Abstract: A cutter device is provided for being attached to an end of a movable working arm of a self-propelled vehicle for clearing and mulching trees. The cutter device includes a rotatably mounted drum with a plurality of spaced cutter teeth attached to an exterior of the drum for engaging and grinding the trees. A shield covers a portion of the drum and contains the deflection of wood debris outwardly from the drum during operation. The shield has an interior wall spaced apart from the cutter teeth and cooperating with the rotating drum to define a debris flow path through the device. At least one deflector plate is attached to the interior wall of the shield. The deflector plate extends inwardly into the debris flow path in a direction towards the cutter teeth of the drum.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an operator's station from which a user may control the operation of a stump cutter or machines wherein the operator's station comprises: a control panel including at least one machine control switch or actuator; a controller for receiving commands from the control panel and in turn causing a stump cutter or machine to implement the commands; and, a wireless coupling of the control panel to the controller which is only operative in a pre-determined zone or area.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and a method for cutting trees and grinding and mulching tree stumps. The apparatus includes a semi-spherical arcuate shield with a control mount and a foot mount attached to the arcuate shield. A cylindrical drum having cutting teeth mounted on the periphery of the drum is mounted below the arcuate shield such that the arcuate shield covers the upper forward and rearward surfaces of the drum. The method of the present invention includes grinding the upper portion of a tree trunk with a cylindrical drum with cutting teeth until substantially all of the tree trunk is cut away, pushing the apparatus against the tree trunk at a point above the ground away portion of the tree trunk until the upper portion of the tree trunk breaks off, grinding the resulting tree stump down to ground level with the cylindrical drum with cutting teeth, and depositing the tree cuttings from the tree stump around the tree stump.

Abstract: A stump cutting tool assembly for a stump cutting apparatus having a rotatable cutting wheel includes at least one tool holder removably secured to the cutting wheel, at least one cutting tooth mounted circumferentially and removably to the at least tool holder, the at least one tool holder including a wheel portion extending circumferentially along the cutting wheel and a tool portion extending axially at an angle to a plane of the wheel portion, the tool portion having an aperture extending circumferentially therethrough and the at least one cutting tooth including a shank and an insert attached to the shank.

Abstract: A tree stump cutting and removing apparatus attachable to the lift arms of a skid steer front loader construction vehicle having an hydraulic power system, the tree stump cutting apparatus comprising a flying debris shielding plate having a plurality of attachment means on its back side adapting the flying debris shielding plate for fixed attachment to the lift arms of the skid steer front loader construction vehicle, and a cutting wheel extension arm, the cutting wheel extension arm being pivotally mounted upon the flying debris shielding plate, and positioned thereon to lie laterally to the side of the vehicle's operator's seat, allowing an operator of the apparatus a line of sight for viewing and controlling stump cutting performed by the apparatus.

Abstract: A stump cutting or grinding apparatus and method are disclosed which utilize a pump for attachment to a power takeoff of a tractor, a cutting or grinding device for attachment to a backhoe arm of the tractor, a motor connected to the cutting or grinding device, a plurality of lines for circulating hydraulic fluid between the pump and the motor and a plurality of lines for passing a portion of the hydraulic fluid through the hydraulic system of the tractor. Passing a portion of the circulating hydraulic fluid through a hydraulic system of the tractor enables the tractor to cool and filter the fluid and eliminates the need for a separate tank or reservoir that would otherwise be needed to contain and treat fluid being circulated between the pump and motor. A scoop may be attached to the cutting or grinding device for moving or removing rocks, dirt or debris from around the stump.

Abstract: A cutter device is provided for being attached to an end of a movable working arm of a self-propelled vehicle for clearing and mulching trees. The cutter device includes a rotatably mounted drum with a plurality of spaced cutter teeth attached to an exterior of the drum for engaging and grinding the trees. A shield covers a portion of the drum and contains the deflection of wood debris outwardly from the drum during operation. The shield has an interior wall spaced apart from the cutter teeth and cooperating with the rotating drum to define a debris flow path through the device. At least one deflector plate is attached to the interior wall of the shield. The deflector plate extends inwardly into the debris flow path in a direction towards the cutter teeth of the drum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting a tree trunk, stump and main root from the ground while simultaneously severing the lateral roots, where the tree trunk is gripped by gripping members which are raised vertically to pull the stump and main root through generally annular root shearing members encircling the base of the tree trunk. The root shearing members remain stationary during the extraction operation. Preferably scraping members are positioned adjacent to the root shearing members to remove any dirt and debris.

