US3415296A - Land clearing device - Google Patents

Land clearing device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3415296A
US3415296A US457602A US45760265A US3415296A US 3415296 A US3415296 A US 3415296A US 457602 A US457602 A US 457602A US 45760265 A US45760265 A US 45760265A US 3415296 A US3415296 A US 3415296A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
frame
tree
apex
elongated
cross
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 - Lifetime
Application number
US457602A
Inventor
Edward V Frankenberg
Norman N Griffith
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.)
FLECO CORP
Original Assignee
FLECO CORP
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 FLECO CORP filed Critical FLECO CORP
Priority to US457602A priority Critical patent/US3415296A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3415296A publication Critical patent/US3415296A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

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
    • A01G23/093—Combinations of shearing, sawing or milling apparatus specially adapted for felling trees

Definitions

  • a land clearing device for use in combination with a bulldozer which comprises a movable substantially horizontally disposed frame.
  • the frame includes first and second elongated side members disposed in a Vshape which terminate in a forwardly facing apex, these side members have rearwardly extending supporting arms rigidly fixed thereto and pivotally mounted at their aft ends to the bulldozer.
  • a first substantially horizontally disposed cutting blade is mounted on the first side member of said frame and extends forwardly and inwardly from one side of the frame to the apex thereof and a second substantially horizontally disposed cutting blade is mounted on the second side member of the frame and extends forwardly and inwardly of the other side of the frame to the apex thereof.
  • Attaching means and selectively releaseably connecting means for the attaching means are provided on the side members of the frame adjacent the apex thereof such that the two side members of the frame are easily and readily attachable and detachable one from the other to provide for convenient transportation and compact storage of the device.
  • the apparatus further includes a forwardly extending tree splitting element which has a rearward end portion connected to one of the side members of the frame adjacent the apex thereof and a sharpened forward end portion.
  • This tree splitting element includes a first elongated vertical side portion between its end portions parallel to and adjacent a vertical plane through the apex of the frame, and a second elongated vertical side portion between its end portions offset from the first side portion and extending at an angle acute with respect to the first side portion such that the element is formed in the shape of a wedge of decreasing width toward its forward end portion.
  • the first and second elongated vertical side portions of the element are adapted to wedge a part of a tree being felled laterally of the second side portion during the splitting of the tree, while the first side portion is adapted to pass inwardly of the tree in a relatively unobstructed manner.
  • the tree splitting element further includes an elongated horizontally disposed wedge shaped cutting blade attached to the lower edge portion of the second side portion of the element, which wedge shaped cutting blade is of decreasing width toward the forward end portion of the element and which extends laterally outward of the second vertical side portion such as to shear and cut the wedged out portion of the tree being felled.
  • the present invention relates to a tree-felling and land clearing device, and more particularly to improvements in a V-shaped tree-felling and land clearing attachment for use with tractors, bulldozers and the like, which is adapted to clear the entire area over which the implement passes by a substantially continuous forward movement of the clearing attachment.
  • implements of various types have been proposed, and in general, have performed satisfactorily but have not been found to be entirely suitable and adaptable in all instances.
  • Some of the implements of the prior art comprise a pair of outwardly and rearwardly extending blades having a splitter mounted on the center line of the device and at the point where the forward end of the blades meet.
  • devices of this sort which have shear blades connected at opposite sides of the splitting element, there is no effective splitting off and cutting of the tree trunk due to the fact that upon engagement of the splitter element with the tree trunk the laterally extending blades wedge into the trunk to thereby stall the apparatus.
  • Another object of the subject invention is to provide a V-shaped land clearing blade having substantially horizontally disposed toothed blades along the lower periphery of the V-shaped attachment, these blades serving to cut the growth from the land at ground level, and, in the case of relatively large trees, these blades serving to shear the tree from its trunk once the tree has been split by the tree splitter element attached to one of the blades adjacent its inner end.
  • the teeth disposed along the outer edges of the blades should be of a serrated shape so that when they are being used to cut relatively thick trees, the teeth will engage the tree with a stepping motion, which intermediate engagement permits the tractor or other prime mover to gain momentum as the blade moves along from tooth to tooth.
  • Still another object of the present invention is to provide a V-shaped land clearing apparatus which is adapted to shear off large tree stumps and the like by making successive passes at the stump adjacent the ground level thereof whereby the stump is substantially removed above the ground level.
  • a further object of this invention is to provide a V-shaped land clearing device for use in attachment with a bulldozer or tractor in which small vegetation may be removed at the same time as large stumps, trees and the like.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a V-shaped land clearing device which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture, easily adaptable for use on conventional type tractors, and one in which each side of the V-shaped blade is attachable and detach-able from the other to allow for ready transportation of the equipment from job site to job site and easy storage of the same.
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide a V-shaped land clearing blade attachment for bulldozers and the like wherein the device is strong in construction to counteract the shearing stresses imposed on the device particularly while the device is being used to split the trunk of a tree or the like.
  • a V-shaped land clearing apparatus for use in combination with a bulldozer, tractor or other prime mover in which the shear blades which make up the sides of the V are easily and readily attachable and detachable one from the other to allow for easy transportation between job sites and convenient, compact storage when the apparatus is not in use.
  • the tree splitting element is mounted adjacent the center l ne of the apparatus and connected to the forward end of an inwardly and forwardly extending shear blade which extends from one side of the apparatus to the center line thereof.
  • a second shear blade is mounted on the opposite side of the imple ment and extends inwardly and forwardly to terminate at the center line thereof.
  • the construction is such that the tree splitting element and the forward portion of the shear blade to which the element is connected splits and shears off a portion of an object before the other shear blade contacts the object.
  • the land clearing apparatus of this invention is constructed so as to strengthen the unit as to the shear stresses, which develop where the two shear blades are joined, when the device is used in the operation of splitting and felling trees. The strengthening is attained by making use of a cooperating tongue and socket construction at the interface where the two shear blades are joiningly connected.
  • This type of construction is also used for purposes of added strength in the crossmember bracing the two shear blades in a V position, which cross-member also attaches to a block and tackle connected to the tractor or the like and which is used in raising and lowering the land clearing attachment.
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view of the V-shaped land clearing tree cutter device of this invention; the broken lines indicating the prime mover to which the device is connected;
  • FIG. 2 is a right side elevational view of the tree cutter device of FIG. 1, the device being depicted by broken lines in a raised, inclined position;
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tree cutter device of FIG. 1 being connected to a prime mover shown by broken lines herein;
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the construction of the connecting arm of the device taken along line 44 of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the construction of one of the shear blades and its supporting members taken along line 55 of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 66 of FIG. 2 and showing further the detailed construction of the shear blade and its supporting members;
  • FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view, partially broken away, taken along line 7-7 and showing in detail the construction of the device and the manner of connecting the two shear blades;
  • FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines SS of FIG. 7;
  • FIG. 9 is a crosssectional view taken along line 99 of FIG. 1 showing the details of the construction of the cross-member between the shear blades;
  • FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 1010 of FIG. 9.
  • FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view, partially broken away, showing the constructional details of the cross member and shear blades.
  • FIG. 1 a detailed top plan view of the V-shaped land clearing and tree splitting attachment or device of the invention.
  • the device generally designated by numeral 20, has a pair of supporting or connecting arms 22 and 24 which connected the device to respective stub shafts 28 and 30 extending outwardly from each side of a bulldozer, tractor or other prime mover 26 (shown by broken line).
  • Attached to the supporting arms is a V-shaped frame having side members 32 and 34 which in turn support and carry respective vertically disposed members 36 and 38, cutting or shear blades 40 and 42, which are generally horizontally disposed, and tree splitting element 44.
  • cross member 46 which further maintains and braces supporting members 32 and 34 in their V shape.
  • bracket 48 Centrally located on cross member 46 and attached thereto is a bracket 48 for attaching the implement by block and tackle or other suitable means to the front of the bulldozer or other prime mover. It is by this means that the front of the attachment is moved in an up and down direction relative to the ground level while the rear portion pivots about the stub shafts 28 and 30.
  • Shear or cutting blades 40 and 42 are provided with sharp serrated edges 50 and 52 for contacting the object being cut at relatively small areas of contact.
  • the advantages of the tooth-like structure of the blades are; first, that the length of contact between the edge of the blade and the object being cut is reduced so as to increase unit cutting pressures; and second, that resistance to forward motion varies in a step by step fashion as the blade progresses tooth to tooth against the object so that the tractor is able to gain momentum during the increment of travel beween the outstanding teeth.
  • Each side of the V-shaped cutter is attachable and detachable one from the other at 54, 56 and 58 by the use of selectively releaseable connecting means such as bolts 60 and their co-acting nuts, such as to allow for easy and ready transportation from job site to job site and convenient, compact storage of the attachment when not in use.
  • Shear blade 42 is provided with a wedge shaped blade 62 connecting the tree splitting element 44 rearwardly of its leading edge to the serrated portion 50 of cutting blade 42, such that the tree splitting element 44, together and in cooperation with the wedge shaped shear blade 62, splits, cuts and shears off a portion of a tree trunk before the serrated portions of shear blades49 and 42 make contact with the trunk, thereby minimizing any stalling of the equipment.
  • the right-side elevational view of the V-shaped cutter in FIG. 2 more clearly depicts the up and down movetent with respect to the ground level of the tree splitting element 44 and cutting blades 40 and 42 while the supporting arms 22 and 24 pivot about stub shafts 28 and 30.
  • the broken lines 64 show the apparatus raised from horizontal position. Connnection of the tree splitting element 44 to vertical plow-like member 38 and cutting blades 2 is also more readily discernible. Extending rearwardly of plow-like member 38 and connected thereto in a generally vertical position is a side panel or plate 66 which aids in deflecting vegetation outwardly from the implement and away from the bulldozer 26.
