Tree destroyer

Claim 2

Tree destroying apparatus for reducing a felled tree, having attached limbs and branches, to chips comprising: a longitudinally extending frame having front and rear ends; chipping means thereon for chipping said tree into chips at a chipping station having a generally rearward facing entrance opening for passing trees thereto trunk-first; means on said frame for feeding said tree in a longitudinal path of travel toward said chipping means including; a generally horizontal, tree supporting feed bed including power driven, longitudinally extending conveyor means; a generally laterally extending, endlessly driven member having tree engaging surfaces supported above said feed bed and cooperating with said conveyor means to form a tree feeding drive nip rearwardly of said entrance opening for securely gripping vertically opposite sides of a tree positioned on the feed bed to crush branches vertically toward the tree trunk and to move the tree forwardly toward said chipping means; means on said frame supporting said member for endless travel; upstanding, laterally spaced, limb and and branch folding members positioned on opposite sides of said conveying means for engaging the branches on opposite sides of a tree supported on said feed bed and folding the tree branches laterally toward the tree trunk, said upstanding branch folding members having tree engaging surfaces positioned laterally inwardly of the lateral sides of said member to insure that laterally extending branches are folded inwardly toward the tree trunK and can enter said entrance opening; and drive means on said frame for driving said member and conveying means at coordinated tree feeding speeds.

Claim 3

The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said laterally extending, endlessly driven member comprises at least one roll having endlessly driven, tree-engaging surfaces.

Claim 4

The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which directing means is provided on one of said conveyor means or member for moving a tree toward centered position on said feed bed.

Claim 5

The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which said laterally extending member comprises a roll and directing means for moving a tree toward centered position on said feed bed is provided thereon.

Claim 6

The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 in which said directing means comprises first and second oppositely pitched flights on opposite ends of said roll.

Claim 7

The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 in which said roll includes a midsection between said first and second flights having a plurality of circumferentially spaced rows of comb-like teeth.

Claim 8

The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said feed bed includes tree support surfaces inclined upwardly and outwardly from opposite lateral sides of said conveyor means directly below said member.

Claim 9

The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which generally laterally extending, endlessly driven rear members are mounted rearwardly of said endlessly driven member on opposite sides of said feed bed; and means is provided for driving said rear members.

Claim 10

The apparatus as set forth in claim 8 in which said rear members comprise laterally extending rolls having circumferentially spaced branch engaging, comb-like teeth thereon.

Claim 11

The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said conveyor means comprises an endless drag chain comprising side links connected by longitudinally spaced cross members.

Claim 12

The apparatus as set forth in claim 10 in which said member comprises a roll extending laterally beyond the lateral sides of said chain and above upwardly and laterally outwardly inclined side support surfaces extending laterally outwardly relative to said chain.

Claim 13

The apparatus as set forth in claim 11 in which comb-like teeth are provided on said roll directly above said chain.

Claim 14

The apparatus as set forth in claim 12 in which tree directing members of opposite hand, to direct branches laterally inwardly, are provided on the roll above said inclined surfaces.

Claim 15

The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which means mounts said member for vertical travel.

Claim 16

The apparatus as set forth in claim 14 in which said means mounting the member for vertical travel mounts it for upward and downward swinging movement about a generally horizontal axis disposed a spaced distance forwardly of said member.

Claim 17

The apparatus as set forth in claim 15 in which means is provided for yieldably urging said member toward said feed bed.

Claim 18

The apparatus as set forth in claim 15 in which downwardly and forwardly inclined deflector plate means is mounted for upward and downward travel with said member.

Claim 19

The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said chipping means includes a rotatable chipping disc having chipping teeth thereon, and a housing for said disc having a longitudinally extending chute, forming said entrance opening and having its bottom in general alignment with said conveyor means.

Claim 20

The apparatus as set forth in claim 18 in which said disc is angularly disposed to the longitudinal extent of said conveyor means and path of travel of the tree.

Claim 21

The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said laterally spaced limb and branch folding members comprise generally vertically disposed power driven rolls; and means for driving said rolls at a coordinated tree feeding speed with said member and conveying means.

Claim 22

The apparatus as set forth in claim 20 in which comb-like teeth are provided on said generally vertically disposed rolls.

