Abstract: A portable sawmill with bi-directional cutting circular saws includes a saw support pivotally mounted to a primary support structure for pivotal movement about a pivot axis which is transverse to the direction of movement. Two circular saws are rotatably mounted one above the other on the saw support. A first one of the two circular saws rotates in a first rotational direction and a second one of the two circular saws rotates in a second rotational direction. The teeth on both of the two circular saws are always moving toward a log resting on the log support as the log is being cut. An actuator is provided for selectively pivoting the saw support to invert the positioning of the two circular saws so that the teeth on both of the two circular saws continue to move toward the log being cut upon a change in direction occurring.

Abstract: A tree felling and shaping apparatus is provided with a fully powered and controllable link system which links a tree processor head to a boom that is in turn mounted to a vehicle. The link system includes two powered pivoting joints and a rotary coupling of up to 360° disposed therebetween. Such a combination provides a great convenience for the manipulation of the tree felling and shaping apparatus, not only permitting a maximum angular adjustment of the tree processor head for all directional orientations whether the head is in an upright position for felling trees or the head is in a recumbent position for processing trees, but also performing a universal joint function to freely suspend the tree processor head from the boom without using a conventional uncontrollable universal joint. The present invention improves maneuverability of the tree felling and shaping machines and thereby increases work efficiency.

Abstract: A tree felling and shaping apparatus is provided with a fully powered and controllable link system which links a tree processor head to a boom that is in turn mounted to a vehicle. The link system includes two powered pivoting joints and a rotary coupling of up to 360° disposed therebetween. Such a combination provides a great convenience for the manipulation of the tree felling and shaping apparatus, not only permitting a maximum angular adjustment of the tree processor head for all directional orientations whether the head is in an upright position for felling trees or the head is in a recumbent position for processing trees, but also performing a universal joint function to freely suspend the tree processor head from the boom without using a conventional uncontrollable universal joint. The present invention improves maneuverability of the tree felling and shaping machines and thereby increases work efficiency.

Abstract: A ring saw is described which has a novel construction for centering the cutting ring. The ring saw is characterized by a groove in the inner annular surface of the cutting ring. A plurality of rollers are provided which engage the groove in the inner annular surface. The rollers serve to center the cutting ring relative to the saw body while withstanding axial and radial loads placed upon the cutting ring. The construction, as described, serves to increase the capacity of the cutting ring to withstand radial and axial loading.

Abstract: A guiding guard assembly for a crawler track vehicle is relatively easy to install initially as a "retrofit kit", and can also be easily removed and replaced as needed. Furthermore, the guiding guard does not obstruct idler bearings of the lower run of the track, thus permitting easy servicing. A plurality of transverse supports are secured to the vehicle and disposed transversely of each crawler track and spaced longitudinally apart. Structure for locating a guiding guard member on each side of each crawler track relative to the transverse supports is provided so that a lower face of each guiding guard member is spaced closely to a lower run of each crawler track to resist excessive twisting of the track. Support portions secured to the transverse supports and guard portions secured to the guiding guard members having inclined locating surfaces which cooperate with each other to prevent relative movement between the guiding guard member and the supports when secured together.