Caterpillar Inc.

Robert H Holmes, Iii

Charles H Menke

Jeffry A Butler

In the operation of wood cutting machines such as delimbing machines which use chain saw cutting devices, it is common to either position the lubricating oil reservoir above the chain saw cutting device to create a gravity-fed system or couple a pump apparatus to the chain saw cutting device. Both arrangements may limit the flexibility of placement of the components comprising the lubrication system. The present invention provides a lubrication system for a wood cutting machine in which a receptacle receives lubricating fluid from the reservoir by use of a source of supply pressure within the receptacle. A source of discharge pressure operates on the receptacle to transport the lubrication fluid to the cutting chain device.

Lubrication system for a wood cutting machine

A feller-buncher includes a first axle having a number of first wheels attached thereto and a second axle having a number of second wheels attached thereto. The feller-buncher also includes a first hydraulic motor operable to rotate the first axle and a second hydraulic motor operable to rotate the second axle. The feller-buncher also includes a first hydraulic pump operable to supply pressurized hydraulic fluid. Yet further, the feller-buncher includes a first flow sharing valve fluidly coupled to each of the first hydraulic pump, the first hydraulic motor, and the second hydraulic motor. The first flow sharing valve is configured to distribute the pressurized hydraulic fluid from the first hydraulic pump evenly between the first hydraulic motor and the second hydraulic motor, whereby the first axle and the second axle are driven at a substantially equal speed relative to one another. A method of operating a feller-buncher is also disclosed.

Method and apparatus for operating a hydraulic drive system of a feller-buncher

A feller-buncher includes a work tool having a hydraulically powered blade. The feller-buncher also includes a first axle having a number of first wheels attached thereto and a first hydraulic motor operable to rotate the first axle. The feller-buncher also includes a first hydraulic pump operable to supply pressurized hydraulic fluid to the first hydraulic motor and a second hydraulic pump operable to supply pressurized hydraulic fluid to both the work tool and the first hydraulic motor. Yet further, the feller-buncher includes a load sensing circuit for sensing a load on the work tool when the work tool is contacting a tree. The first hydraulic pump is configured to adjust hydraulic fluid flow to the first hydraulic motor based on the load on the work tool sensed by the load sensing circuit. A method for operating a feller-buncher is also disclosed.

Method and apparatus for distributing hydraulic power in a feller-buncher

A delimbing device includes a cutting head assembly having (i) a cutting blade configured to cut branches off of a tree and (ii) a bar saw configured to cut through the tree. The device also includes a first support member supporting the cutting head assembly. The device further includes a second support member supporting the cutting head assembly. The device also includes a bearing assembly secured to the first support member and the second support member so that (i) the bearing assembly is interposed between the first support member and the second support member and (ii) the cutting head assembly can rotate relative to the second support member around an axis of rotation such that when a rotational force is applied to the cutting head assembly the cutting head assembly rotates from a first orientation to a second orientation. The bearing assembly is configured so that when the rotational force is removed from the cutting head assembly the cutting head assembly spontaneously returns to the first orientation from the second orientation.

Arrangement for mounting a cutting head assembly of a delimbing device on a support member

An apparatus for felling and bunching trees is disclosed. The apparatus includes a front frame and a front axle supported by the front frame. The apparatus further includes a number of front wheels mounted on the front axle and a work tool supported by the front frame. The work tool has a blade for felling trees and a number of work arms which are movable to secure the trees within the work tool. The apparatus further includes a front hydraulic motor operable to rotate the front axle. The front hydraulic motor is supported by the front frame. The apparatus yet further includes a first hydraulic pump operable to supply pressurized hydraulic fluid to the front motor. The apparatus still further includes a rear frame which is pivotably coupled to the front frame, a rear axle supported by the rear frame, and a number of rear wheels mounted on the rear axle. The apparatus still further includes a rear hydraulic motor operable to rotate the rear axle. The rear hydraulic motor being supported by the rear frame. The apparatus yet further includes a second hydraulic pump operable to supply pressurized hydraulic fluid to the rear motor and an engine operatively coupled to the first hydraulic pump and the second hydraulic pump.

Hydraulic drive for a feller-buncher

An apparatus for felling and bunching trees is disclosed. The apparatus includes a frame and a yoke pivotably connected to the frame. The apparatus further includes a tool support pivotably connected to the yoke at a pivot axis and a cutting tool supported by the tool support. The cutting tool has a leading edge LE which is advanced toward the trees during a felling operation. The cutting tool further has a trailing edge TE which lags behind the leading edge LE when the leading edge LE is advanced toward the trees during the felling operation. The apparatus yet further includes a tilt cylinder positioned between the frame and the tool support. The tilt cylinder is movable between an extended tilt position and a retracted tilt position. The leading edge LE is moved closer to the ground when the tilt cylinder is moved from the retracted tilt position to the extended tilt position. The leading edge LE is moved away from the ground when the tilt cylinder is moved from the extended tilt position to the retracted tilt position. A first distance D1 is defined between the leading edge LE and the trailing edge TE. The pivot axis defines a vertical plane that intersects the cutting tool at a line V1. A second distance D2 is defined between the line V1 and the leading edge LE. And the ratio of the second distance to the firs distance is less than or equal to 0.50.

Growing community of inventors

Bonifay, FL, United States of America

Robert H Holmes, Iii