Compact tree clamp and automatic sequence control for a tree length harvester

Claim 2

In a mobile tree length harvester including means for cutting a standing tree and holding it upright, means for pivoting the cutter and holding means in a vertical plane to orient the tree in a substantially horizontal position, means for clamping the tree in the horizontal position and means for delimbing the tree in the horizontal position, the improvement in said clamping means comprising a movable jaw having separate pivoted elements disposable in either a raised or lowered position, one pivoted to the other on a first axis parallel to the delimber axis and extending transversely above the delimber axis in the lowered position and the other pivoted about a second axis parallel to the delimber axis on the opposite side of the delimber axis and extending transversely below the delimber axis in the lowered position, a fixed jaw having a tree receiving section formed by a pair of spaced plates between which the movable jaw is lowerable sufficiently to permit deposit of the severed tree on said tree receiving section and cylinder means operable for pivoting said movable jaw about the second axis for lifting the tree out of the tree receiving section of the fixed jaw and means operable to pivot the one element of the movable jaw about the first axis to hold the tree clamped on the tree receiving section of the fixed jaw in the lowered position of the movable jaw and to release the tree in the raised position of the movable jaw.

Claim 3

The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said fixed jaw comprises an arcuate row of teeth on the plate adjacent the delimber means for penetrating the tree and holding it in cooperation with the one element of the movable jaw against axial movement.

Claim 4

The improvement according to Claim 2 wherein the other element of the movable jaw comprises spaced plates pivoting inside the spaced plates of the fixed jaw and said one element pivots between the plates of said other elemtent.

Claim 5

The improvement according to claim 2 where a storage rack for delimbed and topped trees is positioned on the side of the delimber axis or the pivot axis for both elements of the movable jaw.

Claim 6

A sequence control for a tree length harvester having means for cutting a standing tree and holding it upright, means for pivoting the cutting and holding means in a vertical plane to orient the tree in a substantially horizontal position, means for clamping the tree in the horizontal position, and means for delimbing the tree in the horizontal position, the clamping means comprising a fixed jaw adapted to receive the butt end of a tree to be delimbed, a movable jaw closable on the fixed jaw having separate pivoted elements disposable in either a raised or lowered position, one pvioted on the end of the other on one side of the delimber axis and the other extending below the delimber axis in the lowered position and pivoted on the opposite side, a first cylinder operable to pivot said one element to clamp and unclamp the tree, a second cylinder operable to pivot both elements about said other pivot axis to pivot the movable jaw away from the fixed jaw carrying the butt end of the tree with it, said control comprising actuator means on said latter element extending above the bottom of the fixed jaw so as to be actuated when a tree is placed thereon, first means moving from an initial position in response to actuation by said actuator means to cause said first cylinder to close the one element clamping the tree, second means actuated upon the clamping of said element to start said delimber means, third means actuated by the delimber means after delimbing the tree for operating said second cylinder to pivot the movable jaw, and fourth means actuated upon pivoting the movable jaw to cause said first cylinder to unclamp the tree permitting it to roll off of said actuator means returning said first means to the initial position.

Claim 7

A sequence control for a tree length harvester having means for cutting a standing tree and holding it upright, means for pivoting the cutting and holding means in a vertical plane to orient the tree in a substantially horizontal position, means for clamping the tree in the horizontal position, and means for delimbing the tree in the horizontal position, the clamping means comprising a fixed jaw adapted to receive the butt end of a tree to be delimbed, a movable jaw closable on the fixed jaw having separate pivoted elements disposable in either a raised or lowered position, one pvioted on the end of the other on one side of the delimber axis and the other extending below the delimber axis in the lowered position and pivoted on the opposite side, a first cylinder operable to pivot said one element to clamp and unclamp the tree, a second cylinder operable to pivot both elements about said other pivot axis to pivot the movable jaw away from the fixed jaw carrying the butt end of the tree with it, said control comprising actuator means on said latter element extending above the bottom of the fixed jaw so as to be actuated when a tree is placed thereon, first means moving from an initial position in response to actuation by said actuator means to cause said first cylinder to close the one element clamping the tree, second means actuated upon the clamping of said element to start said delimber means, third means actuated by the delimber means after delimbing the tree for operating said second cylinder to pivot the movable jaw, and fourth means actuated upon pivoting the movable jaw to cause said first cylinder to unclamp the tree permitting it to roll off of said actuator means returning said first means to the initial position.

Claim 8

A sequence control according to claim 5 wherein said first means includes a first valve actuated by said actuator means, a fluid motor means connected to a first source of fluid pressure by actuation of said valve, a second fluid pressure circuit including a separate source of fluid pressure, valve means in said second circuit responsive to said fluid motor means for causing said first cylinder to operate the one element for clamping the tree, said second means comprising a valve actuated by clamping said tree to start the delimber, said third means including a valve actuated by the delimber after delimbing the tree, other fluid motor means, other valve means in said second fluid pressure circuit responsive to said other fluid motor means for causing said second cylinder to operate pivoting the movable jaw, said third means comprising a pressure responsive valve actuated by said valve of the second means to direct fluid pressure to said other fluid motor means causing said second cylinder to pivot the movable jaw, said fourth means including a valve responsive movement of the second cylinder to oppositely pressurize said first fluid motor causing said first cylinder to unclamp the tree.