Abstract: A cutting head (20) is mounted on the outer end of a boom structure of a self-propelled machine, such as an excavator. The cutting head housing has a vertically oriented rotary cutter wheel (48) mounted on a side portion thereof. Side and top portions of the wheel (48) are protected by a shroud (56), which has generally conical side members (72, 80). The members (72, 80) strengthen the shroud (56), provide cutting depth control, and assist the operator in positioning the cutter wheel (48) on a stump. The wheel (48) and shroud (56) are laterally offset from a rearward projection (88) of the housing. A double heel rack (92, 94) is formed on the free outer end of the projection (88). The upper leg (92) of the rack cooperates with a thumb (28) to grip objects. The lower leg is used for stabilizing the vehicle. The rack (92, 94) also functions as a rake.

Abstract: A work head (20) has a main housing (28) pivotably mountable on a boom (14) of a brush cutting machine. A cutter wheel (64) is rotatably mounted on the housing (28) to rotate about a vertical axis (X). A shroud (38) is pivotably mounted on the housing (28) to pivot about the same axis (X). The shroud (38) substantially surrounds the cutter wheel (64). The inner race (76) of an annular bearing (74) is secured to a bottom wall (36) of the housing (28). The outer race (80) of the bearing (74) is secured to the top wall (40) of the shroud (38). A hydraulic motor (88) mounted on the housing (28) carries a pinion gear (92) that engages teeth (84) on the outer race (80) to pivot the shroud (38). A fixed gripper jaw (46) depends downwardly from the housing (28) adjacent to the shroud (38). An upper jaw (50) is pivotably mounted on the housing (28) to cooperate with the fixed jaw (46) to grip cut brush and other debris.

Abstract: A brush cutter work head (20) has a protective shroud (36) with a vertical side opening (40) to expose a portion of a circular cutting blade (42) to enable the blade (42) to cut brush. A spray nozzle (82) is mounted on a sliding member (74) that slides within a tubular housing (58) incorporated into the work head housing (28). The sliding member (74) has a retracted position in which the nozzle (82) is positioned above a portion of the housing (28), and a projecting use position in which the nozzle (82) is aligned with the opening (40) above and outward of the blade (42). A gripping thumb (44) is pivotally mounted on the work head housing (28) and is operated by an actuator (52) within the housing (28) to pivot between a flush nonuse position and a gripping position in which it opposes a jaw (38) formed by a lower portion of the shroud (36).

Abstract: A circular cutter wheel (34) is mounted on a work head housing (24) to rotate about a vertical axis (Y). A chain saw (76) is mounted on the housing (24) above the wheel (34). The saw (76) is mounted by a swivel device (42) which continuously rotates the saw (76) about a vertical axis (X) between a nonuse position in which the saw (76) extends over the housing (24) and a plurality of use positions in which it projects forwardly and/or laterally therefrom. The device (42) includes coaxial cylindrical housings (44, 48). The saw (76) is secured to an outer circumferential surface (82) of the outer housing (48). A motor (50) carried by the inner housing (44) rotates the outer housing (48) and saw (76).

Abstract: A plurality of cutter teeth (50) are mounted on outer peripheral portions of a rotary cutter wheel (22). Each tooth (50) forms a socket (74) that receives a projections (26) on the wheel (22). Opposite parallel inner socket surfaces (76) and a parallel outer surface (78) of the tooth (50) abut side surfaces (28) of the projection (26) and an edge surface (34) on the wheel (22) to snugly engage the tooth (50) on the wheel (22). The abutting surfaces (76, 28 and 78, 34) are substantially tangent to the wheel's cutting direction. A roll pin (80) may be used to further secure the tooth (50). The pin (80) fits snugly in a hole (70) in the tooth (50) and loosely in a hole (32) in the projection (26). Upper and lower tooth walls (56, 58) preferably extend along opposite surfaces of the wheel (22) beyond the projection (26).

Abstract: Three booms (20,30,50) form an articulated boom structure that is mounted on a pivotable base (10). The booms (20,30,50) are extendible into a position in which they extend one from another and are generally parallel to each other. The booms (20,30,50) may be folded into a position in which a workhead (74) attached to the outer boom (50) is positioned to work in the area on the ground near the base (10). The booms (20,30,50) fold into a Z-shaped configuration and may be pivoted to move the workhead (74) in a vertical line reaching to a height of about 40 feet. A rotary cutter (90) is carried by the workhead (74). Opposing jaws (84,86) are carried by the workhead (74) and third boom (50), respectively, and function, when the workhead (74) is pivoted, to grasp debris or to perform a digging operation. The jaw (84) may also be used as a rake. A shroud (82) on workhead (74) prevents debris from flying away from cutter (90) in unpredictable directions.