Abstract: A method of processing a heterogeneous material includes entraining heterogeneous particles into a fluid stream. Each of the heterogeneous particles comprises a liquid portion and a solid portion. The fluid stream is passed through at least one adjustable nozzle, and is impacted to dissociate the liquid from the solid. A method of separating oil from solid particles includes mixing oil-coated solid particles with water to form a slurry, passing a first portion of the slurry through a first nozzle, and passing a second portion of the slurry through a second nozzle such that the second portion of the slurry intersects the first portion of the slurry to separate the oil from the particles.

Abstract: A cutter head assembly for a planing apparatus comprises a rotatable cutter head body, at least a first slot and a gib assembly positionable in the first slot to retain a planing knife blade. The cutter head body has a first end, an opposite second end and an outer periphery extending between the first and second ends in a longitudinal direction. The first slot is formed in the outer periphery and extends generally longitudinally. A section of the first slot has at least one profiled side and an opposite knife blade side. The gib assembly is positionable to retain a knife blade in the first slot adjacent the knife blade side. The gib assembly comprises an elongate gib having a section with a shaped leading side and an opposite trailing side. A gib screw is rotatable to move the gib toward the knife blade and clamp it.

Abstract: A grappling and severing head for gripping and severing a tree stem, having a grapple assembly and a severing assembly. Grapple arms are attached to a grapple body and extend forward beyond a front face of the grapple body. A severing assembly body is attached to the grapple body and is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. A severing device is attached to the severing assembly body and is moveable between a stowed position and a range of deployed positions. When the severing device is in the stowed position and the severing assembly body is in the retracted position, the severing device and the severing assembly body lie substantially behind the front face of the grapple. body and/or behind the gripping face of at least one of the grapple arms.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for the production of quality finger jointed dimensioned lumber, molding stock, poles or beams from green rough trim blocks by sorting, drying, finger jointing and finishing, thereby producing a commercial product having a higher commercial value.

Abstract: A method of cutting a wood block and a veneer lathe are disclosed. Two groups of first plural contact members and second plural contact members disposed around the wood block for supporting the wood block from the periphery thereof and each having a contact portion contactable with periphery of the wood block. The first and the second contact members are spaced away from each other along the spin axis of the wood block so as to form a space between any two adjacent contact members, respectively, and arranged in such a way that a part of the contact member of one group is insertable into the space between any two adjacent contact members of the other group when the wood block is cut to a predetermined reduced diameter so that the wood block is continued to be supported further.

Abstract: The rotational speed of the drum of an ore mill may be controlled variably over time. By rotating the drum during a first time interval at high speed, especially hard or dense particles are broken up by tumbling. At the same time, the discharge characteristics of the mill are adversely affected. In a subsequent second time interval, the drum is rotated at a slower speed, and the material is discharged more effectively, whereas the tumbling movement inside the mill is not achieved. The combination of said different modes of operation within short time periods in continuous operation may improve both the comminution as a result of a tumbling motion of the material and also the discharge of the ground material. By regulating the rotational speed with different target values within short time windows, different requirements for the movement behavior of the material to be ground and for the discharge characteristics of the ground material can be simultaneously optimized.

Abstract: A tree harvester is disclosed that includes first and second hydraulic pumps for powering a harvesting head of the tree harvester.

Abstract: A comminution mill is described that includes a vertically oriented cylindrical housing with an intake chute in a top wall and an outlet chute in a bottom wall thereof. A rotatable shaft with a plurality of radially extending cables is disposed coaxially within the cylindrical housing. A plurality of studs extends inwardly from the wall of the housing to slow and collect materials flowing through the comminution mill. The studs can be withdrawn to discharge materials collected thereon. Slits are provided in the walls of the housing to enable the exit of particulate materials from the housing. A hood is provided overlying the slits on the exterior of the comminution mill for collecting the particulate material. Operation of the comminution mill provides a self-generated airflow and can be configured to separate, grind, and dry materials disposed therein.

Abstract: A wheeled chassis to which a stump grinding unit is securely attached that includes a chip collector attached to either the stump grinder or the wheeled chassis and positioned adjacent the trailing edge of the stump grinding wheel. The wheeled chassis includes a duct in fluid communication with the chip collector, and a collection bin positioned adjacent the trailing end and in spaced relation below the duct. The wheeled chassis is adapted for hitched connection to a vehicle. A blower can be positioned within the duct to produce a rearwardly directed air flow to assist in the chip movement towards the collection bin. The collection bin can be positioned on the wheeled chassis or on a vehicle to which the wheeled chassis is attached.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to wood chippers and baling machines and methods of operation therefor, and more specifically, to an apparatus and a method for chipping tree branches and the like and baling wood chips formed from such chipping activities. The apparatus includes a chipper assembly having a chipping mechanism operable to reduce the trimmed branches to wood chips. Also provided is a bale forming assembly operatively connected to the chipper assembly. The bale forming assembly has a housing and a baling mechanism contained within an interior space of the housing. The housing has an opening defined therein for receiving wood chips from the chipper assembly. The opening provides access to the interior space of the housing. The baling mechanism is operable to form a bale from the wood chips produced by the chipper assembly.

