Chain flail debarking apparatus with moveable flail assembly

A method of forming a chain flail debarking apparatus for removing limbs and bark from a log or a tree to be treated, the method comprising:

• supporting, on a base frame, a flail chamber and at least one transfer roller, to facilitate feeding of the log or tree into the flail chamber;
• supporting a flail assembly framework on the base frame and within the flail chamber, and positioning at least one displacement member for moving the flail assembly framework relative to the base frame;
• forming at least a first flail assembly from first and second rotatable flail shafts, the first and the second rotatable flail shafts being supported by the flail assembly framework so as to move along with the flail assembly framework, and each of the first and second rotatable flail shafts supporting a plurality of chains;
• locating a movable guide adjacent an inlet of the flail chamber for determining a diameter of the log or tree entering into the flail chamber and activating the at least one displacement member so as to adjust a position of the flail assembly framework, relative to the base frame, and maintain the log or tree, entering into the flail chamber, substantially centered between at least the first and second rotatable flail shafts so that the log or tree, entering into the flail chamber, is substantially uniformly debarked;
• and
• supporting, with the flail chamber, a second flail assembly which is located downstream of the first flail assembly, and which comprises a third shaft, and the third flail shafts support a plurality of chains.

A chain flail debarking apparatus for removing limbs and bark from a log or and a tree to be debarked, the chain flail debarking apparatus comprising:

• a base frame having a leading end and a trailing end;
• at least one pair of wheels supporting the trailing end of the chain flail debarking apparatus;
• a flail chamber accommodating at least first and second rotatable flail shafts, both of the first and second rotatable flail shafts having a plurality of chains, and both of the first and second rotatable flail shafts being supported on a movable flail assembly framework so as to move with the movable flail assembly framework;
• a pick and place apparatus for moving parts;
• and
• a disc chipper for receiving the debarked logs and trees from the flail chamber and generating therefrom wood chips having a desired shape and size;
• a single drive for driving both the disc chipper and at least the first and second rotatable flail shafts accommodated within the flail chamber;
• and
• a pivotable feed roller located adjacent an inlet to the flail chamber for sensing a diameter of the logs and trees to be debarked by the flail chamber and moving the movable flail assembly framework, relative to the base frame, so as to maintain the logs and trees being debarked in the flail chamber, substantially centered with respect to both the first and second rotatable flail shafts so that both upwardly and downwardly facing surfaces of the logs and trees being debarked are substantially equally treated.