member 259 having a rearwardly open cross sectional shape. This frame member 259 defines a through

hole oriented along the fore-and-aft direction and to the back face of the fi-ame member 259 at the position of this through hole, a nut is fixedly attached. Downwardly of the auxiliary post 243, there is fixedly attached a fixing member 260 having an L-shape cross section. Then, with the canopy 210 being changed in its position to the working position, the back face of this fixing member 260 abuts the fi-ont face of the fi-ame member 259, so that the canopy 210 can be fixed at the working position. [0136]
The fixing member 260 defines a through hole oriented along the fore-and-aft direction. The position of this through hole is so set as to be in agreement with the position of the through hole of the fi-ame member 259 having the nut fixedly attached to its back face, when the canopy 210 is changed in its position to the working position. [0137]
By switching the canopy 210 to the working position and then threading a fixing control tool 261 into the nut of the fi-ame member 259 with the fixing member 260 being in abutment against the fi:mne member 259, the auxiliary post 243 can be fixed to the fi-ame member 259. In this way, the frame member 259, the fixing member 260 and the fixing control tool 261 together constitute a fixing means for fixing the aicdliaiy post 243 to the vehicle body at the working position. [0138]
At a right side portion of the front wall 204A of the grain collecting hopper 204, a fixing screw portion 204B is formed, and arrangement is made such that the position of the through hole of the fixing member 260 is substantially in agreement with the position of the fixing screw portion 204B. [0139]
By switching the position of the canopy 210 to the retracted position and threading the fixing control tool 261 to the fixing screw portion 204B of the fi-ont wall 204 with the fixing member 260 being in abutment against tiie fi-ont wall 204A of the grain collecting hopper 204, the auxiliary post 243 can be fixed to the fi-ont wall 204A of the grain collecting hopper 204. In this way, the fixing screw portion 204B, the fixing member 260 and the fixing control tool 261 together constitute a fixing means for fixing the auxiliary post 243 to the vehicle body side at the retracted position. In this case, as the fixing member 260 and the fixing control tool 261 are used also as the fixing means for fixing the auxiliary post 243 to the vehicle body side at the working position, the construction of the fixing means can be simplified. [0140]
The pivotal range of the canopy 210 about the vertically oriented axis PI is restricted as the auxiliary post 243 comes into abutment against tiie grain collecting hopper 204 side, so

that the canopy 210 is pivoted over the range of the leading end pivotal path shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 26. With this, the auxihary post 243 fiinctions as a restricting member for restricting the pivotal movement of the post 240 toward the inner side of the vehicle body, thereby to prevent the canopy 210 from being pivoted to the inner side of the vehicle body to interfere with and damage e.g. the pre-cleaner 235 (see Figs. 24-26). Incidentally, in case e.g. the canopy 210 is constructed without including the auxihary post 243, a restricting member may be provided separately from the auxiliary post 243 (or instead of the auxiliary post 243) for restricting the pivotal movement of the post 240 toward the inner side of the vehicle body.
[0141]
When the control tool 254 is operated to the released position and the fixing control tool 261 is removed, it becomes possible to pivotally operate the post 240 about the vertically oriented axis P1. Then, the canopy 210 will be switched in its position to the working position, the confrol tool 254 is operated to the fixing position and the fixing control tool 261 wUl be fastened, whereby the canopy 210 can be fixed at the working position. Whereas, when the canopy 210 is switched in its position to the retracted position, the confrol tool 254 is operated to the fixing position and the fixing control tool 261 is fastened, the canopy 210 can be fixed at the retracted position.
[0142]
For instance, if the post 240 is fixed to the post supporting member 247 by the confrol tool 254 alone, there is the possibility of looseness in the post 240, due to e.g. size error or the like between the positioning fixing holes 240b, 240c of the post 240 and the post fixing hole 247a of the post supporting member 247. However, with the fasting and fixing of the auxiliary post 243 side from its front side with the fixing confrol tool 261, such looseness of the post 240 can be effectively prevented, so that wobbling or the like of the canopy 210 at the working position and the retracted position can be avoided reliably.
[0143]
Further, at the working position and the retracted position of the canopy 210, the post 240 is fixed to the grain collecting hopper 204 side by the confrol tool 254 and the fixing control tool 261, at the two positions, i.e. the position of the post 240 and the position of the auxiliary post 243. Therefore, the post 240 can be firmly fixed to the grain collecting hopper 204 side. With this, even when a relatively large bending force is applied to the post 240 when an operator operates the front or rear handle 273, 247 or the Hke mounted on the roof member 270 to be described later, this bending force applied to the post 240 can be firmly supported at the two positions of the post 240 and the auxiliary post 243.
[0144]

