CA1080584A - Flailing machine for felled trees - Google Patents
Flailing machine for felled treesInfo
- Publication number
- CA1080584A CA1080584A CA299,184A CA299184A CA1080584A CA 1080584 A CA1080584 A CA 1080584A CA 299184 A CA299184 A CA 299184A CA 1080584 A CA1080584 A CA 1080584A
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- machine
- boom
- tree
- machine according
- flail
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
- A01G23/00—Forestry
- A01G23/02—Transplanting, uprooting, felling or delimbing trees
- A01G23/095—Delimbers
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- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
- Ecology (AREA)
- Forests & Forestry (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Harvester Elements (AREA)
Abstract
FLAILING MACHINE FOR FELLED TREES
Abstract of the Disclosure This invention relates to a flailing machine for stripping branches and/or bark from felled trees. The machine is adapted for operation from the end of an extendible and rotatable boom of a logging vehicle so that the trees can be stripped actually on the felling site. The machine has a multiple flail element with attached flails and which rotates in a generally horizontal plane. The flail element is supported above a felled tree to be stripped and the flails remove branches and bark. The support for the flail element is attached to the end of the boom arm by a rotatable coupling enabling the machine to be rotated around a vertical axis. A drive mechanism enables the operator of the vehicle to orient the flailing machine with respect to the felled trees to achieve the most efficient stripping effect. In a preferred form, the machine also has a topping device for cutting off the unwanted top portions of the tree.
This can also be operated easily by the operator of the vehicle and is arranged so that no reorientation of the machine with respect to the felled trees is required.
Abstract of the Disclosure This invention relates to a flailing machine for stripping branches and/or bark from felled trees. The machine is adapted for operation from the end of an extendible and rotatable boom of a logging vehicle so that the trees can be stripped actually on the felling site. The machine has a multiple flail element with attached flails and which rotates in a generally horizontal plane. The flail element is supported above a felled tree to be stripped and the flails remove branches and bark. The support for the flail element is attached to the end of the boom arm by a rotatable coupling enabling the machine to be rotated around a vertical axis. A drive mechanism enables the operator of the vehicle to orient the flailing machine with respect to the felled trees to achieve the most efficient stripping effect. In a preferred form, the machine also has a topping device for cutting off the unwanted top portions of the tree.
This can also be operated easily by the operator of the vehicle and is arranged so that no reorientation of the machine with respect to the felled trees is required.
Description
108058~
This invention relates to flailing machines for stripping branches and/or bark from felled trees. Such machines are often known as tree delimbers.
In tree-ha~vesting operations, it is desirable to strip branches and/or bark from trees in the location where they are felled both from the point of view of ease of handling, shipping and storing the useable wood and from an environmental point of view since the discarded branches and bark help to enrich the topsoil and prevent erosion if they are left in the tree-felling areas.
In the past, however, on-site tree-stripping has not generally been economically acceptable because of the lack of a suitable compact and portable flailing machine which would enable rapid stripping of the trees in the difficult terrain often encountered. It has therefore been economically more feasible to transport the trees to a central location for de-branching and de-barking prior to shipment to saw mills, pulp mills and the like.
Past attempts at providing a suitable transportable flailing machine have not met with much success because such machines have been found to be slow and inefficient in operation and also difficult to control and direct by the operator.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a flailing machine for felled trees which can be used on-site for de-branching and/or de-barking and which is fairly easy to use by the operator and is capable of stripping the trees - at an economical rate.
According to the present invention, there is provided ~a flailing machine for stripping branches and/or bark from felled Itrees and being adapted for operation from the end of an extensible and retractable boom, said machine comprising (a) a multiple flail element - _ : - 2 -comprising an elongated rotatable member adapted to secure one end of each of a plurality of flexible linear flails at spaced locations of said member; (b) support means for the multiple flail element ~or supporting the element, when in normal use, in a generally horizontal plane and permitting rotation of said element about its longitudinal axis, said support means being spaced from the element in those regions of the element adapted to secure said flails and permitting said machine to operate on a felled tree directly below said element; (c) drive means for causing said multiple flail element to rotate about its longitudinal axis at a speed effective for flailing; (d) rotatable coupling means for coupling said support means to the end of said boom and permitting said support means to be at least partially rotated relative to said boom about a gene-rally vertical axis; and (e) means for changing the angular orientation of said support relative to said boom by rotating said support about said vertical axis.
One feature of the present invention, at least in ; its preferred forms, is that the flailing machine can be sup-ported from an extendible and retractable boom of a suitable vehicle of the type already well known in the logging industry.
The rotatable attachment means between the boom and the remain-der of the flailing machine enables the operator to orient the flailing machine in the correct attitude with respect to the direction of travel of the machine over the felled trees. The fact that the machine can be suspended from the end of an ex-tendible and retractable boom also means that the operator of the vehicle may have a good view of the machine as it is used in the stripping operation and therefore can readily adjust the speed of movement or orientation of the machine to achieve the optimum stripping effect. The machine can also be kept at the iO80584 optimum lleight from the ground, which reduces flail-wear and achieves a better ~tripping effect.
In a preferred form of the present invention, the support means for the multiple flail element also carries a cutter which can be raised or lowered with respect to the support means and can be used for "topping" the felled trees, i.e. the removal of the unwanted top few feet of the tree. The cutter is arran~ed to produce a cut generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the multiple flail element and thus generally at right angles to the usual direction of movement of the flailing machine. In this way, the cutter is properly oriented for the topping operation when the machine is in its normal stripping attitude relative to felled trees.