  • top guide rail or deflecting bar which is connected to plow-like member 38 and supporting member 34 by spaced grill-like support members 70; a purpose of which is to guide and deflect brush and vegetation outwardly from the implement and away from the tractor and operator carried thereby.
  • V-shaped tree splitter and cutter, land clearing device 20, of this invention is shown in FIG. 3 in operational position attached to a bulldozer 26 or other like prime mover.
  • Block and tackle 72 is attached to the nose of the tractor and the other end thereof is attached to the implement at bracket 48, as shown in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 4 there is shown in detail the construction of the connecting or supporting arm 24 and side panel or plate 66 connected thereto.
  • the supporting or connecting arm 24 is constructed of two elongated L-shaped plates or members 74 and 76 welded together, to form a boxlike member which is attached to the side panel or plate 66 and above which there is an additional upright plate or member 78.
  • a cap or cover plate member 79 Connected to and running along the top edge of side plate 66 and member 78 is a cap or cover plate member 79 which lends strength and rigidity to the apparatus.
  • FIG. 5 being a cross-sectional view taken along line 55 of FIG. 2 rearwardly and adjacent cross bracing member 46 and looking in the direction of the arrows toward the tree splitting element, shows in greater detail the construction of side panel 38, cutting blade 42, deflecting bar 68 and the supporting members of the attachment at this location.
  • the elongated L-shaped members 75 and 77 are welded to form a box-like member 81 and an additional L-shaped member 80 is connected thereto which joins the inward end of cutting blade 42 to the supporting framework of the device.
  • Arm 24 is attached by butt welding to box member 81 and by connecting or lap plates 114, and 115, described more fully in the description of FIG. 11.
  • a small plate 82 inwardly of side panel 38 to connect and reinforce such panel 38 to the cutting blade 42.
  • Lap or connecting plates 108 and 109 are attached to box member 81 which are in turn connected to cross member 46 as hereinafter more fully described.
  • Channel member 84 attached near the top of side panel 38 lends rigidity to the structure and supporting members 70 are connected to channel member 84.
  • Support members 70 rigidly hold deflecting bar 68 in spaced relationship above the top of side panel 38.
  • FIG. 6 Details of the construction of the cutting implement, along line 6-6 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows toward the apex of the V.
  • the carrying and supporting framework for cutting blade 42 and side panel 38 is here seen to consist of L-shaped member 75 attached to side panel 38 below which member '80 is attached between side panel 38 and the inner edge of cutting blade 42 and plate member 82 additionally connects side panel 38 with cutting blade 42.
  • Another supporting member 70 connects guide or deflection bar 6 8 with the channel member 84, as hereinbefore described in connection with FIG. 5.
  • FIG. 7 being a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows toward the center line of the implement, shows the details of the connection or joint of the two sides of the V of the cutting apparatus.
  • the elongated tree splitting element 44 is attached along its inclined side 47 to Wedge shaped cutting blade 62 and along its base or butt plate 91 to side panel 38 and shear blade 42 by welding or other suitable means, such as to form a strong and rigid member intregal with the rest of the implement.
  • Tree splitting element 44 is generally of a wedge shape construction which is formed by constructing one of the vertical sides 49 of this element 44 parallel and adjacent to a vertical plane through the apex of the V of the implement, While the other vertical side 47 of the element is formed at an acute angle to this vertical plane through the apex of the V. This construction is particularly useful when the implement is used in splitting a tree, as the wedge shaped body moves forwardly into the tree it widens and further splits the opening made in the tree by the leading edge of this tree splitting element 44. While tree splitting element 44 is itself generally wedge shaped, its outermost end or extremity terminates in a chisel-like point 45; these foregoing features being more readily discernible in FIGS. 1 and 3.
  • This chisel-like point 45 is formed by constructing one of the vertical sides 49 of the outer end of the tree splitting element 44 parallel and adjacent to a vertical plane through the apex of the V of the implement, while the other vertical side 51 at the outer end is made to intersect the first vertical side at an acute angle such that a chisel-like point is formed at 45.
  • This chisel-like construction makes it possible for the sharp, pointed outer end of the tree "splitting element to first contact and start a split in the tree to be felled and then further engage and widen the split therein as the bulldozer and implement moves forward relative to the tree being felled.
  • splitting element 44 as well as the wedge shape of its outermost end, which wedges are respectively formed by vertical sides 49 and 47, and 49 and 51, tend to widen and laterally force the initial split portion of the tree being felled and thus cooperates with cutting blade 62 in its function of shearing and cutting off the wedged out split portion of the tree.
  • Attachable and detachable mounting plates 94 and 96 are carried by side members 36 and 38 respectively and attached thereto at the side members foremost end. These brackets or mounting plates 94, 96 are held together by selectively releaseable connecting means in the form of bolts 60 and their cooperating nuts.
  • mounting plates 94 and 96 At the top of mounting plates 94 and 96 there are attached respective Supporting members 99 and 98 which support the two sections of guiding or deflecting bar 68 in adjacent positions at the apex of the V-shaped cutter. Additionally contained within mounting or attaching plates 94, 96 are mounting or rigidifying means in the form of mortise joints or tongue and groove joints 100 and 101, joint 100 being more clearly shown in FIG. 8, which is a cross-section therethrough.
  • Joint 100 preferably includes a rectangular tongue or male member 102 carried by plate 94 and a cooperating rectangular socket or female member 104 of plate 96 slightly larger than the cross-sectional dimensions of tongue 102, such that tongue 102 and socket 104 fit together in an embracing nesting relationship when plates 94 and 96- are connected by bolts 60 and nuts.
  • Joints 101 similarly includes a tongue and socket construction, and other such joints may be provided as desired. The employment of this tongue and socket joint construction between plates 94 and 96 takes-up and relieves the high shearing stresses which develop in bolts 60 when the implement is in operation, thus insuring that the bolts are not damaged or broken by the forces developed during repeated impact of the splitter 44 with trees.
  • FIG. 9 is a detail of the construction of the bracing cross-member 46, which member holds and supports the side of the implement in the V position as well as providing a connecting bracket 48 for attaching block and tackle '72 thereto, the upper end of which is attached to the nose of the bulldozer.
  • the plow-like side walls 36 and 38 are connected to cutting blades 40 and 42, respectively, all of which is attached to and supported by members 75, and 82 on one side and 75, 80' and 82' on the other side thereof.
  • This structure is in turn attached to bracing cross-member 46 by welding attaching angles or lap plates 106 and 108 thereto.
  • Bracing cross-member 46 is provided with joint means at 56 and 58 for connecting and disconnecting the V sides of the cutting apparatus.
  • Such joint means 56 and 58 each have a tongue and socket structure similar to the joint at in FIGS. 7 and 8 which attach plates 94 and 96.
  • Each of these joint means at 56 and 58, a cross-section through the one at 58 being shown in FIG. 10, includes a pair of abutting flanges 110 and 118 which are connected by selectively releaseable connecting means such as bolts 61 and nuts.
  • One of the flanges of each pair for example flange 118, has an inwardly extending groove or socket 112 constituted by the outer end of L-shaped angle members 113 which are connected to form a box like member and which is a portion of cross member 46.
  • the other flange of the pair has an outwardly extending tongue or male member 122 which cooperates with its corresponding socket or female member, such as 112 of flange 118.
  • This tongue or male member 122 is provided for by first welding a flange, such as 110, to the outer end of L-shaped angle members 113 which form a box-like member and which is a portion of cross member 46, then a solid plate member is inserted in and welded to this flange such that a portion thereof projects beyond the flange to become the tongue or male member.
  • cross-member 46 becomes a solid unified structure when the flanges are connected by bolts 61 and nuts.
  • This joint construction greatly strengthens the cross member with respect to the shear forces acting thereon when the implement is in operation, and further permits the detachment of the two sides of the implement.
  • FIG. 11 Shown in FIG. 11 is an enlargement of a portion of the tree cutting implement of this invention, this view being obtained by looking down at FIG. 1 on the side of the V carrying the tree splitting element. Ajoinment of this side of the V structure to supporting or connecting arm 24 and to bracing cross member 46 is depicted, as well as is joint means 53 in spaced or unconnected relationship.
  • cutting blade 42 and plow-like side member 38 are connected to supporting members 70 along with other supporting and carrying members which are in turn all joined to box like member 81 and L-shaped member 80, which members are more clearly seen in FIG. 5.
  • Box member 81 is connected to supporting arm 24 by butt welding and employing welded lap plates or angle brackets 114 and 115 at one end thereof, and is joined to the supporting cross-member 46 at the opposite end thereof by butt welding and employing similar welded lap plates or angle brackets 108 and 109.
  • Connecting means 58 being shown in disconnected arrangement comprises a set of flanges 110 and 118 having aligned bolt holes 120 therein. These flange-s 11d and 118 when normally joined in engaging relationship by the use of selectively releaseable connecting means such as bolts 61 and nuts abut one another.
  • Flange 110 has inserted therein and welded thereto a tongue or male member 112 which extends outwardly therefrom to cooperately engage the socket or female opening 112 contained within flange 118, such that when this joint 58 is secured by bolts 61 and their cooperating nuts, supporting cross member 46 becomes a rigid and unified structure capable of withstanding the high shear stresses which develop during the operation of this tree cutting element.
  • the implement is secured to the forward end of a prime mover, such as a bulldozer, tractor or the like by the supporting or connecting arms 22 and 24 such that the implement is pushed forwardly of the tractor.
  • a prime mover such as a bulldozer, tractor or the like
  • means for raising and lowering the device with respect to the prime mover include block and tackle 72 which is connected to the nose of the bulldozer and attached to supporting bracket 48 on cross member 46.
  • the driver of the bulldozer raises the front end of the attachment by shortening up on the block and tackle and drives the bulldozer out into the field to be cleared.
  • the V-shaped cutting device When the bulldozer has entered the field the V-shaped cutting device will be lowered to ground level or to an essentially horizontal position, although it is possible to run the device with the cutting blades slightly below the surface of the soil if so desired. Having thus adjusted the level of the land clearing attachment the driver then proceeds to drive the bulldozer forwardly thereby bringing the cutting edges 50 and 52 into engagement with whatever growth appears on the surface of the land, blades 40 and 42 severing the growth, and plow-like panels 36 and 38 pushing debris to the side so as to leave a clear path for the tractor. When it is desired to sever a stump or tree adjacent the ground level, the tree splitting element 44 is moved inwardly of a side of the tree, whereby a side portion of the tree is split.
  • the wedge shaped shear blade 62 cuts and shears off the split portion.
  • the implement is again moved forwardly whereby the splitting element 44 assumes a position inwardly of the first split in the tree whereupon another portion of the tree trunk is split away and immediately cut by the wedge shaped shearing blade 62.
  • the shear blade 40 terminates rearwardly a distance of the front portion of the tree splitting element 44, this shearing blade 40 does not generally engage to any major extent the tree trunk during the splitting operation.
  • the entire apparatus is moved forwardly whereby both shear blades 40 and 42 clear the entire area over which the implement 20 passes.
  • this V-shaped land clearing apparatus is such that the entire area over which the implement passes is cleared with one pass of the implement, thereby eliminating the necessity of having to first cut small growth and than rake same prior to the removal of the larger growth. Because of the improvements therein the device of this invention is readily and easily broken down for convenient transportation and compact storage thereof, but may be easily assembled and put into use when so desired. The construction is such that the apparatus when in operation is a strong unified piece of equipment capable of withstanding the high shearing stresses which develop in the operation of a V-shaped tree cutting device of this nature.
  • a forwardly extending tree splitting wedge element having a rearward end portion connected to one of said side frame members adjacent the apex of said frame and terminating forwardly in an upstanding sharpened forward tree piercing end, said element including a first elongated vertical side extending from said forward end parallel to and adjacent a longitudinal and vertical plane through said apex to its said rearward end portion, said element including a second elongated vertical side meeting said first vertical side to form said sharpened end and extending rearwardly to its said rearward end portion, said second elongated side extending rearwardly from said sharpened end gradually away from said first side and forming said element in
  • said second vertical side includes a pair of side portions, one said side portion being connected to said sharpened end and extending rearwardly at an acute angle with respect to said first vertical side, the other said side portion extending at another smaller acute angle with respect to said first vertical side said sharpened forward end of said tree splitting element between said first vertical side and one said side portion being adapted to penetrate a tree which is to be felled, said element between said first vertical side and said other side portion being adapted to wedge out a portion of the tree adjacent said other side portion.
  • V-shaped land clearing device as defined by claim 2 further comprising an elongated horizontally disposed cutting blade attached to the lower edge portion of said second elongated vertical side of said tree splitting element, said cutting blade extending laterally outward of said second elongated vertical side so as to shear and cut the wedged out portion of the tree being felled.
  • V-shaped land clearing device as defined by claim 2 further comprising an elongated horizontally disposed wedge shaped cutting blade attached to the lower edge portion of said second elongated vertical side of said tree splitting element, said wedge shaped cutting blade being of decreasing width toward said forward sharpened end of said tree splitting element and extending laterally outward of said second elongated vertical side so as to shear and cut the wedged out portion of the tree being felled.
  • a land clearing device for use in combination with a bulldozer comprising a movable substantially horizontally disposed frame, said frame having first and second elongated side members disposed in a V-shape and terminating in a forwardly facing apex, said side members having rearwardly extending supporting arms rigidly fixed thereto and pivotally mountable at their aft ends to a bulldozer, a first substantially horizontally disposed cutting blade mounted on said first side member of said frame and extending forwardly and inwardly from one side of said frame to the apex thereof, a second substantially horizontally disposed cutting blade mounted on said second side member of said frame and extending forwardly and inwardly from the other side of said frame to the apex thereof, attaching means connected to said first side member of said frame at the apex thereof to joiningly attach said first side member to said second side member of said frame, attaching means connected to said second side member of said frame at the apex thereof to joiningly attach said second side member to said first side member
  • the land clearing device as defined by claim 5 further comprising a forwardly extending tree splitting element having a rearward end portion connected to one of said side members of said frame adjacent the apex of said frame and having a sharpened forward end portion, said element including a first elongated vertical side portion between its said end portions parallel to and adjacent a vertical plane through said apex, said element including a second elongated vertical side portion between its said end portions offset from said first side portion and extending at an angle acute with respect to said first side portion, thereby forming said element in a wedge shape of decreasing width toward its said forward end portion, said first and second elongated vertical side portions being adapted to wedge a part of a tree being felled laterally of said second elongated vertical side portion during the splitting of said tree, said first elongated vertical side portion being adapted to pass inwardly of said tree in a relatively unobstructed manner, and an elongated horizontally disposed wedge shaped cutting blade attached to the lower edge portion of said second elongated vertical
  • a V-shaped land clearing device for use in combination with a prime mover comprising a movable substantially horizontally disposed frame, said frame having first and 'second elongated side members disposed in a V- shape and terminating in a forwardly facing apex, said side members having rearwardly extending supporting arms rigidly fixed thereto and pivotally mountable at their aft ends to a prime mover, a first substantially horizontally disposed cutting blade mounted on said first side member of said frame and extending forwardly and inwardly from one side of said frame to the apex thereof, a second substantially horizontally disposed cutting blade mounted on the second side member of said frame and extending forwardly and inwardly from the other side of said frame to the apex thereof, a first mounting plate connected to said first side member of said frame at the apex thereof and being vertically disposed parallel to a vertical plane through said apex to provide for attachment of said first side member to said second side member of said frame, a second mounting plate connected to said second side
  • a V-shaped land clearing device for use in combination with a prime mover comprising a movable substantially horizontally disposed frame, said frame having first and second side members disposed in a V-shape and terminating in a forwardly facing apex, said side members having rearwardly extending supporting arms rigidly fixed thereto and pivotally mountable at their aft ends to a prime mover, a first substantially horizontally disposed cutting blade mounted on said first side member of said frame and extending forwardly and inwardly from one side of said frame to the apex thereof, a second substantially horizontally disposed cutting blade mounted on said second side member of said frame and extending forwardly and inwardly from the other side of said frame to the apex thereof, a first mounting plate connected to said first side member of said frame at the apex thereof, said first mounting plate vertically disposed parallel to a vertical plane through said apex to provide for attachment of said first side member to said second member of said frame, said first mounting plate having a horizontally disposed tongue
  • V-shaped land clearing device as defined by claim 8 wherein said joint and socket construction of said apex of said frame is of a rectangular construction.
  • V-shaped land clearing device as defined by claim 8 further comprising a forwardly extending tree splitting element having a rearward end portion connected to one of said side members of said frame adjacent the apex of said frame and having a sharpened forward end portion, said element including a first elongated vertical side portion between its said end portions parallel to and adjacent a vertical plane through said apex, said element including a second elongated vertical side portion between its said end portions offset from said first side portion and extending at an angle acute with respect to said first side portion, thereby forming said element in a wedge shape of decreasing width toward its said forward end portion, said first and second elongated vertical side portions being adapted to wedge a part of a tree being felled laterally of said second elongated vertical side portion during the splitting of said tree, said first elongated vertical side portion being adapted to pass inwardly of said tree in a relatively unobstructed manner, and an elongated horizontally disposed wedge shaped cutting blade attached to the lower edge portion of said second e
  • a V-shaped land clearing device for use in combination with a bulldozer comprising a movable substantially horizontally disposed frame, said framing having first and second elongated side members disposed in a V-shape and terminating in a forwardly facing apex, said side members having rearwardly extending supporting arms rigidly fixed thereto and pivotally mountable at their aft ends to a bulldozer, a first substantially horizontally disposed cutting blade mounted on said first side member of said frame and extending forwardly and inwardly from one side of said frame to the apex thereof, a second substantially horizontally disposed cutting blade mounted on said second side member of said frame and extending forwardly and inwardly from the other side of said frame to the apex thereof, attaching means connected to said first side member of said frame at the apex thereof to joiningly attach said first side member to said second side member of said frame, attaching means connected to said second side member of said frame at the apex thereof to joiningly attach said second side member
  • a V-shaped land clearing device for use in combination with a prime mover, comprising a movable substantially horizontally disposed frame, said frame having first and second elongated side members disposed in a V- Cir shape and terminating in a forwardly facing apex, said side members having rearwardly extending supporting arms rigidly fixed thereto and pivotally mountable at their aft ends to a prime mover, a first substantially horizontally disposed cutting blade mounted on said first side member of said frame and extending forwardly and inwardly from one side of said frame to the apex thereof, a second substantially horizontally disposed cutting blade mounted on said second side member of said frame and extending forwardly and inwardly from the other side of said frame to the apex thereof, attaching means connected to said first side member of said frame at the apex thereof to joiningly attach said first side member to said second side member of said frame, attaching means connected to said second side member of said frame at the apex thereof to joiningly attach said second side member to said first side
  • a V-shaped land clearing device for use in combination with a bulldozer comprising a movable substantially horizontally disposed frame, said frame having first and second elongated side members disposed in a V-shape and terminating in a forwardly facing apex, said side' members having rearwardly extending supporting arms fixedly thereto and pivotally mountable at their aft ends to a bulldozer, a first substantially horizontally disposed cutting blade mounted on said first side member of said frame and extending forwardly and inwardly from one side of said frame to the apex thereof, a second substantially horizontally disposed cutting blade mounted 'on said second side member of said frame and extending forwardly and inwardly from the other side of said frame to the apex thereof, a first mounting plate connected to said first side member of said frame at the apex thereof and being vertically disposed parallel to a vertical plane through said apex to provide for attachment of said first side member to said second side member of said frame, said first mounting plate having
  • the V-shaped land clearing device as defined by claim 12 further comprising a forwardly extending tree splitting element having a rearward end portion connected to one of said side members of said frame adjacent the apex of said frame and having a sharpened forward end portion, said element including a first elongated vertical side portion between its said end portions parallel to and adjacent a vertical plane through said apex, said element including a second elongated vertical side portion between its said end portions offset from said first side portion and extending at an angle acute with respect to said first side portion, thereby forming said element in a wedge-shape of decreasing width toward its said forward end portion, said first and second elongated vertical side portions being adopted to wedge a part of a tree being felled laterally of said second elongated vertical side portion during the splitting of said tree, said first elongated vertical side portion being adopted to pass inwardly of said tree in a relatively unobstructed manner, and an elongated horizontally disposed wedge shaped cutting blade attached to the lower edge portion of said second

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
  • Ecology (AREA)
  • Forests & Forestry (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Supports For Plants (AREA)

Description

10, 1968 E. v. FRANKENBERG ETAL 3,415,296
LAND CLEARING DEVICE I5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 21, 1965 INVENTORS Edward Kfimkmber Dec. 10, .1968 E. v. FRANKENBERG ETAL 3,415,296
LAND CLEARING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 21. 1965 w. 0 m H M N wE m f R VfG 0 mr .r yn k am r m I V. B Y
United States Patent 3,415,296 LAND CLEARING DEVICE Edward V. Frankenberg and Norman N. Griliith, Jacksonville, Fla., assignors to Fleco Corporation, Jacksonville, Fla, a corporation of Florida Filed May 21, 1965, Ser. No. 457,602 14 Claims. (Cl. 144-34) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A land clearing device for use in combination with a bulldozer which comprises a movable substantially horizontally disposed frame. The frame includes first and second elongated side members disposed in a Vshape which terminate in a forwardly facing apex, these side members have rearwardly extending supporting arms rigidly fixed thereto and pivotally mounted at their aft ends to the bulldozer. A first substantially horizontally disposed cutting blade is mounted on the first side member of said frame and extends forwardly and inwardly from one side of the frame to the apex thereof and a second substantially horizontally disposed cutting blade is mounted on the second side member of the frame and extends forwardly and inwardly of the other side of the frame to the apex thereof. Attaching means and selectively releaseably connecting means for the attaching means are provided on the side members of the frame adjacent the apex thereof such that the two side members of the frame are easily and readily attachable and detachable one from the other to provide for convenient transportation and compact storage of the device. The apparatus further includes a forwardly extending tree splitting element which has a rearward end portion connected to one of the side members of the frame adjacent the apex thereof and a sharpened forward end portion. This tree splitting element includes a first elongated vertical side portion between its end portions parallel to and adjacent a vertical plane through the apex of the frame, and a second elongated vertical side portion between its end portions offset from the first side portion and extending at an angle acute with respect to the first side portion such that the element is formed in the shape of a wedge of decreasing width toward its forward end portion. The first and second elongated vertical side portions of the element are adapted to wedge a part of a tree being felled laterally of the second side portion during the splitting of the tree, while the first side portion is adapted to pass inwardly of the tree in a relatively unobstructed manner. The tree splitting element further includes an elongated horizontally disposed wedge shaped cutting blade attached to the lower edge portion of the second side portion of the element, which wedge shaped cutting blade is of decreasing width toward the forward end portion of the element and which extends laterally outward of the second vertical side portion such as to shear and cut the wedged out portion of the tree being felled.
The present invention relates to a tree-felling and land clearing device, and more particularly to improvements in a V-shaped tree-felling and land clearing attachment for use with tractors, bulldozers and the like, which is adapted to clear the entire area over which the implement passes by a substantially continuous forward movement of the clearing attachment.
Heretofore in the art to which this invention relates, land clearing implements of various types have been proposed, and in general, have performed satisfactorily but have not been found to be entirely suitable and adaptable in all instances. Some of the implements of the prior art comprise a pair of outwardly and rearwardly extending blades having a splitter mounted on the center line of the device and at the point where the forward end of the blades meet. Often times in devices of this sort, which have shear blades connected at opposite sides of the splitting element, there is no effective splitting off and cutting of the tree trunk due to the fact that upon engagement of the splitter element with the tree trunk the laterally extending blades wedge into the trunk to thereby stall the apparatus. On the other hand, if it is attempted to strike the tree trunk at the side thereof, often the entire implement and tractor is forced around so that the tractor looses its power and ability to move forward. Sometimes the tree splitting element in these land clearing attachments of the prior art is substantially offset from the center line of the bulldozer, thus causing excessive wear on one track of the bulldozer and reducing, sometimes by as much as one-half, the power available for tree splitting. Also when using this type arrangement, the tractor has a tendency to turn instead of moving in a forward course as desired. One big disadvantage of the land clearing attachments of the prior art, and in particular that of the V-shaped type, is that the piece of equipment is usually of necessity quite large and bulky, making it diflicult to transport and move between one job and the next or to conveniently and compactly store.
Therefore, with the above in mind, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved V-type land clearing and tree cutting device for attachment to a bulldozer or tractor.
Another object of the subject invention is to provide a V-shaped land clearing blade having substantially horizontally disposed toothed blades along the lower periphery of the V-shaped attachment, these blades serving to cut the growth from the land at ground level, and, in the case of relatively large trees, these blades serving to shear the tree from its trunk once the tree has been split by the tree splitter element attached to one of the blades adjacent its inner end. The teeth disposed along the outer edges of the blades should be of a serrated shape so that when they are being used to cut relatively thick trees, the teeth will engage the tree with a stepping motion, which intermediate engagement permits the tractor or other prime mover to gain momentum as the blade moves along from tooth to tooth.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a V-shaped land clearing apparatus which is adapted to shear off large tree stumps and the like by making successive passes at the stump adjacent the ground level thereof whereby the stump is substantially removed above the ground level.
A further object of this invention is to provide a V-shaped land clearing device for use in attachment with a bulldozer or tractor in which small vegetation may be removed at the same time as large stumps, trees and the like.
Another object of the invention is to provide a V-shaped land clearing device which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture, easily adaptable for use on conventional type tractors, and one in which each side of the V-shaped blade is attachable and detach-able from the other to allow for ready transportation of the equipment from job site to job site and easy storage of the same.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a V-shaped land clearing blade attachment for bulldozers and the like wherein the device is strong in construction to counteract the shearing stresses imposed on the device particularly while the device is being used to split the trunk of a tree or the like.
According to the present invention these and other objects are attained by providing a V-shaped land clearing apparatus for use in combination with a bulldozer, tractor or other prime mover in which the shear blades which make up the sides of the V are easily and readily attachable and detachable one from the other to allow for easy transportation between job sites and convenient, compact storage when the apparatus is not in use. The tree splitting element is mounted adjacent the center l ne of the apparatus and connected to the forward end of an inwardly and forwardly extending shear blade which extends from one side of the apparatus to the center line thereof. A second shear blade is mounted on the opposite side of the imple ment and extends inwardly and forwardly to terminate at the center line thereof. The construction is such that the tree splitting element and the forward portion of the shear blade to which the element is connected splits and shears off a portion of an object before the other shear blade contacts the object. The land clearing apparatus of this invention is constructed so as to strengthen the unit as to the shear stresses, which develop where the two shear blades are joined, when the device is used in the operation of splitting and felling trees. The strengthening is attained by making use of a cooperating tongue and socket construction at the interface where the two shear blades are joiningly connected. This type of construction is also used for purposes of added strength in the crossmember bracing the two shear blades in a V position, which cross-member also attaches to a block and tackle connected to the tractor or the like and which is used in raising and lowering the land clearing attachment.
The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of the V-shaped land clearing tree cutter device of this invention; the broken lines indicating the prime mover to which the device is connected;
FIG. 2 is a right side elevational view of the tree cutter device of FIG. 1, the device being depicted by broken lines in a raised, inclined position;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tree cutter device of FIG. 1 being connected to a prime mover shown by broken lines herein;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the construction of the connecting arm of the device taken along line 44 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the construction of one of the shear blades and its supporting members taken along line 55 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 66 of FIG. 2 and showing further the detailed construction of the shear blade and its supporting members;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view, partially broken away, taken along line 7-7 and showing in detail the construction of the device and the manner of connecting the two shear blades;
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines SS of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a crosssectional view taken along line 99 of FIG. 1 showing the details of the construction of the cross-member between the shear blades;
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 1010 of FIG. 9; and
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view, partially broken away, showing the constructional details of the cross member and shear blades.
Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals designate like parts, there is shown in FIG. 1 a detailed top plan view of the V-shaped land clearing and tree splitting attachment or device of the invention. The device, generally designated by numeral 20, has a pair of supporting or connecting arms 22 and 24 which connected the device to respective stub shafts 28 and 30 extending outwardly from each side of a bulldozer, tractor or other prime mover 26 (shown by broken line). Attached to the supporting arms is a V-shaped frame having side members 32 and 34 which in turn support and carry respective vertically disposed members 36 and 38, cutting or shear blades 40 and 42, which are generally horizontally disposed, and tree splitting element 44. The construction of the attachment is completed by cross member 46 which further maintains and braces supporting members 32 and 34 in their V shape. Centrally located on cross member 46 and attached thereto is a bracket 48 for attaching the implement by block and tackle or other suitable means to the front of the bulldozer or other prime mover. It is by this means that the front of the attachment is moved in an up and down direction relative to the ground level while the rear portion pivots about the stub shafts 28 and 30. Shear or cutting blades 40 and 42 are provided with sharp serrated edges 50 and 52 for contacting the object being cut at relatively small areas of contact. The advantages of the tooth-like structure of the blades are; first, that the length of contact between the edge of the blade and the object being cut is reduced so as to increase unit cutting pressures; and second, that resistance to forward motion varies in a step by step fashion as the blade progresses tooth to tooth against the object so that the tractor is able to gain momentum during the increment of travel beween the outstanding teeth. Each side of the V-shaped cutter is attachable and detachable one from the other at 54, 56 and 58 by the use of selectively releaseable connecting means such as bolts 60 and their co-acting nuts, such as to allow for easy and ready transportation from job site to job site and convenient, compact storage of the attachment when not in use. Shear blade 42 is provided with a wedge shaped blade 62 connecting the tree splitting element 44 rearwardly of its leading edge to the serrated portion 50 of cutting blade 42, such that the tree splitting element 44, together and in cooperation with the wedge shaped shear blade 62, splits, cuts and shears off a portion of a tree trunk before the serrated portions of shear blades49 and 42 make contact with the trunk, thereby minimizing any stalling of the equipment.
