Tree processor attachment for log porters

In the present invention, there is provided a tree processor attachment for optionally mounting transversely on a forward section of the log carrying portion of a log porter, so that a log porter may advantageously be used to process felled trees, and to carry logs therefrom to a forest road. The tree processor attachment comprises a tree trunk holding and severing portion and a tree trunk advancing and delimbing portion having a pair of tree trunk delimbing jaws. The tree trunk advancing and delimbing portion is telescopically mounted in the tree trunk holding and severing portion, and is movable back and forth a pair of tree trunk holding jaws. The tree trunk advancing and delimbing portion is timely operable in association with the tree trunk holding jaws for moving a tree trunk in successive unidirectional movements toward a tree trunk severing saw. The tree holding and severing portion of the tree processor attachment is rotatable within a sway angle about a swivel member on a mounting base thereof. The tree processor attachment also comprises control means for selectively severing logs at a first sway position or at a second sway position, depending upon a setting of this control means.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a tree processor attachment for log 
forwarders, commonly called log porters. More particularly, the invention 
relates to a tree delimbing and severing attachment, which is optionally 
mounted on a log carrying portion of a log porter. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Modern tree harvesting operations generally comprise equipment such as a 
land vehicle with large-diameter wheels or a pair of crawler tracks. The 
vehicle is generally equipped with a multi-function tree processing 
apparatus mounted at the end of an articulated boom. The tree processing 
apparatus can fell a tree, delimb it and severe the tree trunk into 
sawmill logs and pulpwood in a single sequence of operation. The logs are 
thereafter picked up and forwarded near a forest road by log porters. 
These modern operations are efficient in the sense that logs are 
transported from stump sites to roadside in only two machine 
manipulations. This is a commendable improvement over the multiple 
sequences of a conventional practice comprising felling, skidding, piling, 
delimbing, piling again, severing and stacking in cords along a trucking 
road. 
Examples of these multi-function tree processing apparatus are disclosed in 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,766,939 issued on Aug. 30, 1988 to Torsten Forslund, and 
in U.S. Pat. No. 5,219,010 issued on Jun. 15, 1993 to Peter Eriksson. 
The introduction of these multi-function tree processing apparatus in the 
forest industry has made conventional delimbing machines less wanted. 
Examples of conventional delimbing machines are described in U.S. Pat. No. 
4,276,918 issued on Jul. 7, 1981 to Roger Sigouin, and in U.S. Pat. No. 
4,382,457 issued on May 10, 1983 to Raymond M. Hahn. In the first example, 
a sliding boom is mounted atop a track type excavator. The sliding boom is 
used to delimb, to cut the top portion of full length trees, and to pile 
those trees awaiting further processing by a severing machine. In the 
second example, the machine is movable on wheels to drive it near piles of 
felled trees. The machine has an articulated boom, a pair of sliding 
delimbing blades, a tree trunk severing saw, and a log sorting mechanism 
with two cradles to separate sawmill logs from pulpwood. The sorted logs 
are periodically handled out of the cradles by the articulated boom and 
piled in a location where a porter may thereafter carry these logs to a 
roadside site. 
In both examples, the delimbing machines are limited to work near piles of 
trees accumulated by forwarders or by a feller-buncher machine. Thus the 
additional cost of operating the delimbing machines renders a forestry 
operation less profitable than the use of a multi-function tree processing 
apparatus as firstly described. 
In other typical forestry operations, a variety of delimbing attachments 
have been developed to operate in combination with an articulated boom of 
a log loader. For examples U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,794 issued Feb. 13, 1990 to 
Thomas E. Hamby, Jr. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,406,997 issued Apr. 18, 1995 to 
Tim Davison, disclose a first type of tree delimbing device where the tree 
is drawn through a pair of limb stripping blades by the grapple of a log 
loader. 
A second type of tree delimbing attachment for use in cooperation with an 
articulated loader boom is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,167,960 issued 
Sep. 18, 1979 to Allan J. Wildey, and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,293,914 issued on 
Mar. 15, 1994 to Thomas H. Hudson. In both devices, there is provided a 
pair of delimbing blades and a tree topping mechanism. 
