CA1126627A - Tree delimbing apparatus - Google Patents
Tree delimbing apparatusInfo
- Publication number
- CA1126627A CA1126627A CA378,462A CA378462A CA1126627A CA 1126627 A CA1126627 A CA 1126627A CA 378462 A CA378462 A CA 378462A CA 1126627 A CA1126627 A CA 1126627A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- boom member
- tree
- arm
- sleeve
- delimbing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
- A01G23/00—Forestry
- A01G23/02—Transplanting, uprooting, felling or delimbing trees
- A01G23/095—Delimbers
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
- Ecology (AREA)
- Forests & Forestry (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Catching Or Destruction (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An improved tree delimbing apparatus comprising a base with a tree gripping unit thereon and a telescopic boom with a tree delimbing unit at one end. The boom is mounted on the base and a motor is provided for moving the boom relative to the base. In addition, a cable-assembly is provided for automatically extending or retracting the boom as it is moved relative to the base. The tree delimbing unit employs two delimbing arms pivotally moved by a single actuator and a link system.
An improved tree delimbing apparatus comprising a base with a tree gripping unit thereon and a telescopic boom with a tree delimbing unit at one end. The boom is mounted on the base and a motor is provided for moving the boom relative to the base. In addition, a cable-assembly is provided for automatically extending or retracting the boom as it is moved relative to the base. The tree delimbing unit employs two delimbing arms pivotally moved by a single actuator and a link system.
Description
11~6~ 7 The present invention is concerned with improvements in tree delimbing apparatus.
More particularly, the invention relates to an improved tree delimbing apparatus of the type having a simplified, tele-scopic boom structure for use in handling trees to be delimbed.
The invention also more particularly relates to an improved tree delimbing unit for use in a tree delimbing appa-ratus.
Tree delimbing apparatus of the type employing a boom provided with a tree delimbing unit at its outer end are well known. In one version, the boom is rigid and slidable in a base, so as to be able to move the delimbing unit relative to a tree held by the base. Such an apparatus is shown in Canadian Patent 1,055,366 by way of example. ThisapparatuS is relatively simple in construction and operation. However the boom must be quite long in order to be able to process most trees and this long boom makes the apparatus difficult and awkward to handle and/or manoeuvre. In another version, the boom is tele-scopic so as to again be able to move the delimbing unit on the outer end of the boom relative to the base. Such an appa-ratus is shown in U.S. Patent 3,796,241 by way of example.
The telescopic boom provides an apparatus which is much easier to handle as compared to an apparatus employing a rigid boom.
~owever the known telescopic booms are quite complicated in construction, and expensive both to purchase and maintain.
In addition, the known telescopic booms are not as strong as rigid booms.
The tree delimbing unit employed with most of the known tree delimbing apparatus is also relatively complicated in construction. Usually two delimbing arms are employed to delimb a tree and it is commom practice to provide a separate actuator for each arm whichpractice is expe~sive. It is also z7 known to provide a single actuator for the pair of delimbiny arms with the actuator operating one arm directly, and the other arm indirectly through a link connecting both arms. Such systems are shown in U.S. Patents 3,986,5~2 and 4.004,622 by way of example. Elowever the known single link systems do not provide as great a movement to the arms as is desirable.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a tree delimbing apparatus having a boom which can be easily handled while being simple in construction, strong, and rela-tively inexpensive.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved deli~bing apparatus having an improved delimbing unit which is relatively simple in construction while providing a relatively wide range of movement for the delimbing arms.
In accordance with the present invention, the above mentioned, former object achieved with a tree delimbing appa-r-atus having a sliding boom which is telescopic. The apparatus has means for moving the telescopic boom relative to the base.
In addition, a simple cable assembly is provided for automa-tically extending or retracting the telescopic boom as is being moved relative to the base. This cable assembly is, at least in part, arranged in such a way as to strengthen the boom by tensioning it, In accordance with the present invention, the above mentioned, latter object is achieved with provided tree delimbing means with a pair of delimbing arms operated by a single actual~or and a simple two part link system.
More particularly, the tree delimbing apparatus according to the invention, comprises a base having a tubular sleeve and a telescopic boom mounted on the base. The boom has an outer boom member mounted through the sleeve and an inner boom member mounted within the outer boom member. A
tree gripping unit is mounted on the base while a tree delimbing unit mounted on the inner boom member.
First means are provided for moving the outer boom member relative to the base between ex-tendcd and retractcd positions. Second means are provided for automatically moving the inner boom member toward an extended position relative to the outer boom member as the outer boom member is moved toward an extended position. These sec nd moving means comprises a first cable fixed at one end to the sleeve and at its other end to the inner boom member near its inner end, and a pulley mounted on the outer boom member adjacent its outer end over which the first cable passes.
