WO2011123886A1 - Etêtage d'arbres - Google Patents

Etêtage d'arbres Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2011123886A1
WO2011123886A1 PCT/AU2011/000387 AU2011000387W WO2011123886A1 WO 2011123886 A1 WO2011123886 A1 WO 2011123886A1 AU 2011000387 W AU2011000387 W AU 2011000387W WO 2011123886 A1 WO2011123886 A1 WO 2011123886A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cutting head
head assembly
assembly according
tree
chainsaw
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2011/000387
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Ian Phillip Mcminn
Christopher William Allwood
Original Assignee
Squall Warning Pty Ltd
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
Priority claimed from AU2010901442A external-priority patent/AU2010901442A0/en
Application filed by Squall Warning Pty Ltd filed Critical Squall Warning Pty Ltd
Publication of WO2011123886A1 publication Critical patent/WO2011123886A1/fr

Links

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
    • A01G23/091—Sawing apparatus specially adapted for felling trees

Definitions

  • This invention relates to the lopping of trees and, in particular, relates to the use of helicopters to remove the tops of trees.
  • a cutting head assembly for lopping the top off tall trees, the cutting head assembly being adapted to be suspended from a helicopter, the assembly including a cutting head comprising a frame supporting gripping means to engage a portion of the tree and a driven chain saw; and means to drive the chainsaw to pivot about the frame to cut through the portion of the tree.
  • the cutting head is rotatable about a suspension point through up to 720°.
  • the cutting head may also include means to control the angle of rotation.
  • the cutting head is preferably capable of being tilted relative to the suspension point through 90° and the cutting head may include means to control the degree of tilt.
  • the cutting head includes a motor to drive a hydraulic pump which in turn drives all the driver componentry.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tree lopping assembly suspended from the underside of a helicopter;
  • Figure 2 is a perspective illustration of electrical and data wiring associated with the assembly;
  • Figure 3 is an exploded view illustrating the componentry of the assembly
  • Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing an upper attachment of the assembly to the base of the helicopter;
  • Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the attachment in a released configuration
  • Figure 6 is a perspective of a triangulated support structure and its association with a support column
  • Figure 7 is a side and end elevational view of the triangulated support structure in operation
  • Figure 8 is a plan view of the triangulated support structure
  • Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view showing attachment of a suspension column to a cage
  • Figure 10 is a perspective view illustrating the tree lopping assembly suspended from a helicopter being manoeuvred around the trunk of a tree;
  • Figure 1 1 is a plan view of the relationship of the helicopter with the tree trunk
  • Figure 12 is a perspective view showing a cutting head detached from the base of a power head assembly
  • Figure 13 is a perspective rear view similar to Figure 12;
  • Figure 14 is a perspective front view illustrating a grapple which forms part of the cutting head
  • Figure 15 is a perspective view showing a chainsaw forming part of the cutting head
  • Figure 16 is a plan view of the grapple in an open position
  • Figure 17 is a perspective view of the grapple in an open position
  • Figure 18 is a side elevational view of the grapple in a closed configuration
  • Figure 19 is a perspective view illustrating movement of a chainsaw blade
  • Figure 20 is a plan view illustrating movement of the chainsaw
  • Figure 21 is a side elevational view of a safety feature associated with the chainsaw
  • Figure 22 is a side perspective view showing the cutting head engaging a vertical tree trunk in a cutting operation
  • Figure 23 is a perspective view showing the cutting head engaging the branch of a tree in a cutting operation
  • Figure 24 is a side elevational view showing the helicopter and tree lopping assembly on the ground;
  • Figure 25 is a side elevational view showing the helicopter in partial take off mode.
  • Figure 26 is an exploded perspective view showing the relationship of the helicopter, tree lopping assembly and a support trolley located on the ground surface.
  • the tree lopping device 10 comprises a suspension column 20 which is adapted to be suspended from the underside of a helicopter H.
  • the suspension column 20 comprises a series of four 4.5m lengths of hollow alloy shafts 21-24 the first 21 of which is joined to the top end of a triangulated chain support 30.
