| 摘要 |
<p>The invention relates to a unique self-propelled vehicle capable of loading and transporting whole trees from their growing site to a processing station. The invention provides a vehicle having an elongated rigid frame element supported by two spaced sets of quad wheel assemblies, with each assembly permitting movement of individual wheels about both a roll axis parallel to the longitudinal frame element and a pitch axis transverse to the frame element. An operator's platform is adjustably mounted on the forward portion of the rigid frame structure for vertical movements and carries with it a boom having means on its free end for severing and engaging whole trees to deposit same in cradles mounted on the rigid frame element. Power actuated means are provided for rotating each wheel, steering each wheel, moving the operator's platform vertically to any desired position, actuating the tree engaging boom, and tilting of the longitudinal frame element to maintain the horizontal plane of the operator's platform, or to unload a stack of trees carried by the cradlel. Power for all such operations is supplied from a power source adjustably mounted on the rear end of the elongated rigid frame element for vertical movements relative thereto.</p> |
