CA1038729A - Tree harvesting method and clamp therefor - Google Patents
Tree harvesting method and clamp thereforInfo
- Publication number
- CA1038729A CA1038729A CA270,046A CA270046A CA1038729A CA 1038729 A CA1038729 A CA 1038729A CA 270046 A CA270046 A CA 270046A CA 1038729 A CA1038729 A CA 1038729A
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- tree
- axis
- delimber
- movable jaw
- jaw
- Prior art date
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- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract 7
- 238000003306 harvesting Methods 0.000 title claims abstract 4
- 230000000149 penetrating effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 230000000994 depressogenic effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 3
- 241001124569 Lycaenidae Species 0.000 description 2
- 101150034533 ATIC gene Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 241001652591 Feniseca tarquinius Species 0.000 description 1
- 244000261422 Lysimachia clethroides Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000009977 dual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000977 initiatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002452 interceptive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002674 ointment Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005096 rolling process Methods 0.000 description 1
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Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
This invention relates to an improved tree harvesting method and an improved tree clamp for carrying out the method.
The clamp is for a tree length harvester, having a compact arrangement of a movable jaw which folds partially inside of a fixed jaw and has a pivoted section to clamp the tree. The movable jaw and its pivoted section also grasp the butt end of the tree and lift it out of the teeth of the fixed jaw at the end of the processing step. The tree is then released and free to roll into a storage rack.
This invention relates to an improved tree harvesting method and an improved tree clamp for carrying out the method.
The clamp is for a tree length harvester, having a compact arrangement of a movable jaw which folds partially inside of a fixed jaw and has a pivoted section to clamp the tree. The movable jaw and its pivoted section also grasp the butt end of the tree and lift it out of the teeth of the fixed jaw at the end of the processing step. The tree is then released and free to roll into a storage rack.
Description
1 ' The invention pertains to a clamp for elonyated objects which may be used on tree processors or mobile tree harvesters and especially the t~pe referred to as tree length harvestexs ~ ~
having a felling head which shears a tree at the ground and ~ -holds it upright and then pivots it to a horizontal position . .
for delimbing and topping.
A tree length harvester of this type is disclosed in ,~
Canadian Patent 974,148 which issued to the applicant on -~
September 9, 1975. Its operation is in a sequence that permits tO the felling head to return for a second tree while the cut tree is~being delimbed and topped. This substantially reduces the over-all processing time per tree and increases the productivity of the machineO
In order to cycle the delimber while returning the ~felling head ~or a second tree, it is necessar~ to clamp the ,: :
;~tree. But no clamp has heretofore been devised that functions ; ;~
properly on a tree length harveste~ without interfering with~
~ ~; the~simultaneous processing o~ trees.
-~ One difficulty is that the tree must be trans~erred~
~20 ~; from the felling head to~the clamp. The combined stack height of the fel}ing head and clamp becomes a factor in permitting the delimb~r to start out close enough to the butt end of the tree. When it~fails to get behind all of the limbs, the the trees must be partially delimbed by hand. To deal with this problem, the olamp should be as narrow as possible~ The delimber can then be started very near the upper clamp on the ~ellin~ head when the tree is laid in its horizontal ~;
delimbing position. l'his, however, requires the clamp to be very narrow.
3~
:
"" ,' ' :' ,, ', ' '' - ; , ~
,, ~ , ~ ' ,-: , .
87Z~
1 Another problem has been the tendancy of the delimbed and topped tree to hang up ~fter the delimber has cleared.
~hat is, the tree is prevented from rolling laterally into -~
the storage rack after being delimhed and topped. This stops ~
the delimber from being recycled until the tree can be removed. ;
Interruptions such as this cannot be tolerated in such a high production machine.
A compact tree clamp, especially for a tree length harvester, has a fixed jaw and a movable jaw closing on the fixed jaw. The fixed jaw has an arcuate tooth section. The movable jaw is pivoted at two locations. A first pivot is on the ixed jaw and allows the movable jaw to be partially folded or collapsed into spaced frame sections of the fixed jaw.
When collapsed in this ~ashion, the tree is clamped in the teeth of the fixed jaw and prevented from axial movement by an arm of the movable jaw pivoted about a second pivot on the opposite side of the tree axis from the firs-t pivot.
After delimbing and toppin~ the movable j aw is tilted up about the first pivot while the arm continues to hold the tree. This raises the butt end of the tree and shifts it laterally toward the storage rack. The arm is pivoted abou-t .-:
the second pivot unclamping the tree to roll it into the storage rack.
