CA1252025A - Tree felling apparatus - Google Patents
Tree felling apparatusInfo
- Publication number
- CA1252025A CA1252025A CA000500892A CA500892A CA1252025A CA 1252025 A CA1252025 A CA 1252025A CA 000500892 A CA000500892 A CA 000500892A CA 500892 A CA500892 A CA 500892A CA 1252025 A CA1252025 A CA 1252025A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- plate
- tree
- notch
- base plate
- grapple
- 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
Landscapes
- Shovels (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A feller head includes a base plate having a tree receiving notch, and an upstanding frame and a support plate parallel to and pivoting on the base plate such that the support plate can travel in an arc across the notch in the base plate. A chain saw is provided with a run along the leading edge of the support plate such that as the support plate is advanced across the notch the chain saw will cut through a tree grasped within the notch of the felling head.
After the tree has been severed, it is supported on the support plate and held there by accumulator means.
A feller head includes a base plate having a tree receiving notch, and an upstanding frame and a support plate parallel to and pivoting on the base plate such that the support plate can travel in an arc across the notch in the base plate. A chain saw is provided with a run along the leading edge of the support plate such that as the support plate is advanced across the notch the chain saw will cut through a tree grasped within the notch of the felling head.
After the tree has been severed, it is supported on the support plate and held there by accumulator means.
Description
~S~}25 The present invention relates to an apparatus for felling trees and more particularly to a feller head attachment for mounting on a vehicle~
m ere are several different types of feller heads which have been developed over the past twenty years. These attachments have in common, a frame mounting vertically oriented feller head grapple arms for holding the tree to be felled, and a cutting device at the bottom of the frame for severing the trunk of the tree. Several cutting devices have been described including wedge shears, chain saws and rotary saws.
On some feller heads, an accumulation device has been provided for holding previously cut trees in the felling head while a further tree is being cut. The accumulation feature is especially important in areas where the timber tends to be of the small diameter variety such as found in eastern Canada, so as to ~aintain an economic harvesting yield from such equipment. Usually such an accumulation device is in the form of an additional grapple arm adapted to be closed onto the accumulated trees in the grapple area when the grapple arms are being opened to embrace a further tree to be cut. When the grapple arms are once again closed on the accumulated trees including the most freshly cut tree, the accumulation arm is withdrawn to an open position.
Because these arms are the only elements supporting the cut trees in a vertical accumulated position, the pressure on the arms required to hold the trees is often sufficient to damage some of the trees and even break smaller trees.
It is an aim of the present invention to provide an improved tree felling head having an accumulation feature which avoids some of the disadvantages mentioned above.
~2~2~25 A construction in accordance with the present invention comprises a tree felling apparatus including an upstanding frame, a base plate fixed to the bottom of the frame and defining a notch open to the front of che base plate and adapted to receive a tree to be cut. A second plate is pivotally mounted to and parallel to the base plate, and adapted to move in an arc across the n~tch of the base plate.
The second plate has a leading edge. A chain saw is provided wherein the chain is driven to move along the leading edge of the second plate whereby the chain saw will sever a tree in the notch when the second plate is pivoted across the notch~
Grapple arms are mounted on a su~frame mounted on the second plate, and the second plate presents a tree support surface between the subframe and the leading edge such that the grapple means can accumulate trees on the second plate and against the subErame.
In a more specific embodiment, second grapple means are provided on the frame in order to hold a tree when a tree is wi~hin the notch.
Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way of illustration, a preferred embodiment thereof, and in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a felling head in accordance with the present invention, Figure 2 is a top plan view of the felling head shown in figure 1 in an operative position prepared to receive a tree to be severed, and Figures 3 through 6 are top plan views similar to figure 2 but showing the felling head in different sequential operating positions.
~2~ S
Referring now to the drawings particularly to figure 1 a felling head 10 includes a base plate 12 to which a frame 14 is fixed. The frame 14 and base plate 12 subtend a column 16. A support plate 18 is pivotally mounted on the base plate 12 and journaled on the column 16. A chain saw 20 runs along the edge of the support plate 18.
The frame 14 includes a frame housing 22 and a top plate 24. m e rear of the frame housing 22 is provided with a mounting bracket 26 adapted for mounting on the front of the vehicle. Sitting on the top plate 24 is a grapple bracXet 27 pivotally mounting grapple arm 28 which is adapted to pivot about pivot pin 30. A lever bracket 32 is provided on the hub of the grapple arm 28. Ihe grapple arm 28 is divided into two .
sections, a first arm portion 34 fixed to the hub and a :
pivoting arm portion 36 pivotally connected by means of a pivot pin 37 to the first arm portion 34. The grapple arm is operated b~ means of a hydraulic cylinder and piston arrangement 38 which is mounted to a bracket 40 at one end on the top plate ~4 and the other end to the lever bracket 32. The top plate 24 2Q is provided with a notch 42 which corresponds vertically with the notch 46 in the base plate 12. An arm 44 in the top plate 24 is formed by the notch 42.
