摘要 |
A portable tool (41) for determining diameters and lengths along fallen trees (stems). The tool (41) includes callipers (2,3) for measuring diameters at positions along the stem and a tape measure (5) for measuring distance along the stem. In use, spinning lasers (57) are used to set up datum planes (51) either vertically beside the stem or horizontally above the stem. The tool (41) is also provided with a laser sensor (13) so that distance may be determined from the stem to the datum (51) to enable the curvature of the log to be determined. Each of the measuring devices on the tool (41) provide a visual display of their measurements and encoders (9,26) provide an electronic signal representative of the measurements to a computer (19) on the tool (41). Software running on the computer (19) uses these measurements to "paint" a picture of the stem and, using data relating to the value and current desirability of various lengths and qualities of logs, determines the optimum cutting positions along the stem to maximize the value of the logs from the stem. |