Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
  • A01G23/00—Forestry
  • A01G23/02—Transplanting, uprooting, felling or delimbing trees
  • A01G23/08—Felling trees
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
  • A01G23/00—Forestry
  • A01G23/02—Transplanting, uprooting, felling or delimbing trees
  • A01G23/08—Felling trees
  • A01G23/083—Feller-delimbers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B27—WORKING OR PRESERVING WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIAL; NAILING OR STAPLING MACHINES IN GENERAL
  • B27B—SAWS FOR WOOD OR SIMILAR MATERIAL; COMPONENTS OR ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
  • B27B17/00—Chain saws; Equipment therefor
  • B27B17/02—Chain saws equipped with guide bar

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a device and method for felling and cutting tree trunks (timber) with the purpose of reducing the occurrence of so called stress cracks. More specifically, the present invention is intended for a harvester head (processing head) and a method for using a said head in accordance with the claims.
• the protruding part of the trunk is cut (sawed) off with a cutting device for example a chain saw bar which cuts into the tree trunk starting from the upper facing side of the trunk and continuing in an essentially vertical direction downwards through the entire trunk.
• a cutting device for example a chain saw bar which cuts into the tree trunk starting from the upper facing side of the trunk and continuing in an essentially vertical direction downwards through the entire trunk.
• cutting speed also affects the number of stress cracks found in logs. There are fewer cracks made when cutting is done at higher speeds. It is also well known that the numbers of cracks are minimized by how sharp the cutting device is.
• the design is however, vastly different then this present invention because it lacks a trailing spacing wedge. Cutting is also not accomplished using a single grip harvester head. Furthermore the design according to the patent can not be used for felling rooted, vertical tree trunks. The design prohibits an easy integration to an existing harvester head.
• Figure 1 shows in perspective a schematic view of a harvester head with a spacing wedge in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a harvester head with a spacing wedge in accordance with an embodiment in accordance with a second exemplifying embodiment of the present invention.
• Figures 3 - 7 show cutting with a harvester head equipped with a spacing wedge in accordance the present invention.
• Figure 8 shows a schematic view of an exemplifying form of the trailing spacing wedge.
• FIG. 1 With reference to the figures and more specifically to figures 1 to 3 is shown a schematic view of a harvester head 1 intended to be used for felling, de-branching and cutting tree trunks 2.
• the harvester head only be intended for felling or cutting or a combination of felling and cutting.
• the harvester head 1 is preferably mounted, or otherwise suitably attached, via at least one swivel 3 and at least one mounting bracket 4 or similar device to (in) the end (outermost part) 5 of the crane arm (boom) of a forestry harvester (not shown in the figures).
• the harvester head 1 can be attached to and maneuvered by another type of vehicle (machine) or device that is suited for the task.
• the harvester head 1 comprises a design that is based upon existing single grip harvester heads 1 which is equipped with at least one spacing wedge in accordance with the present invention.
• the exemplifying embodiment of the harvester head 1 shown in the figures is just one of many conceivable designs for the harvester head which is possible within the scope of the present invention's scope of protection.
• the harvester head 1 in the exemplifying embodiment of the harvester head 1 , it includes a frame 6 that via at least one joint 7 is pivotally arranged in relation to at least one tip arm 8.
• the tip arm 8 is, via the swivel 3, connected to the mounting bracket 4 which in turn is mounted to the end 5 of the crane (boom) arm.
• the tip arm (and the entire harvester head) can rotate around the vertical axel shown in the figures from the end of the crane (boom) arm to the swivel.
• the frame 6 can maneuver (rotate) around an essentially horizontal axis shown in the figures.
• the frame can be maneuvered between an essentially vertical position during the felling of a tree to an essentially horizontal position during the de- branching and cutting of the felled tree.
• the frame 6 has at least one gripping device 9 with which the tree trunk is gripped.
• the gripping device 9 in the exemplifying embodiment includes a first gripper 10, a second gripper 11, a third gripper 12 and a fourth gripper 13.
• the grippers 10-13 consist preferably of a grip claws or similar design that is suited for the task.
