LOGGING SKIDDER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a logging skidder and, more particularly, to a multi- functional logging skidder.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

A logging skidder is a rough terrain vehicle used in logging operations to pull felled trees from a forest, a process called skidding.

Skidders are large vehicles fitted with large tyres or tacks which enable them to traverse the very rough terrain often experienced in forests high on mountain slopes. Where tyres are fitted these may also, in certain instances, be fitted with chains to facilitate traction.

Skidders are usually articulated vehicles where the vehicle is in two parts hingedly connected to each other. Hydraulic rams provide the motive force for articulating the vehicle about the hinge. This arrangement enables the skidder to turn sharply thus avoid obstacles on a forest floor.

Skidders are usually equipped with a grapple which can pick up and manipulate felled trees and logs and a winch which enables the skidder to drag several logs, depending on their size, to a collection point. This is relatively inefficient though, particularly where the skidder is collecting logs some distance from the collection point for the skidder cannot drag or carry many logs which necessitates frequent trips from the working to the collection areas.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a logging skidder which, at least partly, address the above-mentioned disadvantage experienced with conventional logging skidders.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention there is provided a logging skidder having, in addition to logging apparatuses on the front and rear of the skidder, a log handling apparatus mounted on an end of a rotatable boom which is mounted on the skidder.

There is also provided for the logging apparatuses on the front and rear of the skidder to be a grapple and winch respectively and for the boom-mounted apparatus to be a grab and/or a log cutting means, preferably a saw.

There is further provided for the grab to have a means for removing side branches and or bark from felled trees.

The invention also provides for the skidder to have at least one log-carrying pannier and, preferably, a pair or side mounted log-carrying panniers fixed thereto, each pannier comprising a pair of generally "U" shaped spaced apart brackets having one arm of each "U", alternatively the web of each "U", screwed to the side of the skidder.

There is also provided for the skidder to have wheels, for the skidder to have an operatively front chassis section and an operatively rear chassis section, the chassis sections being pivotably linked to one another and the skidder to be steerable by means of hydraulic rams causing the chassis section to pivot, and the panniers to be secured to one chassis section.

Alternatively there is provided for the skidder to have tracks and for the panniers to be secured to opposite sides of the skidder chassis.

There is further provided for the skidder to have a winch fitted to the operatively rear chassis section of the skidder, preferably beneath the articulated boom, which, in use, is attached to and drags single of bundles of logs, preferably bundles of logs intended to be pulped each log of which has a length of between 2.5 and 3 m, behind the skidder.

There is also provided for the skidder to have a winch mounted adjacent each of the panniers, preferably on or adjacent to the engine cover of the skidder engine, and for the winches to be arranged, in use, to retain bundles of logs, preferably bundles of logs intended to be pulped each log of which has a length of between 2.5 and 3 m, within each pannier

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One embodiment of the invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which

Figure 1 is a side view of one embodiment of a wheeled logging skidder according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the skidder of Figure 1 in use;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the skidder of Figure 4;

Figure 5 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of a wheeled logging skidder according to the invention; and

Figure 6 is a plan view of the skidder of Figure 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to figures 1 to 4, a logging skidder (1) has an operatively front chassis section (2) and an operatively rear chassis section (3). The chassis sections (2 & 3) are pivotably connected to each other by a pivot (4) and hydraulic rams (5) cause the chassis sections (2 & 3) to pivot thus enabling steering of the skidder (1) which has a pair of wheels (6) for each chassis section (2 & 3).

The operatively front chassis section (2) of the skidder (1) has a cab (7) for a driver (not shown) and it also has a logging apparatus in the form of a grapple (8) mounted thereto. The front chassis section (2) in this embodiment also houses the engine which provides motive power for the wheels (6) and for hydraulic pumps located in the operative rear chassis section (4). The grapple (8) is hydraulically operated and has a dozer-like blade (9) and a jaw (10). The grapple (8) is moved on hydraulic arms (11) and it is used to grasp and move logs and felled trees.

The rear chassis section (3) has a log handling apparatus in the form of a cable winch (12) and a gantry boom (13). The winch (12) is hydraulically operated and has a hook (14). It is used to pull felled trees from a forest and it can also pull one or several to a collection point.

Also mounted on the operative rear chassis section (3) of the skidder (1) is a third piece of logging apparatus (15) mounted on a free end (16) of an articulated boom (17). The boom (17) is secured to a rotatable table (18) on the rear chassis section (3). In the embodiment illustrated the third logging apparatus (15) has a pair of jaws (19) and a saw (20) and can be used to remove side branches and debark felled trees as well as cut them into manageable logs (21).

The front chassis section (2) of the skidder (1) has a pair of side mounted panniers for holding logs (21). Each pannier is formed from a pair of generally

"U" shaped brackets (22) which have one leg of the "U" secured to the side of the skidder (1). The brackets (22) are spaced apart to form a cradle for the logs (21).

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, an alternate embodiment of a wheeled logging skidder (1) according to the invention is shown. In this embodiment the logging skidder (1) has an operatively front chassis section (2) and an operatively rear chassis section (3). The chassis sections (2 & 3) are pivotably connected to each other by a pivot (4) and hydraulic rams (5) cause the chassis sections (2 &

3) to pivot thus enabling steering of the skidder (1) which has a pair of wheels (6) for each chassis section (2 & 3).

The operatively front chassis section (2) of the skidder (1) has a cab (7) for a driver (not shown) and it also has a logging apparatus in the form of a grapple (8) mounted thereto. The front chassis section (2) in this embodiment also houses the engine which provides motive power for the wheels (6) and for hydraulic pumps located in the operative rear chassis section (3). The grapple (8) is hydraulically operated and has a dozer-like blade (9) and a jaw (10). The grapple (8) is moved on hydraulic arms (11) and it is used to grasp and move logs and felled trees.

The rear chassis section (3) has a log handling apparatus in the form of a cable winch (not shown) and a gantry boom (13). The winch (not shown) is hydraulically operated and has a hook (14). It is used to pull felled trees from a forest and it can also pull one or several to a collection point.

In addition, the skidder (1) has a second winch (23) mounted on the rear chassis section (3). This winch (23) is also fitted with a hook (24) and, in use, the hook (24) can be used to secure and drag a log (not shown) or a bundle of logs (25) behind the skidder (1) to a collection point. Typically the logs in the bundle of logs (25) would be destined for a paper mill where they would be pulped. Generally logs for pulping are not as thick as logs used for sawing into wooden planks and they have a length of between 2.5 and 3.0 m. Logs used for sawing

into planks which are then used to manufacture furniture or in the construction industry are generally much longer and have a thicker girth.

The skidder (1) also has a pair of winches (26) mounted above the skidder engine adjacent each of two panniers (22) mounted on opposite sides of the front chassis section (2). Each of these winches (26) is fitted with a hook (27) and, in use, the winch wire and hook is used to loop around and secure bundles of logs (28) destined for a paper mill within the panniers (22) so that the skidder can convey three bundles of logs (25 & 28) to a log collection point.

In use it is envisaged that the above-described skidders are more versatile than conventional skidders and it has a greater log carrying capacity so fewer trips to collect logs are required.