Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle having left and right endless tracks, left and right sprocket wheels, a motor and a hydraulic pump includes left and right hydraulic motors mounted to a respective one of the left and right sprocket wheels, a hydraulic circuit connecting the fluid outlet of each hydraulic motor to the fluid inlet of the other hydraulic motor, and a steering mechanism for receiving hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic pump and selectively distributing it to the first and second hydraulic motors. The steering mechanism is in fluid communication with the fluid inlets of the left and right hydraulic motors to provide hydraulic pressure in response to first and second steering inputs from a user. An attachment kit includes the steering system.

Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle having left and right endless tracks, left and right sprocket wheels, a motor and a hydraulic pump includes left and right hydraulic motors mounted to a respective one of the left and right sprocket wheels, a hydraulic circuit connecting the fluid outlet of each hydraulic motor to the fluid inlet of the other hydraulic motor, and a steering mechanism for receiving hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic pump and selectively distributing it to the first and second hydraulic motors. The steering mechanism is in fluid communication with the fluid inlets of the left and right hydraulic motors to provide hydraulic pressure in response to first and second steering inputs from a user. An attachment kit includes the steering system.

Abstract: A planing head, cylindrical body for a planing head and a method of manufacture thereof are provided. The planing head includes a cylindrical body having an axis of rotation, an outer surface around the axis of rotation, and opposite first and second end faces. A plurality of blade assemblies is arranged along the outer surface. A plurality of grooves is provided in the outer surface and each groove is configured to receive a respective one of the plurality of blade assemblies. A hydraulic pressure system for supplying a hydraulic pressure to each of the blade assemblies is provided. The hydraulic pressure system includes a plurality of transverse channels for receiving a pressurised hydraulic fluid and a plurality of oblique channels hydraulically linking the plurality of transverse channels. Each transverse channel extends at least partially through the cylindrical body.

Abstract: An automated adjustment system is provided for positioning a speed reduction belt assembly to receive an elongated wood article exiting a processing machine. The speed reduction belt assembly has opposite first and second ends. The automated adjustment system includes a horizontal adjustment mechanism operable to adjust an angle of the speed reduction belt assembly in a horizontal plane. The automated adjustment system also includes a vertical adjustment mechanism operable to adjust the height of one of the first and second ends of the belt assembly relative to the other of the first and second ends of the belt assembly, thereby adjusting an inclination of the belt assembly. The automated adjustment system further includes a control unit in communication with the horizontal and vertical adjustment mechanisms for sending control signals thereto. The control signals determine the angle and inclination of the belt assembly.

Abstract: A saw blade assembly for a cutting saw is provided, which includes an effectively circular polygonal disc with an outer edge defined by multiple flat sides, and numerous saw tooth holders, each saw tooth holder removably mounted on a corresponding flat side along the outer edge of the polygonal disc. Preferably, each saw tooth holder straddles the corresponding flat side of the polygonal disc. The saw tooth holder may have a body with a flat abutment surface abutting the corresponding flat side of the polygonal disc, a first leg extending from the body along a first surface of the polygonal disc, and a second leg extending from the body along a second surface of the polygonal disc. For each saw tooth holder, the saw blade assembly may also include fastening means removably mounting the saw tooth holder to the polygonal disc.

Abstract: A planing head, cylindrical body for a planing head and a method of manufacture thereof are provided. The planing head includes a cylindrical body having an axis of rotation, an outer surface around the axis of rotation, and opposite first and second end faces. A plurality of blade assemblies is arranged along the outer surface. A plurality of grooves is provided in the outer surface and each groove is configured to receive a respective one of the plurality of blade assemblies. A hydraulic pressure system for supplying a hydraulic pressure to each of the blade assemblies is provided. The hydraulic pressure system includes a plurality of transverse channels for receiving a pressurised hydraulic fluid and a plurality of oblique channels hydraulically linking the plurality of transverse channels. Each transverse channel extends at least partially through the cylindrical body.

Abstract: A positioning mechanism for a wooden article engaging device having a frame, a rocker arm, first and second air cushions and an eccentric member is provided. The rocker arm has a first end pivotally connected to the frame and a second end connected to the device. The first and second air cushions are fixed between the frame and the rocker arm. Each of the first and second air cushions has an air pressure therein which is controllable to vertically pivot the rocker arm in order to position the wooden article engaging device in one of a clearance position and a working position. The eccentric member eccentrically pivots about a generally horizontal axis, the at least one eccentric member is engages the rocker arm when in the working position. In this way, the eccentric pivoting of the eccentric member acts to pivot the rocker arm to further adjust the device.

Abstract: An automated adjustment system is provided for positioning a speed reduction belt assembly to receive an elongated wood article exiting a processing machine. The speed reduction belt assembly has opposite first and second ends. The automated adjustment system includes a horizontal adjustment mechanism operable to adjust an angle of the speed reduction belt assembly in a horizontal plane. The automated adjustment system also includes a vertical adjustment mechanism operable to adjust the height of one of the first and second ends of the belt assembly relative to the other of the first and second ends of the belt assembly, thereby adjusting an inclination of the belt assembly. The automated adjustment system further includes a control unit in communication with the horizontal and vertical adjustment mechanisms for sending control signals thereto. The control signals determine the angle and inclination of the belt assembly.

Abstract: A planing heads positioning device to be used with an automatic planing machine for planing sides of a piece of lumber moving along a travelling course is provided. The device includes a main frame and a planing assembly including first and second planing head arranged on opposite sides of the travelling course. The planning assembly further includes first and second supports respectively supporting the first and second planing heads. The first support is slidably mounted to the main frame, and the second support is operatively connected to the first support. The device also includes a primary positioning mechanism connected to the first support to position the planing assembly relative to the main frame; and a secondary positioning mechanism operatively connected to the supports to modify the planing width.

