Logging carriage with towline-operated grapple
First Claim
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1. A logging system comprising:
- a skyline cable for extending between a landing and a securement device at a distance from the landing;
a towline cable;
a carriage riding on said skyline cable;
a grapple suspended from said carriage, wherein said grapple has an opened and a closed position;
the towline cable being connected to said grapple, and adapted to move the grapple from said open position to said closed position in addition to being adapted to pull the carriage to the landing.
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Abstract
A logging system including a yarder, a skyline, a towline, a carriage riding on the skyline, and a grapple depending from the carriage for grabbing logs and carrying them back to a landing. The carriage and grapple are moved along the skyline for positioning the grapple above a log(s). A remote control device for controlling the slackening and tightening of the skyline and towline, as well as the turning and opening and closing of the grapple. The towline is attached to the grapple, so that when the operator signals the tightening of the towline, the grapple closes around the log.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A logging system comprising:
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a skyline cable for extending between a landing and a securement device at a distance from the landing;
a towline cable;
a carriage riding on said skyline cable;
a grapple suspended from said carriage, wherein said grapple has an opened and a closed position;
the towline cable being connected to said grapple, and adapted to move the grapple from said open position to said closed position in addition to being adapted to pull the carriage to the landing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A logging system comprising:
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a yarder comprising a first winch and a second winch;
a skyline attached to said first winch at a first end and attached to a securing support at a second end;
a carriage riding on said skyline, wherein said carriage comprises an electrical system and a hydraulic system comprising a double-solenoid valve, two hydraulic rams, and a hydraulic motor;
a grapple suspended from said carriage;
a towline connected to said second winch at a first end and to said grapple at a second end;
a skyline brake and a towline brake on said carriage;
a remote control device comprising a two-function radio on said yarder, and a receiver on or in said carriage controlling said electrical system, wherein the remote control device signals said double-solenoid valve to control hydraulic fluid pressure supply to one of said two hydraulic rams to apply the skyline brake, to the other of said two hydraulic rams to apply the towline brake, and to the hydraulic motor to rotate the grapple; and
wherein said remote control device, electrical system, and hydraulic system are configured so that;
when a first button on said two-function radio is pressed a first time, a first signal causes the double-solenoid valve to release the skyline brake and apply the towline brake;
when said first button is pressed a second time, said hydraulic motor rotates the grapple in one direction;
when said first button is pressed a third time, said hydraulic motor rotates the grapple in an opposing direction; and
when a second button on said two-function radio is pressed a first time, a second signal causes the double-solenoid valve to apply the skyline brake and release the towline brake. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A method of operating a logging system comprising:
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providing a yarder comprising a first winch and a second winch positioned near a landing;
attaching a skyline to said yarder at a first end and to a securing support at a second end;
providing a carriage rolling on said skyline and having a grapple suspended from said carriage;
providing a towline connected to said second winch at a first end and to said grapple at a second end; and
providing a skyline brake and a towline brake on said carriage;
releasing the skyline brake and applying the towline brake so that the carriage rolls down the skyline toward a log and pulls the towline out from the second winch;
applying the skyline brake and releasing the towline brake when the carriage is positioned over a log, and closing the grapple around the log by tightening the towline;
applying the towline brake and releasing the skyline brake and then reeling in the towline with the second winch to pull the carriage back to the landing. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification