Abstract: A brush chipper having a guard (38) which is released to block the inlet (12) to the cutter (10) when an emergency condition is sensed. During normal operation of the chipper, the guard (38) is held out of the path of brush to the cutter (10). When a weight, in excess of a normal brush load, is sensed, as for example when the chipper operator is being drawn into the chipper, the guard (38) is released automatically and moves to block the inlet (12) to the cutter (10). This prevents the operator from being drawn into the cutter (10).

Abstract: The preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed in this application includes a vehicle having an engine and carrying a lift apparatus including a boom assembly and hydraulic motors operatively associated with a hydraulic control system for selectively operating the motors to raise and lower the boom. Included in the hydraulic control system is an electric motor and a pump, the former driving the latter and being energized by an electric power system including battery means in series with the motor. Between the battery and the motor there is provided switch means operatively associated with valve actuating members used for the selective operation of the hydraulic control system so that when any valve actuating member is moved to a position operating the hydraulic control system, it simultaneously actuates the switch means closing the circuit between the battery and the motor.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed herein includes a motor operatively connected to drive a rotatable drum assembly including cutting means rotatable through a cutting station where brush and similar debris is cut into small chips. Adjacent the cutting station is a feed station from which the brush may be hand-fed to the cutting station and at the feed station is actuating means operative to actuate emergency shutoff means and emergency brake means, the former being operative to shut off the motor and the latter being operative to stop the rotation of the drum assembly. Preferably, the emergency brake means includes a band member including a brake lining located about the periphery of a portion of the drum assembly and having spaced apart end portions. One end portion of the band member is fixed to a frame and the other end portion is spring biased away from the drum assembly so that the brake lining is normally not engaged with the adjacent periphery of the drum assembly.