A common inconvenience with both types of delimbing attachments of the 
prior art is that the operation of the log loader is dedicated to a single 
function of operating the delimbing attachment. The loader-delimber 
combination works from a pile of trees which has been previously 
accumulated by forwarders, by skidders or by a feller-buncher machine. 
Furthermore, a severing machine is subsequently required to cut the trees 
into logs of appropriate lengths. Therefore, this type of operation is 
also relatively expensive as compared to multi-function apparatus of the 
present-day trend. 
Although the multi-function tree processing apparatus are very efficient, 
the investment in a mobile machine with an articulated boom and a tree 
processing apparatus mounted thereon requires the obtainment of large wood 
harvesting contracts where a machine can work around the clock for several 
months per year. 
This type of operation is generally not feasible for small and medium size 
forestry contractors where the tree processing machines are only 
periodically utilized. Hence the small and medium size forestry 
contractors must contrive to remain competitive using conventional 
machinery. 
In another aspect of a present-day forestry operation, the small and medium 
size forestry contractors generally have one or more log porters. The 
small and medium size contractors referred to herein are those contractors 
having few employees, and even the self-employed woodcutters. 
Log porters are generally of the articulated type with a front drive 
portion having an engine and a cab for an operator, and a rear log 
carrying portion having a loader boom. The front and rear portions are 
normally connected by a steering joint. A porter is generally equipped 
with large-diameter wheels such that it can carry heavy loads on rough 
terrains. The machines are particularly agile in moving about through 
harvested forest land to gather logs from one pile of logs to the next. 
Log porters have traditionally been working exclusively on carrying logs 
out of the forest, and a return on investment therefor has been limited to 
this activity alone. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In the present invention, there is provided a tree processor attachment for 
optionally mounting on the log carrying portion of a log porter, so that a 
log porter may advantageously be used to process felled trees, and to 
carry logs therefrom to a forest road. 
The tree processor attachment of the present invention comprises a tree 
trunk holding and severing portion having tree trunk holding means and a 
tree trunk severing means, and a tree trunk advancing and delimbing 
portion having tree trunk advancing means and a tree trunk delimbing 
means. The tree trunk advancing and delimbing portion is telescopically 
mounted in the tree trunk holding and severing portion, and is movable 
back and forth the tree trunk holding means along a tree trunk advancing 
axis. 
The tree trunk advancing means is timely operable in association with the 
tree trunk holding means for moving the tree trunk in successive 
unidirectional movements along the tree trunk advancing axis, toward the 
tree trunk severing means. 
The tree processor attachment of the present invention also comprises 
mounting means for retaining the tree trunk holding and severing portion 
to the log carrying portion of the log porter, and hose means for 
receiving hydraulic power from an hydraulic power supply system of the log 
porter. 
A first advantage of the tree processor attachment of the present invention 
is that an owner of a log porter may carry the tree processor attachment 
about a forest to delimb and severe felled trees into logs. The tree 
processor attachment of the present invention is relatively inexpensive to 
purchase and to operate as compared to the aforesaid modern multi-function 
tree processing apparatus. 
Hence the small and medium size forestry contractors, as well as the larger 
ones, may expand the scope of utilization of their log porters. 
Furthermore, an owner of a log porter may use the tree processor 
attachment of the present invention to profitably carry through entire 
wood harvesting contracts. 
In accordance to another aspect of the present invention, the log porter 
has a log loader boom for handling felled trees into the tree processor 
attachment. The tree processor attachment is mounted transversely on a 
forward section of a log carrying portion of the log porter. A major part 
of the log carrying portion remains unobstructed such that the log porter 
can still adequately carry logs. 
Hence a second advantage of this other aspect of the present invention is 
that the combination of the log porter and the tree processor attachment 
is used to process felled trees at stump sites and to carry the logs 
therefrom in various lengths to a forest road. The felled trees are thus 
processed and carried near a forest road in one machine manipulation. 
The method of harvesting a forest is particularly efficient for harvesting 
a stand of trees felled by strong winds for example. The method of 
harvesting a forest is also particularly efficient for the small and 
medium size forestry contractors working with a team of woodcutters. 
In accordance to a further aspect of the present invention, the tree 
holding and severing portion of the tree processor attachment is rotatable 
within a sway angle about a swivel member on the mounting base thereof. 
The tree processor attachment also comprises control means for selectively 
severing togs at a first sway position or at a second sway position, 
depending upon a setting of this control means. 
