Double cut control for disc saw felling head

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10098290-B2
Application number	US-201514858514-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 18, 2015
Priority date	Sep 18, 2015
Publication date	Oct 16, 2018
Grant date	Oct 16, 2018

Abstract

A double cut control system and method are disclosed for a felling head having a saw disc. The felling head may be positioned by a knuckle boom, which includes a hoist boom and a stick boom coupled by a knuckle and positioned by hydraulic cylinders actuated by a hydraulic pump and hydraulic control valves. The control system has an operator input device for input of operator commands including a double cut control input command. Position sensors provide position values for the knuckle boom and the felling head. At least one controller receives the operator commands and position values. After receiving the double cut control input command, the controller generates a first cut control signal to direct flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinders to position the knuckle boom to advance the felling head in a single fore-aft direction a set distance corresponding to a partial depth cut.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A double cut control system for a felling head having a saw disc and positioned by a knuckle boom having a hoist boom and a stick boom coupled by a knuckle, the knuckle boom being positioned by hydraulic cylinders actuated by a hydraulic pump and hydraulic control valves, the control system comprising:
an operator input device for input of operator commands including a double cut control input command;
position sensors providing position values for the knuckle boom and the felling head; and
at least one controller receiving the operator commands and position values;
wherein, after receiving the double cut control input command and position values, the at least one controller generates a first cut control signal to direct flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinders to position the knuckle boom to advance the felling head in a single fore-aft direction a set distance corresponding to a partial depth cut of a tree.

2. The double cut control system of claim 1 , wherein the set distance is a pre-determined distance value.

3. The double cut control system of claim 1 , wherein the set distance is a variable operator input value.

4. The double cut control system of claim 1 , wherein the set distance is a variable value based on a dimension of the tree to be cut.

5. The double cut control system of claim 4 , wherein the dimension is an approximate diameter of the tree; and
wherein the at least one controller computes the set distance based on a predetermined proportion of the diameter of the tree.

6. The double cut control system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one controller generates the first cut control signal upon receiving the double cut control input command from an operator.

7. The double cut control system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one controller generates the first cut control signal upon receiving a first cut initiation input after receiving the double cut control input command from an operator.

8. The double cut control system of claim 7 , wherein the first cut initiation input is an operator input command.

9. The double cut control system of claim 7 , wherein the first cut initiation input is a sensed input.

10. The double cut control system of claim 9 , wherein the sensed input is a proximity input based on a sensed proximity of the saw disc to the tree; and
wherein the proximity input is determined from at least one of a capacitance sensor, a laser sensor and a camera mounted to the felling head.

11. The double cut control system of claim 9 , wherein the sensed input is a load sense input based on operation of the saw disc.

12. The double cut control system of claim 11 , wherein the load sense input is a motor speed value based on a sensed speed of a motor rotating the saw disc, the motor speed value corresponding to a prescribed reduction in motor speed.

13. The double cut control system of claim 11 , wherein the load sense input is a motor pressure input based on a sensed pressure in a hydraulic circuit of a motor rotating the saw disc, the motor pressure input corresponding to a prescribed rise in motor pressure.

14. A double cut control system for a felling head having a saw disc and positioned by a knuckle boom having a main boom and a stick boom coupled by a knuckle, the knuckle boom being positioned by hydraulic cylinders actuated by a hydraulic pump and hydraulic control valves, the control system comprising:
an operator input device for input of operator commands including a double cut control input command;
position sensors providing position values for the knuckle boom and the felling head;
a load sensor providing load values of a motor driving the saw disc; and
at least one controller receiving the operator commands, the position values and the load values;
wherein, after receiving the double cut control input command and a load value corresponding to at least one of a prescribed motor speed reduction and a prescribed motor pressure rise, the at least one controller generates a first cut control signal to direct flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinders to position the knuckle boom to advance the felling head in a single fore-aft direction a set distance corresponding to a partial depth cut of a tree.

15. A double cut control method for a felling head having a saw disc and positioned by a knuckle boom having a hoist boom and a stick boom coupled by a knuckle, the knuckle boom being positioned by hydraulic cylinders actuated by a hydraulic pump and hydraulic control valves, the method comprising:
receiving, by one or more controllers, a double cut control input command from an operator input device;
receiving, by the one or more controllers, position values for the knuckle boom and the felling head from one or more position sensors; and
generating, by the one or more controllers, a first cut control signal to direct flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinders to position the knuckle boom to advance the felling head in a single fore-aft direction a set distance corresponding to a partial depth cut of a tree based on the received double cut control input command and position values.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the one or more controller generate the first cut control signal upon receiving the double cut control input command from an operator.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the one or more controllers generate the first cut control signal upon receiving a first cut initiation input after receiving the double cut control input command from an operator; and
wherein the first cut initiation input is one of an operator input command and a sensed input.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the sensed input is a proximity input based on a sensed proximity of the saw disc to the tree; and
wherein the proximity input is determined from at least one of a capacitance sensor, a laser sensor and a camera mounted to the felling head.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the sensed input is a load sense input based on operation of the saw disc including at least one of:
a motor speed value based on a sensed speed of a motor rotating the saw disc and corresponding to a prescribed reduction in motor speed; and
a motor pressure input based on a sensed pressure in a hydraulic circuit of a motor rotating the saw disc and corresponding to a prescribed rise in motor pressure.

20. The method claim 15 , wherein the set distance is one of a pre-determined distance value, a variable operator input value, and a variable value based on an approximation of a diameter of the tree to be cut.

Assignees

• Deere & Co

Inventors

• Hunt Jonathan R

Classifications

• A01G23/091 Primary

  Sawing apparatus specially adapted for felling trees (A01G23/081, A01G23/083, A01G23/093 take precedence) · CPC title