It has also been found that an improved stripping effect can be obtained if the plane of rotation of the flails attached ~o the flail element is oriented at a small angle to the axis of a tree being stripped. This can readily be achieved in the flailing machine of the present invention since the operator can adjust the orientation from the cab of the vehicle to achieve the optimum stripping effect. This angle may be, for example, in the region of about 30, although the optimum angle can of course be easily found by means of simple trial and experiment by the vehicle operator, since the performance of the machine is readily visible from the vehicle cab.
Since suitable logging vehicles usually have hydraulic systems, it is preferable that all of the drive means of the flailing machine be hydraulically operable. However, it will readily be appreciated that this is by no means essential.
Other preferred features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which:
`` `` 108058~
Figurc 1 is a perspectLve view oE a flailing machine according to one aspect of the present invention supported by a suitable vehicle and boom Figure 2 is a side-elevational view on an enlarged scale of a flailing machine similaI to the one shown in Figure l;
Figure 3 is a rear-elevational view of the machine of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a plan view of the machine of Figure 2 in which the support structure has been omitted for the sake of clarity;
Figure 5 is a front view of the machine of Figure 2 looking from above, again the support structure has been omitted for the sake of clarity;
Figure 6, which can be found on the same sheet of draw-ings as Figure 2~ is a cross-sectional view on a much enlarged scale of one of the tubular projections from the multiple flail element as shown in Figure 5; and Figures 7(a), 7(b) and 7(c) are schematic diagrams illustrating tree-felling operations which are possible when ; 20 using the flailing machine of this invention.
In the following description, the same elements are illustrated by the same reference numerals throughout the various views.
Figure 1 shows a vehicle, generally illustrated at 10, having an extensible and retractable boom 11 supporting a flailing machine according to one e~bodiment of the present invention, generally illustrated at 12.
The vehicle 10 may be o~ any suitable type which can be used in the difficult terrain encountered in tree-felling operations. However, a large-tired vehicle such as the one shown is preferred since this type of vehicle is capable of moving quickly and therefore makes the stripping operation more ` -~ 108~584 economical.
The boom 11 of the vehicle can be of any power operated extensibly and retractable type well-known in the art.
The boom shown is a conventional hydrualic boom which has been modified to include an additional piece lla and a bracket 13 , which enables the additional piece lla to be raised or lowered as desired by operation of an hydraulic cylinder 14.
The machine 12 is attached to the additional piece lla by means of rotatable attachment means 15 explained in more detail later. The rotatable attachment means enables the machine to be rotated about a generally vertical axis by the operator of the vehicle.
As can be seen in Figure 1, the machine 12 includes a cover member 16, a motor 33 and enclosed drive 34, and a rotatable saw blade 19 which can be raised and lowered with respect to the cover member 16.
The machine 12 can thus be used to remove the top 20 of a tree 21 and can be used to de-branch and de-bark the tree when moved along the length thereof at a short distance above the tree.
The machine 12 is shown in greater detail and on an enlarged scale in Figures 2 through 6. Referring first to Figure 2, the end section of the additional piece lla of the boom 11 is shown at the top of the diagram. Cover member 16 is supported by the additional piece lla via rotatable attachment member generally indicated at 15. This attachment member comprises a vertical shaft 22 having its,upper end (not shown) located within drive means 23 and its lower end attached to a mounting bracket 24. The bracket 24 has three depending lugs 25 (best seen in Figure 3) attached to a pair of complementary lugs 26 upstanding from the cover member 16 and .o a link 27 also attached to the cover member 16 via a lug 28. Thus, the cover member 16 is securely attached to the lower end of the vertlcal shaft 22 and rotation of that shaft causes rotation of the cover member.
The cover member 16 partially surrounds a multiple flail element illustrated generally at 29 and operates as support means therefor. This element consists of an elongated drum 30 supported by the cover member 16 for rotation about its axis in a generally horizontal plane, and a plurality of flails 31 attached at various points about the periphery of the drum 30.
The flails 31 are shown as metal chains, all of approximately the same length. As will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, a flexible linear material other than chain could be used to form the flails 31, if desired, such as belts, cables or the like. The preferred length of the flails is 2 feet, but any other suitable length could be used.
As can be seen best from Figure 5, the drum 30 is rotatably mounted in the cover member 16 by means of axial ; projections 32 arranged in suitable bearings in the cover member 16.
Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, the drum 30 is rotated by means of an hydraulic motor 33,attached to the cover member 16, via encased drive means 34. The encased drive means may be of any conventional type, such as an oil-encased chain drive engaged with toothed wheels attached to the hydraulic motor 33 and the rotatable drum 30.
~ t the rear of the cover member 16 is a tree-topping device generally illustrated at 35. This device comprises a rotatable circular saw blade 19 driven by an hydraulic motor 36 supported on one end of an arm 37 having its opposite end pivotally connected to the cover member 16 by means of a pivot 38 mounted in a bracket 39. Although the preferred embodiment uses the circular saw blade 19, any alternative cutter could be used, such as a chain saw.
The hydraulic motor 36 has an upstanding lug 40 pro-jecting from its casing and the lug 40 is pivotally connected to one end of a piston element 41, the other end of which is located within an hydraulic cylinder 42. The other end of the cylinder 42 is pivotally connected to a lug 43 projecting from the bracket 39.
The hydraulic connections for the hydraulic drive means 23, the hydraul$c motor 33, the hydraulic motor 36 and the hydraulic cylinder 42 are not shown in the drawings for the sake of simplicity and the provision of such connections, hoses etc. is well within the expected skill of a person know-ledgeable in this technology.
The flailing machine 12 shown in the drawings operates in the following manner.
- ~y operation of the drive means 23, the cover member 16 and everything attached thereto can be rotated about a vertical axis by the vertical shaft 22. The drive means 23 is of such a nature that the cover member 16 can be rotated from one angular location to another and can be fixed against further . rotation when in the desired position. Preferably, rotation of the vertical shaft 22 through 360~ is possible but, if necessary, maximum rotation through a smaller angle such as 180~ may be provided for.