Abstract: A planing heads positioning device to be used with an automatic planing machine for planing sides of a piece of lumber moving along a travelling course is provided. The device includes a main frame and a planing assembly including first and second planing head arranged on opposite sides of the travelling course. The planning assembly further includes first and second supports respectively supporting the first and second planing heads. The first support is slidably mounted to the main frame, and the second support is operatively connected to the first support. The device also includes a primary positioning mechanism connected to the first support to position the planing assembly relative to the main frame; and a secondary positioning mechanism operatively connected to the supports to modify the planing width.

Abstract: An automated planer machine for planing a piece of lumber. The planer machine has a feed table for slidably receiving the bottom surface of the piece of lumber along a traveling course. One or more planing heads extend on sides of the traveling course to plane the surfaces of the piece of lumber. A linebar laterally guides the piece of lumber. Feed rolls along the traveling course move the piece of lumber. Positioning devices responsive to respective control signals are provided for adjusting a height of the feed table and planing levels of the planing heads as much when the planer machine is idle as during operation. Position encoders coupled to the feed table and the planing heads produce positional signals usable to accurately position them using the positioning devices.

Abstract: An automated planer machine for planing a piece of lumber. The planer machine has a feed table for slidably receiving the bottom surface of the piece of lumber along a traveling course. One or more planing heads extend on sides of the traveling course to plane the surfaces of the piece of lumber. A linebar laterally guides the piece of lumber. Feed rolls along the traveling course move the piece of lumber. Positioning devices responsive to respective control signals are provided for adjusting a height of the feed table and planing levels of the planing heads as much when the planer machine is idle as during operation. Position encoders coupled to the feed table and the planing heads produce positional signals usable to accurately position them using the positioning devices.

Abstract: A press roll device for applying pressure on a piece of wood moving along a path. The device has a frame mounted in proximity to the path of the piece of wood and a lower and an upper arm both pivotally connected to the frame. A roller is rotationally mounted on the end of the lower arm and a jack is resiliently connected to the corresponding end of the upper arm. A bag of compressed air is disposed between the ends of the lower and upper arm, resiliently separating the roller and the jack. In this manner, the bag of compressed air absorbs the vibration of the roller caused by unevenness in the piece of wood, at least partially.

Abstract: The mechanism is used for rotating a tree-felling implement rotatably connected to a distal end of a boom of a logging vehicle by an implement pivot. The mechanism comprises a pinion coaxial with the implement pivot and fixed in rotation with reference to the distal end of the boom. Two longitudinally extending actuators are mounted on the frame. Both actuators are lying in the pinion plane. Each actuator is adjacent to the pinion on a respective side thereof, namely right and left, and bears a corresponding sprocket coplanar with the pinion plane and rotatably connected to their free end. To link the elements together, there is provided a chain in mesh with the sprockets and the pinion. The chain has ends rigidly attached to the frame of the implement. In use, the implement is rotated as the actuators are operated in opposite directions.

Abstract: The mechanism is used for rotating a tree-felling implement rotatably connected to a distal end of a boom of a logging vehicle by an implement pivot. The mechanism comprises a first arc-shaped member that extends in a plane perpendicular to the boom plane and is convex with reference to the implement pivot. The first member has a first end rotatably connected to the frame of the implement at a given distance from the implement pivot. A second arc-shaped member, coplanar with the first member, is also convex with reference to the implement pivot. The second member has a first end rotatably connected to the second end of the first member for defining an intermediary junction, and a second end rotatably connected to the distal end of the boom. A hydraulic actuator is mounted on the frame of the implement and has an end rotatably connected to or adjacent to the intermediary junction for rotating the implement during operation of the actuator.

Abstract: The mechanism is used for rotating a tree-felling implement rotatably mounted with a pivot to the distal end of the boom of a logging vehicle. The mechanism, the tree-felling implement, the boom and the logging vehicle form a tree-felling machine controlled by an operator and used on logging sites. The mechanism has a pinion coaxial with the implement pivot and fixed in rotation with reference to the distal end of the boom. An arc-shaped rack is rotatably mounted on the frame of the implement by a rack pivot in spaced relationship with the pinion. The rack is in mesh with the pinion and hydraulic actuators are provided on the frame of the implement for swaying the rack and thereby rotating the implement with reference to the boom. Such mechanism is capable of rotating the tree-felling implement with reference to the boom plane in both directions and according to a much wider range angle than the prior art mechanisms.

Abstract: The caterpillar track attachment is provided for a vehicle having a drive shaft and a steering mechanism. The attachment comprises a pair of endless caterpillar tracks for propelling the vehicle, a frame for supporting the vehicle, drive devices to be operatively connected to the drive shaft and engaging the tracks for transmitting motive power from the drive shaft to the tracks, and a hydraulic device to be coupled to the steering mechanism for providing at least one hydraulic fluid outlet controlled by commands from the steering mechanism. The frame has securing devices for connecting the vehicle onto the frame, and a pair of spaced apart elongated side members around which the tracks are respectively mounted. Each of the members has front and rear sets of wheels located substantially at its front and rear extremities for guiding therearound the corresponding track, and straight slides located at its lower portion between the corresponding rear and front sets of wheels for guiding the corresponding track.

Abstract: A felling head for successively grabbing a number of upstanding trees, sequentially sectioning same, and capturing a number of sectioned tree sections one at a time to constitute a pack of sectioned tree sections held by the head, before it is required to unload the tree sections. The felling head has a ground-skimming horizontal knife that cuts trees, while a pair of upper grabber arms and a tree retaining lever capture that tree. The grabber arms then release the sectioned tree section, for engagement with a second upstanding tree, while the retaining lever retains the sectioned tree against the head.