Abstract: A chain saw guide bar for a tree harvester is arranged to yield when an excessive force is applied such as when the guide bar becomes jammed in a cut. Yielding of the guide bar protects the bar holder from damage. The guide bar is heat treated or otherwise structurally modified to provide the desired yield strength.

Abstract: A saw chain for cutting aggregate material has sealing members to seal the pivotal connection between the center drive links and the rivets to prevent entry of contaminates into the bearing surfaces. In one arrangement, O-rings are mounted in grooves of the tie straps with the O-ring being compressively forced against the center drive link. The O-ring prevents entry of contaminants into the bearing surface between the bore of the center drive link and the rivet. In another arrangement spring type cup washers fit in a groove of the tie straps and the cup washers are biased against the center drive link.

Abstract: A timber harvesting machine including a chassis supported by endless tracks. A platform is mounted on the chassis. A platform is rotatable on the turntable in an annular bearing race on the turntable. A boom is mounted on the platform and includes a main boom mounting pin which is pivoted on one side of the axis of rotation of the platform. A boom actuating cylinder has a mounting pin which is mounted on the other side of the axis of rotation and directly over the annular bearing race regardless of the rotational position of said platform relative to said turntable.

Abstract: A system for automatically preventing gear shift operation in a timber harvesting tractor when the tractor is moving. The system includes a drive train powered by a transmission. The drive train includes a transfer case which is shifted by the operator of the tractor through manipulation of an electrical control circuit. The electrical control circuit is rendered ineffective to shift the transfer case when the drive train is being driven by the transmission and the tractor is moving.

Abstract: A chain saw guide bar including a chain tightening mechanism. A shaft or rack slidable within the bar body includes a head portion slidable rearwardly against a bar mounting stud. The head portion resides between opposed edges formed in the bar body and the head portion includes fingers that straddle the mounting stud. Rearward sliding of the shaft or rack against the stud produces a lateral force urging spreading of the fingers to produce wedging of the fingers between the opposed edges and the stud. Such wedging of the fingers produces resistance to return sliding of the shaft and retains the tightened condition of the chain.

Abstract: A chain saw guide bar has self-contained mechanism to force movement of the guide bar away from a drive sprocket to tension the saw chain. The mechanism includes a bearing surface that engages a mounting stud on the chain saw housing and a rotatable portion which upon rotation causes axial displacement of the bearing surface in contact with the stud.

Abstract: A saw chain for a chain saw has an identifying code stamped into one of its links for ease of selecting replacement chain. The link with the identifying code is provided with distinguishing characteristics for ease of selecting that link. The stamped code on the link provides the specification of the saw chain required for replacement. The link may have a different shape and/or colored to distinguish that link from other similar links.

Abstract: A guide bar mounting arrangement for a tree harvester. The tail end of the guide bar is provided with a center slot and pin receiving slot at each side thereof. A sliding block has a center boss and pins permanently or removably mounted therein at the sides of the boss and the combination is slidably mounted in a fixture or base member fixedly secured to the harvester adjacent a drive sprocket. The guide bar is fitted to the sliding block center slot receiving a center boss of the sliding block and the pin receiving slots engaging the pins of the sliding block. A saw chain is entrained around the guide bar and drive sprocket and the sliding block moved relative to the sprocket to tension the saw chain. The sliding block is forced against the base member to clamp the bar in position.

Abstract: A depth gauge leading the cutting edge in a cutter device has a body portion disposed in a substantially upright plane. The depth gauge includes a top plate portion cantilevered laterally over the body. A juncture section joins the depth gauge plate portion to the body of the cutter and is deformed intermediate its front and rear ends to strengthen the depth gauge against breakage.

Abstract: A chain tensioner for a chain saw has a cam member in positive engagement with a flange of a plate attached to the guide bar. Rotation of the cam member forces the guide bar away from a drive sprocket of the chain saw to tension the chain. The cam member is clamped in position to maintain the guide bar in the adjusted position. Flats on the cam member in abutment with the flange resist rotation of the cam member when in the adjusted and clamped position. A slot is provided in the cam member to facilitate rotating the cam to force the guide bar away from the drive sprocket.

Abstract: A device and method for loading primers into primer receptacles of a rectilinear primer holder strip. The device includes an elongated track for longitudinally guiding the primer strip through a primer loading station. The primer strip includes a series of longitudinally aligned receptacles, each of which is designed to hold a primer in an interference fit that prevents dislodgement of the primer from the strip. Each primer strip also has a plurality of laterally extending castellations including teeth and depressions that slide on a ledge within the track. The track of the loading device is of substantially the same width as the strip, such that the strip slides through the track. A primer delivery slot in the device delivers a primer into the track, and a pressure application device is positioned to press the primer into a target primer receptacle.

Abstract: An iron composition and method for processing the composition that produces a steel alloy having enhanced low temperature toughness, without compromising other desirable mechanical properties, is described. The composition can be used to produce devices, such as saw chain, particularly useful for low temperature applications. In general, the steel composition comprises from about 0.2 weight percent to about 0.4 weight percent nickel, from about 0.2 to about 0.4 weight percent chromium, from about 0.5 weight percent to about 1.0 weight percent carbon, from about 0.3 to about 0.5 weight percent manganese, from about 0.1 to about 0.35 weight percent silicon, and from about 0.08 weight percent to about 0.20 weight percent molybdenum. After heat treating, the steel composition has an average fracture toughness of greater than about 42 ksi in.sup.1/2, and an average modified Charpy energy-to-failure of greater than about 2 ft.lbs at temperatures greater than about -20.degree. F.

