Abstract: A skidding grapple to move a load such as a tow of logs, over a terrain that is particularly difficult to traverse. A grapple assembly to engage the load has offset grapple arms that bypass one another when closing to encompass the load. A choke line is connected at one end to the winch line, and has first and second choke line legs that connect to the ends of the grapple arms. As the grapple arms close, the choke line legs form a noose to engage the end of the load and bear the weight of the load upon lifting of the grapple arms. A coupling releasably connects the grapple assembly to the boom. A winch line extends over the boom end, past the coupling and is connected to the grapple assembly, such that upon release of the grapple assembly from the boom, it remains connected to the tow vehicle by the winch line. Reconnection of the coupling assemblies is facilitated, since the winch line passes over the boom tip and results in alignment with the coupling assemblies as they come together.

Abstract: A load handling vehicle for movement of a load such as a drag of logs over rough terrain. The vehicle has a grapple assembly for lifting one end of a load for dragging the load over the terrain with one end elevated. The grapple assembly is connected to the boom of the skidder vehicle by a releasable load coupling. The grapple assembly is hydraulically actuated and hydraulically connected to the tow vehicle for that purpose. A mainline is connected at one end to the grapple assembly and at the other end to the tow vehicle and engages a powered winch drum permitting playing out and allowing for reeling in of the mainline. The grapple assembly is detachable from the tow vehicle by disconnecting the load coupling. When the grapple assembly is detached from the tow vehicle, it still engages the load and can be dragged by the tow vehicle using the mainline over the rough terrain.

Abstract: A hydraulic coupling assembly having first and second connectors for making fluid connections between two hydraulic fluid lines. One of the connectors has a stationary valve assembly with a valve element moveable into and out of engagement with a valve seat. The other connector has a moveable valve assembly with a second valve element movable into and out of engagement with a valve seat. The valve assembly is movable on a plunger with respect to a connector housing. A bias mechanism such as a spring biases the plunger outward with respect to the housing. When the connectors come together, the valve tips bear against each other and are mutually retracted with respect to the respective valve seats. The bias mechanism acting on the plunger in the second connector maintains the valve elements in contact with one another and in a deflected state permitting hydraulic fluid passage through the fluid passage opened between the connectors.

Abstract: A comminuting apparatus for reducing trees or portions thereof to particles of engineered length especially suitable for ring flaking for subsequent use in flakeboard fabrication and for use by utilities and industries using wood for energy production. The apparatus utilizes one or two rotating discs to which one on a plurality of curved cutting members are mounted and which severs trees, tree portions or other fibrous masses fed at right angles to a rotating shaft member. By the precise design of cutting members mounted on the rotating disc or discs, wood particles of engineered length are produced.

Abstract: A grapple skidder vehicle has a grapple assembly rotatably and pivotally mounted with respect to an outer boom point end portion of a boom extending from the vehicle. The grapple assembly is supported from a cylindrical rotator shaft which is mounted for rotation in a bushed bearing which extends integrally upwardly from a base plate which forms a part of the boom point portion of the boom. The vertical thrust of the weight and load on the grapple assembly is transmitted through the rotator shaft to a rotator shaft operator arm concentric with and encircling the bushed bearing and to a relatively soft wear plate situated between the base plate and a bottom disc-shape base portion of the rotator shaft operator arm. The grapple assembly is pivoted with respect to the boom by a linear hydraulic motor pivotally connected between an outer end portion of the rotator shaft operator arm and the boom.

Abstract: A process of separating wood chips according to their bark content by orienting them between a light source and light detector, measuring the amount of light transmitted through each chip, and separating the bark-laden chips from the bark-free chips on the basis of their light transmittance. An apparatus for separating wood chips according to their bark content, comprising a light source, a light detector, means for properly orienting the wood chips between the light source and detector, and means for differentiating between bark-laden chips and bark-free chips on the basis of their light transmittance.

Abstract: A cutting machine to sever elongated wood particles or fiber masses to a predetermined length in one self-feeding and continuous operation. Said cutting machine reduces naturally formed and partially processed wood into particles of controlled length and cross-sectional dimension. A rotating spiral cutting edge mounted on a drive shaft is of varying radial length increasing from zero on one end to a radial length greater than the cross-sectional dimension of the wood or fiber to be sheared. In back of the shearing section a separate degradation spiral is situated that gradually decreases back to a minimal radial length on the other end. An anvil is provided over the length of the shearing section against which the rotating cutting edge shears the wood. In the back or degradation section, a casing in the shape of a truncated cone is fitted loosely around the decreasing spiral. Wood is fed parallel to the drive shaft into the front end of the apparatus.