Incidentally, though not shown, the fixing means can be configured to fix the auxiliary post 243 to the vehicle body side only at the retracted position. Or, the fixrag means can be configured to fix the auxiliary post 243 to the vehicle body side only at the working position. [0145]
As shown in Fig.29 and Fig. 30, the roof member 270 includes a roof fi-ame 271, a roof panel 272 and the inclination angle adjusting mechanism 280. [0146]
The roof fi-ame 271 is formed of a round pipe in the form of a rectangle with a rear side opened in the plan view. And, the rear portion thereof is coimected by a support fi:ame 271a formed of a round pipe. The roof fi-ame 271 defines a plurality of vertically oriented through holes and at these through holes, the roof panel 272 to be described later is fastened and fixed. [0147]
The roof panel 272 is made of a light-weight resin and formed integrally by press molding or injection molding technique, with its fi-ont portion and right and left end portions being curved or bent downward. Incidentally, as the material forming the roof member 272, a different material may be used. For example, a metal material (e.g. a steel plate, an aluminum plate), or a reinforced resin such as FRB (fiber reinforced plastic) may be used for forming the roof panel 272. [0148]
The roof panel 272 is formed of resin colored in a color hardly transmitting sunbeam and is constructed such that sunbeam irradiated onto the driver's section 205 fi-om above can be blocked sufficiently by this roof panel 272. The roof panel 272 defines the plurality of vertically oriented through holes, through which the roof panel 272 is fastened and fixed to the roof fi^me 271. [0149]
In its plan view, the roof panel 272 has a rectangular shape elongate in the fore-and-aft direction and is arranged in such a manner that the fi-ont end of the roof panel 272 at the working position of the canopy 210 is located forwardly of the front end of the fi-ont control panel 229. With this, at the working position of the canopy 210, the roof panel 272 can cover fi-om above over a wide area including the driver's seat 231, the fiiel tank 232, the fi-ont control panel 229 and a portion of the side control panel 230. Incidentally, the shape of the roof panel 272 in its plan view may be different (e.g. a rectangle elongate in the transverse direction, an oval elongate in the longitudinal or transverse direction, a square, a circle, etc.). And, the area of the driver's section 205 to be covered by the roof panel 272 at the working position of the canopy 210 can be smaller or wider as desired.

[0150]
At the left front side of the roof frame 271, a front handle 273 is mounted, and at a position diagonal in the plan view relative to the front handle 273 on the right rear portion of the roof frame 271, a rear handle 274 is mounted. The front and rear handles 273, 274 are formed of round bars and are fixedly attached to the roof finme 271. With this, when e.g. the Laclination angle of the roof member 270 is to be changed by the inclination angle adjusting mechanism 280 or the canopy 210 is switched in its position between the working position and the retracted position, by operating the roof member 270 via the front and rear handles 273, 274, the operator can hold the roof member 270 in a stable manner by gripping it Also, damage of the roof panel 272 formed of resin can be avoided.
[0151]
As shown in Figs. 32-34, at the leading end of the right and left supporting frames 241a of the connecting frame 241, there are formed through holes oriented along the right/left direction. To the inner face sides of the leading ends of the right and left supporting frames 241a, there are fixedly attached right and left guiding members 281 in the form of vertical flat plates, constituting the inclination angle adjusting mechanism 280 to be described later.
[0152]
To the supporting frame 271a of the roof frame 271, there is fixedly attached a support bracket 275 extending downwardly from the supporting frame 271a. The support bracket 275 comprises right and left plate like members 276 in the form of vertical plates fixedly attached to the right and left opposed ends of the support frame 271a, and a round-pipe Uke connecting pipe 277 fitted and fixed within through holes defined at the lower portions of the right and left plate-like members 276.
[0153]
The connecting pipe 277 of the support bracket 275 is inserted between the right and left guide members 281 fixedly attached to the inner face sides of the right and left support fi-ames 241a, and supported to the right and left support frames 241a by the roimd-pipe support shaft 278 to be rotatable about the right/left axis P2. With this, the roof member 270 is rotatably supported about the right/left axis P2 extending at the upper portion of the post 240.
[0154]
Next, there will be described the inclination angle adjusting mechanism 280 provided between the upper portion of the post 240 and the rear portion of the roof member 270. The inclination angle adjusting mechanism 280 includes a pair of right and left guide members 281 fixedly attached to the leading ends of the right and left support frames 241a, an inchnation angle adjusting tool 283 and an elastic spring 289.
[0155]

The right and left guide members 281 define a plurality of engaging grooves 281a for respective predetermiaed angles about the right/left axis P2. This allows adjustment of the incUnation angle of the roof member 270 for each predetermined angle. Further, the right and left guide members 281 define a guide groove 281b disposed on the circle about the right/left axis P2.
[0156]
To the front upper portions of the right and left plate-like members 276 of the support bracket 275, a support shaft 282 is supported to be pivotable about a ri^t/left axis P3. And, to this support shaft 282, the uiclination angle adjusting tool 283 is pivotally supported. With this, the inchnation angle adjusting tool 283 is supported to the plate-like members 276 to be pivotable back and forth about the right/left P3.
[0157]
The inclination angle adjusting mechanism 283 includes a rod 284 comprised of a round bar, a left arm member 285 fixedly attached to the left side end of the rod 284 and a right arm member 286 fixedly attached to the right side end of the rod 284. The right arm member 286 extends downward longer than the left arm member 285 and on the lower end of this right arm member 286, a gripping portion 283a formed of resin is engaged and fitted.
[0158]
To the front side at the vertical center portion of the right arm member 286 of the inclination angle adjusting mechanism 283, there is fixedly attached a front support plate 287 in the form of a flat plate. To the right side of the connecting pipe 277 of the support bracket 275, there is fixedly attached a rear support plate 288 in the form of a flat plate projecting forwardly. And, between the front support plate 287 and the rear support plate 288, the elastic spring 289 is attached. This elastic spring 289 comprises a pull spring, and by this elastic spring 289, the inclination angle adjusting tool 283 is urged rearward.
[0159]
The inclination angle of the roof member 270 can be adjusted stepwise by forwardly pivoting the incUnation angle adjusting tool 283 about the right/left axis P3 against the urging force of the elastic spring 289 thereby to release engagement between the rod 284 and the engaging groove 281a and then vertically pivoting the roof member 270 about the right/left axis P2. In this case, under the condition where the rod 284 is engaged with the engaging groove 281a, the rod 284 does not reach the depth end (rear end) of the engaging groove 281a and comes into gapless contact with the fore-and-aft center portion of the engaging groove 281a
[0160]
Therefore, as the inclination angle of the roof member 270 is variably adjusted by forwardly pivoting the inclination angle adjusting tool 283 and keeping the rod 284 in contact

