METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SINGLE-HANDED LOAD SKIDDING

Abstract: A frame comprised of legs (14) and (14'), a channel (13) and a cross brace (17) are connected to a boom (16) to form a frame and boom apparatus (9). Grapple (10) is suspended from the rearward end of boom (16). A chain (59) is connected between channel (13) and tongs (34) and (34') of grapple (10) to include only a small amount of slack as grapple (10) hangs vertically from boom (16). In preferred embodiments, chain (59) is connected to channel (13) by passing behind bolts (54) and (54'). The load to be skidded is grasped by the grapple (10) and lifted ty the boom (16) and the load is then skidded by driving the tractor in the desired direction so as to take up any slack remaining in the chain (59).

Description: Title: METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SINGLE-HANDED LOAD SKIDDING TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to methods and apparati fo load skidding with a towing vehicle, particularly in thos situations where it is deemed appropriate to lift one en of a load and skid it with the towing vehicle. Mor particularly the invention relates to a method an apparatus for the single-handed skidding of loads such a for instance logs, stumps, and the like. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Management of forested property often requires th removal of windfall logs, stumps and other debris withou environmentally harming or disturbing other trees, youn trees, and undergrowth. Likewise, management o commercial orchard property often requires interplantin of young trees among old trees, and eventual removal o the old trees without disturbing the younger trees Hiring of the customary heavy equipment and a crew i expensive, and usually damaging to the environment. Typically, in orchard clearance and fores maintenance, one or more people will wrap a cable or chai around the object to be moved, and will attach the cabl or chain to a tow point on a truck or tractor. This i not only expensive in terms of labor costs, it can ge quite dangerous at time. Other machinery for picking u and carrying or skidding logs or trees is generally large specialized, expensive, and often inappropriate considering the surroundings in which the work is to b done. Prior art devices disclose grappling tongs mounte on a shovel or a boom. The grappling devices take the skidding load. On some devices chains are employed but only for limited purposes such as opening the grappling device or securing the load to a vehicle. Other grappling devices have means for emplacing a cable around a load, with the cable trained over a fairlead and thence to a take up winch. The devices employ the grapple only to emplace the cable and the load is then both lifted and towed by the cable. In these known devices the grapple is not connected by the cable to the frame, or the frame and boom, from which the grapple is suspended. None of the known devices provide a method or an apparatus for load skidding where one end of a load may be grasped securely by a grapple and lifted by either pivoting a frame and boom, or by raising the grapple with respect to a boom, and thereafter towing the skidded object b taking the skid load of the object on a cable or chain connected between the grapple and the frame, so that the grapple, and the frame and boom from which the grapple is suspended, do not have to take any appreciable amount of the skid load. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Accordingly it is an object of the invention to enable a tractor operable to grapple and skid an object unaided. It is a further object of the invention to provide a grapple which will adjust to different sizes and shapes of loads. It is yet another object of the invention to provide an apparatus which will enable the grapple to remain a reasonable size by removing therefrom the necessity to assume the towing load, or skid load. It is a further object of the invention to provide a load grappling and skidding apparatus which can be mounted on a three point hitch of either a truck or a tractor. It is another object of the invention to provide a connector pin for the connection of elements which will rotate in parallel planes with respect to each other, and which is easy to install and remove, and which facilitates lubrication of the connected joint. The apparatus of this invention is comprised of a rotatable gallows frame and boom with a suspended grapple, and a chain connecting the tongs of the grapple to the base of the gallows frame. The invention comprises an apparatus which may be attached to the three point hitch of a tractor, such as an orchard tractor, and which can be operated solely by the tractor driver, to lift one of the objects to be moved, and then to utilize a chain secured near the two tow points of the hitch and attach to the pickup tongs of the grapple, to enable the tractor operator to skid the load to another location without imposing any substantial additional load, such as a skidding load, on the pickup tongs. Although this invention is advantageously used with a three point tractor hitch; it can also be used with a three point hitch that is adapted for mounting on the front of a