CA1083929A - Land clearing machine - Google Patents
Land clearing machineInfo
- Publication number
- CA1083929A CA1083929A CA318,614A CA318614A CA1083929A CA 1083929 A CA1083929 A CA 1083929A CA 318614 A CA318614 A CA 318614A CA 1083929 A CA1083929 A CA 1083929A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- tree
- chipping
- clearing machine
- felling
- cutterhead
- 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
Links
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
- A01G23/08—Felling trees
- A01G23/093—Combinations of shearing, sawing or milling apparatus specially adapted for felling trees
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
- Ecology (AREA)
- Forests & Forestry (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Debarking, Splitting, And Disintegration Of Timber (AREA)
- Working Measures On Existing Buildindgs (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A rotating cutterhead projects forward from a tractor or other suitable vehicle and fells trees as the tractor is moved over land to be cleared. The tree-felling cutterhead rotates in a direction such that its leading face moves upward and then rearward to kick the butt of a felled or falling tree upward and then move it rearward onto an apron. The apron forms the floor of a flared throat leading to a chipping cutterhead. An overhead live feed roll or a swinging feed rake positively feeds each tree rearward along the apron to the chipping cutterhead.
Upright cutterheads may be carried at the sides of the flared throat to delimb a tree, or at least to crush the limbs inward, as the tree is moved rearward by the upper feed roll or rake.
A rotating cutterhead projects forward from a tractor or other suitable vehicle and fells trees as the tractor is moved over land to be cleared. The tree-felling cutterhead rotates in a direction such that its leading face moves upward and then rearward to kick the butt of a felled or falling tree upward and then move it rearward onto an apron. The apron forms the floor of a flared throat leading to a chipping cutterhead. An overhead live feed roll or a swinging feed rake positively feeds each tree rearward along the apron to the chipping cutterhead.
Upright cutterheads may be carried at the sides of the flared throat to delimb a tree, or at least to crush the limbs inward, as the tree is moved rearward by the upper feed roll or rake.
Description
', .
~AND C~EARING ~ACHINE ;~
',~` ' The present invention relates to a mobile machine for felling and chipping trees.
U.S. patent No. 3,394,744 discloses a "Method and Apparatus for Felling and Treatment of Trees to Produce Wood Chips." This patent uses complicated mechanism for grasping a tree, for cutting through the tree with a rotating cutterhead and for feeding the tree downward `
against the cutterhead to cut the tree into chips. A
problem with the method and apparatus of this patent is that the tree-grasping mechanism must be capable of support ing a severed tree upright and, consequently, only small trees may be felled and chipped by such method and apparatus.
U.S. patent No. 3,979,075 discloses a machine for felling and chipping "brushwood" using a pair of rotating cutterheads. One cutterhead fells trees and acts ; as a "reaction member" for the other cutterhead which chips the trees. However, the speed of rotation of one of the cutterheads must be constant relative to the speed of rotation of the other cutterhead. Conse~uently, complicated drive mechanism is required and stalling of one cutterhead ~
effects stalling of the other cutterhead. ~ ;
~. .
It is an object of the present invention to provide a machine for clearing land by felling trees and brush, picking up slash and reducing them to chips.
Another object is to provide such a machine .
which will effect clean cuts for felling the trees and which will cut the felled trees into uniform chips rapidly.
An additional object is to provide such a machine in which trees to be felled and chipped are cut and handled in a controlled manner so that trees are felled in a ;
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desired direction and will not topple onto or QUt of the reach of the machine.
Still another object is to provide such a machine in which the branches of felled trees are compacted and/or cut from such trees and -then chipped.
It is also an object to provide such a machine which will clear logged land of slash.
A further object is to provide such a machine in . ,, a form that can be mounted on or incorporated in a conven-tional tractor.
Another object is to provide such a machine ,~;
which will move substantially continuously, rather than ~
intermittently, over land to be cleared. ~`
The foregoing objects can be accomplished by a `
land clearing machine for feIling and chipping trees including a vehicle, rotary tree-felling means transported `
by the vehicle for felling trees and rotated about an axis `~
... .
extending transversely of the direction of travel of the -~
vehicle, and chipping means for chipping trees felled by ..
the rotary tree-felling means, the improvement comprising the chipping means being located a substantial distance rearward of the rotary tree-felling means, and a tree-supporting apron mounted between the rotary tree-felling means and the chipping means for supporting a tree severed `
by the rotary tree-felling means for movement rearward to the chipping means, the rotary tree-felling means rotating in a direction for moving a felled tree from the rotary -tree-felling means onto said apron and toward the chipping means.
Figure 1 is a top perspective of a land clearing machine in accordance with the present invention.
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Figure 2 is a side elevation of the land clearing machine of Figure 1 with parts broken away and parts shown in section; Figure 3 is a top plan of the forward portion of such land clearing machine wi~h parts broken away; and Figure 4 is a front elevation of such land clearing machine.
Figure 5 is a side eleva-tion of the forward portion of an alternative form of land clearing machine in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 6 is a top plan of the land clearing machine of Figure 5 with parts broken away, and Figure 7 is a front elevation of such land clearing machine with parts broken away.
Figure 8 is a fragmentary top perspective of another alternative form of land clearing machine in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 9 and Figure 10 are corresponding fragmen- -tary side elevations of the land clearing machine shown in ;
Figure 8 with parts in different positions, parts ~eing broken away and parts being shown in section.
Figure 11 is a fragmentary top perspec-tive of another alternative form of land clearing machine in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 12 is a front elevation of the land clearing machine shown in Figure 11; and Figure 13 and ~ 3 Figure 14 are corresponding fragmentary side elevations of such land clearing machine with parts in different positions, parts being broken away and parts being shown in section.