A further advantage of this embodiment is that sawmill logs may be 
separated from pulpwood during the processing of trees. These logs may 
thereafter be grouped on board the porter according to their respective 
length and classification. Logs transported according to such method are 
easily separated along a forest road into distinct piles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a log porter 20 and a tree 
processor attachment 22 mounted transversely on a log carrying portion 24 
thereof. The log porter 20 of the preferred embodiment comprises a front 
portion 26 having a cab 28 for an operator, and a rear log carrying 
portion 24 connected to the front portion by an articulated joint 30. The 
log carrying portion of the preferred log porter has a log cradle 32 made 
of several cradle posts 34 and a horizontal bar 36 on each side of the log 
carrying portion 24. The log porter of the preferred embodiment also 
comprises an articulated boom 38 and a log grapple 40 attached to the end 
of the boom 38. 
The log cradle 32 of the preferred log porter is a modified version from an 
original cradle. A portion of the cradle 32 on a front side of the rear 
wheels 42 of the vehicle 20 has been removed. The tree processor 
attachment 22 is thereafter mounted in two mounting pockets 44 where a 
pair of front cradle posts were originally installed. In this preferred 
embodiment, a major portion of the log cradle 32 remains unobstructed such 
that the log porter 20 retains its ability to carry logs. 
Referring now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a suggested method of 
operating a log porter 20 having a tree processor attachment 22 mounted 
thereon. The log porter 20 of the illustration is positioned near felled 
trees, and preferably near the stumps of felled trees. These trees may 
have been felled by wood cutters working with power saws, or by a feller 
machine of a large harvesting operation. 
The tree processor attachment 22 of the preferred embodiment has a 
programmable controller for automatically controlling the processing of a 
tree. The tree processor attachment 22 has delimbing means for removing 
the branches of a tree, measuring and cutting means for severing a tree 
trunk into logs of different lengths, and a base with swivel means for 
separating sawmill logs from pulpwood. 
In the illustration of FIG. 2, a first tree 50 is being processed in the 
tree processor attachment 22 of the present invention. A second tree 52 is 
positioned with a butt end thereof resting on the horizontal bar 36 of the 
cradle 32. A third tree 54 is being pulled near the porter 20 by the 
grapple 40 of the porter's boom 38. 
The operation of the tree processor attachment 22 being one of an automatic 
mode, the operator of the machine has sufficient time between each tree 
processing cycle to accumulate trees near the tree processor attachment 
22, as exemplified by trees 52 and 54. 
A preferred method of operation of the log porter/processor combination 
includes the step of separating with the loader boom 38, the 16 ft logs 56 
from the 12 ft logs 58, and to pile the 16 ft logs 56 in the porter's 
cradle 32 as illustrated. It is further suggested to stack the 12 ft 
sawmill logs 58 and the 8 ft pulpwood logs 60 atop the 16 ft logs in the 
cradle 32 for transporting these logs along a trucking road, or to another 
accumulation of felled trees. The log carrying portion of the porter 20 
behind the tree processor attachment 22 of the preferred embodiment is 
sufficiently long for supporting 16 ft logs without critically overhanging 
a portion thereof at the rear end of the cradle 32. When logs are 
transported along a forest road, the logs grouped in the cradle as per the 
suggested method are easily separated into distinct piles. 
The aforesaid method for harvesting trees is particularly economical for 
the felled trees are delimbed, processed into logs and carried from stump 
sites to a forest road in only one machine manipulation. 
Furthermore, the method of harvesting trees where a porter 20 moves often 
to pick felled trees at stump sites is ecologically right for leaving the 
branches evenly distributed on the forest floor. This practice, as opposed 
to the conventional delimbing from large piles of felled trees, adds to 
the biomass of the forest floor, and helps to fertilize the soil for a 
better regeneration of the harvested stand. 
Referring now to FIGS. 3 to 19 there is illustrated a preferred embodiment 
of a tree processor attachment 22 for mounting on log carrying portion 24 
of a log porter 20. The tree processor attachment 22 comprises generally a 
base 62, a trunk holding and severing portion 64 and a tree trunk 
advancing and delimbing portion 66. The base 62 has at each end a peg 
member 68 and a cap plate 70 for retaining the respective peg member 68 
into a pocket 44 along the log carrying portion 24 of the log porter 20. 
