Abstract: A vibratory apparatus providing increased vibration of members held for penetrating a material with the member, by holding the members directly against the vibrating unit using the jaws, thus providing a greater amount of vibration directly transferred to the members for penetrating the material therewith while losing less energy. The apparatus can hold cylindrically shaped members at three separate points of contact or gripping positions for improved, more stable and secure holding thereof. The apparatus can be used to force a variety of different types of members into and out of the material, with or without the use of adaptor attachment components.

Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle having left and right endless tracks, left and right sprocket wheels, a motor and a hydraulic pump includes left and right hydraulic motors mounted to a respective one of the left and right sprocket wheels, a hydraulic circuit connecting the fluid outlet of each hydraulic motor to the fluid inlet of the other hydraulic motor, and a steering mechanism for receiving hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic pump and selectively distributing it to the first and second hydraulic motors. The steering mechanism is in fluid communication with the fluid inlets of the left and right hydraulic motors to provide hydraulic pressure in response to first and second steering inputs from a user. An attachment kit includes the steering system.

Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle having left and right endless tracks, left and right sprocket wheels, a motor and a hydraulic pump includes left and right hydraulic motors mounted to a respective one of the left and right sprocket wheels, a hydraulic circuit connecting the fluid outlet of each hydraulic motor to the fluid inlet of the other hydraulic motor, and a steering mechanism for receiving hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic pump and selectively distributing it to the first and second hydraulic motors. The steering mechanism is in fluid communication with the fluid inlets of the left and right hydraulic motors to provide hydraulic pressure in response to first and second steering inputs from a user. An attachment kit includes the steering system.

Abstract: A planing head, cylindrical body for a planing head and a method of manufacture thereof are provided. The planing head includes a cylindrical body having an axis of rotation, an outer surface around the axis of rotation, and opposite first and second end faces. A plurality of blade assemblies is arranged along the outer surface. A plurality of grooves is provided in the outer surface and each groove is configured to receive a respective one of the plurality of blade assemblies. A hydraulic pressure system for supplying a hydraulic pressure to each of the blade assemblies is provided. The hydraulic pressure system includes a plurality of transverse channels for receiving a pressurised hydraulic fluid and a plurality of oblique channels hydraulically linking the plurality of transverse channels. Each transverse channel extends at least partially through the cylindrical body.

Abstract: An automated adjustment system is provided for positioning a speed reduction belt assembly to receive an elongated wood article exiting a processing machine. The speed reduction belt assembly has opposite first and second ends. The automated adjustment system includes a horizontal adjustment mechanism operable to adjust an angle of the speed reduction belt assembly in a horizontal plane. The automated adjustment system also includes a vertical adjustment mechanism operable to adjust the height of one of the first and second ends of the belt assembly relative to the other of the first and second ends of the belt assembly, thereby adjusting an inclination of the belt assembly. The automated adjustment system further includes a control unit in communication with the horizontal and vertical adjustment mechanisms for sending control signals thereto. The control signals determine the angle and inclination of the belt assembly.

Abstract: A saw blade assembly for a cutting saw is provided, which includes an effectively circular polygonal disc with an outer edge defined by multiple flat sides, and numerous saw tooth holders, each saw tooth holder removably mounted on a corresponding flat side along the outer edge of the polygonal disc. Preferably, each saw tooth holder straddles the corresponding flat side of the polygonal disc. The saw tooth holder may have a body with a flat abutment surface abutting the corresponding flat side of the polygonal disc, a first leg extending from the body along a first surface of the polygonal disc, and a second leg extending from the body along a second surface of the polygonal disc. For each saw tooth holder, the saw blade assembly may also include fastening means removably mounting the saw tooth holder to the polygonal disc.

