Abstract: A method of standing-stem log harvesting including the steps of preparing a tree for harvesting and then harvesting the same directly from the stump. A tree is prepared for harvesting by topping the tree, cutting the tree part way through the trunk near ground level with two cuts lying in generally the same plane to leave holding wood between the resulting two generally parallel cut edges, and driving support wedges or the like into both said cuts to stabilize the tree trunk. The holding wood and the wedges maintain the trunk stable and upright until it is harvested, but the holding wood is readily frangible in response to a generally horizontal pivoting force applied to the trunk near the top thereof in a direction generally perpendicular to the cut edges. For harvesting, the prepared tree is gripped near the top thereof, and a generally horizontal force is applied to the trunk at the point of gripping in a direction generally perpendicular to the cut edges, thereby breaking the holding wood.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) having special application for gripping and cutting tree limbs around utility lines includes a tubular insert (18) slideably received in the free end of a tubular boom (12). A plate (28) is pivoted about a first pivot axis relative to the insert (18) by a linearly extendable actuator (36) mounted within the insert (18) and mounts a first rotary actuator (38). A second rotary actuator (58) is mounted to a U-shaped mount (48) which is pivoted about a second pivot axis to the first rotary actuator (38) and rotates a working head (96) 360° about a third pivot axis. Gripping arms (78) are fixed to shafts (74) rotatably mounted in the working head (96) about axes perpendicular to the third axis, with the shafts (74) being rotated by a single linearly extendable actuator (82) extending between crank arms (80) fixed to the shafts (74). The crank arms (80) abut with an abutment (84) to prevent only one set of gripping arms (78) from moving.

Abstract: A guide bar for the treatment of tree stumps. A channel formed in the bar length is fitted with a soft metal tube. The tube is pierced with a piercing tool that produces hole forms leaving a center opening inset toward the tube center with flared sides that allow spreading of the liquid treatment directed from the tube interior to a stump surface while severing a tree. The opening may be varied in size to accommodate different pivotal speed rates of the hole form locations along the bar length.

Abstract: A tree harvesting head is disclosed. An embodiment includes an elongate frame, a first support device, a second grapple arm, a second support device, and a base portion. The first support device includes a first grapple arm. The second support device includes a collector mechanism. The base portion includes a cutting device and a guard assembly.

Abstract: A bar saw felling head clamps a tree between harvesting and reaction arms during cutting and after the cut sweeps the tree rearwardly with the harvesting arm into an accumulation pocket where an accumulating arm holds it and any already cut trees. The bar saw cuts from a cocked position normal to the machine direction to a home position which is perpendicular to the cocked position, where the bar saw is housed in a protective box.

Abstract: A tree felling and accumulating head has tree storage pocket space with a preferably V-shaped backing shape to one side of the cutting area. A taker and a tucker arm, both pivoted on the opposite side, sweep trees into the storage space in cooperation with each other to build a well-aligned bundle. A second taker arm, operating from the pocket side, opposes the first taker arm to help gather and hold difficult trees but does not sweep in fully to disturb the trees already in the pocket space, even as the first taker closes fully.

Abstract: A land clearing tractor and process are provided for selectively clearing a land of brush and trees. The tractor has a traction unit for moving the tractor along a direction of travel. A supporting frame is connected to the traction unit. The frame has first and second sides, and a raised section between the first and second sides. A first shredder head is operatively connected to the first side of the frame and oriented parallel to the direction of travel. The first shredder head is movable between elevated and lowered positions for clearing brush and trees in a first band. A second shredder head is operatively connected to the second side of the frame. The second shredder head is parallel to the first shredder head and is spaced apart therefrom. The second shredder head is movable between elevated and lowered positions for clearing brush and trees in a second band spaced apart from the first band. Thereby, the tractor leaves between the first and second bands a residual band of brush and trees.

Abstract: A method and a system for forestry, in particular harvesting by means of a harvesting machine comprising a vehicle and a harvesting arrangement mounted thereon, is based on the fact that at least one position determining device (5), capable of determining the positioning of the harvesting machine by means of external wirelessly receivable signals, is arranged on the harvesting machine (1). A marking device adapted to apply a marking on pieces of timber obtained from trees is arranged on the harvesting machine. A control unit (8), suitably a computer, is arranged on the harvesting machine to control the marking device to mark the piece of timber with position information or a code corresponding thereto by means of position information received from the position determining device (5).

Abstract: A bunching saw assembly for a timber harvesting machine includes a vertical spindle which drives a horizontally oriented, rotary saw disc. Upper and lower bearing sub-assemblies support the spindle in a saw assembly housing. The bearing sub-assemblies include roller bearings which operate in separate bearing cavities, supplied with lubricant through independent lubricant inlet passages, and vented through independent lubricant vent passages.

Abstract: A machine attachment of the type having a plurality of swinging blades and a rotor that rotates about a horizontal axis has a cylindrical tubular rotor with stub shafts and bearings at each end for rotation about the horizontal axis, so that the body of the rotor is a single piece, large diameter tubular section having improved structural stiffness and improved flywheel effect. The blade pivot shaft attachments are mounted directly on the external surface of the tubular rotor and inset mounting pockets allow the blades to swing through the rotor interior.

