Woodworking – Special-work machine – Tree delimbing
Utility Patent
1999-11-10
2001-01-02
Bray, W. Donald (Department: 3725)
Woodworking
Special-work machine
Tree delimbing
C144S208800, C144S335000, C144S343000
Utility Patent
active
06167927
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a delimbing device, and more particularly to an arrangement for mounting a cutting head assembly of a delimbing device on a support member.
Delimbing devices are utilized in whole tree forestry applications to remove branches from felled trees. Removing the limbs from felled trees results in the production of limbless logs which are much easier to load and transport than trees having limbs.
One type of delimbing device includes a boom loader and a cutting head assembly rotatably mounted on a frame. Having the cutting head assembly rotatably mounted on the frame facilitates the delimbing process. In particular, prior to cutting the limbs off of a tree, the cutting head assembly is preferably rotated relative to the frame so that the cutting head assembly is positioned in a loading orientation. Having the cutting assembly positioned in the loading orientation aids the boom loader operator in placing the tree in a channel defined in the cutting head assembly. Once the tree is placed in the channel, the boom loader pulls the tree therethrough such that a pair of blades attached to the cutting head assembly cut off the tree limbs. Once delimbed, the tree is cut to the appropriate length with a bar saw and then loaded onto a transport, such as a truck.
One problem with the above described arrangement is that pulling the tree through the channel communicates rotational forces to the cutting head assembly so that it is no longer positioned in the loading orientation after the tree has been delimbed. Therefore, once a tree has been delimbed, the cutting head assembly must be repositioned in the loading orientation before the next tree is delimbed.
Heretofore, various mechanism have been used to reposition the cutting head assembly in the loading orientation after delimbing a tree. For example, various mechanisms which include springs or hydraulic cylinders have been employed to reposition the cutting head assembly in the loading orientation after delimbing a tree. However, these mechanism tend to be mechanically complex and expensive to manufacture. In addition, the mechanical complexity of these types mechanism tend to increase the maintenance cost of operating the delimbing device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a delimbing device arrangement. The arrangement includes a cutting head assembly. The arrangement also includes a first support member supporting the cutting head assembly. The arrangement further includes a second support member supporting the cutting head assembly. The arrangement also includes a bearing assembly secured to the first support member and the second support member so that (i) the bearing assembly is interposed between the first support member and the second support member and (ii) the cutting head assembly can rotate relative to the second support member around an axis of rotation such that when a rotational force is applied to the cutting head assembly the cutting head assembly rotates from a first orientation to a second orientation. The bearing assembly is configured so that when the rotational force is removed from the cutting head assembly the cutting head assembly spontaneously returns to the first orientation from the second orientation.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a delimbing device. The device includes a cutting head assembly having (i) a cutting blade configured to cut branches off of a tree and (ii) a bar saw configured to cut through the tree. The device also includes a first support member supporting the cutting head assembly. The device further includes a second support member supporting the cutting head assembly. The device also includes a bearing assembly secured to the first support member and the second support member so that (i) the bearing assembly is interposed between the first support member and the second support member and (ii) the cutting head assembly can rotate relative to the second support member around an axis of rotation such that when a rotational force is applied to the cutting head assembly the cutting head assembly rotates from a first orientation to a second orientation. The bearing assembly is configured so that when the rotational force is removed from the cutting head assembly the cutting head assembly spontaneously returns to the first orientation from the second orientation.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a delimbing device. The device includes a cutting head assembly having a pair of blades configured to cut branches off of a tree. The device also includes a grapple configured to grasp the tree. The device further includes a frame for supporting the cutting head assembly and the grapple. The device also includes a bearing assembly interposed between the cutting head assembly and the frame so that the cutting head assembly can rotate relative to the frame around an axis of rotation such that when a rotational force is applied to the cutting head assembly the cutting head assembly rotates from a first orientation to a second orientation. The bearing assembly is configured so that when the rotational force is removed from the cutting head assembly the cutting head assembly spontaneously returns to the first orientation from the second orientation.
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Bray W. Donald
Caterpillar Inc.
Maginot Addison & Moore
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