AU2017204104A1

AU2017204104A1 - Tree Trimmer

Info

Publication number: AU2017204104A1
Application number: AU2017204104A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Silcock David Stanley; Robert Gilbert Howell
Original assignee: PLAIN OAKS Pty Ltd
Current assignee: PLAIN OAKS Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2012-03-28
Filing date: 2017-06-16
Publication date: 2017-07-06
Also published as: AU2013202180A1

Abstract

Tree Trimmer A tree trimming cluster of circular saws form part of an assembly on the hydraulic arm of a tractor and the assembly is adjustable hydraulically to allow the assembly to sweep from side to side, to incline in relation to the ground and to rotate with a wrist like action. In addition the whole assembly can rotate about a horizontal axis on the hydraulic arm giving an extra degree of adjustment. The hydraulic arm extends from a jib located behind the tractor driver and is capable of slewing. A variety of 4m cuts are available which is useful for firebreak creation and powerline protection. Figure 3 NJ C) C)) I I) CC!,

Description

ι 2017204104 16 Jun2017

TITLE OF INVENTION

Tree Trimmer

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention concerns equipment for trimming trees and shrubs using a tractor and relates particularly but not exclusively to the hydraulic mounting components for enabling the tractor to utilise ganged circular saws.

BACKGROUND

While much trimming of trees near powerlines is done by trained staff raised by cherry picker platforms and using chainsaws, the larger scale of rural sites requires large circular saws. It is useful to be able to present the blade at a vertical, horizontal and 45 degree angles in order to impart a desired profile to an avenue of trees lining a road or a cluster of trees near powerlines.

It is an object of the invention to ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art described above, or to at least provide a useful alternative thereto.

The references herein to and descriptions of prior proposals or products are not intended to be, and are not to be construed as, statements or admissions of common general knowledge in the art. In particular, the prior art discussion herein does not relate to what is commonly or well known by the person skilled in the art, but assists in the understanding of the inventive step of the present invention of which the identification of pertinent prior art proposals is but one part.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a mount assembly for the hydraulic arm of a vehicle which is operable to manipulate an array of tree trimming cutters, the assembly comprising a hydraulic arm extension connectable at one end to the hydraulic arm and at the opposite end to a cutter arm via a coupling, the coupling 2 2017204104 16 Jun2017 allowing rotation about a vertical axis permitting side to side cutter arm sweeps and rotation about a first horizontal axis permitting the inclination of the cutters to the ground to be adjusted, the cutter arm being pivotally connected to the coupling at one end and pivotally connected to the array at the opposite end such that the array is rotatable about a second horizontal axis executing a wrist like action and fluid operated means to actuate the assembly.

The coupling may rotate about vertical axis of y.

The cutter arm may rotate about a first horizontal axis zl.

The array may rotate about a second horizontal axis x.

The hydraulic arm extension may pivot on the hydraulic arm about a first horizontal axis z.

The cutter array may be an elongated mount with a common drive for two, three or four circular blades.

The cutter array may rotate between a horizontal trimming path and a vertical trimming path by execution of a wrist-like action.

The cutters may be circular saw blades which overlap circumferentially.

The array may be linear.

The blades may be 800-990mm in diameter.

In an exemplary embodiment, the coupling has a first double bracket pivoted vertically to the extension at the front end thereof, the first double bracket is fixed to a second double bracket which provides a horizontal pivot for the depending cutter arms and a ram connected between the first double bracket and the extension arm produces arcuate swings in the cutter arm. 3 2017204104 16 Jun2017

In an exemplary embodiment, the upper end of the cutter arm is pivotally connected to the second double bracket and a ram connected between the cutter arm and the second double bracket is operable to change the inclination of the array.

In an exemplary embodiment, the lower end of the cutter arm is pivotally connected to the array box and a ram connected between the cutter arm and the array box executes the wrist action through 90 degrees.

In an exemplary embodiment, the hydraulic arm extension has a pivot connection to the hydraulic arm and a fluid operated ram allowing the assembly to rotate about a third horizontal axis.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a tractor with a jib and dipper arm to which is fitted a mount assembly as described above in the Summary of Invention.

In the tractor, preferably the jib slews.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In order that the present invention might be more fully understood, embodiments of the present invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Possible and preferred features of the present features of the present invention will be described as examples only, however, it is to be understood that the features illustrated in and described with reference to the drawings are not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention.

Figure 1 is a diagram of a tractor with a jib, dipper arm and cutter assembly according to the invention at ground level.

Figure 2 is a side view of the trimmer assembly. Hydraulic hoses for the assembly rams have been omitted for clarity in this and the following two figures.