The base 62 also has a swivel support 72 allowing horizontal sway movement 
of the log holding and severing portion 64. The sway movement of the 
swivel support 72 is limited by angular stopper 74, between a first sway 
limiting block 76 and a second sway limiting block 78. The sway movement 
of the swivel support 72 is controlled by an hydraulic cylinder 80, as 
better seen on FIG. 4. The swivel support 72 is optionally controlled by 
the cylinder 80, or allowed to float freely from side to side by an 
hydraulic valve system bypassing a controlling valve of cylinder 80. 
A main boom 88 of the trunk holding and severing portion 64 is pivotally 
mounted into a pair of bearing blocks 90 as also illustrated on FIG. 4. A 
second hydraulic cylinder 92 controls the tilting of the main boom 88 
about an axis of bearing blocks 90. The tilting of the main boom 88 is 
also optionally controlled by cylinder 92 or allowed to float freely in an 
up and down direction by an hydraulic valve system bypassing a controlling 
valve of cylinder 92. 
While the swivelling of the trunk holding and severing portion 64 is used 
to separate sawmill logs and pulpwood in two distinct piles, the tilting 
of the base is advantageously used to lay logs on these piles with the far 
end first, with the near end first, or straight down according to the 
profile of the ground under the piles. This option is particularly useful 
to make neat piles which are easy to grab and load on board before the 
porter departs to another accumulation of felled trees. 
The trunk advancing and delimbing portion 66 of the tree processor 
attachment 22 comprises a pair of delimbing jaws 94, an anvil plate 96 
having a first cutting edge 98 at a far end thereof and a second cutting 
edge 100 at a near thereof. Each delimbing jaw 94 is operated in and out 
about a pivot by means of an hydraulic cylinder, one of which is partly 
seen at numeral 102 of FIG. 3. The trunk advancing and delimbing portion 
66 also has a deflector plate 104 for preventing the branches removed from 
the processed trees to become caught behind the support mechanisms of the 
delimbing jaws 94. 
The trunk advancing and delimbing portion 66 is guided in a reciprocal 
longitudinal movement by means of a rectangular boom 106 covered by strips 
108 of wear resistant material, and telescopically sliding into the main 
boom 88. The reciprocal movement of the sliding boom 106 is controlled by 
a main hydraulic cylinder 110 mounted inside both the main boom 88 and the 
sliding boom 106. The main cylinder 110 has a casing end attached to a 
first end of the main boom 88 and a rod end attached to a far end of 
sliding boom 106. The main cylinder 110 is illustrated on FIG. 9. A 
preferred stroke length for this main cylinder 10 is 50 inches, such that 
log lengths are measured in multiples of 50 inches. The lengths of sawmill 
logs determined in this manner comply to usual log length requirements 
common in the sawmill industry. 
The trunk holding and severing portion 64 of the tree processor 22 
comprises a concave table 112 having a cutting edge 114. When the 
advancing and delimbing portion 66 is fully retracted, the cutting edge 
100 of the advancing and delimbing portion 66 remains at a safe distance 
of about 2 inches from cutting edge 114. 
The concave table 112 may also comprise a removable eye hook 116 for easily 
handling the tree processor attachment 22 with the grapple 40 of the log 
loader during installation or removal of it from the pockets 44 of the log 
porter 20. 
The trunk holding and severing portion 64 has a pair of holding jaws 118 
which are operable in and out by a respective hydraulic cylinder 120. Each 
cylinder 120 is of the trunnion mount type, as illustrated on FIGS. 12 and 
15. 
The trunk holding and severing portion 64 further has a chain saw blade 122 
which is driven by an hydraulic motor (not shown), and which is activated 
in a up or down movement about an output shaft 124 of the hydraulic motor 
by an hydraulic cylinder 126. 
The trunk holding and severing portion 64 of the tree processor attachment 
22 further has a chain lubrication reservoir 128, a lubrication pump 
compartment 130, a first hydraulic valve compartment 132 on a first side, 
and a second control component compartment 134 on a second side thereof. 
The hydraulic valves of the tree processor attachment 22 of the preferred 
embodiment are of the solenoid operated type such that the operation of 
the tree processor attachment 22 may be effected by a programmable 
controller, as it will be explained later. 