Claim 23

The apparatus as set forth in claim 21 In which said teeth are provided in circumferentially spaced, generally linear rows.

Claim 24

The apparatus as set forth in claim 20 in which at least one of said generally vertically disposed rolls is inclined upwardly and laterally inwardly.

Claim 25

The apparatus as set forth in claim 20 in which said generally vertically spaced rolls are spaced longitudinally forwardly of the front portion of said member adjacent to and generally laterally framing said entrance opening.

Claim 26

The apparatus as set forth in claim 24 in which laterally inwardly and forwardly convergent guide plates are fixed on said frame laterally outboard of said member, and extend from points opposite the ends of said member forwardly toward said generally vertically disposed rollers.

Claim 27

The apparatus set forth in claim 20 in which reversible drive means is provided for selectively driving said conveyor means, member and generally vertically disposed rolls.

Claim 28

The apparatus set forth in claim 20 in which said reversible drive means comprises individual hydraulic rotary motors for said member and generally vertically disposed rolls.

Claim 29

The apparatus set forth in claim 20 in which said feed bed includes tree support surfaces inclined upwardly and laterally outwardly from opposite lateral sides of said conveyor means; and said generally vertically disposed rolls extend upwardly from said support surfaces to a level above said member.

Claim 30

The apparatus as set forth in claim 20 wherein said member comprises a top roll having a diameter considerably greater than the diameter of said generally vertically extending rolls.

Claim 31

Tree destroying apparatus for reducing a felled tree, having attached limbs and branches, to chips comprising: a longitudinally extending frame having front and rear ends; chipping means thereon for chipping said tree into chips at a chipping station having a generally rearward facing entrance opening for passing trees thereto trunk-first; means on said frame for feeding said tree in a longitudinal path of travel toward said chipping means including: a generally horizontal, tree supporting feed bed including power driven, longitudinally extending conveyor means; a generally laterally extending power driven roll having tree-engaging surfaces supported above said feed bed and cooperating with said conveyor means to form a tree feeding drive nip rearwardly of said entrance opening for securely gripping vertically opposite sides of a tree positioned on the feed bed to crush branches vertically toward the tree trunk and to move the tree forwardly toward said chipping means; means on said frame supporting said roll for rotation; upstanding, laterally spaced, power driven rollers spaced longitudinally from said roll and positioned on opposite sides of said conveyor means for engaging the branches on opposite sides of a tree supported on said feed bed and folding the tree branches laterally toward the tree trunk, said upstanding rollers having tree engaging surfaces positioned laterally inwardly of the ends of said drive roll to insure that certain compositely vertically and laterally extending branches are also folded inwardly toward the tree trunk; and drive means for driving said conveyor means, roll, and rollers at coordinated tree feeding speeds.

Claim 32

Tree destroying apparatus for reducing a felled tree, having attached limbs and branches, to chips comprising: a longitudinally extending frame having front and rear ends; chipping means thereon for chipping said tree into chips at a chipping station having a generally rearward facing entrance opening for passing trees thereto trunk-first; means on said frame for feeding said tree in a longitudinal path of travel toward said chipping means including: a generally horizontal, tree supporting feed bed including power driven, longitudinally extending conveyor means; a generally laterally extending power driven roll having tree-engaging surfaces supported above said feed bed and cooperating with said conveyor means to form a tree feeding drive nip rearwardly of said entrance opening for securely gripping vertically opposite sides of a tree positioned on the feed bed to crush branches vertically toward the tree trunk and to move the tree forwardly toward said chipping means; means on said frame supporting said roll for rotation; upstanding, laterally spaced, power driven rollers spaced longitudinally from said roll and positioned on opposite sides of said conveyor means for engaging the branches on opposite sides of a tree supported on said feed bed and folding the tree branches laterally toward the tree trunk, said upstanding rollers having tree engaging surfaces positioned laterally inwardly of the ends of said drive roll to insure that certain compositely vertically and laterally extending branches are also folded inwardly toward the tree trunk; and drive means for driving said conveyor means, roll, and rollers at coordinated tree feeding speeds.

Claim 33

The tree destroying apparatus of claim 30 wherein said laterally extending roll includes first and second oppositely pitched flights on opposite ends thereof for moving said branches on laterally opposite sides of said tree trunk inwardly toward said trunk.

