Abstract: A multi-axis controlled self-climbing tree trimmer used for shaping and severing peripheral growth from a tree is provided herein. The trimmer typically includes a structural segment hinged together to form a rigid chassis that surrounds a tree trunk climbing segment and a trimming portion. The climbing portion is retained within the structural segment in the form of a number of inward-extending carriages containing one or more rollers for gripping the tree trunk during climbing, and the trimming portion may include a rotatable split ring gear containing centrifugally rotating trimming blade members and/or a cutting tool on a positionable arm. When rotated, the blade members unlatch and pivot, into the trunk of the tree to effect controlled trimming. The system may utilize a multi-axis control system that uses linear interpolation, circular interpolation and coordination of all axes to enable the trimmer to follow an XYZ contour selected by a user.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting and controlling the quality of debarking at the surface of a wooden log provide information on main parameters related to the debarking quality of the log surface, including fiber loss and residual bark. The debarking quality detecting method and system involve measurement of three-dimensional profile of at least a portion of the log surface to generate corresponding profile image data, which is processed to generate data indicative of the texture of the log surface. The texture data is then analyzed to generate resulting data on the debarking quality parameters. That quality indicative information can be generated on a continuous basis to provide an objective assessment of the quality performance in real-time in view of target productivity, and may then be used to perform optimal adjustments of the debarker operating parameters, either manually by the operator or automatically through feedback control.

Abstract: A debarking chain having passing links; the passing links being substantially rounded in order to permit the passing links to pass through adjacent links such that the orientation of the passing link relative to its adjacent links can change at random in order to randomly distribute the wear and stress from any impact of adjacent or next to adjacent links on the passing links so that the overall wear life of the present debarking chain is extended over similar chain with elongated, oblong links of the prior art. The invention also includes a debarking drum having a plurality of debarking chains having at least one, preferably a plurality of passing links, as well as a debarking device having such a debarking drum. The debarking device preferably includes a chipping device and a method of using the same.

Abstract: A debarking chain having passing links; the passing links being substantially rounded in order to permit the passing links to pass through adjacent links such that the orientation of the passing link relative to its adjacent links can change at random in order to randomly distribute the wear and stress from any impact of adjacent or next to adjacent links on the passing links so that the overall wear life of the present debarking chain is extended over similar chain with elongated, oblong links of the prior art. The invention also includes a debarking drum having a plurality of debarking chains having at least one, preferably a plurality of passing links, as well as a debarking device having such a debarking drum. The debarking device preferably includes a chipping device and a method of using the same.

Abstract: A debarking mechanism including of rotatable debarking shafts extending parallel to an advancing direction (A) of the logs to be fed therethrough, which are provided with teeth extending beyond the circumferential surface of the shaft. At least the uppermost debarking shaft is moved sideways towards the inner part of the debarking mechanism in such a way that each debarking shaft directs an impact effect on logs colliding with it and moved by the debarking shafts located in a lower position. The circumferential speed of the debarking shaft is selected to be the greater the higher the debarking shaft is positioned. A free passage is arranged for the bark passing over the debarking shaft.

Abstract: A debarking chain having passing links; the passing links being substantially rounded in order to permit the passing links to pass through adjacent links such that the orientation of the passing link relative to its adjacent links can change at random in order to randomly distribute the wear and stress from any impact of adjacent or next to adjacent links on the passing links so that the overall wear life of the present debarking chain is extended over similar chain with elongated, oblong links of the prior art. The invention also includes a debarking drum having a plurality of debarking chains having at least one, preferably a plurality of passing links, as well as a debarking device having such a debarking drum. The debarking device preferably includes a chipping device and a method of using the same.

Abstract: A method for harvesting and an arrangement for processing wood. In a harvesting area, a baler (1) is used to bale small-dimensioned wood into bales belonging to different bale classes, wherein a compressed wood bundle (9) is bound by means of a binding member (10). Energy bales (11d) and raw material bales (11a to 11c) may be created in a forest. The raw material bales may be processed in a debarking device (21), wherein the wood contained by the bale is divided into a pulp fraction (26) and an energy fraction (25). The pulp fraction may be used in the manufacture of raw material, and the energy fraction may be used as fuel.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and an apparatus for drum debarking of wood, the bark being removed from the wood in a debarking drum being rotatable alternatively in the opposite directions and having different debarking properties in the alternative directions of rotation thereof. According to the invention, the wood and the loosened bark along with it are guided to a bark separation dependent on the direction of rotation of the debarking drum.