Third means are also provided for automatically moving the inner boom member toward a retracted position relative to the outer boom member as the outer boom member toward a retrac-ted position. These third moving means comprises a second cable ixed at one end to the sleeve and at its other end to the inner boom member near its outer end, and a pulley mounted on the outer boom member adjacent its inner end over which the second cable passes.
Preferably, the delimbing unit comprises a support, a pair of delimbing arms, means pivotably mounting the arms on the support for movement toward or away from each other and a single actuator mounted on the support connected to one of the arms for moving it toward or away from the other arm about its pivot mounting. Link means connecting the one arm to the other arm are provided for moving the other arm about its pivot mounting, by the movement of the one arm, toward or away from the one arm.
A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail having reference to the accompanying drawings 1~ '7 in which :
Fig. 1 is a side elevation view of the tree delimbing apparatus;
Fig. 2 is a side view, in partial section, of the tree delimbing apparatus;
Fig. 3 is a schematic side view of the apparatus with the telescopic boom in a retracted positioni Fig. 4 is a schematic side view of the apparatus with the telescopic boom in an extended position;
Fig. 5 is a front view of the delimbing head with the delimbing arms in an open position;
Fig. 6 is a front view of the delimbing head with the delimbing arms in a closed position ;
and Fig. 7 is a front view o~ the tree topping-off means.
The delimbing apparatus 1, as shown in figs. 1 and 2 has a base 3 by means of which the apparatus 1 is mounted on a carrier vehicle 5. The base 3 includes a tubular mounting sleeve 7 having a top wall 9, a bottom wall 11 and side walls 13. A support leg 15 extends down from the bottom wall 11 near the back end 17 of the sleeve 7. The bottom end of leg 15 is pivotably connected to the vehicle 5 with a pivot pin 19 to support the apparatus 1 on the vehicle 5. A backing plate 23 extends down from the sleeve 7 near its front end 25. A brace 26 extends between the plate 23 and the bottom 11 of sleeve 7 to strengthen the plate 23. Actuator means 27 extend between the brace 26 and the fron~ of vehicle 5. The actuator means - 27 can comprise a hydraulic cylinder 29 pivotably connected at one end with a pivot pin 31 to the vehicle 5, and pivotably connected at its other end, with a pivot pin 3, to the brace 26. Extension or retraction of cylinder 29 will respectively raise or lower sleeve 7 about pivot pin 19.
An anvil 41 is mounted on the sleeve 7 adjacent its front end 25. The anvil 41 extends down from the sleeve 7 and to one side. A clamping jaw 43 is also mounted on the sleeve 7 and adjacent the anvil ~1. The jaw 43 is movable, via a hydraulic actuator 45, toward or away from the anvil 41. When moved toward the anvil 41, the jaw 43 can clamp, and tightly hold, a tree to be delimbed against the anvil 41.
In accordance with the invention, a telescopic boom 51 is movably mounted within the sleeve 7. The telescopic boom 51 comprises an outer boom member 53 and an inner boom member 55. The outer boom member 53 is movably mounted through sleeve 7 and the inner boom member 55 is movable mounted within the outer boom member 53. The outer boom member 53 has a top wall 57, a bottom wall 59 and side walls 61. The outer boom member 53 is considerably longer than the sleeve 7 and extends out from both ends 17, 25 of the sleeve 7 with its top wall 57 adjacent the top wall 9 of sleeve 7, its bottom wall 59 adjacent bottom wall 11, of sleeve 7 and its side walls 61 adjacent the side walls 13 of the sleeve 7.
An assembly is provided to guide the outer boom member 53 for movement relative to the sleeve 7. This guiding assembly includes three rollers 65 and is mounted on the bottom wall 11 of the sleeve 7. The assembly extends throughopeningstherein to support the outer boom member 53 by its bottom wall 59.
Two of the rollers 65 are preferably located adjacent the front end 25 of the sleeve 7 and the other roller 65 is located adjacent the rear end 17 of the sleeve 7. The guide means include three rollers 67 mounted on the top wall 9 of the sleeve 7. These rollers 67 extend through openings in the top wall 9 to bear on the top wall 57 of the outer boom member 53. Pre-ferably two of the rollers 67 are located adjacent the rear end 17 of the sleeye 7 and the other roller 57 is located adjacent the front end 25 of the sleeve 7. A palr of rollers 69 are mounted on each side wall 13 of sleeve 7, one adjacent each end as shown in Fig. 1. The rollers 69 extends prependicular to the top and bottom walls 9, 11 of the sleeve 7 and project through openingsln side walls 13 to bear against the side walls 61 of the outer boom member 53. The rollers 65, 67 and 69 cooperate to guide the outer boom member 53 for movement relative to the sleeve 7.
