Tree Felling Patents (Class 144/34.1)
  • Patent number: 11897160
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electric saw guide plate capable of recycling lubricating oil, comprising two outer guide plates and an oil guide plate connected between the two outer guide plates; outer edges of inner walls of the outer guide plates and a periphery of the oil guide plate form a guide plate groove for containing a saw chain, a plurality of oil inlets are formed in an upper end of the oil guide plate and a plurality of oil outlets are formed in a lower end of the oil guide plate, the oil inlets and the oil outlets are communicated through an oil guide channel, and the oil inlets and the oil outlets are communicated with the guide plate groove at the same time. According to the electric saw guide plate, the saw chain is lubricated, and meanwhile the recycling of the lubricating oil is also realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: HANGZHOU EXCELSIOR & SHARP GARDEN TOOLS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Quanfu Wang
  • Patent number: 11844341
    Abstract: Pruning robot including means for removing processionary caterpillar nests, the robot being characterized in that it is carried by a drone provided with an onboard automaton, which is equipped with an electromechanical tool consisting of a gripper associated with a cutting device intended to cut the branches supporting the nests that are to be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Inventor: Jacques Ravanat
  • Patent number: 11766003
    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a tree felling head for mounting to a tree-cutting carrier, the tree felling head comprising a bottom saw housing defining a saw-receiving cavity and comprising a peripheral border at least partially bordering the saw-receiving cavity; and an excavating assembly comprising a scraping portion extending outwardly past the peripheral border at least along a section thereof. It also concerns such an excavating assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Inventors: Dave Carrier, Patrick Lachance
  • Patent number: 11744193
    Abstract: A modular structure for an energy wood grapple has at least two opposite jaws (31, 32) that are configured to press vertical trees against a blade, thereby cutting the tree. The remaining portion is held by the jaws (31, 32) against a body (10) of the energy wood grapple. The modular structure comprises two frame plates at opposite sides of the body (10), attached detachably, for example by bolts (23). The jaws (31, 32) are attached between the opposite frame plates detachably, to axles that provide a pivot for the jaws (31, 32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: KX-TREESHEARS OY
    Inventor: Kimmo Tossavainen
  • Patent number: 11696536
    Abstract: An airborne grapple saw system includes a suspension assembly, a hydraulic power pack assembly, and a grapple saw head assembly. The suspension assembly is configured to be suspended from an aerial vehicle. The hydraulic power pack assembly is operatively coupled with the suspension assembly. The grapple saw head assembly is operatively coupled with the hydraulic power pack assembly. The grapple saw head assembly is configured to freely rotate about a vertical axis an unlimited number of revolutions. The grapple saw head assembly includes a saw and first and second grapple arms. The grapple arms are pivotable between an open configuration, where the grapple arms are configured to obtain and release the vegetation, and a closed configuration, where the grapple arms are configured to securely retain the vegetation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Clark Industries Aviation Implements, LLC
    Inventors: Clay Wyatt Clark, Aaron Mitchell Pruden, David Allen McDaniel
  • Patent number: 11606918
    Abstract: A multi-process machine suspension device is equipped with two hydraulic cylinders for rotating the machine relative to an arm supporting it. One cylinder is pivoted to another arm and the other cylinder to the machine frame. Both cylinders are pivoted by one end to a freely rotating intermediate arm pivoted to the same frame joint as the arm supporting it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Inventor: Lauri Ketonen
  • Patent number: 11559012
    Abstract: A timber working device, comprising a frame, having a feed axis, a drive system, configured to feed at least one stem along the feed axis, at least a pair of upper knives or lower knives movably attached to the frame, wherein the knives are configured to be controllable each by an actuator to open and close around a stem, a tilt mechanism comprising a controllable tilt bracket pivotably attached to the frame, to control a tilt position of the frame in relation to the tilt bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Lauri Palmroth
  • Patent number: 11542679
    Abstract: A scraper vehicle is described that can contribute, with a relatively simple and low-cost configuration, to shortening of a construction period, reduction of construction cost, and the like without travel being disabled easily. The scraper vehicle includes an auxiliary drive system that supplies, in excavation by the scraper, a driving force to at least part of traveling wheels of the scraper vehicle. The driving force is supplied constantly or in accordance with a travel resistance of the scraper vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: JDC Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Obata, Hidetoshi Morimoto, Yuu Sato, Tsukasa Baba, Takeo Asakura, Masaaki Kusano
  • Patent number: 11511139
