WO2008034935A1

WO2008034935A1 - Combined harvesting and transporting machine

Info

Publication number: WO2008034935A1
Application number: PCT/FI2006/050400
Authority: WO
Inventors: Toivo Tammisalo
Original assignee: Toivo Tammisalo
Priority date: 2006-09-19
Filing date: 2006-09-19
Publication date: 2008-03-27

Abstract

The invention relates to a combined harvesting and transporting machine Comprising a multi-directionally pivotable main boom (1), fitted at its Outermost end with a clamp harvester (5) and a loading gripper (3), which are arranged to pivot on a tool jib about the crosswise pivoting axle of the Main boom (1). Both tools (3, 5) have their own tool jibs, (2, 4), which are positioned on either side of the main boom (1) to pivot about their own pivoting axles.

Description

Combined harvesting and transporting machine

The present invention relates to a combined harvesting and transporting machine comprising a multi-directionally pivotable main boom, fitted at its outermost end with a clamp harvester and a loading gripper, which are arranged to pivot on a tool jib about the crosswise rotation axis of the main boom.

An earlier US patent 5704406 held by the Applicant of the present application discloses a combined harvesting and transporting machine according to the present introduction. The said machine is fitted with a crosswise jib, one end of which carries a clamp harvester and the other end a loading gripper, the crosswise jib being arranged to pivot in its longitudinal direction around the axle to turn the respective end required to the working position. One problem with this solution is the rigid structure of the crosswise jib, which may cause problems when using tools, as both tools have to be pivoted simultaneously around a joint rigid crosswise axle. To alleviate this problem, the US patent further describes an embodiment where the crosswise jib is comprised of two different sections, which makes it possible to adjust the relative angle between these sections. However, when the machine is used, the crosswise jib formed by these sections still functions as an integrated jib pivoting about a single pivoting axle, in conjunction with which axle are only arranged single pivoting means. This type of a solution has proven to be unsatisfactory and thus the aim of the present invention is to provide an improved solution by means of which the problems of the prior art can be eliminated and the use of the tools enhanced.

To achieve this aim, the combined harvesting and transporting machine according to the invention is characterised in that both tools have their own tool jibs, which are positioned on either side of the main boom to pivot about their own pivoting axles independently of one another. The novelty and essential feature of the present invention lies in the adjustability of the tool jibs during use independently of one another, the said solution providing a substantial functional improvement with respect to the earlier solution, where the tool jibs constitute an integrated, rigid, crosswise jib structure during use. The independent pivotability of the jib sections about their own pivoting axles when the machine is used makes them functioning entities, because the clamp harvester in rest position may be locked to its own working jib and the working jib may be turned closer to the support point of the main boom. The same can be done to the gripper, whereby the operation of the main boom is stabilised and allows for longer reaches.

The combined harvesting and transporting machine according to the invention is particularly well suited for first thinning and also for felling heavy standing wood in co-operation between a logger and a machine operator, where the logger leads the way felling and cutting the heavy trees and the machine then lops and cuts the tops and lifts the cut timber onto the transporting machine.

The invention is described in greater detail in the following, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic top view of the outermost part of the main boom fitted with a tool jib arrangement according to the invention,

Figure 2a shows a diagrammatic side view of a clamp harvester in its locked position, Figure 2b shows a diagrammatic side view of a clamp harvester turned to its rest position,

Figure 3a shows a sectional side view of the pivoting arrangement of the tool jibs, and

Figure 3b shows a cross-sectional view of the pivoting arrangement of the tool jibs.

Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic top view of the outermost part of the main boom 1 fitted with a tool jib arrangement according to the invention, comprising a gripper part 3 connected with a tool jib 2 to the pivoting axle arrangement 11 described in greater detail in Figure 3b, and a clamp harvester 5 connected with a tool jib 4. The length of the tool jib may be, for example, 2-3 m. The clamp harvester 5 is articulated at the end of its tool jib 4 and when turned into an upright position, it may be swivelled so as to grip its own tool jib like a tree trunk, after which the tool jib may be turned under the main boom. Figure 2a shows diagrammatically the clamp harvester 5 alone, locked to its tool jib 4, and in Figure 2b the clamp harvester is turned to its rest position under the main boom 1. Locking this clamp harvester to its tool jib and setting it in its rest position stabilises the machine and the operation of the gripper is freed. The gripper part 3 may correspondingly be locked directly to the main boom when it is not being used, which means that the clamp harvester 5 may correspondingly be used more freely.

Figures 3a and 3b show diagrammatically a pivoting axle arrangement 11 according to the invention, comprising a first pivoting axle 6 arranged on one tool jib 4 and a second pivoting axle 7 arranged on another tool jib 2 on the other side of the main boom 1, the said axles being connected to each other at point 15 so that they will be able to turn independently of one another. Both pivoting axles 6, 7 comprise a toothed circumferential part 8 which may be formed directly on the axle or it may be formed on the axle by a separate toothed rim mounted unrotatingly with respect to the axle. For driving the pivoting axles 6, 7 and the corresponding tool jibs 4, 2, toothed bars 9 are arranged on the boom part 2, the bars being driven, for example, by means of hydraulic cylinders 10.

The solution according to the invention improves the usability of the tools by allowing the tool not in use to be set in a rest position under the main boom 1 or adjacent to it, whereby the centre of gravity will at the same time move closer to the body of the machine, thus speeding up and enhancing the working of the gripper, especially.

Claims

1. A combined harvesting and transporting machine comprising a multi- directionally pivotable main boom (1), fitted at its outermost end with a clamp harvester (5) and a loading gripper (3), which are arranged to pivot on a tool jib about the crosswise pivoting axle of the main boom (1), characterised in that both tools (3, 5) have their own tool jibs (2, 4), which are positioned on either side of the main boom (1) to pivot about their own pivoting axles independently of one another.

2. A combined harvesting and transporting machine as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the pivoting axles of the tool jibs (2, 4) are located essentially aligned in the transverse direction of the main boom (1).

3. A combined harvesting and transporting machine as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that each tool jib (2, 4) is mounted on its own pivoting axle (7, 6), which pivoting axles are joined together so as to pivot around a joint rotation axis so that the tool jibs (2, 4) may be turned independently of one another, whereby each pivoting axle is equipped with a toothed circumferential part (8), while the main boom (1) is equipped with toothed bars (9), which co-operate with the said toothed circumferential parts (8) for pivoting each pivoting axle (6, 7) and the tool jib (4, 2) connected to it about the rotation axis.