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?). The debarking shafts (3, 3?) are arranged relative to each other in such a way that the logs (2) being processed perform a rotary motion (C) in the debarking mechanism, in which motion the logs (2) are forced in their turn, by the effect of the rotary motion (5) of the debarking shafts (3, 3?), into the upper position, from which they roll down into the lower position on top of the other logs (2) in the debarking machine (1).

Abstract: A batch debarking apparatus includes a rectangular bin and a plurality of abrader rotors placed across the bin. Log batches are debarked within the bin and discharged laterally through one sidewall of the apparatus.

Abstract: A tree cutter in combination with a self-propelled vehicle is disclosed for cutting underbrush and small free standing trees, such as, Cedar. The tree cutter is pivotally mounted at the front of the self-propelled vehicle, such as, a Four Wheeler in order to pivot upon a horizontal axis. The tree cutter provides a frame assembly that includes a discrete pair of triangular straight edge blades followed by a pair of circular blades that rotate in opposite directions caused by contact with the inner core the tree. The blade pairs are adjacent, oppositely disposed, and selectivly spaced apart as included in the frame assembly. The blade pairs act in synergy as they are driven into the tree by the vehicle, wherein the straight blades are suited for slicing into the soft outer vascular core of the tree, thereafter shearing force of the rotating blades is applied to the harder sapwood and heartwood that are engaged between the rotating blades.

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 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 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 arrangement for a debarking machine (1). A number of rotatable debarking shafts (3) extending parallel to the advancing direction of the logs (2) are provided with a number of teeth (4) extending beyond the circumferential surface of the shaft (3) and adapted to strip bark off the logs transversely to the lengthwise direction of the logs. The teeth (4) are designed to be effective in both rotating directions of said rotatable debarking shafts (3), and the debarking shafts (3) are designed to be reversibly mounted in the debarking machine. Reversible debarking shafts equipped with bi-directionally effective teeth permit renewal of worn teeth on a debarking shaft by reversing the orientation of the shaft relative to the debarking machine.

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: A batch debarking apparatus includes a rectangular bin and a plurality of abrader rotors placed across the bin. Log batches are debarked within the bin and discharged laterally through one sidewall of the apparatus.

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: The present invention relates to a method controlling a drum debarker by way of using the drum weighing information in the control of the drum debarking process. The method comprises the steps of determining the weight of the contents in the drum determining the filling degree of the debarking drum determining the average density of the log bunch tumbling in the debarking drum from drum weighing information and drum filling degree information, and determining a target value for the log retention time or debarking work in the debarking drum. Based on the information thus obtained, at least one following variables is controlled: the drum rotating speed, discharge rate of logs from the drum and infeed rate of logs into the drum so as to achieve the desired target value for the log retention time or debarking work in the debarking drum.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for dissecting logs in a sawing installation are disclosed. The installation having a reciprocally moving longitudinal conveyor for moving the logs reciprocally through a double band saw assembly utilizing band saw blades having sawing teeth both on a forward longitudinal edge and a rearward longitudinal edge thereof. As a consequence, the log is sawn both during the forward stroke and during the backward stroke of the reciprocally moving conveyor. Between subsequent strokes the band saw blades are displaced radially with respect to the conveying direction such that during each stroke the log first comes into contact with an outward band saw blade and then with an inward band saw blade, both relative to the log axis.

Abstract: An apparatus which delimbs and debarks one or multiple tree stems which are fed into the apparatus by a circle loader by its boom arm and claw. The tree stem(s) are pulled through the apparatus by the circle loader as the apparatus delimbs and debarks the tree stems with a flail means of various designs and configurations. The flail means if further designed to eject material striped from the tree stems in a controlled fashion from the apparatus. Other safety features contain and prevent uncontrolled ejection of material striped from the tree stems. The flail means is further designed to assist the tree stem feeding by frictionally moving the tree stems into the apparatus with the action of one of the flail drums; and thus reducing wear and tear on the circle loader. The expanse of the feeding opening is designed to accommodate larger diameter and more numerous tree stems resulting in more efficient, faster, and safer delimbing and debarking.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method controlling a drum debarker by way of using the drum weighing information in the control of the drum debarking process.