A machine in accordance with the present invention ;~
can be used in a prelogging operation in which small trees to be used for pulpwood or hog fuel~ for example, are felled and removed, and large trees, of a size sufficient to be sawn into boards, dimension lumber and timbers, are `
,, ~ 3~
left standing. Such machine can also be used in an inte~
grated logging operation in which both large trees and small trees are felled and removed. ~Iowever, such machine -is particularly useful in operations in which slash, brush and all trees left standing after the large trees of a ~`~
stand have been felled and removed are salvaged. A machine ~`
in accordance with the presen-t invention is designated as a land clearing machine or relogging machine because it is operable to fell trees and brush and pick up slash and chip such trees, brush and slash so that the land is -substantially completely cleared.
In Figures 1 through 4, the feller 1 and chipper
~AND C~EARING ~ACHINE ;~
',~` ' The present invention relates to a mobile machine for felling and chipping trees.
U.S. patent No. 3,394,744 discloses a "Method and Apparatus for Felling and Treatment of Trees to Produce Wood Chips." This patent uses complicated mechanism for grasping a tree, for cutting through the tree with a rotating cutterhead and for feeding the tree downward `
against the cutterhead to cut the tree into chips. A
problem with the method and apparatus of this patent is that the tree-grasping mechanism must be capable of support ing a severed tree upright and, consequently, only small trees may be felled and chipped by such method and apparatus.
U.S. patent No. 3,979,075 discloses a machine for felling and chipping "brushwood" using a pair of rotating cutterheads. One cutterhead fells trees and acts ; as a "reaction member" for the other cutterhead which chips the trees. However, the speed of rotation of one of the cutterheads must be constant relative to the speed of rotation of the other cutterhead. Conse~uently, complicated drive mechanism is required and stalling of one cutterhead ~
effects stalling of the other cutterhead. ~ ;
~. .
It is an object of the present invention to provide a machine for clearing land by felling trees and brush, picking up slash and reducing them to chips.
Another object is to provide such a machine .
which will effect clean cuts for felling the trees and which will cut the felled trees into uniform chips rapidly.
An additional object is to provide such a machine in which trees to be felled and chipped are cut and handled in a controlled manner so that trees are felled in a ;
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desired direction and will not topple onto or QUt of the reach of the machine.
Still another object is to provide such a machine in which the branches of felled trees are compacted and/or cut from such trees and -then chipped.
It is also an object to provide such a machine which will clear logged land of slash.
A further object is to provide such a machine in . ,, a form that can be mounted on or incorporated in a conven-tional tractor.
Another object is to provide such a machine ,~;
which will move substantially continuously, rather than ~
intermittently, over land to be cleared. ~`
The foregoing objects can be accomplished by a `
land clearing machine for feIling and chipping trees including a vehicle, rotary tree-felling means transported `
by the vehicle for felling trees and rotated about an axis `~
... .
extending transversely of the direction of travel of the -~
vehicle, and chipping means for chipping trees felled by ..
the rotary tree-felling means, the improvement comprising the chipping means being located a substantial distance rearward of the rotary tree-felling means, and a tree-supporting apron mounted between the rotary tree-felling means and the chipping means for supporting a tree severed `
by the rotary tree-felling means for movement rearward to the chipping means, the rotary tree-felling means rotating in a direction for moving a felled tree from the rotary -tree-felling means onto said apron and toward the chipping means.
Figure 1 is a top perspective of a land clearing machine in accordance with the present invention.
:.
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Figure 2 is a side elevation of the land clearing machine of Figure 1 with parts broken away and parts shown in section; Figure 3 is a top plan of the forward portion of such land clearing machine wi~h parts broken away; and Figure 4 is a front elevation of such land clearing machine.
Figure 5 is a side eleva-tion of the forward portion of an alternative form of land clearing machine in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 6 is a top plan of the land clearing machine of Figure 5 with parts broken away, and Figure 7 is a front elevation of such land clearing machine with parts broken away.
Figure 8 is a fragmentary top perspective of another alternative form of land clearing machine in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 9 and Figure 10 are corresponding fragmen- -tary side elevations of the land clearing machine shown in ;
Figure 8 with parts in different positions, parts ~eing broken away and parts being shown in section.
Figure 11 is a fragmentary top perspec-tive of another alternative form of land clearing machine in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 12 is a front elevation of the land clearing machine shown in Figure 11; and Figure 13 and ~ 3 Figure 14 are corresponding fragmentary side elevations of such land clearing machine with parts in different positions, parts being broken away and parts being shown in section.
A machine in accordance with the present invention ;~
can be used in a prelogging operation in which small trees to be used for pulpwood or hog fuel~ for example, are felled and removed, and large trees, of a size sufficient to be sawn into boards, dimension lumber and timbers, are `
,, ~ 3~
left standing. Such machine can also be used in an inte~
grated logging operation in which both large trees and small trees are felled and removed. ~Iowever, such machine -is particularly useful in operations in which slash, brush and all trees left standing after the large trees of a ~`~
stand have been felled and removed are salvaged. A machine ~`
in accordance with the presen-t invention is designated as a land clearing machine or relogging machine because it is operable to fell trees and brush and pick up slash and chip such trees, brush and slash so that the land is -substantially completely cleared.
In Figures 1 through 4, the feller 1 and chipper
2 are ~ounted on the front of a conventional crawler ~`
tractor 3 by stationary upright side casings 4, although the machine can be carried by any other suitable vehicle.
The feller includes an elongated bladed rotary felling ~ ~
cutterhead 5 having its length extending transversely of ` ;
the machine between the lower front portions of side ,, !
casings 4. The felling cutterhead is rotatable about the generally horizontal axis of its central shaft 6 by conven-tional rotary power drive mechanism 7 and reduction chain gearing 8 shown in Figure 2. The chipper mechanism includes ``
a chipping cutterhead 9 spaced upward and rearward from the feller. The chipping cutterhead is rotatable about its generally horizontal central shaft 10 by conventional power drive mechanism 11 and chain gearing 12.