The right-side elevational view of the V-shaped cutter in FIG. 2 more clearly depicts the up and down movetent with respect to the ground level of the tree splitting element 44 and cutting blades 40 and 42 while the supporting arms 22 and 24 pivot about stub shafts 28 and 30. The broken lines 64 show the apparatus raised from horizontal position. Connnection of the tree splitting element 44 to vertical plow-like member 38 and cutting blades 2 is also more readily discernible. Extending rearwardly of plow-like member 38 and connected thereto in a generally vertical position is a side panel or plate 66 which aids in deflecting vegetation outwardly from the implement and away from the bulldozer 26. At 68 there is depicted top guide rail or deflecting bar which is connected to plow-like member 38 and supporting member 34 by spaced grill-like support members 70; a purpose of which is to guide and deflect brush and vegetation outwardly from the implement and away from the tractor and operator carried thereby.
The V-shaped tree splitter and cutter, land clearing device 20, of this invention, is shown in FIG. 3 in operational position attached to a bulldozer 26 or other like prime mover. Block and tackle 72, partly shown by broken lines, is attached to the nose of the tractor and the other end thereof is attached to the implement at bracket 48, as shown in FIG. 1.
In FIG. 4 there is shown in detail the construction of the connecting or supporting arm 24 and side panel or plate 66 connected thereto. The supporting or connecting arm 24 is constructed of two elongated L-shaped plates or members 74 and 76 welded together, to form a boxlike member which is attached to the side panel or plate 66 and above which there is an additional upright plate or member 78. Connected to and running along the top edge of side plate 66 and member 78 is a cap or cover plate member 79 which lends strength and rigidity to the apparatus.
FIG. 5, being a cross-sectional view taken along line 55 of FIG. 2 rearwardly and adjacent cross bracing member 46 and looking in the direction of the arrows toward the tree splitting element, shows in greater detail the construction of side panel 38, cutting blade 42, deflecting bar 68 and the supporting members of the attachment at this location. The elongated L-shaped members 75 and 77 are welded to form a box-like member 81 and an additional L-shaped member 80 is connected thereto which joins the inward end of cutting blade 42 to the supporting framework of the device. Arm 24 is attached by butt welding to box member 81 and by connecting or lap plates 114, and 115, described more fully in the description of FIG. 11. There is provided a small plate 82 inwardly of side panel 38 to connect and reinforce such panel 38 to the cutting blade 42. Lap or connecting plates 108 and 109 are attached to box member 81 which are in turn connected to cross member 46 as hereinafter more fully described. Channel member 84 attached near the top of side panel 38 lends rigidity to the structure and supporting members 70 are connected to channel member 84. Support members 70 rigidly hold deflecting bar 68 in spaced relationship above the top of side panel 38.
There is shown in cross-section in FIG. 6 details of the construction of the cutting implement, along line 6-6 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows toward the apex of the V. The carrying and supporting framework for cutting blade 42 and side panel 38 is here seen to consist of L-shaped member 75 attached to side panel 38 below which member '80 is attached between side panel 38 and the inner edge of cutting blade 42 and plate member 82 additionally connects side panel 38 with cutting blade 42. Another supporting member 70 connects guide or deflection bar 6 8 with the channel member 84, as hereinbefore described in connection with FIG. 5.
FIG. 7, being a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows toward the center line of the implement, shows the details of the connection or joint of the two sides of the V of the cutting apparatus. The elongated tree splitting element 44 is attached along its inclined side 47 to Wedge shaped cutting blade 62 and along its base or butt plate 91 to side panel 38 and shear blade 42 by welding or other suitable means, such as to form a strong and rigid member intregal with the rest of the implement. Tree splitting element 44 is generally of a wedge shape construction which is formed by constructing one of the vertical sides 49 of this element 44 parallel and adjacent to a vertical plane through the apex of the V of the implement, While the other vertical side 47 of the element is formed at an acute angle to this vertical plane through the apex of the V. This construction is particularly useful when the implement is used in splitting a tree, as the wedge shaped body moves forwardly into the tree it widens and further splits the opening made in the tree by the leading edge of this tree splitting element 44. While tree splitting element 44 is itself generally wedge shaped, its outermost end or extremity terminates in a chisel-like point 45; these foregoing features being more readily discernible in FIGS. 1 and 3. This chisel-like point 45 is formed by constructing one of the vertical sides 49 of the outer end of the tree splitting element 44 parallel and adjacent to a vertical plane through the apex of the V of the implement, while the other vertical side 51 at the outer end is made to intersect the first vertical side at an acute angle such that a chisel-like point is formed at 45. This chisel-like construction makes it possible for the sharp, pointed outer end of the tree "splitting element to first contact and start a split in the tree to be felled and then further engage and widen the split therein as the bulldozer and implement moves forward relative to the tree being felled. The wedge shape of splitting element 44 as well as the wedge shape of its outermost end, which wedges are respectively formed by vertical sides 49 and 47, and 49 and 51, tend to widen and laterally force the initial split portion of the tree being felled and thus cooperates with cutting blade 62 in its function of shearing and cutting off the wedged out split portion of the tree. Attachable and detachable mounting plates 94 and 96 are carried by side members 36 and 38 respectively and attached thereto at the side members foremost end. These brackets or mounting plates 94, 96 are held together by selectively releaseable connecting means in the form of bolts 60 and their cooperating nuts. At the top of mounting plates 94 and 96 there are attached respective Supporting members 99 and 98 which support the two sections of guiding or deflecting bar 68 in adjacent positions at the apex of the V-shaped cutter. Additionally contained within mounting or attaching plates 94, 96 are mounting or rigidifying means in the form of mortise joints or tongue and groove joints 100 and 101, joint 100 being more clearly shown in FIG. 8, which is a cross-section therethrough. Joint 100 preferably includes a rectangular tongue or male member 102 carried by plate 94 and a cooperating rectangular socket or female member 104 of plate 96 slightly larger than the cross-sectional dimensions of tongue 102, such that tongue 102 and socket 104 fit together in an embracing nesting relationship when plates 94 and 96- are connected by bolts 60 and nuts. Joints 101 similarly includes a tongue and socket construction, and other such joints may be provided as desired. The employment of this tongue and socket joint construction between plates 94 and 96 takes-up and relieves the high shearing stresses which develop in bolts 60 when the implement is in operation, thus insuring that the bolts are not damaged or broken by the forces developed during repeated impact of the splitter 44 with trees.
FIG. 9 is a detail of the construction of the bracing cross-member 46, which member holds and supports the side of the implement in the V position as well as providing a connecting bracket 48 for attaching block and tackle '72 thereto, the upper end of which is attached to the nose of the bulldozer. The plow- like side walls 36 and 38 are connected to cutting blades 40 and 42, respectively, all of which is attached to and supported by members 75, and 82 on one side and 75, 80' and 82' on the other side thereof. This structure is in turn attached to bracing cross-member 46 by welding attaching angles or lap plates 106 and 108 thereto. Bracing cross-member 46 is provided with joint means at 56 and 58 for connecting and disconnecting the V sides of the cutting apparatus. Such joint means 56 and 58 each have a tongue and socket structure similar to the joint at in FIGS. 7 and 8 which attach plates 94 and 96. Each of these joint means at 56 and 58, a cross-section through the one at 58 being shown in FIG. 10, includes a pair of abutting flanges 110 and 118 which are connected by selectively releaseable connecting means such as bolts 61 and nuts. One of the flanges of each pair, for example flange 118, has an inwardly extending groove or socket 112 constituted by the outer end of L-shaped angle members 113 which are connected to form a box like member and which is a portion of cross member 46. The other flange of the pair, as for example 110, has an outwardly extending tongue or male member 122 which cooperates with its corresponding socket or female member, such as 112 of flange 118. This tongue or male member 122 is provided for by first welding a flange, such as 110, to the outer end of L-shaped angle members 113 which form a box-like member and which is a portion of cross member 46, then a solid plate member is inserted in and welded to this flange such that a portion thereof projects beyond the flange to become the tongue or male member.
The co-action between these tongues and sockets at joint means 56 and 58 is such that cross-member 46 becomes a solid unified structure when the flanges are connected by bolts 61 and nuts. This joint construction greatly strengthens the cross member with respect to the shear forces acting thereon when the implement is in operation, and further permits the detachment of the two sides of the implement.
Shown in FIG. 11 is an enlargement of a portion of the tree cutting implement of this invention, this view being obtained by looking down at FIG. 1 on the side of the V carrying the tree splitting element. Ajoinment of this side of the V structure to supporting or connecting arm 24 and to bracing cross member 46 is depicted, as well as is joint means 53 in spaced or unconnected relationship. Here cutting blade 42 and plow-like side member 38 are connected to supporting members 70 along with other supporting and carrying members which are in turn all joined to box like member 81 and L-shaped member 80, which members are more clearly seen in FIG. 5. Box member 81 is connected to supporting arm 24 by butt welding and employing welded lap plates or angle brackets 114 and 115 at one end thereof, and is joined to the supporting cross-member 46 at the opposite end thereof by butt welding and employing similar welded lap plates or angle brackets 108 and 109. Connecting means 58 being shown in disconnected arrangement comprises a set of flanges 110 and 118 having aligned bolt holes 120 therein. These flange-s 11d and 118 when normally joined in engaging relationship by the use of selectively releaseable connecting means such as bolts 61 and nuts abut one another. Flange 110 has inserted therein and welded thereto a tongue or male member 112 which extends outwardly therefrom to cooperately engage the socket or female opening 112 contained within flange 118, such that when this joint 58 is secured by bolts 61 and their cooperating nuts, supporting cross member 46 becomes a rigid and unified structure capable of withstanding the high shear stresses which develop during the operation of this tree cutting element.