wth the guide groove 281b formed in the right and left guide members 281, the weight of the roof member 270 acting about the right/left axis P2 can be easily supported by a forward pushing operation of the inclination angle adjusting mechanism 283, thereby to facilitate the change of the inclination angle of the roof member 270. [0161]
Further, at an angle adjusted position of the roof member 270, by rearwardly pivoting the inclination angle adjusting tool 283 while being assisted by the urging force of the elastic spring 289 thereby to engage the rod 284 with the engaging groove 281a, the inclination angle adjusted position of the roof member 270 can be maintained. In this case, as the urging force of the elastic spring 289 is set to be active even under the position of the rod 284 being engaged with the engaging groove 281a, the inclination angle adjusted position of the roof member 270 can be retained reliably. So, inadvertent release of the engagement between the rod 284 and the engaging groove 281a due to e.g. vibration during traveling can be avoided.
[0162] [Operational Conditions of Canopy]
Next, operational conditions of the canopy 210 will be described with reference to Figs. 26-29. First, with reference to Figs. 26-28, changing of the position of the canopy 210 will be described. As shown in Figs. 26-28, when the canopy 210 has been changed in its position to the working position and the operational tool 254 has been operated to the fixing position to fix the fixing operational tool 261, the fixing operational tool 261 is removed and also the operational tool 254 is changed in its position to the releasing position and the post 240 is pivotally operated and the canopy 210 is pivoted rearward to the right side and moved to the rear side of the vehicle body. In this case, the face of the fixing member 260 fixedly attached to the lower portion of the auxiliary post 243 comes into contact with the fi-ont wall 204A of the grain collecting hopper 204, whereby the fore-and-aft position of the canopy 210 is fixed at the retracted position in the fore and aft direction (the position of the canopy 210 pivoted upwardly of the grain collecting hopper 204) (the orientation direction each of the positioning fixing holes 240b, 240c of the post 240 comes into substantial agreement with the orientation direction of the post fixing hole 247a of the post supporting member 247). [0163]
And, as the operator grips the front or rear handle 273, 274 and pulls the canopy 210 downward against the urgiug force of the elastic spring 250, the canopy 210 is changed in its position to the retracted position. In this case, the stopper portion 240a formed in the post 240 comes into contact with the upper face of the connecting member 251, whereby the vertical position of the canopy 210 is fixed at the retracted position in the vertical position (the height of the positioning fixing hole 240b of the post 240 comes into substantial agreement with the

height of the post fixing hole 247a of the post supporting member 247 and the height of the through hole of the fixing member 260 comes into substantial agreement with the height of the fixing screw portion 204B of the fi^ont waU 204A). [0164]
The canopy 210 is fixed in position at the retracted position as being fixed in the fore-and-aft direction and ki the vertical direction by the fixing member 260 and the stopper portion 240a. Hence, at this position, by operating the operational tool 254 to the fixing position and fastening the fixing operational tool 261, the canopy 210 can be fixed at the retracted position. With this, the position change of the canopy 210 fi-om the working position to the retracted position can be carried out easily and speedily, whereby the efiSciency of the position change operation of the canopy 210 can be improved. [0165]
On the other hand, under the condition when the canopy 210 has been changed in its position to the retracted position and the operational tool 254 has been operated to the fixing position and the fixing operational tool 261 has been fixed, the fixing operational tool 261 is removed and the operational tool 254 is changed in its position to the releasing position and the post 240 is pivotally operated and the canopy 210 is pivoted forwardly to the right side to the fi-ont side of the vehicle body. In this case, if the fixing operational member 261 is removed and the operational tool 254 is changed in its position to the releasing position, the urging force of the elastic spring 250 becomes active, so that the canopy 210 is lifted up automatically as being assisted by this tirging force of the elastic spring 250 (assisting mechanism) and the vertical position of the canopy 210 is automatically fixed at the working position in the vertical direction (i.e. the height of the position fixing hole 240c of the post 240 comes into substantial agreement with the height of the post fixing hole 247a of the post supporting member 247, and the height of the through hole of the fixing member 260 comes into substantial agreement with the height of the through hole of the fiame member 259). [0166]
Incidentally, the urging force of the elastic spring 250 can be set relatively strong such that the canopy 210 can be elevated completely to the level of the working position by the elastic spring 250 (assisting mechanism), without being manually lifted up. Convereely, the urging force of the elastic spring 250 may be set relatively weak so that the canopy will be elevated to an intermediate height between the retracted position and the working position by the elastic spring 250 (assisting mechanism). [0167]
When the canopy 210 is moved to the fi"ont side of the vehicle body, the fixing member 260 fixedly attached to the lower portion of the auxiliary post 243 comes into contact

