BOOM MOUNTED TYPE TREE PROCESSING HEAD AND MOUNTING THEREFORE

摘要

Disclosed is a boom mount type tree processing head that incorporates a number of improvements, one of which includes the ability of processing a number of trees at one time by using an accumulator type grapple arrangement. The accumulator grapple disclosed is two sets of grapples spaced apart from one another longitudinally along the processor with the arms of one grapple set being longer than that of the other. The grapple with the shorter arms also serves to press the tree against an improved endless conveyor type drive that propels the trees endwise for processing. The endless drive includes two spaced apart endless chains located respectively on opposite sides of the feed path and interconnected by a plurality of somewhat resiliently flexible shoes. The processing head is hydraulically operated and included is an improved mounting for the hydraulic lines that includes a rotory coupling mounted on the processing head and having a rotor with hydraulic lines connected thereto that turns in response to pivoting of the processing head on the end of the boom. The processing head is suspended from the boom by a joint that includes at least one device to damp oscillatory movement of the processing head. The damping device is a rotory actuated hydraulic device with motion being resisted through shifting liquid from one chamber to another and throttling the flow.