EP2146565A1

EP2146565A1 - A method for harvesting of wood and a device for applying the method

Info

Publication number: EP2146565A1
Application number: EP08761641A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mikko Junttila
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-05-07
Filing date: 2008-05-06
Publication date: 2010-01-27
Also published as: WO2008135638A1; FI20070356A; FI121585B; FI20070356A0

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for harvesting of wood used in forest work and a device for applying the method. According to the method, the wood harvesting device connected to a lifting accessory delimbs and cuts standing trees fast in the ground by their roots and enables the transport, loading and cutting of the cut trees in both vertical and horizontal positions. The device comprises a hydraulic system sequencing the work steps and a body (1) in which are fastened a support groove (1.1), a lifting handle (5) in which there is a moving hanger (5.1), one or more stepwise operating gripping member pairs (2), and a cutting device (4) rotatable supported by its body articulation (3.3) planarly and centering by means of a centering bar (3.2).

Description

A method for harvesting of wood and a device for applying the method

The invention relates to a method for harvesting of wood used in forest work according to the preamble of claim 1 and a device for applying the method according to the preamble of the first device claim.

Typically, large-sized and expensive so-called multi-process machines only designed for forest work have been customarily used for forest work particularly in the Nordic countries. Their uses are, indeed, limited to the sole service of forestry even though they are extremely efficient in their operation. The multi-process machines are of their capital, operating and maintenance costs so expensive and of their operating characteristics so limited to the service of forestry that their acquisition and utilisation are not economically sensible for applications small and poor-yielding, such as for the clearing of shoulder areas, first thinnings and other such tasks. Many times, the multi-process machines are not roadworthy, whereby moving them from one place to another on road stretches requires separate transport equipment. It is also commonly known that harvester heads connected to multi-process machines require of the equipment operating them, due to their weight and complex technical and hydraulic solutions, a lot of power, mass and a complex and expensive hydraulic system, a control system connected to it, and usually also electricity to operate. Thus, it is not sensible or at least advantageous to connect harvester heads designed for multi-process machines to any other except machines designed for the purpose.

The object of the invention is indeed to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages and to introduce a novel kind of a wood harvesting method and a wood harvesting device being equivalent to a harvester head for applying the wood harvesting method.

The object of the invention is achieved with a method and a device, which are characterised by what is presented in the claims.

The wood harvesting device according to the invention is implementable with few components and a secure operating principle. The small number of components is directly reflected in the price, weight, ease of use and reliability of operation of the wood harvesting device. The novel kinds of technical, mechanical and hydraulic arrangements entailed by the invention make the construction of the wood harvesting device so light and the number of required hydraulic connections so small that it enables connecting the wood harvesting device as an auxiliary device of different kinds of loaders and cranes quickly and inexpensively. However, the novel kinds of technical, mechanical and hydraulic arrangements according to the invention do not prevent the use of the wood harvesting device in multi-process machines or other machines of their size. If desired, the wood harvesting device according to the invention can then be manufactured larger, stronger and accordingly also heavier. If a machine utilising a wood harvesting device according to the invention has readiness for additional hydraulics and it is also otherwise capable of using a larger and heavier wood harvesting device and handling larger trees, the wood harvesting device according to the invention can be provided with generally known wood-feeding pincher rolls, drums or chains for measuring and delimbing wood either instead of one pair of grips or connectable to them. For delimbing and measuring wood, it is also possible to connect step feeding to the wood harvesting device according to the invention.

The light wood harvesting device according to the invention being equivalent to a harvester head enables a novel kind of a wood harvesting method, because it is possible to locate the device as an auxiliary device of different loaders and cranes quickly and inexpensively and it enables the use of the wood harvesting device in loaders or cranes principally with existing hydraulic connections and their control devices.

Many have contemplated over time the advantageousness and necessity of vertical delimbing harvesting and the wood harvesting device for applying it according to the invention, but a commercial, functional application has not yet emerged. It is characteristic of known applications that already known wood harvesting methods and devices enabling the methods have substantially been formed too large of their mass, too expensive of their price and disadvantageous of their hydraulic connection and control requirements to be used in other than massive multiprocess machines designed for the purpose.

By using the vertical delimbing harvesting method and the wood harvesting device according to the invention, it is thus possible to harvest and clear wood in road shoulder areas, parks, power lines, field edges, thinnings and forests with roadworthy vehicles the characteristics of which are not sufficient to use already commonly known harvester heads.

Next, an advantageous embodiment of the invention is discussed by means of an enclosed example. To describe the method, first is presented a wood harvesting device version according to the invention. For simplicity, a large number of forms being at the back has been omitted, such as also conventional components, e.g. hydraulic valves and hoses, have mainly been omitted because they indeed constitute part of the conventional construction.

Fig. 1 shows a side view of a wood harvesting device in a horizontal position.

Fig. 2 shows a side view of the wood harvesting device in a vertical position.

Fig. 3 shows an elastic gripping member.

Fig. 4 shows a rigid gripping member.

Fig. 5 shows a three-dimensional view of the wood harvesting device.

Fig. 6 shows the wood harvesting device as seen from the end on the side of a support groove.

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 show cutaway diagrams on the plane of a connecting rod.

Fig. 10 schematically shows a hydraulic system of the wood harvesting device.

The wood harvesting device is intended to be connected to lifting accessories provided with hydraulic connections, and the wood harvesting device comprises a body 1, one or more pairs of rigid 2.1 and/or elastic 2.2 gripping members 2. The device also comprises one or more hydraulic cylinders 4.3 and gripping members 2 operating stepwise by means of one or more wedge pieces 2.4 and connecting rods 2.5 connecting them, a cutting mechanism 4 moving supported by a guide rail 3.1 and centred by means of a centering bar 3.2, a lifting handle 5 and a hanger 5.1 provided with rollers connected to it, in which the cutting mechanism 4 is rotatable supported by its body articulation 3.3 planarly and is provided with a guide rail mechanism, when opening, centering by means of the centering bar 3.2 and, when closing, moving freely supported by the guide rail 3.1 during the cutting event substantially not loading the gripping members in the direction of the telescopic body of the cutting mechanism 4. The cutting mechanism operates so that, when a hydraulic cylinder 2.3 inside the cutting mechanism 4 is closed, blades 4.1 and 4.2 are farthest from each other, whereby a projection at the end of an inner sliding body part 4.22 has centred the cutting mechanism 4 pushed by the centering bar 3.2 fastened in the body articulation 3.3. When the cylinder 2.3 opens, the blades 4.1 and 4.2 approach each other and it is possible for the cutting mechanism to freely slide supported by the guide rail 3.1 a distance the length of a cylinder stroke and to centre according to a tree held by the gripping members. For clarity, the forms at the back of the figure and the lifting handle and parts connected to it are not shown.

The horizontal position according to Fig. 1 is used in locating trees, when placing trees at their location site, e.g. aboard and away from the transport equipment. The position also enables cutting the trees in the horizontal position.

The vertical position according to Fig. 2 is used in the vertical delimbing, cutting of trees and it enables moving and locating the trees in the vertical position.

The elastic gripping member 2.2 shown by Fig. 3 is articulated and provided with springs in a way known as such. Furthermore, the gripping member 2.2 is provided with cutting and/or blunt bevels.

The rigid gripping member 2.1 shown by Fig. 4 is provided with cutting bevels and/or blunt bevels.

Fig. 6 shows the wood harvesting device seen from the end on the side of a support groove 1.1. The tips of the blade parts 4.1 and 4.2 in the wood harvesting device are designed so that the blade parts 4.1 and 4.2 are guided, forced by the wedging shape of the tips, the upper blade part above and the lower blade part below. This way, the crossing of the blades has been prevented and the blade construction has been stiffened based on the shapes of the blades. For clarity, all forms and a rotator, hoses and the hanger 5.1 have not been shown.

