| 摘要 |
A vehicle is provided for skidding timber. Conventional skidders are generally large tracked or rubber tired vehicles having a fixed frame to which a towing cable is attached. The cable load applied to such skidders is rearward of the rear wheels tending to reduce the load on the front wheels and increase the load on the rear wheels. A vehicle in accordance with the invention includes a frame pivotally mounted upon the vehicle's chassis. A cable sheave is mounted upon the outer end of the frame and a towing cable reeved over the sheave with a cable winch attached to the forward end of the cable. Attachment means secure logs to the end of the cable. Abutment means connected to the outer end of the frame engage the attachment means as the cable and log are drawn forwardly by the winch. When the attachment and abutment means engage further winching in of the cable rotates the frame from a rearward position to a forward position. In the rearward position, the cable sheave is rearward of the vehicle's rear wheels. In the forward position, the cable sheave is forward of the vehicle's rear wheels. The load applied by the cable to the vehicle in the forward position is more evenly distributed between the forward and rearward wheels thereby improving vehicular traction, reducing rutting of roadways and lessening the tendency of the front wheels to lift from the roadway. Therefore the method and vehicle ensure that the forest may be renewed in perpetuity providing parkland, wildlife habitat and other benefits of nature while also providing employment and forest products in an economically viable quantity.
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