truck, or any other conventional mounting means to pivotally connect the frame and boom of the invention to a towing vehicle, without departing from the scope of the invention. The three point hitch is the most commonly used hitch on farm tractors today. The tractor transmission has a shaft extending out sideways from each side of the rear portion of the transmission case. These two shafts rotate together, and are controlled by the operator through a hydraulic system using a single control handle. A draft bar is fixedly attached to each of the shafts. The draft bars extend rearward to a point in back of the tractor's rear wheels. The free end of each draft bar has a cylindrical horizontal hole for the attachment of an agricultural implement. Sometimes the free end of the draft bar is fitted with a ball-and-socket joint, having a cylindrical attachment hold in the ball. The third point of the three-point hitch is a rod of adjustable length which is rotatably attached to the tractor at a point above the draft bars, and well forward of the attachment points. When the operator decides to move from one field to another, or simply to cease tilling and move the tractor off the tilled area, he utilizes the hydraulic system to rotate the draft bars upward, and thereby raises the implement above the ground. A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a base channel having a hitch attachment at each end for connection to the draft bars of the hitch. The open side of the channel faces rearward from the tractor. A box girder is welded to each end of the upper flange of the channel. The box girders converge and are welded at their upper ends to a beam which extends horizontally back from the point where the box girders meet. A crossbar is welded to the box girders about one-third of the way down from the convergence point to the channel. A bracket having a cylindrical hole for attachment to the third point of the hitch extends forward from the center of the cross brace. A beam support brace is welded to the center of the crossbar and extends angularly upward and is welded to the beam at a point about two-thirds of the length of the beam from its point of attachment to the box girders. A shackle is rotatably suspended from a pad at the free end of the beam. An upper crosslink is rotatably suspended from the center of the upper crosslink by means of a clevis pin, which limits rotation of the hydraulic cylinder to a plane coinciding with that of the crosslink. A lower crosslink is rotatably suspended from the piston rod which extends from the lower end of the hydraulic cylinder, also by a clevis pin. A tong bar, of fixed length, having a bifurcated fitting at each end, is rotatably suspended from each end of the upper crosslink. A tong, made of steel plate, is rotatably attached to the lower end of each of the tong bars at about the midpoint of the tong. The upper or shank end of the tong is rotatably attached to one end of the lower crosslink. A bolt extends through the upper and lower webs of the channel near each end. Preferably, the portion of each bolt within the channel is fitted with a rotatably hardened-steel sleeve which extends almost completely across the web. The purpose of the rotatable sleeves around the tow bolts is to prevent wear of the bolts, while allowing the chain to slide so as to adjust to uneven size objects, such as stumps. Each tong is advantageously fitted with a U-bolt on the side nearest the tractor. A chain is attached to one of the u-bolts, and then is rove around the towing bolt sleeves and attached to the U-bolt on the other tong. The result is a U-shaped disposition of the chain. The chain has some slack when the cylinder and tongs are unloaded and hanging straight down. A longer chain may be used, and may be disposed in an X-shape, if desired, by passing it from one U-bolt around the sleeve on the other side of the tractor centerline, then around the sleeve on the same side of the centerline, and then brought across the centerline again for securing to the other U-bolt. To use the apparatus, the operator tilts the apparatus up, if necessary, by rotating the draft arms, and backs the tractor up near the stump or log or pole to be skidded. The operator opens the tongs by extending the tong cylinder rod downward. He lowers the tongs to the object using the draft arms, and closes the tongs around the object with the tongs cylinder. With the tongs firmly grappling the object, the operator raises the object off the ground by rotating the apparatus upward, and then drives away in the desired direction. The slack, if any, immediately comes out of the chain, and the chain takes the skidding load. A further benefit of the skidding load being taken immediately by the chain is that the grapple stays in much the same position, with respect to the load, as when it picked up the load, thereby maintaining a good purchase on the object being skidded. The method of the invention comprises the steps of grasping a load, or an object to be skidded, with a grapple, raising the grapple together with the object to be skidded, and applying a towing force to the load object by means of a flexible and inelastic connection between a portion of the grapple surrounding the load and