Abstract: A stump grinder is comprised of a vehicle having a pair of opposing drive wheels and one or more pivot wheels. Each drive wheel has motor means independently operable of the other wheel's motor means giving the vehicle a zero turning radius capability. A tool bar, capable of vertical articulation only, has a grinding wheel attachment thereon. Grinding wheel power is achieved through appropriate linkage to the vehicle or can be achieved via independent motor means.

Abstract: A stump cutter having a frame including a movable boom and an engine mounted on the frame. The drive engine includes a rotating output shaft and cutter drivably attached to a rotatable cutter shaft disposed on the boom. A drive transmitting shaft is provided for connecting the output shaft and the cutter wheel shaft. A coupler is provided for connecting the first end of the shaft to the engine output shaft and a second coupler is provided for connecting the second end of the shaft to the cutter shaft.

Abstract: A stump grinder mountable on a three-point hitch of a conventional tractor and provided with a laterally and longitudinally movable cutter wheel. The stump grinder includes a support frame adapted for mounting on the three-point hitch, a swing frame horizontally pivotally mounted on the support frame, an elongated main beam vertically pivotally mounted on the swing frame, and a telescopic extension slidably mounted on the main beam. A side-cutting cutter wheel is rotatably mounted on the telescopic extension such that it is rotatable about a horizontal transverse rotational axis. The stump grinder is driven from the tractor power take-off with a drive line which includes first and second telescopic driveshafts and an intermediate support coupling mounted on the main beam, the driveshaft on the tractor side including a CV-joint on each end, and the driveshaft on the cutter wheel side including U-joint on each end.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and a method for cutting trees and grinding and mulching tree stumps. The apparatus includes a semi-spherical arcuate shield with a control mount and a foot mount attached to the arcuate shield. A cylindrical drum having cutting teeth mounted on the periphery of the drum is mounted below the arcuate shield such that the arcuate shield covers the upper forward and rearward surfaces of the drum. The drum is preferably mounted a constant radial distance from the arcuate shield. Debris limiting rings are mounted below the arcuate shield on each end of the drum. A belt guard is mounted on each debris limiting ring. An end plate is mounted on each belt guard, enclosing the space between the debris limiting ring, the belt guard, and the end plate. An output shaft extends through the drum and debris limiting rings, rotatably mounted in an end cap on one end of the apparatus and having a pulley mounted on the other end. The pulley engages a belt which engages a shaft above the arcuate shield.

Abstract: A cutting tooth for use in a stump cutting apparatus wherein the cutting tooth comprises a mounting base and a head portion which are integral with one another and are made of a one-piece metallic forging. The forging is preferably made from AMS 4140 steel and the cutting tooth further comprises a cutting tip, preferably of tungsten carbide, which is fixedly attached to the head portion of the tooth. The disclosed preferred embodiments include those in which the head portion is disposed in a substantially straight line relationship with the mounting base and those in which the head portion is curved relative to the mounting base.

Abstract: A double claw stump cutting tooth having two cutting heads having cutting faces angled to slice into a stump with both heads adapted for simultaneously cutting or chipping a stump.

Abstract: A stump cutting apparatus which may be mounted on a watercraft such as a barge and includes a rotating cutting drum having multiple cutter blades and driven by at least one hydraulic motor mounted on a boom extending from the barge. In a preferred embodiment the boom is connected to a linkage arm and the rotating drum is rotatably mounted on a pair of cooperating mount plates fixedly spaced by a spacer plate and pivotally attached to the boom and linkage arm to facilitate adjustment of the rotating drum upwardly or downwardly with respect to the extending end of the boom, while maintaining the cutting drum and spacer plate in horizontally parallel relationship. A pair of arm hydraulic cylinders have their cylinder ends attached to mount brackets provided on the respective mount plates and the cylinder pistons connected to a stabilizing arm pivotally attached to the mount plates for stabilizing the cutter blade against a stump or tree during the cutting operation.