Means are provided for moving the outer boom member 53 relative to the sleeve 7. The moving means include a chain 71 mounted on the top wall 57 of the outer boom member 53. The chain 71 extends over a substantial portion of the length of member 53 and along the center of the top wall 57. The top rollers 67 are grooved to accomodate the chain 71 and to avoid interference. The chain 71 is passed over a drive sprocket 73 rotatably mounted on the sleeve 7 above its wall 9 within a housing 75. The chain 71 passes out of sleeve 7 through an opening in the top wall 9, about ~idway between its ends, and about rotatable guide sprockets 79 to loop about drive sprocket - 20 73. Suitable motor means (not shown) drive sprocket 73 in either direction to extend or retract the outer boom member 53 from the front end 25 of the sleeve 7.
The inner boom member 55 has a top wall 85, a bottom wall 87 and side walls 89. Guide means are provided for guiding the inner boom member 55 for movement relative to the outer boom member 53. These guide means include a pair of rollers 91, 93 mounted on inner member 55 near its inner end 94. One roller 91 is mounted to bear against the top wall 57 of outer boom member 53 and the other roller 93 is mounted to bear against the bottom wall 59 of the outer boom member 53.
A pair of rollers 95, 97 are also mounted on the outer boom member 53 adjacent its outer end 99. One of the rollers 95 llZti~Z7 is mounted on the top wall 57 of member 53 and extends through an opening to hear against the top wall 85 of the inner boom member 55. The other roller 97 is mounted on the bottom wall 59 of member 53 and extends through an opening in the bottom wall 59 to support the inner boom member 55 through its bottom wall 87. Another pair of rollers 101 are mounted on the outer boom member 53 adjacent its outer end 99, one roller 101 on each side wall ~1 of the outer boom member 53. Each roller 101 extends perpendicular to the top and bottom walls 57, 59 of the boom member 53, and also extends through an opening in side wall 61 to bear against the side walls 89 of the inner boom member 55. The rollers 91, 93 on the inner boom member 55 near its inner end 94, and the rollers 95, 97 and 101 on the outer boom member 53 adjacent its outer end 99, serve to ~ guide the inner boom member 55 for movement relative to the outer boom member 53.
First means are provided on the apparatus for auto-matically moving the inner boom member 55 to an extended position relative to the outer boom member 53 as the outer boom member is moved to an extended position relative to the sleeve 7.
These first moving means comprise a pair of cables 105 (one only shown) each attached at one end 107 to a mounting 109 on the sleeve 7 near its front end 25. The other end 111 of each cable 105 is attached to a side wall 89 of the inner boom member 55 near its inner end 94. Each cable 105 passes over a pulley 113 mounted on the outer boom member 53 adjacent its outer end 99. The pulleys 113 are located on either side of the top roller 95 and extend into the interior of the outer boom member 53, through openings in the top wall 57, on either side of the inner boom member 55.
Second means are provided on the apparatus for auto-matically moving the inner boom member 55 to a retracted position li2~ Z7 relative to the outer boom member 53 when the outer boom member 53 is retracted by the chain and sprocket drive relative to the sleeve 7. These second moving means can comprise a single cable 121 fastened at one end 123 to a flange 125 on the top of the sleeve 7 adjacent its rear end 17. The other end 127 of the cable 121 is astened to a flange 129 on the top of the inner boom member 55 adjacent its outer end 131. The cable 121 is passed from its one end 123 over a pulley 133 mounted on a support 135 at the rear end 137 of the outer boom member 53.
From pulley 133, the cable passes over the apparatus, on raised guide pulleys 139, to the outer end of the inner boom member 55. The cable 121 preferably has means adjacent its front end 127 for use in adjusting the tension in the cable as does cable 105 adjacent its front end 107. The cables, particularly cable 121, serve to tension the opposite ends of the telescopic boom 51 and thus strengthen the boom while also providing simple - means to automatically move the boom members relative to each other.