a portion of the framework from which the grapple is suspended, preferably connecting with the framework on approximately the same horizontal level as the raised end of the load. Connecting the grapple and the framework from which the grapple is suspended in this manner prevents any substantial skid load from being transferred to either the grapple or the framework from which the grapple is suspended. Thus the grapple and the framework can all be made of relatively lighter materials and/or lighter construction methods. In effect, the framework and grapple need be sturdy enough only to lift one end of the desired load. Substantially all skidding load is taken up by the connection of the chain, or cable, or other such like flexible inelastic member, between the lifted end of the load, as attached thereto by the grapple, and the lower end of the framework, or other attachment point on the lower rear end of the vehicle. Therefore only the chain, or the like, need be heavy enough to bear the expected range of skid loads. No take up or winch means is required since the chain connection between the grapple and the lower end of the framework is relatively static, with only a relatively small amount of operating slack present in the chain when the grapple is in the unloaded and untowed condition. Connecting the chain to relatively lower portions of the vehicle and/or framework from which the grapple is suspended relieves the chain from carrying any substantial lifting load. Thus in the invention, the load is lifted by means of the grapple, but towed by means of the chain or cable or the like. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is an elevational view of the apparatus from a point behind the tractor, with the apparatus in an unloaded condition. Fig. 2 is a side view of the apparatus in an unloaded condition. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus with the tongs grappling a relatively large load. Fig. 4 is a perspective, partially cutaway view of the lubricative connector pin of this invention. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In this specification, the words "backward", "rearward" or derivations thereof, are intended to refer to a direction from the vehicle hitch toward the load. Likewise, the words "front" or "forward", or derivations thereof, are intended to refer to a direction from the load toward the vehicle hitch. The apparatus 9, and all parts thereof, except for the hydraulic hose, is made of steel. The apparatus 9 is attached to the draft bars of the hitch by means of pins (not shown) which extend through towing holes 11 and 11' in end plates 12 and 12' at each end of a channel 13. The open side of the channel 13 faces rearward. Legs 14 and 14' are welded to the upper surface 15 of the channel 13 at its ends, and converge to a point where they are welded to each other and to a beam 16, which extends rearward in a plane perpendicular to that of the legs 14 and 14'. A cross brace 17 is welded to legs 14 and 14' to form an A-shape. A hitch attachment 18 is welded to the center of the forward face of crossbrace 17. Hitch attachment 18 is provided with a cylindrical hole 19 for rotatable attachment of the apparatus 9 to the third point of the hitch. Support brace 20 extends angularly upward from the cross brace 17 to the beam 16, and is welded at its ends to the crossbrace 17 and the beam 16. A beam closure plate 21 at the end of the beam 16 has a downward extending tab 22. The tab 22 is provided with a hole (not shown) to allow a shackle 23 to be rotatably suspended therefrom by its pin 24. A grapple 10 is suspended from the shackle 23. An upper crosslink 25 is loosely suspended from the shackle 23 through eye 26 extending upward from the upper edge 27 of the upper crosslink 25. Tong bars 28 and 28' are rotatably suspended from the ends 29 and 29' of the upper crosslink 25 by pins 30 and 30' and snap rings 31 and 31' . Tong bars 28 and 28' are identical, and each terminates in a bifurcated fitting at each end. Tong bar 28 has fitting 32 at its upper end and fitting 33 at its lower end. Tong bar 28' has fitting 32' at its upper end and fitting 33' at its lower end. Two generally arcuate tongs 34 and 34' each have an extended pivot area 35 and 35' respectively at the edge opposite the points 36 and 36' respectively of the tongs 34 and 34'. The lower fittings 33 and 33' of tong bars 28 and 28' respectively are rotatably attached to the tongs 34 and 34' respectively by means of pins 37 and 37 and snap rings 38 and 38' respectively extending through holes (not shown) in the extended pivot areas 35 and 35' . A hydraulic cylinder 39 with its piston rod 40 downward, is rotatably suspended from the center of upper crosslink 25 by means of a pin 41 extending through clevis fitting 42 which extends upward from the cylinder 39. Pin 41 is secured by snap rings 41a. Hydraulic hoses 43 and 44 are attached to the cylinder 39 and connected at their other ends to a control box 45, illustrated only in Fig. 2. Hydraulic hoses 78 and 79 connect the hydraulic control box 45 to the tractor hydraulic system. A lower crosslink 46 is rotatably suspended from a clevis fitting 47 at the lower end of the piston rod 40 by means of bolt 48 and nut 49. Lower