Claim 34

The tree destroying apparatus set forth in claim 31 wherein said roll includes a midsection between said first and second oppositely pitched flights including a plurality of circumferentially spaced rows of teeth to maintain the branches centered between said oppositely pitched flights and to propel the tree forwardly toward said chipping means.

Claim 35

The tree destroying apparatus set forth in claim 30 wherein said feed beD includes tree support surfaces inclined downwardly inwardly from opposite lateral sides thereof toward said conveyor means; and further including additional feed rolls at the rear of said horizontal feed bed for gathering the branches toward the trunk as the tree is moved forwardly along said tree support surfaces toward said chipping means.

Claim 36

Tree destroying apparatus for reducing a felled tree, having attached limbs and branches, to chips comprising: a longitudinally extending frame having front and rear ends; chipping means thereon for chipping said tree into chips at a chipping station having a generally rearward facing entrance opening for passing trees thereto trunk-first; means on said frame for feeding said tree in a longitudinal path of travel toward said chipping means including; a generally horizontal, tree supporting feed bed including power driven, longitudinally extending conveyor means; a generally laterally extending endlessly driven member having tree engaging surface supported above said feed bed and cooperating with said conveyor means to form a tree feeding drive nip rearwardly of said entrance opening for securely gripping vertically opposite sides of a tree positioned on the feed bed to crush branches vertically toward the tree trunk and to move the tree forwardly toward said chipping means; means on said frame supporting said member for endless travel; upstanding, laterally spaced, limb and branch folding members positioned on opposite sides of said conveying means for engaging the branches on opposite sides of a tree supported on said feed bed and folding the tree branches laterally toward the tree trunk; directing means on one of said conveyor means and member for moving a tree toward centered position on said feed bed; and drive means on said frame for driving said member and conveying means at coordinated tree feeding speeds.

Claim 37

Tree destroying apparatus for reducing a felled tree, having attached limbs and branches, to chips comprising: a longitudinally extending frame having front and rear ends; chipping means thereon for chipping said tree into chips at a chipping station having a generally rearward facing entrance opening for passing trees thereto trunk-first; means on said frame for feeding said tree in a longitudinal path of travel toward said chipping means including; a generally horizontal, tree supporting feed bed including power driven, longitudinally extending conveyor means; a generally laterally extending endlessly driven member having tree engaging surface supported above said feed bed and cooperating with said conveyor means to form a tree feeding drive nip rearwardly of said entrance opening for securely gripping vertically opposite sides of a tree positioned on the feed bed to crush branches vertically toward the tree trunk and to move the tree forwardly toward said chipping means; means on said frame supporting said member for endless travel; upstanding, laterally spaced, limb and branch folding members positioned on opposite sides of said conveying means for engaging the branches on opposite sides of a tree supported on said feed bed and folding the tree branches laterally toward the tree trunk; directing means on one of said conveyor means and member for moving a tree toward centered position on said feed bed; and drive means on said frame for driving said member and conveying means at coordinated tree feeding speeds.

Claim 38

The apparatus as set forth in claim 34 in which said laterally extending member comprises a roll and said directing means is provided thereon.

Claim 39

The apparatus as set forth in claim 35 in which said directing means comprises first and second oppositely pitched flights on opposite ends of said roll.

Claim 40

The apparatus as set forth in claim 36 in which said roll includes a midsection between said first and second flights having a plurality of circumferentially spaced comb-like teeth.

Claim 41

The apparatus as set forth in claim 35 wherein said feed bed includes tree support surfaces inclined upwardly and outwardly from opposite lateral sides of said conveyor means directly below the flights on said member.

