Abstract: A tree feller assembly for use with a tree harvesting apparatus including a support structure defining a common pivot axis with a pair of shear arm means carrying cutter blade means disposed for pivotal movement about the common pivot axis. First power actuator means connects the shear arm means together and is disposed below and forwardly of the common pivot axis for moving the cutter blade means toward and away from one another upon actuation thereof. A pair of clamp members is pivotally mounted on the support structure above the shear arm means with a second power actuator means connecting the clamp members together. The clamp members are disposed forwardly of and generally parallel to the first power actuator means for moving the clamp members toward and away from one another. A wear plate means is mounted on the support structure and is disposed between the shear arm means to provide a guide for and self-aligning action on the cutter blade means upon actuation of the first power actuator means.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for processing trees includes a hollow boom structure (12), a processing head (14) mounted for movement along the boom and an actuating cylinder assembly (38) which is mounted inside the boom structure. The cylinder includes a body member (50) and support means (52) engageable with the inside of the boom which support the body member for linear movement along the boom. A reeved cable system interconnects the actuating cylinder assembly with the processing head such that the actuating cylinder and the processing head move in opposite directions along the boom when the actuating cylinder is pressurized. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the cylinder assembly includes opposed piston assemblies (40, 42) and means associated with the piston rod (54) of one piston assembly (40) for selectively transferring hydraulic fluid from a source to the head ends of both piston assemblies and to a central chamber (60) defined between the piston assemblies.

Abstract: A boom structure (12) for a tree processing apparatus (10) comprising a first upper channel member (18) oriented with its legs extending downward, a second lower channel member (20) oriented with its legs extending upward, and third and fourth channel members (22, 24) which are received between the legs of the upper and lower channel members with their legs facing inward. The four channel members are welded together to form a unitary structure of cruciform section. The side channel members define outer track means (23) which receive rollers (21) supporting a processing head (14), and inner track means (61) which receive support rollers (58) operatively attached to an actuating cylinder (38) for the processing head.

Abstract: A processor clamp for a tree harvester. A first tree engaging surface is defined by an edge of a frame member upstanding from the processing boom of the harvester. A second tree engaging surface is defined by a movable clamp arm which is located beneath the first tree engaging surface in its open position to free the first surface of obstruction tending to interfere with a tree being positioned on the processing boom. According to another aspect of the invention, the operating cylinder for the movable clamp arm is located within a cavity formed by the frame members of the clamp assembly, and is thus protected from damage.

Abstract: A delimber blade having a central region beveled at a first angle to form a cutting edge at the tree engaging surface of the blade, and having opposed end regions beveled at first and second angles to form cutting edges spaced from the tree engaging surface of the blade. According to another aspect of the invention a plurality of blades is provided, all of which are identically shaped and sharpened.