~; The drum 30 is caused to rotate by the hydraulic motor 33 via the encased drive means 34. As the drum rotates, the flails 31 extend radially outwardly from the drum 30 under the ;; influence of centrifugal force and the ends of the flails can `~ 1080584 ~e ~rollght into con~act with a felled tree by lowering the additional piece lla of the boom-ar~ over the tree. The rotating flails 31 then act like whips and can cut off thin branches (for example up to about 2 inches in diameter) and in some cases can strip away bark from the tree trunk.
The flailing machine is moved lengthwise of a felled tree in order to strip the entire length of the tree and this can be achieved either by rotating the boom ll with respect to the vehicle 10, or by moving both the vehicle 10 and the boom ll, or by a combination of both rotational movement of the boom and longitudinal movement of the vehicle.
As stated earlier in the specification, an improved tree-stripping effect has been observed when the vertical plane of rotation of the flails 31 is oriented at a small angle to the longitudinal direction of a tree being stripped.
In other words, the axis of the drum 30 is preferably not arranged quite at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the tree. The improved stripping effect achieved by this orientation relative to the tree may be due to a "snaking"
effect of the flails 31 around the tree trunk. It is believed that this "snaking" more effectively enables the flails 31 to cut through branches and bark than if the vertical plane of rotation of the flails were parallel to the longitudinal direction of the tree.
By referring to Figure 1, it will be appreciated that the operator of the vehicle 10 can readily adjust the orientation of the machine 12 with respect to the tree 21 by operating the controls for the rotatable attachment means 15. The operator can also raise or lower the additional piece lla of the boom 11 by operating the controls for the hydraulic cylinder 14.
In this way, the operator can easily obtain the most efficient g .,.,.~ . . - .
~ 1080584 angle of orielltaLlon o~ e macl-ine 12 and tl~e best height of the machine Erom the ground to achieve an optimum stripping effect.
If the machine 12 is moved over the tree 21 by rotation of the boom 11 with respect to the vehicle, the angle of orientation of the machine 12 can be continuously adjusted by operation of the controls for the hydraulic drive means 23 to compensate for the change in orientation produced by the rotation of the boom 11. However, unless the boom 11 is to be rotated through a large an~le, such continuous adjustment would not be required in most cases.
The top few feet 20 of a tree are usually discarded because the trunk becomes too narrow to be economically useful and this "topping" can be carried out by operation of the tree-topping device 35 as will be explained below.
The tree-topping device 35 is normally located in its raised position, e.g. as shown in Figure 3, in which it does not interfere with the tree-stripping operation. When required for use, however, the controls for the hydraulic cylinder 42 and for the hydraulic motor 36 are operated and the support arm ;~ 37 rotates about the pivot 38 to a lower position shown in dotted lines in Figure 3. In this lower position, the rotatable blade 19 projects well below the cover member 16 and, when rotated, will cut through the trunk of an underlying tree.
It is important to note that the tree-topping device 35 can be operated without having to change the orientation of the machine 16 with respect to the tree trunk. Economics demand that the tree be topped and stripped as quickly as possible so that an important advantage is achieved by locating the blade 19 on the cover member 16 in the manner shown to avoid an ~ 10 ~
1~)8VSB4 addltional ~:top Or havinK to ro~ate thc ~lailillg machine before the tree-Lopping device 35 can be operated.
When the blade 19 has cut through the tree to remove the top 20 thereof, the device is raised to its upper position so that tree-stripping by the flails 31 can be continued.
Figures 5 and 6 show a preferred method of mounting the flails 31 onto the drum 30. As can be seen from these Figures, the drum 31 has a number of tubular projectlons 44 extending from the periphery thereof at spaced locations. In the embodiment shown, these projections 44 are arranged in four rows extending lengthwise of the drum 30, there being 5 of the projections in each of 2 rows and 4 projections in the other two rows, the projections being staggered as shown so that only small gaps exist in the axial direction of the drum between the planes of rotation of the flails.
The end links 45 of the flails 31 are located in the tubular projections 44 by means of pins 46 extending through the links and having their ends fixed within the walls of the tubular projections 44.
The pins 46 are retained in place by means of threaded bolts 47. As can be seen from Figure 6, the pins 46 are separate from the bolts 47 and one end of each pin 46 is snugly received within an axial bore 48 of the bolt 47. The other end of the pin is securely mounted within a bore in the tubular projection 44 diametrically opposite the bolt 47.
Since the pins 46 are subject to quite rapid wear during use of the flailing machine, the provision of a threaded bolt 47 separate from the pin 46 enables the pin to be easily ; discarded when worn (without the need for "burning out") so that the pin can be rapidly and economically replaced with a new pin ; without the need to replace the more expensive bolt 47.
~:
~ ~08~)S8~
T~)e ~1ai1s 31 ~hemselves are also subject to wear during use of the flail machine and often one or more links from the ends of the flails is lost. In such an event, the damaged flail can easily be replaced by a new flail of the correct length simply by unscrewlng the bolt 47, removing the pin 46, discarding the damaged flail, inserting the end of a new flail, inserting either the original pin 46 or a new pin 46 through the end link of the flail and replacing the bolt 47.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention (not shown in the drawings) an alternative to the complete replacement of a damaged flail is provided for. In this embodiment, the drum 30 is hollow and the tubular projections 40 communicate directly with the interior of the drum 30. The flails are of much greater length than required and the excess chain is stored inside the hollow drum. When one or more links breaks from the end of a flail, therefore, the bolt 47-can be removed together with the pin 46, the correct amount of additional chain can be withdrawn through the tubular projection 44, and the pin and bolt can then be replaced in such a way that the pin 46 projects through the link of the chain which determines the correct flail length. This arrangement allows for a more economical use of flail chain since damaged flails do not have to be completely discarded.
