Abstract:
A tree feller skidder including a mobile self-propelled articulated vehicle having a boom mounted thereon having a felling head pivotally attached to the free end of the outermost boom section for felling trees and loading the same onto a pair of horizontally spaced bunks. The pair of bunks are interconnected by an articulated frame for moving the bunks in a direction toward and away from one another and simultaneously with moving the trailing bunk toward the bunk located forwardly thereof it is lowered, dropping the trailing end of a load of trees onto the ground facilitating unloading the same by moving the entire vehicle forward. The pair of bunks, in one instance, are mounted upon a trailer and, in another instance, one bunk is mounted on and carried by the vehicle with the trailing bunk located on a trailer attached to the vehicle. The forwardly located bunk includes crescent-shaped arms pivotally mounted thereon or other means associated therewith for anchoring a load of trees to the bunk, retaining the trees in position relative to such bunk during movement of the other bunk in a direction toward the same. Movement of the rear bunk toward the front bunk is effected by retracting the articulated member interconnecting the same and, in so doing, the pivotally connected portion of the articulated member passes up between the load on the bunks. This, in one instance, is facilitated by load dividers located on the bunk and/or articulated member.
Abstract:
A vehicle for use, in field logging operations, which includes a self-propelled tractor unit having an extendible and retractable boom pivotally mounted for slewing about a vertical axis and including a felling head mounted on the boom, such felling head including a grapple for grasping a standing tree and a shear for severing the grasped tree. The vehicle also includes a bunk assembly having tongs movable selectively for anchoring the butt end of trees thereto so that the vehicle can skid the anchored trees to a selected site. The boom is movable and positioned such that a standing tree can be severed by the felling head and thereafter loaded onto the bunk while being continuously engaged by the grapple.
Abstract:
A tree feller skidder comprising a mobile, self-propelled unitary vehicle, including a tracked undercarriage having a platform on which is mounted an operator''s station for effecting operation of the vehicle and various components mounted thereon. The components mounted thereon include an extendible and retractable variable-reach boom mounted for slewing about a vertical axis and having a felling head pivotally attached to the free end thereof, pivotal movement being about a horizontal axis and controlled by a hydraulic motor. The felling head consists of a grapple and shear mounted in fixed spaced relation relative to one another and each has jaw members movable in a direction toward and away a plane passing between the jaw members. The grapple grasps a vertical standing tree and the shear located therebelow severs the tree from its stump, the grapple and shear jaws being controlled by respective ones of two different hydraulic actuators. The shear includes a pair of shear blades mounted on a frame, each by a link member and one further pivotal connection, the latter, in one form, consisting of a cam and cam follower respectively, a slot in the frame and a pin on the respective shear blade or holder therefor. A further component mounted on the vehicle consists of a bunk for anchoring the end of the felled trees to the vehicle and includes an upwardly facing jaw controlled from the operator''s station, the jaw being defined by a plurality of arcuate arms pivotally mounted and spaced longitudinally along the length of the bunk between a pair of upstanding posts.
Abstract:
A tree felling and skidding machine which includes a selfpropelled mobile articulated vehicle having a cab on one chassis providing an enclosed and protected area for the operator with a boom pivotally mounted on the roof of the enclosure and vertically above the operator for continuous pivotal movement through a 360* arc. A bunk on the other chassis is operable from the cab selectively to engage and release the butt ends of logs placed thereon. The operator is supported on a pivotally mounted chair or seat having hydraulic control valves for use in manipulating the boom and accessories mounted thereon. A power source on the front chassis provides fluid pressure for the hydraulic components and is conducted through a pair of rotary couplings, one of which provides a pivotal mounting for the operator''s support and the other a pivotal mount for the boom assembly on the roof of the cab. Attached to the free end of the boom is a felling head consisting of a grapple and shear mechanism rigidly attached to a frame and each having movable jaws for engaging a tree at positions spaced longitudinally therealong.