Sapling reducing apparatus
OwnerLoren A. Lund, Marilyn T. Lundinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sapling reducing implement for reducing a sapling generally includes a drum, a plurality of reducing elements, a plurality of shields, and a pair of skids. The drum is configured to be rotatably driven and to carry the reducing elements thereon. The shields at least partially surround the drum and reducing elements. The reducing elements are configured to extend within an inch of the ground during a downward portion of the drum's rotational cycle. The shields define, at least in part, a tree entrance opening to receive the sapling. The ground skids are respectively attached to the side shields and can engage the ground during travel.
Claims17
A reducing implement for reducing woody vegetation, the reducing implement comprising:
- a drum configured to be rotatably driven by a drive unit;
- a plurality of reducing elements mounted to the drum;
- a plurality of shields at least partially surrounding the drum and the reducing elements, the plurality of shields including a pair of side shields, the drum being rotatably mounted relative to the side shields, the shields define, at least in part, an enclosure of a hammermill;
- and
- an interior guide member extending between the pair of side shields, the interior guide member including a straight guide section and a curved rear guide section, the straight guide section configured to direct the woody vegetation toward the reducing elements, the curved rear guide section extending around behind the reducing elements, the drum, the reducing elements, and the interior guide member at least partially defining the hammermill;
- and
- a pair of ground skids respectively mounted on the corresponding side shields, the ground skids configured to engage an underlying ground, the side shields, the interior guide member, and the ground skids, at least in part, defining an open forward entrance to the hammermill, the open forward entrance being opposite to the curved rear guide section of the interior guide member and configured to extend up from the ground, the open forward entrance configured to approach and receive the woody vegetation.
A vehicular system, comprising:
- an off-road vehicle;
- a reducing implement attached to the off-road vehicle, the reducing implement comprising:
- a drum configured to be rotatably driven;
- a plurality of reducing elements mounted to the drum;
- a plurality of shields at least partially surrounding the drum and the reducing elements, the plurality of shields including a pair of side shields, the drum being rotatably mounted relative to the side shields, the shields define, at least in part, an enclosure of a hammermill;
- and
- an interior guide member extending between the pair of side shields, the interior guide member including a straight guide section and a curved rear guide section, the straight guide section configured to direct the woody vegetation toward the reducing elements, the curved rear guide section extending around behind the reducing elements, the drum, the reducing elements, and the interior guide member at least partially defining the hammermill;
- a pair of ground skids respectively mounted on the corresponding side shields, the ground skids configured to engage an underlying ground, the side shields, the interior guide member, and the ground skids, at least in part, defining an open forward entrance to the hammermill, the open forward entrance being opposite to the curved rear guide section of the interior guide member and configured to extend up from the ground, the open forward entrance configured to approach and receive the woody vegetation;
- and a drive unit operatively linked to the drum, the drive unit configured to rotate the drum.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.