    Abstract: A power door opener including an actuator having a housing with an electrically powered actuator shaft that can be extended from a closed to an extended position. In one embodiment, a movable push plate is affixed to the actuator shaft and a fixed push plate is fixed in its position with respect to the housing. In the closed position of the actuator shaft, the fixed and movable push plates are aligned to form a combined edge for insertion into the space between a door and door jamb. The actuator shaft extends to move the movable push plate apart from the fixed push plate to spread the space and release the door from the door jamb. Alternatively, a double ended power door opener is located between opposite door jambs and the extending of the actuator shaft forces the door jambs apart to release the door from the door jamb to force open the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventor: William Hickerson
  • Patent number: 11485427
    Abstract: A drilling machine including: a lower unit, an upper unit, a mast, a rotary, a drilling tool connected to a telescopic Kelly bar and a blocking system suitable for blocking the rotation of the upper unit relative to the lower unit. The blocking system includes: a cylinder revolvingly mounted on a frame of the lower unit, a plurality of vises mounted on the frame of the lower unit in such a way to block the cylinder integrally with the lower unit, and an actuator mounted in the upper unit to actuate a blocking pin that is engaged in a hole of a bushing of a flange that protrudes radially outwards from said cylinder in such a way to integrally block the cylinder to the upper unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Inventor: Giuseppe Cartechini
  • Patent number: 10806103
    Abstract: A log processing head with a top knife and moveable feed means and delimbing and/or debarking means pushing a log against the top knife by means of actuators. In order to allow the top knife to follow the contour of the log without damaging a pin holding the knife, a pivot joint is used between the knife and the connection of the pin on the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Arto Alfthan, Lauri Palmroth
  • Patent number: 10625269
    Abstract: A bi-directional rotation feed roller for tree processing devices preferably includes a drive wheel, a drive disc, a plurality of reinforcement rings and a plurality of reinforcement plates. The drive wheel includes a drive cylinder and a plurality of media engagement thumb nails attached to the drive cylinder. The plurality of media engagement thumb nails are preferably arranged in a plurality of rows. A side wall of the plurality of media engagement thumb nails are preferably angularly offset from a lengthwise axis of the drive plate. The drive disc is attached to the drive wheel in substantially a middle of a with thereof. The plurality of reinforcement rings are attached to an inner perimeter of the drive wheel. The plurality of reinforcement plates are attached to an inside perimeter of the drive wheel between the drive disc and one end of the drive wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Inventor: Jesse R. Peterson
  • Patent number: 10610938
    Abstract: A handheld work apparatus has a drive motor which drives a work tool in rotation via a belt drive. The belt drive has at least one first, driving pulley and at least one second, driven pulley. Between the first pulley and the second pulley there acts at least one drive belt for transmitting the drive torque. A second pulley is connected to the tool for conjoint rotation. The rotational speed of the second pulley is less than the rotational speed of the first pulley during operation. The work apparatus has a brake unit which acts on the first pulley. The belt drive includes at least one redirection roll. During braking, at least one redirection roll bears on the tight side of each drive belt which acts between the first pulley and the second pulley. This allows a simple structure and safe braking of the work tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Sebastian Hanussek, Jan Rieger
  • Patent number: 10549365
    Abstract: A portable saw assembly for use in making square cuts in metal structural components. The portable saw assembly includes a clamping system to hold a work piece in a fixed position with respect to the rotating saw blade and the saw blade is constrained for movement toward and away from the work piece along a specific prescribed path that assures that the saw blade will encounter and then cut the work piece at a right angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the work piece. Thus, the portable saw assembly can be located on site of the construction and yet can be readily and easily used to cut the structural component along a square cut to facilitate the assembly of the ultimate structure. The clamping system includes clamping inserts to accommodate different sizes and geometric shapes of work pieces while still assuring a square cut thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Inventors: Robert C. Schinder, II, Robert Schinder, III
  • Patent number: 10392058
    Abstract: A system for lubricating a pivot interface defined between adjacent components of a work vehicle may include a shaft and a shaft housing configured to receive an axial portion of the shaft such that the shaft housing is configured to rotate relative to the shaft. The system may also include an end cap installed relative to an end of the shaft housing and a sealing device configured to seal a radial gap defined between the shaft housing and the shaft at a seal location when a fluid pressure within the housing is below the seal's cracking pressure. Additionally, when the fluid pressure within the housing exceeds the cracking pressure, the sealing device may be configured to transition to an unsealed state to allow lubricant contained within the housing to flow axially between the sealing device and the shaft and be subsequently purged from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Nathan J. Bradley, Ryan Ogg, Anthony J. Lamela, Matthew Arnold, Marvin L. Linder, Nathaniel B. Waller, Wayne E. Bietz
