CA1195906A - Dual head delimber - Google Patents

Dual head delimber

Info

Publication number
CA1195906A
CA1195906A CA000416879A CA416879A CA1195906A CA 1195906 A CA1195906 A CA 1195906A CA 000416879 A CA000416879 A CA 000416879A CA 416879 A CA416879 A CA 416879A CA 1195906 A CA1195906 A CA 1195906A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
boom
trees
delimber
clamp means
dual head
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
Application number
CA000416879A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Pierre Gaudreault
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Equipements Forestiers Slr Inc (les)
Original Assignee
Equipements Forestiers Slr Inc (les)
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Equipements Forestiers Slr Inc (les) filed Critical Equipements Forestiers Slr Inc (les)
Priority to CA000416879A priority Critical patent/CA1195906A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1195906A publication Critical patent/CA1195906A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01GHORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
    • A01G23/00Forestry
    • A01G23/02Transplanting, uprooting, felling or delimbing trees
    • A01G23/095Delimbers

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure herein describes a dual head delimber for mounting to one end of the longitudinal boom of a machine of the type used for delimbing felled trees; it comprises a cradle structure to which are pivotally mounted two sets of clamps, the sets being juxtaposed to one another; to assist in concurring the butt ends of the grasped trees, the sets of clamps are mounted at an angle on either side of the longitudinal axis of the boom to define a V-shaped arrangement.
The invention is also concerned with an apparatus for delimbing felled trees which includes such dual head delimber.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present inv~ntion pertains to an apparatus for delimbing felled trees and, more particularly, pertains to a dual head delimber which is mounted at one end of a boom mounted on such apparatusO
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
One example of present tree proc~ssing units may be found described in Canadian Patent no. 1,055,365 issued May 29, 1979 to Roger Sigouin. Such apparatus comprises a boom processing unit, supported on a vehicle, which enables extension and retraction o:E a longitudinal boom having, at one end, tree gripping and debranching elements adapted to grasp a felled tree and toremove the branches there~rom. Further tree gripping elements are mounted to the unit and are adapted to grasp the tree trunk adjacent its butt end; debranching is carried out by extending the boom as the first gripping elements loosely hold the tree. The present method of delimbing -trees consists of stationing the vehicle adjacent to limbed trees piled along a road side, grasping the trees, delimbing over a limb covered area and piling trees over another area.
The actual productivity of such apparatus depends on various ~actors such as the number of trees which can be picked-up each time, the skill level of the operator, the tree size and length~

OBJECTS AND STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION
It .is an object of the invention to provide on a vehicle o the type described a delimbing apparatus which increases to a substantial degree the productivity of the tree delimbing process.
This is achieved by providing on one end of the longitudinal displaceable boom,a dual head delimber which simultaneously grasp twice as much felled trees as conventional devices can and which allows the simul-taneous delimbing operation of both stacks of graspedtrees.
The present invention, th~refore, relates to a dual head delimber which comprises: a cradle structure adapted to be fixedly mounted to one end of the boom; two sets of clamp means pivo~ally mcunted to the cradle structure, the sets being juxtaposed to one another; and dr.iving means mounted in the cradle st.ruc-ture and connected to the clamp means for pivoting the clamp means of each set towards and away from one an-ather to grap~lP one or more felled trees for delimbing.
In one ~orm o the invention, the dual headarrangement consists of a pair of cl~mp means on each side of the longitudinal axis of the boom, ea~h pair being disposed at an angle with respect to this axis to define with the other a V-shaped arrangement~ which results in concurring the butt ends of the grappled ~ 3 --trees towards the ].ongitudinal axis of the boom.
In another form of the invention~ the clamp means of each set are so arranged that, when they are closed in a tree gripping operation, the~ cause the butt ends of the grasped trees to this axis of the boom.
This is achieved by placing the outermost clamp means of a set r relative to the axis of the boom~ rearwardly of the other clamp means.
The present invention is also concerned with an apparatus ~or delimbing felled trees on which is mounted a dual head delimber as described aboveO
The scope of applicability of the pre~ent invention will become apparent from the detailed des-cription given hexeinafter; it should be understood, however, that this description, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, is given by way of illustration only since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled .in the art.
IN THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 i~ an elevational view of a tree delimbing vehicle displaying a dual head delimber made in accordance with the present invention;
~5 Figure 2 i5 an enlarged elevational view of the boom proc~ssing unit and of the dual head delimber;