Referring now specifically to FIG. 4, the swivel support 72 has a large 
opening 140 at a central portion thereof, communicating with a similar 
opening (not shown) between the base 62 and the housing of the swivel 
support 72 as illustrated on FIGS. 4 and 8. The tree processor attachment 
22 being operated from banks of solenoid valves within the valve 
compartments 132 and 134, the hydraulic connections to the tree processor 
are limited to a pressure hose 142, a return-to-tank hose 143, and a 
hydraulic drain hose 144. The electrical connections to the solenoid 
valves and input switches are contained in a single control cable 146. It 
is further recommended the these hoses be equipped with quick disconnect 
couplings 148, and the electrical cable be equipped with a quick 
attachment connector 150. 
The tree processor attachment 22 of the preferred embodiment is 
particularly easy to install on a log porter 20. The installation 
procedure is limited to lowering the tree processor attachment 22 onto the 
frame of the porter 20 and aligning both peg members 68 into a respective 
pocket 44 along the porter's frame. The tree processor is preferably 
secured in place by affixing on each peg member 68 a retaining plate 70 
under a respective pocket 44. Each retaining plate 70 is held to each peg 
member 68 by means of a bolt 152 as illustrated on FIG. 4. 
The hydraulic power supply hoses from the log porter 20 are preferably 
routed inside the frame of the porter through an opening (not shown) near 
the swivel support 72 such that a connection of these hoses and electrical 
cable may be effected quickly, and such that a minimum length of hoses are 
exposed to log processing conditions. 
A tree processor attachment 22 equipped with such peg members 68, lifting 
eye bolt 116, quick attachment couplings 148 and connectors 150 may be 
installed or removed from a log porter 20 in less than one hour by two 
workers. Thus a porter 20 may be quickly modified to a full length cradle 
32 when the operator of the machine wants to exclusively carry logs. 
Furthermore, a tree processor attachment 22 of the preferred embodiment may 
be easily removed from a log porter 20 for maintenance for example. The 
tree processor attachment 22 may be easily taken off the log porter 20 and 
transported from a remote forest location to a maintenance shop for 
example, in a pick-up truck. Hence the tree processor attachment 22 may be 
overhauled during a weekend while the porter stays at a forestry 
operation. 
It is recommended to operate the tree processor attachment 22 from an 
hydraulic pump (not shown) having between 30 and 35 U.S. gallons per 
minute capacity at 3000 psi. This hydraulic pump may be mounted piggyback 
style on the existing hydraulic pump of the log porter 20. Preferably, it 
is recommended to mount the tree processor's pump near the transmission of 
the porter and to operate it from a power-take-off accessory unit on the 
transmission, such that the pump may be disengaged completely during 
non-use periods. It is further recommended to install on the machine an 
additional hydraulic oil reservoir (not shown) to supply the tree 
processor attachment 22. This additional reservoir should have a capacity 
in U.S. gallons, of about 2 to 3 times the GPM rating of the recommended 
pump. 
The tree processor attachment 22 of the preferred embodiment has been 
operated at production levels of 5 cords per hour by an operator who had 
received only a few days of training with the machine. This was obtained 
by operating the tree processor attachment 22 with an hydraulic pump of 30 
U.S. gallons per minute. This level of production is favourably comparable 
to the output of modern multi-function tree processing apparatus as 
previously described, while a capital investment for machinery is 
relatively lower. 
Referring specifically to FIG. 9, the casing end of the main cylinder 110 
of the tree processor 22 is attached to a first end of the main boom 88 by 
means of a clevis 154 and a first cap plate 156. The rod 158 of the main 
cylinder is attached to a far end of the sliding boom 106 by means of a 
second cap plate 160. Thus the sliding boom 106 and the main cylinder 88 
may be separated from the main boom 88 by working either one or both cap 
plates 154 and 160. 
Referring back specifically to FIGS. 7 and 8, the recommended sway angle of 
the swivel support 72 as indicated by numerals 162 and 164 is 20.degree. 
to the right and 20.degree. to the left. The recommended tilt angle of the 
trunk retaining and severing portion 64 as indicated by numerals 166 and 
168 is 120 up and down from a horizontal position. These articulations 
provide sufficient flexibility to a tree processor attachment 22 of the 
present invention when this tree processor attachment 22 is installed on a 
log porter 20 common in the forestry industry. 