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are cutaway diagrams on the plane of the connecting rod 2.5, which figures do not show forms at the back for clarity. Figs. 7, 8 and 9 schematically show a wood harvesting device in which each gripping member pair 2 gets power for its motions from one or more hydraulic cylinders 4.3, which motions are guided to operate stepwise on the wedge pieces 2.4 being connected by the connecting rods 2.5 for opening and closing the gripping member pairs 2 and includes one or more pairs of rigid 2.1 and/or elastic 2.2 gripping members 2.

Figs. 7 and 9 are cutaway diagrams on the plane of the connecting rod 2.5, which figures do not show forms at the back for clarity. Figs. 7 and 9 schematically show a wood harvesting device in which the cutting mechanism 4 is rotated half a cycle supported by its body articulation 3.3 planarly and is provided with a guide rail mechanism centering by means of the centering bar 3.2 when the blades 4.1 and 4.2 open and, when they close, moving freely supported by the guide rail 3.1 during the cutting event. Fig. 7 is a cutaway diagram on the plane of the connecting rod 2.5, which figure does not show forms at the back for clarity. Fig. 7 schematically shows the wood harvesting device the cutting mechanism 4 rotated half a cycle supported by its body articulation planarly, the gripping members 2 opened, when the cutting mechanism 4 is substantially centred by the centering bar 3.2.

Fig. 8 is a cutaway diagram on the plane of the connecting rod 2.5, which figure does not show forms at the back and the cutting mechanism for clarity. Fig. 8 schematically shows the wood harvesting device, the lower gripping members 2 opened and the upper gripping members 2 closed.

Fig. 9 is a cutaway diagram on the plane of the connecting rod 2.5, which figure does not show forms at the back for clarity. Fig. 9 schematically shows the wood harvesting device in which device the gripping members 2 and the cutting mechanism 4 are closed which is rotated half a cycle supported by its body articulation 3.3 planarly.

Fig. 10 schematically shows the hydraulic system of the wood harvesting device in which all motions required for the stepwise operation of the gripping member pairs 2 and the cutting mechanism 4 are controlled to operate in a way known as such using one directional control valve 6 in the order according to the substantial operation of the hydraulic diagram. It is possible to connect several cylinders 4.3 and/or 2.3 in parallel or in series and they can be sequenced to operate with sequence valves, pressure control valves, load relief valves and/or other valves having a similar kind of operating principle within the scope of the inventive idea defined by the claims.

A wood harvesting method, a wood harvesting method and a wood harvesting device being equivalent to a harvester head for applying the wood harvesting method. The wood harvesting device is implementable with few components and a secure operating principle. The small number of components is also directly reflected in the price, weight, ease of use and reliability of operation of the wood harvesting device. The novel kinds of technical, mechanical and hydraulic arrangements entailed by the invention make the construction of the wood harvesting device so light and the number of required hydraulic connections so small that it enables connecting the wood harvesting device as an auxiliary device of different kinds of loaders and cranes quickly and inexpensively even in roadworthy vehicles, which enables the use of the wood harvesting device cost- effectively with lifting accessories the characteristics of which are not sufficient to use already commonly known harvester heads and thus to clear, cut, delimb and recover standing timber growing in road shoulder areas, parks, power lines, field edges, thinnings and forests, in which the vertical delimbing principally comprises the following work steps and that the work steps are substantially in this order and that they can be performed with lifting accessories the characteristics of which are not sufficient to use already commonly known harvester heads:

When handling the first tree, bringing the wood harvesting device connected to the lifting accessory in the vertical position (shown in Fig. 2) against the tree in the lower part of the trunk all gripping member pairs 2 opened.

Closing by using the gripping member pair 2 closing first in the sequence using the B position of the valve 6 so that the gripping members are around the tree but do not compress the tree tightly.