The inner boom member 55 carries a unit 141 adjacent its outer end 131 for delimbing a tree and means 142 for cutting off the top end of a delimbed tree. The delimbing unit 141, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, has a pair of curved delimbing arms 143, 145 mounted On a support 147 which support is fixed to the inner boom member 55. The arms 143, 145 extend down from support 147 and are curved inwardly toward each other. One arm 143 is mounted adjacent its inner end 149, to support 147 by a first pivot pin 151. The other arm 145 is mounted, near its inner end 153, to support 147 by a second pivot pin 155. Means are provided for moving the arms 143, 145 about pivots 151, 155 toward each other to have their outer ends 159, 161 cross to hold a tree being delimbed against a delimbing edge 163 on the bottom of support 147. In accordance 11;2~i~;Z7 with the present invention these moving means comprise a single actuator, preferahly hydraulic, and a simple link system. The actuator 165 is mounted on the support 147 and extends across the tops of the arms 143, 145. One end 167 of the actuator, above arm 143 is mounted with a pivot pin 169 to the support 147. The other end of the actuator 165 is mounted to the inner end 153 of the o~her arm 145 with a pivot pin 173. A link system 175 extends between the arms 143, 145. The link system 175 has a first long link 177 connected at one end with a pivot pin 179 to the first arm 143, below but adjacent to its pivot 151. The other end of long link 177 is connected to one end of a short link 181 by a pivot pin 183. The other end of the short link 181 is fixed to the other arm 145 as pivot ` 155.
In operation, when actuator 165 is actuated to move the arm 145 inwardly about pivot 155, the link system 175 will, through movement of arm 145, simultaneously move the other arm 143 inwardly about its pivot 151. Thus only a single actuator is needed to move both delimbing arms 143, 145 together.
The means 142 for cutting off the top end of a delimbed tree can, as shown in Fig. 7, comprise a support member 189 fixed to the inner boommember 55 adjacent the delimbing arms 143, 145. The support member 189 has a bottom cutting edge 191.
A cutting blade 193 is mounted alongside the support member 189 and adjacent edge 191. The blade 193 is mounted to 189 support with a pivot pin 195, intermediate its ends. An actuator 197, preferably hydraulic, is mounted at one end with a pivot pin 199 to support 189. The other end of the actuator 197 is mounted with a pivot pin 201 to the inner end of the blade 193.
The blade 193 has a cutting edge 203 extending between the pi~ot 195 and the outer end 205 of the blade. Operation of actuator 197 will pivot blade 193 about pin 195 to have its il2~;~Z7 cutting edge 203 pass by cutting edge 191 on support 189 to cut a tree held against the edge 191 by delimbing arms 143 145.
During operation of the apparatus 1, the telescopic boom 51 can be extended, by operation of the chain and sproc~et drive and the cable 105, and tilted, by operation oE the hydraulic actuator 27, to pick up a tree to be delimbed with its delimber arms 143, 145. The boom 51 is then retracted by operation of chain drive and cable 121 to locate the butt end of the tree against the stop plate 23. The gripping jaw 43 is then actuated to securely grip the tree, adjacent its butt end, against the anvil 41. The telescopic boom 51 is then retracted, with the delimbing arms 143, 145 open to position these arms adjacent the anvil 41. The arms 143, 145 are then closed and the boom 51 is extended to delimb the gripped tree.
The boom is extended by operating the chain drive to move the outer boom member 53 outwardly from the sleeve 7. As this occurs, cable 105 automatically extends the inner boom member 55 outwardly from the outer boom member 53 as shown in Fig. 4.
At the completion of the delimbing operation, with the boom 51 extended, the blade 193 is actuated to cut off the top of the delimbed tree. The delimbing arms 143, 145 can then be opened up and relocated on the delimbed tree by retrac-ting the boom 51 via the chain drive and cable 121. When relocated, the arms 143, 145 can again grip the delimbed tree, the gripping jaw 43 is released, and the boom 51 is operated to move the delimbed tree to a storage position. The apparatus is then ready to delimb the next tree.
More particularly, the invention relates to an improved tree delimbing apparatus of the type having a simplified, tele-scopic boom structure for use in handling trees to be delimbed.
The invention also more particularly relates to an improved tree delimbing unit for use in a tree delimbing appa-ratus.
Tree delimbing apparatus of the type employing a boom provided with a tree delimbing unit at its outer end are well known. In one version, the boom is rigid and slidable in a base, so as to be able to move the delimbing unit relative to a tree held by the base. Such an apparatus is shown in Canadian Patent 1,055,366 by way of example. ThisapparatuS is relatively simple in construction and operation. However the boom must be quite long in order to be able to process most trees and this long boom makes the apparatus difficult and awkward to handle and/or manoeuvre. In another version, the boom is tele-scopic so as to again be able to move the delimbing unit on the outer end of the boom relative to the base. Such an appa-ratus is shown in U.S. Patent 3,796,241 by way of example.
The telescopic boom provides an apparatus which is much easier to handle as compared to an apparatus employing a rigid boom.
~owever the known telescopic booms are quite complicated in construction, and expensive both to purchase and maintain.
In addition, the known telescopic booms are not as strong as rigid booms.