FIG. 8 also illustrates a main boom extension member 170 having a wear 
resistant surface, for supporting the sliding boom 106 during full stroke 
extension thereof. Adjacent this main boom extension member 170 is a 
support caster 172 for supporting the trunk holding and severing portion 
64 during retraction of the tilt cylinder 92. The support caster 172 rolls 
over a widened portion 174 of the base 62 as one may see on FIGS. 3 and 4. 
The automatic operation of the tree processor attachment 22 is controlled 
by a programmable logic controller (PLC) (not shown) preferably mounted in 
the operator's cab. The automatic operation of the tree processor 
attachment 22 is also controlled by a series of input switches and a 
series of solenoid operated hydraulic valves as previously mentioned. 
The input switches comprises 7 proximity and photo switches. A first and 
second proximity switches 180 and 182 respectively control the up and down 
movement of the severing saw 122. The blade of the saw 122 as illustrated 
on FIGS. 5 and 6, is mounted on a collar plate 184 having a tab 186. The 
proximity switches 180 and 182 respectively are positioned such that tab 
186 is positioned over first proximity switches 180, and causes the 
proximity switch 180 to latch on, when the saw blade 122 is in a down 
position. Similarly, the tab 186 causes the second proximity switch 182 to 
latch on when the saw blade 122 is at rest in an upper position. 
The primary function of the first proximity switch 180 is to reverse the 
stroke of cylinder 126. The primary purpose of the second proximity switch 
182 is to prevent an operation of all other functions of the tree 
processor attachment 22 when the severing saw 122 is in operation. 
Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, a third and fourth proximity switches 190 
and 192, control respectively the extension and retraction of the sliding 
boom 106. The proximity switches 190 and 192 work in cooperation with a 
first metal flag 194 and a second metal flag 196. When the sliding boom is 
extending, the first metal flag 194 signals the proximity switch 190 and 
causes the main cylinder 110 to decelerate to a low speed, through a 
solenoid valving system common in the trade of hydraulic power. 
Subsequently, metal flag 196 signals the proximity switch 190 again, and 
causes the main cylinder 110 to stop extending. Similarly, the retracting 
stroke is decelerated and stopped from the signals given by the metal 
flags 196 and 194 to proximity switch 192. 
A recommended spacing between the first metal flag 194 and the second metal 
flag 196 is about 12 inches. This spacing provides an efficient 
deceleration pattern when the tree processor attachment 22 is powered by 
an hydraulic pump as previously recommended. It should be mentioned also 
that metal flag 194 and 196 may form a continuous strip of metal to 
accommodate a preference of the programmer of the PLC controlling the tree 
processor attachment 22. 
A fifth and sixth switches controlling the operation of the tree processor 
attachment 22 are photo-switches 200 and 202 respectively as illustrated 
on FIGS. 7, 13 and 14. These photo-switches 200 and 202 are used to locate 
the butt of every tree, and to initiate the measurement of the first log 
to be taken from a tree. 
Photo-switches 200 and 202 are mounted on respective brackets 204 under the 
concave table 112. Photo-switches 200 and 202 may be of the 
retro-reflective, diffuse reflection or other type commonly used in the 
sawmill industry for detecting a presence of a log sliding thereby. Each 
photo-switch 200 OF 202 is protected from the shocks and debris of the 
tree processing operation by a lens 206 covering a hole in the concave 
table 112. 
The seventh switch controlling the operation of the log processing 
attachment 22 is a proximity switch 210 located adjacent one of the 
holding jaws 118. The proximity switch 210 detects a heel portion 212 of 
one holding jaw 118 when this jaw is closed on a tree trunk. The position 
of the proximity switch 210 is adjustable within a slot 214 such that a 
magnetic signal from heel 212 passing over the proximity switch 210 is 
selectively detected from a specific diameter of a tree trunk. A preferred 
adjustment of proximity switch 210 is to give a signal on a tree trunk 
having a diameter of 3 inches or less. A signal from this proximity switch 
210 instructs the PLC to initiate an unloading cycle after the next trunk 
severing motion. 
