Abstract: An intelligent knuckle boom control system is disclosed where hoist and stick cylinders raise and lower main and stick booms, respectively, a base end control valve controls flow to the hoist and stick cylinder base ends, a hoist rod control valve controls flow to the hoist cylinder rod end, and a stick rod control valve controls flow to the stick cylinder rod end. A microprocessor computes control signals to direct flow through the control valves based on operator commands and boom position readings. The system can include an energy storage system for storing excess energy and releasing the stored energy, where the microprocessor directs storage of excess energy and release of stored energy. The energy storage system can include a hydraulic accumulator, an accumulator control valve and hydraulic pressure sensors; where the microprocessor receives pressure sensor readings and computes accumulator control valve control signals.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a boom structure including an elongated body having a first end and a second end, the first end configured to couple to a dipper and the second end configured to couple to a support structure. The boom structure further includes a top member, a bottom member, and a pair of sides members of the body coupled to the top member and bottom member. Each side member includes a first portion extending between the first end and second end of the body and forming an outer frame structure. Each side member also includes a second portion coupled to an inner surface of the first portion and being substantially enclosed by the first portion.

Abstract: A debarking blade arrangement is carried by a frame of a tree harvesting head and includes a fixed knife segment that cooperates with three articulated knife segments carried by each of right- and left-hand, articulated debarking arm assemblies which are disposed on opposite sides of a tree stem feed axis. Each arm assembly includes a rear arm section that carries a first knife segment, an intermediate arm section and a front arm section that carries second and third knife segments and is yieldably biased toward the intermediate arm section so as to dispose the second and third knife segments for engagement with a tree stem. A hydraulically-powered arrangement is coupled to each arm assembly for selectively pivoting the entire assembly about a fixed axis and for pivoting the intermediate and front arm sections relative to the rear arm section for keeping the knife segments in debarking engagement with the stem.

Abstract: An intelligent knuckle boom control system is disclosed where hoist and stick cylinders raise and lower main and stick booms, respectively, a base end control valve controls flow to the hoist and stick cylinder base ends, a hoist rod control valve controls flow to the hoist cylinder rod end, and a stick rod control valve controls flow to the stick cylinder rod end. A microprocessor computes control signals to direct flow through the control valves based on operator commands and boom position readings. The system can include an energy storage system for storing excess energy and releasing the stored energy, where the microprocessor directs storage of excess energy and release of stored energy. The energy storage system can include a hydraulic accumulator, an accumulator control valve and hydraulic pressure sensors; where the microprocessor receives pressure sensor readings and computes accumulator control valve control signals.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a boom structure including an elongated body having a first end and a second end, the first end configured to couple to a dipper and the second end configured to couple to a support structure. The boom structure further includes a top member, a bottom member, and a pair of sides members of the body coupled to the top member and bottom member. Each side member includes a first portion extending between the first end and second end of the body and forming an outer frame structure. Each side member also includes a second portion coupled to an inner surface of the first portion and being substantially enclosed by the first portion.

Abstract: A disc saw felling head has a window in a sidewall of the head through which chips are discharged in a tangent plane and a discharge chute over the window. The chute has a top wall and inner and outer sidewalls shaped so that chips exiting the head through the window are directed along a chip path which is generally parallel to the tangent plane and first turns further rearward and then turns outward through a lateral discharge opening in the chute.