Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a stabler leveling mechanism for tree harvesters. The present invention utilizes many of the same components of conventional leveling mechanisms for tree harvesters, but it alters the pivot axis of a swing-house assembly. A conventional swing-house assembly pivots about an axis parallel to the top surface of a carriage on level ground. That conventional assembly can be deleterious, therefore, applicant has altered the pivot axis of the swing-house assembly. Admittedly, merely moving the pivot axis seems simple but it is difficult. The components had to be constructed differently to obtain the desired results and simultaneously make the device stable within the working environment.

Abstract: The two boom members and hydraulic cylinders of a knuckle boom tree harvesting machine are so arranged and proportioned that with a single control movement during reaching and retracting actions the working tool head is made to travel in an approximately horizontal path. The cylinders and control valve are so connected that during horizontal reaching action load-supporting pressurized oil from a collapsing cylinder is not required to be dumped to the reservoir in the conventional heat generating manner, but is rather shunted directly to an extending cylinder where it continues to do useful load support work. Energy waste to hydraulic oil heat and fuel consumption is significantly reduced. Although these advances have been particularly developed for disc saw felling and stroke delimbing of trees they can also be applied to other knuckle boom applications where horizontal reaching is a major function.

Abstract: A cabin primarily intended for cross-country vehicles where the cabin is held up by a supporting device which includes a partially circular-shaped first bearing device lying in a vertical plane with the convex side facing downwards when the vehicle is standing horizontally. A base mounting plate attached to the vehicle's chassis is provided with a partially circular-shaped second bearing device that is equivalent to and interacting with this supporting device's bearing device, whereby the bearing device's common center forms a first axis of oscillation for the cabin in a first plane, and wherein the cabin is able to pivot about a second axis of oscillation that is perpendicular to the first axis of oscillation.

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: The disc saw blade has a plurality of arcuate teeth detachably mounted in complementary-shaped arcuate sockets provided in a rim portion around the circumference thereof. Each tooth has a portion butting against a stop, such as a transverse tail stop surface defined by an inward projection of the socket. The configuration provides a small throw entry gap to reduce the likelihood of sticks being thrown. The teeth preferably are detachably mounted by virtue of a tight fit within the sockets, with no use of fasteners to absorb cutting forces. Keying elements such as a male portion of generally rectangular cross-section extending from the socket into a corresponding female portion in the tooth preferably are used to ensure proper alignment of each tooth relative to the plane of the disc saw blade. Preferably, the teeth and sockets are parts of concentric circles, the diameter of the teeth preferably being slightly larger than the diameter of the sockets, thereby producing a press fit.

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: 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: The felling and accumulating head has a large accumulation area for trees, obtained by elevating the accumulation area to extend outwardly and rearwardly over the teeth of the saw. Trees are swept from the front severance area, up a small ramp into the accumulation area, by a taker arm, and are retained there by a tucker arm. The taker and tucker arms pivot preferably on the same axis, on the opposite side of the head from the accumulation area, and sweep over the saw motor, to sweep trees a substantial distance rearwardly, i.e. at least beyond an imaginary lateral line through the saw axis. The butt plate is recessed beneath the top of the saw kerf, which permits the head to be angled forward slightly for continuous advancement from one tree to the next.

Abstract: The felling and bunching head for severing and grouping trees has a shear or saw or the like for severing trees, and an accumulation area for accumulating severed trees, extending rearwardly from the shear or saw, substantially outwardly and away from a centerline of said head. Taker and tucker arms are pivotally mounted to pivot towards and away from the accumulation area. The taker and tucker arms are mounted via pivotal connections located substantially outwardly from the shear or saw on the opposite side of the centerline from the accumulation area, on substantially the same axis. The taker and tucker arms have generally similar geometries facing the accumulation area, as viewed from above, thereby presenting generally similar geometries to trees in the accumulation area, thereby minimizing jostling of the trees when they are alternately held in the accumulation area by the taker arm and by the tucker arm.