Lifting the wood harvesting device with brisk speed with the lifting accessory, whereby the gripping member pair 2 around the tree delimbs and/or breaks the branches when climbing up along the tree trunk fast in the ground by its roots, moving in the direction of the tree trunk with the lifting accessory and thus giving the cutting motion in the direction of the trunk. If branches remain in the trunk, the wood harvesting device is lowered back down and lifted up again to a desired cutting height.

Compressing all gripping member pairs in the desired cutting height fast in the tree trunk by using the B position of the valve 6, the throttle check valve allowing free flow in the cylinder 4.3, continuing compression. Then in the pressure line compressing the gripping members fast opening the cylinder 4.3, pressure increases at the latest after the cylinder has totally opened and exceeds a pressure value set for the valve located in the line going to the cylinder 2.3 opening the flow path to the cylinder 2.3 of the cutter. The cylinder 2.3 is located inside the telescopic body of the cutter 4 and performs the cutting motion when opening. Motion is kept up until the tree is cut, then the cutting device 4 cuts the top part of the tree and thus the top part remains held by all gripping member pairs 2 in the wood harvesting device.

Bringing the wood harvesting device in the vertical position (Fig. 2) with the lifting accessory to the next cutting point in the trunk of the standing tree. By using the A position of the valve 6, then first occurs the opening of the cutting device 4, the throttle check valve allowing free flow for closing the cylinder 2.3 and the gripping members 2 remain closed until after the cylinder 2.3 has closed, pressure in the line increases and exceeds the pressure value set for the valve located in the return line of the cylinder 4.3 and thus after that opens the last closed of the gripping member pairs 2 and the first closed gripping member pair 2 closes last. Thus, the gripping member pairs 2 are opened so that the top part remains held by the last opening gripping member pair 2 and the open gripping members 2 are closed around the tree again using the B position of the valve 6 and compression is continued, whereby cutting is performed again.

Operation is continued in the above-described order until all of the gripping member pairs 2 hold a tree.

Rotating the wood harvesting device in the horizontal position (Fig. 1) by lowering it with the lifting accessory against a support, whereby it falls forward when the centre of gravity is up and the hanger 5.1 provided with rollers rolls along the lifting handle 5 from a vertical position notch 5.2 formed for it for the vertical position to a horizontal position notch 5.3 formed for it for the horizontal position (in Fig. 1).

In the horizontal position (Fig. 1), placing the trees from the wood harvesting device to their location so that the last trees harvested and delimbed when standing are lowered in their location first and the first cut top part as last.

When empty, the centre of gravity of the wood harvesting device is low, whereby it is rotated back to the vertical position (in Fig. 2) by lowering it against a support and by moving the roller of the hanger away from the horizontal position notch 5.3 formed for it for the horizontal position, after which the hanger 5.1 is moved along the lifting handle 5 transferring the hanger 5.1 in the vertical position notch 5.2.

Above, the invention was described by way of examples by means of enclosed schematic drawings, different embodiments of the invention being possible within the scope of the inventive idea defined by the claims. The invention is not limited to the above advantageous embodiments and figures, but it can be varied within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A wood harvesting method, particularly usable with roadworthy vehicles, which enables the use of a wood harvesting device with lifting accessories the characteristics of which are not sufficient to use already commonly known harvester heads and thus to clear, cut, delimb and recover standing timber growing in road shoulder areas, parks, power lines, field edges, thinnings and forests, characterised in that vertical delimbing principally comprises the following work steps and that the work steps are substantially in this order and that they can be performed with lifting accessories the characteristics of which are not sufficient to use already commonly known harvester heads:

Bringing the wood harvesting device in the vertical position against the tree in the lower part of the trunk all gripping member pairs (2) opened.

Closing the gripping member pair (2) closing first in the sequence so that the gripping members are around the tree but do not compress the tree tightly.

Lifting the wood harvesting device with brisk speed with the lifting accessory, whereby the gripping member pair (2) around the tree delimbs and/or breaks the branches when climbing up to a desired cutting height along the tree trunk fast in the ground by its roots.