In the application on a horizontal tree harvester, the clamp becomes a functional part of th~ over-all machine when it is considered that the felling head must transfer the tree to the clamp before delimbing can proceed and the felling head returned for a second tree. ~ `
In such a harvester t the tree clamp serves the unction, not only of securely clamping the tree for delimbing, 1 but also provides the capability of simultaneous processiny -which is Eundamental to the high productivity of this type of harvester.
In the preferred embodiment, the movable jaw will have its arm pivoted on an axis parallel to the delimber axis. ~-~
The entire movable jaw is also pivoted about a second or main pivot axis on the opposite side of the delimber axis. The first cylinder is carried on the movable jaw and is operable to pivot the arm about its pivot axis. The second cylinder 10 extends between the spaced frame of the fixed jaw and is ;~
operable for pivoting the movable jaw about its main pivot axis.
The arm has an interior arc, which when closed; overlies and partially encloses the tree. The movable jaw carries the .
pivoted actuating plate in such position that as the teeth penetrate the tree, which is Eorced down from above by the arm, the plate is automatically depressed initiating the cycle.
A~ter dellmbing and topping, the movable jaw is pivoted about its main axis by operating the second cylinder.
-The~actuating plate remains engaged with the tree and in the ~20 ~depreYsed condition since the tree is still clamped by the arm~
of~the movable jaw. The butt end of the tree ls moved upwardly and laterally with~respect to the delimber axis. At ths uppermost posltion, the fLrst cylinder is extended to open the arm of the movable jaw permitting the tree to roll down into the storage rack. This releases the actuating plate permitting thé second cylinder to return lowering the movable ~ `
jaw.
It is one advantage of the invention that the tree has a dual capability. In the one case, the tree is secured against axial movement between the fixed and movable jaws .
, . . .
, ' , : '' ~ael3~29 1 while in the other case it is grapsed and pivoted out of the , fixed jaw by the movable jaw. Thus a principal advantage o the inven~ion is a clamp that functions both as an axial tree clamp and tree ejection device for positive removal of the tree regardless of the slope on which the machine is operated.
Another advantage for tree length harvesters is that ~;
the clamping jaws form a compact arrangement without increasing the stack height to the detriment of the delimber operation.
A major advantage in the over-all function of a tree length harvester is that higher productivity is achieved because of positive ejection. The delimbed and topped tree is quickly and positively ejected to make room for the second tree after each delimbing and topplng cycle.
A further major advantage is the provision of an automatic sequence control for a tree length harvester in which ~ -the tree clamp initiates the sequence.
These and other advantages will be readily apparent by referring to the following more detailed description wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a tree length 20 harvester on which the tree olamp is mounted.
FIGURE lA is a partial view of the harvester deplcting ~ ~ -the motion of the~felling head;
FIGURE 2 is a sectional view showing the movable jaw -.
closed upon the ~ixed jaw in one position and raised in dot-dash lines taken along line 2-2 of FIG. l;
FIGURE 3 is a partial plan view in the clamp showing ~ .
the compact or interleaved relationship of the jaws;
FIGURE 4 is a view of the tree clamp on the side from which the tree is released; and . ~ . . .. .
" : " , , 103~
1 FIGURE S is a hydropneumatic schematic of a portion .
of the sequence control circuit. . .
FIGURE 1 shows a tree harves-ter 10 having front and .
rear sections 12, 14 articulated at 15. The front section 12 has a trunnion 16 on which is pivoted a tree length processor or harvester apparatus generally indicated by numeral 11. The apparatus 17 includes essentially a fell:ing head 18, a delimber :~ :
apparatus 19 a tree clamp 20 and a storage rack 21. For a more : :
:.
detailed description of sush a harvester, reference is made to the aforementioned Canadian Patent 974jl48. The f~lling head 18 is carried on a boom 22 telescoping within a tubular , : beam 23 which pivots on the trunnion 16. The delimber 19 : includes a carriage 25 which cradles the tree on a bottom ~: delimber knife (not shown)~and has other delimber knives 26 -:
which enfold about or partially encircle the tree, Topping knlves, (not shown) are also on this~carriage.: The;carriage 25:is pulled~ along a rail 27 by a cable 28 as the~rail itself :
is~propelled to~the rear on the beam 23 by a~cable and rum drive~30. :A severed tree:held by the felling head 18 in a .20 :substantially vertical position is rotated upwardly and rear- ~ -: ~ :
wardly by pivoting the felling head on a boom arm 33 actuated by a cylinder 34 (FIG. lA). In the uppermost :
.position the:felling head positions the tree butt end in the -~opened tree clamp 20. The delimber knives 2~ and the topping knives of the delimber carriage 25 will also open to receive , the tree. The clamp 20 must now be closed to permit the felling head to return for a second tree and the delimber :
, . .