The tree delimbing unit employed with most of the known tree delimbing apparatus is also relatively complicated in construction. Usually two delimbing arms are employed to delimb a tree and it is commom practice to provide a separate actuator for each arm whichpractice is expe~sive. It is also z7 known to provide a single actuator for the pair of delimbiny arms with the actuator operating one arm directly, and the other arm indirectly through a link connecting both arms. Such systems are shown in U.S. Patents 3,986,5~2 and 4.004,622 by way of example. Elowever the known single link systems do not provide as great a movement to the arms as is desirable.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a tree delimbing apparatus having a boom which can be easily handled while being simple in construction, strong, and rela-tively inexpensive.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved deli~bing apparatus having an improved delimbing unit which is relatively simple in construction while providing a relatively wide range of movement for the delimbing arms.
In accordance with the present invention, the above mentioned, former object achieved with a tree delimbing appa-r-atus having a sliding boom which is telescopic. The apparatus has means for moving the telescopic boom relative to the base.
In addition, a simple cable assembly is provided for automa-tically extending or retracting the telescopic boom as is being moved relative to the base. This cable assembly is, at least in part, arranged in such a way as to strengthen the boom by tensioning it, In accordance with the present invention, the above mentioned, latter object is achieved with provided tree delimbing means with a pair of delimbing arms operated by a single actual~or and a simple two part link system.
More particularly, the tree delimbing apparatus according to the invention, comprises a base having a tubular sleeve and a telescopic boom mounted on the base. The boom has an outer boom member mounted through the sleeve and an inner boom member mounted within the outer boom member. A
tree gripping unit is mounted on the base while a tree delimbing unit mounted on the inner boom member.
First means are provided for moving the outer boom member relative to the base between ex-tendcd and retractcd positions. Second means are provided for automatically moving the inner boom member toward an extended position relative to the outer boom member as the outer boom member is moved toward an extended position. These sec nd moving means comprises a first cable fixed at one end to the sleeve and at its other end to the inner boom member near its inner end, and a pulley mounted on the outer boom member adjacent its outer end over which the first cable passes.
Third means are also provided for automatically moving the inner boom member toward a retracted position relative to the outer boom member as the outer boom member toward a retrac-ted position. These third moving means comprises a second cable ixed at one end to the sleeve and at its other end to the inner boom member near its outer end, and a pulley mounted on the outer boom member adjacent its inner end over which the second cable passes.
Preferably, the delimbing unit comprises a support, a pair of delimbing arms, means pivotably mounting the arms on the support for movement toward or away from each other and a single actuator mounted on the support connected to one of the arms for moving it toward or away from the other arm about its pivot mounting. Link means connecting the one arm to the other arm are provided for moving the other arm about its pivot mounting, by the movement of the one arm, toward or away from the one arm.
A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail having reference to the accompanying drawings 1~ '7 in which :
Fig. 1 is a side elevation view of the tree delimbing apparatus;
Fig. 2 is a side view, in partial section, of the tree delimbing apparatus;
Fig. 3 is a schematic side view of the apparatus with the telescopic boom in a retracted positioni Fig. 4 is a schematic side view of the apparatus with the telescopic boom in an extended position;
Fig. 5 is a front view of the delimbing head with the delimbing arms in an open position;
Fig. 6 is a front view of the delimbing head with the delimbing arms in a closed position ;
and Fig. 7 is a front view o~ the tree topping-off means.
The delimbing apparatus 1, as shown in figs. 1 and 2 has a base 3 by means of which the apparatus 1 is mounted on a carrier vehicle 5. The base 3 includes a tubular mounting sleeve 7 having a top wall 9, a bottom wall 11 and side walls 13. A support leg 15 extends down from the bottom wall 11 near the back end 17 of the sleeve 7. The bottom end of leg 15 is pivotably connected to the vehicle 5 with a pivot pin 19 to support the apparatus 1 on the vehicle 5. A backing plate 23 extends down from the sleeve 7 near its front end 25. A brace 26 extends between the plate 23 and the bottom 11 of sleeve 7 to strengthen the plate 23. Actuator means 27 extend between the brace 26 and the fron~ of vehicle 5. The actuator means - 27 can comprise a hydraulic cylinder 29 pivotably connected at one end with a pivot pin 31 to the vehicle 5, and pivotably connected at its other end, with a pivot pin 3, to the brace 26. Extension or retraction of cylinder 29 will respectively raise or lower sleeve 7 about pivot pin 19.
An anvil 41 is mounted on the sleeve 7 adjacent its front end 25. The anvil 41 extends down from the sleeve 7 and to one side. A clamping jaw 43 is also mounted on the sleeve 7 and adjacent the anvil ~1. The jaw 43 is movable, via a hydraulic actuator 45, toward or away from the anvil 41. When moved toward the anvil 41, the jaw 43 can clamp, and tightly hold, a tree to be delimbed against the anvil 41.