-- 4 ~

Figure 3 shows the delimblng operation;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the dual head delimber;
Pigure 5 is a top plan view of the dual head delimber;
Figure 6 i5 an el vational cross~section taken along lines 6-6 of Figure 5;
Figure 7 is a top plàn view of another embo-diment of a dual head delimber made in accordanc~ with the present invention; and Figure 8 is an elevational cross-section taken along lines 8~8 of Figure 7~
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to Fiy. 1 there is shown a tree processing vehicle, generally denoted 10 which broadly comprises a cabin 12 from which an operator may control both the motor and the various movable ~omponents of the vehicle. The vehicle also comprises a hingedl~
connected trailer portion 14 on which is mounted a rot~table table 16, with a counterweight 17, supporting a boom processing unit 18 through which extends a longitudinal boom 20. The longitu~;n~l boom may adopt various inclined po~itions relative to the ground by the actuation of various operating components, such as cylinders 22.
The various devices mounted inside the boom a~, processing unit 18 in order to reciprocate the longi-tudinal boom 20 therethrough are well known and will not be described as they do not form par~ of the present invention.
The invention is particularly concerned with the provision of a dual head delimber 22 mounted at one end of the longitudinal boom.
Refexring to Figures 4, 5 and 6, a first embo~

diment of a dual delimber made in accordance with the present invention is shown and comprises a cradle struc-ture 26 having one end 28 adapted to be fixedly mounted to the end of t}le longitudinal boom 20~ The cradle structure defines a housing having an opened bottom from which downwardly extends two sets of clamping elements; 30 and 32 extending from the cradle portion 26A and 34 and 36 extending from the cradle portion 26B.
Referring to Figure 6, the construction and operation of one set of clamping elements 34 and ~n 36 will now be described. Clamping element 34 is pivotally mounted to the cradle housing about an axis 38 while clamping element 36 is pivotally mounted about an axis 40. The two clamping elements are interconnected by means of a link member 42~ A single drive cylinder 44, either pneumatic ox hydraulic/ is used for causing pivotal movement of both clampi~g ~ .~