3~72~
carriage to co~mence its cycle. This is the position o~ the clamp shown in FIGURE 1.
ReEerring now to FIGU~æ 2, the tree clamp 20 includes a frame 35 secured to the front of the beam 23. A goose neck portion 37 (FIGURE 4) extends upwardly in offsetting relation-ship toward the front of the beam so as to posit.ion the tree clamp behind the delimber carriage 25 in its rearmost position and as close as possible to the felling head in its raised position (FIGURE lA). A fixed jaw 38 is formed on the upper regions of spaced structural plates 40 of the frame 35 extending transversely over the beam 23. One side o~.the jaw 38 provides ~
an arcuate tooth section 41 adjacent.the deli.mber. The tooth ~;
: seGtion conforms generally to the curve o~ the cradle or bottom ~.
delimber knife of the delimber carriage which will accommodate . ~ ~.
trees up to about 15 inches in diameter or as.small as about 6 inches on the delimber axis as depicted at 43. A plurality of teeth~42 on the fixed jaw section 41 will penetrate the tree to hold it securely when cIarnped against axial movement.
. .
A movable jaw 50 is pivoted at two places. A pin 53 ~ -~. 20 ; pivotally aarries an arm 51 on one side of the delimber axis : and pin 54 on the opposite side pivotally connects the entire :movable jaw between the plates 40. ~he pivoted arm Sl of the movable jaw is structured of a pair of elements 55 (FIGURE 3) . ::
having interior arcuate sur~aces 56 which overlie the delimbing ;
axis and when folded or closed toward the tree 43, partially encixcle or surround the butt end of the tree. The elements 55 are spaced closer together than spaced plates 57 of the movable jaw which in turn are spaced inside of the plates 40 of the fixed jaw such that the arm 51 of the movable jaw folds inside the plates 57 which in turn fold inside the plates 40 of the .
~3~
1 fixed ja~. The elements 55 are bushed on the pin 53 carried ~etween the plates 57 of the movable ja~l while the plates 57 are bushed on pin 54 carried bet~7een the plates ~0 o~ the fixed ja~"
establishiny a compact or interleaved arrangement. Between the plates 40 of the fixed ja~ and pivotally mounted Oll the plates 57 of the movable jaw is an actuator plate 60 which rests above the tops of the teeth 42 in the lowered posit;on of the movable jaw being held there by a spring (not shown). The function ~;
of the plate 60 will be described more in detail hereinafter.
Al~o mounted between the plates 40 of the ~ixed jaw is a pair of cylinders 62, 64. Cylinder 62 is mounted between plates 40 .
below the movable jaw. It is pivoted at its lower end at 65 and at the rod end to a bracket 68 on the bottom of~the movable ~ ~-;
jaw. This is the tilt cylinder. Cylinder 64 is mounted between the plates 57 o~ the movable jaw and is pivota1ly connected ~at 68 on its lower end and at 69 on the rod end by a pin 70 carried between the elemen~s 55 of the arm 51 of the movable jaw.
.
This is the clamp cylinder. The rod of the c~linder 64 is extended in the full line position shown in FIGURE 2 while the rod of the cylinder 62 is retracted. In this position the ; ~ arm 51 of the movable jaw will be folded over the tree holding it firmly in engagement with the teeth 42 on the fixed jaw~
The plate 60 will be depressed below the tops of the teeth of the fixed jaw by the action of the tree 43 being deposited by the felling head (FIG. lA) on the fixed jaw with the arm 51 raised as depicted in dot~dash lines in FIG. 2. -Reerring to FIG. 5, the harvester automatic sequence control is diagra~ned insofar as it pertains to the clamp actuation and its effect on the operation of the processor 17.
A source of fluid pressure 72 which in the preferred embodiment . .
" ' '' ,,"' 38?'~
1 is air pressure, is conllected to a control circuit generally indicated by the nl~meral 74 whlch controls a hyclraulic circuit generally shown at 75 Eor operating the tilt and clamp cylinders 62, 6~ in accordance with the processor sequence. The hydraulic circuit 75 includes valves 76, 77 which are operated by pneumatic motors 78, 79 to direct hydraulic fluid from the pump 80 and under pressure from the accumulator 81 to either extend or retract cylinders 62, 64 in the appropriate sequence as determined by the pneumatic control circuit 74. Hydraulic fluid is exhausted through valves 76, 77 to a reservoir 82.
