Woodworking – Special-work machine – Tree delimbing
Patent
1998-11-12
1999-11-16
Bray, W. Donald
Woodworking
Special-work machine
Tree delimbing
47 101R, 1442082, 144343, 182133, B27L 100
Patent
active
059839660
ABSTRACT:
A self-propelled tree pruning apparatus having a cutting tool with helical edges, such as a milling head. The pruning apparatus is comprised of a frame, at least one pair of driven wheels rotatably attached to the frame, a pair of hugger wheels rotatably held by support means, the support means being adjustably attached to the frame to permit the hugger wheels to be positioned a distance from the driven wheels sufficient to allow the trunk of a tree to be pruned to fit between the driven wheel and the hugger wheels, pneumatic means, such as air bags, for urging the hugger wheels toward the driven wheels, the cutting tool being attached to a drive shaft that is attached to the frame in a manner to allow the cutting tool to move along three axes, and a self-powered motor for driving the driven wheels and cutting tool. In operation, the pruning apparatus is mounted on the trunk of a tree to be pruned, with driven wheels on one side thereof and a pair of hugger wheels located on the other side of the trunk. The driven wheels cause the pruning apparatus to climb the trunk of the tree to be pruned to a desired height. The pruning apparatus follows a helical path around the trunk and upwardly, cutting limbs of all sizes as its rotating cutting tool comes into contact with them. Upon achieving the desired height up a tree trunk, the engine is throttled back to idling speed and the pressure in the air bags released, thereby permitting the apparatus to descend to the ground.
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Bray W. Donald
Howard Robert E.
LandOfFree
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