with the frame member 259, whereby the fore-and-aft position of the canopy 210 is fixed at the working position in the fore-and-aft direction. [0168]
As the canopy 210 is fixed in its position at the working position as being fixed in its fore-and-aft direction and the vertical direction by the fixing member 260 and the elastic spring 250, at this position, by operating the operational tool 254 to the fixing position and the fastening the fixing operational tool 261, the canopy 210 can be fixed at the working position. With this, the position change of the canopy 210 from the retracted position to the working position can be done easily and speedily, whereby the operational eflBciency of the position change of the canopy 210 can be improved. [0169]
Further, in case the canopy 210 is changed from the retracted position to the working position, the canopy 210 is automatically elevated as being assisted by the urging force of the elastic spring 250. Therefore, there is no need for manually Hfting up the canopy 210. So, not only the canopy 210 can be easily fixed in the vertical direction, but the trouble for the worker at the time of position change can be alleviated, so that the operational eflBciency of the position change of the canopy 210 can be fiirther improved. [0170]
Under the condition where the canopy 210 is changed in its position to the working position and the operational tool 254 is operated to the fixing position and the fixing operational tool 261 is fixed, the fixing operational tool 261 is removed and the operational tool 254 is changed in its position to the releasing position, the post 240 is not pivotally operated and the operator lowers the canopy 210 against the urging force of the elastic spring 250 by gripping the front or rear handle 273, 274, whereby the canopy 210 is lowered. Then, the stopper portion 240a formed in the post 240 comes into contact with the upper face side of the connecting member 251 and the height of the positioning fixing hole 240b of the post 240 comes into substantial agreement with the height of the post fixing hole 247a of the post supporting member 247. Under this condition, the operational tool 254 is changed in its position to the fixing position. [0171]
With the above, under the condition of the roof member 270 being located upwardly of the driver's section 205, separately from the height adjustment by the inclination angle adjusting mechanism 280, the height of the roof member 270 can be variably adjusted, so that the canopy 210 can be changed in its position between the elevated position (working position) with the roof member 270 being elevated and the lowered position with the roof member 270 being lowered. As a result, for instance, when the combine-harvester is to be stored in e.g. a

warehouse or the combine-harvester is to be loaded on e.g. a loading deck of a truck, it is possible to keep the total height of the combine-harvester low, by svvdtching the roof member 270 to the lowered position, without needing to change the roof member 270 to the retracted position. [0172]
In the meantime, a plurality of positioning fixing holes arranged in vertical juxtaposition (or a vertically elongate slot) may be formed in the post 240, so as to allow change of the height of the roof member 270 stepwise (or steplessly). Alternatively, a plurality of fore-and-aft oriented through holes (or a vertically elongate slot) may be formed in the fixing member 260, so that the post 240 may be moved relative to the post supporting member 247 to be fixed at the plurahty of positions and that the post 240 and the auxiliary post 243 may be fixed at various heights by the operational tool 254 and the fixing operational member 261. [0173]
Next, with reference to Figs. 27-29, there will be described changing of the inclination angle of the roof member 270 by the inclination angle adjusting mechanism 280. As shown in Figs. 27 and 29, the operator grips the fi-ont or rear handle 273, 274 with one hand to support the roof member 270 and pivotally operates the inclination angle adjusting tool 283 with the other hand, thereby to operate the inclination angle adjusting mechanism 280. Mth this, the roof member 270 is vertically pivoted about the right/left axis P2, so that the inclination angle of the roof member 270 can be varied by each predetermined angle. [0174]
When the inclination angle of the roof member 270 is changed by the inclination angle adjusting mechanism 280, there causes change in the overhead space of the worker who stands erect on the deck surface of the driver's section fi-ame 227 from the position seated on the driver's seat 231. With this, in accordance with e.g. the height of the worker, the inclination angle of the roof member 270 can be varied so as to change the height of the roof member 270 (the overhead space for the worker). As a result, there can be formed a comfortable driver's section space suited to e.g. the height of the worker. [0175]
Further, if the roof member 270 is changed in its position to the lowered position and also the inclination angle of the roof member 270 is changed to the forwardly downwardly inclined state by the inclination angle adjusting mechanism 280, it is possible to position the roof member 270 at such a further less interfering position in the case of e.g. storing the combine-harvester in e.g. a warehouse or loading the combine-harvester on e.g. a load carrying deck of a truck.

[0176]
hicidentally, difference arrangements can be employed for causing the angle of the roof member to be stepwise changed by the inclination angle adjusting mechanism 280 or for the number of steps to be changed. Further, it is also possible to configure the inclination angle adjusting mechanism 280 to vary the inclination angle of the roof member 270 in stepless manner. [0177] [First Alternative Embodiment of Third Embodiment]
In the above, the grain collecting hopper 204 was provided as an example of the grain collecting section, histead, as shown in Fig. 35 and Fig. 36, the invention is apphcable also to a combine-harvester having a grain tank 290. Fig. 35 is an overall right side view of the normal type combine-harvester according to this alternative embodiment. Fig. 36 is a front view illustrating the support constmction for the canopy 210 in this alternative embodiment. Incidentally, the construction of this combine-harvester is identical to that of the combine-harvester described above, except for the differences to be described next. [0178]
As shown in Fig. 35, at a rear portion of the vehicle body 202 and rearwardly of the driver's section 205, there is provided a grain tank 290 for reserving grains supphed from the threshing apparatus 203. And, at the rear portion of the vehicle body 202 and on the left side of the grain tank 290, the threshing apparatus 203 is disposed in right/left juxtaposition wdth the gain tank 290. [0179]
At a rear portion of the grain tank 290, there is mounted an unloader 291 for discharging the gains from this gain tank 290 to the outside of the vehicle body. This unloader 291 includes a hydrauhc cylinder and a swiveling motor (not shown), so that the unloader 291 can be erected by the hydraulic cylinder and this unloader 291 can be swiveled by the swiveling motor. [0180]
Under the un-used condition of the unloader 291 shown by the soUd line in Fig. 35, the unloader 291 is disposed diagonally in the plan view from the rear portion of the grain tank
290 (the rear right side of the vehicle body 202) toward the front left side of the vehicle body
202.
[0181]
When the canopy 210 is lowered as shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 35, the unloader 291 can be swiveled without interference with the canopy 210 even if the unloader
291 is not erected so high. Thus, efficiency of the grain discharging work can be improved by