A stationary apron 13 extends laterally of the tractor between the inner sides of side casings 4 and longitudinally of the tractor between the top of the felling cutterhead and the bottom of the chipplng cutterhead.
~he rearward edge of the apron forms an anvil 14 for the cutter bars 15 of the chipping cutterhead. Such apron ...
~ 3~g forms the bottom of a throat flared from the chipper 2 toward the feller 1, the upright sides of such throat being formed by the inner sides of side casings 4.
Tree-feeding mechanism 16 is mounted on the tractor for elevational swinging toward and away rom apron 13. The feeding mechanism includes an overhead live feed roll 17 extending between the outer end portions of side mounting arms 18 having inner end portions carried by the central shaft 10 of the chipping cutterhead. Arms 18 are swingable downward by extension of the plunger 19 of a hydraulic jack 20 into the broken line position shown in Fi~ure 2. Retraction of the plunger swings the mounting arms and feed roll to the solid line position of that figure. Feed roll 17 includes spikes or spines 21 and is driven by conventional drive mechanism such as a rotary ~ ~
hydraulic motor 22 and chain gearing 23. ~ `
In operation, as tractor 3 is moved in a forward direction over land to be relogged with its feed roll 17 in downward swung position, slash and standing trees are ~`
engayed by the felling cutterhead 5. Such cutterhead rotates in a direction such that its leading face moves upward and its upper face moves rearward so that engaged slash is kicked upward and rearward onto apron 13. Feed roll 17 rotates in the opposite direction to compact ~ "
slash, and its spikes or spines 21 drag slash rearward over the apron and positively feed it to the rotating chipping cutterhead 9. The action of the chipping cutter-head cutter bars 15 and anvil 14 cuts the slash into chips ;
and flings the chips into a chip discharge duct 24. Such duct may extend to a truck for hauling the chips from the relogged area. Although the duct 24 slopes upward and rearward for a considerable distance, the chipping drum :' ;
',~LV839f~5~
rotation imparts sufficient momentum to the chips to ;
convey them through such duct to its discharge end.
As best seen in Figure 2, dirt and hea~y debris fall downward through a discharge opening 25 located immediately rearward of anvil 14 and generally below the chipping cutterhead. As also seen in Figure 2, the upper -end of the chip discharge duct may be swung downward by a `
hydraulic jack 26 so that the duct does not project above the tractor when it is being transported to or ~rom an area to be relogged.
When the feller 1 engages a standing tree, the cutterhead blades slice through the tree trunk and kick the butt of the felled or falling tree onto apron 13 causing the tree to fall forward away from the tractor. ;~
The butt of the tree is fed rearward along the apron toward chipper 2 by feed roll 17. If the tree has fallen at an angle to the centerline of the tractor, the tree butt may engage the inner side of one of the side casings 4 and will follow such side rearward to the chipping cutterhead 9. As with slash, the chipping cutterhead cutter bars 15 and the apron anvil 14 cooperate to cut the tree into chips. Such chips are ejected rearward through chip discharge duct 24.
As the tree is fed rearward along apron 13, the ` `
tree branches are cut, crushed or broken and fed to the chipperO Downward extending branches are cut and kicked;;
rearward by the felling cutterhead 5; upward extending branches are crushed and fed rearward by feed roll 17; and laterally extending branches engage one or the other of side casings 4, are bent or broken as the tree is fed rearward and may be kicked onto the apron by the felling cutterhead to be engaged and fed to the chipping cutterhead .. . .
. ~-`
by the feed roll.
In the modified embodiment shown in Figures 5, 6 ~;
and 7, a delirnbing side cutterhead 27 is provided at the inner forward edge of each side casing 4. Each delimbing cutterhead is rotatable about a generally upright axis by its own drive mechanism, for example by a rotary hydraulic mo~or and chain gearing 28. The delimbing cutterheads are rotated in a direction such that their inn~r faces move rearward to feed branches toward the chipper 2 whether or not such branches are severed from the tree trunk by a side cutterhead. The side cutterheads also help to feed to the chipper trees which have fallen at an angle to the centerline of the machine and the general path of movement from the feller to the chipper.
Further the tree-feeding mechanism 16 in the embodiment of Figures 5, 6 and 7 is modified in that the spines or spikes 21 of the overhead feed roll 17 shown in Figures 1 through 4 are replaced by cutting blades 29 extending longitudinally of feed roll 17. Such blades can cut or bend the upper branches and press them toward the chipper to assist in feeding the tree. In all other respects, the embodiment of Figures 5, 6 and 7 is similar to the embodiment of Figures 1 through 4. ~;
In the embodiment shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10, the chipping cutterhead 9 is carried by upright side casings 4' between the tractor tracks at a much lower elevation than the chipping cutterhead of the previously described embodiments. Each side casing includes a station- ~ -ary portion 30 carrying the chipping cutterhead and a `
lower, forwardly projec-ting, swingable portion 31 pivotally connected to a stationary portion 30. The felling cutter-head 5 is carried between the outer end portions of th~
1~3gXg swinging casing portions 31. The front edges of the casing swinging portions are sharpened to promote delimbing.
As best seen in Figures 9 and 10, apron 13' is .:,:; -formed by a stationary rear portion 32 extending between the casing stationary portions 30 and a swinging front portion 33 extending between the casing swinging portions 31. Consequently, the rear apron portion 32 is always stationary relative to the chipping cutterhead 9 and the front apron portion 33 is always stationary relative to the felling cutterhead 5. The rear side of the stationary apron portion forms an anvil for cooperating with the !:~;
cutter bars of the chipping cutterhead. Extension and retraction of the plunger 34 of a hydraulic jack effects elevational swinging of the feller 1.
