Tree stabilizer for tree harvesting apparatus

Claim 1

A tree stabilizer for a tree harvester having opposing openable and closable clamping jaws, with double edges secured by an attaching boom to a power train having an hydraulic power supply, said stabilizer comprising: a. box column means having oppositely disposed ends, pivotally connected at one said end to said clamping jaws, said box column means being adapted for pivotally tilting, on a horizontal axis of tilt, with respect to said attaching boom: b. an hydraulic cylinder, having a piston rod, and pivotaly attached to said attaching boom; c. an articulated two part linkage having one part pivotally attached by an end to the attaching boom below the pivotal attachment of said hydraulic cylinder, and joined at its other end to one end of the other part and to said piston rod, and the other end of the other part being connected to said box column between the horizontal pivot axis of tilt and said clamping jaws for swinging said clamping jaws and attached box column on both sides of said horizontal pivot axis of tilt without reversing direction of travel of said piston rod; d. grappling means, having opposing arms openable and closable coaxially with said clamping jaws, mounted on the other of said oppositely disposed ends of the box column and tilting therewith; and e. Sequence valve means operable connected between said hydraulic power means and said clamping jaws and grappling means and adapted to close said clamping jaws before closing said grappling means for initially securing the harvester to a tree at its most inflexible part, and adapted to open said clamping jaws before opening said grappling means for holding a tree on center while the lower jaws, embedded in the butt, are pulled free.