FELLING MULTI-PROCESS MACHINE

The present invention relates to a felling multi-process machine, which is intended to be suspended from the end of a boom by means of its fork-like suspension device, which suspension device includes a rotator motor for rotating the fork of the suspension device and the multi-process machine with it, an operating device, for example a hydraulic cylinder, for rotating the multi-process machine to the desired vertical or horizontal position, in which case the suspension of the multi-process machine is implemented with the aid of pivot joints formed on opposite sides of the frame, each of which pivots permits the fork to be rotated around a transverse axis.

Loader-multi-process machines, which perform all the other work stages except felling, are referred to as loader- processors .

Nowadays most timber processors can be equipped with a so- called felling head. This felling head is intended to bring the processor to a vertical position. The vertical position is required in order to be able to grip the tree. In practice, it is sufficient for the processor to be more or less in a vertical position when gripping the tree. The felling sawing is performed by the processor's cutting saw. When the multi-process machine hangs freely, it naturally seeks a horizontal position, i.e. the centre of gravity in the centre of the machine seeks to move to a lower location. With the aid of a cylinder in the suspension device, the multi-process machine is rotated to be parallel to the suspension device by pushing the frame of the suspension device towards the stripping blades, and now the multiprocess machine will take up a nearly vertical position, as the centre of gravity now seeks to settle under the upper pivot .

After the felling stage, the tree is stripped and cut in a horizontal position. The multi-process machine hangs freely from its felling head, in addition, a so-called grab rotator is located in the felling head. This rotator is used to guide the multi-process machine around its vertical axis. This felling head is actually a suspension device, by means of which the multi-process machine is made to rise to a vertical position, preferably with the aid of a hydraulic cylinder.

A suspension device for suspending a felling multi-process machine, installed by means of an upper pivot at the end of the boom of a loader, is known from Finnish patent 79927. The suspension device is pivoted to the frame of the multiprocess machine, more specifically to its upper part. A special feature of the patent is the location of the rotation motor underneath an axial bearing carrying the multi-process machine .

Finnish patent 70502 discloses a timber harvester, in which the crawler-track feed devices are attached to the frame by a rhomboidal arms .

A problem in suspension devices pivoted above the frame is the disadvantageous location of the pivot relative to the centre of gravity. Fork-type suspension devices are known, in which the rotation pivot is positioned more advantageously in terms of the centre of gravity and operation of the machine. Fork-type suspension devices are usually heavy, due to the stiffness criterion set for the fork.

In terms of the maintenance of the multi-process machine, the fork-type suspension is problematic. Access to the interior of the machine is difficult. In known models, detaching the fork is labourious . The casing structures are rigid and cannot be tempered.

The suspension device according to the invention is intended to create an improved fork-type suspension in a multi-process machine. The characteristic features of the invention are stated in the accompanying Claim 1. By means of the double- pivot according to the invention, a double pivot or a ball- like pivot bearing permits considerable flexibility in the arm of the fork, nor need the fork be nearly as rigid as in known constructions. The sheet-metal fork can be made from flexible steel and tempered. This tempering is further facilitated, if the fork consists of two parts. On the other hand, if a pivot equipped with a longitudinal shaft is used on the selected side of the machine, easy access to the machine will be achieved. Even only one or at most a few bolts need be removed and the fork can be rotated entirely to the side, if a pivot equipped with a longitudinal shaft fitted for this purpose is used on the chosen side of the machine .

The invention is preeminently suitable for multi-process machines of the type of patent FI 70502, because in these the frame extends to the side, thus permitting a simple attachment of the pivots of the legs.

In the following, the invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the multi-process machine according to the invention in the horizontal position,

Figure 2 shows a second multi-process machine in the maintenance position,

Figures 3 - 5 show a multi-process machine partly assembled, Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a partly assembled second multi-process machine according to the invention .