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 wood working machine for wood like pulp wood, saw timber or similar elongated wood parts comprises a trough designed like a tunnel. The trough has a feeding in end and a feeding out end for the wood. Rotors, each provided with helical threads on its jacket surface, are arranged in the trough for the purpose of at least partially debarking the wood. The machine performs a method where the wood during the working is taken by the rotors (6) from a portion of the trough (2) on a first level to a side-displaced portion of the trough on a second, higher level. The wood falls down to the lower level whereby tumbling of the wood is brought about at the same time as a further working of the wood is conducted. The wood during the working is taken by the rotors from the feeding in end (3) of the trough (2) to its feeding out end (4).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a processing means for barking machines of the type having a plurality of swinging arms, each being at an inner end pivotally mounted on a rotatable, annular rotator, while at an opposite outer free end, they carry such a processing means and are actuated by a spring load which strives to pivot the outer end inwards to the axis of rotation of the rotator. The processing means comprises a front, a rear, an upper and a lower surface, which are designed in such manner that an edge serving as a processing edge is defined between the front and the upper surface. The, lower surface is formed with an engaging means which is adapted to engage a matching formation in a seat in the outer end of the swinging arm. The rear surface acts as a supporting surface which serves to abut against a corresponding swinging arm supporting surface which is directed forwards or obliquely forwards against the direction of feed of the logs.

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.

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 saw assembly for a grip-harvester has a saw chain running around a bar and a chain sprocket; a bar holder pivotably journalled on the saw assembly stand; a saw motor driving the chain sprocket; and a device for feeding a bar out and in. The feeding-out and feeding-in device preferably is a hydraulic cylinder mounted on the stand and having a piston rod. The movements of the piston rod are transmitted to the pivotable bar holder by means of a pivotably journalled first toothed wheel which is joined to the bar holder and has a toothed wheel rim cooperating with the piston rod which is in the form of a rack. The saw assembly is also provided with a device for sensing and recording the angular position of the saw bar in relation to an initial position, which device has a smaller second toothed wheel in engagement with the first larger toothed wheel of the feeding-out and feeding-in device, and also at least one sensor which senses a tooth gap or a tooth on the second toothed wheel.

Abstract: The felling and accumulating head has a large accumulation or storage area for severed trees, separate from the severance area at the front of the head, obtained by elevating the accumulation area to extend preferably at least over the rim of the saw disc, and preferably outwardly and rearwardly over the teeth of the saw. Trees are swept from the severance area, up a small ramp into the accumulation area, by arms, at least one of which preferably sweeps at least partially over the saw motor so as to be able to sweep trees a substantial distance rearwardly, i.e. at least beyond an imaginary lateral line through the saw axis.

Abstract: A chain saw guide bar for a tree harvester is arranged to yield when an excessive force is applied such as when the guide bar becomes jammed in a cut. Yielding of the guide bar protects the bar holder from damage. The guide bar is heat treated or otherwise structurally modified to provide the desired yield strength.

Abstract: A tree harvester provided with a rotatable worktable assembly is disclosed herein. The tree harvester includes a movable frame, a worktable assembly rotatably mounted to the movable frame and an upper frame rotatably mounted to the worktable assembly. The upper frame is provided with an articulated boom that includes a feller/grapple head. The worktable assembly includes a tree delimbing mechanism, a tree cutting mechanism and a log stacker. The operation of the worktable is advantageously automated so that the operator can use the boom while the worktable is processing a tree. The position of the worktable between the movable frame and the upper frame makes the tree harvester more compact than conventional tree harvester, while the independent rotation of the worktable assembly and of the upper frame with respect to the movable frame increases the flexibility of operation of the tree harvester.

Abstract: Described herein is a tree felling head for restraining, cutting and manipulating trees. The felling head comprises a holder connected to the manipulator arm of a tree cutting carrier, a motor at least partially housed in either the frame of the felling head or the holder, and a bearing-like member or transmission connecting the motor to the frame of the felling head. The frame further comprises arms for gripping trees and a saw for cutting same. The felling head preferably comprises a gear assembly for augmenting the torque produced by the motor. The gear assembly is preferably a planetary gear train and is at least partially housed in either the frame or the holder of the felling head.

