Abstract: Method, apparatus, and system for operation of a timber-working device configured to perform at least one operation having an associated hazard zone. At least one signal from at least one orientation sensor associated with the timber-working head may indicate whether a predetermined location is within the hazard zone based on the orientation of the timber-working head. Operation of the timber-working head can be controlled based on the signal.

Abstract: A timber-working device comprises a frame having a feed axis and a drive system configured to feed at least one stem along the feed axis. The drive system comprises a first drive arm pivotally attached to the frame on a first side of the feed axis, having a first rotary drive having a first wheel. A second drive arm is also pivotally attached to the frame on a second side of the feed axis, having a second rotary drive having a second wheel. The drive system also comprises a third rotary drive having a third wheel, and a fourth rotary drive having a fourth wheel, mounted on the frame on the first and second sides of the feed axis respectively. At least one processor controls operation of the rotary drives, such that in a first mode the speed of the respective wheels of the rotary drives on the same side of the feed axis is substantially the same, and in a second mode the speed of the respective wheels of at least two rotary drives on opposing sides is substantially the same.

Abstract: A system, device, and method for processing a length of material are provided. A material-working device has first and second cutting devices, each having different cutting capacities. Data relating to the length and diameter at a plurality of points of the material is received, and used to determine at least one cutting position along its length. The diameter of the length of material at the cutting position is determined, and used to select either the first cutting device or second cutting device for use in performing a cut at the cutting position based on the cutting capacity of each cutting device.

Abstract: A timber-working head and method of operation are provided. The head has a frame to which first and second arms are pivotally connected. Respective linear drive actuators pivot the respective arms relative to the frame to open and close them. At least one processor controls application of pressure by the linear drive actuators such that the arms grasp timber to be processed by the head. The position of the linear actuators is used to determine whether the timber is offset from a feed axis of the frame beyond a predetermined distance, and the application of pressure by one of the linear actuators to reduce the offset to be within the predetermined distance.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and system for operation of a timber-working device configured to perform at least one operation having an associated hazard zone. At least one signal from at least one orientation sensor associated with the timber-working head may indicate whether a predetermined location is within the hazard zone based on the orientation of the timber-working head. Operation of the timber-working head can be controlled based on the signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a length of material, comprises at least one processor configured to: receive a signal indicating manual designation of a point along the length of material as a first end point; receive at least one signal from at least one distance measuring device associated with a timber-working head, the signal indicating the distance between the first end point and a second end point on the length of material; and determine the actual length of material to be processed. An associated method is disclosed.

Abstract: A timber-working device has a frame, including a feed axis having first and second sides. A drive system independently feeds stems along the feed axis, and has a first rotary drive having a first wheel acting against a first stem on the first side, and a second rotary drive having a second wheel acting against a second stem on the second side. The device has at least two distance measurement devices, each side of the feed axis having an associated distance measurement device. Each generates measurement signals indicative of the length of stems fed along the feed axis, at least one of them indicative of rotation of one of the rotary drives. A processor receives the respective measurement signals, and for each of the first and second stems, determines the length of at least a portion of the stem fed by the drive system based at least in part on the respective measurement signals.

Abstract: A timber-working device comprises a frame having a feed axis and a drive system configured to feed at least one stem along the feed axis. The drive system comprises a first drive arm pivotally attached to the frame on a first side of the feed axis, having a first rotary drive having a first wheel. A second drive arm is also pivotally attached to the frame on a second side of the feed axis, having a second rotary drive having a second wheel. The drive system also comprises a third rotary drive having a third wheel, and a fourth rotary drive having a fourth wheel, mounted on the frame on the first and second sides of the feed axis respectively. At least one processor controls operation of the rotary drives, such that in a first mode the speed of the respective wheels of the rotary drives on the same side of the feed axis is substantially the same, and in a second mode the speed of the respective wheels of at least two rotary drives on opposing sides is substantially the same.

Abstract: A system, device, and method for processing a length of material are provided. A material-working device has first and second cutting devices, each having different cutting capacities. Data relating to the length and diameter at a plurality of points of the material is received, and used to determine at least one cutting position along its length. The diameter of the length of material at the cutting position is determined, and used to select either the first cutting device or second cutting device for use in performing a cut at the cutting position based on the cutting capacity of each cutting device.

Abstract: A timber-working head and method of operation are provided. The head has a frame to which first and second arms are pivotally connected. Respective linear drive actuators pivot the respective arms relative to the frame to open and close them. At least one processor controls application of pressure by the linear drive actuators such that the arms grasp timber to be processed by the head. The position of the linear actuators is used to determine whether the timber is offset from a feed axis of the frame beyond a predetermined distance, and the application of pressure by one of the linear actuators to reduce the offset to be within the predetermined distance.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and system for operation of a timber-working device configured to perform at least one operation having an associated hazard zone. At least one signal from at least one orientation sensor associated with the timber-working head may indicate whether a predetermined location is within the hazard zone based on the orientation of the timber-working head. Operation of the timber-working head can be controlled based on the signal.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for operation of a timber-working device capable of performing an operation having an associated hazard zone. The device can receive a wireless signal indicating a location of an object tracking device, determine the location of the object tracking device relative to the hazard zone of the timber-working device and determine a recommended operation of the timber-working device based at least in part on the location of the object tracking device relative to the hazard zone.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a length of material, comprises at least one processor configured to: receive a signal indicating manual designation of a point along the length of material as a first end point; receive at least one signal from at least one distance measuring device associated with a timber-working head, the signal indicating the distance between the first end point and a second end point on the length of material; and determine the actual length of material to be processed. An associated method is disclosed.