In accordance with the invention, a telescopic boom 51 is movably mounted within the sleeve 7. The telescopic boom 51 comprises an outer boom member 53 and an inner boom member 55. The outer boom member 53 is movably mounted through sleeve 7 and the inner boom member 55 is movable mounted within the outer boom member 53. The outer boom member 53 has a top wall 57, a bottom wall 59 and side walls 61. The outer boom member 53 is considerably longer than the sleeve 7 and extends out from both ends 17, 25 of the sleeve 7 with its top wall 57 adjacent the top wall 9 of sleeve 7, its bottom wall 59 adjacent bottom wall 11, of sleeve 7 and its side walls 61 adjacent the side walls 13 of the sleeve 7.
An assembly is provided to guide the outer boom member 53 for movement relative to the sleeve 7. This guiding assembly includes three rollers 65 and is mounted on the bottom wall 11 of the sleeve 7. The assembly extends throughopeningstherein to support the outer boom member 53 by its bottom wall 59.
Two of the rollers 65 are preferably located adjacent the front end 25 of the sleeve 7 and the other roller 65 is located adjacent the rear end 17 of the sleeve 7. The guide means include three rollers 67 mounted on the top wall 9 of the sleeve 7. These rollers 67 extend through openings in the top wall 9 to bear on the top wall 57 of the outer boom member 53. Pre-ferably two of the rollers 67 are located adjacent the rear end 17 of the sleeye 7 and the other roller 57 is located adjacent the front end 25 of the sleeve 7. A palr of rollers 69 are mounted on each side wall 13 of sleeve 7, one adjacent each end as shown in Fig. 1. The rollers 69 extends prependicular to the top and bottom walls 9, 11 of the sleeve 7 and project through openingsln side walls 13 to bear against the side walls 61 of the outer boom member 53. The rollers 65, 67 and 69 cooperate to guide the outer boom member 53 for movement relative to the sleeve 7.
Means are provided for moving the outer boom member 53 relative to the sleeve 7. The moving means include a chain 71 mounted on the top wall 57 of the outer boom member 53. The chain 71 extends over a substantial portion of the length of member 53 and along the center of the top wall 57. The top rollers 67 are grooved to accomodate the chain 71 and to avoid interference. The chain 71 is passed over a drive sprocket 73 rotatably mounted on the sleeve 7 above its wall 9 within a housing 75. The chain 71 passes out of sleeve 7 through an opening in the top wall 9, about ~idway between its ends, and about rotatable guide sprockets 79 to loop about drive sprocket - 20 73. Suitable motor means (not shown) drive sprocket 73 in either direction to extend or retract the outer boom member 53 from the front end 25 of the sleeve 7.
The inner boom member 55 has a top wall 85, a bottom wall 87 and side walls 89. Guide means are provided for guiding the inner boom member 55 for movement relative to the outer boom member 53. These guide means include a pair of rollers 91, 93 mounted on inner member 55 near its inner end 94. One roller 91 is mounted to bear against the top wall 57 of outer boom member 53 and the other roller 93 is mounted to bear against the bottom wall 59 of the outer boom member 53.
A pair of rollers 95, 97 are also mounted on the outer boom member 53 adjacent its outer end 99. One of the rollers 95 llZti~Z7 is mounted on the top wall 57 of member 53 and extends through an opening to hear against the top wall 85 of the inner boom member 55. The other roller 97 is mounted on the bottom wall 59 of member 53 and extends through an opening in the bottom wall 59 to support the inner boom member 55 through its bottom wall 87. Another pair of rollers 101 are mounted on the outer boom member 53 adjacent its outer end 99, one roller 101 on each side wall ~1 of the outer boom member 53. Each roller 101 extends perpendicular to the top and bottom walls 57, 59 of the boom member 53, and also extends through an opening in side wall 61 to bear against the side walls 89 of the inner boom member 55. The rollers 91, 93 on the inner boom member 55 near its inner end 94, and the rollers 95, 97 and 101 on the outer boom member 53 adjacent its outer end 99, serve to ~ guide the inner boom member 55 for movement relative to the outer boom member 53.
First means are provided on the apparatus for auto-matically moving the inner boom member 55 to an extended position relative to the outer boom member 53 as the outer boom member is moved to an extended position relative to the sleeve 7.