Rather than being spined throughout its length ~ `
like the roll 17 of Figures 1 to 4, feed roll 17" of the tree-feeding mechanism 16 includes screw portions 36 toward its ends convoluted in opposite directions, respec-tively, for urging material engaged by the feed roll toward its center. The central portion of the feed roll -~
has longitudinal cleats 36' spaced circumferentially of the roll. The structure mounting the feed roll on its mounting arms 18' is slightly different from the mounting mechanism for the previously described embodiments. A
pusher bar 37 extends between and rigidly connects the outer end portions of mounting arms 18'. Brackets 38 carrying feed roll 17'l are connected to pusher bar 37 at acute angles to the mounting arms so that the pusher bar projects further outward from the chipping cutterhead than the feed roll. As in the other embodiments, the mounting arms are swingable about the chipping cutterhead axis by the plunger 19 of a hydraulic jack 20.
As the relogging machine approaches a standing tree, the feed roll mounting mechanism is swung upward to the solid line position of Figure 9. As the felling cutterhead slices through the tree trunk, the feed roll mounting mechanism is swung downward toward the broken line position of Figure 9 so that pusher bar 37, rather than feed roll 17:, engages the tree and exerts a forward pressure on it to assure that the tree will fall forward away from the machine. In all other respects the operation of the embodiment shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10 is similar to the operation of the previously described embodiments.
The embodiment of Figures 11, 12, 13 and 14 includes a pusher bar 37' mounted on a tractor 3' by , mounting arms 18". Such mounting arms are swingable from the upward projecting position shown in Figures ll, 12 and 13 downward and forward to the position of Figure 14 by ~ -~
extension of the plunger 19 of a hydraulic jack 20 so that ~ ~;
the pusher bar exerts a forward pressure on a tree as it is being felled by the feller 1. However, unlike the embodiment of Figures 8, 9 and 10, rather than mounting a live feed roll directly on the pusher bar, tree~feeding mechanism 16 is in the form of an independent feed rake including a swingable shank 40 carrying on its swinging end a crossbar 39 separate from the pusher bar 37'. The shank 40 of the feed rake is pivotally mounted centrally of tractor 3' for swinging about the axis of a horizontal pivot 41 by extension of the plunger 42 of a hydraulic jack 43. As best seen in Figure 14, the feed rake shank ;
40 is somewhat shorter than the distance between its pivot 41 and the felling cutterhead 5 so that crossbar 39 is swingable into the throat of the machine for dragging trees and slash rearward along apron 13 and thrusting such 39~
, trees and slash into the chipper 2.
The feed rake can be swung up and down by the operator successively. As the feed rake is swung down, it compacts the material to be chipped and forces it toward the chipper. When the feed rake is swung up, it is raised from the material being fed so that such material is not ;~
pulled back away from the chipper. A eeder of this type ~ ;~
is desirable because of its simplicity. Since the crossbar -39 is not rotatable, it is not necessary to provide any drive mechanism extending outward through or along shank 40 as is required to drive the feed roll 17 of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 or the feed roll 17' of the embodiment shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7, or the feed roll 17" shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10.
The outer portion of the feed rake shank 40 carries a bit or blade 44 having its length extending lengthwise of the shank and projecting beyond the side of the shank which faces downward when the feed rake is being swung counterclockwise from the position of Figure 13 to the position of Figure 14. If a branch or a small tree trunk, up to a diameter of about 15 cm, should become lodged rearward of the feller 1 in a position crosswise of the path of movement between the feller and the chipper 2, the plunger 42 can be reciprocated once or twice by the operator to swing the shank 40 from a raised position down about the axis of pivot 41 to drive the bit 44 into such -;
an obstruction. The force of the blow or blows delivered by the bit to such transverse branch or trunk will break or shear its central portion and enable that portion to be dragged toward the chipper so that the portions at opposite sides of the break can swing toward each other. The -~
broken branch or trunk can then be contracted sufficiently ;~
for movement through the converging passage of the casing to the chipper.
As in the embodiment of Figures 5, 6 and 7, in the embodiment of Figures 11 through 14 two cutterheads 27', each rotating about a generally upright axis, are mounted, respectively, at the opposite sides of apron 13.
While the primary purpose of cutterheads 27 of the embodiment of Figures 5, 6 and 7 is to delimb a tree of its laterally projecting hranches, the primary purpose of the upright cutterheads 27' of the embodiment of Figures 11 through 14 is to engage the branches of trees and slash and compact them while pushing them toward the chipper 2. Consequently, cutterheads 27' are positioned quite close to the chipping ;
cutterhead 9, in fact, as shown in Figures 13 and 14, a substantial distance closer to such chipping cutterhead than the feller 1. In addition, rather than having longitudinal rows of sharpened delimbing cutterbars, cutterheads 27' have several longitudinal rows of sharpened teeth 45 for snagging or catching trees, slash and branches and pushing such trees, slash and branches rearward along apron 13 to the chipper.
As best seen in Figures 13 and 14, the rotating axes of side cutterheads 27' are generally perpendicular to the plane of apron 13 so that the force exerted on trees, slash and branches is parallel to the apron so as to slide them easily along the apron. Also, it is preferred -that each of the side cutterheads be reversible independently of the other cutterhead. If a tree or large branch lodges between the feller 1 and the side cutterheads with its length extending transversely of the path of movement from the feller to the chipper one or the other of the cutterheads can be reversed so that both of the cutterheads are rotating 11 `
,-.
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in the same direction to shift the tree lengthwise in one direction or the other transversely of the path of movement -`
to the chipper until the butt of the tree is moved into the passage to the chipper. Alternatively~ if the passage to the chipper becomes jammed, both side cutterheads can be reversed to pull material forward away from the chipper to clear the jam. The original direction of rotation of the cutterheads can then be restored so that again they will feed material to the chipper.
