CA1191430A - Tree processing unit - Google Patents
Tree processing unitInfo
- Publication number
- CA1191430A CA1191430A CA000416425A CA416425A CA1191430A CA 1191430 A CA1191430 A CA 1191430A CA 000416425 A CA000416425 A CA 000416425A CA 416425 A CA416425 A CA 416425A CA 1191430 A CA1191430 A CA 1191430A
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- tree
- base
- boom
- support
- processing unit
- 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.)
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Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE:
A tree processing unit for use in combination with a motorized carrier. The unit comprises a base support pivotably mounted on and extending up from the carrier, which comprises a pair of spaced apart side plates parallel to each other and defining a through passage between them.
An elongated, tubular base is fastened to the upper ends of the side plates of the base support. This base extends above the through passage defined by the side plates. A
rigid, elongated boom is movably mounted through the base and has a front end on which is fixed a tree processing head for gripping and debranching a felled free. Means are fixed onto the base in front of the support and the through passage therefrom for holding the processed tree. In opera-tion, the felled tree which is usually picked up by the head, then pulled by the boom to the holding means, and subsequent-ly processed by the head moved forwards by the boom while the tree is held by the holding means, may be repositioned with respect to the holding means by using the head to push the tree back through the passage in the support. This makes it possible to process trees even if their length is longer than the boom.
A tree processing unit for use in combination with a motorized carrier. The unit comprises a base support pivotably mounted on and extending up from the carrier, which comprises a pair of spaced apart side plates parallel to each other and defining a through passage between them.
An elongated, tubular base is fastened to the upper ends of the side plates of the base support. This base extends above the through passage defined by the side plates. A
rigid, elongated boom is movably mounted through the base and has a front end on which is fixed a tree processing head for gripping and debranching a felled free. Means are fixed onto the base in front of the support and the through passage therefrom for holding the processed tree. In opera-tion, the felled tree which is usually picked up by the head, then pulled by the boom to the holding means, and subsequent-ly processed by the head moved forwards by the boom while the tree is held by the holding means, may be repositioned with respect to the holding means by using the head to push the tree back through the passage in the support. This makes it possible to process trees even if their length is longer than the boom.
Description
~9~'~3~
The present invention relates to improvements in tree process.in~ uni-ts.
The invention more particularly relates, in one embodiment, to an improved tree p:rocesslng ~Ini~ capable of handling trees longer than the operating length of the unit.
In another embodiment, the invention more particu-larly relates to an improved tree processi.ng unit having means for use in electrically opera-tiny at least a portion of the unit.
Tree processing units for handling, debranching, and topping-off trees are known. The units are adapted to be mounted on -tracked carrier vehicles such as excavators from which part, or all, of the shovel and boom assembly have been removed or modified. Such units provide relatively inexpensive forest harvesters since existing tracked, carrier equipment can be utili~ed with the processing unit. One example of such a processing unit is shown in Applicant's Canadian Patent No. 1,055,366, issued on May 29, 1979. This unit employs a base and a boom movable through the base.
The base is used to mount the unit on a modified carrier vehicle and has means for selectively holding a tree. The boom has an operational head at its front end with means thereon for gripping and debranching a tree and -Eor cutting ofE the top end of a tree. The boom is used to position a tree in the base holding means. When the tree is held in the base, the boom is moved relative to the base, and the held tree, to debranch the tree with the debranching means carried at the ~ront end oE the boom.
The known processing units work satisfactorily.
However, they are unable to handle trees which are longer than the operating length of the boom. The operating length is generally equal to the distance between the hold-ing means on the base and the gripping means on the front end of the boom when the boom is fully extended forwardly oE the base.
Another problem with the known processin~ units is that of -transmitting power from -the base to the operational head at the ~ront end of the boom. Since the boom moves back and forth relative to the base, the power lines must be long enough to reach the ~ron-t end of the boom at its gratest extension from the base. As the -Eront end of boom is moved back toward the base, the power lines must be pro-perly handled to avoid entangling them in the unit or in the trees being processed. Usual3.y, the power lines are arranged in a bundle and the bundle o~ lines are suspended in loops by movable hangers from a cable suspended above the boom and base, along the length of the boom. Since the operating head at the front end of the boom performs several different functions, several sets of power lines must be grouped into the bundle ma]cing the bundle bulky and thus awkward to handle.