crosslink 46 has bifurcated fittings 50 and 50' at either end. The shank ends 51 and 51' of tongs 34 and 34' are rotatably attached to fittings 50 and 50' respectively of lower cross link 46 by means of pins 52 and 52' and snap rings 53 and 53' respectively. Bolts 54 and 54' extend through channel 13 near either end thereof, and are secured thereto by nuts 55 and 55' respectively. Bolts 54 and 55' are each preferably surrounded by a rotatably sleeve 56 and 56' respectively, extending nearly the length of the bolts 54 and 54' within the channel 13. U-bolts 57 and 57' extend forward from the face of tongs 34 and 34' respectively, and are secured by nuts 58 and 58' on the rearward face of tongs 34 and 34'. Chain 59 is secured by end link 60 to U-bolt 57, and is then passed around sleeve 56. The chain 59 then is passed around sleeve 56' and is secured to U-bolt 57' by end link 60' . Pins 30, 30', 37, 37', 52 and 52* are identical, and are illustrated in Fig. 4. The pins are designed not only to maintain the proper relationship between parts, such as fitting 32 and upper crosslink 25, for example, but to facilitate lubrication of the joint. Each pin has a sliding fit with relation to the holes in the parts to be connected. When the parts are assembled and are under stress, the single piece between the bifurcated pieces will rotate with respect to the pin. For example, the pin will not rotate with respect to the bifurcated ends of fitting 32, but the upper crosslink 25 will rotate with respect to the pin. Each pin is a cylindrical bar of steel. The pin is provided with a circumferential slot 70 near each end for the purpose of accepting snap rings to hold the pin in place. A grease passageway 72 is provided along the central axis for just over half the length of the pin. A commercially available grease fitting 75, not illustrated in Fig. 4, is force-fitted into passageway 72. Grease passageway 73 has been drilled radially from the exterior, midway along the length of the pin, into the pin where it intersects with passageway 72. Passageway 72 is sized to receive a commercially available lubrication fitting in the open end of the passageway 72 by means of a force fit. The control box 45 is a standard, commercially available two-spool box. This allows the operator to use one handle to control rotation of the apparatus, and a handle immediately adjacent to control opening and closing of the tongs. It can be seen that, because of the large size of the eye 26 in the upper crosslink 25, and the large size of the shackle 23 from which the upper crosslink 25 is suspended, the grapple 10 can pivot to a considerable degree around its centerline in approximately a 60-degree arc, and can also swing transversely to a considerable degree. In addition, the fact that the distance between the upper crosslink " 25 and the lower crosslink 46 can be varied by extending or retracting the piston rod 40, and further that the lower crosslink 46 can pivot transversely, it can be seen that the grapple 10 has the capability to adapt to any shape object the operator is likely to encounter. This design, combined with the chain 59 in which the slack is largely, if not completely, taken up when the load is grappled, enables the operator to grapple any load without the assistance of additional personnel, and to skid the load without imposing additional load on the grapple 10 other than the weight of the load. When the tractor starts to move, the grapple 10 has the ability to make any required adaptation in its position caused by taking up the slack, if any, in the chain 59. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The invention will find use in many industries where large loads are advantageously skidded by lifting one end and towing the load from one location to the other by its lifted end. In particular, the orchard and forestry industries may advantageously employ the invention for the removal of windfall logs, stumps and other debris without environmentally harming or disturbing seedling trees, young trees, and undergrowth. Likewise, management of commercial orchard property and the need for eventual removal of older trees without disturbing the younger trees will be made more easy by the use of the invention. The apparatus and method of the invention may be used with relatively light duty farm type towing equipment such as a farm tractor and does not require the usual heavy equipment and work crew. A single operator of a relatively light duty towing vehicle can attach the grapple of the apparatus of the invention to the load to be skidded without leaving the seat or cab of the towing vehicle and then securely skid the load from one location to another. The apparatus and method of the invention make it possible to use relatively lighter construction methods for the parts of the apparatus employed, and the apparatus of the invention is therefore less expensive than other conventional skidding apparati. While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in different forms, the drawings and the specification illustrate the preferred embodiment of the invention, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and the disclosure is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment described.