From the foregoing description the operation of the improved land clearing device of this invention will be readily understood. The implement is secured to the forward end of a prime mover, such as a bulldozer, tractor or the like by the supporting or connecting arms 22 and 24 such that the implement is pushed forwardly of the tractor. There is also provided means for raising and lowering the device with respect to the prime mover; in the embodiment shown such means include block and tackle 72 which is connected to the nose of the bulldozer and attached to supporting bracket 48 on cross member 46. The driver of the bulldozer raises the front end of the attachment by shortening up on the block and tackle and drives the bulldozer out into the field to be cleared. When the bulldozer has entered the field the V-shaped cutting device will be lowered to ground level or to an essentially horizontal position, although it is possible to run the device with the cutting blades slightly below the surface of the soil if so desired. Having thus adjusted the level of the land clearing attachment the driver then proceeds to drive the bulldozer forwardly thereby bringing the cutting edges 50 and 52 into engagement with whatever growth appears on the surface of the land, blades 40 and 42 severing the growth, and plow- like panels 36 and 38 pushing debris to the side so as to leave a clear path for the tractor. When it is desired to sever a stump or tree adjacent the ground level, the tree splitting element 44 is moved inwardly of a side of the tree, whereby a side portion of the tree is split. Immediately upon splitting the side portion of the tree the wedge shaped shear blade 62 cuts and shears off the split portion. After this first portion is split and sheared off the tree, the implement is again moved forwardly whereby the splitting element 44 assumes a position inwardly of the first split in the tree whereupon another portion of the tree trunk is split away and immediately cut by the wedge shaped shearing blade 62. As the shear blade 40 terminates rearwardly a distance of the front portion of the tree splitting element 44, this shearing blade 40 does not generally engage to any major extent the tree trunk during the splitting operation. However, once the tree trunk has been severed the entire apparatus is moved forwardly whereby both shear blades 40 and 42 clear the entire area over which the implement 20 passes. When a suitable size land clearing attachment is used on a heavy duty crawler-type tractor, the device will be able to easily cut down all the trees and other growth appearing on the surface of the land, leaving the earth sufficiently clean to permit cultivation thereof as soon as the debris has been moved from the surface. The design of this V-shaped land clearing apparatus is such that the entire area over which the implement passes is cleared with one pass of the implement, thereby eliminating the necessity of having to first cut small growth and than rake same prior to the removal of the larger growth. Because of the improvements therein the device of this invention is readily and easily broken down for convenient transportation and compact storage thereof, but may be easily assembled and put into use when so desired. The construction is such that the apparatus when in operation is a strong unified piece of equipment capable of withstanding the high shearing stresses which develop in the operation of a V-shaped tree cutting device of this nature.
While only a certain preferred embodiment of this invention has been shown and described by way of illustration, many modifications will occur to those skilled in the art and it is, therefore, desired that it be understood that it is intended in the appended claims to cover all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.
What is claimed as new and what is desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:
1. In a V-shaped land clearing device wherein the device includes a pair of elongated and substantially equal side frame members having rearward ends connectable to a prime mover and forward ends connected to form the apex of the frame, and a pair of substantially horizontally disposed elongated shear blades connected to respective side frame members adjacent the forward ends and rearwardl thereof, the improvement comprising a forwardly extending tree splitting wedge element having a rearward end portion connected to one of said side frame members adjacent the apex of said frame and terminating forwardly in an upstanding sharpened forward tree piercing end, said element including a first elongated vertical side extending from said forward end parallel to and adjacent a longitudinal and vertical plane through said apex to its said rearward end portion, said element including a second elongated vertical side meeting said first vertical side to form said sharpened end and extending rearwardly to its said rearward end portion, said second elongated side extending rearwardly from said sharpened end gradually away from said first side and forming said element in a wedge shape of decreasing width toward its said forward end, said first and second elongated vertical sides being adapted to wedge a part of a tree being felled laterally of said second elongated vertical side during the splitting of said tree, and said first elongated vertical side being adapted to pass inwardly of said tree in a substantially unobstructed manner.
2. The V-shaped land clearing device as defined by claim 1 wherein said second vertical side includes a pair of side portions, one said side portion being connected to said sharpened end and extending rearwardly at an acute angle with respect to said first vertical side, the other said side portion extending at another smaller acute angle with respect to said first vertical side said sharpened forward end of said tree splitting element between said first vertical side and one said side portion being adapted to penetrate a tree which is to be felled, said element between said first vertical side and said other side portion being adapted to wedge out a portion of the tree adjacent said other side portion.
3. The V-shaped land clearing device as defined by claim 2 further comprising an elongated horizontally disposed cutting blade attached to the lower edge portion of said second elongated vertical side of said tree splitting element, said cutting blade extending laterally outward of said second elongated vertical side so as to shear and cut the wedged out portion of the tree being felled.
4. The V-shaped land clearing device as defined by claim 2 further comprising an elongated horizontally disposed wedge shaped cutting blade attached to the lower edge portion of said second elongated vertical side of said tree splitting element, said wedge shaped cutting blade being of decreasing width toward said forward sharpened end of said tree splitting element and extending laterally outward of said second elongated vertical side so as to shear and cut the wedged out portion of the tree being felled.
5. A land clearing device for use in combination with a bulldozer comprising a movable substantially horizontally disposed frame, said frame having first and second elongated side members disposed in a V-shape and terminating in a forwardly facing apex, said side members having rearwardly extending supporting arms rigidly fixed thereto and pivotally mountable at their aft ends to a bulldozer, a first substantially horizontally disposed cutting blade mounted on said first side member of said frame and extending forwardly and inwardly from one side of said frame to the apex thereof, a second substantially horizontally disposed cutting blade mounted on said second side member of said frame and extending forwardly and inwardly from the other side of said frame to the apex thereof, attaching means connected to said first side member of said frame at the apex thereof to joiningly attach said first side member to said second side member of said frame, attaching means connected to said second side member of said frame at the apex thereof to joiningly attach said second side member to said first side member of said frame, releasable connecting means for selectively engaging and disengaging said attaching means on said first side member with said attaching means on said second side member of said frame such that the two side members of said frame are easily and readily attachable and detachable one from the other to provide for convenient transportation and compact storage of the device.
6. The land clearing device as defined by claim 5 further comprising a forwardly extending tree splitting element having a rearward end portion connected to one of said side members of said frame adjacent the apex of said frame and having a sharpened forward end portion, said element including a first elongated vertical side portion between its said end portions parallel to and adjacent a vertical plane through said apex, said element including a second elongated vertical side portion between its said end portions offset from said first side portion and extending at an angle acute with respect to said first side portion, thereby forming said element in a wedge shape of decreasing width toward its said forward end portion, said first and second elongated vertical side portions being adapted to wedge a part of a tree being felled laterally of said second elongated vertical side portion during the splitting of said tree, said first elongated vertical side portion being adapted to pass inwardly of said tree in a relatively unobstructed manner, and an elongated horizontally disposed wedge shaped cutting blade attached to the lower edge portion of said second elongated vertical side portion of said tree splitting element, said wedge shaped cutting blade being of decreasing with toward said forward end portion of said tree splitting element and extending laterally outward of said second elongated vertical side portion so as to shear and cut the wedged out portion of the tree being felled.
7. A V-shaped land clearing device for use in combination with a prime mover comprising a movable substantially horizontally disposed frame, said frame having first and 'second elongated side members disposed in a V- shape and terminating in a forwardly facing apex, said side members having rearwardly extending supporting arms rigidly fixed thereto and pivotally mountable at their aft ends to a prime mover, a first substantially horizontally disposed cutting blade mounted on said first side member of said frame and extending forwardly and inwardly from one side of said frame to the apex thereof, a second substantially horizontally disposed cutting blade mounted on the second side member of said frame and extending forwardly and inwardly from the other side of said frame to the apex thereof, a first mounting plate connected to said first side member of said frame at the apex thereof and being vertically disposed parallel to a vertical plane through said apex to provide for attachment of said first side member to said second side member of said frame, a second mounting plate connected to said second side member of said frame at the apex thereof and being vertically disposed parallel to a vertical plane through said apex to provide for attachment of said second side member to said first side member of said frame, releasable connecting means for selectively engaging and disengaging said first mounting plate with said second mounting plate such that the two side members of said frame are easily and readily attachable and detachable one from the other to provide for convenient transportation and compact storage of the device.
8. A V-shaped land clearing device for use in combination with a prime mover comprising a movable substantially horizontally disposed frame, said frame having first and second side members disposed in a V-shape and terminating in a forwardly facing apex, said side members having rearwardly extending supporting arms rigidly fixed thereto and pivotally mountable at their aft ends to a prime mover, a first substantially horizontally disposed cutting blade mounted on said first side member of said frame and extending forwardly and inwardly from one side of said frame to the apex thereof, a second substantially horizontally disposed cutting blade mounted on said second side member of said frame and extending forwardly and inwardly from the other side of said frame to the apex thereof, a first mounting plate connected to said first side member of said frame at the apex thereof, said first mounting plate vertically disposed parallel to a vertical plane through said apex to provide for attachment of said first side member to said second member of said frame, said first mounting plate having a horizontally disposed tongue mounted thereon, said tongue extending laterally outward from the inner side of said first mounting plate toward said apex, a second mounting plate connected to said second side member of said frame at the apex thereof, said second mounting plate vertically disposed parallel to a vertical plane through said apex to provide for attachment of said second side member to said first side member of said frame, said second mounting plate having a socket therein, said socket facing said apex such that said socket on said second mounting plate engages and cooperates with said tongue on said first mounting plate when said first side member is attached to said second side member to strengthen said device with respect to the shear forces acting thereon when the device is in operation, releasable connecting means for selectively engaging and disengaging said first and second mounting plates such that the two side mem- 'bers of said frame are easily and readily attachable and detachable one from the other to provide for convenient transportation and compact storage of the device.
9. The V-shaped land clearing device as defined by claim 8 wherein said joint and socket construction of said apex of said frame is of a rectangular construction.
10. The V-shaped land clearing device as defined by claim 8 further comprising a forwardly extending tree splitting element having a rearward end portion connected to one of said side members of said frame adjacent the apex of said frame and having a sharpened forward end portion, said element including a first elongated vertical side portion between its said end portions parallel to and adjacent a vertical plane through said apex, said element including a second elongated vertical side portion between its said end portions offset from said first side portion and extending at an angle acute with respect to said first side portion, thereby forming said element in a wedge shape of decreasing width toward its said forward end portion, said first and second elongated vertical side portions being adapted to wedge a part of a tree being felled laterally of said second elongated vertical side portion during the splitting of said tree, said first elongated vertical side portion being adapted to pass inwardly of said tree in a relatively unobstructed manner, and an elongated horizontally disposed wedge shaped cutting blade attached to the lower edge portion of said second elongated vertical side portion of said tree splitting element, said wedge shaped cutting blade being of decreasing width toward said forward end portion of said tree splitting element and extending laterally outward of said second elongated vertical side portion so as to shear and cut the wedged out portion of the tree being felled.