Another aspect of importance of the tree processor attachment 22 is the 
arrangement of the saw blade lubrication system. The saw blade lubrication 
system as illustrated on FIGS. 16 and 17, comprises a balancing bar 220 
pivoted on an axle 222, and which is connected to the collar plate 184 by 
means of cables 224 connected at each end of the bar 220. The balancing 
bar 220 and the hydraulic cylinder 126 are seen on FIG. 16, through a 
cover plate 226 of the saw blade compartment. 
The axle 222 is connected to a pump actuator mechanism under the 
lubrication reservoir 128, and inside a lubrication pump compartment 130. 
The axle 222 is connected to a crank arm 228 which activates the piston of 
the lubrication pump 230 through a link bar 232. The lubrication pump 230 
delivers lubricant to the saw blade 122 through a flexible conduit 234, 
which connects to the saw blade in a manner which is known in the trade of 
chain saws. In the mechanism just described, the lubrication pump 230 is 
actuated only during a downward movement of the saw blade 122. Therefore 
spillage of lubricant customary to rotary pump feed systems when the saw 
blade stalls during a downward motion, is thereby prevented. 
Referring back to the automatic controls of the tree processor attachment 
22, a control panel 240 in the operator's cab 28, as illustrated on FIG. 
18, is used to receive the operator's commands. The control panel 240 is 
preferably installed near a bank of levers 242 for operating the log 
loader boom 38. 
Each function of the log processing attachment 22 will now be explained by 
making reference to a corresponding button on the control panel 240, 
Emergency Stop 
to stop under emergency conditions the operation of the tree processor 
attachment 22 at any time during any programs. 
Pilot lights 
four pilot lights are provided above the emergency stop button to indicate 
to the operator the last log length selected. 
Load 
Once a tree is loaded with the log loader boom on the concave table 112, 
the operator must press this button to initiate a loading program. 
The loading program causes the holding jaws 118 and the delimbing jaws 94 
to close on the tree trunk, under a high hydraulic pressure. 
The holding jaws 118 and the delimbing jaws 94 remain closed on the tree 
trunk for allowing the grapple of the loader boom to release its grab and 
to move away from the tree. 
Cycle 
Once a tree is loaded into the tree processor attachment, a processing 
program is initiated by depressing the cycle button. The cycle button 
causes the following actions to take effect; 
The delimbing jaws 94 remain closed on the tree trunk, but under a low 
hydraulic pressure such that the delimbing jaws 94 will remain afloat 
about the trunk. 
The advancing and delimbing portion 66 extends a full stroke, cutting all 
branches along its path. 
The holding jaws 118 open. 
The delimbing jaws 94 remain close on the trunk, but under a high holding 
pressure. 
The advancing and delimbing portion 66 retracts until a signal is received 
from the butt locating photo-switches 200 and 202, and until a creep timer 
(not shown) indicates to the PLC that the butt end of the tree is located 
at a zero length point. 
The holding jaws 118 close back. 
The delimbing jaws 94 release their grab, but remain closed under a low 
hydraulic pressure. 
The advancing and delimbing portion 66 extends a full stroke while the 
branches along that second portion of the trunk are cut off. 
The advancing and delimbing portion 66 retracts and extends, cutting 
branches and measuring multiple of 50 inches before a trunk severing 
program is effected. During the movement of the advancing and delimbing 
portion 66, the holding jaws 118 and the delimbing jaws 94 alternate in 
retaining the tree trunk as previously described. 
Once the selected length of log is reached, the advancing and delimbing 
portion 66 stops, and the saw blade 122 comes down and cuts a log from a 
butt end of the tree. 
During a last stroke for reaching a selected log length, the swivel support 
72 of the tree processor attachment 22 rotates to align the next log over 
one of two piles over which this log is to be dropped. 
When a holding jaw 118 closes on a tree trunk having a diameter of 3 inches 
or less, an unload program is initiated. 
An unload program causes the tree processor to continue delimbing and 
measuring that portion of the tree which was measured at 3 inches in 
diameter or less. Once the next severing cut is effected, the normal 
program reverses to pull the top portion of the tree out of the holding 
and severing portion 64 of the tree processor attachment. The advancing 
and delimbing portion 66 completes two full strokes to discard a top 
portion of a tree. 