The operation of the embodiment of Figures 11 through 1~ is generally similar to the operation of the -~
previously described embodiments. As tractor 3' is moved over the ground, the tree-felling cutterhead 5 kicks slash upward and rearward onto apron 13. The feed rake can be swung downward to move the slash rearward until it is engaged by the side cutterheads 27' and positively fed to the chipper 2. When a standing tree is engaged by the felling cutterhead, pusher bar 37' is swung to exert a forward pressure on the tree as it is felled, assuring that the tree will not fall onto or out of the reach of the machine. The butt of such tree is kicked onto the apron by the felling cutterhead, whereupon the feed rake is swung down to thrust the tree rearward into engagement - with one or the other or both of the side cutterheads for feeding the tree to the chipper. :~-In each embodiment of a relogging machine in accordance with the present invention, the chipping mechanism is located a substantial distance from the felling mechanism so that neither interferes with the operation of the other. In addition, separate drive mechanism is provided for each of the felling mechanism, chipping mechanism and ; feed mechanism so that each operates independently of the ~'J~3~Z9 others and so that stalling of one mechanism will not effect stalling of any other mechanism. Further, the chipping mechanism operates similarly to known chippers in that an anvil is maintained stationary relative to a rotating cutterhead and, consequently, uniform and rapid ;-chipping is effected. Other advantages of a relogging machine in accordance with the present invention are that the machine need not be positioned precisely relative to a tree to be felled and trees always are felled in the same general direction. Underbrush and small trees can be ~
cleared from timber land to leave only large trees, or ;
logged land or land with only scrub growth can be completely ~
cleared by simply moving the machine continuously at a ~-steady pace without interruption over a desired area.
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.. , .. , . . . . ,.. . -- ~ . .".... . . ~ - -
tractor 3 by stationary upright side casings 4, although the machine can be carried by any other suitable vehicle.
The feller includes an elongated bladed rotary felling ~ ~
cutterhead 5 having its length extending transversely of ` ;
the machine between the lower front portions of side ,, !
casings 4. The felling cutterhead is rotatable about the generally horizontal axis of its central shaft 6 by conven-tional rotary power drive mechanism 7 and reduction chain gearing 8 shown in Figure 2. The chipper mechanism includes ``
a chipping cutterhead 9 spaced upward and rearward from the feller. The chipping cutterhead is rotatable about its generally horizontal central shaft 10 by conventional power drive mechanism 11 and chain gearing 12.
A stationary apron 13 extends laterally of the tractor between the inner sides of side casings 4 and longitudinally of the tractor between the top of the felling cutterhead and the bottom of the chipplng cutterhead.
~he rearward edge of the apron forms an anvil 14 for the cutter bars 15 of the chipping cutterhead. Such apron ...
~ 3~g forms the bottom of a throat flared from the chipper 2 toward the feller 1, the upright sides of such throat being formed by the inner sides of side casings 4.
Tree-feeding mechanism 16 is mounted on the tractor for elevational swinging toward and away rom apron 13. The feeding mechanism includes an overhead live feed roll 17 extending between the outer end portions of side mounting arms 18 having inner end portions carried by the central shaft 10 of the chipping cutterhead. Arms 18 are swingable downward by extension of the plunger 19 of a hydraulic jack 20 into the broken line position shown in Fi~ure 2. Retraction of the plunger swings the mounting arms and feed roll to the solid line position of that figure. Feed roll 17 includes spikes or spines 21 and is driven by conventional drive mechanism such as a rotary ~ ~
hydraulic motor 22 and chain gearing 23. ~ `
In operation, as tractor 3 is moved in a forward direction over land to be relogged with its feed roll 17 in downward swung position, slash and standing trees are ~`
engayed by the felling cutterhead 5. Such cutterhead rotates in a direction such that its leading face moves upward and its upper face moves rearward so that engaged slash is kicked upward and rearward onto apron 13. Feed roll 17 rotates in the opposite direction to compact ~ "
slash, and its spikes or spines 21 drag slash rearward over the apron and positively feed it to the rotating chipping cutterhead 9. The action of the chipping cutter-head cutter bars 15 and anvil 14 cuts the slash into chips ;
and flings the chips into a chip discharge duct 24. Such duct may extend to a truck for hauling the chips from the relogged area. Although the duct 24 slopes upward and rearward for a considerable distance, the chipping drum :' ;
',~LV839f~5~
rotation imparts sufficient momentum to the chips to ;
convey them through such duct to its discharge end.
As best seen in Figure 2, dirt and hea~y debris fall downward through a discharge opening 25 located immediately rearward of anvil 14 and generally below the chipping cutterhead. As also seen in Figure 2, the upper -end of the chip discharge duct may be swung downward by a `
hydraulic jack 26 so that the duct does not project above the tractor when it is being transported to or ~rom an area to be relogged.
When the feller 1 engages a standing tree, the cutterhead blades slice through the tree trunk and kick the butt of the felled or falling tree onto apron 13 causing the tree to fall forward away from the tractor. ;~
The butt of the tree is fed rearward along the apron toward chipper 2 by feed roll 17. If the tree has fallen at an angle to the centerline of the tractor, the tree butt may engage the inner side of one of the side casings 4 and will follow such side rearward to the chipping cutterhead 9. As with slash, the chipping cutterhead cutter bars 15 and the apron anvil 14 cooperate to cut the tree into chips. Such chips are ejected rearward through chip discharge duct 24.
As the tree is fed rearward along apron 13, the ` `
tree branches are cut, crushed or broken and fed to the chipperO Downward extending branches are cut and kicked;;
rearward by the felling cutterhead 5; upward extending branches are crushed and fed rearward by feed roll 17; and laterally extending branches engage one or the other of side casings 4, are bent or broken as the tree is fed rearward and may be kicked onto the apron by the felling cutterhead to be engaged and fed to the chipping cutterhead .. . .