In a further alternative embodiment of the invention, diametrically opposite flails may be formed by a single length of chain having its two opposite ends extending throuth the diametrically opposite tubular projections 44. If necessary, the single flail chain can be made longer than initially required and the excess stored inside the drum so that additional chain can be withdrawn when one or both ends of the chain become damaged. Thus, as described in connection with the previous : . :
10805~4 ., alternative embodiment, a damaged flail does not have to be completely discarded.
The use of a flailing machine according to the present invention in a tree-flailing operation is now described in connection with Figure 7 of the drawings.
Figure 7(a) shows a tree harvester 49 felling trees from a forest and laying the trees in a row 50. Figure 7tb) shows a vehicle lO attached with a flailing machine 12 according to the present invention stripping and topping the trees.
The vehicle 10 may move in the direction of the arrow and stripping and topping can be carried out by moving the machine ~ s 12 along the length of each tree by rotation of the boom 11.
Figure 7(c~ shows a vehicle 51 removing a plurality of the stripped and topped trees from the site to a suitable collection station.
It will be noted that the vehicle 10 used in the stripping operation may be the same or a similar vehicle to the harvester 49, the cutting device 52 of the harvester merely being replaced by the machine 12 and additional piece lla of the boom 11 to form a stripping and topping vehicle 10. Thus, the present invention does not involve a large scale investment in machinery since the machine 12 and additional piece lla can be manufactured extremely cheaply when compared with the cost of providing a complete new vehicle for the stripping and topping operation.
It will also be noted from Figure 7(b) that the vehicle - 10 can move in a straight line without the need for reversing and changing direction, as would be the case if the vehicle had to travel the entire length of each tree to effect stripping, so that the row of trees can be stripped and topped very rapidly.
The visibility that the operator has of the machine 12 from the .,~. .. - :
vehicle 10 also makes ~he stripping and topping operation very easy because the operator can choose the most efficient operating conditions for the machine and can avoid potential damage to the machine by incorrect spacing of the machine 12 from the ground and tree-trunks.
Reference has been made throughout the specification to planes and directions indicated as "generally vertical", "generally horizontal", "generally parallel" etc. It will be ùnderstood by a person skilled in this art that these terms are intended to indicate only very approximate relative orienta-tions. These terms should therefore be construed very broadly in the following claims.
This invention relates to flailing machines for stripping branches and/or bark from felled trees. Such machines are often known as tree delimbers.
In tree-ha~vesting operations, it is desirable to strip branches and/or bark from trees in the location where they are felled both from the point of view of ease of handling, shipping and storing the useable wood and from an environmental point of view since the discarded branches and bark help to enrich the topsoil and prevent erosion if they are left in the tree-felling areas.
In the past, however, on-site tree-stripping has not generally been economically acceptable because of the lack of a suitable compact and portable flailing machine which would enable rapid stripping of the trees in the difficult terrain often encountered. It has therefore been economically more feasible to transport the trees to a central location for de-branching and de-barking prior to shipment to saw mills, pulp mills and the like.
Past attempts at providing a suitable transportable flailing machine have not met with much success because such machines have been found to be slow and inefficient in operation and also difficult to control and direct by the operator.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a flailing machine for felled trees which can be used on-site for de-branching and/or de-barking and which is fairly easy to use by the operator and is capable of stripping the trees - at an economical rate.
According to the present invention, there is provided ~a flailing machine for stripping branches and/or bark from felled Itrees and being adapted for operation from the end of an extensible and retractable boom, said machine comprising (a) a multiple flail element - _ : - 2 -comprising an elongated rotatable member adapted to secure one end of each of a plurality of flexible linear flails at spaced locations of said member; (b) support means for the multiple flail element ~or supporting the element, when in normal use, in a generally horizontal plane and permitting rotation of said element about its longitudinal axis, said support means being spaced from the element in those regions of the element adapted to secure said flails and permitting said machine to operate on a felled tree directly below said element; (c) drive means for causing said multiple flail element to rotate about its longitudinal axis at a speed effective for flailing; (d) rotatable coupling means for coupling said support means to the end of said boom and permitting said support means to be at least partially rotated relative to said boom about a gene-rally vertical axis; and (e) means for changing the angular orientation of said support relative to said boom by rotating said support about said vertical axis.
One feature of the present invention, at least in ; its preferred forms, is that the flailing machine can be sup-ported from an extendible and retractable boom of a suitable vehicle of the type already well known in the logging industry.
The rotatable attachment means between the boom and the remain-der of the flailing machine enables the operator to orient the flailing machine in the correct attitude with respect to the direction of travel of the machine over the felled trees. The fact that the machine can be suspended from the end of an ex-tendible and retractable boom also means that the operator of the vehicle may have a good view of the machine as it is used in the stripping operation and therefore can readily adjust the speed of movement or orientation of the machine to achieve the optimum stripping effect. The machine can also be kept at the iO80584 optimum lleight from the ground, which reduces flail-wear and achieves a better ~tripping effect.
In a preferred form of the present invention, the support means for the multiple flail element also carries a cutter which can be raised or lowered with respect to the support means and can be used for "topping" the felled trees, i.e. the removal of the unwanted top few feet of the tree. The cutter is arran~ed to produce a cut generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the multiple flail element and thus generally at right angles to the usual direction of movement of the flailing machine. In this way, the cutter is properly oriented for the topping operation when the machine is in its normal stripping attitude relative to felled trees.