The pne~natic control circuit 74 includes a valve 84 ; ;~
which is connected to the pneumatic pressure source 72. At the point in the cycle where the delimber has returned to the ~-start position as shown in ~IG. 1 and in readiness to accept a tree~ the valve 84 is positioned so as to pressurize a portion of the circuit depicted by dash lines 85, 86 and 87 and valves 88, ~-89 and 90. In this condition the pne~atic motors 78, 79 will be vented below the piston through lines 91, 92.
When a tree is loaded on the delimber, the actuating ; ~-~
plate 60 on the movable jaw of the clamp will be depressed by the butt end of the tree as described be~ore. This will cause actuation of the valve 84 pressurizing another portion of thq ~ .
circuit as depicted in dot-dash lines 93, 94, 95 pressurizing the motor 78 causing actuation then of the portion of the hydraulic circuit including valve 76 which in turn causes the ~lamp cylinder 64 to e~tend pivoting the arm 51 down and firmly clamping the tree into the fixed jaw. A valve 97 is hydraulically actuated simultaneously to start the delimber drive ~not shown).
After the delirnber carriage has txaveled beyond the tree and the topping knives have operated to remove the upper portion .
'' ' . . ' ;
' , ;.
, ~3~ 9 1 of the tree the carriage will travel to the position of valve ~8 mechanically ~ctuating it to enéxgize another portion of the circuit depicted by solid lines ~00 and 101. A sequence control valve 102 is pneumatically actuated at this po.int to pressurlze lines 103 and 10~ causing actuation of the pneumatic motor 79 which in turn shifts the valve 77 in the hydraulic circuit 75 which controls the tilt cylinder 62 causing it to extend pivoting the movable jaw about pivot 54 to the position shown by dot-dash lines in FIG. 2. When this movement is completed and cylinder 62 10 is fully extended, hydraulic pressure will be supplied ai 105 ~ ~
to the valve 90 in the pneumatic circuit causiny it to pressurize -line 107 operating the pneumatic motor 78 so as to shift the ~ :
:: hydraulic valve 76 causing the cylinder 64 to retract and thus pivot the arm 51 which has been holding the butt end of the tree ~ whlle the movable ~aw lS in the raised posiiion. This is depicted : in the dot-dash lines also in FIG. 2.
At~this point it will be noted by referring to FIG. 2 that the movable jaw has tilted upwardly and laterally of the delimber axis in the direction~of the storage rack 21 (FIG.13. `
~:~Thus~, regardless of the slope the harvester may be operating on :~
the degree of~incline of the movable jaw~in the tilted up position will~be more than enough to assure:that the delimbed ana topped : ~tree xolls into:thè rack 21.
While alternate embodlments of m~ invention have been disclosed, it will be understood that these descriptions are for purposes of illustration only and that various modi~ications~ and changes can be made to m~ invention without departing fxom the spirit and scope of it. Therefore; the limits of my invention should be determined from the following appended claims. .
, . . , ; ' ` ' ' ' ,; . ' , : :
having a felling head which shears a tree at the ground and ~ -holds it upright and then pivots it to a horizontal position . .
for delimbing and topping.
A tree length harvester of this type is disclosed in ,~
Canadian Patent 974,148 which issued to the applicant on -~
September 9, 1975. Its operation is in a sequence that permits tO the felling head to return for a second tree while the cut tree is~being delimbed and topped. This substantially reduces the over-all processing time per tree and increases the productivity of the machineO
In order to cycle the delimber while returning the ~felling head ~or a second tree, it is necessar~ to clamp the ,: :
;~tree. But no clamp has heretofore been devised that functions ; ;~
properly on a tree length harveste~ without interfering with~
~ ~; the~simultaneous processing o~ trees.
-~ One difficulty is that the tree must be trans~erred~
~20 ~; from the felling head to~the clamp. The combined stack height of the fel}ing head and clamp becomes a factor in permitting the delimb~r to start out close enough to the butt end of the tree. When it~fails to get behind all of the limbs, the the trees must be partially delimbed by hand. To deal with this problem, the olamp should be as narrow as possible~ The delimber can then be started very near the upper clamp on the ~ellin~ head when the tree is laid in its horizontal ~;
delimbing position. l'his, however, requires the clamp to be very narrow.
3~
:
"" ,' ' :' ,, ', ' '' - ; , ~
,, ~ , ~ ' ,-: , .