These first moving means comprise a pair of cables 105 (one only shown) each attached at one end 107 to a mounting 109 on the sleeve 7 near its front end 25. The other end 111 of each cable 105 is attached to a side wall 89 of the inner boom member 55 near its inner end 94. Each cable 105 passes over a pulley 113 mounted on the outer boom member 53 adjacent its outer end 99. The pulleys 113 are located on either side of the top roller 95 and extend into the interior of the outer boom member 53, through openings in the top wall 57, on either side of the inner boom member 55.
Second means are provided on the apparatus for auto-matically moving the inner boom member 55 to a retracted position li2~ Z7 relative to the outer boom member 53 when the outer boom member 53 is retracted by the chain and sprocket drive relative to the sleeve 7. These second moving means can comprise a single cable 121 fastened at one end 123 to a flange 125 on the top of the sleeve 7 adjacent its rear end 17. The other end 127 of the cable 121 is astened to a flange 129 on the top of the inner boom member 55 adjacent its outer end 131. The cable 121 is passed from its one end 123 over a pulley 133 mounted on a support 135 at the rear end 137 of the outer boom member 53.
From pulley 133, the cable passes over the apparatus, on raised guide pulleys 139, to the outer end of the inner boom member 55. The cable 121 preferably has means adjacent its front end 127 for use in adjusting the tension in the cable as does cable 105 adjacent its front end 107. The cables, particularly cable 121, serve to tension the opposite ends of the telescopic boom 51 and thus strengthen the boom while also providing simple - means to automatically move the boom members relative to each other.
The inner boom member 55 carries a unit 141 adjacent its outer end 131 for delimbing a tree and means 142 for cutting off the top end of a delimbed tree. The delimbing unit 141, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, has a pair of curved delimbing arms 143, 145 mounted On a support 147 which support is fixed to the inner boom member 55. The arms 143, 145 extend down from support 147 and are curved inwardly toward each other. One arm 143 is mounted adjacent its inner end 149, to support 147 by a first pivot pin 151. The other arm 145 is mounted, near its inner end 153, to support 147 by a second pivot pin 155. Means are provided for moving the arms 143, 145 about pivots 151, 155 toward each other to have their outer ends 159, 161 cross to hold a tree being delimbed against a delimbing edge 163 on the bottom of support 147. In accordance 11;2~i~;Z7 with the present invention these moving means comprise a single actuator, preferahly hydraulic, and a simple link system. The actuator 165 is mounted on the support 147 and extends across the tops of the arms 143, 145. One end 167 of the actuator, above arm 143 is mounted with a pivot pin 169 to the support 147. The other end of the actuator 165 is mounted to the inner end 153 of the o~her arm 145 with a pivot pin 173. A link system 175 extends between the arms 143, 145. The link system 175 has a first long link 177 connected at one end with a pivot pin 179 to the first arm 143, below but adjacent to its pivot 151. The other end of long link 177 is connected to one end of a short link 181 by a pivot pin 183. The other end of the short link 181 is fixed to the other arm 145 as pivot ` 155.
In operation, when actuator 165 is actuated to move the arm 145 inwardly about pivot 155, the link system 175 will, through movement of arm 145, simultaneously move the other arm 143 inwardly about its pivot 151. Thus only a single actuator is needed to move both delimbing arms 143, 145 together.
The means 142 for cutting off the top end of a delimbed tree can, as shown in Fig. 7, comprise a support member 189 fixed to the inner boommember 55 adjacent the delimbing arms 143, 145. The support member 189 has a bottom cutting edge 191.
A cutting blade 193 is mounted alongside the support member 189 and adjacent edge 191. The blade 193 is mounted to 189 support with a pivot pin 195, intermediate its ends. An actuator 197, preferably hydraulic, is mounted at one end with a pivot pin 199 to support 189. The other end of the actuator 197 is mounted with a pivot pin 201 to the inner end of the blade 193.
The blade 193 has a cutting edge 203 extending between the pi~ot 195 and the outer end 205 of the blade. Operation of actuator 197 will pivot blade 193 about pin 195 to have its il2~;~Z7 cutting edge 203 pass by cutting edge 191 on support 189 to cut a tree held against the edge 191 by delimbing arms 143 145.
During operation of the apparatus 1, the telescopic boom 51 can be extended, by operation of the chain and sproc~et drive and the cable 105, and tilted, by operation oE the hydraulic actuator 27, to pick up a tree to be delimbed with its delimber arms 143, 145. The boom 51 is then retracted by operation of chain drive and cable 121 to locate the butt end of the tree against the stop plate 23. The gripping jaw 43 is then actuated to securely grip the tree, adjacent its butt end, against the anvil 41. The telescopic boom 51 is then retracted, with the delimbing arms 143, 145 open to position these arms adjacent the anvil 41. The arms 143, 145 are then closed and the boom 51 is extended to delimb the gripped tree.