It has also been found that an improved stripping effect can be obtained if the plane of rotation of the flails attached ~o the flail element is oriented at a small angle to the axis of a tree being stripped. This can readily be achieved in the flailing machine of the present invention since the operator can adjust the orientation from the cab of the vehicle to achieve the optimum stripping effect. This angle may be, for example, in the region of about 30, although the optimum angle can of course be easily found by means of simple trial and experiment by the vehicle operator, since the performance of the machine is readily visible from the vehicle cab.
Since suitable logging vehicles usually have hydraulic systems, it is preferable that all of the drive means of the flailing machine be hydraulically operable. However, it will readily be appreciated that this is by no means essential.
Other preferred features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which:
`` `` 108058~
Figurc 1 is a perspectLve view oE a flailing machine according to one aspect of the present invention supported by a suitable vehicle and boom Figure 2 is a side-elevational view on an enlarged scale of a flailing machine similaI to the one shown in Figure l;
Figure 3 is a rear-elevational view of the machine of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a plan view of the machine of Figure 2 in which the support structure has been omitted for the sake of clarity;
Figure 5 is a front view of the machine of Figure 2 looking from above, again the support structure has been omitted for the sake of clarity;
Figure 6, which can be found on the same sheet of draw-ings as Figure 2~ is a cross-sectional view on a much enlarged scale of one of the tubular projections from the multiple flail element as shown in Figure 5; and Figures 7(a), 7(b) and 7(c) are schematic diagrams illustrating tree-felling operations which are possible when ; 20 using the flailing machine of this invention.
In the following description, the same elements are illustrated by the same reference numerals throughout the various views.
Figure 1 shows a vehicle, generally illustrated at 10, having an extensible and retractable boom 11 supporting a flailing machine according to one e~bodiment of the present invention, generally illustrated at 12.
The vehicle 10 may be o~ any suitable type which can be used in the difficult terrain encountered in tree-felling operations. However, a large-tired vehicle such as the one shown is preferred since this type of vehicle is capable of moving quickly and therefore makes the stripping operation more ` -~ 108~584 economical.
The boom 11 of the vehicle can be of any power operated extensibly and retractable type well-known in the art.
The boom shown is a conventional hydrualic boom which has been modified to include an additional piece lla and a bracket 13 , which enables the additional piece lla to be raised or lowered as desired by operation of an hydraulic cylinder 14.
The machine 12 is attached to the additional piece lla by means of rotatable attachment means 15 explained in more detail later. The rotatable attachment means enables the machine to be rotated about a generally vertical axis by the operator of the vehicle.
As can be seen in Figure 1, the machine 12 includes a cover member 16, a motor 33 and enclosed drive 34, and a rotatable saw blade 19 which can be raised and lowered with respect to the cover member 16.
The machine 12 can thus be used to remove the top 20 of a tree 21 and can be used to de-branch and de-bark the tree when moved along the length thereof at a short distance above the tree.
The machine 12 is shown in greater detail and on an enlarged scale in Figures 2 through 6. Referring first to Figure 2, the end section of the additional piece lla of the boom 11 is shown at the top of the diagram. Cover member 16 is supported by the additional piece lla via rotatable attachment member generally indicated at 15. This attachment member comprises a vertical shaft 22 having its,upper end (not shown) located within drive means 23 and its lower end attached to a mounting bracket 24. The bracket 24 has three depending lugs 25 (best seen in Figure 3) attached to a pair of complementary lugs 26 upstanding from the cover member 16 and .o a link 27 also attached to the cover member 16 via a lug 28. Thus, the cover member 16 is securely attached to the lower end of the vertlcal shaft 22 and rotation of that shaft causes rotation of the cover member.
The cover member 16 partially surrounds a multiple flail element illustrated generally at 29 and operates as support means therefor. This element consists of an elongated drum 30 supported by the cover member 16 for rotation about its axis in a generally horizontal plane, and a plurality of flails 31 attached at various points about the periphery of the drum 30.
The flails 31 are shown as metal chains, all of approximately the same length. As will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, a flexible linear material other than chain could be used to form the flails 31, if desired, such as belts, cables or the like. The preferred length of the flails is 2 feet, but any other suitable length could be used.
As can be seen best from Figure 5, the drum 30 is rotatably mounted in the cover member 16 by means of axial ; projections 32 arranged in suitable bearings in the cover member 16.
Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, the drum 30 is rotated by means of an hydraulic motor 33,attached to the cover member 16, via encased drive means 34. The encased drive means may be of any conventional type, such as an oil-encased chain drive engaged with toothed wheels attached to the hydraulic motor 33 and the rotatable drum 30.
~ t the rear of the cover member 16 is a tree-topping device generally illustrated at 35. This device comprises a rotatable circular saw blade 19 driven by an hydraulic motor 36 supported on one end of an arm 37 having its opposite end pivotally connected to the cover member 16 by means of a pivot 38 mounted in a bracket 39. Although the preferred embodiment uses the circular saw blade 19, any alternative cutter could be used, such as a chain saw.
The hydraulic motor 36 has an upstanding lug 40 pro-jecting from its casing and the lug 40 is pivotally connected to one end of a piston element 41, the other end of which is located within an hydraulic cylinder 42. The other end of the cylinder 42 is pivotally connected to a lug 43 projecting from the bracket 39.
The hydraulic connections for the hydraulic drive means 23, the hydraul$c motor 33, the hydraulic motor 36 and the hydraulic cylinder 42 are not shown in the drawings for the sake of simplicity and the provision of such connections, hoses etc. is well within the expected skill of a person know-ledgeable in this technology.
The flailing machine 12 shown in the drawings operates in the following manner.
- ~y operation of the drive means 23, the cover member 16 and everything attached thereto can be rotated about a vertical axis by the vertical shaft 22. The drive means 23 is of such a nature that the cover member 16 can be rotated from one angular location to another and can be fixed against further . rotation when in the desired position. Preferably, rotation of the vertical shaft 22 through 360~ is possible but, if necessary, maximum rotation through a smaller angle such as 180~ may be provided for.