.~ first object of the present invention is to provide an improved tree processing unit including means for permitting the unit to handle trees longer than the operational length of the boom.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved tree processing unit including novel means for conducting electrical power to the operating head of the boom.
In accordance with the :Eirst object o~ the present invention, there is provided an improved tree processing unit Eor use in combination with a motorized carrier. This unit comprises:
a base support pivotably mounted on and extending up from the carrier, this support comprising a pair of spaced apart si.de plates parallel to each other, the-n side plates defining a through passage between them;
an elongated, tubular base fastened to the upper ends of the side plates of the base support, this base extending above the through passage defined by the side plates, a rigid, elongated boom movable through the base, this boom having a front end, a tree processing head ~ixed onto the front end of the boom for yripping and debranching a felled free, and means fixed onto the base in front of the support and the through passage thereErom for holding the processed tree.
In operation, the felled tree which is usually picked up by the head, then pulled by the boom to the hold-ing means, and subsequently processed by the head moved forwaxds by the boom while the tree i5 held by the holdiny means, may be repositioned with respect to this holding means by using the head to push the tree back through the passage in the support. This makes it possible ko process trees even if their length is longer than the boom.
In accordance with a preered embodiment of the invention, means maybe provided for selectively moving abutment means between an operative position behind the holding means and an inoperative position to the side of the holding means. Means can also be provided in the base, behind the holding means for guiding the tree through the base when the abutment means is in an inoperative position and the tree is being repositioned relative to the holding means.
Xn accordance with the other ob~ect o the invention, an improved tree processing unit is provided having a base and a boom movable through the base. The boom has an operat~
ing head at its front end carrying means thereon for use in processing trees. Means are provided for mounting at least two electrically conducting cables between the front and rear ends of the boom.
~9~
The cables are preferably located above and -to the sides of the boom and are electrically lnsulated Erom the boom.
Means are provided for electrical:Ly connecting a source of electrical power from the base to the cables. Means are also provided at the front end o~ the boom for ele~trically connecting the cables to the operating head to operate at least one oE the processing means carrlecl by the operating head.
The means for electrically connecting the cables to the head to operate at least one of the processiny means carried by th~s head may comprise at least one electrovalve for by-passing the hydraulic power supplied to at least one of the processing means carried by the operating head to another in order to operate it without having to supply said other processing means in a permanent manner.
A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail having reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig, 1 is a perspective view of a processing unit mounted on a modified hydraulic excavator.
Fig. 2 is a detail side view of the base portion of the processlng unit;
Fig. 3 is a detail end view of the base portion of the processing unit; and ~5 Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the cable support system for the boom.
The processing unit l shown in Fig. 1 includes an elongated tubular base 3 and a rigid,elongated boom 5. The base 3 is of elonyate, tubular form with a generally rectan-gular cross-sectional shape. The boom 5 is mounted on the base 3 through the longitudinal extending opening 7 in ~he base. Means (not shown~ are provided for moving the boom 5 back and forth in the opening relative to the base 3.
The moving means can be similar to those shown in the above -3~
mentioned Canadian patent No. 1,055,366.
The base 3 is mounted on a support 9 intermediate its ends 11 and 13. The support 9 includes a pair of gener-ally triangular shaped, spaced-apart side plates 15 and 17 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The s:ide plates 15 and 17 are parallel to each other define a through passaye 45 between them. They are each fastened at their upper, wide end 19 to a side 21 of the base 3, adjacent the base bottom 23, by suitable fas-tening means 25. The l.ower, narrow ends 27 of the plates 15 and 17 are pivot~bly connected to a su:Ltable mounting on the carrier vehicle 2g Eor the processi.ng uni-t 1.
The p~ates 15 and 17 can be connècted to the vehicle 29 by suitable pivot means (not shown) passed through holes 31 i,n the ends 27 of the plates 15 and 17. Suitable braces (not shown) can extend between -the plates 15 and 17 to pro-vide a strong and rigid support 9. A pair of hydraulic actuators 33 extend between the carriex vehicle 29 and the top portion o~ the support 9. The actuators 33 are parallel to each other and are pivotably mounted at their lower end ~0 to the carrler vehicle 29 in ~ront of the support mounting.
The upper ends 35 of the actuators 33 are rotatably mounted on pins 27 projecting inwardly from side plates 15 and 17.
The pins 37 are securely braced. Operation of the actuators 33 will pivot support 9 about the pivot means connecting it to the carrier vehicle thereby p.ivoting the base 3, carried by the support 9, and the boom 5 carried by the base.
