Patent ID: 6981443

Claim:
A tree limb apparatus, comprising: a base structure for mounting to an elevatable support; a generally annular tubular frame mounted rearwardly from said support and bounding a central area for accommodating the lower portion of a tree trunk, said frame having a forward gap for receiving said tree trunk when the apparatus is advanced towards a tree; means for selectively opening and closing said forward gap, including (i) an internal channel through said tubular frame; (ii) a part-circular slider tube seated within said channel for rotational movement therethrough, said slider tube having a space between remote ends thereof congruent with said forward gap of the frame; and (iii) hydraulic means for rotating the slider tube within the internal channel of the frame between a position in which said forward gap is open to receive said tree trunk into the central area of the frame and a position in which it is closed around said tree trunk received within the central area of the frame; said generally annular tubular frame comprising two hollow arcuate tube sections fixedly mounted in circular orientation at opposite sides of said base structure; and said hydraulic means for rotating the slider tube comprising a hydraulic piston engaging said slider tube and operatively mounted to said base structure.