Abstract: A wood fragmenting rotor assembly has a drive shaft driving a series of radially projecting hammers. Replaceable fragmenting knives are removably secured to the leading portions of said hammers and have generally axially extending fragmenting edges. An impaling tool having a generally conical leading end is carried on the hammers radially inwardly of the edges to project a generally tangentially predetermined distance forwardly and provide an initial rigid work contacting portion ahead of and cooperating with the knife edges.

Abstract: A wood chipper knife holder assembly for a power driven rotor head has at least one opening in its wood confronting surface for the knife holder assembly which includes a mount block. A counter-knife receiving surface opposite the wood confronting surface of the rotor head is provided on the mount block for a counter-knife and a reversible knife blade with cutting surfaces along opposite transverse edges is received on the counter-knife. A clamp plate secures to clamp the knife in a projecting cutting position. The counter-knife has at least one pair of spaced apart pin openings and the knife blade has at least one pair of complemental pin openings, and pins are received in the knife blade openings and counter-knife pin openings to permit 180.degree. relocation of the knife.

Abstract: Flail apparatus for debarking/delimbing wood products traveling through a debarking station wherein at least one of the flails comprises an axially extending member having axially rotatable chain supporting elements with an array of flexible flailing chains. At least one of the flailing chains incorporates a first, radially extending link, received on one of the elements, which is not radially removable from the element. The flailing chain further incorporates a link structure configured to be radially non-removably attached to the first link. The first link and link structure are configured to permit the link structure to be removable from the first link and a replacement to be received thereon when the link structure is positioned angularly to the said radial direction of extent of the first link.

Abstract: A flail drum system has an upper rotary chain flail drum and a lower rotary chain flail drum longitudinally downstream from the upper drum. Wood product advancing mechanism on the machine frame moves the logs forwardly while spreading them and creates a downward pressure on the products at a first pinch point. The upper and lower flail drums are each driven in rotation about a generally horizontal axis transverse to the path of the log. There is a vertically fixed log support member longitudinally between the upper and lower flail drums and driven means for engaging and advancing the logs is provided on a vertically movable subframe which mounts the upper flail drum, longitudinally between the flail drums, for creating a downward pressure on the logs passing between the upper and lower flail drums and preventing raising and diving movement of the logs passing between the drums.

Abstract: A flail drum system for delimbing and/or debarking small trees and logs has an upper rotary chain flail drum disposed above the path of travel of the wood product and a lower rotary chain flail drum disposed below the path of the product adjacent to the upper drum. Both drums rotate about a generally horizontal axis transverse to the path of travel of the tree or log. Each flail drum assembly includes a central drive shaft and axially spaced apart end rod support members releasably fixed to the shaft. A series of rod support rings have circumferentially spaced openings through which the rods releasably extend to be also releasably received by the end support members. Circumferentially scalloped spacers between the rings, and between the endmost rings and end members, provide radially inwardly extending openings through which the rods pass.