  • the base of the triangulated chain support 30 is then joined to a further column 22 that comprises three column 22-24 units bolted end-to-end.
  • the suspension column 20 is then joined to a power head assembly 40 which comprises a cage 41 that contains a petrol engine 42 and hydraulic pump 43.
  • a cutting head assembly 50 is bolted to the underside of the cage 41 and the cutting head assembly 50 includes a grapple 51 and a chainsaw 52.
  • the helicopter H In use, the helicopter H is positioned so that the cutting head assembly 50 is adjacent the trunk of the top of a tree, the grapple 51 grips the trunk of the tree and the chainsaw 52 chops off the top. The helicopter H then transports the severed branch or treetop to a position where it can be dropped to the ground for collection.
  • the petrol engine 42 which is within the power head assembly 40 drives the hydraulic pump 43 that in turn drives the grapple 51 and chainsaw 52.
  • Electrical and data control wires 5 which enable operation of the unit extend through the suspension column 20 into the helicopter H to a control panel 6 that is operated by the pilot of the helicopter.
  • the wires 5 connect the control 5 to a circuit board 7 mounted in the cage 41 .
  • the top of the suspension column 20 is attached to the underside of the helicopter H through a quick release mechanism 80 that is mounted across the skids S on the underside of the helicopter.
  • the upper column element 21 is bolted through a mounting flange 28 to the underside of rectangular block 81 that pivotally supports two radius arms 82, 83 and extend across to be joined to the skids S of the helicopter via spherical bushes 85, 86.
  • the underside of the helicopter has a quick release hook 90 which extends through an aperture 92 in an upstanding web 91 on the rectangular block 81.
  • the triangulated chain support 30 is illustrated in greater detail in Figure 6 and essentially comprises two steel trapezoid frames 31 , 32 that define horizontal triangles the corners of which are joined by lengths of chain 33 that extend diagonally across opposite corners.
  • the upper end 34 of the trapezoidal frame 31 is bolted to the base of one of the steel columns 21 and the base 35 of the frame 35 is bolted to the upper column 22.
  • the triangulated chain support 30 operates to absorb swaying and other forces which would be transferred from the cutting head to the helicopter.
  • the chain structure absorbs these forces and reduces the effect of sway on the helicopter.
  • the base of the suspension column 20 is joined to the power head assembly 40 through a hydraulically driven rotator 95 which enables a 720° rotation.
  • the rotator is hydraulically driven and includes a preset brake 96 to resist the rotational movement.
  • the base of the hydraulic rotator is coupled to the power head assembly via a pinned linkage 97.
  • Flanges 98 on the base of the column 24 are bolted to a bracket 99 at right angles to both the column and the brake on the rotator to provide a universal pivot or pivot about two axes.
  • the cage 41 houses the petrol engine 42 which, in a preferred embodiment, is a 600cc four stroke motorcycle engine with an electric starter.
  • the output of the motorcycle engine is coupled to a dual hydraulic pump 43 through the motorcycle gearbox.
  • the dual hydraulic pump has a common drive shaft with the first pump A driving the hydraulics for the chainsaw 52 and the second pump B driving the hydraulics for the other components which include the grapple 51 , the rotator 90 and a tilting mechanism.
  • the underside of the cage 41 has a centrally positioned beam 44 which is bolted to a downwardly extending flange 45 which is pivotally secured to the frame 48 of the grapple assembly 51.
  • a pin 49 attaches the grapple assembly 51 to the frame 48 and allows the grapple assembly to tilt through a horizontal axis.
  • a hydraulically driven ram 53 controls the degree of pivoted motion which is limited to 90°.
  • the 90° tilt axis allows the grapple 51 to engage the trunk either in a vertical sense as shown in Figure 22 or in a horizontal sense as shown in Figure 23.
  • the 720° rotation movement of the power head assembly to the column allows a trunk to be engaged from either side without the necessity to approach the tree from the other direction. This allows the helicopter to hover in the most desirable and safe position and yet provide a variety of opportunities to engage the tree trunk, see Figures 10 and 1 1.
  • FIGs 12 to 23 illustrate the construction and operation of the cutting head 50.
  • the cutting head 50 is bolted to the underside of the cage 41 through a bracket 45 that is bolted to a beam 44 which extends down from the base of the cage.
  • the bracket 45 is then pivotally secured to the frame 48 and the pivotal relationship is defined by a hydraulic ram 53 that allows 90° of pivot between the frame 48 and the flanged support 45.
