US 5,628,354 A · Tree processor attachment for log porters

Abstract

In the present invention, there is provided a tree processor attachment for optionally mounting transversely on a forward section of the log carrying portion of a log porter, so that a log porter may advantageously be used to process felled trees, and to carry logs therefrom to a forest road. The tree processor attachment comprises a tree trunk holding and severing portion and a tree trunk advancing and delimbing portion having a pair of tree trunk delimbing jaws. The tree trunk advancing and delimbing portion is telescopically mounted in the tree trunk holding and severing portion, and is movable back and forth a pair of tree trunk holding jaws. The tree trunk advancing and delimbing portion is timely operable in association with the tree trunk holding jaws for moving a tree trunk in successive unidirectional movements toward a tree trunk severing saw. The tree holding and severing portion of the tree processor attachment is rotatable within a sway angle about a swivel member on a mounting base thereof. The tree processor attachment also comprises control means for selectively severing logs at a first sway position or at a second sway position, depending upon a setting of this control means.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A tree processor attachment for mounting on a log carrying portion of a log porter, said tree processor attachment comprising;

a tree trunk holding and severing portion having tree trunk holding means, and tree trunk severing means,
a tree trunk advancing and delimbing portion having tree trunk advancing means and tree trunk delimbing means,
said tree trunk advancing and delimbing portion being slidably mounted in said tree trunk holding and severing portion, and being movable back and forth relative to said tree trunk holding means along a tree trunk advancing axis,
said tree trunk advancing means being operable in turns with said tree trunk holding means for moving said tree trunk in successive unidirectional movements along said tree trunk advancing axis toward said tree trunk severing means,
mounting means for retaining said tree trunk holding and severing portion to said log carrying portion of said log porter, and
hose means for receiving hydraulic power from an hydraulic power supply system of said log porter,
whereby said tree processor attachment may be carded about a forest to delimb and severe felled trees into logs.

4 more elements

A combination of a log porter and a tree processor attachment mounted on a log carrying portion of said log porter,

said log porter having a log loader boom for handling felled trees into said tree processor attachment,
said tree processor attachment comprising;
a tree trunk severing portion having tree trunk severing means,
a tree trunk delimbing portion having tree trunk delimbing means,
mounting means for retaining a base portion thereof to said log carrying portion, and
hose means for receiving hydraulic power from an hydraulic power supply system of said log porter,
whereby said combination of said log porter and said tree processor attachment is useable to process felled trees at stump sites and to carry logs therefrom to a forest road.

4 more elements

A method for harvesting felled trees with a log porter and a tree processor attachment mounted on a log carrying portion of said log porter, comprising the steps of;

grabbing a first felled tree from a first stump site with a log grapple of an articulated boom of said log porter,
loading said first felled tree into said tree processor attachment,
delimbing and severing logs from said first felled tree,
resetting a configuration of said tree processor attachment for receiving a second or subsequent felled tree therein,
delimbing and severing said second or subsequent felled tree,
loading said logs severed from said first, second and subsequent felled trees into a log carrying portion of said porter,
moving said porter to a second stump site for delimbing and severing other felled trees, or near a forest road for unloading said logs from said log carrying portion.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Tree processor attachment for log porters

Life of this patent

Tree processor attachment for log porters

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20