87Z~
1 Another problem has been the tendancy of the delimbed and topped tree to hang up ~fter the delimber has cleared.
~hat is, the tree is prevented from rolling laterally into -~
the storage rack after being delimhed and topped. This stops ~
the delimber from being recycled until the tree can be removed. ;
Interruptions such as this cannot be tolerated in such a high production machine.
A compact tree clamp, especially for a tree length harvester, has a fixed jaw and a movable jaw closing on the fixed jaw. The fixed jaw has an arcuate tooth section. The movable jaw is pivoted at two locations. A first pivot is on the ixed jaw and allows the movable jaw to be partially folded or collapsed into spaced frame sections of the fixed jaw.
When collapsed in this ~ashion, the tree is clamped in the teeth of the fixed jaw and prevented from axial movement by an arm of the movable jaw pivoted about a second pivot on the opposite side of the tree axis from the firs-t pivot.
After delimbing and toppin~ the movable j aw is tilted up about the first pivot while the arm continues to hold the tree. This raises the butt end of the tree and shifts it laterally toward the storage rack. The arm is pivoted abou-t .-:
the second pivot unclamping the tree to roll it into the storage rack.
In the application on a horizontal tree harvester, the clamp becomes a functional part of th~ over-all machine when it is considered that the felling head must transfer the tree to the clamp before delimbing can proceed and the felling head returned for a second tree. ~ `
In such a harvester t the tree clamp serves the unction, not only of securely clamping the tree for delimbing, 1 but also provides the capability of simultaneous processiny -which is Eundamental to the high productivity of this type of harvester.
In the preferred embodiment, the movable jaw will have its arm pivoted on an axis parallel to the delimber axis. ~-~
The entire movable jaw is also pivoted about a second or main pivot axis on the opposite side of the delimber axis. The first cylinder is carried on the movable jaw and is operable to pivot the arm about its pivot axis. The second cylinder 10 extends between the spaced frame of the fixed jaw and is ;~
operable for pivoting the movable jaw about its main pivot axis.
The arm has an interior arc, which when closed; overlies and partially encloses the tree. The movable jaw carries the .
pivoted actuating plate in such position that as the teeth penetrate the tree, which is Eorced down from above by the arm, the plate is automatically depressed initiating the cycle.
A~ter dellmbing and topping, the movable jaw is pivoted about its main axis by operating the second cylinder.
-The~actuating plate remains engaged with the tree and in the ~20 ~depreYsed condition since the tree is still clamped by the arm~
of~the movable jaw. The butt end of the tree ls moved upwardly and laterally with~respect to the delimber axis. At ths uppermost posltion, the fLrst cylinder is extended to open the arm of the movable jaw permitting the tree to roll down into the storage rack. This releases the actuating plate permitting thé second cylinder to return lowering the movable ~ `
jaw.
It is one advantage of the invention that the tree has a dual capability. In the one case, the tree is secured against axial movement between the fixed and movable jaws .
, . . .
, ' , : '' ~ael3~29 1 while in the other case it is grapsed and pivoted out of the , fixed jaw by the movable jaw. Thus a principal advantage o the inven~ion is a clamp that functions both as an axial tree clamp and tree ejection device for positive removal of the tree regardless of the slope on which the machine is operated.
Another advantage for tree length harvesters is that ~;
the clamping jaws form a compact arrangement without increasing the stack height to the detriment of the delimber operation.
A major advantage in the over-all function of a tree length harvester is that higher productivity is achieved because of positive ejection. The delimbed and topped tree is quickly and positively ejected to make room for the second tree after each delimbing and topplng cycle.
A further major advantage is the provision of an automatic sequence control for a tree length harvester in which ~ -the tree clamp initiates the sequence.
These and other advantages will be readily apparent by referring to the following more detailed description wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a tree length 20 harvester on which the tree olamp is mounted.
FIGURE lA is a partial view of the harvester deplcting ~ ~ -the motion of the~felling head;
FIGURE 2 is a sectional view showing the movable jaw -.
closed upon the ~ixed jaw in one position and raised in dot-dash lines taken along line 2-2 of FIG. l;
FIGURE 3 is a partial plan view in the clamp showing ~ .
the compact or interleaved relationship of the jaws;
FIGURE 4 is a view of the tree clamp on the side from which the tree is released; and . ~ . . .. .
" : " , , 103~
1 FIGURE S is a hydropneumatic schematic of a portion .
of the sequence control circuit. . .