Figure 3 is a perspective of the trimmer assembly of Figure 5. 4 2017204104 16 Jun2017

Figure 4 is an opposite side view of the trimmer assembly.

Figure 5 is a rear diagrammatic view of a tractor trimming in an upright plane.

Figure 6 is a rear diagrammatic view of a tractor trimming in a horizontal plane. Figure 7 is a rear diagrammatic view of a tractor trimming at 45 degrees. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In an embodiment of the invention, the hydraulic arm extension pivots on the hydraulic arm about a first horizontal axis z. The coupling rotates about vertical axis y and about a second horizontal axis zl while the array rotates about horizontal axis x. The hydraulic arm which supports the assembly may be telescopic and capable of gaining the height required for the trimmer to cut the crown of a mature tree.

In a preferred embodiment the coupling has a first double bracket pivoted vertically to the extension at the front end thereof, the first double bracket is fixed to a second double bracket which provides a horizontal pivot for the depending cutter arms and a ram connected between the first double bracket and the extension arm produces arcuate swings in the cutter arm.

The upper end of the cutter arm is pivotally connected to the second double bracket and a ram connected between the cutter arm and the second double bracket is operable to change the inclination of the array.

The lower end of the cutter arm is pivotally connected to the array box and a ram connected between the cutter arm and the array box executes the wrist action through 90 degrees.

The hydraulic arm extension has a pivot connection to the hydraulic arm and a fluid operated ram allowing the assembly to rotate about a third horizontal axis. 5 2017204104 16 Jun2017

The cutters are circular saw blades which overlap circumferentially.

The array is linear and the blades are 800-990mm in diameter and separated from each other by about 20mm.

The embodiment may also be described as a mount assembly for the hydraulic arm of a vehicle which is capable of manipulating a tree trimming cutter, the assembly comprising a hydraulic arm extension which permits both rotation about a vertical axis permitting side to side sweeps and rotation about a first horizontal axis to adjust the inclination of the cutters to the ground, a cutter arm connected at one end to the coupling and pivotally connected at the opposite end to a multiple cutter array such that the array is rotatable about a second horizontal axis mimicing wrist action.

The hydraulic arm may in turn be pivoted to a jib extending from the rear part of the chassis of a tractor. The two together constituting a jib and dipper arm used in rural infrastructure operations. In this way the trimmer may have an arc of operation of 14-16m.

The multiple cutter array may be an elongated mount with a common drive for two, three or four circular saw blades. Thus a cutting band of 3-4m is available.

The cutter array may rotate between a horizontal trimming path and a vertical trimming path, wherein the 90 degree rotation mimics wrist action. When the cutters are following a horizontal trimming path the cutter arm depends from the coupling.

Advantageous Effects of The Embodiment: 1. Trimming can produce geometric accuracy. It can also produce landscaping effects which are aesthetically pleasing. It can cut firebreaks in forests. 2. The cuts can be adjusted to ensure the felled branches are of a size which can be mulched by available equipment. 3. A speed of 3km/hr is attainable. 6 2017204104 16 Jun2017

Referring to the drawings, in Figure 1 the 130HP tractor 2 has a chassis extension 4 to the rear of the back wheels 6 and the extension supports a circular slewing base 8 from which an upright jib 10 extends. Such equipment is supplied by Hiab Australia Pty Ltd. Jib arm 12 is pivoted to the top of the jib and is raised and lowered by ram 14. Dipper arm 16 is pivoted to the end of the jib arm and in turn raised and lowered by ram 18. The dipper arm 16 is telescopic and is adjusted by ram 20. It is to the telescoping end of the dipper arm 16 that the trimmer assembly 22 is connected.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, the leading telescopic end of dipper arm 16 has a horizontal pivot 24 in the z axis about which arm extension 26 raises and lowers by the force of ram 28. The leading end of the extension has a pivot pin 30 in the y axis about which coupling 32 rotates through 270 degrees. This rotation is the result of the action of ram 34 which is centrally mounted on upright pin 36 in turn mounted on brackets 38 which extend sideways from arm extension 26. Ram 34 reacts on thrust pin 40 which extends between horizontal walls 42 of a first double bracket forming one half of coupling 32. Ram 34 exerts its lateral force on pin 40 through link 42.

The remaining half of the coupling is formed by a pair of parallel walls 44 which form a second double bracket. These walls support horizontal pin 46 from which cutter arm 48 depends. Walls 44 also support thrust pin 50 which enables ram 52 to rotate the cutter arm through 120 degrees about a second z axis.