Abstract: An apparatus to maintain optimum engine speed and cutter wheel speed to maintain peak power output of the engine and peak flywheel effect of the stump cutter wheel. The stump cutter has a rotating cutting wheel powered by an engine, and the cutter is mounted to be moved laterally. The mounting includes a boom and at least a first hydraulic cylinder for urging the boom to move along the path of travel over the surface of a stump. The hydraulic cylinder is activated by a hydraulic circuit which includes a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid. A pressure hydraulic line connects the source of hydraulic fluid to a first port of the hydraulic cylinder and a return line is connected to a second port of the hydraulic cylinder. A valve diverts a portion of flow from the pressure line to the return line or to a sump. The valve is shiftable between at least a first and a second position. In the first position, substantially all hydraulic fluid is passed along the pressure line to the hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and a method for cutting trees and grinding and mulching tree stumps. The apparatus includes a semi-spherical arcuate shield with a control mount and a foot mount attached to the arcuate shield. A cylindrical drum having cutting teeth mounted on the periphery of the drum is mounted below the arcuate shield such that the arcuate shield covers the upper forward and rearward surfaces of the drum. The drum is preferably mounted a constant radial distance from the arcuate shield. Debris limiting rings are mounted below the arcuate shield on each end of the drum. A belt guard is mounted on each debris limiting ring. An end plate is mounted on each belt guard, enclosing the space between the debris limiting ring, the belt guard, and the end plate. An output shaft extends through the drum and debris limiting rings, rotatably mounted in an end cap on one end of the apparatus and having a pulley mounted on the other end. The pulley engages a belt which engages a shaft above the arcuate shield.

Abstract: A stump grinder having a support frame, an elongated main beam horizontally pivotally mounted on the frame, and a cutter wheel supported by and transversely oriented with respect to the main beam and rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis, the cutter wheel having a plurality of peripherally mounted stump cutter teeth spaced apart circumferentially and axially in a predetermined transversely oriented cutting pattern. The stump grinder is attachable to a three-point hitch of a tractor and the cutter wheel is directly driven by the tractor power take-off. Multiple stabilizers are mounted on the frame to provide stability as well as cutting depth control. Compensation utilizing multiple universal joints is provided to minimize angular velocity differences between the tractor power take-off and the cutter wheel. Depth gauging is provided on the periphery of the cutter wheel to control the depth of cut of individual teeth.

Abstract: The invention provides a machine for grinding tree stumps to a level below the surface of soil in which the stump is located. The machine comprises a sled structure including lugs for releasably coupling the sled with pivot pins to a moveable boom of a backhoe or other earth moving machine. The sled has skids or skiis for guiding the apparatus over the surface of soil adjacent to the stump with the moveable boom. A drive unit is mounted on the sled having power transmission and a self contained fuel source. A stump grinding wheel is journaled to the sled for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis and coupled to the power transmission of the drive unit. The wheel has a stump abrading surface with replaceable teeth which shred, chip or grind the wood of the stump and dig a trench in the soil approximately 6-9 inches deep.

Abstract: A trencher for digging a trench having a vertical face and a sloping face. The trencher includes a frame and means for moving the trencher over the surface of the ground. A rotor is connected to drive means which rotate the rotor, thereby digging the trench. The rotor includes a longitudinal rotor member coupled to a transverse rotor member. The rotor may also include a plurality of teeth-like elements coupled to the transverse rotor member.

Abstract: A forestry site preparation system is provided for removing woody material, including trees, stumps and slash from forest terrain. The system includes clearing means having a means attached thereto for fragmenting the woody material and directing the particulate masses produced by this fragmentation toward the clearing means. An auxiliary fragmenting means closely associated with the fragmenting means is also provided. By setting the distance between the fragmenting and auxiliary fragmenting means, respectively, particulate masses of a maximum, predetermined size can be produced. A tree-felling assembly extending outwardly from the housing to which the fragmenting means is mounted is employed in felling the standing trees by exerting a positive force on the tree, thereby causing felling to occur in a direction away from the system. If desired, the particulate masses can be collected and transferred to a remote storage area.