Abstract: A choker hook has a main body and a latch member rotatable relative to the main body. The latch member is biased by a spring thereby to form a pocket to hold the ferrule of a choker cable used in logging operations. The latch member has a toe piece which contacts the surface of a log when the choker hook is rotated by the choker cable relative to the log. The force between the toe piece and its attached latch member will tend to rotate the latch member relative to the main body when the effect of the force on the choker hook is such that the toe piece is brought into contact with the outside of the log. The ferrule pocket will open and the ferrule and attached cable will be released thereby releasing the log being transported without manual intervention at the point of log release.

Abstract: A choker hook is connected to a choker cable and is used for pulling a log from its felled position to a desired location. The choker hook is remotely released from the log without manual intervention at the desired end position. The choker hook has a configuration where a ferrule on the end of the choker cable tends to nest within the choker hook and assume a locking position when the log is being transported. When the direction of pull in the cable is reversed, the forces will tend to remove the ferrule from its locking position and release it from the choker hook thereby releasing the log. During the force reversal, the choker hook rotates about a predetermined angle and about predetermined axes of rotation depending on its specific configuration.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming spot mounds used in assisting the germination and growth of tree seedlings in reforestation. A crawler moves forwardly while a digging blade connected to a frame is lowered into the soil in order to overturn the soil and form a mound. After the digging blade is lowered into the ground, the digging blade rotates so as to better form and thereafter pass the formed mound without interference.

Abstract: A mobile vehicle is disclosed having a boom pivotally mounted thereon for slewing about a vertical axis and a work head attached to the free end of the boom by a universal mounting. The universal mounting consists of a first housing having a base attached to the boom and a power driven worm in drive relation with a worm gear in the housing. The worm gear has a central hub to which is connected a second housing and which in turn has a driven worm in drive relation with a worm gear mounted therein. The worm gear in the second housing has a central hub and to which is attached a support carrying the work head.

Abstract: A mobile vehicle is disclosed having a boom pivotally mounted thereon for slewing about a vertical axis and a work head attached to the free end of the boom by a universal mounting. The universal mounting consists of a first housing having a base attached to the boom and a power driven worm in drive relation with a worm gear in the housing. The worm gear has a central hub to which is connected a second housing and which in turn has a driven worm in drive relation with a worm gear mounted therein. The worm gear in the second housing has a central hub and to which is attached a support carrying the work head.