Abstract: A sawing device and a chain for it, comprising at least two adjacent sequences of connecting links, of which at least some are cutting teeth; and a sequence of drive links fitted between two adjacent connecting link sequences, wherein an opening at the rear end of the drive link is centered at an opening in the front end of the connecting links, wherein an opening in the front end of the drive link is centered at an opening of the rear end of the connecting links, and wherein a binding pin extending through the whole width of the chain is fitted in the openings. To increase the sawing width, a bush ring is fitted between two adjacent connecting link sequences, around the pin, and placed in the opening of the drive link, and on at least one side of said drive link , a collar is fitted whose diameter is formed greater than the opening in said drive link.

Abstract: A feller-buncher includes a first axle having a number of first wheels attached thereto and a second axle having a number of second wheels attached thereto. The feller-buncher also includes a first hydraulic motor operable to rotate the first axle and a second hydraulic motor operable to rotate the second axle. The feller-buncher also includes a first hydraulic pump operable to supply pressurized hydraulic fluid. Yet further, the feller-buncher includes a first flow sharing valve fluidly coupled to each of the first hydraulic pump, the first hydraulic motor, and the second hydraulic motor. The first flow sharing valve is configured to distribute the pressurized hydraulic fluid from the first hydraulic pump evenly between the first hydraulic motor and the second hydraulic motor, whereby the first axle and the second axle are driven at a substantially equal speed relative to one another. A method of operating a feller-buncher is also disclosed.

Abstract: An aerial tree harvesting apparatus includes a first body and a second body having co-axial bores defining a tree receiving opening. The first body is suspended from a hovering aerial craft. The second body is suspended by cables from the first body. Delimbing members are mounted on the second body about the tree receiving opening. The delimbing members sever limbs from the tree when the second body is lowered. A severing saw is movable from a rest position adjacent the tree receiving opening transversely across the tree receiving opening, thereby severing the trunk of the tree positioned in the tree receiving opening once the tree is delimbed. Arms are provided to hold a tree positioned within the tree receiving opening during transport.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling a work implement in order to enable an earth moving machine to move to a service area after a failure within an implement control system occurs. The method includes the steps of detecting the failure of the implement control system, enabling a limp home mode in response to the failure, and controlling the implement into a limp home position through operator interaction using a display and either an associated keypad or a touch screen.

Abstract: A feller-buncher includes a work tool having a hydraulically powered blade. The feller-buncher also includes a first axle having a number of first wheels attached thereto and a first hydraulic motor operable to rotate the first axle. The feller-buncher also includes a first hydraulic pump operable to supply pressurized hydraulic fluid to the first hydraulic motor and a second hydraulic pump operable to supply pressurized hydraulic fluid to both the work tool and the first hydraulic motor. Yet further, the feller-buncher includes a load sensing circuit for sensing a load on the work tool when the work tool is contacting a tree. The first hydraulic pump is configured to adjust hydraulic fluid flow to the first hydraulic motor based on the load on the work tool sensed by the load sensing circuit. A method for operating a feller-buncher is also disclosed.

Abstract: A saw assembly for a grip-harvester comprises a saw chain running around a bar, a pivotably journalled bar holder, and a liquid supply device having at least one nozzle for supplying at least one functional marking liquid to a cut surface produced during a sawing operation. The nozzle is mounted inside the saw box of the saw assembly and is fixed at a predetermined distance from a tree, measured at the saw cut to be executed. The nozzle is so directed that a liquid jet encounters the bar at an acute angle &agr;(e.g. &agr;=20-40°) and is deflected in towards the cut surface via a space between the bar and the cut surface. A control device initiates the supply of a liquid jet when the bar has been inserted a predetermined distance into the tree.

Abstract: A disc saw felling head has the cutting pocket positioned relative to the tooth entry opening into the housing such that chips being thrown out of the kerf by the teeth are thrown radially outwardly of the entry opening. The chips are thrown against a deflector plate which redirects them back toward the center but away from the disc to dissipate energy in the chips, reduce the directions in which chips are thrown, and reduce clogging of the housing.

Abstract: A swing-to-tree feller buncher has its boom swing-house assembly adjustably supported from its track carriage frame by a leveling mechanism which includes a front link, a rear link, and a pair of laterally spaced apart hydraulic cylinders. Both links are fixed to the frame toward the front of the carriage and the front link is shorter than the rear link. The upper ends of the hydraulic cylinders connect to the turntable support of the swing-house assembly at a position forward of the rear link and extend rearwardly to connect at their lower ends to the frame of the carriage at a position which is rearward of the rear link. The turntable support is also pivotable from side to side relative to the carriage about a minor axis.

Abstract: A method of logging a tree includes the steps of cutting the tree part way through the trunk with a cut near the bottom thereof, leaving a connecting portion of the trunk connecting an upper portion of the trunk above the cut to a lower portion of the trunk below the cut. A helicopter above the tree is connected to a point near the top of the trunk. The helicopter is moved away from the tree, thereby breaking the connecting portion and allowing the upper portion of the tree to be carried away by the helicopter. The method utilizes a helicopter logging tool comprising a body having a connection for a lifting device. There is a hook on the body guide connected to the body by a hinge. The guide extends vertically downwards away from the body when the tool is connected only to the lifting device. There is a hook on the body to one side of the guide for engaging an object.