~ 6 elements and for adopting a tree grasping position such as shown by the dott~d lines. Cylinder 44 has one end pivotally attached to the cradle housing and the other end pivota~ly a~tached to the clamping element 36. The operation of the cylinaer piston causes the pivotal move-ment of clamping element 36 about axis 40 while the linking ele~ent 42 provides the pivotal movement of clamping element 34 about axis 38.
The construction and operation of clamping elements 30 and 32 are similar to that of cl~lping ele-ments 34 and 36; this is achieved from parts correspond-i.ng to those described.above in connection with clamping elements 34 and 36, which parts include pivot axes 46 and 48, linking member 50 and an hydraulic (or pneuma-tic) cylinder 52.
Mounted in the front part of each cradleportion 26A and 26B arP two cha~bers 54 and 56 having opened bottoms from which may resp~ctively extend pivoting knives 57 and 58~ These knives are respective~
ly driven by cylinders 60 and 62 which causes the actuatioll of the knives about their respecti.ve axis 64, 66.
In each cradle portion 26~, 26B, the clamping elements are disposed in two adjacent working planes as indicated by Pl and P2, P3 and P4 in Fig~ 4. The planes : Pl and P2 are parallel to one another; similarly, planes P3 and P4 are parallel to one another. However~ planes Pl and P2 are disposed at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the boom while planes P3 and P4 are set, on the other side of the boom, also at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bGom where-by the planes define together a V shaped arrangement.
This particular construction for the clamping element assistsin bringing the butt ends of the grappled txees towards the longitudinal axis of the boom.
In Figs. 7 and 8, a second ~mbodiment of the present invention is illustrated with components cons-tructed and operating in identical fashion to those illustrated and described in connection with Figs. 5 and 6. Hence, the same numerals have been used and differentiated by the sign of a prime mark. Also,in this embodiment, the construction and mounting o~ the components inside the cradle portion 26A are identical to that illustrated for the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4, 5 and 6. However, the construction o:E the cradle structure is difEerent in that cradle portion ~6B is ofEset with respect to cradle portion 26A.
Fig. 7 and 8 show that the outermost clamping elements 30' and 36' in both sets are those which are closest to the butt ends of the trees ox to the longitudinal boom. By ha~ing an arran~ement where the Erontmost clamping elements o~ the sets are those closes~ ~o the longitll~;n~ axis of the boom and the rearm~st clamping elements fu.rthest away from the said axis, there results a grasping operation of the trees which causes the butt ends of the grasped trees to concur towards the longitu-dinal axis of the boom. The offsetting construction ofthe two cradle portions 26A and 26B is r~quired in ordex to prevent the inner clamping elements 32' and 34' from contacting one another when they are in the open position.
It is recognized that in the embodiment .illus-trated in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, the disposition of clamping elements 34 and 36 relative to one another does not lend to a concurring effect similar -to that obtained with clamping elements 30 and 32 since the plane of clamping element 36 is disposed frontwardly relative to the plane of clampiny element 34. However, it has been observed that a skilled operator is still capable of worki.ng with such an arxangement without having the butt ends of the grasped trees moving too far away from the longitudinal axis of the boom.
In order to further assist the concurring effect of the clamping e~ements on grasped trees, the boom processing unit 18 includes a cone-shaped funnel 70 (see Figs. 2 and 3~ which the butt eIlds of the grasped trees contact when moved rearwardly by the head deli.mber 22r Disposed rearw~rdly of the funnel 70 are a pair of ~ ~s~r~
O ~ , clamping elements 72 and 74 which are mounted to opposite sidewalls of the boom processing housing and which are operated by a pair of driving cylinders 76 and 78 also respectively mounted to the sidewalls of the boom processing unit. Rearwardly of the clamping elements 72 and 74 is a back plate 80 which serves to abut the butt end~ of the yrasped trees when moved rearwardly. This back plate 80 is retractable by means of a cylinder 82 mounted to the housiny should it be desired to further move rearwardly the butt ends of the grasped ~rees~
In operation, the operator, in his cabin 12, controls the displacement of the longitudinal boom 20 relative to the boom processing unit and the displacement of the latter relative to the tab~e 16 which is rotatable on the rear section 14 of the vehicle. Dual head delimber 22 is brought near a pile of limbed trees, lowered with the clamping elements 30, 32, 34, 36 in the opened position. The clamping elements are then closed by the operator who actuates cylinders 44 and 52 causing one or more felled trees to be tightly embraced by each set of clamping elements. The boom 20 is then retracted~
the butt ends contacting funnel 70 and beiny directed to the back plate 80. Then, the clamping elements 72 and 74 are closed to tightly yrasp the butt ends of the trees and the cylinde~s44 and S2 are once again operated to an extent where the clamplng elements 30~ 32, 34 and 36 loosely hold the trees. Boom 20 is then moved in the direction indicated by arrow 84 in Fig. 2, the clamping elements, in their movement, causing the delimbing o the trees. Should the length of the trees exceed the maximum distance permitted by the boom outside its boom processing unit 18, the backing plate 80 is retracted.
The clamping elements of the dual head delimber are once again actuated to tightly grasp the trees. Clamping elements 72 and 74 are partially opened and the ~oom is retracted in the direction shown by arrow 86 in FigO 3 moving the trees rearwardly therewith. Again, the above described delimbing operation is repeated with the clamping elemPnts 72 and 74 tightly grasping the trees and the clamping elements 30~ 32, 34 and 36 loosely embracing the trees.
Although the invention has been descrlbed above in connection with two specific forms uf the invention, it is evident that it may be refined and modified in various ways. For example, there may be provided a kni~e assembly using a single knie for cutting the one or more tr~es clamped by one set and then cutting the one or more trees clamped by the other set; also, the cutting could also be done in a single stroke for both sets of clamps. Furthermore, the invention has ~een described with reference $o a longitudinal boom; this boom can be of the knuckle type where two boom sections are pivoked relative to one another. The boom can also be of the telescopic type where boom sections extend longitudinally one within the other. ~ence/ longitudinal boom in the present invention is meant to include any mechanism which allows a relative displacement of the head delimber relative to the trees grasped by the clamps. It is therefore wished to have it understood that the present invention should not be limited in interpreta-tion except by the terms of the following cl~ims.