• the grippers are in accordance with earlier known technology, pivotally arranged and preferably maneuvered with at least one maneuvering organ that in the exemplifying embodiment consists of a hydraulic cylinder. In alternative embodiments the maneuvering of the grip claws can be done using other for the purpose suitable technical solutions, for example some type of electrically driven
• the harvester head 1 also includes at least one de-branching organ 14.
• the de-branching organ 14 includes preferably at least one de-branching knife, or de-branching blade or similar. These de-branching knifes are preferably integrated with one or more of the grip claws 10-13. One or more of these de-branching knifes may also be mounted on another for the purpose suitable part of the frame (6) or another location on the harvester head that is suited for the task.
• the harvester head 1 also includes at least one feeder device 15.
• the feeder device 15 in the exemplifying embodiment includes a first feeding organ 16 and preferably at least a first feeding organ 16 and a second feeding organ 17.
• the feeding organs in the figures consist of feeding-in rollers (feed rolls) of some earlier known type and therefore will not be described more specifically in this patent application.
• the first feed roller and the second feed roller are pivotally (rotatable) arranged in relation to the frame 6.
• Each respective roller is driven by an appropriate for the purpose drive unit.
• the drive unit is preferably hydraulically driven. It is conceivable that the drive unit in alternative embodiments consist of an electric drive unit or another for the purpose suitable type of drive unit.
• the exemplified harvester head also includes at least one cutting (sawing) device 18 which is preferably placed on the lower section of the harvester head.
• the cutting device 18 includes a chain saw 19 with a chain saw bar 20 and a cutting chain 21 that is mounted in a chain saw enclosure.
• the figure does not show the protective cover that is usually mounted to the saw enclosure which protects the saw when it is in the enclosure.
• the chain saw bar 20 is arranged to rotate outwardly in relation to a swing axel 22 (fulcrum) in the harvester head's essentially axial direction.
• the chain saw bar, along with its associated cutting chain is maneuvered using existing techniques, and therefore the design will not be described further in this patent application.
• the chain saw bar's 20 positioning, its turning in relation to its swing axel and the cutting chain's 21 powered movement is preferably accomplished by hydraulics.
• these functions may be powered using other technical solutions appropriate for the purpose, for example electrically or other for the purpose suitable power.
• the harvester head 1 includes at least one, after the chain saw bar 20, trailing spacing wedge 23 that reduces the risk of, or prevents the occurrence of, the chain saw bar getting stuck in the sawing notch during sawing, and also prevents the creation of stress cracks in the logs during the final cutting stage.
• the trailing spacing wedge 23 is maneuverable in a transverse direction in relation to the harvester head's (and tree trunk's) axial position. Maneuvering the spacing wedge 23 can be accomplished by rotating it against the tree trunk in the same fashion as the chain saw bar. Maneuvering can in alternative embodiments be accomplished by moving the spacing wedge 23 in an essentially radial direction relative the harvester head's (and tree trunk's) center axis.
• the trailing spacing wedge 23 during movement in towards the sawing notch is turned at an angle relative to the harvester head's and tree trunk's center axis.
• the movement of the spacing wedge in the direction in towards the harvester head's center axis can be accomplished using other, for the purpose, suitable methods, such as a rotating motion for example by an angular change in relation to the tree trunk's axial center.
• the spacing wedge 23 is arranged to rotate in toward and away from the harvester head's and tree trunk's axial center. In the preferred embodiment the spacing wedge 23 is arranged to rotate around a swing axel (revolving axel, spin axis) 24. Preferably, the spacing wedge's swing axel (spin axis) 24 runs parallel in relation to the chain saw bar's swing axel (spin axis) 22. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, both the spacing wedge 23 and the chain saw bar (20) are arranged to rotate (swing) out using a common axel, that is to say that both axels 22 and 24 coincide or essentially coincide.
• the spacing wedge 23 is preferably attached to the swing axel 24 via a swivel connection 25 or similar.
• the swivel connection 25 is preferably consists of, or includes, at least one slip clutch or similar device that, at a specific amount of force or torque, allows the spacing wedge 23 to rotate relative to the swing axel (revolving axel) 24.
• the maneuvering of the spacing wedge 23 is preferably accomplished by hydraulics. In alternative embodiments it is conceivable that maneuvering can be accomplished electrically or by using other powering solutions suitable for the purpose.