11. A V-shaped land clearing device for use in combination with a bulldozer comprising a movable substantially horizontally disposed frame, said framing having first and second elongated side members disposed in a V-shape and terminating in a forwardly facing apex, said side members having rearwardly extending supporting arms rigidly fixed thereto and pivotally mountable at their aft ends to a bulldozer, a first substantially horizontally disposed cutting blade mounted on said first side member of said frame and extending forwardly and inwardly from one side of said frame to the apex thereof, a second substantially horizontally disposed cutting blade mounted on said second side member of said frame and extending forwardly and inwardly from the other side of said frame to the apex thereof, attaching means connected to said first side member of said frame at the apex thereof to joiningly attach said first side member to said second side member of said frame, attaching means connected to said second side member of said frame at the apex thereof to joiningly attach said second side member to said first side member of said frame, releasable connecting means for selectively engaging and disengaging said attaching means on said first side member with said attaching means on said second side member on said frame such that the two side members of said frame are easily and readily attachable and detachable one from the other, and said frame additionally having a horizontally disposed cross-member for rigidly bracing said first and second side members of said frame in said V-shape, said cross-member having first and second elongated sections, said first elongated section of said cross-member being connected at one of its ends to the inner side of said first side member of said frame and having attaching means connected to its other end to joiningly attach said first elongated section of said cross-member to said second elongated section of said cross-member, said second elongated section of said cross-member being connected at one of its ends to the inner side of said second side member of said frame and having attaching means connected to its other end to joiningly attach said second elongated section of said cross-member to said first elongated section of said cross-member, releasably connecting means for selectively engaging and disengaging said attaching means on said first elongated section with said attaching means on said second elongated section of said cross-member such that the two sections of said crossmember are easily and readily attachable and detachable one from the other to provide for convenient transportation and compact storage of the implement.
12. A V-shaped land clearing device for use in combination with a prime mover, comprising a movable substantially horizontally disposed frame, said frame having first and second elongated side members disposed in a V- Cir shape and terminating in a forwardly facing apex, said side members having rearwardly extending supporting arms rigidly fixed thereto and pivotally mountable at their aft ends to a prime mover, a first substantially horizontally disposed cutting blade mounted on said first side member of said frame and extending forwardly and inwardly from one side of said frame to the apex thereof, a second substantially horizontally disposed cutting blade mounted on said second side member of said frame and extending forwardly and inwardly from the other side of said frame to the apex thereof, attaching means connected to said first side member of said frame at the apex thereof to joiningly attach said first side member to said second side member of said frame, attaching means connected to said second side member of said frame at the apex thereof to joiningly attach said second side member to said first side member of said frame, releasable connecting means for selectively engaging and disengaging said attaching means on said first side member with said attaching means on said second side member on said frame such that the two side members of said frame are easily and readily attachable and detachable one from the other, and said frame additonally having a horizontally disposed cross-member for rigidly bracing said first and second side members of said frame in said V- shape, said cross-member having first and second elongated sections, said first elongated section of said crossmember being connected at one of its ends to the inner side of said first side member of said frame and having connected to its other end a first flange being vertically disposed parallel to a vertical plane through said apex for attaching said first elongated section of said crossmember to said second elongated section of said crossmember, said first flange having a horizontally disposed tongue mounted therein, said tongue extending laterally outward from the inner side of said first flange to provide for cooperative engagement with a socket of a tongue and socket construction, said second elongated section of said cross-member being connected at one of its ends to the inner side of said second side member of said frame and having connected to its other end a second flange being vertically disposed parallel to a vertical plane through said apex for attaching said second elongated section of said cross-member to said first elongated section of said crossmember, said second flange having a socket therein for cooperative engagement with said tongue on said first flange when said first elongated section is attached to said second elongated section to strengthen said cross-member with respect to the shear forces acting thereon when the implement is in operation, releasable connecting means for selectively engaging and disengaging said first flange on said first elongated section with said second flange on said second elongated section of said cross-member such that the two sections of said crossrnember are easily and readily attachable and detachable one from the other to provide for convenient transportation and compact storage of the implement.
13. A V-shaped land clearing device for use in combination with a bulldozer comprising a movable substantially horizontally disposed frame, said frame having first and second elongated side members disposed in a V-shape and terminating in a forwardly facing apex, said side' members having rearwardly extending supporting arms fixedly thereto and pivotally mountable at their aft ends to a bulldozer, a first substantially horizontally disposed cutting blade mounted on said first side member of said frame and extending forwardly and inwardly from one side of said frame to the apex thereof, a second substantially horizontally disposed cutting blade mounted 'on said second side member of said frame and extending forwardly and inwardly from the other side of said frame to the apex thereof, a first mounting plate connected to said first side member of said frame at the apex thereof and being vertically disposed parallel to a vertical plane through said apex to provide for attachment of said first side member to said second side member of said frame, said first mounting plate having a horizontally disposed tongue mounted thereon, said tongue extending laterally outward from the inner side of said first mounting plate toward said apex to provide for cooperative engagement with a socket of a tongue and socket construction, a second mounting plate connected to said second side member of said frame at the apex thereof and being vertically disposed parallel to a vertical plane through said apex to provide for attachment of said second side member to said first side member of said frame, said sec-ond mounting plate having a socket therein, said socket facing said apex such that said socket on said second mounting plate engages and cooperates with said tongue mounted on said first mounting plate When said first side member is attached to said second side member to strengthen said device with respect to the shear forces acting thereon when the device is in operation, releasable connecting means for selectively engaging and disengaging said first mounting plate on said first side member with said second mounting plate on said second side member of said frame such that the two side members of said frame are easily and readily attachable and detachable one from the other, and said frame additionally having a horizontally disposed cross-member for rigidly bracing said first and second side members of said frame in said V-shape, said cross-member having first and second elongated sections, said first elongated section of said cross-member being connected at one of its ends to the inner side of said first side member of said frame and having connected to its other end a first flange being vertically disposed parallel to a vertical plane through said apex to provide for attachment of said first elongated section of said cross-member to said second elongated section of said crossmember, said first flange having a horizontally disposed tongue mounted herein, said tongue extending laterally outward from the inner side of said first flange toward said second side member of said frame to provide for cooperative engagement with a socket of a tongue and socket construction, said second elongated section of said cross-member being connected at one of its ends to the inner side of said second side member of said frame and having connected to its other end a second flange being vertically disposed parallel to a vertical plane through said apex to provide for attachment of said second elongated section of said cross-member to said first elongated section of said cross-member, said second flange having a socket therein for cooperative engagement with said tongue mounted within said first flange when said first elongated section is attached to said second elongated section to strengthen said cross-member with respect to the shear forces acting thereon when the device is in operation, releasable connecting means for selectively engaging and disengaging said first flange on said first elongated section with said second flange on said second elongated section of said cross-member such that the two sections of said cross-member are easily and readily attachable and detachable one from the other to provide for convenient transportation and storage of the device.
14. The V-shaped land clearing device as defined by claim 12 further comprising a forwardly extending tree splitting element having a rearward end portion connected to one of said side members of said frame adjacent the apex of said frame and having a sharpened forward end portion, said element including a first elongated vertical side portion between its said end portions parallel to and adjacent a vertical plane through said apex, said element including a second elongated vertical side portion between its said end portions offset from said first side portion and extending at an angle acute with respect to said first side portion, thereby forming said element in a wedge-shape of decreasing width toward its said forward end portion, said first and second elongated vertical side portions being adopted to wedge a part of a tree being felled laterally of said second elongated vertical side portion during the splitting of said tree, said first elongated vertical side portion being adopted to pass inwardly of said tree in a relatively unobstructed manner, and an elongated horizontally disposed wedge shaped cutting blade attached to the lower edge portion of said second elongated vertical side portion of said tree splitting element, said wedge shaped cutting blade being of decreasing width toward said forward end portion of said tree splitting element and extending laterally outward of said second elongated vertical side portion so as to shear and cut the wedged out portion of the tree being felled.
References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,633,880 4/1953 Mattson l44-34 2,821,217 l/1958 Shald l44--34 3,004,570 10/1961 Clayton et al. l44-34 3,119,421 1/1964 Marine 144-34 FRANCIS S. HUSAR, Primary Examiner.
U.S. Cl. X.R. 56-229 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 ,4l5,296 December 10, 1968 Edward V. Frankenberg et al.
It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:
Column 7, line 30, 112" should read 122 Column 9, line 67, "with" should read width Column 11, line 64, "releasably" should read releasable Column 14, line 11, the claim reference numeral "12" should read l3 Signed and sealed this 10th day of March 1970.
(SEAL) Attest:
VUILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR.
Commissioner of Patents Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.
Attesting Officer
US457602A 1965-05-21 1965-05-21 Land clearing device Expired - Lifetime US3415296A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US457602A US3415296A (en) 1965-05-21 1965-05-21 Land clearing device

