Abstract: A cutting disk for a rotary cutting machine includes a disk body having a central axis of rotation and a circumferentially extending outer periphery. A plurality of circumferentially spaced apart cutting teeth is mounted to the outer periphery of the disk body. A chip pocket is defined in the circumferential outer periphery of the disk body between each of the circumferentially spaced apart cutting teeth. Each chip pocket is formed by a chip clearance surface extending radially inwardly into the disk body to form the chip pocket between circumferentially adjacent cutting teeth. The chip pocket is adapted to receive a tooth-produced chip therein, thereby providing more room for chip discharge and thus reducing disk wear.

Abstract: A cutting tooth assembly for a rotary cutting machine is described. The assembly includes a tooth holder adapted for mounting about the periphery of a rotating element of the rotary cutting machine, and a reversible cutting tooth, removably mounted to said tooth holder. The cutting tooth has opposed first and second cutting faces which are spaced apart along a central tooth axis extending therebetween. Each of the first and second cutting faces at least partially defines more than two cutting edges, and the cutting tooth is reversible by 180 degrees about a transverse tooth axis to dispose a selected one of the first and second cutting faces in an operable cutting position when mounted to the tooth holder.

Abstract: A rotary cutting machine is described and includes a circular rotatable element, a plurality of tooth holders disposed on the circular rotatable element at spaced apart locations about its periphery, and at least one reversible cutting tooth removably fastened to each tooth holder such that at least one cutting edge is disposed in a operable cutting position. Each cutting tooth includes opposed first and second cutting faces spaced apart along a central tooth axis extending therebetween. Each of the first and second cutting faces at least partially defines at least four of the cutting edges. The cutting tooth is reversible by 180 degrees about a transverse tooth axis such that it is mountable on the tooth holder in at least eight different positions, each of the positions providing a different selected one of the cutting edges in the operable cutting position.

Abstract: A replaceable saw tooth for a rotary cutting machine. The saw tooth comprises more than two cutting edges on each of two opposed faces thereof. More specifically, the saw tooth may comprise a body having two cutting faces disposed opposite each other and spaced apart by at least four side faces which are each parallel to an opposite one of the side faces. The side faces are parallel to a central axis extending between the two cutting faces. Four cutting edges are defined between the side faces and each of the two cutting faces.

Abstract: A rotary cutting machine comprises a circular rotating element having a transverse axis of rotation and which is mounted to the rotary cutting machine for rotation about the axis of rotation. A plurality of cutting teeth are mounted to the circular rotating element at spaced apart locations about its circumferential periphery. The cutting teeth are reversible and removably fastened to the circular rotating element. Each cutting tooth includes opposed first and second cutting faces spaced apart by lateral surfaces extending therebetween. The first and second cutting faces define at least four of the cutting edges thereon, such that the cutting teeth are selectively mountable on the circular rotating element in any one of at least eight different positions, each of the positions providing a different one of the cutting edges in the operable cutting position.

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: A tree processing machine having a boom, a tree processor head carrying tree processing elements, and a rotator rotatably connecting the tree processing head to the end of the boom. The rotator has a casing, that is non-rotatably mounted from the end of the boom, and a support shaft hat is mounted in the casing for rotation about its longitudinal axis relative to the casing and that supports the processor head at its lower end. Rotating means are provided on the rotator for rotating the support shaft relative to the casing. A first set of hydraulic lines extend from the boom to the casing and a second set of hydraulic lines extend from the support shaft to the processor head. Hydraulic flow paths extend through the rotator between the first and second sets of hydraulic lines.