Patent Application
20130284317
This disclosure relates to timber processing equipment, and more particularly to timber processing with a knuckleboom log loader.
Tree harvesting operations have often used a central processing area for processing timber. Given the nature of harvesting operations, it has been important to maintain some mobility and flexibility, even with equipment used in the central processing area.
One attempt to provide for efficient equipment in a central processing are is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 3,329,184, issued Jul. 4, 1967, and entitled “Apparatus for the Simultaneous Debranching and Debarking of Felled Trees and the Like.” This patent discloses a mobile apparatus that includes a work table. Disposed on the work table is a debranching and debarking apparatus. The debranching and debarking apparatus is relatively complicated, and involves at least one cutting chain for encircling the tree. A hydraulically actuated gripper pulls the tree along in the process until an appropriate length may be cut. Once the length is cut, the work table may require an incline adjustment, such that the wood pieces can then roll from the table. This apparatus results in a slow process, and includes substantially more equipment than an operator would want to maintain in the field. As one example, processing of each tree requires extending the hydraulically actuated gripper, engaging the tree, and pulling the tree forward. Half of the work performed by the hydraulically actuated gripper is wasted each time the gripper is extended. Further inefficiencies are inherent in this apparatus. As another example, frequent adjustment of inclination of the work table requires substantial supervision by an operator, thus impacting production and cost.
More recent central processing systems have made use of a combination system mounted on a trailer. For example, both a loader (e.g., a knuckleboom log loader) and a delimber are known to be mounted on a trailer. In operation, the loader loads the delimber with trees for delimbing. Generally, the delimber includes at least one set of clamps or cutting arms which are clamped around the tree. As the loader pulls the tree through the delimber, any limbs are broken or cut away. Very often, this trailer is accompanied by a nearby wood chipper as well as a nearby ground saw.
In operation, the loader is tasked with loading trees into the delimber. The loader is constantly engaged with each tree as the tree is fed through the delimber. Therefore, the loader is not free or available to engage in other functions when the trees are being delimbed. Accordingly, there is a cessation of delimbing operations when the loader is engaged in feeding the wood chipper with brush, as well as when the loader is attending to the cutting of delimbed trees to length with the ground saw.
In one exemplary embodiment, disclosed herein is a machine for processing trees that includes a trailer; a loader and a tree processing unit mounted on the trailer. The tree processing unit is configured to independently process loaded trees.
In another exemplary embodiment, disclosed herein is a method for processing trees. The method includes loading, via a loader, a tree into a tree processing unit; and independently processing, via the processing unit, the loaded tree.
In yet another exemplary embodiment, disclosed herein is a machine for processing trees. The machine includes a trailer including a loader and a tree processing unit mounted on the trailer. The tree processing unit is configured to independently process loaded trees thereby enabling the loader to perform other functions.
Disclosed herein is a timber processing station and method. The station includes a trailer having a loader mounted thereon and a tree processing unit mounted thereon. The tree processing unit is adapted for being loaded with a tree by the loader and for processing the tree into timber without aid from the loader.
Refer to
Referring to
The exemplary tree processing unit 6 may include one or more wheels (e.g., feed rollers 22 and 23) configured to receive and engage a portion of a tree and feed the portion of the tree in the direction of the longitudinal axis, A, into the tree processing unit 6. Exemplary feed rollers 22 and 23 may each include a motor 28 operably coupled to feed rollers 22 and 23. In some embodiments, the motor 28 is one of a hydraulic motor, an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. Generally, the motor 28 is configured to drive feed rollers 22 and 23, and therefore includes apparatus as appropriate (e.g., a drive shaft and/or a transmission). Generally, the feed rollers 22, 23 are adapted for frictional engagement of the tree, such as with a series of gripping features (as depicted). At least one of the feed rollers 22, 23 may translate such that pressure is applied to the tree, and thus the tree is fed through the tree processing unit 6 as the feed rollers 22, 23 engage the tree.
The tree processing unit 6 may also include at least one cutting device such as, for example, cutting devices 25 and 26. According to some embodiments, cutting device 25 includes a pair of delimbing (or debarking) knives 12 and 14 configured to remove bark and/or limbs from a trunk of the tree as the tree is fed through the tree processing unit 6. Similarly, cutting device 26 may include a pair of delimbing (or debarking) knives 16 and 18 configured to remove bark and/or limbs from a tree trunk as it is fed through tree processing unit 6. In operation, in some embodiments, at least one of cutting device 25 and cutting device 26 engage a tree by clamping together. For example, at least one of knives 16 and 18 is rotated toward the opposing knife as the tree is feed into the tree processing unit 6, thus surrounding a girth of the tree.
