US3554245A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Feller-limber-buncher logging machine
Assignee: Abitibi Paper Co Ltd
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Filing: 1968-07-16
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Granted: 1971-01-12
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Expires: 1988-07-16
Abstract
Abstract A tree harvesting machine includes a mobile carrier 1 upon which a felling boom assembly 14 and a limbing boom assembly 15 are pivotally mounted. A tree is severed and lowered to a limbing position by the felling boom assembly 14 and then while the tree is held by the felling boom assembly 14, the limbing boom assembly 15 removes the limbs. The limbed tree is then moved to a bunching position, with or without the assistance of the limbing boom assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 John E Eynon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 12:13
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G23/00; A01G23/02; A01G23/08; A01G23/083; A01G23/085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
63 words
A tree harvesting machine including a mobile carrier, a felling boom assembly pivotally mounted on the carrier and operable to grip a tree trunk above a severing location and to sever the tree trunk at the severing location, and a limbing boom assembly pivotally mounted on the carrier and operable to remove limbs from a felled tree held by the felling boom assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
63 words
A tree harvesting machine including a mobile carrier, a felling boom assembly pivotally mounted on the carrier and operable to grip a tree trunk above a severing location and to sever the tree trunk at the severing location, and a limbing boom assembly pivotally mounted on the carrier and operable to remove limbs from a felled tree held by the felling boom assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
116 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 1 wherein the felling boom assembly includes an inner arm pivotally secured at one end to the carrier for movement about a horizontal axis, an outer arm pivotally secured at one end to the opposite end of the inner arm for movement relative thereto about a horizontal axis, a felling head pivotally secured to the opposite end of the outer arm for movement relative thereto about a horizontal axis, said felling head including means for gripping a tree trunk above a severing location and means for severing the tree trunk at the severing location, and means for effecting pivotal movement of the inner arm, outer arm and felling head.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 2 wherein the gripping means of the felling head includes two spaced pairs of jaws arranged to grip a tree trunk at positions spaced along the length of the tree trunk.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
95 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 1 wherein the limbing boom assembly includes an inner arm pivotally secured at one end to the carrier for movement about a horizontal axis, an outer arm pivotally secured at one end to the opposite end of the inner arm for movement relative thereto about a horizontal axis, a limbing head pivotally secured to the opposite end of the outer arm, said limbing head including means operable to remove limbs from a tree, and means for effecting pivotal movement of the inner arm, outer arm and felling head.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 4 wherein the limbing head also includes means for severing the trunk of a tree.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 5 wherein the limbing head includes means responsive to tree diameter to cause said severing means to sever the trunk of a tree during a limbing operation when the limbing head reaches a portion of the trunk having a predetermined minimum diameter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 4 wherein the limb removing means inCludes a housing, and jaws pivotally mounted on the housing, said jaws and housing being operable to surround a tree trunk.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
66 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 7 wherein the limbing head also includes means for severing the trunk of a tree, means operable to urge at least one of the jaws towards the housing in a trunk-diameter-sensing manner, and means responsive to said jaw or jaws reaching a position corresponding to a predetermined minimum trunk diameter to cause said severing means to sever the trunk.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 4 wherein the limb removing means includes a housing, jaws or arms pivotally mounted on the housing, and means operative to open a bottom or lower jaw or arm downwardly to release a tree stem for loading.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 4 wherein the limb removing means includes a housing, and jaws or arms pivotally mounted on the housing, said jaws being fitted with suitable cutting means on the forward edges to facilitate the impact shearing of tree limbs encountered as the limbing head or tool is propelled along tree trunk.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
146 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 4 wherein said means for effecting pivotal movement of the inner and outer arms of the limbing boom assembly includes a fixed shaft mounted on the carrier and on which said one end of the inner arm is pivotally mounted, a first sprocket fixed on said shaft, a second shaft and sprocket rotatably mounted adjacent the opposite end of the inner arm, said outer arm being fixed to said second shaft at said one end of the outer arm, a chain member passing around said first and second sprockets, and means secured to opposite ends of the chain for effecting movement thereof to cause angular movement of the inner arm relative to the shaft and angular movement of the outer arm relative to the inner arm, with the outer end of the outer arm travelling in a straight line.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
81 words
A modification of the tree harvesting machine according to claim 9 wherein said means for effecting pivotal movement of the inner and outer arms of the limbing boom assembly includes a first and second worm gear in place of said first and second sprockets, said first and second worm gears being driven by a first and second worm proper, said worms being fixed at either end of a common drive shaft, and said drive shaft being actuated by hydraulic motor means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 11 wherein the angular position of said fixed shaft and sprocket is adjustable both manually and automatically to suit the angle of repose of a felled tree.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 1 wherein the felling boom assembly and the limbing boom assembly are mounted on a common platform.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 14 wherein the platform is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
57 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 14 wherein the felling boom assembly and the limbing boom assembly are mounted adjacent one side of the platform, and a portion of the platform on one side of the felling boom assembly and the limbing boom assembly acts as a support deck for a tree during the limbing operation.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
54 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 14 wherein the felling boom assembly and the limbing boom assembly are mounted at spaced positions on the platform and a portion of the platform between the felling boom assembly and the limbing boom assembly acts as a support deck for a tree during the limbing operation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 1 wherein the felling boom assembly and the limbing boom assembly are carried by a forward portion of the carrier, and a log cradle for receiving felled and limbed trees is mounted on a rear portion of the carrier.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 18 wherein the log cradle includes jaws movable to grip a series of logs in the cradle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 1 wherein the carrier iS an articulated wheeled vehicle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 1 wherein the carrier is a tracked vehicle.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
93 words
