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.

The present invention relates to a method for determining a thickness of a tree trunk (17) in a harvesting head (1) for forestry, said harvesting head (1) comprising a tree trunk pressing device (3, 4, 7, 8), and a tree trunk surface follower (11, 11), wherein the tree trunk surface follower is a limbing member (11, 11′), and wherein the limbing member (11, 11′) is curved, said method comprising pressing the tree trunk (17), with said tree trunk pressing device (3, 4, 7, 8), in a direction towards a reference surface (15) of the harvesting head (1) and determining a measured thickness (T) by measuring the position of the tree trunk pressing device (3, 4, 7, 8) and relating said position to said reference surface (15), said method further comprising the steps of determining a deviation (D) of the tree trunk (17) from said reference surface (15) by measuring a position of the tree trunk surface follower (11, 11′) and relating said position of the tree trunk surface follower (11, 11′) to said reference surface (15), and calculating a corrected thickness (Tc) of the tree trunk (17) based on said measured thickness (T) and said deviation (D), wherein determining the deviation (D) further comprises relating said position of the tree trunk surface follower (11, 11′) to said measured thickness (T).

The present invention relates to a method for determining a thickness of a tree trunk (17) in a harvesting head (1) for forestry, said harvesting head (1) comprising a tree trunk pressing device (3, 4, 7, 8), and a tree trunk surface follower (11, 11), wherein the tree trunk surface follower is a limbing member (11, 11′), and wherein the limbing member (11, 11′) is curved, said method comprising pressing the tree trunk (17), with said tree trunk pressing device (3, 4, 7, 8), in a direction towards a reference surface (15) of the harvesting head (1) and determining a measured thickness (T) by measuring the position of the tree trunk pressing device (3, 4, 7, 8) and relating said position to said reference surface (15), said method further comprising the steps of determining a deviation (D) of the tree trunk (17) from said reference surface (15) by measuring a position of the tree trunk surface follower (11, 11′) and relating said position of the tree trunk surface follower (11, 11′) to said reference surface (15), and calculating a corrected thickness (Tc) of the tree trunk (17) based on said measured thickness (T) and said deviation (D), wherein determining the deviation (D) further comprises relating said position of the tree trunk surface follower (11, 11′) to said measured thickness (T).

A tree harvesting head for a tree harvesting machine, wherein the tree harvesting head comprises at least one cutting device, at least two feed wheels and a radar device. The radar device comprises at least one radar transmitter antenna arranged to transmit a signal to a tree trunk to be measured, at least two radar receiver antennas arranged to receive a radar signal reflected in at least a first and a second location in response to the transmitted radar signal, wherein the first and second locations are different locations. The radar device further comprises means for obtaining characteristics related to the tree trunk based on the signal(s) reflected at the first and second locations. The means for obtaining characteristics related to the tree trunk is arranged to determine a tree trunk signature of a tree trunk segment located at the first location, to identify the determined tree trunk signature when the tree trunk segment has travelled to the second location and to determine a length of the tree trunk based thereon.

A tree harvesting head for a tree harvesting machine, wherein the tree harvesting head comprises at least one cutting device, at least two feed wheels and a radar device. The radar device comprises at least one radar transmitter antenna arranged to transmit a signal to a tree trunk to be measured, at least two radar receiver antennas arranged to receive a radar signal reflected in at least a first and a second location in response to the transmitted radar signal, wherein the first and second locations are different locations. The radar device further comprises means for obtaining characteristics related to the tree trunk based on the signal(s) reflected at the first and second locations. The means for obtaining characteristics related to the tree trunk is arranged to determine a tree trunk signature of a tree trunk segment located at the first location, to identify the determined tree trunk signature when the tree trunk segment has travelled to the second location and to determine a length of the tree trunk based thereon.

An aerial vegetation trimming system. The aerial vegetation trimming system may include a saw assembly, wherein the saw assembly may include a plurality of saw blades disposed along a length of a beam. The aerial vegetation trimming system may further include an electric motor operatively connected to the saw assembly, wherein the electric motor is configured to drive the plurality of saw blades; and at least one boom disposed between the electric motor and a vehicle, wherein the at least one boom is configured to connect the saw assembly to the vehicle.

An aerial vegetation trimming system. The aerial vegetation trimming system may include a saw assembly, wherein the saw assembly may include a plurality of saw blades disposed along a length of a beam. The aerial vegetation trimming system may further include an electric motor operatively connected to the saw assembly, wherein the electric motor is configured to drive the plurality of saw blades; and at least one boom disposed between the electric motor and a vehicle, wherein the at least one boom is configured to connect the saw assembly to the vehicle.

A system for a hydraulic tree branch shear including a skid-steer loader and a shear assembly. The skid-steer loader of the system for a hydraulic tree branch shear may be an existing skid-steer loader adapter to have the shear assembly attached thereon. The shear assembly is powered by a hydraulic attachment that is configured to be powered from the skid-steer loader. Additionally, the controls for the shear assembly are configured to be attached to the existing controls of the skid-steer loader. The shear assembly is mounted to the skid-steer loader and allows a user to cut down hard to reach tree branches from the comfort of the skid-steer loader. Furthermore, the use of the skid steer loader provides a user protection from having tree branches falling on the user's head.

A cutting tool that contains the cutting forces within its assembly. The cutting tool includes an outside housing that attaches multiple jaws, attachment points for jaw clamping, anchor point to secure clamping forces, a bearing surface to allow saw bar movement, handles for user movement, and protection for internal components used in its operation. The jaws include interlocking gears to synchronize rotation, cross bracing, jaw clamping attachments points, and tie-offs for hoisting rope. The saw bar and chain electric motor attach to a rotation tube that is rotated by a worm gear situated at opposite end. Electrical power contained within the main housing is transferred to electrical chain motor using an electric rotary joint. The electric batteries and electric motor controller, electrical power switch and electrical fuse is contained within the main housing. Electro-pneumatic valves are situated in a separate housing and used for chain motor activation.