The base plate 12 includes a notch 46 for receiving the tree which corresponds to the notch 42 in the top plate 24 which defines an arm 48.
The column 16 includes a shaft extending in the interior of a tube 50 which is journaled on the base plate 12 and to the top plate 24. The tube 50 mounts grapple arms 52 and 54 as well as a bracket 58. The grapple arms 52 and 54 are fixed to the tube and are rotatable relative to the shaft 56. A
hydraulic piston and cylinder arrangement 60 is mounted to a ~s~s bracket 62 on the frame housing 22 and to the lever bracket 58 on the tube 50. Operation o~ the piston and cylinder arrangement will cause the tube 50 to rotate moving the grapple arms 52 and 54.
The support plate 18 includes a plate section 64 pro-vided with peripheral plate members 68 and 70 which extends along three sides of the plate 64. The fourth side is uncovered and includes a leading edge 66. The peripheral plates 68 and 70 define a chain run 72 for the chain saw 20.
m e leading edge 66 defines a narrow slot along the edge adapted to receive trailers on the chain saw 20. Rollers 74 are provided at each corner of the support plate 18 between the peripheral plates 68 and 70 and a drive motor 76 which may be a hydraulic motor is provided at one corner for driving the chain 20. The plate 64 has a portion thereof which has been machined to form a taper from the leading edge 66. The machined portion is identified by numeral 78 in the drawings.
The support plate 18 mounts a subframe 79 made up of columns 80 and 82 and a horizontal cross bar 92. The column 80 is rotatable and mounts grapple arms 84 and 84a. The arm 84a is identical to the arm 84 and elements thereof are identified by similar reference numbers raised by the subscript a. Grapple arm 84 therefore includes fixed arm portion 86 mounted to the column 80 and a pivoting arm portion 88 which is pivotally mounted to the portion 86 by means of a pivot pin 90 which is spring biased. A piston and cylinder arrangement 94 is mounted to a bracket 98 fixed to the column 82 at one end thereof and to a lever bracket on the rotatable column 80.
In operation, the felling head 10 is advanced on the front of the vehicule to a tree T to be cut. As the tree T
is aligned and enters the notch 42 and 46 in the top plate and base plate respectively, the grapple arms 28, 52 and 54 will be operated to c:Lose onto the trunk of the tree T and hold the 125~S
trunk. Once the tree T is in the position~ as shown in figure 3, with the grapple arms 28, 52 and 54 securily onto the trunk of the tree, the piston and cylinder arrangem~nt 96 will be operated to pivot the support plate 18 about its pivot axis with the column 16 to move in an arcuate path across the notch 46. As the leading edge 66 of the support plate 18 encounters the tree T, the chain saw 20 driven by the motor 76 will be operated to cut its way through the tree. As the support plate 18 advances with the leading edge 66 and chain 20 passing through the tree in its cutting path the tapered surface 78 of the support plate 18 will wedge itself in the cutting path of the tree thereby partially supporting the weight of the tree as the chain 20 continues its way through the diameter of the tree.
Once the tree has been completely severed as shown in figure 5 the support plate 18 will have been pivoted completely across the notch 46 and the base of the tree T will rest on the surface of the support surface 64 of the support plate 18. At the same time, the grapple arms 84 and 84a will have advanced as shown in figure 5 to encircle the tree T.
The grapple arms 28 and 52 are then retracted so as to be clear of the tree T and the support plate 18 and the subframe 79 is moved back along its arcuate path with the accumulator grapple arms 84 and 84a retaining the severed tree against the subframe arm 79.
In the next cycle, when there is already one or more trees accumulated against the subfràme 79, the operation of the grapple arms 28 and 84 will cause the spring urged pivoting portions of the arms to pivot as the arms are being removed ~rom between the trees being accumulated as is known in the art.
m ere are several different types of feller heads which have been developed over the past twenty years. These attachments have in common, a frame mounting vertically oriented feller head grapple arms for holding the tree to be felled, and a cutting device at the bottom of the frame for severing the trunk of the tree. Several cutting devices have been described including wedge shears, chain saws and rotary saws.
On some feller heads, an accumulation device has been provided for holding previously cut trees in the felling head while a further tree is being cut. The accumulation feature is especially important in areas where the timber tends to be of the small diameter variety such as found in eastern Canada, so as to ~aintain an economic harvesting yield from such equipment. Usually such an accumulation device is in the form of an additional grapple arm adapted to be closed onto the accumulated trees in the grapple area when the grapple arms are being opened to embrace a further tree to be cut. When the grapple arms are once again closed on the accumulated trees including the most freshly cut tree, the accumulation arm is withdrawn to an open position.