• FIGS 3-7 show schematic views of the cutting process using a harvester head in accordance with the present invention.
• cutting is done directly after the tree is felled.
• the tree trunk 2 is fed through the harvester head in a horizontal direction (or essentially a horizontal direction).
• the protruding (or free hanging) part of the trunk 26 is sawed off from the gripped (or not free hanging) part of the trunk 27.
• the chain saw bar 20 is inserted into the tree trunk (2) essentially from the bottom side.
• the trailing spacing wedge is inserted in from the side of the tree trunk.
• Figure 3 shows a harvester head positioning the tree trunk to the position desired for cutting.
• the cutting has started by rotating the chain saw bar around its swing axel (rotation point) in toward the tree trunk and then begins to saw a cut into the tree trunk. The cutting continues by further rotating the chain saw bar into the tree trunk. During the cut, the chain saw bar creates an essentially straight notch in the log that preferably continues perpendicular to the tree trunk's direction.
• the trailing spacing wedge has not yet been inserted into the saw notch.
• the chain saw bar is shown in different positions during the tree trunk cutting process.
• the trailing spacing wedge 23 is shown partially inserted into the saw notch. Once the trailing spacing wedge is inserted into the saw notch, the desired technical effect is achieved; the bending stress and therefore the pinching force of the free hanging tree trunk (from the unfinished section of the cut) is reduced. The bending force tension is essentially transferred to the unfinished section of the cut.
• the form of the spacing wedge may vary substantially within the scope of the present invention.
• FIG 8 the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown, where the spacing wedge has an L-shaped cross-section.
• the spacing wedge 23 with the L-shaped cross-section includes a first part 28 and a second part 29.
• the first part 28 is intended to be partially or completely inserted into the saw notch.
• the second part 29 is intended to act as a stop and when used as part of the spacing wedge 23 the part 29 will rest against the outside of the tree trunk, the part of the trunk that is gripped by harvester head 1.
• the spacing wedge 23 with the L-shaped cross-section provides specific technical effects beyond the obvious stop function. Because the first part 28 is parallel with the cut, the cut free hanging log, when it falls away, will glide off the spacing wedge 23 without damaging it.
• the spacing wedge 23 will help protect the remaining log from being damaged by the cut free hanging log as it falls away.
• the spacing wedge's cross- section has another for the purpose suitable form.
• it may be square, rectangular, triangular, wedge shaped or of another for the purpose suitable form.
• the form of the trailing spacing wedge 23, seen from the harvester head's 1 and tree trunk's directional axis, can vary widely within the scope of the present invention.
• the spacing wedge can have an essentially straight form, as shown in the figures.
• the trailing spacing wedge can have along all or part, or portions of its length be bent, arch- shaped or of another for the purpose suitable form.
• the harvester head has another for the purpose suitable design or configuration than that shown in the illustrated figures in this patent application.
• the harvester head may even consist of some in the future developed variant of a harvester head which is equipped with a spacing wedge in accordance with the invention concept of this patent application.
• a spacing wedge in accordance with the present invention can be used in a double gripping harvester head unit. Further, it is also plausible that the present spacing wedge can be used in manually operated chain saws.
• a harvester head equipped with a spacing wedge in accordance with the present invention will minimize the risk of getting the chain saw bar stuck in the saw notch.

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• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Forests & Forestry (AREA)
• Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
• Ecology (AREA)
• Environmental Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
• Shovels (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

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Family Applications (1)

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Cited By (1)

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Family Cites Families (7)

• 2010
  • 2010-01-23 SE SE1000064A patent/SE535915C2/sv unknown
• 2011
  • 2011-01-22 WO PCT/SE2011/000010 patent/WO2011090419A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2011-01-22 EP EP11734932.4A patent/EP2542046A4/de not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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