Claims: CLAIMS I claim: 1. In a.load skidding apparatus having a frame and boom assembly pivotally mounted at hitch points upon a towing vehicle, and a lifting grapple with a pair of arcuate interiorly opposed tongs suspended from the boom, the improvement comprising: a flexible, inelastic member connected between a lower portion of said grapple and a lower portion of said frame. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein, after a load is securely grasped by the tongs of said grapple and said frame and boom assembly are upwardly pivoted to lift one end of said load, said load may be towed by said vehicle without putting any towing stress on said grapple and without putting any lifting stress on said member. 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flexible, inelastic member is loosely passed around one or more bolts mounted in a horizontal member of said frame and affixed at one end of said member to one of said tongs and at the other end of said member to the other tong. 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the flexible, inelastic member is a chain. 5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said flexible, inelastic member is passed around two bolts affixed to said horizontal member. 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said flexible, inelastic member passes from one tong around one bolt and thence backwardly to the other tong, forwardly to a second bolt, and thence backwardly to the other tong. 7. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each of said bolts have sleeves rotatably mounted thereon. 8. A lubricative pin for rotatable connection of elements intended to rotate in planes which are parallel with respect to each other: a solid metal bar of cylindrical shape; a narrow circumferential slot near each end of the bar at a distance from each other slightly greater than the total thickness of the elements to be connected; a longitudinal cylindrical hole drilled coaxially into the bar for less than its full length; and a radially cylindrical hole drilled radially from the cylindrical surface to the axial center of the bar and intersecting the longitudinal hole, the radial hole being located at a point along the bar designed to allow lubricant to flow from the longitudinal hole through the radial hole to the external cylindrical surface of the bar in an area where one of the elements rotates with respect to the bar. 9. A method of single-handed load skidding comprising the steps of: a) grasping one end of the load object with a grapple; b) lifting said end of said object by raising said grapple; and c) skidding said object by towing it with a flexible inelastic member connected between the grapple and the towing vehicle. 10. The method of claim 9 wherein said step of lifting said object with a grapple is accomplished by pivotally raising the boom portion of a frame and boom assembly from which the grapple is suspended. 11. The method of claim 9 wherein said flexible, inelastic member is connected at one end of said member to one of a pair of tongs of said grapple and at the other end to the other tong of said pair of tongs, and wherein said flexible inelastic member passes in front of one or more bolts horizontally separated and vertically disposed at the base of a framework from which said grapple is suspended; said flexible, inelastic member having such a length that said step of towing said object takes up any slack in said member to prevent any substantial skid load being transferred to said grapple.

Inventors: RENTSCHLER JOHN, RENTSCHLER, JOHN
Applicants: RENTSCHLER JOHN, RENTSCHLER, JOHN
Application year: 1990
Main classification: B66C23
IPC codes: A01G23, B66C1