FIGURE 1 shows a tree harves-ter 10 having front and .
rear sections 12, 14 articulated at 15. The front section 12 has a trunnion 16 on which is pivoted a tree length processor or harvester apparatus generally indicated by numeral 11. The apparatus 17 includes essentially a fell:ing head 18, a delimber :~ :
apparatus 19 a tree clamp 20 and a storage rack 21. For a more : :
:.
detailed description of sush a harvester, reference is made to the aforementioned Canadian Patent 974jl48. The f~lling head 18 is carried on a boom 22 telescoping within a tubular , : beam 23 which pivots on the trunnion 16. The delimber 19 : includes a carriage 25 which cradles the tree on a bottom ~: delimber knife (not shown)~and has other delimber knives 26 -:
which enfold about or partially encircle the tree, Topping knlves, (not shown) are also on this~carriage.: The;carriage 25:is pulled~ along a rail 27 by a cable 28 as the~rail itself :
is~propelled to~the rear on the beam 23 by a~cable and rum drive~30. :A severed tree:held by the felling head 18 in a .20 :substantially vertical position is rotated upwardly and rear- ~ -: ~ :
wardly by pivoting the felling head on a boom arm 33 actuated by a cylinder 34 (FIG. lA). In the uppermost :
.position the:felling head positions the tree butt end in the -~opened tree clamp 20. The delimber knives 2~ and the topping knives of the delimber carriage 25 will also open to receive , the tree. The clamp 20 must now be closed to permit the felling head to return for a second tree and the delimber :
, . .
3~72~
carriage to co~mence its cycle. This is the position o~ the clamp shown in FIGURE 1.
ReEerring now to FIGU~æ 2, the tree clamp 20 includes a frame 35 secured to the front of the beam 23. A goose neck portion 37 (FIGURE 4) extends upwardly in offsetting relation-ship toward the front of the beam so as to posit.ion the tree clamp behind the delimber carriage 25 in its rearmost position and as close as possible to the felling head in its raised position (FIGURE lA). A fixed jaw 38 is formed on the upper regions of spaced structural plates 40 of the frame 35 extending transversely over the beam 23. One side o~.the jaw 38 provides ~
an arcuate tooth section 41 adjacent.the deli.mber. The tooth ~;
: seGtion conforms generally to the curve o~ the cradle or bottom ~.
delimber knife of the delimber carriage which will accommodate . ~ ~.
trees up to about 15 inches in diameter or as.small as about 6 inches on the delimber axis as depicted at 43. A plurality of teeth~42 on the fixed jaw section 41 will penetrate the tree to hold it securely when cIarnped against axial movement.
. .
A movable jaw 50 is pivoted at two places. A pin 53 ~ -~. 20 ; pivotally aarries an arm 51 on one side of the delimber axis : and pin 54 on the opposite side pivotally connects the entire :movable jaw between the plates 40. ~he pivoted arm Sl of the movable jaw is structured of a pair of elements 55 (FIGURE 3) . ::
having interior arcuate sur~aces 56 which overlie the delimbing ;
axis and when folded or closed toward the tree 43, partially encixcle or surround the butt end of the tree. The elements 55 are spaced closer together than spaced plates 57 of the movable jaw which in turn are spaced inside of the plates 40 of the fixed jaw such that the arm 51 of the movable jaw folds inside the plates 57 which in turn fold inside the plates 40 of the .
~3~
1 fixed ja~. The elements 55 are bushed on the pin 53 carried ~etween the plates 57 of the movable ja~l while the plates 57 are bushed on pin 54 carried bet~7een the plates ~0 o~ the fixed ja~"
establishiny a compact or interleaved arrangement. Between the plates 40 of the fixed ja~ and pivotally mounted Oll the plates 57 of the movable jaw is an actuator plate 60 which rests above the tops of the teeth 42 in the lowered posit;on of the movable jaw being held there by a spring (not shown). The function ~;
of the plate 60 will be described more in detail hereinafter.
Al~o mounted between the plates 40 of the ~ixed jaw is a pair of cylinders 62, 64. Cylinder 62 is mounted between plates 40 .
below the movable jaw. It is pivoted at its lower end at 65 and at the rod end to a bracket 68 on the bottom of~the movable ~ ~-;
jaw. This is the tilt cylinder. Cylinder 64 is mounted between the plates 57 o~ the movable jaw and is pivota1ly connected ~at 68 on its lower end and at 69 on the rod end by a pin 70 carried between the elemen~s 55 of the arm 51 of the movable jaw.
.