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: An apparatus for adjusting the rotation speed of a cross-cutting saw of a tree handling machine, especially grapple harvester is provided. The apparatus is arranged to control a hydraulic cylinder connected to the guide bar of the cross-cutting saw in a power transmitting way. A line communicating with the source of pressure medium and having an adjusting unit for adjusting the pressure of the cylinder is connected to the hydraulic cylinder. The system further includes a computing unit, and a rotation speed sensor in conjunction with the cross-cutting saw for measuring the rotational speed of the cross-cutting saw. The rotational speed sensor has a data transmitting connection with the computing unit arranged to control the adjusting unit according to the measured speed.

Abstract: An apparatus for felling and bunching trees is disclosed. The apparatus includes a front frame and a front axle supported by the front frame. The apparatus further includes a number of front wheels mounted on the front axle and a work tool supported by the front frame. The work tool has a blade for felling trees and a number of work arms which are movable to secure the trees within the work tool. The apparatus further includes a front hydraulic motor operable to rotate the front axle. The front hydraulic motor is supported by the front frame. The apparatus yet further includes a first hydraulic pump operable to supply pressurized hydraulic fluid to the front motor. The apparatus still further includes a rear frame which is pivotably coupled to the front frame, a rear axle supported by the rear frame, and a number of rear wheels mounted on the rear axle. The apparatus still further includes a rear hydraulic motor operable to rotate the rear axle. The rear hydraulic motor being supported by the rear frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for felling and bunching trees is disclosed. The apparatus includes a frame and a yoke pivotably connected to the frame. The apparatus further includes a tool support pivotably connected to the yoke at a pivot axis and a cutting tool supported by the tool support. The cutting tool has a leading edge LE which is advanced toward the trees during a felling operation. The cutting tool further has a trailing edge TE which lags behind the leading edge LE when the leading edge LE is advanced toward the trees during the felling operation. The apparatus yet further includes a tilt cylinder positioned between the frame and the tool support. The tilt cylinder is movable between an extended tilt position and a retracted tilt position. The leading edge LE is moved closer to the ground when the tilt cylinder is moved from the retracted tilt position to the extended tilt position.

Abstract: The articulated boom and utility head for manipulating objects underwater of the present invention includes an articulated arm mounted at a first end thereof to a free floating platform, and a remotely operable utility head mountable at a second end of the arm. At least one sensor for relaying sensed information from the sensor to a remote operator or processor is mounted to the articulated arm. The sensed information is transmitted in real time as the arm remotely operated under water.

Abstract: An improved lifter and a method of repairing a damaged lifter employed in a rotary drum debarker of the type which removes the bark of logs by introducing logs into a rotating drum wherein the the logs tumble and flail against one another so that the bark is removed by the tumbling and rubbing action of one log against another. A plurality of lifters are arranged around the interior surface of the drum so that the point or vertex of the lifter is facing toward the axis of rotation of the drum. The lifters are provided with cleats on the vertex of the lifter in the direction of rotation of the drum to protect the lifter from excessive wear. In addition the cleat lifts the logs higher in the drum which improves the tumbling action. Damaged lifters may be repaired by the addition of the cleat to the vertex of the lifter.

Abstract: A guide bar mounting arrangement for a tree harvester. The tail end of the guide bar is provided with a center slot and pin receiving slot at each side thereof. A sliding block has a center boss and pins permanently or removably mounted therein at the sides of the boss and the combination is slidably mounted in a fixture or base member fixedly secured to the harvester adjacent a drive sprocket. The guide bar is fitted to the sliding block center slot receiving a center boss of the sliding block and the pin receiving slots engaging the pins of the sliding block. A saw chain is entrained around the guide bar and drive sprocket and the sliding block moved relative to the sprocket to tension the saw chain. The sliding block is forced against the base member to clamp the bar in position.

Abstract: There is disclosed a tree harvesting head assembly which provides an improved cutting means for permitting movement of a saw chain linearly outwardly from a first position behind a tree to be cut to a second position transversely forwardly of a tree to be cut. The cutting means in combination with the grapple means and engagement arms of the head assembly facilitates the harvesting of trees on rough terrain in an expedited and safe manner.