In some embodiments, when at least one of cutting device 25 and 26 is engaged (i.e., clamped about the tree), an entire circumference of the tree is presented with at least one cutting surface, such as cutting knife 16, 18. Accordingly, at least one of cutting device 25 and 26 ensures complete delimbing of the tree (i.e., delimbing about the entire circumference of the tree).
In some embodiments, at least one of cutting device 25 and 26 may be powered by at least one hydraulic actuator (not shown).
According to some embodiments, tree processing unit 6 may include an additional cutting device 30. For example, tree processing unit 6 shown in
Referring now to
As the tree processing unit 6 is equipped to delimb and cut each tree 2 into appropriate length(s) without assistance of the loader, the loader 4 is available for other tasks. For example, the loader 4 may load chipper 36 with brush from the brush pile 33, thus resulting in a pile of wood chips 3. In addition, the loader 4 may be used to further cut down processed timber 5 using optional ground saw 37, or may be used to load a transport vehicle (not shown).
Referring to
The control unit 43 may include conventional control apparatus. For example, the control unit 43 may include at least one processor, memory, data storage, a clock, and the like. The control unit 43 may also include machine executable media that include machine executable instructions stored therein, the instructions for at least one of operating and controlling the tree processing unit 6. For example, the control unit 43 may include instructions for at least one of receiving feedback, determining a control instruction, providing a control instruction, storing processing information and communicating processing information.
The control unit 43 may be supplied power from a power supply 44, which may include any source of power deemed appropriate.
The control unit 43 may be used to control the tree processing unit 6 according to desired criteria. Accordingly, controls 42 such as valves, actuators, servos, motors, may be controlled by a control instruction issued by the control unit 43. Thus, the control system 40 includes at least one communications link 46 to ensure sensing information and control information is properly communicated.
For example, the control unit 43 may sense loading of the tree 2 with a loading sensor 41. The control unit 43 may then engage the tree 2 controlling the tree processing unit 6 to cause clamping down of at least one of feed roller 22, 23, and cutting device(s) 25, 26. The control unit 43 may then sense a length of processed tree 2 by another sensor 41, or, for example, by steps of the motor 28, thus mechanically estimating a position of the tree. When the control unit 43 determines an appropriate length of the tree 2 has been processed, the control unit 43 will actuate cutting device 30 and processed timber 5 will be ejected into the log pile 35. The tree 2 may be cut into portions of equal length or portions of unequal length, depending on, for example, the needs of an operator.
It is contemplated that control unit 43 may be operated manually (e.g., with real-time operator input) and/or automatically (e.g., without real-time operator input).
According to some embodiments, control unit 43 may be disposed within the tree processing unit 6 (e.g., it may be incorporated into tree processing unit 6, as for example, an on-board control module, not shown).
In some embodiments, the control system 40 may include at least one interface 45, such as a remotely located interface 45 (e.g., in a cab of the loader 4). In these latter embodiments, the control system 40 generally includes at least one user interface (not shown). A combination of a local interface and a remote interface may be configured in control system 40. Embodiments of the user interface may include mechanical and electronic controls, as well as computer interface equipment, such as at least one of a USB, parallel and serial port.
The control system 40 may be equipped to monitor production of the tree processing unit 6. For example, the control system 40 may provide users with information regarding hours of operation, footage processed, weight processed, maintenance information and the like.
Maximizing throughput in a central processing area has traditionally involved addition of a secondary loader. Generally, the secondary loader is used to attend to loading of brush as well as feeding the ground saw. The timber processing machine 10 provides an efficient system for processing trees.
Having discussed aspects of the timber processing machine 10 and the tree processing unit 6, it should be recognized that the teachings herein greatly increase production when compared with conventional centralized timber processing equipment.
More specifically, the timber processing machine 10 that is equipped according to the teachings herein enhances an ability of operators to make efficient use of other equipment. For example, with the timber processing machine 10 disclosed herein, the loader 4 is now available to efficiently load brush into a nearby chipper while retrieving trees for processing. The loader 4 is now available to load the brush, collect and stack processed timber and perform other tasks while processing of other trees is ongoing.
As a further example of efficiencies realized, in some embodiments, placement of the chipper 36 affords users opportunities to increase work performed by the loader 4. More specifically, and with reference to
Thus, the integrated setup of the loader 4 and tree processing unit 6 allows a single loader 4 to supply two wood streams (i.e., the processing unit 6, as well as the chipper 36) in one operation cycle.
Further, when making use of the control system 40, users are provided with insight into timber processing operations, thereby permitting improved accounting and production.