Claims (12)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A dual head delimber for mounting to one end of the boom of a machine of the type used for delimbing felled trees, comprising:
- a cradle structure adapted to be fixedly mounted to said one end of said boom;
- two sets of clamp means pivotally mounted to said cradle structure, the sets being juxtaposed to one another;
- driving means mounted in said cradle struc-ture and connected to said clamp means for pivoting the clamp means of each set towards and away from one another to grapple one or more felled trees for delimbing.
2. A dual head delimber as defined in claim 1, wherein the clamp means of each set are driven in adja-cent parallel working planes, each set being disposed on either side of the longitudinal axis of the boom.
3. A dual head delimber as defined in claim 2, wherein the parallel working planes of one set of clamp means are disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the boom to define with the planes of the other set a V-shaped arrangement which assist butt ends of grappled trees to concur towards a vertical plane including the longitudinal axis of the boom.
4. A dual head delimber as defined in claim 3, wherein the outermost clamp means of one set relative to said boom extends in a plane which includes the inner-most clamp means of the other set.
5. A dual head delimber as defined in claim 3, wherein the innermost clamp means of each set relative to said boom are disposed in adjacent planes; the outer-most clamp means in a set being the closest in said set to the butt ends of the grappled trees to thereby assist in the concurring of said butt ends towards said vertical plane.
6. A dual head delimber as defined in claim 1, wherein said driving means consist of a single hydraulic cylinder for both clamp means of a set whereby the clamp means of each set are simultaneously actuated when driven.
7. A dual head delimber as defined in claim 1, further comprising means in said cradle structure for cutting top ends of grappled trees; and drive means for actuating said cutting means.
8. A dual head delimber as defined in claim 7, wherein said cutting means consist of a pair of pivotable blades disposed on either side of the longi-tudinal axis of said boom and said drive means consist of a pair of hydraulic cylinders for respectively pivoting said blades.
9. Apparatus for delimbing felled trees comprising:
- a vehicle;
- a boom processing unit supported on said vehicle;
- an extendable and retractable longitudinal boom mounted through said structure;
- a dual head delimber mounted at one end on said boom;
- said delimber comprising a cradle structure fixedly mounted to said one end of said boom;
- two sets of clamp means pivotally mounted to the cradle structure in juxtaposition to one another;
- driving means connected to the clamp means for pivoting the clamp means of each set towards and away from one another to grapple one or more felled trees for delimbing;
- tree gripping means mounted to said boom processing unit for grasping the trees adjacent the butt ends thereof after the felled trees have been grasped by said sets of clamp means;
-means for concurring the butt ends of grasped trees towards said tree gripping means.
10. An apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said tree gripping means consist of a pair of clamp means pivotally mounted to said boom processing unit.
11. An apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said concurring means include a funnel-shaped member mounted to said boom processing unit for guid-ing the butt ends of trees to said tree gripping means.
12. An apparatus as defined in claim 9, 10 or 11, wherein said boom processing unit includes a butt plate pivotally mounted thereto rearwardly of said tree gripping means.
CA000416879A 1982-12-02 1982-12-02 Dual head delimber Expired CA1195906A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA000416879A CA1195906A (en) 1982-12-02 1982-12-02 Dual head delimber

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA000416879A CA1195906A (en) 1982-12-02 1982-12-02 Dual head delimber

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1195906A true CA1195906A (en) 1985-10-29

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA000416879A Expired CA1195906A (en) 1982-12-02 1982-12-02 Dual head delimber

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA1195906A (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN112400468A (en) * 2020-11-12 2021-02-26 倪菲 Forestry is with based on auxiliary device is picked to living branch pine leaf

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN112400468A (en) * 2020-11-12 2021-02-26 倪菲 Forestry is with based on auxiliary device is picked to living branch pine leaf

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