Abstract: Apparatus for removing limbs of standing trees to maintain a power line right-of-way free of tree limb interference comprising a self-propelled vehicle having power operated ground stabilizing support leg assemblies, a telescoping boom mounted on said vehicle for horizontal swinging movement about an upright axis and for vertical pivoting movement and a limb cutting assembly on the opposite free end of the boom.

Abstract: An improvement in a debarking machine of the type including an annular frame, a plurality of debarking tools mounted in annularly spaced relation within the annular frame for rotation together about the axis of the annular frame and for movement toward and away from each other, infeed and outfeed mechanisms for feeding logs through the annular frame so that the tools will engage the exterior periphery of the successive logs and strip the bark therefrom during their movement through the annular frame. The infeed mechanism includes three driven infeed spiked rolls arranged so that their spiked peripheries normally engage the exterior periphery of the log in centered relation and move the same axially through the annular frame for debarking by the tools.

Abstract: An improvement in a debarking machine of the type including an annular frame, a plurality of debarking tools mounted in annularly spaced relation within the annular frame for rotation together about the axis of the annular frame and for movement toward and away from each other, infeed and outfeed mechanisms for feeding logs through the annular frame so that the tools will engage the exterior periphery of the successive logs and strip the bark therefrom during their movement through the annular frame. The infeed and outfeed mechanisms each include three driven spiked rolls arranged so that their spiked peripheries normally engage the exterior periphery of the log in centered relation and move the same axially through the annular frame for debarking by the tools. Each of the spiked rolls includes a cylinder and a multiplicity of spikes extending radially outward therefrom.

Abstract: An improvement in a debarking machine of the type including an annular frame, a plurality of debarking tools mounted in annularly spaced relation within the annular frame for rotation together about the axis of the annular frame and for movement toward and away from each other, infeed and outfeed mechanisms for feeding logs through the annular frame so that the tools will engage the exterior periphery of the successive logs and strip the bark therefrom during their movement through the annular frame. The infeed mechanism includes three driven infeed spiked rolls arranged so that their spiked peripheries normally engage the exterior periphery of the log in centered relation and move the same axially through the annular frame for debarking by the tools. Each of the spiked rolls includes a cylinder and a multiplicity of spikes extending radially outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: A tree cutting and gripping head assembly for use in a tree felling apparatus which includes a single movement effecting unit, such as a hydraulic ram, connected both with respect to a tree cutting part and a tree gripping part of the head assembly for effecting movement for both of these parts through their respectively operative strokes in response to a single actuating movement of the unit. The head assembly also embodies a number of improved cutting blade constructions which are particularly useful in splitting the tree stump during cutting operation or otherwise forming pockets in the upper surface of the tree stump for retaining moisture which materially aids in the disintegration of the stump.

Abstract: A method of whole tree chipping and whole tree chipper with a funnel-shaped receiving structure for receiving the butt end of a tree while the top of the tree is supported by the ground, and for bending limbs thereof, and a pair of free-floating feed rollers for engaging the periphery of the tree and feeding the tree to a chipper. The funnel may have teeth disposed along the interior surface thereof and be rotatable automatically in response to hang-ups within the funnel to eliminate the hang-ups by twisting and cutting of the tree limbs. Hydraulic rams preferably bias the feed rollers toward each other, and bias them to a particular orientation with respect to the opening in the funnel. The centerline of the entrance to the chipper is located in line with or slightly above the centerline of the opening in the funnel, and preferably the funnel opening is slightly smaller than the chipper entrance.