Means 41 for holding a tree are fixed onto the base 3 in front of the support 9 and passage 45. These holding means 41 include a curved anvil 43 extendiny down 3Q from one side 21 of the base adjacent its front end 11.
The anvil 43 is located in front of the support 9 and is curved sIightly inwardly to provide a pocket 45 to receive a tree trunk. The holding means 41 includes a holding arm 47O
The arm 47 is positioned on the other side oE the base 3 Lf~3~
from the anvil 43 and ~ust rearwardly of the anvil. The arm 47 is pivotably mounted to a brac]cet 49 by a pivot pin 51. The bracket 49 is fixed on the side 21 of the base 3 and projec-ts jus-t below the bottom 23 of the base 3 as shown in Fig. 2. The arm ~7 normally extends downwardly providing a space between it and the anvil 43 in which a tree txunk can be positioned. Means are provided for pivoting the arm 47 inwardly toward the anvil 43 -to tiyhtly hold the tree trunk between the arm and anvil in the pocket 45. The arm moving means can comprise a hydraullc actuator 53 pivotably mounted at its upper end by a pivot pin 55 to the top portion of bracket 49. The lower end of the actuator 53 is pivotably mounted by a pivot pin 57 to the arm 47 outwardly of -the mounting of arm 47 to bracket 49 by pivot pin 510 Operation of actuator 53 will pivot arm 47 about pin 51 inwardly toward anvil 43.
The boom 5 carries an operating head 59 at its -front end. The operating head 59 carries means for use in processing a tree. These processing means includes means 61 for gripping a tree, means 63 for debranching the tree, and means 65 for cutting off the top of the tree, at its front end. The gripping means 61 are used to position a tree so it can be held by the holding means 41 and then debranched by the debranching means 63 while so held.
The boom 5 has a mast 71 at its front end and a mast 73 at its rear end. A mast 75 also projects up from the top of the base 3. A cable 77 extends between the front and rear masts 71 and 73, passing slidably through the cent~r mast 75 and spaced above the boom 5. Slidable hangers 79 are mounted on the cable 77 between the central mast 75 and the front mast 71. The hangers 79 carry a bundle 81 of hydraulic power lines from the base 3 to the front mast 71 to provide power from the vehicle carrier 29 to the gripping means 6:L, the debranching means 63, and the cutting means 65 at the front end of the boom 5.
In operation, the felled tree which is usually picked up by -the head, then pulled by the boom to the hold-ing means, and subsequently processed b~ the head ~oved forwards by the boom while the tree ls held by -the hold~ng means, may be repositioned with respect to thls holding means by using the head t:o push the tree back throuyh the passaye in the support. This makes it possible to process trees even if their length is longer than the boom.
If desired, the above described, processing unit may further comprise movable abutment means 83.
These movable abutment means 83 comprise a plate member 85 which can swing between an operative posl-tion just behind the anvil ~3 and beneath the boom 5~ and an inoperative position just -to the side o~ the boom and the anvil. The plate member 85 has a generally oval shape with a flanye assembly 89 on its peripheral edge. A pivot pin 91 connects the ~lange assembl~ 89, at one side thereof, to a bracket 93 on the side 21 of the base 3 opposite to the side carr~iny th~ holding arm 47. The plate member 85 is pivo~ably moved about pin 91 by a hydraulic actuator 95.
One end of the actuator 95 is connected to the other side of the flange assembly 89 by a pivot pin 97. The other end is pivotably connected to a bracket 99, on the side of the base 3 above bracket 93, by a pivot pin 101. Operation of the actuator 95 moves the plate member 85 between operative and inoperative positions about pivot pin 91.
When the plate member 85 is in an operative position, di~ectly behind the anvil 43, it provides an abut-ment against which the butt end of a tree can be located prior to holding and debranching a tree. If the -tree being handled is longer than the operative length of the boom, the abutment plate 85 can be moved sideways to an inoperative position allowing the long tree to be repositioned by passing its butt end through the support 9, between the side plates ~9~ 3~3 15. After repositioning, the tree is he.ld again by the holdlng means 41 and the boorn 5 is operated to finlsh de-branching and topping of -the tree.
