Abstract: A High Performance Steering System for amplifying the turning motion of an axle as the turning motion is applied to wheels or tracks at the outer ends of the axle. The present invention generally includes a support member such as an axle which is secured underneath the frame of a vehicle such as a garden tractor or automobile. The support member includes a fixed post and an outer post for each wheel that is steered. Wheels or tracks are connected to the outer posts, such as by mounts. Rotation of the support member imparts forces through sprockets, gears, pulleys, tie rod linkages, or the like to amplify the turning motion of the support member as it is applied to the outer post. The amount of such amplification of turning motion between the support member and outer posts may be varied with differing size ratios of the sprockets, gears, or pulleys.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes various method, structure, and device embodiments for planting of tree slips, seedlings, and other immature plant elements in the ground. One embodiment includes an encasement insertion structure for planting that includes an immature plant element having a length and a circumference and an encasing material formed to surround at least a portion of the immature plant element around the circumference for facilitating insertion of the immature plant element through a ground surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes various methods and devices for planting. One method embodiment includes providing a planting device having a frame, the planting device including a generally vertically oriented barrel and a ram slidable within the barrel for propelling a slip having a length placed therein. The method includes accelerating the ram, contacting the slip with the ram, and propelling the slip to a velocity such that the momentum of the slip is sufficient to fire the slip through an unprepared ground surface such that the slip penetrates the ground surface to a depth of at least 80% of the length of the slip.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes various methods and devices for planting. One method embodiment includes providing a planting device having a frame, the planting device including a generally vertically oriented barrel and a ram slidable within the barrel for propelling a slip having a length placed therein. The method includes accelerating the ram, contacting the slip with the ram, and propelling the slip to a velocity such that the momentum of the slip is sufficient to fire the slip through an unprepared ground surface such that the slip penetrates the ground surface to a depth of at least 80% of the length of the slip.

Abstract: A tree harvester for continuously cutting and accumulating trees and a method for using such a harvester is disclosed. The harvester has a frame with a cutting area and a large elongate accumulation area. A tree severing device is secured to one end of the frame and a continuous rail having accumulating arms secured to it extends from the cutting area to the rear portion of the accumulation area. The arms are equally spaced apart from each other along the rail, with each arm traveling in a continuous circuit along the rail such that it moves from the cutting area to the accumulation area. During use, the harvester is aligned with a row of trees to be cut. As the first tree is cut by the severing device, an accumulating arm is positioned behind the tree and moves it to the rear most available portion of the accumulation area. As the harvester travels down the row of trees, each tree in the row is cut and moved to the rear most available portion of the accumulation area.

Abstract: A system for providing thermal power to an electrical power plant wherein substantially whole trees are supplied as fuel without being processed into small woodchips or chunks. A stacked cooling grate suspends the substantially whole trees within the combustion chamber. The cooling grate is formed by stacking an upper tube and at least one lower tube vertically beneath the upper tube. The tubes of the cooling grate are supplied with water to cool the grate.

Abstract: A method and a system for providing thermal power to an electrical power plant wherein substantially whole trees are supplied as fuel without being processed into small woodchips or chunks. The substantially whole trees stored in the drying building to lower their moisture content, and thereafter are transported to a charge pit located adjacent to a combustion chamber. The substantially whole trees are fed into the combustion chamber by a ram feeder and burned therein. The heat created by the combustion is absorbed by a boiler section and in the form of steam it is supplied to a conventional electrical power generator.

Abstract: A scrubber for cleansing flue gases is disclosed. The scrubber includes a housing which defines a channel. The channel includes a scrubber stage wherein vertically spaced rows of deflecting members of L-shaped cross-section are disposed. In a given row of deflecting members, a plurality of flow paths are defined between horizontally adjacent deflecting members. Each deflecting member has an upper arm and a lower arm. The lowermost edge of the lower arms of the deflecting members in one row are disposed between vertical projections from the uppermost edges of upper arms of deflecting members in a row below the last mentioned row.