Because these arms are the only elements supporting the cut trees in a vertical accumulated position, the pressure on the arms required to hold the trees is often sufficient to damage some of the trees and even break smaller trees.
It is an aim of the present invention to provide an improved tree felling head having an accumulation feature which avoids some of the disadvantages mentioned above.
~2~2~25 A construction in accordance with the present invention comprises a tree felling apparatus including an upstanding frame, a base plate fixed to the bottom of the frame and defining a notch open to the front of che base plate and adapted to receive a tree to be cut. A second plate is pivotally mounted to and parallel to the base plate, and adapted to move in an arc across the n~tch of the base plate.
The second plate has a leading edge. A chain saw is provided wherein the chain is driven to move along the leading edge of the second plate whereby the chain saw will sever a tree in the notch when the second plate is pivoted across the notch~
Grapple arms are mounted on a su~frame mounted on the second plate, and the second plate presents a tree support surface between the subframe and the leading edge such that the grapple means can accumulate trees on the second plate and against the subErame.
In a more specific embodiment, second grapple means are provided on the frame in order to hold a tree when a tree is wi~hin the notch.
Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way of illustration, a preferred embodiment thereof, and in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a felling head in accordance with the present invention, Figure 2 is a top plan view of the felling head shown in figure 1 in an operative position prepared to receive a tree to be severed, and Figures 3 through 6 are top plan views similar to figure 2 but showing the felling head in different sequential operating positions.
~2~ S
Referring now to the drawings particularly to figure 1 a felling head 10 includes a base plate 12 to which a frame 14 is fixed. The frame 14 and base plate 12 subtend a column 16. A support plate 18 is pivotally mounted on the base plate 12 and journaled on the column 16. A chain saw 20 runs along the edge of the support plate 18.
The frame 14 includes a frame housing 22 and a top plate 24. m e rear of the frame housing 22 is provided with a mounting bracket 26 adapted for mounting on the front of the vehicle. Sitting on the top plate 24 is a grapple bracXet 27 pivotally mounting grapple arm 28 which is adapted to pivot about pivot pin 30. A lever bracket 32 is provided on the hub of the grapple arm 28. Ihe grapple arm 28 is divided into two .
sections, a first arm portion 34 fixed to the hub and a :
pivoting arm portion 36 pivotally connected by means of a pivot pin 37 to the first arm portion 34. The grapple arm is operated b~ means of a hydraulic cylinder and piston arrangement 38 which is mounted to a bracket 40 at one end on the top plate ~4 and the other end to the lever bracket 32. The top plate 24 2Q is provided with a notch 42 which corresponds vertically with the notch 46 in the base plate 12. An arm 44 in the top plate 24 is formed by the notch 42.
The base plate 12 includes a notch 46 for receiving the tree which corresponds to the notch 42 in the top plate 24 which defines an arm 48.
The column 16 includes a shaft extending in the interior of a tube 50 which is journaled on the base plate 12 and to the top plate 24. The tube 50 mounts grapple arms 52 and 54 as well as a bracket 58. The grapple arms 52 and 54 are fixed to the tube and are rotatable relative to the shaft 56. A
hydraulic piston and cylinder arrangement 60 is mounted to a ~s~s bracket 62 on the frame housing 22 and to the lever bracket 58 on the tube 50. Operation o~ the piston and cylinder arrangement will cause the tube 50 to rotate moving the grapple arms 52 and 54.
The support plate 18 includes a plate section 64 pro-vided with peripheral plate members 68 and 70 which extends along three sides of the plate 64. The fourth side is uncovered and includes a leading edge 66. The peripheral plates 68 and 70 define a chain run 72 for the chain saw 20.
m e leading edge 66 defines a narrow slot along the edge adapted to receive trailers on the chain saw 20. Rollers 74 are provided at each corner of the support plate 18 between the peripheral plates 68 and 70 and a drive motor 76 which may be a hydraulic motor is provided at one corner for driving the chain 20. The plate 64 has a portion thereof which has been machined to form a taper from the leading edge 66. The machined portion is identified by numeral 78 in the drawings.
The support plate 18 mounts a subframe 79 made up of columns 80 and 82 and a horizontal cross bar 92. The column 80 is rotatable and mounts grapple arms 84 and 84a. The arm 84a is identical to the arm 84 and elements thereof are identified by similar reference numbers raised by the subscript a. Grapple arm 84 therefore includes fixed arm portion 86 mounted to the column 80 and a pivoting arm portion 88 which is pivotally mounted to the portion 86 by means of a pivot pin 90 which is spring biased. A piston and cylinder arrangement 94 is mounted to a bracket 98 fixed to the column 82 at one end thereof and to a lever bracket on the rotatable column 80.
