Abstract: An improved harvester head assembly is provided. The harvester head includes a housing which is rotatable between a horizontal orientation and a vertical orientation. The harvester head further includes feeding system with a central feed roller and a pair of outer feed rollers that are moveable relative to the housing. The harvester head also includes top and bottom saws. A pair of delimbing knives are pivotable relative to the housing. A manifold and valve assembly is disposed in the housing and includes a plurality of solenoid valves which are configured to channel hydraulic fluid to motors and actuators to power and/or move a plurality of the components. The manifold and valve assembly includes a manifold with a rectangular shape and which is oriented with its long dimension extending in a longitudinal direction. The solenoid valves are spaced from one another in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: An automated tree cutting assembly includes a collar that may be positioned around a tree. A plurality of climbing units is movably coupled to the collar. The climbing units frictionally engage the tree thereby facilitating each of the climbing units to urge the collar around and up the tree. Each of the climbing units is positionable at selected angle with respect to the collar. Thus, each of the climbing unit units may urge the collar to travel in a spiral along the tree thereby facilitating the collar to climb upwardly and downwardly along the tree. A cutting unit is movably coupled to the collar to cut branches from the tree when the collar is positioned around the tree.

Abstract: Methods are provided for rapid and efficient removal and separation of leaves and bark from harvested plant material for use in extraction and purification of plant products, and in particular, the removal of leaves and bark from Guayule for the extraction of latex for use in latex and rubber products.

Abstract: A cutting tool including an annular cutter body having at least one V-shaped pocket formed therein and a cutting tool cartridge configured to be received in the at least one pocket of the cutter body. The cutting tool cartridge including a main body. The main body includes a cutting head having a cutting chip control portion and a pocket configured to receive a cutting insert.

Abstract: A grappling and severing head for gripping and severing a tree stem, having a grapple assembly and a severing assembly. Grapple arms are attached to a grapple body and extend forward beyond a front face of the grapple body. A severing assembly body is attached to the grapple body and is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. A severing device is attached to the severing assembly body and is moveable between a stowed position and a range of deployed positions. When the severing device is in the stowed position and the severing assembly body is in the retracted position, the severing device and the severing assembly body lie substantially behind the front face of the grapple. body and/or behind the gripping face of at least one of the grapple arms.

Abstract: An improved harvester head assembly is provided. The harvester head includes a housing which is rotatable between a horizontal orientation and a vertical orientation. The harvester head further includes feeding system with a central feed roller and a pair of outer feed rollers that are moveable relative to the housing. The harvester head also includes top and bottom saws. A pair of delimbing knives are pivotable relative to the housing. A manifold and valve assembly is disposed in the housing and includes a plurality of solenoid valves which are configured to channel hydraulic fluid to motors and actuators to power and/or move a plurality of the components. The manifold and valve assembly includes a manifold with a rectangular shape and which is oriented with its long dimension extending in a longitudinal direction. The solenoid valves are spaced from one another in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A shaker/dispenser dispenses crushed chip particles of discrete sizes for sprinkling directly on food as pourable condiments of discrete sized particles of the remnants of the crushed potato chips. Each potato chip of pre-determined thickness is crushed and crumbed into fine, medium and coarse crumbs of varying particle sizes. The chip crumb particles have a variety of flavors, salt and vinegar, cheese and onion, sour cream and chives, eggs and bacon, etc. The system provides selected potato chip condiments in sliced components for crushing and forming the particles of the desired sizes. In an alternate embodiment, the condiments are packaged in either a self-opening single use pouch or in a shaker/dispenser with a mill lid.

Abstract: A harvester head, comprising a measuring wheel apparatus with a measuring wheel configured to roll along a tree trunk when the trunk is fed through the harvester head, and a power device configured to swivel the measuring wheel apparatus and to keep the measuring wheel pressed against the tree trunk. The measuring wheel is configured to remain in an elevated position in relation to the frame structure of the harvester head, wherein the measuring wheel also has a supporting position to support the trunk and to provide a supporting force that does not let the trunk fall against the frame structure. A measuring wheel apparatus which is applicable in a harvester head, comprising a measuring wheel with a supporting position to support a tree trunk, and which comprises a stopping member configured to stop the swinging motion of the measuring wheel apparatus when the measuring wheel assumes said supporting position.