~; The drum 30 is caused to rotate by the hydraulic motor 33 via the encased drive means 34. As the drum rotates, the flails 31 extend radially outwardly from the drum 30 under the ;; influence of centrifugal force and the ends of the flails can `~ 1080584 ~e ~rollght into con~act with a felled tree by lowering the additional piece lla of the boom-ar~ over the tree. The rotating flails 31 then act like whips and can cut off thin branches (for example up to about 2 inches in diameter) and in some cases can strip away bark from the tree trunk.
The flailing machine is moved lengthwise of a felled tree in order to strip the entire length of the tree and this can be achieved either by rotating the boom ll with respect to the vehicle 10, or by moving both the vehicle 10 and the boom ll, or by a combination of both rotational movement of the boom and longitudinal movement of the vehicle.
As stated earlier in the specification, an improved tree-stripping effect has been observed when the vertical plane of rotation of the flails 31 is oriented at a small angle to the longitudinal direction of a tree being stripped.
In other words, the axis of the drum 30 is preferably not arranged quite at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the tree. The improved stripping effect achieved by this orientation relative to the tree may be due to a "snaking"
effect of the flails 31 around the tree trunk. It is believed that this "snaking" more effectively enables the flails 31 to cut through branches and bark than if the vertical plane of rotation of the flails were parallel to the longitudinal direction of the tree.
By referring to Figure 1, it will be appreciated that the operator of the vehicle 10 can readily adjust the orientation of the machine 12 with respect to the tree 21 by operating the controls for the rotatable attachment means 15. The operator can also raise or lower the additional piece lla of the boom 11 by operating the controls for the hydraulic cylinder 14.
In this way, the operator can easily obtain the most efficient g .,.,.~ . . - .
~ 1080584 angle of orielltaLlon o~ e macl-ine 12 and tl~e best height of the machine Erom the ground to achieve an optimum stripping effect.
If the machine 12 is moved over the tree 21 by rotation of the boom 11 with respect to the vehicle, the angle of orientation of the machine 12 can be continuously adjusted by operation of the controls for the hydraulic drive means 23 to compensate for the change in orientation produced by the rotation of the boom 11. However, unless the boom 11 is to be rotated through a large an~le, such continuous adjustment would not be required in most cases.
The top few feet 20 of a tree are usually discarded because the trunk becomes too narrow to be economically useful and this "topping" can be carried out by operation of the tree-topping device 35 as will be explained below.
The tree-topping device 35 is normally located in its raised position, e.g. as shown in Figure 3, in which it does not interfere with the tree-stripping operation. When required for use, however, the controls for the hydraulic cylinder 42 and for the hydraulic motor 36 are operated and the support arm ;~ 37 rotates about the pivot 38 to a lower position shown in dotted lines in Figure 3. In this lower position, the rotatable blade 19 projects well below the cover member 16 and, when rotated, will cut through the trunk of an underlying tree.
It is important to note that the tree-topping device 35 can be operated without having to change the orientation of the machine 16 with respect to the tree trunk. Economics demand that the tree be topped and stripped as quickly as possible so that an important advantage is achieved by locating the blade 19 on the cover member 16 in the manner shown to avoid an ~ 10 ~
1~)8VSB4 addltional ~:top Or havinK to ro~ate thc ~lailillg machine before the tree-Lopping device 35 can be operated.
When the blade 19 has cut through the tree to remove the top 20 thereof, the device is raised to its upper position so that tree-stripping by the flails 31 can be continued.
Figures 5 and 6 show a preferred method of mounting the flails 31 onto the drum 30. As can be seen from these Figures, the drum 31 has a number of tubular projectlons 44 extending from the periphery thereof at spaced locations. In the embodiment shown, these projections 44 are arranged in four rows extending lengthwise of the drum 30, there being 5 of the projections in each of 2 rows and 4 projections in the other two rows, the projections being staggered as shown so that only small gaps exist in the axial direction of the drum between the planes of rotation of the flails.
The end links 45 of the flails 31 are located in the tubular projections 44 by means of pins 46 extending through the links and having their ends fixed within the walls of the tubular projections 44.
The pins 46 are retained in place by means of threaded bolts 47. As can be seen from Figure 6, the pins 46 are separate from the bolts 47 and one end of each pin 46 is snugly received within an axial bore 48 of the bolt 47. The other end of the pin is securely mounted within a bore in the tubular projection 44 diametrically opposite the bolt 47.
Since the pins 46 are subject to quite rapid wear during use of the flailing machine, the provision of a threaded bolt 47 separate from the pin 46 enables the pin to be easily ; discarded when worn (without the need for "burning out") so that the pin can be rapidly and economically replaced with a new pin ; without the need to replace the more expensive bolt 47.
~:
~ ~08~)S8~
T~)e ~1ai1s 31 ~hemselves are also subject to wear during use of the flail machine and often one or more links from the ends of the flails is lost. In such an event, the damaged flail can easily be replaced by a new flail of the correct length simply by unscrewlng the bolt 47, removing the pin 46, discarding the damaged flail, inserting the end of a new flail, inserting either the original pin 46 or a new pin 46 through the end link of the flail and replacing the bolt 47.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention (not shown in the drawings) an alternative to the complete replacement of a damaged flail is provided for. In this embodiment, the drum 30 is hollow and the tubular projections 40 communicate directly with the interior of the drum 30. The flails are of much greater length than required and the excess chain is stored inside the hollow drum. When one or more links breaks from the end of a flail, therefore, the bolt 47-can be removed together with the pin 46, the correct amount of additional chain can be withdrawn through the tubular projection 44, and the pin and bolt can then be replaced in such a way that the pin 46 projects through the link of the chain which determines the correct flail length. This arrangement allows for a more economical use of flail chain since damaged flails do not have to be completely discarded.
