Abstract: A tree delimber having a boom assembly with a sleeve, and a boom slidable through the sleeve. Tree gripping means are mounted on the front end of the boom and the tree delimbing means are mounted on the sleeve. Tree feed means are also mounted on the sleeve.The tree feed means of the tree delimber comprise feed rollers for moving a tree past the delimbing means. Three feed rollers are provided with one roller fixed on the sleeves and the other two rollers movable toward each other and the one roller to hold a tree between all three rollers so as to feed the tree. The other two rollers are movable away from each other and the one roller to load or unload a tree to or from the rollers.A method of operating the delimbing machine, particularly when tree feeding during delimbing is interrupted, is also disclosed.

Abstract: Tree processing apparatus having a knuckle boom mounted at one end on a vehicle. A stick boom is pivotally mounted at one end onto the knuckle boom near its other end. The other end of the stick boom projects past the other end of the knuckle boom and a tree processing head is suspended from the other end of the stick boom. The stick boom can be pivoted up from the knuckle boom raising the processing head above the other end of the knuckle boom and thereby permitting the other end of the knuckle boom to be planted on the ground to allow the knuckle boom to act as a lever to help free the vehicle if it becomes stuck.The vehicle carries a tubular member for passively supporting the butt end portion of a tree to be processed by the processing head.

Abstract: An improved boom construction on a tree delimber. The boom construction has a boom support and a boom assembly pivotally connected to the boom support. Locking means are provided for locking the boom assembly to the boom support in a working position of the delimber. The locking means are movable to an unlocked position allowing the boom assembly to pivot relative to the boom support in setting the delimber up in a travel position. Moving means are provided for both moving the locking means between locked and unlocked positions and for pivoting the boom assembly relative to the boom support. Means are also provided for preventing lateral movement between the boom assembly and the boom support when in the working position.

Abstract: A vehicle with an improved suspension system having a chassis with a bogie on each side of the chassis. The vehicle has a hydraulic system that includes actuator means connected between each bogie and the chassis for maintaining the chassis generally level on level ground. The hydraulic system includes first and second connecting systems extending between the two actuator means in a manner to have movement of one wheel in one bogie in one direction tend to cause movement of the corresponding wheel in the other bogie in the opposite vertical direction to the one direction to minimize tilting of the chassis. The improved suspension system also includes a second hydraulic system that can be selectively connected to one of the first and second connecting systems to tilt the chassis relative to the bogies in one direction or the other so as to generally maintain the chassis level on ground that slopes in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.