This is the clamp cylinder. The rod of the c~linder 64 is extended in the full line position shown in FIGURE 2 while the rod of the cylinder 62 is retracted. In this position the ; ~ arm 51 of the movable jaw will be folded over the tree holding it firmly in engagement with the teeth 42 on the fixed jaw~
The plate 60 will be depressed below the tops of the teeth of the fixed jaw by the action of the tree 43 being deposited by the felling head (FIG. lA) on the fixed jaw with the arm 51 raised as depicted in dot~dash lines in FIG. 2. -Reerring to FIG. 5, the harvester automatic sequence control is diagra~ned insofar as it pertains to the clamp actuation and its effect on the operation of the processor 17.
A source of fluid pressure 72 which in the preferred embodiment . .
" ' '' ,,"' 38?'~
1 is air pressure, is conllected to a control circuit generally indicated by the nl~meral 74 whlch controls a hyclraulic circuit generally shown at 75 Eor operating the tilt and clamp cylinders 62, 6~ in accordance with the processor sequence. The hydraulic circuit 75 includes valves 76, 77 which are operated by pneumatic motors 78, 79 to direct hydraulic fluid from the pump 80 and under pressure from the accumulator 81 to either extend or retract cylinders 62, 64 in the appropriate sequence as determined by the pneumatic control circuit 74. Hydraulic fluid is exhausted through valves 76, 77 to a reservoir 82.
The pne~natic control circuit 74 includes a valve 84 ; ;~
which is connected to the pneumatic pressure source 72. At the point in the cycle where the delimber has returned to the ~-start position as shown in ~IG. 1 and in readiness to accept a tree~ the valve 84 is positioned so as to pressurize a portion of the circuit depicted by dash lines 85, 86 and 87 and valves 88, ~-89 and 90. In this condition the pne~atic motors 78, 79 will be vented below the piston through lines 91, 92.
When a tree is loaded on the delimber, the actuating ; ~-~
plate 60 on the movable jaw of the clamp will be depressed by the butt end of the tree as described be~ore. This will cause actuation of the valve 84 pressurizing another portion of thq ~ .
circuit as depicted in dot-dash lines 93, 94, 95 pressurizing the motor 78 causing actuation then of the portion of the hydraulic circuit including valve 76 which in turn causes the ~lamp cylinder 64 to e~tend pivoting the arm 51 down and firmly clamping the tree into the fixed jaw. A valve 97 is hydraulically actuated simultaneously to start the delimber drive ~not shown).
After the delirnber carriage has txaveled beyond the tree and the topping knives have operated to remove the upper portion .
'' ' . . ' ;
' , ;.
, ~3~ 9 1 of the tree the carriage will travel to the position of valve ~8 mechanically ~ctuating it to enéxgize another portion of the circuit depicted by solid lines ~00 and 101. A sequence control valve 102 is pneumatically actuated at this po.int to pressurlze lines 103 and 10~ causing actuation of the pneumatic motor 79 which in turn shifts the valve 77 in the hydraulic circuit 75 which controls the tilt cylinder 62 causing it to extend pivoting the movable jaw about pivot 54 to the position shown by dot-dash lines in FIG. 2. When this movement is completed and cylinder 62 10 is fully extended, hydraulic pressure will be supplied ai 105 ~ ~
to the valve 90 in the pneumatic circuit causiny it to pressurize -line 107 operating the pneumatic motor 78 so as to shift the ~ :
:: hydraulic valve 76 causing the cylinder 64 to retract and thus pivot the arm 51 which has been holding the butt end of the tree ~ whlle the movable ~aw lS in the raised posiiion. This is depicted : in the dot-dash lines also in FIG. 2.
At~this point it will be noted by referring to FIG. 2 that the movable jaw has tilted upwardly and laterally of the delimber axis in the direction~of the storage rack 21 (FIG.13. `
~:~Thus~, regardless of the slope the harvester may be operating on :~
the degree of~incline of the movable jaw~in the tilted up position will~be more than enough to assure:that the delimbed ana topped : ~tree xolls into:thè rack 21.
While alternate embodlments of m~ invention have been disclosed, it will be understood that these descriptions are for purposes of illustration only and that various modi~ications~ and changes can be made to m~ invention without departing fxom the spirit and scope of it. Therefore; the limits of my invention should be determined from the following appended claims. .