Abstract: A planing head, cylindrical body for a planing head and a method of manufacture thereof are provided. The planing head includes a cylindrical body having an axis of rotation, an outer surface around the axis of rotation, and opposite first and second end faces. A plurality of blade assemblies is arranged along the outer surface. A plurality of grooves is provided in the outer surface and each groove is configured to receive a respective one of the plurality of blade assemblies. A hydraulic pressure system for supplying a hydraulic pressure to each of the blade assemblies is provided. The hydraulic pressure system includes a plurality of transverse channels for receiving a pressurised hydraulic fluid and a plurality of oblique channels hydraulically linking the plurality of transverse channels. Each transverse channel extends at least partially through the cylindrical body.

Abstract: A positioning mechanism for a wooden article engaging device having a frame, a rocker arm, first and second air cushions and an eccentric member is provided. The rocker arm has a first end pivotally connected to the frame and a second end connected to the device. The first and second air cushions are fixed between the frame and the rocker arm. Each of the first and second air cushions has an air pressure therein which is controllable to vertically pivot the rocker arm in order to position the wooden article engaging device in one of a clearance position and a working position. The eccentric member eccentrically pivots about a generally horizontal axis, the at least one eccentric member is engages the rocker arm when in the working position. In this way, the eccentric pivoting of the eccentric member acts to pivot the rocker arm to further adjust the device.

Abstract: An automated adjustment system is provided for positioning a speed reduction belt assembly to receive an elongated wood article exiting a processing machine. The speed reduction belt assembly has opposite first and second ends. The automated adjustment system includes a horizontal adjustment mechanism operable to adjust an angle of the speed reduction belt assembly in a horizontal plane. The automated adjustment system also includes a vertical adjustment mechanism operable to adjust the height of one of the first and second ends of the belt assembly relative to the other of the first and second ends of the belt assembly, thereby adjusting an inclination of the belt assembly. The automated adjustment system further includes a control unit in communication with the horizontal and vertical adjustment mechanisms for sending control signals thereto. The control signals determine the angle and inclination of the belt assembly.

Abstract: A planing heads positioning device to be used with an automatic planing machine for planing sides of a piece of lumber moving along a travelling course is provided. The device includes a main frame and a planing assembly including first and second planing head arranged on opposite sides of the travelling course. The planning assembly further includes first and second supports respectively supporting the first and second planing heads. The first support is slidably mounted to the main frame, and the second support is operatively connected to the first support. The device also includes a primary positioning mechanism connected to the first support to position the planing assembly relative to the main frame; and a secondary positioning mechanism operatively connected to the supports to modify the planing width.

Abstract: A stabilizing mechanism for the circular saw of a felling head is provided. The mechanism includes at least one gyroscopic stop disposed slightly above the saw on one of its sides in order to prevent the tilting of the saw in the opposite direction due to the gyroscopic effect when the saw is angled forward. Gyroscopic stops may be provided on each side of the saw and be combined with back stops extending over the rear extremity of the saw.

Abstract: A circular saw blade assembly of a tree felling head of a type which has peripherally mounted cutting teeth. The assembly has a circular disc plate with a rim. Mounting lug arrangements evenly distributed and outwardly projecting around the rim receive tooth holders having respective heads adapted to receive the cutting teeth, and respective shanks projecting behind the heads and adapted to receive bolts for fastening the cutting teeth against the heads of the tooth holders. Each mounting lug arrangement has opposite lug elements spaced from each other and extending in parallel with a radial plane of the disc plate. The lug elements of each mounting lug arrangement define an outwardly opened channel extending substantially in a tangential direction with respect to the rim and into which the shank of one of the tooth holders is slideably mountable.

Abstract: An automated planer machine for planing a piece of lumber. The planer machine has a feed table for slidably receiving the bottom surface of the piece of lumber along a traveling course. One or more planing heads extend on sides of the traveling course to plane the surfaces of the piece of lumber. A linebar laterally guides the piece of lumber. Feed rolls along the traveling course move the piece of lumber. Positioning devices responsive to respective control signals are provided for adjusting a height of the feed table and planing levels of the planing heads as much when the planer machine is idle as during operation. Position encoders coupled to the feed table and the planing heads produce positional signals usable to accurately position them using the positioning devices.