A system and method of positioning a grapple of a skidder based on ground conditions and felled timber characteristics, or other material characteristics, such as conduit characteristics for pipe, being moved by the skidder. The vehicle includes a level sensor to determine slope of the vehicle based on ground slope and a traction device to determine a slip condition of the vehicle. Level sensors can include a gyroscope, an accelerometer, or a pitch/roll/yaw sensor. The grapple assembly is automatically positioned based on the vehicle slope, the slip condition, and the weight and/or the length of the felled timber being collected by the grapple.

A grappling apparatus usable with a vehicle is provided. The grappling apparatus includes a connection assembly, a grappling assembly and a stabilizing assembly. The connection assembly connects the grappling apparatus to the vehicle. The grappling assembly has an upper claw assembly and a lower claw assembly. The upper claw assembly has a first plurality of manipulator arms and a walking gear. The lower claw assembly has a second plurality of manipulator arms and a stabilizer gear. The walking gear is meshable with the stabilizer gear and the first and second plurality of manipulator arms are operably connected to the walking gear and the stabilizer gear so as to be moveable between a closed position and an open position. The stabilizing assembly has a stabilizer bar operably connected to the second plurality of manipulator arms and the vehicle so as to stabilize the at least one stabilizer gear.

A device for securing logs from harvested timber to a transport vehicle, or logging truck, using log wrappers. The log wrapper securement device can be located in the inspection cavity of a forestry grapple. The forestry grapple is attached to a log loader. The log wrapper securement device includes a base plate sized and shaped to replace the inspection plate covering the inspection cavity. The base plate includes a slot sized and shaped to receive a portion of a chain end link or other chain links of the log wrapper, which can be inserted manually. The loader operator can remotely control the actuator to secure the chain link and release it, once the log wrapper is positioned over the other side of the logging truck. The log wrapper securement device can potentially reduce injuries and save lives.

A control system configured to control movement of a hydraulically operated crane assembly and a crane tool of a work vehicle with a primary power source and a hydraulic working system. The control system configured to calculate a deviation between an actual value and a predetermined target value of a lifting movement of the crane assembly, and configured to control the crane assembly to fulfill the predetermined target value.

A grapple for mounting to a boom of a boom crane includes a body member for mounting to the end of a boom of a boom crane including a first wing member and a second wing member and opposing first and second jaw members. Each jaw is hingably coupled to the body member, and hinges with respect to the body member by the action of a hydraulic cylinder. A first end of the hydraulic cylinder is coupled to the jaw member and a second end of the hydraulic cylinder is coupled to a portion of one of the wing members. The first and second wing members extend to position the second end of each hydraulic cylinder rearward of an end of the boom of the boom crane or a coupling between the body member and the boom of the boom crane.

A detection system includes a plurality of support posts, cables supported by the support posts, a winding device operable to wind the cable, a lifting and lowering device that is connected to the cable, and is movable in an air when the cable is wound by the winding device, and a detecting device hung by the lifting and lowering device. The detecting device is configured to be moved by the winding device in a region defined by the support posts, and lowered by the lifting and lowering device to detect information concerning an object.

A grapple for handling logs includes a base portion connectable to a working machine portion and at least one tine connected to the base portion. The at least one tine has a protruding length from the base portion. The grapple further includes a catch arm pivotably arranged relative to the base portion. The grapple can assume configurations with different protruding lengths of the at least one tine.

The invention provides a knuckle boom loader having a knuckle boom, an operator seat, and a hydraulic system. The hydraulic system comprises a hydraulic fluid reservoir, a hydraulic pump, and hydraulic fluid lines. The knuckle boom loader further comprises an operator elevator having an elevator platform. The operator elevator has both a lowered position and a raised position. The elevator platform is closer to the operator seat when the operator elevator is in the raised position than when the operator elevator is in the lowered position. Also provided are methods for operating such a loader.

A system and method for controlling a grapple is described in embodiments herein. A variable pressure control may be implemented that controls the pressure applied to a load held by the grapple. An interlock mechanism may be employed on the felling grapple that disables the operation of components of the felling grapple such as a feller. A grapple release mechanism may be activated to release the pressure applied to the load in the event of a malfunction in the felling grapple.

A skyline log conveying system having a skyline for extending between two elevated supports, one at or above a landing at which logs are deposited and another at a lower position at least as low as an area from which logs are to be moved. A carriage is rollably mounted to the skyline. A grapple is suspended from the carriage, the grapple having closed and opened positions for grasping and releasing logs. A hydraulic pump is mounted to the carriage. A rotatable member is driven by the skyline with the rolling of the carriage on the skyline for driving the hydraulic pump to generate hydraulic pressure. At least one accumulator is in hydraulic communication with the hydraulic pump, the at least one accumulator capable of storing pressure when hydraulic pressure is transmitted to it by the hydraulic pump. A hydraulic ram is hydraulically interconnected with the at least one accumulator and mounted to the grapple to selectively close the grapple to facilitate the grasping of logs.