Abstract: A holder for feeding components, such as primers or bullets, into a reloading machine is disclosed. The component holder is an elongate strip having notched longitudinal margins for indexing the strip as it progresses through the reloading machine. The strip includes a plurality of receptacles for holding components. Each receptacle has an inner surface that is a combination of a cylindrical portion, a prismatical portion, and a transition portion which cooperate to allow easy loading of the component into the strip and which firmly holds the component in place. The holder also includes an engagement portion so that successive holders may be ganged together to provide a continuous component holder for continuous reloading operations. A tape is applied to at least one side of the holder to cover the component held therein.

Abstract: A device and method for loading components into holders used in cartridge case reloading machinery is disclosed. The loading device includes a tray that receives and orients reloading components such as primers. The tray includes a strip receptacle which receives and positions a component holder while components are oriented by the tray and moved into position into receptacles in the component holder. The components are forced into the component holder by manual pressure, a roller, or a lever actuated bar. After the components are pressed into the component holder, the holder may be removed from the loading device and used in reloading machinery.

Abstract: A cutter for an endless cutter device having a body portion disposed in a substantially upright plane, a cutter portion on a rearward region of the body and a depth gauge portion on a forward region of the body. The depth gauge has a downwardly sloping planar upper surface with a multi-angular configuration. A rear edge of the depth gauge has a central portion which is highest and farthest to the rear, with side portions extending forwardly and downwardly therefrom in diverging directions. A free outer edge intermediate the rear edge and forward edge of the depth gauge is the maximum width portion of the depth gauge. Converging edges progress forwardly from the maximum width portion to the front edge of the depth gauge. The heel of the body portion is clipped to permit limited rearward rocking of the cutter.

Abstract: A holder for feeding components, such as primers or bullets, into a reloading machine is disclosed. The component holder is an elongate strip having notched longitudinal margins for indexing the strip as it progresses through the reloading machine. The strip includes a plurality of receptacles for holding components. Each receptacle has an inner surface that is a combination of a cylindrical portion, a prismatical portion, and a transition portion which cooperate, to allow easy loading of the component into the strip and which firmly holds the component in place. The holder also includes an engagement portion so that successive holders may be ganged together to provide a continuous component holder for continuous reloading operations. A tape is applied to at least one side of the holder to cover the component held therein.

Abstract: A motorized case trimmer is disclosed having a lever operated case holder and a motor driven trimming blade. The motor and blade are slidably mounted upon rails for quick and easy movement to provide sufficient clearance for loading a case into the case holder. A motor handle further simplifies the movement of the blade and motor whereby a simple one-step motion of the handle moves the blade and motor and locks them into a retracted position. Releasing the motor handle, permits the motor and blade to slide freely along the rails under urging by a pair of springs. The components of the case trimmer are mounted upon an elongate platform that permits adjustability of the position of the components for accommodating various size cases and for adjusting the cutting force of the blade against the cartridge case.

Abstract: A device for loading a primer from a priming station into a primer socket of an ammunition cartridge case, includes an elongated track for longitudinally guiding a rectilinear primer strip through the priming station. The primer strip includes a series of longitudinally aligned receptacles, each of which holds a primer in an interference fit that prevents dislodgement of the primer from the strip. Each primer strip also has a plurality of laterally extending castellations or teeth that slide on a ledge over the track, and a reciprocating advancing member on the track has arms that interdigitate with the teeth to move the primer strip forward through the priming station as the advancing member moves in an advancing direction. A detent interdigitates with the teeth to hold the primer strip with a target receptacle in a target position adjacent the primer socket of the cartridge case, while a reciprocating punch pin transfers the primer from the target receptacle to the primer socket.

Abstract: A cutter for an endless cutter device having a body portion disposed in a substantially upright plane, a cutter portion on a rearward region of the body and a depth gauge portion on a forward region of the body. The depth gauge has a downwardly sloping planar upper surface with a multi-angular configuration. A rear edge of the depth gauge has a central portion which is highest and farther to the rear, with side portions extending forwardly and downwardly therefrom in diverging directions. A free outer edge intermediate the rear edge and forward edge of the depth gauge is the maximum width portion of the depth gauge. Converging edges progress forwardly from the maximum width portion to the front edge of the depth gauge. The heel of the body portion is clipped to permit limited rearward rocking of the cutter.

Abstract: An iron composition and method for processing the composition that produces a steel alloy having enhanced low temperature toughness, without compromising other desirable mechanical properties, is described. The composition can be used to produce devices, such as saw chain, particularly useful for low temperature applications. In general, the steel composition comprises from about 0.2 weight percent to about 0.4 weight percent nickel, from about 0.2 to about 0.4 weight percent chromium, from about 0.5 weight percent to less than about 1.0 weight percent carbon, from about 0.3 to about 0.5 weight percent manganese, and from about 0.08 weight percent to about 0.20 weight percent molybdenum. After heat treating, the steel composition has an average fracture toughness of greater than about 42 ksi in.sup.1/2, and an average modified Charpy energy-to-failure of greater than about 2 ft.lbs at temperatures greater than about -20.degree. F.