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US457602A US3415296A (en) 1965-05-21 1965-05-21 Land clearing device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3415296A true US3415296A (en) 1968-12-10

Family

ID=23817377

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US457602A Expired - Lifetime US3415296A (en) 1965-05-21 1965-05-21 Land clearing device

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US3415296A (en)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3482614A (en) * 1967-03-17 1969-12-09 Bertram L Jordan Tree felling device
US3557850A (en) * 1968-06-10 1971-01-26 Neal Owens Land clearing blade
US6439279B1 (en) 2001-10-31 2002-08-27 Great Plains Manufacturing, Incorporated Tree saw attachment with tweezer arm
US7520306B1 (en) 2004-07-01 2009-04-21 Berge Albert M Tree remover
US8807235B2 (en) 2010-12-08 2014-08-19 Weyerhaeuser Nr Company Soil treating system and shearing assembly
US8833280B2 (en) 2010-12-08 2014-09-16 Weyerhaeuser Nr Company Method for interplanting energy crops
US20220151167A1 (en) * 2020-11-13 2022-05-19 106 Reforestation, Llc Tree felling blade for use with heavy equipment

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2633880A (en) * 1951-06-22 1953-04-07 Mattson William Heavy duty tree cutter
US2821217A (en) * 1955-06-24 1958-01-28 John Shald Blade attachment for dozers
US3004570A (en) * 1958-03-27 1961-10-17 William R Clayton Tree-cutting attachment for tractors and the like
US3119421A (en) * 1963-02-04 1964-01-28 John R Marine Land clearing implement

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2633880A (en) * 1951-06-22 1953-04-07 Mattson William Heavy duty tree cutter
US2821217A (en) * 1955-06-24 1958-01-28 John Shald Blade attachment for dozers
US3004570A (en) * 1958-03-27 1961-10-17 William R Clayton Tree-cutting attachment for tractors and the like
US3119421A (en) * 1963-02-04 1964-01-28 John R Marine Land clearing implement

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3482614A (en) * 1967-03-17 1969-12-09 Bertram L Jordan Tree felling device
US3557850A (en) * 1968-06-10 1971-01-26 Neal Owens Land clearing blade
US6439279B1 (en) 2001-10-31 2002-08-27 Great Plains Manufacturing, Incorporated Tree saw attachment with tweezer arm
US7520306B1 (en) 2004-07-01 2009-04-21 Berge Albert M Tree remover
US8807235B2 (en) 2010-12-08 2014-08-19 Weyerhaeuser Nr Company Soil treating system and shearing assembly
US8833280B2 (en) 2010-12-08 2014-09-16 Weyerhaeuser Nr Company Method for interplanting energy crops
US9332690B2 (en) 2010-12-08 2016-05-10 Weyerhaeuser Nr Company Method for interplanting energy crops
US20220151167A1 (en) * 2020-11-13 2022-05-19 106 Reforestation, Llc Tree felling blade for use with heavy equipment

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5490340A (en) Root grubber
US2633880A (en) Heavy duty tree cutter
US3415296A (en) Land clearing device
US3033253A (en) Tree saw
US2701591A (en) Tree cutting attachment for bulldozers
US6035562A (en) U-blade implement
US20030014886A1 (en) Tree and stump removal
US7520306B1 (en) Tree remover
US5079864A (en) Brush rake
US6279665B1 (en) Sod cutting attachment for skid-steer vehicle
US4326570A (en) Tree plantation selective falling and stocking control device
US3809135A (en) Earth working blade with saw teeth
US2832382A (en) Tractor mounted land clearing tree shaver
US5180142A (en) Device for uprooting trees
US3635269A (en) Method and means for cutting trees
US2932100A (en) Land clearing and brush raking attachment for track type tractors
US5111599A (en) Brush clearing implement
US7938153B1 (en) Shear attachment
US3084727A (en) Cutting attachment for use with a moldboard
US3243904A (en) Brush clearing attachment
US2845725A (en) Traction vehicle
US3119421A (en) Land clearing implement
US3044192A (en) Root cutting attachment for bulldozers
US3608290A (en) Weed and brush cutting apparatus
US2437176A (en) Underground cutter for trees