lowering the canopy 210 before the grain discharging work.
[0182]
Further, after the forward incUnation angle of the canopy 210 is changed by an operation of the inclination angle adjusting mechanism 280 so that the fi-ont end of the canopy 210 at the working position may be moved upward, the canopy 210 is switched in its position fi-om the working position to the retracted position. With this, as shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 35, the upper face side of the canopy 210 at the retracted position will be sUghtly incHned rearwardly and upwardly, so that the height of the rear end portion of the canopy 210 at the retracted position can be located upward. As a result, it is possible to prevent the rear end portion of the canopy 210 at the retracted position from interfering with e.g. the unloader 291 disposed rearwardly of the grain tank 290.
[0183]
As shown in Fig. 36, the post supporting member 247 is fastened and fixed by means of a plurahty of bolts to the firont wall 290 A of the grain tank 290 via the bracket 293.
[0184]
To the upper end of the post supporting member 247, a bracket 297 is fixedly attached and to this bracket 294, an operational tool 254 is attached via a stopper tool 255 and an elastic spring 256. The operational tool 254 is urged toward the post supporting manber 247 side (left side) by the elastic spring 256.
[0185]
Inside the post supporting member 247 on the upper side of the spring supporting member 248, there are incorporated in series, via an intermediate supporting member 295, two elastic springs 250 comprising compression springs. The elastic springs 250 are comprised of compression springs and the lower portion of the lower elastic spring 250 is supported to the spring supporting member 248 and the upper portion of the upper elastic spring 250 is fitted within the spring pressing member 242 fixed to the lower end of the post 240.
[0186]
As the canopy 210 is fixed only by the bracket 293 to the fi-ont wall 290 A of the grain tank 290, for attaching/detaching the assembled canopy 210 to the vehicle body side, the canopy 210 can be readily attached to the vehicle body side by fixing and fastening the portion of the bracket 239 to the fi-ont wall 290A of the grain tank 290; and the entire canopy 210 can be readily detached form the vehicle body side by detaching the bracket 293 by e.g. loosening the bolts (the canopy 210 can be readily attached/detached as a unit in an attachment manner).
[0187]
Further, as the attachment of the bracket 293 requires only a small number of operations to be done on the fi-ont wall 290A side of the grain tank 290, the attachment of the

canopy 210 is possible without significantly changing the construction of the vehicle body side (for instance, the canopy 210 can be attached through a sUght design change on the side of the grain tank 290 or a slight design change on the side of the vehicle body). With this, the supporting portion for the canopy 210 can be formed even more compact and also the designing and manufacture of the canopy 210 are facihtated and the manufacturing cost can be fiirther reduced. [0188]
Incidentally, in the case of the above-described combine-harvester using the grain collecting hopper 204 as the grain collecting section, the supporting construction for the canopy 210 in this alternative embodiment can be used. Or, the combine-harvester using the grain tank 290 in this alternative embodiment can employ the above-described supporting construction for the canopy 210.
[0189] [Second Alternative Embodiment of Third Embodiment]
Fig. 37 is an overall side view of a combine-harvester having a second alternative embodiment of the third embodiment. Fig. 38 is an overall plan view of the combine-harvester having the second alternative embodiment of the third embodiment Figs. 39 through 45 show a canopy supporting construction of tiie combine-harvester having the second alternative embodiment of the third embodiment. As shown in these figures, as the combine-harvester having the second alternative embodiment of the third embodiment is compared with the combine-harvester described above, these have identical constructions in that the canopy 210 is changed in its position between the working position and the retracted position; the canopy 210 is fixed at the working position; assistance is provided for the change of height of the canopy 210 from the working position to the retracted position; pivotal movement of the post 240 toward the inner side of the vehicle body is restricted; and the roof member 270 and the post 240 are connected to each other. However, in the case of the combine-harvester according to the second alternative embodiment of the third embodiment has following constructions. [0190]
That is to say, as shown in Fig. 39 and Fig. 43, the combine-harvester according to this alternative embodiment includes a storage supporting member 300 provided in the bracket 246 included in the grain collecting hopper 204 on the more inner side in the transverse direction of the vehicle body than the post supporting member 247, the fixing screw portion 204B provided in the bracket 246 and disposed on the more outer side of the transverse direction of the vehicle body than the post supporting portion 247, and a pair of upper and lower positioning members 301, 302 provided in the auxiliary post 243.

[0191]
As shown in Fig. 40, the lower positioning member 302 of the pair of upper and lower positioning members 301, 302 (to be referred to as the "lower positioning member 302" hereinafter) comes into agreement with the front side of the fixing screw portion 204B when the canopy 210 is pivoted about the axis PI and lowered to the retracted positioa So, as the fixing operational tool 261 removed from the fi^me member 259 and the fixing member 260 is fitted to a threaded hole 302a of the lower positioning member 302 and the fixing screw portion 204B and fastened to the fixing screw portion 204B, the auxihary post 243 is fixed to the bracket 246.
[0192]
Thus, the lower positioning member 302, the fixing screw portion 204B and the fixing operational tool 261 together constitute a fixing means for fixing the auxihary post 243 at the retracted position to the vehicle body side and fixing the canopy 210 at the retracted position.
[0193]
As shown in Fig. 41 and Fig. 45, the storage supporting member 300 is comprised of a cyhndrical member, so that the post 240 withdrawn from the post supporting member 247 can be inserted from above into this storage supporting member 300. In operation, v^iien this storage supporting member 300 with the post 240 being attached is lowered until the stopper portion 240a comes into contact with the upper end of the storage supporting member 300, the canopy 210 is changed in its position to the retracted position. At this retracted position, the canopy 210 has been moved by a moving distance L to the inner side in the transverse direction of the vehicle body than the working position (this moving distance L corresponds to the distance in the transverse direction of the vehicle body between the post supporting member 247 and the storage supporting member 300); and the canopy 210 has been lowered to a disposing position lowered by a lowering distance D from the disposing position thereof at the working position; and also the roof member 270 is under its attaching posture where the roof member 270 projects forwardly of the vehicle body from the post 240 and upwardly of the driver's seat 231.
[0194]
As shown in Fig. 41, the upper positioning member 301 of the upper and lower positioning members 301, 302 (to be referred to as the "upper positioning member 301" hereinafter) is located on the front side of the bracket 246 when the canopy 210 is changed in its position to the retracted position. With utilizing one coimecting boh 303 of the plurahty of connecting bolts attached to the bracket 246 and the grain collecting hopper 204 for connecting the bracket 246 to the grass coDecting hopper 204, as the upper positioning member 301 is fastened together with the bracket 246 by this connecting bolt 303, the upper positioning

