METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING TREES

• US 3,720,246 A
• Filed: 05/03/1971
• Issued: 03/13/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Timberjack Inc. (Deere & Company)
• Original Assignee: Emil J. David
• Inventors: David, Emil J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dost, Gerald A.
• Application Number:
  US05/139,625
• Time in Patent Office: 680 Days
• Field of Search: 144/2Z,3D,34R,39AC
• US Class Current: 144/4.1
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 23/083 Feller-delimbers

Abstract

A method and apparatus for harvesting trees includes provision for removing the limbs from a tree and cutting the delimbed tree into logs. The method and apparatus can operate on standing trees or felled trees. In the performance of the delimbing and cutting operation, the tree is gripped at one end with a gripper-shear mechanism. If the tree is standing, the shear cuts the tree at the base of the tree. In both operations, namely, where the apparatus is working on a standing or on a felled tree, a delimbing mechanism is moved along a first length of the tree to delimb that first length of the tree while the tree is supported by the gripper-shear mechanism and the delimbing mechanism. The gripper-shear mechanism is subsequently moved to a position adjacent to the delimbing mechanism so that the gripper-shear mechanism is positioned a predetermined length from one end of the tree. The gripper-shear mechanism is then actuated to cut the tree so that a log having a predetermined length is produced thereby.

Claims

1. An apparatus for removing the limbs from a tree and cutting the delimbed tree into at least one log comprising a gripper-shear mechanism for gripping one end of the tree, a first arm supporting said gripper-shear mechanism, a delimbing mechanism, a second arm supporting said delimbing mechanism, means acting between said arms for moving said delimbing mechanism along a first length of the tree to delimb the first length of the tree while the tree is supported by the said gripper-shear mechanism, and for moving said gripper-shear mechanism to a position adjacent to said delimbing mechanism after said delimbing mechanism has delimbed the first length of the tree so that the gripper-shear mechanism is positioned a predetermined distance from the one end of the tree, means operatively associated with said gripper-shear mechanism for cutting the tree to form a log of a predetermined length, rotatable means mounting said first and second arms for pivotal movement about mutually parallel axes, and means mounting said rotatable means for pivotal movement about a fixed substantially horizontal axis perpendicular to its axis of rotation.

2. An apparatus for removing the limbs from a tree and cutting the delimbed tree into at least one log as defined in claim 1 wherein said delimbing mechanism includes means for delimbing a tree and gripping means for holding and supporting the tree, and means for actuating said gripper means to grip the tree when the tree is released by the gripper-shear mechanism.

3. An apparatus for removing the limbs from a tree and cutting the delimbed tree into at least one log as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for cutting the tree to form a log is positionable to fell a standing tree.

4. An apparatus for removing the limbs from a tree and cutting the delimbed tree into at least one log as defined in claim 1 which includes means for changing the relative lengths of said first and second arms.

5. An apparatus for removing the limbs from a tree and cutting the delimbed tree into at least one log as defined in claim 1, in which said means for moving said gripper-shear mechanism and said delimbing mechanism includes a fluid motor connected between said first arm and said second arm for effecting relative pivotal movement therebetween.

6. An apparatus for removing the limbs from a tree and cutting the delimbed tree into at least one log as defined in claim 1, including a rotary power means for rotating said rotatable mounting means about its axis.

7. An apparatus for removing the limbs from a tree and cutting the delimbed tree into at least one log as defined in claim 1, in which the pivotal axes of said first and second arms are perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said rotatable mounting means.

8. An apparatus for removing the limbs from a tree and cutting the delimbed tree into at least one log as defined in claim 1, including power means for effecting pivotal movement of said rotatable mounting means.