, . . , ; ' ` ' ' ' ,; . ' , : :
Claims (8)
1. In a mobile tree length harvester including means for cutting a standing tree and holding it upright, means for pivoting the cutter and holding means in a vertical plane to orient the tree in a substantially horizontal position, means for clamping the tree in the horizontal position and means for delimbing the tree in the horizontal position, the improvement in said clamping means comprising a movable jaw having separate pivoted elements disposable in either a raised or lowered position, one pivoted to the other on a first axis parallel to the delimber axis and extending transversely above the delimber axis in the lowered position and the other pivoted about a second axis paral-lel to the delimber axis on the opposite side of the delimber axis and extending transversely below the delimber axis in the lowered position, a fixed jaw having a tree receiving section formed by a pair of spaced plates between which the movable jaw is lowerable sufficiently to permit deposit of the severed tree on said tree receiving section and cylinder means operable for pivoting said movable jaw about the second axis for lifting the tree out of the tree receiving section of the fixed jaw and means operable to pivot the one element of the movable jaw about the first axis to hold the tree clamped on the tree receiving section of the fixed jaw in the lowered position of the movable jaw and to release the tree in the raised position of the movable jaw.
2. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said fixed jaw comprises an arcuate row of teeth on the plate adjacent the delimber means for penetrating the tree and holding it in
2. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said fixed jaw comprises an arcuate row of teeth on the plate adjacent the delimber means for penetrating the tree and holding it in
Claim 2 continued:
cooperation with the one element of the movable jaw against axial movement.
cooperation with the one element of the movable jaw against axial movement.
3. The improvement according to claim 2 wherein the other element of the movable jaw comprises spaced plates pivoting inside the spaced plates of the fixed jaw and said one element pivots between the plates of said other element.
4. The improvement according to claim 2 where a storage rack for delimbed and topped trees is positioned on the side of the delimber axis or the pivot axis for both elements of the movable jaw.
5. A tree harvesting method comprising the steps of cutting and holding a standing tree upright, pivoting the tree from a vertical to a substantially horizontal position, clamping the tree in a horizontal position near the butt end by securing it between pivotable clamping means having a pivot axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tree, delimbing the tree by traveling a cutting means along an axis from adjacent the butt end of the tree toward the top for removing the limbs, lifting the tree with said pivotable clamping means after the cutting means has cleared the tree, swinging the butt end laterally relative to the delimber axis and thereafter releasing the tree.
6. The method according to claim 5 including in addition collecting the delimbed trees in a rack positioned to catch trees released by the movable clamping means.
7. The method according to claim 5 comprising in addition
7. The method according to claim 5 comprising in addition
Claim 7 continued: .
topping the tree by other cutting means traveling with the cutting means for delimbing operable to sever the top portion of the tree after delimbing.
topping the tree by other cutting means traveling with the cutting means for delimbing operable to sever the top portion of the tree after delimbing.
8. A tree harvesting method comprising the steps of cutting and holding a standing tree upright, pivoting the tree from a vertical to a substantially horizontal position, clamping the tree in the horizontal position near the butt end by securing it between fixed and movable clamping means, said fixed clamping means including a stationary frame having a fixed jaw for receiving the butt end of the tree and said movable clamping means including a movable jaw having a pair of pivotable elements comprising a first element pivotally mounted on the frame on one side of the longitudinal axis of the tree, and a second element being pivotally mounted on the opposite side, the movable jaw being closeable on the fixed jaw, delimbing the tree by traveling a cutting means from adjacent the butt end of the tree toward the top for removing the limbs, lifting the tree with said movable clamping means after the cutting means has cleared the tree, swinging the butt end laterally relative to the delimber axis, and thereafter releasing the tree.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US452171A US3924667A (en) | 1974-03-18 | 1974-03-18 | Compact tree clamp and automatic sequence control for a tree length harvester |
| CA222,071A CA1020063A (en) | 1974-03-18 | 1975-03-12 | Improved tree harvesting method and clamp therefor |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1038729A true CA1038729A (en) | 1978-09-19 |
Family
ID=25667862
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA270,046A Expired CA1038729A (en) | 1974-03-18 | 1977-01-19 | Tree harvesting method and clamp therefor |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1038729A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1983002540A1 (en) * | 1982-01-21 | 1983-08-04 | Gemmell-Murdoch, Andrew | Tree harvester |
-
1977
- 1977-01-19 CA CA270,046A patent/CA1038729A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1983002540A1 (en) * | 1982-01-21 | 1983-08-04 | Gemmell-Murdoch, Andrew | Tree harvester |
| US4569379A (en) * | 1982-01-21 | 1986-02-11 | Murdoch Logging Industries Pty. Ltd. | Tree harvester |
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