To facilitate passage oE the tree through the support 9, a tubular yuide 105 may be mounted between the side plates 15 and 17 of -the support 9. The tubular guide 105 is positioned just beneath -the base 3 and just behind the anvil 43 and it may comprlse a section of large diameter pipe or tube having an outwardl~ flared mouth 107 facing the anvil 43 to direct the tree into the guide 105. The abutment plate 85, when in the operat.ive position, is closely adjacen-t, and overlies the mouth portion 107 of the guide 105. Thus, the ~uide 105 provides support for the plate 85 when the butt end of a tree is moved against plate 85~
In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the processing unit 1 may further be provided with novel means for use in electrically operative one or more of the tree processing units at the front end of the boom.
Electrical operation of one or more of the units is advan-tageous in that it allows substantial reduction of the size of the cable bundle 81 which presently is large and often awkward to handle because of its size.
As shown in Fig. 4 r a irst pair of arms 111 and 113 projeck laterally Erom the rear rnast 73 in opposite from the front mast 71 ln opposite directions. A first cable 119 connects the ends of rear arm 111 and front arm 115 on one side of the boom 5 and a second cable 121 connects the ends of arms 113 and 117 on the other side of the boom.
The cables 119 and 121 are generall~ parallel to each other and to the boom 5. The cables 119 and 121 help to strengthen the boom 5. More importantly however, the cables 119, 121 are made of electrically conductive material and help to . carry electrlcal current to the front end of the boom 5 from the base 3. To this end, the rear end 123 of each cable 11.9 and 121 is looped and mounted on an insulato.r ring 125 which is in turn mounted between a palr of brackets 127 and 129 by a bolt 131 and nut 133 The brackets 127 and 129 are mounted on a connector 135 pro~ecting forwardly from the outer end of each rear arm 111 and ].13 by a second bolt 137 and nut 139. The front end 141 of each cable J.l9 and 121 is also looped and mounted on an insulator ring 143 which in turn is mounted on the outer end of each front arm 115 and 117 by a third bolt 145 and nut 147.
The cables 119 and 121 may be directly connected by leads 149 and 151 leading from -their front loops 141 to one o:E the tree processing units carried at the Eron-t end of the boom/ such as, for example, to the tree top cutting means 65 to operate it. On the other hand, these cables may be connected to other means such as an electrovalve 153 mounted on the front arm 117, for by-passing hydrauli.c power supplied to the head 59 in a conventional manner Via the cable bundle 81, from one o the tree processing units such as, for example, the gripping means 61 or debranchiny means 63, (fed by the cables 155 and 157), to another proces-sing unit such as, for example, the tree top cutting means 65 at the front of the boom 5, when the other unit does not need in practice, by supplied with hydraulic power in a permanent m~nner. This other unit is then fed by short connection cables 177 and 179.
In operation, when actuation of the tree top cutting means 65 is needed, an electrical signal of, for example 30 Amps is triggered by the operator from his cab.
The current is conducted to each cable 119 and 121 frQm the base 3 by a roller connection 161, only one of which is shown. The roller connection 161 includes a sup-port arm 163 extending laterally out from the base 3. A
metal ~racket 165, carrying a pair of metal rollers 167, is mounted on the arm 163 by a post 169. The bracket 165 is _ g _ insula-ted from the arm 163 by insulating moun-ting elements 171 and 173. An elec-trical lead 175 connects to each bracket 165 from an electri.cal source in vehicle 29 via base 3.
From the bracket 165, elec-tricity is then conducted to the cables 119 and 121 via the rollers 167 no matter where the boom 5 is located relative to base.
As soon as the signal reaches the elec-trovalve 153, the hydrauli.c power supplied b~ -the cable bundle 81 -to the debranching means 63 is by~passed via cables 177 and 179 to the cutting means 65 which is thus operated. This arrangement of course reduces the number of cabl.e hangi.ng over the boom 5 from the base 3 to the processing head 59 and makes the bundle 81 easier handle.
The present invention relates to improvements in tree process.in~ uni-ts.
The invention more particularly relates, in one embodiment, to an improved tree p:rocesslng ~Ini~ capable of handling trees longer than the operating length of the unit.
In another embodiment, the invention more particu-larly relates to an improved tree processi.ng unit having means for use in electrically opera-tiny at least a portion of the unit.
Tree processing units for handling, debranching, and topping-off trees are known. The units are adapted to be mounted on -tracked carrier vehicles such as excavators from which part, or all, of the shovel and boom assembly have been removed or modified. Such units provide relatively inexpensive forest harvesters since existing tracked, carrier equipment can be utili~ed with the processing unit. One example of such a processing unit is shown in Applicant's Canadian Patent No. 1,055,366, issued on May 29, 1979. This unit employs a base and a boom movable through the base.