A tree harvesting machine including a mobile carrier, a felling boom assembly including an arm pivotally mounted on the carrier and protractable and retractable relative to the carrier, and a felling head pivotally carried by the arm at an end thereof remote from the carrier, the felling head being operable to grip a tree trunk above a severing location and to sever the tree trunk at the severing location, and a limbing boom assembly pivotally mounted on the carrier and operable to remove limbs from a felled tree held by the felling head.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
93 words
A tree harvesting machine including a mobile carrier, a felling boom assembly including an arm pivotally mounted on the carrier and protractable and retractable relative to the carrier, and a felling head pivotally carried by the arm at an end thereof remote from the carrier, the felling head being operable to grip a tree trunk above a severing location and to sever the tree trunk at the severing location, and a limbing boom assembly pivotally mounted on the carrier and operable to remove limbs from a felled tree held by the felling head.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
37 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 22 wherein the felling boom assembly and the limbing boom assembly are carried by a platform mounted on the carrier and rotatable about a vertical axis relative to the carrier.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
32 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 22 wherein the felling boom assembly is mounted on a housing carried by the carrier and pivotable about a horizontal axis relative to the carrier.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 24 wherein the limbing boom assembly is also mounted on the pivotable housing.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
46 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 25 wherein the felling boom assembly is mounted on the opposite side of the pivotable housing to the limbing boom assembly, and an intermediate part of the housing acts as a support for a tree during the limbing operation.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
47 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 25 wherein the pivotable housing is mounted on a platform and is pivotable about a horizontal axis relative to the platform, and the platform is mounted on the carrier and is rotatable about a vertical axis relative to the carrier.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
45 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 27 wherein the felling boom assembly is mounted on the opposite side of the housing to the limbing boom assembly, and an intermediate part of the housing acts as a support for a tree during the limbing operation.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 22 wherein the felling boom arm is of fixed length.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 22 wherein the felling boom arm is telescopic.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 29 wherein the felling boom arm is protractable and retractable relative to the carrier by a rack and pinion arrangement.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
34 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 22 wherein the felling head includes two spaced pairs of jaws arranged to grip a tree trunk at positions spaced along the length of the tree trunk.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
95 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 22 wherein the limbing boom assembly includes an inner arm pivotally secured at one end to the carrier for movement about a horizontal axis, an outer arm pivotally secured at one end to the opposite end of the inner arm for movement relative thereto about a horizontal axis, a limbing head pivotally secured to the opposite end of the outer arm, said limbing head including means operable to remove limbs from a tree, and means for effecting pivotal movement of the inner arm, outer arm and felling head.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
22 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 33 wherein the limbing head also includes means for severing the trunk of a tree.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
49 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 34 wherein the limbing head includes means responsive to tree diameter to cause said severing means to sever the trunk of a tree during a limbing operation when the limbing head reaches a portion of the trunk having a predetermined minimum diameter.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
34 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 33 wherein the limb removing means includes a housing, and jaws pivotally mounted on the housing, said jaws and housing being operable to surround the tree trunk.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
66 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 36 wherein the limbing head also includes means for severing the trunk of a tree, means operable to urge at least one of the jaws towards thE housing in a tree-diameter-sensing manner, and means responsive to said jaw or jaws reaching a position corresponding to a predetermined minimum trunk diameter to cause said severing means to sever the trunk.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
43 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 33 wherein the limb removing means includes a housing, jaws or arms pivotally mounted on the housing, and means operative to open a bottom or lower jaw or arm downwardly to release a tree for loading.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
56 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 33 wherein the limb removing means includes a housing, and jaws or arms pivotally mounted on the housing, said jaws being fitted with suitable cutting means on the forward edges to facilitate the impact shearing of tree limbs encountered as the limbing head is propelled along the tree trunk.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
146 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 33 wherein said means for effecting pivotal movement of the inner and outer arms of the limbing boom assembly includes a fixed shaft mounted on the carrier and on which said one end of the inner arm is pivotally mounted, a first sprocket fixed on said shaft, a second shaft and sprocket rotatably mounted adjacent the opposite end of the inner arm, said outer arm being fixed to said second shaft at said one end of the outer arm, a chain member passing around said first and second sprockets, and means secured to opposite ends of the chain for effecting movement thereof to cause angular movement of the inner arm relative to the shaft and angular movement of the outer arm relative to the inner arm, with the outer end of the outer arm travelling in a straight line.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
81 words
A modification of the tree harvesting machine according to claim 40 wherein said means for effecting pivotal movement of the inner and outer arms of the limbing boom assembly includes a first and second worm gear in place of said first and second sprockets, said first and second worm gears being driven by a first and second worm proper, said worms being fixed at either end of a common drive shaft, and said drive shaft being actuated by hydraulic motor means.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
46 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 22 wherein the felling boom assembly and the limbing boom assembly are carried by a forward portion of the carrier, and a log cradle for receiving felled and limbed trees is mounted on a rear portion of the carrier.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
24 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 42 wherein the log cradle includes jaws movable to grip a series of logs in the cradle.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
16 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 22 wherein the carrier is an articulated wheeled vehicle.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
15 words
A tree harvesting machine according to claim 22 wherein the carrier is a tracked vehicle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3323563A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-11 | 1974-07-13 | 1975-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-11 | 1978-07-13 | 1979-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-11 | 1982-07-13 | 1983-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |