Hydraulic tree trimmer

• US 5,318,081 A
• Filed: 02/23/1993
• Issued: 06/07/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Barbara Parkhurst, John W. Parkhurst
• Original Assignee: John Parkhurst
• Inventors: Parkhurst, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Bray, W. Donald
• Application Number:
  US08/021,254
• Time in Patent Office: 469 Days
• Field of Search: 144/2 Z, 144/3 D, 144/34 R, 144/336, 144/343, 83/928, 30/180, 30/187, 30/190, 30/379, 30/379.5
• US Class Current: 144/24.13
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 23/087 Shearing apparatus or the like specially adapted for felling trees A01G23/081, A01G23/083, A01G23/093 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 3/08 Other tools for pruning, branching or delimbing standing trees
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 83/928 Vehicle-mounted tool

Abstract

A high reach self centering hydraulic tree trimmer which consists of first a carriage assembly. The carriage assembly consisting of a top plate and a bottom plate. The plates are separated by spacers and secured together with a plurality of fasteners. A pair of cutting blades are contained between the top plate and the bottom plate. The blades are reciprocal of each other and each have a front end, center region, back end, outer edge, inner edge and a cutting edge extending along the inside edge. The blades are self centering about an object to be cut by pivoting independently from each other They pivot about separate pivot points in the center region of the blades. A pivot pin or bolt is used as a pivot device extending from the top plate to the bottom plate. A hydraulic cylinder is used to operate the blades. The hydraulic cylinder is pivotally attached to the back ends of the blades. This operation causes the blades to pivot independently about the pivot points resulting in the cutting surfaces closing upon each other. There is included an attachment means connected to the carriage assembly for attaching the tree trimmer to a bucket or other lifting means on a tractor or other such vehicle. There is also an optional positioning apparatus for pivoting the tree trimmer for cutting trees, branches, limbs or brush at different angles.

Claims

1. A hydraulic tree trimmer comprising:

a carriage assembly having a top plate and a bottom plate separated by spacers and secured together with a plurality of fasteners, said top plate comprises a pair of angle irons, each of said angle irons having a horizontal leg and a vertical leg, said vertical legs being joined such that said top plate is formed by said horizontal legs of said angle irons, and said angle irons having a front angle iron and a rear angle iron;

a pair of cutting blades contained between said top plate and said bottom plate, said blades having a thickness of said spacers and being reciprocal of each other and each having a front end, center region, back end, outer edge, inner edge and a straight cutting edge extending along said inside edge from said front end to a midpoint towards said back end, said blades being self centering about an object to be cut by pivoting independently from each other about separate pivot points in said center region of said blades and pivoting about a pivot device extending from said top plate to said bottom plate;

means to operated said blades being pivotally attached to said back ends of said blades, said means acting upon said back ends of said blades to cause said blades to pivot independently about said pivot points, said means causing said cutting surfaces to move toward each other cutting an item therebetween; and

pin or an attachment means having a first and second end, said first end connected to said carriage assembly and said second end attached to a vehicle.

6. The hydraulic tree trimmer as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a positioning apparatus attached to said attachment means for rotating said tree trimmer to different cutting angles.

7. The hydraulic tree trimmer as set forth in claim 6 in which said positioning apparatus comprises:

a mounting plate pivotally attached to said second end of said attachment means, said mounting plate being securely mountable to a vehicle,

a positioning bracket securely attached to said second end on said attachment means,

a fixed bracket attached to said mounting plate, and

a second operation means extending between said positioning bracket and said fixed bracket, said second operation means causing rotation of said tree trimmer when operated.

8. The hydraulic tree trimmer as set forth in claim 1 further comprising blade stiffeners, said blade stiffeners comprising steel plates welded to said outer edge of said blade.

2. A hydraulic tree trimmer comprising:

a carriage assembly having a top plate and a bottom plate separated by spacers and secured together with a plurality of fasteners;

a pair of cutting blades contained between said top plate and said bottom plate, said blades being reciprocal of each other and each having a front end, center region, back end, outer edge, inner edge and a straight cutting edge extending along said inside edge from said front end to a midpoint towards said back end, said blades being self centering about an object to be cut by pivoting independently from each other about separate pivot points in said center region of said blades and pivotally about a pivot device extending from said top plate to said bottom plate;

a plurality of upper gussets, said gussets attached to said top plate and extending over and in a sliding engagement with said center region of said blades to prevent said blades from twisting and bending when operated upon;

means to operated said blades pivotally attached to said back ends of said blades, said means acting upon said back ends of said blades to cause said blades to pivot independently about said pivot points, said means causing said cutting surfaces to move toward each other cutting an item therebetween; and

an attachment means having a first and second end, said first end connected to said carriage assembly and said second end attached to a vehicle.