Abstract: A cutter head for surfacing a flitch, the cutter head including a shaft, a blade non-rotatably mounted on the shaft, wherein the flitch is surfaced by rotating the blade, a bushing including a bore, wherein the shaft runs through the bore, wherein a flange is eccentrically formed about the bore, a guide mounted on the flange of the bushing, wherein the flange axially offsets the guide with respect to the shaft, wherein the guide is arranged to support the cutter head against the flitch while the cutter head is surfacing the flitch, and wherein a radial distance between a tip of the blade and the guide determines a cutting depth of the cutter head, and wherein due to the guide being mounted on the eccentrically formed flange, the radial offset is determined based on a rotational orientation of the bushing about the shaft.

Abstract: The present document describes a removable brake for a debarker arm having a working end with a debarking tool configured to remove bark from a log, the removable brake comprising a main body; a mounting surface for removably mounting the main body on the debarker arm; a leading edge on one end of the main body for causing the debarker arm to move from an inner position toward an outer position when the leading edge of the main body engages an end face of the log moving along a processing line toward the leading edge; and a brake portion on another end of the main body for increasing the resistance offered against the debarker arm while debarking the log.

Abstract: A collar is positionable around a trunk of a palm tree. The upper section has an annular track and a slot. Each drive wheel has a motor and a bracket with a lower end that supports a drive wheel. The upper end of each bracket is coupled to the collar with a spring. A saw is positioned above the collar. A saw motor is provided. A radial positioning assembly includes a plurality of arms that couple the saw, the collar and motors to vary the position of the saw. A circumferential positioning assembly includes a trolley. The trolley has wheels and a motor to move the trolley along the track. The lower end of the lower arm extends upwardly through the slot and is coupled to the trolley. A controller has switches to control the motor. Further in this manner the positioning and activating of the saw is controlled.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining one or more optimal operating parameters for debarking wood is provided. The apparatus has a scraper and an actuator configured to adjust the position of the scraper toward a sample portion of the wood to scrape a surface of the sample portion of the wood with a scraping force. The apparatus also has a force sensor operatively associated with the scraper for detecting the scraping force. A light source impinges light on a scraped surface of the sample portion. A light detector detects a light image defined by light from the light source reflected by the scraped surface. A controller is operatively associated with the force sensor and the light detector. The controller has processing means to determine the one or more optimal operating parameters based on signals relating to the scraping force and signals relating to the light image. The one or more optimal operating parameters are relevant to debarking wood proximal to the sample portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a debarking mechanism (1) for the decortication or pretreatment of logs (2) for separately performed final debarking and for the discharge of at least some of the bark removed from a wood stream passing through the debarking mechanism, the said debarking mechanism comprising a number of rotatable debarking shafts (3, 3?) extending parallel to an advancing direction (A) of the logs (2) to be fed therethrough, which are provided with a number of teeth (4) extending beyond the circumferential surface of the shaft (3, 3?).

Abstract: A tool for a ring-rotor log debarker, including an elongate, curved body for being attached by one end to a ring rotor of a log debarker. At least one attachment hole extends through the curved body of the tool on a free end opposite the one end attached to the ring rotor, and communicates with the first and second upstream and downstream oriented surfaces. A tip is placed onto the free end of the tool body, and includes an attachment hole sized and positioned for alignment with the at least one attachment hole in the tool body and for receiving a bolt through the aligned attachment holes for securing the tip to the tool body.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for transporting logs through a debarker are shown and described. The disclosed embodiments of roller assemblies can be used for quickly and conveniently moving logs along a processing line. Some disclosed embodiments include fluted rollers that carry replaceable inserts. The inserts can protect the logs and the rigid flutes of the roller. The insert can be made of a wear resistant material for a prolonged life. A worn insert can be replaced with another insert to ensure proper functioning of the roller assemblies.

