An airborne grapple saw system includes a suspension assembly, a hydraulic power pack assembly, and a grapple saw head assembly. The suspension assembly is configured to be suspended from an aerial vehicle. The hydraulic power pack assembly is operatively coupled with the suspension assembly. The grapple saw head assembly is operatively coupled with the hydraulic power pack assembly. The grapple saw head assembly is configured to freely rotate about a vertical axis an unlimited number of revolutions. The grapple saw head assembly includes a saw and first and second grapple arms. The grapple arms are pivotable between an open configuration, where the grapple arms are configured to obtain and release the vegetation, and a closed configuration, where the grapple arms are configured to securely retain the vegetation.

An airborne grapple saw system includes a suspension assembly, a hydraulic power pack assembly, and a grapple saw head assembly. The suspension assembly is configured to be suspended from an aerial vehicle. The hydraulic power pack assembly is operatively coupled with the suspension assembly. The grapple saw head assembly is operatively coupled with the hydraulic power pack assembly. The grapple saw head assembly is configured to freely rotate about a vertical axis an unlimited number of revolutions. The grapple saw head assembly includes a saw and first and second grapple arms. The grapple arms are pivotable between an open configuration, where the grapple arms are configured to obtain and release the vegetation, and a closed configuration, where the grapple arms are configured to securely retain the vegetation.

Methods can comprise charging a first hydraulic device of a first hydraulic circuit with a first quantity of hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic fluid source. The methods can further comprise pressurizing a control segment and locking the first quantity of hydraulic fluid from exiting the first hydraulic circuit in response to hydraulic pressure within the control segment. The methods can also include unlocking the first quantity of hydraulic fluid to permit exiting of the first quantity of hydraulic fluid from the first hydraulic device in response to dropping the hydraulic pressure within the control segment after a delay. Hydraulic apparatus can comprise a normally open hydraulic pilot operated control valve that can be configured to hydraulically lock a first hydraulic device in response to a hydraulic pressure within a control segment rising to greater than or equal to an actuation pressure.

The present disclosure relates to a tree harvesting machine (120) having a crane arm (118), wherein the crane arm (118) comprises a tree harvesting head (100; 200) arranged at a free end of the crane arm (118). The tree harvesting head (100) comprises a saw (104) and at least two feed wheels (102). The tree harvesting head (100) further comprises an electric motor (106a) arranged to drive the saw (104), and at least one electric motor (106b) arranged to drive the feed wheels (102). The present disclosure also relates to associated tree harvesting monitoring systems, tree harvesting heads, methods and computer programs.

The present disclosure relates to a tree harvesting machine (120) having a crane arm (118), wherein the crane arm (118) comprises a tree harvesting head (100; 200) arranged at a free end of the crane arm (118). The tree harvesting head (100) comprises a saw (104) and at least two feed wheels (102). The tree harvesting head (100) further comprises an electric motor (106a) arranged to drive the saw (104), and at least one electric motor (106b) arranged to drive the feed wheels (102). The present disclosure also relates to associated tree harvesting monitoring systems, tree harvesting heads, methods and computer programs.

A field-configurable apparatus for different aerial applications is provided. The field-configurable apparatus attaches to an aerial boom on a mobile carrier. The apparatus can perform rapid semi-precise cutting of vegetation. Additionally, the apparatus can perform more precise trimming of one or more areas (e.g., limbs) and optionally use a limb clamp to prevent cut limbs/vegetation from arbitrarily falling on objects below the cutting area. Still further, the apparatus can have a grapple or similar device attached to the end of the boom for use in relocating debris or for loading debris. Other industrial applications are also possible (e.g., commercial water blasting, deicing of planes, etc.). In each configuration, the apparatus comprises one or more rotatable or pivoting couplings to allow for rotation about one or more axis and therefore allow precise manipulation of an aerial tool assembly from an operator in the vehicle or on the ground.

A field-configurable apparatus for different aerial applications is provided. The field-configurable apparatus attaches to an aerial boom on a mobile carrier. The apparatus can perform rapid semi-precise cutting of vegetation. Additionally, the apparatus can perform more precise trimming of one or more areas (e.g., limbs) and optionally use a limb clamp to prevent cut limbs/vegetation from arbitrarily falling on objects below the cutting area. Still further, the apparatus can have a grapple or similar device attached to the end of the boom for use in relocating debris or for loading debris. Other industrial applications are also possible (e.g., commercial water blasting, deicing of planes, etc.). In each configuration, the apparatus comprises one or more rotatable or pivoting couplings to allow for rotation about one or more axis and therefore allow precise manipulation of an aerial tool assembly from an operator in the vehicle or on the ground.

A tree limb or trunk cutter including a saw assembly, a clamp, and a remote controller. The saw assembly includes a housing, at least one motor disposed within the housing, and a saw bar support rotatably coupled to the housing. The motor is operatively coupled to the saw bar support and configured to rotate the saw bar support about an axis in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. A wireless receiver coupled to the housing is operable to receive commands from a remote controller. The clamp is configured to secure to a limb or trunk of a tree. The housing releasably couples to the clamp. The remote controller is in communication with the wireless receiver and is configured to control a direction of rotation of the saw bar support and to control power provided to a chain drive.

A saw disc assembly includes a circular plate having a mounting lug defining a V-shaped lug mounting profile extending between first and second sides of a tooth mount. A cutting tooth includes a shank-less body defining a cutting profile at a cutting face of the body and a mounting profile at a mounting face of the body having a configuration for complementary engagement with the lug mounting profile. The tooth mounting profile has first and second flat surfaces engageable with the lug mounting profile so that when the tooth is mounted to the lug, the flat surfaces positively resist rotation of the tooth with respect to the lug about the fastener, while a radially inner side of the tooth extending between the cutting and mounting faces is spaced from the lug and the cutting device.

A saw disc assembly includes a circular plate having a mounting lug defining a V-shaped lug mounting profile extending between first and second sides of a tooth mount. A cutting tooth includes a shank-less body defining a cutting profile at a cutting face of the body and a mounting profile at a mounting face of the body having a configuration for complementary engagement with the lug mounting profile. The tooth mounting profile has first and second flat surfaces engageable with the lug mounting profile so that when the tooth is mounted to the lug, the flat surfaces positively resist rotation of the tooth with respect to the lug about the fastener, while a radially inner side of the tooth extending between the cutting and mounting faces is spaced from the lug and the cutting device.