Thereafter, the advancing and delimbing portion 66 retracts fully with the 
delimbing jaws 94 open widely. The holding jaws 118 also open fully for 
receiving a next tree. Hence a load signal is normally expected after an 
unload program. 
Log Length Selector Switch 
Once the load program is completed, or during a first or a second stroke of 
the advancing and delimbing portion 66, the operator can select the length 
of the first log to be taken out of that tree. The log length selector 
switch also determines on which one of two piles the log will be dropped. 
The log length selector switch offers the operator the possibility to 
select one of; 8 foot pulpwood, 8 foot sawmill log, 12 foot sawmill log or 
16 foot sawmill log. The actual length of logs are respectively 100 
inches, 150 inches and 200 inches. During the processing of a specific log 
length, the operator can adjust the log length selector switch to a 
different log length which will be applicable to the remaining portion of 
the tree trunk for example. Once the present log will be cut, the new log 
length selection will become effective. 
Jog 
A jog signal causes the delimbing stroke to pause. The delimbing jaws 94 
open slightly, and the delimbing stroke restarts slowly for cutting sturdy 
branches for example. When the jog button is released, the delimbing 
operation resumes normally. 
Unload Program 
This button overrides the automatic cycling operation. The unload program 
can be selected at any time during the processing of a tree, when for 
example the operator believes that the remaining portion of the tree is 
broken, rotten or otherwise of no value. 
Open Jaws 
This button causes any program to stop. The holding jaws 118 and the 
delimbing jaws 94 open fully for removing a tree trunk therefrom with the 
log loader 38. This feature is particularly useful for removing from the 
tree processor attachment a curved section of a tree, a large fork or 
other hard-to-process tree trunks. 
Trim 
The trim button overrides a normal operation of the tree processor. It 
causes the delimbing stroke to stop, and the severing saw to come down for 
removing a rotten butt for example. Once a cut is effected from a trim 
program, the advancing and delimbing portion 66 extends fully for 
obtaining a length of a first segment of the next log. 
Sorter Manual/Automatic 
This function enables a manual-only or an automatic operation of the log 
sorting cylinder 80. 
Sorter Left/Right 
This selector switch is for manually controlling to orientation of the log 
holding and severing portion 64 during a loading of a tree therein for 
example. This option is active at any time and can override the automatic 
operation of the log sorting cylinder 80. 
Sorter Normal or L/R 
A normal operation of the log sorter is when the pulpwood is piled near the 
cab 28 of the log porter 20, and the sawmill logs are piled near a rear 
wheel of the porter. The sorter inversion selector switch allows the 
operator to interchange the forming of log piles, according to the 
encumbrances of the site. 
Boom Lift Pedal 
The delimbing boom 106 may be raised or lowered by the operator, by means 
of a pedal switch (not shown). This feature is normally used to drop the 
logs on a respective pile with far end first, a near end first, or 
straight down, to form neat piles on a variety of ground slopes. The 
feature is also used during the loading of tree in the tree processor 
attachment 22. 
The tree processor attachment 22 just described has few moving parts. The 
machine is relatively easy to retrofit on any common log porter. The 
machine is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and to maintain as 
compared to multi-function tree processors of the present-days trend. 
Therefore the tree processor attachment 22 and log porter 20 combination 
of the present invention is affordable by most small and medium size 
forestry contractors. 
More importantly, the tree processor/log porter combination processes 
felled trees from stump sites to roadside in only one machine 
manipulation. This attribute renders a forestry operation highly efficient 
as compared to those operations using multiple equipment of the prior art. 
This description of the invention as a tree processor attachment mounted 
transversely of a log carrying portion of a log porter shall not 
constitute a limitation in the scope of its application. Also it shall not 
constitute a limitation in the possible configuration of its elements. The 
tree processor attachment of the present invention may be mounted on a 
pulp truck or on other log carrying vehicles for example without requiring 
significant modification. Similarly numerous functions may be added or 
deleted from the automatic controls of the tree processor attachment 
without adversely affecting and overall performance thereof. 
Therefore, the preferred embodiment of the present invention as described 
herein is not limited thereto, and it will be apparent to those skilled in 
the art that numerous modifications form part of the present invention 
insofar as they do not depart from the spirit, nature and scope of the 
described and claimed invention.