Log deflector with removable accessory portion and associated method

A forestry work machine comprises a carrier and a log deflector for deflecting away from the carrier a log held by the forestry work machine. The log deflector comprises a base portion attached to a side of the carrier and an accessory portion projecting laterally outwardly from and removably attached to the base portion. An associated method is disclosed.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates log deflectors provided onboard forestry work machines.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Forestry work machines, such as forestry swing machines, may include a log deflector (also known as a log guard). Such a log deflector is used to deflect away from a carrier of the forestry work machine a log held by the forestry work machine. In this way, the log deflector reduces the risk that the log will strike the carrier.

Typically, the log deflector is located on a side of the carrier. A projecting portion of the deflector extending laterally outwardly relative to the carrier adds to the overall width of the machine and reduces versatility and serviceability.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to the present disclosure, there is provided a forestry work machine. The forestry work machine comprises a carrier and a log deflector for deflecting away from the carrier a log held by the forestry work machine. The log deflector comprises a base portion attached to a side of the carrier and an accessory portion projecting laterally outwardly from and removably attached to the base portion. An associated method is disclosed.

The removability feature of the accessory portion facilitates repair, replacement, servicing, and versatility for the end user. In addition, since the accessory portion may represent the widest point on the machine, removal of the accessory portion may enhance use and/or transport of the machine in relatively narrow places.

The above and other features will become apparent from the following description and the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring toFIG. 1, an exemplary forestry work machine10has a log deflector12for deflecting away from a carrier14of the machine10a log11held by the machine10. The log deflector12may comprise a base portion16attached to a side18(e.g., right side inFIG. 1) of the carrier14and an accessory portion20projecting laterally outwardly from and removably attached to the base portion16.

The forestry work machine10may be, for example, a forestry swing machine. In such a case, an articulated boom22for maneuvering a work tool22(e.g., a tree harvester head) at the end thereof may be attached to a super-structure24rotatably mounted on a carriage26, the super-structure24and the carriage26exemplarily providing the carrier14. The log deflector12may be mounted on the side of the carrier26opposite from a cab28for blocking a log11held by the work tool22from impacting the chassis30of the super-structure24.

Referring toFIGS. 2aand2b, the log deflector12is shown with the accessory portion20attached to the base portion16. A number of fasteners32(e.g., four) may removably attach the accessory portion20to the base portion16.

The base portion16may have a laterally extending panel34and a hand rail36fixed thereto behind the panel34. The panel34is attached to the super-structure24of the carrier and positioned at the side18to provide protection for the super-structure24. A number of larger slots38and smaller slots40may be formed in the panel34to reduce wind resistance, among other possible uses.

The accessory portion20may have a post42and a post mount44removably attached to the panel34of the base portion16. The post42may be attached to the post mount44so as to angle upwardly and laterally outwardly away from a corner46of the panel34.

The post mount44may comprise a first wing48removably attached to the panel34along a top edge50of the panel34and a second wing52removably attached to the panel34along a laterally outer side edge54of the panel34. The first and second wings48,52may join to define a junction56from which the post42angles upwardly and laterally outwardly. As such, the accessory portion20may be generally Y-shaped. When the accessory portion20is attached to the base portion16, the junction56may be located at the laterally outer corner46of the panel.

A number of fasteners32may be used to removably attach the first wing48to the panel34along the top edge50and the second wing52to the panel34along the side edge54. Illustratively, there may be two fasteners32for each wing48,52. To receive each fastener32, there may be corresponding fastener-receiving holes58(FIGS. 3aand3b) formed in the wings48,52and the panel34along the edges50,54. The fasteners32may be bolts, pins, or the like.

A hole60may be formed in the post42near the junction56. This hole60may be used by a lifting device for lifting the accessory portion20during manufacturing or removal and re-attachment of the accessory portion20.

The accessory portion20may be made of, for example, steel plates formed and welded to one another.

In operation, the accessory portion20may be joined to the panel34by extending the fasteners32through the respective fastener-receiving holes58. The accessory portion20may be removed from the panel34by removing the fasteners32from the holes58. Removal may involve removing fasteners32from each of the wings48,52enabling removal of the post mount44from the panel34. The post mount44may be removed from the panel34by removal of the first wing48from the top edge50, the second wing52from the side edge54, and the junction56from the corner46. Afterwards, the accessory portion20may be re-attached to the based panel34.