Abstract: A timber-working device comprises a frame having a feed axis and a drive system configured to feed at least one stem along the feed axis. The drive system comprises a first drive arm pivotally attached to the frame on a first side of the feed axis, having a first rotary drive having a first wheel. A second drive arm is also pivotally attached to the frame on a second side of the feed axis, having a second rotary drive having a second wheel. The drive system also comprises a third rotary drive having a third wheel, and a fourth rotary drive having a fourth wheel, mounted on the frame on the first and second sides of the feed axis respectively. At least one processor controls operation of the rotary drives, such that in a first mode the speed of the respective wheels of the rotary drives on the same side of the feed axis is substantially the same, and in a second mode the speed of the respective wheels of at least two rotary drives on opposing sides is substantially the same.

Abstract: A system, device, and method for processing a length of material are provided. A material-working device has first and second cutting devices, each having different cutting capacities. Data relating to the length and diameter at a plurality of points of the material is received, and used to determine at least one cutting position along its length. The diameter of the length of material at the cutting position is determined, and used to select either the first cutting device or second cutting device for use in performing a cut at the cutting position based on the cutting capacity of each cutting device.

Abstract: A timber-working device having a first pivoting drive arm and a second pivoting drive arm, and a timing link for connecting them. The timing link includes an elongate member having a first end and a second end. A first aperture is at the first end and a second aperture at the second end. At least one of the first aperture and the second aperture is elongate along the length of the member.

Abstract: A timber-working head and method of operation are provided. The head has a frame to which first and second arms are pivotally connected. Respective linear drive actuators pivot the respective arms relative to the frame to open and close them. At least one processor controls application of pressure by the linear drive actuators such that the arms grasp timber to be processed by the head. The position of the linear actuators is used to determine whether the timber is offset from a feed axis of the frame beyond a predetermined distance, and the application of pressure by one of the linear actuators to reduce the offset to be within the predetermined distance.

Abstract: A timber-working head is configured to hold a felled tree and to feed the felled tree. The timber-working head comprises a frame and a delimb knife module mounted to the frame and configured to delimb the felled tree when the felled tree is fed past the delimb knife module. The delimb knife module has a central blade, a pivotable first side blade, and a pivotable second side blade.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and system for operation of a timber-working device configured to perform at least one operation having an associated hazard zone. At least one signal from at least one orientation sensor associated with the timber-working head may indicate whether a predetermined location is within the hazard zone based on the orientation of the timber-working head. Operation of the timber-working head can be controlled based on the signal.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for operation of a timber-working device capable of performing an operation having an associated hazard zone. The device can receive a wireless signal indicating a location of an object tracking device, determine the location of the object tracking device relative to the hazard zone of the timber-working device and determine a recommended operation of the timber-working device based at least in part on the location of the object tracking device relative to the hazard zone.

Abstract: A timber-working head comprises a frame, first and second delimb arms pivotally coupled to the frame, a delimb cylinder, and delimb cylinder hosing. A torso of the frame comprises a box enclosure, and a hosing channel extending through a cavity of the box enclosure. The delimb cylinder is mounted to both the first delimb arm and the second delimb arm and operable to pivot the first and second delimb arms relative to the frame to open and close them. The delimb cylinder is oriented in its longitudinal dimension laterally relative to the torso, and is positioned in front of and floatable laterally relative to the torso. The delimb cylinder hosing is routed from the delimb cylinder through the hosing channel. The hosing channel expands laterally relative to the torso as the hosing channel extends along its length forwardly through the box enclosure.

Abstract: A timber-working head comprises a frame, first and second delimb arms pivotally coupled to the frame, and a single delimb cylinder operatively coupled to both the first delimb arm and the second delimb arm to pivot the first and second delimb arms relative to the frame to open and close them. The first and second delimb arms are otherwise operatively unconnected from one another allowing pivotal movement of each of the first and second delimb arms without corresponding pivotal movement of the other of the first and second delimb arms. The second delimb arm comprises a cam stop defining a variable closure point for the first delimb arm, and the first delimb arm is configured to pivot into closed engagement with the cam stop.

Abstract: A timber-working head comprises a first motor, a second motor, a feed wheel, and an adaptor plate. The first motor comprises a first rotary output element. The second motor comprises a second rotary output element. The feed wheel is fixed to the first rotary output element for rotation therewith. The adaptor plate fixed to the second rotary output element for rotation therewith. The adaptor plate comprises radial projections arranged about the periphery of the adaptor plate and received respectively within corresponding axially recessed portions of the feed wheel so as to provide an operational interface between the adaptor plate and the feed wheel.

Abstract: A tree harvester head (12) comprises first and second saws (32, 38), each of which comprises a cutting chain (42), and a lubrication system (44) configured to lubricate the cutting chains (42) of the first and second saws (32, 38). The lubrication system (44) comprises a source of pressurized lubricant (46) and a diverter valve (48) configured to divert flow of pressurized lubricant, from the source of pressurized lubricant (46), between the first and second saws (32, 38) for lubrication of the respective cutting chains (42).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a characteristic, such as the stiffness, of a portion of a wood specimen characterised by the steps of a) producing an acoustic signal in the wood specimen part way along the length of the wood specimen, and b) sensing a response in the wood specimen part way along the length of the wood specimen including a reverberation from a first end of the wood specimen, and c) calculating a characteristic of a portion of the wood specimen from analysis of the sensed response. A related method and apparatus may be used to determine a characteristic of a portion of a tree stem during harvesting of a tree and the characteristic used to optimise the value of a log cut from the stem.