An automated tree cutting assembly includes a collar that may be positioned around a tree. A plurality of climbing units is movably coupled to the collar. The climbing units frictionally engage the tree thereby facilitating each of the climbing units to urge the collar around and up the tree. Each of the climbing units is positionable at selected angle with respect to the collar. Thus, each of the climbing unit units may urge the collar to travel in a spiral along the tree thereby facilitating the collar to climb upwardly and downwardly along the tree. A cutting unit is movably coupled to the collar to cut branches from the tree when the collar is positioned around the tree.

A flail assembly for use in debarking logs moving in a processing direction includes a debarking assembly having a shaft that is mounted for rotation above the logs moving in the processing direction. A flail having a fixed end is attached to the shaft. The flail has a length that defines an arc of rotation of the free end of the flail as the shaft is rotated. A housing is positioned adjacent the flail. The housing has a center line that is generally aligned with the processing direction, and a deflector vane which extends inwardly towards the arc of rotation of the free end of the flail. The deflector vane serves to direct bark chips that are cast upwardly by the flail away from the center line of the housing.

A flail assembly for use in debarking logs moving in a processing direction includes a debarking assembly having a shaft that is mounted for rotation above the logs moving in the processing direction. A flail having a fixed end is attached to the shaft. The flail has a length that defines an arc of rotation of the free end of the flail as the shaft is rotated. A housing is positioned adjacent the flail. The housing has a center line that is generally aligned with the processing direction, and a deflector vane which extends inwardly towards the arc of rotation of the free end of the flail. The deflector vane serves to direct bark chips that are cast upwardly by the flail away from the center line of the housing.

An apparatus and method for removing the tops of trees, the apparatus including a rotatable first boom configured for coupling to and extending vertically downward from an aircraft and a cutting assembly hingedly coupled to a bottom end portion of the first boom. The cutting assembly includes a housing containing a motor, the housing having an upper portion coupled to the bottom end portion of the first boom. A second boom extends from a lower portion of the housing and supports thereon a singular circular saw which is operatively coupled to the motor. The second boom is arranged at an angle of about 30° to about 55° relative to the first boom. This accomplished by including bend within the housing.

An apparatus and method for removing the tops of trees, the apparatus including a rotatable first boom configured for coupling to and extending vertically downward from an aircraft and a cutting assembly hingedly coupled to a bottom end portion of the first boom. The cutting assembly includes a housing containing a motor, the housing having an upper portion coupled to the bottom end portion of the first boom. A second boom extends from a lower portion of the housing and supports thereon a singular circular saw which is operatively coupled to the motor. The second boom is arranged at an angle of about 30° to about 55° relative to the first boom. This accomplished by including bend within the housing.

The invention relates to a feeding apparatus for a harvester, which includes opposing arms, with operating devices, pivoted to a frame, for creating transverse compression, two opposing feed rollers installed in the arms as the only feed rollers for feeding a tree through the throat, and hydraulic motors driving the feed rollers, and at least two pressure-medium lines operating them.

The invention relates to a feeding apparatus for a harvester, which includes opposing arms, with operating devices, pivoted to a frame, for creating transverse compression, two opposing feed rollers installed in the arms as the only feed rollers for feeding a tree through the throat, and hydraulic motors driving the feed rollers, and at least two pressure-medium lines operating them.

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.

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.