Land clearing tractor for selectively clearing a land of brush and trees and process therefor

A land clearing tractor for selectively clearing a land of brush and trees, the tractor comprising:

• a traction unit for moving the tractor along a direction of travel;
• a frame having an inverted U-shaped cross-section with first and second sides, and a raised section between the first and second sides positioned between 0.5 and 1.5 meters from ground;
• a first shredder head operatively connected to the first side of the frame through a first actuating lever arm, the first shredder head being oriented parallel to the direction of travel and being movable between elevated and lowered positions for clearing brush and trees in a first band;
• and
• a second shredder head operatively connected to the second side of the frame through a second actuating lever arm, the second shredder head being parallel to the first shredder head and spaced apart therefrom, the second shredder head being movable between elevated and lowered positions for clearing brush and trees in a second band spaced apart from the first band and thereby leaving between the first and second bands a residual band of brush and trees.

A mobile silvicultural apparatus for use in a land containing trees, the apparatus comprising:

• a steerable wheeled support frame comprising a horizontally extending ground-clearing section, and first and second opposite vertical side sections, the ground-clearing and side sections defining a tunnel-shaped passage through which trees of a certain type are allowed to pass as the support frame travels thereover;
• manipulating means mounted to the support frame for selectively manipulating trees of the land;
• motor means for imparting motion to the support frame;
• and
• control means for controlling the steerable support frame, the motor means, and the manipulating means.