Planing head for a planing machine and method of manufacture thereof

A planing head for a planing machine comprising:

• a) a cylindrical body having an axis of rotation, an outer surface around the axis of rotation, and opposite first and second end faces;
• b) a plurality of blade assemblies arranged along the outer surface;
• c) a plurality of grooves in the outer surface, each groove configured to receive a respective one of the plurality of blade assemblies, each groove extending along the outer surface;
• d) a hydraulic pressure system for supplying a pressure to each of the blade assemblies, the hydraulic pressure system comprising:
• i) a plurality of transverse channels for receiving a pressurised hydraulic fluid, each transverse channel extending at least partially through the cylindrical body from an opening in one of the first and second end faces towards the other of the first and second end faces, each transverse channel being in hydraulic communication with a corresponding groove;
• and
• ii) a plurality of oblique channels hydraulically linking the plurality of transverse channels, each oblique channel intersecting a respective first of the plurality of transverse channels proximate to the opening in the one of the first and second end faces from which the first of the plurality of transverse channels extends and intersecting a respective neighbouring second transverse channel at a point farther towards the other of the first and second end faces.