The base is used to mount the unit on a modified carrier vehicle and has means for selectively holding a tree. The boom has an operational head at its front end with means thereon for gripping and debranching a tree and -Eor cutting ofE the top end of a tree. The boom is used to position a tree in the base holding means. When the tree is held in the base, the boom is moved relative to the base, and the held tree, to debranch the tree with the debranching means carried at the ~ront end oE the boom.
The known processing units work satisfactorily.
However, they are unable to handle trees which are longer than the operating length of the boom. The operating length is generally equal to the distance between the hold-ing means on the base and the gripping means on the front end of the boom when the boom is fully extended forwardly oE the base.
Another problem with the known processin~ units is that of -transmitting power from -the base to the operational head at the ~ront end of the boom. Since the boom moves back and forth relative to the base, the power lines must be long enough to reach the ~ron-t end of the boom at its gratest extension from the base. As the -Eront end of boom is moved back toward the base, the power lines must be pro-perly handled to avoid entangling them in the unit or in the trees being processed. Usual3.y, the power lines are arranged in a bundle and the bundle o~ lines are suspended in loops by movable hangers from a cable suspended above the boom and base, along the length of the boom. Since the operating head at the front end of the boom performs several different functions, several sets of power lines must be grouped into the bundle ma]cing the bundle bulky and thus awkward to handle.
.~ first object of the present invention is to provide an improved tree processing unit including means for permitting the unit to handle trees longer than the operational length of the boom.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved tree processing unit including novel means for conducting electrical power to the operating head of the boom.
In accordance with the :Eirst object o~ the present invention, there is provided an improved tree processing unit Eor use in combination with a motorized carrier. This unit comprises:
a base support pivotably mounted on and extending up from the carrier, this support comprising a pair of spaced apart si.de plates parallel to each other, the-n side plates defining a through passage between them;
an elongated, tubular base fastened to the upper ends of the side plates of the base support, this base extending above the through passage defined by the side plates, a rigid, elongated boom movable through the base, this boom having a front end, a tree processing head ~ixed onto the front end of the boom for yripping and debranching a felled free, and means fixed onto the base in front of the support and the through passage thereErom for holding the processed tree.
In operation, the felled tree which is usually picked up by the head, then pulled by the boom to the hold-ing means, and subsequently processed by the head moved forwaxds by the boom while the tree i5 held by the holdiny means, may be repositioned with respect to this holding means by using the head to push the tree back through the passage in the support. This makes it possible ko process trees even if their length is longer than the boom.
In accordance with a preered embodiment of the invention, means maybe provided for selectively moving abutment means between an operative position behind the holding means and an inoperative position to the side of the holding means. Means can also be provided in the base, behind the holding means for guiding the tree through the base when the abutment means is in an inoperative position and the tree is being repositioned relative to the holding means.
Xn accordance with the other ob~ect o the invention, an improved tree processing unit is provided having a base and a boom movable through the base. The boom has an operat~
ing head at its front end carrying means thereon for use in processing trees. Means are provided for mounting at least two electrically conducting cables between the front and rear ends of the boom.
~9~
The cables are preferably located above and -to the sides of the boom and are electrically lnsulated Erom the boom.
Means are provided for electrical:Ly connecting a source of electrical power from the base to the cables. Means are also provided at the front end o~ the boom for ele~trically connecting the cables to the operating head to operate at least one oE the processing means carrlecl by the operating head.
The means for electrically connecting the cables to the head to operate at least one of the processiny means carried by th~s head may comprise at least one electrovalve for by-passing the hydraulic power supplied to at least one of the processing means carried by the operating head to another in order to operate it without having to supply said other processing means in a permanent manner.
A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail having reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig, 1 is a perspective view of a processing unit mounted on a modified hydraulic excavator.
Fig. 2 is a detail side view of the base portion of the processlng unit;
Fig. 3 is a detail end view of the base portion of the processing unit; and ~5 Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the cable support system for the boom.
The processing unit l shown in Fig. 1 includes an elongated tubular base 3 and a rigid,elongated boom 5. The base 3 is of elonyate, tubular form with a generally rectan-gular cross-sectional shape. The boom 5 is mounted on the base 3 through the longitudinal extending opening 7 in ~he base. Means (not shown~ are provided for moving the boom 5 back and forth in the opening relative to the base 3.