In operation, the felling head 10 is advanced on the front of the vehicule to a tree T to be cut. As the tree T
is aligned and enters the notch 42 and 46 in the top plate and base plate respectively, the grapple arms 28, 52 and 54 will be operated to c:Lose onto the trunk of the tree T and hold the 125~S
trunk. Once the tree T is in the position~ as shown in figure 3, with the grapple arms 28, 52 and 54 securily onto the trunk of the tree, the piston and cylinder arrangem~nt 96 will be operated to pivot the support plate 18 about its pivot axis with the column 16 to move in an arcuate path across the notch 46. As the leading edge 66 of the support plate 18 encounters the tree T, the chain saw 20 driven by the motor 76 will be operated to cut its way through the tree. As the support plate 18 advances with the leading edge 66 and chain 20 passing through the tree in its cutting path the tapered surface 78 of the support plate 18 will wedge itself in the cutting path of the tree thereby partially supporting the weight of the tree as the chain 20 continues its way through the diameter of the tree.
Once the tree has been completely severed as shown in figure 5 the support plate 18 will have been pivoted completely across the notch 46 and the base of the tree T will rest on the surface of the support surface 64 of the support plate 18. At the same time, the grapple arms 84 and 84a will have advanced as shown in figure 5 to encircle the tree T.
The grapple arms 28 and 52 are then retracted so as to be clear of the tree T and the support plate 18 and the subframe 79 is moved back along its arcuate path with the accumulator grapple arms 84 and 84a retaining the severed tree against the subframe arm 79.
In the next cycle, when there is already one or more trees accumulated against the subfràme 79, the operation of the grapple arms 28 and 84 will cause the spring urged pivoting portions of the arms to pivot as the arms are being removed ~rom between the trees being accumulated as is known in the art.
Claims (5)
1. A tree felling apparatus comprising upstanding frame, a base plate fixed to the bottom of the frame and defining a notch open to the front of the base plate and adapted to receive a tree to be cut, a second plate pivotally mounted to and parallel to the base plate and adapted to move in an arc across the notch in the base plate, the second plate having a leading edge, a chain saw provided wherein the chain is driven to move along the leading edge of the second plate whereby the chain saw will sever a tree in the notch when the second plate is pivoted across the notch, grapple means mounted on a subframe mounted on the second plate, and the second plate presenting a tree support surface between the subframe and the leading edge such that the grapple means can accumulate trees on the second plate and against the subframe.
2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein second grapple means are provided on the upstanding frame in order to grasp a tree to be cut when the tree is within the notch of the base plate.
3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the upstanding frame is provided with a top plate parallel to the base plate and the second plate, a column subtended between the base plate and the top plate and the second plate being pivotally mounted thereto.
4. An apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein a notch is provided in the top plate which corresponds to the notch in the base plate and grapple means are provided on the top plate and on the column for grasping a tree to be cut when the tree is in a position within the notch in the base plate and the top plate.
5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the subframe includes a pair of upstanding columns mounted on said second plate one of said columns having grapple arms thereon for grasping a tree after it has been cut from within the notch and holding the tree on said second plate.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000500892A CA1252025A (en) | 1986-01-31 | 1986-01-31 | Tree felling apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000500892A CA1252025A (en) | 1986-01-31 | 1986-01-31 | Tree felling apparatus |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1252025A true CA1252025A (en) | 1989-04-04 |
Family
ID=4132399
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000500892A Expired CA1252025A (en) | 1986-01-31 | 1986-01-31 | Tree felling apparatus |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1252025A (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5004026A (en) * | 1989-10-06 | 1991-04-02 | Maclennan Charles | Felling head |
| WO2005099438A1 (en) * | 2004-04-16 | 2005-10-27 | Ponsse Oyj | Arrangement in wood handling device |
| CN115868388A (en) * | 2023-01-09 | 2023-03-31 | 山东省林草种质资源中心(山东省药乡林场) | Tree cutting device |
-
1986
- 1986-01-31 CA CA000500892A patent/CA1252025A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5004026A (en) * | 1989-10-06 | 1991-04-02 | Maclennan Charles | Felling head |
| WO2005099438A1 (en) * | 2004-04-16 | 2005-10-27 | Ponsse Oyj | Arrangement in wood handling device |
| CN115868388A (en) * | 2023-01-09 | 2023-03-31 | 山东省林草种质资源中心(山东省药乡林场) | Tree cutting device |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |