Abstract: A steerable caddy trailer is provided that has an improved structure including a main frame assembly, spindle assemblies attached to each end of the main frame for attachment of a wheel, a pair of swinging arms forwardly extending from the main frame and pivotally attached to the main frame, and tie rods connecting the swinging arms with the spindle assembly such that pivoting of the swinging arms steers the wheel.

Abstract: Aspects of unbinding apparatus, methods, and systems are disclosed. One aspect disclosed herein is an apparatus for unbinding a stacked load of logs. For example, the apparatus may comprise: a plurality of support arms movable toward a plurality of side surfaces of the stacked load, each support arm of the plurality of support arms comprising a guide surface and being: adjustable to abut against one or more side surfaces of the plurality of side surfaces; and independently movable relative to the plurality of support arms in one or more directions responsive to a physical shape of the one or more side surfaces to establish a formfitting abutment between the plurality of support arms and the plurality of side surfaces. In this example, once the formfitting abutment is established, the guide surfaces of the plurality of support arms may be positioned and operative to guide a log released from the stacked load along an escape path over and away from an unbinding area adjacent the stacked load.

Abstract: A navigational system for guiding a boat onto a trailer comprising at least a portion of a tow vehicle which forms a natural marker for the navigation system. A camera is located on the boat to assist the navigational system with aligning a longitudinal axis of the boat with a longitudinal axis of the trailer. A central vertical (mid) axis of the camera is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the boat. An image processing unit receives and processes images from the camera. The image processing unit, based upon a determination of a position of the central vertical (mid) axis of the camera relative to a target area of the detected natural marker, generating guidance commands to assist a user with alignment of the longitudinal axis of the boat with the longitudinal axis of the trailer and thereby facilitate proper loading of the boat onto the trailer.

Abstract: Method and device for delimbing a tree trunk (60) in a compliant gripping state defined by a set of limbing knives (18, 24, 26, 28) enclosing the trunk. The limbing knives are repeatedly adjusted through a control unit (46) for adaption of the gripping state to a varying thickness of the trunk when the trunk is advanced between the knives for the delimbing of the trunk. The invention comprises entering a desired compliance (D1) of the gripping state in the control unit (46), detecting an actual compliance (d) of the gripping state, and performing each adjustment of the limbing knives via the control unit until the actual compliance (d) corresponds to the desired compliance (D1).

Abstract: A combine header transport trailer for transporting a combine header. The trailer includes mechanical jacks for raising and lowering the header bar thereon and for moving the header bar inwardly and outwardly with respect to the trailer.

Abstract: A combine header transport trailer for transporting a combine header. The trailer includes electrically operated jacks or screw actuators for raising and lowering the header bar thereon and for moving the header bar inwardly and outwardly with respect to the trailer.

Abstract: An agricultural caddy assembly and agricultural trailer are provided. The agricultural caddy assembly includes a wheel attachment member, a tractor-tool attachment frame, and a bolster for rotatably connecting the wheel attachment member to the tractor-tool attachment frame. The agricultural trailer includes a tractor hitch, a tool frame, a wheel attachment member, a tractor-tool attachment frame connected to the tractor hitch and the tool frame, and a bolster for rotatably connecting the wheel attachment member to the tractor-tool attachment frame.

Abstract: A log trailer for carrying logs thereon. The log trailer includes an elongate main pole with a front cradle coupled thereto towards a front end of the main pole. A generally open rectangular rear support frame is coupled to the main pole adjacent a back end of the main pole. A rear cradle with spaced apart front and back bolsters is pivotally coupled to the rear support frame.

Abstract: A log bunk assembly for use on logging truck-trailer units. The bunk comprises a generally horizontal bunk beam having a recess, hub-and-saucer assembly for allowing the bunk beam and trailer/log load to pivot in the horizontal plane, an upper trunnion saddle contained within the bunk beam recess, a lower trunnion saddle, and a trunnion tube attached to a pedestal mounted on the hub-and-saucer assembly. The trunnion tube is clamped between and frictionally engages the upper and lower trunnion saddles. The bunk beam pivots about the horizontal axis of the trunnion tube in the vertical plane. The trunnion tube always remains perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the trailer/log load.