Compressing all gripping member pairs (2) fast in the desired cutting height and continuing compression until blades (4.1) and (4.2) of a cutting mechanism (4) cut the tree.

Bringing the wood harvesting device in the vertical position (Fig. 2) to the next cutting point in the trunk of the standing tree, opening gripping member pairs whereby first occurs the opening of the cutting device (4) and after that opens the last closed of the gripping member pairs (2) and the first closed gripping member pair (2) as last, when the gripping member pairs are opened so that the top part remains held by the last opening gripping member pair (2) and the open gripping members (2) are closed around the tree and continuing compression until the blades (4.1) and (4.2) of the cutting mechanism (4) cut the tree.

Operation is continued in the above-described order until all of the gripping member pairs (2) hold a tree. Rotating the wood harvesting device in the horizontal position by lowering it against a support, whereby it falls forward when the centre of gravity is up and a hanger (5.1) provided with rollers rolls along a lifting handle (5) from a vertical position notch (5.2) formed for it for the vertical position to a horizontal position notch (5.3) formed for it for the horizontal position.

In the horizontal position, placing trees from the wood harvesting device to their location so that the last trees harvested and delimbed when standing are lowered at their location first and the first cut one as last.

When empty, the centre of gravity of the wood harvesting device is low, whereby it is rotated back to the vertical position by lowering it against a support and by moving the roller of the hanger away from the horizontal position notch (5.3) formed for it for the horizontal position, after which the hanger (5.1) is moved along the lifting handle (5) transferring the hanger (5.1) in the vertical position notch (5.2).

2. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that branches in the tree trunk are delimbed and/or broken with blade gripping members (2) moving the wood harvesting device along the tree trunk fast in the ground by its roots in the direction of the tree trunk and thus giving with the lifting accessory the cutting motion in the direction of the trunk.

3. A method according to claim 1, characterised by choosing the position of the wood harvesting device moving the hanger (5.1) in the lifting handle (5) substantially between the horizontal position and the vertical position.

4. A wood harvesting device implementing the method according to claim 1, intended to be connected to lifting accessories provided with hydraulic couplings, which wood harvesting device comprises a body (1), one or more pairs of rigid (2.1) and/or elastic (2.2) gripping members (2), gripping member pairs (2) operating stepwise by means of one or more hydraulic cylinders (4.3), a cutting mechanism (4) moving supported by a guide rail (3.1) and centering substantially by means of a centering bar (3.2), a lifting handle (5) and a hanger (5.1) connected to it provided with rollers, characterised in that the cutting mechanism (4) is built rotatable supported by its body articulation (3.3) substantially planarly and is provided with a guide rail mechanism, when blades (4.1) and (4.2) of the cutting mechanism (4) open, centering by means of the centering bar (3.2) and, when closing, moving freely supported by the guide rail (3.1) during the cutting event substantially not loading the gripping members (2) in the direction of sliding body parts (4.11) and (4.22) of the cutting mechanism (4).

5. A device according to claim 4, characterised in that the blade part (4.1) is fastened in the inner sliding body part (4.22) of the cutting mechanism (4) and the blade part (4.2) in the outer body part (4.11) of the cutting mechanism (4).

6. A device according to claim 4, in which each gripping member pair (2) gets power for its motions from one or more hydraulic cylinders (4.3), characterised in that the motions are engineered to operate stepwise for closing and opening the gripping member pairs (2) and includes one or more pairs of rigid (2.1) and/or elastic (2.2) gripping members (2).

7. A device according to claim 4, characterised in that the elastic (2.2) gripping member is articulated and provided with springs in a way known as such.

8. A device according to claim 4, characterised in that at least one gripping member pair (2) is provided with cutting bevels.

9. A device according to claim 4, in which all motions required for the stepwise operation of the gripping member pairs (2) and the cutting mechanism (4) are engineered in a way known as such, characterised in that all motions are implemented by using one directional control valve (6).