. ~-`
by the feed roll.
In the modified embodiment shown in Figures 5, 6 ~;
and 7, a delirnbing side cutterhead 27 is provided at the inner forward edge of each side casing 4. Each delimbing cutterhead is rotatable about a generally upright axis by its own drive mechanism, for example by a rotary hydraulic mo~or and chain gearing 28. The delimbing cutterheads are rotated in a direction such that their inn~r faces move rearward to feed branches toward the chipper 2 whether or not such branches are severed from the tree trunk by a side cutterhead. The side cutterheads also help to feed to the chipper trees which have fallen at an angle to the centerline of the machine and the general path of movement from the feller to the chipper.
Further the tree-feeding mechanism 16 in the embodiment of Figures 5, 6 and 7 is modified in that the spines or spikes 21 of the overhead feed roll 17 shown in Figures 1 through 4 are replaced by cutting blades 29 extending longitudinally of feed roll 17. Such blades can cut or bend the upper branches and press them toward the chipper to assist in feeding the tree. In all other respects, the embodiment of Figures 5, 6 and 7 is similar to the embodiment of Figures 1 through 4. ~;
In the embodiment shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10, the chipping cutterhead 9 is carried by upright side casings 4' between the tractor tracks at a much lower elevation than the chipping cutterhead of the previously described embodiments. Each side casing includes a station- ~ -ary portion 30 carrying the chipping cutterhead and a `
lower, forwardly projec-ting, swingable portion 31 pivotally connected to a stationary portion 30. The felling cutter-head 5 is carried between the outer end portions of th~
1~3gXg swinging casing portions 31. The front edges of the casing swinging portions are sharpened to promote delimbing.
As best seen in Figures 9 and 10, apron 13' is .:,:; -formed by a stationary rear portion 32 extending between the casing stationary portions 30 and a swinging front portion 33 extending between the casing swinging portions 31. Consequently, the rear apron portion 32 is always stationary relative to the chipping cutterhead 9 and the front apron portion 33 is always stationary relative to the felling cutterhead 5. The rear side of the stationary apron portion forms an anvil for cooperating with the !:~;
cutter bars of the chipping cutterhead. Extension and retraction of the plunger 34 of a hydraulic jack effects elevational swinging of the feller 1.
Rather than being spined throughout its length ~ `
like the roll 17 of Figures 1 to 4, feed roll 17" of the tree-feeding mechanism 16 includes screw portions 36 toward its ends convoluted in opposite directions, respec-tively, for urging material engaged by the feed roll toward its center. The central portion of the feed roll -~
has longitudinal cleats 36' spaced circumferentially of the roll. The structure mounting the feed roll on its mounting arms 18' is slightly different from the mounting mechanism for the previously described embodiments. A
pusher bar 37 extends between and rigidly connects the outer end portions of mounting arms 18'. Brackets 38 carrying feed roll 17'l are connected to pusher bar 37 at acute angles to the mounting arms so that the pusher bar projects further outward from the chipping cutterhead than the feed roll. As in the other embodiments, the mounting arms are swingable about the chipping cutterhead axis by the plunger 19 of a hydraulic jack 20.
As the relogging machine approaches a standing tree, the feed roll mounting mechanism is swung upward to the solid line position of Figure 9. As the felling cutterhead slices through the tree trunk, the feed roll mounting mechanism is swung downward toward the broken line position of Figure 9 so that pusher bar 37, rather than feed roll 17:, engages the tree and exerts a forward pressure on it to assure that the tree will fall forward away from the machine. In all other respects the operation of the embodiment shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10 is similar to the operation of the previously described embodiments.
The embodiment of Figures 11, 12, 13 and 14 includes a pusher bar 37' mounted on a tractor 3' by , mounting arms 18". Such mounting arms are swingable from the upward projecting position shown in Figures ll, 12 and 13 downward and forward to the position of Figure 14 by ~ -~
extension of the plunger 19 of a hydraulic jack 20 so that ~ ~;
the pusher bar exerts a forward pressure on a tree as it is being felled by the feller 1. However, unlike the embodiment of Figures 8, 9 and 10, rather than mounting a live feed roll directly on the pusher bar, tree~feeding mechanism 16 is in the form of an independent feed rake including a swingable shank 40 carrying on its swinging end a crossbar 39 separate from the pusher bar 37'. The shank 40 of the feed rake is pivotally mounted centrally of tractor 3' for swinging about the axis of a horizontal pivot 41 by extension of the plunger 42 of a hydraulic jack 43. As best seen in Figure 14, the feed rake shank ;
40 is somewhat shorter than the distance between its pivot 41 and the felling cutterhead 5 so that crossbar 39 is swingable into the throat of the machine for dragging trees and slash rearward along apron 13 and thrusting such 39~
, trees and slash into the chipper 2.
The feed rake can be swung up and down by the operator successively. As the feed rake is swung down, it compacts the material to be chipped and forces it toward the chipper. When the feed rake is swung up, it is raised from the material being fed so that such material is not ;~
pulled back away from the chipper. A eeder of this type ~ ;~
is desirable because of its simplicity. Since the crossbar -39 is not rotatable, it is not necessary to provide any drive mechanism extending outward through or along shank 40 as is required to drive the feed roll 17 of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 or the feed roll 17' of the embodiment shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7, or the feed roll 17" shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10.
The outer portion of the feed rake shank 40 carries a bit or blade 44 having its length extending lengthwise of the shank and projecting beyond the side of the shank which faces downward when the feed rake is being swung counterclockwise from the position of Figure 13 to the position of Figure 14. If a branch or a small tree trunk, up to a diameter of about 15 cm, should become lodged rearward of the feller 1 in a position crosswise of the path of movement between the feller and the chipper 2, the plunger 42 can be reciprocated once or twice by the operator to swing the shank 40 from a raised position down about the axis of pivot 41 to drive the bit 44 into such -;
an obstruction. The force of the blow or blows delivered by the bit to such transverse branch or trunk will break or shear its central portion and enable that portion to be dragged toward the chipper so that the portions at opposite sides of the break can swing toward each other. The -~
broken branch or trunk can then be contracted sufficiently ;~
for movement through the converging passage of the casing to the chipper.
As in the embodiment of Figures 5, 6 and 7, in the embodiment of Figures 11 through 14 two cutterheads 27', each rotating about a generally upright axis, are mounted, respectively, at the opposite sides of apron 13.
While the primary purpose of cutterheads 27 of the embodiment of Figures 5, 6 and 7 is to delimb a tree of its laterally projecting hranches, the primary purpose of the upright cutterheads 27' of the embodiment of Figures 11 through 14 is to engage the branches of trees and slash and compact them while pushing them toward the chipper 2. Consequently, cutterheads 27' are positioned quite close to the chipping ;
cutterhead 9, in fact, as shown in Figures 13 and 14, a substantial distance closer to such chipping cutterhead than the feller 1. In addition, rather than having longitudinal rows of sharpened delimbing cutterbars, cutterheads 27' have several longitudinal rows of sharpened teeth 45 for snagging or catching trees, slash and branches and pushing such trees, slash and branches rearward along apron 13 to the chipper.
As best seen in Figures 13 and 14, the rotating axes of side cutterheads 27' are generally perpendicular to the plane of apron 13 so that the force exerted on trees, slash and branches is parallel to the apron so as to slide them easily along the apron. Also, it is preferred -that each of the side cutterheads be reversible independently of the other cutterhead. If a tree or large branch lodges between the feller 1 and the side cutterheads with its length extending transversely of the path of movement from the feller to the chipper one or the other of the cutterheads can be reversed so that both of the cutterheads are rotating 11 `
,-.
~ 3~Z~ ~
in the same direction to shift the tree lengthwise in one direction or the other transversely of the path of movement -`
to the chipper until the butt of the tree is moved into the passage to the chipper. Alternatively~ if the passage to the chipper becomes jammed, both side cutterheads can be reversed to pull material forward away from the chipper to clear the jam. The original direction of rotation of the cutterheads can then be restored so that again they will feed material to the chipper.
The operation of the embodiment of Figures 11 through 1~ is generally similar to the operation of the -~
previously described embodiments. As tractor 3' is moved over the ground, the tree-felling cutterhead 5 kicks slash upward and rearward onto apron 13. The feed rake can be swung downward to move the slash rearward until it is engaged by the side cutterheads 27' and positively fed to the chipper 2. When a standing tree is engaged by the felling cutterhead, pusher bar 37' is swung to exert a forward pressure on the tree as it is felled, assuring that the tree will not fall onto or out of the reach of the machine. The butt of such tree is kicked onto the apron by the felling cutterhead, whereupon the feed rake is swung down to thrust the tree rearward into engagement - with one or the other or both of the side cutterheads for feeding the tree to the chipper. :~-In each embodiment of a relogging machine in accordance with the present invention, the chipping mechanism is located a substantial distance from the felling mechanism so that neither interferes with the operation of the other. In addition, separate drive mechanism is provided for each of the felling mechanism, chipping mechanism and ; feed mechanism so that each operates independently of the ~'J~3~Z9 others and so that stalling of one mechanism will not effect stalling of any other mechanism. Further, the chipping mechanism operates similarly to known chippers in that an anvil is maintained stationary relative to a rotating cutterhead and, consequently, uniform and rapid ;-chipping is effected. Other advantages of a relogging machine in accordance with the present invention are that the machine need not be positioned precisely relative to a tree to be felled and trees always are felled in the same general direction. Underbrush and small trees can be ~
cleared from timber land to leave only large trees, or ;
logged land or land with only scrub growth can be completely ~
cleared by simply moving the machine continuously at a ~-steady pace without interruption over a desired area.
"''''' `~ , . ~
'' ~
` `~
.
~ .
.. , .. , . . . . ,.. . -- ~ . .".... . . ~ - -
Claims (27)
1. A land clearing machine for felling and chipping trees including a vehicle, rotary tree-felling means transported by the vehicle for felling trees and rotated about an axis extending transversely of the direction of travel of the vehicle, and chipping means for chipping trees felled by the rotary tree-felling means, the improve-ment comprising the chipping means being located a substantial distance rearward of the rotary tree-felling means, and a tree-supporting apron mounted between the rotary tree-felling means and the chipping means for supporting a tree severed by the rotary tree-felling means for movement rearward to the chipping means, the rotary tree-felling means rotating in a direction for moving a felled tree from the rotary tree-felling means onto said apron and toward the chipping means.
2. The land clearing machine defined in claim 1, and feeding means in addition to the rotary tree-felling means for moving toward the chipping means trees felled by the rotary tree-felling means.
3. The land clearing machine defined in claim 2, the feeding means including a feed roll located above the apron.
4. The land clearing machine defined in claim 3, the feed roll being spined.
5. The land clearing machine defined in claim 3, the feed roll including screw portions for moving material toward the center of the feed roll.
6. The land clearing machine defined in claim 3, the feed roll being elongated lengthwise of its axis of rotation and including cutting blades extending longitudinally of the feed roll.
7. The land clearing machine defined in claim 2, the feeding means being movable elevationally toward and away from the apron.
8. The land clearing machine defined in claim 7, the feeding means including a feed rake higher than the rotatable tree-felling means and movable to propel a tree toward the chipping means.