  • Patent number: 10330127
    Abstract: A system for controlling a felling saw in a forestry machine, the felling saw being driven by a hydraulic pump and saw motor circuit. The system includes an instrument for measuring a rotational speed of the felling saw and generating a signal indicative of the rotational speed, a calculator for calculating a power consumption of the hydraulic pump and saw motor circuit adjusted as a function of the signal indicative of said rotational speed, and a controller for adjusting hydraulic settings of the hydraulic pump or/and saw motor circuit based on the calculated power consumption. A method for controlling the felling saw is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: USINAGE G.N. ROY INC.
    Inventor: David Gingras
  • Patent number: 10221870
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for a felling saw head includes a hydraulic motor, operatively coupled to a saw disc of the saw head, a hydraulic variable displacement pump, operatively coupled to the hydraulic motor to supply pressurized fluid to the motor, and a controller configured to control the pump. To provide a target operating speed of the saw disc, the motor is configured to operate at a first displacement corresponding to a first flow rate of hydraulic fluid through the motor During at least a part of a saw recovery operation, the controller controls the pump to operate at a current pump displacement that results in a flow rate of hydraulic fluid through the pump that exceeds the first flow rate through the motor. Saw recovery time may be reduced without overspeeding the saw by including a metered flow control device between the pump and the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Goedken, Calin Raszga, Matthew J. Ramler
  • Patent number: 10149434
    Abstract: A hand-held cutting device may include a working assembly, a motor and a control assembly. The working assembly may be configured to be rotatable in a first direction and a second direction to perform a first function when rotated in the first direction and a second function, different from the first function, when rotated in the second direction. The motor may be operably coupled to the working assembly to rotate the working assembly. The control assembly may be operably coupled to the motor to enable an operator of the device to select a rotation direction for the working assembly. The working assembly may be configured to perform the first and second functions using a single blade assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventor: Pär Martinsson
  • Patent number: 9961842
    Abstract: A saw attachment for a vehicle. The saw attachment includes a wedge-shaped saw blade with teeth extending along sides of the saw blade. The saw attachment also includes a guard secured to the saw blade and extending in a non-coplanar direction from the saw blade. The saw attachment further includes a mounting assembly comprising a longitudinally-extending frame having first and second ends, with the first end pivotably secured to the saw blade, and a mounting plate pivotably secured to the second end of the frame, such that the mounting plate is operable to be removably secured to the vehicle. The saw attachment further includes an adjustable linkage connected to the mounting assembly and the guard, with the adjustable linkage being operable to selectively extend or retract so as to allow the saw blade to decline and incline, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Inventor: Bill Dove
  • Patent number: 9908258
    Abstract: A device for deflecting a detached cutting chain off the drive sprocket of a chain saw in order to deenergize and arrest it. A ramp provides a surface disposed below the chain guide bar, which surface is oblique with respect to the chain guide bar, slightly below a lower edge of the chain guide bar and obliquely angled with respect to a plane that contains the exterior surface of the chain guide bar, and distal to the drive sprocket. Sliding engagement of a detached cutting chain with the oblique surface moves the cutting chain exteriorly away from the chain guide bar and off the drive sprocket. A chain catcher is also provided to arrest the detached cutting chain and/or chain shot portions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Thomsen
  • Patent number: 9883869
    Abstract: A tool head assembly for a hand held tool The assembly includes a body for attaching to the hand held tool; a continuous cutting band having a cutting edge for cutting into a subject; at least one tension member coupled to the body for holding the cutting band under tension; and at least one drive member coupled to the body for rotating the cutting band with respect to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: ACADEMISCH ZIEKENHUIS LEIDEN
    Inventors: Pieter Durk Sander Dijkstra, Pieter Bakkenes, Jesse Pieter Blok
  • Patent number: 9877437
    Abstract: A controlled lean system for a tree feller-buncher includes a sensor configured to measure an orientation of a boom coupled to the tree feller-buncher, and a felling head operably connected to the boom. A controller is operable to detect a cut tree carried by the felling head and to estimate a quantity of tree lean needed to reduce torsional load during rotation of the boom while carrying the cut tree based at least in part on the measured orientation of the boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Bryon P. Neumann
  • Patent number: 9839914
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a brush cutting head for a brush cutter. The brush cutter head includes a cylindrical support body that has a first end, an opposed second end and an intermediate portion extending therebetween. The intermediate portion has a curved surface that defines the circular cross-section of the cylindrical support body. A plurality of collars is mounted to the cylindrical support body at spaced intervals along the intermediate portion. Each collar extends radially from the curved surface of the cylindrical support body. Additionally, each collar cooperates with an adjacent collar to define a mounting station between the adjacent collars. The brush cutter head further includes a plurality of cutting tooth assemblies carried on the outer surface of the cylindrical support body. Each cutting tooth assembly has a cutting tooth for placement within the mounting station and a mounting assembly engageable with the adjacent collars to secure the cutting tooth in the mounting station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Inventor: Etienne Labbe
  • Patent number: 9820435
    Abstract: A trimmer attachment for installation on a lawnmower that includes a floating trimmer head driven by a trimmer drive pulley. The trimmer drive pulley is connected by a belt to a mower trimmer pulley, which is attached to an existing mower blade pulley. The trimmer attachment is easily removed from the lawnmower when not in use or when it is not needed. The lawnmower further includes a foot pedal which allows the user to raise the trimmer attachment when necessary, and a hand lever which can be used to both raise and lower the attachment for purposes of clearing obstacles and operating bump-feed type trimmer head, when installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventor: Jean Hofmeister
  • Patent number: 9427882
    Abstract: A pocket safety saw that can be carried by a detention officer or psychiatric personnel without fear that it could do harm to another patient, inmate or guard is described. The pocket safety saw may be used to quickly cut down a suicidal patient or detainee from a hanging suicide attempt. An exemplary pocket saw comprises a handle, a saw portion, saw support, and safety saw element. A safety saw element is a saw element that will not cut human skin when pressed and reciprocated against the skin. The safety saw element may be used to cut fibrous material such as rope, cord, fabric and the like. A pocket safety saw may have one or more frangible features that cause the safety saw element to fracture when removed from the saw support. A frangible feature may be a removed portion of a safety saw element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Inventor: Ronald Wagoner
  • Patent number: 9422678
    Abstract: A cutting attachment apparatus and method comprise an attachment frame, and a host machine interface coupled with the attachment frame for coupling the attachment with a host machine. A cutting assembly is coupled with the attachment frame. A cut insertion depth assembly is coupled with the attachment frame and the cutting assembly for altering the insertion depth of a cut of the cutting assembly, and a cut angle assembly is coupled with the attachment frame and the cutting assembly for altering an angle of the cut of the cutting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: JS INNOVATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: John A. Baaske, Stacy L. Deming, Marc W. Pentecost
  • Patent number: 9220204
    Abstract: A positioning system for attachment to a vehicle for operation of a power tool by a ground-based operator sitting in the vehicle provides a telescoping mast attached to the vehicle, a pivot bracket connecting an upper arm to the upper portion of the telescoping mast, mounting means for mounting the power tool on the upper arm; and power means for operating the power tool from the operator's position in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Inventor: James E. Capers
  • Patent number: 9133983
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a lubricating system for lubricating an implement to be lubricated in the boom system of a working machine, the system comprising a lubricant source which can be installed in a base machine for the working machine and coupled to the implement to be lubricated. The lubricating system further comprises a dispensing unit which can be connected to the implement to be lubricated, for dispensing lubricant to the implement to be lubricated. The present disclosure also relates to a working machine comprising a lubricating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Veikko Kettunen, Mika Hannonen
  • Patent number: 9119354
    Abstract: A tree harvester head includes first and second saws, each of which comprises a cutting chain, and a lubrication system configured to lubricate the cutting chains of the first and second saws. The lubrication system comprises a source of pressurized lubricant and a diverter valve configured to divert flow of pressurized lubricant, from the source of pressurized lubricant, between the first and second saws for lubrication of the respective cutting chains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Alex J. Stevenson, Boele De Vries
  • Patent number: 9027451
    Abstract: Embodiments herein provide a drive link having a conditioning portion to be used in conjunction with one or more dresser links of a saw chain to condition a sharpening element. The dresser links may include left and right dresser links configured to contact the sharpening element in first and second contact regions which may not overlap, leaving a gap. The conditioning portion of the drive link may contact the sharpening element in a third contact region that includes at least a portion of the gap between the first and second contact regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Blount, Inc.
    Inventor: Mike Goettel
  • Patent number: 9016335
    Abstract: A forestry vehicle including a frame, a pivoting boom, a first structure, a second structure, and a debris guard. The pivoting boom is carried by the frame. The first structure is carried by the frame and is positioned on a first side of the pivoting boom. The second structure is also carried by the frame and is positioned on a second side of the pivoting boom. A channel exists between the first structure and the second structure. The pivoting boom travels in the channel as the boom pivots about its pivotal axis. The debris guard is pivotally and slidingly coupled to the boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Ryan D. Camps
  • Publication number: 20140069554
    Abstract: A harvester is provided for felling and processing a tree, the harvester including traction devices and a harvester head. The harvester includes an integrated hydraulic system for operating the traction devices and the harvester head. More particularly, the harvester includes an integrated load sense system for operating the traction devices and the harvester head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: DEERE AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Calin Raszga, Mark Breutzman
  • Publication number: 20140027019
    Abstract: A hydraulic arrangement and method in connection with a cutting device includes a hydraulic input line, a hydraulic motor, a return line from the hydraulic motor, a hydraulic cylinder for pressing the cutting device, a feed line for the hydraulic cylinder, connected in parallel with the hydraulic motor to the input line, and a directional control valve and a pressing line and a lifting line. The hydraulic arrangement further includes a throttle for throttling the flow exiting from the hydraulic motor in the return line, and a pressure valve located between the said pressing line and the pressure side of the throttle, for controlling the hydraulic cylinder on the basis of the speed of rotation of the hydraulic motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventor: Lauri Ketonen
  • Publication number: 20130240086
    Abstract: A portable directional tree feller is an apparatus used to brace a tree that is being felled and to control it is lowered to the ground. The apparatus comprises a trunk cradle, a notch hinge, a stump cradle, an actuator, a counterfort, and a ground support. The trunk cradle braces the cut portion of a felled tree, and the stump cradle braces the rooted portion of the felled tree. The trunk cradle is pivotally connected to the stump cradle by the notch hinge. The ground support is used to brace the apparatus against the ground and is perpendicularly connected the stump cradle. The counterfort is used to buttress the right angle created between the ground support and the stump cradle. The actuator is pivotally connected to both the ground support and the trunk brace and provides the mechanical power to raise and lower the cut portion with trunk brace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventor: Guy Santucci
  • Patent number: 8521353
    Abstract: A system and a method for monitoring the performance of a subsystem of a forest machine. The method comprises the steps of: collecting data relating to the function of said subsystem or the performing of said function; determining one or more characteristic values to describe the performance continually according to data; and monitoring the variation of said one or more characteristic values in time, wherein, for example, the variation of said one or more characteristic values in time is displayed in the form of a graphic presentation to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: John Deere Forestry Oy
    Inventors: Arto Reltomaa, Aki Putkonen, Kari Lehmusvaara, Timo Käppi
  • Publication number: 20120312421
    Abstract: A hydraulic biasing assembly is provided. The hydraulic bunching assembly may include a hydraulic circuit and a hydraulic biasing member configured to provide bias to a bunching finger of a tree felling head. The hydraulic biasing assembly may also include a valve configured to alternately allow hydraulic fluid to transfer from the hydraulic circuit to the hydraulic biasing member and to allow hydraulic fluid to transfer from the hydraulic biasing member to a collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: Caterpillar Forest Products Inc.