In this case the multi-process machine 10 is according to patent 70502, comprising rhomboidal arms for moving the feed devices. The principal components of the multi-process machine 10 are the frame 20, the crawler tracks 21 acting as feed devices, the stripping blades 23, 24, and the suspension device, comprising the fork 12 and its rotation cylinders 30. The multi-process machine 10 is suspended at the end of the boom of the loader device by means of a rotator 11, which is attached at its lower end to the end of the fork 12. The tracks 21 are attached in a known manner to the frame with the aid of a rhomboidal mechanism (22) and an operating device. The upper stripping blade 23 is fixed while the low stripping blades 24 are pivoted to the frame. They operate either together with the feed device, or have their own operating device. On top of the frame 20 is a casing 29, which protects the hydraulics unit.

The fork 12 is a sheet-metal structure, so that it can be tempered. The sheet-metal material has preferably the properties of flexible steel, nearly those of spring steel.

The constructions of particularly the feed device and its suspension arms can be varied in many ways. They are not important in terms of the present invention.

The fork 12 is attached by arms 13 to a transverse pivot 14 in a lug 15 on each side of the machine. The lug 15 is, in turn, attached with the aid of a longitudinal pivot 16 to the frame 20. As the lug is free at its upper end, it can rotate sideways when it rotates around the longitudinal axis defined by the second pivot 16.

The second pivot 16 has a functional significance, even when both arms of the fork 12 are bound. The twisting of the lightly constructed fork under load does not interfere with the operation of the first pivot 14, because the arm 13 and

particularly its end can rotate along with the lug 15. Thus no torque is transmitted to the first pivot 14 around the longitudinal axis.

Figure 2 shows the maintenance situation in a second prototype, in which the fork 12 has been rotated to the side with the aid of the second pivot 16. This requires the bolt, which form the pivot pin 16, to be removed from the opposite side of the fork. The fork 12 can be rotated fully to the side and out of the way of the maintenance work. The fork 12 can be rotated to the selected side and safely against the base, unless it is attached to the loader.

Figure 3 - 5 show the multi-process machine without the hydraulic component and with the pivot mechanisms partly dismantled. In the figure, the fork 12 is rotated to the side against the upper stripping blade 23, i.e. in the felling position. Figure 5 shows clearly the hydraulic cylinders 34 operating the fork 12, which at their lower ends are also pivoted to lugs 15. The frame 20 carries the rhomboidal mechanisms 22, to which the feed tracks (removed in the figure) are attached. At the ends of the front plate of the frame 20 are auxiliary lugs 35, in both of which an elongated pivot pin 16 is installed. This carries the lugs 15, in both of which there is a transverse pivot pinl4, to which the arms of the fork 12 are attached.

In this case, the suspension comprises the said auxiliary lug 35, to which the said second pivot 16 is attached, welded to the frame 20. By means of this construction several existing multi-process machines can be adapted to be in accordance with the invention. The location of the rotation pivot can be lowered considerably, which will facilitate the handling of the machine .

Besides the pivot pins 16 facilitating maintenance, they also

permit the lugs 15 to rotate, when the fork 12 and especially the arms 13 bend under high load, because they are sheet- metal structures. This avoids a moment loading being imposed on the pivot pin 14.

Figure 6 shows a variation differing from the above. In the figure the same reference numbers as above are used for components that are functionally similar. The fork 12 is pivoted to lugs 15, with the aid of a ball-like pivot bearing 14". This achieves the same freedom of positioning as above, even though the lugs 15 are attached rigidly to the auxiliary lugs 35, with the aid of bolts 16 and 16' on each side. For maintenance it is necessary to detach both bolts from one side and one bolt from the opposite side, which does not require a great deal of work as the bolts are readily accessible. If necessary, three bolts are used. The fork 12 is in two parts, when the halves join above and are attached to each other with the aid of suitable attachment plates (not shown) .

The flexibility achieved by the ball pivot (or double pivot) and the sheet-metal construction permits a structure that is lighter than before. In connection with this, if desired, it is possible to combine the rotation of the fork to the side with the aid of a single longitudinal pivot shaft in order to facilitate maintenance. In the transverse direction, the sheet-metal legs will flex, depending on the size of the device, to a maximum of 30 - 100 mm.