member 301 can be fastened to the grain collecting hopper 204. As this upper positioning member 301 is fastened to the grain collecting hopper 204, the auxiliary post 243 is fixed to the grain collecting hopper 204. [0195]
With the above, the storage supporting member 300, the upper positioning member 301 and tiie connecting bolt 303 together constitute a storage supporting means 304 for supporting the canopy 210 at the retracted position by fixing the auxiliary post 243 at the retracted position to the vehicle body side. [0196]
As shown in Fig. 41, the air intake duct 234 interconnecting the pre-cleaner 235 and the air cleaner 233 includes an air cleaner side duct 334a supported to the air cleaner 233 and a pre-cleaner side duct 234b communicated with this air cleaner side duct 234a to be slidably extended/contracted relative thereto. The pre-cleaner side duct 234b is supported to a cleaner supporting portion 306 provided in the threshing apparatus 203, as an attaching member 305 fixed to the pre-cleaner side duct 234b are connected to the cleaner supporting portion 306 by a connecting bolt 307. This pre-cleaner side duct 234b is supported to be variable in position along the vertical direction of the vehicle body as the connecting bolt 307 is selectively fitted into one of bolt holes formed in the cleaner supporting member 306 in juxtaposition in the vertical direction of the vehicle body. [0197]
That is to say, with vertical adjustment of its attaching position relative to the cleaner supporting portion 306 of the cleaner side duct 234b, the pre-cleaner 235 can be adjusted up/down between a high attaching height for use in high position shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 37 and Fig. 41 and a low attaching height for use in low position or for storage shown by the solid line in Fig. 37 and Fig. 41.
In response to up/down adjustment of the pre-cleaner 235, the pre-cleaner side duct 234b is automatically extended or contracted relative to the air cleaner side duct 234a, thereby to keep communication between the pre-cleaner 235 and the air cleaner 233, regardless of change in height of the pre-cleaner 235. [0198]
The canopy 210 shown by the two-dot chain Une and under the forwardly oriented posture relative to the vehicle body in Fig. 37 and Fig. 38 shows the canopy 210 at the working position. Fig. 39 is a front view of the driver's section 205 when the canopy 210 is switched over to the working position. Fig. 44 is a plan view of the canopy supporting constmction, with the canopy 201 being switched over to the working position. [0199]

As shown in these figures, for a work or traveling with using the canopy 210, when the canopy 210 is pivoted about the vertical axis PI and the fixing member 260 is located on the front side of the frame member 259, the canopy 210 assumes the working position, whereby the roof member 270 covers the upper side of the driver's section 205. In fliis, by operating the operational tool 254 to the fixing position to be fitted into the positioning fixing hole 240c (see Fig. 43) and also fastening the fixing operational tool 261 to the fi:mne member 259, the canopy 210 is fixed at the working position. [0200]
Fig. 37 and Fig. 38 shows the canopy 210 in its retracted position by the two-dot chain line and under its rearwardly oriented posture relative to the vehicle body. Fig. 40 is a front view of the driver's section 205 when the canopy 210 is switched over to the retracted position. [0201]
As shown in these figures, for a work or traveling without using the canopy 210, when the canopy 210 is pivoted about the vertical axis PI and pulled down against the elastic spring 250, the stopper portion 240a of the post 240 comes into contact with the post supporting member 247 and also the lower positioning member 302 is located on the front side of the fixing screw portion 204B. Then, the canopy 210 assumes the retracted position, whereby the roof member 270 is located along the upper side of the grain collecting hopper 204 and also the height of the canopy 210 is lower than its height at the use position. In this, by operating the operational tool 254 to the fixing position to be fitted into the positioning fixing hole 240b (see Fig. 42) and also fastening the fiixing operational tool 261 to the fixing screw portion 204B, the canopy 210 is fixed at the retracted position. [0202]
The canopy 210 shown by the solid line in Fig. 37 and Fig. 38 shows the canopy 210 at the storing position. Fig. 41 is a front view of the drive's section 205 with the canopy 210 being switched over to the storing position. Fig. 45 is a plan view of the canopy supporting construction with the canopy 210 being switched to the storing position. [0203]
As shown in these figures, for storing or fransporting the combine-harvester, the post 240 will be withdrawn from the post supporting portion 247 and attached to the storage supporting member 300, thereby to bring the stopper portion 240a of the post 240 into contact with the storage supporting member 300, and the connecting bolt 303 is attached and then fastened to the upper positioning member 301, the bracket 246 and the gain collecting hopper 204. That is, the canopy 210 is caused to be supported by the storage supporting member 304. Then, the canopy 210 assumes the storing position, where the canopy 210 is located more inner side of the vehicle body than when ihe canopy 210 assumes the working position or the