Claim 42

Tree destroying apparatus for reducing a felled tree, having attached limbs and branches, to chips comprising: a longitudinally extending frame having front and rear ends; chipping means thereon for chipping said tree into chips at a chipping station having a generally rearward facing entrance opening for passing trees thereto trunk-first; means on said frame for feeding said tree in a longitudinal path of travel toward said chipping means including; a generally horizontal, tree supporting feed bed including power driven, longitudinally extending conveyor means; a generally laterally extending endlessly driven member having tree engaging surfaces supported above said feed bed and cooperating with said conveyor means to form a tree feeding drive nip rearwardly of said entrance opening for securely gripping vertically opposite sides of a tree positioned on the feed bed to crush branches vertically toward the tree trunk and to move the tree forwardly toward said chipping means; means on said frame supporting said member for endless travel; upstanding laterally spaced limb and branch folding members positioned on opposite sides of said conveying means for engaging the branches on opposite sides of a tree supported on said feed bed and folding the tree branches laterally toward the tree trunk; and generally laterally extending power driven endless sections mounted on said frame rearward of said member on opposite lateral sides of said conveyor means; and drive means on said frame for driving said member, said sections, and conveying means at coordinated tree feeding speeds.

Claim 43

Tree destroying apparatus for reducing a felled tree, having attached limbs and branches, to chips comprising: a longitudinally extending frame having front and rear ends; chipping means thereon for chipping said tree into chips at a chipping station having a generally rearward facing entrance opening for passing trees thereto trunk-first; means on said frame for feeding said tree in a longitudinal path of travel toward said chipping means including; a generally horizontal, tree supporting feed bed including power driven, longitudinally extending conveyor means; a generally laterally extending endlessly driven member having tree engaging surfaces supported above said feed bed and cooperating with said conveyor means to form a tree feeding drive nip rearwardly of said entrance opening for securely gripping vertically opposite sides of a tree positioned on the feed bed to crush branches vertically toward the tree trunk and to move the tree forwardly toward said chipping means; means on said frame supporting said member for endless travel; upstanding laterally spaced limb and branch folding members positioned on opposite sides of said conveying means for engaging the branches on opposite sides of a tree supported on said feed bed and folding the tree branches laterally toward the tree trunk; and generally laterally extending power driven endless sections mounted on said frame rearward of said member on opposite lateral sides of said conveyor means; and drive means on said frame for driving said member, said sections, and conveying means at coordinated tree feeding speeds.

Claim 44

Tree destroying apparatus for reducing a felled tree, having attached limbs and branches, to chips comprising: a longitudinally extending frame having front and rear ends; chipping disc means thereon for chipping said tree into chips at a chipping station having a generally rearward facing entrance opening for passing trees thereto trunk-first; means on said frame for feeding said tree in a longitudinal path of travel toward said chipping means including; a generally horizontal, tree supporting feed bed including power driven, longitudinally extending conveyor means; a generally laterally extending endlessly driven roll member having tree engaging surfaces supported above said feed bed and cooperating with said conveyor means to form a tree feeding drive nip spaced rearwardly of said entrance opening for securely gripping vertically opposite sides of a tree position on the feed bed to crush branches vertically toward the tree trunk and to move the tree forwardly toward said chipping means; means on said frame supporting said roll member for endless travel; upstanding, laterally spaced, power driven limb and branch folding roll members positioned on opposite sides of said conveying means for engaging the branches on opposite sides of a tree supported on said feed bed and folding the tree branches laterally toward the tree trunk, said upstanding roll members having circumferentially spaced comb-like teeth thereon for engaging the tree branches upstream from said laterally extending roll member to insure that laterally extending branches are folded inwardly toward the tree trunk and can enter said entrance opening; and drive means on said frame for driving said laterally extending roll member, said upstanding roll members, and conveying means at coordinated tree feeding speeds.

Claim 45

Tree destroying apparatus for reducing a felled tree, having attached limbs and branches, to chips comprising: a longitudinally extending frame having front and rear ends; chipping disc means thereon for chipping said tree into chips at a chipping station having a generally rearward facing entrance opening for passing trees thereto trunk-first; means on said frame for feeding said tree in a longitudinal path of travel toward said chipping means including; a generally horizontal, tree supporting feed bed including power driven, longitudinally extending conveyor means; a generally laterally extending endlessly driven roll member having tree engaging surfaces supported above said feed bed and cooperating with said conveyor means to form a tree feeding drive nip spaced rearwardly of said entrance opening for securely gripping vertically opposite sides of a tree position on the feed bed to crush branches vertically toward the tree trunk and to move the tree forwardly toward said chipping means; means on said frame supporting said roll member for endless travel; upstanding, laterally spaced, power driven limb and branch folding roll members positioned on opposite sides of said conveying means for engaging the branches on opposite sides of a tree supported on said feed bed and folding the tree branches laterally toward the tree trunk, said upstanding roll members having circumferentially spaced comb-like teeth thereon for engaging the tree branches upstream from said laterally extending roll member to insure that laterally extending branches are folded inwardly toward the tree trunk and can enter said entrance opening; and drive means on said frame for driving said laterally extending roll member, said upstanding roll members, and conveying means at coordinated tree feeding speeds.