Multiple cutter array 54 consists of a drive housing 56 to which is fixed hydraulic motor 58. This drives all four 825mm saw blades 60 at 25,000rpm. The axis of the cutter array lies in an x axis and is rotatable about the x axis by a ram 62 held parallel to cutter arm 48 by brackets 64. Ram 62 actuates cranks 66 to which housing 56 is welded. Such motion produces a wrist like action in the housing turning the blades through 90 degrees. The hydraulic motor 58 is driven by the tractor hydraulics through large diameter hoses 68. These take the major part of the tractor output.

The assembly rams are supplied from the same tractor hydraulics by hoses 70 (see Figure 1) which are also slung under the dipper arm and suspended where possible to 7 2017204104 16 Jun2017 allow maximum movement to the arm extension 26, coupling 32 and cutter arm 48. Tank 72 holds hydraulic oil. Slewing ram 74 is mounted beside the jib.

The stability of the vehicle is improved if the jib is offset by a suitable distance.

Referring now to Figures 5, 6 and 7, in use the driver surveys the wooded site for powerlines, obstructions and limbs of trees likely to fall if struck by the cutter assembly. The driver drives the tractor on the grass verge alongside the trees to be trimmed and extends the dipper arm to reach the desired height. The blades are arranged through the hydraulic controls to lie parallel to the desired cut. The blades are rotated at cutting speed and the slewing control rotates the jib and dipper arm toward the growth 76 to be cut. The tractor progresses and the saw cuttings fall to the ground in advance of the tractor. The tractor drives over them but is followed by a mulcher which breaks them into compostable mix.

It is to be understood that the word “comprising” as used throughout the specification is to be interpreted in its inclusive form, ie. use of the word “comprising” does not exclude the addition of other elements.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. These modifications and/or additions are therefore considered to fall within the scope of the invention.

Throughout the specification and claims the word “comprise” and its derivatives are intended to have an inclusive rather than exclusive meaning unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise. That is, the word “comprise” and its derivatives will be taken to indicate the inclusion of not only the listed components, steps or features that it directly references, but also other components, steps or features not specifically listed, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise. 2017204104 16 Jun2017 8

Orientational terms used in the specification and claims such as vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, upper and lower are to be interpreted as relational and are based on the premise that the component, item, article, apparatus, device or instrument will usually be considered in a particular orientation, typically with the vehicle standing on a horizontal ground surface.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A mount assembly for the hydraulic arm of a vehicle which is operable to manipulate an array of tree trimming cutters, the assembly comprising a hydraulic arm extension connectable at one end to the hydraulic arm and at the opposite end to a cutter arm via a coupling, the coupling allowing rotation about a vertical axis permitting side to side cutter arm sweeps and rotation about a first horizontal axis permitting the inclination of the cutters to the ground to be adjusted, the cutter arm being pivotally connected to the coupling at one end and pivotally connected to the array at the opposite end such that the array is rotatable about a second horizontal axis executing a wrist like action and fluid operated means to actuate the assembly.
2. A mount assembly of claim 1, wherein the coupling rotates about vertical axis of y.
3. A mount assembly of either claim 1 or 2, wherein the cutter arm rotates about a first horizontal axis zl.
4. A mount assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the array rotates about a second horizontal axis x.
5. A mount assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hydraulic arm extension pivots on the hydraulic arm about a first horizontal axis z.
6. A mount assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cutter array is an elongated mount with a common drive for two, three or four circular blades.
7. A mount assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cutter array rotates between a horizontal trimming path and a vertical trimming path by execution of a wrist-like action.
8. A mount assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cutters are circular saw blades which overlap circumferentially.
9. A mount assembly of any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the array is linear.
10. A mount assembly of any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the blades are 800-990 mm in diameter.
11. A mount assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling has a first double bracket pivoted vertically to the extension at the front end thereof, the first double bracket is fixed to a second double bracket which provides a horizontal pivot for the depending cutter arms and a ram connected between the first double bracket and the extension arm produces arcuate swings in the cutter arm.
12. A mount assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper end of the cutter arm is pivotally connected to the second double bracket and a ram connected between the cutter arm and the second double bracket is operable to change the inclination of the array.
13. A mount assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower end of the cutter arm is pivotally connected to the array box and a ram connected between the cutter arm and the array box executes the wrist action through 90 degrees.
14. A mount assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hydraulic arm extension has a pivot connection to the hydraulic arm and a fluid operated ram allowing the assembly to rotate about a third horizontal axis.
15. A tractor with a jib and dipper arm to which is fitted a mount assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.
16. A tractor as claimed in Claim 15 wherein the jib slews.