Woodworking – Special-work machine – Combined
Patent
1989-12-11
1991-01-01
Bray, W. Donald
Woodworking
Special-work machine
Combined
144 2Z, 144338, 144343, A01G 2308
Patent
active
049811630
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a supplementary assembly for tree logging or cutting machines, which is intended to be fitted to the boom, jib or like member of a crane mounted on the machine and which includes a gripping member.
2. History of the Related Art
When trees are felled on a large scale, there is used normally a harvester by means of which the trees are felled, delimbed and slashed, whereafter the thus processed trees are loaded onto a further machine, a so-called forwarder, and moved from the tree cutting site to the nearest access road.
When cutting or felling trees on a smaller scale using only one machine, for instance in forest thinning operations, the trees are normally left on the tree cutting site, after being felled and delimbed, possibly to be loaded up and carried away at a later date. This method creates a problem, since the comprehensive work entailed in shifting the logs, wood, etc., at a later date makes such handling complicated and more expensive, or requires the inclusion of an additional machine, as in the case of large scale tree logging operations, in order to be able to manage the task of transporting away the logs. This latter alternative is not economically viable in the case of forest thinning operations for example. If the logs are left for future transportation, further problems may arise. For instance, the task of loading and transporting the logs may be made more difficult by the fact that snow has fallen whilst the wood has been left lying on the ground.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Consequently, the main object of this invention is to provide a supplementary assembly which when fitted to a machine equipped with a crane boom, e.g. a harvester, will enable all operations that are included in tree logging or cutting work, i.e. felling, processing, loading and transporting the logs to the nearest access road, to be carried out by one and the same machine.
This and other objects of the invention are achieved with an assembly which has the characterizing features set forth in the following claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The inventive assembly will now be described in more detail with reference to embodiments thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a complementary assembly constructed in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 2 is a view from the left side of the assembly in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a view from the right side of the assembly in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a side view of a tree logging machine equipped with another embodiment of the inventive assembly.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the machine illustrated in FIG. 4.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In the FIG. 1 illustration of the inventive assembly the reference 10 designates the head of a gripper of a known kind which is mounted on the end of the boom or jib of a crane and used for wood or log loading purposes. The gripper head 10 comprises two triangular side plates 12,14 and an intermediate cross-piece 16. Pivotally mounted on the head 10 are two claws 18,20 which can be opened or closed around the trunk of a tree with the aid of a hydraulic piston-cylinder device (not shown) connected between the claws by means of a linkage system. A motorized saw 24 equipped with a saw chain 26 and driven, e.g., by a hydraulic motor, is pivotally mounted to the side-piece 14 by means of a pivot journal 22. As will be seen from FIG. 3, the saw 24 can be swung down to a tree felling and/or trunk logging position, shown in chain lines, with the aid of a hydraulic piston-cylinder device 28 journalled between one end of the saw 24 and the side-piece 14, by retracting the piston rod of the piston-cylinder device, as described hereinafter. Pivotally mounted on the cross-piece 16 of the gripper 10 is an attachment 32 which has a connector 34 for the connection of the outer end of a crane mounted on a tree logging machine, such as a forwarder. The cross-piece of the gripper 10, and therewith the whole of the assembly, can be swung
REFERENCES:
patent: 3720246 (1973-03-01), David
patent: 3735786 (1973-05-01), Vit
patent: 3796241 (1974-03-01), Golob et al.
patent: 3850469 (1974-11-01), Vit
patent: 3999582 (1976-12-01), Allen et al.
patent: 4416311 (1983-11-01), Murdoch et al.
patent: 4779654 (1988-10-01), Casperson et al.
LandOfFree
Assembly intended for tree logging machines does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Assembly intended for tree logging machines, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Assembly intended for tree logging machines will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1991771