Abstract: An apparatus for surfacing a flitch by cutting material from its radially outer surface to prepare the flitch for veneer slicing or other uses. The apparatus comprises a cutterhead rotatable about a cutterhead axis. The apparatus further comprises a carriage comprising a ring that rotates about a carriage axis and a pivot arm that carries the cutterhead and is coupled to the rotatable ring for pivoting movement about a pivot arm axis. The apparatus further comprises a flitch contour accommodation device coupled to the pivot arm and to the cutterhead to permit rotation of the cutterhead about a device axis that is generally transverse to the cutterhead axis.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for debarking logs are shown and described. The disclosed embodiments can be used for quickly and conveniently replacing contact surfaces of swing arm assemblies. Some disclosed embodiments include a swing arm assembly having a debarker tip assembly with a plurality of replaceable cutting elements for engaging logs moving along a processing line. Side-by-side cutting elements can be made of a wear resistant material for a prolonged life. A worn cutting element can be replaced with another cutting element to ensure proper functioning of the debarker apparatus.

Abstract: A tree harvester head comprises a drive wheel, a delimb knife, a pin, a wheel-mounting inner sleeve to which the drive wheel is mounted, and a knife-mounting outer sleeve to which the delimb knife is mounted. The wheel-mounting inner sleeve surrounds the pin for rotation of the wheel-mounting inner sleeve and the drive wheel mounted thereto about the pin. The knife-mounting outer sleeve surrounds the wheel-mounting inner sleeve for relative rotation therebetween for rotation of the delimb knife about the pin.

Abstract: A Rosserhead debarker having a cutter head with an improved cutter teeth mounting system. The cutter head drum defines a plurality of cutter tooth slots, each having a recess at its base. The cutter teeth are fitted into the slots with the base of each tooth closely received in the corresponding recess. A portion of each tooth protrudes from the slot to receive a blade. Each cutter tooth may be secured to the drum by a fastener extending in a generally radial direction. Each cutter tooth may include a removal stud that can be used to assist in removing the tooth from the drum. The cutter head may be mounted for axial deflection and may include a pivot yoke lock for selectively locking the cutter head against axial deflection. The pivot yoke lock facilitates certain operations where axial deflection may not be desired, including those in which only one end of the cutter head is riding on the log, such as during butt reducing.

Abstract: In the positioning system for an operating cylinder (1), a valve or a set of valves (6; 10, 11) comprises means for allowing a free supply of hydraulic fluid from a pump fluid chamber (8) of a pump cylinder (7) into an operating fluid chamber (2) of the operating cylinder (1), for preventing the backflow of hydraulic fluid from the operating fluid chamber (2) into the pump fluid chamber (8) when the hydraulic fluid pressure on the control side (A) rises above a predetermined pressure limit, and for allowing a free back flow of hydraulic fluid from the operating fluid chamber (2) into the pump fluid chamber (8) when the hydraulic fluid pressure on the control side (A) goes below the predetermined pressure limit. An operating piston rod (3) follows closely the movement of a pump piston rod (9), and the valve or the set of valves (6; 10, 11) prevents pressure fluctuations from transmitting from the operating side (B) to the control side (A).

Abstract: A debarking mechanism including a number of rotatable debarking shafts extending parallel to an advancing direction (A) of the trees to be fed therethrough, which are provided with a number of teeth extending beyond the circumferential surface of the shaft and the debarking shafts being adapted to each other in such a way that the presently processed trees make a circular motion (C) in the debarking mechanism, in which motion the trees are forced upon the support surface constituted by the debarking shafts effected by the rotary motion of the debarking shafts. The uppermost debarking shaft has been fitted together with a guiding surface, the surface together with the uppermost debarking shaft forming a slot convergent in the direction of rotation of the debarking shaft.

Abstract: A harvester for a forestry machine comprises grapples, a cutting device, trimming devices, and advancement devices for grasping, cutting, trimming, and advancement in the axial direction, respectively of a tree stem. Further, the harvester includes a measurement device for measuring the length of the tree stem and a measurement device for measuring how the transverse dimension of the tree stem varies along its length. The measurement device includes a movable measurement device for contact-free detection of the outer contour of the tree stem, from which the diameter is calculable. The measurement device is located between the trimming device and the advancement device for counteracting dirtying of the measurement device. A method for measuring the transverse dimension of a tree stem is disclosed.