retracted position and is disposed at a height lower than the heights thereof at the working position and the retracted position, and can be supported with the roof member 270 projecting forwardly relative to the vehicle body fi-om the post 240 and upwardly of the driver's seat 231. As a result, there is no projection of the canopy 210 to the outer side of the vehicle body and height of the canopy 210 on the combine-harvester is reduced.
[0204]
In the above, if the pre-cleaner 235 is adjusted to the lower attaching height, the height of the canopy 210 becomes equal to or substantially equal to the height of the pre-cleaner 235. That is, the upper end of the canopy 210 becomes level with or substantially level with the disposing height of the upper end of the pre-cleaner 235. With this, the height of the canopy 210 becomes equal to or substantially equal to the height of the entire combine-harvester which is determined by the pre-cleaner 235.
[0205]
As shown in Fig. 42, the canopy 210 of the combine-harvester having the second alternative embodiment of the third embodiment includes an inclination angle adjusting mechanism 280 provided between the upper portion of the post 240 and the rear portion of the roof member 270.
[0206]
This inclination angle adjusting mechanism 280 and the inclination angle adjusting mechanism 280 provided in the canopy 210 of the combine-harvester according to the foregoing embodiment are identical in constructions in that each mechanism 280 includes right and left guide members 281, an inclination angle adjusting tool 283, an elastic spring 289 and engaging grooves 281a provided in the right and left guide members 281, so that, as the inclination angle adjusting tool 283 is pivoted about the right/left axis P3, the roof member 270 is vertically pivoted about the right/left axis P2 and the rod 284 comes into engagement with the engaging groove 281a to retain the roof member 270 at the adjusted inclination angle.
[0207]
Fig. 42 is a side view illustrating mode of angle adjustment of the roof member 270 by the inclination angle adjusting mechanism 280. The roof member 270 shown by the two-dot chain line at the uppermost section in this figure shows the roof member 270 which has been angle-adjusted to an upper limit use posture. The roof member 270 shown by the solid line in this figure is a roof member 270 which has been angle-adjusted to an lower limit use posture. The roof member 270, shown by the two-dot chain line between one shown by the two-dot chain line at the uppermost section and one shown by the soUd line, depicts a roof member 270 which has been angle-adjusted to an intermediate use posture.
[0208]

As shown in these figures, when the roof member 270 is angle-adjusted to the upper limit use posture by the inclination angle adjusting mechanism 280, the roof member 270 assumes a horizontal attaching posture where the roof member 270 projects forwardly of the vehicle body from the post 240 and assumes a horizontal posture as seen from the lateral side of the vehicle body.
When the roof member 270 is angle-adjusted to the intermediate use posture and the lower limit use posture by the inchnation angle adjusting mechanism 280, the roof member 270 assumes a downward use posture where the roof member 270 projects forwardly from the post 240 and more downwardly oriented than the upper limit use posture (horizontal posture) as seen from the lateral side of the vehicle body, thereby to make it difficult for suspended twigs or leaves or the like by pushing them upward to enter the driver's section 205. [0209]
The assisting deck 225 and the front and rear assisting tools 226 can be switched over between a use posture projected to the lateral outer side of the vehicle body and a stored posture standing erect on the inner side of the vehicle body. [0210]
As shown in Fig. 38, a dust exhausting device 310 provided at the front end side of the feeder 206 fimctions to draw in dust infroduced or generated inside the feeder 206 from this feeder 206 by a dust exhausting fan rotatably driven by an electric motor and a dust exhausting hood housing this dust exhausting fan, and discharges it downwards through a dust outlet of the dust exhausting hood on the lateral outer side of the feeder 206.
[0211] [Third Alternate Embodiment of Third Embodiment]
In the respective embodiments described above, the post 240 is supported to the front wall 204A of the grain collecting hopper 204 or the front wall 290A of the grain tank 290. Instead, it is possible to employ a constmction of supporting the post 240 to a different member. Specifically, the post 240 may be supported to the lateral wall of the grain collecting hopper 204 or of the grain tank 290. Further alternatively, it is possible to employ a constmction of supporting the post 240 to a front upper portion of the gain collecting hopper 204 or of the grain tank 290. Still fiirther alternatively, it is possible to employ a construction of supporting the post 240 to a different frame member or the like such as the seat supporting frame 228. [0212]
In the respective foregoing embodiments, the post 240 is supported to the font wall 204A of the grain collecting hopper 204 or the front wall 290A of the grain tank 290 via the brackets 246, 293, etc.. Instead, a different construction may be employed for supporting the post 240 to a rear portion of the driver's section 205. Specifically, it is possible to employ a