    Inventor: Michael G. Trom
  • Patent number: 8176954
    Abstract: The tree harvesting apparatus and method of this invention are particularly useful in congested areas where the range of equipment movement is limited and where unrestrained heavy tree bolts would cause damage to surrounding property if allowed to free fall to the ground. The subject apparatus is adapted to engage and sever large tree limbs, tree tops and tree bolts from free standing trees by means of tree gripping and severing means which is operable to form a kerf without becoming bound within the same. Further, the subject apparatus is adapted to weigh a tree bolt or tree top immediately upon its formation and while in juxtaposition with the free standing tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Inventor: Edwin T. Coulbourn, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8146628
    Abstract: A shear type tree cutter assembly is adapted to be mounted on a four wheel field vehicle. The assembly includes an anvil with a concave section for supporting the trunk of a tree. The blade portion has a convex portion that cooperates with the concave section of the anvil to shear the tree. The blade and anvil section also may include a straight portion useful for pruning brush and small limbs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: Donald C. Tucker
  • Patent number: 8141602
    Abstract: A rotation system for a felling head mounted to a boom, the rotation system including: an adapter which is pivotally mounted to the boom; a housing fixed to the adapter; a gear system enclosed between the housing and the felling head and operable to allow the felling head to rotate with respect to the housing about an axis of rotation; and a plurality of actuators mounted to the housing and engaging the gear system, the plurality of actuators being operable to drive the rotation of the felling head, the plurality of actuators engaging the gearing system at positions below the axis of rotation so as to provide a vertical support therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Usinage GN Roy Inc.
    Inventor: Normand Roy
  • Patent number: 8145395
    Abstract: A ground engaging work vehicle including a frame, a plurality of tractive elements, a movable extension, a hydraulic fluid using attachment, a hydraulic fluid pump and an accumulator. The plurality of tractive elements are coupled to the frame. The tractive elements engage the ground. The movable extension is connected to the frame. The hydraulic fluid using attachment is coupled to the movable extension. The hydraulic fluid pump is selectively fluidly coupled to the attachment. The accumulator is selectively fluidly coupled to the attachment dependent upon at least one fluid flow requirement of the attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Deere-Hitachi Speciality Products
    Inventors: Jarvis Degroot, Adrian Fengler, William Wilkinson
  • Publication number: 20120018043
    Abstract: A feller device for felling and delimbing of tree trunks, as well as a delimbing blade device for delimbing of tree trunks, is disclosed. The delimbing blade device comprises: a delimbing blade having a cutting edge for delimbing of a tree trunk; a first joint, by means of which the delimbing blade can be connected to the felling device in a rotatable manner; a cylinder actuator, by means of which the delimbing blade can be moved into at least two different positions; and a second joint, by means of which the cylinder actuator is coupled to the delimbing blade. In a first example, the cylinder actuator can be placed almost parallel to a line extending via the first joint and the second joint so that the cylinder actuator and a third joint belonging to the same cylinder actuator for connection are placed in the area between the first and the second joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Juho Keskinen, Kari Kinnunen, Kari A. Hanne
  • Patent number: 8096334
    Abstract: A device and methods for harvesting submersed wood are provided. The device comprises, a machine operatively associated with a movable boom member rotatably attached. A telescoping stick having a first and second end is pivotally attached to the movable boom in a mid portion of the stick. The second end of the telescoping stick is attached to a wood gripping-cutting head. The telescoping stick is moveable to an operative position so that the second end extends below a plane defined by a surface the machine is located upon. When in use, the second end may extend into water located below the plane defined by the surface the machine is located upon. The device may be used on land, a dock, and a wharf adjacent a water edge, or the device may be located on a floating platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Triton Logging, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Daniel Milne, Richard Douglas Shipley
  • Patent number: 8066043
