Abstract: A forestry site preparation system is provided for removing woody material, including trees, stumps and slash from forest terrain. The system includes clearing means having a means attached thereto for fragmenting the woody material and directing the particulate masses produced by this fragmentation toward the clearing means. An auxiliary fragmenting means closely associated with the fragmenting means is also provided. By setting the distance between the fragmenting and auxiliary fragmenting means, respectively, particulate masses of a maximum, predetermined size can be produced. A tree-felling assembly extending outwardly from the housing to which the fragmenting means is mounted is employed in felling the standing trees by exerting a positive force on the tree, thereby causing felling to occur in a direction away from the system. If desired, the particulate masses can be collected and transferred to a remote storage area.

Abstract: A machine for clearing and cleanly chipping trees and brushwood in the path of the machine as it moves forward. A pair of counterrotating disk cutters cut a kerf in the standing material and propel the cut material upwardly and rearwardly to the throat between a pair of feed rollers. The feed rollers deliver the cut material to a chipper, which reduces the material to chips and delivers them to a chip storage bin. The bin can be tilted to dump chips alongside the machine. The entire mechanism is carried by a self-propelled, articulated, track-supported vehicle which is especially well-suited for operation over soft, boggy ground.