The boom is extended by operating the chain drive to move the outer boom member 53 outwardly from the sleeve 7. As this occurs, cable 105 automatically extends the inner boom member 55 outwardly from the outer boom member 53 as shown in Fig. 4.
At the completion of the delimbing operation, with the boom 51 extended, the blade 193 is actuated to cut off the top of the delimbed tree. The delimbing arms 143, 145 can then be opened up and relocated on the delimbed tree by retrac-ting the boom 51 via the chain drive and cable 121. When relocated, the arms 143, 145 can again grip the delimbed tree, the gripping jaw 43 is released, and the boom 51 is operated to move the delimbed tree to a storage position. The apparatus is then ready to delimb the next tree.
Claims (5)
1. A tree delimbing apparatus comprising:
- a base having a tubular sleeve;
- a telescopic boom mounted on the base, said boom having an outer boom member mounted through the sleeve and an inner boom member mounted within the outer boom member;
- a tree gripping unit mounted on the base;
- a tree delimbing unit mounted on the inner boom member;
- first means for moving the outer boom member relative to the base between extended and retracted positions;
- second means for automatically moving the inner boom member toward an extended position relative to the outer boom member as the outer boom member is moved toward an extended position, said second moving means comprising a first cable fixed at one end to the sleeve and at its other end to the inner boom member near its inner end, and a pulley mounted on the outer boom member adjacent its outer end over which the first cable passes; and - third means for automatically moving the inner boom member toward a retracted position relative to the outer boom member as the outer boom member is moved toward a retracted position, said third moving means comprising a second cable fixed at one end to the sleeve and at its other end to the inner boom member near its outer end, and a pulley mounted on the outer boom member adjacent its inner end over which the second cable passes.
- a base having a tubular sleeve;
- a telescopic boom mounted on the base, said boom having an outer boom member mounted through the sleeve and an inner boom member mounted within the outer boom member;
- a tree gripping unit mounted on the base;
- a tree delimbing unit mounted on the inner boom member;
- first means for moving the outer boom member relative to the base between extended and retracted positions;
- second means for automatically moving the inner boom member toward an extended position relative to the outer boom member as the outer boom member is moved toward an extended position, said second moving means comprising a first cable fixed at one end to the sleeve and at its other end to the inner boom member near its inner end, and a pulley mounted on the outer boom member adjacent its outer end over which the first cable passes; and - third means for automatically moving the inner boom member toward a retracted position relative to the outer boom member as the outer boom member is moved toward a retracted position, said third moving means comprising a second cable fixed at one end to the sleeve and at its other end to the inner boom member near its outer end, and a pulley mounted on the outer boom member adjacent its inner end over which the second cable passes.
2. A tree delimbing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first moving means comprises a chain fixed on the outer boom member along a portion of its length, a sprocket mounted on the sleeve and means rotating the sprocket in either direction, the chain being guided around the sprocket to be driven thereby.
3. A tree delimbing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the delimbing unit comprises a support, a pair of delimbing arms, means pivotably mounting the arms on the support for movement toward or away from each other, a single actuator mounted on the support connected to one of the arms for moving it toward or away from the other arm about its pivot mounting, and link means connecting the one arm to the other arm to move the other arm about its pivot mounting, by the movement of the one arm, toward or away from the one arm.
4. A tree delimbing apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the link means comprise a first link member connected at one end with pivot means to the other arm, a second link member fixed at one end to the one arm, and pivot means joining the other ends of the link members together.
5. A tree delimbing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including a roller assembly raised above the boom for supporting the second cable as it passes between the pulley and the outer end of the inner boom member.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA378,462A CA1126627A (en) | 1981-05-27 | 1981-05-27 | Tree delimbing apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA378,462A CA1126627A (en) | 1981-05-27 | 1981-05-27 | Tree delimbing apparatus |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1126627A true CA1126627A (en) | 1982-06-29 |
Family
ID=4120078
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA378,462A Expired CA1126627A (en) | 1981-05-27 | 1981-05-27 | Tree delimbing apparatus |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1126627A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5568829A (en) * | 1994-12-16 | 1996-10-29 | Lake Shove, Inc. | Boom construction for sliding boom delimeers |
| US7882865B2 (en) * | 2006-09-20 | 2011-02-08 | Laurent Denis | Boom unit |
-
1981
- 1981-05-27 CA CA378,462A patent/CA1126627A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5568829A (en) * | 1994-12-16 | 1996-10-29 | Lake Shove, Inc. | Boom construction for sliding boom delimeers |
| US7882865B2 (en) * | 2006-09-20 | 2011-02-08 | Laurent Denis | Boom unit |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |