Tree processing systems
AssigneesLes Alfred Kerik, Robert Stegmeier
InventorLes Alfred Kerik
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates generally to an improved tree processing system enabling efficient, reliable and accurate processing of harvested trees. The system includes a grabbing head having first grabbing arms and a delimbing head having second grabbing arms. The first and second grabbing arms are mounted on a boom system and can be activated to grab the tree stem of a harvested tree. When grabbed, the boom system can be selectively extended or retracted to effect delimbining of a felled tree. Each of the delimbing head and grabbing head includes saws allowing an operator to selectively activate one or both saws to cut a length of timber.
Claims16
An apparatus for processing harvested trees comprising:
- a grabbing head having first grabbing arms and a delimbing head having second grabbing arms, the first and second grabbing arms independently operable for grabbing the tree stem of a harvested tree, the grabbing head and delimbing head operatively mounted on a boom system enabling linear extension and retraction of the grabbing head with respect to the delimbing head and wherein the delimbing head includes a first saw system and the grabbing head includes a second saw system, the first and second saw systems independently operable to cut through a tree stem when a tree stem is held by both or either of the first and second grabbing arms;
- and
- an indexing plate pivotally connected to the boom system behind the grabbing head, the indexing plate operable between a first retracted position and a second deployed position, wherein in the deployed position, the indexing plate provides a fixed surface against which one or more tree stems may be abutted during operation.
An apparatus for processing harvested trees comprising:
- a grabbing head having first grabbing arms and a delimbing head having second grabbing arms, the first and second grabbing arms independently operable for grabbing the tree stem of a harvested tree, the grabbing head and delimbing head operatively mounted on a boom system enabling linear extension and retraction of the grabbing head with respect to the delimbing head and wherein the delimbing head includes a first saw system and the grabbing head includes a second saw system, the first and second saw systems independently operable to cut through a tree stem when a tree stem is held by both or either of the first and second grabbing arms;
- an indexing plate pivotally connected to the boom system behind the grabbing head, the indexing plate operable between a first retracted position and a second deployed position, wherein in the deployed position, the indexing plate provides a fixed surface against which one or more tree stems may be abutted during operation;
- and,
- wherein each of the first grabbing arms and second grabbing arms have a dual knife blade system, the dual knife blade system for delimbing during linear extension or retraction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.