Abstract: A remote-controlled grapple carriage picks up and transports logs along a skyline cable. The grapple carriage is designed to enable logs positioned laterally with respect to the skyline cable without any assistance from a logger at the logs. The grapple carriage includes a motor carriage rotatably coupled to a skyline coupler slidably coupled to the skyline cable. In addition, the grapple carriage includes a boom pivotally coupled at a proximal end to the motor carriage and coupled at a distal end to a grapple. The grapple is rotatably and pivotally coupled to the boom in a manner that enables the grapple to pick up and transport logs to a landing. The various pivotal and/or rotatable couplings of the elements of the grapple carriage enable the grapple to reach logs positioned laterally of the skyline cable in a safe and efficient manner.

Abstract: A carriage for moving logs along a suspended skyline includes a pair of skyline wheels which rotate as the carriage moves along the skyline to drive a pair of alternately operating pumps which supply hydraulic pressure to a carriage hydraulic system. A first larger pump operates as the carriage moves uphill, while a second smaller pump operates when the carriage moves downhill. The carriage hydraulic system powers a driven hydraulic sheave and pressure roller for paying out a mainline. A skyline clamp is applied by a hydraulic ram and includes cammed surfaces which ride over a roller to ensure that the carriage will remain clamped to the skyline should the ram lose hydraulic pressure.