Abstract: Described herein is a material reducing apparatus including a bypass arm and a bypass control member for allowing reduction-resistant objects of a material to bypass the apparatus while avoiding interruption of the operation of the apparatus. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus which includes an apparatus body, a splitter for splitter relatively larger pieces of material into relatively smaller pieces of material coupled with the apparatus body, and a grinder for grinding the relatively smaller pieces of material also coupled with the apparatus body. A power source may be adapted to provide power to both the grinder and the splitter. The grinding can be accomplished with minimal repositioning of the relatively smaller pieces once split. The splitting, then the grinding can be accomplished with little to no translational movement within a job site of a nearby piece of equipment adapted for picking up first the relatively larger pieces then the relatively smaller pieces.

Abstract: A wood splitting grappler is provided which may grab debris, split debris and move the debris to a desired location such as a materials reducing machine for further processing or disposition.

Abstract: A machine for reducing materials such as logs, limbs, stumps and the like into small particles. A hold down and infeed roller in combination with a conveyor feeds the materials into a rotating rotor. The rotor has cutters mounted on its periphery and is rotated in a direction to produce an upward cutting action. The rotor partially reduces the materials into smaller particles. An anvil in combination with the rotor further reduces the particles into the desired size. A grate dictates the size of the materials to be discharged from the machine.

Abstract: An improved arrangement for feeding material through a material reducing machine. An inclined wall is positioned strategic to a material reduction unit and a plunger of the machine. A lower beveled edge of the inclined wall is positioned in close proximity to the material reduction unit and above the plunger. The plunger forces material toward the material reduction unit and the inclined wall. Material that is below the lower edge of the wall will be forced into the material reduction unit and material that is above the lower edge will be forced to elevate on the inclined wall thus preventing jamming of the forced feed mechanism of the machine. Controls are provided to control the rate of movement of the plunger in correspondence with the rotational rate of the material reduction unit. The rate at which the plunger moves toward the material reduction unit is decreased when the rotational rate of the material reduction unit decreases.

Abstract: A combination debarking/delimbing and chipping machine for processing logs is mounted on a single chassis. The debarking/delimbing apparatus of the machine has a lower flail positioned below a material feed path and two adjustable flails positioned above the material feed path. The upper flails will adjust to the size of a log fed into the machine. The provisions of two upper flails assures total removal of bark/limbs from the log and aids in discharging loosened bark. The upper flails may be driven at variable rates and may be reversibly driven. The provisions of two upper flails enables a reduced rotational speed of the flails which enhances flail life.

Abstract: An attachment configured and arranged for mounting onto the end of an articulated boom. The attachment preferably includes a grapple for handling and positioning whole logs under the articulated boom. A splitter blade extending from the structure is manipulated to engage and split the logs as the boom of the machine is retracted toward the machine through articulation.

Abstract: A debarking/delimbing apparatus and method wherein the apparatus is provided with a side loading entry into the debarking/delimbing flails. A pivotal ramp guides tree stems into and through the side entry. With the ramp in a lowered position a skidder-type stem hauler directs the tree stem bundle to be ramped upwardly into the side entry. With the ramp in a raised position a boom mounted grapple directs the tree stem bundle to be ramped downwardly into the side entry.

Abstract: A debarking/delimbing apparatus and method wherein logs are continuously handled by a stem hauling skidder continuously throughout the debarking/delimbing operation. The debarking/delimbing apparatus is provided with a side loading entry into the debarking/delimbing flails including a ramp or feed rollers for lateral ramping or feeding of tree stems up and through the side entry. A skidder-type stem hauler skids the tree stems toward the infeed entry, then tightly swings around the apparatus. The tree stems are swung out to the side of the apparatus and then back into the ramp to be ramped laterally into the flails. The skidder turns back to the infeed direction of travel to pull the tree stems in the conventional direction through the flails.

Abstract: A combination log debarking, log chipping unit having a debarking apparatus and a chipping apparatus mounted on a common chassis, the two apparatus are aligned for conveying logs from the debarking apparatus to the chipping apparatus. The two apparatus are separated by a space of about 6-10 feet to permit loose bark to be removed from the logs and thereby avoid bark contamination of the chip. A conveyor system between the two apparatus guides and conveys logs to the chipper. A single power source enables control over the feeding of the logs to synchronize log feeding with the chipper's chipping capability. A loader over the debarking apparatus provides convenient loading of the logs into the debarker. The power source and controls for the various operating components are all under the common control of the loader operator.

Abstract: A debarking apparatus including a closed bottom formed into a channel. A plunger is slidable in the channel and pushes bark material along the channel and out an open end of the channel. The plunger has a top surface that closes the channel as it moves through the debarking station. The bark deposited on the surface is wiped off and into the channel upon withdrawal. Preferably a shearing blade provided on the leading upper edge of the plunger shears material that protrudes above the channel opening.

Abstract: A feed roll for a log debarker or delimber wherein the roll is square-shaped in cross-section. Rows of gripping teeth are provided along each corner. The teeth are varied in height along the feed roll to form a sinusoidal or serpentine wave. Successive rows of teeth are offset so that the valleys of one row is aligned with the peaks of the succeeding row. The feed roll thus configured induces bouncing and side-to-side movement of a bundle of logs deposited thereon to induce spreading and side-by-side arrangement of the logs for processing.

Abstract: A debarking/delimbing apparatus having upper and lower flailing drums mounted crossway to a feed line for logs progressing through the apparatus. The upper flailing drum is pivotally mounted to enable movement of the flails toward and away from the feed line to accommodate different sized logs. A counter force urges raising of the upper drum but not sufficient to offset totally the gravity force. A gate across the inlet is connected to the upper drum mounting and when engaged by a log raises the upper drum in accordance with the diameter of the log. The length of the flails are only as long as needed to reach down to the mid-point of the largest size logs.

Abstract: An apparatus for scraping bark from a log includes a plurality of radially extending torsionally resistant elastomer flailing elements secured to, spaced longitudinally of, and angularly disposed around the periphery of a rotatable drum. Attached adjacent the free end of each elastomer element is a broad metallic cutting element which scrapes bark from a log. Each flexible cutting member comprised of an elastomer element and a broad cutting element attached thereto conforms to the shape of a log advancing relative to the cutting member and scrapes a substantial portion of bark therefrom.

Abstract: A combination log debarking, log chipping unit having a debarking apparatus and a chipping apparatus mounted on a common chassis, the two apparatus are aligned for conveying logs from the debarking apparatus to the chipping apparatus. The two apparatus are separated by a space of about 6-10 feet to permit loose bark to be removed from the logs and thereby avoid bark contamination of the chip. A conveyor system between the two apparatus guides and conveys logs to the chipper. A single power source enables control over the feeding of the logs to synchronize log feeding with the chipper's chipping capability. A loader over the debarking apparatus provides convenient loading of the logs into the debarker. The power source and controls for the various operating components are all under the common control of the loader operator.