Abstract: A pruning assembly (10) including an elongate supporting body (not shown), right (11) and left (12) jaw members hinged together and movable along the supporting body and each having three sets of blade members (31) mounted on actuator means (16) and alternatively displaced above and below a plane to form two staggered rows of three bores each, the actuator means (16) adapted to maintain the clearance between the trunk and each set of blade members (31).

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for debarking logs are shown and described. The disclosed embodiments can be used for quickly and conveniently replacing contact surfaces of swing arm assemblies. Some disclosed embodiments include a swing arm assembly having a debarker tip assembly with a plurality of replaceable cutting elements for engaging logs moving along a processing line. Side-by-side cutting elements can be made of a wear resistant material for a prolonged life. A worn cutting element can be replaced with another cutting element to ensure proper functioning of the debarker apparatus.

Abstract: The barking device includes a barking arm and a barking tool which is mounted in a tool seat of the barking arm. The barking tool has a convex mounting surface, while the seat surface of the barking arm is concave. The barking tool is movably mounted in the tool seat and displaceable by rotating displacement. It is connected to the tool seat by a screw and a sleeve-like nut. The head of one of the screw or nut is designed to prevent displacement and rotation of the barking tool.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for transporting logs through a debarker are shown and described. The disclosed embodiments of roller assemblies can be used for quickly and conveniently moving logs along a processing line. Some disclosed embodiments include fluted rollers that carry replaceable inserts. The inserts can protect the logs and the rigid flutes of the roller. The insert can be made of a wear resistant material for a prolonged life. A worn insert can be replaced with another insert to ensure proper functioning of the roller assemblies.

Abstract: A log debarking machine includes a rotary cutter head on a debarking arm. The arm is pivotally mounted on a car so that the head engages a rotating log. The weight of the arm is supported by an elastomer spring to improve debarking engagement between the head and the log.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a barking machine which comprises a frame (1), barking rotor (2), which is rotably mounted on the frame (1) and which barking rotor comprises a rotor frame (3), barking blades (4) mounted on the rotor frame (3), and a first power unit (5) mounted on the rotor frame (3) that is connected to the barking blades (T) for transferring the barking force into them. According to the invention, in the barking rotor there is arranged an adjustment device (6) movable with respect to the rotor frame, and a second power unit (7) which is mounted on the frame (3) for transmitting the barking force via the first power unit (5) to the barking blades (4). This solution enables one to adjust the barking depth of the barking blades without stopping the barking rotor.

Abstract: The modular drive wheel for log processors includes a tubular midsection sandwiched between a pair of annular rings mounted concentrically on opposite ends of the midsection. The midsection has a resilient outer surface extending around the midsection. The pair of annular rings each have a radially spaced apart array of notches therearound. The notches in the radially spaced apart arrays of notches are sized to snugly receive in releasable locking engagement therein links on opposite ends of chain segments extending between the pair of annular rings. The drive wheel further includes means mounted between the pair of annular rings for selectively forcing apart the pair of annular rings along a longitudinal axis of symmetry of the midsection.

Abstract: A log handling and cutting system which cuts logs into lengths, and allows for maximum use of fiber. The system includes equipment for singulating the logs, optimally removing the bark from the logs, scanning the true log image, cutting the logs to length, and sorting the cut logs arranged in a sequence of coupled operations. The logs are singulated using a dual quadrant singulation system to provide maximum singulation reliability, thereby allowing a single operator to attend to this process. Once singulated, the logs are fed automatically into a debarker where the diameter and volume are scanned and debarker-operating parameters are set for optimum bark removal. The log is then scanned, tree length, using a unique scanning system, which determines the true image of the log. This enables the determination by computer of the optimum bucking solution of the log as well as a proper sorting of the optimum random lengths.