  • the frame 48 carries both the grapple 51 and the chainsaw 52 and comprises, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, a rectangular beam 53 with a top flange 54, under flange 55 and an open back.
  • Each arm 56, 57 has arcuately extending fingers 58 that, in use, engage the tree trunk or branch.
  • the arms 55, 56, 57 are driven to pivot about the flanges by a hydraulic ram 59 that is housed within the frame structure.
  • the hydraulic ram 59 operates to force the fingers 58 of the grapple 51 to close around the piece of timber (not shown).
  • a large coil spring 60 is located underneath the upper flange 54 of the frame 48 and acts between the grapple arms to pull the arms 56, 57 apart so that, in the event of a failure of the hydraulic pressure in the ram 59, the fingers 58 are pulled apart thereby releasing the timber.
  • the underside of the housing 48 that supports the grapple 51 is secured to a cutting arm in the form of an extension beam 61 having a horizontal flange 62 with a T-shaped counterweight 65 extending to the rear.
  • the flange 62 supports the chainsaw 52 and a hydraulic ram 66 drives the chainsaw 52 to move in an arcuate configuration as shown in Figures 19 and 20.
  • the hydraulic ram 66 drives a rack and pinion 67, 68 that engages a gear wheel 69 mounted on one end of the chainsaw 52 to cause the chainsaw to move in an arcuate direction as shown in Figures 19 and 20.
  • the chain 70 of the chainsaw 52 is separately driven by a hydraulic supply 73 from the hydraulic pump 43A which is specific to the chainsaw operation ( Figure 3).
  • the rack and pinion drive 67, 68, 69 which is hydraulically driven, ensures a very positive i o drive of the chainsaw arm to complete the cutting stroke which is illustrated in greater detail in Figures 22 and 23.
  • the cutting head has the grapple 51 mounted vertically above the chainsaw 52 and hydraulic rams cause the grapple fingers 58 to engage a trunk or branch, as shown in Figures 22 and 23, and then the cutting arm causes the chainsaw 52 to complete the cutting stroke and then return to the start position 15 as shown in full lines in Figures 19 and 20.
  • a hydraulically driven arm When the chainsaw has been driven to its maximum operating speed, a hydraulically driven arm then drives the chainsaw against the tree trunk to complete the cutting action.
  • the hydraulic arm drives the chainsaw completely through the trunk and then returns the 20 chainsaw to the start position when the cut is complete.
  • the helicopter can then transport the cut trunk to a desired position when the arms of grapple can be released causing the trunk to drop to the ground.
  • a wheeled trolley 120 is 25 provided in the form of a rectangular base 121 which supports at one end and upstanding dummy tree trunk T.
  • the front of the trolley has lateral stabilising arms 101 , 102 and there is a handle 103 and central wheel 104 at the forward end to allow the trolley 120 to be manoeuvred about.
  • the handle 103 can be pegged to the ground in use.
  • the grapple 51 is activated to lock against the dummy tree 30 trunk T with the power head 40 extending vertically above the cutting assembly as shown in Figure 24.
  • the suspension column 20 is inclined downwardly towards the ground surface on the underside of the helicopter H.
  • the trolley 100 can be manoeuvred into the desired position to facilitate this arrangement.
  • the helicopter takes off, it initially assumes the position shown in Figure 25 where the column 20 is still inclined downwardly with the 35 triangulated support 30 accommodating the height of the helicopter H.
  • the grapple 51 can be released allowing the device 10 to be then taken to the cutting site.
  • the process is reversed and the helicopter H is returned over the platform 100, the grapple 51 engages the dummy tree trunk T and then the helicopter H lowers progressively until it reaches the ground as shown in Figure 24.
  • An accumulator containing nitrogen gas is coupled to the return of the hydraulic ram that drives the chainsaw so that whilst the hydraulic fluid is driving the bar, this action is against the accumulator so that, in the event of hydraulic failure either through loss of fluid or engine failure, the accumulator forces the chainsaw bar to the start position.
  • This is an important safety feature because it has the effect of forcing the chainsaw out of contact with the trunk in the event of hydraulic failure. It is important, in the circumstances, that the saw and grapple immediately release trunk so the helicopter can be detached from the tree.
  • the tree lopping device described above is suspended below a helicopter and has the capacity to remove tree limbs and tops of trees to the size of 600mm in diameter.