Abstract: A free-swinging cutter for use on a machine adapted to cut and clear brush and trees, including a generally stirrup-shaped member having two opposing sidewalls, a leading face with a cutting edge for cutting, and a rearward face opposite the leading face. The cutter is adapted to be swingably mounted at a point offset from its center of mass so that the cutting edge is disposed below the rearward face to form a relief heel. The invention also includes a method of creating a relief area on a cutter swingably mounted on the rotating drum to improve chip flow, which includes the steps of providing a cutter as described above and swingably mounting the cutter to a drum about an axis offset from the cutter's center of mass so that the cutting edge is disposed below the rearward face when the cutter extends radially from the drum following the rotation of the drum.

Abstract: A tree harvester head having a mounting bracket at the back of the type allowing the head to be tilted. The bracket is used to mount the head on the boom of a mobile vehicle. Cooperating mounting members are provided on the head and bracket for rotatably mounting the head on the bracket. Rotating members are provided on the head and bracket for rotating the head relative to the bracket. Hydraulic drive elements are provided on the head for operating the rotating member on the head to rotate the head. A method for cutting trees using the harvester head involves the steps of cutting trees in three adjacent rows or swaths and laying all the cut trees in or adjacent the central swath, with their butt ends all facing in the same direction, for pickup by a forwarder.

Abstract: There is disclosed a workhead for timber processing, the workhead having a main body and a jaw assembly for grappling timber. The jaw assembly includes first and second cooperating pairs of jaw arms that are pivotally mounted to the main body. The first of the cooperating pairs of jaw arms provides cutting blades for delimbing. The workhead further includes a feed roller assembly for translating a felled tree through the cutting blades. First and second feed rollers of the feed roller assembly are associated with the jaw arms of the second cooperating pair of arms of the jaw assembly. A third feed roller is provided on the main body for pivotal movement relative to the main body. The feed rollers also effect compression debarking of the felled tree as it is translated through the cutting blades. Each roller has projecting engaging bars which extend in a generally helical configuration along the outer surface of the roller and between its opposed terminal ends.

Abstract: A land clearing apparatus comprises a brush saw which is removably attachable to a brush rake which is in turn removably attachable to a vehicle such as a front end loader or a bulldozer. The brush saw comprises a wedge shaped blade with a clamping assembly mounted on a rear end thereof and extending thereabove. The clamping assembly includes opposed clamping members adapted to engage portions of the brush rake from opposite directions for removably securing the brush saw to the brush rake.

Abstract: An apparatus for debarking roundwood is provided which has a rotary drum debarker having conveyor means to move roundwood into and through the drum debarker, and, furthermore, has a rotable outfeed spool located at the outlet of the drum debarker to contact portions of the roundwood and help remove the roundwood from the drum debarker.

Abstract: The device for the disbranching and felling of trees is provided with a chain saw (110) and possesses a seizing means (15,16,17) swivelling relative to the blade (22) of the chain saw with a plurality of grabbing arms that are swivellable about a common axis (13), in which case the device (100) with the grabbing arms (15,16,17), whose bearing brackets and the chain saw (110), with the aid of a slewing means, which swivels the device in each case through 180.degree. to the right or to the left, is connected with a lifting means, while the chain saw (110) with its driving motor, with the aid of a swivel motor to which the chain saw (110) is secured, is swivellable through the cutting area (FIG.1).

Abstract: The felling and accumulating head has a large accumulation or storage area for severed trees, separate from the severance area at the front of the head, obtained by elevating the accumulation area to extend preferably at least over the rim of the saw disc, and preferably outwardly and rearwardly over the teeth of the saw. Trees are swept from the severance area, up a small ramp into the accumulation area, by arms which preferably sweep over the saw motor so as to be able to sweep trees a substantial distance rearwardly, i.e. at least beyond an imaginary lateral line through the saw axis.

Abstract: Apparatus request for debarking logs comprising a generally horizontal rotary drum debarker having an inlet end, power drive device for continuously rotating the drum of the debarker generally about a horizontal axis, generally horizontal main conveyor element for conveying groups of tree length logs toward the drum, the main conveyor element having a discharge end below the axis of rotation of the drum, drive apparatus for continuously driving the main conveyor element, and auxiliary feed mechanism below the axis of rotation of the drum and between the discharge end of the main conveyor element and the inlet end of the drum for assisting the movement of groups of logs fed by the main conveyor element into the inlet end of the drum. The questions raised in reexamination request No. 90/003,655, filed Dec. 7, 1994, 90/003,826 filed May 8, 1995, and 90/004,552 filed Feb.