In a further alternative embodiment of the invention, diametrically opposite flails may be formed by a single length of chain having its two opposite ends extending throuth the diametrically opposite tubular projections 44. If necessary, the single flail chain can be made longer than initially required and the excess stored inside the drum so that additional chain can be withdrawn when one or both ends of the chain become damaged. Thus, as described in connection with the previous : . :
10805~4 ., alternative embodiment, a damaged flail does not have to be completely discarded.
The use of a flailing machine according to the present invention in a tree-flailing operation is now described in connection with Figure 7 of the drawings.
Figure 7(a) shows a tree harvester 49 felling trees from a forest and laying the trees in a row 50. Figure 7tb) shows a vehicle lO attached with a flailing machine 12 according to the present invention stripping and topping the trees.
The vehicle 10 may move in the direction of the arrow and stripping and topping can be carried out by moving the machine ~ s 12 along the length of each tree by rotation of the boom 11.
Figure 7(c~ shows a vehicle 51 removing a plurality of the stripped and topped trees from the site to a suitable collection station.
It will be noted that the vehicle 10 used in the stripping operation may be the same or a similar vehicle to the harvester 49, the cutting device 52 of the harvester merely being replaced by the machine 12 and additional piece lla of the boom 11 to form a stripping and topping vehicle 10. Thus, the present invention does not involve a large scale investment in machinery since the machine 12 and additional piece lla can be manufactured extremely cheaply when compared with the cost of providing a complete new vehicle for the stripping and topping operation.
It will also be noted from Figure 7(b) that the vehicle - 10 can move in a straight line without the need for reversing and changing direction, as would be the case if the vehicle had to travel the entire length of each tree to effect stripping, so that the row of trees can be stripped and topped very rapidly.
The visibility that the operator has of the machine 12 from the .,~. .. - :
vehicle 10 also makes ~he stripping and topping operation very easy because the operator can choose the most efficient operating conditions for the machine and can avoid potential damage to the machine by incorrect spacing of the machine 12 from the ground and tree-trunks.
Reference has been made throughout the specification to planes and directions indicated as "generally vertical", "generally horizontal", "generally parallel" etc. It will be ùnderstood by a person skilled in this art that these terms are intended to indicate only very approximate relative orienta-tions. These terms should therefore be construed very broadly in the following claims.
Claims (18)
1. A flailing machine for stripping branches and/or bark from felled trees and being adapted for operation from the end of an extensible and retractable boom, said machine comprising:
(a) a multiple flail element comprising an elongated rotatable member adapted to secure one end of each of a plura-lity of flexible linear flails at spaced locations of said member;
(b) support means for the multiple flail element for supporting the element, when in normal use, in a generally horizontal plane and permitting rotation of said element about its longitudinal axis, said support means being spaced from the element in those regions of the element adapted to secure said flails and permitting said machine to operate on a felled tree directly below said element;
(c) drive means for causing said multiple flail element to rotate about its longitudinal axis at a speed effective for flailing;
(d) rotatable coupling means for coupling said support means to the end of said boom and permitting said support means to be at least partially rotated relative to said boom about a generally vertical axis; and (e) means for changing the angular orientation of said support relative to said boom by rotating said support about said vertical axis.
(a) a multiple flail element comprising an elongated rotatable member adapted to secure one end of each of a plura-lity of flexible linear flails at spaced locations of said member;
(b) support means for the multiple flail element for supporting the element, when in normal use, in a generally horizontal plane and permitting rotation of said element about its longitudinal axis, said support means being spaced from the element in those regions of the element adapted to secure said flails and permitting said machine to operate on a felled tree directly below said element;
(c) drive means for causing said multiple flail element to rotate about its longitudinal axis at a speed effective for flailing;
(d) rotatable coupling means for coupling said support means to the end of said boom and permitting said support means to be at least partially rotated relative to said boom about a generally vertical axis; and (e) means for changing the angular orientation of said support relative to said boom by rotating said support about said vertical axis.
2. A machine according to claim 1 including a plurality of flexible, linear flails each having one end thereof secured to said rotatable member at spaced locations of said member.
3. A machine according to claim 2 wherein said flails are flexible,linear articles selected from the group consisting of chains, belts and cables.
4. A machine according to claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said elongated rotatable member of said multiple flail element comprises a drum supported by said support means at the ends thereof.
5. A machine according to claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the drive means for rotating said multiple flail element comprises an hydraulic motor.
6. A machine according to claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the means for changing the angular orientation of the support relative to the boom comprises an hydraulic drive.
7. A machine according to claim 1 wherein said elongated rotatable member of said multiple flail element includes a plurality of radially-extending tubular projections each having a removable pin extending transversely through the interior of said projection, said pin being adapted to be fitted through a corresponding hole adjacent the end of a flail when said end is inserted into said tubular projection, thus securing said end to the rotatable member.
8. A machine according to claim 1, wherein said elongated rotatable member of said multiple flail element comprises a drum having a plurality of radially-extending tubular projections extending from the surface thereof, each of said projections having a removable pin extending transversely therethrough, and wherein said drum is hollow and each of said projections communicates with the interior thereof.
9. A machine according to claim 7 or claim 8 wherein said removable pins are secured in said projections by threaded bolts, each of said bolts extending transversely through a wall of the corresponding projection in a correspondingly-threaded bore and having a central bore extending from the inner end of the bolt and adapted to receive one end of the corresponding pin.