3. The hydraulic tree trimmer as set forth in claim 2 in which said upper gusset comprises a triangular vertical section which attaches to said top plate and a lower slide plate attached to a lower edge of said triangular section, said slide plate being in a sliding engagement with said blades.

4. A hydraulic tree trimmer comprising:

a carriage assembly having a top plate and a bottom plate separated by spacers and secured together with a plurality of fasteners;

a pair of cutting blades contained between said top plate and said bottom plate, said blades being reciprocal of each other and each having a front end, center region, back end, outer edge, inner edge and a straight cutting edge extending along said inside edge from said front end to a midpoint towards said back end, said blades being self centering about an object to be cut by pivoting independently from each other about separate pivot points in said center region of said blades and pivotally about a pivot device extending from said top plate to said bottom plate;

a plurality of lower gussets, said lower gussets attached to said bottom plate and extending over and in a sliding engagement with a bottom side of said center region of said blades to prevent said blades from twisting and bending when operated upon; and

said lower gussets acting as a skid to protect said hydraulic tree trimmer when in contact with the ground;

means to operated said blades being pivotally attached to said back ends of said blades, said means acting upon said back ends of said blades to cause said blades to pivot independently about said pivot points, said means causing said cutting surfaces to move toward each other cutting an item therebetween; and

an attachment means having a first and second end, said first end connected to said carriage assembly and said second end attached to a vehicle.

5. The hydraulic tree trimmer as set forth in claim 4 in which said lower gusset comprises a rectangular vertical section which attaches to said bottom plate and an upper slide plate attached to an upper edge of said rectangular section, said slide plate being in a sliding engagement with a bottom side of said blades.

9. A self centering high reach hydraulic tree trimmer in combination with a vehicle comprising:

a carriage assembly having a top plate and a bottom plate separated by spacers and secured together with a plurality of fasteners;

said top plate comprising a pair of angle irons, each of said angle irons having a horizontal leg and a vertical leg, said vertical legs being joined such that said top plate is formed by said horizontal legs of said angle irons, and said angle irons having a front angle iron and a rear angle iron;

a pair of cutting blades contained between said top plate and said bottom plate, said blades being reciprocal of each other and each having a front end, center region, back end, outer edge, inner edge and a straight cutting edge extending along said inside edge from said front end to a midpoint towards said back end, said blades being self centering about an object to be cut by pivoting independently from each other about separate pivot points in said center region of said blades and pivoting about a pivot device extending from said top plate to said bottom plate;

a plurality of upper gussets, said upper gussets attached to said top plate and extending over and in a sliding engagement with said center region of said blades to prevent said blades from twisting and bending when operated upon,

a plurality of lower gussets, said lower gussets attached to said bottom plate and extending over and in a sliding engagement with a bottom side of said center region of said blades to prevent said blades from twisting and bending when operated upon, and said lower gussets acting as a skid to protect said hydraulic tree trimmer when in contact with the ground,

means to operate said blades comprising a hydraulic cylinder pivotally attached to said back ends of said blades, said means acting upon said back ends of said blades to cause said blades to pivot independently about said pivot points and causing said cutting surfaces to move toward each other cutting an item therebetween; and

an attachment means having a first and second end, said first end connected to said carriage assembly and said second end attached to said vehicle, said attachment means comprising a receiving bracket on said first end of said attachment means, said receiving bracket attached to said rear angle iron of said top plate, and an extending member extending from said receiving bracket and extending to a receiving means on said vehicle, said vehicle having the capability of raising said hydraulic tree trimmer to an elevated position.

10. The hydraulic tree trimmer as set forth in claim 9 in which said upper gusset comprises a triangular vertical section which attaches to said top plate and a lower slide plate attached to a lower edge of said triangular section, said slide plate being in a sliding engagement with said blades.

11. The hydraulic tree trimmer as set forth in claim 9 in which said lower gusset comprises a rectangular vertical section which attaches to said bottom plate and an upper slide plate attached to an upper edge of said rectangular section, said slide plate being in a sliding engagement with a bottom side of said blades.

12. The hydraulic tree trimmer as set forth in claim 9 further comprising a positioning apparatus attached to said attachment means for rotating said tree trimmer to different cutting angles.

13. The hydraulic tree trimmer as set forth in claim 12 in which said positioning apparatus comprises;

a mounting plate pivotally attached to said second end of said attachment means, said mounting plate being securely mountable to a vehicle,

a positioning bracket securely attached to said second end on said attachment means,

a fixed bracket attached to said mounting plate, and

a second operation means extending between said positioning bracket and said fixed bracket, said second operation means causing rotation of said tree trimmer when operated.