  • the chainsaw provides a fast and efficient cut and the cutting head is designed so it can be rotated through 360° and tilted at 90° to ensure that the tree or branch is gripped at the perfect cutting angle.
  • the whole operation is controlled by a trained pilot using a control box mounted in the helicopter.
  • the control panel is communicating both electrically and through data down through the suspension column to the power head and cutting head assemblies. Wireless transmission is also contemplated.
  • the pilot flies to the specific tree and then lines up the tree lopping device to the cut by rotating and tilting the unit before gripping the tree. Once the tree is gripped, the pilot then proceeds with the cut.
  • the helicopter will then fly the limb to a suitable site at which the pilot opens the grip to allow the material to be dropped to the earth. It is critical for equipment of the kind described above that there are many safety features that allow the pilot to escape in the event of an accident or failure of componentry. Some of the more important safety features are discussed hereunder. i) In case of an engine or electrical failure, all the hydraulic pressure is sent back to the tank through a series of normally open valves. The gripping arms are opened through the use of the spring 60. ii) An accumulator filled with nitrogen is fitted to the hydraulics of the cutting bar to ensure that, in the event of hydraulic failure, the arm is returned to the start position to makes sure the cutting bar returns to its start position.
  • Stabilising arms on the attachment to the helicopter allow full directional control of the assembly around a vertical axis.
  • the stabilising arms are attached to helicopter skids by a skid ball mount which allow some sideways movement but, in the case of an emergency jettison situation, allows the arms to fall clear and prevent the load being caught by any part of the helicopter.
  • the electrical control/data cable has a breakaway component that causes the cable to disconnect in the event of an emergency jettison situation.
  • the sawing bar may have a chain guard fitted to it to reduce the velocity of the chain in the event of a broken chain.
  • the chain is designed to run in a groove in the arm of a chainsaw as in most conventional saws. However, when the chain breaks the connection between the arm and the arm drive also breaks allowing the arm to slide off the drive to separate the chain and drive from the rest of the assembly which means, in an emergency situation, the chain and arm can be left embedded in the timber.
  • the hydraulics of the system have been designed to operate at pressures of between 180bar to 200bar which equates to about 3000psi. Usually hydraulic pressures of this kind require large volumes of hydraulic fluid to absorb temperature rises. Usually, about 300L of hydraulic fluid would be required. However, the hydraulics in this system have been designed to operate at pressures of 180bar to 200bar with only 30L of hydraulic fluid.
  • the hydraulic fluid is passed through an oil cooler that is positioned at the top of the cage to be cooled through the down draft of the helicopter.
  • Use of a sophisticated oil cooler together with a hydraulic pump that, in essence, comprises two pumps piggybacked on another allows the desired pressures to be achieved without the use of large volumes of hydraulic fluid.
  • the hydraulic pump is also of a swash-plate type that does not constantly have to be at the desired pressure. The pressure drops when the pump is not in use and only increases to the 180bar to 200bar when the device is in use. This reduces the oil temperature.
  • the oil temperature in the hydraulic circuit of this system is maintained at about 71 °C.
  • the assembly weighs approximately 630kg.
  • the helicopter that is used in this embodiment has a 1.2 tonne pickup which means that the helicopter can safely lop and carry a trunk or branch weighing about 600kg. It is, however, understood that if a larger helicopter is utilised, heavier pieces of timber can be cut and transported.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
  • Ecology (AREA)
  • Forests & Forestry (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Shovels (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un ensemble tête de coupe utilisé pour l'étêtage des grands arbres, ledit ensemble tête de coupe étant conçu pour être suspendu à un hélicoptère et comprenant une tête de coupe constituée d'un châssis supportant un moyen de préhension venant au contact d'une partie de l'arbre et d'une tronçonneuse commandée ; et un moyen destiné à faire pivoter la tronçonneuse autour du châssis afin de tronçonner ladite partie de l'arbre.
PCT/AU2011/000387 2010-04-06 2011-04-05 Etêtage d'arbres WO2011123886A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2010901442 2010-04-06
AU2010901442A AU2010901442A0 (en) 2010-04-06 Tree Lopping

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2011123886A1 true WO2011123886A1 (fr) 2011-10-13

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ID=44761918

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU2011/000387 WO2011123886A1 (fr) 2010-04-06 2011-04-05 Etêtage d'arbres

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2011123886A1 (fr)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2016012776A1 (fr) * 2014-07-22 2016-01-28 Andrew Page Tête de coupe d'arbre
GB2534220A (en) * 2015-01-19 2016-07-20 Page Andrew Tree-cutting head
WO2017023963A1 (fr) * 2015-08-05 2017-02-09 Geoffrey William Hall Abatteuse d'arbres aérienne
WO2023085998A1 (fr) * 2021-11-10 2023-05-19 Airforestry Ab Charge utile et uav portant ladite charge utile, outil de récolte et procédé
US11696536B2 (en) * 2019-08-30 2023-07-11 Clark Industries Aviation Implements, Llc Airborne grapple saw system
SE2250095A1 (en) * 2022-02-01 2023-08-02 Airforestry Ab A method for remotely and/or autonomously harvesting a tree from air
WO2023167597A1 (fr) * 2022-03-01 2023-09-07 Heli E-Tools Limited Ensemble grappin

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4984757A (en) * 1989-05-30 1991-01-15 Joe Hartung Trapeze mount for airborne tree trimming apparatus
US6263932B1 (en) * 1999-06-10 2001-07-24 Robert Chalifoux Aerial tree harvesting apparatus
US6789587B2 (en) * 2001-07-13 2004-09-14 Triton Logging Company Inc. Method and apparatus for underwater tree cutting and retrieval
US20090000698A1 (en) * 2007-06-07 2009-01-01 Brian Beresford Suspendable tree cutter having an adjustable orientation pivot

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4984757A (en) * 1989-05-30 1991-01-15 Joe Hartung Trapeze mount for airborne tree trimming apparatus
US6263932B1 (en) * 1999-06-10 2001-07-24 Robert Chalifoux Aerial tree harvesting apparatus
US6789587B2 (en) * 2001-07-13 2004-09-14 Triton Logging Company Inc. Method and apparatus for underwater tree cutting and retrieval
US20090000698A1 (en) * 2007-06-07 2009-01-01 Brian Beresford Suspendable tree cutter having an adjustable orientation pivot

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2016012776A1 (fr) * 2014-07-22 2016-01-28 Andrew Page Tête de coupe d'arbre
GB2534220A (en) * 2015-01-19 2016-07-20 Page Andrew Tree-cutting head
GB2534220B (en) * 2015-01-19 2017-01-04 Page Andrew Tree-cutting head
WO2017023963A1 (fr) * 2015-08-05 2017-02-09 Geoffrey William Hall Abatteuse d'arbres aérienne
US11696536B2 (en) * 2019-08-30 2023-07-11 Clark Industries Aviation Implements, Llc Airborne grapple saw system
WO2023085998A1 (fr) * 2021-11-10 2023-05-19 Airforestry Ab Charge utile et uav portant ladite charge utile, outil de récolte et procédé
SE2250095A1 (en) * 2022-02-01 2023-08-02 Airforestry Ab A method for remotely and/or autonomously harvesting a tree from air
WO2023149830A1 (fr) * 2022-02-01 2023-08-10 Airforestry Ab Procédé de récolte à distance et/ou autonome d'un arbre depuis les airs
SE545517C2 (en) * 2022-02-01 2023-10-10 Airforestry Ab A method for remotely and/or autonomously harvesting a tree from air
WO2023167597A1 (fr) * 2022-03-01 2023-09-07 Heli E-Tools Limited Ensemble grappin

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