Abstract: The invention relates to the mounting of knife inserts in apparatuses which require occasional or frequent replacement of the knife insert due to wear or damage of the knife, as is the case in delimbing machinery used in the forestry industry. The invention also relates to a knife carrier, a tree processing head, and to a method of installing a knife insert to a knife carrier. A knife insert for use with a knife carrier includes a blade portion, a retention portion configured to interface with a corresponding receiving portion of the knife carrier, and a force transmission means configured to introduce a preload from the knife carrier to the knife insert, wherein the preload is configured to force the retention portion against the receiving portion along a length of the blade portion and thereby removably hold the knife insert in place in the knife carrier.

Abstract: The invention relates to the mounting of knife inserts in apparatuses which require occasional or frequent replacement of the knife insert due to wear or damage of the knife, as is the case in delimbing machinery used in the forestry industry. The invention also relates to a knife carrier, a tree processing head, and to a method of installing a knife insert to a knife carrier. A knife insert for use with a knife carrier includes a blade portion, a retention portion configured to interface with a corresponding receiving portion of the knife carrier, and a force transmission means configured to introduce a preload from the knife carrier to the knife insert, wherein the preload is configured to force the retention portion against the receiving portion along a length of the blade portion and thereby removably hold the knife insert in place in the knife carrier.