The moving means can be similar to those shown in the above -3~
mentioned Canadian patent No. 1,055,366.
The base 3 is mounted on a support 9 intermediate its ends 11 and 13. The support 9 includes a pair of gener-ally triangular shaped, spaced-apart side plates 15 and 17 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The s:ide plates 15 and 17 are parallel to each other define a through passaye 45 between them. They are each fastened at their upper, wide end 19 to a side 21 of the base 3, adjacent the base bottom 23, by suitable fas-tening means 25. The l.ower, narrow ends 27 of the plates 15 and 17 are pivot~bly connected to a su:Ltable mounting on the carrier vehicle 2g Eor the processi.ng uni-t 1.
The p~ates 15 and 17 can be connècted to the vehicle 29 by suitable pivot means (not shown) passed through holes 31 i,n the ends 27 of the plates 15 and 17. Suitable braces (not shown) can extend between -the plates 15 and 17 to pro-vide a strong and rigid support 9. A pair of hydraulic actuators 33 extend between the carriex vehicle 29 and the top portion o~ the support 9. The actuators 33 are parallel to each other and are pivotably mounted at their lower end ~0 to the carrler vehicle 29 in ~ront of the support mounting.
The upper ends 35 of the actuators 33 are rotatably mounted on pins 27 projecting inwardly from side plates 15 and 17.
The pins 37 are securely braced. Operation of the actuators 33 will pivot support 9 about the pivot means connecting it to the carrier vehicle thereby p.ivoting the base 3, carried by the support 9, and the boom 5 carried by the base.
Means 41 for holding a tree are fixed onto the base 3 in front of the support 9 and passage 45. These holding means 41 include a curved anvil 43 extendiny down 3Q from one side 21 of the base adjacent its front end 11.
The anvil 43 is located in front of the support 9 and is curved sIightly inwardly to provide a pocket 45 to receive a tree trunk. The holding means 41 includes a holding arm 47O
The arm 47 is positioned on the other side oE the base 3 Lf~3~
from the anvil 43 and ~ust rearwardly of the anvil. The arm 47 is pivotably mounted to a brac]cet 49 by a pivot pin 51. The bracket 49 is fixed on the side 21 of the base 3 and projec-ts jus-t below the bottom 23 of the base 3 as shown in Fig. 2. The arm ~7 normally extends downwardly providing a space between it and the anvil 43 in which a tree txunk can be positioned. Means are provided for pivoting the arm 47 inwardly toward the anvil 43 -to tiyhtly hold the tree trunk between the arm and anvil in the pocket 45. The arm moving means can comprise a hydraullc actuator 53 pivotably mounted at its upper end by a pivot pin 55 to the top portion of bracket 49. The lower end of the actuator 53 is pivotably mounted by a pivot pin 57 to the arm 47 outwardly of -the mounting of arm 47 to bracket 49 by pivot pin 510 Operation of actuator 53 will pivot arm 47 about pin 51 inwardly toward anvil 43.
The boom 5 carries an operating head 59 at its -front end. The operating head 59 carries means for use in processing a tree. These processing means includes means 61 for gripping a tree, means 63 for debranching the tree, and means 65 for cutting off the top of the tree, at its front end. The gripping means 61 are used to position a tree so it can be held by the holding means 41 and then debranched by the debranching means 63 while so held.
The boom 5 has a mast 71 at its front end and a mast 73 at its rear end. A mast 75 also projects up from the top of the base 3. A cable 77 extends between the front and rear masts 71 and 73, passing slidably through the cent~r mast 75 and spaced above the boom 5. Slidable hangers 79 are mounted on the cable 77 between the central mast 75 and the front mast 71. The hangers 79 carry a bundle 81 of hydraulic power lines from the base 3 to the front mast 71 to provide power from the vehicle carrier 29 to the gripping means 6:L, the debranching means 63, and the cutting means 65 at the front end of the boom 5.
In operation, the felled tree which is usually picked up by -the head, then pulled by the boom to the hold-ing means, and subsequently processed b~ the head ~oved forwards by the boom while the tree ls held by -the hold~ng means, may be repositioned with respect to thls holding means by using the head t:o push the tree back throuyh the passaye in the support. This makes it possible to process trees even if their length is longer than the boom.
If desired, the above described, processing unit may further comprise movable abutment means 83.