Abstract: A transport for transporting combine headers and a support bracket therefor, wherein the support bracket includes a first support member to receive thereon and support the lower edge of the header when the lower edge defines a first geometric configuration, and a second support member having a different configuration than the first support member to receive thereon and support the lower edge of the header when the lower edge defines a second different geometric configuration. The second support member is pivotally mounted relative to the first support member to rotate between a first position away from the first support member to permit the first support member to receive and support the lower edge of the object having the first geometric configuration, and a second position in overlying relationship to the first support member to permit the second support member to receive and support the lower edge of the object having the second geometric configuration.

Abstract: A very heavy transport vehicle for off-road use has a rear axle rigidly connected to the transport frame and a front axle articulated to the transport frame not only for steering swivel motion but also for transverse relative displacement by means of dihedrally inclined planar bearing pads and planar bearing plates, the plates being mounted for limited universal movement with respect to the axle to maintain substantial stability even in rough terrain and even despite substantial lateral wind loads on high and long vehicle bodies.

Abstract: The specification discloses a roller insert which can be welded into a crossframe of a log trailer to provide low friction to a pivoted log bunk. Each insert includes a frame welded into a cutout portion in an end portion of the crossframe. Rollers are mounted on axles removably secured in the frame by keeper bars.

Abstract: A device for transport and unloading of e.g. logs stacked on a support such as a timber truck provided with at least two timber bunks, each consisting of a transverse member carrying said logs, said member having a vertical stake at each end. The stakes on one side of the support are stationary in their upright position, while the opposite stakes can move from the stationary stakes and swing to a downwardly inclined position by telescopic extension of said transverse member for unloading. The timber bunks are combined with an intermediate member for unloading by elongate flexible members being tensioned to form an inclined unloading ramp. Two auxiliary elongate flexible members, attached to said first flexible members while encircling the load, can be stretched by partial tensioning of said first flexible members.

Abstract: Support arrangement for supporting side frames of a vehicle bounding a loading area thereof. Two L-shaped supports each have a first leg adapted to be upstandingly disposed outside and adjacent one of the side frames. A second leg is for horizontal mounting adjacent the under side of the loading area. A single double acting pressure medium cylinder mutually connects the two L-shaped supports to enable a horizontal displacement of the latter to be brought about towards and away from each other. Two additional double acting pressure medium cylinders each have a piston rod adapted to be pivotably mounted at its outer end adjacent the under side of the loading area. A guide arrangement provides a pivotable mounting for an end of the cylinder remote from the outer end of its piston rod and is connected to and spaced below the horizontal second leg of each of the L-shaped supports.

Abstract: A log bunk assembly comprises a bunk and a pair of stakes hinged thereto, one at each end. A flexible link is secured at one of its ends medially to each stake. The link is connected at its other end medially and releasably to the bunk through latch means operable from the far side of the bunk.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved vehicle retaining means comprising a plurality of retaining members, each of said retaining members being rotatably journalled in a bearing, each of said bearings being located proximate a side of a vehicle chassis, each of said bearings being tilted outwardly with respect to a perpendicular line to the plane of the chassis.

Abstract: A device for pulling a trip cable in order to trip a lever with the cable. The device is particularly suited for pulling the trip levers of the bunk stake assemblies of logging trucks. Two of the present devices can be used together to trip both a front and a rear bunk assembly. A spool, which can be mounted on the front end of a loader, is used to store the cable when it is not in use. A large coil spring is used to rotate the spool in order to wind the cable thereon after tripping takes place. A device adjacent the spool is used to grip the cable when one end of the cable is connected to the lever to be tripped. A hydraulic cylinder and piston mechanism is preferably provided for pulling the cable with the gripping means a distance sufficient to trip the lever and disconnect the cable from the lever. After tripping takes place, the spring automatically winds the cable onto the spool.

Abstract: A log bunk having releasable stakes, secured in the upright position by a positive latching mechanism enclosed totally within the bunk. The invention provides a latch mechanism wherein the stakes can be released from either end of the bunk.

Abstract: An improved tree harvesting method is performed by a machine which includes a pair of booms mounted on a vehicle. A clamp assembly is mounted on a first boom for gripping a standing tree which is then severed close to the ground by a shear assembly which is also mounted on the first boom. The severed tree is positioned relative to a delimbing mechanism mounted on the second boom by moving the clamp assembly to place the tree in a generally horizontal position. The tree and clamp assembly are then pivoted about a longitudinal axis of the first boom to position the tree for engagement by the delimbing mechanism. The severed tree is delimbed by extending the second boom to move the delimbing mechanism along the trunk of the tree while the tree is gripped by the clamp assembly.