construction of supporting the post 240 to a rear portion of the driver's section 205 without any brackets 246, 293, etc. therebetweea It is also possible to employ a sill fiirther construction of supporting the post 240 to a rear portion of the driver's section 205 \da brackets (not shown) of different shape or construction.
[0213]
In the respective foregoing embodiments, as the post 240 formed of a round pipe is engaged within the post supporting member 247 formed of a round pipe, the post 240 is supported to be pivotable about the vertically oriented axis PI. Instead, a different construction may be adopted for supporting the post 240 to a rear portion of the driver's section 205 to be pivotable about the vertically oriented axis PI. Specifically, it is possible to employ a different material (e.g. an angular pipe or a soUd shaft member, etc.) for the post 240 or the post supporting member 247. Or, it is possible to employ a construction of supporting the post 240 at a plurahty of portions, via well-known joumaling members (not shown) incorporating bearings, etc..
[0214]
In the respective foregoing embodiments, the canopy 210 is provided with an inverse L-shape in its side view, such that the rear end of the roof member 270 at the working position may be located forwardly of the vertically oriented axis PI of the post 240. Instead, the canopy 210 may be provided with a T-shape in its side view, such that the rear end of the roof member 270 at the working position may be located rearwardly of the vertically oriented axis PI of the post 240.
[0215] [Fourth Alternative Embodiment of Third Embodiment]
In the respective foregoing embodiments, there was disclosed a combine harvester wherein the driver's section 205 is provided on the right side of the vehicle body 202 and the grain reserving hopper 204 or the grain tank 290 is provided rearwardly of this driver's section 205. Yet, the present invention is appHcable also to a combine-harvester disposing the driver's section 205 at a different position relative to the vehicle body 202. Specifically, the present invention may be applied, for instance, to a combine harvester wherein the driver's section 205 is disposed at the left side of the vehicle body 202 and the grain reserving hopper 204 or the grain tank 290 is disposed rearwardly of this driver's section 205 (i.e. a combine-harvester mounting the driver's section 205 and the grain reserving hopper 204 or the grain tank 290 in a right/left symmetric manner relative to those in the respective foregoing embodiments). Alternatively, the present invention may be applied, for instance, to a combine harvester wherein the driver's section 205 is disposed at the right/left center of the vehicle body 202 and the grain reserving hopper 204 or the grain tank 290 is disposed rearwardly of this

driver's section 205.
[0216]
In the respective foregoing embodiments, there was disclosed a combine-harvester wherein the grain reserving hopper 204 or the grain tank 290 is disposed rearwardly of the driver's section 205. Instead, the present invention may be applied also to a combine harvester wherein the threshing section (threshing apparatus) is provided rearwardly of the driver's section 205.
[0217]
In the respective foregoing embodiments, the threshing apparatus 203 and the grain collecting hopper 204 (or the grain tank 290) are juxtaposed on the right and left sides at the rear portion of the vehicle body 202. Instead, the present invention is applicable also to a combine-harvester wherein the threshing apparatus 203 and the grain collecting hopper 204 (or the grain tank 290) are juxtaposed on the fore and aft sides.
[0218] [Fifth Alternative Embodiment of Third Embodiment]
In the respective foregoing embodiments, the normal type combine-harvester was disclosed as an example of the combine-harvester. However, the present invention is applicable also to a cubn head charging type combine-harvester.
[Industrial Applicability]
[0219]
As described above, the present invention relates to a threshing apparatus for use in a combine-harvester, a stationary threshing apparatus, etc., and more particularly to a winnowing fan of such a threshing apparatus.

[Name of the Document] CLAIMS
[claim 1] A threshing apparatus having a sorting/collecting section and a winnowing
fan for feeding sorting air flow for wind-sorting operation in the sorting/collecting section;
wherein said winnowing fan includes a rotational shaft receiving power fi-om an engine, a plurality of blades spaced fi-om each other radially relative to the rotational shaft, and a blade supporting mechanism for connecting the rotational shaft and the blades for transmitting rotational force therebetween; and
in said blade supporting mechanism, a connecting portion for rotational force transmission to the rotational shaft and one blade is provided only at one position in the axial direction of the rotational shaft.
[claim 2] The threshing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said blade supporting
mechanism includes one connecting portion for rotational force transmission to the rotational shaft, and includes also a plurahty of supporting portions for supporting the blades at positions away fi-om the connecting portion in the axial direction of the rotational shaft.
[claim 3] The threshing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said blade supporting
mechanism includes a tubular engaging member to be engaged on the rotational shaft, a fixing connecting member for non-rotatably fixing the tubular engaging member on the rotational shaft, and an arm extending fi"om the tubular engaging member to be connected to the blade; and
said tubular engaging member and said fixing connecting member together constitute said connecting portion for the rotational force transmission, whereas said tubular engaging member and said arm together constitute said supporting portions.
[claim 4] The threshing apparatus according to claim 3, v^erein two said tubular
engaging members are provided on opposed sides of said fixing cormecting member; and between an inner peripheral face of said each tubular engaging member and an outer peripheral face of the rotational shaft, there is formed a gap which allows relative displacement between the tubular engaging member and the rotational shaft within a predetermined range.
[claim 5] The threshing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
a dust exhausting device is provided in a conveyiag passage of a feeder for conveying harvested culms to the threshing apparatus;
said dust exhausting device includes a dust exhausting hood which is open to said

conveying passage and has a dust introducing opening, and a dust exhausting fan rotatably
driven by an electric motor, said dust exhausting hood and said dust exhausting fan cooperating
to suck and discharge dust in the conve>'ing passage;
said dust exhausting fan is disposed at said dust introducing opening; and
said electric motor is supported to a wall portion disposed in opposition to said dust
introducing opening of the dust exhausting hood.
[claim 6] The threshing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said electric motor is
disposed into a motor attaching hole defined in said wall portion.
[claim?] The threshing apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein said dust
exhausting device finther includes: a rotational shaft for operating said dust exhausting fan and said electric motor in operative association with each other, with said dust exhausting fan and a main body of said electric motor being spaced apart from each other; and a tubular cover accommodating said rotational shaft; and
wherein said tubular cover has an outer diameter equal or substantially equal to a boss portion to which a blade of said dust exhausting fan is connected.
[claim 8] The threshing apparatus according to claim 7, ^^ilerein the tubular cover
includes a sealing tubular portion extending from a cover main body of the tubular cover into the boss portion, thereby to cover the periphery of the rotational shaft.