9. The land clearing machine defined in claim 8, the feed rake including a shank having a crossbar extending transversely of said shank and pivot means above the apron having its axis extending transversely of the vehicle and of said shank and supporting a portion of said shank remote from said crossbar with said shank extending forward from said pivot means for swinging of said crossbar downward toward the apron and toward the chipping means.
10. The land clearing machine defined in claim 1, an elongated shank, a chopping bit carried by and projecting downward from said shank when said shank is in generally horizontal attitude, and pivot means mounted on the vehicle with its axis extending transversely of the vehicle and supporting a portion of said shank remote from said chopping bit with said shank extending forward from said pivot means and guiding said shank for swinging in such generally horizontal position up and down relative to the apron.
11. The land clearing machine defined in claim 1, the tree-felling means being adjustable in elevation.
12. The land clearing machine defined in claim 1, the rotary tree-felling means including a rotary cutterhead having its leading side exposed and the cutterhead rotating in a direction such that its leading side moves upward and its upper side moves rearward to kick a severed tree butt upward and rearward onto the apron.
13. The land clearing machine defined in claim 12, the tree-felling cutterhead being adjacent to the ground for kicking slash upward and rearward onto the apron.
14. The land clearing machine defined in claim 12, a feed roll mounted above the apron and rotating about an axis extending transversely of the direction of travel of the vehicle in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of the tree-felling cutterhead.
15. The land clearing machine defined in claim 1, the chipping means including a rotary chipping cutterhead.
16. The land clearing machine defined in claim 15, an anvil mounted at the forward side of the rotary chipping cutterhead and adjacent to the rear portion of the apron and cooperating with the rotary chipping cutterhead.
17. The land clearing machine claimed in claim 15, the major portion of the rotary chipping cutterhead being higher than the apron.
18. The land clearing machine claimed in claim 17, and a dirt discharge opening located between the rearward edge of the apron and the rotary chipping cutterhead.
19. The land clearing machine defined in claim 15, the rotary tree-felling means being a cutterhead, and drive means driving said rotary tree-felling cutterhead and the chipping cutterhead in opposite rotative directions.
20. The land clearing machine defined in claim 1, side cutterheads spaced apart transversely of the direction of movement of the vehicle and rotatable about upright axes, and drive means for rotating said side cutterheads in opposite directions for exerting a force on a tree between them to propel such tree toward the chipping means.
21. The land clearing machine defined in claim 20, the side cutterheads being located between the rotary tree-felling means and the chipping means.
22. The land clearing machine defined in claim 20, the drive means being operable to reverse the direction of rotation of one side cutterhead so that the two side cutterheads are rotatable in the same direction.
23. The land clearing machine defined in claim 20, the drive means being operable to reverse the direction of rotation of both side cutterheads.
24. The land clearing machine defined in claim 20, 22 or 23, the axes of rotation of the side cutterheads being substantially perpendicular to the apron.
25. The land clearing machine defined in claim 1, and limb-cutting means at a side of the apron for cutting limbs of trees felled by the rotary tree-felling means.
26, The land clearing machine defined in claim 25, the limb-cutting means including a cutterhead rotatable about an upright axis in a direction urging cut limbs toward the chipping means.
27. The land clearing machine defined in claim 1, and drive means for driving the rotary tree-felling means and the chipping means independently of each other.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US86926778A | 1978-01-13 | 1978-01-13 | |
| US869,267 | 1978-01-13 | ||
| US05/926,760 US4236554A (en) | 1978-07-21 | 1978-07-21 | Land clearing machine |
| US926,760 | 1986-11-04 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1083929A true CA1083929A (en) | 1980-08-19 |
Family
ID=27128104
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA318,614A Expired CA1083929A (en) | 1978-01-13 | 1978-12-27 | Land clearing machine |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS54108100A (en) |
| BR (1) | BR7900261A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1083929A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2901001A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2414297A1 (en) |
| SE (1) | SE7900267L (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IT1151155B (en) * | 1982-05-10 | 1986-12-17 | Antonio Specchia | MACHINE FOR CUTTING AND RECOVERING RESIDUES OF TREE CUTTING |
| FR2620301B1 (en) * | 1987-09-14 | 1989-11-24 | Clerc De Bussy Le | PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR HARVESTING LINES IN LINE |
| FR2625406B2 (en) * | 1987-09-14 | 1990-05-04 | Clerc De Bussy Le | PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR HARVESTING LINE-BASED SIZES |
| RU2767355C1 (en) * | 2021-09-09 | 2022-03-17 | Федеральное государственное бюджетное образвательное учреждение высшего образования "Уральский государственный лесотехнический университет" | Device for development of lands with wood undergrowth |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3996980A (en) * | 1974-12-09 | 1976-12-14 | Kyosti Pallari | Clearing machine for brushwood |
| US4019308A (en) * | 1974-12-27 | 1977-04-26 | Massey-Ferguson Services N.V. | Base cutting apparatus for sugar cane harvesters |
-
1978
- 1978-12-27 CA CA318,614A patent/CA1083929A/en not_active Expired
-
1979
- 1979-01-05 FR FR7900249A patent/FR2414297A1/en active Granted
- 1979-01-11 SE SE7900267A patent/SE7900267L/en unknown
- 1979-01-11 JP JP103879A patent/JPS54108100A/en active Pending
- 1979-01-12 BR BR7900261A patent/BR7900261A/en unknown
- 1979-01-12 DE DE19792901001 patent/DE2901001A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| BR7900261A (en) | 1979-08-14 |
| DE2901001A1 (en) | 1979-07-19 |
| JPS54108100A (en) | 1979-08-24 |
| FR2414297A1 (en) | 1979-08-10 |
| SE7900267L (en) | 1979-07-14 |
| FR2414297B1 (en) | 1984-02-17 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| MKEX | Expiry |