Claim 46

Tree destroying apparatus for reducing a felled tree, having attached limbs and branches, to chips comprising: a longitudinally extending frame having front and rear ends; chipping means comprising a rotatably mounted disc with chipping cutters thereon for chipping said tree into chips at a chipping station having a generally rearward facing entrance opening for passing trees thereto trunk-first, the disc and cutter being operative to draw the tree inwardly through said opening as the disc rotates; drive means on said frame for rotating said chipping disc at a speed to draw the tree inwardly at a predetermined speed; means on said frame for feeding said tree in a longitudinal path of travel toward said chipping means including; a generally horizontal, tree supporting feed bed including power driven, longitudinally extending conveyor means; a generally laterally extending, endlessly driven roll member having tree engaging surfaces supported above said feed bed and cooperating with said conveyor means to form a tree feeding drive nip rearwardly of said entrance opening for securely gripping vertically opposite sides of a tree positioned on the feed bed to crush branches vertically toward the tree trunk and to move the tree forwardly toward said chipping means; means on said frame supporting said roll member for endless travel; upstanding, laterally spaced, power driven limb and branch folding roll members positioned on opposite sides of said conveying means for engaging the branches on opposite sides of a tree supported on said feed bed and folding the tree branches laterally toward the tree trunk to insure that they can enter said entrance opening; and reversible drive means on said frame for driving said laterally extending roll member, said upstanding roll members, and conveying means at coordinated tree feeding speeds which propel the tree faster tHan the speed at which the disc and cutters draw the tree inwardly.

Claim 47

Tree destroying apparatus for reducing a felled tree, having attached limbs and branches, to chips comprising: a longitudinally extending frame having front and rear ends; chipping means comprising a rotatably mounted disc with chipping cutters thereon for chipping said tree into chips at a chipping station having a generally rearward facing entrance opening for passing trees thereto trunk-first, the disc and cutter being operative to draw the tree inwardly through said opening as the disc rotates; drive means on said frame for rotating said chipping disc at a speed to draw the tree inwardly at a predetermined speed; means on said frame for feeding said tree in a longitudinal path of travel toward said chipping means including; a generally horizontal, tree supporting feed bed including power driven, longitudinally extending conveyor means; a generally laterally extending, endlessly driven roll member having tree engaging surfaces supported above said feed bed and cooperating with said conveyor means to form a tree feeding drive nip rearwardly of said entrance opening for securely gripping vertically opposite sides of a tree positioned on the feed bed to crush branches vertically toward the tree trunk and to move the tree forwardly toward said chipping means; means on said frame supporting said roll member for endless travel; upstanding, laterally spaced, power driven limb and branch folding roll members positioned on opposite sides of said conveying means for engaging the branches on opposite sides of a tree supported on said feed bed and folding the tree branches laterally toward the tree trunk to insure that they can enter said entrance opening; and reversible drive means on said frame for driving said laterally extending roll member, said upstanding roll members, and conveying means at coordinated tree feeding speeds which propel the tree faster tHan the speed at which the disc and cutters draw the tree inwardly.

Claim 48

The tree destroying apparatus set forth in claim 41 wherein said laterally extending roll is mounted for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis disposed a spaced distance forwardly of said roll to clear the area rearward of the roll and minimize the possibility of the branches becoming entangled with the roll support.

Claim 49

The tree destroying apparatus set forth in claim 40 including reversible drive means for selectively driving said longitudinally extending conveyor means, said power driven drive roll, and said upstanding rollers in opposite directions to selectively feed trees toward or away from said chipping means.

Claim 50

The tree destroying apparatus set forth in claim 43 wherein said drive means includes individual motor means for individually driving each of said conveyor means, said drive roll, and said upstanding rollers.