Abstract: A flail assembly for use in debarking logs moving in a processing direction includes a debarking assembly having a shaft that is mounted for rotation above the logs moving in the processing direction. A flail having a fixed end is attached to the shaft. The flail has a length that defines an arc of rotation of the free end of the flail as the shaft is rotated. A housing is positioned adjacent the flail. The housing has a center line that is generally aligned with the processing direction, and a deflector vane which extends inwardly towards the arc of rotation of the free end of the flail. The deflector vane serves to direct bark chips that are cast upwardly by the flail away from the center line of the housing.

Abstract: An explosion forming apparatus (10) that preferably utilizes a shock wave (42) directed along a work piece (12) to progressively conform the work piece to a contour die cavity (44).

Abstract: A circle compass is provided. The circle compass includes a main body attachable to a router and an adjustable arm. The main body includes a central receiving aperture configured to receive a router bit or shaft therethrough. The adjustable arm is slidably attached to the main body and has a centering pin. The centering pin extends axially outward beyond a bottom side of the main body. The adjustable arm is slidable along an adjustment axis between a retracted position being associated with a smallest hole that can be formed and an extended position being associated with the largest hole that can be formed. The adjustable arm includes a clearance slot that at least partially aligns with the central receiving aperture of the main body through which the rotating portion of the router must extend to form a cut in the work piece.

Abstract: The table saw mill trolley rolls on rails. A log holder is pivotally attached to the trolley for pivotal movement about first and second axes. A support is fixed to the holder. A log tensioner and log indexer are attached to the support. Centering pins on the tensioner and indexer engage log ends. The trolley supports a log with an indexing shaft axis transverse to the blade axis. A first slot is cut in the log. The log is pivoted about the first axis and the trolley is returned to the start. The log is rotated about the second axis and then pivoted about the first axis to support by the trolley. A second slot that intersects the first slot is cut forming a first log flat surface.

Abstract: A woodworking joint cutting jig and method having a template repositionably attachable to a base in a plurality of alternative positions established by receiving a pin on one of the base or template in one of a plurality of holes on the other of the template and the base.

Abstract: A binder arrangement comprising a pair of covers hingably carried by a spine and containing at least one binder carried by one of the covers further comprising a case that encompasses the binder arrangement that includes flexible sidewalls that each comprise a skirt that extends along the side edges of each cover with one of the skirts releasably attached to the other one of the skirts by a fastening arrangement that is elastically anchored to the spine by a stretchable gather, and further including a material loop on the interior surface of said spine for slidably retaining d-ring attachment loops.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for distressing material, such as a board. The apparatus may include a cutter head supporting a blade, a guide member, and a flattening device. The flattening device and the guide member are positioned proximate the cutter head and on opposite sides thereof. In response to the cutter head and the surface of the material being brought into cutting contact and moved relative to each other, a resulting portion of the surface of the material is distressed. The flattening device maintains the proper vertical position of the cutter head and blade relative to the material and a material support as the material is being brought into cutting contact with the cutter head. The guide member levels warped material boards thereby bringing the board into proper elevation and engagement with the blade for cutting or scraping a top surface of the board. The material may be wood.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a cutting system for the stump grinder including a cutting assembly configured to be coupled to a wheel on the stump grinder. The cutting assembly may include a mounting block and a cutting block. The mounting block may be disposed in a pocket of the wheel that extends inward from a circumferential outer edge of the wheel. The cutting block may be coupled to the mounting block. The cutting block may have a continuous cutting edge that extends from a first side of the wheel to a second side of the wheel around a circumferential outer edge of the wheel.

Abstract: A ring binder has housing including a central portion and lateral sides. Hinge plates are held between the lateral sides of the housing. Each of multiple rings includes at least one ring member mounted for movement with the hinge plates between closed and open positions. An actuator is mounted for pivotal movement relative to the housing and engageable with the hinge plates for opening rings. In one embodiment, the housing defines a stop engaged by the actuator upon arrival of the actuator at a terminal position when the actuator has opened the rings. The engagement between the surface of the actuator and the stop limits pivoting movement of the actuator relative to the housing in the opening direction beyond the terminal position. In another embodiment, the actuator is constructed for quicker response of the binder to movement of the actuator to open the rings.

Abstract: A tooth is provided for a circular disc felling saw. The saw tooth may have a generally square pyramidal shape with tips at each of the four corners. Each of the tips has an enlarged tip region where the tip is stepped outward from the adjacent sides. The front face of the tip remains smoothly continuous. The enlarged, or built-out region extends rearwardly a greater distance than the lateral step out distance, and the rearward build-out portion is relieved on planes parallel to the main portions of the planar sides of the pyramid. The tooth may have both leading and trailing cutting tips. Either one or both of the primary and secondary cutting tips may include a wear insert, such as a ceramic wear insert.