These movable abutment means 83 comprise a plate member 85 which can swing between an operative posl-tion just behind the anvil ~3 and beneath the boom 5~ and an inoperative position just -to the side o~ the boom and the anvil. The plate member 85 has a generally oval shape with a flanye assembly 89 on its peripheral edge. A pivot pin 91 connects the ~lange assembl~ 89, at one side thereof, to a bracket 93 on the side 21 of the base 3 opposite to the side carr~iny th~ holding arm 47. The plate member 85 is pivo~ably moved about pin 91 by a hydraulic actuator 95.
One end of the actuator 95 is connected to the other side of the flange assembly 89 by a pivot pin 97. The other end is pivotably connected to a bracket 99, on the side of the base 3 above bracket 93, by a pivot pin 101. Operation of the actuator 95 moves the plate member 85 between operative and inoperative positions about pivot pin 91.
When the plate member 85 is in an operative position, di~ectly behind the anvil 43, it provides an abut-ment against which the butt end of a tree can be located prior to holding and debranching a tree. If the -tree being handled is longer than the operative length of the boom, the abutment plate 85 can be moved sideways to an inoperative position allowing the long tree to be repositioned by passing its butt end through the support 9, between the side plates ~9~ 3~3 15. After repositioning, the tree is he.ld again by the holdlng means 41 and the boorn 5 is operated to finlsh de-branching and topping of -the tree.
To facilitate passage oE the tree through the support 9, a tubular yuide 105 may be mounted between the side plates 15 and 17 of -the support 9. The tubular guide 105 is positioned just beneath -the base 3 and just behind the anvil 43 and it may comprlse a section of large diameter pipe or tube having an outwardl~ flared mouth 107 facing the anvil 43 to direct the tree into the guide 105. The abutment plate 85, when in the operat.ive position, is closely adjacen-t, and overlies the mouth portion 107 of the guide 105. Thus, the ~uide 105 provides support for the plate 85 when the butt end of a tree is moved against plate 85~
In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the processing unit 1 may further be provided with novel means for use in electrically operative one or more of the tree processing units at the front end of the boom.
Electrical operation of one or more of the units is advan-tageous in that it allows substantial reduction of the size of the cable bundle 81 which presently is large and often awkward to handle because of its size.
As shown in Fig. 4 r a irst pair of arms 111 and 113 projeck laterally Erom the rear rnast 73 in opposite from the front mast 71 ln opposite directions. A first cable 119 connects the ends of rear arm 111 and front arm 115 on one side of the boom 5 and a second cable 121 connects the ends of arms 113 and 117 on the other side of the boom.
The cables 119 and 121 are generall~ parallel to each other and to the boom 5. The cables 119 and 121 help to strengthen the boom 5. More importantly however, the cables 119, 121 are made of electrically conductive material and help to . carry electrlcal current to the front end of the boom 5 from the base 3. To this end, the rear end 123 of each cable 11.9 and 121 is looped and mounted on an insulato.r ring 125 which is in turn mounted between a palr of brackets 127 and 129 by a bolt 131 and nut 133 The brackets 127 and 129 are mounted on a connector 135 pro~ecting forwardly from the outer end of each rear arm 111 and ].13 by a second bolt 137 and nut 139. The front end 141 of each cable J.l9 and 121 is also looped and mounted on an insulator ring 143 which in turn is mounted on the outer end of each front arm 115 and 117 by a third bolt 145 and nut 147.
The cables 119 and 121 may be directly connected by leads 149 and 151 leading from -their front loops 141 to one o:E the tree processing units carried at the Eron-t end of the boom/ such as, for example, to the tree top cutting means 65 to operate it. On the other hand, these cables may be connected to other means such as an electrovalve 153 mounted on the front arm 117, for by-passing hydrauli.c power supplied to the head 59 in a conventional manner Via the cable bundle 81, from one o the tree processing units such as, for example, the gripping means 61 or debranchiny means 63, (fed by the cables 155 and 157), to another proces-sing unit such as, for example, the tree top cutting means 65 at the front of the boom 5, when the other unit does not need in practice, by supplied with hydraulic power in a permanent m~nner. This other unit is then fed by short connection cables 177 and 179.
In operation, when actuation of the tree top cutting means 65 is needed, an electrical signal of, for example 30 Amps is triggered by the operator from his cab.