Abstract: A log delimbing processor includes two pairs of grapples for holding workpieces for translation along their length so as to engage delimbing knives. The workpieces are urged by a pair of driven wheels on opposite sides of the workpieces, by a driven upper roller mounted to a backbone of the processor, and by a driven lower roller mounted on the end of an articulated arm which is actuated to tuck up under the workpieces held in the grapples so that the workpieces are engaged and driven from all sides. A swing out saw on one end of the processor provides for delimbing large forked branches.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method for separating loose bark from a flow of debarked wood logs are conveyed substantially in the direction of their longitudinal axis along a substantially horizontal conveyor track. During their travel, the logs are forced into unidirectional accelerating rotation that simultaneously moves the logs laterally. An accelerating rotary motion is advantageously imparted to the logs on a rolling ramp adapted between two conveyors operating at different height levels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for centering a log allow a optimum yield axis and a maximum radius of rotation of the log to be calculated more accurately than conventionally possible. The angle of rotation of a log M is detected by a rotation angle detector 6 that is engaged with a preliminary axis c about which the log M is rotated. A contour of the log for calculating the optimum yield axis of the log and a contour for calculating the maximum radius of rotation of the log are measured separately. The contour for calculating the optimum yield axis is measured in a fixed-point manner by measuring the log at a plurality of certain measurement points with beam reflection scanners 8 disposed at appropriate intervals along the axis of the log M.

Abstract: A log-peeling machine for removing bark from logs to simulate hand peeled logs. A log is held in position on a pair of movable log support frames, each having multiple adjustable log support and drive roller assemblies. An independent high-speed cutting head is movable along the length of the log removing bark in longitudinal strips by adjustably following the log surface which is raised and lowered and rotated for engagement with the cutting head.

Abstract: The invention discloses a lineal log peeler and debarker that debarks logs for use in home construction automatically by, an operator in a protected control booth. The machine is electronically controlled and replaces the difficult, dangerous and time-consuming operation of hand-peeling such logs with a drawknife. The logs debarked by the machine of this invention can range in length from about 6 to over 50 feet. They can range from about 7 to about 21 inches in diameter and weigh up to about 3000 pounds.

Abstract: The invention concerns a mechanical part with abrasionproof surface characterized in that it comprises a sintered metallic body obtained from metallic powders and a laser-deposited cermet coating. The coating has a certain thickness whereof a portion is metallurgically bound with the metallic body. The laser deposit enables the sintered part to be surface-melted under the effect of the laser beam. The surface of the sintered part to be coated is therefore fused over a thickness ranging between 10 &mgr;m and 1 mm, which enables the surface pores to be closed, as is characteristic of sintered parts, thereby increasing its resistance to shocks. Moreover, the small surface coated at a given moment by the laser enables the self-hardening of the exposed part, following the beam displacement, by the heat-sink effect of the surrounding metallic volume. The resulting coating also has very low porosity owing to the complete fusion of the powders by laser.

Abstract: The invention relates to a debarking machine for the debarking of logs and for the expulsion of at least some of the removed bark from a wood flow passing through the debarking machine. The debarking machine having a number of rotating debarking shafts extending parallel to an advancing direction (A) of the logs to be fed therethrough. The debarking shafts are provided with a number of teeth adapted to strip bark off the logs transversely to the lengthwise direction of the logs and at the same time to convey the logs transversely relative to said shafts. The shafts, together with the teeth thereof constitute at least a section of a support surface upon which the logs travel through the debarking machine. For feeding the logs into the debarking machine, its admission end is provided with a conveyor adapted to positively feed the logs through an opening in the admission end of the debarking machine. The feed rate and feed force of the conveyor are preferably regulated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a debarking shaft (3) for a debarking machine (1). The debarking shaft (3) has its teeth (4) designed as a number of annular tooth rims (20), each of said tooth rims comprising two or more releasably connected elements (21, 22), having the outer periphery provided with the teeth (4) and said elements being adapted to be fitted around a body member (25) of the debarking shaft (3) by way of press clamping.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement at the discharge end of a debarking machine (12) for the preliminary debarking of logs (2) prior to a separately performed final barking and for the expulsion of at least some of the removed barks from a wood flow passing through the debarking machine. The debarking machine (1) has its discharge side provided with an extension (5), continuing from the lower section level of the support surface of the debarking machine used for bearing the logs (2), and guiding the logs (2) discharging out of the debarking machine (1). The extension may include a variable speed conveyor (7), varying the speed of which influences the admission rate of logs into the debarking machine and the dwell time of logs therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for debarking logs comprising a drum rotatable about an axis and having an inner surface and outer surface with at least one movable debarking surface adjacent the inner surface of the drum to debark logs that come into contact with the movable debarking surface at a first rate. There is at least one fixed debarking surface at the inner surface of the drum to debark logs that come into contact with the fixed debarking surface at a second rate. The movable debarking surface is movable with respect to the inner surface of the drum between an operating position to allow contact between the movable debarking surface and the logs and a retracted position to minimize contact between the movable debarking surface and the logs.