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a combination forest biomass and tree harvester, a harvesting head assembly, and methods for harvesting trees and forest biomass. In some embodiments, the combination forest biomass and tree harvester includes a self-propelled vehicle base, a moveable arm, and a harvesting head assembly. The harvesting head assembly may include a frame member, a grabbing assembly, and a cutting assembly. The cutting assembly may include a primary cutting mechanism and a secondary cutting mechanism. As the combination forest biomass and tree harvester moves through a forest area, the cutting assembly may be used to cut trees and mow biomass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventor: James R. Leist
  • Patent number: 8066040
    Abstract: A feller buncher is provided including a felling head having a gathering arm and an accumulation arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Benjamin Di Sabatino
  • Patent number: 7975735
    Abstract: A tree processing vehicle comprising a prime mover and a pair of tracks for propelling the tree processing vehicle, the prime mover being in a driving relationship with the tracks. The tree processing vehicle also comprises an operator cabin comprising a front side, a rear side, and a pair of lateral sides between the front side and the rear side. A first one of the lateral sides defines an access opening allowing an operator to enter or exit the operator cabin. The operator cabin also comprises a door for closing the access opening and a set of controls for allowing the operator to control the tree processing vehicle. The tree processing vehicle also comprises a pair of arms pivotally movable across a range of angular positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Camoplast Industrial, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephane Bergeron, Martin Roy, Pierre Chagnon, Jonathan Thibault
  • Patent number: 7975944
    Abstract: A modular system for connecting attachments to the extension arm of a construction machine, wherein each module has a standardized coupling arrangement. As a result, each module is compatible with another module to provide great versatility in configuring the machine. Additionally, the system includes a variety of different modules and a mechanism for remotely activating the coupling between modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventors: John R. Ramun, Marc A. Cossette
  • Publication number: 20110132495
    Abstract: A gear assembly for a tree felling head having a frame securable to a manipulator arm of a tree cutting carrier, the gear assembly includes a final gear securable to the frame and rotatably engageable over a bearing-like member mounted to the manipulator arm for pivotally mounting the frame to the manipulator arm; and a driving gear generating a torque, the torque of the driving gear being applied to at least two intermediate gears drivingly connected with the final gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Jacques LAJOIE, François BRETON
  • Patent number: 7954524
    Abstract: A motor for a tree processing machine is provided. The motor includes a mechanism configured to drive a wheel. The wheel is configured to engage a portion of a tree. The motor also includes a housing containing the mechanism. The motor further includes an encoder. The encoder is configured to be operably coupled to the mechanism. The encoder is also configured to generate a signal indicative of a length of a portion of a tree engaged by the wheel. The encoder is contained in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Forest Products Inc.
    Inventor: Grant William Voermans
  • Patent number: 7938154
    Abstract: A timber-working head comprises a first motor, a second motor, a feed wheel, and an adaptor plate. The first motor comprises a first rotary output element. The second motor comprises a second rotary output element. The feed wheel is fixed to the first rotary output element for rotation therewith. The adaptor plate fixed to the second rotary output element for rotation therewith. The adaptor plate comprises radial projections arranged about the periphery of the adaptor plate and received respectively within corresponding axially recessed portions of the feed wheel so as to provide an operational interface between the adaptor plate and the feed wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Waratah NZ Limited
    Inventors: Peter Quirke, Alex J. Stevenson, Paul Gambie
  • Patent number: 7882865
    Abstract: A boom unit for a tree processing machine having a boom with a square cross-section. The boom unit has a boom support with a front boom mounting at the front end of the support and a rear boom mounting at the rear end of the support. The boom is movably mounted through the front and rear boom mountings and is positioned to have a corner of the boom on the bottom and an opposite corner of the boom on the top directly over the bottom corner. The front mounting has a pair of front, bottom rollers arranged in a v shape to cradle the boom with the bottom corner of the boom between the rollers and a single, top, guide member above the bottom rollers and centered with respect to the bottom rollers to ride on the top corner of the boom to hold the boom against the bottom rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Inventor: Laurent Denis