The current is conducted to each cable 119 and 121 frQm the base 3 by a roller connection 161, only one of which is shown. The roller connection 161 includes a sup-port arm 163 extending laterally out from the base 3. A
metal ~racket 165, carrying a pair of metal rollers 167, is mounted on the arm 163 by a post 169. The bracket 165 is _ g _ insula-ted from the arm 163 by insulating moun-ting elements 171 and 173. An elec-trical lead 175 connects to each bracket 165 from an electri.cal source in vehicle 29 via base 3.
From the bracket 165, elec-tricity is then conducted to the cables 119 and 121 via the rollers 167 no matter where the boom 5 is located relative to base.
As soon as the signal reaches the elec-trovalve 153, the hydrauli.c power supplied b~ -the cable bundle 81 -to the debranching means 63 is by~passed via cables 177 and 179 to the cutting means 65 which is thus operated. This arrangement of course reduces the number of cabl.e hangi.ng over the boom 5 from the base 3 to the processing head 59 and makes the bundle 81 easier handle.
Claims (7)
1. A tree processing unit to be used in combina-tion with a motorized carrier, said unit comprising:
a base support pivotably mounted on and extending up from said carrier, said support comprising a pair of spaced apart side plates parallel to each other, said side plates defining a through passage between them;
an elongated, tubular base fastened to the upper ends of the side plates of the base support, said base extending above the through passage defined by the said side plates, a rigid, elongated boom movable through said base, said boom having a front end, a tree processing head fixed onto the front end of the boom for gripping and debranching a felled free, and means fixed onto the base in front of the support and the through passage therefrom for holding the processed tree, whereby, in operation, the felled tree which is usually picked up by the head, then pulled by the boom to the holding means, and subsequently processed by the head moved forwards by the boom while the tree is held by the holding means, may be repositioned with respect to said holding means by using the head to push the tree back through the passage in the support in order to process said tree even if its length is longer than the boom.
a base support pivotably mounted on and extending up from said carrier, said support comprising a pair of spaced apart side plates parallel to each other, said side plates defining a through passage between them;
an elongated, tubular base fastened to the upper ends of the side plates of the base support, said base extending above the through passage defined by the said side plates, a rigid, elongated boom movable through said base, said boom having a front end, a tree processing head fixed onto the front end of the boom for gripping and debranching a felled free, and means fixed onto the base in front of the support and the through passage therefrom for holding the processed tree, whereby, in operation, the felled tree which is usually picked up by the head, then pulled by the boom to the holding means, and subsequently processed by the head moved forwards by the boom while the tree is held by the holding means, may be repositioned with respect to said holding means by using the head to push the tree back through the passage in the support in order to process said tree even if its length is longer than the boom.
2. The tree processing unit of claim 1, further comprising a tubular guide mounted between the side plates of the support.
3. The tree processing unit of claim 2, wherein the tubular guide is positioned just beneath the base and comprises a section of large diameter pipe having an outwardly flared mouth to direct the processed tree into the guide.
4. The tree processing unit of claim 1, further comprising abutment means mounted on the base and means for moving the abutment means between an operative position directly behind the holding means where it can intercept a tree being handled by the processing unit, and an inopera-tive position to the side of the holding means to permit movement of a tree being handled by the processing unit rearwardly of the holding means through the passage in support.
5. The tree processing unit of claim 4, further comprising means behind the holding means for guiding the tree in its movement rearwardly of the holding means through the support.
6. The tree processing unit of claim 5 wherein the guiding means comprises a tubular member fixedly mounted to the base beneath the same between the side plates of the support, said tubular member having an outwardly flared mouth facing the holding means.
7. The tree processing unit of claim 6 wherein the abutment means consists of a plate member pivotably mounted to the base adjacent the tubular member, said plate member overlying the mouth of the tubular member when in the operati-ve position.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000416425A CA1191430A (en) | 1982-11-25 | 1982-11-25 | Tree processing unit |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000416425A CA1191430A (en) | 1982-11-25 | 1982-11-25 | Tree processing unit |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1191430A true CA1191430A (en) | 1985-08-06 |
Family
ID=4124029
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000416425A Expired CA1191430A (en) | 1982-11-25 | 1982-11-25 | Tree processing unit |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1191430A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5568829A (en) * | 1994-12-16 | 1996-10-29 | Lake Shove, Inc. | Boom construction for sliding boom delimeers |
-
1982
- 1982-11-25 CA CA000416425A patent/CA1191430A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5568829A (en) * | 1994-12-16 | 1996-10-29 | Lake Shove, Inc. | Boom construction for sliding boom delimeers |
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| MKEX | Expiry |