Abstract: A log handling and cutting system which cuts logs into lengths, and allows for maximum use of fiber. The system includes equipment for singulating the logs, optimally removing the bark from the logs, scanning the true log image, cutting the logs to length, and sorting the cut logs arranged in a sequence of coupled operations. The logs are singulated using a dual quadrant singulation system to provide maximum singulation reliability, thereby allowing a single operator to attend to this process. Once singulated, the logs are fed automatically into a debarker where the diameter and volume are scanned and debarker-operating parameters are set for optimum bark removal. The log is then scanned, tree length, using a unique scanning system, which determines the true image of the log. This enables the determination by computer of the optimum bucking solution of the log as well as a proper sorting of the optimum random lengths.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and an apparatus for defrosting frozen wood prior to debarking. The defrosting method of logs of the invention is based on bringing heat zone-specifically to logs in transfer motion on a conveyor according to their heat receiving capacity immediately from the moment of starting of the defrosting, and at the end of the defrosting process, the heat volume per time unit, supplied at a higher temperature, is only a part of the heat volume of the starting phase of the defrosting process. For instance, it is possible to spray water on the wood to be defrosted so that the row interval of the showers in the initial part of the piping is a fraction of the row Interval in the tail end of the piping. In the tall end of the defrosting conveyor steam can also be supplied.

Abstract: A rotary ring log debarker including one or more rotary rings each carrying one or more sets of equiangularly distributed log debarking arms and tools, in such a manner that the overall machine includes at least two axially offset (leading and trailing) sets of debarking tool arms which perform debarking in two different axially spaced planes. The trailing edges of the tool tips in the leading arm set are spaced upstream from the leading edges of the tool tips in the trailing arm set.

Abstract: A first tree engaging device is attached to the first trimming member and maintains the first trimming member at a transverse position relative to the tree trunk during relative longitudinal movement of the tree trunk. The first trimming member includes a knife portion which includes a knife edge portion structured and arranged to form an angle (&phgr;) relative to the tree trunk surface when placed adjacent to the tree trunk.

Abstract: A replaceable cutting piece and a cutting arm for a debarking cutter for a debarking machine of a hollow-rotor type, which cutting piece (6) and cutting arm (4) comprise supporting surfaces and abutment surfaces for receiving loads acting on the cutting piece fastened by a retaining screw to a housing (7) formed in the cutting arm. In order to direct the loads acting on the cutting piece in full to the cutting arm instead of to the retaining screw, the cutting piece and the cutting arm comprise supporting surfaces and abutment surfaces (9a to 9d, 11a, 11b, 12a, 14a, 14b) for receiving the loads acting on the cutting piece in the direction of the axle, the radius and the tangent of the rotor and the torque caused by said loads, which surfaces are situated in perpendicular planes with respect to one another.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for removing the bark from logs including transporting the logs in a longitudinal direction, cutting the surface of the logs as they move in the longitudinal direction using blades projecting upwardly with respect to a bottom surface on which the logs are supported and which is moving transversely under the logs, and simultaneously causing the logs to move so that the logs alternately contact the blades and are displaced from contact with the blades. Apparatus for removing the bark from logs is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing bark from a wood and bark containing log flow. The apparatus includes a number of bark separation units, each of the bark separation units comprising an aggregate of a toothed disc mounted on a first disc shaft and a smooth-surface disc mounted on a second disc shaft. The disc shafts are set crosswise relative to a feeding direction A applied to the log flow by the toothed disc upon the rotation thereof and at a distance from each other. The toothed disc and the substantially smooth-surface disc of a bark separation unit are set in a staggered fashion relative to each other in the axial direction of the disc shafts.