Apparatus and method for removing logs from a forestry site
AssigneeCaterpillar lnc.
InventorL. Gregory Alster
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method for removing logs from a forestry site. The apparatus and method includes a primary mobile machine having means attached to a rearward portion thereof for holding a first end of a first log cluster. The apparatus and method also includes a first secondary mobile machine with a first end having means for holding a second end of the first log cluster, and a second end having means for holding a first end of a second log cluster. The primary mobile machine and the first secondary mobile machine are interconnected by the first log cluster.
Claims32
An apparatus for removing logs from a forestry site, comprising:
- a primary mobile machine having means attached to a rearward portion thereof for holding a first end of a first log cluster;
- a first secondary mobile machine, including:
- a first end having means for holding a second end of the first log cluster;
- and
- a second end having means for holding a first end of a second log cluster;
- wherein the primary mobile machine and the first secondary mobile machine are interconnected by the first log cluster.
An apparatus for removing logs from a forestry site, comprising:
- a primary mobile machine having a grapple tool pivotally attached to a rearward portion thereof, the grapple tool being adapted to hold a first end of a first log cluster;
- a first secondary mobile machine, including:
- a first end having a fixed carrier rack connected, the fixed carrier rack being adapted to hold a second end of the first log cluster;
- and
- a second end having a grapple tool pivotally connected, the grapple tool being adapted to hold a first end of a second log cluster;
- wherein the primary mobile machine and the first secondary mobile machine are interconnected by the first log cluster.
An apparatus for removing logs from a forestry site, comprising:
- a primary mobile machine having a grapple tool pivotally attached to a rearward portion thereof, the grapple tool being adapted to hold a first end of a log cluster;
- and
- a plurality of secondary mobile machines, each secondary mobile machine including:
- a first end having a fixed carrier rack connected, the fixed carrier rack being adapted to hold a second end of a log cluster preceding the secondary mobile machine;
- and
- a second end having a grapple tool pivotally connected, the grapple tool being adapted to hold a first end of another log cluster following the secondary mobile machine;
- wherein the primary mobile machine and each of the secondary mobile machines are interconnected by the log clusters.
A primary mobile machine for guiding a plurality of secondary mobile machines from a forestry site, comprising:
- a grapple tool pivotally attached to a rearward portion of the primary mobile machine, the grapple tool being adapted to hold a first end of a first log cluster;
- an engine for propulsion;
- a steering system;
- a plurality of ground engaging members drivably connected to the engine, and controllably connected to the steering system;
- a position determining system;
- a geographic information system;
- a communications system;
- and
- a processor adapted for receiving position information from the position determining system, determining a desired route to traverse from the geographic information system, and communicating commands to the secondary mobile machines.
A secondary mobile machine for removing logs from a forestry site, comprising:
- a first end having a fixed carrier rack connected, the fixed carrier rack being adapted to hold an end of a first log cluster forward of the secondary mobile machine;
- a second end having a grapple tool pivotally connected, the grapple tool being adapted to hold an end of a second log cluster rearward of the secondary mobile machine;
- an engine for propulsion;
- at least one ground engaging member drivably connected to the engine;
- and
- a communications system located on the secondary mobile machine and adapted to receive desired speed commands from a primary mobile machine;
- wherein the secondary mobile machine is adapted to be interconnected to the primary mobile machine by means of the first log cluster forward of the secondary mobile machine, and the secondary mobile machine is adapted to be guided from the forestry site by the primary mobile machine.
A method for removing logs from a forestry site, including the steps of:
- a) attaching a first end of a first log cluster to a grapple tool pivotally connected to a rearward portion of a primary mobile machine;
- b) attaching a second end of the first log cluster to a fixed carrier rack connected to a forward portion of a first secondary mobile machine;
- c) attaching a first end of a second log cluster to a grapple tool pivotally connected to a rearward portion of the first secondary mobile machine;
- d) attaching a second end of the second log cluster to a fixed carrier rack connected to a forward portion of a second secondary mobile machine;
- and
- e) repeating steps c) and d) for each additional log cluster, using additional secondary mobile machines.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.