10. A machine according to claim 1 having a tree topping device attached to said support means, said device having a cutter arranged to produce a cut generally parallel to the axis of rotation of said multiple flail element, and said device being movable between a raised inoperative position in which the cutter is out of possible contact with a felled tree, and a lowered operative position in which the cutter may contact and cut through a felled tree located below the machine.
11. A machine according to claim 10 wherein said cutter is a rotatable blade.
12. A machine according to claim 11 wherein said blade is rotated by an hydraulic motor.
13. A machine according to claim 10 wherein said cutter is attached to said support means by an arm supporting the cutter at one end thereof and pivotally attached to the support means at the other end thereof, said pivotal attachment being about an axis generally at right angles to the axis of rotation of the multiple flail element.
14. A machine according to claim 13 wherein the movement of the cutter between the raised and lowered positions is effected by hydraulically operated means.
15. A tree stripping machine comprising a power actuated extensible and retractable boom, a rotatable multiple flail element, support means for attaching the multiple flail element to the free end of the boom, said support means allowing said flail element to rotate about a generally horizontal rotational axis and also allowing at least partial rotation of the flail element relative to said free end of said boom about a generally vertical axis, means for rotating said flail element about said gener-ally horizontal axis, and means for changing the angular orientation of said flail element relative to said free end of said boom about said generally vertical axis.
16. A self-propelled tree-stripping machine for stripping branches and/or bark from felled trees, comprising:
(a) a vehicle capable of travelling over rough terrain normally encountered in the felling operations;
(b) a power actuated extensible and retractable boom rotatably attached to said vehicle and being controllable by the operator of the vehicle;
(c) a multiple flail element comprising an elongated rotatable member adapted to secure one end of each of a plurality of flexible linear flails at spaced locations of said member;
(d) support means for the multiple flail element for supporting the element, when in normal use, in a generally horizontal plane and permitting rotation of said element about its longitudinal axis, said support means being spaced from the element in those regions of the element adapted to secure said flails and permitting said machine to operate on a felled tree directly below said element;
(e) drive means for causing said multiple flail element to rotate about its longitudinal axis at a speed effective for flailing;
(f) rotatable coupling means for coupling said support means to the end of said boom and permitting said support means to be at least partially rotated relative to said boom about a generally vertical axis; and (g) means for changing the angular orientation of said support relative to said boom by rotating said support about said vertical axis.
(a) a vehicle capable of travelling over rough terrain normally encountered in the felling operations;
(b) a power actuated extensible and retractable boom rotatably attached to said vehicle and being controllable by the operator of the vehicle;
(c) a multiple flail element comprising an elongated rotatable member adapted to secure one end of each of a plurality of flexible linear flails at spaced locations of said member;
(d) support means for the multiple flail element for supporting the element, when in normal use, in a generally horizontal plane and permitting rotation of said element about its longitudinal axis, said support means being spaced from the element in those regions of the element adapted to secure said flails and permitting said machine to operate on a felled tree directly below said element;
(e) drive means for causing said multiple flail element to rotate about its longitudinal axis at a speed effective for flailing;
(f) rotatable coupling means for coupling said support means to the end of said boom and permitting said support means to be at least partially rotated relative to said boom about a generally vertical axis; and (g) means for changing the angular orientation of said support relative to said boom by rotating said support about said vertical axis.
17. A self-propelled machine according to claim 16 including an hydraulic system for controlling said boom and elements attached thereto.
18. A method of flailing felled trees to remove branches and/or bark therefrom, which comprises:
rotating a multiple flailing element of a tree-striping machine, wherein said element has a plurality of flexible linear flails attached thereto and wherein said element is attached to the end of an extensible and retractable boom;
moving said element by means of said boom above the trunks of said trees lengthwise of said trunks to remove branches and/or bark therefrom; and adjusting the orientation of said element about a generally vertical axis with respect to the end of said boom during said lengthwise movement of the element in order to maintain the planes of rotation of said flails at a predetermined angle to the axial direction of the trunks of said trees.
rotating a multiple flailing element of a tree-striping machine, wherein said element has a plurality of flexible linear flails attached thereto and wherein said element is attached to the end of an extensible and retractable boom;
moving said element by means of said boom above the trunks of said trees lengthwise of said trunks to remove branches and/or bark therefrom; and adjusting the orientation of said element about a generally vertical axis with respect to the end of said boom during said lengthwise movement of the element in order to maintain the planes of rotation of said flails at a predetermined angle to the axial direction of the trunks of said trees.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA299,184A CA1080584A (en) | 1978-03-17 | 1978-03-17 | Flailing machine for felled trees |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA299,184A CA1080584A (en) | 1978-03-17 | 1978-03-17 | Flailing machine for felled trees |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1080584A true CA1080584A (en) | 1980-07-01 |
Family
ID=4111023
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA299,184A Expired CA1080584A (en) | 1978-03-17 | 1978-03-17 | Flailing machine for felled trees |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1080584A (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5094281A (en) * | 1991-01-25 | 1992-03-10 | Barnhill Equipment Ltd. | Debarking/delimbing apparatus |
| FR2684845A1 (en) * | 1991-12-12 | 1993-06-18 | Becker Sa | Scrub-clearing tool |
| EP1759579A1 (en) * | 2005-09-02 | 2007-03-07 | LASCO Heutechnik GmbH | Delimbing apparatus |
-
1978
- 1978-03-17 CA CA299,184A patent/CA1080584A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5094281A (en) * | 1991-01-25 | 1992-03-10 | Barnhill Equipment Ltd. | Debarking/delimbing apparatus |
| FR2684845A1 (en) * | 1991-12-12 | 1993-06-18 | Becker Sa | Scrub-clearing tool |
| EP1759579A1 (en) * | 2005-09-02 | 2007-03-07 | LASCO Heutechnik GmbH | Delimbing apparatus |
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| MKEX | Expiry |