Patent ID: 8176954

Claim:
A tree harvesting apparatus for cutting tree bolts from a selected free standing tree having a vertical axis, said apparatus including a crane carrying vehicle having an adjustably positioned and extentable boom mounted thereon, said boom including a boom end being adaptable to receive a tree gripping and severing mechanism, said mechanism comprising: a) A boom end post stationarily mounted on and extending radially outwardly from said boom end; b) A bearing mounted on said boom end being rotatable about an axis extending perpendicularly outward from said boom end; means for rotating said bearing connecting said boom end post with said bearing to rotate said bearing about said axis extending outwardly from said boom end; d) means for gripping and severing said tree stationarily mounted on said bearing and being rotatable therewith, said means for gripping and severing said tree comprising: i) a backbone post rigidly attached to said bearing and being rotatable therewith; ii) at least three pairs of tree gripping arms, upper, middle and lower, being mounted on said backbone post and being spaced along an axis common to each other and to said backbone post, said common axis adapted to be parallel with said vertical axis of said free standing tree; iii) severing blade mounted between said lower pair and said middle pair of said gripping arms; e) first actuating cylinder connected to said pairs of gripping arms and being remotely operable to cause said gripping arms to engage said free standing tree securely in at least three locations; and f) second actuating cylinder connected to said severing blade being adapted to direct said means for gripping and severing said tree against said free standing tree to cut a kerf in said free standing tree between said middle and said lower pairs of said gripping arms to form said tree bolt, said tree bolt being rigidly held by said upper pairs of gripping arms.